To Be Malevolent

by The Bannerlord

8 - Lament

It was a silence that hovered around the two Unicorns. So many words to convey, the myriad of thoughts. Nothing could be spoken. They sat, eyes veering off into the distant eclipse atop their semi-constructed stronghold. The apparition knew what his companion thought of him; a parasite, a terrible form of life, he could be pardoned for thinking that. The Unicorn knew what his counterpart thought of him; a weak and sometimes insufferable host for his conquest.

“Not all problems can be solved with a simple gesture. You are a great teacher, on occasion.” He complimented, a smile appearing on both their faces. He watched the apparition open his mouth; wordless breaths escaped. He was almost frantically looking around. “Flattery will get you nowhere, you were about to say?” He spoke once more, placing a forehoof on the back of his companion.

“Speaking ill of you will lead to nowhere, I’ve come to accept that.” Sighing, he paused, eyes now directed on his associate. “I have come to accept many things. You are not merely a tainted version of my image; you are your own person.” His comrade turned his head and faced him. “However horrible your actions may be, I understand now that I should not worry. We are still one in the same, yes, despite our independence, I realise now that what you have done, I would have done tenfold if given the opportunity.”

The darker Unicorn chuckled, “You make me so weak. Only one who I truly care about in the world, somebody who I had come to hate so much.” He was downcast, every passing word demoralising him. “One who I have come to rely upon, one who had created me, my father.” He paused, grasping himself. “I tried to kill you, destroy you.” His voice became lower and lower, until it was muttering. “Wherever would I be without you?”

Hooves wrapped around the apparition; his companion couldn’t bear watching him reduced to such a state. “Don’t fret now,” He spoke, nuzzling the now smaller shade, having shrunk in his emotional state. “I can taste the fear already, but I do not feed on it. You are terrified, aren’t you? Your creation was tainted by pain, one I caused- “

“You did nothing.” He snapped, de-materialising and re-materialising out of the Unicorn’s reach. He now wore a frown, stern in posture and expression. Creating a barrier of mist, he turned his attention on the Shade army before him, tens of thousands of Unicorns and Pegasi, captured, tortured and tainted. “You did nothing, father.”

“I am not your father.” He sighed, placing his hoof on the barrier. “Tear down this wall.” At his command, the magical barrier disintegrated. “Consider our words. “ Placing his hoof on the shoulder of the apparition. “End the conflict, correct your mistakes. I may sympathise with your actions, but I do not support them.”

Turning around, both Unicorns locked their eyes, the apparition hissed, “I’m sorry” Could be faintly distinguished by the Unicorn when his companion was suddenly lunging forward and taking over his body. He turned back to his armies, motionless, emotionless and ready to be commanded, his perfect creations. Looking beyond, he saw pandemonium. Inhabitants of Equestria, betrayed by their sovereigns, whom built up their armies from the ashes of their nation.

Celestia, now the Empress of Equestria failed to restrain her counterpart, unleashing a great flame that scorched her and her sister’s home, killing countless subjects of hers. A Goddess of fire, controller of the sun itself. Where she treads there shall only be ash and flame, perfection in her image.

Luna, having only recently received dark magic, had been rallying her legions, gathering whomever still loyal to the former Equestrian Princess, now Queen of her own Lunar nation. Equestrian territory is ruled by constant skirmishes between the two nations, whilst the third under the Lord awaits its day of reckoning.

“And then, the lords above said; let there be war.” He spoke, venom in his voice. “Each passing day, I feel sorrow, that which once pained me so much had grown so distant.” He continued; an aura of melancholy dominated his sentence. “With each passing day, my resolve is renewed, strengthened beyond its previous state. With each passing day I reach ever closer to ascension, to transcendence. Why is it I take so much pleasure in the lament of others? It is my purpose, is it not? Without purpose I am a husk, a container without its contents.” He chuckled, eyes monitoring the forest before him. “This is all I have ever wanted, father, brother, other self.”

“Let there be war, be suffering, be pain, without it, there is no meaning to peace. No meaning to prosperity. Nothing to catapult the world forward. Let the shroud of dark magic reign supreme over all life. Emotion is its fuel source, and fear is its purest form.”

“Fear, a fundamental building block of life, an emotion that life cannot exist without. Those who have not learned this are sheep, are they not? Understand me, my sibling, my companion, my comrade. Pain, something they have not learned, something they lack, it has made them weak, once more, sheep. They advance in blissful ignorance, they shall learn the truth, nothing can defeat truth, it is a hammer for those who are ignorant are anvils of which it will strike.”

“Father, brother, other self. There is nothing more I fear than disappointing my very own family member. I carry your legacy with me, we both share this burden. There is nothing more of which I fear than that of the sibling, of the parent. I was- No, you were never really terrified of anybody else. They were irrelevant to you, problems that solved themselves in the long run. No, it was always somebody close to heart, not a friend, not a pet even, it was always familial matters. I despise you for that, just like you to your own creators.”

“No matter how bitter I am, I can be, there will be a line I draw, one I shall not pass. I hope I haven’t crossed that line too often. I hope I haven’t killed too many people directly. No matter how malevolent I become, no matter how much dark magic seeps its way into my mind, this rule will always prevail.”

He sighed, ending the greatest speech he has ever devised. Looking down to his legions, he saw something different, something he never noticed. The soulless machines he had manufactured. Those Ponies which he had empowered with dark magic, he saw somebody else in all of them. He saw his mentor, he saw all of the shadows, the amalgamations, all of the most terrible thoughts. They were not soulless, they were alive. He knew under the enhancements, they suffered, the host bodies and their minds were tormented. For once, he felt pity for them, for once, he felt true shame for his actions.

Innocent lives were suffering because of him, but he neverminded before, he always knew they suffered. For this brief moment, he saw life spring and flourish, only to fade into oblivion as he saw the silhouette cast by his own creations. His own creator made him so weak. His purpose, for a long time he thought was to unleash those emotions that his creator supressed, but he never realised he had been so susceptible to them. You are your own person. He didn’t have to follow his mentor. He didn’t have to follow those who had brought him out of the mindscape. He didn’t. But he did.

“I am a slave to my own thoughts, shackled to them… These chains which bind me are reinforced by my own lust and greed. My own pain soothed by that which pains me in the first place.” His eyes were now directed onto his hooves. “If I right my wrongs, do I deserve forgiveness? He forgave me, but he is only one. There are legions of them, he is my creator, he had desired my existence, but never thought it possible. That legion, which I have wronged, which I have cursed, I have…There are many words I could convey, but they serve no purpose.” He sighed once more.

‘You know nothing but sorrow and hatred.’ A voice, foreign to him, it did not belong to his creator. It was morose, filled with regret. ‘You enjoy it, don’t you? You enjoy spreading it all across the land.’ It sounded angered, beyond angered. ‘But you don’t know who I am, do you? I had a great conversation with the one you call `father`.’

It was tranquil. A quiet, peaceful land. A paradise, one without war, without any troubles. The mindscape had reorganised itself, from a chaotic mess it was cleared. It was in equilibrium. But the presence of sorrow was everlasting. An overwhelming aroma, a scent that could not be ignored, a sound that could not be unheard, an image that could not be unseen. Outside its confines there was only issue after issue.

It was as if sorrow itself manifested into a being. It wouldn’t be the first occurrence, the one that has currently hijacked his body was the first. But he didn’t know where this being was. Where it preferred to reside. It was eerily quiet now. Though the presence of the creature could still be felt by the Unicorn. It was an odd sensation. He found his connection to his dark counterpart severed.

He wandered the jungle of his mind, searching for the next parasite. The thought of betrayal lingered in his mind, constantly reverberating. He heard the semi-apology the apparition had given, but he could not help feel disappointment. He had always detested apology, something useless in his mind. It carried little meaning, and it left little impression.

No, I am a changed person… Pony. I should be more open to these ideas. He-who-controls-my-body should be the one that retains them. He thought, continuously exploring the hive of a mind he was in. In the distance stood a figure, his howls and lamenting could be heard from afar. Another piece of my mind, it seems. He made the assumption instantly.

Approaching the figure, he examined them. They weren’t many differences from the apparition or the Unicorn, their coat seemed to be a simple white, but their eyes completely contrasted their coat. It was pitch black; it was almost as if there were no eyes at all. There was a liquid oozing out of its sockets. The sight was beyond revolting, but he managed to bear with it.

Placing a hoof on the lamenting alabaster stallion’s shoulder, he tried comforting it, first with shoulder rubs, then a little nuzzling on the chest. Nothing worked, it continued its cry. He tried comforting it with many methods to no avail. It was completely ignoring him.

“What is your purpose?” He asked, concern in his voice. As he spoke, the lament halted, the Pony looked at him, black eyes glared, a cold yet morose expression. It rose its hooves and wrapped them around the Unicorn, seemingly comforted by his presence. A smile, though still melancholic appeared on its visage.

“Father, thank goodness you have come.” It spoke, relief in its voice. “I am deeply sorry for what I have done to you, could you accept my apology? Could you ever forgive me?” The liquid from its eyes receded, colour returned to the sockets. It was like a child who had committed a wrong act, puppy dog eyes staring up to his parent.

The Unicorn smiled, he had to play its game. “Yes, child, I will forgive you. Just as I have forgiven my spiteful other child.” He gently patted the head of this new creation. “Now answer my question, what is your name?” He softly spoke, continuously patting the young stallion. He believed that this was regret incarnate, created from a century of heinous acts.

“I know of no name, only purpose, father. But you could call me Lament, for that is my purpose.” Lament spoke, releasing the one he called father. He began manipulating the mindscape, sculpting and moulding the landscape and architecture. The result being a fog covered world, one where the sun was eclipsed by a thick shroud. Everything emanated traces of dark magic, from trees down to insects. Roads were well paved, cities well-constructed. However, there was a sinister nature about these structures. Banners fluttered proudly in the wind, banners of the apparition, of Chaos. Unending Legions of shades marched around this new Equestria, one where Canterville had been razed to its foundation, one where the Everfree Castle had been reduced to salt. One with total control. Ironic, for a Pony who had named himself Chaos.

“Come now, let us converse with the architect. The one I despise so much. Sins which cannot be forgotten for generations.” Lament lead his creator to the now completed Castle which Chaos had ordered construction on. A ring wall surrounded its perimeter, a moat just around that with ditches before that. The wall was comparable to the Theodosian walls of Constantinople, three layers with the second ascending and the third just above that. Towers dotted all around, shade guards marched in unison, patrolling the greatest fortress ever known to Ponykind. In the centre was a great spire, taller than anything previously built, around it, more spires half of its height.

There was only one gatehouse to the interior. It was a nightmare to cross. Three portcullises separating the three levels, in between them was the slaughtering pit of the castle. Arrow loops dotted the sides. Pegasi weren’t spared either. Ballistae lined the walls. Earth pony shades carrying crossbows ceaselessly trotted.

The two were inside the spire now. Its interior was lavishly decorated, the best sculpture in all of Equestira was up on display. Lining the walls were masterly crafted ornaments and carefully painted portraits. Lining the halls were statues of armoured guards, famed warriors, even some of the greatest enemies of the dark Unicorn were honourably given statues. The finest statues, ironically were of the Alicorns, Celestia and Luna to commemorate their prior duties of raising their respective celestial bodies. The further they tread, the less honour was given to Chaos’ own accomplishments, and more to those he tormented, some even opposed him, but he praised them for their accomplishments.

They reached the throne room at the highest point of the spire. The room was covered in dense fog. Stained glass windows could be distinguished, completely surrounding them, many well preserved from the Everfree Castle. The Unicorn felt rather proud for his malevolent counterpart, still having an appreciation for masterful pieces of work. Lament didn’t care, his objective was to speech with the dark Unicorn.

Little by little, the mist receded, revealing the figure on his throne. He seemed to be mumbling to himself. ‘Let there be war’ could be distinguished. The longer he spoke, the more sounded like he was speaking directly to the Unicorn. Lament strode before his `sibling` and began, “You know nothing but sorrow and hatred.” Despite his voice composing of melancholy, his expression told a different story, one of unbridled anger. Unrestrained fury. “You enjoy it, don’t you? You enjoy spreading it all across the land.” His voice became one with his expression, he readied himself for combat.

“But you don’t know who I am, do you? I had a great conversation with the one you called ‘father’.” He looked back to his creator, whose face was one of regret.

“Stop,” The Unicorn uttered, silencing the entire chamber. Trotting forward, he placed a hoof on the angered second apparition. “bickering will only do us harm.” He softly spoke, defusing the situation. Begrudgingly, Lament obeyed his command, not before letting a growl work his throat.

*Stop, bickering will only do us harm. * He heard the creator order. Releasing control of the body, he lowered his head, mind flooded with thought, any kind of apology beyond his simple `sorry`. Perhaps... We are sincerely… No, we sincerely apologise for our acts against Equestria… No, he doesn’t care about Equestria, does he? His mind became a jumbled mess. Dragging a hoof along the cold stone floor, he blurted out scrambled pieces of incomprehensible words, eventually to the point where he was merely exhaling. It was rather embarrassing for somebody who nearly conquered a country and has now thrown it into disorder.

His head finally raised, looking to the Unicorn before him. Instead of the light grey pelt clad in armour he had expected, with the dull brown eyes and relatively well-kept mane, he saw a white hide, eyes oozing a dark liquid which covered every part of its eye. A snarl dominated its visage, it adopted a combat-ready stance, though less combat-experienced and more wild, untamed, a wolf in the disguise of a pony. It was growling, fangs visible beyond its mouth. Instead of saliva, there was the black liquid again. His invasion would have to be delayed, clearly.

“What have you done to my companion?” He demanded, taking a combat stance, summoning his halberd. Upon seeing this, his opponent unceremoniously charged, attempting to tackle the dark Unicorn, who effortlessly side-stepped the combatant. Both Unicorns began circling each other, hisses escaping them.

“Perish!” The white Unicorn roared, every movement becoming more controlled, though still barbaric, utilising the horn to skewer. “The crimes of the past can never be forgiven!” Its horn ignited, a torrent of flame flared outwards, snaking towards the apparition, striking at his armour. “And when I am done, we can ascend to Alicornhood…” It hissed, summoning a bardiche and clashing with the halberd, almost overwhelming its user. “Divine, no, unholy ascension, apotheosis, transcendence.” Laughter boiled, beyond malevolent, beyond malign, it was plain psychotic.

“But first, I have one obstacle in my path, one I intend to erase from existence: you.” Hissing once more, both combatants flared their dark magic, raising their respective melee weapons and clashed. The duel could be seen from miles away, even the Everfree Castle, the Empress of Equestria watched in glee as her enemies destroyed each other. Pillars of black magic rose into the atmosphere as the magically enhanced blades seethed and clashed. This was unrestrained, true dark magic usage. Both combatants desired each other’s demise, the desire fuelled their magic. Lightning roared and struck around the spire. A droplet became a great downpour. Rain water evaporated upon contact with the dark magic, a rasping noise as a result of it.

Shades marched up to the peak of the spire, to confront their master’s assailant. But as they arrived, they stood still. Before them was a grandiose display of power. Black and white magic, a simple palette of colour, at times mundane, yet it conquered all other. Their users, ironically had contrasting pelts, one as dark as charcoal and the other as white as snow. Both combatant’s weapons were gleaming with light, sparks of magic billowed from them as they locked in a fierce struggle. The Shades found themselves unable to move, restrained by an inexplicable force.

On one side of the tower, the mad Unicorn found himself surprised by his double’s endurance, formerly expecting a landslide victory over his sibling. On the other, the dark Unicorn could only think of his creator, of what he could’ve been suffering in his deranged counterpart’s mind. This was only fuel for his newfound hatred. Then, what came next was a shock for both combatants, quite literally. The two Unicorns collapsed onto the ground, writhing in pain, their blood boiled within them.

“Stop.” A voice boomed, the Unicorn’s voice. In a display rivalling the previous, a flash of light, followed by a shockwave of the arcane. Thus, the two Unicorns’ battle was cut short, as the light faded away, they saw the host standing before them. The mad Unicorn clutched himself, frantically looking at his own body whilst his opponent only stared in awe. “You two disappoint me.” He continued; a frown appeared on his face. He noticed the two scrambling back to their hooves and casted chains around them.

“Are you hurt? What did he do? What did that animal do?” The darker Unicorn felt frantic, his composure was destroyed. What was to be an apology became a skirmish.

“Worry not, for he was too distracted with you. He is not an animal, he is us, is he not?” Glancing over to Lament, the Unicorn noticed he was mumbling to himself. Slowly, the incoherent speech grew louder. His head snapped in multiple directions, eventually halting in place, eyes locked onto the Unicorn once more.

“Thank you, father.” The mad Unicorn finally, he no longer sounded deranged, his voice was similar to that of the first apparition’s. “I thank you for granting me an independent body, allowing me full escape. Chaos may have his own form, but he is still bound, is he not?” He rose his forehooves and slammed them onto the stone with full force, shattering the magically created binds. “And now, my greatest weakness, purged from my mind. Lament no more. Bear witness to true unrestrained arcane might!” With those final words, he unleashed a vortex of magic. Lightning gravitated towards the toward, striking it with unrelenting shock. He dived off the tower, madly cackling on the way down. As he neared the ground, his body changed into the revolting liquid and safely collided with the muddy floor.

The apparition quickly tackled the Unicorn to the floor and raised a shield around them. As the whirlwind calmed, the two watched their counterpart escape into the Everfree, leaving behind a trail of the black liquid, laughing into the midnight. Following the cackling Unicorn was a group of shades, turned to his side by the magic he inherited, pelts stark white, eyes pitch black, they would be his finest servants.

It was by no means a quiet evening, or day for the inhabitants of Canterville. A hail of torrential rain crashed against the pavements, lightning struck the tallest structures in the town, sounds of plate armour and iron weaponry clashing reverberated, the sound of hooves drumming against the cobbled streets and continuous chanting filled the air. They were terrified. Terrified of their future, o their descendants’ lives, of the prospect of defeat at the hands of the deranged Empress of flames. All lay in desperation for their ruler to bring back balance and order. For the soldiers of Canterville, they told a different story. One of preparation, of uneasiness, of fear. Fear for the coming battle, the battle to end this pointless conflict. Equestria has had great battle previously, but this would be the battle dwarf them all.

Princess, or rather Queen Luna of the Night paced around her castle. Her kingdom was weak, her armies were made of unskilled warriors. Unfortunately, many of her battle-hardened officers and soldiers had either defected to her sister, or had been forcefully converted into one of Daybreaker’s own personal army. The Solar Legions were known to be as ruthless as their leader, easily crushing their opposition, mirroring the time before their transformation.

She was becoming desperate. The prospect of adopting dark magic drew ever closer. She had shied away from the volatile form of the arcane ever since her defeat by the dark Unicorn. Instinctively, there was the belief that he was the true foe, and that Daybreaker would be easier dealt with. After all, he was the one to orchestrate their fall from grace. The mocking chuckle, the twisted grin, it still reverberates within her mind. Those who had went with her, some of the finest guards she had ever led. Now they resided within the horrid fortress spire within the Everfree.

Sighing, she trotted towards the balcony, eyes fixated on the Solar-Lunar Eclipse before her. It was a terrifying display, its foretold the end of Equestria, of unending war, death and destruction. Her sister’s defiance would cost their nation if it continued. Her mind focused on the low quantity of her armies once more. If she was to defeat both the Solar and Shade armies, she would require allies. Sighing once more, she had not hoped to include anypony else in the petty conflict.

Looking north, Luna thought of an invaluable ally, the young Crystal Empire. Not long after the unification of the three Pony Kingdoms, Ponies who had not travelled south had adapted to the cold environment and formed the Crystal Empire. Their leader; Princess Amore had created a powerful artefact to hold off the unending snowstorms and ordered her subjects to create a great city of crystal, a material in abundance in the frozen north. Crystal was easily the most magically attuned material in the entire world, even the Windigoes utilised them.

Levitating a piece of parchment, an inkwell and quill, she immediately began writing the call to arms.

It was scorching, beyond the temperature a regular Pony could survive. Reconstruction of the Everfree Castle had been steady. New ornaments and symbols dedicated to the sun decorated its halls. Constant marching was the most prominent sound heard here. Orders were barked left right and centre. Weather today hadn’t changed; it hadn’t changed for months now. Such was the rule of the Solar Empress.

Why wait until dawn, when there is no dawn? Why wait until dusk, when there is no dusk? There was only the rule of the Empress. There shall only be the rule of the Empress. Why allow the opposition to prepare any more than they already have? They will perish before the might of the Solar Legions; such is the will of Daybreaker. Such is the will of the Solar Empress. They follow every word, every cry, every call, every command. Those who dare speak against the one who so generously rose their precious sun will understand their folly, and be brought to final judgement.

There shall be order, only one shall rule over Equestria, only one deserves the title of Empress. One to cradle and nurture her new Equestria. Many thoughts such as this frequented the mind of the former Princess of Equestria. She had prepared a pre-emptive strike against Luna, which would be a swift landslide victory. Of course, she did not worry herself over the thought of defeat. She did not even think it possible.

No, right now, she was craving cake. Calling out to her servants, they scrambled to deliver her cuisine. She licked her lips, then her fangs. She felt like a predator, in the presence of prey. Before her, a tray of exquisite desserts laid in waiting. In desperate times of war, the cake of Equestria would be cut into a multitude of pieces by its foes. But for Daybreaker, she would be craving all of it, and with excess. Equestria would be a banquet for the mad Alicorn. She savagely erased the cake from existence, a pleased response following suit.

By the end of the eclipse, there shall be a new Equestria. Born from the ruins, as a phoenix rising from the ashes. Radiant, iridescent, divine. She felt giddy, rubbing her hooves together, it wasn’t even her birthday.

Flaring her wings and taking flight, she flew directly through a glassless window, over watching her armies as they ceaselessly marched into the forest. Luna had better prepare a challenge, even if she was about to be honoured with the greatest raid in Equestrian history. Daybreaker wildly cackled at the thought.

There was a calm breeze in the Everfree. It was wild, yet still calm. Those beasts which previously hunted on these grounds had retreated to less war-torn realms. It had made the untamed forest rather… Tame. Tranquil. Many sought refuges here despite its proximity to the epicentre of conflict. This was now the residence of the mad Unicorn, Lament. He wasn’t… Immensely deranged, his counterparts would consider that being unlike them. He had a task to complete, and he would do whatever necessary.

His legion, his first legion. The apex of Lament’s corruption in its current form. His corruption had not yet reached its zenith, in fact, it was far from perfection. But if Chaos could manufacture an entire division of obedient and enhanced warriors from abducting over ten thousand Ponies, then he could too. One shudders to think what torment goes through those shades’ minds. With the memories of his creator and the misdeeds of his sibling, he had learned of Equestria, all of its history, much irrelevant information, irrelevant for the current millennium. He knew of individuals that have yet to exist, or even be fathomed.

They won’t matter. His current objective was to be rid of the glorified King of Shades, Lord of Fear. Perhaps the lament will be over. It tortures his mind, along with the recently acquired Alicorn magic. Yes… Yes… Magic… Alicorn magic… Yes… He licked his lips, catching a droplet of the black liquid. It tasted like venom; he savoured the flavour. He slapped himself, reminded of the task at hand.

Looking towards the distance at the newly constructed spire, he grinned. I do wonder what you plan in that peculiar little mind of yours, brother, me, you, father, other self. We’re all technically the same person, I don’t… He paused, recollecting himself. What a confusing family tree.

The culmination of his less-than careful planning, the final confrontation. One where he, the dark Unicorn could achieve redemption. One where he could sate his malevolent impulses. Granted, his foes won’t forgive so easily, for it was him who caused it in the first place. It was perfect; beyond perfect. Now, with the unaccounted Lament being removed from his mind; there were no distractions. Everything can proceed as I have rearranged. He thought, eyes fixated on the Everfree Castle. Daybreaker was already marching towards Canterville. Good. Let them fight. All will be good in due time.

Trotting through the halls of his spire, a stillness filled the construction. Calm before the storm. Here, it was quite literal. A calm that could not be replaced. Soon, a storm of magic would brew on the battlefield. Afterwards, peace. There will be ashes, there will be dust, but in the end; peace. He felt rather twisted, having prepared Equestria for future conflict. Realising that, in fact he had made Equestria more powerful, a nation to be reckoned with. Villains, archnemesis, evil-doers, they should be worried. They should feel dread, harrow… Fear. Yes. Fear me.