//------------------------------// // Alicorns // Story: The Herald // by darkangel_31314 //------------------------------// I have seen many stories on this site of 'dark alicorns', other winged unicorns, or other bad guys, forcefully taking power from Celestia and Luna. Where do they all come from? What is their stories? They are many and varied, and I have decided to help with my writer's block, to flesh out an idea I typed up long ago so that The Herald gets to meet one of them. How will such an encounter go? Read for yourself. ... and see what happens when he decides not to take 'No' for an answer... ..... What is a dark Alicorn to do? A wise writer once said that evil begets evil. When you appear to be a monster, and everyone sees you as such, do you in turn become a monster? One's environment determines what one will be, and it is no different for winged unicorns. The two great Alicorns, Celestia and Luna, are demi-Gods who move celestial bodies and maintain the balance in the natural world. Many great nations, several of whom would naturally prey on ponykind, are quick to become their allies because of this. But every so often, through a fluke of nature or genetics, a unicorn is born with wings, or a Pegasus is born with a unicorn's horn. And sometimes, they see themselves as something great, or destined to be such. Scar was just such a winged unicorn. He was born with pitch black fur, blood red mane with violet streaks, and blood red eyes. Raised in a remote land, with a naturally dark color, he grew up being bullied, hated, feared for his appearance. This, naturally, caused him to grow up with anger and darkness in his heart. He viewed it as his right to seize great power by force, and he trained himself for the day he marched into Canterlot to take it. That was, until he met a young filly on the road. "Hi there." "Out of my way, foal..." He growled and marched past her. Here we go again... Thought the young, white unicorn with pale golden mane and shining emerald eyes. Every single time... ~Just do what needs to be done, my Student. It is his decision to accept the wisdom you offer.~ The soft, soothing, motherly voice whispered into her mind. Of course, Teacher. She stood and closed her eyes, a golden glow of her magic encircling her horn. Several minutes later, Scar slowed and blinked his red eyes at a familiar filly sitting on a fencepost. The small thing just smiled and waved. He eyed her suspiciously as he trotted past, soon after breaking into a run. This was weird... he could swear it was the same filly further back. After several minutes he settled back to a trot and shook his head. The future King had other things to worry about. How would the Princesses react? Would he have to fight them? It was more than likely, mares like them needed a strong hand to show them the error of their ways, and that he was the one to rule. As he thought over his pattern of attack should it come to a fight in the throne room of the Canterlot Palace, something caught his eye on the side of the road... Another white unicorn filly was playing jacks. Her golden telekinetic aura bounced a small rubber ball, and a hoof scooped up several of the three-dimensional caltrops. Another bounce, and another scoop. She finally looked up and smiled. "... 'bout time. What kept you?" "You... how?" He stopped beside her. This WAS the same filly! She just gave him a cute smile. He leapt into the air and flapped his wings, flying down the road. This was getting out of hand! He looked back to see her pouting as she watched him fly away. Soon enough, he lowered himself back to the road when he could no longer see her. He shook his head again. Was this some game by Celestia or Luna? Did they know of his plans to achieve God-Hood? He looked up and immediately jerked to a halt. The same filly was sitting in the middle of the road, looking at him. Those same emerald eyes staring right into his blood red ones. "Gonna run again?" She asked simply. "What is this?! Do you know who I am!" He roared at her, flaring his wings out. "Yes, I do." She said simply. "Then you know to get out of my way before I crush you like a bug!" She shrugged. "They always say that." "Who's 'They'?" He demanded. "All the others like you." She replied matter-of-factually. "Sometimes I think Teacher really needs to talk to Miss Celestia and Miss Luna about how they represent their kind." ~I might just have you do that in my stead, my Student.~ The foal canted her head and flicked an ear. This is what? The third one this year alone? ~Fourth. There was a mare in Baltimare who had to be taken down by the police last week.~ Ah, didn't know about that one. ~Your presence wasn't required. She is receiving the help she needs now.~ "My Teacher says that this kind of thing isn't that uncommon." She smiled at the stallion. "What is that supposed to mean?" He huffed. "You think just because you have wings and a horn you are a God, right?" "I am a God!" He snarled. "No... you are a Pony." She stated. "Even Discord isn't a real God. Miss Celestia and Miss Luna are the closest things to Gods in the physical world, and even they know their limitations." He sat and stared at her like she had suddenly became a Manticore. "Just who in Tarterus are you to think you could speak to me in such a manner?" "I am The Herald." "The what?" "You know what a Herald is, right?" She raised a hoof toward him. "They speak for their Masters, make announcements, deliver messages, that sort of thing? Well, that is what I do." "And who is your Master?" "I can't tell you." She grinned. "HA!" He laughed. "Then you have no business blocking my way. Begone!" His horn glowed. "... I wouldn't do that if I were you..." She warned. He sneered and fired a spell at her... ..... The next thing he knew, he was sputtering as a bucket of water was dumped on his head. "What-Who?!" "About time you woke up." The Filly leaned over him, tossing the empty bucket aside with her magic. It was at that point he realized he was laying, sprawled, in the middle of the road. His whole body ached all over, and it felt like a pair of Diamond Dogs were using his head as a drum set. "What happened?" "You tried to hurt me. My Teacher doesn't like it when somepony tries to hurt me." He immediately leapt to his hooves. "How did you do that?!" "Wards." She shrugged and sat before him. "You going to listen now?" "When I get my power I'm going to find your Teacher and show them what true power is!" He roared in anger. The Herald facehoofed. "... not a good idea..." "I'm a God! I can do whatever I want!" "No. You are not. I thought I explained that to you." She sighed. He made the mistake of taking a swipe at her with a hoof, an attempt at a sucker-punch since the glow of his horn would give him away. However, once again, he found himself waking up, this time on the far side of the road. "... this is getting out of hand. You try again, my Teacher will have to punish you Herself." The filly was looking down at him from the road. He stood up, uneasily as his body protested. "I AM SCAR! I AM THE GOD OF PONYKIND! NOPONY TELLS ME WHAT TO DO, ESPECIALLY SOME FOAL SENT BY CELESTIA!" She wasn't even phased. She merely canted her head and flicked an ear. ~Looks like I have to intervene... best make it quick, I don't want the Princesses to know I am interfering in Mortal matters again...~ The Herald sighed sadly, hanging her head. I understand, Teacher. I'm sorry I couldn't make him realize he was being bad. ~It is all right, my Student. Some ponies just can't be reasoned with. We can only try.~ "... I tried to warn you..." She said sadly and closed her eyes. When they opened again they were glowing, brilliant white orbs. Scar was suddenly hit by a powerful wave of the Royal Canterlot Voice: "THOU HAST FAILED TO HEED MINE WARNING, FOAL! THOU SEEKEST TO DESTROY THE PEACE THY GOD HATH CREATED IN THIS WORLD! AND WORST OF ALL, THOU HATH THREATENED OUR HERALD! SUCH CRIMES CANNOT GO UNPUNISHED!" The winged unicorn glared at the possessed foal, wings flaring out as he took a defensive posture. "Who are you! Show yourself!" "WERE THOU EYES TO LOOK UPON OUR GREATNESS, THOU WOULDST BE DRIVEN INSANE. TO HEAR OUR VOICE, WOULD SHATTER THY PERCEPTION OF REALITY. THUS, WE ARE FORCED TO SPEAK THROUGH OUR HERALD." "Who are you!" He roared again in anger. "WE ARE BEYOND THY COMPREHENSION. WE ARE WHOM WILL DECIDE THOU FATE FOR THY CRIMES AND ATTEMPTED CRIMES AGAINST THE PEACE WE MAINTAIN." "You have no right!" "AND WHAT, PRITHEE TELL, GRANTS THOU THE RIGHT TO SEIZE POWER FROM THE ROYAL PONY SISTERS?" "I am a God!" "FASCINATING. THAT IS THE SAME RIGHT THAT GRANTS US THE POWER TO JUDGE THOU." The possessed filly grinned. He had just long enough to take on an expression of absolute horror before he vanished in a flash of white. The glowing orbs closed, and when they opened, her eyes were back to normal. She looked around, finding herself alone on the road. Even Scar's footprints had been erased from existence. She canted her head. What has become of him, Teacher? ~I am afraid I cannot tell you, my Student. Suffice to say, he will never harm or endanger anypony ever again. The peace will be maintained.~ Of course, Teacher. She nodded sadly, upset she could not help him. ~Do not fret, my Student. You tried your best. Now you must leave. Even such a tenuous presence may attract unwarranted attention from my daughters.~ Of course, Teacher. She smiled, looking around briefly, before spotting a sign nearby. She smiled even more and began trotting down the road, following the direction indicated on it: Ponyville - 5 Miles