//------------------------------//
// The Elements of Strife 
// Story: The Kingdom of Palidark 
// by Idio Adustum 
//------------------------------//

Glummson walked the dimming wasteland, the wind getting gradually cold as he stared at his map.  His cloak was blowing in the wind, revealing his reptile torso and his furry legs.  Unlike most creatures in Equestria, or the Kingdom of Palidark, he walked on two legs, an advantage in most situations and a disadvantage in others.  Today, it held a huge advantage, allowing him to travel and watch his position, aligning himself with the stars to keep his path straight.

After two weeks of seemingly aimless wandering and studying nursery rhymes, he had solid evidence of the existence of his target, and according to this map and his key code, he was standing on top of it.  He looked up at the stars, double check, check map, double check, triple check, yup.  This was the resting place of the shrine of the elements of strife.

King Kaklin would be very pleased to have the elements, but as Glummson looked around, all he saw was sand.  He did another check, taking about ten minutes to make sure while the sun slowly ebbed his only light away.  As his light finally disappeared and the moon blindness rose, he knew reading his map would be useless.  Unlike other Crocadons, he could not use magic, so light and hope were lost until morning.

He curled up on the spot pulling his cloak around him.  Normally his hairy legs made him hot, but in the chill of the desert, the warm hair was welcome.  A stray breeze caught his cloak, and his map.  Out of reflex he caught the cloak with one hand and the map with the other, when darkness caught his eye.

Normally, moonlight steals words from a page, but tonight, darkness replaced those words.  His notes, codes, position were all gone, but a text that glowed like fire but dark as blood glowed before his eyes.  "Doest thou seeketh thine power to deliver strife?"  Darkness was known for doing strange things, but never had it spoken to him.

He stared into the page, "Yes.  I want to deliver strife!"
The words faded, what Glummson now considered blood words, and new ones appeared.  "The Elements of Harmony hath an new herald." 

Glummson had to think for a moment before he understood.  "Twilight Sparkle and her friends.  She used the elements of harmony to defeat the great Lord Terik even when she had no magic."

New words appeared, "Wilt thou stop this false prophet of an false peace?"

Glummson almost screamed, not that anyone would hear him. "Yes!  Her reign of false power will end!" 

The words faded and new ones appeared.  "We will see."  The darkness faded and Glummson started clawing at the map, trying to keep in touch with whatever voice spoke to him, or script.  But it faded, and only the map remained.  He stared at it, depressed that he missed possibly the biggest clue to lead him to the elements of strife.  He could still see the words on the page, almost like it was still there- wait. . . . his notes, were . . . visible?

He stood, holding the map and going over his notes he'd written on it.  The moon blindness was gone!  He almost jumped for joy, but that meant he had work to do, so he saved his excitement for another time. 

Next to the X where he presumed the entrance was was a note, 'Chant of darkness'.   Now he remembered, his mother always sang him a nursery rhyme when he was young, now that rhyme was the key to open the temple gates. He sang in a low voice, "Rise shrine of strife and remind us of dark.  Replace the false sense of harmony in our heart."

He was about to sing on, but a black haze started to move, pushing the sand away only three feet in front of him.  The haze spread, revealing a roof, then other flames lit as a temple was cleared away, only one problem.  He was standing on the roof and a hole was appearing way too quickly.  He turned and ran, not willing to look back at the obvious sand storm growing behind him.

Despite his speed, the haze still caught him and he fell only a few feet but in a dark cloud of sand, a foot feels like ten.  His ankle ached from a small twist and sand was in his nose, but he was fine.  Oh, it also appeared that the haze had stopped at a pair of torches burning with a black fire, casting a white glow.

He turned to see he was standing on the steps of a grand temple, carved of stone and brick with two huge stone scarabs guarding its gate.  The shrine was little more than a large building, square and holding possibly ten rooms.  It was hard to judge from the outside.  As he got to the top step, he realized it was actually six rooms, one main room with five doors.  The main room was empty, save a large mural on the floor and the ceiling.  The ceiling depicted a tree encased in thorns, vines and other parasitic plants killing the tree. 

The floor illustrated a pony, a dark blue pony with a moon shaped cutie mark.  WHAT?!  WHY WAS A PONY DEPICTED ON THE FLOOR OF THE SHRINE OF STRIFE?!  At his feet lay a small inscription, 'The envious betrayer'.   He shook his head in disgust, even if she was turned by the elements of strife, no pony should be muralled in its shrine, especially a good for nothing alicorn like her.

Deciding to ignore his disgust, he moved on to study the five doors.  Each one had a picture, each door different.  One door had a pony surrounded by gold, another picture had a pony with a knife in its back, or a pony yelling at another pony.  Each door was as confusing as the other, but each one needed to be opened.  Why not right?

The five doors were on the west, north, and south walls, the entrance from the east.  Two doors on each of the corners of the north and south wall and one door in the middle of the west wall.  He decided to open the west door first.

Inside was a single gem held aloft over a black flame and dozens of illustrations, all depicting different scenes.  None of it made sense so he walked to the gem.  According to the spies he had in Equestria, the elements of harmony were gems, now turned necklaces worn by five different ponies and a single tiara, so its safe to say that this jewel is the raw form of an element of strife.

He reached out his hand to take the gem, being weary of the flame, but a wall of red energy formed at his fingertips and a harmful presence filled his mind.  He withdrew and the energy and presence withdrew as well.   Baffled, he stood there, considering his options.  He pulled out his map while he thought and stood there. 

Time went on, creeping by until three words caught his eye, 'Chant of darkness'.  Of course!  It got him into the temple, maybe it can get him the elements too!  "Rise shrine of strife and remind us of dark.  Replace the false sense of harmony in our heart."  He waited.  Nothing happened.  As he reached for the gem, it reacted the same as before, hostile, so he kept reciting the rest of the rhyme.  "Darkness shine and lust burn bright, remove that generous curse tonight,-"  He was interrupted by a puff as the flame went out and the gem landed in a bowl of water.  Wait, was that bowl always there?   So, the water was the source of the fire?!  Interesting, this shrine held more mystery than he realized.

He quenched his overwhelming fascination with the fact that water was burning and grabbed the gem, awareness sinking in.  Every illustration on the wall was an example of lust consuming a pony, or sometimes some other creature.   There were hundreds of images, all clear yet blurry, tempting him to stay and discover each ones secrets, but he had a mission.

He entered each room, each one holding the same black gem, black flame, burning water bowl, but each room had different images and needed a different verse.  Once he had all five, he walked into the main room, needing a sixth, he looked around.  Nothing stood out, the walls were blank and the mural above held no clues either.  The only answer left was in the mural below of a pony. A spineless, weak, friend making pony.

Against his better judgment and swallowing his disgust, he bent down to investigate the image on the floor.  To his surprise, a carving was along the outside of the mural, small dips to put his gems, or so it would seem.  Couldn't hurt to try right?  With each gem in place, the image began to fade, until it was black entirely.  

Glummson waited, and waited.  And waited.  But nothing happened, so he pokes the floor, seeing if it would react.  Instantly the floor glowed and opened, a thorn bush rising up with six colored gems.  The elements of strife. 

A loud thud sounded nearby and Glummson realized he was out of time, so he gently placed each gem into his bag and ran out, only to be met by an Orinian.  The giant stood over seventy foot tall and glowed a dark blue, white dots outlined his see through body.  His sword had a similar look as well as the massive dog next to him.  Glummson grunted to himself in irritation, "What is a sky giant doing here?!"

The giant looked down on the trespasser and pointed his sword at him, "Return those elements, they are not toys and children should not meddle with powers they don't understand."  

Glummson noticed his mercy, a sign of weakness.  This giant was probably placed here by some pony, oh how the mighty have fallen.  Still, an Orinian was trouble of any size.  "What gems are you talking about?"  Glummson played dumb, maybe the giant might get the idea that he was there by accident.

With a massive sword pointed in his reptilian face, the giant answered, "Those gems in your bag.  Return them and I'll let you leave alive."

Oops, guess there was no avoiding a fight.  And as the Orinians sword hung in his face, the Canis Majoris next to him growled, still an intimidating thirty feet up to its back.  What now?  He was out numbered and out matched, especially since he lacked magical talent.  Wait, what was he saying?  Twilight defeated the great Lord Terik without magic and with only the elements of harmony.  What was a giant and a dog to the elements of strife!

Glummson placed his hand in his bag, "Oh, you mean these gems?!"  The jewels spun around him, coating him in a magical aura of dark blues, purples and dark reds.

The Orinian panicked seeing the elements in use and brought his sword down as hard as he could on the helpless Glummson.  Glummson covered his eyes, waiting for the blow to land, but the only sound he heard was a crash and the new, constant hissing of steam.  Glummson looked, surprised not only at his being alive, but the shattered sword laying around his feet.  Power began to flow through him, his blood lust growing with each moment as the awareness of his power dawned on him.

An angry Canis Majoris charged, opening its mouth to eat him.  Glummson let his shield explode, forcing the dog to fly over him and rolling into the small building.  Glummson watched, making sure the dog didn't get up, and it didn't, leaving only the disheveled Orinian who was trying to stand up on his own.

Glummson smiled as his new found power erupted inside him, "Orinian, you have dared to face me and lost, so now I banish you into a fate worse than death."  A dark rainbow spiral made of blues, reds, and blacks erupted and flew into the air.  It landed on the giant and turned him into stone, then buried the entire shrine with it.

Glummson stood on the cold desert sand, only his cloak, bag, and a new bracelet with six gems carved into it to show for his expedition.

Glummson walked into the desert palace of King Kaklin, his confident stance ignored by all who were watching him, he was low on the status table after all, but now that he had the elements of strife, all would see how significant he really was!  But first he had to show the king, so he approached a young Camel who's name was Jenefeth, "Jenefeth! I -"




He tried to say he needed an appointment but she held up one of her forelegs, a toe raised to indicate 'one moment'.  He politely closed his mouth and waited. 

After several awkward moments she looked up at him, "What is it this time Glummson?  Let me guess, you found them, again?"  Wow.  Glummson forgot how much her naisily, monotone voice irritated him.

He moved past it, "Yes.  But I actually did this time!  Look!  All six!  Perfectly forged into a -"

She cut him off, "Yeah yeah, they're all there, blah blah blah.  Look Gloomy," Glummson hated that nickname and cringed hearing it again. "I'm required to let you know that if you fail to find them and you bring a spoof to the king, then I'm scheduling your execution and your existence will be recorded as forfeit.  Understand?"

Glummson nodded, eager to show off his new found trophy, "Yes yes I understand now just get me-"

"Of course Mr. Gloomy, now if you'll sign here," She interrupted again, pointing to a sheet of paper.  "This certificate states that you are willingly accepting your execution if your findings are proven false or insufficient and that I may choose the execution of my choice ranging from beheading to branding as-"

She went on but Glummson zoned out, signing as quickly as he could.  "There!  Now let me-"

She interrupted, her voice still monotone even though Glummson was yelling, "Thank you very much, the king will see you in two hours."

Two hours?!  An outrage!  Glummson slammed both his claws on her desk, "I demand to see the king right now!"

She threatened in monotone, "Do I need to call security again Mr. Gloomy?"  He thought it over and decided here wasn't the best place to set his example, stepping gingerly away from the counter.  "Very good Mr. Gloomy, have a nice day."  She went back to whatever paper work had her busy, but a chuckle caught his attention.

He looked over to see a pony laughing at his failed attempt to get an audience.  His rage exploded, even the slave ponies mocked him?!  He walked over to her menacingly, "You dare laugh at me you insignificant pony?!"  The mare, younger, almost filly age with light blue hair and a darker mane suddenly got nervous and shook her head.  "Good, now clean this place up!"  He spat on the floor, "It's filthy in here." 

He walked away, the only thing lower than trash was those weak ponies.  But, one person always made him feel better, and since he had some free time, he might as well say hi.  






Glummson walked into the busy market place, every creature shopped in this market, trading goods, valuables, and other such things.  But the drake he was looking for was on the river docks, the best place for a pony trade station if Glummson ever saw one.

He found his friend shouting to his assistant over the crowd, "Hey!  Make sure each pony is branded by tonight!  A new group was rounded up yesterday and they want me to inspect them for quality!"  A gentle 'yes sir' followed out his orders, lost from Glummsons view. The drake stood twelve feet tall, a light golden set of smooth and sleek scales made him blend well in the desert sand, but stand out well in the crowd. 

Glummson called out, "Hey chad!"

The golden dragon reared his head in protest, "It's Chaldeis!"  He instantly recognized the Crocadon, "Glummson!  Always a pleasure!"  The dragon dove to his stomach, quickly slithering through the crowd and wrapped around Glummson in a matter of seconds, "It's been so long friend!  I didn't expect to see you so soon!"  Chaldies uncoiled his friend and led him to his trading tent, which was more of a canopy, "Come come!  The sun is unbearable as always, I'll get you a drink."  Chaldies yelled for his assistant, "Silver!  Glummson needs his wine!"

The assistant, a pony who matched her masters golden color cheerfully reminded him, "But sir, you know Glummson hates to be served his drink by a pony."

Chaldies answered, "Well Glummson can get over it!  Your my best assistant and you have more energy and patriotism than some of our own Palidarks."  Chad referenced to the creatures outside his trading post.
Silver lowered her head low.  "Of course, thank you for your generous comment."  She walked away to get Glummsons drink.

"Why do you keep that pathetic pony and not get a real assistant!"  Glummson asked, obviously irritated by the pony.

Chad suddenly seemed offended, "One, she happens to be the most willing, capable, and positive assistant I've ever had.  Her name is Silver lining, and her role in life was to show others how even though their circumstances were dark, they still had hope.  What better an assistant for a pony trader?!"

"Two," Chad continued, "Just because you hate ponies doesn't mean I have too.  We might think of ourselves as a better species but I find most ponies are ten times more civilized than my own neighbors.  Honestly I'd have no problem living with them on an equal relationship, but the demands of society are."  He paused to find the right word.  "Demanding if I may say so myself."

Glummson felt sick, but looking around at the few dozen ponies in cages, he felt better.  Living in equality?  With ponies?!  He shuddered, the hair on his legs getting horsebumps. "How can you even consider them equal? To ANYTHING?!  Look at them!  No claws, no sharp teeth, no means of defense except to run away IF they're fast enough!"

Chaldies countered the verbal jab, "What they lack in brawn they make up for in brains.  Take one of the Palidarks outside, put him in chains and he'll try to bite his way out.  A pony?  They'll sweet talk, play nice, befriend you, then guilt trip you into letting them go.  A much more devious plan and a much higher success rate had OUR own kind been two bits smarter."

Glummson cringed at the reference to pony currency. "Still, you're only judging the common Palidark!"

Chad cut him off, "Our common folk is worse still to the worst ponies have to offer.  As a pony trader, all I see is their worst side and they are still more agreeable then the best of our most civilized Palidarks.  Ponies have proven, to me at least, that size isn't everything."  Glummson almost puked, this was normal for Chaldies but Glummson still hated hearing it. 

A tiny voice interrupted his thoughts, "Your wine sir.  Fresh from the press this morning."

Glummson cringed at the pony, truly disgusted but not wanting to insult one of his few friends.  "Ugh, at least those pathetic 'ponies' are in cages."  He looked over at Silver, her eyes staring off into the distance as if waiting for some order so she could race off to do it.  But her presence  was irritating Glummson, "Scram pony!"  He swatted at her to get her to move.

Almost instantly, Chad twisted his snake like body and smacked Glummson upside the head, "Don't hurt my merchandise!"  He turned to Silver who was overall unphased, except a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, "Is there something else Silver?"

Glummson yelled, reacting in his agitation, "Don't call it by its name!"  Another smack out of reflex by Chad left Glummson rubbing his head.

Silver spoke calmly, already used to Glummsons abuse after several years of it, "You have a customer.  He's a Harpy in charge of the twenty seventh desert battalion, the-" She checked her notepad, using her horn to hold it, "'Desert rovers' as he calls them.  He requests two more pegasi for his barracks cleaning crew."

Chad moaned in disgust, "Why does he need pegasi?!  Those are rare and he knows this!"  He turned to Glummson, "I'll be back in a second, I want to hear about your desert trek.  And dont. touch. the merch!"  Chad walked off barking at Silver, "Make sure he doesn't scare the new arrivals.  Use any means necessary."
Silver turned her head with her body parallel to him, showing off the cutie mark still on her flank.  Chad refused to brand her, replacing her mark with a house logo, something about taking her will to work or something.  But as she stood there, showing off her free will, a smile crept up on her face.

Glummson gave her an irritated smirk and turned to the cages that lined the canopy just under the shade.  There were three ponies in each cage and there were about seven cages, bit Glummson didn't count them.  Instead, he walked beside each cage, eying each pony as a growl escaped his reptilian lips.  He couldn't stand these 'things', and a stray slither gave him a good whiff of their stench.  He gagged as it burned his nose, but a scared pony caught his attention.  He leaned closer, his eye just outside the bars and stared at a shuddering Filly.  "Are you scared little guy?"  The filly nodded as two other ponies held him, they looked to be older and able to carry themselves but still looked weak in the cages.

"You should be," Glummson continued, "Because soon you're going to be branded.  Your soul sucked and and lost in the endless void as your body does our labor for all of-" A hard smack interrupts him.  "OOOOOOWWWW!"

Silver approached the filly from behind Glummson, "Don't worry, he's only teasing.  They don't suck your soul out."  The filly still looked terrified, but started to liven up some.

"OOOWWWWW!!! YOU HIT ME!!!"  Glummson yelled, furious at Silver who held a striker with her magic.

She swung the metal rod at him, smashing his stomach, "See?  They're not that scary.  Don't worry, I'll find you a new home where mean people like him won't find you."  Her face lit up as the filly laughed.

Glummson was not amused and laughing was the last thing he wanted to hear, "HOW DARE YOU STRIKE ME!!!"

"Then stop scaring my friends."  Silver said, jabbing back at him with authority.

Glummson exploded, "I WILL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM FRAIL LIMB YOU WORTHLESS CREATURE!!!"  Glummson readied himself to pounce on her, but a solid 'thump' of a book smacking his head made him think twice about it. 

He turned around to see Chad approaching him, incredibly irritated.  "Good for nothing harpies.  Think they own the place!" He pointed a scaley finger in Glummsons face, "And you're no better!  Scaring my merchandise and threatening my assistant!"  A hard hit on his head and the constant throbbing indicated a bruise was forming.  "Now, I'm curious about this desert trek you went on.  Did you find anything?"

For once, Glummson was feeling better, this was his first chance to show off his new elements for real.  "I found these!"  He held up the bracelet.  "These are the elements of strife with untold power!  They are infinitely more powerful than those worthless pony elements!"

Chad didn't seem to hear him, lost in the jewels, the five black and a single blood colored thorn.  "So these are the elements of strife.  These are the ancient power I heard of." 

Chad seemed to be talking to himself but Glummson answered anyways, "Yes!  They can do amazing things!  Like create shields or turn creatures to stone!"

Chad looked concerned, "And how can you control them so well?"

Glummson had to pause before answering, only one answer was visible in the shadows of his mind, "I am the dark prophet."  He spoke in barely a whisper so Chad asked him to repeat himself. "I am the new prophet of dark, and my dark rainbow will cast the world in a shadow the likes of which this world has never seen before."

Chaldeis looked genuinely concerned, "Um, is that a good thing?  Eternal darkness sounds very . . . dark.  Maybe just longer nights?"

Glummson answered, "Of course not fool!"  And he paused.  Glummson had called Chad many things, but never a fool.  But right now it felt like Chaldeis was questioning his knowledge of the elements.  No, of the elements themselves!!!  How could he?!  Chad was his best friend! 

"Hey, Glummson?  You're scaring me.  Hello?"

A golden claw started waving in front of his face.  "Huh?  Get your claws out of my face!"  Glummson swatted his hands away.

Chad stared at him, ignoring the intrigued look in his eyes.  "So, you never told me what the elements are."
Glummson almost exploded, "OF COURSE I TOLD YOU!!!  I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS!"

"Yes but you never distinguished between the elements and their properties."

Glummson was baffled, "I never?"  Chad shook his head.  "Well, the first element is Lust."  Glummson enjoyed ranting, and this time Chad was asking him to.

"Lust?"

"Yes, lust, the perfect opposite of generosity."  Glummson stared at the black jewel as he spoke, "Lust is the overpowering desire to have something.  It can be anything!  From gold, to food, to social standing, anything that pulls at the heart!  Lust will pull at those ponies and drive them apart to search for their individual satisfaction in something other then friendship."

Chad nodded taking it in.  "Go on."

"Next is betrayal, The poison of loyalty.  To betray, whether in word or deep can cut deeper than any knife and can sever ties stronger than steel.  How can you be loyal to a traitor after all?!"

Chad nodded again, still taken in by the jewels but Glummson was on a spree.  "Next is anger, the energy against kindness.  No living or dead creature can be kind while they are furious, and just like an explosion in rock, the anger will shatter their friendship in an explosion and kindness will hide so deep in their heart that they will never find it!"

"Doubt, the element that weakens even the most honest person!"

Chaldeis butted in, "Whoa whoa, I thought lieing would be the opposite of honesty?"

Glummson nodded, "True, lieing is the literal opposite in 'action' but in 'substance' doubt is much stronger."  Chad looked confused so Glummson went on, "If you know someone is honest, they wouldn't lie.  If they are a lier, then they don't speak the truth, but what if you doubted either of them?  Then the more important aspect of honesty is broken, trust.  If you crumble their trust in each other, then whether they are honest or a spontaneous liar will mean nothing!!!"

Glummson cackled while Chad still looked confused.  "I don't get it but go on."

"Boredom, the decay of laughter.  A joke is only funniest when it is first told, eventually the joke gets old and a splinter is planted.  This splinter festers, infecting every aspect of life related to it, driving friends apart through a gradual irritation and the overwhelming fact that their used to be friends are now a pain to be around!"

"These put together are the keys to ending any friendship.  Simply plant their essence deep in their heart, and the nature of the elements will do the rest!"

Chaldeis seemed unimpressed.  "So, basically they only exist to defeat the elements of harmony."

"That's it exactly!  To overthrow that false prophet and her precious little kingdom!" Glummson screamed it, not knowing why.

"False prophet?!  Chad asked.

"Never mind that, it was a revelation in the desert."

"Oh, tell me more about your quest!  I'm curious on how you found it!"  Glummson told him everything about his desert adventure except the words forming in the darkness.  No, he'd better not mention the darkness.

He finished his story, including his proposal to see the king, but Chad just sat there.  "Hmmm, it seems your hiding something."  Glummson's heart stopped.  "How could you read your notes in the moon blindness?"

He thought in his head, "Oh no!  He found me out!  He wants the elements all to himself! We have to remove him before he takes them from me!"

Glummson spoke quickly and nervously, "Wha wha wha, what do you mean?  I mean come on, moon blindness? That's so-"

Chad interrupted, "Yeah, absurd.  The moon stealing letters from a page.  Now what are you not telling me?"

His head spun in his thoughts.  "He knows!  The darkness gave me away!  I've been betrayed?  No!  Chad would never betray me, but he has hasn't he?  HASN'T HE?!  I can't lose the elements!  But he's my friend!  On the other hand, who needs friends when I can have TRUE UNLIMITED POWER!"

Glummson jumped up and caught Chad off guard, "Whoa whoa!  Calm down Glummson!"

Glummson shouted, "THE ELEMENTS ARE MINE!  AND THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE DARK PROPHET!!!"  An explosion of red, blue, and black consumed the tent, but no one noticed.  Like a shadow crawls the ground and no one sees, so did the entire tent disappear and no one noticed.  Either they weren't watching or it slipped their mind.

Glummson stood in the empty space where his friend no . . . where that dragon USED to sell ponies, now only he stood there, cloaked in shadow.  The darkness crawled back into his outline on the ground as a harpy flew up.  "Hello Gloomy.  I thought I could find you hear."  The half bat half bird landing on the street next to him and looked around.  "Hey, where is Chaldeis?  His stand was supposed to be right here."

Glummson shrugged, "He said something about overcharging someone and left.  A hush hush thing."
The harpy snapped its feathers, "I knew he cheated me out on that unicorn!  Anywho, you've been summoned to see the king as of right now.  Better hurry Gloomy."

Glummson smiled, "I will, better not keep his highness waiting."  He was about to leave when a cry caught his attention.  He turned to see a young filly, panicking in the absence of his friends and more importantly, his cage.

Glummson turned to the young filly, staring intensely as the filly shuddered, fear sending tremors down it's back.  The harpy spoke, “Well, I'm out Gloomy, King's got me running around barking orders and junk.  Hope you live to see tomorrow!”  The harpy left with a chuckle, taunting Glummson at the impossibility of surviving.  

“Glummson didn't move, listening to the harpy fly away, the only witness left to notice.  Now Glummson and the filly were alone and Glummson could release his dark power and no one would see him.  He held out his hand, “The elements shall brand you, and you shall be my war horse from now on!  Carry me into everlasting darkness!!!”  The dark rainbow swirled around his wrist before unleashing it's furry on the filly.  It swirled around it, destroying the cage and digging into the fur of its victim.  The light fur seemed to burn into a dark, black fur that shimmered red in the sunlight, tusks poking their way out of its mouth as horns curled around its skull like a ram.  The neigh it released sounded like furry and terror incarnate as it bucked in either pain or rage. 

Glummsons new steed, now branded with a solar eclipse cutie mark, neighed at its master, eager to run.  “Shall we see the king? Hmmm you need a name.”  Glummson stared at the cutie mark for a moment.  “Ah, Daybreaker.”  Glummson mounted and flew to the castle, eager to ascend to his guaranteed position of power. 



As Glummson walked into the throne room he noticed two things that were distinctly different.  One, everyone was whispering as he walked in.  Obviously, the rumors about this being his last day alive had spread.

Two, several dozen harpy soldiers were lined up, leading him down a long carpet and straight to the throne, all armed with axes or spears.  Glummson swallowed, his death tickling his throat as horrors filled his imagination.

He shook it off, Daybreaker trotting in behind him, growling low at anyone who looked.  He petted his new stallion, actually liking the blood thirsty look in its darkened eyes.  Shadows dancing in its pupils, capturing the ponies will and holding it hostage in a black prison, or that's at least how Glummson liked to look at it.
The king, a massive lion with a cape stretched over his lower half, stared at him.  His eyes intense, like a predator waiting for the chance to pounce, but patient, waiting for the right moment.  "So," his deep voice echoed across the large room. "You've decided to entertain my halls with legends and fairy tales again?"
Glummson bowed out of formality, "But of course!  For legends and fairy tales are not far from fact if you know where to look."

"You have looked all across my kingdom and even ventured illegally into others and only a handful of worthless rocks to prove your foolish quest folly.  Tell me, what excuse do you have for me today?  Make it a good one, as it will be your last."  His words silenced the room, his tone deep and rolling as if he talked in purrs.
Glummson hated his sarcasm, but the king had power.  But no power can match the darkness Glummson wore now.  "Of course your highness, but first, bring me a worthless pony!"
A low chuckle rolled across the floor like distant thunder while whispers scattered in a frenzy.  The king smirked, "And why should I waste one of my precious ponies on you?"
Glummson growled at the implication, "To demonstrate my new found power!"  Glummson held up the bracelet in triumph but without showing it off.  A black streak clinging to his arm he hadn't noticed before.
The king brushed his paw at some camel who bowed and left the room.  Everything was quiet and awkward as they all waited.  The still, quiet air choking any life this room once held.  Glummson looked around, ponies eying him, some mocking, some concerned, some excited.  All eyes on him, his scales were starting to stand on edge as the kings claws clacked on the hard wood of his throne.  Little was worse than an impatient king, and Glummson knew that he would be the first victim if something went horribly wrong. 

Glummson started to sweat, where was that camel?!  He turned his gaze to the room, the gold plated floor with diamond spiraled pillars gave the room a shine that was legendary in the  kingdom, but reflected the kings lack of inferiority as well.  Only the best, reminding Glummson that if he did not do HIS best, he'd be cut down instantly. 

After too long, the camel returned with a terrified stallion on a leash, who almost passed out seeing the king.
The king gestured to Glummson who felt his claws getting sweaty, show time.  The pony was tied to a pillar and told to stand in the middle of the room, and he did so with shaking legs.  Glummson closed his eyes, feeling the darkness, its power surge through him.  The rainbow erupted from him, spiraling into the air, curving down before hitting the ceiling and threatening to crush the pony in shadowed colors.  Screams rang out as the stallion tried to run, braking the thin rope that held him and running to an onlooking crowd of camels and other strange creatures.  But the rainbow was fast, encasing him in shadow as he yelled for help, turning into a horrible, terrified statue before a horrified crowd.

No one spoke as Glummson stared in triumph, Daybreaker neighing in victory.  Glummson turned, smiling at a king who was lost in thought.  "Well?  You've seen my power first hand.  Should I continue?"  Glummson asked, eager to kill more undeserving ponies.

The king raised his paw, "So."  He said staring at Glummson, no longer as prey but as a monster stares at a threat. "The legends are true, the dark rainbow exists."

Glummson paused before giving a very confused, "Eh, what do you mean?"

"According to legend, legends so old even our great lord Tirek barely knew them, a hero of darkness found the dark rainbow.  With his new found power, he conquered the known world, spreading darkness and corruption, but I never thought I'd live to see the dark rainbow, until now."  The king was silent and Glummson knew his days as a simple Crocadon was over.  "What do you want in exchange for the rainbow?"

Glummson had to pause, he figured he'd be welcomed as a hero, or offered a position of power, not asked to give up his only key to any future!  No!  They couldn't have it!  "It's not for sale!"  Glummson screamed, getting more furious with each vengeful step he took, "And unless you give me what I want you can kiss these elements good-" He paused, instinct telling him to run.

A motion caught his eye and he reacted, ducking to dodge a large tail swinging over his head.  A deep growl, like water poured over a drum slipped past bared teeth as the king rose, his cape uncovering his large lower half.  Glummson was a large creature, twice the size of any stallion and some camels, but the king was easily four times his size, but what made Glummson frozen in fear was the lower half of the king.  From his stomach down, the king had the body of a scorpion.  The six legs tapping on the solid floor, counting down his death as the massive figure approached, the tail complete with stinger swinging from side to side like a playful cats would but nearly twice as long.  The thick armor covered his flank as large paws, claws extended, slowly crept closer.

The deep voice mixed with its his like tone made his whole body quiver in fear, "You dare challenge me?!  IN MY THRONE ROOM?!?!?!"  Glummson was no expert on poison, but it was no mystery that the toxins in the kings mouth would kill him in moments if even a drop entered his system.

Infuriated at his situation, Glummson slowly lowered, bending over in an attempt to be humble, "Of course not your majesty." He mumbled through clenched teeth.  "I'd never betray my country or my king." 

The king growled, finishing with an ear blowing roar, blowing out Glummsons thoughts in the process.  The roar echoed in the kingdom below, and even the city was silent at the sound of its kings fury.  The king turned, smacking Glummson hard enough to launch him off his feet and down the corridor while the king reseated himself.

Glummsons head reeled while his stomach squeezed, trying to empty the shattered lunch he had earlier.  He stood unsteadily to hear another roar followed by a furious order, "Tell your mare to stand down!" 

Glummson looked up to see Daybreaker trying to head butt one of the harpy guards.  Glummson grabbed an imaginary chord he could now feel and yelled, "Daybreaker!  Kneel!"  He jerked hard and the stallion jerked its head over, obviously irritated at its being ordered around.

The stallion slowly backed its way to Glummsons side, biting and growling at anything that got to close, the king scratching his chin with his claws, "What shall we do to this arrogant brat and his toy horse?" 

Two voices answered, each sounding exactly like the other, old and scratchy, but speaking at different times. "He holds the darkness king,"
"But his heart and spirit is frail."
"Perhaps but his courage is undoubted,"
"Only when wrath has his mind."
"Perhaps his valor proven in war,"
"Or life lost in battle."
"Both are benefits to us three."  Glummson found both voices at about the end of the conversation, a pair of lionesses were sleeping next to the throne with snake necks, their necks literally coiled between their paws as their head laid on their round, weird, neck pillow.

The kings gaze narrowed, studying the frail vermin standing in front of him.  "Maybe."  He spoke directly to Glummson, who was still catching his breath. "Can you fight in battle?"

Glummson smirked, "Are you joking?!  I will slay thousands of those worthless 'ponies' before I even get tired!"

The king was more annoyed than impressed, "You speak as if you've fought one before.  Have you fought a Pegasus?"  Glummson shook his head. "A unicorn?"  Glummson again said no.  "Hmmm, and how would you fair against a flying unicorn?  The most powerful creature of all?"

Glummson snapped, "WE are the most powerful not THOSE THINGS!" 

"SILENCE FOOL!"  the roar of his words made Glummson feel sick again.  "Do you think Equestria is the most powerful kingdom in our lands without cause?!  One Pegasus has enough will power to fight an entire battalion and win, and you think you can fight a thousand?!  Lord Tirek lost to one unicorn!"

Glummson butted in, "But she used some weapon to-"

"That 'weapon' is the reason we have yet to invade them and seize their land!"

"But we have this!  Now we can strike them where it matters!"  Glummson regretted his persistantness.  Before he understood what he saw, the king had pounced in fury, but Daybreaker was always watching out for his master.  With a quick twist, Glummson was flying out the castle windows and out of the country. 
That foolish king, he had the ultimate power!  The elements of strife would not lose!  Lord Tirek almost defeated Equestria single handedly!   Surely the elements would guarantee his victory!  And so Glummson flew off to claim his fated prize.

The king roared, calling his armies to chase after him, but returning to his seat in a huff.  "I WANT HIS SCALES BROUGHT TO ME NOW!"

The two voices spoke again, lifting their heads on their long, old necks to speak face to face, "Make haste you must to seize him."
"If darkness should be captured in Equestria,"
"Our land of Palidark will fall,"
"To their rainbow of light."

The king growled, "That fool!  I should have killed him!"

"His destiny no one knew,"
"But his fate is certain now."
"He seeks worth in victory,"
"Over the bright rainbow,"
"But his haste will set his defeat."
"Prepare for war and hope,"
"That we can strike them,"
"On their blind side."

The king shook his head, "It's not so simple.  Equestria is powerful not just in magic, but in allies.  They outnumber us three to one, add their allies and we have little to no hope.  Ponies may be weak, but their resolve and cunning make them worthy opponents, attacking now though is suicide."

"Then claim the dark,"
"Before the light burns it"
"To a smoldered crisp."  The king roared, his most likely chance of defeating those cursed ponies flying slowly away, right towards the enemy.