//------------------------------// // Brethren Betrayal // Story: Heroines of Equestria // by Princess Angelica //------------------------------// Brethren Betrayal Now having escaped through the portal, the Space Star Sisters had left the dungeon. They gathered around Seraphina, who was still wounded from her fight with Emperor Drakethor. Angelica had stepped closer towards her sister, as she attempted to wake her up. “Don’t worry, Serah. I’ll handle this.” Angelica murmured, as her horn began to glow. Soon, Angelica generated a magic aura. It radiated towards Seraphina’s body, as it enthralled her under its spell. Once the aura had vanished, Seraphina slowly awakened. “There, all better now.” Angelica comforted, as she helped her sister up. “Thank you, Angie.” Seraphina appreciated, stretching herself up. “I still don’t know how we got out of there.” Angelica queried, remembering their fateful escape. “Indeed, it is I.” boomed a voice from far away. The ponies turned to see who was coming towards them. It was Emperor Harmodius, who suddenly appeared in their presence. He glared at them for the moment, as he began to speak. “I am so sorry that you had been sent there.” Harmodius apologised, with a severe expression. “Thanks for saving us. But whoever was that guy?” Angelica asked, explaining about their previous encounter. “Very well, I do believe that was none other than my estranged cousin, Drakethor.” Harmodius assumed, his voice becoming submissive. “The who?” Katherine interrupted, not understanding the situation. “He was my best friend ever since. We had spent years living together. That is it, until one fateful day.” Harmodius proclaimed, watching the stars above. “Then what else happened?” Persephone asked, wanting to know more. “If you follow me, then I will explain clearly.” Harmodius lectured, as he turned to leave. As soon as Harmodius walked away, the ponies decided to follow him. They moved across the landscape, staying close together. As they went on, they reached towards a nearby cliff. “Are you sitting comfortably?” Harmodius asked, prompting the ponies to step closer. “Yeah, sure!” Angelica replied, eager to move on. “So let us begin. It was 300 million years ago in Equestria…” Harmodius narrated, as he briefly described his backstory. .......... In the depths of outer space, there was nothing. With only absolute darkness, everything was empty as ever. However, a pair of beings suddenly appeared out of nowhere. “Drakethor, I would not believe how far we travelled since last millenium.” said a red creature with an orange mane. “I suppose we are heading for the final destination, Harmodius.” replied a blue creature with a purple mane. As the two qilins continued travelling, they were approaching towards something they had never seen before. It looked like a giant floating mass of debris, which just stood there by the the force of antigravity. Harmodius and Drakethor both ogled it with extreme amazement. “It seems that we have discovered the ideal settlement.” Harmodius assumed, as he moved towards it. “I respect your opinion.” Drakethor concurred, following after his cousin. Soon, Harmodius and Drakethor landed onto the mass of debris. They felt how robust it was, just by placing their clawed hooves on it. Pondering what to do next, they decided to plan ahead. “I suggest we should bring this pristine dimension to life.” Harmodius instructed, as his horn began to glow. “What a trustworthy decision.” Drakethor insisted, as he generated a magic aura. Immediately, Harmodius and Drakethor began to use their magic to create all the elements to the surrounding area. They both casted spells to form the atmosphere of air, clouds and sky. They had done this by combining their specialised magic. “My light magic shall create everything.” Harmodius stated, as he used his white aura to form a sun. “My dark magic shall create everything.” Drakethor stated, as he used his black aura to form a moon. Once Harmodius and Drakethor finished creating the atmosphere, they decided to construct the earth. Together, they used their magic to form the terrain, mountains and valleys. While doing so, they combined each other’s spells. “This looks natural indeed.” Drakethor commented, taking pride to himself. “I suppose we can improve it.” Harmodius proclaimed, staring at the atmosphere. Immediately, the two qilins decided to make the most of their creation. Together, they combined their magic to create more elements to the earth. They produced the sea, plants, volcanoes and other biomes that formed the natural landscapes. As every single element was produced one by one, they covered every area in the earth. As soon as Harmodius and Drakethor had finished, they saw that everything was beautiful around them. “I do believe we have created a new planet.” Harmodius remarked, observing at the natural landscape. “I agree. So what do we name it?” Drakethor questioned, checking to see if it is just right. “I suggest its name will be… Equestria!” Harmodius shouted, in his loudest voice. “Splendid, it is now confirmed!” Drakethor exclaimed, flicking his mane. After creating the new planet, Harmodius and Drakethor decided to find somewhere to live. They flew pass their own creations, as they saw many beaches, forests and mountains. Finally, they reached towards a floating island in the sky. “We will rest on this island from this day forth.” Harmodius declared, as he landed onto the island. “So, the sun falls and the moon rises.” Drakethor proclaimed, as he used his magic to do so. As soon as the sky turned dark, the two qilins sat down next to each other. Feeling drowsy, they huddled together and fell asleep. However, Drakethor suddenly just woke up in the middle of the night. “Perhaps there is something that I can do.” Drakethor whispered, as he carefully sneaked away from his cousin and raised himself up. Drakethor turned around to make sure Harmodius was still sleeping. He walked towards the edge of the island, and stretched open his wings. As soon as he checked his surroundings, Drakethor looked straight ahead. “Now is my chance to be the perfect being.” Drakethor murmured, as his horn generated a magic aura. Soon, Drakethor began to fly away from the island. The next morning, Harmodius woke up and used his magic to raise the sun and lower the moon. He suddenly realised that Drakethor was missing. “Strange, Drakethor had left without consulting me.” Harmodius lamented, concerned about the whereabouts of his cousin. Deciding to search for his cousin, Harmodius flew away from the island. He went pass every landscape around the planet, from the highest sky to the deepest valley. Still, he was unable to find his cousin. “Oh woe is me, it seems Drakethor is nowhere to be seen.” Harmodius bemoaned, giving up his search. Meanwhile, Drakethor was flying towards somewhere else in the planet. He suddenly approached near a mountain range, so he prepared to land. As he settled down, Drakethor gazed at a wide cavern. “This is where I will begin my training.” Drakethor stated, as he immediately entered the cavern. As soon as he reached the deepest area of the cavern, Drakethor stopped to face the wall in front of him. He gazed at it for the moment, before thinking to himself. Suddenly, he knew exactly what to do next. “It is time to test my magic.” Drakethor proclaimed, wasting no time. Drakethor penetrated his horn into the center of the wall. It transferred a dark magic aura into the wall. Immediately, strange symbols appeared on the wall. “My power is ultimate.” Drakethor declared, as he removed his horn from the wall. As he stepped away from the wall, Drakethor decided to examine the strange symbols. As he did so, the symbols began to glow. They suddenly came to life, as their energy was absorbed into Drakethor’s horn. “And so it begins my great reign of terror.” Drakethor sneered, feeling proud of his work. In the meantime, Harmodius gave up searching for his cousin. He knew that Drakethor was missing, but still was unable to forget about him. As he was beginning to feel lonely, Harmodius suddenly had an idea. “I will be creating new beings for companionship.” Harmodius stated, as his horn generated a light magic aura. Soon, Harmodius began to cast a spell with his magic. Instantly, this formed a a small creature that stood motionless. It had short ears, hooves, a mane, a long tail, a horn and wings. Suddenly, it came to life and looked around. “At last, my creation is complete. I shall give you the name of pony.” Harmodius saluted, approaching towards the pony. The pony responded by sighing in relief, as he gazed at Harmodius with admiration. As Harmodius turned and headed somewhere else, the pony decided to follow him around. Soon, he realised that the pony was still with him. “I see that you are desiring for friendship. Very well, I grant your wish.” Harmodius assumed, as his horn generated more magic. Harmodius began to cast another spell, which gradually formed several ponies that resembled the first one. They all stood motionless at first, before they came to life by looking around. It was until now they had noticed each other for the very first time. “Now you are granted to populate the planet by breeding offspring to reproduce descendants.” Harmodius announced, explaining the purpose of their existance. Soon, the ponies began to roam free as they please. Feeling satisfied, Harmodius watched them from a distance. He turned to leave, as he decided to find his personal space. “My work here is done.” Harmodius affirmed, using his magic to raise the moon and lower the sun. Later that night, Harmodius decided to relax near the sea. He was feeling drowsy, as he curled up in a submissive position. It was until then he just noticed something else in the sky. “Now what?” Harmodius grumbled, feeling irritated. Suddenly, the creature finally landed on the ground. It was Drakethor, who looked rather deranged. He slowly approached towards Harmodius. “Drakethor! I had not since you ever since.” Harmodius enquired, feeling so confused by his cousin’s sudden return. “It matters not. There is something I should have done long ago.” Drakethor grunted, with a very spiteful tone in his voice. Furiously, Drakethor flew up into the distance. Feeling concerned about his cousin, Harmodius immediately followed on. He chased after him, as they both landed where millions of ponies were thriving. “Drakethor, what are you doing?” Harmodius panicked, urging his cousin to stop whatever he was doing. “None of your concern.” Drakethor growled, shoving off his cousin. Soon, Drakethor began to power up his horn. It generated enough dark magic, as he finally unleashed a powerful spell. It launched towards a herd of ponies, as it killed them once they were hit. Once they all died, they rotted away as dark energy was absorbed into Drakethor’s horn. Harmodius could only watch horror, as the surviving ponies fled in fear. “You traitor! You know how long it was for me to create them?” Harmodius fumed, angrily berating Drakethor. “I do not care for this planet! What matters is that I shall destroy every creature!” Drakethor roared, arguing back at Harmodius. “How dare you! We are, and always will be, sworn enemies!” Harmodius rebuked, as he sprinted towards Drakethor. Soon, Harmodius and Drakethor had no choice but fight to the death. They both charged up their horns, until they casted their most powerful spells aimed at each other. These collided together as the two qilins struggled with effort, which the pressure resulted into a massive explosion that eventually destroyed half of the planet. .......... “And so, I realised that he discovered the forbidden magic. I was left to create every other creature in Equestria.” Harmodius concluded, narrating the end of his and Drakethor’s flashback. “So clearly, Drakethor doesn’t really care about Equestria.” Seraphina commented, knowing about how it had occurred. “I suppose he hates friendship.” Persephone stated, feeling worried about the consequences. “He never really socialized.” Katherine murmured, feeling depressed. “Well, perhaps it is true after all.” Harmodius stated, raising his claw. “You seem to feel sorry for yourself.” Angelica comforted, shaking her head. “But that is enough, we must hurry now!” Harmodius instructed, crouching down and spreading his wings. As soon as the ponies instantly climbed onto his back, Harmodius began to jump off the ground and fly up high into the sky. He soared rapidly through the, as the ponies held tightly onto him. Nevertheless, they would be always prepared to face everything that stands in their way.