(So, to your benefit... or hindrance, I have split up the chapters into subsections because they were getting so long. This is so I can keep my promise of one chapter a week. For those that didn't see it before, Enderpearl and Endershine belong to another friend. I think I've said enough as it is.)
Chapter 10 A: A New Kind of Harmony
"Forming an alliance with all of Celestia's enemies was much easier to do than I thought, once I've convinced them to join us that is. This is day two of my glorious democracy, and I'm writing in this journal to inform those in the future of how to overthrow an empire when the time comes. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.', a good example. 'Find all that oppose your government and force them into one group', 'Remember, you're stronger as a whole than as a separate unit, it's how your voice is heard.' It's funny though… I have everything I could ever want but there is still this emptiness in my heart that cries out to be filled. I have tried to research what it is but to no avail. I have no reason to believe that it's…love."
Dark Fire sat at a table in what used to be Celestia's chambers writing in a journal; of course he had it redecorated as soon as he found it. This is where he would be spending his free time, away from any noise or distractions, or so he thought.
"Are you writing in a diary?" Stardancer asked, hanging from the ceiling.
"I would ask how you got in here, but then I wouldn't be surprised if you told me. Do you have anything to report?" Dark Fire asked, not looking up from his journal.
"Sombra said something about a war meeting, do know anything about that?" She asked, swinging on a chandelier.
"Yes the war meeting. It's hard to tell time without the sun anymore. Stardancer, get down from there!" He said as he opened the door.
As he walked out, the chandelier collapsed behind him. Dark Fire then gave her a glare.
"I got down at least…" She said, rubbing the back of her head.
"Mares." He whispered to himself before leaving the room.
"So can I listen to this meeting?" She said, catching up to him.
"If you want to listen to a bunch of ponies bicker about things you wouldn't be interested in, then fine." Dark Fire said sarcastically.
"It's so boring around here though. I want something to do."
"Soon Stardancer, soon, now wait out here like a good girl." He said, closing the door behind him.
He then appeared in a large hallway with a long red carpet that led throughout the room to where the others would be. When the guards noticed him, they rapidly ran to the closest side of carpet and saluted him as he walked past. Reaching the other end of the hallway, he turned to face the guards he just passed.
"At ease stallions… you may now take the day off." He said before disappearing behind a door.
All the guards looked at each other confused before one of them threw his helmet in the air and shouted joyfully. The rest of them simply followed the leader.
At the meeting.
"As you may know, the hatred wave was able to reach the outskirts of Ponyville but nothing past that, which means that not all of Equestria is under my control."
Dark Fire stood next to a map of Equestria as he pointed out land control with a stick, while Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysallis, and Sombra watched from a distance.
"What do you suppose we do then?" Sombra asked.
"We take every single city, one… by…one." Dark Fire said evilly.
"Does thy realize that we have no army? How does thy suppose we get one?" Nightmare demanded.
"The guards will make a good start, but they will soon be trained to be soldiers along with every new recruit."
"Knowing the snobs in this city, nopony would willingly sign up to be in the military, even under mind control." Chrysallis pointed out. "Plus my swarm still needs to recover their strength and numbers."
"I am aware of both of these facts, but then it came to me. I remember back when I was still under Discord's care that he mentioned something about elements that were opposed to harmony. Elements that would work for us instead of against us to bring Equestria to its knees, supposedly they are called, 'The Elements of Disharmony', or 'The Elements of Chaos.'"
"But they require ponies with strong mental strength and will, not to mention special talents and abilities unlike anypony before them. Where are you going to find anything like that in Canterlot?" Discord asked, drinking some chocolate milk.
"I have one in mind… but I was hoping that one of you knew of a potential candidate." Dark Fire said, disappointed.
"I used to know one that fit this category, but I don't know where that pony is anymore." Sombra stated.
"We know of one, follow us back to the throne room." Nightmare said, making her way out of the door.
"This meeting is now over. Do as you please, but try to find other potential ponies." Dark Fire said before following Nightmare out.
An explosion then occurred just as they walked out of the room. Chrysallis and Sombra rapidly turned around to see milk splashed eveywhere. Discord stared at them innocently.
"Don't blame me… it's not my fault you can't drink chocolate milk properly."
In the throne room.
"Ok Nightmare, the stage is yours." Dark Fire said with a smile.
Nightmare then summoned her Shadowbolts into the room through dark magic.
"What is it that you require princess?" The lead Shadowbolt asked.
"Tell us why we selected thou to lead the Shadowbolts." Nightmare demanded.
"Because I am the fastest male stallion in Equestria, princess, or at least that's what you said." He said with respect.
"Good, the others can leave and enjoy themselves. We require thou to stay here and answer Dark Fire's questions." She ordered.
The rest of the Shadowbolts left, leaving the other three behind.
"For starters, you can remove your uniform. You don't need to be formal for me." Dark Fire said kindly.
The Pegasus had a worried and confused look about him, but he soon removed his Shadowbolt uniform. He had a dark orange coat with a long gold colored mane that looked like it was blow dried backwards and stayed that way. His tail was the same color as his mane, only shorter with six spikes on the end. He also had bright green eyes and a red hurricane with a white center as a cutie mark.
"You can also relax pegasus, I'm not here to hurt you." He said to calm him down.
He then took a deep breath and awaited more commands.
"What is your name?" Dark Fire asked, writing on a piece of paper with magic.
"Lightning Flash, sir." He stated with newfound confidence.
"Is that a title or your actual name?"
"It is my name, but it's like a title to me." Lightning said, applying his hoof to his chest.
"So you take pride in your name?"
"Oh of course, I'm the best there is, there's no stallion faster than me." He said with pride.
"You say you're the fastest stallion… do you know the fastest mare?" Dark Fire said with a smirk.
"That would be my stupid but daring sister, Lightning Dust." He said almost shamefully.
"Really now… I used to know a mare that claims she's the fastest in all of Equestria. Care to prove me wrong."
"Sir with all due respect, our family is named after the fastest thing on this planet besides light!" He yelled.
"Well her name is Rainbow Dash and she-"
"RAINBOW DASH?!" He shouted with rage. "That stupid mare is the reason I was shunned from Cloudsdale and kicked out of the Wonderbolts training, she is the reason why my sister came crawling back to me in shame, SHE IS THE REASON WHY MY LIFE IS RUINED!"
Lightning Flash became so enraged that his veins could be seen popping out of his fur. Nightmare was about to intervene if it wasn't for Dark Fire's hoof stopping her.
"AND WHEN I FIND HER… I'LL… I'LL!"
Lightning Flashe's wings unfurled as they started to glow brightly, then from seemingly nowhere, lightning bolts struck both his wings. To Nightmare it was an over-the-top display of brightness, but to Dark Fire it was a demonstration of abilities. Dark Fire then conjured an image of Rainbow Dash in the enraged Pegasus's head, making him think a nearby barrel was Rainbow. Lightning then stood on his hind-hooves, slammed his fore-hooves together, and with an ear-piercing scream, fired the lightning bolt built inside him at the box.
"You can control weather I see… well I've seen enough. Lightning Flash, your new name shall be Ammisive, the bearer of the Element of Rage. Wear this title with pride and honor."
"Wait… WHAT?!" Lightning said shocked.
Just then, dark energy erupted from underneath him, causing his mane, tail, and fur to shoot upwards from the eruption. What surprised Lightning the most was that it didn't hurt, in fact, it felt good to him, and it fed him power. When the dark energy calmed down, a black necklace with his cutie mark formed around his neck.
"This newfound power that you have received not only makes you stronger, faster, and more agile, but also give you control of your weather abilities as well. If that's not O.P. then I don't know what is." Dark Fire said to him.
"So I have full control of the weather now... thank you for this gift lord Dark Fire." Ammisive said, giving thanks as he left the room.
"Now for my suggestion… GUARDS, BRING ME PRISONER SIXTY-EIGHT-FIFTY-FOUR!"
Twenty minutes later.
Ten guards dragged in the familiar dark purple stallion, Black Blade. He was bound by multiple chains and hoofcuffs that bonded his hooves and legs together. Dragging his hind-hooves across the floor, they finally reached the desired location.
"Nightmare Moon… escort the guards out, you may leave as well." Dark Fire ordered.
As soon as the guards entered, they left, taking Nightmare with them. Dark Fire then magically unlocked Black Blade's chains and cuffs, resulting in a huge crash of metal and chains to land on the floor.
"Tell me, are the slaves enjoying their new home?" Dark Fire asked in a mocking tone.
Black Blade made no response as he lay on the floor.
"Ah, the strong silent type, I will soon break you of that." He declared.
Still no response and Dark Fire was getting impatient.
"When I first saw you Black Blade, I knew there was something special about you, something that separated you from all of the others." He complimented, trying to get a response.
Sill no answer from the silent stallion.
"WHY DO YOU NOT SPEAK?!" Dark Fire shouted as fire exploded from his mane.
The stallion continued to lay there in silence. Dark Fire then raised a hoof and was about to smack him across the muzzle, but then held back, putting his hoof back on the floor.
"I do not wish to hurt you, but you are leaving me no choice. I don't know if I should be impressed or annoyed that you resisted the hatred spell." He stated aggravated. "I'm starting to wish that you were."
The stallion then looked down to avoid eye contact with the dark unicorn.
"LOOK AT ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU!" Dark Fire screamed.
"As you wish." Black Blade said as he stood up abruptly and stared into Dark Fire's eyes.
As Dark Fire looked into his eyes, he could see nothing but the black void that enveloped them. Only then did he realize what he was doing.
"NOW CRINGE IN FEAR… TERROR CANNON!" Black Blade shouted.
Black Blade had the most insane facial expression the Dark fire had ever seen. As he laughed maniacally, a dark black and purple void appeared behind him that covered the entire room. Ten seconds later the void vanished without a trace.
"The fear must have gotten to your head Dark Fire!" He said evilly. "BEG FOR MERCY YOU PATHETIC WELP OF A PONY!"
Dark Fire couldn't help but laugh evilly at his attempt to control him with fear. If there was one thing that he was used to resisting, it was fear.
"What… no… IMPOSSIBLE! NOPONY BUT PRINCESS LUNA HAS BEEN ABLE TO RESIST THAT KIND OF AMOUNT OF FEAR!" Black Blade said, experiencing horror overcoming him as he backed away.
"As you can see… I'm not Luna." Dark Fire whispered as he approached him.
"Leave me alone… LEAVE ME ALONE!" Black Blade screamed in terror as he hit the ground and covered his head with his hooves.
"You hide behind your strength as if it was a wall of protection. You use it to intimidate others to hide from your own fear in life. But I can see right through you, your heart aches from loss and pain from those that hurt you. Your mind cries out for answers to questions that you alone can't solve. The only difference is that you don't want to admit it. You run from those that want to help you, but I am here to change that, I AM HERE… TO SET YOU FREE!"
"I'll do what you ask... just as long as you-"
"Submit to me." Dark Fire whispered.
Black Blades experience was exactly like Amisive's as dark energy erupted from underneath him. When it dissipated, a necklace similar to Amisive's formed, only this time, it had his cutie mark on it.
"Your shall now be known as Stritin, the strongest stallion in all of Equestria and the bearer of the Element of Fear. Now, retrieve Amisive… we have some elements to find." Dark Fire commanded.
"It will be done my lord." Stritin said without question.
"Thou is not going out into Canterlot like that, is thy?" Nightmare said laughing.
Dark Fire stood in front of a mirror with his mane in all sorts of places. Almost the result of bed hair times twenty.
"Since when did you care Nightmare, you're not exactly a fashion pony to me." He said, pushing his mane off of his eyes.
"The ponies of Canterlot think you're a prince, Dark Fire, at least wear something to show your position." Sombra suggested.
"I'm like the only black pony in this city, how can they not know who I am?" Dark Fire asked.
"At least use a hair brush." Nightmare pleaded.
"A hair what?" Dark Fire asked dumfounded.
"UGH… DISCORD!" Nightmare moon yelled.
Instantly, Discord appeared in the room wearing sunglasses and a tye-dye shirt while roasting some ice cubes over a bucket of pudding. Everypony looked at him confused.
"Why are you all looking at me like I've never done something like this before?" Discord asked, removing his sunglasses.
"It's the middle of winter Discord, why would you… never mind." Sombra said, losing interest.
"Fix him up Discord." Nightmare demanded.
"Not with that attitude I won't." Discord said, crossing his arms.
"Can thy fix him up or not?!" She asked, losing patience.
"I don't know… can I?" He responded, smirking.
Dark Fire and Sombra were cracking up at how frustrated Nightmare was getting. She on the other hoof wouldn't take it.
"WE WILL PUT THOU IN A CANDY CANE PILLAR IF THOU DOES NOT LISTEN TO US!" She threatened.
"Ooo, is that a threat or a treat?" Discord teased.
Nightmare was at her breaking point until she took a deep breath to calm herself down.
"M-m-may thy p-please fix Dark Fire up to go out?" Nightmare struggled to say.
"See… was that so hard?" Discord said, patting Nightmare on the head before snapping his fingers.
Dark Fire's hair was then instantly straightened and cleaned. His coat also glowed as if buckets of gel were dumped onto him. Along with this, he was given a robe similar to an English king: a golden crown with multi-colored gems, golden shoes for his hooves, and four golden bracelets.
"Geeze narrator… did you say the word gold enough?!" Dark Fire shouted to the ceiling.
"Now thy is able to go." Nightmare said, chuckling.
Dark Fire gave her an angry look before he stormed out.
It didn't take long for Amisive, Stritin, and him to reach the main gate, but that wasn't the hard part. The hard part was the paparazzi and fans surrounding Dark Fire within seconds, flashing him with cameras.
"There he is!" One of the ponies shouted.
"So how does it feel to be prince of Equestria?" A newscaster asked.
"Do you have tons of bits?" A fan asked.
"How does it feel to be the first black prince?"
"Can I have your autograph?"
"CAN I BE YOUR MAREFRIEND!"
The sad part about that was… he was a stallion.
"BACK AWAY FROM THE PRINCE!" Stritin shouted, slamming his hooves down.
Everypony then ran off screaming from the scene faster then timberwolves seeing fire for the first time.
"THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS IS NOT FRUITY!" He screamed to the retreating crowd.
"They seemed nice… underneath all of their arrogance." Amisive laughed.
"Whatever, we need to find another element anyways, not please the hoards." Dark Fire said as he made his way into town.
Stritin and Amisive looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders before catching up to him.
"Anypony in particular you're looking for?" Stritin asked him.
"Somepony that's at least resisted the hatred wave, like you two did." Dark Fire complimented. "When I find that, the next qualities will kick in."
Two hours later.
"You two. Anything to report?" Dark Fire asked, losing hope.
"Nothing." Amisive and Stritin said separately.
"Ok, well I guess we should take a break, it's hard to move with all of this metal and stuff." Dark Fire said. "How does Seventh Heaventh… wait is that a Final… where's Tifa?"
Amisive and Stritin looked at him confounded.
"Just… just follow me."
Inside the club bar thing… I don't know what it is, okay! It was my friend's idea!
"You two, go sit at that booth, I'm going to have look around. You may enjoy yourselves, but try not to overdo it."
The two stallions nodded before leaving him. The club was very dim and had multiple colored lights that flashed in every direction. Dark Fire looked around in every location in the club, but still no luck. Fortunately for him, everypony was either too tipsy or didn't even care about his presence. He eventually got access to a back room in the club, where the higher paying ponies could go. Everything was okay until a silver stallion jumped onto a table. He had a strange but large, purple, pokadotted hat with a red phoenix feather to the side of it. His tail was large and copper-colored with a golden stripe in the middle, along with a cutie mark of a royal flush in poker. The stallion also had a monocle and bright yellow eyes.
"Hey everypony look at me, look at me, look at me, LOOK at me! No don't look over there, there's nothing to look at over there, look at me, look at me, look at me!" The silver pony ranted. "Are you looking at me? Is everypony looking at me, do I have everypony's attention?! Don't get the wrong idea; I'm not trying to take over your life! What, what do you need, what do you need, you need to go get a drink? FINE, go get a drink, then come back here, and look at me! What, you need to go use the bathroom? OKAY THEN, get up, go to the bathroom, come back, and look at me. Do what you absolutely have to do, then come back, and look at me! Do we all have an agreement?!"
Everypony in the room was either confused, annoyed, or too drunk to care. Either way, he had everypony's attention, including Dark Fire's.
"Don't worry about your schedule. I am here for you, I am here for you. I am here for you every day, twenty-four hours, seven days a week, I am here for you! Ponies will try to tell you that I'm bad... well you know what I hear? Rotten hay. Just keep looking at me, I am unbelievable, I am unbelievable. You can't believe it because it's unbelievable! And all you have to do *pant* is look at me!" The silver stallion finally finished.
"*HICK*… then show us your 'unbelievable' talents!" One of the drunken mares mocked.
"Gladly…"
The stallion then levitated his hat off with a silver aura, revealing his unicorn horn and copper colored mane. His horn illuminated in a gray color as everypony in the room suddenly started to throw money and items towards him. Dark Fire knew that he casted a spell on the others to force them into "donating" their potations to the stallion. The stallion had just put on some gold shoes by the time Dark Fire reached him.
"Oh how kind, you're here to give me your potations." He said, putting loads of bits into his bag.
"Actually, I want to know how you pulled that trick off." Dark Fire said, already knowing the answer.
"I'm sorry… but I believe you were giving me your bits." The unicorn said, waving his hoof in front of his face.
"Yeah… that's not going to work on me." Dark Fire said bluntly.
"Well why don't you stare directly into my horn?" The unicorn said, flashing his horn brightly.
As the flash died down, Dark Fire was seen wearing some dark sunglasses.
"Are you going to tell me something stupid now? Like this is the reason you don't flush your filly's goldfish down the toilet." Dark Fire said, removing his sunglasses.
"Who are you again?" The stallion asked, as beads of sweat went down his muzzle.
"I'm that unicorn that took over Equestria. You know, nothing much." He said with sarcasm.
"Wait… Dark Fire?!" The unicorn said, worried.
He simply nodded his head with a sinister smile.
"OH, hahahahaha… hahaha… haha…ha… oh crap."
The unicorn then casted a huge smoke cloud as he made an escape.
"A SMOKE BOMB? REALLY?! THIS ISN'T ASSASSIN'S CREED!"
Dark Fire then chased after him, attempting to catch the silver trickster.