Elements of Disharmony part 3

>The pieces were falling into place
>Already, the one known as Shermanator was under your thumb.
>His every action was being puppeted by your hands
>Now, to twist AEther’s mind and purpose around.
>This would be a little more difficult, AEther was far more crafty than Shermanator.
>It would be unique twisting him to your purposes.
>Not difficult, not by a long shot.
>It would take some creative thinking on your end however.
>You check to ensure Shermanator is still headed the way you had lead him.
>Good, he would arrive soon enough.
>Now, to deal with Luna…
>The dark shadow-world of this Equestria is filled with creatures, a far-cry from the true Equestria.
>The destruction wrought by AEther and his actions has had far reaching consequences.
>You casually bat aside an Aetherial fiend, the majority of demonic beasts shying away from you.
>Only the stupid or proud attempt to approach
>You have no time to spare these fools.
>With a surge of arcane energies, you release a massive gout of flame that washes over a random patch of wraiths.
>They scream as their essence is annihilated.
>You would smirk if you could.
>You return your work, and slip through the shadows into a dark corner of an already dark palace.
>You slowly return to the material world in a tall-backed throne reserved for Royalty.
>Technically, you were already king of several thousand realities and planes.
>You technically held rank over Luna.
>You recline as you watch the Alicorn in question, her trusted generals, and the one known as AEther plan around a large table.
>It’s a map of Equestria, and they are planning their war.
>You rest your chin upon the flat of your right hand, your left gripping the edge of Luna’s throne.

>”If we move quickly, we can ensure Stalliongrad remains under control.”
>”We need those ponies here, on the western front.”
>”With all due Respect, Aether, we cannot allow Celestia’s forces to gain control of the River-ways. We need to keep a strong grip on this region.”
>”While thy strategy is noted, Aether,
>”We have decided on our council's plan.
>”The harbors we must keep from fiendish hands.”
>You bring your hands infront of you, and begin to clap.
>AEthers head whips around, Luna’s generals spin to face you in shock.
>Luna does not even bother looking up.
”I must say, I am impressed, dearest Luna, that you would make such a call.”
>She maneuvers a few pieces about.
>”It is the best maneuver, in this situation.”
>You cross your hands over your lap, and shift slightly.
“Mmm. That it is.”
>”Guards!”
“Oh yes, Guards! Guards!”
>You cackle coldly as they call for help, unaware of the silence spell you are casting.
“Hmm. Well, it would appear they can’t hear you. Would you like to try screaming louder?”
>”What have you done to them?”
>AEther, and he’s drawn that blade of his.
>Amusing.
>”They are unharmed, in body or in mind.
>”The Litche maintains a silence o'er the room.”
>You draw your hands up and begin another slow clap
“Very good, Princess.”
>Luna finally looks up at you, eyes almost bored, and drops the Royal Canterlot voice.
>”What do you seek, Litche?”
>You spread your arms wide.
“Why, to help, is all. I have been listening in, and I could not help but notice your shortage of soldiers.”

>AEther and the generals look confused, and look to Luna.
>Color has drained from her face, as she reels from what you have said.
>”We would sooner suffer defeat than accept the aid of your kin, Litche.”
>You laugh coldly, the hollow sound ringing malevolently around the room.
“It amuses me how willing you are to toss away innocent lives when an alternative is so readily available.”
>”You offer us damnation and call it honeyed wine.”
>You mock being offended
“Why, Princess! You wound me. To think, I would break my word.”
>”As is the nature of such creatures as yourself.”
>AEther and the other ponies have all taken a few steps away from Luna, trying to get as wide a range on you as they can.
>They want to be ready to attack.
“Now now, Luna, my dear sweet, is that any way to treat a potential ally?”
>Luna pauses, and her eyes narrow.
>You almost smile as you hear one of the ponies burst into motion, galloping at you full-gait.
>”Skippy, NO!”
>Luna screams for the pony to stop.
>”LEONAAAAARD!!”
>The brave Pony charges forwards, a fiery red mane trailing as he storms across the marble floor towards you.
>You don’t bother looking at him as you raise a hand, and extend your shadow.
>The one known as ‘Skippy’ gives a ‘Skip, hop and a jump’, flying into the air.
>With a twist, there is a horrid wrenching sound as his flesh parts, his skeleton exploding out of his body.
>Looks of horror and revulsion circulate around the room
>Luna is absolutely pale
>AEther’s jaw is slack.
>As the pile of flesh and organs hits the ground, you give a flick and skeleton sets upon the quivering, still-living pony.
“As you can well see, making an enemy of myself would be… ill advised.”

“Now, if we are done showing off, may we talk of tactics?”
>You rise, and stalk down the steps towards Luna and the table behind her.
>You pause infront of her, no more than a foot away, perfectly calm.
>She’s regained her composure, and glares down at you.
“Pardon me, Princess. I would like to reach the table behind you so as to show you how I can be of assistance in your war effort.”
>She does not give an inch.
>You have an eternity to simply wait for her to move.
>Your friends, however, do not.
>You take a step to the side, just enough to walk past, and your robes brush against the Alicorns wings.
>She does not stop looking dead ahead, even as AEther tracks you.
>Good.
>You want him to watch.
“You wish to protect your harbor holdings, correct?”
>No one responds at first.
>You turn your ‘eyes’ upon AEther.
“You there, General. Is my assumption correct?”
>AEther nods, slowly.
>”That would be the Princess’ decree. We will hold the harbors.”
>You nod, mostly for theatrics.
“Then I shall ensure your flanks do not fold.”
>You make no motions, but small runes dance upon the map, as you manipulate the ink with a small, but fun, spell.
“I shall raise a legion here, here, and…”
>You pause for effect, and look across the map.
>You pick a seemingly random spot.
>Were AEther more farsighted, he would see its importance.
>Only Luna truly would understand, and she is busy attempting to come to terms with accepting your aid.
>One of the Generals scoffs, finding your proposal incredulous.
>”And where, Litche, would you produce these legions? From your saddle pockets?”
>Your shadow twitches, and a clicking can be heard from behind the speaker.

>He yelps and practically rockets into the air as the Skeleton of ‘Skippy’ nips him in the flank.
>”I believe that answered your question, Leucine?”
>The pony, practically glued to the ceiling, glares down at a smiling AEther.
>”Yes.. I believe I understand the implications.”
>”What we do not understand, Litche, is what you wish in return for this assistance.”
>Luna always was the most devious of the two.
>Of course she knew you had an angle.
“It is simple, Princess.”
>You turn to face AEther completely.
“I require your vassal for a quest of immense severity. I need him to lend his skills to ending a threat to my own world.”
>This gets AEther’s rapt attention.
>”On one condition.”
>AEther is looking at Luna incredulously, as if expecting some trick.
>”You shall leave these legions under our command until such a time as we have deemed them no longer useful.”
>You tilt your head forwards, giving a devious grin.
”I will accept these terms.”
>”Luna, you aren-“
>”Then we have an accord.”
>Exactly according to plan, right down to the stunned silence of AEther.
>”You have GOT-“

“To be kidding me!”
>This was out rageous!
>Was Luna honestly going to spend you on this?
>After everything you had done for her, all those battles, and she thinks she can order you to do this?
>Celestia damn it, you were not going to go work for some creepy, dangerous Lich who thinks he can buy you off of Luna like a slave.
>”Very good then. You shall have you legions within the hour. I assume AEther shall be prepared to leave soon?”
>Enough of this shit.
“And what if I don’t want to come?”
>The Lich looks at you.
>Those eyes bucking hurt when they’re on you.
>It’s almost like they’re burning your skin.
>“Then your war effort shall crumble, and your beloved Celestia shall reign over all as a thrall to Discord.”
>You are left wondering how he knows about that.
>How could this thing know exactly what to say?
>You could tell it was sugar-coating each word, carefully and precisely speaking to get exactly its way.
>”You cannot deny your precarious position. Can you afford to turn down all the help you can get?”
>It looks like you’ve been out-ranked here.
>You shake your head in disbelief.
“I..”
>You give a sigh of frustration, before finally relenting.
”I’ll do it, but I want to make sure that these ‘Legions’, are even worth it. And not a moment before they prove themselves.”
>The Lich’s head tilts downwards.
>You could swear it’s grinning.
>”That will not be a problem, given your current predicament.”
>You scrunch your eyebrows in confusion
>”Your Eastern flank is already under attack.”