A Wandering Soul: Demon's Remorse

Chapters

A Second Chance
Rekindle the Laughter
The Bliss of Kindness
Remember Your Loyalty
A Generous Decision?
The Demon Within

A Second Chance

Chapter 1: A Second Chance

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*This is a sequel to my story "A Wandering Soul". If you haven't read it, please go and do so at this time.

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A few years have passed since the slaughter of Twilight and her friends in Ponyville, and things are slowly returning to normal. Lilith, the filly who committed the deed, has been locked up in the Canterlot Dungeons with maximum security ever since. Not needing food or sleep of any kind, she sits there chained against the wall each and everyday.

"How long do you plan to just sit here?" The Voices said. "Don't you think it's time to exact your revenge on Celestia for-"

"Quiet." Lilith said. "You can't persuade me to do anything anymore, and it's because of you that I'm in this situation..."

"What are you saying? I was the only hope you ever had at happiness!" The Voices said.

"Happiness? You know I look back on that time and realized, that I had everything going for me the moment Twilight took me in..." Lilith said, looking down at her blue scarf. "It's because I listened to you that I lost everything..."

"You don't-" The Voices said.

"Stop talking to me, go back to wherever it is you reside in my head." Lilith said angrily. "Since I can't get rid of you, just shut up."

"...Fine." The Voices said. "But don't think I'll always stay silent..."

Lilith let out a sigh of relief as she laid there against the wall.

"Talking to yourself again?" A Guard said, looking at her from behind the cell.

"More or less." Lilith responded.

The guard moved out of the way, and Lilith was greeted by an unexpected audience.

"Hello Lilith." Princess Celestia and Luna said.

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, it's been awhile since you last came down to see me." Lilith said. "How are things?"

"Things have been... fine to say the least." Celestia said. "It looks like you've grown since you've been locked up. You're no longer a little filly."

"I can not age, I've intentionally changed my appearance because it would only be appropriate." Lilith said. "You can't do many things as a little filly anyway."

"I hope you realize that whatever future you think you have is gone." Celestia said. "Since I lack the ability to execute you, that cell is where you will be for the rest of your "life"."

Lilith looked down at her scarf... and then looked up at Celestia.

"Do you hate me Celestia?" Lilith asked.

Celestia looked at Lilith, but didn't respond to her question.

"I know what I am, and I know what I did." Lilith said. "...and I'm sorry."

"YOU'RE SORRY!?" Celestia yelled, slamming her hooves against the cell bars. "...I get reports of recurring deaths in Ponyville... and I come into Twilight's house to see you... cradling her dead body."

Lilith was silent.

"You slaughtered all of her friends... including herself because of your mommy obsession..." Celestia said, angrily. "and you're telling me you're sorry?"

"...Yes." Lilith said.

Celestia let out a big sigh and rubbed her forehead.

"Again, I know what I've done, and I know what I am." Lilith said. "...and I feel regret. I truly feel despondent and remorseful about this..."

"Do you now?" Luna said.

"Yes... and I'd like to undo what I've done Celestia." Lilith said.

"How could you possibly undo what you've done?" Celestia said.

"I'm a demon Celestia, and not any normal one." Lilith said. "I can resurrect them."

"You're lying." Celestia said. "Give me one reason why I should believe what you say!"

"I can't give you a reason... but if you truly care for Twilight and her friends, you'll give me a chance." Lilith said.

"Sister, I know she has done something unforgivable... but if what she is saying is true and she can right her own wrongs..." Luna said. "Then I think it's worth taking a chance."

Celestia looked intently at Lilith, exhaled, and then released the lock on her chains.

Lilith stretched her body as she took off the cuffs.

"You make one mistake, or even try anything that will cause harm to others, and I will make sure that you never see sunlight again." Celestia said.

Lilith walked out of the cell to Celestia. "I can't promise you I won't Celestia." Lilith said. "Though I may seem in control of myself at the moment, there's no telling when my "urges" will take hold of me again."

"So what do you propose we do?" Luna said.

"Have guards posted around me at all times, no matter where I go." Lilith said. "I would also like it if one you two would stay by my side, you're the only ones with magic powerful enough to restrain me until I regain my sanity."

"...Are you sure we can trust you?" Luna said.

"...I'm not sure if I can even trust myself." Lilith said. "All I know is that I want a chance to undo the things I've done... a chance for me... to do some good in my life."

Celestia and Luna looked at eachother and nodded.

"Alright Lilith, but this is the only chance you're going to get." Luna said. "Now follow us, we'll discuss this idea of yours more in the Throne Room above."

Lilith followed Celestia and Luna out of the dungeon, smiling for once in a long time.

Rekindle the Laughter

Chapter 2: Rekindle the Laughter

Lilith had arrived in the Throne Room with Celestia and Luna, noticing many guards giving her a nasty look.

"Now then." Luna said. "Explain to us exactly how you plan to revive them."

Lilith cleared her throat, but before she began to explain herself, she noticed a pink alicorn staring at her from across the room. Princess Luna noticed Lilith was distracted and turned around to look.

"Hello... Princess Cadence." Luna said worryingly. "I wasn't aware you were coming to Canterlot. Is there something you-"

"Why is she out of her cell!?" Cadence demanded. "You can't possibly be thinking anything along the lines of letting her go are you!?"

"Well no not exactly, if you'd just give me a chance to explain I'd-" Luna said.

"SHE KILLED MY LITTLE SISTER." Cadence screamed.

"We're aware of that Cadence, I ask though however, that you please remain calm." Luna asked. "You're making it quite difficult to asses the situation."

"Remain calm? How can you expect me to do that!? I thought we were just going to let her rot in her cell for the rest of her undead life!" Cadence yelled. "Believe me, if Shining Armor were here, things would be much more chaotic."

"Cadence, you have to pull yourself together." Celestia said. "You need to set aside your anger so as to give us a chance to explain everything to you!"

"THERE'S NOTHING TO SAY! I WANT HER LOCKED UP FOREVER!" Cadence demanded. "I NEVER WANT TO SEE HER RELEASED FROM H-"

"Hey, Princess! Do you want to see your little sister again or not?" Lilith said.

"What? What are you talking about!? She's dead! You killed her!" Cadence said.

"You forget what I am Cadence, I'm not like you." Lilith said. "I can bring them back, all of them."

"You... you can?" Cadence said. "But... but why would YOU want to? You're the one who killed all of them in the first place!"

"You're right... I did kill them. But sitting in a cell with nothing to do for years makes you think a little." Lilith said. "...I hate my own existence. Wherever I go I only bring sorrow to those around me... I've regretted what I've done, and I just want to try and make things right for once."

Cadence looked Lilith with pity in her eyes.

"...I have no intention in looking for my "mother" anymore, and I have no interest in making friends." Lilith said. "Out of fear that I will cause harm to them... I'm still very far from being sane, and I could revert to my murderous insanity at any given moment... all I can do is try my best to control and cope with it."

"Lilith..." Cadence said.

"This is who I am, and I hate it... but there's nothing we can do about it." Lilith said, taking a short pause. "...I'm sorry, for everything that I've done."

Cadence rubbed her eyes, and walked towards the group. She looked at the scarf around Lilith's neck.

"...Who gave you that scarf?" Cadence asked.

Lilith looked down at her neck and replied softly. "Twilight..."

"I see... and you're still wearing it after all this time." Cadence said. "You must have truly loved her then."

"She was the first pony to ever show me any kindness..." Lilith said. "It means... everything to me."

"I'm sure it does..." Cadence said softly. "So, what's your plan Lilith?"

"It's really simple, just bring me to their bodies and I'll revive them." Lilith said.

"That's it? It's that easy for you?" Cadence asked.

"Well I do have my limits." Lilith said. "First, It takes most of my strength to perform one resurrection, so I can only revive one of them every few days."

"Anything else?" Cadence asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid as a demon... I can only revive them as demons themselves." Lilith said. "But, this is where you come in Celestia."

"I have a role in this?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, and if not one of the most important ones." Lilith said. "You tried to use your magic on me before to purify me while I was in captivity, but it failed correct? That's because I've been a demon for far too long for any types of purification to work."

Lilith used her magic to show her horn glowing a deep red with black sparks emitting from it.

"However, the moment I revive them is when you have the chance to purify them." Lilith explained. "As a newborn demon, they will have little to no protection built up, and you'll be able to truly return them to normal."

"I didn't realize it was that complicated." Cadence said.

"Compared to other forms of resurrection, demonic arts are actually the easiest." Lilith said. "So with this said, are you all ready?"

Celestia, Luna, and Cadence all agreed.

"Alright then... lets make our way to the graveyard then." Lilith said, walking towards the castle doors with Celestia, Luna, and Cadence following behind.

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Canterlot Marketplace
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The citizens of Canterlot scrambled in fear when they saw the one who slaughtered the Elements of Harmony out in the streets. About a few dozen guards surrounded Lilith as they walked through Town Square towards the Graveyard, with the 3 Princess's following behind her.

"It's just a little further Lilith." Cadence said.

"Right." Lilith said, looking at all the scared ponies. "I don't know what I expected."

They continued to walk towards their destination without any trouble. When suddenly a sharp pain clawed at Lilith's head, causing her movement to come to a halt.

"Lilith? Are you alright?" Cadence said.

"I had a feeling this would happen..." Celestia said. "She said she couldn't control her "urges" completely after all..."

Lilith held her head tightly and tried her best to regain control of herself.

"You didn't think I'd stay quiet for long did you?" The Voices said. "You've been quite boring lately, and your choices have been absolutely disgusting! We need to change that..."

"N-No... I... I won't let you!..." Lilith yelled. "You... can't make me!"

"Oh but I can, you were never in control to begin with sweetie." The Voices said. "Now then, let's start this party shall we?"

Lilith's horn started to glow frantically and her eyes had turned pure black with small, blood red pupils. She used all of her strength to try and keep conscious for even a small moment to turn around to the others.

"You...You have to s-stop me... quickly!" Lilith cried. "I can only... hold it back for a few more seconds!"

Lilith let out a shriek of pain as she fell to the ground, cringing.

"You two know what to do." Celestia said. "Restrain her while I soothe her as best I can."

"Right!" Luna and Cadence said, running to Lilith's side.

Luna got on top of Lilith and pinned both her hooves down, using her magic as added pressure. Cadence as well, using her magic to keep Lilith down. The guards forming a barrier around the group so the civilians would not be harmed. Celestia's horn started to glow brightly and she went towards Lilith's head, setting her horn down atop her forehead. Lilith screamed with agony, and started to convulse even more violently on the ground.

"What!? What do you think you're doing!?" The Voices said.

"Just a little... added protection." Lilith said. "You didn't think... I'd leave myself so vulnerable... did you?"

"You might drive me away but you can't get rid of me!" The Voices said, getting fainter and fainter. "You're only delaying the inevitable!"

Lilith's eyes returned to normal, and she had regained control of herself. Seeing this, Celestia removed her horn and backed away, along with Luna and Cadence and the removal of the barrier.

"Are you alright Lilith!?" Cadence asked.

"Yes... I'm fine now." Lilith said, rubbing her head. "I'm sorry... but thank you for stopping me."

"That's what we're here for." Cadence said. "Now come on, let's head to the Graveyard."

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Canterlot Graveyard
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Lilith and others had arrived at the Graveyard, and went to where Twilight and her friends were.

"Well... here they are." Cadence said, becoming teary eye'd from looking at Twilight's grave.

"All of them are together I see..." Lilith said. "I guess that would only make sense."

"How do you plan on doing this?" Luna said.

Lilith looked at six tombstones and thought to herself. "Cadence... I know you want to see Twilight again as soon as possible... but if you don't mind, I'd like to start from the beginning... the first one that I killed."

"I understand... it would be selfish of me to not think about the others just as much." Cadence said. "Please, do what you must."

"Alright... but first I need to prepare." Lilith said, cutting her hoof deep enough so that blood would flow out rapidly.

Lilith dragged her bleeding hoof around the ground to create a pentagram. She noticed that there were a stock of candles kept by their graves, and she placed them in specific spots on the pentagram, lighting them afterwards.

"Alright..." Lilith said. "It's ready."

"What about your hoof!? You cut it really bad!" Cadence said.

"Huh? Oh don't worry about it, it's fine." Lilith said, holding up her hoof to show that it's already healed.

"Oh... alright then." Cadence said. "So... we're ready?"

"Yes, we are." Lilith said, using her magic to lift Pinkie's coffin out of the dirt, she placed it in the center of the pentagram. "Well... here we go."

Lilith's horn started to glow normally at first, but got increasingly more darker as she performed the resurrection. She started to breathe heavily and her eyes turned to their psychotic state. Celestia and Luna noticed this and thought she had lost control again.

"No! Don't interfere!" Lilith said, strained. "This is necessary! I have to use almost every ounce of my strength to do this!"

Lilith started to feel a burning pain in her body as she continued, but she ignored it and gave it her all. The coffin being surrounded by her dark magic, Lilith pushed herself to her breaking point. She let out a painful scream as she completed the ritual, her horn's glow getting fainter as she fell to the ground fatigued. The coffin started to move around slightly, and the lid came flying off.

"Wow! That was some dream I had!" Pinkie said, her eyes black and red just like Lilith's. "Wait a second! I'm in a coffin, in a graveyard!"

Cadence ran to hug Pinkie tightly. "IT WORKED! OH I'M SO HAPPY! PINKIE! I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK!"

"Wait! You mean... I really did die?" Pinkie said. "But... how am I alive right now?"

"Celestia!" Lilith yelled. "We can save the heartfelt r-reunion for later!... Hurry up and... p-purify her!"

Celestia nodded and went over to Pinkie Pie, placing her glowing horn on her forehead. "I'm so happy you're back..."

Pinkie's eyes reverted to their normal state, and any trace of demonic energy inside of her had been erased.

"Wait wait wait! The last thing I remember is... being shoved into an oven by Li-" Pinkie said. "LILITH! She's the one who killed me! Where is she!?"

"We'll explain everything to you back at the Castle." Luna said.

"But I have so many questions! and we can't let someone like Lilith roam freely in Ponyville! We have to warn Twilight! We have to-" Pinkie said.

"Pinkie, look at that pony over there on the ground." Cadence said.

Pinkie looked over to see a pony with a sky blue mane and pure white coat, collapsed on the ground.

"She doesn't look so good, who is she?" Pinkie said.

"That... is Lilith." Cadence said.

"Lilith!? But she looks so different!" Pinkie said.

"You've been dead for a few years Pinkie, and her appearance has changed." Cadence said.

"But... why is she here!?" Pinkie asked.

"It's true that she may have been the one that killed you." Cadence said. "But she's also the one who revived you, and brought you back to us."

"She... revived me?" Pinkie said, turning around and seeing all her friend's tombstones. "Did she kill... all of my friends?"

"Yes... she did." Cadence said, consoling Pinkie. "But it was her decision to do this, to undo everything that she did."

Cadence and Pinkie looked at Lilith, who lifted her head slightly.

"I'm sorry... Pinkie." Lilith said softly, lowering her head to the ground.

"Wait! Lilith!" Pinkie yelled, running towards her.

Lilith opened her eyes slightly to see a pink pony running towards her. Exhausted, she took a deep breath and fell into a deep sleep.

The Bliss of Kindness

Chapter 3: The Bliss of Kindness

"...Auugh... my head hurts..." Lilith said, holding her head and sitting up. "Where am I?"

Lilith looked around the room, her vision still a bit blurry. Judging by the surroundings, she could tell she was back in the castle and in one of the guest rooms no less.

"I truly expected them to just throw me back in my cell until I regained my strength." Lilith said. "...I guess they are starting to put their trust me."

Lilith stretched her hooves upwards and yawned. She noticed however, a pink pony sitting on a chair next to her bedside fast asleep and drooling on the covers.

"Pinkie Pie?" Lilith said. "What are you doing here?"

Pinkie opened her eyes tiredly, and then looked at Lilith with a sign of relief.

"You've finally woken up..." Pinkie said, yawning. "I'm so glad!"

"How long have I been out?" Lilith asked.

"About 3 days." Pinkie said. "You've been asleep for so long that I started to really worry about you! But you're awake now!"

"You were... worried about me?" Lilith asked.

"Well yea! Why wouldn't I be? You are the one who revived me after all." Pinkie said.

"But I'm also the one who killed you in the first place..." Lilith said. "and your friends."

"Yea..." Pinkie said." Listen, after you passed out from my revival and we brought you back to the castle, Princess Celestia explained everything to me and why you're doing what you're doing."

Lilith looked down at the blanket, and then back up at Pinkie.

"...I'm sorry Pinkie." Lilith said. "I truly am so-"

"There's no need to keep apologizing Lilith." Pinkie said, jumping on the bed and hugging Lilith. "I know you've regret what you've done, and it makes me really happy to see your change of heart."

Surprised by the fact that Pinkie even hugged her, Lilith couldn't find the words to express her sorrow and gratitude towards her. Instead, she wrapped her hooves around Pinkie and returned the hug that she received, trying her best not to cry.

"Isn't that just heartwarming." Cadence said, as she entered Lilith's room and walked to her bedside. "How are you feeling Lilith? Are you alright?"

Pinkie patted Lilith on the head and went back to her seat.

"Hello Cadence." Lilith said. "I am feeling alright now though, I'm sorry I was out for so long though."

"It's alright, I can only imagine how much strength it would take to perform something like that anyway." Cadence said. "I'm just glad you're alright."

"...Thanks." Lilith said happily, getting out of bed. "Now if you want, I can perform the next resurrection right now."

"Are you sure you're completely alright to do so?" Cadence asked.

"Yes, I've regained most of my strength." Lilith said. "I should be alright."

"Well, if you say so." Cadence said. "Come on Pinkie."

Pinkie hopped out of her seat and followed Cadence and Lilith down to the Throne Room, where they saw Luna and Celestia conversing.

"Lilith, I'm glad to see that you've finally awoken." Luna said.

"As am I." Celestia said. "You were out for quite some time."

"I know, I'm sorry." Lilith said. "But I'm ready to perform the next resurrection."

"We've taken the liberty of transferring their coffins from the Graveyard to the back of the Castle." Celestia said. "If you were to lose control of yourself again like you did in town, at least now you won't be a threat to the citizens."

"I understand, and I think it's a great idea." Lilith said. "Now before we start, there is something I want to inform you of."

"What is it?" Celestia asked.

"...You helped me regain control of myself in town by using your magic to soothe me." Lilith said. "Performing that resurrection exhausted me of all my strength... which also means that your protective magic inside my head has also weakened."

"What do you propose we do?" Luna said.

"At the moment, the same thing you've been doing, just watch me and my actions carefully." Lilith said. "The effects of Celestia's magic should still be strong enough to hold back my "intentions" for this resurrection today."

Celestia, Luna, and Cadence all shook their heads in agreement.

"When the time comes for the third resurrection... stay on guard at all times." Lilith said. "If I ever completely lose control of myself, use lethal force."

"Are... are you sure?" Cadence said. "You don't want us to try and just subdue you?"

"Using lethal force is subduing me." Lilith said. "You can't kill me, but the more "fatal" wounds you inflict upon me will gradually exhaust me, and I'll be able to try and regain my sanity during that period."

"Is that really the only choice we have?" Cadence asked.

"If you don't attack me with the intent to kill, you're going to die." Lilith said. "I'm sorry for being so blunt, but this is serious."

"Right... I understand." Cadence said. "Well then, let's head outside shall we?"

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Canterlot Courtyard
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Lilith and the others arrived at the rear of the Castle. She noticed that there were five coffins, each with an Element of Harmony engraved on the top.

"Now then, let's begin." Lilith said, cutting her hoof and creating a pentagram on the ground.

Lilith repeated what she did back in the graveyard, setting candles and creating the correct insignia's on the floor.

"Alright... here we go." Lilith said. "Pinkie keep your distance, I would not be able to forgive myself if something went wrong and you got hurt..."

"Alright." Pinkie said, running back behind Celestia and Luna. "Good luck Lilith!"

Lilith looked at Pinkie and smiled. She then turned around to look at the pentagram and used her magic to bring a coffin into the center. Her horn glowed bright red, and slowly turned to a darker shade. Red magic engulfed the coffin and Lilith's eyes lost sanity.

"Ugh... this feels much more painful... performing it a second time..." Lilith said with pain in her voice.

The sound of bones shattering in her body deeply worried Pinkie and the Princess's. Blood started rushing down from her eyes and she started coughing up alarmingly large amounts of blood. Electricity emitted from Lilith's body as the ritual continued and her vision started to blur.

"I... I can't pass out now... not... yet..." Lilith cried. "I will... see this through... to the end!"

Lilith screamed and the magic surrounding the coffin disappeared in one fell burst, releasing a small shockwave. Lilith fell back, her body still convulsing with electricity. The coffin started to shake and jitter, and soon the lid was pushed off.

"I'm... I'm back?" Fluttershy said, emerging from the coffin.

Celestia went towards Fluttershy and placed her horn on head, purifying her and removing the darkness from her eyes.

"Welcome back Fluttershy!" Celestia cried. "I'm so happy you've returned!"

"FLUTTERSHY!" Pinkie yelled, tackling Fluttershy to the ground and hugging her immensely. "I'm so glad you're back!"

"P-Pinkie Pie!?" Fluttershy said. "You're alive!?"

"Yep! It's all thanks to Li-" Pinkie said.

"Guys! Come over here quick! Lilith needs serious help!" Cadence yelled, as she sat next to Lilith's body.

Lilith laid in a pool of her own blood, breathing heavily and quivering. Her healing factor, the electricity that was being emitted from her body, was desperately trying to fix her internal and external wounds.

"We have to get to the infirmary right now!" Cadence said.

Princess Celestia and Luna carefully lifted her up and placed her on Cadence's back.

"Can somepony please explain to me what's going on!?" Fluttershy asked.

"We'll explain later Fluttershy! But right now, Lilith's survival is top priority!" Pinkie said. "Now come on! I'll tell you everything afterwards!"

The 3 Princess's and the others quickly rushed back to the castle, trying to ensure Lilith's safety as best they could.

Remember Your Loyalty

Chapter 4: Remember Your Loyalty

"Oh Lilith..." Pinkie said softly. "Please don't leave us... not yet..."

Lilith opened her eyes slowly and turned to look at Pinkie, who was standing next to her bedside along with Fluttershy.

"You're awake!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Thank goodness! You've been out a lot longer than you were last time!"

"I... I was?" Lilith asked, noticing she was in the infirmary of the Castle, lying in bed. "How long have I been out this time?"

"About 2 weeks." Pinkie said. "I'm not surprised, you were in terrible shape after you finished the ritual, we didn't think you'd make it!"

"2... weeks?" Lilith questioned. "I didn't expect these rituals to have such an impact on my body..."

"Hey, you're bringing ponies back from the dead!" Pinkie said. "I don't expect it to be easy for you."

Lilith tilted her head to look at Fluttershy. Pinkie noticed Fluttershy's silence and nudged her side.

"Come on! Say something!" Pinkie whispered. "She just risked her life to bring you back to life! The least you could do is say thank you!"

"I... I'm..." Fluttershy said.

"You don't have to thank me Fluttershy, it's not like I'm doing this for your praise anyway..." Lilith said. "I'm going to assume that Pinkie explained everything to you?"

"Mhm." Fluttershy said, nodding her head. "I am grateful for what you've done... and happy for your change of heart. I'm just still trying to take this all in!"

"That's understandable." Lilith said. "I just wish that there was an ea-"

"Lilith? Are you alright?" Fluttershy said, noticing her abrupt silence. "Is something wrong?"

Lilith covered her eyes with her hooves and fell back into bed, struggling and turning as her body emitted the red electricity again.

"Lilith!? What's going on!?" Pinkie asked.

"Well now... it looks like that pesky barrier that Celestia put up in your head has finally dissipated..." The Voices said. "I think now is the perfect time to have some fun..."

"Hu-Hurry! Go! Go and get the Princess's!" Lilith yelled, taking her hooves off her eyes and turning to look at Pinkie and Fluttershy. "GO NOW!"

"Lilith!" Pinkie yelled.

"Your eyes..." Fluttershy said despondently.

"I SAID GO! I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN CONTROL MYSELF!" Lilith screamed, as she fell out of bed and continued to struggle on the floor.

"R-Right! We're going now!" Pinkie said, nudging Fluttershy and running out of the infirmary with her.

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The Throne Room
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"Princess Celestia! Luna!" Pinkie yelled, running down the hall with Fluttershy. "Cadence!"

"What's wrong you two? Why are you so scared?" Cadence asked. "Has something happened with Lilith!?"

"Yes! She's losing control of herself again! We have to hurry and stop her before-" Pinkie said, cut off by an explosion.

Everyone turned to look at the hallway where Pinkie and Fluttershy came from, noticing blasts of smoke and ember emitting from it.

"Pinkie Pie! Fluttershy! Get behind us!" Celestia said. "It looks like it's already happened..."

A shadow of a pony could be seen in the smoke, and Lilith emerged from within it, dragging a severed guard's head on the ground with her.

"Oh my Celestia..." Fluttershy said, terrified. "It's just like back in my cottage!..."

Lilith walked slowly towards the 3 Princess's, tossing the guard's head aside.

"Remember sister..." Luna said. "She said we must use lethal force if we have any chance of stopping her."

"I know... we don't have any other choice it seems." Celestia said.

Lilith walked closer and closer until she suddenly stopped, her head looking down at the floor.

"Why has she stopped?" Luna asked.

"I don't know..." Cadence said, taking a big gulp.

Lilith slowly lifted her head and looked at them with her demonic eyes. A huge grin appeared on her face as she did so and she started to snicker.

"Ahh! I'm sorry... but I've been really bored lately!" Lilith said, her voice twisted. "Seeing these flimsy resurrections and happy, warm reunions just makes me sick!"

"Give Lilith back to us!" Cadence yelled.

"Huh?? Give her back? What are you talking about!?" I AM Lilith! Always have been!" Lilith said. "I'm just the more... interesting part of her! The more FUN part of her!"

"Tsh! Is that so?" Cadence said. "Well sorry to say... But I prefer our "boring" Lilith a lot more than I do you!"

"That's too bad, I don't exactly plan to revert back to that old state." Lilith said. "Now if you don't mind, you've become rather annoying, all of you. So I'm going to kill you now okay? Seeing your blood spill is just the pick-me-up I NEED!"

Lilith sprinted towards the 3 Princess's, and vice versa. Pinkie and Fluttershy ran behind Celestia's Throne to hide as they watched them. Their horns colliding with each other, Lilith's horn was teeming with demonic energy, as its dark red glow was emitted fiercely. The 3 Princess's struggled to push Lilith back, as Lilith herself struggled to hold them back.

"Hmph!" Lilith said, jumping back away from the 3 Princess's. "I guess this'll be a bit harder than I had anticipated."

"Give it up! There's no way you can win against all 3 of us!" Cadence exclaimed.

"Hmm..." Lilith said, looking around the room and noticing Pinkie and Fluttershy hiding behind the Throne. "Maybe I just need some help then..."

Lilith built up her magic and shot two blasts from her horn, passing the Princess's and towards Pinkie and Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy get down!" Pinkie yelled, pushing Fluttershy on ground and safeguarding her.

The beams of demonic magic were about to reach them, but dissipated when they got close to them.

"What!?" Lilith said. "What happened to my magic!?"

"You didn't think I'd just leave those two without any forms of defense did you?" Celestia said. "Your magic will not have any effect on them!"

Lilith became infuriated and she stood gritting her teeth.

"It's over for you!" Cadence yelled, shooting her magic at Lilith.

Lilith looked at Cadence, her eyes teeming with malice and anger. She lifted her hoof to block Cadence's attack, and then followed swiftly through by bolting towards her at immense speed.

"Just as expected!" Cadence thought. "Just a little closer..."

Lilith ran and jumped towards Cadence as she got close enough. Cadence flew up in the air as Lilith jumped at her, smiling. Lilith's eyes widened as she saw Princess Luna standing behind where Cadence was, her horn filled to the brim with magic.

"So sorry Lilith." Luna said. "But this is going to hurt I'm afraid."

Luna released her attack upon Lilith, sending her flying back into the center of the Throne Room.

"Gah! You sneaky little..." Lilith said, attempting to stand up but couldn't. "Your magic... was so cold..."

"As the night can be sometimes." Luna said. "You won't be getting up anytime soon."

Lilith struggled to stand up, but her limbs had succumbed to severe frostbite and she only fell down each time.

"Just you wait... I'm going to make you wish you never... you never..." Lilith said, holding her head tightly. "C-Celestia! Hurry and p-purify me! She's weak enough where I can regain control of m-myself!"

"Right!" Celestia said, running towards Lilith's incapacitated body.

"G-Get away from me! I'm not letting you- Hurry up and do it!" Lilith said, her eyes switching between normal and insane.

Celestia lowered her horn upon Lilith's forehead and she screamed with anguish. She struggled violently on the ground, until she eventually calmed down. The frostbite she had succumbed to had also been cleansed with Celestia's magic. Lilith slowly got up and rubbed her eyes, continuing to look up at Celestia.

"...Thank you." Lilith said happily. "Thank you... so much."

"It's what we're here for Lilith." Celestia said. "We won't let you go astray."

"Lilith!" Pinkie said, running up to hug her. "You're back!"

Lilith nodded her head. "...How much damage did I cause?"

"You killed a few castle guards... but that's basically it." Fluttershy said.

"We know you didn't mean it, you're not in any trouble Lilith." Luna said. "We're all just glad that you've come back to us."

"I guess I just can't ever stop can I?..." Lilith said softly. "...Well, despite being in the condition I'm in, I can perform the next resurrection now if you want."

"Are you sure Lilith?" Cadence said. "I mean, you were lying in a pool of your own blood with the last one... are you really okay doing this?"

"I don't care about my well being, nor do I care about the consequences of performing this multiple times." Lilith said. "I just want to see this through to the end."

Cadence nodded. "Well, then let's go to the Courtyard..."

__________________

Canterlot Courtyard
__________________

Four coffins remained, and Lilith continued to recreate the pentagram for the third time.

"Alright, here we go again." Lilith said, looking back at everyone who is keeping their distance.

As Lilith was about to begin, she felt the pat of a hoof on her back.

"Pinkie?" Lilith said. "What are you doing? Go back with the others where it's safe!"

Pinkie nodded her head in disagreement. "There's no need for that."

"Don't you understand? If something goes wrong you could easily end up dying again! You wouldn't be able to-" Lilith said.

"Lilith, nothing bad is going to happen." Pinkie said, smiling.

"How... How can you be so sure of that?" Lilith asked.

"Because you're my friend Lilith!" Pinkie said. "I trust you! I know that you want nothing more than the best for us!"

"You're... my friend?" Lilith said softly. "We're... friends?"

"Of course! How could we not be?" Pinkie said. "Now come on! Let's get this ritual started!"

Lilith turned to look back at the pentagram and she used her magic to set a coffin down in the center.

"I believe in you Lilith!" Pinkie said.

A tear came running down Lilith's face as her horn started to glow fiercely. The magic engulfed the coffin and Pinkie stood by Lilith's side as she performed it. Blood started rushing down from her eyes and mouth again, and this time the sound of not just bones shattering, but the sound of organs failing and bursting could be heard. Lilith's vision started to fade, and she felt as if she was going to fall and pass out. But Pinkie acted as her support, and helped her stand as she completed the ritual.

The coffin shook and the lid came flying off, a rainbow pegasus emerged from within and Princess Celestia went over to purify her before anything else.

"...Okay, someone has got some serious explaining to do around here!" Rainbow Dash said.

Lilith smiled, and then fell back into Pinkie's hooves as her body teemed with electricity, trying to keep her alive as she passed out one more.

A Generous Decision?

Chapter 5: A Generous Decision?

"So Lilith wants to redeem herself by bringing us all back to life huh?" Rainbow Dash said. "What are you going to do with her when shes brought us all back?"

"That's assuming she can first of all." Cadence said. "Her condition seems to be getting worse with each resurrection she completes."

"If everything does turn out successful, we plan to release her from imprisonment." Luna said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean yea, shes been helping everyone and all now." Rainbow Dash said. "But who knows what could happen if you just set her free unsupervised!"

Concerning looks came over all their faces.

"I'm sure that she hasn't been entirely cooperative with you." Rainbow Dash said. "There must have been at least one outburst right?..."

"...It's true that before we resurrected you, she lost control of herself and killed several castle guards." Celestia said. "As well as attacking us too."

"You see! If we allow her to go free after all this, there's no telling how many more lives she'll take outside of Canterlot!" Rainbow Dash said.

"It wasn't her though! It's like a completely different entity takes her over..." Fluttershy said. "One that's a sadistic psychopath..."

"You mean her true self." Rainbow Dash said.

"Rainbow Dash lay off her! That's not her anymore! Shes changed!" Pinkie said. "She might still get those urges... but it's not her fault, and our decision to let her go free after this still stands!"

"Don't you get it? She-" Rainbow Dash said.

"Rainbow Dash, you may be right, but shes been giving you all back your lives." Cadence said. "The least we can do... is give her back hers as well."

"Look! She's waking up!" Fluttershy said.

Lilith's eyes opened slowly as she laid in the infirmary bed. She glanced up to look at everyone by her bedside.

"I didn't expect you to heal so fast, its only been a day since the ritual." Celestia said.

"I focused most of my healing to the vital organs, just so I could regain consciousness and speak." Lilith said. "I'm in no position to do anything else right now though, It'll take some time for the rest of my body to heal."

"That's fine, you take as much time as you need to recover." Cadence said.

Lilith turned to look at Rainbow Dash, who was glaring at her.

"Is something the matter?" Lilith said.

"...Hmph." Rainbow Dash said, turning to walk out of the room.

""Don't mind Rainbow Dash Lilith, she's just unsure if our decision to let you go free is the right one." Pinkie said.

"That's because it's not the right decision." Lilith said.

"W-What?" Fluttershy said. "But... don't you want to be free?"

"Of course, but that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do." Lilith said. "You've seen me lose control of myself, who knows what kind of a rampage I'll go on when it happens again..."

"So... are you saying you want us to lock you up again after all this?" Celestia said.

"I don't want to be locked up again obviously, but with my instability it might be the right thing to do..." Lilith said.

Everyone was silent.

"For now, let's just finish up the other resurrections." Lilith said. "After everything is done, then you can decide what you want to do with me."

"Lilith..." Pinkie said sadly.

"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep." Lilith said. "I heal quicker when I'm sleeping anyway."

Lilith closed her eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep. Everyone left the room and headed in their own direction. Pinkie walked into the courtyard, where she saw Rainbow dash sitting in front of the remaining graves.

"...So what's next?" Rainbow Dash said. "Tell her to get out here do the rest."

"It doesn't work like that Dash, she's in a lot of pain right now and she needs to rest." Pinkie said.

"How long is that gonna take?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Few weeks, maybe a month." Pinkie said.

"A month!? That's ridiculous! We're supposed to sit here and wait a month for her to wake up!?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Her body gets destroyed every time she resurrects someone and it gets worse every ritual!" Pinkie said. "She needs to rest!"

"I don't care what she needs! I just want the rest of my friends back!" Rainbow Dash said. "As far as I'm concerned, she hasn't been anything more than a nuisance since she came into her lives, and that's putting it lightly!"

"What is wrong with you!? You haven't even spoken with her since she brought you back!" Pinkie said. "She's changed! She isn't the same pony she was before!"

"I don't need to talk to her! All I know is that she is still the reason we were all killed!" Rainbow Dash said.

Yea, you're right, she is the reason we were all killed. But she's different now Dash." Pinkie said, walking up to Rainbow Dash. "If it wasn't for her resolve, Fluttershy wouldn't be here right now! I wouldn't be here right now! YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE RIGHT NOW!"

"...She's a demon." Rainbow Dash said directly. "That's what she'll always be, and that's what I'll always see her as."

Rainbow Dash walked past Pinkie and returned to the Castle. Pinkie turned around, glared at Rainbow Dash, and let out a disappointed sigh.

-1 Month later-

Lilith opened her eyes drearily and sat up from her bed. She looked around and noticed a nurse pony across the room.

"Excuse me." Lilith said. "But can you tell me how long I've been out?"

"Oh, you've finally awoken!" The Nurse said. "You've been out for about a month Lilith."

"I was afraid of that." Lilith sighed, getting out of bed. "Do you know where Princess Celestia is?"

"I think Celestia, Luna, and Cadence are in the Courtyard, the others might be with them as well." The Nurse said.

"How convenient." Lilith said. "I'll be heading over there now then."

Lilith walked out of the room and towards the exit in the back of the Castle. Before she entered the Courtyard, she heard arguing from behind the door.

"Rainbow Dash! You have to calm down!" Cadence said.

"I can't! I've waited long enough! I want my friends back!" Rainbow Dash said.

"I told you already! We have to wait for Lilith to-" Cadence said, noticing the Castle door opening.

"I've finally healed." Lilith said, walking towards the group.

"Lilith!" Pinkie exclaimed, running up to hug her." I'm so happy you're awake!"

"Thanks, but it'll only be for a few minutes, since I'll probably be back in the infirmary shortly after this resurrection." Lilith said.

"Stupid consequences..." Pinkie muttered.

"But before I do begin..." Lilith said, turning to look at Rainbow Dash. "I ask this question to every successful pony I resurrect."

"Yea? Well spit it out then." Rainbow Dash said.

"...Do you hate me? Or anything of that nature?" Lilith asked. "I'd like to know, please."

"I don't hate you... in fact I really appreciate all you're doing for us, and hope that after all this, we can become even closer friends..." Rainbow Dash said, with a smile.

"Really? You want me to stay?" Lilith said. "Because I recall back on the first day of my recuperation... you were the one who suggested I be re-imprisoned..."

"What? Well, that may be true...but since then I've had a real change of heart about you!" Rainbow Dash said. "Pinkie helped convince me of that!"

"Is that so?" Lilith said, walking towards Pinkie. "Is what she's saying true Pinkie? Did you convince her to think different of me?"

"Umm... Well I..." Pinkie stuttered, looking at Rainbow Dash, who was signaling her not to say anything. "I... I can't..."

"I'm sorry Pinkie, I shouldn't have asked you such a question since you are always willing to protect your friends." Lilith said. "Instead, just give me your hooves."

"My hooves?" Pinkie said.

"That's right, just hold your hooves out in front of me." Lilith said.

Pinkie held her hooves out in front of Lilith. Lilith then put her hooves on top of hers and closed her eyes. After a few seconds of concentration, Lilith's head flew back and her eyes opened and they were pure white.

"L-Lilith? Are you okay?" Pinkie asked.

Suddenly, the area around them became black and white.

"What's going on?" Cadence asked. "What is this?"

Pinkie looked around and noticed another version of her arguing with Rainbow Dash.

"This is my memory!" Pinkie said. "...I think Lilith is showing us what happened in the past through my memories."

Everyone became silent and watched the argument between the two of them in awe, all except for Rainbow Dash, who was extremely paranoid.

"...She's a demon." Past Rainbow Dash said. "That's what she'll always be, and that's what I'll always see her as."

The memory dissipated shortly after and Lilith regained consciousness. Everyone turned to look at Rainbow Dash with mixed feelings. Lilith then began to walk towards her.

"...Well what do you want me to say now? You know how I feel after seeing that." Rainbow Dash said.

"I don't want you to say anything, but if you hate me and my presence, then I would prefer you just say it to me." Lilith said. "Rather than giving me false feelings and lying to me."

Lilith walked past Rainbow Dash, who remained silent.

"Now then, I'm going to prepare the next ritual." Lilith said. "Give me a few minutes."

Pinkie walked over to Lilith as she was preparing everything.

"Hey Lilith? You're not mad are you?" Pinkie asked.

"No, I'm not mad, just disappointed." Lilith said, as she finished up the diagram. "Anyway, we're ready to begin."

Everyone backed away from the diagram to a safe distance, except Pinkie who insisted on staying by Lilith's side.

"Rainbow Dash, come on! We have to back away from the diagram in case something goes wrong." Fluttershy said.

"...Yea, sorry I was just thinking some things over..." Rainbow Dash said, walking back with Fluttershy.

Lilith used her magic to lift the fourth coffin into the center of the diagram. Pinkie placed her hoof on Lilith's back.

"Are you ready Lilith?" Pinkie asked happily.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Lilith said. "You're going to stand with me again?"

"Of course! I won't let you stand up here by yourself anymore." Pinkie exclaimed.

"Well just be careful alright?" Lilith warned. "The more I perform, the more unstable it becomes."

Lilith got into position and closed her eyes. Her horn started to glow a bright red. She continued to focus her magic, but something was wrong. Lilith had already started to breathe heavily and her horn was flickering.

"Lilith? What's wrong?" Pinkie asked.

Lilith's magic dissipated and she fell to the ground.

"What happened?" Fluttershy said.

"Lilith, are you alright?" Princess Luna said, helping her up.

"...I'm fine, don't worry about me." Lilith said. "It's just getting much more difficult is all..."

"Is there anyway we can help to make things easier?" Cadence said.

"From this point on, I think I need your help to complete the rest." Lilith said.

"What do you need us to do?" Cadence said.

"Right now, I need one of you to get on the opposite side of the pentagram." Lilith said.

"I'll do it." Cadence said, walking to the other side.

"Now all you have to do is focus your magic on the coffin, I'll harness the excess magic to make the spell more powerful." Lilith said.

"Will this hurt me?" Cadence said.

"You'll only suffer a few cuts and scratches for assisting, I'll take the full brunt of it again." Lilith said.

"...Lilith let me ask you, can non-demons perform the ritual?" Cadence asked.

"Why are you asking me this?" Lilith said.

"I'd like to take your spot in the resurrection process." Cadence said.

"What? But Cadence you-" Lilith said.

"You said that resurrecting others is taboo for demons. You never said anything about us not being able to perform it." Cadence said.

Lilith was silent.

"Lilith, what aren't you telling us?" Cadence asked.

"...It's true that you could perform the resurrection in my place." Lilith said. "But the outcome would be much worse."

"Why? What's so different?" Cadence said.

"The penalty for anyone who performs it is death, simple as that." Lilith said.

"Death!? Really?" Cadence said. "But you've performed it so many times already and you're still here!"

"It's taboo for demons because it's our own forbidden art, but the consequences for performing it won't kill us instantly because of our resilience." Lilith explained. "But if a regular pony were to perform it, they would die the minute the ritual is completed."

No one responded. It was quiet and despondent looks overcame everyone's faces.

"I appreciate your offer, but if you were to attempt it, then it would completely defeat the purpose of what I'm doing." Lilith said.

"I see... but there is something else I have to say Lilith." Cadence said. "Every time you perform a resurrection, your condition worsens each time and you're out for a longer period of time."

"I'm aware of this." Lilith said.

"I don't think we have the patience to wait if the time span keeps getting longer and longer." Cadence said. "Isn't there some sort of... mass resurrection? So you can revive them all at once?"

"No, there's no such thing." Lilith said quickly.

"Are you lying to us?" Cadence said, with a serious tone. "You've already hidden many things from us... if this is possible, then please say it."

Lilith was silent for a few seconds.

"...There is a form of mass resurrection, but the consequences for performing it are absolute." Lilith said. "...The one who performs it must give their life in exchange, whether you be demon or pony, there are no exceptions."

"I don't want you to die though..." Cadence said.

"Listen, I'll leave this up to you... if you want me to perform it, I will." Lilith said. "My fate, is in your hooves."

Cadence froze, she thought deeply about what to do. Sacrifice Lilith for her friends, or keep waiting? Suddenly, a question arose in her mind.

"Well... how exactly does the exchange work? Do you lose your entire body in the process?" Cadence asked.

"Your soul is drained, with your body remaining behind." Lilith said.

"But aren't you technically a soul since you're a demon?" Cadence asked.

"Yes, but I never left my corporeal flesh, so I was able to remain within it, that's why I still bleed when hurt." Lilith said.

"I see..." Cadence said. "I wonder..."

Lilith grasped her head in pain, she looked up at Cadence and the other ponies with one of her eyes switching between sane and hollow.

"My head... it's my other side... it's trying to take over again." Lilith said. "You have to make a decision... and quick!"

"I've made up my mind, and this is actually perfect timing." Cadence said. "Lilith, please perform the mass resurrection!"

"Okay, get all the coffins together! I'll prepare the incantation." Lilith said.

"Cadence what are you doing! I don't want to lose Lilith! She's-" Pinkie cried.

"Don't worry, if everything goes according to how it should, then we won't lose Lilith." Cadence said. "At least I hope not..."

Lilith put the remaining coffins into position, unaware of the conversation they were having.

"Okay! Everything is- AGH... everything is in place!" Lilith said, holding her head in searing pain.

"Alright..." Cadence said, looking at Lilith with a confident smile. "Let's do this Lilith!"

The Demon Within

Final Chapter: The Demon Within

Lilith's horn started to glow a bright red, which became progressively darker as it intensified in power. Cadence fed Lilith the extra power she needed through her horn and soon a red orb started to form above the coffins. The orb pulsated with electricity as it got bigger and bigger, and started to beat as if it were a giant heart.

"It's almost complete!" Lilith said, focusing as hard as she could on the orb. "Just a little more!"

Lilith and Cadence stood their ground as the orb increased in size until it was complete. The orb cut of Lilith and Cadence's magic as it reached its full size. Both of them staggered backwards as the orb released multiple bolts of electricity into each coffin.

"Celestia! Luna! Hurry and retrieve the ponies inside the coffins!" Cadence yelled. "We don't know how unstable this thing is!"

Princess Celestia and Luna rushed over to each coffin, releasing the pony inside and purifying the newborn demon it had become.

"This isn't like a normal resurrection! They'll be out cold for a little bit because this was a quick revival!" Lilith yelled. "They'll be fine though! Just let them re- AGH!"

"Lilith!" Cadence yelled."

Lilith fell to the ground and started to struggle, her ears started bleeding and her eyes changed rapidly between insanity and normality.

"I can't hold it back anymore..." Lilith cried, as she fell onto her back and started screaming.

Lilith convulsed on the ground until she suddenly stopped and stood up, only this time her eyes stayed the blood red color.

"Ah finally! Now I can have some fun again with all of you!" Lilith said, giggling to herself.

"I don't think you're going to be doing anything to anyone anymore." Cadence said.

"Why's that?" Lilith questioned. "What could you have POSSIBLY done to stop me?"

Cadence pointed to the large red orb without saying a word. It began to beat more rapidly and started to pull Lilith closer itself.

"...That might actually work." Lilith said, struggling to create distance from herself and the orb. As she got pulled closer to it, her soul began separating itself from her body. "Oh no! If I'm going down... I'm taking someone else with me!"

Before becoming completely separated from her body, she lodged her hoof deep into the flesh of her body and pulled out Lilith's true soul.

"W-What are you doing!?" True Lilith said.

"Come on darling we're in for a wild ride!" The Demon said.

Both souls were pulled from her body and were sucked into the void of the orb, which began pulsating and beating at a very unstable rate. It shot out electricity randomly until it got smaller and smaller and eventually vanished. Lilith's hollow body fell to the ground, showing no signs of life.

"LILITH!" Cadence yelled, as she rushed over to Lilith's side. "No... no you CAN'T be gone! This wasn't supposed to happen!"

"She's... She's gone?" Pinkie asked. "Lilith is... gone?"

"...Yes... she's gone... and it's all my fault..." Cadence said, tears rushing down her face. "I never intended for this to happen... I thought that if she transformed into that demon right after it was completed, then the demon inside of her would be taken as the sacrifice... not the Lilith we've come to know..."

Cadence buried her face in Lilith's mane and started crying hysterically.

______________________

The Void
______________________

"Ugh..." Lilith groaned. "...Where am I?"

Lilith slowly stood up and looked around, the sky was red and she was standing on what seemed to be a floating crater.

"Finally awake are you?" The Demon said. "It's about time you woke up, I was getting pretty bored."

"You!?" Lilith said. "...You just had to pull me in with you didn't you?"

"Well it's not like I planned on coming here..." The Demon said.

"So are we both trapped here?" Lilith questioned.

"Not exactly." The Demon said, pointed up at the sky and showing the large red orb hovering above them. "The ritual you did required only one soul as a sacrifice, but because I pulled you in here with me, it's having trouble deciding which one to take, hence why we're here."

"So... it's deciding who to take and who to release?" Lilith asked.

"Yep, pretty much." The Demon said. "All we can do is wait and see who the lucky camper is."

Lilith looked down at the ground and closed her eyes, and then proceeded to look back up at The Demon.

"...I want to ask you." Lilith said.

"Hm?" The Demon said.

"...Why did you make me kill Twilight and all her friends back then?" Lilith asked with a serious tone. "...Tell me."

A large smile appeared on The Demon's face.

"Why did I do it you ask? I think the answer is quite simple my dear." The Demon said. "I did it simply because it was funny!"

"Really? That's your reasoning?" Lilith said. "You made me lose the one opportunity I had to be happy again!"

"I'm aware of that." The Demon said, snickering.

"YOU KNEW IT AND YET YOU MADE ME KILL ALL OF THEM!" Lilith cried.

"You seem to forget who I am Lilith... I was born the moment you died, when you killed your mother..." The Demon said. "I am nothing more than the embodiment of all that you felt during the time when you slaughtered your mom."

The Demon stood up and started to walk towards her.

"Another thing you seem to misunderstand is that you think I'm the only demon here, when the fact of the matter is that you are one too, even as we're standing here." The Demon said.

"W-What?" Lilith said. "You're the demon that's been controlling me this whole time! Those impulses all came from y-"

"Those impulses are all yours and yours alone... The pony who you once were died that dark day and YOU were reborn as a demon." The Demon said. "You are a demon and so am I, the big difference is that I am merely an entity created out of all that negativity that day."

The Demon looked Lilith straight in the eyes.

"Whenever you had those impulses, I merely thought it'd be the most appropriate time to take control and have some fun!" The Demon said. "We're one in the same, you might succeed in getting rid of me with the orb's choice... but apart of me will always stay with, just as how a part of you will always be with me..."

The orb started to beat more rapidly until it released a bolt of electricity down on top of The Demon.

"...Heh, it looks like you were successful." The Demon said, as it's body started to deteriorate.

Lilith bit her lips and looked up at the dying demon.

"You're right... we are one in the same." Lilith said, as her eyes turned blood red just like the demon. "But this time... you won't be in control of me, and I'll be aware of my actions..."

"Hehe my dear, I never said you wouldn't be..." The Demon said, as it was sucked into the orb above.

The orb released an obscuring bright light after it was done with the absorption, and overwhelmed Lilith.

______________________________________

Aftermath of the Ritual
______________________________________

Cadence lay there, still crying into Lilith's mane.

"Look!" Pinkie said.

Everyone looked back to see the red orb reappearing, crackling with electricity. Lilith's soul emerged from the orb and flew back into her body on the ground. The orb then shrank once again and disappeared into nothingness.

"What was that? Why did it reappear?" Cadence asked.

Lilith started to cough and gasp for air as she tried to get back up.

"LILITH!" Cadence yelled, as she hugged her. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Still kinda weak here Cadence... agh... though it is nice to see you too..." Lilith said, as she returned the hug.

Lilith got up and looked around, and noticed everyone she resurrected was standing there, smiling at her.

"You're...You're all awake." Lilith said.

"Princess Celestia explained to us everything that had happened and what you did for us." Twilight said, and walked closer to Lilith. "It's nice to know that you never intended for any of this to happen to us in the first place..."

"...I'm sorry Twilight, I understand if you hate me for doing what I did to you and your friends... but I tried my best to make this right with you." Lilith said.

"Hate you? How could I hate my own daughter?" Twilight said.

"You're own..." Lilith said. "But... I thought..."

"You don't think I forgot did you? When you came to my house that one night... I'll never forget the commitment I made to you!" Twilight said.

"I... I can't believe you still feel that way... after everything I did and how I acted..." Lilith said, about to start crying.

Twilight looked at Lilith's neck and noticed the sky blue scarf she gave her.

"You're still wearing the scarf I gave you..." Twilight said, about to cry herself.

"...Of course, it's my most prized possession..." Lilith said. "I would never part with it..."

Twilight ran up and hugged Lilith tightly, burying her face into her mane.

"I'm glad you're still with us..." Twilight cried.

"...I am too." Lilith sobbed.

They released each other and wiped their eyes of tears.

"Oh yea! We got rid of your demonic side now right Lilith?" Cadence said. "So aren't you purified?"

"I'm afraid not." Lilith said, revealing her demonic eyes to everyone. "I'll always be a demon, I learned that while I was in the orb... I'll continue to have my impulses... and I can't be certain how things will turn out..."

"Oh no..." Cadence said sadly. "I thought we had saved you..."

"...I understand if you want to reimprison too." Lilith asked.

"What! Lilith!" Twilight said.

"No come on!" Pinkie said.

"You can't!" Fluttershy said.

"I may be a menace to society if you choose to let me go free, even though that's what I asked for..." Lilith said. "As much as I would like to stay with you all and try to start again... I don't thi-"

"Lilith, we're not going to reimprison you." Celestia said.

"You've fulfilled what you were requested to do, and we are going to hold up to our end of the deal." Luna said.

"Even though it may not be the best decision, we are all very grateful for your help and your change of heart." Celestia said. "We want you to be apart of our community."

Lilith looked at them, completely shocked and dumbfounded.

"Are... Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean... I wouldn't even know where to start..." Lilith said.

Twilight and her friends all walked close to her.

"You can stay with me Lilith, and together all of us will help you do what you always wanted to do from the beginning!" Twilight said, with a smile on her face.

Lilith looked up at the sky as the sun shone down on top of them, she then clutched her scarf and held it to her chest.

"...Alright Twilight... I'll do it, and I look forward to becoming friends with you all!" Lilith said, as she hugged each of them with a smile on her face, she felt a happiness she hadn't felt in a long, long time...

THE END