Demons from the Past

The fields outside of Ponyville were scorched. The ground was completely black, it wouldn't be able to support life ever again. The bones of the Ursa Major were gone, disintegrated by the fire. A lump of charred flesh sat in the middle of it. How is wasn't burned to ashes, well that comes later in the story. An arm slowly rose, grabbed the ground, and pushed up. It got to its knees before falling on all fours. It started to glow white, almost blindingly so. It punched the ground, causing it to explode. After the light stopped, Aldric was standing there, completely undamaged. He looked around, admiring the destruction he caused, and chuckled darkly.

"Did I do this? If so, I want to know how. Whatever I did worked wonders and killed that....what, Ursa Major? That sounds right. Now, where is that Ursa Major? Did it disintegrate? Damn it did, I wanted a trophy. Now, how am I going to cover this up? If anypony....did I really just say that? Damn ponies rubbing off on me, anyway, I just can't grow it all back....can I?" He knelt down and put a palm on the ground and began coursing magic through him. The ground began cracking where he was and exploded, causing him to fly back. He landed on his feet and walked back over. Nothing changed, still black, still charred. "Thought so, damn you demonfire." He kicked the earth, causing a layer of ash to be stirred. A soft breeze appeared, causing all of the ash to be blown around. Aldric lifted an arm, blocking his face from the ash. Something landed behind, slowly walking up to him. "Blackwing, how could you possibly find me?" He said sarcastically, turning around. Blackwing stood there, looking around, and then back to Aldric, a questioning look on his face. "What?" Blackwing just shook his head and walked over to him. "Look," Aldric said, climbing on Blackwing, "I'm tired, so let's just question this in the morning, okay?" Blackwing nodded and flew back to the mountain.

Back at Ponyville, things weren't looking good. Nopony was injured, but three houses were completely destroyed, 4 were damaged, and 8 stalls were crushed. The families who owned the houses were devastated, all of their belongings destroyed. Many ponies found out that two colts, Snips and Snails, had brought the Ursa Minor and were dealt swift 'justice' by Twilight. Trixie was nowhere to be found, mostly likely skipping town when the Ursa Major arrived. Twilight and the others were beginning to worry about Aldric, he hasn't returned yet after he told them to run. Rarity was the first one to voice her worries.

"Girls," they all turned to her, "shouldn't we be looking for Aldric? Sitting here is going to accomplish anything." She got a murmur of agreement from the group except Rainbow, who scoffed.

"Why should we?" The others gasped at this. Rarity cleared her throat.

"Because he is our friend Rai-" Rainbow cut her off.

"Friend? Do friends hit each other with bottles? Do friends threaten each other? Do friends try to kill each other?" For the last one she pointed to Applejack. The others begin to fiddle with their hooves. Rarity kept trying prove he was their friend.

"Rainbow! The first one he apologized for, the second one he had a lot of problems on his mind, and the third one he was being controlled by the Nightmare! He also saved our lives by those timberwolves! I think that makes him a friend!" Pinkie Pie soon joined with Rarity.

"Yeah! He's a super-duper awesome friend! Wait...I haven't even thrown him a party yet! I need to get ready to throw him one! Later girls!" Pinkie then zoomed away. Everypony looked at where Pinkie just was then shook their heads.

"Um...girls," all eyes turned to Fluttershy, who squeaked, "I-I....think Aldric is really nice, he might scary sometimes but he still has a loving heart, I know he does. Sorry Rainbow, but I have to side with Rarity with this one." After she finished, she went next to Rarity.

Rainbow turned her head to Twilight and Applejack, hoping they would take her side. They both walked over to Rarity, mumbling sorry to her. Rainbow looked at them all, both angrily and devastated. Angry that they weren't choosing her side and sticking with her, and devastated for the same reason. She snorted and flew away, leaving them behind.

"Girls," Twilight started, "do you really think that was the best idea? I mean, we are Rainbow's friend as much as we are Aldric's, but that didn't feel right."

"She's just holding a grudge darling," Rarity stated, "she'll get over it in no time. For now, let's go find Aldric." They all nodded and started walking towards the mountain.

"But, what if they aren't at the mountain Rarity?" Pinkie said, appearing next to her. Rarity yelped by the sudden appearance of Pinkie.

"Pinkie," Applejack started, "Don'tcha have a party to work on?" Pinkie laughed.

"I did! I already have it set up at Twilight's house! Don't worry, I didn't wake up Spike. Now, what if they aren't at the mountain? He might be at the Everfree Forest!" She exclaimed, pointing towards the forest. "Wait a minute! One, two, three, four! I only count four of you....wait, I forgot to count myself! Silly Pinkie! I count five of us! Where's Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie then gasped. "Oh no! Did you guys have a fight? Is that why she left? I knew it! Why would you have a fight with her! She's our friend!

"Well, you see...." Rarity looked to her friends, hoping for some help. They just looked down and played with their hooves. "Rainbow was being...unreasonable. She said that Aldric wasn't our friend. You here for this, remember?" Pinkie nodded.

"Yes, I know I was here, but that doesn't mean you can make her sad! That isn't what friends are for! Friends help each other through problems, making everypony happy!" They all look ashamed.

"You're right Pinkie," Twilight stated, "girls, why would we do that? I feel like a terrible pony." Pinkie grabbed them all and hugged them.

"It's okay girls! We just need to find both of them and make everything better! Who should we go find first?"

Rainbow was furious! Not only had her friends abandoned her, but they took Aldric's side! The guy who could kill them all in a few seconds without remorse! He was dangerous, and Rainbow was gonna settle this once and for all! She flew towards the mountain, only taking one look back. When she got there, Aldric was standing there, near the edge of the nest. Blackwing was asleep, snoring slightly.

"Why?" Rainbow stopped, Aldric was talking. "No, of course not!" Who was he talking to? Nopony else was here. "Yes, I understand Rainbow wants to beat me to a pulp. No, I don't want to hurt them. Well, yeah, I suppose I might have to do that. I said I was over her! I just want my revenge, then these ponies won't ever need to see me again. Fuck. You. Yes, I understand that Rainbow is behind me." He spun around, looking at her. "Well? Aren't you going to attack me? I'm standing on the edge of a mountain, one hit and I'll tumble off it."

"Who...were you talking to?"

"Myself. And no, I'm not insane, no matter how insane that sounds." She slowly flew up to him, looking at him.

"Who was she?" He then unsheathed his sword and pointed at her throat.

"No, I didn't know she was listening to the entire conversation. I thought she just arrived at the end of it." He put his sword back, and sat down next to Blackwing. "What is up with you ponies? You're all so nosy. I already said don't talk about her. So, why are you up here?"

"Well, I was going to beat you to a pulp for getting rid of my friends."

"Wait....what? Getting rid of your friends? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, my friends sided with you so I tho-"

"Wait. You are telling me that after one argument, you thought you lost your friends? That stupid, friends stick together, arguments happen between friends, that doesn't mean you lose them. You're just overreacting." Rainbow was thrown off guard. Was she overreacting?

"I...guess I was overreacting, it's just....after losing Gilda, I thought I would lose all my friends. So when this happened I thought I...I lost them forever. But, that still doesn't excuse everything that you've done!"

"I already said I was sorry about the bottle, me attacking Applejack was the Nightmare controlling me. So I see no reason to keep a grudge against me."

"Says the person with a grudge." Rainbow mumbled. "Okay, fine, I suppose I can forgive you." He smiled and was about to say something when his stomach rumbled.

"Oh, I suppose I forgot to eat. Hmm....where will I find food at this hour?" His gaze slowly drifted to Rainbow, licking his lips. "I always wondered what pony tasted like." Rainbow gulped and slowly stepped back. "I'm just kidding Rainbow. Well, see you." He got up and ran off the edge of the cliff. Rainbow ran to the side, worried. He slowly flew back up as a falcon. "Really? You've seen me transform? Race ya!" He backflipped and shot down. Rainbow took a second to register then smiled. She ran off the edge and opened her wings.

Twilight and the others were at the cliff about to go up when a bird flew past them, followed by a cyan blur. They looked to the blur to see Rainbow on the ground, sweating, with a bird on her back.

"Fastest pony indeed." The bird spoke. Rainbow growled, and shook the bird off her. "Fine, we can do another race."

"Just what I wanted to hear." Rainbow smiled and shot back up the mountain. The others were stunned.

"Hey girls, looks like Rainbow and I got on better terms." Aldric said. He was standing next to them, looking up the mountain.

"How did you....?" Rarity started, staring between him and the mountain.

"I'll tell you later, see you tomorrow." With that he shot back up the mountain. "Okay, this time, I'll race you with Blackwing. Blackwing!" Blackwing lifted his head at Aldric. "Want to do a race?" Blackwing looked at him and then to Rainbow. Blackwing got up slowly, then his stomach rumbled. "Oh come on! You haven't had anything to eat either?" Blackwing shrugged. "Rainbow, let's do the race tomorrow, Blackwing gets cranky when he doesn't eat." Blackwing shrieked at him. "See! What did I tell you!"

"Okay fine, but tomorrow, I'm going to beat you both!" Rainbow then shot back down to her friends.

"Hey girls....I just want to say I'm sorry about the way I acted. After losing Gilda I just thought...that....I would lose you too. Can you ever forgive me?" Pinkie tackle hugged her.

"Of course we forgive you Dashy! You're our friend!" Rarity cleared her throat.

"Rainbow, darling. I want to say sorry also. I should've never have argued with you. Can you forgive me?" Rainbow thought about it.

"Eh, what the hay. Get over here!" And with that, they all hugged it out.

"Wait, we still need Aldric!"

"Pinkie...you know how he's an omnivore?" Pinkie nodded. "He's getting food right now." She finished by pointing to the Everfree Forest. They all shivered when they realized what she meant. "And besides, you can hug him tomorrow, after I beat him in a race." They all shared a little laugh and returned to their respective homes.