That Night, Inside Canterlot Castle

The day had been long and painful for everypony on the training field, their bodies had been pushed to their limits in beyond, some had even required medical treatment because of said training. This didn't mean the training field was totally empty, a single " pony " had remained their, hoping to ease his mind.

Axel sat against his monstrous blade, contemplating the day over, such as, was it worth it, or would it even be enough. He looked upward towards the night sky, he had always admired the stars and their many constellations. " They're so beautiful, almost like the ones from home, and Luna's moon, such a spectacle, if my heart wasn't filled with such dread It would easily make me smile, " he spoke out loud, uncaring if anypony else was capable of hearing him or not.

And it was just so that he wasn't alone, standing on the balcony looking over the field, was Luna. Her intrigue with the demon was a mystery to even herself, he was practically a stranger who she had kissed by accident, and yet, she wanted to know more of him. " ...There is one thing I know of you my dear Axel...you too know what pain is... "

Despite being several yards apart, their eyes had met as if they were mere feet away, " Hello princess, " Axel said, as if she were standing before him.

Deciding to respond to his greeting, Luna teleported down from the balcony and right in front of Axel, " Twilight Sparkle said you had not went to bed, so I chose to search for you myself, " Luna partially lied.

" Forgive me, " he replied in a hushed apologetic tone, " I simply came out here to do some training of my own, but that soon turned into very deep thinking. "

" I understand completely, I too find myself being caught up in thought as of late, " Luna replied truthfully this time.

Axel stood himself up and lowered his head, " There's another reason I'm out here though.... " his tone quickly became that of a saddened one.

" And what reason would that be Axel? " She asked curiously.

He didn't reply at first, instead her turned away from the princess, instead he turned towards his blade, looking at his reflection in it. " ...I can't sleep... " he started, " ..The visions...the nightmares..the memories...everything hurts, every thought, every voice...sleep is impossible... "

" Shhhh " Luna pressed her head against his, silencing him immediately, " I know that pain all too well Axel, please allow me to help once more. "

But Axel could only deny her request, " ...I cannot allow that princess... " he suddenly cringed and placed his hoof on his head, " ...This is pain I must bear on my own... " Axel shut his eyes, trying his hardest to ignore the stabbing pain in his head, " ...Besides there is another pressing matter. "

" Another pressing matter? " Luna repeated.

" ...Yes... " he solemnly replied, " ...I fear the ponies will not be ready for what lays ahead, what's coming is the same thing I fought in Tartarus, and we were barely capable of fending it off then ". His tone quickly darkened, portraying the seriousness of the situation, " A group of ponies who received demonic training won't be enough. "

Luna was speechless, what was he saying, that their was no hope? That they should just surrender, " So...that's it...we cannot fight this foe so we must simply surrender, allow them to slaughter us like defenseless lambs?! "

" No " Axel grasped the handle of his sword in his mouth before placing it on his back.

" Then what? What are we to do Axel Ryder? " she continuously questioned him as concern quickly overcame her.

He looked looked her in the eyes briefly and started walking in the opposite direction. " You'll do nothing, I'll fight in your stead, " he stated ever so boldly and nonchalantly.

" Y-you alone?! " Luna quickly warped in front of him, " Tis suicide to try such a thing though! " Luna exclaimed.

" What other choices do we have princess, a ragtag group of ponies is not enough to stand against the forces that wish to consume your world! " Axel's crimson eyes met Luna's blue, where they locked.

Luna stared into the blood red pools that were Axel's eyes, she saw much in them, pain, anger, strife, but most of all, concern. " ...Why are you willing to do all this for us...you know so little of us and us you, yet you're willing to put your very life on the line for us...why? "

Axel finally broke their visual contact by shutting his own eyes, " ...Because Equestria feels just like my home in Tartarus...and you..and the other ponies....you've accepted me even though you know I'm not entirely a pony. "

" ...I can understand this...but why must you go now...even if you were to do this on your own wouldn't it be best to spend the next day preparing? " Luna asked him, wanting an explanation as to why he had to leave now of all times.

" That's right, I forgot to tell you, " he started, something dawned on him during the day whilst he was tending to the ponies training. Luna was incredibly curious as to what it was that had slipped his mind, but her curiosity starved long, " I have the capability of detecting portals in and out of Tartarus. My memory is still foggy but that's how I got here in the first place, " he stated.

The lunar princess was at a loss for words at what she heard. While it was incredible that he could sense such things, what shocked her more was the fact that multiple portals in and out of that dreaded world existed. " ...You mean there's more than one way into Equestria from there...? " she fearfully spoke, althought she'd rather not hear the answer she had to know.

Axel merely nodded, only worsening her fear, " But, " he started, easing up some of Luna's newfound fears, " Not all of the portals are open, and some can only be opened from within Equestria. "

She let out a small sigh of relief upon hearing this, " Such knowledge eases my mind...but that still doesn't explain as to why you must leave now... "

This time a sigh left Axel's mouth, albeit a small, slightly exasperated one, " ...When I was in Ponyville I could sense two portals, the one I came out of, which is closed now, and one somewhere within that large stretch of woods near the town. "

Luna's eyes widened at the thought of an entrance to Tartarus so close to Ponyville, " ...By the moon no... "

" That's why I'm going, " he readied himself to start walking off once more, " If I can find that portal before anything comes out, then that'll save us a whole lot of trouble. "

The confidence in his voice brought comfort to Luna, and the fiery look in his eyes burned brighter than any flame ever could. She watched him walking off, she so desperately wanted to talk to him about one last matter, but could only hold her hoof out towards him before turning away. " ....Thank you....Axel Ryder... " She lowered her head and began walking away herself, but suddenly stopped and gasped as Axel was now standing in front of her, " You..but..you were..how did...? " she was completely befuddled, she hadn't heard him teleport nor see him run ahead of her.

" You don't need to thank me, but you can do something else for me, " he stated.

" ...Th-there is..? " Luna had no idea what it was that he could possibly need her to do, but whatever it was she was sure she could manage it.

He rubbed his hoof against his head for a moment before speaking again. " Well actually two things but I'm sure you could do one without me telling you, but anyway, " he paused himself, shutting his eyes for a brief moment before opening them, this time with a dead-serious look. " First of all, I need you to make sure the ponies keep training all through tomorrow, the spell I used is simple to emulate, keep them readied, and lastly..... " He stopped one more, but this time it was to press his head against Luna's, " Stay alive and keep safe...just because I close the one portal doesn't mean the threat is immediately over...don't let any harm befall you...please...can you do those two things for me..? "

She didn't know what to say, he was genuinely worried for her well being, as well as entrusted him with a task that he originally claimed to be his own. " ...Yes...I can...so long as you yourself promise to stay alive...as well as safe... "

Axel replied with a nod, " You don't need to worry about me, I'll be fine. " He looked her in the eyes one last time before kissing her, catching Luna off guard greatly resulting in her blushing throughout the duration of the kiss as well as leaving her speechless. " Be seeing you around, sweetheart, " he suddenly took off running followed by him making a mighty jump up to a nearby balcony and finally over the castle walls, leaving the still shocked princess's sight.

" ...S-s-sweetheart? " she shakily repeated, still blushing as bright as ever. Suddenly something dawned on Luna, Celestia was expecting Axel to still be present in the following days, " ...Oh how will I ever explain this to Tia... " She made her way back into the castle and immediately headed towards the lunar wing where she then stared out her window. It was in the distance she saw the shape of a stallion standing on the roof of one of the many buildings within Canterlot, " ...Be safe...Axel Ryder... "

Ponyville, The Very Next Day

The day had been a peaceful one within Ponyville, ponies lived out their lives as they normally would without a care in the world. Out of all of the ponies who resided within the little town, three particular fillies would be having the most eventful day of anypony. The three fillies had just gotten out of school by this time of day and were doing what they do everyday. " We should try taking over the world! That would be an awesome cutie mark!! " the filly known as Scootaloo exclaimed without giving any thought.

Her two friends Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom just eyed her like she had just said the dumbest thing they've ever heard, which it might just have been. " Scootaloo as cool of a cutie mark that, that would make- " Sweetie began speaking but was cut off by Applebloom.

" That is the most ridiculous idea you've ever said Scootaloo! " Applebloom exclaimed.

Scootaloo brought her hoof to her face and shook her head, " Don't you two know a joke when you hear one? "

The expressions on her friends faces turned into disbelief and annoyance to a very understanding "oh" face. " Well if that was a joke you shoulda just went an said so, " Applebloom said in response.

" Yeah! Otherwise we might've went and told Rainbow Dash, " Sweetie Belle added on.

Scootaloo's eyes widened at the thought, " You two wouldn't dare! "

The two fillies started giggling at their friend's expression, " Of course not you silly filly, " Applebloom replied with a giggle before pulling her winged friend into a hug.

" Besides, " Sweetie joined the hug, " If we told Rainbow Dash you'd probably go into hiding, and then the three of us wouldn't be able to get our cutie marks together. "

" Speaking of that you girls never got to hear my real idea because you were to busy riding my case! " Scootaloo yelled out in a comedic manner.

" Tell us then! " both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom said in unison.

They both let her go and gave her room to speak, " My idea was we should go NEAR the Everfree forest, " her friends gave her very skeptical looks this time. " I overheard some ponies saying they saw some animal they've never seen before! I bet if we find and catch it we could earn a cutie mark in weird animal catching! "

" Weird animal catching? " Sweetie Belle repeated in a not-to-sure tone of voice.

" Well the name is a work in progress but I'm sure we'll figure something out, " the flightless pegasus replied.

And so the three set off the course of Applebloom's families farm, and instead changed their route towards the edge of the Everfree Forest.
As Applebloom eyed the edge of the forest that so many ponies feared, she had the oddest feeling that something wasn't right, " Hey, do ya'll notice anythin strange about the Everfree forest today? " she asked, wondering if her friends noticed as well.

Scootaloo rubbed her head with her hoof, a confused look was on her face as she tried to look for what Applebloom was talking about. " I dunno, " she replied simply, causing Applebloom to bring her hoof to her face.

" Well, for one thing I don't hear any animals, " Sweetie Belle said.

" Yeah, now that you mention it, I haven't heard a single bird on the way here, " Scootaloo added.

Unbeknownst to the fillies, in a tree not far off, something was hungrily eyeing them with four glowing red eyes, " ....I ssssseeeee you little filliesssss... " Something hissed quietly within the crown of the tree.

An idea suddenly popped into the young apple ponies bright little mind, " I know what we should do girls! Let's find out what's causing all the animals to hide! " she declared whilst raising her hoof into the air.

" Yeah! Let's do it! " Scootaloo eagerly agreed.

However, rather than agree with Applebloom, Sweetie Belle took a few steps back and quivered slightly, " But girls, what if it's a monster..I mean we're not even supposed to go in their anyway..at least not without somepony older with is. "

This time it was Scootaloo who raised her hoof, " Zecora! "

" Zecora? " Sweetie Belle repeated not understanding what her friend was getting at, at first.

" Scootaloo you're brilliant! " Applebloom praised her friend. " We could just go to Zecora's hut and ask her if she'll help us! She's gotta have some way of running a nasty monster away if that's what's causin the forest to be so quiet! "

" OH! " Sweetie Belle finally understood what Scootaloo meant, " Well if Zecora's with us then we should be perfectly fine. "

" Yeah then let's do it!!! " all three of them exclaimed loudly and in unison before running towards a path leading into the forest.

However the fillies weren't the only ones gleeful at the moment. The creature stalking them was ecstatic as it watched the three fillies run into the woods, " ....Yesssss, yessss, Lunch....isss ssserved.... " it leapt from treetop to treetop silently, making sure to keep the fillies in it's line of sight at all times.

Back at Canterlot Castle

With Axel no longer present, the task of overseeing the ponies training had fallen into Luna's hooves, and while she had doubts that she could do it alone, she knew that Axel believed in her. The lunar princess stood upon her balcony, watching over the ponies as they rigorously trained themselves for the oncoming threats. She had to admit they were making impeccable progress for having such time, but she was finally understanding what Axel meant by it wouldn't be enough. Luna let out an audible sigh and lowered her head slightly, " Just how exactly am I supposed to keep track of all these ponies while also attending my royal duties... "

A chuckle came from behind Luna cause her to quickly face towards the sound of the laughter. Much to Luna's surprise, the laughter ended up belonging to her sister, " It seem's you've bitten off a bit more than you can chew Lulu, perhaps I can help you, " Celestia smiled at her little sister as she was always happy to help her.

But despite her sister's offer Luna could only shake her head. " Forgive me sister but this is a task I must tend to myself, for I alone was given responsibility for these ponies in Axel's stead, " she proudly admited, albeit with a hint of self doubt in her voice.

Celestia walked to her sister's side and looked over the balcony to observe the progress herself, " Even so sister, this task is still a daunting one for even an alicorn. "

Luna lowered her head even further as she knew her sister spoke the truth, " ...I know...but I must do it...he's counting on me... "

A small filly-like giggle escaped Celestia's mouth even though she did her best to keep it in, " How sweet, you care for him like a school filly with a crush. "

Luna practically hopped away from her sister in response to her teasing, her cheeks were nearly as red as Axel's eyes. " Sister! Y-you sure jest...he is m-merely a friend for whom I have grown close to in a short time... "

" A friend whom you've kissed on two separate occasions, " Celestia said in a cheeky, teasing manner, causing her sister's blush to deepen.

" T-tia!! H-how do you know of this? Who told you? " Luna humorously demanded.

Celestia kept smiling albeit in a manner in which she meant no offense towards her sister, " Nopony told me Luna, I merely saw with my own two eyes. "

A now flustered and embarrassed Luna clenched her eyes shut, avoiding eye contact with her teasing older sister, " ...That is enough of this subject...you came out here to offer assistance, not mock me for my love life, isn't that right dear sister? "

Celestia nodded, " That it is, however there's a more pressing reason as to why I'm out here with you, " she admitted.

" A more pressing reason? " Luna repeated, " And what exactly would that reason be sister? "

The expression on Celestia's face quickly became that of a serious one, surprising her younger sister, " Axel left for a reason, and told only you, I know not if this has anything to do with your relationship but I must know what troubled him so much that he left while training was still going on. " At first Luna didn't respond, she merely turned her head away from her sister, wanting more than anything to keep it a secret as to not cause panic. " Luna please if there is something you know please tell me, " Celestia pleaded to her younger sister.

" ...Fine, I'll tell you... " Luna did not face her sister, she couldn't look her in the eyes when telling her about as to why Axel abruptly left. " ...Axel left because he felt something...a portal from deep within Tartarus that leads into Equestria... " This alone shocked Celestia to the point of silence, but there was still more to take in. " ...He also fears that the force we are raising at the moment won't be near enough to combat the threat...and...and so...he's taken the matter into his own hooves and is going to attempt to close the portal near Ponyville before anything escapes it... "

Celestia's eyes were as wide as could be, dread filled her body entirely, " ...They have...portals into our world....h-how many...? "

Luna continued avoiding eye contact with her now frightened sister, " ...He does not know...he told me he could sense them but he didn't say how many he could sense...he only spoke of the one.... "

Celestia shuddered at the thought of those horrific beast having such easy access into her beautiful world, " ...I pray he can close them....if he cannot then all is lost... "

Inside the Everfree Forest

The group of three fillies continued wandering down the "path" to find Zecora's hut. Despite thinking they've made any progress though, something had warped the forest from within, causing the fillies to become lost in what would soon become their worst nightmare. " Applebloom, are we there yet?! " Sweetie Belle loudly complained as she wanted more than anything to just get out of the forest.

" Yeah Applebloom you've said that we were close to being at Zecora's three time's now and so far we haven't seen hide or hair of her or her hut! " Scootaloo added on in an irritated tone.

Applebloom too was beginning to think they'd never reach Zecora's at this point, " ...b-but I could've sworn it was this way, I mean it's not like her hut just grew legs and trotted off. "

" Well it certainly seems that way, either that or the forest just decided it wanted to look differently today, " Sweetie Belle commented.

But before the three could say another word on the fact they were lost, something came over Scootaloo. The young pegasi had become cold and felt as if something had been watching the three of them. " H-hey girls...d-do you feel like theirs something in these woods with us..? Of if it had just gotten really cold all of a sudden...? "

" You know, now that you mention it, " Applebloom started, " ...It did get a little chilly just right now...a-and it does feel like I'm bein watched... "

Four piercing orbs eyed them from within a nearby tree, and deep, excited breathing could just barely be heard coming from in it. " ...Thatssss right little filliesssss...let the fear overcome you....Ssssso that I may take pleasure in feasting on you... "

Scootaloo's head shot around as she could've sworn she heard something, " ...D-did you girls hear something....cause I think I did... "

The three fillies huddled together as fear spread among them, " ...Applebloom...I wanna go home... " Sweetie Belle said with tears in her eyes.

" ...M-me two..." Scootaloo fearfully added.

" ...Me three... " Applebloom said as well.

The three frightened ponies all nodded in unison and looked at the direction they had been walking in for the past few minutes, " ..Th-then let's get outta here girls.. " Applebloom gladly suggested, a suggestion that her friends couldn't agree with more.

" ...Awwww...but if you go now...then who will sssstay with me for dinner... " A dark and frightening voice hissed from behind them, causing the three to slowly, and hesitantly turned to face the source of the horrific voice, and what they saw cause their bodies to go pale and their hearts to sink. The creature before them was unlike anything the young fillies had ever seen. It had four limbs like them, except instead of hooves each foot was covered in razor sharp claws like that of a dragon, it even looked more reptilian than anything, save for the thick patch of fur on its back. The nightmarish creature was easily twice the size of the largest ponies, and had four crimson eyes on it's face and a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth, and despite having having sharp opposable thumbs on each front limb, it remained in a crouched quadrupedal position, eyeing the fillies hungrily.

The fillies wanted more than anything to scream, but the sight of the creature was more than enough to silence them. The creature began creeping towards them, and in response the fillies took small steps backwards, trying to keep as much space as possible from it. It was then that something caught Applebloom's attention from the corner of her eye. It was Zecroa's hut! The hut they had been searching for was just in running distance, it was their only chance of fleeing to safety. Applebloom looked at the hut and then back to her friends, “ ...Girls...Zecora’s hut is right behind us...if we could make a run for it we could get to where that thing couldn’t get us... “ she whispered, to which her friends gave subtle nods. “ ...Alright then...when I give the signal...we run for it.. “ Applebloom gave her plan while still whispering, hoping that the monster wasn’t catching on.

The beast hissed and whipped around it’s eerily long tongue as it closed in on the fillies, “ Don’t worry...it’ll be- “

“ Now!!! “ Applebloom shouted followed by her and the other two fillies taking off in the direction of the hut as fast as their small legs could carry them.

“ QUICK!!!!! “ the beast shouted as it pounced towards the fleeing ponies.

The fillies fled through bushes and under tree branches, trying their best to evade the monster while still running as fast as they could. “ Is it still behind us?!?! “ Sweetie Belle nearly screamed in a panic.

Applebloom looked back, hoping that they had put some distance between themselves and the creatures. Unfortunately that just wasn’t the case, the monster was tearing through the trees and the brush with ease as it chased the fleeing fillies with great ferocity. “ EEYUP!!! “ Applebloom screamed in response.

“ Theressssss no running filliessss!!!! “ it tore through just about everything the ponies were fleeing through, toppling trees and tearing the forest floor apart with general ease.

It didn’t take long before the three made it to Zecora’s door and just in the nick of time as well. Applebloom quickly began banging on the door to Zecora’s hut, hitting it as if her life depended on it, which it did, “ Zecora!! Zecora!! Zecora!! Zecora!! Zecora!!!! “ Applebloom shouted at the top of her lungs for the zebra to open the door.

And luckily enough for the young ponies, Zecora opened the door as quickly as Applebloom began beating on the door, “ Applebloom this visit is out of the blue, what is it that is trouble you? “ she asked while rhyming as she always did.

“ Zecora no time to explain, please let us in!! “ She pleaded.

The rhyming zebra was greatly confused as to what was causing the fillies strange behavior, that was until she caught a glimpse of the beast just mere feet away from breaking through the forest. “ A nightmarish creature is near! Hurry into my hut to escape the beast you fear! “ she exclaimed, allowing the three into her home before swiftly slamming the door shut.

“ ...Th-thank you so much Zecora...if ya hadn’t opened that door... “ Applebloom was sobbing so much that she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Zecora placed her hoof over the crying fillies mouth and gave her a soft “ shhhh”, “ ...Safe inside we should be, from the beast who wishes to eat you and me... “ She peaked out the window of her hut her, checking to see if it was still outside. Her blood ran cold when two of it’s four eyes passed right back the window she was peering out of. She huddled the fillies into the center of her home, wrapping her hooves around them just to make sure they’d stay safe, “ ...Quite the beast there is outside...wise you were..to run and hide... “

“ ...W-we got lost...Applebloom suggested that we find your hut...but then we ran into...that thing.. “ Sweetie Belle explained in a hushed tone.

Zecroa was just about to respond when suddenly great claw came through her window, wildly swiping towards whilst the other tore away at the bark of the tree. She pushed the fillies and herself to the ground, keeping them just out of the claws reach, “ ...Please keep your heads to the floor..if you wish to keep them anymore... “

The monster began biting away at the outside of the tree, tearing large chunks out of the zebra’s home with it’s powerful jaws, “ I can ssssmell your fear poniessss!!! “

The three ponies began loudly crying in fear of their lives, tears poured from their eyes as they so desperately wanted it to go away. “ These fillies are not for you to feast!! I will not let you have them vile beast!!! “ Zecora shouted at the monster.

Unbeknownst to the bloodthirsty beast, something was approaching it from behind, something quite intent on catching it’s attention, “ Gotchya. “

The demon had torn it’s way through the walls of the tree to the point where its entire arm and upper body could fit into the hut, “ Now I’ve got you!!! “ Zecora held onto the fillies tightly and shut her eyes, hoping to shield the fillies from it as it swung it’s powerful claws right at them. But suddenly something gripped the demon’s tail, pulling him out of the tree and away from the ponies.

There was nothing, no pain, no blood, no death, “ ...could it be...something has saved I and you three... “

The demon flailed angrily as whatever had gripped it’s tail kept pulling it, “ RAAAAH!!!! Let me go!!! “ it’s eyes darted back towards it’s tail and then quickly widened as it spotted what was pulling it.

A stallion as black as the night sky with a matching mane and blood red eyes had it’s tail gripped in it’s teeth, a stallion it recognized, “ I won’t let you spill innocent blood!!!! “ Axel gritted his teeth around the demon’s tail, pulling with incredible strength.

“ You!!! The coward who fled from tartarus and broke the- “ but it was cut off by a great jerk-like motion, resulting in it being swung into the air.

“ Enough!!! “ Axel swung the demon against a nearby oak tree, smashing it’s body through the entirety of the ancient tree followed several others as he released it from his grip.

The demon cried out in pain as it went crashing through several tree’s before smacking into a moss covered boulder, “ ...D-damn you!!! “ Blood fell from the injured creature’s mouth as it lifted itself off the ground.

However Axel was far from finished it it, “ I’ll make every last one of you pay!! “ he once again gripped the demon’s tail in his mouth, but this time it wasn’t so willing to be tossed like a ragdoll. Instead it gripped it’s claws onto Axel’s face, holding on as tightly as it could, but this didn’t deter Axel, he swung the ground upwards into the air, causing it to lose it’s grip and rake it’s claws across the stallion’s face, before being swung downwards onto the boulder and crashing right through it. “ Trash like you doesn’t deserve to live!! “ he hurled the downed demon back towards the hut it was previously attacking, letting it hit against the front of it and collapsing to the ground.

The demon hacked up blood and raised it’s head, staring down it’s attacker, “ ...A demon that fight’s demons...have you no honor... “

Axel chuckled, “ You dare speak to me about honor, you and the rest of your disgusting “scouts” would gladly attack defenseless beings, hoping for a quick kill, because you’re too afraid to face anything that can fight back. “

Axel’s taunting only seemed to infuriate the demon, “ ...How dare you call me afraid!! I am Lieutenant in the greatest army Tartarus ever produced!!! “ It’s four eyes widened with rage as it picked itself up and leapt towards the other demon.

A grin, almost filled with glee appeared on Axel’s face as he pulled his sword from his back. This was exactly what he wanted, “ Perfect! “ Axel swiftly swung his enormous blade, meeting the demon’s body mid leap, cutting it’s legs and most of it’s tail off.

“ RYAAAAAH!!!! “ the demon screeched in agony, flailing what remained of it’s body around causing blood to spray out, some of which that hit Axel’s face, splattering the stallion with bodily liquid that matched his eyes. “ What!!! What have you done to me!!!! My legs!!! My tail!!! “

The three fillies peeked out the door of Zecora’s hut, only to watch the grisly scene, their eyes widened as the only blood they had ever seen before was a scrape or a scratch. “ ...Th-there’s so much of it... “ Scootaloo stated as she looked like she could get sick at any moment.

“ Your eyes you must shield..for the outside has become a battlefield... “ Zecora covered their eyes and held her close to her.

Axel wasn’t finished with the creature, crippling it wasn’t enough for him. He stepped towards the creature and began to bash his hooves against it’s head out of pure rage, “ I want some answers!! Where’s the portal!! Where?!?!?!! “

Despite being brutally stricken repeatedly the demon didn’t reveal anything, instead it chose to mock it’s attacker. “ ....You hit like a bitch.... “ it wasn’t a very smart move.

Axel was getting tired of the demon’s mouth, “ I hit like a bitch huh?! “ he stood up on his hind legs and raised his right hoof high into the air. “ Let’s see how big of a talker you are once I crush your windpipe!!! “ he furiosly brought his hoof down onto the demon’s neck, crushing it on impact.

The demon scout’s eyes widened as it felt it’s throw give way to the force of the hit. It gave out a loud wheeze as it gasped desperately for air and knew that it didn’t have much time left at this rate, “ ...I...I’ll talk.... “ it gasped.

The stallion looked down on the demon with his crimson glare, “ Seems you’ve finally come to reason, now spill it, before I spill your guts across the forest floor. “

Blood dripped from the downed demon’s mouth as he did his best to speak, “ .....C...castle....middle of....forest.... “

“ A castle in the middle of the forest? “ Axel repeated, “ Seem’s like it’ll be easy enough to find. “

A raspy laugh left the demon’s crushed throat, “ ......A hundred.....scouts........in the....forest.......more than...me... “

The demon’s raspy rambling caught Axel’s attention, causing his eye’s to widen, “ ..A hundred more of them...it’s worse than I feared.. “ he faced away from the crippled beast who he had left on the ground to bleed out.

The demon scout saw it’s attacker face away, and new this was the only opportunity it would get to strike. Using all it’s strength it elevated it’s body and let out a raspy hiss. “ ...DIE!!!!!! “ it gave a powerful pounce towards Axel who was still facing away from it, it’s outstretched claws yearned to tear into the stallion’s body.

It didn’t get the chance to though. Axel had caught it by the mouth in mid air with his hooves, “ I give you the chance to run off and you use it to attack me from behind, bad move. “

It desperately swiped it’s claws at Axel and tried it’s hardest to shut it’s mouth around the other demon’s hooves, “ ....Why...can’t...I...kill you...?!?! “

A chill went down what was left of it’s spine as it looked into the eyes of the “pony” that had put it in such a pitiful state. All the demon saw was rage and a yearning for vengeance, “ You can’t kill me because you’re a vile insect, something that preys on the weak and defenseless. “ He watched as blood dripped from the demon’s battered mouth and it was as if it inspired his rage. Axel gritted his teeth and used his mighty hooves to pull the demon’s jaws further and further apart until the sound of it’s jaws audibly snapping could be heard, “ Die, “ and to finish the broken creature, he gave a swift twist of it’s neck, snapping it with ease and letting it’s corpse drop.

Zecora and the fillies stuck their heads out the door of the hut as quietly as they could to see if it was safe to come out, and to a degree, it was. “ ...I do not know if you are quite right in the head...but if it were not for you we would quite surely be.... “

“ Dead, “ Axel finished the zebra’s rhyme and glanced at the fillies.

The three gulped and hid behind Zecora, “ ....Look at him...he’s got..bl-blood..all over his face... “ Scootaloo pointed out in fear.

“ ...Look at him? ...Look at the monster...it’s like it got put in a blender... “ Sweetie Belle commented.

It was then that Applebloom got a good look at Axel and recognized him as the pony who had worked on the farm a couple days back, “ ..I-I know you...you’re one of Applejack’s friends...aren’t ya? “

Axel nodded, “ I am, and you must be Applebloom, she described you to a T, “ he glanced away from the ponies and towards the corpse of the demon, and finally to the forest around them. “ It’s not safe here, there’s more of them, “ he started walking the way he came from, “ Cmon I’ll get you four back to Ponyville. “

It was then that Zecora stopped him, “ Your face, it is covered in the blood of another, surely the you will frighten ever father child and mother. “

“ ..Y-yeah...won’t the ponies of Ponyville freak out if they see you like that..? “ Sweetie Belle asked him.

Axel gave a small grin in response to the concerned fillies question, “ Listen kid sometime’s what you look like doesn’t matter, let them be scared of me all they want, I’ll keep em’ safe all the same. “

The three fillies looked up at the blood covered stallion with admiration in their young eyes, “ ...he’s cool... “ Scootaloo said out loud as the four of them followed him out of the forest.

“ ...What’ll ya do after we get back to Ponyville..? “ Applebloom asked him while still being a bit shaken up.

“ Simple, I’m gonna go and hunt the rest of those things, “ he boldly admitted bringing shock to the four behind him.

“ Surely you must jest, how would one kill the rest?! “ Zecora asked while still continuing to rhyme.

A serious expression had formed on Axel’s face as they neared the edge of the forest, “ I just will, if any of those things get out of the forest Ponyville is as good as gone, understand? “ he looked back at them while still walking.

The fillies were in the midst of giving small nods when the sight of daylight suddenly came into view in the near distance, “ Look everypony there’s the exit! “ Applebloom pointed and rushed towards it, dramatically jumping through the brush and landing outside of the Everfree Forest.

Axel watched as the four safely exited the forest before turning back in the opposite direction, “ You four get somewhere safe, see ya later. “

Applebloom watched as their savior slowly faded into the darkness of the forest. She quickly hopped up on her hind legs and waved her hooves in the air, “ Come back safe ya hear?! “

The sound of the fillies voice echoed into the demonic ponies ears, “ Sure thing kid, “ he gave a grin before making his way further into the forest, fully aware that there were eyes peering at him from every direction, “ Time to go hunting. “

Author's Note

Well this is a story I haven’t worked on in...ages. And for good reason too, a reason I spoke of in a blog, but for those of you who didn’t read it, long story short. I didn’t like how things were going, didn’t like my writing style, decided to push it far to the side till I got better at writing, finally came back, oh and a plethora of technical and social issues as well. Well i’m finally confident enough in my skill to continue writing one of my first stories, so I hope you all enjoy the comeback story of the year. I’ll see you all again soon, until then enjoy reading, so long