The Howling Pony

by Inazuma

Rating: teen
Tags: Crossover, Anthro, Dark, Alternate Universe, Sad
Length: 4028

Ancient folk saying: "You can catch the Devil, but you can't hold him long." Sunset Shimmer learns this the hard way.

Ms. Sunset Shimmer,
accomplished mage, scholar, seeker of truth and, regrettably, finder of truth. A woman who will shortly confront a problem that has tormented mankind since the beginning of time….
… A woman who knocked on a door seeking sanctuary and found instead forbidden knowledge

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-02-08 06:10:01 UTC

The Howling Pony

It was a dark and stormy night. A unicorn mare looks out of an open window at the storm and then turns to reveal her anguished face. This is Sunset Shimmer-- grim, wild-eyed, graying around the temples; she addresses some unseen person urgently, amid the roar of thunder, the howl of the wind, and the patter of rain.

“I know. It's, it's an incredible story. I, of all people, know this. And you won't believe me. No, not at first. But I'm going to tell you the whole thing. Then, you will believe, because you must. You must believe. It happened many years ago, after the Great War. I was on a walking trip through central Griffonica. But one night, I... One night, I got lost in a storm.” Sunset turns back to the open window just over her shoulder where the storm rages.

___________________________

(Flashback)

A similar stormy night, decades earlier. An imposing, ornate, medieval castle looms out of the darkness. A younger Sunset Shimmer staggers through the blinding rain to the huge wooden door of the castle and knocks. A deep voice from behind the door answers. “Yes? Who is it?” The door swings open to reveal a red earth stallion in robes, carrying a long wooden staff and an ancient lantern. He looks upon the figure of Sunset Shimmer with a blank expression.

“Please, please let me in. I'm lost.” Sunset Shimmer says weakly.

“I'm sorry. We don't allow visitors in the hermitage.” The stallion replies without emotion.

“Oh, I-I-I-I'm not a visitor. I-I'm a stranger here. I-I got lost." Sunset tries to enter but the large stallion blocks the way with his staff. “Oh, you don't understand. I'm lost.” The large Stallion looks Sunset Shimmer over warily and with a barely perceptible nod, clears the way for her to unsteadily enter, and closes the door behind her.

_____________________________

The castle's torch-lit Entry Hall, primitive looking, like something out of the Middle Ages. A soaked, shivering Sunset Shimmer, clutching a traveling bag, looks the entry hall over with mild interest as the red stallion leads her through it. Others, dressed like the red Stallion and carrying staffs, appear in adjacent doorways, staring at Sunset. Sunset, already weak, suddenly grows dizzy, staggers against a stone doorway, and has a coughing fit. The red stallion turns to look at her.

“I-I'll be all right once I dry out.” Sunset responds to the unasked question.

“Wait here. I have to speak to Mother Zecora.” the stallion commands.

The stallion disappears through a doorway as Sunset drops her traveling bag and puts her back to the doorway, trying to regain her composure. Her eyes widen at the sound of a wicked HOWL. 'Is it a wolf?' Sunset wonders. The storm continues to rage. Sunset looks around for the source of the howling as the red stallion returns. “Mother Zecora will see you now.” A puzzled Sunset Shimmer reacts to another evil-sounding HOWL.

“What was that?” Sunset asks the stallion.

“The wind. Come.” the stallion says simply.

Unconvinced, Sunset gives her guide a long look before they proceed. The red stallion leads Sunset Shimmer into what passes for an office. Seated at an ancient wooden desk before huge windows that reveal the ongoing storm is Mother Zecora. A zebra mare with short-flowing white and black hair and brown robes very much looking like a prophet from olden times. She had a commanding presence even while sitting. Zecora glances at the red stallion and then at Sunset Shimmer. “Why have you come here?” Zecora asks.

“My-my name is Sunset Shimmer. I-I'm on a walking trip. I got lost in the storm.” Suddenly Sunset has another coughing fit. She felt like she was in bad shape, and getting worse. “Excuse me. I saw light here.” Sunset finishes.

“What do you want from us? Zecora interrupts.

“Shelter. Maybe some food.” Sunset suggests hesitantly

Zecora shakes her head sorrowfully. “We cannot help you. You will have to leave.” She rises majestically. “Now, Ms. Shimmer. Now.”

In disbelief, a silent Sunset slowly turns and staggers out of the office and back into the Entry Hall. But the effort becomes too much for her. Sunset collapses and passes out. Zecora, the red stallion and the others gather around her, making no move to help.

___________________________________

Sunset Shimmer slowly regains consciousness. She touches her brow and unsteadily crosses to an ornate window to look out at the still raging storm. No one else appeared to be present. At the sound of more HOWLING, Sunset turns and follows the noise. She staggers along, occasionally leaning against a wooden beam or doorway for support until she comes to a wooden door, held shut by a staff similar to the ones carried by Zecora, the red stallion, and the others. She approaches it cautiously and peers through the barred window in the door. It appeared to be a prison cell. Sunset sees a grey earth mare whose back is turned towards her. She appeared, gaunt, dirty, dressed in rags and with golden hair. But as the mare turns, she sees Sunset, and rushes to her. She reveals a gentle, goofy, slightly adorable, wall-eyed face. The mare reaches through the barred window and clutches Sunset's shoulder. Sunset slightly startled tries to pull away. “Help me. No, please. In the name of mercy, help me. You're not one of them.”

Sunset still startled shakily responds, “No. My name's Sunset Shimmer. I'm an Equestrian.”

The googly-eyed mare releases her grip. “Sshh! We have only moments. Come closer. Come.” Sunset does so. “They're mad, Miss Shimmer. All of them. Raving mad. Listen. I was in the village in Schwartzof. I was walking in the street with my stallion. We paused to rest by a tree. And we kissed. Is it wrong to kiss? Tell me.”

Sunset replies “I-I don't think so.”

“Of course, you don't. You don't think so, I don't think so. But Zecora, that lecherous old fool. We looked up and I saw her standing close by. I tried to open my mouth to speak but before I could utter a sound, she raised that heavy staff she carries, you've seen it? And she hit me, again and again.”

“Why?” Sunset questioned doubtfully.

“For revenge. Because he refused her advances. She took her fury out on me.” the mare finished sadly.

“I-I'm sorry. I find this difficult to believe.” stated Sunset.

“Of course, you do, Miss Shimmer. That's the strength of the mare. She makes her madness seem like a harmless thing. The-the-the madness of a religious zealot. This is not a religious order, Miss Shimmer. These so-called Brothers and Sisters of Truth, they're outcasts, misfits, cut off from the world because the world won't have them. Miss Shimmer, please, you must believe me. I don't say they're evil. I say they're mad.” Sunset starts to walk away. The Wall-eyed mare grabs her by the shoulder. “Where are you going?”

“I'll speak to Zecora.” Sunset replied. “Noooo. She's the greatest maniac of them all.”

“Then, how can I help you?" Sunset demanded.

A voice rings out. “Ms. Shimmer!" Zecora, the red stallion, and a few others stand a few feet away. Sunset approaches them. “I did not know that you were well enough to walk. Come with me, please.”

“I-I must talk with you.” Sunset stated.

“This way. Please” The other stallions and mares watch as Zecora and Sunset silently head back to Zecora's office. The storm grows worse. The red stallion gives the wall-eyed mare's cell a long look.

______________________________________

Zecora and Sunset enter Zecora's office. “I must ask you to leave the hermitage, Miss Shimmer. We have no facilities for the care of the ill. Arrangements can be made at Schwartzof-”

Sunset interrupts Zecora, “Now, just a minute...”

Zecora continues “No, not a minute, not another second, Miss Shimmer. Now!”

“Why?” Sunset questioned.

“I've already explained that.” Zecora answered.

“No, you've explained nothing.” Sunset countered. Zecora shuts the door. “No one asked me to come here. I realize that. But that's no excuse for your behavior.”

“My daughter...” Zecora began.

“I'm not your daughter.” Sunset answered coldly.

“You don't understand.” Zecora stated frustration evident. Sunset could tell Zecora was beginning to break, so she continued on.

“That's right. I-I don't. So why don't you tell me? Why are you in such a hurry to have me leave? What are you afraid I'll find out? It's the mare you have locked up in the cell, isn't it, mother? Well, that isn't a secret anymore. I know about her."

“What mare is this, Miss Shimmer?” Zecora inquired.

“The one we just left. The one who's been screaming her head off! Sunset exclaimed testily.

“I'm not sure you know what you're saying Miss Shimmer.”

Sunset felt herself growing dizzy, took a seat. “Look, mother, I-I don't know much about this cult of yours, what's permitted, what isn't permitted. But I seriously doubt if you have the authority to imprison a mare against her will.”

“That is quite true. We have no such authority.” Zecora answered.

“Then why have you done it?” Sunset demanded.

“No mare has ever been imprisoned in the hermitage, Miss Shimmer." Zecora responded simply.

“I was just talking with him.” Sunset argued. “You talked to no mare. You have been very ill, Miss Shimmer. You've suffered delirium.” Zecora puts a sympathetic hand on Sunset's shoulder just as a piercing HOWL causes Sunset to bolt out of her chair. She backs away from Zecora.

“Oh, no. Don't tell me you didn't hear that. Honest people make unconvincing liars.”

A wicked clap of THUNDER punctuates the comment.

“I'll find out eventually, you know.” Sunset added.

“What do you mean?” Zecora asks with a barely noticeable tinge of fear in her voice.

“Just what I said. The police will be very interested to learn that you're keeping a mare imprisoned here-”

“I tell you, there is no mare!” Zecora shot back, frustration rising in her voice.

Sunset scowls briefly before uttering “All right, all right. Just... forget it.”

Zecora watches with concern as Sunset crosses to the door, opens it, and starts to leave. “Miss Shimmer.”

Sunset stops and turns. “Yes?”

“Would you really go to the police?” Zecora asks quietly

“Would you?” Sunset countered.

Zecora closes her eyes and sighs in defeat. “Very well. I told you the truth but only part of it. Now, I see I shall have to tell you the whole truth. Shut the door, Miss Shimmer.” Sunset shuts the door just as a particularly long, sad HOWL causes Zecora to wince and put her hand to her ears.

Sunset puts on a look of relief. “Then you do hear it.”

“As I have heard it every hour of every day for five long years.” Zecora crosses to the window. “Why did you lie?” Sunset inquired tentatively. “I didn't. When I told you that no mare howled at the hermitage, I was being perfectly honest. What you saw is not a mare. It is the Devil himself!

Dun, dun, duuuun!

“Yes, the Devil himself. What you saw in the cell is Satan, otherwise known as the Dark One, Ahriman, Asmodeus, Belial, Chernabog, Diabolus, Discord, The Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony, the Devil. You asked for the truth. Now you have it. You do believe me, don't you?”

“Ah, sure. Of course.” Sunset starts backing away from a wild-eyed Zecora who rants on.

“No. Now, it is you who are lying, Miss Shimmer. You don't believe me at all. Quite to the contrary. You're now quite certain of what you suspected, that I am mad. Sit down, Miss Shimmer. And we'll see.” Sunset sits.

“Let me tell you a story and we'll see how certain you are that I am mad. How certain you are of anything.” Zecora walks away from Sunset and begins pacing around the room. “I suppose you fancy yourself a sophisticated mare. You consider us to be primitive because we live here in solitude, away from the so-called real world. We are misfits.”

“Oh, no, no.” Sunset quickly responds.

“Oh, please. I know all the theories.” Zecora says flatly.

“I assure you, Mother, that-” Sunset began but Zecora interrupts Sunset,

“No, Miss Shimmer, it is I who am assuring you that I am not the ignorant fanatic I would appear. Oh, I coped with your world for forty years, and rather successfully, at that. The best schools, a degree in philosophy, a job that took me to the ends of the earth. This hair, this staff, and this faith are merely the results of a different point of view. If you can understand that, you can listen to what I have to say with an open mind.” Another wicked HOWL unnerves Sunset, but Zecora takes it in stride. “Five years ago, there were no howls in the hermitage. It was simply the bombed-out ruin of an old castle belonging to the family Wulfran. Baron Wulfran gave it to the Brotherhood of Truth as a gesture of charity. Our job was to tend the vineyards and save what souls we could by constant prayer.”

“But this isn't a religious order, is it, Mother?” Sunset inquired.

“We feel that we are recognized by Faust. Truth is our dogma. We believe it to be man's greatest weapon against Discord, who is the father of all lies.”

Sunset rises. “All right, go on with your story. You were tending the vineyards.”

“At that time, shortly after the Great War, the world was in chaos. Everywhere was unhappiness. Except in this little village below.” Zecora points a finger toward a rain-streaked window. “For some reason the people of Schwartzof refused to yield to despair. They lost none of their faith. They continued as they had been for centuries. Honest, Faust-fearing, and happy. This village was a plum to Satan, one he could not resist. So, he came here and embarked upon a program of corruption.”

“But you stopped him.” gasped Sunset.

“Yes! You see, Miss Shimmer...” A quick clap of Thunder sounded as Zecora approaches Sunset Shimmer ominously. “... he made the same mistake that you have made. He underestimated me. He thought he would have no difficulty in tempting the old fool.” Sunset backs away and sits again. “But I had him in a cell before he knew what happened.”

"But, if she's the Devil, how do you keep her locked up?” Sunset questioned.

“With the Staff of Truth!” A wild-eyed Zecora flourishes her staff above her head dramatically and then lowers it. “The one barrier he cannot pass.”

“Tell me, how did you recognize him? She doesn't look evil.” Sunset asked in awe.

“The Devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape. I had seen him before, in all parts of the world. In all forms and guises. Wherever there was sin. Wherever there was strife. Wherever there was corruption. disharmony. And persecution. There he was also. Sometimes he was only a spectator, a face in the crowd. But, always, he was there.” Zecora pounds her staff on the floor insistently. All this is too much for Sunset who again grows dizzy, swaying in her chair.

“Now... you see, I hope, why you must say nothing of what you've seen and heard here.”  Zecora says calmly. Sunset rises again.

“Mother... Not that I doubt you, you understand, only... Well, isn't it possible you might have made a mistake?” Sunset asks desperately.

“No! Think, Miss Shimmer. Think of the peace of the world these last five years. Think of this country now. Is there another like it?”

“You haven't put an end to-to suffering. There's still murders, robberies. Even now while we're talking, people are starving.” Sunset argued.

“The suffering man was meant to endure. We cause most of our own grief. We need no help from him. It is the unnatural catastrophe, the great wars, the overwhelming pestilences, the wholesale sinning that we have stopped.”

“I believe you, mother.” Sunsets says after a relatively short silence. “Do you truly?” Zecora asks.

“Yes. I-I admit I was doubtful at first but you've convinced me. Absolutely. I-I promise to keep your secret.”

“Good, my daughter. Tomorrow, if you feel well enough, you may leave.” Zecora crosses to the door and opens it for Sunset. “In the meantime, Brother Macintosh will look after you.” Sunset starts out the door. “Please. Go directly to his room.”

“Good night, mother.” Sunset says softly.

A few minutes later Sunset, sick and dizzy, rubs her stiff neck as she makes her way to the Googly-eyed mare's cell. Sunset grins when she sees the mare's goofy, scared, hopeful face in the barred window.

“She lied to you, didn't she? I can see that.” What did she say?” The wall-eyed mare inquired.

“She said that you were Discord.” Sunset answered.

The wall-eyed mare nearly laughs and looks down despondently. “Discord! That's good. That's wonderful. What a dream for an old devil, to catch the Devil and lock him up. You don't believe her, do you?” The mare asked, concern in her voice.

“No, of course not.” Sunset answered instantly.

“Then help me.” the mare begged.

Sunset thought for a moment, “Look, why don't I just go get the authorities?”

“It would be my death warrant. The authorities would return and find nothing. Zecora is mad, but she's shrewd, too.”

A hand appears on Sunset's shoulder. She turns to see it belongs to the red stallion from before, Brother Macintosh. “Mother Zecora was fearful you might lose your way. Come.” Macintosh leads Sunset away. The Googly-eyed mare watches them go, a mixture of hope and fear in her face.

Moments later, Macintosh enters his room with Sunset and shuts the door behind them. Macintosh starts to put a key in the lock but Sunset grabs his arm.

“Why are you locking the door?" Sunset demanded harshly.

“To protect you. Rest now, Miss Shimmer.” Macintosh replies calmly and flatly as if it were obvious as he locks the door. “Remember, you're still a very sick mare.”

___________________________________________

Later that night. As Macintosh sleeps, Sunset carefully steals the key chain from around his neck. Collecting her coat, Sunset stealthily unlocks the door, opens it, exits, closes it, and then takes one last look at the sleeping Macintosh through the door's window before hurrying away.

At the Googly-eyed mare's cell. A weakened, dizzy Sunset approaches. “You've come. Good.” the mare says happily.

“What do you want me to do?” Sunset asks.

“Lift off the wooden bolt.” the mare answered desperation in her voice. Sunset looks at the wooden staff that bolts the door shut. It appears easily removable and well within the mare's reach.

“Is this all that holds you in?” Sunset wondered aloud astonished.

“Yes. Lift it off.” The mare retorted.

“Why haven't you done it yourself?” Sunset demanded confused.

“Please. There's no time for talk. Miss Shimmer, in the name of mercy. If you fail now, they'll kill both of us. Don't you understand that?”

Sensing something wrong Macintosh awakes with a start, sees that the keys and Sunset have vanished, rises and crosses to the door. It's locked.

_________________________________________

Sunset starts to remove the staff. She is suddenly having serious doubts. She lets go of the staff. “Hurry. Hurry.” The wall-eyed mare pleads.

Macintosh seeing Sunset pounds on the door and yells. “Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!”

Sunset, hearing the yells, panics and quickly removes the staff. The cell door slowly swings open and there is a horrific moment of uncertainty as the Googly-eyed mare steps out, a wide grin on her face. Sunset hands the  mare her coat. ”Put this on, the storm.”

The Wall-eyed mare drapes the coat over her shoulders as Sunset looks around nervously. Sunset is about to lead her to safety when, to the accompaniment of a long roll of THUNDER, the Googly-eyed Mare points a bony finger at Sunset's back, whereupon Sunset instantly loses control of her body and collapses to the floor. After a sidelong glance to assure herself that her captors are too late, the Googly-eyed Mare allows a dark look to cross her face.

The mare's features begin to subtly change. Her eyebrows turn white and become bushier. Her eyes straighten out, become disproportionate and turn yellow with red irises. He smiles revealing one long fang, strokes his goat-like beard that wasn't there before, and strides off. A prostrate Sunset watches in horror as, with every step, the mare grows taller, more snake-like and slowly transforms himself into a hideous demon who looks like a horrifying, chaotic amalgamation of animals. The head contorts into an oddly shaped horse. He grows a deer antler on the right side of his head, a blue goat horn on the left side. His right arm becomes that of a lion, his left the claw of an eagle. His right leg becomes that of a lizard, his left a goat. A horse's mane covers his back, his pony tail disintegrates into that of a dragon with a white tail tuft. The coat draped over his shoulders transforms into a bat's right wing and a Pegasus's left wing and then a cloak suddenly in-between them. When at last Discord reaches the wall opposite his cell, he turns back to Sunset Shimmer, wraps the cloak about himself, smiles grimly and laughs quietly, snaps his fingers and disappears in a puff of smoke. A stunned Sunset passes out.

Zecora and Macintosh arrive. Zecora peers into the empty cell while Macintosh glances sympathetically at Sunset. Zecora and Macintosh exchange looks. Macintosh walks off while Zecora crosses to Sunset, now regaining consciousness. Zecora puts an arm around her.

“I'm sorry for you, my daughter. All your life, you will remember this night. And you'll know, Miss Shimmer, whom you have turned loose upon the world.”

“I-I didn't believe you. I saw him and didn't recognize him.” Sunset says, sorrow and shame in her voice.

“That is man's weakness... and Discord's strength.” Zecora says gravely.

Sunset stares hard in the direction of the Devil's escape. A look of hardened determination in her face.

                                                         (voice over)

“In that moment, I decided to spend the rest of my life tracking him down. To recapture the evil I'd released. The evil that soon took the shape of the The Second Great War, the Minotaur War, the hideous new weapons of war. I swore I'd find him again, as Mother Zecora had done.”

The Flashback ends

A very small version of the wooden Staff of Truth keeps a 1960s-style door shut.

“It took many years but I did it. See? I have him in there now.”

A hand gestures toward the door. The hand belongs to Sunset Shimmer; she appears now as she did in in the forest, older and grayer and as wild-eyed as Mother Zecora. She turns and crosses to her apprentice a lavender unicorn mare with purple hair and a pink stripe. Sunset has been telling her story to her, in a room of Sunset's house. “You understand now. You understand why you must not under any circumstances go near that door. You see how important it is that he stay locked up?” The apprentice looks at Sunset as if she's crazy but nods her assent.

“Good. I'm sending her back to Mother Zecora. He'll do a bit of howling but, heh, pay no attention to that. It's a trick. I know. Yes, I must go now.” Sunset crosses to her raincoat and puts it on.

“Must go. I-I have preparations to make. I-I'll be back in just a few minutes.” Sunset grabs her hat and heads for the door. The storm continues. She pauses and turns back to the apprentice and says gravely, “Remember. Remember. Keep that door locked.”

Sunset leaves, shutting the door behind her. The apprentice turns and stares for a long moment at the bolted door in disbelief until a wicked, piercing HOWL emerges from the other side. Startled, she crosses to the door and hesitantly removes the wooden staff.

The apprentice turns the knob and opens the door. The door swings open to reveal part of the darkened, shadowy room on the other side.