Fear's Fun

Out in the Everfree Forest, a statue - overgrown by years of plant life - began to darken, the stone slowly beginning to turn black as evil energy began seeping from the dormant object.

Celestia, in the middle of her day court and listening to this stuck-up noble ranting about how the non-noble mares from the last Grand Galloping Gala should be made to pay reparations for the damages and emotional stress they'd caused, suddenly stiffened, her eyes widening ever-so-slightly.

"I'm sorry, Blueblood, but I'm afraid this matter will have to be settled another time." The solar monarch said, cutting off the royal unicorn.

"But auntie-"

"Blueblood, I have sensed an old... acquaintance of mine rising once again." She said, fixing her nephew with a gentle, but firm, look. "As such, I must make preparations for his return."

Blueblood pouted, knowing there was no way he'd be able to turn his aunt's attention to the more important matter at hoof - making those commoner mares pay for what they'd done! - but quietly turned and left as Celestia lit her horn and summoned a piece of parchment and a quill, and began writing a letter.

The statue turned completely black, the construct transforming into what could only be described as complete darkness taking the form of a tall earth pony. Seconds later, a pony skull began forming over the creature's head, two golden eyes staring out into its surroundings.

The creature let out a dark chuckle, and began to walk.

The Element bearers stared down the Everfree Forest, standing just outside the foreboding woods; despite the forest being an inanimate thing, they couldn't help but get the feeling that it was staring back at them.

"What're we supposed ta do 'ere again, Twi?" Applejack asked, glancing at her alicorn friend.

"Princess Celestia said to wait here for her, and that's all she said." Twilight responded, glancing back at her friend.

"She didn't say anything about why we had to be here?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No, but she said it was urgent and that she'd arrive as soon as-"

Twilight was cut off as a piercing scream of terror rang out, coming from the darkened woods in front of them. All six ponies jumped, Fluttershy freezing in horror as Pinkie's mane actually deflated a bit and Rarity whimpered a little in fright. Rainbow Dash tried putting on a brave face, as did Applejack, while Twilight stared analytically into the trees, trying not to shake.

Seconds later, what appeared to be a dark-grey earth pony filly came streaking out of the woods, her expression one of terror. She got a hopeful look in her eye as she spotted the bearers, but something shot out of the woods and wrapped around her hind legs, tripping her up and causing her to shriek before being dragged back into the darkness of the trees, despite the bearers rushing to help.

Another scream rang out, followed by a wet crunch and the scream abruptly cutting off. Fluttershy was not practically catatonic in fright, Pinkie's mane had completely deflated, Rarity and Applejack both looked extremely pale, Rainbow Dash looked terrified, and Twilight was unable to hide her trembling.

They all jumped as a raspy voice spoke up.

"Well, well, what have we here?" It chuckled, a pair of golden eyes appearing in the shade of the Forest. "More visitors?"

Everypony there took a step back as the creature chuckled again. "Oh, sorry, where are my manners..."

What looked like a pony made of condensed black smoke wearing a bleached-white pony skull stepped into view, two golden eyes shining behind the skull's eyesockets.

"My name is Deimos." The creature said, giving them a mocking bow. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Surely you weren't here for that poor little filly, were you?"

"W-what are you?" Twilight whispered, her legs trembling, as were everypony else's. Deimos cocked its head to the side, and they all got the impression it was smiling under that skull.

"I am-"

It was cut off by a bright flash of light, signaling Celestia's arrival. Deimos blinked as Celestia planted herself between the bearers and the creature of darkness.

"That is enough, Deimos." She scolded. "You've had your fun, now drop this facade."

To the surprise of the bearers, Deimos's body flickered before changing - now, in place of the terrifying monster from before, was an average-looking pony with a jet-black coat and a crimson mane and tail - the one detail that remained the same were his eyes, which were still a shade of bright gold. The only other discerning mark was what appeared to be a picture of a pony skull in place of his Cutie Mark.

Deimos laughed. "Come on, Celestia - I'm fear itself! How could I not scare some ponies after just being freed from imprisonment?" His gaze turned to the terrified bearers. "By the way, just in case you were wondering: that filly you saw wasn't real."

"W-what?" Twilight blinked.

"She wasn't real." Deimos repeated, a grin spreading across his muzzle. "As the embodiment of fear, I can create hallucinations and such to terrify ponies. What you saw was just an illusion." He laughed, sounding completely normal.

"Why you-!" Rainbow Dash growled, preparing to clobber this guy, but was quickly restrained by her friends as Celestia shook her head.

"Like I said a thousand years ago, Deimos - if you keep scaring ponies like that, they're going to demand you be sealed away."

"Oh come on, you know I can't resist!" Deimos chuckled again, still sounding normal. "I feed off of fear the same way Changelings feed off of love, which means I get my kicks and get to eat at the same time!"

Celestia sighed, and turned to the bearers. "Girls... I'd like you to meet Deimos, Equestria's embodiment of fear and a personal friend of mine."

"Yo." Deimos waved a hoof at them all with a crooked smile.