The Demon's Game

A portal suddenly opened in a dark alley of Canterlot and I simply stepped through. The portal closed behind me and I stretched out feeling a few pops in my joints. "gods, I hate cages. No room to move around and stretch," I said to myself. I took a breath and looked up at the bright sky above me. "Well, time to have some fun," I said continuing my conversation with myself. I stretched out my pegasus wings and made my way to the palace. I quickly found my way to the draw bridge and took in the entirety of the castle, "such a gaudy display," I said with a chuckle. I walked in and looked around for a while until I got a strong whiff of both of the princesses energies. I grinned and made my way to the door. A guard stepped in front of me and I sighed.

"Currently the Princesses are arranging the sky and getting Court ready. If you have an appointment, I would ask you to wait a few minutes please," the armored unicorn stated.

"Oh, I have no appointment, but I will not wait either," I said moving passed him.

"Sir, I am very sorry, but you will have to make an appointment for a later," he continued as he put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. I merely brushed him off and continued forward. As I closed in on the door the other guard tried to stop me.

Celestia began stretching as Luna entered, getting herself and the room ready for Night Court's transition. The sun began it's descent and the moon made it's way across the sky. A few minutes passed and they both heard "Sir, I'm sorry, but you can't enter for now. Just wait..."

"Oh, shut up. I'm fairly certain your princesses will want to know that I'm in town," somepony replied, as he opened the doors and waltzed in like he owned the place. His fur was black, his mane and tail were white with a black stripe, he wore a brown three piece suit and had a black cane with a white orb on top on it. However, what really caught their attention were his eyes which had a familiar orange glow. "Good evening. How have things been since I've... been away?" the stallion asked. Celestia and Luna finished their tasks while they silently looked to the uninvited guest. The guards tried to take him away, but the princesses quickly stopped their efforts.

"The rest of today's activities are to be scheduled for a later date," Celestia stated without taking her eyes off of the new pony.

"Indeed. You are to clear the closest hallways and tell everypony, including the other guards, that nopony is allowed close until we say so," Luna continued her sister's statement, also refusing to look away from the pony.

"But..." the guard began.

The princesses quickly interrupted in their Royal Canterlot Whinny, "NOW!" The two guards nodded and began their task.

I grinned at the princesses before me. "So, how's it been Tia, Lulu?" I asked, leaning on my cane.

"You have never been close enough to call us those names," Luna growled at me.

"How did you escape Orcus? That cage was supposed to hold you in Tartarus for eternity," Celestia angrily quizzed.

"That's the funny thing, not everything works the way you wish them to. What I have to ask is why you haven't tried to blast me with your rainbow harmony beam yet," I asked with a shit-eating grin.

"That begs the question why you haven't gone on some sort of rampage?" Luna asked through gritted teethe, "Equus is still trying to overcome some of the damage you caused thousands of years ago," she continued.

"Oh, you make me blush. Good dodge by the way. To answer your question, destruction isn't always the most entertaining thing to do," I answered. "So, why haven't you hit me with the Elements of Harmony yet?" I asked.

Celestia gritted her teethe as well and answered, "we are no longer the bearers of the Elements."

"Oh, that's a big change now isn't it. That sounds as if there are new bearers," I stated with an obviously false happiness. "Always good to show new foals their place." I continued. I paced around thinking to myself, feeling their gazes upon me, following my every move. "However, if everything is easy, things stop being fun. So, I have a deal for the both of you, a game of sorts." I said with a smile.

Celestia and Luna shared a quick look before Celestia asked, "what kind of game?"

"Ah, that is the question now isn't it. How about this, I will spend the next year trying to turn the new Bearers of the Elements to my corner and in that same amount of time you will try to figure out a way outside of the Elements to beat me. Obviously there would be rules. First, I will not inflict harm upon either of you or your subjects. Second, I cannot tell an outright lie. Finally, I cannot use any form of mind control. You may use what you feel is necessary except for the Elements of Harmony." I said smiling, "is there anything you would like to add?"

"How are we supposed to believe you in the first place," Luna growled at me.

I looked at them and smiled even wider, "OH! I forgot the best part. If you guys win I will permanently give up my powers, but if I win I will make my own country, that you'll never have access to, within the wastes that were once the Crystal Empire, the land that I turned into my undead playground once before. Now as for the trusting me, well you can't. However, you can trust a blood pact. So, will you take the deal?" I said as I summoned up a dagger and slit both of my hands.

"We, have, unfortunately, little choice in the matter." Celestia stated as she took the dagger from him and slit her palm as well, taking my hand and handing Luna the dagger.

"There are to many risks involved otherwise." Luna uttered as she cut into her hand, taking my other hand. Magic coursed between us as I suddenly changed form. Staring down at them from my twelve foot tall, demonic stature.

"And so, the game begins," I stated with a dark laugh.