The Demon's Game

I sat at the only unbroken throne in the age worn Castle of the Two Sisters staring towards the six viewing portals, watching the ones currently connected to the powers of the Elements of Harmony. Sighing, I thought, now that I'm here I can't figure out which one to start with. Pinkie Pie might be a good starting point because of her want to befriend anyone new to Ponyville, however, her Pinkie Sense might cause some issues in the long run. Rarity may be a good starting line simply because of how well she embodies her Element but, at the same time she has a good amount of world experience and has the mindset of a business owner. Well not to mention there are other things I could do first. My hand shot in the air as I said excitedly, "I got it!" I created a eight-sided die and said aloud, "One is Twilight, two is Pinkie, three is Rainbow, four is Rarity, five is Applejack, six is Fluttershy, seven is fixing the castle and eight is practice on a random person." I shook the die in my hand for a decent amount of time and tossed it to the floor. It bounced twice and rolled around a bit until finally landing on one. "Ok, Twilight it is," I said with a grin. Then, I stood up, taking my pony form once more.

Twilight sat down on her throne and took a relaxing breath, feeling both fulfilled for completing yet another of the map's tasks and worn out. She smiled and stared down at the map thinking aloud, "Spike's out helping Rarity right now and the castle is currently empty. Right now would be the perfect time for... a... late night study-session." She giggled to herself and went to stand up when suddenly there was a knock at her door. Her face crumpled slightly in annoyance as she grumbled and made her way to the door. She opened her door with her magic and in front of her was a unicorn stallion that she had never met with bright orange eyes. He had a cane in his right hand and a bright red book in the other. "Hello?" she said quizzically.

"Good evening, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I have come to you on behalf of my organization and would like to speak to you about possibly helping us to better the world. So, would you care to take a moment to hear me out?" He asked with a smile.

While turning around she waved him in and said, "I suppose I could spare a minute or two." His smile grew as he followed her into her study. She took a seat at her desk and moved a chair over to him with her magic. He nodded and took a seat setting his cane down against the side of the chair and pulling his book to the forefront.

I pulled the book up in front of me and set my hand down on the cover thinking snidely, step one. "Now my organization has recently come into contact with an ancient form of magic. A magic that can be used by anypony. This magic has two basic effects, one it brings a ponies passive magic making it a more active force and two it can enhance inherent talents..." I started to say before being interrupted by someone teleporting in and speaking.

"Twilight, when are we going to have some fun," Discord stated as he turned towards me, his eyes closed. "I mean, I did..." he started, quickly stopping as his eyes opened and met mine. My expression changed to one of self-assurance as Discord's changed to one of fear. "W... why is that mon... monster here.." he asked pointing at me. I looked to Twilight as she stared at Discord in disbelief.

"Discord, how could you say that about somepony else? That's just plain mean. I thought you had learned to be better than that," she said, flustered.

He looked at her and shook his head, "it's not me being mean. It's a warranted response to one such as him." It was now that Twilight saw the fear in his eyes.

She looked to me and asked very pointedly, "who are you and why is even Discord afraid?"

I chuckled and stood up. "Damn, I hadn't realized they had freed you Dissy old pal," I said making my way to them, while Discord backed up ever so slightly.

"We... we were never friends," he said with a stutter.

"I suppose not. To answer your question Princess. I am ancient power that..." I started before being interrupted by Twilight.

"No, don't walk around the subject. Tell me exactly who and what you are," she said with an angered expression.

"Ooo, so feisty. I think I might actually like this one. I am Orcus." I said as I looked down and chuckled some more, my mane falling in front of my face. I started again, "as to what, well, I am a prince and they do say show, don't tell." I looked up at them and changed into a six foot variant form, my leathery wings tucked tightly to my body. My pale red skin accented by a completely white three piece suit.

"A demon!" Twilight cried out.

I closed the book, shook a talon at her and said, "ah, ah, ah. Not just any demon. The Demon Prince Orcus. However, I meant what I said to you earlier. I do mean to do something that could work to the betterment of this world. Also, don't think about using the powers of the Elements on me. Not only will they not work, they would break a prior agreement I have with your colleagues, Celestia and Luna."

Discord looked at Twilight and shook, saying, "I... don't... I don't know what to do..."

Twilight just stared at him before saying, "it could all just be a lie. Why..."

"Oh, no. I'm not allowed to lie. That, also, would be a breach in the prior mentioned agreement," I interrupted.

"What kind of agreement?" Twilight asked, still very suspicious.

I looked at her with a dark smirk and asked, "are you sure you would like to know."

"Yes, I want to understand why the princesses would make any kind of deal with you," she said glaring.

"Ah, but understanding is different than knowing. You know that I am a Demon Prince, but you do not understand quite what that entails. To understand why, I will have to ask you a question as well..." I began, looking to Discord. "How much would it take to terrify a being able to bend reality to his whim," my question, more of a statement than anything. I grinned showing off my sharp teeth. Suddenly, Discord whimpered quietly as he closed his eyes, had a chill run down his body and wet himself making a puddle under him. He teleported out, not even caring about the puddle he left behind. I looked at Twilight and she had a look of disbelief. I continued, "as to the kind of agreement, a magic one weighing highly in their favor, by my choice I must add. Though, that still doesn't show you that it's not a lie. So, would you care to make a little agreement with me?"

Twilight smiled with self-confidence, "only if you promise not to hurt anypony or..."

I interrupted her once more, "I'm going to have to stop you there. I already am not allowed to harm any of the residents of Equestria. Why don't you try again? What do you want from me?"

"I... I don't want anything from you!" She shouted out. She put her head into her hands and grumbled.

I laughed and shook my head. I grabbed my tail with my free hand and said, "No, you don't know what I can offer." I dropped my tail and walked over to her, my cloven hooves clicking on the crystalline floor. I, then, set the title-less red book on her desk and I put one of my talons upon her shoulder. "The deal shall be as such: I will protect you and your friends from any danger that crosses you and I will take you and the other bearers under my wing. However, you will have to keep the fact that I'm a Demon Prince and the knowledge of these agreements to yourself. Do you have anything you would like to add?" I stated.

Twilight thought to herself, not exactly believing him, but seeing no problems, well, if something goes wrong, Discord could always say something. Finally, she looked up to me and said, "isn't pretending to be a pony a lie?"

"No. You see I'm not pretending to be a pony, it's not like a changeling changing into someone. It's magic rewriting my form," I answered simply.

"Then make me forget that should be easy right," she stated.

"and against the rules," I shot back with a grin.

Twilight sighed and said, "fine, but I have one addition to the agreement, if any my friends find out what you are you have to tell all of Equestria what you are."

I laughed and said, "agreed," as I slit my left hand with a talon conjuring up a knife for Twilight and setting it on her desk. She shot a look of confusion at me. "It's a blood pact hun," I answered her quizzical glare.

She grabbed the knife, slit her palm and asked, "now what?"

"Now the deal is made," I answered as I grabbed her hand and magic transferred between us. I changed back into my pony form and asked her with a hefty chuckle, "so, now that, that is done. Care to start training?"