The Demon's Game

I made my way through the Everfree re-reading the spells that Twilight had written in her grimoire, the scrolls needed for Pinkie's training floating around me. "I understand that she's good at magic, but to reach what would be considered level ten in two weeks is pretty good. However, the spells that she has chosen are a little..." I paused as I closed the book and looked up, "iffy at best. The best offensive spell she has is Shocking Grasp a tier two spell. I need to get her to see the necessity for combat spells," I finished, nearing the edge.

"Not many are so bold to brave the wilderness and the cold," A female voice said curiously from behind me.

I turned and faced the one speaking and saw a zebra covered in a cloak. "Well, it's not often that I see a zebra here in Equestria..." I saw gold bands around her neck and smiled saying, "and a shaman at that."

"Journeyed, have you, to my homeland, then you know of the gold band?" She asked, her curiosity growing.

"Yes I took a trip out to Zebafrica many years ago. It was then that I learned of the importance of the gold bands, but not the importance of the number. As I have seen, shamans are a bit tight lipped on there teachings." I answered.

"Training of one outside our folk, would certainly mean a law was broke," She said, her tone painting a picture of pure seriousness.

"That's what I thought. Now if you excuse me I have ponies to train." I said as I turned around and made my way out.

Twilight and her friends made their way out to the mid-sized sparring ring that Orcus had put together. "So, we're finally going to see something from all that 'training' he had you both do?" Rainbow said, while putting quotations around the word training and rolling her eyes.

"Now, now Rainbow. We have yet to see any proof that he hasn't been training them and both Pinkie and Twilight have said that he has. We should... trust our friends," Rarity stated with a bit of distrust in her voice, not in her friends of course, but in this new stallion.

"We haven't seen any proof that he has either," Rainbow rebutted.

"Wait, who are you talking about and why are we out here again?" Gilda stated still a bit confused as they made it to the ring.

Pinkie popped up next to her and spouted off, "we're talking about a new pony in town, who's super-duper strong and has been training me and Twilight in new stuff. He said he'd help all of us, but nopony else has said yes." She paused for a moment and looked to the other side of the ring. "Oh! There he is," she continued as she bounced to him.

Pinkie bounced over to me as I thought to myself, although Twilight has made it far as she has gotten to tier five spells, Pinkie still is a bit more surprising. She's gotten to what would be considered level seven in both of her classes. Just... damn. Pinkie jumped at me for a hug, to which I moved to the side.

"Ah, I thought I had you today," Pinkie said to me with a wide grin. "Oh well, tomorrows a new day," she continued.

"I bet I could beat him," a griffon that I hadn't seen before stated.

"And you are?" I asked as politely as I could as I laughed on the inside.

"Gilda, and I don't like you lying to my friends," Gilda said, pointing at me.

I looked at her as my eyes narrowed. "One, I don't lie. Two, you said you bet you could beat me. However, I don't think you could even beat one of my trainee's right now," I mustered, trying not to growl at her.

"Of course I couldn't beat Twilight. She's an alicorn," Gilda stated, rolling her eyes.

I smiled shaking my head and closing my eyes. "I meant Pinkie not Twilight," I answered the unasked question. "What are you willing to bet?" I asked.

"What?" she asked.

"You see today, was a test of sorts for Pinkie. I was just going to summon a construct for her to face, but this is much, much better. So, I ask again, what are you willing to bet?" I stated, my voice oozing self-assurance.

"Oooo! What about, if she wins then you give her some kind of prize and if I win she has to admit that you're strong and train under you!?" Pinkie blasted.

I looked to Pinkie and nodded my head while saying, "that seems reasonable to me. How about you, little brave-bird?"

Gilda growled at me and said, "fine." She looked back at Pinkie and continued, "sorry Pinkie, but I'm not going to pull any punches."

"Ooooo! Does that mean I don't have to either," she stated while she giggled.

"Nothing lethal, but beyond that go wild," I answered. "The match starts when you both enter the ring and it ends in a knock-out," I said.

Pinkie bounced into the center of the ring and looked at Gilda. Gilda rushed into the ring and took a swing at Pinkie, just to find that she wasn't there anymore. The last thing Gilda heard before everything went dark was Pinkie saying, "pop."

"Well, that went a little quicker than I thought it would. Pinkie you passed your test with flying colors," I stated with a chuckle as everypony just stared at Pinkie once again they just stared.

Pinkie giggled and pulled a bucket of water out of her hair splashing it on Gilda. "wakey-wakey sleepyhead," she whispered.

Gilda shot up and screamed, "cold!" Then she looked around at her new friends and at the me. "I... I lost?" she asked.

Pinkie bounced out of the ring next to me and said, "yepperooni."

I smiled at all of them and said, "well is that proof enough that I have been doing exactly what I said I was, proof that I have not been lying. I am here to make you stronger and I can definitely deliver upon that. What you do with that strength is up to you. If I can train them like this in simply two weeks, how much stronger will each of you become within the next year?" I paused and summoned the red book once more. "Now, who's next?" I quizzed.

Gilda stood and looked at me. "If that was just two weeks, yes you are strong. Please impart some of that strength upon me," she said and walked to me.

"Take the book and it will unlock some of your potential," I answered her and handed her the book. Once she had the book, I said, "now breathe in deep and hold the book for a moment."

She did as she was told and after ten seconds she too went through the process Twilight and Pinkie had. She looked at the now open page and said, "it's just a picture and a word, of some sort. How is this..."

I interrupted her and stated, "read the word off to me."

She huffed and read aloud, "t... tu... Turris f... Forti... Fortitudinis... Turris Fortitudinis. I think. What the hell does that even mean?"

"It means, tower of strength, you have the potential to be a master of combat, one known as a fighter," I said. I looked around and took in the ponies expressions. "So, will that be..." I started before being interrupted.

"Ah'll go next. Yah've proven ta me that ya can do what ya say and if this helps us then sign me up," Applejack said as she made her way to me. Gilda handed her the book and the same process once more took effect. "Virtoos Aneemay?" she read.

"Virtus Animae, it means strength of soul. You, my humble earth pony, are a monk," I corrected. "You are one who can be a master of self: soul and body," I continued, somewhat surprised that Applejack was the next one after Gilda. I pulled a few scrolls from around me and passed them to both of them and stated as I passed them, "read these today and tomorrow your physical training shall begin. Now, Twilight I wish you to read these scrolls for today is the day you shall choose a familiar. A companion that will go with you where ever you shall roam." I gave her some scrolls as well. "When you choose I shall summon it up and you shall create your bond," I continued.

Twilight opened the scrolls and began looking through them and reading what each of them were and how they could help. After ten minutes of her going over the details she looked up to me and said happily, "I have chosen the pseudodragon."

"Quite a good choice. Now, to bring it to you," I agreed. Then, I brought forth a small piece of paper with a symbol on it and pushed my magic into it. The paper lit on fire in the air and was gone. A moment later, in front of Twilight was a pale red dragon with pitch black spines and greenish yellow eyes; that was about the size of a cat.

It hissed and all present heard a gravelly voice in their minds, why have I been summoned?

Fluttershy immediately dashed at it screaming, "it's so adorable! Oh, what's your name little one."

I am Orn Kornari, Silver Heart in your tongue. Are you my summoner? he quizzed with a raspy purr as Fluttershy pet him.

"Oh, n... no. You were summoned to be Twilight's familiar... that is if that's ok with you." Fluttershy mentioned still petting him.

Twilight, who would this be? He asked while stretching his wings and continuing his purring.

"I'm Twilight," Twilight answered.

Orn nuzzled into Fluttershy's hand, then, turned towards Twilight, so, I am to become your companion then. He looked at her and took a deep breath, breathing in her scent. You are indeed strong enough, but I ask one question are you good? He questioned her.

"As in a good pony? Um... I try to be." Twilight answered.

Then grasp my claw and we will be as one, he declared while chirping. She did so and magic crossed between them.

I am Twilight Sparkle. I ask that you follow me and grant me your strength, Twilight thought to him. Her magic flowed from her to him.

And I am Orn Kornari. I will grant you my power and companionship, Orn thought only to her as his magic transferred from his claw to her hand.

"And now it, is done," Orcus ended.