Strength Beyond Strength

"We're going to take a more unorthodox approach today. I want the youngest ones to fight me first."

"Why," Twilight asked.

"They need to be about twice as strong as the older ones are now. A battle will let me know where they're at."

"You're not going to use any weapons, are you?"

"Absolutely not. This is all hand to hand. I've never drawn a child's blood and I never will."

"That's a relief."

"Pick me! I want to go first," Scootaloo offered.

"I guess we have a taker."

"Be careful, kid," Rainbow told her, "This guy's WAY stronger than me."

"How strong is he?"

"He made a timber wolf's head explode by punching it with his bare hands."

"Woah! Are you serious!?"

"Dead serious. I saw it myself."

"I'm not going all out on them unless they ask me to. Don't worry. They'll be safe."

"Got get him," Rainbow encouraged her young friend.

Scootaloo stepped over to where Chris was and faced him.

"Get in a little closer. If you're too far away, you won't be able to reach me. Don't get too close, either. It'll be too easy for me to reach you. Gauge your distance."

Scootaloo did as she was told. she found the perfect distance and stood stationary.

"Now try to hit me."

Scootaloo leaped forward, only to find Chris had already moved to the side. She fell into the ground.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm alright. Just a little dirty."

"Get up and try again. Move a little faster this time."

"Right."

The orange filly got back up and leaped again. To her dismay, Chris dodged a second time.

"You almost had me that time."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Keep trying. Move as fast as your body will let you."

Without a shred of hesitation, she got back up a third time and leaped with her hoof cocked back. She moved so fast Chris hardly saw her coming. She landed a successful blow to his stomach.

"Not bad," he grunted, "You're stronger than I gave you credit for."

"I did it!"

"Go ahead and take a break. It's Apple Bloom's turn."

Apple Bloom was eerily quiet throughout the rotation process.

"Are you okay," Chris asked.

"I don't know," she responded.

"Do you want me to let you practice, or should I go all out?"

Apple Bloom stared at him for a moment.

"Give me everything you've got."

"Okay."

Chris got into a fighting stance. Apple Bloom immediately leaped at him with everything she had, but it didn't stop there. Every time Chris dodged and landed a punch, she keeled over in pain for a moment, but got back up and kept fighting. This cycle continued with them trading blows for a few minutes. Chris stopped when he saw her eyes.

"She's been broken down..."

Apple Bloom got one more shot in on Chris before he grabbed her and pinned her against him.

"Applejack; Apple Bloom's judgement is being affected! I need you to calm her down!"

"ABBADON!"

"Did she just say Abbadon," Twilight yelled.

"Who is Abbadon," Chris yelled back.

"He's the demon of death and destruction!"

Applejack galloped over to Chris and began stroking her sister's mane.

"It's okay, Apple Bloom. I'm right here."

Apple Bloom steadily grew calmer. Eventually, Chris was able to let her go. The filly began to cry.

"Applejack, I'm so sorry!"

"What are ya''ll sorry for, sugarcube?"

"I was jealous of you and Big Mac for gettin' to see ma and pa. We were playin' with the Ouija board and it broke. Abbadon came and killed everybody!"

"Oh my Celestia..."

"A demon!? They exist here!?"

"Do they exist in your world, Chris?"

"I don't know for sure, but back in 1949, there was a kid named Roland Doe supposedly possessed by a demon. Nobody really knows what happened aside from the people who were there."

"This is bad," Twilight spoke, "If demons are getting involved, I don't think there's much we can do."

"Don't give up yet," Chris encouraged, "From what I understand about demons, they can still be destroyed."

"How?"

"Can you use holy magic?"

"I've never even heard of it."

"After we finish up here, go talk to the princess. She might be able to give you some information."

"Understood."

Chris knelt down where Apple Bloom and Applejack were.

"You did good, Apple Bloom. Why don't you take a break, okay?"

"Okay, Chris..."

"Rainbow Dash, it's your turn."

"Don't hold back on me."

"I won't."

Training ended after a short battle with each pony and Spike. They were surprisingly durable for their lack of direct combat experience.

"You all did incredible today. Go home and get ready for tomorrow. We're going into dangerous and isolated territory. We have to be ready for anything."

"I'll drop by Canterlot on my way home. Hopefully I can get some answers."

"Abbadon's stuck in the Ouija board," Apple Bloom said, "It's in an old box on the farm..."

"Thank you, Apple Bloom. I promise we'll get him."

"I'm sorry," Applejack said to her sister, "If only I'd know it was messing with your mind so much, I would've taken you to their graves and been there with you all night."

"It's alright. I know you were only tryin' to help."

"I'll see you all tomorrow."

"Yeah," everyone agreed.