A Demon's Deal

Chapter 1

“Where did i put my book on binding enchantments” wondered Twilight to herself as she frantically searched high and low inside her home.

Twilight Sparkle had been taken under the princesses wing at a very young age. She showed magical abilities that no pony her age had even come close to. She was still a learning apprentice and studied when she was not running errands for the princess. She was not allowed to practice many magics inside the castle due to the destructive nature of some spells and summons, so she often practiced on the go.

“This is killing me!” grumbled Twilight. “This is one of the few spells i can practice inside and lost my book! How am i supposed to become great like the princess if i cant even remember where i put a simple book.” At that instant Twilight heard knocking at her rooms door.

“The princess would like to see you Ms. Twilight” said one of the elderly butlers with a smiling face.

“What for? Is it about the guard i put in a coma yesterday? I told her i didn't mean to, the spell just w..” she was cut short by the butler.

“She told me to retrieve you. She did not seem upset.”

“Okay, tell her I will be there right away.”

I wonder what she wants me for, Twilight thought, usually she only calls me when I am in trouble for something or she wants me to run some stupid errand.

“Well this book is beyond me. Maybe on my way back from the princesses I will stop by the royal library and see if they have a spell that will point me in the right direction” Twilight reasoned. “Maybe I will pick up a copy of the destructive spells dictionary so I will have it when I have to go on another errand for the princess.”

As she walked through the grand halls of the castle she noticed they did some redecorating in the main hall. The kitchen got a complete renovation and as twilight passed it her mouth started to water. She reluctantly continued down the hall. As she passed the castle armory she noticed some very nice armor in the window of the shop. This armory made all of the armor for the royal knights but the blacksmith that runs it also sells armor to whomever he can. Twilight decided to stop by and compliment the blacksmith on his work.

“That armor is really nice.” remarked Twilight as she looked over the armor. “But it costs so much. Why is that.”

“That is some of the best work I have ever done,” boasted the old smith with an ever growing smile. “Its the newest Full plate armor with extra padding on the inside for comfort. Its might be one of my last works. You see I am retiring soon.”

“Its impressive that you did this alone at your age.... No offense.” Twilight quickly added.

“Actually I had a little help from a local girl. She seems interested in learning to smith so I have begun teaching her all I know. Shes a great help, especially at my old age, she tends to remember things I forget. She actually helped me make two suits and purchased one herself.”

“Interesting she must be quite wealthy.” said Twilight.

“Actually she has been working for free. So I let her have the armor for next to nothing.”

“She seems like a very nice pony. I am glad to see you found an eager apprentice. I must get going though the princess is waiting, have a nice day!” she said while walking away.

“You to Twilight, say hello to the princess for me will ya?” yelled the blacksmith.

'He seems happy to have found a new apprentice with such a passion for armor, I wonder if she bought any weapons while she was there. It would only seems natural to buy one while you are buying armor of such caliber.' thought Twilight as she started off again towards the princesses throne room.

As twilight walked along she wondered what the princess wanted. She has been acting so strange lately. I wonder what could be bothering her so much. There hasn't even been any crime in the last week, so one would think she would be calmer and more relaxed.

Twilight approached the large gem laden doors that lead to the throne room. The guards around the door seemed to be at a heightened state of security and they carefully watched Twilights every move as she came walking towards the door.

“Hello Twilight” the guard said in a deep voice.

“Hello may I get through. The princess called me here and I don't want to keep her waiting any longer than I have to.”

“Yes you may get through, but I will need you to prove that is actually you Twilight. I am sorry but the princess told us that only those who know the royal rune are to enter and that is final. She seemed kind of stressed lately.”, the guard explained.

“Right. I haven't had to use the royal rune in so long. Let me see if I remember how to cast it.” Twilight reared up on her back legs and her horn began to glow. An engraving stated to appear on the door and soon made a clear picture. “Ursa major and Ursa minor guarding the moon, I believe that is just about how the royal rune looks right?”.

“Yes ma'am that is the royal rune if I have ever seen one, we will unlock the door for you.” The guards turned to the door and unlocked it. The door screeched and moaned as they slowly opened the door.

“Thank you gentlemen” Twilight bowed her head to the guards and walked through the door way into the throne room.

She looked glanced around the room but the princess was no were to be seen. She was not on her throne. “That's strange I wonder were the princess could be.” remarked Twilight to herself. In that moment the door slammed shut behind her. She whipped around in the blink of an eye. But no one was there. She heard the guards trying to pry open the door. “Guards please, help me.” Twilight screamed.

“For, you there is no help.”

“Who's the....” her words were cut short by a scream of pain as she felt something pierce her left flank. Twilight staggered and began to feel woozy. She turned, her vision blurred, she saw a familiar figure standing in front of her. “P-P-Princess!.......” she murmured as she fell to the ground. Twilight's world became ill-lighted and soon faded to pitch-black.

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“I can make that for you no problem!” Pinkie said in an exited tone.

“Thank you Pinkie the royal chef's are all so busy today and we need someone to help make food for the princesses guest that are coming later” explained a simple looking,  small framed courier.

“I can't wait until the princess and her friends get a taste of my awesome cooking! OH MY GOSH! Do you think if its really good I could cook for the princess full time! That would be amazing, I would have royalty eating my cooking all the time!” Pinkie ranted

“I don't really know” the courier said shakily, “what if she doesn't like your cooking very much.”

“Oh no I never thought about that.” said Pinkie worriedly.

“Anyways I have more news to deliver I will see you around” the courier ran out the door of pinkies house and continued down the street out of sight.

“I never thought about the princess not liking my food........ No it will be fine, I will work super hard and make the best meal she has ever eaten!” Pinkie resolved. Wow. I can't believe that all of the royal chefs are so busy. The princess must be having a lot of friends over. Well I better get started dinner is in a few hours and I have a lot of cooking to do. I wouldn't like to keep the princess and her friends waiting.”

Pinkie is a pink, energetic pony with a great personality. She is persistent and nice and makes friends very easily. Many a pony found her actions to be completely strange. Pinkie seemed to celebrate any holiday, no matter how well known it is. She is also a great cook and is known throughout pony-ville as a fantastic chef.

'Alright lets get cooking', Pinkie thought. She walked over to her pantry and pulled out some large vegetables. He hooves moved like lightning as she washed and peeled the bushel of vegetables in no time flat. She reached for some carrots and garlic but they were no were to be seen.

“I coulda swore I stocked up on everything earlier today” she said double checking all the shelfs. “oh well I will just have to buy some more, easy as that.” And with that statement she grabbed her bag and some money and went on her way outside. She opened the door and took a big breath of the morning air. She noticed there was not a cloud in the sky and smiled as she walked down the road into the market district of town.

She trotted down the dirt road stopping to say good morning to her neighbors, the flowers, and the trees. Hopping along she noticed an old sign along the road, it read.

Big Sister's little shop

Of Wonderful Exciting

Items For Parties. ~Follow path.

It was strange, Pinkie knew for a fact that there was no shop over there. She walks down this road all the time and this sign was not there and looked to old to be just made. Ah ha! 'It must be a traveling shop', thought Pinkie, 'It probably wont be here long so I better go check it out right this instant'. So Pinkie turned and walked off the road and  followed the path that seemed to have been made by a very heavy wagon rolling across the tall grass.

'I hope this store has a bunch of great party items, I really want my next bash to blow the others away.' Pinkies mind raced. 'I need streamers and ribbon and maybe I will buy gear so I can finish my party cannon! If my other little project gets finished my party cannon will far be out done. When I use that little device the party will go silent in awe.'

Pinkie continued down the path hoping she would reach the little shop soon. She looked all around  her but she all she could see was forest as far as her eyes could see. 'Golly, I sure am far off the road', Pinkie worried,'I'm sure I didn't miss the shop'. Pinkie was determined to find the shop that seemed to elude her with every step.

The day was getting late and Pinkie refused to stop looking for the shop. She was still following the path in the grass that she started on but was wonder why it was so far away. Something had to press the grass down right? Pinkie knew it was to big for anypony to have made alone.

Pinkie sat down at the foot of a steep hill the path had gone over. 'If that shop is not over that hill I give up.' Pinkie thought in defeat. Pinkie stood up and clambered her way up the hill. She stood atop the hill and saw a sea of tree tops in front of her. Pinkie scanned the area but did not see any sign of any shop. Pinkies ears dropped in sadness. She began to turn around when out of the corner of her eye she saw the roof a small shop.

“HOORAY! I found the shop and its colored so brightly. This is so exciting it took me forever to get here.  I hope it was worth it”.

Pinkie made her way down the side of the hill toward the shop. It was in a small clearing of trees which seemed to form almost a perfect circle around the shop. The building was small enough to be put on wheels but seemed unreasonable to push around. The front door was yellow like the rest of the house except the door handle and roof which both were scarlet red. Pinkie walked up to the door and grabbed the handle. The door screamed and creaked as she pushed it open. “Hello? Is anyone here?” she asked as she walked in. The room was black and the light from the door made shadows dance around the inside of the shop. Pinkie looked at the store in the dim light that door let in. There was nothing but a large counter with one stool. The walls were bare and white and there was a fine layer of dust and cobweb everywhere.

“This looks more like a bar than a party store.” Pinkie remarked. “There isn't even any pinatas.”

“ You are right there isn't anything in here there doesn't need to be anymore”, a loud voice boomed.

“ What do you mean? Isn't this a party shop you need things like streamers and stuff for it to be a party store.” Pinkie explained.

“Stupid girl there is no store. Just you and me, and there is about to be one less” the voice grew louder.

Pinkie was frightened by the voice and began to turn around to leave. But the door slammed shut and Pinkie jumped.

“W-w-who.......... are......... y-y-you”

“I am your reaper and your time has come”

Pinkie saw a shadowy figure move right in front of her. Pinkie tried to something, anything, but she was paralyzed by fear and her efforts were futile. The figure grabbed her and threw her into the ground. The figure's horn began to glow.

“L-L-Luna!”, Pinkie gasped as the dull light from the princess horn light up the dark room. Pinkie's vision started to twist and blur.

“Goodnight forever!!!”, Luna voice seemed to warp and bend around pinkies head. As Luna's  horn light began to engulf the room. Pinkie slammed to the ground. Breathing heavily she tried to get and run but it was to late. Pinkie felt a snap of pain in head and she passed out.

“Hmm that took longer than I thought it would Luna”, said Celestia in a bothered tone. “I was just coming to do the job for you.”

“Well you didn't have to lure your target so far away, 'sister'”, retorted Luna, picking up the unconscious Pinkie.

“Well we have some more targets to take out, it is still early in the day”, Celestia said holding the door open for Luna. “I guess the boss really is going through with her plan.”

Luna walked out of the open door into the sunlight. “Ya I guess they finally agreed on something. I wonder what they did with the princesses though? I mean in their current state there is no way they could have taken them both down.”