Believe

Fluttershy strolled to school lost in her own world. The cool breeze reminded her of the demon. She recalled the warmth of his skin against her fur: how safe she felt in his arms.

"Hey, Flutter-"

Rainbow cut herself off when she noticed Fluttershy's right ear. She gawked at the bent crystallized spike sticking through its upper half. The way its reddish orange hue reflected the light of the sun summoned forth the illusion of a raging mystical blaze.

"What's with the piercing?"

"Someone made it for me."

"That's so sick. Can I get one?"

"I'd have to ask him."

"Wait - did you score a dude!?"

"No..."

"Bull! I can see it written all over your face!"

"What's going on over here," Applejack interrupted. The rest of their friends were with her.

"Fluttershy bagged herself a stud!"

They all clamored around the yellow Pegasus, asking her questions faster than she could answer them.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense," Pinkie exclaimed, "Who is he!?"

"Does he come here to our school," Rarity inquired.

"Well...He's a little older," Fluttershy admitted.

"Woah! You made it with a college student," Rainbow blurted out.

"What is he, anyway," Applejack asked, "a pony, a griffon, a dragon...?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Yeah, right," Rainbow teased, "You gonna' tell us he's a ghost or somethin'?"

"He's a demon..."

All of their pupils shrank at the same time.

"Uh...Yeah, Fluttershy...We totally believe you...Not like demons are hell-bent on total annihilation or anything..."

"Do you remember the guy I was drawing in class yesterday?"

Rainbow shook her head.

"No. No way. Are you trying to tell me he's REAL!?"

"What are you guys talking about," Twilight groaned.

"Look," Fluttershy said as she opened Twilight's notebook.

"Holy snake apples," Applejack yelled, "He's mighty fine."

"Oh my...," Rarity blushed.

"Don't take this the wrong way, shy, but I think you might have a few screws loose," Rainbow surmised.

"I know you think I'm crazy, but I can prove it. Come to my house after school. I'll show you."

"This oughta be good..."

After the group exchanged salutations with Fluttershy's parents, they gathered in front of her bedroom door.

"He's a little nervous around new faces. Try to contain yourselves."

"A shy demon? Hah! That's a good one."

Fluttershy glared at Rainbow before opening the door.

"Am I just seeing things," Rainbow thought to herself.

"Looks like you brought a few friends," the demon spelled out.

"I forgot to mention he can't talk."

"You guys are seeing this, right," Rainbow beckoned.

The others nodded in acknowledgement. They crowded into the room. Fluttershy shut the door behind them.

"Can you show them your powers?"

The demon nodded. He summoned two chains: one in each hand.

"Do you believe me now?"

"Guess we've got no choice," Rainbow conceded. She refocused her attention on the mighty figure before them. "Alright, demon dude. Spill it. What are your intentions with my friend?"

"Rainbow," Fluttershy scolded.

With an evil grin, the demon wrote down a playfully menacing response.

"That depends."

"Oh yeah? On what?"

"On what she wants me to do with her...Or maybe...To her."

Fluttershy covered her face in embarrassment. Rainbow burst out laughing. Pinkie joined her.

"I didn't think the forces of evil had a sense of humor. Talk about one hell of an icebreaker."

"Knock it off y'all," Applejack reprimanded.

"Forces of evil? As if."

Rainbow's demeanor went from raucous laughter to confusion in the blink of an eye.

"What do you mean?"

"I bring righteous retribution upon evil. That's why I exist."

"Wait a sec, you're telling demons are good guys?"

"Consider us the POW division of God's army."

"We're gonna' have to start from square one."

The demon explained everything about Lucifer and his race as well as Earth. A great sense of relief washed over the party.

"Honestly, I'll probably sleep a lot better at night," Applejack stated, "Bein' from redneck territory, I've always been worried about Apple Bloom dealin' with creeps and such. Good to know if somethin' happens to her, they'll get their just desserts."

"I'll let you in on a little secret - if you kill someone who's committed a heinous act, it won't affect your standing with God. Basically, you've got a free ride if you feel like smiting evil and sending them to us early."

"I thought you were cool before, but damn, now I feel like I should be worshiping you at an altar," Rainbow praised.

"It's all in a day's work."

"By the way, I noticed your wings. Think they're strong enough to take me on in a race?"

"I don't know, actually. Your bodily structure is more aerodynamic than mine, but I've had a lot of time to make up for my weaknesses. Unfortunately, we won't be able to find out today."

"Right, the whole torture and damnation thing."

"We'll take a rain check on it."

"By the way, what should we call you? Fluttershy told me you didn't have a name."

"I thought of one," Fluttershy voiced.

"What is it?"

"Siel Reiniger. It's Zebra for Soul Cleanser."

"I like it. It sounds very mystical."

"Then it's settled. Siel Reiniger: the bane of depravity."