Chapters MLP: FiM – With A Twist: Book 1
Friendship is Magic Pt. 1
“Good afternoon Damian!” Rose Vector, the cream colored florist pony called out from her flower shop. “Are you coming to the Town Hall for the Summer Sun Celebration?”
“Of course,” Damian replied, flashing her a stylish grin that made her blush. “I’d love to learn more about your culture. This world is so interesting.”
Rose chuckled until her face lit up as she remembered something. “Oh, I almost forgot, you have a special gift from somepony.” Rose went to the back of her shop and searched through the jungle of boxes and flowers until she found a beautiful bouquet of assorted flowers composed of many colors, like a palpable rainbow. Damian looked around it for a card, but there was none to be found. “The sender wanted to remain anonymous.” But Damian already knew who the flowers were from. Come on, don’t be dense, some be dense. It’s from me! He could read her mind clearly.
“This is beautiful, Rose. Thank you.” Damian looked at her face which was trying to suppress a smile from spreading across her face. She was trying so hard not to let her emotions spill out. I’m gonna have some fun with this. “Anonymous, huh? I can’t imagine who it could be from. Someone else bought me a large cake the other day, and another pony sent me some interesting encyclopedias on Equestiran History. It could be from that pony.” Ever since he came to this world, many of the town’s residents have taken a particular interest in Damian–especially the mares. He doesn’t know if it’s his physique, if he’s unique, or if it’s his charm. He looked back at Rose’s face which was now slack jawed. Her expression was pure shock and dismay. “You okay?”
Rose managed to collect herself before she fainted in her own shop. “Y-yeah, I’m fine.” She definitely did not sound fine. “I hope you find your secret admirer.” She rolled her eyes and laid her head on the wooden counter.
“Heheh, thanks for buying these flowers for me, Rose.” Damian whispered, grinning like he just got away with a great prank.
Rose looked up at Damian, her expression slightly less upset. “You knew?”
“Well, duh, of course I knew. It’s pretty obvious with the way you were acting.” He smiled again, but warmly this time. Rose replied with a smile as well. “Well, gotta get going. I’ll see ya at the festival.” He walked off, but not before he waved goodbye to the florist pony.
The front door swung open and Damian walked I to his humble abode. It’s a rather small house, but it was sufficient. He didn’t want a large mansion or anything even though he was a royal. Of course, that means he’d have to try and live a normal life with normal citizens instead of walking around like a pompous asshole, which was fine and dandy.
He set the bouquet on the coffee table and walked over to the kitchen to get a snack. “Damn, nothin’ good lately. Gotta pick something up soon, otherwise I’ll die from starvation.” He chuckled at his lame humor and walked over to his couch and turned on the TV.
Hell is a separate realm, and it has connections across different dimensions and worlds, meaning it has connections to this world, which means, the energy that connects the worlds allows Damian to have connections to TV shows, movies, and all sorts of stuff he has back in Hell. Unfortunately, here’s nothing good on today. “Great, nothing good to eat and nothing good to watch.” He slumped in his couch, thinking of something to do until the Summer Sun Celebration.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Damian was startled by the sudden sound he fell off of the sofa and onto the carpeted floor – which still hurt like a bitch due to it being so rough and shaggy. He got up and opened the door to reveal... a pony he never met before. She was a unicorn with a purple coat , a purple streaked mane and tail, and bright purple eyes. Basically everything about her was purple. And judging by her expression, she's thinking, What the hell is this thing?
"Uh, can I help you?" Damian broke the awkward silence, bringing the purple unicorn out of her trance.
"May I speak to the pony of the house?" she asked in demanding tone, making Damian a little annoyed. Damian raised an eyebrow as he read her mind. If there is no pony in there, this thing had to have eaten them! He chuckled, causing the unicorn to back away in fear.
"Don't worry, I won't bite," he claimed, "I haven't eaten anyone or meat in general in quite some time." He gave her a warm smile that seemed to calm her nerves. "There is no pony living in this house , but I am the human of this house." He leaned on the door frame, trying to look cool in front of her, but he knows he just looked stupid in her eyes.
"Huh, never heard of you before. Are you... Damian? The one providing security for the Summer Sun Celebration?" she asked, looking down at her clipboard.
"Why yes I am. I believe you're the planner Princess Celestia told me about?" The purple unicorn looked up at Damian with a surprised expression.
This thing got to meet with Princess Celestia?!
"Why yes, this thing got to meet with Princess Celestia." Damian just giggled as the unicorn's jaw dropped to the floor. He was sure she could taste dirt right now. "Yeah, I can read your mind, but just to mess with ya. Anyway, I never caught your name. Or the little dragon ya got behind you." He pointed to a dragon that was hiding behind her hind-legs.
"I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is my assistant, Spike." Twilight nudged the little dragon from behind her. He had Purple scales and green frills, green crests, and glowing green eyes.
"H-hi." He sounded nervous. He looked like a baby, but his voice sounded deep like a teenager.
"Well, it was nice to make some new friends. Take care ya'll." Damian noticed Twilight wince at the word "friend".
Yeahhh, not really in the mood for making freinds. She froze and looked back up at Damina, who was now looking rather offended. "Uh, I-I didn't-"
"Well, if you change your mind, I'll be at the celebration." Damian closed the door-gently. He didn't take offence to what Twilight was thinking, but it did seem rather... cold. "All well, they'll come around eventually. Speaking of which." He pulled out his cellphone and dialed in a number. After a few rings, someone finally picked up on the other side. "Hello?"
"Hello my boy." A deep gravelly voice came from the other end. "How is your stay in this new world?"
"Oh, it's great father," Damian replied, "plenty of friends, got a job, got a place to live. Everything's looking fine and dandy."
Damian left his home in Hell to enjoy some change in scenery and to get away from his responsibilities as the prince to the House of Satan. Due to being born as a spawn of Satan, he has moral obligations to serve his kingdom and to maintain peace between the other kingdoms and their rulers.
"You know, I wish you didn't leave home. You still have a lot of things to take care of as my successor." Satan said. Damian knows he has things to do, but in this new world, he doesn't have to deal with politics or run a city or anything. He can live a normal life. Or as normal as he can get it. "But, if this is what you want to do, then I'm not one to deny my son some freedom."
"Thank you dad, and say hi to the family for me."
"Of course. Take care, my son."
"Talk to ya later." He hung up and slumped in his chair. It has only been a week and Damian already feels homesick, but soon, he'll call this world his home soon. "I guess I can see what's on-"
There was another knock at the door, but this time it was in a pattern. "Hellooooo!" a cheery voice came from the other side. There was only one pony Damian knew that had a voice as sweet as her personality. He opened the door to reveal a bright pink pony with cotton candy-like hair. Her eyes had a blue glow to them that seemed o compliment her pink coat. Pinkie Pie, the Ponyville party planner and the most hyperactive pony Damian has ever met. "Hey, Damian! You coming to the party?"
Damian had no idea what she was talking about. He looked at her with a confused expression. "Wait, what? What party?"
"Oh, no one told you? We're having a surprise party for the new pony who just came into town. We're having it at the Golden Oak Library." She spoke so fast, Damian barely caught anything she said.
"Uh, yeah. Sure. I'll see ya there." Where there's a party, there's gonna be some good eats.
Pinkie smiled so wide the ends of her mouth looked like they could touch her ears. "Welp, see ya!" She bounced off towards the library to prepare for the party. Damian closed the door and walked over to a mirror.
"Gotta look sharp buddy." He snapped his fingers and bright orange flames swirled around him. As the flames dispersed and subsided, Damian's outfit changed. He wore a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt with demon skull imprinted on it, dark blue jeans, and black shoes. He posed in front of the mirror, pointing finger guns at his reflection. "Don't you look stunning. All the ladies in the House of Asmodeus will be running after you. Even some of the guys, heheh." He opened the door and headed out to the welcoming party.
“Everypony be quiet and settle down already!” one pony shouted.
“She could be here any moment!” another pony chimed in.
“Shh, shh! She’s coming,” Damian whispered, causing the whole room to fall silent as he door to the library swung open. Everyone could hear the clipping of Twilight’s hooves as she moved through the darkness of the building.
“Sorry, Spike, but I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now, where's the light?” Twilight flipped on the lights and the awaiting crowd burst out in cheers and confetti.
“SURPRISE!” everyone shouted in unison while Twilight and Spike were trying to process what just happened. Pinkie dashed over to Twilight and took her aside.
Meanwhile, Damian made his way over to the snacks, hoping to get something good before everything disappears. “Take a couple cupcakes, a couple cookies; ooh macadamia, some tarts, aaand that’s enough for today.” He took his bounty and walked over to a group of ponies who were having a little chat. “Hey, ladies!” he called out with a mouthful of sweets.
“Yo, Damian, hows it hangin’?” Rainbow Dash the blue, athletic pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail welcomed him into the group. “And what’s with the sweets?” she asked, eyeing his trove.
“”Ah, I didn’t have anything good at home, so I thought I’d just take these for today. Anyone want on?” He extended his snacks to the group, but luckily for him, no one took any.
“I’ll take one!” A voice called out from behind Damian. He turned around but there was no one there. “Down here.” Looking down, Damian saw Spike, Twilight’s dragon.
“Oh, hey pal,” Damian said, “go ahead take your pick.” Damian released the sweets from his grasp but they didn’t fall to the ground. Instead they magically levitated in an organized array.
“Woah, how are you doing that?” Spike asked, surprised anything other than a unicorn could use magic in such a way.
“Heheh, I may not be a unicorn, but I do know some pretty crazy spells. Go ahead and choose one.”
Spike reached out and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie and let the taste wash around in his mouth as he melted in delight. “Oh man, that is soo good!”
“So, you’re with Twilight, am I right?” Applejack, the orange, hardworking, farm pony asked in her country accent.
“Yup! I’m her perfonal assistant!” Spike replied between mouthfuls.
“What kind of assistance?” asked Rarity, the majestic, white unicorn, with a gorgeous purple mane and tail, owner of Carousel Boutique in Ponyville, and the fashionista of the town.
“Uh, well, heheh, I uh–“ Spike couldn’t even talk straight. Oh, sweet Celestia, she’s talking to me! She’s actually talking to me! She’s so beautiful! What should I say?
Damian leaned down and whispered into Spike's ear, "Maybe tell her you like her already and get it out of the way." Spike jumped in surprise. He looked at Damian, wondering how he knew what he was thinking. "Haha! You should see your face right now! Oh man, how the heck did he do that? How did he know what I was thinking? Hahahahaha!" Damian just burst into laughter and some of the other ponies followed suit, except for Rarity.
"Oh come now. You really shouldn't be using your mind reading abilities like that." She comforted and upset Spike by gently caressing his head. "Are you alright, Spikey-wikey?" Everyone except Rarity snickered at Spike's nickname, but he put on a brave face and knocked the laughter away from his mind.
"I'm fine, thank you Rarity," he said, brushing off her hoof.
"Sorry pal, just trying to have some fun. Friends?" Damian stuck out his hand and Spike grasped it without hesitation.
"How about bros?" Spike suggested. Damian's face lit up. He's never had anyone call him a bro before - unless he wants to count his brother.
"You got it pal."
"Wow, look at you two getting along so well," commented Fluttershy, the shyest, quietest pony in the town.
Damian looked over to where Pinkie Pie was. Still talking to Twilight about this awesome party.
"...And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went [deep gasp]! I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!" However, Twilight wasn't paying any attention. Her face was red and tears flowed down her face. She let out a fume of smoke and ran upstairs away from the party and everyone.
"Huh, hot sauce." Spike picked up the bottle, which was indeed hot sauce. Pinkie poured a little bit onto some cupcakes and ate them in front of everyone, casing most ponies and Damian to gag in disgust.
"What? It's tasty!" Pinkie claimed, munching away on her “delectable” treat.
"Hey, I think it's almost time for the Summer Sun Celebration. We should head out and finish preparations." Damian suggested, noticing the sun beginning to set on the horizon.
Ponies flowed into he Ponyville Town Hall awaiting the start of the celebration, while other ponies finished up last minute preparations. Damian stood outside the doors greeting ponies as they came through, while also reading them for any negative energy.
Demons are not only able to read thoughts, but also read their hearts and souls to sense their emotions and intentions. It’s usually an ability shared amongst guard demons. But for Damian, as part of the royal bloodline, he has abilities of many demons, no matter their rank or stature. Red aura for negative, blue aura for positive. So far, everything is fine and dandy.
After the last of the ponies entered through the doors, Damian looked around to make sure no one was watching. “Alright boys, we’ve got a job to do,” he whispered, raising his right hand in the air. A black circle with four triangular points appeared on the back of his hand like it was branded on there. The points began to swirl and pop out as smoke, one by one and taking shape. Before Damian stood four identical clones, each with emotion, cognitive, and movement–and the same personality.
“Well hello there handsome,” the original Damian said, smiling at his beautiful selves.
“Oh please, you’re too kind,” one of the clones chortled.
“Alright fellas settle down,” another clone commanded. “We can do this all night, but we still got a job to do.” Damian and the rest of the clones straightened up and composed themselves.
“That’s right,” Damian said. “Alright, i need two of y’all to take care of the east and west and one to cover the back. One will stay inside and observe the celebration–“ some of the clones started to groan. “I know, I know, some of y’all want to see what’s going on, but this is important alright? As I was saying, one of y’all will be inside and I’ll remain out in front. Ready? Break!”
The clones split up, each going to their desired sections and keeping an eye out for anything that may spoil this night.
After a few minutes nothing’s happened. Damian and the rest of the clones could hear Mayor Mare give her speech to start off the Summer Sun Celebration. However, Damian couldn’t help but feel that this peacefulness was a little off. Princess Celestial wanted him to be the security for tonight because she feared something terrible might happen.
Hey, guys? We got a problem! One of the clones communicated through telepathy.
What’s wrong? Damian asked.
Well, you know how Princess Celestia was supposed to be here to greet everyone?
Yes? Oh shit. Damian burst through the doors, only to be greeted by a blue smoke flowing onto the balcony. His other clones appeared, surrounding the area and observing the smoke as it took he shape of an alicorn. But the only alicorn Damian knew was Celestial. Who was this? He was reading a powerful evil energy from her; her aura was a bloody, crimson red. She had a black coat. Her mane flowed like Celestia’s but it was a dark blue like the night sky, she wore pieces of blue royal armor just like Celestia.
“Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.” Her voice was calm, but it sent chills through everyone’s spines.
“What did you do with our Princess!” Rainbow Dash yelled. She attempted to charge at the mysterious figure but Applejack held her by the tail.
“Woah there Nelly...” AJ mumbled, holding on to Rainbow Dash’s tail, preventing her from getting herself killed.
The figure just chuckled at the fearful crowd. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?”
“Ooh, ooh, more guessing games!” Pinkie exclaimed, still being cheery in a dire situation, “Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty—“ fortunately Applejack shoved a cupcake in her mouth to shut her up.
“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?” she asked. “Did you not recall the legend?”
“I did.”
Everyone’s eyes and heads were turned to Twilight Sparkle, who boldly stepped out from the crowd of fearful ponies. “And I know who you are. You’re the Mare in the Moon–Nightmare Moon!”
Everyone gasped, realizing that a character of myth and legend was real, and was standing before them in the flesh and blood.
“Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.”
“You're here to... to...” Twilight couldn’t answer. She was overcome with fear, despite knowing what the villain’s plans are.
Nightmare Moon only laughed maniacally, celebrating her return to her kingdom. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever !” Lighting and thunder clashed, feeding the flame of terror in everyone’s hearts.
Author's Note
First time writing a Teen rated story. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Also ideas for future stories would be very much appreciated.
MLP: FiM – With A Twist: Book 1
Friendship is Magic Pt. 2
Nightmare Moon cackled as she stood triumphantly. The crowd of ponies dispersed and everyone ran for the exits. Mayor Mare was the one of the only few who stood their ground.
"Seize her!" Mayor Mare shouted. "Only she knows where the Princess is!"
A group of Celestia's royal pegasus guards flew towards Nightmare Moon, preventing her from escaping.
"Stand back, you foals !" The evil alicorn generated a charge of thunderbolts that blasted every guard out of the air and sent them flying in multiple directions, making them crash into various objects. "Look at you, serving Celestia has made you weak! If you were under my rule, you would be the strongest army in all of Equestria!"
"Ha! If they were under your rule, they'd be dying without a righteous cause." Damian boldly stepped through the sea of ponies still scrambling to escape the town hall.
"Oh? And who might you be?" asked Nightmare Moon, taking a certain interest in Damian. She can't read energy, but she can tell from the thick atmosphere around him, he has a lot of power.
"We are the ones who are gonna take you down and get the Princess back!"
"We?" Nightmare Moon looked around to see all of Damian's clones surrounding her. They had blades made of pure energy enveloping their right hands.
Rainbow Dash broke free of Applejack's hold on her tail and charged after the mist, but even it was too fast for the self-proclaimed "fastest flyer in Equestria" and it disappeared into the night.
"Hey! Get back here!" she called out, but it was no use now, as the escaped Mare in the Moon was nowhere to be found. "Nighttime... forever?" It was then that Rainbow Dash noticed Twilight running from the town hall and towards the Golden Oak Library.
She then noticed Fluttershy, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Damian running out of the town hall and rushed towards them.
"Hey guys, I think that Twilight pony knows a little somethin' about this whole Nightmare Moon thing that we don't. Wadda ya say we go pay her a visit?" she asked.
Everyone nodded in unison and ran towards the library in pursuit of the purple unicorn. As they neared the building, Damian could hear Twilight rambling on about something. "Elements, elements, elements! How can I defeat Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?" Just as she asked herself this question, the group burst through the door, but Rainbow Dash was the only one to get in her face, forcing Twilight to back away nervously.
"And just what are the Elements of Harmony, huh?" Rainbow demanded, "and how do you know about this 'Nightmare Moon' huh? Are you a spy? Woah!" Applejack pulled her by the tail, keeping her a safe distance away from the frightened unicorn.
"Calm down, Dash," Damian said nonchalantly, "she's not a spy. I can tell by reading her, she's safe." He noticed Twilight staring at him bewildered. "I'll explain what that means later. More importantly, I think you have some explaining to do, don't you think?"
Twilight sighed and gave in. As much as she didn't want anyone to interfere with her mission, she probably needed these ponies and this human to help her.
"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!"
""The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide," Pinkie Pie read the title off of one of the books. Twilight shoved her aside causing Pinkie to crash into the next shelf over.
"How did you find that?" Twilight asked, dumbfounded that someone other than her could have found the book so easily.
"It was under E!"
"Oh." Twilight picked the book off the shelf and flipped through the pages until she landed on the one she needed. "There are seven Elements of Harmony, but only six are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Equality, and Loyalty. The seventh is a complete mystery." Damian felt a presence watching them. He looked back towards the window on the second floor, but there was nothing there. "It is said, the last known location of the six elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now-"
"The Everfree Forest!" everyone shouted in unison. Damian doesn't know much about this place, but he was told by he local residents of the town that this forest contains some of the wildest creatures in the land. It even has a strange magical aura about it that ponies just stay away from.
“Whee! Let's go!” Pinkie Pie squealed, bouncing towards the forest.
“Not so fast,” Twilight reprimanded, causing Pinkie to freeze in mid-jump to everyone’s amazement. “Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own.”
“No can do, sugarcube.“ Applejack trotted past Twilight and disregarded her demand. “We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone.” Twilight cringed at the word “friend”. “We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.”
Everyone gave a unified, agreed hmph and ventured into the forest.
“Especially if there's candy apples in there.” Pinkie said. Everyone just looked at her awkwardly. “What? Those things are good .”
Damian and the ponies forged through the dark, dense forest. The moonlight could barely make its way through the canopy, making it rather difficult to see.
“So, none of you have been in here before?” Twilight asked, looking around at the dark shapes that surrounded the group.
“Ugh, heavens no!” Rarity exclaimed. “ Just look at it - it's dreadful.”
“It actually looks nice.” Damian didn’t even seem to care about the darkness or the murkiness of the forest. “Almost reminds me of home.” The other ponies just stared at him awkwardly. “What?”
Suddenly, Damian straightened up. He felt the same dark presence that was watching them back at the library. But no matter where he looked, he couldn’t see it.
“And it ain't natural,” claimed Applejack. “Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria.”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Twilight asked.
“Nopony knows,” Rainbow Dash spoke in an ominous, creepy tone, sending shivers down the ponies’ spines. “You know why?”
“Rainbow, quit it.” Applejack’s demands were in vain. Rainbow just kept creeping towards Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy, who were all scared out of their wits.
“'cause everypony who's ever come in has never. Come. OUT !”
Immediately, the cliffside gave in, sending the two unicorns and earth-ponies falling to their doom. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, being the only two pegasi in the group, were able to safely fly over the collapsed cliff. Damian harnessed his power and sprouted black, leathery wings from his back, flying safely over the rubble.
The three fliers rushed towards the others to prevent them from falling into a ravine up ahead. Rainbow Dash grabbed Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Damian helped grab Rarity. Applejack grabbed onto a root protruding, but Twilight was still heading towards the gaping mouth of the ravine.
Applejack let go of the root and slips over to Twilight, grabbing her hooves just in time before she fell overboard.
“Applejack! What do I do?” Twilight asked, holding on for dear life.
Applejack took a moment to think, and she finally came to a conclusion. “Let go.”
That was not the answer Twilight was hoping for. “Are you crazy ?”
“No I ain't. I promise you'll be safe.”
“That's not true!”
“Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe.”
Twilight thought about it for a moment. She took a deep breath and let go, falling towards the ravine and screaming bloody murder until she landed safely in Damian’s arms.
“You can always trust Applejack with telling you he truth,” Damian commented. He set Twilight down just as the rest of the group joined them.
"And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, whoosh... Damian loop-de-looped around and WHAM! Caught you right in the nick of time!" Rainbow Dash recapped the events that just happened not even five minutes ago.
"Speaking of which, how did you do that, Damian?" Twilight asked. She had a hint of curiosity in her voice, of course, being a studious pony and all.
"If I told you, you probably wouldn't-" but Damian wasn't able to finish his response, as a black figure came charging out of the woods from the right.
"DIE YOU BASTARD!" the creature screamed with a voice that could shatter glass. Before it could lay a finger on anyone, Damian's fist made contact with it's callous cheek, sending it flying six feet in front of the group. "You little shit!" it croaked.
The creature had grey scales covering its body. Red spiraling horns protruded from the front of its temple and curved upward to a point. Its teeth were jagged and misshapen, its eyes glowed red in its blue irises. It had claws that measured over half a foot and it's feet were cloven hooves like a goat's.
"You traitor..." the creature grumbled. Everyone backed away except for Damian, who stood his ground, scowling at the beast.
"It's good to see you too Bylek*," Damian said.
"You know this thing?!" Twilight asked.
"Unfortunately, I do. His name is Bylek, a prisoner from my home-world."
"I may be a prisoner, but you and the rest of demon kind are traitors!" Bylek stated.
"Hold up. Damian, you're a demon?" Applejack asked. Her tone was fearful, coming to realize this "human" was actually a demon.
Damian sighed. "Indeed, I am a demon. Though, we aren't as evil and vile as most would make us out to be. We actually try to live peacefully, turning away from our evil paths and starting anew. However..." he turned toward Bylek, who was rubbing the swollen cheek Damian punched earlier. "There are those who would try to disrupt that peace by trying to instill chaos and misconduct back into our lives, and those are the prisoners, like Bylek over here."
"Raagh! So now you're living with a bunch of prissy ponies? You have truly brought yourself so low, Son of Satan. You are a disgrace to all demon kind!"
"I don't care what others think about me. I only care that I'm able to protect them. They may see me as a demon, but they will also see me as their shield. Now, I suggest you stand down before you embarrass yourself." Damian smirked, which set him off.
"You're dead!" He proceeded to charge at Damain, but he wasn't in front of him. Bylek turned around to see Damian standing with his back towards him. Suddenly, he felt three strikes hit his chest, causing him to crumple down onto the ground, coughing up crimson blood.
"I told you. Stand down or make a fool of yourself. Your call."
"Mother..." Bylek groaned, but suddenly, he had an idea, and Damian knew what he was thinking. "Let's see if you're fast enough to protect your friends, prince!" He fired a red energy blast towards the group of ponies. They screamed in terror as they blast approached them.
Damian ran between the group and the blast, but it seemed as if he teleported, and grasped the red energy ball in his hands, crushing it like an empty beer can until there was nothing left but smoke. "How dare you..." Damian's voice wasn't as cool and collective as before. It was deep, menacing, and filled with murderous intent. "How dare you!" A dark aura surrounded Damian, forcing everyone in the area to step back in shock and awe.
A black horn grew from the right side of his temple, half of his face was covered in black marks and his eye was a pool of black with a red pupil in the center; like a burning laser piercing into the opposing demon's soul, his right arm was covered in thick, black, leathery skin and his fingers extended into razor sharp claws.
"You know," Damian began, speaking in a hair-raising tone, "I may not always fit in with these ponies or this world, I may be different than everyone here, but anyone who dares harm the ones I care about. I. Will not. Forgive."
The sheer pressure of Damian's energy was enough weaken Bylek and cause him to fall to the ground, trembling in fear. Damian walked towards him, but he couldn't move due to fear gripping his heart.
"Oh, Don't worry. I'm not going to kill you, I'm not a monster. However..." Damian snapped his fingers and a portal opened up beneath Bylek, transporting him to a royal prison. "Take good care of him boys," Damian called out to the guards below. After the portal closed he reverted back to his base form and looked back at everyone, whose jaws are agape with shock. He waited for some sort of remark or comment, but everyone just stayed frozen in place. Finally, Rainbow Dash was the one to break the awkward silence.
"That. Was. AWESOME!" she squealed. The rest of the group charged at Damain, nearly knocking him off balance as they surrounded him- he is only two feet taller than the average pony, but still. "I thought I was fast, but damn, you were fast when you landed those punches and when you grabbed that energy blast, and that transformation!"
Damian just chuckled and blushed. I knew I'd get some sort of praise, but this is just a bit much. "Thanks, Dash. We should probably keep heading on." As they ventured on, Damian glanced at Rainbow Dash. Now that I'm spending a little time with her, Rainbow Dash is actually kind of... cute, despite her tomboyish attitude .
"Aw man, was he cool or what?" Rainbow Dash just couldn't stop talking about Damian and what he does. "I mean, I thought I was cool, but now I know that there's no way I can compete against someone like Damian. I mean this guy is so cool. Hey, after all this, wanna race sometime? Maybe-"
"Alright Rainbow, I think that's enough," Twilight groaned. She couldn't take anymore praise and worship about Damian anymore. All of this nonstop rambling is just giving her a headache.
"Aw come on, Twilight," Damian complained, "I was actually enjoying some good praise for once. I may not be from the House of Lucifer, but still."
"You know, I'd love to learn more about your kingdom and your kind after-" but before Twilight could say another word, as a giant manticore - a beast with the body and head of a lion, the tail of a scorpion, and the wings ofa bat, jumped out from behind the foliage up ahead, releasing a ferocious roar, causing most of the ponies to step back in fear. "We have to get past it!"
The manticore swung a paw at Rarity who managed to dodge it and strike a buck kick to the creature's jaw. "Take that, you ruffian!" she said triumphantly. However that victory was short-lived as the manticore roared in her face, frazzling Rarity's mane in the process. "My hair! Aaaahhh!"
The beast reared up on its hind legs, rearing its paw back for another strike. A high pitched shot rang through the air and the manticore stumbled and fell on its back in pain. It looked back to see Damian, his fingertip leaving a trail of red tinged smoke.
"Hey, over here you big bastard." Damian's taunt seemed to get through to the wild beast. Or maybe it just didn't like getting shot in the back. It charged at Damian, gaining speed as it got closer and closer to its target, it readied its claws for an attack but it only phased through him and crashed into the trees behind Damian. The manticore furiously turned around, only to be met with multiple Damains, but these weren't his clones. He was moving faster than the speed light, creating up to three afterimages, confusing the manticore. "Applejack!" Damian shouted, signaling for Applejack to jump onto the manticore's back and ride it like a raging bull.
'YEE-HAW! Git along, little dogie," AJ shouted. The manticore bucked and bucked, trying to get the cow-pony off of it, but Applejack's grip on its mane was too tight. Finally, with one last buck, the manticore sent AJ flying through the air and past Rainbow Dash. "All yours pardner."
Rainbow Dash flew around the manticore, entrapping it within a rainbow tornado and preventing it from escaping. However, it moved its tail into Rainbow's path, knocking her away. Luckily Damian was able to catch her before she hit the ground.
The group came back together and began to charge at the manticore, but Fluttershy jumped in the way.
"WAIT!" Fluttershy yelled, stopping everyone in their tracks. She walked towards the manticore slowly and carefully. The beast raised its claws to strike, but nothing happened. Fluttershy just gently nuzzled its paw affectionately. “Shhh... It's okay. Oh, you poor, poor little baby.” Fluttershy consoled the manticore as if it were just a cub.
“Little?” Rainbow Dash asked in bewilderment. That thing is a huge killing machine. Little my ass!
The beast proceeded to reveal its paw, showing a large thorn piercing the delicate skin.
“Now this might hurt for just a second.” Fluttershy plucked the thorn out, causing the manticore to lash out and roar in pain. Everyone got ready to attack, but it only started licking Fluttershy, slobbering her mane and face with its sticky saliva.
“Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are.” the rest of the group sneaked past the manticore as it wandered off into the forest.
“How did you know about the thorn?” Twilight asked.
“I didn't,” Fluttershy replied. “Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.”
“My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck,” Rarity complained. Luckily her request was answered, because the canopy began to thicken, not letting any moonlight in to guid their path. “Well, I didn't mean that literally.”
“That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it,” Twilight said.
“Well, I could,” Damian said. “I can see perfectly through the dark.”
“I didn't see you there, my apologies,” Rarity apologized to whoever she bumped into.
“That was me,” Damian grunted.
“Right here... guh...” Rainbow Dash groaned as she felt someone bump into her.
“Damnit, sorry, Dash. Don’t know why I didn’t see you there. Aw damnit, I think I stepped in something.”
Fluttershy let out a bloodcurdling scream that echoed through the night.
“It's just mud, nothing to be scared about.” But Damian wasn’t watching where he was going and bumped into the thing Fluttershy was screaming at. A horrifying figure stood before them with gaping mouths full of sharp teeth, it’s features were so grotesque, and its claw like appendages seemed to want to strangle each and every one of them. “Shit!” Damian slashed a the figure, letting it fall to the ground with a crashing thud.
But that was only one of many horrifying figures, as the group was surrounded by multiple terrifying faces. However, only one pony wasn’t terrified.
Pinkie Pie was just laughing and giggling at the faces, disregarding the terrors that surrounded her.
“Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!” Twilight commanded, fearing for her safety.
“Oh girls, don't you see?” A random tune seemed to pop up out of nowhere.
Pinkie Pie began to sing:
When I was a little filly and the sun was going down...
“Oh dear Baphomet, no...” Damian mumbled.
“Tell me she's not...” Twilight muttered.
The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...
“She is,” Rarity reluctantly answered.
I'd hide under my pillow From what I thought I saw But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way To deal with fears at all
“Then what is?” Rainbow Dash asked.
She said, ‘Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall Learn to face your fears You'll see that they can't hurt you Just laugh to make them disappear.’ Ha! Ha! Ha!
Magically, one of the creatures turned into a regular tree. Most likely what they were to begin with.
So, giggle at the ghostly Guffaw at the grossly Crack up at the creepy Whoop it up with the weepy Chortle at the kooky Snortle at the spooky And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh... Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!
One by one the faces disappeared and reverted back to trees. Regular, non-scary, trees.
“Hey Damian, how come you were scared?” Rainbow Dash asked teasingly. “I thought demons would be used to something like this. What happened to all that bravado from last time?”
Damian just looked at her with grimace that soon turned into a smirk. “You’re one to talk. I thought you were supposed to be number one? 'Rainbow Dash is never scared.' I guess that’s just all talk?”
“Ha, ha. Whatever, let’s just keep going.”
The group came across a raging river that was to wild and too deep to cross on foot. "How are we supposed to cross this?" Twilight asked, hope leaving her heart as she pondered how in the world she was going to get to the elements now. But her thoughts were put on hold as she heard someone wailing from somewhere. She looked around and saw a violet sea serpent with a glamorous golden hairdo and mustache weeping in the river.
"What a world, what a world !" the serpent wailed, splashing water around like a child throwing a tantrum.
"Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?" Twilight asked.
"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off , and now I look simply horrid !"
The serpent splashed another wave of water at the group, but luckily Damian was able to put up a magic shield before anyone got wet.
"Oh, give me a break," Rainbow Dash groaned.
"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack said.
"Why, of course it is!" Rarity was the only one who didn't seem to be annoyed by the serpent's situation, but rather felt pity. "How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales."
The serpent wiped his tears and sniffled. "Oh, I know."
"Oh, I know, I know."
"Your fabulous manicure."
"Oh, It's so true!"
"All ruined without your beautiful mustache."
"It's true, I'm hideous !"
Damian just rolled his eyes at all of this. You've got to be fucking kidding me. Well, if whatever Rarity plans on doing will help us get over this river, I'm all for it .
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected." Rarity plucked one of the sea serpent's shining purple scales with here teeth, causing him to yelp in pain.
"Ow! What did you do that for?"
"Rarity, what are you-" Twilight didn't get to finish her question as she watched Rarity proceeded to cut off her own tail with a single slice of the scale. Everyone shocked at her actions, and even the serpent fainted at the thought of someone so beautiful losing something so glamorous. Rarity used her magic to tie the cut tail onto the remaining end of the serpent's mustache - completing it, but leaving it... uncorrelated.
"Oh-hohohoho! My mustache. How wonderful!
"You look smashing."
"Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail..." Twilight gestured to what remained of Rarity's once gorgeous tail.
"Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back."
"So would the mustache ," Rainbow Dash whispered.
"I know right?" Damian asked, "I mean, look at that! They don't even compliment each other."
Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes and chuckled. "What, are you a fashionista now?"
Damian shrugged. "I'm just sayin'."
"Hey, we can cross now," Twilight said, gathering everyone's attention. "Let's go. Ah!"
"Allow me." The sea serpent created a bridge with his massive body to allow everyone to cross easily.
"There it is," Twilight exclaimed with joy, "the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!" A set of ruins hidden by the foliage laid before them. It's hard to believe this is where the royal pony sisters once lived. Twilight ran straight for the ruins, not waiting for anyone else.
"Twilight, wait for us!" Applejack called out.
"We're almost there. Whoa!" Twilight almost fell down another cliff, but luckily Rainbow Dash was able to grab her and pull her back to safety just in time.
"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" Rainbow asked.
"Aw, now what?" Pinkie Pie asked, sounding rather upset for someone who's always cheery.
"Duh." Rainbow Dash fluttered her wings and dove down the ravine to grab the broken end of the bridge.
"I mean, anyone who could fly could do it, but sure, go ahead," Damian stated.
Rainbow Dash was able to get the broken end to the other side and began to tie it to the post, until she heard a voice call out to her.
"Rainbow..." The voice was ominous and chilling, but that didn't deter Rainbow.
"Who's there?" she asked, looking around for the source of the voice.
"Rainbow..." The voice called again, sounding even closer this time.
"I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!" Rainbow Dash started kicking and punching with her hooves, hoping to scare off whatever's calling her.
"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria."
"Who?"
"Why, you, of course."
"Really?! I mean... Oh yeah, me. Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'cause I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever ."
"No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us, The Shadowbolts !" A group of pegasi wearing dark uniforms emerged from the thick fog covering the forest. "We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain. The most magnificent-"
"Yep."
"Swiftest-"
"Yes."
"Bravest flyer in all the land."
"Yes, it's all true."
"We need... you ."
Rainbow Dashed looped through the air at these words. "WOOHOO! Sign me up. Just let me tie this bridge real quick and then we have a deal."
"No! It's them or us ." The Shadowbolt leader's voice turned from sweet and delectable to sour and serious.
"Rainbow, what's taking so long?" Twilight shouted. She could see Rainbow Dash conversating with the strange group of ponies. "Oh no. Rainbow!" The Shadowbolt's eyes glowed a bright yellow, forcing the fog to thicken, preventing the group from interfering . "Don't listen to them." But her words were unable to get to Rainbow before the fog absorbed her warning.
"Don't worry," Damian said, wearing a confident grin. "I may not be able to see her from here, but I can read what she's thinking right now."
"Well?" asked the Shadowbolts.
"You..." Rainbow gave her final verdict. "Thank you! For the offer, I mean, but I'm afraid I have to say no." Rainbow managed to tie the rope to the final post and the fog cleared up, allowing the group to walk safely across the repaired bridge. "See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'."
The group approached the magnificent ruins, taking in its splendor and beauty. As they entered, they saw a pedestal with six stone orbs sitting on six stands.
"Whoa." Twilight marveled at the elements, finally relieved that she was able to make it to her goal. "The Elements of Harmony! We found them!" Damian, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash grabbed each of the orbs and set them down on the ground gently.
"One, two, three, four, five... there's only six!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Where's the seventh?"
"The book said: when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed. " Twilight stated.
"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked frustratingly.
"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen." Twilight laid down with the orbs and began to cast a spell, hoping to create the spark that will reveal the final element.
"Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate."
Everyone left the castle, but Damian couldn’t help but feel a dark presence within this space.
“Damian!” Applejack called out, making Damian lose his train of thought.
“Yeah, yeah. Coming.”
As Twilight concentrated on generating the right spell to create the spark, a dark mist arrived and encircled the elements, lifting them from the ground. Soon, she opened her eyes and witnessed the huge blue cyclone before her. Twilight gasped in horror as she saw the elements being taken.
"Aah!" Her screams attracted the attention of her allies waiting outside.
“Twilight!” The rest of the group ran back into the ruins, only to see the blue cyclone with the elements inside it, and Twilight gazing in horror.
Damian ran towards Twilight, but it was too late. She jumped into the cyclone along with the elements and disappeared without a trace.
“Twilight! Twilight, where are you?!”” Everyone called out for Twilight, but she didn’t respond.
“Look!” Rarity pointed to a light coming from a tower in the east section of the castle.
“What are we waiting for?” Damian asked, “let’s go!” They ran towards the tower, praying and hoping Twilight is safe and sound. They leapt over stones, fallen pillars, and crevices in the foundations until they finally made it to the base of the tower. “Stay behind me girls.” Damian generated an energy blade and kept up his guard as the group hastily but carefully ascended up the stairs.
[Twilight’s Perspective]
Twilight landed on the cold, hard, stone floor. As the dust settled, she saw the nefarious Nightmare Moon standing before her, the Elements of Harmony floating around her.
Twilight’s fear soon turned to anger and determination. She pawed the ground with her hoof, getting ready to charge at the villain.
“You’re kidding. You’re kidding right?” Nightmare Moon asked. Does this little filly really think she could take me on all by herself?
Twilight began her charge. She ran straight towards Nightmare Moon, charging up a spell at the same time. Nightmare Moon did likewise, she charged at the young unicorn, ready to strike her down.
But there was no clash, no fight. Twilight instead teleported to where the Elements were, catching Nightmare Moon by surprise.
Twilight was slightly dazed due to the effects of teleporting, but she shook it off and focused on the Elements. “Just one spark. Come on! Come on!” Twilight continued her spell, straining as she tried to focus and get this spell right given the little time she had left.
Nightmare Moon stood before the Elements just as Twilight’s spell was complete. Twilight was shot back due the the recoil, but watched in triumph as the elements shone with a brilliant light–and Nightmare Moon stand in the center of them with a horrified expression.
“No! No!” The villain’s voice was full of fear. Her heart was filled with terror and unbelief that this pony was able to make the elements work. But soon the Elements lost their glow and didn’t do a thing.
“Wait, where’s the spark? Where’s the seventh element?” Twilight asked herself in horror.
Nightmare Moon just laughed maniacally at this sudden turn of events. She slammed her hooves down, causing the shockwave to destroy the Elements right in front of Twilight’s face, filling her with more dread than she has ever felt in her entire lifetime.
“You little foal!” Nightmare Moon roared. “Thinking you could defeat me ? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever !” She continued to laugh and laugh at her undeniable victory.
Twilight’s Hope was crushed. The hope of Equestria was gone. The Elements are no more, and now darkness will consume the land.
“Twilight! We’re coming for you!” In the midst of her suffering, a voice called out from behind her.
“Just hold on Twilight!” the voices of her allies. Of her friends. Suddenly, a spark appeared in Twilight’s eyes, giving her a sudden realization.
“You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that?” Twilight asked the villain, her hope and strength returning to her. “Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here !” The ponies and Damian stood defiantly towards Nightmare Moon, causing her to step back in fear.
“What?!” she asked.
“Applejack , who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty ! Damian who didn’t let his identity or his heritage deter him from accepting others, no matter their differences, represents the spirit of... equality ! Fluttershy , who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness ! Pinkie Pie , who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter ! Rarity , who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... generosity ! And Rainbow Dash , who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty ! The spirits of these five ponies and... er, demon, got us through every challenge you threw at us.” One by one, each pony and Damian were surrounded by shards of the broken Elements, which glowed with a different light for each character.
“You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!”
“But it did!” Twilight corrected her. “A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends !” From this realization a shone from above, revealing the sixth Element resting over Twilight’s head. “You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark , that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic !”
One by one, each of the friends were lifted into the air by a magical force. The shards of the elements formed golden necklaces that bore the symbols of their respective Element. Twilight’s was different from all of them. Her Element took the form of a golden tiara.
Together, with the combined power of the elements, a rainbow helix appeared from the midst of the group of friends and headed towards Nightmare Moon, surrounding her and entrapping her in a bright multicolored tornado.
TASTE THE RAINBOW, MOTHERFUCKER! Damian thought to himself.
“Nooo!” Nightmare Moon screamed in horror. “Noooo!”
As the rainbow’s power consumed the Mare in the Moon, the elements glowed brighter and brighter. The brightness consumed them all, filling the entire room with a blinding radiance. Eventually, the bright light faded, leaving everyone laying on the ground, exhausted and dazed from the sudden surge of power.
"Ugh, my head," Rainbow Dash groaned. Everyone slowly got back on their hooves and feet, still dizzy from what just happened.
"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked, looking around at everyone.
"Yeah, I think so," Damian replied.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Rarity exclaimed with joy. Everyone looked at the fashionista pony as she swung around a brand new tail. It would seem that the power of the Elements not only defeated the Mare in the Moon, but also repaired Rarity's tail.
"Why Rarity, it's so lovely," Fluttershy complimented. But it wasn't the tail she was referring to.
"I know! I'll never part with it again." Rarity hugged her tail tightly as if it were a long lost object she'd never hope to see again - which everyone knew she would in the next month.
"No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark."
"What?" Rarity looked at the golden necklace that hung around her neck. It had a purple diamond, similar to the three blue diamonds on her flank. "Ooh. So does yours."
Everyone's necklaces had the symbols of their cutie marks on them in various colors. Pinkie's was a blue balloon, Fluttershy's was a pink butterfly, Applejack's was an orange apple, Rainbow Dash's was a red lightning bolt, Twilight's was a magenta star, and Damian's was in the shape of the four points located on the back of his right hand.
"Gee, Twilight!" Applejack chimed, "I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship."
"Indeed you do." An angelic voice rang through the ruins of the castle and a bright, holy ball of light Made its way into the ruins before the group of friends. As the light dispersed, a majestic white alicorn with a mane that shimmered like an aurora was standing before everyone. She wore pieces of royal golden armor, similar to what Nightmare Moon was wearing. Everyone, including Damian - despite being royalty himself - bowed and kneeled before the Princess of the Sun.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight said in surprise, seeing her mentor standing before her safe and sound. She ran into her beloved teacher's wings, embracing her in a loving hug.
"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student." Her voice was as smooth as silk and sweet as honey to the ears. Every word she spoke filled everyone with a never ending peace. “I knew you could do it.”
“But... you told me it was all an old pony tale,” Twilight stated.
“I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart.” Celestia’s face became serious as she looked past everyone and to where Nightmare Moon previously was. “Now, if only another will as well. Princess Luna!”
In the place of the horrendous fiend, laid a small pony. Her coat and mane we’re similar to that of dusk and she wore royal armor just like Celestia.
The young alicorn gasped and cowered in fear as Celestia approached her.
“It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.”
“Sister?” Everyone chimed in unison. They have heard of Celestial having a sister, but they would have never guessed it to be the Mare in the Moon.
“Will you accept my friendship?” Celestial stretched out her hoof to her sister. Everyone waited in suspense, wondering what the you g alicorn will do. Luna hesitated a bit before she ran, crying into her sister’s open wings.
“I'm so sorry!” Luna sobbed. “I missed you so much, big sister!”
“I've missed you, too.”
Everyone smiled as they watched in silence, the once parted sisters, finally reunited. However, the peaceful moment was obnoxiously interrupted by Pinkie blowing her nose. Everyone looked at her with mixed feelings of annoyance and happiness.
“Hey, you know what this calls for?” Pinkie asked.
“A party !” Suddenly everyone was back in Ponyville where a huge celebration was taking place. Streamers lined buildings, ponies cheered for the return of their heroes, even the Princesses joined in on the festivities as Princess Luna was welcomed back to the kingdom with open hooves.
Though, despite the cheering, music, and delicious food, there was one pony who didn’t feel like being in the partying mood.
“Why so glum, my faithful student?” Celestia asked, laying a wing over a gloomy Twilight Sparkle. “Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?”
“That's just it,” she responded. “Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them.” Twilight looked to each of her friends that helped her through her journey in finding the Elements of Harmony. They all felt the same way.
Celestial simple smiled. “Spike, take a note, please,” the Princess commanded. “I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville. ”
Ponies began to cheer throughout the entire town. All of Twilight’s friends came together for a massive group hug as they celebrated her stay in Ponyville.
“Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before.”
Whatever may come, May they be dangerous villains, cataclysmic catastrophes, or even world ending events, these seven friends would always be together forever to face them.
Author's Note
The end to the first two parter in MLP FiM – With A Twist. Criticism and feedback is greatly appreciated. More chapters are on the way!
MLP: FiM – With A Twist: Book 1
Author's Note
As I said in the beginning, I'm new to writing something not clop-related. A lot of help with pointing out grammar, punctuation, and elements would be appreciated.
The Ticket Master
"No. Nope. Nope..." Spike threw apples left, right, and center hoping to find something delectable to sing his teeth into.
“Thank you kindly, Twilight, for helping me out,” Applejack said as she hauled heavy baskets full of a variety of apples up a hill. “I bet Big McIntosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles.” She chuckled as she imagined her stronger, older brother wearing something so frivolous.
“No problem at all, Applejack,” said Twilight. “I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry.” Her stomach growled, agreeing with with her statement.
“I know, right?” Spike continued to search through the baskets of apples, hitting Twilight in the head in the process.
“Puh-lease, Spike. You've been lounging on my back all morning while we worked.”
“Exactly. You two are taking so long, I missed snack-time!”
Twilight’s stomach growled again, even louder than before. “Eh, I guess we better get some food.” But Spike didn’t pay attention to what Twilight had to say. He continued to throw apples out of the baskets, still looking for the perfect snack.
“Nope. Worm. A-ha!” Spike held up a shining apple unlike anything else in its basket. It was bigger, shinier, and perhaps even juicier and sweeter than the other apples.
Twilight stared at the delicious morsel. She licked her lips as her eyes were filled with hunger. “Oh Spike, that looks delicious!” But she didn’t even get to take a bite as Spike proceeded to ingest the entire apple in a single bite.”
“Spike!” Twilight chastised the little dragon as he licked his lips for any remaining juices
“What?” Suddenly Spike began to cough up green smoke. He kept coughing until a green flame erupted from his mouth and formed into a scroll with a royal seal in the middle.
Twilight’s eyes widened in excitement as she noticed the symbol of the golden seal. “It's a letter from Princess Celestia.
Spike cleared his throat as he began to read the letter out loud: "Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of , eh, yadda yadda yadda, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest. "
Twilight and Applejack gasped in excitement. "The Grand Galloping Gala!" They squealed like little children who were invited to a friend's birthday party for the first time.
Spike burped out some more smoke, producing two golden tickets. "Look, two tickets."
"Wow, great! I've never been to the gala. Have you, Spike?" Twilight asked her assistant, who was actually looking rather annoyed.
"No , and I plan to keep it that way. I don't want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense."
"Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice." Twilight nudged the little dragon with a hoof, but he didn't budge nor change his demeanor.
"Nice ? It's a heap good more than just nice," Applejack's eyes shone with joy at the thought of going to such a spectacular event. "I'd love to go. Land sakes...
"If I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip." Thoughts of the Gala flowed through her mind one after another. With the amount of ponies attending - especially rich, fancy ponies - attending, the income flow would be stupendous!
"Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala."
"Oh, well in that case, would you like to—" Twilight couldn't finish her offer as a rainbow meteor seemed to fall down from the sky and land right on top of the two ponies.
"Ugh," Rainbow Dash rubbed her head from the impact but immediately recovered after she remembered what she crash landed for. "Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"Rainbow Dash. You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spyin' ?" Applejack asked interrogatively.
"No, I was busy napping," Rainbow pointed a wing at a tree branch right above them with a blanket and pillow on it. “And I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?" she asked Twilight with a gleeful smile.
"Yeah, but—" but Rainbow rudely cut her off.
"YES! This is so awesome. The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year . I can see it now..." she went off imagining her perfect day at the Gala.
"Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut. Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild!" Rainbow proceeded to do some crowd cheering to add some emphasis and some imagery to what she was saying. "The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member.
"Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me! Whoa!" Applejack pulled Rainbow by the tail and out of Twilight's face.
"Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here," Applejack said, spitting out some rainbow tail hair. I asked for that ticket first."
"So? That doesn't mean you own it." Both ponies got up in each other's faces, arguing about who should get the second ticket.
As Twilight watched as her two friends bickered and argued, she noticed a shadow larger than her own. in front of her. She looked up to see Damian flying down with something wrapped in paper towels in his hands.
"Hey, Twilight," he said, giving her a friendly smile. He held out the wrapped object which gave off a mouthwatering aroma. "I heard you were hungry, so I gotcha this little snack." Damian opened the package to reveal a large pastry with white, shining icing on top and strawberry filling leaking out from its side, dampening the towel. But Twilight looked at the snack, then back at Damian wearily.
"How did you know I was hungry?" she asked. "I didn't tell anyone besides Applejack and Spike."
"Heheh, I've got the eyes of an eagle, the nose of a wolf, and the ears of a bat. I heard you all the way from my house." Twilight's face only soured even more as she looked at him inquisitively. "What?" Damian's demeanor was faltering as he read what Twilight was thinking.
"Does that mean you heard about me having one extra ticket for the Grand Galloping Gala?" she asked.
There was a short pause before Damian finally responded. "Maaaaybe?" He looked away, somewhat disappointed that his ploy didn't work. Really? Telling her you've got the ears of a bat? No wonder you moved away from your kingdom! You would've fucked everything up if you stayed!
"Look, Damian, I can't just give these tickets to anyone. You'd better have a good reason for me to pick you instead of..." Twilight looked back at Rainbow Dash and Applejack who were now in the middle of a hoof-wrestling match–and by the looks of it, no one was going to win anytime soon.
"Well, how about the fact that I brought you food when no one else offered?" he suggested, giving Twilight an innocent smile, but she just raised an eyebrow, not impressed.
"Fine. How about the fact that my first time experiencing one of your culture's celebrations was cut short due to some crazy, random villain promising eternal night? This could be my first time experiencing something you ponies do since I've been here!"
Twilight thought about it for a moment and came to a conclusion. "Well, it was unfair what happened at the Summer Sun Celebration. Hm. Sure, I—" but again, Twilight was rudely cut off by Rainbow Dash.
"Wait a minute!" Rainbow dashed towards Twilight and Damian, coming between the two and getting into Twilight's face. And knocking the pastry out of Damian’s hand and onto the dirt floor.
“NOOOO!” Damian yelled in agony as he held the treat in his hands like it were a dying creature. “How could you!” Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes at his immaturity.
"What about me, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash inquired. "What about my chance of fame?"
"And what about my chance at raising money for the farm?" Applejack interjected.
“STOP!” Everyone backed away and Damian stopped dramatizing the loss of the delectable treat. “Look, it’s my tickets. I’ll decide what to do with them, thank you very much.” Twilight walked off, leaving Applejack, Damian, and Rainbow Dash in the field.
“So who are you going to give the ticket to?” Spike asked as he and Twilight walked around Ponyville, hoping to get a bite to eat somewhere.
“I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry, so where should we eat?” Before Spike could answer, a pink blur crashed into the two, landing in a pile in the middle of the street.
The two golden tickets floated down gently and landed on Pinkie Pie’s about, startling her and causing her to scream. “Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help! Wait.” She snapped out of her fear as she saw what landed on her in the first place. “These aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!”
“It's the most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always always always wanted to go!” Pinkie began to dream of her ideal time at the Grand Galloping Gala: streamers, snacks, games, cakes, games, ponies, cakes, games, all sorts of fun activities. But mostly cake and games.
A random tune bagan to play out of nowhere and, Pinkie being Pinkie, she broke out in song.
“Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me.
“With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!”
“Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me. Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me. 'Cause it's the most galarrific, superly-terrific gala ever In the whole galaxy!
“Oh thank you, Twilight, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever!” she said with a cheery smile.
“Um, actually—“ again, Twilight was interrupted by a gasp from behind her.
“Are these what I think they are?” Rarity appeared behind Twilight as she noticed the pair of golden tickets in Pike’s claws.
“Uh—“
“Yes, yes, yes ! Twilight's taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!” Pinkie Pie interjected.
“The gala? I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour!” Rarity went on about the formality, the royalty, the fashion, and all of that frou frou nonsense.
“It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet him .” Her eyes had a romantic look to them and her face melted as she thought of the pony she was destined to meet.
“Him! ... Who?” Pinkie asked, not having the slightest clue who Rarity was talking about.
“Him,” was all she responded as she went off into her own world.
“I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him , her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, "Yes! " We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is [giggles] what I would become upon marrying him , the stallion of my dreams.
“Twilight, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party ,” Rarity said, nearly gagging at the idea, “and prevent me from meeting my true love. How could you? Hmph.” She turned away in a huff, like the pompous, fancy, stubborn pony she is.
Spike just stood there wanting to explode after hearing Rarity’s thoughts for another pony. While he was distracted, a Snow White rabbit snatched the golden tickets right out of his grasp. “Hey!” he yelled after the little fluff-ball, but no one else seemed to notice.
The bunny sped through a flurry of hooves as ponies walked by and ran up to Fluttershy who was just walking home from a nearby store.
“Angel, these are perfect.” she congratulated her little rabbit as it presented her with the tickets.
“Uh, listen guys,” Twilight announced to Pinkie and Rarity. “I haven't decided who to give the extra ticket to.” They both looked at her with shocked expressions.
“You haven't?” they both yelled in unison.
“Um, excuse me, Twilight,” she barely noticed, but she could barley make out someone calling her name. She turned around to see Fluttershy walking up to her with the tickets being held by Angel, her pet bunny. “I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else...”
“You ? You want to go to the gala?” Rarity asked in disbelief.
“Oh, no.” Fluttershy replied, but Angel tapped her on the hoof, reminding her about the real reason they should go. “I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of. You see... and now Fluttershy went off imagining her ideal time at the Gala.
“It's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!”
“Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful...?” Twilight said awkwardly.”
“Wait just a minute!” A voice called out from behind the three ponies. Rainbow Dash was flying towards them at high speed.
“Rainbow Dash! Were you following me?”
“No. I mean, yes. I mean, maybe. Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody.”
“Wait just another minute!” Apple jack called out from behind the rest of the group.
“Applejack, were you following me too?”
“No. I was followin' this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business.” Applejack glared at Rainbow, who just rolled her eyes. “Still trying to take mah ticket.”
“Ahem, your ticket?” Damian randomly appeared out of nowhere behind Applejack, startling everyone. “If anyone deserves to go it should be me!”
“What? But Twilight’s taking me!” Pinkie complained. Everyone started arguing and debating who deserves the ticket, but Twilight couldn’t take it anymore.
“QUIET!” She finally exploded, silencing everyone and leaving them in surprise. Except for Pinkie...
“And then I said, ‘Oatmeal, are you craz—‘ oh.” Pinkie finally shit her trap realizing no one was talking over her.
“Guys, there's no use in arguing.”
“But Twilight—“ Rarity tried to interject but Twilight abruptly cut her off.
“Eh! This is my decision, and I'm gonna make it on my own, and I certainly can't think straight with all this noise...” her stomach growled, giving her another excuse. “Not to mention hunger. Now go on, shoo.” Everyone walked away in disappointment. “And don’t worry! I’ll figure this out... somehow.”
Twilight and Spike sour outside of a local restaurant, hoping to finally get something to fill their stomachs.
“Spike, what am I gonna do?” Twilight asked her assistant with worry. “All six of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the gala. Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity, Damian... Oh, who should go with me?” She plucked a flower, each petal representing one of her six friends. As she laid her head on the table, she couldn’t help but lick up the petals she plucked, hoping to fill herself up in someway.
“Have you made your decision?” the waiter politely asked.
“I CAN'T DECIDE!” Twilight yelled, catching the waiter and all of the other patrons off guard.
“Twilight, he just wants to take your order,” Spike assured her.
“Oh. I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.” Twilight said in embarrassment.
“Do you happen to have any rubies?” Spike asked the waiter, hoping to get a yes, but he just returned an annoyed look. “No? Okay. I'll have the hay fries, extra crispy.“ The waiter took their menus and left with a small huff at their rudeness.
“What do you think, Spike?” Twilight asked.
“I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?” That was not the response Twilight was looking for.
“I mean about the Gala and the ticket and who I should take.”
Spike just rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Oh. You're still on that ?”
“Spike, listen . How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other five be mad at me? I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave four disappointed ponies. What if I—“
Twilight was abruptly cut off as something positive finally happened. “Ah, your food.” The waiter returned with Twilight’s daffodil and daisy sandwich. It’s aroma and look was mouthwatering, even though it was just flowers smushed together between bread.
“Oh thank you. This looks so good. I'm sure everything will be much clearer once I eat.” Before Twilight could take a bite of her meal, she noticed a herd of ponies running in different directions.
“Em, madam? Are you going to eat your food in ze rain?” the waiter asked, holding the door open for any pony wishing to come inside the restaurant.
“It's not raining...” but when Twilight looked around, it was raining... just everywhere but in her area.
“What's going on?” she asked, bewildered. Twilight looked up to see a certain cyan Pegasus peeking her head out from the hole in the large patch of storm clouds.
“Hi there, best friend forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?” Rainbow asked with a cheery, innocent smile.
"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" Twilight asked. Despite having a clear spot to eat, she was skeptical of Rainbow Dash's intentions.
"Whaddya mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace, that's all."
"Rainbow, you're not trying to get extra consideration for the extra ticket by doing me extra special favors, are you?"
"Me ? No no no, of course not."
"Uh-huh." Of course, Twilight knew better. Now she knows everyone is going to be working on doing her favors to bring
"Seriously, I'd do it for anypony." They both looked around as ponies ran in the rain trying to find shelter. "Heh heh."
"Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors, so I'd appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now."
"Ugh, fine ." Rainbow Dash complied by zipping up the hole in the clouds and letting Twilight eat in peace -- but not before she was drenched in the downpour.
"Twilight, it's raining." Rarity just so happened to be passing by with her stylish umbrella with her. Her "observation" didn't seem to help in brightening Twilight's mood.
"No, really?" Twilight asked sarcastically.
"Come with me before you catch a cold." Rarity dragged the starving, tired, and now annoyed unicorn to her boutique to dry herself off and stay safe from the rain.
Twilight shook off every drop of water like a dog until her coat and mane were completely dry, however she noticed Rarity was drenched because of her actions. "Heh heh, oops, sorry."
"Oh no, it's quite all right." But Rarity, being a fancy and uptight pony, was not all right. "After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not? And you know what the best of friends do?"
"Uh..."
"Makeovers !" Rarity pulled Twilight behind a changing curtain and began to put together something special for her.
"Ugh, Rarity, ow, this really isn't fixing it. I mean, thank you but, ooh, that's too tight ." After a few minutes of tying and measuring and patching up, Twilight appeared with a beautiful corset with blues and greens and all sorts of bright colors.
"There. Oh, you're simply darling ." Rarity complimented.
"Uh, yeah, it is kinda pretty, isn't it?" Both unicorns adored the outfit, but Spike just gagged at the girliness of the whole thing.
"Oh Spike, I have a dandy little outfit for the dashing gent." The little dragon tried to escape Rarity's grasp, but he was too late and ended up wearing a tight, blue gentleman's uniform.
Twilight just giggled at the her assistant looking so cute. "Oh, Spike."
"Now you just need a hat." Rarity placed a large black hat on Spike's head, obscuring his vision.
"Ugh, I told you, I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk. See you back at the library." He dashed off, stripping off all his clothes in the process.
"Oh, who needs him anyway," Rarity scoffed. "This is all about you , and how fabulous you'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala."
Twilight stopped admiring herself in the mirror after hearing those three words. “Wait, the Grand —“
"And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours to a T. We would be the belles of the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the unicorn." She noticed Twilight's irritated face and quickly corrected herself. Ah, heh heh, and Twilight Sparkle, of course."
"I see what's going on. You're just buttering me up so I give you the extra ticket. Well it's not gonna work. You're going to have to wait for my decision just like everyone else. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch !" As soon as Twilight opened the door to leave, Applejack appeared, waiting for her, somehow knowing she was in the Boutique.
"Did somepony say lunch?" Applejack asked, revealing a massive cart filled with apple treats galore.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty. Uh, the dessert, not my auntie. What do you say there, best friend?"
Twilight simply didn't answer, instead her anger was building up inside and was ready to explode.
"Is that a yes?" Unfortunately, Applejack couldn't read the room.
No. No. I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning. Ugh!" Twilight ran off towards her home yelling in frustration.
So, that's a maybe?"
"Ugh, I never thought being showered with favors would be so aggravating ." Twilight walked through the doors of her library home, only to be met with Fluttershy and her animal friends cleaning it. "Fluttershy, not you too?"
"Oh, well, hello Twilight. I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you." Of course, with Fluttershy being the most innocent of the group, she's basically doing this out of kindness and not just for the ticket. Maybe.
"It's summer," Twilight corrected her.
Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea." Fluttershy pointed to her little bunny preparing a nice, healthy salad for the starving unicorn.
"You're not doing this for the ticket, are you?" Twilight asked skeptically.
"Oh no, I'm doing this because you're my very best friend. Right, Angel?" The little bunny returned a look that could only be translated to: "You've got to be kidding, right?" "Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket." Fluttershy was so naive and innocent, she didn't seem to realize what she just said.
"No, no, no! Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision, so I'm going to have to ask you to --"
"Not accepting favors?” A voice called out from behind one of the bookshelves. Damian poked his head out from a shelf and walked towards Twilight with a pile of books.
“Damian? What are you doing here?” Twilight knew the answer, but she wanted to know what favor he was doing.
“Well, knowing you’re the studious type and you like to learn new spells, I thought I’d fill your library with my own collection of assorted spell books, potion guides, and a little history mixed in.” Damian gestured to the piles of books with different runes imprinted on their covers just lying on the floor.
But Twilight was not in the studying mood. “Look, as much as I love learning about new things, and yes learning about your kind would be very interesting, I know you’re just trying to get to my ticket.” Twilight opened the door signaling for the two to leave her home while she sits in peace.
“SURPRISE!” A crowd of ponies were waiting on the other side of the door, with Pinkie Pie being the ringleader. They cheered, threw confetti, and played an assortment of instruments for Twilight. She was indeed surprised, but not in a good way.
“Twilight is my bestest friend. Whoopie, whoopie!” Pinkie brag to sing a song commemorating Twilight for her her best friend. Unfortunately, Twilight was not in the right attitude to celebrate.
“Pinkie...” Twilight tried to interject, but she was cut off as Pinkie threw her into the air.
“She's the cutest, smartest, all around best pony, pony!”
“Pinkie.”
“I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party!”
“Pinkie!”
“She'll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me!”
“PIIINKIIIE!! ” Twilight screamed Pinkie’s name one last time, causing everyone in the crowd to back off and leave an opening, leaving Twilight to land flat on her back on the hard ground instead of the soft hooves of the ponies around her.
“Yes, Twilight?” Pinkie asked, fluttering her eyes innocently.
“At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket.”
“Wait, what ticket? What gala?” a random pony asked.
“Oh, you didn't know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!”
Only one thought passed through Twilights mind as Pinkie Pie made the announcement: Oh crap.
The Grand Galloping Gala?! everyone shouted in unison, and immediately they began to ask Twilight to let them do favors for the right to have the ticket.
“Have I ever told you how much I love your mane?” one pony inquired.
“I'll wash your dishes,” another offered.
One by one, ponies gathered around Twilight, closing in, casting out favors they could do “for Twilight”.
“What are we gonna do?” Spike asked.”
“We're... gonna... run !” Twilight and Spike ran through the town, trying to escape the horde of ponies trying to chase after them, but every turn they made led them to another pony willing to offer a favor in exchange for a ticket. They hid behind carts, inside stores, in bushes and ponds, but there was nowhere they could go where they would be safe from the mob of ponies.
Finally, the two were cornered in an alleyway. Ponies began to block heir escape, throwing out suggestion after suggestion after suggestion. But Twilight couldn’t take it anymore. She generated a spell with her horn and disappeared from the spot, leaving everyone in shock and awe, and wondering where she could have gone.
Twilight and her assistant landed inside the library, dazed and burnt from the effects of the teleportation spell.
“Ugh... Warn me next time you're gonna do that.” Spike said, wheeling over and tripping over his own tail.
“I didn't even know it was gonna happen. Now quick, lock the doors!” They both immediately locked every door, shut every widow, close every blind, and make sure every entrance was sealed.
"Phew." Twilight could finally relax in peace. Until she turned around to see all of her friends eerily smiling at her. “Yaaaargh!” Twilight began to breakdown. She couldn’t handle he stress of disappointing anyone. “I can't decide, I just can't decide! It's important to all of you and I just can't stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won't make any difference, because you're all my friends and I wanna make you all happy and I can't, I just can't !” Everyone looked at Twilight with embarrassed and shameful expressions. They couldn’t believe what they were putting their friend through, and they didn’t even bother to talk to her about it in the first place.
Applejack slowly approached the sobbing Twilight, laying a hoof on her soft, little head. “TwilightTwilight, sugar,” Applejack began, “I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise.”
“Me too,” Fluttershy quietly chimed in. “I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful.”
“And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends.” Pinkie Pie added.
“Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did.” Rarity said.
“Yeah. It wouldn’t be fair if you just took one of us. It was rude of me for trying to take the ticket for myself.” Damian apologized.
“Yes! That means the ticket is mine. Ha ha!” Rainbow Dash was the only one who was not feeling any remorse for her actions and started celebrating. “I got the ticket, I got the ticket—!” But she immediately stopped in mid flight after seeing everyone’s annoyed faces. “You know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either.”
“We all got so gun-ho about going to the gala that we couldn't see how un-gun-ho we were making you,” Applejack added with remorse.
“We're sorry, Twilight,” everyone apologized in unison from the bottom of their hearts.
“Spike, take down a note,” Twilight commanded. Her assisitant immediately pulled out a quill and paper and got ready to start writing.Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala. ”
“What?!” everyone shouted in shock and surprise.
“If my friends can't all go, I don't wanna go either, ” Twilight ended off her letter with this closing statement.
“Twilight, you don't have to do that,” Applejack tried to intervene, but Twilight shushed her.
"Nope. I've made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now." Spike blew a green flame that burned the scroll and sent it away into the night as it made its way to the princess.
"Now you won't get to go to the gala either," Fluttershy said.
"It's okay, everyone. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me..."
Everyone came together for a group hug, laughing in agreement at Twilight's resolution.
"So I would rather not go at all."
"Hgh... hgh... urk... urk..." Suddenly Spike began to choke on something. He hurked and gagged as he tried to get something out of his throat.
"Hey bro, you okay?" Damian asked. "I understand you getting sick of all this sentimental stuff, but still."
The little dragon threw up some green flames and procured another scroll from the princess.
"A letter from the princess? That was fast," Twilight said with surprise.
Spike cleared his throat and began to read the letter: 'My faithful student Twilight,
"Why didn't you just say so in the first place?' Seven golden tickets protruded from the letter in shining brilliance. "Seven tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala."
"Now we can all go!" Twilight exclaimed with joy.
Everyone cheered and laughed, but they were rudely cut off as Twilight's stomach began to growl furiously. All the purple unicorn could do was laugh nervously.
"Allow us to treat you to dinner," Rarity suggested.
"What a great way to apologize," Rainbow Dash added.
"And to celebrate!" Pinkie Pie chimed. "Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!" Everyone walked out of the library and headed to Sugar Cube Corner for a bite to eat. Finally.
"How come I don't get a ticket to the gala?" Spike asked gloomily. He felt alone until he started gagging again. "Hurk!" He let out another green flame, procuring one last scroll. 'And one for you, Spike. ' The little dragon squealed and laughed with joy as he was finally able to join his friends to the Gala. But he stopped as he saw some of the other ponies staring at him and chuckling. "I mean, gross , I have to go too?" He couldn't hold it in anymore. He just laughed along with his friends as they headed out for the night.
MLP: FiM – With A Twist: Book 1
"Sorry I'm late, Damian!" Twilight Sparkle burst through Damian's front door, startling the demi-demon. She wore a saddle bag on her back with so many books inside it that it looked like it was about to explode. "I was busy helping Rarity with a dress she wanted to try on for the Grand Galloping Gala."
"Dear Baphomet, what the hell?" Damian said, clutching his chest to make sure he didn't have a heart attack. "You may be late, but you didn't have to break down my door like that! It's only been three minutes!" Indeed, Twilight not only bust the door open, but she also bust it off its hinges. "Anyway, do you want to continue with your lessons or what?"
Twilight has been fascinated by Damian and his culture, so every two days a week, Twilight came over to Damian's place to learn more about him, demons, Hell, and his lineage.
Twilight's face brightened up with joy as Damian led her to his personal office space. It was a small room with a small desk, computer, file cabinets, and a window looking out into town.
Damian conjured some magic and created a small screen, similar to one you'd see in Tony Stark's lab. "Now then," he said, addressing his student, "today we will be focusing on the Seven Crown of Hell." He snapped his fingers, creating seven sigils, each one pertaining to one of the Seven Crowns.
"Each Crown represents a sin: Lust is Asmodeus, Greed is Mammon, Sloth is Belphegor, Gluttony is Beelzebub, Envy is Leviathan, Wrath is Satan, and Pride is Lucifer. The demons living in either kingdom has the characteristics or personalities of the crowns. In my kingdom most of the demons are more prone to lose their cool and love to fight, those in Asmodeus's kingdom love to have sex, the ones in Belphegor's kingdom are just a bunch of lazy bastards. Fun fact, most of the other kingdoms had to build the cities for Belphegor's kingdom since they are so lazy."
Twilight wrote down every word that came out of Damian's mouth. Every detail was important, every word had to be written down in case it was something important. "So how do you all maintain peace if everyone is so different," Twilight asked while she wrote.
"Good question," Damian replied. "We decided to share our cultures with each other since there were things some of us wanted that were specific to the other kingdoms. Now every kingdom has restaurants provided by Beelzebub, colosseums and gyms provided by my father, and some strip clubs and brothels provided by Asmodeus." Damian said all of this nonchalantly, but Twilight seemed to blush at the thought of such lewd things.
"Do you ever...?" Twilight began, but Damian already knew what she was thinking.
"No, but I wish." Damian sighed. "I don't like leaving the castle because then everyone will just jump all over me. Asking for autographs, pictures, sparring matches, all that crap. I just wish I could relieve some stress by going to one of these things." He realized he spoke about something personal and looked at Twilight, who stopped writing and just looked at him with bewilderment.
"Oookay?" she said awkwardly.
"If I were you, I'd love the adoration. It makes me feel good." A deep, raspy voice seemed to come from nowhere. Both Twilight and Damian looked around to find its source, but no one else was in the room besides them. However, Damian knew exactly who it was.
"Dammit all," Damian said with frustration. "What in the Nine Circles are you doing here?" A white mist formed behind Twilight catching her by surprise and causing her to fall from her seat, luckily without any injuries.
The mist began to take form and create from its large mass, appendages that solidified to form arms and legs. A head formed between the formed shoulders. As it solidified, the details became clear: the eyes were as blue as sapphires and the face was white with red markings running down it. Long, stylish, black locks cascaded down the shoulders and down the back of the figure. The being wore a stylish red suit and tie that went well with its black hair. On its feet were sharp black boots that looked strong enough to crush bone.
"Now, now, is that any way to talk to a king, young prince?" the figure asked in the same deep, raspy voice. The creature was only a few inches taller than Damian, but he felt so insignificant before it.
"No sir," Damian responded shamefully. He looked away in embarrassment, but his eyes soon traveled to Twilight who was just cowering on the floor. "It's okay, Twi, he's... a friend." The frightened unicorn stood up nervously and shuffled behind Damian's legs, just barely peeking out to observe the creature. "Twilight, meet Lucifer the King of Pride. Lucifer, Twilight Sparkle."
Lucifer bent down to get as close to Twilight's level as possible. He smiled, but in a rather creepy way that all his razor sharp teeth were showing. "It's nice to meet one of the young prince's friends in this new world," he said. Twilight smiled back nervously at the demon. He straightened back up and clasped a hand on Damian's shoulder. "Come now, young Damian, surely you have more than one friend after two weeks of living here? Or did you scare everyone off by your short fuse?"
Damian continued to look away in embarrassment and anger. If there was one thing Damian hated, it's being teased about his temper being a factor for him not making friends. "No... sir," he responded. "I'll introduce you to them right away."
Everyone stared at the King of Pride in silence as they sat in Sugar Cube Corner. Some were in awe; such as Rarity, while other's were fearful; like Fluttershy and Twilight, and others just looked at him with suspicion; like Rainbow Dash and Applejack. Pinkie Pie was just rocking back and forth on her stool, not taking in everyone's emotions and just acting like nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
"Quaint little spot," Lucifer said. His eyes traveled to the various ponies who quickly drew their gazes away. "Damian, would you mind getting me a snack? Anything will do. I haven't eaten lunch yet and I'm starving !" he demanded. Damian stood next to the king out of fear and respect.
"Of course, sir." Damian proceeded to walk over to the counter which Mrs. Cake was managing. As he was ordering a pastry, Rarity spoke up.
"Can I just say, I love your outfit," the fashionista complimented. "It really goes well with your hair." Everyone rolled their eyes at the unicorn, except for Lucifer who just chuckled.
"Why thank you. I do pride myself in my appearance, and my fighting skills, and my athleticism, and basically everything."
"Wow, someone's got a high ego," Applejack commented. "Even bigger than a certain blue pegasus." She looked over at Rainbow Dash who just eyed her with annoyance.
"Heeey!" Damian interrupted. "I got you a nice pastry, my king." He handed the Crown of Pride a glazed, strawberry tart that gave off a mouth watering aroma. Everyone eyed the treat until the demon took a bite of it.
He savored every bite, making sure to take in the juiciness of the strawberry filling, the sweetness of the glaze, and the flakiness of the pastry itself. "Mm. This town sure does know how to treat a king, doesn't it?" he asked, looking back at Damian who continued to stand instead of sitting with everyone else.
"Yes sir. Of course sir."
The ponies looked at each other and then back at Damian with concern. "Damian, can I talk to you real quick?" Twilight asked.
"Uh..." Damian looked at Lucifer who just signaled him off with his hand as he continued to devour the pastry. They walked over to the farthest corner of the bakery where no one else could hear them. "It's not gonna matter, Twi," Damian whispered, "demons have excellent hearing, so no matter how quietly you whisper, he'll hear everything." He looked over at Lucifer who was trying to strike a conversation with Pinkie Pie; most likely about the pastry she baked.
"I don't care about that. Look, just tell me, why are you doing everything this guy says? I get that he's a king and he's higher than you, but you can't let him push you around like this."
Damian sighed in defeat. "Look, he's a king and I'm a prince. There's a huge difference in status and rank, plus he's the ruler of a different kingdom, so of course I have to show some sort of reverence to him. Plus... I don't want anyone else to worry about me."
"Come on Damian, it's okay for your friends to worry. That's what friends are for right? "Also, you have to show some backbone and stand up to this guy."
"Look, maybe he'll just leave soon and we can continue on with our normal lives like he was never here."
Twilight sighed. "Maybe."
They walked back over to the group who was currently laughing over a joke Lucifer said. "...And the moral of the story is: when the fly drops, the pussy gets wet!" Everyone burst out laughing, even Rarity who normally wouldn't stand for such vulgar humor.
"Wow, that is hilarious!" Rainbow Dash said. Tears ran down her face as she couldn't stop laughing at the joke.
"Damian, are you done?" Lucifer asked, grinning slyly at the prince. Damian felt really uncomfortable in his presence. He had to show some sort of authority, but what if the king took offence to it and he harmed his pride?
"Y-yes sir," Damian stuttered. He looked at Twilight who just shook her head in disapproval.
Lucifer got up from his seat and dusted off any crumbs from his suit. "Come along Damian," he said, "I still have some work for you to do." Damian reluctantly followed the demon out of the bakery and into the town. Everyone else looked at him, their smiles suddenly faded from their faces and were replaced by looks of worry.
"Twilight, what was your little talk with Damian about?" Fluttershy asked. "I mean, if you don't mind sharing it to us?"
Twilight looked at everyone as they waited for her to spill the secret. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "Basically..."
All across town, Damian was doing Lucifer's bidding. Buying expensive items, making a path for the king, and ordering the fanciest and most expensive of meals. Through all of this humiliating servitude, his anger and rage was bubbling and growing. Sooner or later, he would have to let it explode.
"Hey, Lucifer, sir?" Rainbow Dash asked. Lucifer turned around to face Damian's group of friends, who were following him and Damian throughout the town. "When is Damian done with serving you? I'm sure he's got plenty of things he should be working on right now."
The Crown of Pride chuckled at her words. "When is he done?" he asked with a smile. "Whenever he can stand up to me, of course! Why do you ask?"
"Because we know why he's been actin' so so formal and weird around you this entire time," Applejack answered. "Just because you're the king of some other kingdom, doesn't give you the right to abuse your power, especially towards the prince of another kingdom."
Damian looked at his friends with worry. He then looked back at Lucifer, who wasn't smiling anymore. His face was expressionless. This wasn't a good sign. Lucifer got up in the prince's face and Damian moved his gaze away out of fear. "Well, young Damian, are you going to do anything about it? Or are you just going to be a doormat in front of your friends? Are you - the prince of Wrath - going to be a slave to the King of Pride?"
With every word he spoke, rage continued to build up inside Damian, but he couldn't bring himself to do anything about it.
"Hey, leave him alone!" Twilight jumped in between the two demons. Her eyes had a fire inside of them. The rest of Damian's friends stood in front of him, coming between him and Lucifer.
"You know what, I take back what I said about your suit," Rarity said. "It looks terrible on you, with your white face."
"And you can take back what you said about my food," Pinkie Pie added. "I don't care what some meanie thinks about my baking!"
Damian looked at all of his friends with surprise. "What are you guys doing?" he said. "Move away!"
"No way!" Rainbow Dash said sternly. "We're not gonna let this brute push you around anymore."
Lucifer looked at the wall of ponies and back up at Damian. "Hm, not bad Damian," he said. "You may not have the guts to stand up to me yet , but you've shown me you've gained plenty of reliable friends, despite your differences. This report will go back to your father." Damian's eyes grew wide as the realization hit him.
"My father sent you?" he inquired.
"Oh yes. Your father, King Satan, wanted me to test you on your leadership skills and how you fair when serving someone when you're under their heel. And I must say, you did a rather splendid job, and kudos to your friends for sticking up for you like that." Everyone smiled proudly as the King of Pride himself congratulated them. "The way you controlled your anger as you were mistreated really shows you've grown, young prince." The king did a little bow before Damian, who smiled at him.
"Hold up one minute," Damian called out, just before Lucifer was about leave. The king turned around and was met with a hard punch to his right cheek. He fell to the ground and looked up at Damian towering over him with a victorious grin. "I think I deserved some sort of compensation." They both chuckled as Lucifer teleported back to Hell.
"So that was just some sort of test?" Rarity asked.
"Yup, and I passed with flying colors." Damian replied. "Hey, who wants lunch? My treat." Everyone cheered in unison as they headed off to the nearest restaurant to grab a bite.
"Dear Princess Celestai, " Twilight began to write. Today, I learned that whatever your friends may be going through, they may try to keep you out of their business. But when they really need help and there is nothing they can do about it, it's always a good idea for friends to step in and help however they can ."
"So, Damian," Rainbow Dash asked between bites of her sandwich, "who's stronger, you or Lucifer?"
Damian chuckled at the question. "It's never been decided officially, but if I'm bein' honest... I could beat him 100%. Rage is more powerful than ego, even if he is a full-blooded demon." Everyone laughed away as they ate their meals together in peace.
Author's Note
Hoooweee! Finally thought of a personal chapter idea for Damian. It's a lot shorter than most of the other chapters, because I realized the main focus should be on Damian and not just the lives of everyone else. So I've decided, from now on, whenever I write a chapter, it's going to be short because if Damian's in it, I want it to focus more on his thoughts and perspective.
I hope you enjoy this chapter and learned something new about Damian and his life.
