"It's...how can... There are no words!" Rarity exclaims in awe as the group travels through the resplendent streets of the Crystal Empire to the magnificent crystal castle in the center.

"It is rather beautiful," Lavey says as he marvels at the astounding palace. "Though, I've seen better."

"Yeah," Rainbow says, looking around the area with disinterest. "This just looks like another old castle to me."

Rarity freezes in her tracks, aghast at the pegasus’s unsightly comment. “A– p– guh! Another old...! Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni—“

Lavey rests a hand on the blabbering unicorn’s head, causing her to shut her trap and look up at him. He points over to a snickering Applejack and Rainbow Dash, who enjoy themselves at Rarity’s expense.

“Ah. Very funny,” she deadpans as she follows everyone into the castle. "However, you think it's wonderous, do you not, Lavey?"

The hybrid looks around the shimmering interior and gives a small shrug. "Eh. The kingdoms in Hell have way better stuff than this."

Rarity looks back to glare daggers at the hell-spawn, but he doesn't seemed fazed. Instead, he cracks a cheeky grin at the unicorn as they continue through the castle.

Everyone follows Shining Armor up an almost eternally winding set of stairs until entering the regal throne room, where a sickly Cadence rests on a glorious crystal throne. Disregarding the monarch’s awful composure, Twilight runs up to her sister-in-law.

“Cadance! It’s so good to see you again!” the unicorn squeals with glee as she wraps the weary alicorn in a tight embrace.

“It’s good to...see you too, Twilight,” Cadance replies weakly.

Unfortunately, the jovial reunion is put on a brief hold as the princess suddenly faints for a brief second in Twilight’s hooves. The alicorn’s horn sputters, trying to keep mana flowing though the protrusion and keep the shield up. The facade around the empire begins to fade, revealing the violent storm surrounding the endangered ponies.

“Her condition keeps getting worse with each passing minute,” Shining explains as he takes his wife into his hooves. “Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. That seems to be what is protecting the empire so far. But she hasn't slept and barely eats. I want to help her but I can't spread love and light like her so the residents won’t fret over the dangers lurking outside.”

“It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine,” Cadance gorans.

“You're not fine,” Shining argues. “She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade—“

“The Beast will destroy this place,” Lavey finishes gravely.

Watching the Alicorn of Love trying to keep up a strong facade through her weakness is harrowing for everyone, but it stabs Lavey in the heart most of all. Such a beautiful, strong-willed creature sacrificing her life for the denizens of the empire; the scene brings up memories in Lavey’s mind about his own mother’s sacrifice.

Twilight steps forth and plants a hoof down in confidence, gathering everyone's attention and dragging Lavey from his sorrowful thoughts. "That's why we're here!" she exclaims proudly.

"Why we're all here," Applejack adds. Everyone else follow in with unified hums of affirmation.

"Well, with Cadance putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies," Shining Armor explains.

Suddenly, Rarity's eyes glimmer with awe and amazement. "Crystal Ponies?!" she exclaims with glee. "Hahaha, there are Crystal Ponies?!"

"Citizens, Rarity," Lavey corrects, "not accessories. But please, Shining, continue."

"R-right," the stallion replies awkwardly as he looks at the embarrassed alabaster unicorn. "We have reason to believe one of them knows how we can protect the Empire without having to use Cadance's magic."

"A research paper!" Twilight suddenly exclaims.

Everyone looks at each other and at the lavender unicorn with confusion. She looks at each individual's questioning gazes and blushes before clearing her throat and explaining herself.

"A research paper must be part of the test. I have to gather information from the residents and deliver it to you so you can defend the empire! Lucky for me, I love research papers."

"Of course you do, Twilight," Lavey mutters under his breath. "Who would've guessed you didn't?"

"Don't worry, you two," Twilight reassures, resting hooves on both Shining Armor and Cadance's shoulders, "I am really good at this sort of thing."

Shining nods at her sister's confidence and gives her a hug before she and her friends trot off to complete their tasks. However, Lavey rests a hand on Twilight's head, holding her in place. She turns back, looking at the prince's worrisome expression as he kneels down to get to her level.

"Twilight, I'm afraid I won't be able to follow you for the time being," the hell-spawn says with pain. "I have my own things to take care of."

"W-what do you mean?" the unicorn asks, unwilling to be apart from the hybrid's presence.

"If I am to combat the Beast, I am going to need to stay here and practice the act of exorcising demons. The only way he can be 'defeated' is if I can pull him out of Sombra's body."

"But...can demon's exorcise other demons?" Twilight questions.

Lavey shakes his head solemnly, further piquing Twilight's curiosity. "Only the Crowns, God or anyone given power by Him, or an angel can cast out and exorcise demons. However, for the Beast, only God or an angel with the rank of an Archangel or higher can."

"And you're mother was an Archangel," Twilight recollects.

Lavey nods. "I'm going to stay here and find a way to let my angelic power emerge, even for a few seconds, just to get the Beast out of Sombra."

Twilight, still hesitant but fully understanding of her mate's actions, briefly hugs the hybrid before running off to follow her friends.

"So..." Shining dawdles as he walks up to the hybrid's side. "How long has this been going on?" He has that judgmental, suspicious look on his face that only a protective older brother would have.

"Sometime after you and Cadance got hitched," Lavey replies casually. "You don't have to worry about a thing, Shining Armor; I swear on my life I will keep Twilight safe and continue to love her without any misgivings."

The stallion only squints at the prince and look back at his own wife with unease and sighs. "I'll hold you to that. So what do you need to do to...exorcise demons?"

"Well, the act of exorcising a demon is far more intricate than one would believe. Supreme-ranking beings can verbally command low-ranking demon to leave a host's body. An angel of a low rank wishing to exorcise a maleficent spirit can attempt the same method only if given power by the Almighty. Otherwise, they may have to get physical and wrench the demon out of the host's body.”

Lavey analyzes the stallion’s figure with intrigue, taking in his appearance like a fine specimen. Despite his frame seemingly withering under the pressure of the whole ordeal, Shining's body is powerful and seems difficult to break. Just like his body, his mind and will are strong and equally powerful. Yes, he would certainly do.

"Shining, do you mind if I use you real quick?"

The stallion takes a few steps back from the hell-spawn in uneasiness and fear. "You're using me as the host?" he asks. "I don't want to be possessed by you!"

"First off, ouch. Second, I can't even if I wanted to; my angelic blood prevents me from taking over a body. Third, there's no one else to help me here. Twilight's friends are off on their own things and I know you won't let me lay a hand on your wife."

Shining's eyes grow wide at the hybrid's statement and looks back at his sickly wife. Knowing his options are limited and how desperate he is to help his paramour, Shining gives in. He bites his lower lip in frustration and turns back to face Lavey's expectant face. Swallowing his pride and fear, the stout stallion bows his head in submission.

"Alright, I'll do it," he mutters.

Lavey remains silent as he conjures a portal above his hand and summons his cell phone. He knows Chrysalis wouldn't be too happy with having her entertainment stolen from her out of the blue, so he has to make it quick before she causes trouble. He flicks the screen to the side and punches in a few numbers before placing the device up to his ear. It rings a few times before a voice can be heard on the other side.

"Hallo?" a gruff, fatigued voice answers.

"Good morning, Atrum," Lavey greets cheerfully. "Assuming it is daytime over in Hell right now?"

The character known as Atrum grumbles irately at Lavey's question but proceeds to answer. "It's almost five in the bloody mornin’. What do you want, cunt?"

"Do you think you can do me a teeny favor?"

"Just tell me what it is, damnit."

Lavey chuckles at the demon’s feisty tone but continues on with the request. "I need some help with practicing exorcisms. I have a host here that could be a suitable vessel for practice." He glances over at Shining Armor who seems to take offense to the statement, exemplified with his knit brow and scrunched muzzle. "So, waddaya say?"

"You couldn't chose any other demon?" Atrum questions. "Why me? Why not a fookin’ imp?"

"I can't just let any demon possess my friend and perhaps future brother-in-law." He looks back at the stallion once more and snickers as he sees his bottom jaw hanging loosely from its hinges. "You're more trustworthy, brother. Plus we're...handling a pretty dire situation right now."

"Oh? What kind of situation that would want to make me get up so early in the fookin’ mornin’?"

"It's..." Lavey chokes up on his words as he feels his stomach beginning to lurch in distress. He holds back the rising vomit and pushes through with his explanation. "It's the Beast."

The line goes silent on the other end, drowning the entire castle in eerie silence. Finally, Atrum gives a short, grave reply.

"I'll be right there."

The line disconnects and Lavey turns back to face Shining Armor and Princess Cadance; both ponies glare at him with discontent at his decision. He doesn't speak a word to either of them as his own troubles brew in his mind: the Beast approaching, Cadence's magic fading, and Twilight's quest to find any way to protect the kingdom.

A few seconds pass until a blood-red portal appears in the center of the room. The ponies stand frozen in fear and awe while Lavey turns to face the gateway calmly. He watches with a grateful grin as another demon steps foot onto Equestrian soil, this one completely different in appearance to the prince.

Atrum looks more draconic since he’s a pure-blooded demon. His face is covered in maroon scales and bony spikes, along with stag antlers on his head. His body is lined with grey steel-like scales that are impenetrable to carnal weapons. His eyes are gleaming yellow pools that have been dulled with exhaustion. His torso and limbs are lined with boney protrusions and his claws are just a bit longer and sharper than Lavey’s. His reptilian tail swings around with a mind of its own as it attempts to stretch from hours of sleep.

The main similarities both creatures have are their draconic wings, bone-crushing fangs and claws, and the burning pentagrams in the center of their chests. Even with all of these similarities, even though they are brothers, they are still part of a separate lineage.

"It's good to see you brother," Lavey says with a warm grin. He opens his arms to greet the demon with a hug, but pulls back the moment he notices his sibling’s grimy appearance. "You could have at least cleaned yourself up before you came. It's an emergency but you didn't need to rush like this."

"It's the fookin’ Beast," Atrum deadpans, "You think any demon would just take their time to tidy up and present themselves to someone when it's a dire situation? Especially when it’s that fookin’ cunt."

Lavey rolls his eyes at his brother's annoyance and turns back to Cadance and Shining Armor, noticing them to be a little more relaxed in the presence of the two hellish creatures.

"I'd like you all to meet Atrum, my brother from another mother and future heir to the throne," Lavey states. "Atrum, a few of my friends, Princess Cadance and...I guess Prince Shining Armor."

The ponies stand still in awe as Atrum gives them a shallow, respected bow. "It's a pleasure," he says, his energy slightly more rejuvenated. "So, who's the one I gotta take over? I'm assuming the stallion?" He eyes Shining up and down, taking in his figure and his slightly uneasy body language.

"Shining Armor, yes," Lavey affirms. "I just have to practice pulling you out of him and then I may be able to stop the Beast. He should still be weak after being locked away for over a thousand years."

Atrum nods and walks over to Shining Armor, who stands frozen in fright at the demon's imposing figure, but feels at ease once Atrum smiles a bit, despite his worn out state.

"Possession is pretty easy for demons to do," Atrum explains, "unless the host-to-be tries to fight back, then it’s like trying to fuck anally without lube—really ha’d and really tight. If you're strong-willed, you could easily overpower an imp or even a president."

"W-will it hurt?" Shining stammers.

"Not if you try to resist. Just calm yer body, otherwise it will feel like every nerve is on fire. I'll give yeh a minute to get situated."

Shining takes a few deep breaths and performs a few stretching exercises before standing tall and stoically, ready for the procedure. Atrum's body begins to transform, taking on a transparent, almost misty form until becoming a small plume of black smoke. The blob of smoke wriggles and floats around in midair until diving into Shining's chest, penetrating his body and entering the vulnerable vessel.

The stallion reels back as a surge of burning pain floods his body. His eyes dilate and roll into the back of his head. White foam froths at his mouth as his body trembles as if suffering from a preternatural seizure.

Cadance watches the scene with pain and agony, but also understanding, as she knows this is the path that must be walked to assure their safety. She looks to Lavey, who stands perfectly calm with his arms folded over his chest.

After a few more seconds of painful contortions and fidgeting, Shining's body lays motionless on the crystal floor; not even a heartbeat or a breath of air can be seen moving through his lifeless body. Lavey and Cadance remain silent, watching intently at the inert figure until it finally gasps.

Slowly, Shining's body rises, regaining focus and stability as it's new guest makes itself at home. Atrum looks around, getting used to his new optics and frame as he settles into the vessel. He peers down at a forehoof and twitches his lips up in content. Looking around himself, he accepts the new body he inhabits and looks back up at his half-brother.

"So, we gonna do this or what, bruv?" Atrum asks.

Lavey nods and approaches the demon. His heart is racing and his mind is plagued with unnecessary and fearful thoughts. Fortunately, everything is driven away as he takes a deep breath and attempts to control his emotions. In order to combat darkness, he must cleanse his thoughts.

He doesn't fight to kill. He doesn't want to kill. He fights, not with the rage to slaughter, but with the compassionate desire to save, just as his mother once did for all of Hell.

A confident smirk spreads across his lips as strange, yet comforting strength courses through him. With overpowering confidence burning away his angst, he gets to work on exorcising the demon from Shining Armor.

Twilight's excursion has been going rather smoothly. A Crystal Fair has been put on to brighten up the spirits of the denizens of the empire. Ponies enjoy the festivities with games, food, crafts, and managed to unlock hidden memories from the backs of their minds; especially one concerning a long-lost reliquary of the Empire. Unfortunately, the one set up for display isn't the genuine relic, causing Twilight's worry to skyrocket yet again.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash burst through the doors of the throne room to alert Cadence and Shining Armor of the situation, only to see the unicorn's brother and two hell-spawns kneeling on the floor, drenched in sweat.

"W-what's going on in here?" Twilight stammers as she takes in the scene.

Lavey looks over at the stressed unicorn and releases an exhausted sigh before responding. "I told you I would be practicing exorcisms. I brought my half-brother, Atrum, along to help me out."

Atrum waves at the group and collapses in a puddle of putrid, hard-worked sweat.

"And Shining Armor?" Twilight inquires, looking to her panting brother.

"I needed a host for Atrum and Shining was the only possible candidate to be a test subject. Is everything alright, Twilight? You seem much more stressed than you should be."

Twilight pulls out a brown leather-cover book and opens it up to a random page towards the end. "The Crystal Fair was supposed to be a time where the citizens of the Crystal Empire would power the Crystal Heart!" she explains with worry. "But the book doesn't mention anything about a relic." As she flips through the pages, she comes to an abrupt end with torn bits of paper. "There was a page missing... How did I not notice?!"

Princess Cadance wobbles over to her sister-in-law to rest a hoof on her shoulder in comforting but, instead, tips over and lands in Shining Armor's hooves. Her breathing is pinched and heavy. Her eyelids flutter and want to close and drift her off into an endless slumber. Her horn sputters with trifling mana until it burns out like a candle.

Everyone looks to the mirage protecting the Crystal Empire, watching the shield crumble to reveal the raging blizzard outside. What's more, a plume of eldritch black mist seeps into the kingdom and a hellish figure can be seen in the midst of the shapeless mass.

It's nothing like a stallion or any kind of equine. Its eyes are blazing red and its maw is filled with serrated teeth. A red unicorn horn along with the two curled horns of a ram protrude from its shadowy temple. Lavey and Atrum stand frozen in fear as they lay eyes on the Beast.

Author's Note

The next chapter is going to be a little more emotional. I shed a tear every time I read it while editing.