Dancing With the Devil by Alchemical Night

It was a cold night in the Everfree Forest. The first winds of Autumn were beginning to roll across the landscape, creating a haunting melody of rustling leaves.

In stark contrast to the world around it, the Castle of the Two Sisters shone like a beacon. Windows were lit up, guards were patrolling, and a few poor sleep-deprived souls toiled away on their work within.

But not all parts of the castle were alive. The Royal Gardens, for example. As dark as the shade outside its walls, as quiet as a fresh snowfall, and not a part of the guards’ patrol route.

Why would it be? There were no external entrances to the garden.

A lone soul stood among the flowers and bushes, staring up at the lone statue among the flora. A less observant pony might even mistake the soul for another statue. It was certainly grotesque enough to match the real one.

Oh, apologies. I didn’t realize you could hear me. It won’t happen again.

The mismatched creature’s eyes wandered, across the statue and the foliage alike – as if searching for something. Wings covered in glossy black feathers shifted slightly against its back. An idle claw clicked its nails together. Its eyes observed the world before it, yet it did not realize that it was also being observed.

“It’s rude to stare, you know.”

Or perhaps it did.

The creature turned, giving the tall white mare a clear view of the animals that had been stitched together to create it. Legs of tiger and deer. Arms of dragon and minotaur. A feline body that reminded the mare of drawings of the distant Abyssinians. The most frightening feature by far, however, was the perfectly normal pony head that rested on its shoulders.

The creature did not so much as flinch as the mare moved from her spot, stepping out from behind a hedge and marching forward. The hum of magic filled the air as she charged her horn. Stopping a few paces from it, her magic’s glow lit up the face enough for her to clearly see its eyes.

Sickly yellow orbs, with crescent pupils.

“What art thou doing here, draconequus?”

It smiled, causing the mare to grow even more wary. “I have a name, thank you very much.”

“Then let it be known.”

“No. You haven’t earned it. Speaking of names – it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Princess Celestia.” The creature turned its back on the princess, looking again to the statue it stood by. “I heard you gave Discord a thrashing. Wanted to check it out myself. I must say, you did a pretty good job.”

Questions shot to the forefront of Celestia’s mind as the creature moved from its position, circling around the statue. Its slow, calculated steps unsettled the princess in ways that she did not think possible.

“And now thou art come to take thy revenge on us for thy brethren’s defeat? If thou thinkest that to be a simple task, thou art sorely mistaken.” Celestia lowered herself slightly and fanned her wings.

The creature locked eyes with her. “No. I told you what I was here for. I’m admiring your handiwork.”

“Thou have had ample time to observe thy brethren’s prison. Now be gone!” Celestia was careful not to break into her royal voice. The last thing she wanted was to wake up the castle’s dreamers.

“Stop calling him my brother. And don’t tell me what to do.” It exhaled deeply. “It’s not every day you hear about a draconequus being defeated. I think I’ll savor this moment a bit longer.”

“So there are more of you.”

The creature looked back to the princess, confusion easily readable on its pony face. “Yeah? You didn’t know that?” Its shoulders sagged when Celestia responded with a grin. “Don’t act like you just got some vital information out of me. The fact that we exist isn’t some kind of secret. Technically we aren’t supposed to go around talking about it but… well, I don’t keep it a secret.”

“And why would that be, Ser…?

“Nah, still haven’t earned my name. And it’s because no one tells me what to do. Like I said before.”

“Thou dost not take kindly to commands, even from thine own? And here thou art, celebrating the defeat of Discord. Is it safe to say thou have been wronged by other draconequuses in the past?”

“Draconequui.” Other than its correction, there was nothing. The creature had stopped moving, motionlessly staring at Discord. Celestia opened her mouth to ask another question, but it chose that moment to finally break the silence.

“I’m done here. Don’t really feel like getting interrogated either. I’ll be going now.” It turned on its paw and took a few steps toward the shrubbery to the west.

“Wait!” Celestia thanked the stars that the creature actually complied with her request. She released the spell she had been holding, allowing a true quiet to settle. “Thou art obviously not against us. Pray, accept my apology for threatening thee. Perhaps we can come to an agreement.” She saw the creature’s head turn, a single eye watching her. She stepped to the side and raised a hoof in a welcoming gesture. “Wouldst thou be interested in a more civil conversation over tea?”

Celestia regretted making the offer almost immediately. The creature grinned, its lips pulling back to reveal sharp canine-like teeth filling its mouth. Its alien eyes stared into her soul and Celestia knew that somehow, it could feel what she was thinking. It didn’t make sense, but… she knew.

“I don’t think I am.” – Relief surged through Celestia – “At least… not tonight. Although I commend you on the effort to extend an olive branch.”

Celestia was unsure how long she remained like that – frozen by the horrific creature in front of her, trying not to show any weakness. Maybe it had been minutes, maybe it had been hours. The entire time, the draconequus watched her like a hawk , its unnatural teeth on display. Thoughts moved through her mind at a breakneck pace. All Celestia knew for sure was that this thing had to make the first move. It had to. She didn’t know why. She wasn’t willing to question the instinct that bubbled up from within her.

And then… it did. Turning its back to her for the final time and slowly walking away. It spoke again, but there was something else in its words this time. Something… of weight.

“Anarchy, by the way.”

Celestia struggled to find her voice, but when she did –

“Thy name?”

“You earned it.”

It snapped its claws and it was gone. Just like that.

Celestia never told her sister about her encounter in the garden. Why would she? The creature wouldn’t be back.