Malice

10:00 AM

Applejack led Kyra, Daisy, and Malice down the long dirt road to her farm after the others all went to their own jobs. The pale magenta earth pony glanced over at Kyra and hesitated before speaking.

"I love you," she said with a smile.

Kyra looked at her with a worried expression on her face. She then eyed the ground as they walked. "I... do, too."

"You love you?" The mortal asked.

"N-No," Kyra muttered. "I... you know... you."

Daisy sighed as her smile faded a little. "Still can't say it?"

"It wasn't that long ago I called you my sex pet," Kyra pointed out. "Love is a concept still unknown to me."

“Love is just when you like someone much more than a friend,” Daisy explained. “Someone you want to spend your whole life with.”

“I’m immortal,” Kyra pointed out. “I couldn’t spend my whole life with you.”

Daisy sighed and moved up beside the demon so their bodies touched as they walked. “You’re impossible.”

Kyra gave a weak smile and inhaled deeply through her nose. “I will… learn about this… Love thing… so that I can finally say those words to you. Okay?”

Daisy giggled softly. “You’re so awkward.”

Applejack led them through the archway and onto the farm. As they approached the barn, Apple Bloom came running out. “Hey sugarcube,” AJ greeted. “Got someone I want you to meet.”

The farm filly tilted her head. “Huh. Who? Kyra? I already know her. Sort of.”

“No, M…” AJ began, turning to the couple behind her. “Where’s Malice?”

Kyra and Daisy looked at each other before looking at their backs. Daisy then began to turn in a circle. Apple Bloom felt something on her tail and turned around, finding herself staring directly into the eyes of a black filly. She let out a yell and stumbled back into her flanks.

All three mares looked over and sighed with relief. “This is who I was talkin’ ‘bout,” AJ said as she walked over to her sister. Malice stared at Apple Bloom before falling backwards onto her own flanks. “AB? Meet Malice. Kyra abs Daisy’s daughter.”

“Daughter?” Bloom asked, confused. “When…”

“It’s a demon thing,” Daisy said quickly. “Don’t ask about it.”

Apple Bloom leaned to the left, and Malice mirrored her. She leaned to the right, and Malice mirrored her again. “Wanna play tag?” She suddenly asked with a smile.

The demon filly kept staring at her. “What’s tag?”

“A game,” AB explained. “I run from you, but if you touch me I’m it and then it’s my turn to chase you.”

Malice thought for a moment before leaning in. “Does the winner get… an apple?”

Apple Bloom giggled. “Sure. But, we’ll give you an apple anyways.”

When the two got up, Daisy looked at Applejack. “You don’t think her fascination with apples…”

“I was thinkin’ that, too,” AJ admitted. “Although, I don’t recognize her.”

“You first,” Apple Bloom said as she booped Malice on the nose and took off. When she turned to look where she was going, she bumped into Malice.

The black filly tapped her on the head. “You’re… it?”

Apple Bloom sighed. “No fair using your powers. Now start runnin’ and don’t use your powers to avoid me.”

“Just run,” Malice repeated. “Got it.” She then took off at a normal foal’s pace. AB smiled and ran after her.

Applejack watched them with a smile. “Maybe… Maybe Granny knows her. She may be old, but she’s got a mind like a steel trap. Can remember events from years ago. If she’s seen Malice, I’m sure she’ll remember her.”

“Should we try that first?” Daisy asked as she looked at her marefriend. “I mean, we’re already here.”

Kyra smiled and nodded. “Don’t see why not. After all, I’m sure we’re all curious as to who Malice really is.”

"Unfortunately..." Applejack went on. "Granny'll be gone until Tuesday."

"Two days from now?" Daisy groaned.

"It's okay," Kyra assured her with a small smile. "We can still investigate the school."

“Will Malice be going to school with us?” Asked Apple Bloom with a smile as she trotted up to them.

Malice suddenly pounced on her and tackled her to the ground. “Tag,” she said as she lay across the farm filly. AB let out an “oof” upon impact before giggling.

“A demon in a normal school?” Asked Kyra. “I don’t know. I mean, everypony’s still afraid of me. I don’t think they’d be ready for another demon. Especially not worth having one around their children.”

“True,” Daisy muttered. “Maybe we can ask around? Introduce them to Malice. Maybe they’ll be okay with her.”

“I can help,” AJ offered. “Might help them get on board if the Element of Honesty is vouching for her.”

“Thanks, Applejack,” Daisy said, before she looked down at the foals. “I think it would help her adjust if she was around others her age.” She then looked at Kyra. "She wouldn't... hurt anyone, right? Accidentally, I mean."

"Demons have better control over their powers than unicorns," Kyra explained. "Malice will be fine among the others. We just need to tell her not to use her powers in public."

"That's a little much, isn't it?" Daisy asked with a nervous chuckle. "That's like asking a unicorn foal to never use their magic."

"Malice is a demon," Kyra said as she leaned in. "A demon. If she used her powers in public, she could start a panic."

"They're warming up to you," Daisy stated, her expression turning serious.

Kyra scoffed. "They're still on edge. And, two demons may make them worry more. If the townsponies become to fearful, Malice and I will have to leave to avoid a conflict. Is that what you want?"

Daisy stared into her marefriend's eyes before looking down at the ground. She let out a sigh and looked over at Malice, who had created a butterfly out of fire and had it flying around herself and Apple Bloom. The yellow filly seemed to be enjoying the show. "I don't like the idea of her hiding a part of herself, but... maybe it is what's best. For now, anyways," she added as she returned her attention to Kyra.

The red mare smiled lightly. "I don't like it, either. And hopefully someday she won't have to hide anymore."

When they looked over at the fillies, they saw Applejack dragging a bucket of apples over. "Alright, Malice," the earth pony said as she stood beside the bucket. "Got ya some apples."

Malice looked over and gasped before running up to the bucket. "Oh, wow..." She then grabbed one and bit into it. Her eyes suddenly lit up like the life was coming back to her. However, she seemed to freeze in place.

"Um..." Apple Bloom said as she moved closer to see the juice dripping from the filly's mouth as her teeth were buried in the apple. "Is she alright?"

Applejack leaned in. "Um... I don't know."

The black filly finally finished her bite and chewed on the piece of apple in her mouth. As she did, she looked up at Applejack and swallowed. "Thank you," she said, before taking another bite.

"Yer welcome, sugarcube," the orange mare said with a smile. Standing up, she walked over to the child's parents. "Does she seem different to you?"

"Her reaction did seem more genuine," Daisy pointed out. "Not the usual emotionless comments we've been getting."

Kyra nodded in agreement. "The taste of the apple must've triggered some memory. Either she's tied to this farm or she just had a liking for apples before. I'll check out the school for any clues tomorrow and take Malice out for a walk while you help with your flowers."

Daisy smiled. "Sounds good. You be sure to tell me if you find anything."

The red mare chuckled. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Uh..." Apple Bloom said, getting everyone's attention. Malice was laying on her back with a slightly bloated belly, the bucket of apples now just full of apple cores. "You should've seen it. It was intense."

Applejack rubbed her forehead. "Maybe one at a time from now on..."