I am Jude

{Rainbow Dash}

Taking care of Day Court is sooo boring! I thought. I can't hover because it's improper to do so in front of your citizens. But I should keep my mind occupied so I don't fly off because I'm asleep.

Then all hell broke loose when Eli came running into the throne room. He quickly bowed to me once he got in front of the throne. That threw me for a loop when he did that, "Uh, Eli you know there's no need to bow to me right? We're friends and friends don't bow."

Eli stood up and had a panicked look on his face, "Your highness-"

"You can call me Rainbow Dash Eli," I said. "Once again, we're friends and we should address each other as friends."

"We have a serious situation on our hands!" Eli panicked. "It involves Jude!"

"What!" I gasped. At that moment, I knew if Eli was on high alert and it involved Jude, I was going to be on high alert too. "Okay everyone, Day Court is over early. I will listen to your complaints one the next Day Court. Please leave in an orderly manner."

Of course there was grumbling among the subjects that were leaving the throne. Probably because the next Day Court wouldn't be held until after my day off.

Eli started hyperventilating, I used my magic to summon a paper bag out of thin air so he could breathe into it so he could calm down. After a while he did and composed himself enough to speak. I motioned for him to sit down on a nearby chair.

"Okay Eli," I said, "tell me what's going on?"

Eli let out a deep breath, "You've overseen an exorcist right?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Do you know what the first sign of possession is?" Eli said.

I didn't quite like where this conversation was headed but either way I nodded. "Yes, it's when a spirit uses a person's body like a puppet."

"That's exactly what happened with Jude last night!" Eli said.

My jaw dropped. "Seriously?"

Eli nodded based on the panicked look in his face, I knew he wasn't joking. "This is a rare possession too."

"How so?" I said.

"Instead of the spirit just making the body do things," Eli explained, "it started at stage two right off the bat."

"You don't mean to tell me-" I said.

Eli nodded. "The spirit announced itself as a god named Logan who lived in a place called the Tree of Wisdom. He's chosen Jude to be his vessel. He wants to wipe out Jude from existence. Once that happens, he'll be free to roam Equestria!"

Once I got over my entail shock, my shock turned into anger, "There's no way something despicable like that is taking my son away from me! Does Jude know?"

"Yeah he knows," Eli said.

"Does he believe you?" I said.

Eli shook his head. "Nope, not one little bit."

Jude not believing in Logan right away didn't surprise me. It would take a lot of evidence for him to believe something like that. But this is Equestria, and strange things are bound to happen. This is one of them.

"I did the containment spell, and I have a feeling I'll have to do it again soon," Eli said. "But Jude, not believing in what's happening to him could work to our advantage."

I titled my head. "How so?"

"Well, based on the extractions I've done so far," Eli said. "The less terrified the person is of the spirit that's possessing them, the easier it is to pull them out. If we keep Jude in a state of disbelief that'll make it easier for me to build up enough magic for the extraction."

"Exactly, how do we keep him in a state of disbelief?" I said.

"Well, since Nightmare Night is coming up soon, we can make it out to be like it's a big joke," Eli suggested. "Ivy and I got that started. We told Jude I was practicing a prank for when I try it on you."

I snorted. "Oh that's good! I love it! Just like the stories I told Scootaloo! That brings back so many good memories!"

"Yeah, I still don't understand why people think those types of stories are fun," Eli said. "Considering I've dealt with the real thing time and time again."

"I doubt a headless horse spirit has been a type of spirit you've pulled out of someone yet," I said.

Eli paused. "Uh, headless horse spirit?"

"Oh yeah!" I laughed. I thought about starting to tell the story just to scare Eli silly. But I thought right now wouldn't be the best time to do it. I guess I can just wait for Nightmare Night on that one. Oh well. "Well, I guess I should help you do some research on this guy."

Eli's jaw dropped. "You, the element of stupidity, want to do research? Wow, don't see that every day!"

"Yeah so? Since this involves my son, I'm going to do everything in my power to save him!" I said with determination.

"Okay then," said Eli, "if you say so."

I nodded, with that, I followed Eli to the library.

* * *

{Jude}

Everyone has been acting really strange around me lately. Ever since Eli and Ivy decided that they were practicing a joke that they were going to play on Rainbow Dash. I have no idea why. Although Oliver's been acting his normal self, I wonder if he knows about Ivy and Eli's so-called prank?

Today I went to go train with Oliver.

"Okay Jude, we'll do the teleportation training like we've been doing and this time we'll add weapons," Oliver said.

I tilted my head. "Huh?"

Oliver smiled. "Yup! With teleportation using the method we do, we can also summon weapons. That's what I did when I went to go save your mother when we were escaping AI's castle. Here, I'll show you."

Oliver summoned a small portal like he does for teleporting and instead of teleporting he channeled the magic from that portal. When he did that, his hand glowed and a weapon appeared. It was a shield, the same shield he used when he was in a battle back at AI. I marveled at this. "So that's how you did it!"

Oliver nodded. "Uh-huh, now let's see what you can do."

"Okay." I did the same thing Oliver did and after my hand glowed the weapon or I should say in this case, weapons appeared. At first it looked like the stunner needles I used back at AI. But then the needles turned into swords. Oliver grinned when he saw that. "Not bad Jude! Not bad at all!"

I looked down at the swords I had summoned in wonder.

"Now let's see what you can do with them," Oliver said. "Yeah I know, you're probably wondering why I would fight someone that has swords for a weapon? Well my shield can't just defend, it can attack too. Since you're a beginner, maybe I should go easy on you?"

I shook my head, I wasn't about to be treated like a child just because I just figured out how to summon a weapon. "No way! Fight me like you would a Firewall!"

Oliver laughed, "Okay then, let's see if you can keep up with me!"

Before I could say anything else, Oliver attacked by throwing his shield at me. I jumped out of the way. When the shield came back around I blocked the attack with my sword. I saw the look that Oliver had on his face and it was the same look that he always had when he was battling a Firewall. Oliver seemed to be amazed about how much I could keep up with his attacks, I deflected the blows as quickly as he made his attacks. After a while, we stopped fighting to catch our breath.

"Wow Jude! I've never had someone able to keep up with me, when fighting me right off the bat!" Oliver praised me.

Oliver and I looked outside the window to the training area to see a thunderstorm. "Looks like your mother will be itching to do a sonic rainboom when the storm ends."

I snorted. "You know when you think about it, the 'Eli bathroom joke' is technically correct. You know, because of the big boom that happens before she does the rainbow part."

Oliver and I couldn't stop laughing at that thought.

"Well, that's enough training for today," Oliver said.

I nodded. As soon as I turned to leave, I heard a low rumbling demonic voice speak. I saw Oliver's eyes go wide in terror. "Uh Jude? Who's that standing behind you?"

"Huh"? I turned around to see a man about Oliver's age with beady little black eyes and two small horns on his head. He looked like a goat that was in human form. "Okay, who are you?"

The man laughed and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "I just thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Logan. I come from a place called the Tree of Wisdom. I have chosen you to be my vessel Jude."

Great… I thought as I narrowed my eyes at Logan Now my imagination is playing a joke on me, nice.

Logan gave me an evil grin. "I have chosen you to be my vessel Jude. Although it's been really annoying because your magic kept me from appearing to you for a full year! Your friend did a containment spell on me and well, as you can see, it didn't work. Don't worry, I'm taking your body for my own and then you will no longer be."

Without thinking I threw one of my swords at Logan. It didn't do anything except go through him and land on the ground beside him. After that, Logan disappeared, I stood there staring in disbelief. "Okay, this joke has gone way too far now! Really funny when did Eli and Ivy get a projector screen?"

"What are you talking about Jude? I saw the guy standing right behind you! I don't think that was a joke!" Oliver exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes and told Oliver what's been going on lately. After I explained the whole situation he looked terrified. "Look, I don't think this is a joke. Eli knows a lot about demonic possessions. Listen, the less terrified you are of the spirit possessing you, the harder it will be for it to take over. You need to make sure you're not afraid of it. That's what the spirit wants. Once you acknowledge the spirit, it can move in and take over you."

"You're in on the joke now too! Really dad? Nice, just perfect," I growled. "You know something, I'm out of here! I don't believe what's going on, not one little bit. This stupid joke is getting on my nerves! So knock it off!"

I stormed off in anger before Oliver could say anything else.

* * *

{Eli}

You've got to be kidding me! I thought, Just Great! The guy just had to announce himself to Jude! Lovely!

As I came around the corner, I pushed my panic to the back of my mind as much as I could when I saw Jude. Seeing the look of disbelief on Jude's face I breathed a sigh of relief and thought, Oh good, he still doesn't believe any of this.

Jude groaned and rolled his eyes. "No I don't believe it for a minute Eli! There's no way this is possible! Yeah, a guy named Logan that comes from a place called the Tree of Wisdom has chosen me to be his vessel. Yeah no, and when did you get a projector screen? Very funny Eli!"

I opened my mouth, getting ready to respond and then I closed it. I then spoke, "Wait, what? You think I got a projector screen? What makes you think that?"

"Because this weirdo guy with horns and he looked like a goat but human form stood in front of me, when he said I was his vessel. Yeah no, you really outdid yourself this time! I know Nightmare Night's right around the corner but, really now? Really!" Jude said. He looked clearly upset by the so-called prank that's going way too far that I'm playing on him.

"I would say it's not a joke, but that's a pretty useless thing to say at the moment," I said. "You must think you're going insane huh, Jude?"

"You know something?" Jude growled. "I'm done talking about this for the day. I would appreciate it if you would knock it off!"

I didn't say anything else, because Jude stormed off in anger.

* * *

{A bird named Raven}

I'm starting to hate Equestria even more, just like Crow! I thought. Don't get me wrong, Equestria is a peaceful place and all, but this place has so much magic in it that it's becoming increasingly hard to track down Logan.

Crow gave three bird calls that signaled the end of his search for now. When he came back I said, "Have you found anything yet, Crow?"

Crow shook his head. "Nope."

We looked to see Noah coming and looked up at the tree branch we were on and wondered if he'd found any information out.

Noah frowned. "I know what you're thinking, yes I did find some information, but not much. It seems that Logan has found a vessel already."

"Great," I said.

"I totally understand your frustration," said Noah, "but this time he's chosen a vessel that has magic. This vessel probably presented a challenge for him. What he doesn't realize is that when a god choses a vessel, two things could happen. One, the vessel can easily push him out with their magic. If that happens, it'll be harder for us to track Logan down, because then he'll have to find another vessel. I feel sorry for the vessel, because the process of pushing a god out of them is very painful. And two a god that choses a vessel that has magic that god could die."

When I heard the news that a god could die because he had chosen a vessel that has magic, it actually brought me some sort of comfort. If only birds could smile. But, I guess a chuckle will have to do for now.

That's what Crow and I did. We chuckled at the thought that Logan could possibly die because he chose a vessel that has magic. This puzzled Noah. "What's so funny?"

"Well number one," I explained, "Logan's stupidity has been magnified greatly. Number two, I can't speak for Crow, but I think it might be best for everyone if Logan does die."

Noah frowned again. "I'm not so sure if that's a good idea. Odar wants him back alive. Although he's bound to find this whole situation funny, I also think he's going to have a field day with this!"

Noah took out his crystal that he uses to gather information and communicate with Odar. After he put it in the ground, a bright light appeared with Odar's picture in it. "Noah? If you're contacting me now, I'm going to assume you've found Logan?"

Noah shook his head. "That's not it at all. We have a situation that might mean Logan could die before we find him."

Odar raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I've found out that Logan's chosen a vessel who already has magic," Noah said.

Odar did a facepalm. "Great, Logan's just proved how big of an idiot he is! If he gets pushed out of the vessel because of their magic, he'll just choose another vessel which will make it even harder to find him. Although..."

"Although what?" Noah asked.

"If Logan dies, it could be the best thing for everyone. Just keep me informed about what's going on," Odar said.

Noah nodded. "Yes sir."

Noah ended the call with Odar by taking his crystal out of the ground. "Well then... oops! I forgot to tell him about the ponies and humans that live here."

"Yeah, they're just as intelligent as you and I are," I said. "I bet you out of all the places Odar would be interested in traveling to, this place would be it! I can only imagine who the ruler of this place is!"

"That reminds me," said Noah, "I did see a castle before coming over here. It's huge! I think if we can talk to the ruler, and explain our situation, we might be one step closer to finding Logan."

"Only problem is that it can only happen if they can see us," I said.

"Well it's worth a shot," Noah said, with hope.

I nodded in agreement and then looked up at the sky like I've been doing as I searched for Logan. I noticed something, the sun and wasn't moving on its own like a normal sun would. This sun looked like it was being controlled by something. Huh, now that's interesting, I'll tell Noah about this once we find Logan.

Crow, Noah and I headed to the castle. As we did, I hoped with all my heart that either Logan would be killed or that we could find him and bring him back to the Tree of Wisdom.

* * *

{Jude}

As I rounded the corner the Eli and Mio's room, I was surprised because instead of having sex like they normally do when I come close to their room, Eli was sitting at a desk doing research on something. Milo was asleep in bed. When Milo sensed I had been standing outside his room for a while, his eyes shot open. He got dressed and came outside to talk to me. "What's up?"

Milo sighed, "Eli hasn't been sleeping much lately. He's very worried about some guy named Logan. From what he's told me, Logan's a demon god that's possessing you."

"Yeah I'm still not-" I started to say. Before I could finish that thought, I somehow teleported to the garden that's behind the castle. Standing in front of me, was my imaginary best friend named Logan. I rolled my eyes. "My out of control magic wants me to have a new imaginary best friend. Wonderful! I'm sooo happy!"

Logan laughed wickedly, "You really don't believe I exist huh?"

I started to try to leave, when I found that I couldn't move.

"Well then," said Logan, "let me show you that I'm real."

Logan came up to me and ran his index finger on my left arm. He started at my shoulder and stopped down by my elbow. I looked at my arm to see that there was a streak of fire that came from what Logan just did with his finger. Yup, I've gone completely insane! I'm seeing things! Thank you out of control magic!

I didn't feel anything at first. That only made my belief that my magic being out of control was doing this even stronger. Then I felt a searing intense pain on my arm. I shrieked because of the pain.

Logan gave me a sinister smile, "Now do you believe I'm real?"

"Hell no!" I snarled. "My out of control magic is making me see things, that's all this is. Besides, why would I believe in something as far fetched as a god named Logan, who is a god that lived in a place called the Tree of Wisdom that's possessing me? Yeah right."

"Once you believe I'm real, that makes it easier for me to take over," Logan said. "When I do take over you, you will cease to exist. That burn is going to be tender to the touch and everyone around you will be able to see it. I wonder how much pain you can go through before you'll acknowledge me? Until we meet again Jude. Bye!"

After Logan disappeared, I teleported into the castle. I continued to feel the pain from the burn I just got thanks to my out of control magic. I couldn't stop screaming because of the pain. I curled up in the fetal position as I laid down. I felt that I couldn't do anything but scream.

* * *

{Rainbow Dash}

I was headed to magic practice when I heard Jude screaming. Great, he sleep teleported again! Either that, or he's having another flashback. I can't do anything for him about it unfortunately, I wish I could help.

I galloped in the direction of where Jude's screaming was coming from. When I found him, he was in the fetal position and screaming bloody murder. From what I sensed, he didn't sleep teleport and he wasn't having a power surge. Hmmm, I wonder what's going on. I'll take him to bed. Maybe he's not getting enough sleep or something?

When I got him to bed, his screams got louder. It sounded a lot like he was in pain. "It's okay Jude, you're in your room, you're safe. Calm down, what's wrong?"

"It hurts," Jude wheezed, barely getting the words out. I noticed that he was grabbing his left arm.

I looked in horror to see on his arm was a 3rd degree burn that started at his shoulder and ended at his elbow.

"Jude," I said gently, like I do with Oliver when he gets hurt, "how did you get that burn on your arm?"

He didn't answer me. I couldn't get a good look at the burn again because Jude grabbed his arm, blocking it from my view. Once again, I said gently to him, "Jude, would you let me look at your arm again? I need to see how bad your injury is."

"NO!" Jude shrieked.

"Come on Jude," I said, trying to coax him into letting me see the burn on his arm, "if you let me see it, I can cast a healing spell to make the pain go away."

"NO!" Jude shrieked. He rolled over on his left side, to keep me from seeing the burn. He grimaced after he did that.

I winced when I saw the pain he was in because of doing that. "That's gotta hurt, at least let me-"

"NO!" Jude shrieked.

"At least let me-" I said.

"NO!" Jude shrieked. "NO SLEEPING!"

I did a facehoof and groaned, "Honestly, what is with my children and this 'no sleeping' thing?"

"NO!" Jude shrieked.

I groaned, "No what, this time?"

"JUST NO!" Jude shrieked.

I sighed seeing that I couldn't talk to Jude much at the moment I turned around, closed the door, and left.