Sun Slayer's radiance

“This world… it is beautiful in every single way.”

Yoriichi saw red as he mad-dashed down the dirt road. Two mares hugged each other to the side of the road as three changeling demons closed in. The mutated insects never got close as Yoriichi lunged at them, twisting his body in multiple directions. When he landed, the demons screamed in pain, their heads and bodies coming apart and burning.

“I believe being born in this world was a blessing in itself.”

A burly stallion stabbed a pitchfork into the chest of a changeling demon, but the farm tool snapped like a rotten toothpick. The stallion yelped in fear and backed into a corner with the demon not far behind. Before it could get him, the wall to the right of the stallion shattered into pieces as a black and maroon blur cut the demon's head off in a single fiery slash.

“But demons exist in this beautiful world… again.”

Over and over, demons fell to the sun slayer's blade as the slaughter continued. Yet, the burning hatred and pain that had been pent up for almost 80 years didn’t dwindle as Celestia’s sun peaked over the horizon.

“Am I doomed to forever live like this? What do I have to do in order to achieve a peaceful life? Time and time again, I am reminded of my failures and weaknesses, like some divine being found my suffering amusing.”

The remaining demons noticed the sun rising and promptly made a run for cover. But the enraged swords pony didn’t give them the chance to flee, cutting off heads or severing limbs and letting the rising star finish the rest.

Finally, the screams died out, pony and demon alike. As the final demon shriveled up from the light, Yoriichi stood where it had been before with labored breath. He could feel the splinters poking the roof of his mouth, sweat ran down his forehead, and Yoriichi’s heart was beating faster than it had ever had before. He shook off his fatigue, took a deep breath, and calmed his racing heart. Looking around, Yoriichi saw that he was near where the fight had started and that the watering hole wasn’t far away.

As he slowly walked to the bar, memories of Fluttershy played in his mind, much to his confusion. Even though her wound wasn’t a life-threatening wound, the sight of the injured sweet and innocent mare felt wrong to him. Maybe because she reminded him of a mix between Sumiyoshi and Uta, at least that is what he thought, and Fluttershy getting hurt was like them getting hurt also.

Yoriichi pushed the thoughts back when he reached the watering hole’s entrance, and stepping over the broken doors, was met with the sight of his friends. Rainbow dash and Applejack noticed him immediately, the former obviously trying her best to hide a nervous expression from him, while the latter flashed him a grateful look.

Twilight and Pinkie, who were tending to the now awake Braeburn, turned to him with grateful smiles. “Oh, you’re back, Yoriichi. We were worried about you.” Twilight said with a relieved sigh.

Pinkie Pie nodded. “Yeah! After you went all scary like, the girls and I waited for you for, like, ever! But in the meantime, I help patch ol’ Bray over here, and he’s all better now.” The party mare's cheerful demeanor damped sadly as a frown spread across her muzzle. “I can’t say the same for Fluttershy, though. No matter what I do, she just won’t cheer up!” She said, throwing her hooves up in the air.

Yoriich wordlessly nodded and looked around the room for his shy friend, quickly seeing Fluttershy facing away from him in a slumped position with Rarity next to her. Rarity turned around when Yoriichi’s hoof steps reached her ears, Fluttershy only flinching from his approach.

“It’s wonderful to see you are okay, darling…” Rarity greeted with a small smile. “I presume you… took care of them?” She asked, cringing internally at the thought of taking a life.

Yoriichi nodded and looked down at the hunched Fluttershy. “Yes, I have…” He knelt and placed his slightly damaged sword next to him. “Are you alright?” Fluttershy didn’t respond and only turned around to face him. Her foreleg, where the demon injured her, was wrapped in a bandage, which brought comfort to him. But the look of sadness on the shy mare's face snuffed that comfort.

“Yes.” She mumbled quietly. Yoriichi was about to speak again, but Fluttershy got onto her hooves and walked out of the watering hole, leaving the stoic stallion confused.

He was about to follow when 1) Rarity beat him to it, and 2) Braeburn put a hoof on his shoulder with a smile. “Ah don’t even know what to say, mister. But ah am grateful for your help last night. Without you, who knows how many would’ve gotten hurt?” He said.

While he did feel some pride in his service, Yoriichi didn’t feel as if he did a good job. Sure, he had stopped many lives from being lost, but his emotional outburst left a sour taste in his mouth. It was common knowledge, mostly to him and his brother, that he expressed little emotion since he was a child, especially hatred. Not many things annoyed or irritated his usually calm and cool demeanor. Even when fighting Muzan, nothing more than the feeling of caution and anger barely showed themself.

So why did seeing Fluttershy getting hurt anger him? When he came into this world, Yoriichi noticed increased moments of happiness and other emotions during his stay. Most of these moments involved Fluttershy for whatever reason, along with a new emotion he had long since forgotten. But due to this, he let his bottled-up anger loose and caused a lot of unnecessary destruction around the desert town.

Yoriichi nodded his head. “ It wasn’t anything special, I was just doing my duty as a demon slayer. Unfortunately, I damaged property during my duty and want to repay you”

It surprised the stoic stallion when Braeburn chuckled and patted Yoriichi’s shoulder, “You don’t need to worry about a thing, partner. If it is the same to you, ah think savin’ the town all by yourself is enough payment.” Braeburn then started walking over to the door of the watering hole and faced Applejack. “Ah’m goin’ to make sure nopony is still freakin’ out. If you are thinkin’ of leavin’, sat hi to the rest of the family applejack!” With that, the cow pony disappeared.

The remaining Elements and the swords pony decided not to overstay their welcome and made themself scarce. It wasn’t long before they made it to the train station, where they found Rarity comforting a, more than usual, quiet Fluttershy. Her face had faint tear marks, and her eyes were slightly red and glossy from crying, but Yoriichi decided to address it later. They all boarded the train, with Fluttershy and Yoriichi last, and as Yoriichi walked inside the train car behind Fluttershy, he couldn’t help but notice an uncomfortable chill go down his spine.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Muzan tapped a hoof on the arm of his throne, the stench of Queen chrysalis now disposed of carcass still lingering in the air. His newest servant starlight had been missing ever since he gave her his blood. At first, Starlight was disgusted by the idea of consuming flesh, but a mix of her petty desire for revenge and her new demon traits quickly died out once he brought out some captured ponies.

Even though her progress was rapidly increasing, her tendency to question his intellect was grinding on his patience. The only thing keeping the demon king from turning the ex-pony into a puddle of blood and leftovers was that this world's inhabitants weren't as easy to win over with power and immortality as humans. So, he had to make do with what little he had until he could get enough members to remake the upper and lower moons.

“Master Muzan, Master Muzan!” A demon changeling rushed into the throne room from the ceiling but forgot to land on his stick-like forelegs instead of his face.

“You better have something of importance, or your face won’t be the only thing smeared on the floor.” He threatened in a low tone.

The demon changeling quickly and sloppy got back onto his hooves and gave a small bow. “I come with the most disturbing news!” He said. “T-The entire force hiding out in the desert town has been wiped out.”

Muzna’s eyes widened in shock and he jetted out of his seat with veins bulging from his head. “WHAT?!” He roared. “There is no possible way those pathetic, weakling ponies managed to eradicate that many demons in one night!” A familiar chill ran down his spine, a chill that was frighteningly familiar to him. “Do you know who dared oppose me?!”

The changeling sputtered and moved his mouth wordlessly, but eventually found his voice. “T-There w-wasn’t much. But from a single survivor, t-they said that he used a sword, and a strange scar on his-’ the demon changeling didn’t get to finish his report when Muzan extended his hoof and instantly crushed the demon, with a shallow crater being his grave.

A faint ringing in his ear accompanied the demon king’s heavy breathing as he knew all too well what, or who, the dead demon changeling was speaking of. Then, a small chuckle escaped Muzans lips, soon turning into maddening laughter that filled the entire throne room.

“Even in death, I can’t escape you! But no matter, when I get my hands on the alicorn amulet, not even you will be able to stop me, Yoriichi!” He yelled. The sound of a hard thud stopped the demon king’s laughter. Turning to the noise, Muzan flashed a sinister smile to the first member of his upper ranks.

“Lord Muzan, should I be worried about this pony you speak of?” The demon pony’s echoed monotone voice asked.

Muzan sat back down on his throne, smile still on his muzzle. “No, my dear stardust, he will only be a minor setback when this is all over. But that doesn’t mean to underestimate him.” The demon pony only nodded as she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Muzan to himself.

“Watch yourself, demon slayer, for your days are numbered”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, the scenery outside the train car passed by the window as Yoriichi sat beside it alone. The Elements were mostly conversing among themselves, only talking to him when giving thanks. He would say the same thing he said to Braeburn, only resulting in getting subtle looks of worry and pity from the mare.

Fluttershy, on her part, sat across the train car away from Yoriichi and not facing him. No words came from the shy mare for the past hour, and the same worrying feeling came back to Yoriichi.

Not wanting it to persist, Yoriichi had to “face the music”, whatever Pinkie pie said, and walked over and sat next to the shy mare. She flinched and tried to make herself smaller under Yoriichi’s calm gaze. Both stayed silent, not aware of the other Elements watching in mild suspense.

“Is there something bothering you?” Yoriichi asked. The shy mare next to him didn’t give him an audible answer, only a slight nod. “Judging by your reactions, it has something to do with me… doesn’t it?”

Fluttershy hesitated but eventually nodded in shame.

Yoriichi had thought that was the case. But even then, a ping of guilt and shame stabbed his heart as he looked away. Yet again, the silence was deafening as the stoic stallion was trying to come up with ways to talk with his friend, yet nothing came to mind. He’d dealt with this type of pony, or rather person, before. Usually, their quietness and distancing from others were caused by the death of a lost one, either because they didn’t save them from a demon or an accident. He never dealt with someone who visibly feared him to the point of wanting to get away from him.

No explanations or reasons came to the stoic stallion, Every pathetic excuse would never work or would possibly escalate the situation.

“Yoriichi?”

The swords pony’s thoughts halted when Fluttershy’s barely hearable voice called him. He looked over and saw that Fluttershy's tear-stained face was staring right back at him with… sorrow?

“Why did you have to do that?” She asked, her voice wavering with sad confusion.

“What are you referring to?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Yoriichi forced his eyes not to widen when Fluttershy suddenly wrapped her forelegs around him in a tight embrace. “You… You really scared us last night. I’m thankful that you saved me, but that look you had frightened me.” She looked up at him with a hint of anger in her expression. “Why did you rush off like that? I was worried about you.”

“To tell you the truth, I don’t even know myself,” Yoriichi answered bluntly. “When I saw you get hurt by that demon, anger filled my heart at that moment… that disgusting feeling that drove me into a blind rage.” The swordspony rested a hoof on Fluttershy’s head and pulled her closer. “But I will never lower myself to that level again, I promise you that.” He whispered.

“I’m not saying you need to hide those feelings, just… don’t go overboard again.” Fluttershy said with a small smile.

Over on the other side, a white unicorn mare was squealing in joy as the rest of her friends looked on with either confusion or happy smiles.

“Rarity, what’s going on with you?” Twilight asked. Her mouth was plugged by Rarity's hoof as the young alicorn and unicorn ducked behind the seat.

“Twilight, darling, I know that you aren’t the most knowledgeable of ponies when it comes to things like this,” Twilight glared at the insult, but Rarity ignored it. “Still, even somepony like you can tell what’s going on?” Rarity pointed a hoof to the hugging pair a few seats back.

The young alicorn pushed Rarity’s hoof away and wiped her mouth. “Um… they’re making up as friends do?” She shrugged.

Rarity face-hoofed and let out a small groan, “No, darling, they are obviously falling in love!” She quietly shouted.

“Do you think they actually made a good match?” The prismatic pegasus asked from above, almost startling Rarity and Twilight, “In my opinion, they are both too alike.” She said with an eye roll.

The fashionista waved a hoof and scoffed, “Nonsense, Rainbow dash, they’d make a good pair. We just need to make sure it happens.” Rarity chuckled darkly while rubbing her hoofs together.

The pegasus and alicorn just looked at each other and silently agreed to just leave Rarity to her delusions.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia took a bite from her vanilla-frosted chocolate cake and placed the fork back onto the plate. On the other side of the table, Yoriichi barely touched his pastry, only staring at it with a blank look.

“It is concerning, From the eyewitness reports and you and the elements reports, It sounds like the changelings are at it once again,” Celestia said. She sighed and levitated a quill and parchment over to herself. “I’ll have to write to my royal guard outposts in major areas.”

The solar Diarch was about to write when Yoriichi slid his plate forward, catching her attention. “It would not be of any use to contact them.” He said in his even tone.

“What do you mean?” Celestia asked.

Yoriichi turned his head and looked out to the clear blue sky outside of the princess's personal chambers. “While I’m not undermining the strength of your stallions, pitting them against a demon would prove to be more challenging. The best-case scenario would be a handful of guards would be able to take on a demon or two until daybreak, and that’s being optimistic.” He grimaced inwardly but continued. “I do not want to see anyone die, but if we are to go against Muzan, then me and my brother will not be enough.”

“Then how do you suggest we deal with these creatures?” Celestia asked, taking another bite from her cake. “Also, who is this Muzan pony, and why would he be teaming up with somepony like Chrysalis?”

The sword-pony sighed and said. “The method we demon slayers used to take out demons were special ores that can store sunlight, I have a feeling that it may or doesn’t exist here?” Yoriichi side glanced at Celestia, who was shaking her head. “Thought so.”

Then, Yoriichi had to fight off a scowl when Clestias second question came to mind. “As for Muzan, he is the vilest creature I have ever came across. A man once turned beast. He is the most likely one to create these newer demons, but I have no clue as to how he came to be in this realm. As for this Chrysalis per- pony, we can only hope Muzan hasn’t done anything life-threatening.”

Maybe he was right; Yoriichi would never find true peace. While he did have friends and co-workers that he cherished and loved greatly, there was always something missing. It was like a puzzle that could never be solved despite being the completed product. The only problem was that Yoriichi never sat down to think about these problems much in his past life, even after getting kicked out by the demon slayers. Even though Muzan was technically the cause of all his pain, he couldn’t bring himself to hate someone, no matter how vile.

Yoriichi never was one to truly hate another being beyond the common annoyance or frustration. Muzan though was the only one who was an exception to that. He made the sword-pony blood boil with an undying rage for what he had done, and Yoriichi swore that if the demon king ever showed himself again, he wouldn’t miss again.

Yoriichi turned his head away from the window and his thoughts at the sound of Celestia stifled laughter. “What is amusing?” He asked.

The solar diarch’s laughter died out as the parchment she had rolled up disappeared into thin air. “Excuse my rudeness, but when I finished writing a letter, I couldn’t help but take note of your seriousness.” She giggled.

Not understanding, Yoriichi asked, “Is that a problem?”

Celestia waved a dismissive hoof, “No, not at all. You and I have every right to be tense in these situations. I just think you need some relaxation time, too much stress is bad for a pony's health.” She then stood up and walked over to Yoriichi, “In truth, you remind me of myself a lot. Always worrying about others' safety.”

Yoriichi got up from his seat and stood up, almost reaching about the lunar princess's height. “Then what do you suggest I do?”

“ First off, I think you’d want to freshen up after a night’s worth of hard work.” The door to Celestia's room was surrounded by a golden aura as it opened. “I’ll have a bath set up for you in a guest room. Secondly, I heard there was a festival happening in Canterlot tonight.”

Now that she mentioned it, Yoriichi did notice the roads were less crowded than the last time he was here. Combined with the wooden stages being set up, a festival wouldn’t be too far from the truth.

“I suggest you go there to catch up and spend time with your friends, especially your brother,” Celestia said with a hint of somberness in her voice. “I don’t know the full story, but I can tell you and him have bad relations with one another. So try and do what my sister and I did and talk things out, ok?” She smiled, turning away and walking to the door. “Let's get going now.”

Yoriichi nodded in agreement and didn’t waste any time following the solar Diarch. As they walked down the pristine white halls, Yoriichi thought back on Celestia's words.

“Talk, huh? I’ll try again.”