The Demons Inside

by Paradox Theory

First published

Stonewall is a lonely stallion who just wants peace and quiet, and travels to Ponyville to find it.

Stonewall, a wandering pony who just wants to find some peace and quiet goes to Ponyville after hearing that it might give him what he's looking for.

Now if only that one pink pony would leave him alone, he'd blend in.

Then the past won't follow him, right?


Rated teen for some language, and some sexuality.

Prologue: Stonewall's Legacy

View Online

What are all of you doing here? Am I wanted? Do I need to get out of your way or throw away my opinion for you?

No?

. . .

You want to hear about what made me this way? I don't think you need to know my story, just go away.

. . .

Still here? Fine, I'll tell you what happened, and why I don't want to see anypony ever again.


Ever since I was little, I had a hard time interacting with other ponies. I didn't know how, you see.

Things that were supposed to be natural were impossible for me to grasp.

Eh, at least it means I'm weird enough that ponies don't bother me.

Most of the time.

In school, my teachers would try and get me to do things their way. Even if it was stupid, and I didn't want to.

I learned that I'd be slaving like this to almost everypony. My happiness doesn't matter. Their wallets do.

I wasn't free to do what I wanted, because it was conflicting with their perfect design.

That's when I decided to run off, to hide myself away in plain sight. To do only what I wanted.

One of my earliest memories of rebelling was when I was about 7. I was asked to point to a place on a map. I didn't want to. They told me to.

I didn't want to.

Most of my classmates and teachers learned that day what trying to get me to do something I didn't want to would cause.

The next big memory came when I was a bit older. about 10-11. I was being yelled at, and I didn't know why. I wanted to curl into a ball and hide. I was terrified.

After that, came my years of puberty and early adulthood.

When everypony found their talent, I didn't. I was still busy making others happy to focus on my future. I had slowly and slowly became a shell of my former self. Saying and doing things that made others leave me alone.

All outward emotion had stopped.

I had begun to grow a hate for other ponies.

I made exceptions yes, I had a few friends and some family.

But beyond those, I couldn't bring myself to accept others.

And one day, on pure accident, I hurt someone I cared about. And I left.

I walked away.

I hated myself now.


I heard ponies around me, telling me to stop.

Stop what? I don't know.

There's a couple of ponies fighting in front of me, one is covered in what I assume is their blood. The other pony is wailing on him.

Wait, that pony. . .

His gray fur, brown mane.

That's me.

It's happening again.

And just like that, I was standing over the pony who was being hit. His muzzle was broken, blood pouring out of his nose.

I could feel his blood running down my still raised foreleg.

I immediately took off, terrified.

It's happened before, you know.

Spurts of uncontrollable rage.

Always aimed at innocent ponies.

The pony I just hit? He was bugging me out of boredom. I could've walked away, and I should have.

But sometimes, I snap, and then I'm not inside my body. I'm outside of it, watching it act of it's own accord.

The first time I noticed it, I was merely a colt, and I almost broke a filly's neck.

Since then, it's been on and off.

I never stay in town anymore. I'm afraid anything could set me off.

I've been told I was a good pony, but I don't think I am.

I've hurt so many, and I've pushed many more away.

I came to this town, Stalliongrad I think, to blend in and be unnoticeable.

But it happened again.

Now I sat in a bar, drowning my troubles away in cider. Alcohol free, Sweet Apple Acres quality. The best kind there is.

As I downed my cider, I heard two stallions talking.

"So, you really think there's a treasure in the Everfree?" The first one whispered.

The second one nodded, "Yeah, and there's a small town on the edge of the forest. Small and out of the way, they won't notice any newcomers."

It sounded too good to be true.

Do you really think you can outrun me? A voice whispered in my head.

That's another thing, after the first time I noticed these spurts of rage, I noticed the voice as well.

It scares me, and all I want is to be left alone, then I won't hurt anypony. Right?


I could tell you more, but I'm terrible at explaining things and I need to see if Ponyville is really what they say it is.

My name? Well, I guess you can call me Stonewall.

Now, farewell, I have a trek ahead of me.

Chapter One: Pinkie's Promise

View Online

Pinkie watched the bridge outside of Ponyville intently. She was waiting for a new pony to walk into town. Her pinkie sense told her there would be one, and sure enough, a grey coated stallion appeared.

He was average sized, had a short brown mane with a brown tail. His cutie mark was a quill drawing a clock, and it looked like it was drawn on his flank with ink. His brown eyes darted everywhere, as if he was expecting a pony to jump out. Normally, Pinkie would have, but something told her to stay put. She learned from Cranky that some ponies need a different approach to friend making. Maybe this stallion was one of them.

As he got closer to her hiding place, Pinkie could hear him whisper. "This place looks good. Small, out of the way. No pony has noticed me. I can slip in and slip out before anypony notices a difference." Then he walked out of range.

Pinkie sat in her hiding place a bit longer before crossing her heart, hoping to fly, and sticking an actual cupcake (which she has on hoof) in her eye. She would befriend this stallion, if it's the last thing she'd do. "I pinkie promise!"


Pinkie followed the stranger through town, waiting and wondering.

Eventually, the stallion stopped by Twilight's castle. There, he pulled out a map and studied it for a moment.

Pinkie slowly made her way up to the stallion. "Whatchya lookin at?" She asked, looking over his shoulder.

"Kya!" The Stallion cried, falling over and obscuring the map. "W-who are you?!" He asked frantically.

"My name is Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie answered him cheerily.

"Well fantastic! You know your name!" The stallion mocked, "Now please go away."

Pinkie pouted for a bit before grabbing his shoulders. "Why so grumpy?"

"I'm not grumpy. I'm busy." The stallion stated.

"To busy to talk?" Pinkie questioned, putting her face right up in the stallion's.

"Exactly, now, go away." the Stallion shooed before turning and walking away, only to find that Pinkie had magically appeared in front of him.

"But it's a tradition of mine to welcome every new pony who comes to Ponyville." Pinkie explained, "So please let me welcome you."

The stallion arched an eyebrow before answering, "Okay, consider me welcomed."

Pinkie shook her head, "No silly, I have a song and dance routine."

"And I bet there's another pony who'd like to hear it." The stallion assured.

Pinkie pointed across town. Almost everypony was indoors, those who weren't were taking down their stalls and heading home.

"Oh. . " The stallion sighed, "It's a lot later then I thought."

Pinkie beamed, "So, you wanna hear the song and dance?"

The stallion shrugged, "Guess I will have to."

Pinkie bounced with glee before pulling some contraption out of nowhere. She also donned several instruments.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome, a fine welcome to you." Pinkie sang, dancing back and forth.

The stallion rolled his eyes at this strange pony.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome, I say 'How do you do?'" She continued, oblivious to the stallion's reaction. "Welcome, welcome welcome, I say 'Hip, hip, hooray!"

Pinkie jumped into the air, flipped and landed on her knees as she sang, "Welcome, welcome, welcome to Ponyville to daaay!"

The stallion went to get up but Pinkie pushed him down. "Wait for it. . "

The machine she pulled out earlier went ding and shot a cake out of an attachment. Then a few canons shot streamers.

"Wow." The stallion said, trying not to show too much awe.

"You liked it?" Pinkie asked enthusiastically.

The stallion nodded, "I did."

Pinkie sqeed, "Thank you!" She then hugged the stallion.

"Uhm, Pinkie? Please let go." The stallion pleaded.

Pinkie released her grip, "So, what's your name?"

"Call me Stonewall." Stonewall answered, turning away from Pinkie, "Now if you excuse me, I have to find a place to stay for the night."

Pinkie immediately grabbed Stonewall again and dragged him down the street, "No need! You can stay with one of my friends."

Stonewall groaned in response as he was dragged to what he assumed was his doom.


If doom meant a pretty yellow pegasus, the Stonewall was okay with doom.

Pinkie had explained to Stonewall that Fluttershy was a lot like him, and that's why staying with her would be the best idea.

". . ." Stonewall stared at Fluttershy.

". . . " Fluttershy stared back through her mane.

". . ." Stonewall looked at Pinkie, who signaled to do. . .well. .ANYTHING.

". . ." Fluttershy didn't hardly move at all.

". . ." Stonewall looked around, trying to think of something to say.

Pinkie was looking between the two, hoping one of them would say something, ANYTHING, to break the silence.

"Thanks for having us Fluttershy, it was nice meeting you." Stonewall said politely, standing up and making his way to the door.

"OH COME ON!" Pinkie yelled, scaring both Fluttershy and Stonewall. "You really can't say anything?!"

Stonewall shrugged, "I don't know what to say. I just thought I'd take off before it became more uncomfortable."

"But, but you two are both quiet and shy! You're like the same pony!" Pinkie exclaimed.

Stonewall nodded, "And that there is your problem, Pinkie. Me and Fluttershy are the kind who only talk when talked to. Or talk when comfortable enough."

Pinkie hummed for a moment in thought. Then a light bulb appeared above her head. "I know! Follow me!" Pinkie shouted, grabbing Stonewall and dragging him along once more.


Stonewall found himself standing outside a barn looking at a orange earth pony.

"Stonewall, meet my friend, Applejack." Pinkie introduced him.

"Howdy Stonewall. Pinkie said you needed a place to stay for the night?" Applejack asked.

"I do." Stonewall answered, "I suppose if you don't mind, I could bunk here."

Applejack smiled, "Of course you can!"

Pinkie bounced with glee, "See? I told you I knew what to do."

Stonewall rolled his eyes as he stepped inside Applejack's house. The front room held a few couches, some shelves with pictures and a fireplace. "Cozy." Stonewall commented.

Applejack pointed to the larger couch, "You can sleep there, I'll run up and get you a few blankets."

"Oh, and don't forget there's a breakfast party at Twilight's tomorrow!" Pinkie called after Applejack.

Stonewall sat on the couch Applejack had pointed to, "Hmm, comfy."

Soon, Applejack returned with blankets for Stonewall, "Aw shucks, the party is tomorrow mornin?"

Pinkie nodded, "Yup! Oh, and Stonewall can come too!"

Stonewall rolled his eyes before curling up in the blankets and falling asleep.

Applejack stared at Stonewall for a bit, "Real piece of work, ain't he?" She joked.

Pinkie nodded, "Yeah. From the moment he walked into town, I knew he needed my help." Pinkie agreed, glancing towards Stonewall's still form. "But, I made a pinkie promise to make friends with him. And I never break a pinkie promise."

With that, Pinkie and Applejack said their goodbyes and left the room. Stonewall opened his eyes sometime after that.

He sat there for the next few hours, Pinkie's final words echoing in his head. "And I never break a pinkie promise."