The Tale Of A Lost Wolf

by Solaris Night


Chapter 37: Souleater

All was quiet in the peaceful town of Ponyville. Most of the residents were still sleeping their weekend mornings away. With the exception of one tree house.

"Spike!" Twilight shouted to her faithful assistant who was trying to catch a little more shut eye. "Do you know where we put the bandages?"

"I dunno." the half asleep drake responded. "Did you check the bathroom?"

"Of course." the mare smacked her head. Her horn glowed in purple aura and from upstairs floated down a roll of bandages. "Thanks Spike." She frantically placed it inside a large backpack, before she stood up and looked around. "Alright, next is... Ah yes, sunscreen. You can't possibly leave without it." While she was running around the house gathering her things, Rose and Trider simply watched her.

"Don't you think she's overreacting a bit?" Rose asked as she took a sip from her cup. "I mean we're only leaving for a couple of days and she looks like she's preparing for a month long trip."

"That's just how she's like." Trider answered. "But I do agree that she's going overboard with everything."

"Then why don't you tell her that?"

"I'm going to. In a few minutes, it's so much fun watching her."

Rose smiled and finished her coffee. "Oh good, I thought I was the only one who found it amusing." Both of them chuckled and returned to watching their friend.

"What's with all the ruckus?" another voice wondered. Trider and Rose turned their heads and spotted Dynamism. He hair was messed up since she just woke up.

"Morning Dyna." Trider greeted with a wave of his hand. The mare waved back, before she casted her gaze towards the ensuing chaos Twilight was creating.

"What's she doing?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"She's preparing my stuff for the trip." Trider explained redirecting his gaze back to the librarian.

"Isn't she...?"

"Yup she is." he said with a nod. He then grunted as he stood up and walked over to Twilight. "I guess I should stop her before she decideds to actually come with us." He took a couple of steps closer to the mare, while she was still running around collecting various objects. He extended his hand and placed it on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

"Woah Twi." he exclaimed, making her turn her head towards him. "Don't you think you're overdoing it?" She looked at him with a sharp glare and Trider immediately knew she didn't like what he said.

"Overdoing it?" she repeated, dropping all of the objects that were floating in the air. "OVERDOING IT?!" she screamed this time, making Trider flinch. "Every time you decide to leave Ponyville, to either just go for a stroll or go on one of your hunting trips, you almost always come back completely beaten up and covered in blood. Heck just last month you came back so badly injured that we had to get you to the hospital. And don't even get me started on all of the other times."

As Twilight's rant continued her wings flared open to their full size, giving her appearance of being larger, and she slowly began to push the Kanisar back while pointing a finger directly into his face.

"Did you know that the staff at said hospital have come up with a emergency situation just for you? They call it 'the Trider Protocol'." Her glare lessened as she went into one of her studious modes. "And I'll admit that thanks to it the response time for your emergencies have lessened by a lot, it still makes me embarrassed knowing that out of all the ponies you're the one who spends the most time in the hospital. Even more than Rainbow Dash and she is a certified daremare."

Her glare quickly returned and Trider, as well as the other two mares, could only watch her onslaught. "So if you think that I'm overdoing it, just remember that I have a solid reason to be worried about you. Every time you say that you're leaving I fear that that will be the last time I'll see you." She stopped her breating and her breathing was ragged.

Trider looked at her with bewilderment. He saw a few stray tears fall down her cheeks, so he lifted his hand and wiped them away. "I'm sorry." he said in a whisper. "I didn't know you cared about me so much. I still forget that there are actually people here that care for me." His gaze softened and he pulled Twilight into a small hug. "I understand how you feel Twilight, but fighting is in my nature and I can't just discard it that easily, just like I can't turn a blind eye when somebody is need of help." He broke up their embrace and he put on a mirthful smile. "That's something that you taught me. Are you saying that the wise Twilight Sparkle is wrong?" he asked, before he gasped. "That is blasphemy."

"Is part of your nature to also destroy the mood you create between two ponies?" she said and laughed at her friend. After a couple of seconds her laugh died down and her face became slightly melancholic again. "I know that it's difficult for you to just walk away when there is somepony who wishes to fight you and I accept that. But at least try to think about yourself as well. Don't just go and throw your life away."

Trider smiled and placed a hand onto her head. "I'll try." he assured her. He rubbed her head and Twilight revel in the sensation. Her enjoyment was broken when she noticed how the other two mares looked at her with bemused expressions. She hesitantly pulled away and cleared her throat. "Anyway, I am adamant that you take everything that I prepared for you." she decisively stated, with a blush on her face.

Trider was hesitant, as he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah about that. I'll take it, but..." He reached inside the bag and pulled out a small bottle. "Do I really need some of these items? I mean what the hell am I even going to do with sunscreen in the middle of autumn?"

Twilight looked at the bottle and chuckled. "Okay, maybe I did go overboard just a tad bit." Suddenly her horn glowed and all the items inside flew out and hovered in the air. "Just give me a minute to sort through it all and then you may leave."

Trider went back to his previous sitting position next to Rose and went back to watching his friend prepare for his departure.

***

"Mangez-vous des poneys?" the little colt asked as he and another younger filly jumped around the annoyed Kanisar. "Ou préférez-vous les griffons?"

"Like I said the last thousand times." Trider spoke through his forced smile. "I do not speak baguette!!!" His expression made both of the foals back away slightly. But their fear was soon overturned by their laughter.

"Tu as un drôle de visage." the filly laughed. Both of the children then tried to copy how Trider looked and went back to their parents who were riding the large carriage. While they were busy showing off to them, Rose walked up to the Kanisar and smiled.

"You certainly know how to deal with children." she spoke, while Trider corrected his rather large backpack. "If only you had the same amount of patience and tolerance towards others."

"The others aren't young kids who have no idea how the world works." he shot back. "If an adult were to act the same way towards me as those children did, they would receive a large portion of knuckle sandwiches."

For couple of minutes they walked in silence, before Rose leaned in closer to Trider. "I really am thankful that you agreed to come with me."

Trider glanced at her and scoffed. "Don't mention it. I couldn't just let you take on this task all by yourself. Although I'm curious why you decided to take me and not anyone else?"

"Let's just say I have my reasons." she said with a playful smile. Trider just shook his head and they focused back onto the road in front of them. After a while Rose broke off from Trider and went over to the carriage.

"Combien de temps avons-nous jusqu'à ce que nous atteignons la ville?" the older mare on the wagon asked.

"Pas longtemps." Rose quickly responded. "Nous devons juste passer la forêt devant nous et nous l'atteindrons." The two older ponies were satisfied with the answer so Rose decided to head back up front.

"Where did you learn to speak that language?" Trider asked once she joined up with him.

"My parents both wanted me to learn other languages than just plain old Equestrian, so I decided to pick on a few more."

Trider looked at her and cockde an eyebrow. "A few? How many do you know?"

"8 in total."

He whistled at her response. "Damn girl. Hot and smart. The holy combo."

"Merci beaucoup vous n'êtes pas trop mal vous-même."

"I got none of that, but I am certain you were praising me, so thank you." They chuckled at their exchange. For the next fifteen minutes they had idle chat with one another and every once in a while they'd be interrupted by one of the foals who wanted to ask Trider something. Eventually they reached the forest that was enveloped in a thick fog.

Trider looked over to Rose and gave her a skeptical look. "You sure this is the right way. Cause I feel like we just entered a horror movie and we're clearly not the killers here. Well psychopathic killers at least."

"Is the big bad wolf afraid of a little moisture in the air and a dense population of trees?" Rose mockingly said, which made Trider's nerves twitch.

"Not afraid, just cautious."

"Whatever floats your boat." Rose snipped and walked in front of him.

"Le loup est un lâche." one of the foals shouted from the carriage.

Trider grumbled as he began to follow Rose into the woods. "Where is a black guy when you need him?"

***

Half an hour passed since they entered the forest and they were all on edge. "I'm telling you we're lost." Trider sighed in exasperation.

Rose didn't turn her gaze from the map that was in her hand. "And I'm telling you we're not. I know where we're going." she argued back.

"I can't believe it. You see this? This is the reason why the belief that women are bad at navigating actually exists."

"Oh this coming from you. You couldn't find your way in a shop with a single aisle." she countered back. Their arguing began to escalate and they stopped, as did the carriage.

"Qu'est-ce qu'ils se disputent à propos de?" asked the stallion.

"Oh, c'est juste une querelle d'amoureux." the mare answered as they continued to watch the two go at each other. Their arguing was stopped when a blodd chilling shriek sounded off.

"What was that?" Trider asked, his hands raised, ready to fight.

"I don't know." Rose answered, her sword also drawn. "But we should hurry." She turned to the carriage and quickly spoke. "Dépêchez-vous. Nous devons partir immédiatement." The stallion nodded his head and made the wagon travel faster.

They didn't travel even a dozen feet when the ground suddenly shook. They turned their heads towards where the shaking originated and their eyes widened at what they saw.

Not even a hundred feet away from them stood a large beast. It was huge, easily as big as a small house and it's entire body was covered in black needle like fur, with the exception of it's face, which was covered by bone like substance, which reminded them of a skull. It's large and long front legs bent at an unusual angle further adding to it's alien and horrific appearance. Two long tails swished behind it, looking like two snakes.

"What. The fuck. Is that?" Trider whispered as he slowly leaned closer to Rose.

Everyone watched as the creatures violet eyes continued to stare at them unmoving. "I don't know." she whispered back.

All of sudden the creature lifted it's head, opened it mouth, revealing a set of long and sharp teeth, and unleashing another terrifying scream. "COURIR!!!" the mare shouted and they all booked it as fast as they could.

The monster reacted to their fleeing by beginning to chase after them. "Oh it's just a foggy forest Trider, what's the worst that could happen here?" Trider mockingly imitated Rose as they continued to flee.

"Oh shut it and run." she snipped back. Even though they ran at their top speed the creature, due to it's large size, was quickly gaining up on them. Trider and Rose immediately realized they had no chance of outrunning it.

"Take the carriage as far away from here as you can." the Kanisar said to the mare.

"Trider no!" Rose quickly argued. "You are not fighting that thing. We are not sure what it is and what it can do. Besides you promised Twilight that you won't jump into danger."

"And I won't. I'll just make it chase after me, while you make your escape." Trider explained. "Once we're far enough I'll shake it off and I'll reunite with by following your scent."

Rose tried to argue, but she knwe that what he said was the most logical solution they had, since he was the only one who had the means of escaping the creature.

"All right. Just make sure you make it back in one piece." Trider nodded and he broke off from the group.

"Hey fucker!" he shouted and shot a Ki blast at it, gaining it's full attention. "Bet ya can't catch me!" The creature roared and turned towards the Kanisar, determined to catch him.

"Good luck." Rose thought, as she turned her focus on getting away. The rest of the group continued to run, until they stumbled onto what appeared to be a wall.

"Halt who goes there!" a voice shouted. The group stopped just close enough that they could make out the dim lights of torches and shadows of ponies.

"My name is Rose Blade, Captain of the Royal Guards and I am escorting some merchants who asked for my assistance in guiding them to Kobenhooven." she answered. The ponies conversed between each other for a little while, before they stepped out of the fog and showed themselves to them.

"Our apologies Captain." the two guards saluted. "We didn't mean to be so coarse ma'am. We were just careful."

"Does that have anything to do with the monster we met in the forest?" she asked bluntly as she and the carriage passed through the door in the wall.

The guards's eyes widened. "You encountered it?" one of them asked in disbelief.

"We did." she sighed. "If you don't mind, could sompony escort me to the commanding officer of this town so I can have an in depth conversation about the situation?"

"Most certainly." One of the guards walked in front of her and she quietly followed him.

"Oh yeah, before I forget." she stopped and turned around. "There was another guard with us, but we got separated when we decided he should lead the monster away from us. So I would like to ask you to lead him to us once he arrives."

"'If' he arrives." the guard said, which earned him a wrathful glare from the mare. The guard fumbled as he tried to compose himself. "S-so what does he look like?" he stuttered. "Y'know so I can immediately send him your way once he comes."

"You won't miss him." Rose said and turned around. "He is a furless wolf like pony with an extremely bad attitude. I'm certain you'll know it."

The guards face turned to one of confusion as he processed what the mare told him. Meanwhile Rose and the other guard made their way into the town. They were greeted by the sight of empty streets. They soon reached their destination and they entered the building. They climbed several staircases until they reached the door to the Captain's office.

"Wait here." the guard said and knocked on the door. He entered and Rose in the mean time waited to be called in. After a couple of seconds the doors opened again and the guard walked out. "The Captain will see you now." he said and walked off, back to his post.

Rose composed herself, before she entered the room. She was greeted with the stench of cigarette smoke. "Welcome Rose, it's so good to see you again." Rose turned her gaze to the magenta mare that sat in the chair. Her short purple mane was tied in a bun on top of her head, while parts of it ran down her head.

"Likewise Jubilee." Rose greeted back. "You still like to endulge yourself with that awful habit of yours I see."

"Every mare has her weakness." Jubilee shrugged as she extinguished her cigarette in the ashtray. "Anyway what brings you to our little Kobenhooven?" she asked.

"I was just escorting a couple of merchants here." Rose explained. "All was going smoothly, until we encountered 'it'."

Jubilee stared at her with a disdained look. She then reached inside of her coat and pulled out a pack. She picked out one of the cigarettes and lighted it with a lighter. She took in a deep breath and then she exhaled.

"I see." she sighed and took another puff. "I just hope you made it out unscathed."

"We did thanks to Trider. If he didn't lead the monster away I'm not sure we'd be here talking right now."

Jubilee's ears perked at the sound of the Kanisar's name. "Trider?" she repeated, slightly surprised. "As in Trider, the guy who the princesses were in an uproar for a while? The one who saved Canterlot during Changeling invasion and the one who almost destroyed Crystal Empire?"

"The same."

Jubilee's mouth twisted into a cocky grin and she shot Rose a bemused look. "Oh my Rose I knew you had hots for him, but you really are desperate if you decided to bring him along. Just you and him. Who knows what might happen?"

Rose's cheeks turned red, but she managed to keep her composure. "I do not know what you speak of." she said in a defending tone. "Besides I didn't come here to talk about my private life."

"I know, I know. I just like to gossip." the mare chuckled, before her expression turned serious. "You said that you two divided and he was leading the monster away. Right?" Rose nodded. "Are you sure he'll be alright?"

Rose smiled and her expression remained calm. "I have seen Trider undergo ordeals that would kill anypony else. One monster is nothing major for him."

"If half the things I heard about him is true, then I'm sure he's fine as well." Finished with her cigar, she placed it into the ashtray and began to reach inside the coat to grab another. "However I also have doubts. If it were any other creature then I'd be certain of his safety. But..." she trailed off, leaving Rose worried.

"But what?" she asked, wanting to know what she knew.

"Well you see-" Jubilee was ready to light her cigarette when they were interrupted by a guard walking inside.

"Captain Jubilee." he said timidly. The mare sighed loudly and placed the lighter and cigar onto her desk.

"What did I say about entering without knocking?" she said in a cold tone, which made the guard gulp.

"I-I'm s-sorry, but-" he was interrupted when somebody grabbed him by the shoulder from behind.

"Out of the way small fry." the person said and forced his way inside. Rose immediately knew who the voice belonged to and she rose from her chair to greet him.

"Trider, you made it ba-" she didn't get to finish her sentence as the sight before her made her lose all of her words.

She was expecting to see her short slim friend, but what she saw was far from it. In front of her stood a person who looked exactly like Trider, but at the same time was very different. His hair was now so long it fell over his shoulder and it's tips were slightly grey, he also sported a beard of same color. He was now also a lot taller. Before the two of them were at almost the same height, but now he stood well over her. And his once skinny arms and body were now well toned and clearly showed his impeccable strength.

"Heya Rose." he said with a wave, as he entered the room. "I've been looking all over for ya." Rose couldn't respond, as her jaw was wide open and her eyes just stared at her friend. "Rose?" Trider asked and snapped his fingers in front of her.

The mare snapped out of her daze and she blinked a few times. "Trider?" she asked astonished.

"The one and the same." he said proudly.

"What happened to you?"

"Don't know?" he shrugged. "I was trying to lead the monster away from you guys and I was successful in doing so, but after a while it managed to catch up to me and we had a little clash, but got out scott-free."

"Scott-free my-" Rose didn't finish her sentence instead she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Did you even look at yourself before you got here?"

"I did and I'm telling you that the creature barely even scratched me." he countered. "I don't know what the fuck's going on."

While the two of them squabbled, Jubilee lit her cigarette and began to ponder. "I see." she mumbled. "I think I know what happened to you."

Her statement stopped their bickering and they turned their attention towards her. "You do?" they asked simultaneously.

"I do. But if you want to know it, then stop arguing like an old married couple and sit your asses down." she barked, while shotting a glare at both of them. The two quietly sat down and casted their gaze at the mare, signaling her she had their full attention.

"Good." she said, taking another puff. "This monster appeared near Kobenhooven about a week ago and just in that time it has attacked nearly anypony that either came into or left the town. Because of that the ponies are too terrified to even leave their homes."

"Didn't you send anyone in to take care of it?" Trider asked.

"I did." Jubilee sighed. "You have three guesses how that went." Rose and Trider exchanged worried glances, as they could assume what happened. "After that failed, I wanted to contact the main branch of the Royal Guards in Canterlot, but decided against it."

"Why?" Rose questioned.

"We knew nothing about it and sending more could either bare success or failure, and I don't like to gamble with lives." the mare explained. She took out her cigar and held it between her fingers, staring at it absentmindedly. "So instead I decided to observe it before we acted. If we could learn even the tiniest detail about it, we could use it in our favor."

"Found out anything?"

"I did." she replied with vigor. She placed the cigarette back into her mouth and she clased her hands. "From what we observed we have come to a conclusion that this monster is actually a demon."

Rose jumped out of her chair and she slammed her hands onto the desk. "A demon?!" she exclaimed, looking at Jubilee with wide eyes.

Trider wasn't sure why she reacted the way she did, so he decided to ask. "What's a demon?"

Rose calmed down slightly, as she looked at her friend and she sat down. "A demon." she started with a scared voice. "Is a being from Tartarus. They are creatures that we have no idea about, since nopony is dumb enough to go into Tartarus to study them. But despite lack of knowledge, there is one thing that we ponies are absolutely certain about." She stopped to take a short breath, before she continued. "At any point in time that a demon shows up, it is followed by a great calamity."

"What are we standing around then for?" Trider said and stood from his chair. "I'm sure that if we can stop it right now we can prevent it from sending Equestria into chaos."

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Rose immediately responded. "I said they are creatures that we know nothing about. And just look what it did to you."

"It made me more badass. Is that really that bad?"

"Yes! No! Maybe? Arghhh." Rose became frustrated and she started to bite her nails.

"Actually I think I know what it can do." Jubilee interjected. The other two looked at her, expecting her to explain. "Trider is not the only one who managed to escape the demon's grasp."

"What happened to them?"

"They became old." she stated bluntly. "I even witnessed it first hand when one of our scouts was captured by it and he aged drastically right in front of my eyes, until he turned to ash. At frist I thought it was capable of draining magic from other beings, but now I know it is not so."

"Why do you think so?" Rose asked.

"Because of him." Jubilee said and pointed a finger at Trider.

"Me?" Trider questioned, pointing a finger at himself as well.

The mare nodded her head sagely. "Yes. I have read files on you alien and one thing that caught my eye is that you posses no magic." As soon as she said that the other two realized what she getting at. "That's right. If Trider, who has no magic, suffered the same fate as those other ponies then it can't be draining out magic."

"So if it's not magic," Rose wondered, placing a finger onto the tip of her chin. "Then what is it taking from ponies to make them age rapidly?"

"It's simple." Jubilee stated, a cocky grin now on her face. "What we have here my dear is a Souleater. I think the name's pretty self explanatory."

Rose and Trider nodded their heads, telling the mare that knew what she was saying. "So what do we do now?"

"I say we find it and beat it to a pulp." Trider said, expressing his intent by slamming his fist into his hand. "I don't wanna be stuck as an old man forever."

"Old man?" Rose scoffed. "Please Trider, you're barely over thirty by my estimate."

Trider gave her and unamused look, before he lifted his shirt exposing his well toned stomach. "You see this." he said and pointed toward a large black weirdly shaped mark that covered most of his stomach.

"I do. And?" Rose wondered, with slightly red cheeks.

"This here is what my kind calls Ancient's mark." he stated, with slight pride. Rose said nothing, but instead she rolled her hand, telling him to just get on with it. "And we only obtain this mark once we are fifty years old."

"Fifty?!" both of the mares shouted. They looked at him to see if he was joking with them, but saw no sign of it.

"How in the name of sweet Celestia can you be fifty?" Rose asked astonished. "You haven't changed that much from how you looked before."

"We Kanisar are a warrior race and so in order to fight for as long as we can, our bodies evolved in such a way that our bodies don't age the same way you ponies or other races do. We maintain our youthfullness almost to the point until we die." he explained. Both of them were shocked from his revelation and it took them several seconds, before they spoke up.

"You mind if I snag him away." Jubilee whispered into Rose's ears. "I mean just look at him." she purred.

Rose shot her a short glare, before she turned back to Trider. "Even so Trider, how can we take down something we can't even touch?"

"Simple." he said with a smile. "We just avoid touching it."

***

"This is stupid." Jubilee said as she, a few other guards, Rose and Trider hid behind a large rock formation, as they waited for the demon to show up.

"Actually, this might one of Trider's more brilliant plans." Rose defended her friend.

"Really? How is blast the monster to smithereens a better plan?" she seethed.

"Well, he would usually suggest to punch and kick it until it can no longer move." Jubilee stared at Rose, then she switched to Trider. After just a glance she sighed and she planted her palm onto her face.

"Great." she grumbled, before turning to her soldiers. "Alright listen up. When we encounter the monster I want all of you to give it your best and should things start to go south, I want you to beat it. No ifs, buts or whats. Just run. Unserstood?"

"Yes ma'am." they all saluted in unison.

"Keep it down." Trider hissed as he dropped down. "It's here." Rose and Jubilee both peeked from behind the stone and saw that the demon was in fact there, just several feet away from them.

"Alright." Jubilee said and went back behind the rock. "On the count of three you all jump out and wail at it."

"And what are going to do?" Trider asked.

"Well since I'm not a unicorn and I specialise in covert operations, where weapons like bows and such are not really all that useful, I think I'm going to just sit this one out." Jubilee explained. Trider accepted her explanation and got into position, like the rest of the guards.

"One." the mare started her countdown. "Two." Trider and the other ponies tensed, ready to jump and show the demon what hell is really like. "Three!" Like springs they all jumped out of their cover their released their blasts.

The barrage of projectiles hit the demon directly and it's pained wails echoed through the forest. Everyone relaxed seeing as their attack was a success.

"What are you idiots doing?" Jubilee suddenly shouted. "Don't stop until you've either ran out or have 100% confirmed the fucker's dead!"

Her warning came a little too late however. Out of the cloud the creature leaped towards them with tremendous speed. Seeing it approaching they prepared another round for the demon. This time however it managed to evade all of their attacks and it quickly began to close the distance between them.

"It's too fast." one of the guards shouted.

"Retreat!" Jubilee screamed, but it was too late. The demon reached them and snagged one of the guards. Everyone else watched as the mare's body began to age until she became wrinkly.

"Let her go!" one of the guards roared and blasted it. The demon released her, but she turned to ash before she could even reach the ground. Seeing this they all lost their will to fight and they started to run.

Trider however glared at the demon, his eyes filled with anger. "That's it!" he said and transformed. The demon paused for a minute, before it turned towards the Kanisar, watching him intently. "Let's see how you handle this!" He charged his hand with Ki, until a large sphere of energy formed. "Howling Nova Sphere!" He blasted his attack at the demon, while it just stood still.

Trider watched in triumph as the orb connected with the creature, but instead of a big explosion the sphere was absorbed into the demon. Flabergasted he didn't know what had happened and could only stare. The demon however took it's chance and lunged itself at the Kanisar.

Trider broke out of his stupor just in time to avoid the creature, trying to grab him. But while he dodged the grab, he was still hit by it's massive arm and was knocked out of the sky. He hit the ground hard and before he had time to recover, the demon landed on top of him and picked him up.

He could feel his energy being sucked out of him and he knew that if he didn't act soon he'd be a pile of ashes very soon. He tried to break out of it's grasp, but it proved to be a challenge even for him. Suddenly the demon cried out in pain as five bright red swords stuck themselves into it's arm. It released Trider and he quickly flew out of it's reach.

"You alright?" Rose asked as he landed next to the mare.

"I'll be fine, but that fucker managed to suck a couple more years out of me." he sighed. He looked behind himself to see if the demon was coming after him, but he saw that he was preoccupied by the other guards who were drawing it's attention by hitting it and running away.

"What happened out there?" Jubilee asked, as she appeared out of nowhere.

"I don't know." Trider said. "I don't know why my attack didn't work."

Rose looked between the Kanisar and the demon, as she thought over something that she remembered. "Trider." she spoke, getting his attention. "Didn't you say that Ki was made out of one's strength, vigor, bravery and such and it manifests itself in the form of energy?" He nodded to her explanation and she snapped her fingers as she figured out what had happened. "So wouldn't that mean that your Ki attacks are made out of your soul? And since that demon feeds on souls..."

"It means I can't do jack shit to it." he groaned at the realization. "Well just great, I'm as useless as Jubilee." He received a firm smack to the back of his head from the mare for his remark and he smiled sheepishly. "Heh, no offense."

"What now?" Jubilee asked in an anguished tone. "We just lost, what I believe is our heavy hitter, and none of our magic attacks seem to do any real damage to it."

"I may have something that might work." Rose spoke up. "The problem is that it will take some time to prepare it and there is also the problem of the demon dodging it."

Trider silently stood up and began to walk towards the demon. "Don't worry I'll take care of that." he announced.

"And what exactly do you plan on doing?" Jubilee wondered. "You can't touch it without having your soul taken and your Ki blasts are less than useless." she berated him.

The Kanisar said nothing, instead he jumped into the air and he soared towards the demon. The two mares watched him leave and Jubilee turned toward Rose. "Is he insane?"

"No. If there is one thing I can say for absolute certain when it comes to Trider, is that he always comes through when you need him the most." she said and focused her magic. Her sword broke into five pieces and they started to circle her.

"As the flow of crimson river, my strikes are calm and fierce. All those who dare to challenge me, I shall pierce." she began to chant and the swords started to spin even faster.

Meanwhile Trider tackled the demon away from one of the guards and he delivered several powerful strikes. Once he was finished he jumped away to create some distance. The demon shook it's head from the impact and roared at the Kanisar. Trider smirked and pointed a thumb at himself. "It's just you and me ugly." The demon shrieked and lunged at him.

"My sword is sharp and my hand is steady, so with determination I am ready."

As Rose continued to chant the incantation, Trider continued to occupy the demon to the best of his abilities. He used the run and hit tactic the guards were using before, but it only seemed to make the creature angrier. Suddenly it opened it maw and shot a large beam at the Kanisar.

"Woah shit." he shouted, just barely avoiding it. The demon took the chance and tried to grab him, but Trider managed to dodge it again. He glanced toward Rose and saw that the swords formed a small fiery red torando around the mare and he could sense she was close.

"Time to wrap it up." he said with determination and clenched his fists. With a roar he jumped at the demon and with two powerful blows he made it lose it's balance, by striking it's two huge arms. The demon hit the ground hard and was already getting up, but Trider quickly reacted and grabbed it around it's neck, pinning down on the ground.

His body began to change and wrinkles began to form on his face. "Anytime Rose!" he shouted to the mare.

"To bring down all the evils of this world. So blades heed my word and do as you're told!" The blades stopped spinning around the mare and were now positioned in a front of her, with their handles to Rose and with blades pointed toward the demon and Trider, forming a circle.

"Sakura Sword Style: Divine Crimson Flash!!!" she screamed and the blades burst with power. Inside the circle of swords formed a large mass of magic and as soon as it was released it blasted a large crimson beam at the creature.

Trider and the demon watched as the blast approached them at lightning speed and at the last possible second, the Kanisar jumped away, leaving the demon to it's fate. It shrieked as the blast tore it apart into oblivion. It took a couple of seconds for the blast to completely disappear and what it left in it's wake was a long and wide crater that seemed to stretch for miles.

Rose dropped to the ground panting, so Jubilee walked over to her and helped her up. "Girl, remind me why you didn't become a Captain as soon as ouy entered the Academy?" she asked in a mirthful tone.

Rose chuckled at her question. "As soon as you remind me why you still haven't found yourself a special somepony?"

"Low blow." They laughed at their exchange and began to head towards where Trider was. When they got close they saw him lying on the ground, his body now looking like an old man. They began to worry they were too late, but slowly and surely his body began to turn youthful. In just a few seconds he was back to his normal self, and Rose sighed in relief.

"Awww." Jubilee moaned and Rose looked at her with a confused look. "He was so hot before, now he just looks like a teenager with an attitude problem."

Rose snickered at her comparison. "True. But I still think he's hot." she responded and smiled.