Demon of the Forest
Deep within the forests of the Carmaneah Walbridle Park, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance led Sunset Shimmer, Wanda Young, Abigail Albright, Spike the Dragon, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, Misty Brightdawn, Golden Lace, Flash Sentry, Timber Spruce, Gloriosa Daisy, Wallflower Blush and Vignette Valencia through the lush beauty of the trees that surrounded them. Princess Cadance faced her video phone with Princess Celestia on it.
“Remember my daughter,” Princess Celestia explained. “If something goes wrong, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll be there in almost a flash.”
“You got it, mother,” Princess Cadance said.
Princess Celestia nodded to Princess Cadance before she disappeared from the tablet. Cadance placed her tablet into her saddlebag before turning her attention to the forest.
“I take it mommy’s making sure we’re alright,” Wanda asked.
“You’re right on that, Wanda,” Princess Cadance said. “We’re going to be exploring this place for a bit before we head back to Twilight’s house.”
“You know it’s too bad we can’t spend the night here,” Shining Armor said. “They would enjoy the scenery from this place.”
“Yeah, but we did promise mother that I would bring them back before dusk,” Princess Cadance said. “And a promise is a promise.”
“That’s true,” Shining Armor said. “Besides, mom and dad were going to meet us at the camping grounds to have a picnic there.”
“Yeah it’s too bad,” Sunset Shimmer said, observing the trees around her. “Because this place is beautiful. Much like the Everfree Forest.”
“I’ve been down to the Everfree Forest, back when it was just the ruins of Everfree City,” Misty said.
“What was it like back then?” Sunset asked.
“It was far sadder than it appears to be,” Misty replied. “The ruins of what was once the original capital of Equestria just felt too depressing to look at. It was as if Equestria lost its soul.”
“That is sad, and I didn’t get the chance to see the ruins up close in the past,” Wanda said. “Maybe if I get sucked back into the past, I may check it out.”
“That’s something I think past me would be happy to show you,” Misty replied.
But as Wanda, Sunset and Misty continued to chat together, Twilight Sparkle walked alongside Flash Sentry with Golden Lace walking behind them.
“I mean, seriously?” Golden Lace said. “Mordecai as a nickname?”
“What’s wrong with that?” Flash Sentry asked.
“I dunno,” Golden Lace said. “I expected something more down to Equestria, like Vincent, or Kai, or Euden or Knux.”
Flash Sentry just laughed before he said “Those are some interesting nicknames you had in your head.”
“You know, Lace,” Twilight Sparkle said. “Sometimes late at night before we head to bed, Mordecai and I just look up at the sky and just count all the stars that shine downward. And sometimes, we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars.”
“Why, because you could really use a wish right now?” Golden Lace said with a smirk on her face.
“Okay, now you’re just messing with us,” Flash Sentry laughed.
“Don’t mind Lace,” Twilight Sparkle said. “Though I am surprised that she’s been channeling a bit of Danged Spell’s aura.”
“Danged Spell, eh?” Flash Sentry asked. “Is he her coltfriend?”
Immediately, Golden Lace just blushed before she yelled “HE’S NOT MY COLTFRIEND!”
With that, both Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry laughed.
“Don’t worry, Lace,” Twilight giggled. “We were just messing with ya.”
Golden Lace turned her head, blushing embarrassingly.
“Yeah,” Lace said. “Just…messing with me.”
But as the group continued their way through, Sunset Shimmer collapsed for a bit as if she had a throbbing headache. Wanda and Cadance were quick to turn towards Sunset Shimmer as everyone came to a stop.
“Sister,” Wanda said. “You alright?”
Sunset held her position for a bit before she opened her eyes and looked up at Wanda.
“I’m fine,” Sunset said. “I dunno what happened to me.”
“Are you really sure you wanna continue with us?” Princess Cadance asked. “I could ask mother to come pick you up if you’re not feeling well.”
“I’ll be fine,” Sunset replied. “Honest.”
“Are you sure?” Princess Cadance asked.
“Yeah,” Sunset replied. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
Princess Cadance continued to look at Sunset as she continued down the path with everyone else.
“I’m a bit worried for Sunset,” Princess Cadance said.
“If it gets worse, I’ll contact Princess Celestia,” Shining Armor said.
“Good thinking,” Princess Cadance replied.
Later that day, Night Light and Twilight Velvet had set some food up on a picnic table. Despite being in his wheelchair, Night Light was outperforming Twilight Velvet in setting up the picnic. It didn’t take long for Princess Cadance and Shining Armor to arrive with the other younglings right behind them.
“Mom, dad,” Shining Armor waved.
“It’s about time you made it,” Night Light said.
“You’re ever the fast pony,” Shining Armor said as he, Twilight Sparkle and Spike ran up to Night Light and Twilight Velvet.
“Well it pays to the fact that we went up ahead,” Twilight Velvet said. “Now how about you all come up? I’ve prepared some delicious arugula, avocado and carrot sandwiches with some zesty dressing on it, and I’m not wishing for them to go to waste.”
Immediately, the younglings all ran up to the picnic table and took a set before everyone took a bite into their sandwiches. Everyone enjoyed every bite from the delicacy of the food.
“Wow,” Wanda said after swallowing her first bite. “This is delicious.”
“Well that’s my mom,” Twilight Sparkle said. “She knows how to make a delicious sandwich.”
“I’ll say,” Misty said after she swallowed a bite. “I’ve tasted something similar to this before. But never in a sandwich form.”
“Hey Lace,” Gloriosa said. “Do you usually eat this kind of stuff?”
“Not really,” Golden Lace said. “Back when I was more on terms with my mother, we usually ate these hor'dourves. And most of the time, they were bland and boring compared to what I’ve been eating, especially Hippogriff food. Now that’s a meal onto itself.”
As everyone else enjoyed their food, Starlight Glimmer looked down at her uneaten sandwich, licking her lips.
“Hey Starlight,” Vignette Valencia said. “Are you not hungry?”
“No,” Starlight said. “I just feel like doing this.”
With her mouth wide open, Starlight Glimmer stuffed her sandwich right into her own mouth. She closed her mouth tight before she chewed her sandwich. Everyone just looked at her, completely surprised.
“Starlight,” Twilight Sparkle laughed. “That’s not how you enjoy a sandwich.”
But Starlight ignored Twilight Sparkle’s laughter before swallowing the sandwich in one gulp. She stuck her tongue out, licking the sauce off her lips.
“Starlight,” Wanda laughed. “What am I going to do with you?”
“And here we thought Danged Spell was a big eater,” Twilight Sparkle laughed.
“Danged Spell?” Flash Sentry asked.
“A friend who’s more of a smart aleck,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “Often like to resort to puns just to rile us up. He’s also the great grandson of High Chieftess Pele and he once assumed that he was banished from Lio Lani.”
“High Chieftess? Now that’s a big deal,” Flash Sentry said.
Everyone went back to enjoying their sandwiches with Night Light, Twilight Velvet, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance joining in on lunch. But as Sunset Shimmer finished her sandwich, her headache came back.
“Sunset, are you alright?” Princess Cadance asked.
Sunset got out of her seat and began to walk away from the group.
“I…just need some time away for a bit,” Sunset said as she kept her head away from the group.
As Sunset Shimmer walked away, Twilight Velvet turned to Princess Cadance.
“Give her some time to relax for a bit,” Twilight Velvet said.
“Are you sure about that?” Princess Cadance asked.
“I know she has that problem deep within her,” Twilight Velvet replied. “But I think once we inform Princess Celestia, she’ll know what to do.”
“Good idea,” Shining Armor said as he pulled out his video phone. “In fact, I’ll contact her right away.”
Later that day, Sunset Shimmer went for a walk by herself through the first. Though she continued to get throbbing pain in her head, she kept her focus on the trail ahead.
“SUNSET! SUNSET, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?” Sunset Shimmer turned around to see Twilight Velvet and Princess Cadance run up to her.
“What are you guys doing here?” Sunset asked.
“We want to know why you decided to go off on your own,” Twilight Velvet asked.
“It’s…something I’d rather not discuss,” Sunset said as she
“Sunset,” Twilight Velvet said. “I know what’s going on with you. It’s your demon form, isn’t it?”
“How do you know about that?” Sunset asked.
“Your mother told me about the condition you have,” Twilight Velvet replied. “How she’s been trying to help you in keeping it under control.”
“Sunset,” Princess Cadance said. “We’re trying to help you. We know what’s going on.”
“I don’t know if you can,” Sunset said. “With every time my curse takes over, I grow weaker and weaker. I don’t think mother can save me.”
“She can,” Princess Cadance said. “And she’s done so, many times before. You just have to trust us.”
Suddenly, Sunset Shimmer’s headache grew worse as the little filly held her head in pain.
“RUN!” Sunset yelled. “JUST RUN!”
“Sunset,” Twilight Velvet yelled. “Fight it. You can do it.”
But as Sunset struggled to hold her head, she began to shapeshift into a demon.
“Not this time,” Princess Cadance said, charging up her horn.
Princess Cadance fired her magic right at Sunset Shimmer’s head, piercing through to her mind. Cadance stood there, allowing the magic to go into Sunset Shimmer’s head as she tried to change her back.
“Please be alright,” Twilight Velvet said. “Please.”
But in a flash, Princess Cadance’s magic disappeared and she was knocked to the ground. Princess Cadance got up and looked at Sunset Shimmer, who was shapeshifting even further.
“What happened?” Twilight Velvet asked.
“I don’t know,” Princess Cadance said. “One moment I was getting through. The next moment, I was thrown aside.”
“I hate to say this,” Twilight Velvet said. “But I’m afraid we can only hope that Princess Celestia arrives before it’s too late.”
Meanwhile, Wanda Young relaxed on a hillside that sloped down into a lake. Twilight Sparkle, Misty Brightdawn, Abigail Albright, Spike the Dragon and Flash Sentry laid next to her.
“So Wanda,” Flash asked. “What’s it like to be the only human in a world full of ponies?”
“It’s really hard to describe,” Wanda said. “Sometimes I do feel like I’m the odd one out, even though my friends are all ponies.”
“The odd one out?” Flash Sentry replied, confused.
“It means because she’s different from us, she sometimes believes that she doesn’t belong,” Twilight Sparkle replied.
“But most of the time, I don’t mind being the only human in Equestria,” Wanda said.
Flash Sentry got up on his four hooves and said “But don’t you think you’ll end up lonely down the line?”
“That’s something I do fear,” Wanda replied. “The idea that I could end up all alone, one day.”
“I didn’t know about this,” Twilight Sparkle replied.
“When I first met Wanda, we cried our eyes out because we assumed to forever be alone from our friends and family,” Misty Brightdawn replied.
“That’s gotta be the most horrible thought ever,” Flash Sentry replied. “To lose everything you’ve held dear because of fate.”
“I’ve known what it’s like to lose everything close to me before,” Wanda said. “I hope it doesn’t happen again. But then again, sometimes the worst case scenarios always seem to play out.”
“Don’t say that,” Flash Sentry said. “You have two wonderful sisters who will be by your side, and your mother is the Princess of Equestria. And you have a lot of friends who will stay by your side to the very end.”
“You think so?” Wanda asked.
“Flash is right,” Twilight said. “In fact, I’ll say that we’ll always be by your side, even if the worst case scenario plays out.”
Wanda looked at both Twilight and Flash, but could barely get a word out of her mouth.
“It’s okay, Wanda,” Misty said. “I’ll be here as well to help you out. And the same can be said of Sunset Shimmer.”
Suddenly, Shining Armor appeared out of the woods and ran towards the group in a frantic hurry. Twilight Sparkle was quick to notice her brother approaching them, along with the look in his eyes.
“Shining,” Twilight Sparkle said. “What happened?”
“It’s Sunset,” Shining Armor said. “She’s transforming again.”
“Oh no,” Twilight Sparkle replied. “Not now.”
“I’ve already made contact with Princess Celestia just in case,” Shining Armor said. “But I don’t know if she can make it on time.”
Misty got up on her four hooves and yelled out “WE HAVE TO GET TO HER AND FAST!”
“Not a good idea,” Shining Armor said. “We have to get you to safety before she…”
But it was too late. The roar of a demon echoed through the forest as Twilight Velvet and Princess Cadance ran up to the group.
“Mother, what’s going on?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“I’m sorry,” Twilight Velvet said. “Princess Cadance tried to get her under control, and she resisted it.”
Another roar echoed through the forest as everyone looked up the hill to see Demon Sunset Shimmer approach them.
“What in the world is that?” Misty Brightdawn yelled.
“That’s Sunset Shimmer,” Wanda said as she held Misty close to her. “And her demon form has taken hold of her again.”
Demon Sunset marched over to the entire group as Shining Armor stared right at it. Abigail and Spike stood by Wanda, Misty and Twilight, with Abigail hissing at the demon and Spike breathing fire at it. Flash Sentry could do nothing but stare at the giant creature.
“Oh my goodness” Flash said. “I heard it was bad. But not on this level.”
“Even Princess Celestia can’t figure out why she’s got it,” Shining Armor said, staring down Sunset Shimmer with his horn glowing. “Now stay back. I’ll try to hold her down.”
As Demon Sunset Shimmer approached the group, she looked down at Wanda and Abigail, growling loudly.
“Sunset,” Wanda said. “It’s me, your sister. Don’t you recognize me?”
“Wanda, I don’t think she can,” Twilight Sparkle said.
Shining Armor got in between Demon Sunset and Wanda, glaring up at what was once Wanda’s sister.
“Stay back,” Shining Armor said. “Don’t you dare.”
But before Demon Sunset could inch closer to the group, she was hit by some flying rocks. Twilight Sparkle held Spike close to her as Shining looked to her left to see Night Light holding some rocks with his magic. Next to him were Golden Lace, Starlight Glimmer, Gloriosa Daisy, Timber Spruce, Vignette Valencia and Wallflower Blush. Golden Lace and Starlight Glimmer were worried about Demon Sunset, while Gloriosa Daisy, Timber Spruce, Vignette Valencia and Wallflower Blush were horrified.
“GET OUT OF THERE!” Night Light yelled. “I’LL HOLD THEM OFF!”
“FATHER NO!” Shining Armor shouted.
But Demon Sunset turned her attention towards Night Light. She growled loudly as she made her way towards the group. Night Light signaled towards his group of younglings, who quickly hid behind him, except for Golden Lace.
“Lace,” Night Light said. “What are you doing?”
“Sunset Shimmer is not the only one with a curse,” Golden Lace said. “I have something called the Wolf’s Breath Curse, and I can use it to hold her back.”
“Don’t be foolish,” Night Light said as he grabbed Golden Lace. “She’ll eat you.”
“And yet you chose to lure her here,” Golden Lace said. “Trust me. I’ll be able to hold her off.”
Night Light released his grip on Golden Lace, who looked up at Demon Sunset. She took a deep breath and directed her attention up at Demon Sunset.
“Forgive me, Sunset,” Golden Lace said. “For what I must do.”
With that, Demon Sunset’s eyes glowed brightly and her teeth were bare. She growled as loud as the wolf as she circled around Demon Sunset.
“The daughter of the princess has a demon within her while the daughter of Gold Banks has the Wolf’s Breath curse?” Timber Spruce said, horrified.
“I’ve met another friend who has the same curse as Lace,” Starlight explained. “And even he has problems controlling it.”
Golden Lace and Demon Sunset stared down at each other, growling loudly as if they were about to make the first move. Despite the massive size of Sunset Shimmer’s demon form, Golden Lace wasn’t about to back down at all.
But when Demon Sunset raised her paw in the air as if she were going to attack, Golden Lace ran under her corrupted friend before grabbing the demon by the tail. She jumped up into the air, pulling Demon Sunset upwards, before flipping downwards. With a powerful turn of her neck and the release of her grip, Golden Lace slammed Demon Sunset on the ground.
As Golden Lace landed on the ground, growling loudly, Demon Sunset slowly got herself up, dazed. She shook her head and looked down at Golden Lace, who continued to growl at the demonized pony.
“Lace. I’ve got this.” Everyone sans the Demon and Golden Lace turned to the right, where Princess Cadance and Twilight Velvet led Princess Celestia through the forest.
“Mommy,” Wanda yelled.
But Wanda’s voice caught the attention of Demon Sunset. She glared down at the human princess before picking her up with her magic. Wanda screamed in horror as she was lifted off the ground.
“WANDA, NO!” Shining Armor yelled.
Shining Armor grabbed onto Wanda in an attempt to pull her down. But Demon Sunset pulled him off with her magic and tossed him into the water. Wanda looked at Shining Armor, who pulled himself up, just as Demon Sunset pulled her close.
“Sunset, it’s me, Wanda,” Wanda said in fear. “Please don’t eat me.”
Demon Sunset glared at Wanda before roaring right in her face. She opened her mouth up and slowly moved Wanda towards it. Wanda closed her eyes and grit her teeth in fear.
“Sunset, please,” Wanda cried. “Don’t do this.”
Suddenly, Demon Sunset paused before it screamed in pain, causing her to drop Wanda to the ground. Shining Armor got out of the water and used his magic to pull Wanda towards him before grabbing onto the Man’s Cub.
“You alright, squirt?” Shining Armor asked.
“I am,” Wanda said before holding onto Shining Armor. “But I don’t know about my sister.”
Right on Demon Sunset leg, Golden Lace bit right at it, keeping her teeth held onto Demon Sunset’s leg as Celestia ran up to them.
“I’ll take it from here,” Celestia said as Princess Cadance pulled Golden Lace off of Demon Sunset’s leg.
Princess Celestia charged up her horn and fired it right at Demon Sunset’s head, piercing through her skull towards her mind. She kept her focus, holding down as hard as possible.
“Come on,” Princess Celestia said. “Return…to normal.”
Suddenly, a flash of light went off, knocking Princess Celestia down to the ground as her magic disappeared. Princess Cadance ran up to Princess Celestia, who looked a bit dazed.
“Mother, what happened?” Princess Cadance asked.
“I don’t get it,” Princess Celestia said. “It was supposed to have returned her to normal.”
But Demon Sunset hovered over Princess Celestia, Princess Cadance, Golden Lace and Twilight Velvet. As the demon growled at the group, Princess Celestia got back on her hooves, Twilight Velvet stood in fear while Golden Lace barked loudly.
“I wish Princess Luna was here to help us,” Princess Cadance said.
“Sadly, she’s busy at the castle,” Princess Celestia said. “Even so, she wouldn’t know where to find us. So it’s up to the two of us to bring her down.”
Keeping their eyes on Demon Sunset, Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance charged up their horns before firing it at Demon Sunset’s head. The demon roared loudly as magic poured into her head.
“Keep it up,” Princess Celestia yelled. “We have to get her under control.”
“I’ll try, mother,” Princess Cadance yelled.
Demon Sunset struggled to fight back as Celestia and Cadance kept their magic flowing into her head. The demon looked as if it were focusing her energies on the two princesses.
“I’m starting…to tire,” Princess Cadance said.
“Don’t,” Princess Celestia said. “I’ve got your back.”
But just then, Golden Lace barked loudly as she ran up to the Demon, much to Twilight Velvet’s shock.
“Lace,” Twilight Velvet shouted. “Come back.”
But before Twilight Velvet made a move, Golden Lace ran up to Demon Sunset’s other leg and bit right into it. The demon roared loudly in pain and lost her focus on the Alicorns, directing her gaze at Golden Lace
“NOW!” Princess Celestia yelled. “GOLDEN LACE BOUGHT US SOME TIME! LET’S PUT IT TO GOOD USE!”
With a powerful burst of magic, Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance focused their magic stream right into Demon Sunset’s mind. The demon roared loudly before she began to transform back, causing Golden Lace to release her grip off of Sunset’s leg.
“It’s working,” Princess Cadance yelled. “IT’S WORKING!”
The magic flowed right into Demon Sunset’s mind, shape shifting her and shrinking her down, until she was Sunset Shimmer once more. Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance immediately dissipated the magical stream the moment Sunset Shimmer was back to normal.
“We did it,” Celestia panted, exhausted. “We got her down. And…it took a lot of my energy.”
“Mines as well,” Cadance said, breathing heavily.
Wanda got out of Shining Armor arms as she and Twilight Sparkle ran up to Sunset Shimmer. The filly looked up at her sister and friend, only to looked horrified.
“Sister,” Wanda cheered. “You’re alright.”
But Sunset Shimmer got up on her four hooves and froze Wanda and Twilight Sparkle in place.
“Get back from me,” Sunset cried. “I almost ate my sister in that form. I don’t think I can forgive myself for it. I’m done with this family.”
Once Sunset released her magical hold on Twilight Sparkle and Wanda Young, she turned tail and ran off in another direction, crying loudly.
“SUNSET!” Wanda cried. “SUNSET, COME BACK!”
Princess Celestia struggled to get herself up as Sunset Shimmer ran through the forest, crying loudly. Golden Lace walked up to Princess Celestia as she turned her attention to the fleeing Sunset Shimmer, whimpering loudly.
“Sunset,” Princess Celestia said. “I haven’t seen her in this much despair, ever.”
“Princess,” Twilight Velvet said. “You’re still weak from turning her back. Let me handle this.”
With that, Twilight Velvet went in pursuit after Sunset Shimmer, leaving Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance next to a Wolf’s Breath Golden Lace, who only whimpered loudly.
“Poor Lace,” Princess Celestia said, turning towards Golden Lace. “I’ll get you out of that.”
With a tap of her horn, Princess Celestia cast a magical spell on Golden Lace. In a flash, her eyes stopped glowing and she shook her head.
“Thanks Princess,” Golden Lace said. “But what’s going to happen to Sunset? I’ve never seen her be so resistant towards your magic.”
“Neither have I,” Princess Celestia said. “Sunset’s demon form is becoming more and more powerful with each passing day. I fear that the magic of the alicorns won’t be enough to contain her. But I may have a solution. One that, unfortunately, will mean she won’t be able to use her magic for the time being.”
“What does that mean?” Golden Lace asked.
“You’ll find out,” Princess Celestia said. “Once Twilight Velvet convinces Sunset to stay with us.”
As everyone watched as Twilight Velvet disappeared into the forest, Twilight Sparkle turned to Flash Sentry, who, along with Misty Brightdawn, approached her and Wanda.
“Go make sure Sunset’s alright,” Twilight Sparkle said. “She needs all the care in the world.”
“Roger that,” Flash Sentry said.
With that, Flash Sentry flapped his wings and flew off in pursuit of Twilight Velvet and Sunset Shimmer. Wanda could only stare out as Twilight Sparkle reached out and gave the Man’s Cub a hug.
“Will Sunset be alright?” Wanda asked.
“I don’t know,” Twilight Sparkle responded. “I don’t know.”
“Poor Sunset,” Misty said. “To be forced into that form against her own will.”
“I only hope that Sunset can beat back her demon form and be with us again,” Wanda said.
To Be Continued in…
No One Should Be Left Behind