//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: The Games That Demons Play 
// Story: Grievance from Perdition 
// by Vin Diesels Go-Kart 
//------------------------------//

	Applejack and Pinkie Pie stared on as Twilight stood in silence, looking at what remained of the destroyed buildings in the street. She was breathing heavily, the confrontation with Ocraten still fresh in her mind. 

How close had she been to death in that moment? 

She probably didn't want to know the answer. She had little doubt that if the demon really wanted to kill her, he could have done so right then and there without exerting much effort. She felt his power, even though he'd hardly shown any magic, she could still feel his inner abilities, like a river of water sloshing over the side of a dam, ready to breach it. Twilight wondered how stable that dam really was. 

"Twilight, what were ya thinkin' attacking that... thing like that?" Applejack asked. It was clear she had gotten a fair grasp of how powerful he really was as well. 

Twilight exhaled slowly. This hadn't been the first time she'd stared death in the face. As a princess, it was an occupational hazard, and she knew there would be instances when she'd have to put her own safety at risk to protect her friends. Discord was no exception.

She turned to her friend. "Applejack, I know you felt his power as much as I did. I know that you saw what he was doing, and what he was planning on doing to Discord. I also know that you know what would have happened if I'd stood there and done nothing." 

Applejack bowed her head, ashamed. "I-I realize that, but... the last thing ya do when a rabid animal's huntin' is hold its tail down. The way that thing was lookin' at you, I don't think I've ever felt so afraid and helpless in my life." 

Twilight looked at her friend, guilt welling up inside. She could easily forget how difficult it must have been for her friends to accept her role as one of Equestria's protectors. It always seemed like they valued her life far more than she valued it herself. Even so, there wasn't time for her to have a heart-to-heart with Applejack. Ocraten was loose in Ponyville and Discord was in danger. They could discuss personal matters when that issue was resolved. 

"I'm sorry, Applejack. I know it was dangerous but it was the only thing I could think to do." she turned so that she was addressing both Applejack and Pinkie Pie. "However, that's neither here nor there. We have to stop Ocraten from harming Discord, or anypony else for that matter. To do that, we're gong to need to work together."

Applejack snapped out of her depressed state, and a look of determination replaced her solemn expression. "Right." she said, drying her eyes. Pinkie Pie bounced up next to her, giving her a reassuring hug. "So how do we handle this demon feller?" 

Twilight thought about it. "We'll need the help of Princess' Celestia and Luna. They would best know how to deal with Ocraten, and the fastest way to contact them would be through Spike, who should still be at the library." 

Applejack nodded. "But we should keep an eye on Ocraten 'till they get here..."

"Oh!" Pinkie squealed. "I can do that! Ocraten and I are best friends, after all. We go way back!" 

"But ya just met him thirty minutes ago." Applejack deadpanned. 

Pinkie wiped a tear from her eye. "Those were some good times... uh... minus the whole 'trying to kill Discord' part." 

Twilight rubbed her head. She didn't like the idea of Pinkie going near the demon but, at present, he seemed to only be concerned with Discord. "Alright. Pinkie Pie will keep track of Ocraten while I go find Spike. Applejack, you go find the others and let them know what's happened. We'll meet at the library to discuss next steps." 

Her two friends nodded, happy to have a plan of action. Just above them, a mischievous cloud quickly floated away, content with the information it had gathered. 



* * *



It was no secret that Rarity was one of the most beautiful mares in Ponyville. One glance from her dazzling eyes could send any stallion spinning. Her voice matched her beauty, and she could sing with the best voices in Ponyville. Her scream, however, was one feature that made even the most interested colt shuffle away in agony. Many of the town's citizens often compared the shriek to Pinkie Pie having a shouting match with a banshee. Her scream was the sort to send everypony in the area running away, instead of running to help. 

Ocraten looked down at the shrieking damsel with interest that was quickly diminishing. After the pony finished her song that only the foulest beasts in Tartarus could find enjoyable, she started panting heavily. 

"Are you finished?" he hissed. 

Rarity looked up at him, finally catching her breath. "Yes, darling. Sorry about that. One tends to react in such a way when they are faced with a giant monster. It's become a bad habit that living in this town seems to have brought on."

Ocraten and Rarity continued to stare until the mare had had enough of the awkward silence. "Was there something I could help you with?" 

"Discord. I want to know which way he went." the demon responded.

"Discord? Well now, that's an odd request. I don't think I've ever had somepony ask about him." she looked at the demon again. "Although on the other hoof, I suppose I've never been approached by a creature such as yourself before, either-"

"The draconequus! Which way did he go?" Ocraten snapped. 

Rarity's eyes narrowed. "Listen here, you impatient scoundrel. I don't appreciate being interrupted, and just because you are in a hurry to find Discord, doesn't give you the right to be so rude to a pony you just met. No introduction, or even a hello? I am not the kind of pony to simply sit here and..."

Ocraten extended his index claw out, running it down in the air and, as if he were unzipping a jacket, a dark line appeared where his claw ran down, almost like he was slicing the air open. Rarity continued on with her rant, not noticing the creature stick both claws into the line and widen the opening.

The unicorn glanced at Ocraten, and she saw what was within the opening. From where Ocraten was standing, he couldn't see what she was being exposed to, but he could hear the nightmarish things that were just on the other side of the portal he'd opened. Rarity began stuttering as her eyes were glued to the hole. Screeching, crying, and all manner of putrid sounds could be heard. Ocraten closed the portal when tentacle-like appendages began snaking out. 

Satisfied that he'd gotten her full attention, Ocraten asked for Discord's location a second time. Rarity pointed a shaky hoof in the direction he had gone. "I b-believe he left town..." she managed to say. Putting a hoof up to her nose, she realized it had started bleeding. 

"Thank you for your assistance." he said, passing the pony and continuing in his pursuit, never going faster than a brutish walk.

"D-don't m-mention it." she stammered, taking out a box of tissues and heading off for the library.  



* * *



As soon as Ocraten reached the outskirts of Ponyville, he sniffed the air for Discord's scent once again. He'd lost it in town due to the many other scents that were present, like the bakery and the boutique. Such smells threw his nose off, which was why he'd needed to ask for assistance in the first place. Now that he was free of the ambient odors, he could rely on his sense of smell once again. 

After a few sniffs, he picked up on the spirit's scent, and started walking in that direction. Ocraten made note of how Discord seemed to have made a quick left turn upon leaving Ponyville, likely in some feeble attempt to evade him. No serpentine maneuver would save the spirit, though. With his powers gone, Discord would be forced to go into hiding, but there was nowhere in the world he could do so indefinitely. 

As he walked Ocraten thought about the world he had returned to. The demon found it odd that Discord had fallen out of power. Discord was an obnoxious being, but he wasn't stupid. It was unlikely that he was tricked out of his throne, so how had the ponies managed to best him? It was something that Ocraten would probably need to worry about sooner or later. If there was a force in the ponies' possession that allowed them to stop Discord by brute force, then it could pose a threat to him if the spirit managed to get his hands on it. 

That scenario was very unlikely, however. This was likely going to end with Ocraten finding him backed into a corner, and then eviscerating the traitor and watching his soul float all the way down to Tartarus.

Before the demon could continue to fantasize about his revenge, a small cloud descended from the sky and stopped right in front of him, hovering a foot away from his face. Ocraten couldn't utter a word before a female voice spoke from the cloud. Her voice was warm and cheerful, and it made him cringe.  

"You have a collect call from Tartarus. The service fee is three souls. Do you accept?"

Irritated, the demon groaned before accepting. The cloud suddenly became much darker, and the female voice was replaced by a much raspier male one. 

"Ah, Ocraten. Good to see your body fared well after being buried all these eons." the voice said. 

"My body is beyond time's influence." the demon replied. 

"Of course. I'm well aware of your powers, Ocraten, as well as their limitations." the voice responded, almost threateningly. "Anyway, I hope Discord isn't proving to be more trouble than you anticipated."

Ocraten laughed. "Quite the opposite, actually. He has no power here, no armies and no friends. I've taken away his abilities, as requested. He is helpless and running scared. It will be satisfying to kill him, alone and afraid." 

"No friends, you say?" the voice questioned. "That's odd, because from what I hear, he has several friends who are attempting to assist him as we speak."

"The ponies?" Ocraten laughed even harder. "They are of little concern. If they attempt to interfere, I will deal with them. If they are smart, I will not need to." 

"Discord is no longer in power because he underestimated the ponies. I hope you are not making his mistakes."

"The draconequus was always a fool who underestimated his opponents. He is weak, even with his abilities. Whatever they did to defeat him, it will not work on me. I will have his head before this is over." 

Now the voice laughed. "I don't doubt you, Ocraten. Just make sure you remember the other reason you're there. Do not let your obsession with Discord ruin this game. It would be very unfortunate if that occurred."

"I'm no fool." the demon grunted. 

"Of course not." the voice replied. Lightning flashed from within the cloud. "Do you like lightning, Ocraten?" 

The demon didn't respond, not sure what to make of the question, so the voice continued. "I'm quite fond of the phenomenon, myself. It's such a tame display power, yet it's power in its rawest form. Lightning is what true power is, because it is not being directed by some sentient force. Lightning does not strike with purpose, it doesn't care if it harmlessly hits the ground or strikes an innocent traveler. It makes no alliances, and harbors no grudges. It will kill only when the roll of the dice says to do so, but when it does, it shows no mercy. When I see lightning, I see a bit of myself. Interesting, is it not?"

"Why are you telling me this?" Ocraten growled. 

"Because, my dear friend. When you play in a storm, you must accept the fact that you may get struck down. This is not a game for the faint of heart, and I hope you realize the full extent of the deal you struck, and what it means for both you and this world."

"All I care about is finding Discord. Nothing else has any relevance to me. The game will be played as requested, as long as I get my revenge, in the end."

There was a silence between them for a moment before the voice spoke again. "I do hope that turns out to be true. In any case, we will find out soon enough. Until next time, Ocraten. Take care of yourself, and I look forward to playing the game with you." 

The cloud dissipated in front of Ocraten, who stood there for a moment, thinking about the conversation he'd just had. Then, shaking his head, the demon began walking again, following his nose, which suddenly reeked of blood.