//------------------------------// // 8 - The demon pony // Story: Just a day in Equestria // by dave89898989 //------------------------------// I awoke from a refreshing sleep, chilled by the night's temperatures. I saw that the terrible blizzard had disappeared, leaving a leg's height of snow to cover the land. I can only think that this snow will last for a long time, and supplies will run scarce because of it. It makes me wonder how Applejack's family cope in these conditions, such a big family as they are. It must cause a lot of stress for everypony through this type of weather. I decided to venture outside, beforehand putting my Rarity made coat on, and a handy scarf that I found hidden away in my bag. Luckily I didn't have to use my magic to warm myself up, since this coat had so much faux fur on, and this scarf added to the steadfast warmth. Today, as it was the last day in Ponyville before we go to Appleoosa, I decided to go and explore the Everfree forest, as there seemed to be a lot of interesting things scattered around there. When I arrived at my destination, I felt a sudden reluctant feeling wash over me, as if something bad is in the forest. Knowing the darkness fills the forest so easily might be a reason why I hesitated, but after regaining my movement, I walked into the vast desert of trees. I looked around, and there was nopony to be seen. I couldn't help but feel the overbearing loneliness. Why do I become lonely so easily? It isn't the fault of Anne, as we aren't entirely connected yet, and she always had friends around her. Still, I kept going deeper into the darkness. I was amazed how little light is contained in the forest, but the sky was totally grey from the snowy weather, so that didn't help. I came across a body of a stray pony, lying in the middle of a clearing. Something was different from the ponies I've seen though. She had two strange horns, and wings of a fully grown dragon. I moved closer to see if she was alright, and she let out a violent cry. "Don't touch me! Stay back!" "Sorry... I was just checking if you were okay..." I whispered, stuttering with intimidation. "Oh. It's somepony I haven't met before. Sorry if I startled you, just most ponies don't like me, so I stay in the darkness of the forest, where I belong." This pony said, with a sad look in her eyes. "Hey, why don't the other ponies like you? There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with you, well except the introduction..." "Just that... I was never a very nice pony to start with, being left here alone since I was a baby, and fighting for myself left me... cold, so I don't really take a liking to other ponies, and the other way round. And also, I'm different from the others, as I'm half demon, so everypony's scared of that too." "I see, well you must be cold out here, please, come with me and warm up at my home." "I can't go back out there, I'll be shunned and forced to hide away again. I don't want that!" "Come on, please? I can see you shivering. Quickly, follow me." She tried to hide her coldness, but she couldn't stop shivering, no matter how hard she tried. I turned and started walking away when, "Stop! Wait, I'll come with you. I don't want to stay lonely anymore, and you seem to be the only pony to understand." I could see that she had a heart under that tough exterior, so she opted to come with me after all. I just hope that she won't get too much flak for being where she apparently shouldn't. When we got out of the forest, I noticed Applejack walking past to go back to her farm, so I called out a greeting to her, and I was met with, "Oh no! Please, not again! It's the demon pony! Everypony run for yer lives!" I saw that each pony had panicked and ran for cover, while behind me, the 'demon pony' had her head low, in shame. We got to my house, and she dashed inside before she got anymore insults. "What was all that for?" I asked. "Well, as I said, I wasn't a very nice pony, so I stayed in the forest to protect myself from any harm from the other ponies." "Well, I know you have the potential to be good, I can see it." But how could I see it? How can I see this faint aura coming from her, like every other pony, I've seen a faint coloured outline, representing they're personality. This pony's aura was mostly black, but it had some hints of green overlapping. "I'll never be good. Or at least, nobody will accept me, even if I try." She said, in lament. "I'm sure it won't be that bad. Here, I'll go and talk to ponies, while you make yourself at home here for a while." "Thank you. Oh wait, what's you're name first? Mine's Midnight sunset." "Electric blue. Pleased to meet you. Now, it's time for me to help you become accepted." I walked out the door, and headed to Applejack's place, as she saw Midnight first. When I confronted her about it, she only had bad things to say. "Ah don't wanna know about her, she's a curse I tell ya!" "She isn't that bad, surely?" "She is, ya don't even know how much trouble she caused us all, it was horrible ah tell ya!" "Wait, what has she actually done?" "She... she... well, she's done nothin'. She was jus' never a great pony to be around, but she didn't do anything really bad." "So basically, she's still kind of nasty, but she's misunderstood as well. Am I right?" "Yeah, uh, somethin' like that." "Well knowing this, we better go get the girls and tell them that Midnight Sunset is just misunderstood." "Fine, but ah don't think it'll be easy ta get everypony ta understand her." We left for each of the girls' places, and convinced them to come with us, as I needed to get something straight. It was also fun to see that everyone was still wearing Rarity's coats, and how we were all walking in unison, with the same fashion of clothing. When we all got to my house, everybody filed in through the door. We all saw Midnight resting on a sofa, strangely with blankets she found from my wardrobe covering her. She must have been very cold from staying in the snow filled forest for a long time. "See girls, don't you think that's something a normal pony would do? Even if it is impolite, she still needs warmth, as we all do." "But she... but she..." Rarity said, trying to deny my words. "No Rarity, she needs comfort. She's misunderstood, that's all. And yes she might not have the best of moods, but she isn't destructive is she? Look at her." Midnight opened one eye, and showed a faint smile. "Come on, she's no different from us, is she? Yes she may have dragon wings and demon horns, yes she may be half demon, but that doesn't mean she's pure evil. Just like you've done with me, show her compassion as well." I almost felt like a leader at that moment. Could this be Anne? Was she a great leader back then? Maybe. Rainbow dash interrupted my thoughts. "I wonder if she can race with those wings?" She competitively asked. "Maybe I can, heh heh." Midnight said, leaping up, preparing for action. "Well that's the spirit, a race wouldn't hurt, would it Midnight?" I asked. "Nope, I could do with the exercise too; I'm still cold you know." We all watched as Midnight and Rainbow got into place. I shouted out "three...two...one...GO!" and they both raced off into the distance with blinding speed. "Wow, those two sure are fast!" Applejack shouted as they lapped the town and passed us. "Wait, who's counting the laps?" "Who cares, the thrill of it is simply exciting!" Rarity shouted. She must obviously love watching races, as she seemed the most happy to see such an exhilarating race like this. After they finally got tired enough to stop flying, they both fell in the snow, and laughed with each other. Midnight laughed. That definitely ensured that Midnight has a heart. The group laughed with them too. Of course, as it was nearing the evening, we parted ways and said our farewells as we always do. Midnight came with me however. I asked her: "How about you stay and look after my house while I'm away in Appleoosa? I have food enough to last, and a bed as comfy as anything, so there's no need to worry. So how about it?" "Well, alright, I'll look after your home for a while." "Thank you so much. I appreciate it." "There is just one thing though..." "Yes, everypony in our group accepts you now, and hopefully the word will spread. They all know you're a friend of mine, and they're a friend of yours as well. While I'm away, how about you try getting you're own house here, instead of living in the forest? It'll be much better, don't you think?" "Okay, I'll try and get my own house here. I'll finally be able to stay warm when the nights get so freezing, especially in winter, which we're in now." When we got in, Midnight decided to go straight to bed, while I began to write a letter to Princess Celestia. "Dear Princess Celestia, I made a new friend today. She was a lonesome pony with a tough exterior, but what really shone through was her heart over the wall she had made for herself. Her name is Midnight sunset, and I spotted her while I was exploring the Everfree forest. She is a half demon pony, and everypony had misunderstood her, so I tried to convince everypony that she was different, and I succeeded. So what I learned today was that even through the coldest of hearts can be even the slightest bit of good in them all. Yours faithfully, Electic blue."