//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Monster Raid // Story: Curse of the Demon Pony // by Shadow Master //------------------------------// At night time, the citizen at Canterlot City quickly returned and locked the door in making sure that the monster dare not tried to enter and attack them and their home. It's almost time... HOWL! Demon Pony howled wildly from the rooftop before climbing down the house. He snarled a bit as he was searching for food. He looked and sniffed around the area in finding and getting the food. He then detected in smelling something... delicious yet sweet and sprinkling. Could it be? Demon Pony quickly trotted at once as he followed the smell. It led him straight to the corridor of house. He then arrived at the abandoned and ruined of arena. He entered the entrance as he was following the smell. He then arrived at the center of arena where he found some cupcakes on the stand before him. He panted heavily yet happily like a dog. Demon Pony approached the stand as he began eating and chewing the cupcakes happily for the moment. He stopped as he gave in some thoughts about the cupcakes standing here. Unless... "NOW!" Before Demon Pony could react anything, the entrance was shut by the bars from its top. Twilight and her friends came out from the floor traps. Shining Armor, Flash Sentry and some Royal Guards emerged from the seats' bottom. They all armed with bows and arrows as they aimed theirs at Demon Pony. The monster is now trapped! "We have you now!" Twilight said firmly. Demon Pony growled, "LEAVE ME ALONE!" Applejack sighed, "Sorry. We have to bring in." Rainbow Dash nodded, "We can go easy if you want to, unless you wanna do it the hard way. Besides, hard way is so way cooler than easy one." Demon Pony roared wildly and angrily as he entered his Berserk Mode. Twilight and her friends were armed and readied for it. Shining Armor and his Royal Guards were too as well. Shining Armor turned to the Royal Guards, "Don't fire until Twiley gave the signal! And keep an eye on Boris. That moron better stay out of this for once!" "Leave that to me," Flash Sentry said. Twilight and her friends were ready to fight with the Demon Pony, "Alright, girls. Ready?!" "READY!" Mane Five cried. Demon Pony roared wildly as he charged straight at Mane Six. Fluttershy flew to the front as she began... Singing?! Demon Pony was in shock and confused as he wondered why and what is Fluttershy doing. She kept on singing and singing until birds and little critters gathered around her. As she stopped, both Fluttershy and her animal friends glared at Demon Pony. As she screeched out loud, the animals charged in and attacked Demon Pony fiercely and angrily. Demon Pony yelped in shock and concern as he tried to fend them off. Twilight and her friends, and even Royal Guards were in shock of Fluttershy's ability. Rainbow Dash whistled in surprise, "Remind me not to mess with Fluttershy's animal-loving nature." "My turn!" Applejack exclaimed wildly as she held long metallic lasso ropes, "And this time, I'm gonna tighten him up with my family's lass - Roundup Lasso!" Applejack threw straight on Demon Pony's left hoof as she pulled it hard. He fell to the ground hard. She then rounded and tightened the ropes on Demon Pony for few times. Demon Pony roared angrily as he struggled in getting out of the ropes. "Now, that's one tight rope. My turn!" Rarity exclaimed happily as she placed the diamond bracelets on her hooves. She fired her bracelets at Applejack's lasso in making heavy and hard for Demon Pony to escape. She smiled, "While it's simply fabulous and beautiful diamonds, it has its own special magic. I call it 'Eternal Style'." "We'll see about that!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed happily as she "If you think that never goes out of style, watch this!" Rainbow said before she sped off towards the Demon Pony. She went in high speed as she go around and around of Demon Pony for few times in making the monster dizzy and headache. He fell to the ground hard. She stopped as she rubbed and blew her hoof gently. She smirked proudly. "Try this move - I call it Rainbow Cyclone. Coz it sounds awesome!" Shining Armor and his Royal Guards climbed down from the spectators' seats. Flash Sentry and his three Royal Guards brought the cage from the entrance. The Royal Guards and Mane Five surrounded the Demon Pony as they were prepared for the monster's movement or even trapped him inside the cage. Twilight approached Demon Pony. He growled softly as his Berserk Mode slowly softened and turned into his gentleness. He growled a bit and upset. She sighed. "I'm sorry. You know I can't let you go wild and hurt others, or even yourself," Twilight said calmly while looking down in guilt. She then moved aside, "Pinkie. It's time." Pinkie Pie smiled happily as she bounced happily. She stopped as she asked, "Knock! Knock!" Demon Pony gulped in concern, "Who's there?" "Um, who's there?" The Demon Pony slowly responds awkwardly that this pony wanted to tell him a joke of all times, "BIG surprise!" "Um... What Big Surprise?" Pinkie Pie giggled happily as she jumped back. She armed with her Party Canon while smiling devilishly. Demon Pony yelped in fear. "It's coming at you! Fire and a hole!" Demon Pony gulped, "Oh No..." Pinkie screamed wildly as she fired her Party Canon in shooting straight at Demon Pony hard. As the ball hit him, it opened several chains and ropes in tying and chaining him tight. He then went straight into the cage hard. Everyone awed in amazement and relief. They cheered wildly and happily that they finally caught the monster in cage! "That... was... AMAZING!" Pinkie Pie cheered wildly as she bounced literally around the corner of arena. "Did you guys see that? That was the BIGGEST, GREATEST SURPRISE PARTY BASH that I've ever done in my WHOLE LIFE!" Flash sighed in relief, "Yeah... We finally caught him." Twilight nodded in agreement, "Yes, we did it. The answers we've been looking for. We can finally get it now..." Twilight and all of her friends returned home in triumph. Megan and her family were there as well, along with Sparkle Family, Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike. The latter were in surprise yet happy and relief that Twilight and her friends caught the Demon Pony. As the family and friends were looking at the cage, they commented and awed in amazement about the Demon Pony. Spike hummed in concern as he turned to Twilight Sparkle, "Mind telling me why bring him here, not to the castle?" Twilight sighed as she approached to Demon Pony, "We're tired now after some crazy battle with Demon Pony. And I'd tell you. Setting a trap for him won't be easy, unless we have something to distract and fool him. And luckily we have them." "You're gonna ask him, aren't you?" Shining Armor asked in concern. Twilight nodded, "Yes, I am. Demon Pony, I want answers. I want them now. First of - what did you to Ben? I need to know him - he's my friend. Second - why did you save me?" Demon Pony looked away while muttered, "You wouldn't understand me, even if I told you the truth." "What do you mean?" "If I tell you, will you believe me that I never did such a thing to him?" Twilight thought for the moment as she grew worry and suspicious about it, "Was it Boris? Did Boris do something horrible to Ben? I need to know. He told me that you have spirited Ben away." "You trust me?" Demon Pony asked in surprise. Twilight remained showing her firm eyes at him. He sighed a bit, "Yes, he did." Everyone gasped in surprise and concern of what they just heard. Boris was responsible of Ben's mysterious disappearance?! How?! "I cannot tell you now. By morning, you'll take me to Princess Celestia and others, am I right?" Demon Pony asked. Twilight and her friends nodded firmly. He smiled a bit and sighed in relief, "Good. I will tell you of how it happens. I promised you." Twilight and her friends hummed in concern as they wondered if they can trust Demon Pony or not. But then again, Boris did lied a lot since Ben came to the school as well as getting so close with Twilight Sparkle so much... "Spike, take a letter." Twilight said to Spike. The dragon held a quill and scroll. She began, "Dear Princess Celestia; I am happy to announce that my friends and I have succeeded in capturing the Demon Pony. We are holding him in a cage outside our house right now. Tomorrow, we will bring the Demon Pony over to you, so not only you interrogate him but he himself wish to speak with you. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle'." Spike finished writing the letter before rolled the scroll up. He blew a magical fire on it, it magically flew to Canterlot Castle. "Twilight, are you sure?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy nodded in concern, "We're just worried that he could be lying." Twilight looked at Demon Pony's gentleness eyes as she nodded calmly, "I'm sure. And I don't think he's not lying." "Why is that?" Rainbow Dash asked in concern. "You don't usually trust the pony so quickly, unless he proven himself that he's on good term," Pinkie added in concern. "I don't know. But I know for one thing - I trust my instinct again," Twilight answered, "I guess I learned that much from my two best friends - Applejack and Rainbow Dash." Applejack blushed a bit, "Thanks, partner. Now that's done. We should get some sleep." Everyone nodded and chatted in agreement about sleeping as well as bringing Demon Pony to Princess Celestia in the morning. Shining Armor turned to five Royal Guards, "Keep an eye on him. Just in case." Royal Guards saluted proudly as they agreed to oblige the order. Twilight and all of her friends entered the house as they all heading for bed. Both Nyx and Flash Sentry took a glance at Demon Pony. They not only feel sorry for him but felt like they wanted to know more about him. He reminded them of something else they have seen before. There's more to Demon Pony than meets the eye. Both Flash Sentry and Nyx know what they will do next... At the palace, both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna received the news from Twilight Sparkle about Demon Pony. Princess Luna smiled, "It appears Twilight and her friends finally capture the Demon Pony. The Equestria's Foundation Day can finally commenced." Princess Celestia sighed, "Not only that, I can finally learn of what really happen to the colt. I must know of it." Princess Luna nuzzled Princess Celestia, "Don't worry, sister. We'll soon learn. We'll soon learn." "Thank you, Luna..." At Spell Nexus's House, four ponies have gathered at its house's outside. Spell Nexus felt a bit relief and better than before in his life. "I truly thankful of you, Zecora. I'm a bit better than before now," Spell Nexus commented. Zecora smiled, "You're indeed welcome, Sir Spell Nexus. Should you have problem, come and seek me out." "I will," Spell Nexus smiled. He turned to Commander Cody Azuma and Captain Rexstrike, "I hope the information are enough for your investigation. And to be honest, I do not trust Boris." Commander Azuma smiled, "Rest assured. It's enough." Captain Rexstrike, "Yeah, we've got the answers we need. Thanks, Spell Nexus. We finally know who is the responsible for Ben's disappearance." In midnight time, everyone inside of Twilight Sparkle's home were asleep in their own beds but some slept on coach. At home's lawn, Demon Pony remained inside his cage as he kept quiet and calm for whole time while five Royal Guards kept their eyes sharp on him. Demon Pony sighed in concern as he looked at the night's sky, wondering if anyone will believe in him or not. He knew no one will because he's nothing but a monster... "Corporal, sir!" Royal Guard exclaimed in surprise and shock. Other four Royal Guards and even Demon Pony got up as well. They turned and looked at Flash Sentry standing before the cage. He cleared his throat, "Anything I can do, sir?" "Leave me. I wish to talk with him privately." Flash Sentry said firmly. Royal Guard Leader nodded as he and his team moved to Twilight Sparkle's House for guarding. Flash turned and looked at Demon Pony, "Now you and I can finally talk." Demon Pony growled a bit, "You'd believe I have harm your friend? You're probably right about me." "No... I believe you're innocent." "What?" "I don't know. But I do know that Boris has to be the only one who make Ben disappeared. I know that because I was with Ben and Sunburst before we broke our friendship apart. I was trying to save him but instead he ignored and broke our friendship apart. So, we went separate ways." "I'm sorry..." "Why do you sorry? Ben is the one who'd never listen to me." Flash chuckled a bit, "To be honest, he can be very stubborn too when he admitted that he's a sore loser. To me and Sunburst, he's got something special. And we make it happen. No mater what, we're still best friends and Three Musketeers." Demon Pony smiled a bit, "How's Sunburst? Is he alright?" Flash Sentry sighed, "After our friendship broken, Sunburst continued his studies to become some kind of adviser to Princesses. He and I never talk for quite some time since that incident. That put a quite of toll on both of us." "I see... If only that never happened, the friendship between us could never have broken. We could have done so much things like training, studying and having some fun together. It's what we always wanted." "Yeah... Wait a minute!" Flash Sentry exclaimed in shock as he looked at Demon Pony, "How... Why would you say that? Who are you? How can I be sure that you're just playing tricks with me?!" Demon Pony sighed as he looked away, "Why would I lied to you when we're good friends?" "It can't be... There's nopony else know my code than me, Ben or Sunburst." Flash was in shock and concern. He looked closely at Demon Pony's gentleness, which it slowly make him shock and surprise. He gasped a bit, "No... Are you-?!" "Corporal?" The sweet and innocent voice called. Flash and Demon Pony turned to the pony. It was Nyx who was holding Twilight's Mr. Smartypants Doll. She approached, "Is there something wrong?" Flash shook his head, "It's nothing. Sorry. But what are you doing here up so late?" Nyx approached to the cage as she placed her doll near to the cage. She smiled, "There you go. You now have someone to sleep with tonight, so you wouldn't be lonely." Demon Pony did not respond as Nyx asked, "Still worried about being in the cage, Mr. Demon Pony?" Demon Pony nodded. Nyx sighed, "Look, don't worry. The princesses won't kill you because they need to something. Princess Celestia may make some mistakes, but she's a real nice Alicorn. Mummy felt relief to have a good mentor like her." "Mummy?" Demon Pony asked in surprise and concern. "Twilight Sparkle is Nyx's mother." Flash answered. Demon Pony looked at Flash Sentry. He nodded, "Yeah, I'm a bit shock but actually feels kinda alright for them both. They're both family. And the only pony is missing is her boyfriend. If only he was there, the family feels complete." Demon Pony remained silent for the moment about what Flash has said as well as how the incident could have been avoided. "Listen, I'd never got the chance to thank you..." Nyx said calmly, "And I promised you that you'll get a new friend - me." Demon Pony hummed calmly as he gave in some thoughts. He smiled a bit, "You're... welcome. And thank you." Nyx smiled happily. Flash Sentry approached Demon Pony's cage, "Just don't be afraid. Tell everyone. I'm sure they'll understand it." Demon Pony smiled a bit as he nodded. Both Flash Sentry and Nyx turned and returned to home for resting. Royal Guards returned to their posts at once. As they were patrolling the cage, something attacked and killed them. Demon Pony yelped in concern and feared of what's happening next. He spotted some group emerged from shadows. They revealed to be demonically armored ponies while one brownish Arabian Pony with short beard, short mane and tail dressed in blue and yellow vest standing before him. Boris and his stooges approached as well. Demon Pony growled in anger while glaring at Boris. "We meet again, buddy..." Boris remarked slyly, "Thanks for the help, Talal." Talal chuckled in amusement, "It's the least I can do for your father. He's the infamous Grandmaster of Demon Templars from Maris. But pity his own blood son could not follow not follow his hoofstep but being a bloody Monster Hunter." "I don't want to talk about it," Boris said darkly as he approached and armed with his gun and Platinum Bullet, "Time to finish you for good. Twilight will be mine." Demon Pony growled in anger as he went in Berserk Mode. Boris and his mysterious Demon Templars were armed and readied to fight. He roared wildly and angrily of whole night. In the morning, Twilight and her friends woke up as they emerged from the house. They decided to check on Demon Pony. They will finally get some answers from Demon Pony. Just as they approached to the cage, they found something shocking - Royal Guards were killed, the cage is destroyed, Mr. Smartypants Doll and Demon Pony escaped. Everyone chatted and muttered in concern about Demon Pony escaped and broke promises about telling the truth about the incident at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. "No... It can't be..." Flash Sentry said in shock. Nyx nodded as she held and hugged the doll, "He couldn't have escaped! He promised to us!" Twilight Sparkle gulped in concern, "Equestria, we have the problem." Twilight and her friends made all the way to the Canterlot Castle. They have to calm the crowds before anything went wrong. By the time they arrived, they saw the crowds argued and screamed in anger at three princesses about Demon Pony. They were all worried and concerned now about this. They have to tell the crowds and princesses that they will catch the Demon Pony. And just before any of Twilight and her friends could say, Boris and his stooges approached princesses as he make proposals. "Your highnesses, I know that you have faith in Twilight Sparkle and her friends to catch that monster alive but," Boris smirked, "The citizens said otherwise. I've told you that monster is too dangerous to keep alive. With Platinum Bullet, he will be dead for good! So, I say we kill the monster!" Canterlot City Ponies cried and cheered in agreement with Boris. They demanded Demon Pony to be killed before he could cause any damages. Princess Celestia sighed in defeat and concern. She has no other choices. Princess Luna and Princess Cadance were worried now especially Twilight and all of her friends. "In order to ensure the safety of citizens is secured, the hunt of Demon Pony shall go to Boris Bountyhunt," Princess Celestia declared firmly yet regretfully, "And this time, he is to be hunted down and killed!" Canterlot City Ponies clapped their hooves. Twilight and her friends gasped in concern and shock of it. Boris and his stooges smiled in please. The true hunt on Demon Pony has begun... To be Continued... Review and Suggest...