//------------------------------//
// Canterlot 
// Story: Deal with a Demon 
// by NalaxSimba 
//------------------------------//

Inspired by: Dracula the Musical, Beauty and the Beast 
Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic






Canterlot. The simple word causes a rush of fear through the hearts of mortals. Whenever they hear the word, they try to remind themselves of the beautiful scenery that lies there; the beautiful gardens, the luxurious homes, the lush forests that were an array of colours; and mostly, the beautiful palace that stood high and mighty, the pride and joy of Canterlot.

Even then, the thoughts of who live in that beautiful city shreds the beautiful imagery. For the people who inhabit the beautiful city are not humans; they are demons. Canterlot was diverse, with full-blooded demons, hybrids, and many, many more types of demons living together, in harmony for the most part. Even the image of the beautiful castle was torn away, as the demon who lived there was the most powerful demon to have lived. 

Sunset Shimmer, the demon empress of Canterlot. She ruled firmly but fairly, however, she was not above murder to get what she wanted. It was rumoured that she had killed the previous demon empress in one night, and promptly took control of the empire soon after. The demons obeyed her every whim, due to both loyalty and fear. The humans viewed her as a tyrannical empress who would one day try to kill them all. The humans' fear kept them away from Canterlot, much to Sunset's delight. There were a few people who trained to slay demons, but Sunset wasn't threatened by them in the slightest. 

As far as Sunset was concerned, her kingdom was perfect. The humans kept their distance and the demons obeyed her. Her closest friends lived in her palace with her, along with her young ward, Fluttershy; but even they didn't know Sunset's true feelings of loneliness and emptiness. Sunset buried herself in maintaining a perfect empire, but she secretly yearned for someone to share her world with. 
In the depths of her throne room, she gave a small cry, but no one heard. If they did, they didn't come to her aid.

No one ever came to her.





In the darkness of the night, a group of demons frantically made their way to the palace. They were being led by a male demon with vibrant blue hair. His eyes were narrowed in concentration as he flapped his wings harder, gaining more speed as he did so. Following him were five other demons. 

"Flash, how much longer until we reach the palace?!" a demon with poofy pink hair asked, flying to his side. "I don't know how much longer Fleur dis Lee can last!"

"We're almost there!" Flash replied, keeping his sight on the silhouette of the palace. They were getting closer, that was a good thing. He broke eye contact for a moment to gaze at another demon; this one had long blonde hair braided into two pigtails. "Applejack, how is she holding up?"

"She's doing fine for now! Fancy Pants is using his magic to keep the baby's magic contained," Applejack replied hastily, watching the couple. "but if we don't get to Lady Sunset now, who knows what will happen to her? Fleur is still just a human, and the baby seems to be quite strong!"

"We're nearing the palace now!" Flash said, a small smile falling on his face as they reached the bridge leading to the palace. "Pinkie Pie, fly away now and alert Lady Rarity and Lady Sunset that Fleur's baby is on its way. We'll meet you at the hospital! You must stress how important this is, Fleur could die!"

"Yes, Flash!" the pink-haired demon stopped in her tracks as she unfurled her black, bat-like wings entirely. She flapped as hard as she could, dashing past her group. She darted over the bridge, knocking down the doors to the palace in the process. She quickly turned left and began to fly the courtroom, praying that she would get there in time and that nothing bad would happen to Fleur or her baby. In the distance, she could hear Fleur's anguished cry.

Pinkie flew down the hallway in a rush but stopped herself as she saw the two demon guards with their spears crossed, indicating that the court was already in the meeting. Her eyes narrowed.

"I need the empress now!"

"Lady Sunset is already in court, Pinkie Pie. I'm afraid this will have to wait until later."

"It can't wait! We need Lady Sunset, Fleur dis Lee is about to have her baby!"

"But the empress demanded that-"

"Boys, let her in."

Three pairs of eyes turned to gaze at the demon flying behind them. She was beautiful, with long purple hair and skin as white as snow. Her dark blue wings were outstretched as a way of showing her dominance, and her red eyes were narrowed at the guards. Her pointed ears stood upright, showing that she was not in the mood for any disruptions.

"But Lady Rarity..."

"Now. Empress Sunset must foresee all births, you boys know that!"

With a sigh, the two demons moved away from the door, granting Pinkie Pie access.



Sunset was bored out of her mind, and the court had only been in process for half an hour. The demon court was where demons would bring any of their issues to Sunset. As Empress, it was her job to oversee all issues and promote solutions to said issues. Recently, however, demons would flock to her in regards to her marital status. When she blatantly refused to answer any questions on her relationship status, they would turn to questioning her about her ward, Fluttershy. Currently, she was debating with a demon by the name of Trenderhoof, in regards to Fluttershy's hand in marriage.

"No means no!" Sunset growled, slamming her hand into the table. Her claws dug into the mahogany furniture in anger. She sat above the other demons in a throne, positioned in the centre of the room. "I will not give Fluttershy to anyone, Trenderhoof!"

Fluttershy sat next to her, in a similar throne. She was a lot smaller than the other demons due to her hybrid heritage and didn't look anywhere near as threatening as the other demons. She pushed her long pink hair in front of her face; it was a nervous habit of hers. Fluttershy didn't look like a demon; her eyes were jade green, unlike the other demons who had blood-red eyes. Her ears weren't pointed, and her fangs were considerably smaller than most. The only way anyone could tell she was a demon was due to her yellow, bat-like wings. They were small for a demon of her age, but they were still there.

"But, milady!" Trenderhoof called out, "Fluttershy needs someone to look after her, and-"

Trenderhoof was enveloped in a blue aura. Sunset hand was enveloped in the same blue aura. She stood up, using her magic to pull him closer to her. Once he was close enough, she outstretched her wings and bared her teeth, to show him who was the leader. "Listen, Trenderhoof! I have told you countless times, I will not give Fluttershy to anyone! It is not my decision to make. Fluttershy may be a hybrid, but she is still a demon and therefore will find her Chosen one day. And it is not you."

Before Sunset could scare him anymore, the door burst open. Sunset dropped Trenderhoof and turned to face whoever disturbed her court. Her eyes narrowed at Pinkie and Rarity. 

"Pinkie Pie, Rarity! What is the meaning of this? Can't you see I'm busy?!"

Rarity flew forward. "I'm very sorry, Sunset, but Fleur dis Lee's baby is on the way."

Sunset's eyes widened. She turned back to the other demons who were gathered in the courtroom and began barking orders. "Sunburst!" A demon with orange hair and glasses looked up at his empress. "Escort Fluttershy back to her chambers, now!" She turned to the rest of the demons. "This meeting is now over! Pinkie Pie, Rarity, lead me to Fleur!"





Fleur's anguished cries could be heard all around the castle. Sunset had never flown somewhere so fast in her life. She flew past the guards, past the doctors and nurses, past her friends. 

Fleur lay on the hospital bed, one hand gripping Fancy Pants' hand and the other hand gripping the metal bar on the side of the hospital bed. She gave out another scream, causing her grip on both Fancy Pants and the bar to tighten.

Sunset flew to Fleur's side, merely nodding at Fancy in acknowledgement. She ran a clawed hand through Fleur's hair.

"Shhh, shush little Fleur." Her free hand was enveloped in her blue aura. "I promise...nothing bad will happen to you."

Sunset pressed her hands down on Fleur's stomach and began to chant gently.
"Bring health to her body
Heal soul and mind too 
Strength and wellbeing 
Make it all new..."

Fleur's eyes closed gently as the pain began to decrease. The blue aura surrounded her stomach. Sunset's own eyes turned a light blue, and her hands continued to work their way around her stomach. Her body began to envelop itself in the aura, floating closer to the empress.
Rarity cleared her throat, gaining the attention of Fancy Pants, Pinkie Pie and Flash. "Come on you three. The empress needs to concentrate on ensuring success."

They knew a dismissal when they heard it, and began to fly towards the exit. Rarity glanced back at the empress once more, watching as Fleur's body was fully engulfed in the aura. Rarity turned and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

"Rarity, will she be okay?" Pinkie Pie asked, looking up at her friend. 

Rarity glanced at Fancy Pants and began to word her reply in a subtle way. "The empress has never had a child or mother die yet in childbirth, Pinkie. I'm positive Fleur will be fine."

Fancy Pants gripped his hair in his hands. "I don't understand! I'm a strong demon, I...My magic should have sufficed to keep her safe!"

Rarity lay a hand on his shoulder gently, making sure her claws didn't scratch him. "Fancy Pants...the empress oversees all births. I know some fathers are able to help their child's birth, even without Sunset's help, but remember, your child is very strong. The healing water we placed over Fleur when checking her pregnancy stages was incredibly thick, showing the child's strength. In addition, Fleur is a human, Fancy."

A moment of silence passed before Fancy Pants looked up at Rarity. "Will Fleur...Will Fleur be safe in there with Sunset? You know she hates humans."

Rarity's eyes narrowed. "Are you implying that your empress would harm Fleur?"

"She hates humans, you know that!"

"Sunset would never kill a human intentionally!"

Pinkie and Flash watched the argument, opting to stay silent. 

"She's killed humans before!"

"In self-defence!"

"That's a lie! She's sucked humans dry before!"

"Again, in self-defence!"

"How do I know Fleur is safe?"

"Because Sunset would never, never, kill a Chosen! The Chosen's are off-limits to everyone, including the empress herself."

"She killed Adagio's Chosen!"

"It was the kindest thing for her to do, you know that! Thunderbass would have been killed by any demon, at least Sunset did it mercifully!"

The two were now stood nose-to-nose, glaring at each other. Both of them had their fangs bared at the other, and Rarity's fist was clenched in a ball. Her claws nipped at the palm of her hand, but she ignored it; it wasn't painful anyway.

Fancy Pants was the first to back down. He adverted his gaze as he calmed himself down. "I didn't mean to disrespect the empress. I'm just worried about Fleur."

Rarity nodded in understanding, "I can understand, but do not disrespect our empress again."

Fancy Pants nodded in agreement. "I...I'm sorry."

"It's quite alright."

The awkward silence came back to the two as they sat down. Pinkie and Flash released a breath they didn't know they were holding as they glanced warily at their friends.

The awkward silence was broken by a cry. Not just any normal cry, the sound of a newborn baby's cry.

Fancy Pants was the first to rise. "Fleur! She's okay! So is our baby!"

He flew past the other three demons, and into the hospital room.




Sunset smiled and ran a hand through Fleur's hair gently. "Well done, Fleur."

Fleur gave a small groan in response. Sunset chuckled and handed the baby demon to her mother. The baby stopped crying as it nestled into Fleur's chest.

The door opened, and Sunset looked up to see Fancy Pants fly over to his mate. He wrapped his wings around Fleur, who gave a small smile and cuddled into him.

"Fancy," her voice was but a whisper, ragged and shaky, but beautiful nonetheless. Fancy Pants smiled gently at her. "isn't she beautiful?"

It took Fancy a moment to reply. "Oh, yes! Yes...she's so very beautiful." A charming smile fell on his face. "Just like you, my dear."

Fleur blushed but gave out a girlish giggle in response.

Sunset watched the scene with a forlorn look. The bond between a Chosen and their mate was so special, such an unbreakable bond. Often times, she had found herself wishing for her Chosen to make himself known to her. A small grin fell on her face; her Chosen would be a strong demon, but not stronger than her of course. The two of them would rule their kingdom together, and perhaps have a couple of children. Of course, she had Fluttershy, but to have a biological child would mean so much to her too. She licked her lips at the thought.

She shook herself out of her thoughts. 'Worry about that later, Sunset. Right now, you have to talk to Fancy Pants.'

Sunset noticed that Fleur and the baby had fallen asleep, and grunted to get Fancy Pants' attention. "Fancy Pants."

Fancy Pants looked over to her, "Yes, milady?"

"I hope you realise that we must perform the mating ceremony on Fleur and yourself soon. I may care for Fleur as your Chosen, but I would much prefer her to be transformed into a demon." Her eyes narrowed in a warning glance. "I'd prefer it to be soon, rather than later."

Fancy Pants gulped and nodded his head. "Yes, milady. When do you propose we perform the ceremony?"

"Some point next week," Sunset replied nonchalantly, unfurling her wings and stretching them out. Having them folded for so long was unusual for her; she usually had them on show as they were her pride and joy.

Fancy Pants nodded, "As you wish, Empress Sunset."

With a final nod to the sleeping human and her child, Sunset began to leave the room. Just before she left, Fancy called out for her.

"Wait, my Lady!"

Sunset paused in the doorway and looked back at him. "Yes, Fancy Pants?" 

He gave her a genuine smile. "Thank you, my lady, for saving my family. I am forever in your debt, Empress Sunset."

She gave him a smile in return and flew out the room. She headed into the waiting room, where Pinkie, Rarity and Flash were still waiting. 

"My Lady," Flash bowed to her. She continued to fly but looked down at him as she passed him. 

"Flash, well done for getting Fleur here. Because of you, I was able to save her. Keep up the good work, and you may be promoted."

Flash grinned in satisfaction. "Aah, thank you, my lady!"

Sunset nodded and turned to look at Rarity. "Rarity."

"Yes, Lady Sunset?"

"Prepare everything we need for the mating ritual. Fancy and Fleur will be performing their ceremony next week." After a moment of thought, she added, "Also, prepare Fleur for her welcoming ceremony. I need her to swear loyalty to me before she and Fancy return home."

Rarity nodded, making a mental note of everything they needed. Thankfully, she had a good memory. "Anything else we need, Lady Sunset?"

"Yes. Tell Fluttershy her training is cancelled for tonight. I need some time alone."

Rarity was tempted to ask why but she knew better than to question her empress. "Yes, milady. Is that everything?"

"That's everything." She glanced back at Pinkie and Flash as well. "You may all leave now; Fleur needs her rest."

The three bowed to their empress and watched her soar out the hospital, and into the night sky. Her black, velvety wings blended into the darkness.

"Hey, Rarity," Pinkie asked as she made her way to her chambers, "what's wrong with the empress lately?"

Rarity shook her head. "I'm not sure, Pinkie Pie. I'm not sure."

As Sunset flew around her city, her wings beating majestically, one word plagued her thoughts.

It plagued her thoughts all night.

'Family...'