Chapter 2

Twilight lay exhausted on the floor of the stage. She felt diminished. For the first time in a long time, she was defeated by her arch-rival. But for Trixie, she didn't even care. She laughed in delight.

"How sad!" she said in a bombastic tone. "That the ever so allegiant and royal princess Twilight befallen before my very feet; the feet of the greatest magician of all!" Twilight tried to stand up but she couldn't, she used up all of her magic in her body. As a result, her body felt numb. It would take a while for it to recover, but all she thought about was the absurdity of the results of the performance she and Trixie gave. How could she have done such a performance? thought Twilight. Her head was overwhelmed with question after question. Half of her felt like a complete and utter lose, while the other urged to try and get up and not be a failure. But Trixie's laughter soon was enough to keep Twilight grounded on the stage. Then, stealthily but surely another voice entered the area, a voice with a laughter no one in Ponyville ever knew about. Twilight thought she was hearing things but as the voice grew and grew, she knew it was real, for Trixie paused her laughter due to the interruption that had taken place. The unknown laughter continued until Trixie shouted out, "Who dares interrupt my performance!?" Then the voice spoke out,

"Your performance? Fool! You think this is your place to rule over all that is. But you are wrong! The power, the glory, and the fame, it is mine! It is all mine!"

"Just who do you think you are?" Trixie shouted out in fury. The voice gave out a sinister snicker. "It's not important who I am." It said. "You on the other hand are nothing! Nothing but a pathetic excuse of a magician. An imposter of those who came before me." Then Trixie felt a light but ice cold tap on her shoulder. Easily startled, she turned around as she heard one of her props being pushed over. No one was there. The voice gave out a huge laughter being pleased after getting the reaction he desired. Then the floorboards started to knock against her feet.

"Where are you?" Trixie shouted at the top of her lungs, overwhelmed by what was going on. No reply. She shouted even louder, "Where are you!?" No reply. But before she could speak again, the voice sounded much, much closer to her and spoke, "I could be right underneath your nose." Trixie's body froze as her eyes widened. She gulped. The suspense was killing her. She breathed more heavily, then slowly oh so slowly, she glanced her eyes downward at the floor. No one was there. All of a sudden, a face came downward to where Trixie was facing and shouted out, "BWWWAAAAAAAAA!" Trixie screamed as her reflexes swung her body away from the figure. She fell down and almost slid off the stage. The figure who appeared to be levitating itself in and upside down position turned right-side up and landed its feet on the stage as if the figure had claimed it as its own. It was a unicorn pony all drenched in black. His hair was curled back, his teeth were razor sharp and gave a ghastly grin. His eyes were a sinister dark green. He wore a cape with a huge collar around the neck, sort of like Trixie's, expect this time the inside of the cape was red while the outside was black. The patch on his thigh was a red snake curled up as if it was ready to strike. Trixie came back to her senses, still shaking at the sight bestowed before her as she said, "Who are you?"
"Very well insignificant faker." The figure said, "I am Asmodeus. The one who shall claim hold of all that is magical and glorious! I have come to claim you place to rival all those who oppose me! All must bow before me!" he shouted before a green aura of magic surrounded his horn. He focused the energy on the still enchanted crowd as he chanted three words no one in the known land of Equestira knew, "Pro mihi inflectus!". Soon every pony in the crowed bowed down to him, expect for Twilight and Trixie who lay next to each other, sharing each other's defeat.

"Now," said Asmodeus. "Let's see just how you were able to self-levitate." He said. He focused his energy on Trixie who stood up and tried to run away, but it was too late. Asmodeus said, "Levus!" and soon Trixie was lifted off the ground. "Hey! Hey! Put me down you brute!" she shouted, but it was no use. Asmodeus drew Trixie closer and closer towards him. When she got close enough, Asmodeus observed Trixie. He looked around, then he saw something around her neck. It was a necklace camouflaged to match the color of her skin. Attached to the bottom was an amulet. Asmodeus could sense that this was the culprit that gave Trixie the ability to self-levitate.

"A-ha! So that's your little game!" said Asmodeus as he used his magic to snap the necklace off Trixie and tossed it on the floor of the stage before he threw Trixie off the stage and into a space where the crowd parted. "Well then, allow me to improvise!" shouted Asmodeus as he raised his front hoof above the amulet. Trixie shouted, "No! Wait!" but it was too late. Asmodeus in all his cruelty crushed the stone beneath his foot. Trixie started to shiver as she uncontrollably curled up her body. Her hair started to turn scraggily. Wrinkles under her eyes started to appear. Asmodeus smiled at the hideous transformation Trixie undergone. Twilight saw the entire thing through her nearly blurred vision. She started to think a bit differently. Thoughts came into her head that never occurred to her before. Before this happened, Trixie was just a self-prideful and ungrateful magician, now she was just as helpless as any other pony in the crowd. The one word that could describe what Twilight was thinking was sympathy. But was it real? Could she honestly give comfort to her own arch-rival and protect her? The one who has tormented her friends with cheap tricks? Twilight didn't even know what to do in that moment, she felt emotionally messed up. But then a thought came to her mind. She started to remember a lesson she was taught by former princess Celestia. Celestia told her that his was a lesson passed down from the roots of knowledge. It was, "To forgive is to understand, and to understand is to forgive." Twilight finally believe she could have the courage to actually forgive Trixie. And not a moment too soon, for Asmodeus was slowly walking up to Trixie. For the first time, Trixie knew what it felt to be helpless, to be the victim. Asmodeus stood like a titan over her.

"Time to finish this." He said to himself as he gathered up all his magic to his horn and was about to obliterate Trixie when Twilight rushed in front of her opened up her wings in a defensive stance and shouted, "Leave her alone!" Asmodeus was confused and so was Trixie who looked over her shoulder. Why would someone do this to an enemy?

"Well, this is certainly a surprise" said Asmodeus. "Why should a princess stand up for someone who is less superior than you are?"

"You are the one who is bringing more calamities about Ponyville!" said Twilight. "Please leave now!" Asmodeus chuckled.

"Come come now. No reason to get all offensive." Asmodeus replied in a condescending tone. "Why don't you join me instead? Isn't there a saying that goes, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend?'"

"There is." said Twilight, "But she will be more of a friend to me than you will ever be."

"And that is why?"

"Because I forgive her." Trixie felt dumbfounded, but at the same time felt comforted as well. She never had anyone be this kind to her in her life. Asmodeus snickered.

"Very well, keep on believing your pointless philosophy," he said as he gathered up even more energy into his horn. "because you can just die together!" Twilight was prepared for it. Even though she wished she could say goodbye to her friends, she was glad she achieved the knowledge of understanding and forgiveness, and she wouldn't give up even if it was for the sake of understanding. Suddenly, just as Asmodeus projected his magic blast at Twilight and Trixie, a voice boomed "Contegi Flamma!" as a wall of fire came between Asmodeus and Twilight which blocked Asmodeus's magic blast. Twilight was shocked and Asmodeus was nearly swept off his feet. The event freed the crowd from Asmodeus's spell. The voice boomed out once again in a language no one understood. No one expect for Asmodeus. "Denique! Mihi fueris conspecta!" Heads were turning until they all faced a pony on the edge of the crowd that wasn't here earlier. The crowd parted as silhouetted pony came into the light, turned his head to Asmodeus and said, "Diu non obviam imus, frater." The pony was a unicorn. His skin was a crimson color. His eyes were a fiery orange and his hair was in different shades of orange as if his hair was aflame. He had the patch of a green dragon on his thigh. But what was really impressive about him was that he wore two shiny battle claws on his front hooves. What was more interesting still was that the red unicorn's front hooves bent the opposite way than normal ponies. The crowd, through released of the spell by both sorcerers was still bewildered by what had happened in the last few minutes. Asmodeus's eyes began to widen, for he seemed to remember the crimson unicorn. "Ehem! Sanguineus Fabricarus." He said to him as he smiled. Then the red pony began to talk back to him in the same language as him,

"Cur haec delere maga vis?" he asked to Amsodeus. Understanding what he meant, Asmodeus replied back, "Quod languida et claudica est maga. Offendum magis est! Est implicatium auditorium, qui auditores mei sunt!"

"Implicatia tibi frater, non spectatoribus." The unicorn responded. "Postulari turbam auditores potestas non habes!"

"Quomodo potes rem demostrare?"

"Non possum. Sed vide! Civi et fili timere sunt. Num vis terrere et nocere innocens?" Then, Amsodeus's eyes began to tighten, as if the words the red unicorn said had offended him. "Nihil mea interest quid innocenti. Curat quae sola virtus. Est ad me omnia. Colori!" He yelled. Then he shot a beam of magic at the crowd from his horn, only to be repelled by the red unicorn's own magic as he yelled, "Frater! Pax fater! Satis!". The red unicorn began to attack Asmodeus. The few attacks soon turned into a duel between the two. The red unicorn leaped up and slashed his claws at his target. Asmodeus who barely avoided it, fired another beam of magic at the unicorn who blocked it with his battle claws. The scene was unbelievable, especially to Twilight. Never before had such conflict appeared before in a place of peace. Then, she heard footsteps to her left. Her friends, regardless of Twilight's warning had come to her aid.

"Twilight!" said Rainbow Dash. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said.

"He noticed that you lost to Trixie." said Fluttershy. "Then we saw that black pony…" She paused for she started to notice someone familiar behind Twilight. The group of friends extended their heads around her to reveal a spirit-broken Trixie.

"What in the world happened to her?" asked Pinkie Pie. Trixie looked away from Twilight and her friends ashamed at what she had become. Even though she was somewhat comforted by Twilight defending her from Asmodeus, her self-centeredness and pride still had a grip. Meanwhile, in the midst of the chaos between the battle between the two, Asmodeus saw the crowd of Twilight and her friends. He hesitated for a moment, for he seemed to have an idea in his head. But so did the red unicorn, for seeing that Asmodeus was distracted, he gathered up all his energy into his horn and shot a fireball to Asmodeus. A perfect shot. The fireball hit Asmodeus right in the gut which and knocked him out of the air and made him travel over Trixie's set up and land on his back. Furious, Asmodeus retaliated by sprinting around the set up as if for an instant he had the speed of a demon and ambushed the red unicorn. He shot a beam of red magic to the red unicorn which stunned him and prevented him from moving. The unicorn's senses were for the moment blinded by Asmodeus's spell. With all his might, he tried fighting against the spell which was cast upon him. Then, with slow strokes, Asmodeus walked up to him and grinned. "This is the end for you." He said in delight as he gathered up his magic and aimed it at the red unicorn. Suddenly, from above a beam of magic which was unmatched by both rivals came in between them. "Stay where you are!" said a voice. Twilight and the crowd looked above and over their shoulders. It was Celestia. She brought Luna and their guards along with her to the aid of the crowd. When she landed, Twilight as well as her friends bowed and then stood up again.

"I saw what was going on." She said. "Are you alright?" she asked Twilight.

"Of course." Twilight responded. "And so is everyone else. As for Trixie though…" She began to hesitate, for Twilight in the moment didn't know what to say about her devastated rival. Celestia saw Trixie. A concerned look was on her face, for she knew as well that Trixie hadn't been this crumbled since the night she lost both of her servants. Celestia then turned her face towards Asmodeus and the red unicorn. She could sense that the red one was in distress. She walked over to their spot and with her own godlike powers released the red unicorn from Asmodeus's spell. Then, she turned her head to Asmodeus who seemed to recognize Celestia's level of power and that for the moment he was no match for her. But Celestia felt also a bit threatened for she could sense that Asmodeus's magic was not of Ponyville.

"Who are you?" she asked in a stern tone. Amsodeus still possessing that grin said, "One who shall rule over all."

"Why have you come here?" Celestia questioned.

"To lay dominance over these insignificant mortals who dare to oppose me." Amsodeus responded.

"That may be so, but they did nothing for you cast your spell of control over them before they have time to act. So I am going to ask you again, why did you attack the innocent?"

"You dare justify against me?!" Asmodeus shouted and in his anger was about to go berserk until the red unicorn shouted, "Satis!" Asmodeus turned his attention towards him as the red unicorn spoke again, "Audite me. Tum autem vade. Discedre! Prater quam, tuum multitudine superare." Asmodeus looked around. Angered by the unexpected turn of events, he responded back, "Recte, sed hoc finis non est." Then, he reluctantly used his magic to turn his cape into a pair of wings. Then, like a shadow of doubt, he disappeared into the night sky. With Asmodeus gone, it took a few seconds for the entire crowd to reassess the situation. Celestia, coming back to her senses turned her attention to the red unicorn. The crowd was still stunned by the events that took place at Trixie's stage.

"Who are you?" she asked. The red unicorn turned around as Twilight and her friends also awaited a response for their other rescuer. Then, he spoke in Twilight and Celestia's language, "My name is Crimson Forge." Celestia seemed confused, for she had never heard of a name such as Crimson Forge.

"Who might you be?" asked Crimson.

"My name is Celestia, ruler of Equestria. And this is my sister Luna." Celestia said back. A look of surprise came about Crimson Forge as his eyes widened. Without a moment's hesitation, he bowed in before her as he said, "I am honored. To actually see the creators of this magnificent world which we live in is considered back at my home a rare opportunity. Thank you for saving our lives."

"You're welcome." said Luna. Crimson got back up as he heard an, "Excuse me." from behind him. He turned to see Twilight walking up to him where she introduced herself.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am Celestia's faithful student and princess of Canterlot." She said.

"A pleasure to meet you princess." Crimson said as he gave another bow. Twilight gave a nervous look, because for a foreigner to bow personally at her is much different than having a couple of guards bowing at you. "I assume that these are your dear friends?" he asked as he pointed towards Twilight's friends.

"Yes." she said. "They are really good friends of mine. We've known each other for a long time as a matter of fact." Crimson walked over to them as he said, "Greetings. My name is…" but he was cut off by a frivolous and overcurious Pinkie Pie who began spilling out word after word.

"Oh my gosh, ohmygoshohmygosh! I have so many questions about you! By the way thanks for saving us, how did you do that? Was it some sort of magic? Well, it was magic but where did you learn it? Like when that evil nasty magician came in and pummeled Trixie! Where did you come from? Do you like cupcakes? I looooove cupcakes! What's your name? Why do you have claws?" she kept saying. Crimson was a bit startled, while the other ponies around Pinkie rolled their eyes. Crimson walked over to Applejack and asked, "Is she always like this?"

"'fraid so stranger." she answered in a dull tone of voice. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash, who also was eager to find out how this new guy had beaten her coolness by way over 20% shouted to Pinkie Pie, "SHUT UP!" Pinkie's hair deflated. "Oh. Okay." she muttered.

"Sorry about that sir." said Rainbow Dash. "She's just too excited from what happened."

"That's understandable." Crimson responded. "My name is Crimson Forge."

"I'm Rainbow Dash. Fastest pony in all of Equestira, and also the coolest." she bragged. That pink pony over there is Pinkie Pie." Pinkie Pie's hair inflated again at the mention of her name and smiled. Crimson smiled back.

"I'm Applejack! Welcome to our town!" said Applejack with enthusiasm. "By th' way why are your front legs bendin' th' wrong way?" Crimson Forge put up his battle claws to show her to clarify.

"Oh, I was just born this way. It's a rare mutation of the anatomy. Nothing serious." He said.

"Let me dearly introduce myself. I am Rarity." said Rarity. "And this is my little sweetheart, Spike." The little dragon next to her blushed.

"Well now." Said Crimson surprised and confused of how two different species could love each other so dearly. But for the moment, he decided to accept it.

"Um-um. My name is uh, Fluttershy." said Fluttershy, ever timid and still a bit frightened at the events that happened.

"Is something wrong?" Crimson Forge asked Fluttershy.

"She's always kinda like that." said Applejack. Crimson acknowledged and then turned his head towards the fallen magician Trixie. "And who might this fellow be?" he asked. Trixie did not answer. She was still traumatized by what happened. Crimson put his hand out to reach her, but she cowered back. Crimson sensed that something was wrong with her. He turned to see the fragments of Trixie's amulet on the stage. He seemed to recognize it. "You used one of the magus stones didn't you?" he asked. Still no answer. Crimson gave a sigh, as if he was about to do something he was unsure of, either that or he already knew. "Applejack? Rainbow dash?" he called out. "I need your help."

"What is it?" they asked.

"Trixie has been corrupted by the magus stone she wore around her. I need you to hold her down for me while I get rid of it."

"The what now?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Just do it." He commanded. "I'll explain later." Shrugging their shoulders, Rainbow Dash and Applejack grabbed Trixie as she struggled to free herself. Drawing himself closer, Crimson put his claw onto Trixie's heart and closed his eyes. Yellow streams of energy came down from his horn to his hoof. Then Crimson shouted, "Lucet!" Then Trixie convulsed as the region of her heart began to glow. Concentrating his magic, Crimson closed his eyes and recited his magic release spell, "Virtute magus lapides sanctuarii, in nomine sacrosante patribus, dimittis venenatis hac misera!" Suddenly, blue streams of magic came out of the region of Trixie's heart as she screamed in agony. Then in an instant, the stream of magic gathered and then dispersed in a shockwave that spread out in all directions. Trixie shortly passed out after that, and then awoke with a major headache.

"Wh… what just happened?" she asked, her body shaking from the aftereffects of the release.

"It's alright, you're going to be okay." said Crimson Forge. Trixie put her hoof on her head to try an ease the pain.

"Pardon me. But just out of curiosity, what just happened?" asked Twilight eager to get information.

"As much as I would like to explain, I think it would be best if we all retired to our homes and got some rest." Crimson responded. "I am sure that after what happened we all need it."

"Agreed." Said Princess Celestia as he worked her magic on the crowd and commanded the rest of the crowd to return to their homes. "Twilight?"

"Yes, Celestia?" asked Twilight.

"You will shelter Crimson Forge and Trixie in your home for tonight. Tomorrow, you and your friends will meet with me in Canterlot so we can discuss the situation. Bring Crimson along as well."

"Sure thing Celestia." said Twilight. As all the ponies went back to their homes, Twilight and Spike guided both their newfound guests to their house. As Crimson Forge entered the place he would be sleeping, he seemed to be impressed.

"Nice place you got here." said Crimson Forge as he entered. He had never before seen this many books on the walls since he had paid a visit to his home library.

"It's a hobby of mine." said Twilight. "I have a love for literature." Trixie was still shaken. As she mumbled to herself while her body shivered. Twilight who noticed this asked Crimson, "What exactly happened?" Crimson, since there was only one other pony (and dragon) who could ask, answered her question.

"Well, from where I come from, the magus stone delivers magical enhancement to those who where it. But it is also difficult to control. Those who abuse that magic become corrupt and succumb to their darkest desires." said Crimson. "What I just did to her was dangerous. Symptoms of releasing that magic from a bearer can sometimes result in that pony having slight to major amnesia, even personality change." Twilight was surprised. Crimson walked over to Trixie still shaking and said to her, "Hold still and look at me." Slowly Trixie's head turned to him. "What can you remember?"

"The… the last thing I remember…" Trixie said. "I found this stone in the Everfree Forest. It looked so pretty. Then…I…I put it on, and then I had some thoughts about revenge on Twilight, then darkness. Then…" she paused and then her eyes widened. She started to become overwhelmed by the memories of what she had what happened not just that night, but the whole life she had been a magician. She breathed heavily as tears began to flow from her eyes. Her senses finally came back to her as she was overwhelmed by the deeds she committed to Twilight and her friends. She became traumatized of how much of a brute she was towards others. The release of the stone's magic changed her view on things forever. It also made her head spin as if she was in a tornado. Trixie couldn't stand up any longer and under her mental pressure collapsed onto Crimson where he toppled and sat on the floor. She began to bawl into his shoulder. Spike, not knowing what to do looked at Twilight as if he was expecting to hear an answer from her. Crimson comforted Trixie by putting his hoof around her as a dumbfounded Twilight asked what had become of her rival.

"The effects of releasing the magus stone magic have permanently changed her train of thought." Crimson responded. "For better or for worse, she is seeing things in a whole new perspective now." Twilight closed her eyes looked away. It was just too much for her to bear at the moment. Both Spike and her thought of even shedding a tear or two just for the sake of sympathy. It felt like forever when Trixie finally got a hold of herself. "Th… than… thank you s-so much for *sniff* h-h-helping me. B-both of you." she sniffled. "I am s-so terribly sorry for what I had done. *sniff*. So sorry."

"Shhhhhh. There there, it's going to be okay." said Crimson in his softest tone of voice. "I promise."

"Are you sure?" she asked. Crimson nodded his head, "Yes. It will be. I forgive you."

"Do you really forgive me?" Trixie asked.

"Yes. And as long as you can forgive yourself, everything will be fine." Crimson responded. Twilight had never ever seen her former rival been this self-conscious. In a way, it actually made her feel happy for her. So she reached her hoof out to Trixie, who got a hold of herself and looked at Twilight and what she offered. Trixie smiled, but not in a prideful way, but in a peaceful and grateful way. Without hesitating, Trixie reached for Twilight hoof as Twilight pulled her up. "Thanks." said Trixie.

"Anytime." Twilight said. "By the way, it's getting late. Why don't you come up to my bedroom? I'll help prepare a bed for you." Trixie blinked. She never thought she would be invited to actually stay at a sleepover.

"Sure. I'd be delighted to." said Trixie, relieved and glad that she at long last was making peace with her former rival.

"Crimson?" said Twilight.

"Yes?"

"Um, I hope you don't mind sleeping downstairs on the couch tonight. It's just that there doesn't seem to be any room upstairs."

"I don't mind at all." Crimson responded. "Being given shelter in your humble home is enough for me. Thank you for your hospitality."

"You're welcome." said Twilight. "Spike?"

"Yes Twilight?" Spike said.

"Would you please keep Crimson Forge company tonight?" she requested.

"Sure thing! Goodnight!"

"Goodnight." Twilight said as she took Trixie up to her room. Crimson turned off the light for Twilight. As he went to sleep on the couch, he had a feeling that this was just the beginning of something big.

The main protagonist is here fellas! By the way, I do not own the character Crimson Forge. All copyright goes to ZepAvil on devinatart. I am just creating a story about him. Check out Crimson Forge on devinatart to get a better view of how he looks. Until then, see you in the next chapter!