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Inner Demons II

by Azure Sandora

Chapter 3

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Chapter 3: Scared of the Dark

"Scarlet Gala, what do you have to report?" the stallion in the cloak asked the beautiful light green mare with the long blond mane and tail as she entered his tent. She was currently wearing a sexy red dress and high heels on her back legs.

"The locations of the Elements of Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, an' Magic have been confirmed," she said, her voice deep and sensual.

"What of the Element of Generosity?" he asked.

"Neither me nor our followers can account for her location," Scarlet Gala said, sitting next to the hooded stallion, "I asked a few of the ponies in Ponyville, an' apparently she's been missin since sometime last week."

"Hm... this presents a problem," he said putting a hoof to his chin, "For now, we'll have to simply handle the Elements we can account for. You said you have a plan. Will that plan still work?"

"Yes, sire," Scarlet Gala said with a bow, "Mah plan involves the Element of Honesty."

"Act on the night of the Lunar Eclipse," he said, getting a bow from his subordinate, "I expect nothing but the best from you."

"Ah shall not disappoint you," Scarlet Gala said getting up and leaving the hooded figure to his thoughts.

Outside, Scarlet Gala trotted toward Ponyville, looking at Sweet Apple Acres in the distance. Her target was waiting for her there. Something was drawing her there, and she knew exactly what it was.

"Ah need it back, thief," she said to herself, "Mah power doesn't belong in the hooves of someone like you."


Diamond Tiara decided to have breakfast with the Apple Family, which went through an interesting dynamic change over the years. With Apple Bloom not living in the house anymore, Applejack and Big Macintosh were the only original Apple ponies living there. The Flim/Flam brothers had moved in full time, and used their magi-tech machines to help with the farming, and as Fluttershy was Macintosh's wife, she and their eight year old daughter Daisy was living there as well.

When Diamond Tiara went downstairs, she saw Daisy sitting at the table, wearing a little pink bow in her mane and a familiar red cape with a blue emblem on the back.

"Hey Daisy," Diamond Tiara said. The yellow Pegasus looked up at Diamond Tiara and smiled.

"Morning Diamond Tiara!" Daisy said flying over to Diamond Tiara and hugging her.

"You're getting good at flying," Diamond Tiara said letting the little filly lie on her back, "Has your mommy been teaching you?"

"Nope," Daisy said shaking her head, "She's too busy these days. I taught myself."

'Wow, I'm impressed," Diamond Tiara said enthusiastically, "I bet you could go against Scootaloo in a race and keep up."

"You think so?" Daisy asked, jumping off Diamond Tiara's back and going up to Applejack as she carried a plate of eggs and toast to the table, "Auntie Jackie, do you think I can beat Scootaloo? She's the second fastest flier in Ponyville, right? Can I beat her in a race?"

"Um, Ah don't know," Applejack said awkwardly, "Keep practicin and Ah'm sure you'll get there."

That answer seemed to appease the eager filly, who went to the table and started eating her breakfast. Diamond Tiara couldn't help but laugh, much to the older mare's chagrin.

"Why do ya do that ta me?" Applejack asked with a groan.

"Hey, with Apple Bloom not here, somepony has to keep you young," Diamond Tiara said. Upstairs they heard a door slam and Fluttershy stormed downstairs wearing the Element of Kindness. Her husband Big Macintosh was right behind her.

"Fluttershy, ya can't keep doin this to yerself!" Macintosh shouted.

"I'm not stopping until I find her!" Fluttershy screamed in retaliation.

"Ah ain't talkin 'bout yer search fer Rarity! Ah'm talkin 'bout you stayin out at night gettin wasted!"

"What I do with my time is none of your business!"

"It is mah business cause yer mah wife! Yer ruinin yerself over this!" Macintosh put a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder as she looked away, "Please, honey, take a break. Stay home today an' spend some time with Daisy."

Fluttershy started trembling, "I'm sorry Mac," she said backing away from him, "Don't wait up for me tonight."

Macintosh groaned, "Fluttershy-"

"We're ending this on a light note, Macintosh," Fluttershy said sternly, "Please just drop it today."

With that she walked over to the front door and left the house. Macintosh walked over to the couch and sat down, running his front hooves through his mane in frustration. Diamond Tiara turned to Applejack concerned.

"What happened there?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Ahh well, ya know how Rarity's missin, right?" Applejack asked, getting a nod from Diamond Tiara, "Well, she an' Fluttershy were best friends, an' she's a little frantic at the moment. She ain't handlin it well. Mornin till noon she's out flyin around searchin fer a sign, then she either wastes time in the bar, or goes ta the spa. Ah tried talkin ta her, but she's become rather stubborn over the years."

Outside Diamond Tiara noticed the wind pick up suddenly, like a small tornado, "What the?!"

"That's jus' Fluttershy activatin the Element of Kindness," Applejack explained. Sure enough, Diamond Tiara saw Fluttershy run off and then take to the sky, now wearing what looked like green armored dress.

Diamond Tiara had heard from her friends that during the incident ten years ago, the Elements of Harmony went through a change. Before they needed to be near another Element in order to ignite, and even then they needed the Element of Magic, wielded by Princess Twilight, to use their full power. Now they could individually use their true power, which took the form of a suit of armor giving each of them magic, even if they didn't have horns.

Diamond Tiara looked at Daisy, who took a break from eating and was looking down in sadness. Diamond Tiara could relate to not having a dependable mother figure, but Fluttershy wasn't a bad pony. She was just upset.

Not like her mother... She was a bad pony...

"Hey Daisy?" Diamond Tiara asked sitting down next to her, "What are you doing today? Maybe we could hang out?"

"That's okay," Daisy said, "I'm meeting a friend today."

"An' when can we meet this friend you've been spendin so much time with?" Applejack asked bringing in her and Diamond Tiara's plates.

"She said she'll have to meet you soon, but she wants to lay low until then. That's what she said," Daisy said going back to her breakfast.

"Well, as long as yer safe," Applejack said.

"Yes Auntie Jackie," Daisy said, "Diamond? Can we walk part of the way together?"

"Sure Daisy," Diamond Tiara said, "I need to go into town anyway. Where does your friend live?"

"She's staying down the path," Daisy said pointing to the path leading to the forest.

"That's not out of my way," Diamond Tiara reasoned, "Alright, let's finish breakfast and head out together."

Daisy nodded and quickly finished her breakfast. When Applejack went to check on Macintosh, Diamond Tiara smiled looking at Daisy as she ate. These two were kindred spirits, she could tell. It was like looking at herself at that age, only Daisy was a lot nicer than she was. She even had a special friend that kept her safe and positive.

Perhaps, they were both even...

"Diamond?" Daisy asked turning to Diamond Tiara, "Are you okay? You're staring at me kind of funny."

"Oh, uh, sorry," Diamond Tiara said shaking her head, "I need to go upstairs and get something," Diamond Tiara rushed upstairs and ran into Apple Bloom's room. She knew exactly what that was, and it terrified her.

She was having another attack.

"I knew it would happen again," she said to herself, "I tried Apple Bloom... I tried to hold on without you..." she started trembling and and looked down, shedding a few tears, "I don't want to.. go back there... I don't... I don't... I don't..."

She curled up on the floor and sobbed silently, wishing Apple Bloom was there. She always protected her. But she was gone now, and no one could protect her from the dark.


Twilight returned to Ponyville last night and immediately called a meeting. Lately she hadn't been able to have these with everyone, but as long as someone showed up she could share what she learned from Celestia.

She was so strange that night. Twilight went to Canterlot with with her so they could spend more time together, and Celestia ended up asking Twilight to spend the night with her. In the middle of the night, Celestia started crying. As usual, whenever Twilight tried to ask her about it, she simply turned the conversation away from her.

"Celestia... what are you preparing me for?" Twilight asked, right before the door of the library opened. Twilight turned to the door and saw Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie walk in. Ten years equaled great change for the two mares, now a happy married couple. While Rainbow Dash's physique hadn't changed much, she had grown her mane out, giving herself a somewhat more feminine look. Pinkie Pie was still the epitome of a girly girl, but she seemed to have put on a little weight. Her main was slightly straighter, giving her a more mature look. Both of them were wearing their Elements, which were deactivated at the moment.

"Are we late?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No, but everyone else is if they're showing up," Twilight said, walking to a window.

"Spike should be coming soon," Pinkie Pie said, "But I don't think Fluttershy is."

"What about Applejack?" Twilight asked, her heart racing thinking about her best friend.

"She never shows up, you know that," Rainbow Dash said with a sigh, "We should just give up on that dream."

"I trust Applejack and Fluttershy," Twilight said, "Applejack has seen too much these days, and Fluttershy is suffering without Rarity here."

Both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked down when Twilight mentioned Rarity. Last week, after Apple Bloom left, Pinkie Pie randomly broke down and started crying as if someone died. She didn't understand it herself, so everyone assumed it was her strange ability universally known as the "Pinkie Sense". Ever since then Pinkie Pie had been depressed, yet she could still use her Element, which Twilight was thankful for. Something told her that they'd need it.

The door opened again and Spike walked in. Since he didn't have the Element of Generosity, which he could share with Rarity, he was given a custom made suit of Cantelot Knight armor. It was silver and gold, and had openings in the back for his wings. He always wore his armor to the meetings, just in case it was needed.

Oddly enough, he didn't seem upset that Rarity was missing. He missed her, but somehow he seemed optimistic. He demonstrated this same optimism ten years ago when Rarity was put in a come, knowing that Rarity would be okay.

"Did I miss anything?" Spike asked cheerfully.

"We haven't even started yet," Twilight said. She and Spike walked over to each other and hugged, "I missed you, Spike."

"I missed you too," he said, "Sorry I haven't been able to come over. Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon needed my help at the shop."

"So now you're playing pin cushion for those two?" Rainbow Dash asked. Spike looked up, his face turning red.

"N-no! That's not... my... only... job there..." he said defeated. Both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie laughed.

"Glad some things don't change," Pinkie Pie said, not as brightly as she would have ten years ago, or even last week, but still cheerfully.

"Now that everypony is here," Twilight said, "We should get started," Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie nodded and the four of them sat down in a circle in the middle of the library.

"So, has anyone learned anything?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"That cult has gotten a few new members," Spike said.

"You mean the Sons of Midnight?" Pinkie Pie asked, getting a nod from the dragon.

"You know Fancy Pants' wife, Fleur?" Spike asked, getting nods from everyone, "She joined yesterday."

"What about Fancy Pants?" Twilight asked. Spike shook his head.

"Nope," Spike stated, "He's not a member. I saw them arguing about it. She was wearing one of their cloaks, but he wasn't."

"I don't like them," Pinkie Pie said lying down and resting her head on her forelegs, "Their energy feels weird."

"I saw a few of their members walking through Ponyville," Rainbow Dash said, "They looked like they were looking for something, or someone, if you guys get what I mean."

"Dashie, do you think she's the one they're searching for?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Who knows? That's as good as my guess though."

"Concerning her," Twilight said, "Celestia agrees with me about whether or not Diamond Tiara is the pony."

Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie all looked at Twilight seriously.

"Really?" Spike said after taking a breath.

"That's NOT good," Rainbow Dash said, looking at Pinkie Pie, who just rested her head again looking somber, "You were right."

"I told you guys," Pinkie Pie said sadly, "Girls, I've started having visions."

"Wait, visions?" Twilight asked, "I thought your powers worked through twitches and sensations on your body."

"Not anymore," Pinkie Pie said, "Ever since I started mourning, my Pinkie Sense evolved. I see Diamond Tiara, but she has a dark aura, and she's hurting ponies."

"How?" Spike asked.

"It looks like magic, only there isn't a magical aura," Pinkie Pie explained.

"But that's impossible," Rainbow Dash said, "She's an Earth Pony. Earth Ponies can't use magic."

"I know what I saw, Dashie," Pinkie Pie said, "And my Pinkie Sense is never wrong."

"I'm not doubting you or the Princess," Spike said, "but I've seen Diamond Tiara and spoken to her on a few occasions. Sure she's a little short with people at times, but she doesn't have any real problems beyond anger management issues.

"But her birthday was yesterday," Twilight said, "That by itself matches what Pinkie Pie predicted. I don't want to believe it, but Diamond Tiara is the pony Celestia warned us about."

Pinkie Pie curled up biting her lip. Rainbow Dash looked at her briefly and then turned to Twilight, "So what do we do? Do we act now?"

"Not wise," Twilight said, "She isn't doing anything at the moment, and we don't even know what Diamond Tiara is or what she's capable of. If we strike too quickly we'd just be attacking an innocent mare," Twilight looked down, "Now I understand why Celestia didn't just kill me when she had the chance."

"Twilight..." Spike said somberly.

"You and Diamond Tiara are different though," Rainbow Dash said, "You're naturally a good pony, and a victim of your past life. If Diamond Tiara is that pony, then she's-"

"She's not a monster, Dashie!" Pinkie Pie said suddenly, catching everyone's attention.

"But you were the one who-" Rainbow Dash started.

"I saw her hurting ponies, but that doesn't mean she's bad! Twilight hurt ponies ten years ago, but she was still our friend in the end."

"Pinkie..." Rainbow Dash said seriously.

"Well, right now we can't do anything yet," Spike said, "For now, I suggest we keep an eye on her and the Sons of Midnight."

"I agree," Twilight said getting up, "Pinkie Pie, I know it's stressful, but can you keep telling us your visions?"

"Sure Twilight," Pinkie Pie said nodding.

"Good, and one more thing," Twilight said looking down, "Can you guys... stay with me today? Just like old times?"

Spike and Rainbow Dash smiled as Pinkie Pie stood up, "Did you have to ask?" Spike said.

"We wanted to hang out anyway," Rainbow Dash said, "Besides, there was a book I wanted to ask you about."

"Then why don't we go upstairs and look for it?" Twilight asked. Rainbow Dash smiled and the two friends walked upstairs together. Good to be able to hang out with ponies that didn't see her as either Princess Twilight or Queen Midnight.

To these ponies (and dragon), she was just Twilight Sparkle.


"Pinkie Pie, are you going to be okay?" Spike asked. No, was what she wanted to say, but she didn't want Spike or anyone to worry about her. She was really sensitive ever since what she called "The Mourning" began, but she didn't want her friends sad too.

"I'll be fine, Spike," Pinkie Pie said, trying to sound cheerful, "I just need some time to myself, that's all."

Spike nodded and walked over to to Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Pinkie Pie sat down at a table and looked at her trembling hooves. That was something she hadn't even told Rainbow Dash, that whatever was about to come to Equestria had her more terrified than anything before.

This felt like the end of the world was coming.


Diamond Tiara and Daisy parted ways at the exit of Sweet Apple Acres. While Daisy was there, Diamond Tiara tried her best to be her usual positive and lofty self, but now that Daisy was gone, she could lose the fake perkiness and focus on what really mattered to her right now.

The dark...

At least, that's what Diamond Tiara called it. She didn't know what it was, but for as long as she could remember she had suffered through it. There was only one pony that made it go away, and sadly, that pony was now miles away.

She looked up and saw Silver Spoon trotting ahead of her. She must have been going to Carousel Boutique. It was still early, so she could afford to stay and talk for a bit. After all, before Apple Bloom, Silver Spoon was her best friend. She wasn't always the greatest to Silver Spoon, but Silver Spoon was always a great friend to her.

True friends tell you when you're being a bitch, and Silver Spoon told Diamond Tiara that ten years ago.

"Silver Spoon!" Diamond Tiara called out. Silver Spoon turned around and smiled at Diamond Tiara.

"Morning, Diamond Tiara," Silver Spoon said trotting over to Diamond Tiara, "Did you have a good-"

Diamond Tiara galloped over to Silver Spoon and put her hooves on her shoulders, "Spoony, scan me!"

That caught Silver Spoon off guard, "Um, excuse me?"

"Use yours to scan me! Please!" Diamond Tiara begged. Silver Spoon nodded and stepped back. She closed her eyes for a second, and when she opened them she was looking at Diamond Tiara closely. She only had to look for a second, suddenly looking crestfallen.

"Diamond... your aura is..." Silver Spoon said. That was all Diamond Tiara had to hear. That confirmed it for her. It was the dark after all.

"No... no... no..." Diamond Tiara broke down and started sobbing. Silver Spoon reacted immediately and held her as she cried.

"It's alright, Diamond Tiara," she said softly.

"No it's not!" Diamond Tiara screamed through her tears, "It's not okay, and it'll never be okay! I'll never escape the dark!"

"Don't say that," Silver Spoon said looking into Diamond Tiara's eyes. She escorted Diamond Tiara to a bench nearby and they sat down, "How bad is it? Have you started having night terrors again?"

"I don't know," Diamond Tiara said, "Applejack didn't mention anything about me screaming in my sleep. I have started having episodes again though. You saw, right? Yesterday I had one right before we left."

"I remember," Silver Spoon stated, "I wanted to ask you about it, but I never got the chance. Right now it's just the episodes though, right? Maybe this time it won't be as-"

"No, it's going to be worse!" Diamond Tiara said intensely, "It's always worse! Apple Bloom was the only pony that made it go away! I can't fight this without her!"

"Listen to yourself," Silver Spoon said, "You're already starting to fall back into your old habits. Didn't being with Apple Bloom teach you anything? If you want control then you have to take control. And remember, you aren't alone."

"You still haven't told-"

"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone, and I meant that. I never even told Apple Bloom. I had always hoped that you would eventually."

"I couldn't tell her," Diamond Tiara looked down in sadness, "She was always preparing to move to Canterlot. If I told her about the dark, then she'd stay."

Silver Spoon sighed, "That's what I don't understand about you, Diamond Tiara. You knew that Apple Bloom could have helped you, yet instead of confiding in her you pushed her to Canterlot and out of reach. To anypony else, it would seem like you liked this feeling."

"I don't," Diamond Tiara pouted, "But I spent all of my childhood being a horrible friend to you, Silver Spoon. I was given a second chance with Apple Bloom."

"So you didn't want to be selfish, is that it?" Silver Spoon asked, getting a nod from Diamond Tiara, "Well, I can understand that, and I wanted her to move to Canterlot too. If nothing else, so she and Lezard could see each other again. But what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know," Diamond Tiara said, "I can't see her."

"Why not?" Silver Spoon said suddenly, "I'd like to see how she's doing. Who knows, maybe Lezard can even help you make sense of this feeling. I heard he graduated from Canterlot's School of Gifted Unicorns."

Diamond Tiara felt the dark parting away a bit, and she could help but smile, "Do you think visiting Apple Bloom would help?"

"Yes, I do. Canterlot is only a train ride away after all. It's not like she moved to Zebrica."

"That's true," Diamond Tiara said smiling, "Thanks Spoony."

"Anytime, Tiara," the two of them hugged, and Diamond Tiara felt the dark starting to slip away. Just the thought that she would be able to see Apple Bloom again made her feel-

"Scootaloo! I found her!" Sweetie Belle called out, catching the two mares' attention. They saw Sweetie Belle running up to them, and a second later Scootaloo appeared out of nowhere flying next to her. They stopped right in front of them, poor Sweetie Belle out of breath from galloping so fast.

"Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, what's wrong?" Silver Spoon asked.

"Terrible... Mr... Rich... hospital..." Sweetie Belle panted, shocking Diamond Tiara.

"What about Daddy?!" Diamond Tiara shouted jumping off the bench.

"What she's trying to say is that Mr. Rich had a heart attack!" Scootaloo said. Diamond Tiara wasted no time running past Scootaloo to the hospital. First Apple Bloom moved away, then the dark returned, she couldn't lose her father too!


When she got to the hospital, she ran right to the receptionist, "Where's my daddy!" Diamond Tiara shouted, shocking the mare behind the desk.

"Are you Filthy Rich's daughter?" she asked in shock, getting a frantic nod from Diamond Tiara, "He's in the operating room right-"

"Operating room?!" Diamond Tiara's face went white, "But he just had a heart attack!"

"Miss, it was a really bad heart attack, and he wasn't well-"

"Where is it?!"

"Miss Tiara, you need to calm down-"

Diamond Tiara slammed her foot on the ground, making the mare step away from her in fear, "Tell me where he is NOW!"

"D-d-down the hall!" she pointed to Diamond Tiara's left. Diamond Tiara wasted no time running to the operating room, where she saw the doctors moving her father to another room on a stretcher.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Diamond Tiara screamed. Two doctors stopped her right before she reached him.

"Ma'am, we'll let you know when you can come in, but you need to-"

"Don't TELL me what I need to do!" Diamond Tiara shouted, that feeling creeping up again so much she couldn't stop it, "Get out of my way or I'll-"

Diamond Tiara felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned and saw Scootaloo looking at her seriously, "Diamond, let's just let them do their job."

"But-"

"We'll see him in a few minutes, but right now you need to calm down."

Diamond Tiara realized then that she wasn't wearing the synthetic horn Silver Spoon gave her. If her powers acted up, they'd question how an Earth Pony could do the things she would be doing. A lot of them were weird even for a Unicorn.

Diamond Tiara relented and stepped back, and let the doctors do their job. She hated this, and she hated having to take orders from Scootaloo even more, but unfortunately Scootaloo was right. She sat down next to the door with Scootaloo, praying that her father would be okay.


"When did this happen," Diamond Tiara asked once Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon arrived.

"This morning we think," Sweetie Belle said, "I was going to tell him you were staying at Sweet Apple Acres, since he was asleep last night when we went there, but he was laid out on the floor when I got there."

"I was with her," Scootaloo added, "So I flew at top speed to the hospital and got them to help him. Before you ask, there's a doctor watching your mother as well."

Diamond Tiara actually didn't want to know. In fact, she would have preferred it if the mare died by herself for working her father to the point of a heart attack.

"Miss Tiara," the doctor said coming out of the room.

"How is he?" Diamond Tiara asked, "He's going to be okay, right?"

The doctor closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking, "I'm sorry Miss Tiara," the doctor said, "We tried everything to help him, but in the end he..."

Everything stopped for Diamond Tiara at that moment. Her father was... gone?

"We really did the best we could. If you want any help with your mother, please don't hesitate to call us," the doctor put a hoof on Diamond Tiara's shoulder and slowly walked off, leaving Diamond Tiara to her thoughts.

"Diamond, talk to us," Sweetie Belle said.

"I... um... I need some fresh air..." Diamond Tiara slowly trotted to the exit. She thought she noticed Silver Spoon about to run after her, but Scootaloo stopped her. She couldn't help but be thankful about that. She needed to be alone.

Outside she noticed that it started raining. A perfect match for what she felt. The dark was back, Apple Bloom was away in Canterlot, and now she lost her father, which meant two things. One, now she had to be alone with her mother, unless one of their maids was present, which was rare these days.

Two, now she couldn't go to Canterlot to see Apple Bloom. She was trapped, and the dark just got a lot darker.

Author's Notes:

As I stated before, my teacher taught me "no one wants to see your main character have a good day". Diamond Tiara is one of the main characters this time around, so yes, I'm going to be really hard on her.

You know what? I should adjust the summary to include her actually.

Next Chapter: Chapter 4 Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 14 Minutes
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