The mares and fillies got some sleep last night. The next morning was bad as the last. Once again, the Demon Pony cause some damages last night and the Canterlot ponies complain as to why Twilight and her friends didn't captured it yet. The Sparkles have to do their best to turn them away to give their daughter and their friends some time to think and be ready for the festival.

Inside, the gang were discussing with Derpy joining in, sort of. Luckily, the cross eyed Pegasi told the Mane Six that she was with them, watching the CMC and Nyx while visiting Zecora so the only punishment that fillies has gotten was a scolding for this disobedience.

"Derpy, I'm so sorry that you had to go through that cause of the fillies' action." Twilight Sparkle apologizes to Derpy, who got dragged into something all cause of Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, & Nyx bringing this upon her.

"Ahh, it's no problem. I'm always liking to help." Derpy wave off her left hoof in saying it doesn't bother her at all.

"Well, I suppose on the bright side, if Derpy wasn't with the fillies when we were in trouble, your brother would have been in trouble." Fluttershy spoke with a little cheery voice in saying what a lucky break Derpy was around to save Shining Armor from getting attacked by the Demon Pony.

"Yeah, I can't thank you enough from saving Shining Armor there Derpy." Twilight spoke with much relief that the grey Pegasus was there at a lucky moment. "My big brother would have been in big trouble if not for that distraction." The mention of it kinda made Shining Armor smile a bit sheepish in how he looked almost done for, but inside, he was glad to have been saved.

"Gee, I sure do appreciate a thank you." Derpy replied with a happy face in seeing how she was being thanked for her help, that's something really rare for her to ever get...especially from her 'usual' help that ends with there being an accident or two.

"Hey, that's kinda funny in another way of thinking it." Pinkie Pie pops up near Twilight to state something very interesting to tell, "Big brother! Big trouble! Heeheh, its funny how the two go together; I think..." The excited, giggling pony would have gone on if Applejack didn't put her left hoof in Pinkie's mouth.

"Okay Pinkie, Ah think we gone got it." Applejack exclaimed before removing the hove out of Pinkie's mouth to calm down that the group gets the idea.

Twilight, getting an idea, goes behind a dressing curtain to change into something. Rainbow spoke up, "So now what? How can we capture the Demon Pony the next time?"

"We will have to try different strategies," Rarity comments. "Tonight, we shall try something better."

"Twilight, what happened to you in the sewer?" Fluttershy calls out to Twilight who is changing.

"I ran into some snakes...I freaked out...and I escaped..." Twilight said, giving out some details while keeping the important ones out for now.

"Weird, you are freaked out by snakes."

"I know. So, check me out."

Shining and the mares saw Twilight coming from behind the dressing curtain. They look surprised as the gang saw her wearing the dress that Rarity has made for her on her previous birthday. But the purple unicorn has added the cape that the white one has made during the time Spike went through his greedy growth spurt.

"Whoa! Twilight," Spike exclaims impressed.

"Did you combine both the birthday dress and the cape that I made for you?" Rarity asks Twilight a bit stunned and amazed.

"Well, yeah. I thought I could combined both of your creations to make an interesting one." Twilight answers Rarity with a grin. "What do you think?"

"I think...you came up with a brilliant fashion idea! A way to make a whole new fashion by combining two old ones to make a combination one! Why, the idea would make every pony want to purchase a combo set! I must get to work at once!"

Excited by the idea that Twilight inapparently has made, Rarity rushes off, on a quest to make some similar dresses for her friends. Applejack chuckles, "Figures; Ah betcha Rarity is making a fashion statement right now."

"Luckily, we brought our capes with us. Once Rarity cleans them up a bit, that will help, right?" Fluttershy ask meekly to her friends.

"But what shall we do about the Demon Pony? We need more info on it." Rainbow spoke out, reminding the group of the problem at hand.

A knock came at the window. Shining opens it and saw a Pegasus guard waiting. He asks, going into business mode, "What is your report?"

"This is a message to Twilight and her friends. A zebra by the name of Zecora is setting up shop in Canterlot temporarily in the nearly abandoned part of Canterlot." The Pegasus guard explains sternly. "She wishes that they are to visit her before sunset."

"Yes, of course; thank you, soldier."

"Well, looks like we will get our answer." Spike said in amusement as the Pegasus guard took his leave.

"All right," The group saw the fillies entering, all excited. Apple Bloom, the one who spoke, said, "We git 'ta see Zecora!"

"Oh no, you don't," Twilight said with a frown. "You girls disobey us last night and almost got hurt! If you haven't saved Shining last night and if Derpy haven't explained why you went over to Zecora's..."

"Come on, mommy, we were trying to help." Nyx said sadly. "We were really sorry. We promise to stay out of the way next time; Pinkie Promise!"

"Cross our heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" The CMC and her said while making the Pinkie Promise.

"Geez, you gotta admit, they can't break that promise. You all know that." Pinkie said thoughtfully. She's right. No pony dares try to break a Pinkie Promise. Applejack learned that the hard way (almost).

"Well...all right. You will come with us to see Zecora." Twilight said with a sigh, giving in. "But after that, stay at the house or you will be in for a lot of trouble!"

"Not the trouble that Boris is in right now!" Shining laughs with a smirk. He can imagine the trouble that Boris is going through right now.

-----------------------

Shining's right. Boris is in big trouble. The Royal Guard captain reports last night's events to the princess, as well as the red stallion's reckless actions. And now, Boris is standing in front of the princesses as well as Cadance, getting berated for what happened.

"Boris, of all the reckless actions that you have took, this is the worst!" Celestia exclaims sternly to Boris who is kneeling down in front of her while he takes his scolding. "Your actions last night is unacceptable!"

"Come on, you can't just punish for trying to do the right thing." Boris said to Celestia nervously.

"'Right thing'," Cadance asks with a scoff of disbelief. "You almost hit Twilight with your shooting! You aren't supposed to be even involved with the mission!"

"I wasn't trying to hit her; I was shooting at the Demon Pony!"

"SILENCE," Luna booms, giving out the Royal Canterlot Voice once more. Boris cringes as the Goddess of the Moon continues, "THOU SHOULD BE LUCKY. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THOU'S YEARS OF SERVITUDE TO CANTERLOT AND IF THOU HAS ENDED UP HURTING TWILIGHT SPARKLE, THOU WOULD'VE BEEN PUNISHED SEVERELY! SO CONSIDER THIS A SLAP ON THE HOOF!"

"Of course, I apologize. It will never happen again." Boris assures the princesses. "But I am sorry. Last night's failure made the ponies demand more action."

"Like what?" Celestia ask Boris skeptically.

"Well, they want the creature taken care of and want me to do something about it! Trust me, as a hero of Canterlot..."

"Right now, Twilight, her friends and the Royal Guard are still handling the problem. If by any chance that this goes beyond them, I will have no choice but to give you permission. Until then, you are dismissed!"

Boris can tell when he shouldn't push further. The stallion gave another bow before getting up to leave. Cadance groans, "I can see why Shining hates that guy. He has no regards for any life."

"Right; what do you think, sister?" Luna asks Celestia. She notices that her sister wasn't paying attention but is looking at a photo, looking sadly at it. The alicorn couldn't see what's in it. "Tia?"

"Hmm; Oh, nothing," Celestia said while putting the photo away, then looks sternly. "That Demon Pony must be captured at all costs...minus killing!"

Celestia leaves in a huff, leaving her sister and niece confused and concerned. Why is the Goddess of the Sun so determined to see the Demon Pony captured; Very concerning.

----------

Outside the castle, Boxco and Dum-Dum were waiting as Boris came out, fuming. The purple male unicorn grins stupidly while asking, "So, how did it go with the royal highnesses?"

Boris uses his magic to grab Boxco, scowling, "I am not defeated yet! I will get that old enemy of mine, make no mistake!" He tosses his minion into Dum-Dum, knocking both to the ground before storming off.

"Boy, touchy."

"Yeah." Dum-Dum nods in agreement as they got up to follow their boss.

---------

There's a part of Canterlot that's nearly abandoned, only any insane ponies would want to go there due to the shutdown building and there are some still at work here.

Of course, the Mane Six, Nyx and the CMC are arriving at a particular one, since this is where Zecora is setting up shop at.

"I hope Zecora can help us figure out the mystery of the Demon Pony." Rainbow mumbles in concern as the gang enter the shop.

"No worries! Zecora has proven herself useful in more ways than one!" Pinkie exclaims happily as she bounces right into the place.

"Like back when she helped me wit' 'de Cutie Pox." Apple Bloom remarked, "My hooves are still shakin' from all 'dat dancin' I was doin'."

"Right, and when she hid mommy from my former cult for a while." Nyx recalled with a nod.

"Zecora? Are you here?" Twilight called out inside the shop. The place looks like your regular dark arts/voodoo place where magical ponies like Zecora would hang out with. Even Rarity is a bit disgusted by the skeleton skulls, organs in jars and the spooky stuff lying around.

"In the back, my friends," Zecora's voice calls out. The gang heads to the back and saw the zebra in question working. She saw them and smiles, "Ah, Twilight and company. Welcome. I was expecting you."

"Good 'ta see yew again, Zecora." Applejack said with a nod. "Now..."

"Wait, hang on!" Rainbow exclaims in surprise upon realizing something. "Zecora usually speaks in rhymes when we meet! Now she's speaking normally?

"Yes, I only rhyme when I wish to be both clever and spooky." Zecora said to Rainbow with a mysterious smirk.

"It worked." Rainbow remarks dryly.

"Miss Zecora, the Cutie Mark Crusaders said that you could provide information about the Demon Pony." Fluttershy said meekly.

"Perhaps, give me time to finish this up." Zecora said as she put in some ingredients.

"Whatcha cooking," Spike asks Zecora curiously. "Some magic potion?"

"Oh, this? It's the fondue that I planned for tonight's dinner." Zecora remarks mysteriously. "Do you want a taste?"

"That depends. Does it have any toes in it?" Rarity asks Zecora uneasily.

"Yes." Zecora said with a nod.

"I'll pass." Rarity politely refused.

"Oh, I don't mean animal toes. I mean candy toes." Zecora chuckles in amusement. "I may be spooky but I am not a cannibal."

"I still politely refuse." Rarity said, not taking any chances.

"Zecora, what can you tell us about this Demon Pony?" Twilight Sparkle asked with a serious face, hoping that the zebra of mystery can help them understand what's going on.

"The tales have been told, I'm certain you have heard. But if it's the deeper truth you seek, then listen closely." Zecora expressed in seeing that from the faces of these ponies, they want to know more.

All of the ponies had gather around Zecora's center room as she pour in potions and mixtures into her cauldron that puffed smoke that magically took form. Everyone saw it; there were different smoke colors for scenery, even characteristic ponies as they can see that this is Zecora's potions at work.

"The Demon Pony you seek is something to fear. But did you know that its growth came from something dark?" Zecora explain as an image of a Demon Pony came into the smoke image, but its body stretched into some evil smog creature with a wicked expression of eyes and a sinister smile.

Pretty much, this seemed a bit scary in how Zecora told it. Even the fillies shrunk a bit in hearing such creepy tales.

"Zecora, you mentioned something, well, 'dark', but what is it?" Twilight asked suspiciously.

"Forget the what, just what does it mean?" Applejack asked off, not following this stuff squarely.

"As you ponies know, in this world, there is good and evil that balances all." Zecora explained as smoke images of the Mane 6's past is shown. "From the tales where foes you've faced have had some dark motive within them." The zebra explain as many images of the Changeling Queen, Discord, even Nightmare Moon were seen, which on that last part made Nyx scribble up nervously with her CMC friends.

"Wait a second; the Changelings wanted everyone's loves to feast on." Fluttershy spoke in following what this was about.

"And Discord wanted to cause nothing but chaos in the air." Rarity stated another thought of what was going on too.

"Right, even Nightmare Moon wanted to bring the entire night with no sunlight." Pinkie Pie stated out the last part, but then noticed how depressed Nyx was looking. "Oh, but that was then. This is now. No harm done." The cheery pink pony assured Nyx that no pony was still upset with her, after all, that was the more 'dark' side of Nightmare Moon which this little filly bested.

"Very good; then here is something else." Zecora stated to get the attention again as the imagery changed suddenly. "The Demon Pony was created, but only came into existence by some 'unforeseen' moment which took its form before any could find out where and how it came to be." The dark smog reshaped itself into the monster the ponies have come to see.

"But what does it have to do with 'spiriting away' little ponies like this Ben Mare?" Rainbow Dash bluntly asked out, not noticing a sad face on Twilight until... "Oops. Twilight, I'm so..." The daredevil pony was going to apologize for her rudeness, but...

"It's okay, Rainbow Dash." Twilight spoke softly to which many saw her sadness showing again.

Many wondered if maybe Twilight hadn't gotten over of what happened when they met the Demon Pony, many sure wouldn't forget it. Only Zecora seem to notice something that from Twilight's eyes held something important, but what?

"Tell me something, you've seen the Demon Pony close hand, what did it do, may I ask?" Zecora asked as she gently raised Twilight's glum face with her hoof to ponder what the smart unicorn has discovered.

"I...I can't say anything...other then...he seemed... familiar." Twilight struggled to say while not looking closely into the zebra's eyes, like trying to hide something in her mind.

"Well, when we saw him...he seemed to know Nyx." Scootaloo stated a thought that might help which got many's attention.

"Right, he said he knew you." Apple Bloom nodded to Nyx, puzzled in what this meant.

"Nyx, did you meet him somewhere?" Sweetie Belle asked in concern if Nyx saw the Demon Pony before its appearance in Canterlot.

"It was...when I was saved by the Demon Pony from the Timber Wolves before Twilight found me." Nyx slowly answered which made the ponies gasped to hear this, even Twilight was surprised that the Demon Pony...saved her daughter before she found her.

"How curious, judging by appearance and growls of temper with rage, many say it's a monster." Zecora spoke from thinking of these clues before stating them out. "But perhaps, some of us understand what is true. The side of a coin is the 'key', to solving this mystery." The zebra exclaim, much to many pony's confusion.

"What the hay? Since when do coins have anything 'ta stopping 'dis pony?" Applejack ask with a raised eyebrow in not following.

"Oh, does it like shiny stuff? I like shiny stuff as the next pony! Like bottles, glasses, jars, and..." Pinkie Pie would have gone on if Rarity didn't place her left hoof to have the pony stop.

"Pinkie, dear, that isn't what we're discussing, is it?" Rarity respond before taking her hoof back, but ask Zecora this puzzled question.

"Perhaps you all remember, not long ago, when you feared me as a witch by my appearance and how I speak." Zecora mention this out which triggered many memories in their minds.

"Oh my, that was during the poison joke incident." Fluttershy spoke in recalling what happened when the Mane 6 and Apple Bloom had an event with the zebra before finally getting to know her more.

"I didn't find them funny, but if we gave some to Boris, that'd be a riot!" Rainbow Dash remark with a frown, but then smile in thinking 'who' better to get a chance to get prank by such flowers.

Sure enough, some of the ponies giggle at the idea, even Twilight couldn't help but crack a smile if Boris got something he didn't find funny at all by some plant.

"Then there is little Nyx here, who as we're sure know who she was but is not no more." Zecora mentioned as she gently petted the black filly. "This little filly only took form of something and shown from latent memories of what she was suppose to be but choose to instead be something that was free from the 'dark' that controlled her life, even Princess Luna." Nyx smiled at that, happy to hear Zecora say such thoughtful things. "Even those among you seem strange outside, but inside, you know them well."

The ponies looked to each other, feeling that Zecora was right about that. Even those like Pinkie Pie and Derpy- while strange, yes- are really good friends on the inside.

"So wait, what could this mean with the Demon Pony?" Twilight asked Zecora in concern.

"Perhaps this will help solve bits of the mystery." Zecora said as she got out a book called 'Book of Equestrian Legends'. "Your ruler gave this to me as a reward for services which involve helping to save Twilight from the former Nightmare Moon's forces twice. This shall help you in need."

"Thanks, Zecora. This'll come in handy." Nyx said as her mother took the book with her magic.

"A warning to you all: the Demon Pony isn't what he seems to be. A riddle that I should inform you: what makes a pony, what makes a monster; a pony makes look good on the outside, but it can be a monster on the inside. It's vice-versa for the monster as well." Zecora warned the group sternly.

"What 'de hay is 'dat supposed 'ta mean?" Applejack asks Zecora in concern, pondering the riddle.

"That's all I will tell you. The rest lies with Twilight and her past." Zecora said with a nod.

Nyx looked at Twilight in concern at that, along with the other CMC and the rest of the Mane 6. Then, the ponies leave for now. Zecora chuckles mysteriously while saying, "So, Demon Pony, it appears that your freedom from your curse is at hand. Only harmony and love can save you now, old friend."

--------------

It's only 5 hours until sunset. The Mane Six knew that they must've dawdled as the Demon Pony will come out. But why strike the festival? And what does Zecora mean?

"I hope that tonight's performance isn't bad as last night." Fluttershy said meekly. Twilight meanwhile is going through the book that Zecora has lent her.

"Any clues in there, Twi," Rainbow asks Twilight curiously. Nyx and the CMC are in the other room playing, Spike will make sure that they stick to their Pinkie Promise this time.

"I have never seen just fascinating legends of Equestria." Twilight said while going through the book. "Here's what I found on the Demon Pony; 'A creature of legend that roams throughout the land; Magic is not affective against it..."

"We get that part already, Twilight. Get to some parts that we don't know!"

"Oh, sorry. There are two ways that this creature can come to be. First off, it has to be born naturally. Another way that it can do so if one is fused with a Mini-Were."

"A Mini-Were?" Rarity asks while blinking her eyes a bit. "What in Equestria is a Mini-Were?"

"Well, according to this, a Mini-Were is a little sheds of darkness, kinda like the ones that possessed the Nightmare Moon cult members not so long ago. Once a pony became fused with it, it became a Demon Pony, a creature that can only attack if provoked or if the creature doesn't control itself." Twilight explains to her friends clearly.

"Kinda like last night when we deal with the Demon Pony." Pinkie said thoughtfully.

"Hmmm, you know, it's kinda funny."

"What's funny; Funny as in 'ha ha' or funny as if 'ironic"?"

"Well, on the night that Ben Mare disappeared and the Demon Pony first appeared in Canterlot years ago, Spell Nexus's office at the Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns was broken into." Twilight explains to her friends seriously. "Nexus, who was the headmaster even back then, has a creature in captivity called a Mini-Were at the time...but the cage was destroyed on the same night and the Mini-Were was gone. The only way that would happen if a pony got fused with it..."

"So, yer're saying 'dat Ben's disappearance has a connection 'ta 'de break-in?" Applejack asks Twilight who pauses to think about this.

"I wish...I have an answer to that one..."

---------------

Spell Nexus was in his study at the manor, looking through some books when his butler, Proper Etiquette, arrives at the door, saying seriously, "Sir, a Mr. Boris is here to see you. He said it's urgent."

"What?" Nexus ask startled. What does Boris want? "Err, well, whatever he wants, show him in." Proper left and came back with Boris, Boxco and Dum-Dum. Getting up from his chair, the former villain asks, "Boris, what..."

"Listen, Nexus, you used to be the leader of that cult thing that gave us a start a while ago, are you not?" Boris demands to Nexus more than he asks, "Do you have anything that could help me against the Demon Pony?"

"What? I thought the princess made it clear that Twilight Sparkle and her friends are on this task!"

"Yes, yes, but sooner or later, the mares will fail again. The ponies of Canterlot will need some major action and I want to give them one! Now, do you have anything of darkness or lethal needs?"

"I'm afraid not." Nexus said with a sigh while heading over to the fireplace, glancing at his own portrait. "I gave everything related to Nightmare Moon to the princesses upon their return and my release from my self-imposed imprisonment. Celestia does not wish anything that could end up putting me into the service of darkness again."

"Oh well, I guess this won't work." Boxco remarks with a shrug.

"Yeah, let's go." Dum-Dum said as he and Boxco prepares to leave but Boris uses his magic to keep them still.

"You two aren't going anywhere!" Boris snaps to his minions sternly, then turn back to Nexus. "Sir Spell Nexus, I implore you. You need to redeem yourself for your past crimes; I need to help Equestria and myself. If there's anything that could help in tracking or killing that thing when the time comes..."

"Well..." Nexus said in hesitation then sighs. "I didn't give them...everything."

Nexus then use his magic to move his portrait, revealing a safe behind it. After putting in the combination, he opens the safe to reveal two items: a canister of something glowing and a rip part of a page.

Nexus takes the items out, handing both to Boris while explaining, "I hid these away from the princesses and the Royal Guard. I regret doing so but I felt like these two shouldn't be in the wrong hooves. The canister held a bunch of dangerous creatures called 'Heckhounds'."

"Heckhounds," Boxco and Dum-Dum ask in bewilderment.

"They are smelly creatures but these creatures can track down a prey and attack anything. Back when I was possessed, I originally intended on using them to track down enemies of Nightmare Moon. Just make sure that you aren't alone with them with no target to track or in sight because the Heckhounds' loyalty can always be put into question."

"And these rip part?" Boris asks Nexus curiously.

"I tore it out of the Book of Forbidden Spells while I was fighting a Changeling over it during the Changeling Invasion." Nexus said seriously. "I thought that the book was gone and that those monsters' queen has gotten her hooves on it. So I hid the torn part of the page away. It is the final part of a spell that is called 'The Talent Swap'."

"Oh yes, I know what you mean. I recovered that book."

"You have the Book of Forbidden Spells?"

Boris shrugs while saying, "During the Changeling raid, I discovered one of those creatures stealing a book of Forbidden Spells before Shining and Cadence's protective shield blasted them all out. I thought of returning it to you...but I figure that this will be of service to me."

"Well, be careful." Nexus warns Boris seriously. "That spell is very unpredictable!"

"I know; I'm into that; now, got anything else? I am using the spell as a last resort and need to something to take the Demon Pony down for good."

Nexus opens a cage nearby and pulls out some shiny like bullets then give them to Boris. The headmaster unicorn explains, "The Demon Pony is a creature of darkness. The platinum bullets could destroy it. I only got 5 so Use them wisely."

Boris takes the bullets, putting them, along with the Heckhounds canister and the torn part in his saddlebags. Saying his goodbyes to Nexus, he and his goons took their leave.

"Are you going to kill that Demon Pony tonight?" Boxco ask Boris curiously.

"Yeah, you have been wanting payback and more for years, boss." Dum-Dum said in agreement. After all, it's been years since Boris was scratched by that Demon Pony and more.

"And get into trouble with the princesses again?" Boris snaps to his minions making him cringe a bit. "No, I will wait until Twilight and her friends mess up their turn. That will make the ponies want blood and action. And when Celestia gives in to them command...I will be the one to step in as the hero..."

Nexus stood at the door, watching Boris and his goons leaving while the headmaster unicorn gives out a grim warning, "Beware of the monster that lurks in some of us!"