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Inner Demons: Fragments of Truth

by Azure Sandora

Chapter 7: Floor VI

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Floor VI: Will I Disappear?

"Are you sure this will work, Princess?" her dark armored retainer asked as she prepared her meditation.

"This is the only way for us to get up there," she said, "Sister has lost her connection to Elysium, and I am half Equestrian. Unless we have official authorization we cannot enter. Honestly, I'm not sure this will work, but it had better."

Her retainer nodded to her and helped fluff her pillow. In order to maintain her connection, she had to be fully comfortable. She wasn't as good at projecting herself as Twilight Sparkle, who could even possess ponies if they allowed her to. She was alsways somewhat envious of Twilight's power, who more and more seemed to surpass her.

Well, Twilight was a pure blooded demon now. She was only half angel, unlike her sister who was a full angel.

"I am ready," she said to her retainer, "Leave me in peace."

"Yes, Princess Luna," he said. When he left, she lied down on her pillow, allowing her body to relax. Upon relaxing, she followed Twilight's instructions, imagining a door in front of her and going through. Once out of her body, she imagined herself in Elysium, praying and hoping that this method would carry her there. She couldn't get Rarity out of there, but she could at least try and alert her of the danger she was in.

"I will not allow this to happen," she said to herself, "We are not prisoners to our fate."


Rarity and Trixie had just arrived at the sixth floor, and were in the middle of fighting the fourth Avatar. This one was an Avatar of Rarity's friend Pinkie Pie. The only thing that made this fight annoying, besides the fact that she had to fight her friend, was Pinkie Pie's illusion powers.

Trixie fired a bolt of lightning at two Pinkie Pies both of them exploding.

"Damn, they weren't real!" Trixie shouted, electricity flowing from her body signalling the Storm Avatar spell.

Rarity fired icicles out of her horn at the Pinkies surrounding her, all of them exploding like bombs when they were shot back.

"They just keep coming!" Rarity exclaimed. She rolled to the side just before a Pinkie clone jumped onto her. Unfortunately Trixie wasn't so lucky, as about five or six Pinkie Pies landed on top of her and exploded, causing Trixie to scream out in pain.

"Trixie!" Rarity called out, thankful that she was using her Storm Avatar spell, but still worried. When the smoke cleared, Trixie was forcing herself up.

"I've just about had it with this fight!!!" Trixie called out, firing electricity around the entire room. All of the Pinkie Pies present exploded, save for one in the back of the room, "There she is!"

Rarity nodded and charged at her, firing icicles at Pinkie Pie's Avatar. The Avatar jumped and dodged out of the way, and then lunged at Rarity knocking her down.

"It's too bad you won't just let us kill you," Pinkie Pie said, "Either way you're just going to vanish, why not do it now, thief?"

"Shut up!" Rarity shouted firing a large ice arrow point blank at the Avatar, knocking her back, "I do not plan on vanishing in this tower!"

Pinkie Pie giggled, "Not like you have much of a choice in the matter," she said, confusing Rarity. What did that mean? Was Rarity going to...

Trixie fired at Pinkie Pie's Avatar knocking her to the ground, "She's down!" Trixie said shaking Rarity back to reality, "Finish her!"

Rarity was hesitant for some reason, but she did have to kill this Avatar at some point. She pointed her horn up to the ceiling, creating two large ice pillars at her side. When she pointed forward, the pillars charged at the Avatar, knocking her into the wall. Rarity followed up by charging into the Avatar with her horn, killing it.

"Rarity..." Pinkie Pie said, "You wouldn't forget about me, would you...?"

Pinkie Pie faded away, leaving the memory fragment in her place. Rarity stepped back and looked down thinking about how that Avatar acted.

"I'm going to vanish...?" Rarity asked as the memory fragment flowed over to her horn.

"Rarity, are you okay?" Trixie asked.

"I am going to be okay, right?" Rarity asked, her heart racing for some reason. Trixie looked away from her as the memory fragment touched her horn. She was about to question why she looked so upset, when Vale's memories flowed into her, she knew that any questions would have to wait.


When they arrived back in Canter Village, there was a unanimous cheer so loud that even Vale stepped back in shock.

"By the stars!" Vale exclaimed.

"I think they're happy," Bayonet stated somewhat sarcastically.

"Gee, you think?" Vale asked. Midnight walked forward surprisingly to face the crowd that gathered, Azure Sky right next to her.

"Ponies of Canter Village," Midnight started, "the threat of the demons is gone! The doorway to Tartarus has been permanently sealed shut, and with it all of the demons as well. You may finally live in peace!" the cheer that followed was even louder than before. Midnight waited a few seconds before she continued, "But this peace could only be obtained with the help of my dear friends. First I'd like to thank my Vassal and best friend, Azure Sky, who from this day forward will be much more."

With that said, she kissed Azure Sky, right on the mouth, and in front of everypony. There was a gasp in the crowd, and even Azure Sky looked taken aback at first. When they parted, Midnight looked into Azure Sky's eyes.

"Thank you for being my strength," Midnight said sweetly.

"Anytime Midnight. I am yours eternally," Azure Sky stated softly and proudly. Midnight then turned to Bayonet.

"Next I'd like to thank Bayonet, who kept us laughing the entire trip."

Bayonet walked up to Midnight, "Just so you know, I'm not kissing you," she said loftily, making Midnight laugh.

"See? Just like that," Midnight said before hugging her. She then turned to Vale, "Thirdly, I want to thank Vale, also known as the Guardian of Equestria. Her power against the demons was a great help, and I would have given up a long time ago had I not had her harsh manner of speaking."

"It's good to know that I'm appreciated," Vale said with a smile. She then walked over to Midnight and nuzzled her, "You're doing a wonderful job, Midnight."

"Thank you, Vale," Midnight said. Finally she turned to Morgana, who still looked really out of it, "Last but certainly not least, I wish to thank Morgana, for it was her idea to use the Elements of Harmony to lock Tartarus away for good."

"It was nothing," Morgana said, "I was... glad I could... help." she said slowly, and strangely. Vale took note of course, and planned on seeing the All Mother about this later.

"I proclaim that this day is a day of celebration," Midnight said to the crowd, "Tonight, we shall party so loud that the gods will hear us!"

The cheer that followed was certainly loud enough. Midnight, Azure Sky, and Bayonet all walked over to Vale.

"Does this mean that your mission is over?" Bayonet asked.

"I don't know," Vale stated, "Perhaps. The demons have been taken care of, and I am pretty sure that the Code for Orbital Control is safe in Midnight's hooves, so unless the All Mother can think of a new mission for me, there is no reason for me to remain here," she noticed that all three of her friends looked sad when she said that, so she quickly continued, "But I planned on talking with Mother in a bit to know my next move. I could ask for her to extend my tenure here..."

"Would you?" Midnight asked quickly.

"Please?" Bayonet added.

"You can't just leave now, we finally got back together!" Azure Sky stated. Vale couldn't hold in her laugh. It felt good to know she was loved so much.

"Alright, alright. Let me get to it. Either way, I'll come back to the village with the results. That way I don't just vanish without a warning."

"Good," Azure Sky said, "We'll wait for you here then. Come on Midnight," Azure Sky said walking off.

"Right," Midnight said walking after Azure Sky. Bayonet walked over to Vale looking depressed.

"Please stay, Vale," Bayonet said sadly, "You're my best friend. I'll be sad if you leave."

"Oh, Bayonet," Vale said nuzzling Bayonet, "I'll talk with Mother and try to convince her to allow me to stay. I can't promise that I'll be able to stay, but I can promise that I'll ask, alright?"

"Alright," Bayonet said. She turned and walked after Azure Sky and Midnight. Before she left, Vale walked over to Morgana, who was walking away from the village.

"Going somewhere?" Vale asked, stopping Morgana.

"I just needed to get something from my house," Morgana said, "I'll be coming back, don't worry."

That wasn't what Vale was worried about, but she nodded in acceptance all the same. Even if Vale suspected Morgana of foul play, she couldn't actually attack her without a reason or proof. With that said and done, Vale made her way to the meadow she tranferredd from, so she could use that to communicate with the All Mother.

Once she arrived at the hill, she closed her eyes and allowed the cool breeze to ruch past her coat. She would act professionally, but deep down she did wish to stay. These were her friends, and after they helped her seal the door to Tartarus, she begun to truly appreciate them. It would be a shame if she had to leave them.

She opened her mind and reached out to the All Mother. The sky opened up for her and a bright light shined on her, signalling that the All Mother was watching her.

Guardian Vale, you have done us a great service.

"Thank you, Mother," Vale said, her heart racing. She didn't want to go.

Vale, you seem troubled.

Is something amiss?

"Well, the truth is, there are a few things bothering me," Vale sighed, deciding to get the most difficult on eout of the way, "I confess, I have grown attached to the ponies here, in particular my friends from childhood. Now that my mission is over, I find it... difficult... to leave them. If there is anyway for my time on Terra to be extended, then-"

Worry not, Vale, I understand.

I feel that it would greatly benifit Terra to have an angel present at all times.

Did she hear the All Mother correctly? Was she just given permission to...

And also, I'm afraid that your mission is not over.

That caught Vale's attention, "What do you mean?"

I feel that the shadow of Tartarus is still present in the country of Equestria.

Can you think of anyone there who displays an unusual affinity to the darkness?

Oh yeah, Vale could. In fact, this was all the proof she needed.

"Yes, Mother. One of the ponies traveling with us I believe may be dappling with dark magic. What course of action do you wish for me to take?"

This pony may be dangerous. First you must find this pony and catch her in the act.

Afterward, you and your friends must deal with this pony.

I leave her sentence to you, Guardian of Equestria.

"I will not let you down, Mother," Vale said with a bow. The light faded, and Vale turned back to Canter Village. Good news, she could stay for as long as she wanted. Bad news, the threat wasn't over. Vale had to hurry.

She galloped back to Canter Village, eventually taking to the skies and flying back to the village. When she arrived, she almost flew into Bayonet.

"Ah!" Bayonet screamed as Vale landed, "Vale, are you alrigh-"

"Have you seen Morgana?" Vale asked Bayonet.

"I don't think she's come back yet, why?"

"Get Azure and Midnight and bring them to Morgana's place! It's not over yet!" Vale ran out of the village to Morgana's cabin. She thought she heard Bayonet calling her, but she didn't know for sure. All she knew was that she had to stop Morgana.

Morgana's cabin was actually pretty large. It was two floors tall, made of wood, and standing in the middle of the forest surrounded by trees. Vale reached out with her angel senses, and felt the evil radiating off of it.

"That witch..." Vale said angrilly, feeling betrayed in the worst way. They allowed Morgana into their lives, and treated her like a friend. What happened to her? How could she betray Equestria like this?

Vale's eyes turned green as her angel powers activated, and she charged into the cabin, not even bothering to knock.

"MORGANA!!!" Vale shouted. Morgana calmly walked downstairs with a soft smile, but Vale could feel that something was wrong with her.

"Hello Vale," Morgana said sensually, "What a surprise seeing you here."

"You knew that I'd be here," Vale said, "How long could you hide what you were?"

"Oh? And what am I?"

"A dark witch," Vale spat, making Morgana laugh, "You invoke the power of demons to use your magic, dark magic."

"Very good, Vale. Your Mother must be so proud of you."

Her aura was changing, becoming darker. As she reached the first floor, Vale noticed something coming out of the ground. It was a sword, but not any old sword. Vale got the worst possible feeling from that sword.

"Soon the others will be here, so why don't we go someplace where they can't bother us?" Morgana said using her magic to pick up the sword. There was something about that gothic blade that was setting Vale's senses off.

Vale's body reacted on its own. Before she knew it, she had charged at Morgana, leading with her horn. Morgana used the sword to block and push her aside. She then pointed her horn at Vale, firing dark red electricity at Vale. The attack attacked her core, hurting more than anything. This lightning, it was demonic, Vale's exact opposite.

Vale fell to the floor, feeling weaker than anything. Her vision was getting blurry as Morgana sauntered over to her.

"Worry not, my love," Morgana cooed, "I could never kill you. When you wake up, it will just be you and me."

"Morgana..." Vale said, as her entire world went blank.


When Rarity came to, she wasn't in Elysium like she thought she would be. Instead, she found herself in another cloudy area. How did she get here?

"It pleases me that I was able to reach you," Rarity heard from in front of her. She got up and saw a sight she didn't expect.

"Princess... Luna!" Rarity exclaimed as the Princess of the night stepped out of the fog.

"In order to enter undetected, I had to take advantage of the latest memory. As you experience Vale's memories as if they were your own, any pain that she felt becomes real to you, this is why you fell unconscious. I am speaking to you through your dreams."

"How are you even here, and more importantly, why?" Rarity asked, hoping to Celestia that for once she could get a straight answer.

"That's quite simple, Rarity," Luna said looking down smiling, "I'm here to warn you of the danger you are in."

"Danger?" Rarity asked, "I know that I've had to fight a number of Avatars, but I am more than capable of taking care of myself."

"No Rarity," Luna said, "That is only part of the plot against you. These Avatars, what are they? Do you know?"

"No, I don't," Rarity admitted, "I've never seen any of the ponies that these Avatars are supposed to represent, which is weird."

"I assure you, those Avatars are not representations of strangers," Luna said, her voice raising a bit, "Tell me, Rarity, how many friends do you have?"

"Well that's easy," Rarity stated, "I don't have too many friends. My dearest friends are Twilight Sparkle and Spike, the latter of those two being my lover."

Luna pursed her lips looking away slightly, "Don't you think it's funny? Your friends are the Elements of Harmony, yes?"

"Well, yes they are," Rarity said, her heart racing.

"Twilight Sparkle is the Element of Magic, and Spike shares the Element of Generosity with you. Tell me, who are the Elements of Laughter, Loyalty, Kindness, and Honesty?"

"Well that's also easy. The Element of Laughter is..." it hit Rarity, she didn't know. No, she couldn't remember. But her friends were the Elements of Harmony, she knew that. She even remembered how they became the Elements of Harmony, yet try as she might, she just couldn't remember any other faces there besides Twilight's.

Weren't there four more...?

"Also, what do you do for a living?" Luna asked, Rarity getting more and more upset the longer Luna smoke, "What city were you born in? Do you have any relatives? What school did you go to? What does your Cutie Mark mean? What is your special talent?"

"I DON'T KNOW!!!!" Rarity screamed, now falling to the ground in tears. All of those questions she was supposed to know the answer to, but she didn't.

"Do you see it now?" Luna asked, "Do you understand what's happening to you?"

Partially, she did. Her thoughts went to when she ran into Trixie the first time, and her words back then.

You may lose something important...

Rarity did lose something important. She lost her memories.

"Why?" Rarity sobbed, "What does this mean? What does the All Mother want me to do?"

Luna sighed, "My guess, she wants you to reawaken Vale."

"I know that!" Rarity cried looking up at Luna in desperation, "I want to know what happens to me! What does the All Mother want to happen to me?!"

"The second Vale is reawakened, you Rarity, will no longer exist."

Everything stopped for Rarity at that moment. Her biggest fear was coming true. The fear that in the end she wasn't going to get out of this tower. The fear that she was supposed to...

"You mean, I'll die...?" Rarity asked.

"Worse," Luna said, making Rarity's heart sink, "Nothing will remain of you. Your body, your heart, your soul, nothing will be left, so nothing will pass on. You will literally vanish."

No... she couldn't... She was supposed to marry Spike... She was supposed to have a future... There were so many things she wanted to do, probably a few more that she couldn't remember now, but now none of those things could come true.

Impudent child...

That voice, it was the All Mother. Both Rarity and Luna looked up.

"Faust..." Luna spat. Was that the name of the All Mother? Faust?

These matters do not concern you, half breed.

"The pony here is dear to a lot of ponies, and myself as well. For that reason it does concern me!"

What I do with my things are no one's business but my own.

You, disgusting half breed, are not even welcome here.

The fog got denser around Luna, and Rarity felt a force pulling her away from Luna.

"Rarity, I'll find a way to get to you!" Luna said, "Just stay alive until then! Even if you have to destroy more Avatars, please live!"

"But I don't want to lose anything else!" Rarity said, trying to reach out to Luna's hoof.

"We will get it all back! I swear on the moon itself, you will get it all back!" Luna said right before vanishing. Rarity found herself slowly coming to, back in the tower, Trixie standing over her worried.

"Rarity! You're okay!" Trixie breathed out in relief, and sat down, "I was worried you'd never wake up."

"Oh Trixie..." Even with everything she learned, for some reason she couldn't allow herself to lose trust in Trixie.

"We need to get moving," Trixie said helping Rarity up, "Unless you still need to recover from-"

"No! No, I'm fine," Rarity said, "Um, let's go."

Rarity walked through the door, realizing that she unfortunately had to keep going. She'd play along with this game for a while longer.

But when they climbed up the stairs and went into the next room, Rarity got the shock of a lifetime. Because if what Luna told her was true, then after this fight, she'd forget the one person she never wanted to forget.

"The All Mother decided to push things to the next level," he said, swinging his spear, "We can't have you stopping, can we?"

"No..." Rarity pleaded, stepping back, "Not him, anypony but him."

"Rarity?" Trixie asked.

"I can't lose him," Rarity cried, "I can't lose Spike!"

Next Chapter: Floor VII Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 27 Minutes
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