94.

Luna, Twilight, Discord, Lilly, Paradox and Fluttershy all sat at the table.

“What is going on?” Twilight asked. “Discord, what is this shadow?”

He looked at her. “If I knew that then I could deal with it. As of right now, I have no idea what we are dealing with.”

Luna wrinkled her nose. “The entity was forming a corporal body but before we could discern a shape it had taken Celestia and disappeared.”

“Dad, it’s the demon from my depression! It wants me back. It wants my soul. I don’t want to go back. I don’t. I… feel so helpless.” Paradox gasped out. “Please Dad don’t let it get me.”

Discord put his paw on Paradox’s shoulder and squeezed him reassuringly. “I won’t let it near you. You’ll be alright.”

Silver Dash was standing right beside Zero; they both were in their uniforms. “It’ll be alright Doxy.” She whispered.

Zero looked at Silver. “I hope so.” He said to her.

Scarlet Grace walked into the room followed by her husband Flight Strike she had Trouble in her arms. “We came as soon as we could. What happened?”

“Twilight and Luna decided to visit Celestia in her dreams.” Discord muttered. “It didn’t go the way it should have.”

Scarlet Grace blinked. “What?”

Twilight Sparkle sighed and told Scarlet Grace what had happened to get her up to speed.

Fluttershy looked up at her daughter. “Gracie, I think Scarlet needs to place her paw on Luna or Twilight. Maybe she can get a vision of what is going on.”

Flight Strike walked forward. “Oh no. She doesn’t need the stress.”

“Flight, it’s ok. I’ll be fine.” She gave him Trouble to hold. “It’s a good thing he’s asleep.” She walked over to Luna. “Princess Luna? May I?”

Luna glanced at every pony in the room and nodded. “Yes.”

Scarlet placed her paw on Luna’s shoulder then looked over at Twilight. “Auntie, I mean… Princess Twilight? May I?”

“Sure.” Twilight nodded, she felt odd that her niece was asking permission to touch her shoulder.

Scarlet placed her claw on Twilight and suddenly let out a soft breath. She started to blink as her eyes clouded over and they glowed white. “Revenge, retribution. He’ll please his master he’ll not be defeated. The unborn. P… Paradox. Make him be who he doesn’t want to be. Corrupt all. The ultimate prize.” She suddenly let go of both of the Alicorn’s and stumbled back. Both Zero and Silver stepped forward and steadied Scarlet Grace. She leaned on them as they led her to the chair close to Flight.

She sat down her eyes still blind as she placed her claw and paw on the table in front of her. She opened her mouth slightly and seemed to be talking to herself, a whispering noise was coming from her lips. She put her head up and gasped loudly several times as if she was needing air. When she looked back down her eyes had turned completely black.

“That is creepy.” Breathed Paradox as he stared at his younger sister.“Shush.” LillyRose muttered.

Scarlet stared ahead with her black eyes. She opened her mouth to talk, her voice wasn’t her own. She looked directly at Paradox. “You’re going to come back.” She looked over at Discord. “I… will destroy you.”

Discord growled as he hit the table in front of Scarlet. “Who are you!?”

“You know who I am.” Scarlet growled back. “Don’t be ignorant.”

Discord suddenly frowned. “Get out of my daughter now!”

“Now Discord… You know I am just being filtered through her. Although she is quite comfortable; maybe I’ll stay for a while.”

Flight Strike got up. “NO! Not my Gracie!”

Lilly put her hoof up and made Flight sit back down. “It’s alright Flight, she’s just a vessel right now. She’ll not be harmed.”

Scarlet looks at LillyRose. “You… I underestimated you last time. I know how to get you now… You are just part of the whole.”

Scarlet suddenly gasped loudly and her head went forward and she started to shake as she closed her eyes. Everyone stood up as they watched Scarlet go into a convulsion. She grabbed the table digging her claws into the wood. She put her head back again as she growled. “GET OUT!” She shook again as she put her head against the table. She slowly opened her eyes and they were back to normal.

“Grace.” Flight Strike said to her as he gave her a kiss on her muzzle. “Are you alright?”

Grace looked at every pony staring at her. “I think I passed out. Sorry.”

Discord suddenly sat down heavily on his chair. “I think I know who it is.”

Every pony looked at him.

Twilight blinked. “WHO!?”

“It’s a demon!” Paradox yelled. “And he’s coming to drag me into Tartarus! I cannot… I won’t go!” He looked at Fluttershy. “Mom… The demon tried to turn me… he tried to make me a monster… Please Mom… Please.”

Fluttershy hugged Paradox and held him close. “It’s okay Doxy. We’ll keep you safe. Won’t we?” She looked up at Discord.

“Of course we will.” Discord answered. “Nothing is going to tear my family apart.” He looked at Twilight and Luna. “We have to talk…. Privately.”

Both Luna and Twilight nodded.

He kissed Fluttershy on her lips. “I just need to go. I’ll be back love.” Fluttershy nodded. He ruffled Paradox’s mane and hugged Lilly and Scarlet Grace. “Don’t worry I’ll fix this.”

“Dad, what are you going to do?” Lilly asked as she suddenly saw that her father was following Luna and Twilight out the door.

“I’m going to fix the problem Lilly.”

“I’m coming with you.” Lilly said.

Zero suddenly walked over to Lilly. “Dear. I don’t think it’s wise, you’re about to foal.”

She bit her bottom lip. “But… I cannot just…”

Discord looked at Lilly. “It’ll be okay. The shadow was banished before… It can be again.”