Shadow Knight: An Untold Legend

Shadow packed only the necessary. Food, water, tools, etc. he mostly packed light, making sure he didn't tire himself out. The six came out packing the same way, Shadow was surprised with Rarity. She didn't pack clothing or anything ridiculous. She packed just like the others, only the essentials. He could see worry on her face, he could see she was unsure of this journey. He also saw it on Applejack's, Pinkie's, and Fluttershy's face. He started a conversation with Twilight telepathically, "Are they ok?" Shadow asked. "Yes, but they are unsure if they can fight like us, they say they need to be better prepared for this and what is about to happen." Twilight said. "By the end of this journey, they will be. training them before the journey would only waste time. Experience is the best teacher of all." Shadow said. Though Twilight agreed with him, she was still wary for her friends.

They began with a train ride to Hollow Shades, there they could find a starting point. The train ride was more luxurious, thanks to Celestia. "So what's the first location of the first element." Rainbow asked. "Well, according to research I was able to find out that the first element is located a Equestria's Largest Waterfall." Shadow replied. "Neighagra Falls." Twilight replied. "Correct, but what ponies don't know is that there's a passage behind The Falls." "How are we going to get there? Isn't the fall super dangerous to be near?" Rarity asked. "Yes, but a friend will be helping us. He has been near The Falls more times than he can count." Shadow replied. "So your confident we'll get there safely?" Rarity asked. "Of course. We can trust the captain." Shadow insured. Rarity was still wary of the situation. To pass the time Pinkie Pie pulled out board games and puzzles form the cabinet. They had everything a pegasus, earth pony, and unicorn wanted to play. Chess, seemed to be a more suited game for Shadow and Twilight. While the Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash played a pegasus board. Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity played a board game called Apples to Apples. After a while the board games seemed to quick for the five and began watching Shadow and Twilight play Chess. Not because they liked Chess, but because they were amazed how equally match, Twilight and Shadow were. One side was cheering for Shadow the other for Twilight. "I have to play this right or other wise I'll lose." Twilight said. Shadow was studying her face like a poker player would. When she made her decision, Shadow countered it with another. Cornering Twilight. She tried her best, but in the end Shadow won the match. "Augh! Oh well, good game Shadow Knight." Twilight said. "Same to you, I haven't been this challenged in over 30 years ." Shadow said.

They arrived to their destination, Hallow Shades was a mildly dark town always light by lanterns. "Welcome to Hallow Shades, we have an Inn that serves lovely food and drink. A store to supply your needs and homes for sale." A dark blue mare said. "Thank you, but we came here to see Captain Monty, is he here still?" Shadow asked. "Oh yes, Old Captain Monty Salty is in the Inn having a pint." The mare said. "Thank you for your time." Shadow said with a smile. "Oh no the pleasure is all mine, you guys have fun." The mare said before trotting off. They walked over to the Timberwolf Inn, a rough and rowdy bunch of stallions were sitting at the bar. Shadow walked up to the bar tender and ordered some drinks for the girls. One of the stallions was stupid enough to say, "Hey buddy, I'll give you three bits if you let me sleep with the shy pony." Shadow turned around and kicked the stool from underneath the stallion making him fall. "Looks like someone can handle his ale." Shadow said with a smirk. The bar tender hand him the drinks then said, "Old Monty is up stairs I'll tell him your here." "Thank you sir." Shadow said. Shadow sat down hoofed out the drinks. "Sorry about that, I didn't mean to cause attention to us." Shadow said. "It's fine, those stallion were being rude."Rarity said. Most of the time they drank and talked for what felt like forever. Then they all heard some pony coming down stairs, he was a dark green spotted pony with snake like eyes. "Aaaah. Shadow Knight, it's been a while since we seen each other." Captain Monty said. "Yes, my old friend and its always good to see you." Shadow replied back. "So, who are this fine young ladies?" Monty asked. "They're friends from Ponyville." "I see, what are you doing out here in a crummy outfit like this." The Captain asked. "That's the thing Captain we need you to get us behind the water fall." Shadow said.

The Captain smiled and said, "If that's all you wanted, then you should of sent me a letter. It's going to take me awhile to fix the boat, but I'll get you ponies there." Captain Monty said. "How long is awhile?" Twilight asked. "About two to three hours." Captain Monty answered. "What are we suppose to do for three hours?" Rarity asked. "Well, I could use a hoof. All they need to do is make sure the gators don't get me." Captain Monty said. "I could do it I have a pet gator at home." Pinkie Pie said. "Oh missy, this ain't no normal gators. These are Hallow Shade Black Gators, their meaner than a house pet gator." "I could keep these gators off of you I'm an animal tamer." Fluttershy said. "Alrighty then, your perfect for the job." Captain Monty said. "Well, I guess we'll look for something to do, contact me when your done." Shadow said. "Will do." Fluttershy replied.

Shadow and the other five walked through town. Rarity of course was about to go insane. She couldn't take the scenery of Hallow Shades. "Excuse me Shadow Knight, but what do you have in mind for entertainment?" Rarity asked. "Well, I know a place where a they hold boxing matches in a barn not far from here." Shadow said. "Sweet Apple pie, you mean a Barn Brawl?" Applejack asked. "Yep, I heard that Lugnut and Trojan are in town. Also Bone Cruncher except she will accepting a challenge from the audience." Shadow added. "Who-Doggy. Sound like a rip snorting good time." Applejack said. "Not to me." Rarity said with a snouty expression. "It's that or walking around with brutes just waiting for a nice mare like you to smooch on." Shadow said. "Boxing Match it is then." Rarity said with fear. When they reached the barn, they were greeted by a brown stallion with a straw hat and overalls on. "Well howdy folks! Are you hear to see the big fight?" The stallion asked. "Oh yes, how much are tickets?" Shadow asked "one bit per pony." Shadow gave the stallion six bits and end then went. To Rarity's surprise it was more clean that she thought. The stands were spotless and had a pillow for sitting on, even the ring look professional. She felt better about going to see roughins go head to head in a brawl. They took the high seats in the stands and awaited for the match to start. An rustic looking mare in a tuxedo and bow tie stepped out and pulled down the mic to speak in to it. "Mares and Gentlecolts! Welcome to the Hallow Shades Annual Barn Brawl!" The mare announced as every pony cheered and shouted, in response. "Tonight's fights are sponsored by Mom and Pops General Store and Captain Monty's boat tour." The crowd cheered again, then two big buff stallions got in the ring in opposite corners. "Alright every pony, in this corner we have a stallion who weighs three hundred and fifty six pounds. He was born in Tall Tale and is their boxing champ. Trojan Stallion!" The announcer shouted. The crowd cheered as he waved. "And in this corner we have a pony who weighs four hundred fifty five pounds A legend in Manehattan and a is said to be built by a mad stallion. I give you, Lugnut!" A bulkier stallion with a crooked jaw and a mean look just stared a Trojan Stallion.

The two fighters walked to the middle where a referee stood in between them and explained the rules. The bell rang and they went at it for a long and hard fight. Lugnut hit Trojan with a with solid left and right jabs and even harder hoofs to his face. Trojan block as best he could, then came back with two good hooks and a uppercut. At the end of the match Lugnut won and every pony including Rarity cheered. "Ok folks we have special treat for you, one of you lucky mares will get to go head to head with Bone Cruncher a two time boxing Champ of Equestria in the mares boxing." Suddenly, A red mare with a yellow mane appeared in the ring. She was bulkier than most mares, but had a nice completion. "So Bone Cruncher, who will be your challenger?" She scanned the audience for a decent mare, her green eye landed on Applejack. She pointed at her and the the announcer said, "Hey there cow pony. Looks like your our fighter come on down." Applejack motioned Shadow Knight to follow, she felt better know he was there. Applejack entered the ring, the announcer gave her some gloves. "So cow pony what's your name?" The announcer said while putting the mic to close to Applejack. "Names Applejack." she said with a nervous tone. "And that hunk of a stallion is your coach of choice?" The announcer asked. Applejack nodded and the announcer said, "Ok, folks Applejack is facing Bone Cruncher in three rounds. If she wins, she has the rights of respect in Hallow Shades and five hundred bits." The crowd cheered even more as Applejack returned to her corner. "Applejack, I've seen this mare fight before. She's blind in her left eye and you should watch out for her left hook." Shadow instructed. "That's good to know. Except I'm still a little worried." Applejack said. Shadow became concerned and began to think, but his thinking was interrupted by the bell. "Just keep your hooves up and look for an opening." Shadow said. Applejack and Bone Cruncher met in the middle, the both held up their gloves in defense. Bone Cruncher came in with a right hook, but Applejack blocked it. Bone Cruncher then surprised her with a hoof to the stomach. It caused Applejack to double over and get hit by Bone Crunchers uppercut. Knocking Applejack back, she shook it off and came in with a hard left and right. Then a couple of jabs to Bone Crunchers' ribs, but Bone Cruncher didn't even flinch. The mare boxer champ knock a good hit in Applejack's face. Applejack was knocked down, she spit out some blood and stood back up. "Is that all you go sugar cube?" Applejack said. Then proceeded with a combination of hooks, jabs and everything she could throw at the mare. Applejack trapped her in a corner and keep on going, but was knocked back into her corner. "That's it! This just go personal!" Applejack said. She stood back up and held her ground as Bone Cruncher came in with her attacks. She gave it all to Applejack, who was about to ware out. Luckily Bone Cruncher did first.

It gave Applejack the edge to land hits with all her might, the forces caused the champion boxer to be pushed back into the middle, where Applejack kept on coming. She let out all her frustration and pain on to Bone Cruncher. No pony even rang the bell, each hoof made gory thud on Bone Crunchers Face and the crowd was cheering for Applejack the whole way. "Go Applejack! Go!" Shadow called. The last punch made Bone Cruncher finally fall to the floor, Applejack had won and every pony rushed the ring. Shadow and the other five ponies picked up the battered, but tough Applejack and cheered. They carried her to a motel to treat her bruises and cuts. "That was amazing Applejack!" Rainbow Dash said. "Yeah, I guess it was." Applejack said. A knock was heard at the door. Pinkie Pie looked through the eye whole to see Bone Cruncher standing there. "It's that boxer lady." Pinkie said. "It's ok let her in." Shadow said. Pinkie opened the door to let Bone Cruncher in, "Hey kid, that was great fighting out there." Bone Cruncher said while holding out a hoof. "Thank you." Applejack said while shaking her hoof. "I got to know, where are you from anyways?" The battered boxer asked. "I'm from Ponyville. I live and work down at Sweet Apple acres, where apples are our specialty." Applejack replied. "Oh I see, no wonder I got beat. Your a apple bucker." Bone Crusher said. "Yep, but I use my back hooves more that my front." "If you front hooves are that strong, I can't imagine getting bucked by you." Bone Cruncher replied. They both laughed at the thought, Bone Cruncher looked at the clock on the wall. Then said, "While I got to go kid, I hope you and your farm do well with that prize money." Bone Cruncher said with smile.

After Applejack was treated, the six ponies went back to check on the boats progress. They came on to a odd site, Fluttershy was petting the gators and scratching their bellies. "Who's a good bunch of Hallow Shades Gators. You guys are. Yes you guys are." Fluttershy said in a baby talk. "How's the boat Captain?" Shadow asked. "She's ready to go Shadow, you and your friends hop on board and we'll head out." Captain Mony said. The seven ponies hoped on board the boat and headed straight for the falls....to be continued.