Shadow Knight: An Untold Legend

Morning in Hallow Shades was a bit different, as the sun rose into the sky. Tiny dots of sunlight raced across the ground and made a beautiful light show. Shadow as the first to see such a sight, but he knew that watching the light show would only waste more time. He walked next door to wake the girls for the trip. To his surprise, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were already up. They had their saddle bags on and were ready to go. "We woke the others, but it might take a while for them to get fully ready." Twilight said. "It's understandable, but we need to get moving. It's a long trip to Appleloosa and I was hoping to settle something with an old friend." Shadow replied. "Understood." Rainbow Dash said before she barged into the room. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie had just finish packing. Rarity was frantically looking for something. "What's wrong Rarity?" Shadow asked. "I can't find my hairbrush! It was given to me by Fancypants as a gift." Rarity replied. Shadow shook his head and said "It's in your mane." Rarity looked up and used her magic to untangle it from her mane. She smile and blushed in embarrassment. "Alright every pony. Lets get to the train station." Twilight said. While walking toward the station, they saw a familiar figure waiting for them. It was Big Macintosh, who smiled and waved to Applejack. "Big Mac! Your just in time I was about to leave." Applejack said. "Eeyp. I came to see you and bring the prize money back to Sweet Apple Acres. " Big Mac replied. "Oh right!" Applejack said before giving Big Mac the bag of bits. "Ha, I can't believe my little sis stood agains Bone Crusher." Big Mac said with pride.

"Well, Big Mac. It was good to see you, but we need to get a move on to Appleloosa. Be sure to tell Applebloom and Granny Smith what I'm doing." Applejack said. "Will do." Big Mac said before heading for the nearest bench. Shadow and The Mane Six, caught the next train to Appleloosa. The ride was long and very quite, mostly because four of the ponies were asleep. Twilight was reading, and Rainbow Dash was trying to keep herself busy. Shadow was deep in thought, the dream was keeping him from thinking straight. He was thinking to himself, "What does this all mean? Why am I thinking this way? Is this a sign?" Shadow became frustrated and walked into another room of the train car. "Is he ok?" Rainbow asked. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Twilight said. She walked to the room and knocked on the door. "Shadow are you alright?" Twilight said through the door. "Yes...I...I'm fine. I'll be out in a minute." Shadow said trying to acted clam. Twilight looked at Rainbow with concern and said "Ok, let us know if you need anything." "Will do." Shadow replied. Shadow was in the room til they reached Appleloosa. They stepped off the train and strolled into town, the Sheriff came to greet them. "Welcome to our town, folks. Say weren't you six here before?" The Sheriff said. "Yes we stopped the Buffalo's from stampeding through the Apple Orchards." Twilight replied. "Well, bust my buttons! I remember now, who's your friend here?" The Sheriff questioned. "I'm Shadow Knight,we were sent by the Princess to check something out at Buffalo Ridge." Shadow said. "How really? Then you might want to rest a bit before you go. It's a long trip and I'm sure the train ride took a lot out of you." "Yes please, is there a Inn or Hotel near by?" Shadow asked. "Sure is, here let me help Ya'll out by taking you to The Farm House." Sheriff said.

The Sheriff guided them to a Saloon and Hotel called "The Farm House". It was rustic, but that's what gave character. After they settled in with rooms they decided to head down for a pint of apple juice. "So Shadow Knight what line of work are you in?" The Sheriff asked. "I was retiring from being a knight, but one thing lead to another and I've been called back into duty. Mostly because I have two knew recruits that need more experience." Shadow said. "Really? I thought you guys died out years ago." " We did, but some of us want to rekindle the old flame." Shadow replied. "Well Ya'll are always welcome here..." The Sheriff was cut off by a shadow covering the room. A pony stood in the door way, the pony walked in and sat down to order a drink. "Who's that?" Applejack asked. "Whip. The meanest cow pony you'll ever meet." The Sheriff said. Whip turned to the Sheriff, he was in western clothing. A hat on his head and drench coat to cover his body. He was a grey stallion with a whip on his hip. "Sheriff. I didn't know you were bring company?" Whip said. "That's none of your business Whip!" The Sheriff bellowed. "Ha! I recognize The Mane Six, but who is the other gentle colt next to you?" Whip asked. "None of your business and I though I told you to not come back here?" "Things change Sheriff. You see, your getting old and I know it." Whip said. The Sheriff gave him an angry glare, and Whip just smiled. The Sheriff went for a pie, but Whip strike him with his...whip. "Sheriff couldn't we be civil ponies and not resort to violence. You have force my hoof and now I'm going to beat some senses into." Whip said before lifting the whip back, but when he swung it to hit the Sheriff. It never reached him, Shadow had it coiled around his hoof. "I think you should leave, Whip!" Shadow growled.

"Tough pony ain't ya?" Whip said cockily. He pulled back his whip and said, "Stranger, I think you and I need to step outside." "I'd be happy to oblige." Shadow said before bucking Whip out the door. He charged at the stallion, but he was tripped by Whips quick reflects. "You must be pretty brave or really stupid to go after me." Whip yelled. "Nope, just angry." Shadow said before knock Whip back on the ground and gave him a furious beating. Whip pushed him off and tried to whip Shadow, but Shadow grabbed the whip and threw it to the Sheriff. Shadow then began beating the life out of Whip. Kicking him left and right, giving him a hoof in the ribs and a hoof to the head. He finally picked up Whip and asked the Sheriff, "Is there a cell you can put this garbage in." "Oh yes. I got the perfect cell for him." The Sheriff replied. The Sheriff took the unconscious villain and drug him to jail. Shadow spat out some blood and said, "Well, how about we finish those drinks?" They headed inside to polish off the drinks as every pony in the Saloon kept thanking Shadow. They headed for their rooms, Rainbow was bunking with Shadow, and Twilight with Applejack. While Flutteryshy bunked with Pinkie and Rarity. They didn't sleep for it was still day light. They just rested and waited, Rainbow patched up Shadow the best she could. "Thanks Rainbow Dash." Shadow said. "Anytime, so what's at Buffalo Ridge? Another temple?" Rainbow asked. "No just an old friend I need to see." Shadow said. Rainbow could see the pain and confusion in his eyes. "Hey, what's really wrong? You can tell me." Rainbow said. "It's nothing. I just need to forget about it." Shadow replied. "If you say so, but if you need any pony to talk to. Me and the others are here for you." Rainbow said. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

Shadow and Rainbow began a secondary head count, but when they got to the last room. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy were gone. "Did any of you hear where they were going?" Shadow asked. "I think I heard them say they were going to a store." Twilight said. Shadow ran outside he looked left and right, but couldn't find them. Shadow ran over to a light brown stallion with a hourglass for a cutie mark. "Excuse me sir, but have you seen a white unicorn, a pink earth pony, and a yellow pegasus?" "Umm. I think so? They went to the General Store down the street. "Thank you." Shadow said before running off. Shadow ran as fast as he could looking for the store. He finally found it, and Rarity was standing outside. "Rarity. Where are Pinkie and Fluttershy?" Shadow said. "In the store." Rarity said. "Wait here, we need to talk later." Shadow then walked into the store to find Pinkie Pie buying candy and Fluttershy looking at animal toys. "Thank Celestia. Pinkie, Fluttershy. Buy what you want and stand outside." Shadow said in a deep, but calm tone. Fluttershy zoomed outside, while Pinkie hopped along in the same direction. "I'm not angry, but couldn't you at least told us where you three were going?" Shadow asked. "I thought I told Twilight?" Rarity said. "Regardless, I'm glad you three are ok." Shadow said. They all headed back to The Farm House and went to bed. Night had fallen upon them, and Shadow was now on a journey in his dream world. He past is childhood, his adult life, and his fantasies. He finally found Princess Luna, "Your highness, I'm having trouble with my dreams." Shadow said. "I noticed." Luna replied. "My dreams are showing me that Moonblade isn't the only one I care for." Shadow said. "Shadow as much as I hate to say it, but you need to keep those thoughts from influencing you. Moonblade is the better candidate and the better mate for you." Luna said "I just feel like that's not true. Am I wrong?" Shadow asked. "No, but you know you can't live as long as me. Moonblade is your true match and you must follow through with it." Luna said.

Luna sniffed and let out a tear from her eyes. Shadow nudged Luna, "Hey you know you mean the world to me. If I never had a friend like you, I'd be bitter and angry because of my past." Shadow said. Luna hugged Shadow and Shadow hugged back. "It's time for me to go Shadow, but I'll see you in your next dream." Luna said before walking through a tunnel of light. Shadow woke up to some pony nudging him, "Hey Sir Sleepy. We need to get a move on." The voice said. Twilight and Rainbow were standing over him. "Agh. Your right, I'm sorry about oversleeping." Shadow said. "It's fine, but we need to get to Buffalo Ridge." Twilight said. The rest of the group was waiting for Shadow with saddle bags on and a smile on their faces. Shadow grabbed his bags and off they went, passing the orchard and passing The Big Canyons. All the way to the to where they found a Buffalo camp. Shadow walked down to the camp and was greeted by a female bison. "Hello. I'm Little Strongheart. Are you hear to see the chief?" Little Strongheart asked. "No miss. I'm here to to see your Shaman." Shadow said. "Of course, I'll guide you to him." Little Strongheart said. The Shaman's tent was farther then the other buffalo tents. It was also bigger, and had strange marks on it. Little Strongheart opened a flap to reveal an old buffalo with grey fur and was small in size. "Shaman Grey Cloud, Pony folk have come to see you." Little Strongheart said. "Yes, I know. You go back and help your father. I'll handle this ponies." Shaman Grey Cloud said. He turned to look at the ponies with a frown. It soon faded when he saw Shadow Knight, "Black stallion, I see you haven't aged a bit." The Shaman said. "You have, but with age comes wisdom." Shadow replied. They both laughed, then The Shaman looked at The Mane Six. "Ahhhh. You six must be the ponies who made peace between us and the Appleloosans." The Shaman said. "Yes we are here, because Shadow needed to see you." Twilight said. Shaman Grey Cloud, looked at Shadow. "I see. You girls won't mind if you stood outside? Me and Shadow need to talk." The Shaman pleaded.

The Mane Six stood outside, while Shadow stayed inside. "So Shadow. Why have you come here?" Shaman Grey Cloud asked. "My mind is unclear and I fear that I might be making the wrong choice in who I should be with for the rest of my life." Shadow said. "I see, you want me to peer into your mind to see if your being foolish about this or being guided a different route?" The Shaman asked. "Yes." Shadow replied. "Relax and let me see into that confused mind of yours." The Shaman said while waving a staff that made a rattling sound. As soon as he closed his eyes, he could hear the Shaman's voice sing a Buffalo song. The Shaman stopped as light appeared from Shadow's mind and began to show a book. Shaman Grey Cloud, looked at a picture of Shadow with two ponies. One was Princess Luna, he would live happily with her. Mostly because, Celestia found away for Shadow to live forever. The other was Twilight, Lastly Moonblade, The Shaman saw Shadow was happy with her. Except he saw something horrible that could rely on the fate of Equesrtia and the world. The Shaman stopped the ritual and Shadow awoke. "Well, what did you find?" Shadow asked. "You must stay with Moonblade these thoughts of you running off with other mares is unlike you." The Shaman said acting like he didn't see the end of the world. "So, I'm just being foolish?" Shadow asked. "Yes, Moonblade wouldn't have left you for another and nether should you." Shaman Grey Cloud said. "Thank you snapping out of my foolish thinking." "Your welcome and be sure to get those Elements in time or the world as we know it will be no more." The Shaman added. Shadow nodded and left the tent. "What went on in there?" Rainbow asked. "Nothing, just something to put me back on track. Now we need to get to that rock formation over there." Shadow said while pointing to a distance rock like pillar. The ponies didn't waste anytime on getting there. They trotted at a fast pace and didn't stopping to rest. Shadow stopped at the bottom and said, "The Element is at the top, but we can't fly up there one of us must climb up." Shadow said.

"Why is flying out of the question?" Rainbow asked. "Because it's said in the script of ancient text. 'Only an earth pony brave enough and strong enough can reach the top with it's pure will.'" Shadow replied. Before Applejack could volunteer, Pinkie Pie was already half way up the formation. "Pinkie! Becareful!" Twilight said, but Pinkie didn't hear her and just keep on hopping her way up. Humming a tune as he hopped on rock after rock. She reached the top to see a bronze hammer, "I found it!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Good now get it and get back down here safely!" Shadow said. Pinkie Pie grabbed the huge hammer and put it on her shoulder to carry it back down, but due to it top heaviness. Pinkie fell off the top of the formation, Rainbow flew into action. She caught Pinkie, but let The Element fall to the ground where it made a big crater. Rainbow looked at Pinkie with a angry glare, "Oops." Pinkie Pie said while looking innocent. They started their way back to Appleloosa, but night was already upon them. They decided to pitch a tent where they stopped, Shadow began making the fire as the girls tried to sleep. Shadow stayed up to watch for any predators or bandits. He had The Element Hammer by his side, just in case he had to use it. He heard a noise behind him and stood at the ready, "Who's their?" Shadow questioned the darkness. Then out from the bushes came out a tall and dark figure. The figure drew closer and closer, until the fire revealed a slender white pony. "Who are you?" Shadow said with a growl. "I'm a pony that is there, but isn't. I'm a pony that walks the earth, but is dead. A pony of calling, a pony of truth. I am the Ghost Pony of The Sky......To be continued.