Twisted Shadows

Earlier that day, the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony met at Sweet Apple Acres to discuss the mysterious Alicorn whom Twilight had met the previous night. “He’s obviously a loony Twilight!” Pinkie Pie said as she bounced happily around the Apple family home. “But what he told me felt so true!” Twilight replied. “I don’t know why but I still believe that story, even after…” “Ah know Twi, but even crazy ponies can seem believable in certain situations.” Applejack said as she sat close to Twilight on the floor. “We should find him and ask him what his deal really is! Why does he want the Elements anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked from near the table where she hovered close to Rarity and Fluttershy. “Um… I don’t know Rainbow Dash, he could be dangerous…” the yellow Pegasus said softly. “Well Ah think we should do somethin’.” Applejack stated. “We could warn Celestia or…” she trailed off, thinking hard about what to do. “Who says he could even get to the elements?” Rarity piped up. “Like you said Twilight, He can’t possibly defeat BOTH princesses can he?” Twilight only groaned and hid her head in her hooves. Her friends were worried. Usually, Twilight had a plan that she explained completely and entirely, but after her run-in with the stranger, she had barely spoken a word.

“We should see Celestia! She’ll know what to do!” Pinkie said as she bounced over to the table. She rummaged around under it and pulled out a hoof full of small pieces of paper. “Train tickets to Canterlot!” she exclaimed. “I keep them all over Equestria in case of a Train-Ticket-to-Canterlot emergency!” “I agree.” Rarity said. She stood up and followed the bubbly pink pony to the door. “They’re right Twi. We really should go ta Canterlot.” Applejack crooned as she helped the softly sobbing Unicorn to her feet. “I- I guess…” she said as they all left the farm in the direction of the train station.

***Present Day***

“Your majesty!” A call from one of the castle guards awoke Luna from her peaceful slumber. What a night that had been! I DO need have Shadow stay with me more often… It’s a shame Bolty can’t live here forever. Her month of servitude is almost up and she has been just perfect. Oh well… better see what the guard wants… Luna left her bed where her maid was still sleeping and called, “Come in!” to the guard. The huge stone doors of her bedroom swung open to reveal none other than Shining Armor. “Your majesty, Twilight and her friends are here. They say that Twilight met a strange pony and is extremely upset.” He said with a small bow. “Very well.” The moon princess replied. Shining Armor led her down to the entrance hall, where Twilight and her friends stood with worried looks on their faces.

“Greetings my loyal subjects! I hope your journey was not bad?” Luna approached the ponies who gave way to allow Twilight to come forward. Her voice quavered as she said, “Princess? I- I believe a great evil has descended on Equestria. Well, either that or an insane purple Alicorn is trying to steal the Elements of Harmony.” Understanding dawned on Luna. Of course he went to them first. Stupid pony probably scared the daylights out of these poor mares. But what is this evil they speak of? I wonder what he told them. “Do not worry Twilight.” The midnight blue Alicorn said calmly. “Shadow is a good friend of Celestia’s and mine. You have no need to fear him. In fact, I will send for him to meet us.” Even at Luna’s reassurance, the other ponies still seemed uncertain and wary of this stranger. “I assure you, that Celestia and I both trust him and you should to. The elements are completely safe and require the magic of mine or my sister’s or Twilight’s to be accessed. Here! Guard! Go fetch us our guest.” A guard promptly scampered off up the stairs in search of Shadow. Suddenly, Twilight collapsed in a fresh wave of tears. “I just- I just- oooohhh!” as her friends rushed to Twilight’s aid, Luna descended the steps and sat in front of the sobbing Unicorn. “I just can’t stop thinking about what he told me and- *sob* what might happen! From what Shadow told me there just doesn’t seem to be a way we could help, and what if he can’t help in the way he says, or something bad happens to him, or…” “Sssh Twilight,” Luna comforted her distraught subject. “You are extremely stressed about this. I’m sure Shadow knows what he is doing. What evil could possibly destroy the world?” Luna touched her horn to Twilight’s and performed a small calming spell. A wave of soothing blue magic cascaded over the quivering Unicorn. Almost instantly, the purple pony stopped sobbing and faced Luna and her worried friends. “I don’t know princess. Shadow seemed pretty serious… you do know the story he told me?” Luna shook her head. Twilight recanted Shadow’s whole tale of Darkmoor, the origin of the Elements of Harmony, and what Shadow needed from them. After she finished, the Moon princess seemed lost in thought. After a few more moments of deep contemplation of what she had just heard, Luna concluded, “I’m sure when Tia and Shadow get down here they will know what to do. Now, where has that guard gotten himself to?” She looked around the room for a sign of him, but none offerd itself to her piercing gaze. “Wait a second. Ah hear somethin’.” Appkejack said, walking to the foot of the stairs. “Hoofsteps. Too heavy to be a guard’s.” Sure enough, softly at first, but steadily growing louder, the sound of swift, heavy hoofsteps could be heard throughout the room. But why, they all wondered, were they coming so fast?

***Author's Note***

God it took me so long to write this. A short chapter in preparation for an extremely long one next time...

Just a little more plot development before the last clop chapter for the foreseeable future. Enjoy!