Chapters Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
a new start and, fresh air?
Ponyville
A loud crackling was heard coming from sugar-cube corner flowed by a bangI have to get away from here fast I blindly thought going to the nearest place with no life to be seen. A forest. Perfect. I thought I could out speed the nearest form of life I saw a unicorn I need to get out of here now
In the background I thought i herd a muffled voice call out "WAIT "
Half way to the forest felt something coming in close and fast and aimed toward my back.
Since I was starting to regain my hearing and acute seance of touch I felt the air pressure rise.
Are they trying to kill me I thought as a rainbow blur slammed into my side slightly making me slide. since drifting around them won't work I will take flight i thought pressing my foot agents the flight alignment button as two sets of wings replaced where the tires were. "LET'S LIGHT THIS CANDLE!!!! " I said aloud, as i pulled up and shot up like a bullet with the rainbow blur still in hot pursuit. That is when I saw it wasn't just a blur. I admit it. I'm crazy. I remember there being no such thing as a Pegasus in my universe I thought flying over the forest and into a cloud then dive bombing to the forest floor.
Is that fresh air I smell I thought adrenaline wearing off and passing out.
Author's Note
again short but first story i'll get better leave a comment
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
I don't know how long i was out, but apparently long enough for someone to drag me and my arctic away from where we crashed. "Do you think it is safe angle" i herd a timid wispier barely audible as i came to with my eyes shut and still so not to scare anyone or thing. But I still needed to find out where I was. So I faked coming to slowly.
"Did anyone catch the license plate on that car that hit my blind side?" I said in a groggy tone as not to scare anything. Slowly opening my eyes I saw a rabbit on my chest. please don't tell me rabbits are the sentient species here I thought.
Cautiously reaching out i nudged the rabbit away and herd a barley audible "Eeep" as the rabbit hoped away allowing me to sit up and look around. The first thing a saw was another Pegasus. I face-palmed. It's official I'm crazy first a unicorn then a Pegasus. What is next I thought.
"A-are you alright" the same voice said.
I hadn't relalized it at the time but i broke a few ribs when the other Pegasus ran into me, the adrenaline must have made me forget the pain until now. I also realized my shirt was replaced with bandages.
"A few broke ribs but I'll manage" I said
"I noticed" the voice said in a slightly louder tone still below a wispier.
I then realized we did not know each others names I realized.
"If you don't mind me to ask and ancer some questions, I am Dylan, my friends call me D ,so what is your name?
" I-I'm fluttershy" she said in an inaudible whisper.
" I didn't quite catch that, one more time please"
"Fluttershy" she said in the same tone.
"Ah, I thought so, so you name 'is' fluttershy."
"Yes"
"One more thing, Where is my arctic cat!" I said knowing it is the only thing that is truly mine.
"Arctic cat?" She said puzzled. Her ear's suddenly perked up. "Oh no it's dying"
This caught me off guard 'What is dying" I then herd a fimalar sputter.
Fluttershy ran into the other room where my arctic cat stood. Wtih tear's in her eyes she said "Please don't go."
"So that's where it went ."
"So this was your pet" Still crying even more. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Loss? What loss?" i said just realizing they did not have fosle fuels "Wait a Minuit let the engine cool off and it will be good to go another day it just overheated ,and it is not a pet it is a machine."
"what?" she stoped crying and just stared into my eyes. I could swear she was trying to break my will one way or another.
"Don't ever call any animal a 'machine' it is a rude and selmurf..." She started ranting before i put my hand over her muzzle.
The shadow appeared once again and said "Good to see I am rubbing off on you"
like i said i am nothing like you except for the fact that we both agree her ranting got annoying fast
as the shadow diapered he said "Sure we are"
"Okey to start off, One calm down. Two if you don't believe me I can prove you wrong" My stomach has excellent timing because it growled louder than i have ever herd it growl before, I released her muzzle and continued " Next I want to apologize for grabbing your muzzle ,and ask you do you have anything to eat?"
That caught Fluttershy off guard when he stood up he was at least 6 foot tall. And the way he stopped her. Violent ,yet careful not to harm her. "Okey I'll trust you for now," she said more scared than ever of the creature. "And what exactly are you"
"Human ,why?"
"Just curious" she said and then proceed to get a bag of coins "What do humans eat"
"Just about anything that isn't intelligent or try's to eat us first"
"would you like some apples" She said
"Sure but two more questions ,Where am I and can I come with you"
"Poneyviil, Equestria and if you want"
"Great," I went over and held the door open "lead the way"
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
"So where are we headed to Fluttershy" I asked half wanting to know the town like the back of my hand half being my curios self.
"Just to the market D" she asked confident he wasn't a blood-lust predator but a good friend.
It took us about 30 minuets to get half way when a familiar rainbow blur was headed straight for me.
Again, at least i know her full speed capabilities I thought.
I acted as if i never saw it coming, causally walking with .fluttershy.
"IT'S LIMBO TIME . I yelled causing Fluttershy to duck as i Limboed under the rainbow blur barley missing my chin.
I grunted in pain as my ribs slid slightly out of place.
"Fluttershhy are you okay?" We asked in unison.
"I see you two have previously met" I said calmly while she helped Fluttershy up.
"Yeah what's it to you freak" She exclaimed.
"Oh joy and I thought I was the only one not worthy of the word 'Freak'." I Said even calmer while the ribs slid back into place, And if she knew about the shadows that hide all the good Iv'e done she'd be right I thought.
"Well first off i don't know you and you don't know me, I am Dylan, my friends call me D"
"So the freak has a name" She said " And I'm Rainbow Dash fastest flyer in all of equestria"
The shadow appeared beside facing away from me and said "Come on challenge her to a life or death race she can only pull mock 1 we can pull mock 2" He said smirking " You can't lose"
I felt the urge to rip this 'rainbow dash' limb from limb for some quite easy to resist but the urge to race was to much to bare.
"How about a race then, Tomorrow name the time and place. I'll be there." I said. "The ultimate race of man and machine vs,
"Race of man and what now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"You'll see soon enough and, also when and where?"
"White tail woods this time tomorrow"
"See you then"
She then nodded her head and said "Don't be late slowpoke" and raced off into the nearest cloud.
The shadow spoke up "Not even 24 hours in another universe and you already have a race. Just remember I will have control soon enough." he said merging with me again.
"Well you're awfully quiet Fluttershy."
"N-not to hurt your pride but." her voice went to quiet to here.
"Me, my pride hurt? Apparently you have just seen the arctic's noise making abilities, Now weren't we going somewhere." I asked clutching my stomach out of hunger pain.
"Oh right the market." She said walking toward the market.
I glanced around with no one in sight except for the occasional blinds closing quickly when i looked at them.
"Well that was strange" I said in an caricaturist whisper.
"Yes it is, they must be scared of you" Fluttershy over herd me say.
"Could you blame them."
"N-no not really, but look we're here" She said stopping in front of a seemingly empty stand.
well this is anticlimactic I thought.
"Looks like no one is here" I said slightly annoyed "Somewhat expected."
"H-hello, applejack" she said walking up to the stand with me waiting slightly behind.
Applejack? I thought that was a cereal not a name. Or is it? I questioned myself while letting my guard drop.
Apparently who or whatever was in the stand took me as a threat and waited for me to drop my guard so they could 'attempt' to hog tie me.
"Gotcha ya' varmint" a southern voice rang out as a rope tied around my neck.
"Well this is gasp unexpected." I said choking an my own words trying to get the rope off my neck.
"Now y'all gonna tell me what you were gonna do to shy" The voice rang out once again but muffled thanks to lack of air.
"Stop this right now!!!" Fluttershy suddenly spoke up.
I felt the rope take an inch of slack. So i took a mile and got the rope off my neck. "Thanks.... " I managed to say between gasps.
"Sorry" Fluttershy said in her usual whisper.
"You know you could of just asked me who i was... Applejack if i'm correct" I said regaining my composer. "I am Dylan my friends call me D ,and all the same I do understand why you did what you did."
"Well all tha' same i'm sorry for.." She started to say
"Do I need to repeat myself I already said i understand " I intervened
"For what?"
"For protecting your friend"
"Oh, well then. Wadda here fer. I don't open for another fifteen minuets."
"For a few apples" Fluttershy joined in.
"Why didn't ya say so" she said grabbing a barrel of apples "yet why do I feel like ya eat meat?" Apple jack questioned.
how do they hold things with hoofs "Don't fret on that but, since you incest I am an omnivore meaning i eat plants as well as meat"
"Really" An unknown voice joined in.
I jumped feeling I have herd this voice before but, muffled. Oh joy what is it this time
Author's Note
sorry it took so long well here it is i will hopefully be posting one or two chapters a week
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
I was quaking in my boots out of anticipation to know who it was yet still afraid for my neck.
"Hey there Twi." Applejack said.
The shadow appeared "Healthy advice do like me and disappear."
Like i'll fall for that like I did ten years ago I sent the telepathic message to him as I turned. "Have I herd your voice somewhere before?" knowing this would bite me in the butt.
"So it was you who ran me and pinkie over yesterday!!" The alleged twi spoke up.
"If it was me, I am sorry, I was just flowing my natural fight or flight response." A hole day of being out cold. No wonder I feel well rested ,yet a lavender unicorn I'm going crazy "and it would also explain why I haven't seen anyone else."
"So you took the fight response" she retorted " and it's anypony."
"Everyone I knew was exactly like you" I started " always judging the book by it's cover and not bothering to dig just a little deeper. I took the flight response. I was going to the least populated area to escape then slowly revile myself."
"Ok I've herd your side. Now is the fact of acquaintance, who are you" she stated.
"Oh how rude of me not to mention that earlier, I am Dylan, my friends just call me D" I replied readying myself for a possible attack feeling something was off.
"Good, now I will tell you my name," she started " I am Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight, if i am correct that is the darkest part of the day and brightest time of the night. I asked myself also realising that Fluttershy had already payed for the apples as well as some carrots from a neighboring stand.
"Well nice to meet you Twilight," I started, "now if you will excuse me, I must help Fluttershy carry some of the stuff she bought."
"Sure ,and Fluttershy bring him to my library tomorrow morning ok"
"Ok twilight." she answered in her normal whisper.
Great another librarian that no doughty wants to wright about my kind. As long as i can still make the race I'm good I thought.
"Let me carry that for you Fluttershy" I said grabbing the barrel of apples and placing it over my shoulder.
"Oh you don't have to do that" she said.
"But I must if I am to repay you for your kindness in some way." I commented, "I might be seeing you tomorrow Applejack"
"Alright, just don't cause any trouble ya here." She stated.
"Sure thing"
"Um, D I have to feed my animals in a few minuets so can we go, if you don't mind that is." Fluttershy said in her wispier of a voice.
"Don't let me slow you down, let's pick up the pace then." I said while getting an apple out of the barrel while starting a jog.
We swiftly ran/flew to Fluttershys' house. When we were close to the house I caught a glimpse at a chicken coop to the east.
"Do you want any help with the animals?" I asked.
"If you promise not to eat them" she retorted.
I then took a bite of the apple in my hand. When I finished the bite I said "I have enough food to set me over till that thought consumes my mind again" I said "and if it worries you I promise I wont eat your animals."
My words of assurance seemed to calm her enough to trust me with feeding the chickens.
Walking up to the chicken coop wasn't that hard but the pain that shot through my ribs were still annoying me. feeding however was a whole other story. The feed was easy to find and distinguishable as Milo. It was the way they ate that confused me.
"It looks like these chickens aren't chicken" I joked to myself as they individually came up and ate out of my hand.
When the chickens were fed I decided to look at the sky and shadows to tell the time.
"Now i see why my grandparents did what they did when they raised their chickens." I said.
Yet still something feels off I can't put my finger on it
Walking in absolute darkness was something I was accustomed to with my old world filled wit war that was fought 24/7 against me.
As I approached the door Flutershy was walking just a few meters away.
"You really do have some tame chickens shy" I stated feeling something was off.
"....." was all that escaped her mouth.
My eyes widened. No not again. Not now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
shadows in the dream world
"Well this is new." I said opening my eyes I found myself at the abandoned highway
"Indeed as I would say" the shadow said.
"You and I both know we don't have dreams" I replied turning to face myself but in a dark shrouded mist wearing the dragons claw mask.
"Except when a mind or dream reader is near." the shadow replied
"Should we wait for them or should we make a plan?"
"Seeing how 'most' of them are tolerable we should wait."
"Same here."
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Canterlot castle
"Tia, do you feel that"
"Yes Lulu, It feels similar to when you became nightmare moon."
"Yet it feels entirety different."
"Shade Ursa come fourth!! a scream echoed throughout the throne room flowed by a "Your open!!! and a *crack*
"That sounded like Fluttershy." Celestia said, "Why is she doing trying to summon an Ursa?"
"That isn't what confuses me sister." Luna spoke up.
"And what would that be."
"The darkness is now receding from her into another."
"Yes, but it now feels weaker than it did before."
"As well, I should look into the dreams the other to see if it is a threat or not." Luna stated.
"Just be careful sister."
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
"Its ben a full ten minutes real time barley one hour dream time." The shadow suddenly said.
A strange warp in the dream space caused us to startle into our yin-yang defense position witch put me between the strange warp and the shadow behind ready to attack if majorly threatened.
"Who there!!" I said with a Drill Sargent tone.
The warp suddenly cracked the dream space and opened a gate for 'somepony' as twilight corrected me walked through. From first I could tell she was of royal heritage not only because of the crown but because of her horn 'and' wings.
"Shade stand down." I ordered.
The shadow slowly reveled its self. Still not dropping his guard.
"I am Princess Luna, Princess of the night, who are you might I ask." She said not walking toward me but the shadow.
well that is odd most people who do this don't walk up to the shadow for fear of corruption, and is that the stone of eternal darkness
"You might want to stand away from him he has a ....... Destructive, personality to put it lightly." I warned.
"Huh? Another spirit in one body." she said.
"No ,that is actually the embodiment of my hate and anger." I stated while sizing her up. "Most people er ponies tend to be frightened by him."
"So witch one is dominate?" Luna questioned.
"That depends," The shadow said.
"When asleep it tends to be a stalemate." I added.
"But when awake he is dominate save for when he uses too much of my power."
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
"Usually it is when we get into a fight." The shadow stated.
"Mostly of terms of self defense." I added "Now we have answered your questions now you will answer one of ours."
"Seems fair."
"You have a dark resonance surrounding you." I said. "Why is that?"
That caught Luna off guard. Knowing he could sense the tremors of her past.
"You were like us at one time, weren't you," the shadow said.
"Yes and no, it was a thousand years ago," she began, "I thought no one liked the night as I always do, a-and..." she started to sob lightly.
Taking notice of this, i realized she shouldn't go further with her story.
"I understand. Like he said we were once alike but," I shuddered at the thought "Time.... has given us a second chance best not waste it dwelling in the past."
"Daybreak is soon I must leave now." she said wiping away a few tears.
"See you sooner or later." I called as she disappeared.
"Well that was... eventful." the shadow said.
"I should probably awaken about now." I said disappearing, leaving the shadow to the dream space.
Author's Note
Sorry for the wait but here it is.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
the starting line/getting aquanted part 3
I awoke with a start remembering where I had to be today.hopefully Fluttershy is awake now I thought.
I quietly and quickly made my way into Fluttershys' room. First thing I noted she was still asleep. So not to wake her so suddenly I whistled a slow passed melody to try to wake her up. Witch took about ten minuets.
"Huh, where am I?" Fluttershy said drowsily.
"Your home," I said in a calming manner, "Now if I remember correctly i need to go to twilight's house then race Rainbow Dash in the afternoon and prove to you the arctic still has some life left in it. Oh, before I forget, take this." I said giving her an apple.
"I completely forgot we got to get..."
"Slow down," I said cutting her off, "we still have time, the arctic cat can move pretty fast."
"You mean.."
"Just follow me," I said getting the arctic outside.
"O-ok." she said.
"What a calming sound," I said starting up the arctic.
"eep"
"Don't worry The arctic is still as calm as.... your rabbit angel"
"O-o-ok" she said shyer than usual.
"Now you will need to give me directions so hop on" I said getting on myself to show there was no danger.
"Ok" she seemed calmed down enough to get on.
"I'll take it slow so you won't fall so just stay calm."
It took about two minuets to get there but it was faster than walking. When we came to a stop fluttershy quickly got off and got re-antiquated with the ground and losing her balance quickly tumbling back to the arctic.
"What in Celestias' name is that noise" came a voice within the tree house/hut/library.
"Don't worry it is just the arctic cat, fluttershy and, myself, D"
At the sound of my nickname Twilight opened the door seeming a bit curios.
"What is an arctic cat?" She bluntly asked.
Being slightly caught off guard by the question but still showing no physical sign of it, "The machine behind me," I answered just as bluntly, "It is the same as a prosthetic pair of legs. The only difference is it goes about mock 2."
"Well come on in. I will have some more questions once we are inside" twilight said.
"As long as I can make it to the whitetail woods this afternoon, I'm in."
"Um I forgot to feed my animals i'll be right back," Fluttershy said.
"Take your time we both have until the afternoon," I said as she walked out the door.
We went into what I would call a crude version of a living room with a personal collection of notebooks and journals of all kinds, ranging to crystal cakes to the history of Equestria.
"I take it you really like knowledge, mostly in the form of a book." I said glancing around the room, "If it weren't for the doors I wouldn't be able to tell this room apart from the library."
" Yes, I do like books, but I have some questions for you like I said."
"Then please, ask away."
For the first hour was simmalar to that of an interview for a job, followed about the technology and its advantages where I came from. But the last of the questions caught me off guard the most. It was about my past.
"So what was your past like," twilight asked still taking notes
"I don't like to talk about my past. There is just..." I started to slip my calm demeanor I held through the bombardment of questions.
"Say what time is it," I rebounded trying to regain myself.
"It is 11:30 why?"
"I have a big race at the whitetail woods. Maybe afterwords I can tell you about my past." Trying to change the subjet as i walked to the main library, "And she is," I started as a knock was heard on the door, "Here," I sang pogressing up the concert F scale, and opening the the door with fluttershy walking in.
"To the whitetail woods, You want to come Twilight," I offered, "I'm racing Rainbow Dash, if you know her,"
"Sure, I want to see how the Arctic works," Twilight stated.
"Then you are in for a surprise."
With that said I jumped onto the arctic starting it. "All the same this sound still calms me."
Both Fluttershy and twilight jumped at the sound of the arctic starting put once it started to purr they calmed down.
"What was that?" Twilight asked.
"That is the arctic cats' starting noise," I said, "Now directions so hop on."
Fluttershy was last to get on but she got on Twilight was only slightly braver but still got on just as slow as Fluttershy. It took about ten minutes getting to the whitetail woods which we were early by ten minutes but rainbow dash met us at the starting line with two other that I didn't recognize. They were both wide-eyed and jaw dropped at ether at my height or the arctic.
"Didn't expect to see you here so early," we seemed to say in unison.
All of a sudden a pink blur flue right at me just in time for me moving forward two feet, except the blur still hit me on one of my broke ribs knocking me to the ground.
" I forgive you for what you did three days ago, but... oh my gosh you still haven't had a welcome to ponyvill party." she said with words and syllable running together talking faster then my arctic can run. "I'll be watching your race then i am going to plan the party." she finished running to a hot air balloon.
"She does know the race isn't for another ten minutes right?" I questioned myself.
"Don't try to figure Pinkie out. It drove me a little crazy." Twilight said.
"Alright," I said turning to the face I haven't put a name to, "I believe we haven't met before, I am Dylan, my friends just call me D." But with saying these words I was Face to face with a beautiful white mare with her purple mane perfectly curled to give it a spring like attitude.
"I am Rarity, nice to meet you darling," she said, "but, your attire is dreadful yet," referring to my torn blue jeans and bandages for a shirt combo, "it matches you perfectly. How do you do it."
"What are you you talking about, it makes him look tough," Rainbow dash argued.
"To answer both of you sides in a neutral manner it makes me look like I have just been beaten half to death without my skin breaking but if you are wondering, I did break a few ribs on the first landing," I interrupted and ended the argument.
"But you must have something other than that right?" rarity questioned.
"This is all I have, unless you can make me something." I said leaning agents the arctic, "but if you are wait until after the race witch should begin in about two minuets." I said glancing around seeing a rather large crowd forming.
"Ladies and gentle colts this is a race between the all famous Rainbow Dash and newcomer Dylan!!!!!!" Pinkie said approximately 200 feet in the air, "Racers to the starting line."
luckely I left the arctic running so I didn't have to worry about starting it, so I just pulled beside Dash.
"Racers, on your mark," Rainbow Dash crouched down as I revved the arctic which caused some of the audience members to start backing away.
"Get set" Dash then flared out her wings as I set the timer for instant flight to two minuets.
"Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
"Go!!!!!!!!"
We flue as we were one unit. I was holding back though keeping just behind Rainbow dash in ground mode.
"Your'e pritty good kid," Rainbow Dash taunted, "Let's see if you can keep up with a sonic rainboom." she said accelerating.
"Mock one coming right up," I said as the arctics' wheels were replaced with a pair of basic wings. With that done we both pulled a sonic boom, Rainbow Dash being followed by a rainbow streak, myself followed by a trail of shadows.
"You may have a sonic rainboom but i still have a double sonic shadowboom to preform and perfect," I said with tears starting to flow because of the acceleration rate. The first bend was coming up, and fast so i started into an air slide still at mock one.
"I was taking it easy on you now time fore some show-off time," I said when we rounded the only bend. I hit the breaks to make it look like I was bluffing. When she was out of sight I hit the acceleration shifting into overdrive. The engine screamed in disapproving approval when I shot into mock two leaving a double black fire ring behind me every five seconds.
I caught up to Rainbow dash easily and was still going strong in mock two.
"Goodbye!" I said when a double black ring of fire appeared at front of rainbow dash catching her off guard when she spiraled back to a lower altitude still not touching the ground. Witch she used to her advantage accelerating even more then it happened.
A double sonic rainboom.
I only held the lead long enough just to win the race by one centimeter. With one of the news.. er mares pictures as proof.
"Using a disadvantage to your advantage, I like your style of thinking rainbow dash." I said walking up to her.
She was only able to say "Thanks that was a good race" before passing out.
"Ok her new title is fastest natural born flyer in equestria," I said trying to lighten the mood, "now where should I take her, because all this is is exhaustion setting in from the race after breaking her limits."
"She can sleep at my place if you don't mind," Fluttershy said.
"That would be great seeing as Twilight still has some questions so she hopefully won't mind me sleeping over," I reasoned.
"That would actually work how did you figure that out so quickly," Twilight said.
"The power of deduction is a mighty power we all have, but some still refuse to use," I retaliated turning toward Rarity. "Now if you could make me some 'better' clothes I would be most grateful," I said in my best 'high class' voice.
"It would be my pleasure darling just stop by at noon tomorrow,"
"Again thank you and I look forward to it." I said as we all went our separate ways, but I was feeling remnants of the adrenalin from the race almost gone as we neared Twilights' library. When we entered my adrenalin wore off causing me to pass out but not before saying, "Sorry not tonight, maybe in the morning."
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
A nightmare of nightmares
"You have forgotten who you are," A dark and twisted voice said. The voice was coming from a bulked up man who could easily break anyone's spirit in two just with a glance.
"Your timing hasn't failed you yet nightmare," The shadow said right at front of nightmare.
I could only sit an watch with no control or voice when I remembered this was a part of my past when I was under the influences of shade.
" Ah, But Darkness Wrath," Nightmare began, "You are slowly loosing control of your own body that I gave you, that in its self is not good for a darkness relic such as yourself, Because when the one that was broken finally breaks free he will have all your power to change what you have done to help me."
"Get out of my head you scum." My past self said weakly as Shades' arms drooped lifelessly, "You aren't any better yourself you nightmare, you think your all that," My past self paused with the shadow claw mask forming, "Well where is your power now." Both armes raised reviling the orb of darkness, "Nightmare Bullet, " My past self screamed while firing a blackened beam of light from the orb known as the legendary Nightmare Bullet.
The true Nightmare had no time to react and was split into two gemstones witch were named, Nightmare's moon and Nightmare's wrath. My past self was then engulfed by the Nightmare's wrath and the shadow claw witch was of a black silver gained the mist like darkness around it while the Nightmare's moon shot off into a portal to another world witch was emediently destroyed.
"Get out of my head this is my body" the shadow screamed, gaining brief control over the his vocal-cords.
"This body was never yours," the claw dissipated as he continued, "And you will never have it for as long as I see fit."
"Then I hope you like darkness, because even though you are free from the nightmare," the shade gaining his new shadow body, "You will never be free from the shadows!!! " He then leap towards me and dissipated with the dark mist absorbing into my past self.
I suddenly got control of my own body.
"So that is why I recognize your power," Luna said appearing behind me, " But who is this Nightmare?"
"Well you know why I came here for one reason I didn't know," I said turning and came face to face with two ailicorns with a similar color design. "and how have you been nightmare's moon."
"So you can see her as well," Luna stated, "But her name is Nightmare Moon not Nightmare's Moon."
"Not like that idiotic moron you call a sister can," Nightmare Moon stated being her cold hearted self.
The shadow then appeared in a flurry of dark flames, "You are in no right to call anyone's sister a moron you dead weight of the nightmare stone."
"Not like you are any better," Nightmare Moon retaliated, "You let a weakling take control of the Nightmare's Wrath. You were the final hope for the darkness so just...."
"Shut up the both of you" I yelled "You two are more annoying separated than together Nightmare shade retreat. That is an order !!!!!!!!!!!!! "
The shadow was then forcefully puled into my body with my anger as the chains, my hatred as the strength, and i still had lot's to spare.
"And you!" I continued my rant, aiming it at nightmare moon, " You make me sick, I can stand Nightmare Wrath But you. Make fun of a family member even if you were forced into said family ever again you will face a hell that you will never escape," as I ranted nightmare moon was frozen by fear by the amount of hate in my words, but she still disappeared from the dream.
"What was that," Luna said scared out of her mind for how he just took charge and commanded the darkness like they were mere puppys.
"sigh sorry about that," I started, "It is just when anyone makes fun of a family, even if it is not mine, I will get defensive, and I kind of lose it."
"Ok," she said relaxing "....Thanks, We should wake up about now."
"Your right, See ya later."
"Goodbye D."
Author's Note
yes this is my version of the origin of nightmare moon in a nutshell please leave a comment.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
Through the pain and suffering
I awoke with a start, not knowing where I am I quickly took in the surroundings. Where am I? was all that went through my head as I felt what I was lying on was, soft? I smelt the air to see if there was any signs of life, witch two smells rang out yet still unidentified.
With my eyes adjusted to the darkness I had no trouble finding the door, witch I thought I have seen before but never actually looked at, but upon opening the door I was blinded by the light for a moment. Then seeing something familiar once my vision adjusted.
"Twilight?" I asked in a groggy tone.
"Hello D," She said in a kind tone with a hint of grogginess, "you passed out yesterday after you entered."
"Sorry about that I don't run on adrenaline that often," I began " The last time I ran on that much adrenaline was about one year ago."
"Really, what were you doing to run on adrenaline?"
I caught on fast to what we both said. "You are really interested in my past aren't you."
"sigh Yes, I understand if you still don't want to talk about it." she said.
"Since no one knows about me I guess I can tell you to kill some time," I began but my stomach cut me off by growling, "After we eat some breakfast."
"Alright, Spike should probably have our breakfast ready in about a Minuit." She said.
"Might want to make that ten seconds," I said smelling the air witch my timing never failed.
"Breakfast is ready !!!" a voice yelled.
"How did you..?" she began.
"I smelled the air easy as that," I cut her off "Some foods give off a specific aroma when cooked correctly."
We walked into the kitchen for much to my surprise there was ether a small kmoto dragon or in general a baby dragon.
During breakfast I learned that spike was a baby dragon, but the way he walked made him look like a dreakel. ( A human dragon cross bread.) I also got information on the two rulers Celestia And Luna, Princesses of the day and night.
"Twilight I'm heading to Rarity's to help out," the enthusiastic dragon said.
"Just be back by noon," Twilight said.
"To do what," I said, "To cook lunch and go right back with me."
"That was the plan," Twilight said as spike ran out the door.
We walked into the note taking room as twilight called it and I recalled what I could of my past.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
This whole thing started about five years back. A week out of high school. Those five years were filled with happiness. The happiest time of my life, for the most part.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
"That isn't the end of it," I continued the story stepping back, "you are the first to see this with me in full control." I said as the black dragons claw burned its way onto my face covering my right eye being able to sustain it for thirty seconds before it burning off.
"What was that?" Twilight asked.
"That was me forming and controlling the Shadic Nightmare's powers manifesting it into a dragons claw shrouded in darkness," I answered, "but it is also the power of nightmares wrath. I still don't know how i can control this power but I just do. Like it's natural."
At that moment spike came in, not hearing a word of the conversation we were having.
"Wow, noon already," Me and Twilight said in sink.
"Yes it is," Spike said slightly annoyed.
"If you will excuse me I have to take a letter,"
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Twilight walked back into the note taking room sat down and wrote a letter to princess Celestia.
Dear princess celestia
This letter isn't a friendship report, but friendship was gained from a strange creature called a human. His back story seems to be similar to princess Luna, where he is from there is a creature as he put's it that is made of pure darkness called Nightmare, but is only a shadow. He also informed me that even though he was a shadow he could influence any mind into the darkness no matter how pure their heart is. Yet in order for him to defeat this darkness he had to sacrifice the one he loved who was killed by Nightmare. Even in his croupted state his love for her and hate for the darkness gave him his strenth to overcome the darkness and turn nightmare into two gemstones witch are named Nightmare's wrath and Nightmare's moon the later I belive that princess Luna has came into contact with.
I look forward to your reply
Your fateful student Twilight Sparkle.
I'll have spike send this before he leaves, Twilight thought.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Me and spike were able to make lunch quite fast thanks to some experience I had gained before I was influenced by Nightmare. We made some quick sandwiches, Twilight's being a tomato and carrot sandwich on wheat, Spike's being a ruby and emerald with diamond bread, and me having a lettuces and tomato sandwich on wheat.
When twilight entered she was surprised by the quality of the sandwich or the fact that I was eating something without meat.
"You sure that it is safe for you to eat a meal with no meat?" She asked out of concern.
"If it wasn't safe I wouldn't be eating it," I replied calming her nerves.
When we finished eating, Twilight asked spike to send a letter to the princess which he responded by burning it.
"Why did he just burn that letter?" I asked with confusion of why do you burn a letter to send it to someone.
"Well, to put it simply, spike is a magic dragon who is also a communication link for me and the princess," she replied quite fast.
Why do I always get the weirdest of friends I thought remembering the three phoenixes.
when we finished the conversation me and spike headed over to Rarity's.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
Me and Spike rode to Rarity's boutique on the arctic for my new outfits to be made. I didn't have a problem with my blue jeans, though they were getting a bit old and. I like new things, not old, new.
On the trip there we ran into pinkie with her asking random questions about favorite food, music ,and other random things then vanished into thin air through what I sensed as a recurrence of a Black Hole around her.
We reached Rarity's boutique with it's unique carousel design on the outside.
"Well, that's one way to decorate a shop," I said in complete confusion while hoping off of the arctic wondering why a carousel was on a shop and not at a carnival.
"If you think it looks good on the outside you will think it is nothing once you've seen it on the inside," Spike replied as we walked to the front door.
I took that opportunity to knock as he was distracted with his talking, I was able to get rarity's attention,
"I'll get it," a young high pitched voice rang through my ears.
"Spike, anything you aren't telling me?" I asked remembering how Rarity's voice sounded this one not being it.
"Yes, Rarity's sister Sweetie Belle is staying for the week, sorry I didn't fill you in," He said slightly ashamed for not mentioning this earlier.
"Alright, no harm done," I replied.
It took about three seconds for Sweetie Belle to get to the door open it then run back inside even faster while screaming.
"Was it something I said?" half knowing why "or is it my height," I joked while spike just walked in with me in tow.
It wasn't hard for us to find them with Sweetie Belle screaming, who could blame her. Seeing a 6 foot 3 inch tall human was more or less uncommon here where everypony natural stood at an average of 4 feet tall.
"Hello. I believe you requested me this afternoon Rarity." I said in my most civilized voice and tone to hopefully calm Sweetie Belle down and stop that defining scream.
Rarity then looked down at her sister and said, "Sweetie belle, Remember when I said i had a client coming in today that wasn't a pony?"
"Yes, I thought it would be a griffon not... that," she replied.
"Excuse me but 'that' has a name you know, and it's Dylan," I intervened.
"And he is a pretty cool guy when you get to know him," spike said continuing this conversation.
"Now I am not a tailor, but you might need some measurements." I said.
"Yes I will darling, now If you will just stand over there please,"
I did as instructed and got the measurements taken yet it still took a little while to get them because of my lack of experience with things floating around my head. Sensing every movement just by the air pressure difference of flying measuring tapes.
"Well I can whip up a shirt in just a few minutes." Rarity said with confidence, "I'll be right back. Just wait in the waiting room, will you darling?"
" I have the time so take as long as you need," I said knowing to manage time wisely even while waiting.
As Rarity walked off with spike in tow to make my shirt I saw literal hearts forming like balloons and bursting just to be replaced by another.
"Never saw that back home," I said remembering the tales of a great dragon eating livestock as sacrifices so he wouldn't eat all of humanity.
Apparently sweetie belle was still a bit timid around me so while I waited she started slowly walking to the door. Upon reaching said door she said rather fast, "I'mgoingtotheclubhouse,bye!" then bolted toward a nearby orchard.
I caught myself about to sigh in annoyance and stopped before it came out.
A few minuets after that outburst rarity came out floating a royal looking shirt that seemed to look well with my blue jeans and said before I could reply, "It is a simple gift so no pay is required."
"Simple, That shirt looks like it is for royalty," I said looking at the navy blue dress shirt not knowing she was that good, "It even looks better than the shirts my... grandparents......made........" With that said a small tear ran dawn my cheek that Rarity luckily didn't notice.
She apparently took the comment to heart and didn't pay attention to the last part of what I said. "You think so," was all she asked.
I had just caught on when I subconsciously answers "Yes."
Her eyes sparkled with that of pride and joy of appreciation.
"Can you find your own way back to twilight's?" Spike asked obviously wanting alone time with Rarity.
"Yes. Don't worry about me," I replied my voice trying to go monotone.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
living darkness stage 1 part 1
As I walked out of the boutique I felt a surge of darkness energy coursing through my veins. Knowing I had to expel this energy or the shadow would take the opportunity to take control.
My right shoulder shown a dragons claw through my new shirt appearing to grasp at something that wasn't there.
Where is the nearest forest Was all I could manage to think about walking right by fluttershy and her house not even noticing her trying to stop me from entering though I herd nothing.
"Stay away from me !" I yelled as my voice was becoming twisted and dark as I walked into the forest turning around to throw a black box out before continuing my run.
30 minutes later
The more I walked the colder my skin became with less and less light making it through the clearing during high afternoon.
When I thought I was far enough in the forest I let the nightmare wrath take over.
My eyes changed from there hazel state to a blood-lust red. My tanned skin became a pale white. My hair becoming a fit of darkness that burned with out burning. I then felt my soul begin to separate from my body as the darkness took full control ready to eliminate anything that moved.
Surprisingly enough instead of running even deeper into the forest My body backtracked at amazing speeds.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Fluttershy saw a black box fly out of the everfree forest and land with a slip of paper sliding out of an unseen crack in the device.
Still a little shaken about how Dylan yelled at her she picked up the paper which read.
To whom it may concern
Project darkness is highly unstable Do not!! Make project darkness: Angry Sad Heart broken It project darkness feels any negative emotion potential darkness energy must be expelled imminently
For more information press the play button on the black box located on the bottom right corner of the holo-cube
Signed Azure Phoenix Lance
The note was written fairly fast but still legible.
"I need to show this to twilight," Fluttershy reasoned taking the box and note to twilight's.
It didn't take long for Fluttershy to get to Twilights and show her the note and box.
"This doesn't make sense," Twilight said looking at the box from all angles trying to figure out the device, " There is no button to press." Turning the box an eighth of the way around and saw a button camouflage into the paint.
"How did I miss that," she said pushing the button causing the black paint to disintegrate into thin air revealing a chrome box with a glass lens and two buttons. Pressing the play button, the box released its self from the magic aura landing on the floor and producing a hologram from the lens.
"Dylan," they simultaneously said.
Dylan's face glitched on the hologram and said, "This is a prerecorded message of the three phoenix of time or, power, wisdom, and balance," then faded out.
The hologram expanded to show more color with a red phoenix landed in front of the lens.
" Hello, If you have found this holo cube you have two options," the phoenix said in a 'bluffing you out' voice that carried all command no fear, " Your first option is sitting down and let the purest darkness take over your body, Second is caging the dammed beast and killing it. GOOD BYE!!!!" hatred boiling over showing in the flame skipping to the next video.
All the second video showed was static as if the video had been tampered with.
Three words were legible, "I................darkness..........Danger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The third was the calmest of the three showing a phoenix who was perched on a paper roost with flames that burned blue and simply said, "I an the Azure phoenix, Lance. I know of your predicament and wish to help you in person press the second button and I will be their," almost as if the recording was alive.
As the recording ended spike ran into the room with a look of worry on his face. "Twilight, I'm glad I found you there is something strange happening in the ever-free forest," he said with great concern filling his voice.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I ran after my body trying to stop his influence from spreading.
If he goes through with what I think he is going to do Darkness will rise, I thought passing through a napping manticore who woke up with a white film forming over it's eyes.
Stopping to catch my breath I turned around to see the manticore standing a respectful distance away calmly waiting for me. Realizing I did not have a body yet this animal seemed to become loyal to me. I decided to take the chance to take the body for my own temporary one.
I slipped into the new body with ease with some pain as the vocal cords readjusted along with growth in the wings to accompany my spirit. The new body was clumsy in build but manageable dew to it's larger frame.
As a first test to the body I tested out the wings flying off the ground and out of the canopy to make for quicker travail.
When I burst through the canopy I saw a dark cloud looming over the forest quickly headed towards ponyvill But being blocked by some unseen force.
Hopefully they have The darkness stalled for at least five minutes I thought as I flew as fast as the new body would permit as a burst of white light shone through my wings.
Time stopped for my flight, Literately. As I flew I passed a wiled humming bird floating without the wings beating.
I was running out of energy when I landed near the exit of the forest to find my body refusing to go out of the forest because of the sunlight.
Oh yeah, I forgot the nightmare's only weakness is light thank you rules of the vampire I thought yet remembering one small detale But if he dies I die
Author's Note
I will take suggestions to the next stage of darkness so please leave a comment.
View Online
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
The Tellers room: oragens of darkness/ stage one
The tellers room
In a comfy arm chair set an old man who gave up his youth for the knowledge of the multiverce. A small fly flies over his head seeking for something but doesn't know what.
"Would you like some knowledge my friend?" the man said in a caring yet despite his age youthful tone.
The fly merely stopped flying around his head and flies vertically up and down to indicate a 'yes'.
The man snapped his fingers and a small fly-sized chair appeared floating to his right facing toward him.
"Now to start......" He began but was interrupted by a zipper appearing from no where splitting the dimension allowing a pink, fourth-wall breaking, pony to walk out.
"Ah, a new guest. I was getting a little tired of talking to my pet fly," he said to the visitor, "and who might you be."
"I'm pinkie pie. Who are you?" She replied in a energetic, friendly tone.
"Oh, where are my manners," He said while snapping his fingers causing a pony-sized chair to appear across from him, "I am The Teller, The one who watches all things, now please take a seat I was just about to begin to tell the tale of the first stage of....."
"D's life, or Darkness because ether one will work for me," she Interrupted as she took her seat.
"Both in a way, you will have to listen to see," The Teller said chuckling at his forgetfulness that this one could talk and probably had more knowledge than him in some cases. Snapping his fingers a white book with a black eight point star with each point bearing a hollow spot as if an unseen locking mechanism was sealing the book.
Suddenly one of the hollows were filled with a red gem allowing the first few chapters to be accessible.
"Looks like we get to see the past and present of the first stage," the teller said then began to read, "It all began about 900,000 years ago....."
There were two kings, brothers, gods, each respected the other. One was the god of light the other darkness. They each were put in charge of guarding two shards of pure evil each holding four spirits. The god of darkness was already dark herted but with the shard of darkness so close that he was consumed by four dark beings. Moon, shadow, fear nightmare. These four could only use their full power in the dream realm. The god of light sensed this and hid his shard within the core of the planet. The god of darkness seeing no other option used his shadow ability and possessed all of his brothers citizens to make an army to dig for the shard.
"This sounds similar to nightmare moon and princess Celestia except with a stone that turned the dark king even more evil," Pinkie blurted out.
Smiling knowing she could compare this to a situation back home he replied with, "The only differences between the two is space and time,"
Suddenly a blue portal ripped open and a blur blur shot through it before even hitting the wall another portal opened but orange and the object shot out of the dimension.
Overlooking the randomness of what had occurred he continued, "The king of light went into hiding for he knew....."
If he were to fight his brother he would become influenced by the darkness. Instead he recruited four warriors that were under the influence of the darkness by purifying them. Their names were Kite, Zack, Terra, who hadn't actually been purified, and Lance. They served as spies for him until the shard containing Wrath, lust, death, and evil were found. being reckless when the shard was found Kite and Zack tried to grab the shard and run, consequences befell them both kite was again consumed by his anger and became the original Wrath, Zack was possessed with death and vanished only to be seen again by the dark god. Once news had reached Terra, she turned on Lance, influenced him with evil. The four made their way to the dark gods' fortress upon which he absorbed two of them, Zack and Terra. Seeing this Lance broke the influence of evil and changed into a blue phoenix who went into hiding.
"Is there going to be any action soon?" pinkie pie asked.
The teller thought for a moment of what to say.
"We wont know unless we read now will we Pinkie," he calmly replied.
This drove Pinkie into thought for a moment. "Your right, Please continue,"
Kite saw this and wasn't about to throw in the towel ,but only delead his fate. once absorbed the dark god became The True Nightmare and threatened to drive the world into an immortal darkness.
"The rest of this chapter is Illegible," The teller said with a bit of hurt for a part of history that time had forgot is a part that he forgot.
"Well just continue with the next chapter this is getting good," pinkie pie said pulling a bag of popcorn and a soda out of the air.
"Well who am I to argue in the quest of knowledge," he said flipping to the next legible spot. "Five years out of high school...."
Was when Dylan's life began to fall apart. The wrath had escaped it's prison and found him, Toying with him, eventually taking over the body turning it into the Black Terror. With a new body he sought power and brought the spirits together. Dylan fought back and for a brief day he had the strength to find Lance. Not aged for he slept in Crystal. Lance understood Dylan's position and agreed to watch him as he went back to combining the spirits.
"Sorry I have to leave now bye," Pinkie said as she vanished in a poof of smoke.
"She will be back," The teller said closing the book and putting it on a table and pulling out another book to read as he waited.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
living darkness stage 1 part 2
I forced myself not to laugh at the Wrath's attempt to do anything just because of a small amount of light, never the less I made my way out of the forest not even worrying about being seen even taunting him through his ailment by walking beside him into the light earning a growl from the wrath.
I walked out of the forest in the new manticore body to find Twilight and the others in a set of necklaces and one crown accompanied what looked like guardsmen at the entrance of the forest.
As a second test to the body I tested the vocal cords which only roared in response, literately.
What appeared to be the guard captain of the group headed toward the lead while shouting, "Twile, move!!" He galloped towards me at a good fast pace horn glowing with an attack spell ready.
I sighed knowing how this would end.
"He won't do anything," a familiar voice inside my head rang, "The stone that held the darkness within us giving me power has became enraged, thus your spirit became..... my spirit...... " He seemed distracted for no reason, "our spirit became obsolete and were removed along with the other three shards."
Before I knew it the attack had been fired and Fluttershy had jumped in front of me.
Not caring for anything but the safety of my friend I tackled Fluttershy and curled myself into a ball, protecting her from the blast gaining a sore back.
I looked at Fluttershy, who was crying.
Deciding to give my voice a second try I managed to say in a low, deep voice, "Are... you..... alright......"
I felt a barge of pain bash onto my new body sending a wave of pain throughout it.
"You fool!! Now they will kill us!!!!!!" the shade screamed into my ear.
As the pain shot through my body as attack after attack made impact I slowly stood up.
Locking eyes with the captain I felt a small amount of my power return along with a sonic boom erupting from within the forest.
Distracted I turned around to face myself.
I forgot the nightmare's wrath is an adapting shade. The only one that can step into the light.
The wrath snapped it's fingers revealing a butterfly knife with eight hols drilled into the blade. the bottom of which was filled with a shard of darkness.
"The Blade..... It Hungers......... For your soul," the wrath screaming while gasping for breath as if something was missing.
In the reflection of the blade I saw pinkies image stagger in and out of reality.
I paid no mind to her randomness to have more concentration on the battle ahead of myself. I not only had to fight the guard but also knock my body out without causing any more damage.
"Girls the elements!" Twilight yelled as I got ready to fight myself.
The wrath engulfed the knife in a black fire that took the form of a scythe with the shard fitted to the bottom.
"NOW," Twilight and her friends said blasting a rainbow light at the wrath.
"Light.... only feeds..... the shadows," The wrath said slicing the rainbow in half only for it to hit him on the sides.
When the light made contact I was forced into my own body with the manticore passing out.
Then my own body turned to stone.
I found myself in a green pasture with a flat landscape with the wrath standing in a circle of dead grass.
I looked for my shade but he wasn't to be found.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
living darkness stage 1 part 3
Music to listen to.
"Do they think turning us to stone will stop me" the wrath said drawing his scythe from the air burning the dead grass he was standing on, "It will only delay their sweet deaths."
"You are the most twisted being in the universe," I said, "nightmare would at least give his kill a quick death."
"You really think you can take US on alone," He said duplicating until there were fifteen of him, "Rember my will is stronger than yours."
All fifteen of them had a different weapon and started to run at me which I responded to by running. They stayed on my heels.
They seemed to be moving more or less in step when running while five took the lead of their group. With no weapon at hand I had to out maneuver them.
The few that were after me were heavily equipped for running, as their weapons hitting the ground sending them back to the back of the group making the first attack easy to doge.
The next group of three was lightly armored but still had a heavy set weapon but still lighter than the last being able to get a few swings at me before their weapon hit the ground sending them to the back of the group.
This group managed to scratch me each scratch sending roars of success through the twenty cheering their comrades on.
The next two didn't have a weapon but lightly armored instead these few used the darkness as their means of attack.
These two were able to out maneuver me but were clumsy with their aim, so to compensate they circled me while running. The only difference between the two was one used long ranged attacks and the other used close range.
The one that used close range attacks was quickly slammed into the ground but kept getting back up as soon as I knocked him down.
I felt myself tiring but the wrath and his spawn were only speeding up slowly.
"This is not how it will end," I said to myself getting my adrenalin running speeding myself back up.
Both of my attackers faded into a black mist and went into the scythe.
I was caught off guard by four each welding a light weapon meant for a running battle along with light armor.
The first one to attack me had a miniature great sword and he knew how to use it.
He hit me several times not cutting me but sending me flying before becoming a part of the scythe.
The next to attack me was welding a curved, single edged dagger with a heart shaped hollow and a gut hook on the back.
He was erratic when attacking leaving me able to grab onto the back of the dagger and take it in my left hand while getting back onto my feet. instead of turning into mist with the former welder the dagger shined silver loosing it's black sheen.
The third was welding a sickle in a back handed grip aiming only for my neck. Even though his slashing was calculated his last companion, besides the wrath, who was welding a torch burning with a black fire in one hand and an Iron stake in the other tripped him burning them in a black fire.
"Now it's just me and you wrath," I said coming to a halt, "How about we settle this, now!"
He came to a halt and said, "You really want to die that badly."
I calmed myself trying to summon all of my power,
but nothing came to me.
My power had dissipated into nothing.
"Having trouble," Wrath said while slowly approaching me.
Power or no power I will fight on.
Darkness is no more
He ran at me wit his scythe aimed for a one hit kill.
Darkness is no more
The scythe was at my neck.
"Darkness is no more!!! I yelled as the scythe made contact with the gut hook on my dagger narrowly missing my neck.
"This is new," The wrath said jumping back.
I looked at my dagger and saw the hollow was filled white crystal that glowed with light. I also noticed my cloths had changed. I was now wearing white dress pants with a azure fire pattern on the legs. My shirt was also white with what seemed to be an azure armor covering my right hand. I was also wearing three belts that hung from my left shoulder to my right hip. The bottom belt had two pockets while the middle had six and the top eight.
"Lets see what you can do now," the wrath said charging at me.
I saw right through his attack and ducked when he least expected it and grabbed the scythe by the shaft with my right hand.
"Light-born rage!" I yelled yanking the scythe from his hands throwing it over my shoulder and pointing my armored hand at the wrath unleashing a furry of white crystals at the wrath sealing him within a white crystal.
I retrieved the scythe yanking the black crystal out of it's socket and walked back to the wrath still encased in crystal.
"I command the darkness of adapting rage to return to the crystal of which he came," I said pulling the wrath back into the black crystal.
The endless pasture started to fade into what seemed to be a garden when the wrath was absorbed into the crystal.
Author's Note
Here is the final part of living darkness
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
Why can't I move I thought only my sight even slightly working.
I felt some of my skin become free but still encased in stone.
"And this is the new statue that was added two weeks ago," I was able to hear through the stone surprisingly well.
As some of them oohed and ahed at my body encased in stone one of them stood out.
"I have a feeling I've seen this somewhere before," Sweetie Belle said as the group continued to the neighboring statue which I tuned out to piece my recent memories together.
Two weeks I've been out cold, I then realized my shade was missing. Shade where are you, I telepathically called to him with no answer.
I would have sighed if I could but that brief moment of silence I herd a crazed laugh as I looked at the neighboring statue.
I could only tell two things about the statue, who ever made it was a fan of Frankenstein, and it was alive and breaking free.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!" I herd a voice yell as a loud bang ecoed through his statue and mine both.
"Again with the rubber ducks," A voice said as I herd a snap revealing what was inside the statue was exactly what the statue looked like.
The creature than floated around my statue and I smelled a god awful smell, the smell of pure evil mixed with chaos, "One thousand years really gives you a crick in the back," He said while tying himself in knots around me.
He then seemed to smell the air and said, "Why don't I smell chocolate milk," then flew off.
It seemed to be forever but the stone surrounding me just dissipated reviling me in the same outfit I was in the dream realm. looking at the shadows I could tell only one hour had passed.
I looked up and saw The same creature in a stained glass window talking to something on the other side seeming to taunt them.
I looked at my right hand and I still had the gauntlet on. I then looked at my left hand which was griping the scythe with the wrath shard still in the bottom of the shaft.
I yanked the gem from it's socket designating the scythe and putting the gem into it's pocket.
"Now to stop the next dark shard before it's influence spreads," I said.
I started to run, but stopped when I herd a calm monotone voice say, "Allow me to assist you."
I paused for a moment then herd the voice again, "I believe I am on your right hand."
I looked at my right hand and saw a heart shaped gem in the palm of the gauntlet.
"The Gem of Light," I said slightly surprised.
"Yes I am," the gem responded, "Now aim me at the ground I will take care of the rest."
Hesitant for a moment I crouched into a leaping position and aimed the gem at the ground.
The gauntlet released a blast of energy at the ground launching me forward and on top of the building I was aiming for.
"Over shot that just a bit," I said walking toward the nearest door.
When I walked into the room I saw that creature talking in a riddle but I had missed most of it, "....find the elements back where you began."
Well that is obvious but where did they all meet for the first time I thought blind to what they were saying, staying out of sight.
"We won't let you down princess," Twilight said turning everypony looking straight at me.
"How did you escape," the one referred to as princess said.
"How I escaped," I stared, "Well for one I HATE chaotic evil, and for another you never imprisoned me you imprisoned the wrath using my body."
"Well more than your personality has changed," Rarity said.
"We talk later right now we stop that creature," I said, "Lead the way."
"Just to warn you one wrong move, we will turn you back into stone," Twilight said slightly aggressive.
"Yeah," everyone except the princess said.
As we exited I thought I herd the princess say, "What an interesting creature."
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
We went to what looked like a maze entrance when the creature appeared again.
"So this is where the search begins," I said.
That moment twilight and rarity lost their horns and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy loosing their wings.
Those four want into a slight panic.
The creature then appeared again, laughing his unearthly laugh.
"You should see the looks on your....." He started before I kicked a stone at him which bounced off like a rubber ball.
"It is always the same with villains," I said complacently annoyed, "Always, only delaying the inevitable. So do us all a favor and get to the point."
The creature frowned, "Well spoil sport this is just to keep you from cheating in the game," He then sliped right behind me and continued, "Everypony must play or the game is over, no magic or flying is allowed." he then vanished as if he was never there.
"Coward!!" I yelled.
Unannounced to me the other six had stepped into the maze, that was until they let out a blood curdling scream and the maze being sealed off.
"You seriously didn't pick up on his word play," the gem in my hand said.
"Me, Discord, use petty word play, nonono," The creature said appearing on my shoulder, "I use an assortment of gags and tricks to create an art of chaos and fun in an array in which I see fit," he said rather quickly and vanishing before I could crush him like an insect. He then appeared in front of me, "Man of two worlds, madness swirls, and your mind is mine to undo," He said his eyes flowing in a flurry of colors but in a pattern that was just barely noticeable.
"Do you think my mind is weak enough to succumb to hypnosis," I started my eyes turning a shade of grey and my voice slowly becoming aggitated in tone, "The change that you want...... will not change me to your liking!!"
"My work is done time to mess with something less resistant."
I yelled in agony as my grey eyes started going the same flurry of colors that discords were stopping when they hit an azure shade in one eye and black in the other.
"The blue fire demands freedom," A voice yelled as my eyes turned back to normal as all of my energy was forced into a small sphere with a blue blur launching out and turning towards the sky and vanishing leaving me with only exhaustion and a weight on my shoulder.
"Please tell me you haven't lost them," the voice said, calmer and clearer then the first time.
A bit disoriented from being yanked out of a failed hypnosis and something using all of my energy to come here wasn't the best combination.
"Anyone home," the voice said the clarity of the voice reminded me of a phoenix. yet reminded me of the Black Terror.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
Author's Note
reread A nightmare of nightmares to get a prequel of this chapter
a past fire
The day of the end Outside the human capital day 350 of the dark war
Death, demise and destruction that is all that was and would ever will be for the humans as the Black terror would see fit.
"Go now and destroy the last of their hope they call a safe haven," The nightmare ordered as me and Nightmares shadows started our march toward the capital.
The human rifle force opened fire on the army of shadows but the bullets never made contact. They never hit what is only 2-dimensional. There melee squad fared worse then the rifle force being quickly slaughtered on sight.
Not knowing it at the time the mage and meck squads were guarding the last shard while the other inhabitants were being rushed out in ether the air squad or any other transport unit they could get if, they could get it.
They might have had a high quality of defense but we had an army that overwhelmed them with shear numbers (25 to 1) and were quickly dispatched except for one mage.
This one mage managed to hold the entire army at bay for a short by summoning creatures to fight for him. Yet as fate would have it he used up all of his strength, even the strength he didn't knew he had and passed out seeming to be dead to all of the shadows.
All but a lone few had escaped and were hiding hoping they wouldn't be seen. They would have a better chance of fighting the army then hiding from nightmare when he is released.
I walked to the lead room while the shadows celebrated by possessing the meck parts and rebuilding the mecks bigger and better then they already were while others reanimated the dead mages and warping their minds growing the army.
I unsealed the room reviling a man, or what used to be a man sitting on the floor. He had no eyes except the gem that was jammed into his left eye.
He slowly stood up his exposed bones rattling as rotten flesh fell to the floor from lack of movement.
"No more, will they fall," the corps said as i Popped the last gem of death out of his skull the body falling to the floor.
I gave my respects to the man that barred the curse of living while dying every moment of his nonexistent life.
The nightmare formed behind me, "It is time for this world to end in shadow."
"Yes, it is," the shards said with my voice while I could only watch the horror that would unfold.
All eight shards started revolving around one unseen point going faster each revolution until they were only a blur that made eight rings. The eight rings slowly converged as I fed their speed and contained their angry energy.
The mere illusion that was nightmare was slowly becoming a physical threat to the universe and all others.
"STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!!!!!" A familiar voice cried out, "This isn't you snap out of it."
I found it easier to speak but all my energy was being put toward recreating nightmare yet I was able to say one word, "Run!!"
It was to late nightmare had formed and it was the end.
He approached her and slowly drove his right clawed hand into her abdomen reaching up and slowly ripping out her still beating heart only to crush it in his hand saying, "Death is freedom."
Her screams of agony awakened anger and strength I did not know I could posses.
"You have forgotten who you are," He said turning towards me.
"Your timing hasn't failed you yet nightmare," I said my power still growing
" Ah, But Darkness Wrath," Nightmare began, "You are slowly loosing control of your own body that I gave you, that in its self is not good for a darkness relic such as yourself, Because when the one that was broken finally breaks free he will have all your power to change what you have done to help me."
"Get out of my head you scum." I past self said weakly as my arms droped , "You aren't any better yourself you nightmare, you think your all that," I paused with the shadow claw mask forming, "Well where is your power now." Both my arms raised reviling the orb of darkness.
The nightmare smiled and replied in his twisted voice, "You can't destroy me and you never will."
I hesitated but I still had my shot.
"Your own power will be your undoing. Nightmare bullet," I yelled as all my hate went into this attack.
You cant destroy me and you never will, kept running through my head after nightmare had been reduced to his gem forms one being absorbed one vanishing from the dimension.
"You........." a weak voice said.
I turned around to see the summoner slowly making his way towards me putting all his weight on his staff. His body was ageing rapidly at front of my eyes. Weeks condensed into seconds, years into minutes, yet he still continued to walk towards me.
"Leave and never return, go!" He said weakly slowly collapsing to the ground, "Please."
I reached out to catch him but he was already dead and turning into dust.
No more will I fall to the dark ways of my heart.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
A phoenix flame never dies
I closed my eyes trying to forget what I almost did.
"Hello. This is the phoenix of blue fire speaking," the same voice said getting more annoyed every word it spoke.
That caught my attention there is only one phoenix that burns with a blue fire.
"Lance," I said looking at the blue bird, "You and your obsession of fighting with me."
"It's not th..." He started and paused, "You lost them didn't you."
"Not my fault, you should know how wrath gets when you try to contain him."
"To think the one thing that can destroy the multiverse is now free again."
I looked at him and remembered Luna, "But he is trapped in one of the locals souls calling himself, or should I say Herself Nightmare moon."
"All the dream shards in one body, I don't believe it," Lance said pecking my head.
"Can you at least get me an aerial view of the..." I said turning towards the maze when the ground started to consume the maze, "Never mind get in the air and stay out of sight, I'll signal you when you are needed."
"Alright, Least I can accomplish," Lance said taking to the air, "Just don't go berserk again."
I watched Lance fly in circles to make sure he didn't fly off and made my way to the six.
When I found them all but twilight were acting severely out of carecer, rainbow dash missing and greeted by pinkie.
"What are you laughing at!!!" She screamed in my face.
I felt the wrath being angered by her outburst trying to escape the gem he is sealed in.
"Ah boo hoo, the weakling finally showed up," Fluttershy said testing my self restraint.
"What is wrong with them?" I asked Twilight.
"Nothing's wrong with us," Applejack said immanently closing her mouth as if to hide an obvious lie.
"I think the stress is getting to them," Twilight answered.
I looked into all there eyes and saw they were only hollow shells of their former self's and replaced with their opposite personality.
"Check again," I said, "You will find it is a form of hypnosis, but only the person hypnotized can break. I've been there myself."
"Well we could get the elements, but we lost our chance there," Twilight said.
"If there is one thing I know about riddles is most contain a way to throw you off," I said looking at lance who was circling overhead, "If I remember the part of the riddle I herd, Find the elements back where you began."
"The library!!!" Twilight exclaimed
"Great," I said my eyes locked on lance, "You do that but he is holding something that might prevent that from working."
"What is that?" She asked while the others were arguing.
"Now is not the time," I said thinking of a short description, "but It is similar to the power I posess, and I must capture the power before it becomes fully active."
"What do we need to do to help?"
"I don't know, but if you do anything, just stay safe," I said walking off looking tor discord.
As I walked off I herd twilight say, "Stay safe."
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
It did not take me long to find discord but he looked different. Almost as if he was being molded into something even more sinister than him self.
I looked to the sky and saw lance circling around Discord who actually looked a little less chaotic more just pure evil yet he still continued to cause chaos.
The sun suddenly dropped out of the sky and into his hand.
"Out with the sun, out with the moon," He then looked at my hiding spot, "D will not try what he will do soon."
I knew I had been found but discord didn't seem to care that I was found.
He was enveloped in black fire and looked like himself again and disappeared.
"What was that about," I said looking around realizing I was no longer in the other city but back in ponyvil.
In the center of town I saw a throne, lance flying overhead and discord sitting on the throne with a similar figure that seemed more human than him.
Staying hidden I watched as Twilight and the others excluding dash and in her place spike.
"I hate time slips," I muttered to my self as I watched the seen unfold.
Discord taunted and dared them to turn him into stone with his warped yet translucent other self smiling. Yet something was off. A green energy was flowing from discord to the other turning red before entering him.
As I watched the six the attempt failed and they were blaming each other and split up twilight turning grey and walked off.
I sunk around the remaining two knowing the only outcome had to be my victory.
When I felt I was in a good striking distance I knew I had to make my move quick but It didn't feel right.
I don't know why but I wanted to fight him with my new power.
The throne swiveled and faced me when I started calmly walking towards discord.
"We all know how this will end," a voice said to my right.
"We have planed this for melinium," another voice said.
Discord smiled as the voices taunted but it seemed to be a puppet like smile.
"You are not worthy," Discords voice said his body dropping out of his throne becoming the same grey he was turning the others and on his throne, sat his more human self.
"If I am not worthy," he said, "How come you are on the ground, powerless, and I am on the throne with all your power."
"It is times like this," I sail as calm as I could, "I wish you would only give up before you got defeated."
"Die!!!!!" He yelled rushing at me, "At the hands of Chaotic Evil!!!!!"
Music
I stepped to the side realizing he was pouring a clear liquid with a smell I would not forget.
"Shit," I yelled as the liquid burst into flames knocking me back.
I turned around and found him flying at me, twiddling a Butterfly knife in an off chaotic matter until I recognized the shape being formed.
The knife turned into a full force great sword that seemed to be made of a flexible yet indestructible material.
He held his sword in his right hand driving it into the ground passing me, making a ring of black fire emerge from the ground.
I made sure I still had the gauntlet on my right hand and faced my opponent who had a few orbs floating around him which he proceeded to throw.
Each of the orbs did nothing as for damage but the flash of light they made before turning into a random object.
I used this to my advantage when one of the orbs thrown turned into a couch which I used as cover. When I rolled to cover I saw lance dive bombing at me ready to fight by my side.
"Stay back!!" I commanded with lance stopping his dive bomb and continued circling the field.
Time to go on the offence I thought jumping out from my cover to find Chaotic Evil already posed for an attack with a blindfold on.
I made one strike with the gauntlet which was blocked with ease and cracked the gem within the socket turning it grey.
He used some weird power that was absorbed and threw me agents the black fire which seemed as hot as lava yet solid as diamond.
I found myself unable to move from the fire as if was holding me for the final blow.
Discord was at the opposite end of the field getting ready to rush at me to end it quickly like I should have.
Anger, hate, rage, kill, conquer The wrath started saying giving me the strength to free myself from the wall with a rage that I could not hold back.
"This ends now" We yelled at each other charging at the center of the ring.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
We rushed at each other with only one thought going through my head, I will win, no matter what.
I drew my scythe just in time to clash with discords sword and knocked him back only for him to vanish.
"Lance" I called up, "Lets do this."
I jumped in the air throwing the scythe in the air hoping he would know what to do.
He grabbed the scythe in his right talon turning his blue flames a shade of black.
He collided with me our strength becoming one. Something he had done only once to help me control my power now being used to amplify my power to defeat this opponent.
The gem on my right hand spoke again as if a status warning, "Power levels exceeding all known powers excluding nightmares, Time estimate of power safely usable, six minutes."
I smiled as armor began to create itself around my body my right arm covered in a, white, light armor that steamed from a spiked shoulder guard. Yet my left arm was waited down by armor that seemed more for offence than for defending my flesh.
I was then kicked in the back but the force used seemed to not even cause physical damage or move me even though it hurt.
Turning my head I found Evil smile slowly fading into a frown.
"Say goodnight," I said under my breath as I made a slice with my left arm which he teleported away from but something felt off about this teleport.
He was behind me ready to stab me through the heart only for the sword to be stopped by an azure aura that surrounded my right hand and the sword.
I made a slight aim to my next attack right next to him which a felt slight resistance from.
I was ready for my next attack, but instead of being greeted by Evil I was slammed in the side and forced through the fire that surrounded the field and met with Evil encased in an armor that is to chaotic in it's self to even describe.
"Let me show you the true power I posses," Evil said as time slowed.
I landed next to something I would have regretted not to have landed by.
Getting on the arctic, the armor I was wearing failed with lance flying out.
"Sorry, Haven't been through that kind of strain since me and evil were one," lance said catching his breath.
I took off the gauntlet and the clothes I was wearing reverted back to blue jeans and the royal blue shirt rarity made.
"Lance," I said throwing him the gauntlet, "If I loose control, don't be afraid to cage me again."
With that said I started the arctic and locked eyes with my opponent who had changed into an even more warped version of himself.
"Hahaha This chaos energy, it's so," evil said warping the shadows into mutated versions of himself, "Perfect."
"If you think chaos is perfect," I said closing my eyes, "Then you are still imperfect."
"What did you just say?" Evil said agitated.
"Because all I see," I said channeling my power, "Is a mutant freak with a mutant army.
"Well It would seem that..." He started but was cut off when a rainbow hit him in the face leaving it charred and smoking. He turned his head to where the blast came from and yelled, "I have six little bitches to kill."
During his distraction I used the arctic, slamming through the wall of shadows, and made my way to him, before he had a chance to react I used the Arctic's reinforced front armor and slammed into him.
"You lay one," I yelled my eyes turning black, "Twisted claw on them or harm them in any way," I continued yelling slamming the brakes sending him flying then charged at him, "Or threaten them. You will have a painful end."
Is this who you are.
I rammed into him my anger fueling my power. Yet in my enraged state I saw a small bit of stone forming.
Racing down the dirt path that seemed more like soap, he tried to escape yet what ever he tried only sent him off the arctic.
I ended up spinning out when I tried to pull a U-turn but I quickly stopped it when I Grabbed a wooded street sign and used it to stabilize the arctic thus bringing it to a stop.
I saw evil with his sword run at me the stone now encasing his right ear and the corner of his eye.
I made a quick decision my hair turning jet black.
In the corner of my eye I saw lance watching me.
I must not lose control I thought blocking the sword with shadows until I caught it with my hand.
"The true power of evils bane," I shouted as the stone engulfed his head, "Return to the gem from when you came."
He started to return into the gem in the sword, but as one last act he slipped the sword from my hand and stabbed me in the right shoulder.
Before he completely vanished he said, "You are not a warrior, you are a runner."
I pulled the sword out of my shoulder with ease yet the injury I sustained mixed with blood loss was starting to get to me.
My vision blurred and went in and out of focus until I collapsed with a numbness running through my arms and legs.
"DYLAN!!!"
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
I quickly took in my surroundings.
Four mountains surrounded me each higher than the last, chains attached to each peak seeming to hold something there and keep them apart.
I noticed something off about two of them.
One was seemingly made of shadows and had lightning striking the peak with an enraged scream echoing through the area.
The one that was opposite of it seemed to be warped with a small river flowing backwards an a crazed laugh seeming to concur the scream when looked at.
"What is this place?" I questioned, "Why dose it feel like I know this place yet I've never seen it?"
"These are four of the mountains of destruction," Two voices seemed to echo not knowing of the others existence.
I got ready to fight the unseen threat.
"Do you really want to fight an old man," One voice said from behind me.
I turned and saw a face described only in legends, "The teller," In his left hand he was holding a cane with an emerald acting as a grip
"Did you forget about me," a familiar voice said behind me.
"Glad to see you made it Luna," The teller said before I could say anything.
"How do you two know each other?" I questioned knowing the teller only talks to sentient species that he trusts.
"We met about three weeks ago when you fell comatose," Luna answered.
"Comatose?" I questioned, "I've been in a coma for three weeks."
"A medically and magically endused one," The teller said, "The spell was supposed to be created fifty years in the future by Celestia, yet the chaos at that moment caused by the nightmare, the spell was only used on the battle field."
"Let me guess," I said, "Nightmare and his shadow minions."
"Because you did not retrieve the treatment while under the affects of your coma," The teller said, "Yet that was the old future."
"Is there a way to stop it," I asked.
"There was, maybe still is," the teller looked at Luna and seemed to telepathically ask her something.
Luna nodded my head then out of the corner of my eye the teller swung his cane at the back of my neck.
I found myself skydiving in a black abyss.
"Why me," I said to my self, as a small white dot in the center of my vision started to grow.
"As the nightmare grows, power unmatched by foes, which only the phoenix trio know how to halt," A voice echoed as I transitioned into the light.
I felt that I was lying on something soft.
I tried a deep breath in but my lungs seemed to work agents my will.
Opening my eyes I saw I had two tubes in my throat, one clear the other seeming to trickle a liquid. As for the room it seemed to be painted white with a single window.
I tried to remove the tubes yet my arms were held back by something.
I heard a door open and saw Luna with a slight hint of embarrassment and a taller figure behind her.
A white aura Surrounded the tubes pulling them out allowing me to breath of my own free will.
Allowing my lungs to breath for a minute I was finally able to speak "Got any food."
The restraints around my hands were released and a sandwich floated in front of me.
At the sight of food I slowly reached out and took the sandwich. I turned my head and saw Luna and the other princess.
The other princess seemed more relaxed and had a relaxing personality about her that you could just sense that was only amplified by her smile.
I ate the sandwich savoring the taste of wheat, lettuce, and green pepper.
"So, to be blunt, who are you, and where are we?" I asked.
The white one spoke at this, "I am princess Celestia, I have herd from twilight about you, as to where we are we are in one of the guest rooms of Cantorlot castle that was made into a medical care room as of your injuries."
She looked at her sister as if she was communicating with her and I spoke up, "Me and Luna have already met."
I looked out the window and saw a blue lite flicker in the clouds.
"I have a special request for you that might require your expertise in machinery," Celestia said.
"Might as well, Never know what you might find," I said, standing and stretchering.
"We have rediscovered an old part of the castle that seems to be impervious to our magic," Celestia said.
Looking around I saw that Luna had left. "Sounds like the plasma shields are in place, yet with what I've seen of the technology here... I'll have to take a look to confirm my suspicion."
Celestia led me to the area that she could not access.
Looking through the room I stood found a small keypad.
"Simple inscription coding, with," I said taking a panel off the wall exposing wires, "The most idiotic foolproof override system."
"Will we be able to access it," Celestia asked.
"If I can't breath," I said pulling all the red wires, "Then we can't access it now," The wall with the door that could not be opened shattered like glass leaving a metal gate that opened when I stepped close.
As we entered The lighting flickered all down the space.
"Get down!" I yelled as I saw a pair of red eyes glowing.
We waited for a few seconds yet nothing happened.
"Let's continue," Celestia said standing.
We continued to walk and found the source of the eyes were the optic sensors of a meck unit.
"Wait a moment," I said as we stopped in front of the meck.
"Voice override," I said hopping to fool the AI prototype.
The red eyes shut off and the meck fell backwards raveling a large craft in it's own containment unit.
"It can't be," I said recognizing the craft.
"What is that thing," Celestia said.
"Project Salvation," I said walking into the room Celestia close behind, "The last chance to escape the shadows."
"Then why is it here, unless...." Celestia said almost like she knew the truth but was hiding it.
"This was it's final destination," I said, baffled even at my own words.
"Then why aren't they here," Celestia said, "they would be surly guarding this if it was there way back."
"I'll figure that out as soon as possible, but in the mean time send word to Twilight that I'm recovering, to send the arctic here, and to expect me back in a few days," I said walking around the craft, "I'm going to have fun fixing this monster
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
I was able to ensure that Project Salvation could fly properly and get the return sequence ready for use.
In the audio logs of the ship I found that the ship was sent not flown by other humans but an AI that I was able to repair. I was also able to tear apart the broken meck and form a small mod for the arctic when it arrived that I would test.
"Hello, Dylan, are you down here," I herd celestial call, "Your Arctic cat has arived."
"Great, I be right there in just a moment."
I started to make my way out of the cave system taking the two hundred fifty pounds(250 lb.) with me eventualy finding Celestia and a few of her guards about midway, waiting with the arctic for me to show up.
"Sorry it took me that long, it isn't easy lugging this mod with how heavy it is," I said as I approached.
"It's no problem," Celestia said as she motioned the guards away, "So what are you planing to to with Project salvation?"
"What I should have done years ago, but didn't have the knowledge to do."
"Destroy nightmare," Celestia said.
"No," I said closing my eyes, "Not Destroy, Make him suffer like everyone that monster made suffer and ensure that the damage he caused is undone, no matter the cost."
"You are very driven, But I have to leave you now," She started walking out of the caves but stoped and said, "Twilight will be expecting you tomorrow," before continuing to exit.
When they left I started working on the modification, but having to lower the center of gravity to make it work before heading back to Salvation.
Walking in to the main room in salvation I opened up a can of soda that was in the on-board cooling unit.
"It has been so long," I said before gulping down the sixteen oz. drink.
"System malfunction! Oxygen support system number four has gone off line," The AI said over the intercom, "Please replace support unit."
"Cant A guy relax on this craft." I said standing to change the unit.
"No," I herd the AI call out over the intercom.
I rolled my eyes at the AI's sense of humor.
When I finished changing the Support unit I went to check the time.
I decided to rest for the rest of the night. I knew I would need it if I am to collect the other two shards.
"Dylan!!" I herd a voice scream awaking me, "Where are you."
I couldn't make out the voice right away but I still made my way out of the craft to see Celestia in a slight panic.
"What's wrong," I said, "You look like you just seen a ghost."
"I wish that was the case," Celestia said, "But ponyvill is under attack by shadows," She started to pace back and forward, "At this rate the town will be... Where are you going?"
"Where do you think," I said starting the arctic, "Going to save a town."
"Follow the train tracks heading south," Celestia said, "That is the quickest route."
"Thanks," I said flooring the accelerator.
Navigating the castle to the gates I was just itching to use the new mod.
I found the south bound tracks and followed like Celestia said.
I jumped of the arctic pulling a small ripcord changing the arctic as it was still moving into a high speed suit of armor that had multiple other forms.
As I was caught by the arctic I moved in a skating motion breaking my old speed record at only half power. A small glass plate fell over my left eye and gave me constant updates on the arctic and my objectice.
"Lets hope this test drive works," I said cranking the power output to seventy-five percent.
I could see the town just a few miles away and decided to try the new flight mode.
"Flight mode, engage," My feet started to lift off the ground before launching straight up into the air.
"Weapons online, Ground mode engage," I said As the jet that launched me up shut off And the tires clicked back revealing a humanoid exoskeleton.
Plummeting to the ground I found sixty five targets attacking the town.
My suits hands turned into five bladed circular saws.
"Oh no no no no no no no no," A started to scream as I realized where I was going to land.
I smashed through the Fountain, soaking the arctic and me with water.
All the shadows turned as the fountain was smashed into small fragments.
"There is the target," One of the shadows ordered, "Don't kill him, yet."
They surrounded me each one trying to cover another shadows weakness.
They seem more organised, I thought to myself, It is almost as if they have evolved past their old parameters and have gained a bit of reason since nightmares disappearance.
They all tried to overcome me with there sheer numbers only to find that the arctic suit was able to blow them back with ease.
"What's the matter, don't have backup," I taunted, "I haven't pushed her past seventy five percent yet!"
The shadows circled me again.
"Trying that again won't work!!" I said getting ready for them to tackle me again.
Instead of them tackling me the shadow that was giving orders ran forward with a dagger in one hand with an empty gem socket in the shape of a skull in the blade and a short sword in the other.
Staring at my opponent something felt off. He didn't seem to be a shadow, yet a shadow stood before me.
His dagger though caught my attention, the blade was curved over the hilt and extended one foot in either direction.
He charged without a word and sliced one of the metal panels off then started yanking wires until I was launched out of the arctic leaving it to fall on it's back severely damaged but repairable.
"The target is exposed," the leader shouted, "Take him down!!"
Author's Note
A small name change to the story, I plan to make two more volumes to the arctic runner.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
His red eyes glowed with Hatred as the other four shadows charged at me.
I quickly slid under one of them focusing my power yet nothing happened.
"Why won't you work," I said breaking out into a cold sweat.
Glancing at the sky I saw lance flying in circles, watching me holding onto the gauntlet showing no signs of allowing me access.
One of the shadow managed to slip behind me and stabbed me in my right shoulder with his blade like hands.
I was bleeding my only good shirt ripped and stained with crimson.
I help my wound trying to stop the bleeding to no avail.
"You are nothing but trash!!!!!" There leader yelled at me walking calmly towered me, "You could have been all powerful but you tried to stop us," He continued to yell as he picked me up by the neck, "Everything will end in shadow, You are no different."
He threw me through a concrete wall. I could feel by bones shatter like glass.
"First you then this planet then everything will fall, everything you love will be torchered before they are killed slowly like her!!!" He yelled throwing his dagger allowing it to cut my other arm before recalling to it's master.
"You're not even worth killing," He said turning away, "I have bigger fish to fry," he said walking away.
I felt myself slipping into darkness.
Is this it, Is this how I will die, I thought to myself.
"DYLAN!!! " A voice I could not forget rang out, twilight.
I could not respond, I didn't want to cause this them seeing me bleed out slowly dying.
"Don't go please don't go."
The two places where I was cut were starting to turn black and spread.
Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow dash, Pinkie pie, And applejack had finally caught up to twilight only for me to see them one last time. This wasn't just them loosing a friend but.....
Why should we waist out energy Helping someone that can't get back up after a few cuts, I herd a voice in my head, To think you defeated nightmare and you just are realizing how weak you are without us, pathetic.
"I'm not dead yet!!!" I yelled surprising even the shadow that was walking away as I stood up.
How is he tapping into our power!!?!?!??! The voice in my head screamed.
"Get back now, and stay out of my way," I yelled at the six.
"Your alive," I herd twilights voice.
"You herd me," I said.
Strange, I thought as the sky darkened, Shadow clouds.
"Lance!!!" I yelled at the sky walking away from my pool of blood my attire stained crimson as I saw what was causing the shadow clouds, "Quit playing around with your shadow and get your feathered self over here."
I watched a blue dot in the clouds glow brightly before growing reviling the blue phoenix coming at me at full speed followed by a black phoenix both accelerating.
He seemed to throw a gauntlet that shined brightly.
I only had a split second but I was able to catch it before the shadow phoenix and put it on before a sharp pain exploded in my shoulders.
"Hey, weakling," I yelled to the shadows that were walking away as my cloths were engulfed in white fire with a blue core, "I'm not dead yet."
As he turned his eyes seemed to pop out of his head when he saw the white flames surrounding me.
"So this is your power," He said trying to stay monotone, "You'll regret waiting to show this strength."
He charged at me, blades drawn.
"Bring it!!!" I yelled.
As he got in closed ducked under the blade.
I was able to form the wraths scythe just in time to block a blow across my back with the shaft.
"You don't deserve that power!!" He said grabbing the scythe, "SO I WILL TAKE IT FOR THE SHADOWS!!!!!!!!"
"I think you will find that hard to do," I said, the scythe vanishing just as quickly as it had came only to be replaced with a short sword just below his grip.
My blade glistened with the little light provided.
As I lifted the blade I could faintly hear a voice in my head.
'Give up your heart left broken'
That voice I remembered, the embodiment of the pain I felt that day when I broke nightmare. These thoughts were not mine though, for as I gazed at my opponent I could see his pain.
Instead of yelling I could hear his voice muffled by the body, "Why did you leave us?"
I realized what I should have but my body was fighting off of instinct as I saw clearly something made in a similar image of myself.
"Who are you?" I asked as calmly as I could.
"Time has seemed to warp your image," He said, "I always thought we looked alike."
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
"Alright!" I said installing the last of the power coils,"let's see new tires, check, new 20 speed mock 2 engine, check, and last but not least, flight and universal jump controls." Now all that is needed is to get away from everyone and begin my new life in another random universe I thought as dark shadow slowly approached unseen to anyone but me.
"You know where ever you go I will follow and leave destruction as you" the shadow spoke as I just ignored him as I always did.
30 minuets later Old abandoned highway
"Well this is it ,the last of this universe I will see" I said while starting up the universal jump sequence, "Hopefully".
The shadow was still in close persuite before merging again said "Remember the darkness has always been there where ever you go darkness will rise and consume you"
"LET'S LIGHT THIS CANDLE!!" I yelled flooring the throttle of the arctic cat hopping to out run the shadow. let's see if I remember hit mock 1.5 activate flight mode press the red button dislodging the universal portal generator and pass through while going into ground mode I thought.
I'm barley at mock 1 and i'm running out of road fast think, how to gain .5 mock and survive a 5 mile free fall my thought's raced as i neared the cliff. "well here i go!!" I prematurely activated flight mode and dropped the generator. I lucked out when the portal opened and worked. My good luck never failed me but once I thought as i passed through the portal.
The Rift
"So this is what you feel and see jumping through a universe" an echo of my thought's bounced around the empty whiteness. Apparently here thoughts are a voice and a voice is a thought I tried to say with no prevail. The shadow reappeared and said "All that is light will fall to darkness we are two sides of the same coin we each have to share the same body and the terrible things I have done are all pined on you"
"You have no right to be in my head you foul demon of the shadows begone."
Suddenly a crack formed underneath me and all memory of the universal gap left my head as I was sucked in.
Author's Note
first story bit of a rush but please leave a comment
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
"Oh how I forgot how some are just willing to open up to the darkness" Fluttershy said with the darkness controlling her every move.
Then his concentration lapsed.
"Oh and you seem to forget something you shadow" Fluttershy said with her own will.
that is impossible, she is resting the shadow of eternal pain and suffering I gawd at the sight of Fluttershys' resistance.
"I thought you were a mere weakling like the rest." the shadow said regaining control "And it looks like that was all the resistance she had in her"
I have to stop this now hopefully in the next ten minutes so I can get some sleep
"And I am no longer 'shadow' or 'Fluttershy' I am the Fluttering Shade"
Fluttering Shade charged a shadow barrage. Luckily i have seen this before and easily danced around the shadow barrage.
One quick knock to the head knock her out cold and get that mask off
"I'm growing tired of this." Shade said.
This is new it looks like a shadow barrage but still looks like a new power for him .
"Shade Ursa" the normal shadow barrage charged in her hooves but they were azure. "Come fourth !!"
As fluttering shade finished, the mask slowly enveloped Fluttershy giving me the perfect opportunity.
I took it.
"Your'e open!! " I yelled kicking them in the head. If Ursa's are like the legends back home it was for the better
luckily the kick both shattered the shadows concentration and knocked Fluttershy out cold while knocking me back.
"I am so sorry fluttershy" I said as I approached her. Putting my hand up to the dragons claw over her right eye. My hand then glowed a faint white witch changed quickly to black with the claw diapering.
how was she able to resist that much power and her body not be torn from her spirit I pondered while picking up fluttershy.
"Whatever the case we both could use some sleep." I said to myself yawning,"I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow."
Walking into the house I saw a small rabbit lying on the couch. Knowing to let a sleeping dog lie somewhat hoping it would help. I walked into each room until I found fluttershys room. Carefully lied her down as to not wake her. she will think it was all just a bad dream in the morning I thought while searching for the arctic.
"Another well slept arctic night" I said finding and putting my head on the arctic cats' handlebars.
Well I don't know how you did it shadow but you are going to have a harder time trying that a second time I thought drifting into sleep.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
Back on earth
Council of phoenix clan
Three phoenixes flue into a room lit only by their flaming body's each of a different color symbolizing their strength, wisdom, and balance
"Why have you called this meting phoenix of strength, Kisack," the white phoenix said with wisdom from age fueling his flames.
"Why!!!!! Isn't it obvious, Fichell, the weapon has dissipated out of all radar tracker's that HE built and placed," the Red phoenix Kisack replied with his flames burning with the heat of the sun.
The third phoenix glided around the room listing to the conversation his azure flames burning coolly but with the intensity of the sun.
"He is more than a weapon he is a person with his own free will," Fichell said landing on his perch with the symbol of wisdom carved onto the sides.
"More than just a weapon, more than just a weapon, blah blah blah," Kisack replied landing on his perch witch was made of mettle dew to his flames heat, "He is a shade wielder, the best of them. His power even was enough to rival nightmare and save us and you want that just wandering around. That is asking for a repeat of the past."
"He is better than that," The azure phoenix said landing on his perch made of paper without setting it on fire, "Even I can tell you with my experience with him is is more than just a weapon but is still a good one at being that. To me he is a friend The only one he has from here."
"And why do you say that? Surly the great powerful Azure god of fire can tell us." Fichell questioned.
"You know I abandond that title for the fact that I am not even qualified to be a god, yet, so stick with Lance alright," he responded, " As for the question you asked. Not a single human will trust him for he still has a shade within his spirit which everyone fears as the Black Terror."
"You do have a point," Kisack replied his flames cooling slightly, "Even I fear his true power."
"Well as a compromise I will find him and send word back as soon as I can until then this meeting is over." Lance said finishing the meeting and all three flue off from the meeting room.
Lance flue to the last known place of existence of Dylan and found one of his discharged mods.
Looks like an EMP explosive but what is this marking on the side Lance thought as he approached the device turning it over.
"A universal jump. Well if he can do it so can I." He thought out loud getting proper altuitude and distance to brake time-space and proceeded with the breach.
Arctic runner- vol 1 catching shadows
Human world RS (Remnants of Shadows) 500
A man watched an arena battle in an old stadium as one of his best swordsmen sliced through wave after wave of shadow pawns.
"It has been five hundred years," He said looking at his bony left hand, "This war is not over, not yet."
"Come on Freeman," One of the younger warriors sitting beside him yelled over the crowd, "The shadows are unorganized and the shard of death is in the hands of the phoenix, so cheer up and watch the sword master fight."
"I have to check something," Freeman said standing up to leave, "Tell me how the fight ends."
Freeman walked through the battle scared town that is one of the few places where the shadows still reside after the absence of nightmare.
Why did you cause this, He thought, a small tear forming in his eye.
He slowed his pace and listened to the cool night air whistling through the buildings until he saw a building that had half of the roof caved in, this building he surprisingly called home.
At his home he moved slowly as to not break any more that had been damaged since the last battle with the shadows.
"Where are you," He said typing more information on his personal data terminal, "They may not accept you, but..."
*CRASH *
He drew his dagger with his bony left hand, the blade curved around the hilt with a skull gem socket that would hold the shard of death.
"Who's there!!" He commanded, "I am not intimidated by a chicken hiding in the shadows."
"You are worthy," A drawn out raspy voice said.
"I know the voice of a shadow when I hear one," Freeman said drawing his short sword.
"I can give you what you most desire, shadow hunter," The voice said, "Just accept us."
"Get out now," Freeman said swinging his sword at where he thought the shadow was only for it to get stuck in a wall.
"I am not your enemy, The Black Terror is."
"Get out!!"
"I will give you the power to capture him," The voice said as a shadow cube formed in the center of the room, "Just accept," The last two words echoed in the room.
Freeman looked over the cube after the voice stopped and left only it's twisted echo.
"Do I dare accept, Or do I refuse?" He questioned himself, "Accpting would throw away everything I hold close to me, yet denying..........."
Freeman was cut off my a black energy taking over his body his skin taking on a pail white color only to be covered with armor that was as black as the shadows themselves.
He laughed a minacal laughter as he drew his dagger now tainted with shades of green and black.
"Time to take back what is mine!!!" Freeman said his voice being accompanied by two others before ripping a hole in space-time and leaping through.