Shadows of Katsura

The tunnel was poorly lit and uncomfortably small. Two ponies in torn, broken armor were rapidly making their way down the stairs.

"What the bloody hell are they doing in there" Storm asked as they ran.

"Dunno" Shadow said: "I think the villagers didn't even know this tunnel existed"

The stairs ended, revealing a very large and poorly lit corridor. Countless hoofsteps rang in the distance and the two ponies lifted their swords:

"Ready?" Storm asked with a smile.

Shadow nodded and they began their slow march into darkness.

'We do not fear death'

Swords clashed, horrible screams echoed across the tunnel.

'We do not feel pain or despair'

Sparks flew through the air as metal scraped concrete.

'We do not grow tired or stop, until we complete our objective'

Dark stains painted the walls.

'We are the shield of those who are hurt - unjustly'

Shouts of anger, mixed with unbearable pain.

'We are the Shadows of Katsura'

Two ponies stepped out of the darkness, into a better lit part of the corridor.

"Always so dramatic" Storm smiled. They were heavily breathing. Blood dripping down from open wounds that covered their bodies. Shadow heavily leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. His hooves were trembling. His vision blurred. The sword felt so heavy, he didn't think he could lift it again.

"Reciting the Shadows code in the middle of combat... geez" Storm released a small laugh and fell on his knees.

"Storm" Shadow called.

"I'm... alright" Storm opened his mouth and blood poured out. He spit it out and wiped his lips: "That was... fun... you think we'll pass the next combat exam?"

Shadow quietly giggled as his vision blurred and he almost fell face first on the ground: "I'm a little... Storm... I can't... I can't see very well"

"Its ok" Storm sat down on the ground: "The others have probably... escaped, by now..."

"Yeah" Shadow heavily leaned on the wall and slowly sat down on one knee: "I think we... did it..."

"That Sky..." Storm mumbled, trying to stay awake: "She's a tough cookie huh..."

"You've been... hanging out with her for.. how long" Shadow smiled: "Ask her out.. already"

Storm released a quiet laugh, when heavy hoofsteps suddenly rang in the distance.

"..Back for more?" Shadow smiled, trying to get up and falling back on the floor again: "How... how many... Storm? I can't... I can't see... I think I... lost too much blood"

"Damn that Rahzor..." Storm mumbled: "Can't count for sh... there's twenty more coming..."

"Twenty?" Shadow squinted into the distance: "I thought we already beat most of them..."

"I'll show him how to... count.. when we..." Storm trailed off. His eyes slowly closed and his head fell down.

"Storm?..." Shadow called: "Storm I... I can't get up... Storm?..."

Storm didn't answer and Shadow looked in his direction: "Storm?... where are you? I can't... see... Storm"

The darkness was closing in. Countless hoofsteps were becoming louder.

"Give me your hoof..." Shadow quietly called: "... Storm... give me your hoof... its ok..."

His friend didn't answer and Shadow smiled: "...its ok"

The darkness slowly enveloped his body and covered him in a blanket of warmth.

Then suddenly a sharp pain in his chest jerked him awake and he screamed. His vision blurred and caught focus again.

A purple pegasus was standing in front of him with a syringe. A mare with dark hair. She seemed strangely familiar.

"Don't die" she whispered, pulled another syringe and injected something right into Storms heart. He jerked backwards and fell:

"What the f-" he struggled to understand what was happening, wildly swinging his hooves until his vision restored.

"Adrenaline" the mare quietly said: "I'm... sorry... I can't let you sleep yet... this is a little embarrassing but I may need your help..."

"Who.. are you?" Shadow quietly asked, looking up at the mare. Her distant, sad eyes looked familiar. Her dark hair somehow reminded him of an image from so long ago, it felt like it happened in a different life. Shadows eyes widened:

"...Claire?"

"Hello Sam" the mare smiled and the memories came rushing back -

"Sam... the clan leader's son?"

"Y-y-yes...I-totally-didn't-do-nothing-mischievous-that-may-cause-trouble-for-him-by-accident-haha-ha-ha-ha" Sam awkwardly laughed and

Dave ran into him at full speed, catching Sam's neck under his hoof: "I'm sorry my friend is touched in the head, you must be very busy - don't mind us!" Dave nervously mumbled and shined a terrified smile.

"I wanted to ask you-" Sam looked at Claire "-can you Change your own cutie mark?"

"What?" Confusion and curiosity reflected over her face.

Claire was still standing in front of him with a little smile: "... have you found the answer to your question yet?"

"...yeah" Shadow nodded and smiled back. The sounds of twenty approaching hoofsteps caught their attention.

Claire unsheathed a pair of swords from her belt: "Please stay behind me, though I may still need your help" she nodded and rushed into combat.

Twenty ponies in heavy armor sprinted right at her. Claire's expression remained peaceful as she turned into a blur. Her fighting style was unique. It almost seemed like a dance, as she gracefully moved through the tunnel. No unnecessary movement. No second wasted. No energy spent without need. Her enemies fell in silence. No pain registered in their eyes.

She didn't want them to suffer.

Storm rose up on one knee and smirked: "I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit this one out, Shadow"

"I'm with you" Shadow pulled himself up, raising his sword and they both joined the battle.

Claire was severely outnumbered. It was difficult defending herself from several sides and every time one of her opponents saw an opening in her defense, Shadow or Storm quickly closed it, lashing out at the enemy group.

Several seconds passed before Shadow recognized that they might actually win this. Claire was moving with unnatural grace. It seemed like she could take on an army at once. Claire, the youngest one to join the Shadow's in decades. Another survivor of the Whispering Valley. She went through the same horrors they did and she was alive.

For a split second Shadow realized that all three of them shared a bond and he lost track of the battle. A split second was enough for one of the enemy ponies to kick him hard in the chest, sending him flying across the room. He lost his sword and crashed hard on his back. The enemy soldier was sprinting towards him. Claire and Storm were too far to help.

Shadow rolled backwards and got back on his hooves. He was unarmed. His opponent carried a sword and was charging at him. Shadow released a long sigh and time seemed to slow down. His opponent was closing in. The enemy raised his sword and lashed out, top to bottom. Shadow calmly stepped to the side, moving out of the line of fire.

His mind briefly panicked.

'I don't have a sword'

And Lisa's voice rang in his mind:

'Doesn't matter. Attack with your hooves!'

And then Shadow threw the biggest sucker punch in his life.

His opponent flew across the corridor and crashed hard into the wall. He didn't get up again. Knocked out.

Shadow was heavily breathing, looking at his opponent in slight shock when Storm and Claire quickly approached.

"Damn man" Storm exhaled: "Nice move, had us worried there for a minute"

"Sorry" Shadow exhaled: "Lisa's training paid off" he suddenly noticed that no opponent was left. They were standing at the end of the corridor, in front of a half open vault.

"...what.. is that?" Shadow quietly asked.

"Not now! You're still bleeding!" Claire pointed at his wounds and began pulling out sets of bandages from a small bag on her belt.

Several minutes passed as Claire worked hard to patch up Shadow and Storm, sitting on the floor of this poorly lit tunnel.

"Claire?" Storm quietly asked after a while: "Do you think... did anyone else survive? From our village I mean"

"...I don't know" Claire quietly said as she continued to work: "I didn't even know you two were alive... I thought.. I was the only one"

"...What did you do... after the attack?" Shadow quietly asked.

Claire looked like she was about to say something then she visibly stopped herself. Some kind of internal struggle was going inside her head. Her usual neutral expression became distorted with a strange mix of doubt and guilt.

"W-whats wrong?" Shadow quietly asked.

Claire waited a several moments before she replied: "... you... have a right to know" she blinked: "I was training, preparing to hunt down the people who ruined our lives"

"...wait, what do you mean... hunt down" Storm slowly asked: "You mean... you know who did this to us?!"

"Yes, and, it doesn't matter" Claire shook her head: "Whether I know who did it or not. Those people are untouchable"

"W-Whatever!!!" Storm scowled: "I don't care how powerful they are! Just tell us where to find them!!!"

"David" Claire smiled: "It will serve you no good. If we go after them, we will loose"

"Then what the bloody hell are we supposed to do!?" Storm screamed in anger.

"I don't know" Claire shook her head: "What were you planning to do until now?"

"...save, ponies" Shadow slowly replied. Claire smiled:

"Then that is what I need you to do. Listen to me. These people are very powerful and very resourceful. They do not value sentient life. They see ponies as just a means to an end. Tools to be used. I am investigating how to get close to them so I can bring them down, but for that to happen, my existence must remain a secret. Your existence as well.

No one must know that the Shadow Clan had survivors. You're not David and Sam. You're Storm and Shadow. And I am not Claire. I was never here and you never saw me. If anyone asks, you saw no one else in this tunnel. Understand? No one must know we survived. And no one must know about this" Claire pointed at the scar on Storms chest, where he sealed the Medallion.

"They want this. They want this really bad and we can't let them have it. There is a great plan in motion, being set up behind the scenes. No one notices but the subtle clues are there. Like the attack on this village today. They instigated a diversion to lure the entire Wonderbolt unit away, so they could send mercenaries to open this vault" she looked at the open door: "We stopped them today, but they will try again. A different method. A different way to get what they need"

"...what... was inside?" Shadow quietly asked.

"Formulas, schematics for powerful spells, malicious magic that should never be used" Claire sighed.

"...why did they hurt the villagers?" Shadow quietly asked: "If they just wanted the vault, they didn't have to kill anybody"

"I don't know" Claire shook her head: "... these people are twisted, they have no regard for life..." The sound of distant voices suddenly made her flinch: "...I overstayed my welcome. No one must see me. Tell no one that I was here"

"W-wait" Shadow stood up: "Will we ever see you again?"

Claire waited a moment, then smiled and nodded: "Yes. In the mean time, I need you to keep doing what you've done until now. Become Wonderbolts. Protect the ponies around you. I will keep digging for information. Once I have something concrete, I will find you. Goodbye."

She smiled and opened her wings.

Claire turned into a blur as she flew up to the ceiling, opened an air vent and vanished from sight. Seconds later dozens of Wonderbolts in full body armor appeared in the tunnel. Lisa was madly dashing ahead of them, face ghostly pale, her sword raised as she ran as fast as her hooves carried her. Her eyes widened, she began to slow down as the following scene came into view:

Two students in ravaged armor, blood stained, injured, barely on their hooves, standing alone amid countless bodies of heavily armed ponies. Lisa came to a stop, her hooves were visibly shaking. She slowly opened her mouth and mumbled in disbelief, her voice but a whisper: "S-Shadow?... Storm?"

"...Hello, Lieutenant" Shadow nodded and released a small smile. Lisa remained standing in place, ghostly pale as the Academy Commander slowly stepped into view:

"God... damn..." the Commander quietly said. A stunned expression reflected over his face as he looked at the signs of the battle. The countless bodies that laid on the floor, the walls stained red and two students of the academy, standing in the middle of all this. Dozens of veteran Wonderbolts slowly approached, trying to catch a glance of what was happening.

The corridor became filled with an eerie silence.

* * *

The sun was slowly setting over the horizon as countless ponies, soldiers and villagers, slowly gathered in the middle of the small fishing village.

"We were half way across the country when we realized we were on a wild goose chase" The Commander nodded, sending a hoof through his hair:

"Hurried home to help the village, knowing there was no Wonderbolt unit left stationed here. You can imagine our surprise when we found civilians claiming they've been rescued by a "Wonberbolt Strike Team, callsign - Stiletto" he released a tired smile. Sky, Rahzor, Shadow and Storm stood closely together and smiled.

"Good work" the Commander nodded: "You saved a lot of lives today"

The veteran Wonderbolts were still pouring out of the tunnel. Some still remained downstairs, examining the vault. A few others dragged out the mercenary that Shadow knocked out. As the villagers and the Wonderbolts talked, the Commander subtly took Storm and Shadow aside. Lisa quietly joined them, looking pale as a sheet.

"You did a hell of a job" The Commander quietly whispered as Storm, Shadow and Lisa huddled closely together: "..but I want to know how one of the worst students in the academy... and his best buddy, who's scores are at best... average... managed to hold off twenty five highly trained mercenaries in a straight up fight" The Commander wasn't frowning, but he wasn't smiling either: "Don't get me wrong. You saved more lives than I can count. I gathered your tactics gave you an upper hand when faced against an overwhelming enemy force. But that can work outside, not in a small confined space like that tunnel, where there is no room to set an ambush and no place to maneuver. Is there... something you want to tell me?... Is there something I should know?"

Storm and Shadow quietly looked at each other then back at the Commander. The silence dragged on for a painfully long minute. Shadow slowly realized that any lie he'd make up would just insult the Commanders intelligence. The Commander scowled and looked at Lisa. She only shook her head in confusion. Her face was ghostly pale. She swallowed hard and quietly said:

"They're alive. Their squad saved the village. What does it matter how" she heavily sighed: "I only care that they lived"

"Lieutenant, you spar with him every day" the Commander pointed at Shadow: "Do you believe he and Storm could have taken down twenty five highly trained mercenaries"

"...I don't know" Lisa finally said after a moment: "... they've always been tenacious. And they're still alive, so.."

"Alright" the Commander frowned with a resigned expression: "Enough for today. Get some rest. Everyone" he pointed at Lisa for some reason before walking away. Storm nodded to Shadow and wandered off toward Rahzor and Sky.

Lisa was still standing perfectly still, ghostly pale. Shadow waited a moment before he quietly asked:

"... Ma'am? Are you ok?"

"...Don't do that again" she quietly said. Shadow looked at her in surprise and noticed that her hooves were still shaking. Lisa looked around and sighed: "You could have been killed. What were you thinking?"

"But..." Shadow asked in confusion: "I'm... a Wonderbolt... I mean... I will be but, this is what I'm supposed to do, right? Its... whats expected of me"

Lisa stared into space with an empty expression for several moments before she quietly nodded: "... you're right, of course. I'm sorry... I... lost myself" she looked away, ghostly pale.

Shadow waited a moment then quietly said: "...your training saved my life today, you know?" he attempted to smile.

Lisa squeezed out a tiny smile and looked at him: "Yeah?"

"Thank you, Lieutenant" Shadow smiled to her: "For having faith in me"

"Why are you always so reckless, Shadow" Lisa's smile slowly faded: "Don't you care if you die?"

Shadow tried to keep smiling but his face darkened and he turned away: "W...whats wrong with that... ?" he quietly laughed: "Fear only... makes it harder to fight"

"Its wrong, because you're not alone in this world" Lisa quietly said, a frown slowly appeared on her face: "Because if you die, Storm will be very sad, and Mrs. Perry and all of your friends. They are your family and your actions affect them. They would rather have you alive than a fallen hero. Do you understand?" she quietly asked.

"B-but... " Shadow was staring at her in confusion: "Its... our job... its what we signed up for... isn't it? To give our lives to save others?"

Lisa looked into his eyes and realized how everything he knew suddenly stopped making sense. She looked down and sighed:

"Just... be careful ok?" she released a weak smile, turned and walked away.

"Lieutenant?" Shadow called: "Ma'am"

Lisa didn't answer. She just continued to walk away.

* * *

'You are a soldier. You are a soldier and he is as well, don't you get it?' Lisa cursed herself in her mind.

'Whats wrong with you, officer? Forgot what your uniform stands for?' Lisa bitterly smirked.

'Give our lives to save others. A green recruit knows your job better than you' She heavily swallowed.

'What are you thinking? Lisa wiped the sweat from her forehead.

'He is your subordinate. You have to train him to make sure he won't die. That's it' She slowly stopped.

'I trained recruits before. I lost subordinates during combat before. I'm used to it' She slowly lifted her hoof to her heart.

'Then, what is this feeling? Have I... lost too much?' She waited a moment in silence then smiled.

'I'm just an old idiot. Its time to head out... officer' She nodded to herself and finally continued to move.

* * *

Thirteen ponies in expensive suits were gathered behind a long, wooden table. Antique and expensive furniture gave the place a very mysterious and comfortable atmosphere. Plates of exotic food and glasses of rare wine filled the table and at the center, sat a large, yellow crystal.

"How long" The Architect asked.

"Any minute now" The Ambassador nodded and a few seconds later the yellow crystal lit up.

"Its me" a muffled voice came from inside.

"Status report" the Professor demanded.

"Operation Successful" the voice quietly said:

"Two survivors. David Katsura. Fabricated ID name - Night Storm.

Sam Katsura. Fabricated ID name - Shadow"

"Arrogant" The Ambassador smirked: "I am what you see, for I am the Shadow of Katsura"

"David, aka Storm has the Medallion" the voice from the crystal continued.

"He... actually carries it on him?" The Professor raised an eyebrow: "Is he that reckless?"

"...he doesn't exactly carry it..." the crystal paused: "Storm has a unique scar over his chest. The scar glowed red when the Medallion activated"

"...did he... go so far as to physically stitch it into his body?" The General grimaced.

"Is that even possible... Doctor?" the Architect asked.

"...I ... suppose" an elderly pony replied: "Though I doubt he could freely do any physical exercise in that state. Others would notice"

"It could be magically sealed" the Professor scowled: "Inside his... soul... this just became, a lot more complicated"

"Can you get it out?" The Architect frowned.

"...In time" The Professor slowly brought his hooves together: "Developing a formula for that spell will be... complicated"

"Agent!" The Ambassador roared at the crystal: "Is there any way to manipulate him into removing it on his own"

"After today. I doubt it" The voice from the crystal sighed: "You need to understand, David and Sam are idealistic and stupid. They will never use the Medallion out of fear for their life. In fact, they welcome death. It seems that if Night Storm will die, the Medallion will die with him. Its what they want. And after today, I doubt they will even use the thing to save others. Storm will not part with the Medallion willingly. Not to save himself, his friends or the civilians around him"

"Hmm..." a grin slowly spread on the Professors face: "...He won't use it to save others?... maybe that is because, he doesn't have much to loose yet... thank you, Agent. I think I know what I need to do now"

"There's one more thing" The crystal quietly said: "The Mercenaries you sent to provoke Storm? One of them was taken alive. He's threatening to talk if we don't get him out"

The Professor leaned back in his chair with an enormous grin: "Is that gonna be a problem?"

"No sir" the crystal replied and turned dark.

* * *

As the night descended upon the land , an eerie silence began to cover the Wonderbolt prison block. The light from the moon faintly shined through the barred windows. The sounds of water dripping from a rusty pipe, echoed faintly across the halls. A lone prisoner sat in a tiny cell, quietly tapping a rhythm on the wall with his hoof. Voices of the guards and other inmates slowly became more and more distant, until the lone prisoner could clearly hear his own breath.

Minutes passed. Hours. He just kept quietly tapping the wall, the sound of the dripping pipe somewhere, still lingered at the edge of his hearing. And then he heard hoofsteps. Quiet and slow, as if the person was taking the time to admire the scenery. Moments passed before a cloaked figure slowly appeared in front of the cell.

The prisoner turned in its direction and slightly hunched over:

"... back for more gloating?"

The cloaked figure smirked: "...hardly" it slowly adjusted its hood and sent a hoof through its hair: "I hear you are... willing to talk"

The prisoner squinted in silence, at the two glowing eyes under the hood. He waited a moment before he finally frowned:

"You're working for them, aren't you"

The figure cocked its head in amusement: "Mmm..."

"I'm not messing around" the prisoner said in an angry whisper: "Stop stalling and open the bloody door"

"Are you... threatening us?" the figure asked with a smile.

"You think you can stare me down?" the prisoner hissed: "I've been doing wetwork since I was twelve. I don't care who our employer is, I don't flinch from a fight. Unlock the bloody door!"

"So... you know your employers are one of the most influential people on the planet..." the figure smiled: "... and your first course of action was to blackmail them?" the figure caressed one of the bars of the cell door: "...not very bright are you"

"Listen to me!" The prisoner got up from his bunk: "I am done with you people. You unlock this door now, or the morning news broadcast will have a damn lot to talk about"

"Such a promising young man" the figure smiled: "Probably had a bright future ahead of you. Its a shame you committed suicide"

"...What the hell are you-" the prisoner muttered and suddenly flinched away from the door as the cloaked figure grinned:

"You must have felt indescribable shame after what you did in the village today... to hang yourself in such a crude fashion..."

"S-stay the HELL AWAY FROM ME!" The prisoner shouted, backing away and running into his bunk: "GUARDS! GUAAARDS!!!"

"They can't hear you" the figure smiled: "I sent them away" the door unlocked with a clank.

"NOO!!! SOMEONE!!!" The prisoner shrieked, falling down on his bunk:

"HELP MEEEE! HEEEEEEEEEELP!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH--"