the change of one

Chapters

Shadows
ones we seek
what my heart feels right
friendship over mission
choosing a side
The Equestria Games
stand by my friends

Shadows

The Change of one

Rated PG-13 Intense Action Violence throughout

During the events of episodes princess twilight sparkle

. The plate settled down right inside the bars of the cell. The guard quickly recoiled as an evil being appeared from the corner of the cell. It was known as a changeling. The changeling snarled violently at the guard and shoved his face into the food. The guard turned around only to be met with another changeling. He screeched as a black lightning bolt fired from the changeling’s horn. The guard fell. The one changeling approached the prisoner and threw him a pair of keys.
“Shadow” the savior began “the queen still needs you.”
The changeling named shadow opened up his cell and willingly followed. They both dragged the unconscious guard away and shoved him into the cell. The changeling raised his hoof and waved for shadow to follow. The calm sound of two more guards walking down a pair of stairs filled the ears of shadow. Both of the changelings ducked down behind a pair of boxes. The guards gasped at the sight of their fellow friend in the cell. Both changelings came up behind them. They both raised a hoof and brought it down on the guards. Their armor clattered on the ground. Shadow galloped to the end of the hallway swiftly and opened the door as his companion followed. They both ascended a flight of stairs that lead straight for the third level. There are three levels of the underground prison. Shadow was on the bottom. The stairwell allowed them to skip the second level but they both had to sneak passed the mess hall and through the supply warehouse.
“Are you sure we can get passed them? Without our power to change we will be easily spotted and both of us will be stuck in a cell. I might also mention this may spark a hunt for the queen. She will be under everyponies radar. We need to stay silent.” The changeling said.
“Don’t worry too much” Shadow started “We will be fine as long as you follow me closely.”

His partner nodded unsure about their current plan. From the door leading into the mess hall they spotted five guards. Shadow opened the door slowly and carefully slipped his way to a pillar. The guards were all sitting at one table. Shadow waved at his partner to follow him. All of a sudden the guards got up and dispersed away from the table. The tables offered little cover for sneaking. Shadow shook his head and swiftly dove for the next pillar. A guard started walking to his direction. Shadow braced himself and waved for his friend to take out the guard staring at his pillar. The other three walked to the elevator leading down to the cell blocks. They passed not noticing the two escapees. The one guard was about to join them when shadow while crouching behind his pillar grabbed the guard and choked him. The guard across the way gasped ever so slightly as shadows partner grabbed his neck, ripped off his helmet and threw his forehead into the wall knocking him out. The helmet flew away and nearly clattered on the floor but instead hit a flour bag left in the room. The guards entered the elevator and slowly descended into the prison. Shadow let go of his opponent and sprinted to the door leading to the exit. They both were about to open the door when in pushed open. Shadow was kicked away by his friend as three more guards appeared in the doorway. The unsuspecting guards walked out of the doorway. Shadow and his partner scrambled behind the white stone pillars and waited. The changelings cautiously opened the door to the exit as the guards walked towards the elevator. On the other side of the door Shadow sprinted to the end of the long hallway. The changeling followed Shadow down a corridor. The two galloped silently down the thin hallway.
“Where are we going?” the changeling asked.
“We are heading to the east tower.” Shadow replied.
He knew what to do. He planned to jump off the side while being carried by the other changeling. Shadow shoved open the last door to gaze upon the beautiful moon over Equestria. He let out a massive breath of relief.
He turned to his savior and told him “I never got your name.”
“It’s fury.” He replied.
Just then a loud siren blasted out over Canterlot. Shadow and Fury spun around and saw the guards sprinting towards them.

“You need to leave!” Shadow ordered “If they find us both…”
Fury nodded and flew away. Shadows wings however are forever damaged. In the fight for Canterlot they were broken by Rainbow Dash. It doesn’t bother him though. That’s when it happened. A spark ignited in front of him. He turned to spot the guards shooting stun spells at him. Shadow turned and galloped into the other direction. The bolts slammed into the ground around him. Shadows horn lit up with a white spark. He fired it towards the guards. A flash of white blinded them as shadow galloped away. Ahead was another pack of guards. Shadow stopped and looked back. The others were stumbling to him. He looked down at the fall to the earth and exhaled. It was a far drop…but the prisons wall was slanted. Shadow hopped of the side and started to slide down. More bolts slammed into the walls around him. The ground came up quickly. Shadow fell hard on the ground. A pair of hooves grasped his. He looked up as a royal guard tried to drag him away. Shadow stood up and flipped the guard on his back. Another one approached almost bucking him. Shadow raised his hoof and blocked it. Another pair of hooves came and grabbed his back. Shadow was forced onto his hind legs. He bucked away the guard attacking him and flipped over the one grappling him. A fountain lay in the middle of the courtyard. Shadow sprinted behind it as more guards approached shooting him with their horns. Parts of the fountain shattered as the guards fired. Shadow shot back with blue bolts. The shooting stopped and Shadow slowly got up. As he was peaking over the top a guard tackled him from the front. Shadows back was pressed down on the ground as his attacker growled at him. More approached. Shadow brought his hooves up and slammed them both in the assailant’s ears. The guard recoiled a bit. He then bucked the guard off of him. Another guard jumped at him. Shadow leapt into the air and dropped right onto the guards back. Shadow rolled off and ducked down as a hoof from another guard swung his way. He punched the guards face and quickly bucked away another. One tried to tackle him again. Shadow grabbed him and chucked him into the fountain statue. Just then an explosion filled the air. Shadow looked up and saw a tower falling. Fury detonated a tower and was now falling down towards them. Brick and mortar fell on the guards. Shadow quickly and swiftly rolled away as the tower crashed down on the guards knocking them out. Smoke and debris filled the air. Nopony could see Shadow…
The escaped changeling galloped away through the pathway his companion Fury made. A note appeared from a green smoke in front of him. The note opened up by itself and free floated as Shadow ran away.

“Shadow…” Queen Chrysalis’s voice echoed from the Note “Our time is at hand. The changeling army is gathering once again. I grow more powerful since my defeat at the Canterlot wedding. But now we come together… The foals Twilight and all of them must be silenced… but for now Shadow you have a special mission…Meet up with the Diamond dogs in the Everfree forest. They will show you the way to Ponyville. You are to follow those ponies that ended our chance so long ago… Twilight Sparkle, Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy are your targets. Follow and spy on them and inform me of everything. Good luck.”
Shadow nodded as he scrambled away into the forest.

ones we seek

Shadow walked along the dirt road and into the forest. The Everfree forest wasn’t a friendly looking place, but his contacts lay within it. The Diamond Dogs apparently had a run in with the one named Rarity. Shadow lifted up a log as his thoughts filled his head. He wished he could fly. But the brawl with the ponies made him weak. His wings permanently damaged and even his power which named him a changeling didn’t work all well. His power to change normally is hindered by a pain as well as it working for only a few hours. His horn was the only thing that seemed to function. It’s the only thing besides his look that gives him the right to call himself a changeling. He looked almost like any other changeling. The only thing separating him from the others now was he was growing a mane. He spiked it up around his horn. His wings will forever stay at his side. Shadow looked up thinking he was going to see the sky. Instead he was treated to the sight of leaves and trees which reminded him of his task at hand. Shadow looked down and continued on the path which he was told to take. Then he saw it, a stone grey castle just standing there. Shadow approached it and walked through the main door. The inside was fairly the same. It was a simple grey with flags hanging loosely. He continued his way into the library. The books were scattered on the floor. The library was nearly in ruins.

“You’re not exactly on time.” A voice said behind shadow.
Shadow spun around and saw them. Two Diamond Dogs leaned against the wall with a bag of jewels in their paws. Shadow walked up to them.

“Where are my targets?” Shadow questioned.
The Dogs walked up to him and handed him a parchment. Shadow unrolled it to see a map of Ponyville. There were six houses circled in red marker. He nodded slowly.

“Thanks for your help.” Shadow said “It looks as if you’ve already have been paid.”
The Dogs both opened their mouth to talk when they heard the sound of hooves walking near them. Shadow turned around and saw an outline of a shadow in the distance.

“Hide!” Shadow hissed.
The dogs sprinted as quietly as they could down a hallway. Shadow crouched down and hid behind a stack of books. He heard a huge gasp.

“Wow! Look at all these ancient books!” a voice said “It’s a veritable gold mine of information! I can’t believe it! WOOHOO!”
Shadow recognized this voice. It belonged to the leader of the very group he was after, Twilight Sparkle. He felt a book smash him in the face. He held his breath as a scream of pain was trying to escape. He slowly moved a book out of his face and saw the once unicorn now alicorn only a simple hooves length away. A spider crawled onto Shadows face. He shut his eyes and tried not to grab at it. He felt his body being shifted away. A wing brushed his chest. Shadow stopped breathing. He heard Twilight giggle. Shadow heard her laughs leave his pile of books. His head popped out from behind the pile. Twilight was sitting down reading another book on the far end of the room. Slowly he crawled out of the pile. Inch by inch he wiggled his way out quietly. Once he was out he let out a long but quiet sigh of relief. A thick book from the top of the pile wobbled around. Shadow turned around. His breathing stopped as the book slid down off from its place and slam onto the hard ground. Shadow dove behind a nearby broken bench and curled up into a ball. Twilight looked up from her reading and raised an eyebrow. She shrugged it off and continued. Shadow silently galloped away down a hallway. At this point Shadow was completely guessing on which way to go. But he made it. There was the exit.

“Um…Are you sure you need those tapestries?” another voice said. It was softer that the others. Shadow nodded and said to himself “Fluttershy.”
“But of course!” shadow heard “although I must admit these ruins are a fright.”
Shadow fell back behind a statue and scratched another one off of his list, Rarity.
“Look at all the dirt everywhere!” she exclaimed.
Shadow giggled at her when he heard Fluttershy yell out “Angel!”
He looked at the exit and saw briefly a little white bunny hopping into his view. Shadow crouched under a bunch of rubble as the sound of galloping hooves passed him by. There they were, Fluttershy and Rarity. He smirked and turned toward the exit when a shadow approached.

“Aw, crud!” Shadow whispered. He spun around and silently galloped away and into a larger room with two large tapestries. The two ponies were in the distance talking to each other. The little bunny was standing in front of Fluttershy. He quickly ran to the opposite side of the room and hid on a staircase.
“-or trip on a loose stone! You have to be careful!” Fluttershy talked to her bunny and got up to follow Rarity.
“Well it looks like I'm staying the night here.” Shadow said to himself.

He walked out into the middle of the room when he heard Spikes voice.
“I don’t think I’ll need all those candles Twilight. I was only scared for a second.”
Shadow ran into a corridor and turned around.
Twilight’s voice chimed in. “Oh these aren’t for you spike, we are gonna studying late into the night, and we are gonna need all the light we can get.”
Another set of hooves were approaching. Shadow hoof palmed himself as Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash approached.
He shook his head and sat down to listen to them.
“Well! Here we are!” Apple Jack exclaimed.
Rainbow Dashes voice popped in “ehh what's so daring about this place? This is where we got the elements of harmony!”
Shadow from his hiding spot listened to Apple Jack tell the story about how nightmare moon was banished. Apparently not all of her dark magic left.

“Granny used to say, when night falls on the castle, that magic takes the form of… THE PONY OF SHADOWS!”
Shadow shook his head; double hoof palmed and simply whispered “Wow, Really?”
He heard there hooves slowly disperse. Shadow moved up the staircase and up to a balcony overlooking the room. There they were walking. Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash stopped and looked up at the moving tapestries. Shadow was confused. They both all of a sudden screamed. Shadow ducked down as he heard them yelling and shouting. He laughed and continued to the end of the hallway. He searched the rooms for anything useful. Shadow Crept around checking corners. A strange disoriented voice echoed through the hallways. Shadow perked his ears up and spun around. It sounded like the word castle but he wasn’t sure. He rounded another corner and came to another staircase. Quickly seeing that there wasn’t much cover he ran down the stairs. His hoof became stuck for a second.

“Dang it!” Shadow exclaimed. He stumbled and tumbled down the circular stairs and all the way down to the bottom.
A cut appeared on his forehead as he got up. He felt dizzy when an organ out of nowhere sounded. Shadow scrambled to attention and searched the hallway. He sound of speeding hooves was approaching him fast. Out of what seemed like nowhere two bodies, one blue and one orange, slammed into him. Shadow was knocked back and saw both Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack speeding down the hallway. For some reason he decided to follow them. They ran for a while but stopped. Behind them Shadow leapt from cover to cover stalking them. He would stare at Rainbow Dash from time to time as his memory of the fight would kick in. She did this to me…There’s Rainbow Dash Flying while I'm here grounded for life. Shadow Fought for self-control as his thought of the mission was clouded by his rage for Rainbow Dash. They eventually stopped at a hallway. Shadow thought to himself, I can’t be near her anymore. I should go.
Shadow slowly turned around and headed into the opposite direction…

Some time ago… The Canterlot battle
The changeling army bashed their own bodies against the pink force field. Slowly but surely the shield was shattering. One final effort and the shield broke. Shadow followed his companions to the fight below. He activated his green Shield as he slammed into the ground almost squashing Apple Jack. He got up as his comrades gave chase. Finally they caught up. The ponies were surrounded by the army. One by one they changed into one of the six. Shadow himself transformed into Rainbow Dash. They charged at each other. Shadow flew towards Rainbow Dash who had already taken out multiple changelings. But there they were, face to face. Shadow Changed back into himself and lunged for Rainbow Dash. She flew up and nearly slammed down on Shadow. He moved out of the way and fired his horn at her. She dodged the Laser and tackled Shadow. He kicked her over his head and she took off flying. Shadow followed her. Down below the battle raged. The mane six were holding their ground. Shadow fired more at Rainbow Dash. The bolts flew past her. She turned into a building and crashed through it. Shadow followed still firing. Rainbow Dash swooped down near the ground hitting Changelings as she passed. Shadow shot at her more. The bolts slammed into the ground around her. But she quickly spun around and flew straight at Shadow. He was caught by surprise as Rainbow Dash Simply put out her arm and hit his wing. Shadow felt a sharp burning pain in his left wing as he fell down to the ground. He tried to get up. Rainbow Dash galloped toward him as he tried to fire again. Shadows bolts missed as Rainbow Dash bucked him into the wall. Shadow scrambled to his hooves as her hoof swung at him. Shadow blocked it and quickly hopped up and bucked her stomach. Shadow charged at her again. Rainbow Dash braced as the two clattered together. Rainbow Dash was on the bottom of Shadow as she noticed his other wing. She punched Shadows face and grabbed his other wing and bent it out of shape. Shadow teared up and cried out as a deafening violent shattering pain shot from his wing. Rainbow Dash kicked him with great power as he was sent flying into a wall. He slowly closed his eyes as the ponies reached the vault…

Shadow slowly opened his eyes. A pony approached him. Shadow gulped knowing that the battle was lost.
The Pony Aloe spoke “I don’t really care about your kind really, but Princess Celestia asked me to take care of you.”
“Where am I” Shadow asked.
“Now you’re at my spa in Ponyville. Once your body is healed more, you will be sent back to Canterlot.” Aloe told him.
Shadow tried to sit up. “Ow!” he shouted “My Wings!”
“Careful!” Aloe exclaimed.
“What happened to my wings?!” Shadow exclaimed.
“They’re broken, changeling!” Aloe said “The doctor said they will heal and be able to fold back, but you will never fly again.”
Shadow watched Aloe walk away. He lied back down and stared at the blank ceiling. He loved to fly. That was the best thing that’s ever happened to him. The wind in the sky made him feel free. Shadow frowned and shut his eyes as a tear slowly made its way down his face…

…Present day…

He heard a loud gasp and turned around. Rainbow Dash was speeding towards him. Shadow jumped behind rubble as the pony flew by. Down the hallway he went unknowingly heading straight for four of his targets. He walked out of the hallway as Rarity, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash screeched out in terror.
Shadow jumped and ran back down the hallway. He actually was kind of laughing at them. Fluttershy was trying to pick up a fallen pillar, Rainbow Dash was frantically flying in circles, Apple Jack was running around screaming, while Rarity was bawling with a sheet on top of her. Shadow tried to contain his laugh but he exploded onto the ground rolling and laughing as quietly as he could. He noticed Twilight standing and just staring at the chaotic ponies. Shadow quit laughing as soon as Twilight stopped everyone. He saw twilight calm all of her friends down. The sound of the eerie organ he heard from earlier made the ponies jump. The Changeling turned around to try and spot where that music was coming from. He continued down a hallway when a green mist appeared in front of him.
“Shadow” Queen Chrysalis said “What is happening, have you met our contacts yet?”
Shadow looked at his queen’s face through the smoke. “I found the dogs and I got the locations of their houses. Also the ponies came to the rendezvous point. I'm hiding as we speak.
“Nice work Shadow” The Queen complimented “since these ponies are out, I need you to put these devices in each of their houses.”
“Will do, my queen.” Shadow finished as the message disappeared…

Hours later…

A black pony with a blue and grey spiked mane walked through the streets of Ponyville. He walked to the house of Pinkie Pie. All around him other ponies walked about taking care of their own business. He knocked on the door. There was no answer. The mysterious pony swiftly picked the lock and entered the house. Shadow closed the door and transformed back into himself. Shadow walked into the main room and put the little box shaped object under a couch and walked out of the room. He turned back into his pony form and locked the front door. Shadow quickly walked out the back door and out into the alley. In the alley he marked of Pinkie Pies name and started toward Twilights house. One by one he set the devices in each of their houses. Last was Rainbow Dashes home. There was only one problem. Rainbow Dash lived in the clouds.
“My Queen… I’ve hit a problem.” Shadow began. “Rainbow Dashes house is out of my reach”
Queen Chrysalis nodded through the green screen that blended with the smoke. “Shadow, I will send someone to tag this Rainbow Dash. Your job is to once again keep an eye on the ponies and send me anything important you have learned from them.”
Shadow nodded as the green smoke dispersed. He made the long trek back to his safe house. The house was hidden deep in the Everfree forest behind the thickest of brush. Shadow sat down on his bed and sipped a cup of water.

what my heart feels right

Shadow crept through the forest of apple trees slowly and silently. It’s been a while since shadow was at the castle. He has seen the ponies help the one named Daring Do and even the ponies getting sucked into a book. So far they haven’t caught him. Shadow was now on Apple Jacks farm, avoiding a newly formed Flutterbat. It was dark out and Shadow wasn’t able to use any of his magic to create light. He formed a pair of night vision goggles and put them on. The world turned into a green and black combination as Shadow continued his way into the apple forest. He walked calmly when he heard a loud ear shattering screech. He heard the ponies shout. Around he looked, but Flutterbat was nowhere to be found. A hiss was heard in the distance; Shadow stopped and crouched down behind the nearby brush. He peeked over and saw Fluttershy who had been transformed into a bat. She sat down munching on an apple. Shadow stared at her eat the apple viciously. Fluttershy looked up from her apple and stared at the sky. All of a sudden she took off. Shadow lost her for she was quick. He frantically searched for her spinning his head around. Shadow got up slowly and started to walk away. An apple rolled in front of him. Shadow looked up from the apple but saw nothing. Sweat flew off of shadows head as he walked the pathway back to his infiltration point. He felt like he was being watched. Shadow spun around but saw nothing but trees. The hisses of the flutterbat filled the silent air along with the screams of the ponies as Shadow waited under a bunch of fallen trees. After a while the ponies caught The Flutterbat and turned her back into Fluttershy. The ponies gave their little after lesson which he has been writing down. Shadow then swiftly exited the forest.

It was sunny the next few days. Shadow had transformed back into his cover and was sitting outside a café in Manehattan. He took a drink of his soda and stared across the street at the ponies who were looking for a taxi. Shadow saw them walk away with no luck as drops of rain started to pour down on Manehattan. The soda bottle emptied as shadow sipped his last drops of soda and threw away his cup. Shadow arrived at his hotel room and quickly checked in. As soon as he opened his door, his body burned back into his changeling state. He gasped for air as his body transformed into the changeling he was. Finally he had finished. He quickly regenerated his energy and continued on to rarities show.
Shadow walked behind the alley way to the building which contained the contest. He scanned his surroundings and pulled out what looked like a fly. Shadow set up the mini drone and flew it through an open vent. Shadow navigated the drone through the maze of vents until he came upon a room filled with cloths.

“My, your collection is gorgeous!” a voice echoed through shadows headset. Shadow flew the drone into the room and landed on a desk behind a mirror.
“Oh, Now I'm sure your collection is equally lovely if not more so.” Shadow aimed the head at Rarity and smiled. Gotcha!
He listened in the conversation. It was just about cloths when all of a sudden, the one pony left rarity alone. She bolted pretty quickly after Rarity handed her a piece of her fabric. Shadow considered following her but decided no.
Shadow spied on Rarity for a little while before calling his drone back. He called it a day and went back into his hotel until the competition began.
The drone quickly made its way back into the theatre but this time he landed on a chair in the main hall. He saw two contestants before rarities friend came on stage. Shadow was at a shock to see her with rarities fabric. He tuned in the mike and listened to her talk. Rarity bolted for her competition and started to yell. Shadow listened through his camera. That’s kind of a jerkish thing to do! Shadow thought. He saw rarities eyes fill with tears as she stormed off. The changeling felt something inside of him. He felt a somewhat burning sensation inside of him and decided to follow the pony named Suri Polomare and her assistant Coco Pommel. Suri treated her assistant Coco like crap. Shadow disliked this. They sat down at a café and Coco bought her a coffee. Suri spit it out and yelled for Coco to give her another one. Coco frowned and simply said yes. Shadow snapped at that moment. He flew the drone onto her head and waited for Coco to bring her another coffee. Shadow looked at the Coffee and flew the drone into it. Suri shouted and fell back as coffee spilled all over her. The drone was destroyed but it lasted long enough to fill shadow with satisfactory that justice was done. Back at his hotel room he heard about the ponies working in their hotel room. Shadow sent out an ant drone and went inside. He saw the ponies working on multiple sewing machines. Twilight mentioned food. Shadow saw rarity turn into a rude and bossy pony. She started to freak out. Shadow started to feel sorry a little. He drove the Drone back and went to sleep.
Shadow walked past the security as his pony form and sat down. He watched multiple contestants go up and applauded to each one of them. Suri walked up onstage and immediately frowned. He knew she cheated her way and he didn’t like that. Shadow watched as she showed of her cloths to the oblivious crowd. Shadow was the only one who didn’t clap. Then he heard Rarities name and he looked up. She actually redeemed herself. Shadow spied her looking through the curtains with a large gaping smile. Shadows face for some reason smirked and nearly clapped at the sight of a happy face. But soon her face turned into a frown. Shadow also knew what happened. Her friends weren’t there. He remembered the way she treated them. Shadows brain fogged up with thoughts and memories. At that moment, shadow got up and left. He walked and sat in the restaurant across the street and ordered another soda. He thought of his actions throughout this event. He remembered his mission, but for some reasons his thoughts of today and yesterday flooded over the thought of his queen and the uprising. Suri left the building as Shadows thoughts clouded himself. He focused and saw Suri and her assistant Coco along with the trophy. They hopped into a taxi and drove away. Shadow quickly searched around for anypony watching. He shot a tracking spell at the taxi. He felt his body burn. His time as a pony was almost up. He quickly left the restaurant and went down the street towards his hotel. He was in the main lobby when his legs started to burn the worst. Shadow glanced down and saw his skin burn off slowly. There we a lot of ponies in the main lobby. He quickly stumbled into an elevator as his hoofs started to turn into the changeling he was. The elevator stopped and opened up. Shadow came face to face with Rainbow Dash. She wasn’t looking very happy.

“Oh sorry…” The Pegasus stated.
Shadow walked out and saw his mortal enemy close the door to the elevator and go down. The changeling didn’t feel the same way. He didn’t hate them or want to laugh at them. He felt a wave of sorrow engulf him. The pain of his change seemed to disappear when all of a sudden another voice said excuse me. Shadow let another pony passed as his hooves began to show. He ran to his room and pushed it open. The lock clicked as shadow transformed into his changeling state. He gazed into the mirror and thought for the quickest moment. Would they befriend me? Would I be considered a friend? Shadow shook his head rapidly and remembered Suri.
“Are you Coco Pommel?” Shadow asked to the pony.
“

Yes, who are you?” She replied.
Shadow had snuck into a fancy dinner party with an intent he never thought would happen. He was going to steal the trophy and give it to Rarity, but he needed some help. Coco was an unwilling assistant who knew what was right and wrong. Shadow just met her near a table serving food.

“That’s not important now, what is important is you knowing that statue with Suri belongs to Rarity.” Shadow stated. “I want to steal it and give it to its rightful owner”
Coco understood as they walked to the next serving table.

“Well what have you got planned?” She asked.

“I'm going to create a distraction. Those security agents are my target. I’ll turn the attention to me, but you will quickly steal the trophy and get out of here.”
Coco nodded and sat down next to Suri. Shadow gave out a sigh and headed for the suit wearing agents. The world seemed to slow down as Shadow headed for the men. The guards noticed him and extended a hoof out to stop him. Shadow turned around and bucked one guard as he was sent flying into the drink table. Another guard tried to tackle him, but Shadow grabbed him and threw him down. Everyone in the room stared at Shadow as more men appeared. Coco quickly swooped up the trophy and headed for the door. Shadow saw her exit and figured it was his turn. He kicked another agent away and whipped out a smoke grenade and threw it to the ground. Smoke filled the room and Shadow sprinted to the exit.

Coco and Shadow walked together far away from the party.
“So who are you?” Coco asked the mysterious pony.

“My name is Shadow” he answered

“Why are you helping me?” She asked

“I don’t know…I felt it was wrong after seeing Rarity being generous. “Shadow replied.

“I never liked working with Suri. She isn’t a nice pony. She always treats me like garbage but I had to get a job somewhere.”

“You have to give it to them…I can’t. “ Shadow quickly retorted.

“Why?” Coco asked.

Shadow quickly sprinted away leaving Coco behind to take the trophy to Rarity…

friendship over mission

Shadow stared at the ceiling as images of the events before he got home played through his head. He turned on his side and stared at his reflection. Shadows own eyes filled up with tears as he whimpered. He sat up and put his hooves over his blue eyes and cried. The weeping changeling fell to the floor with a flood of tears spilling out. Shadow curled up into a ball as the simple images in his mind became a short film…

….Earlier….

Shadow entered the room quickly and shut the door. His changeling skin began to seep its way through his disguise. He had just returned from his journey to Manehattan when a puff of green smoke appeared. Shadow prepared himself the best he could for the queen.

“Shadow” the queen said “what is the situation? Have you found out anything new?”
Shadow spoke “Yes my queen”

“This better be worthy enough information shadow. I'm not one to lie; your past reports haven’t exactly been fruitful of information.” explained Queen Chrysalis’s.
“I followed Rarity throughout Manehattan and I'm happy to report, I found something strange. Another pony gave her a rainbow spool which concerns me only because of one thing. I saw her at the contest…” Shadow was about to tell her more when he remembered what he did.

“Um…” Shadow stumbled with his words “Her eyes… it was like you told me in the briefing when I broke out of the prison. The rainbow flash.”
“Very good Shadow, Inform me if the other ponies have this phenomena. Tirek was worried about this.” And with that Queen Chrysalis hung up and the smoke dispersed. He sat back down as a flash of heat traveled his body. He didn’t tell her about what he did. The memories of helping Coco and even the memory of feeling sorry for Rarity filled his head…

It was the morning and the ponies were about to leave. Shadow quickened his pace and from behind the building turned into his pony form. He looked for his train car and nearly started to sprint for it. He was nearly there when he felt a force knock him on his side. Shadow usually would have been pretty angry but for some reason, he looked up and said sorry automatically to the pony he bumped into. He came face to face with none other than Rainbow Dash.

“Oh my gosh, I'm sooo sorry!” She said.
Shadow froze for a second as the pony reached her hoof out. He shook himself awake and grabbed her hoof. Rainbow Dash pulled Shadow up quickly and nearly instantly recognized him.

“Hey! I’ve seen you before!” Rainbow Dash said
Shadow quickly retorted “Yeah! Uhhh, I saw you for a brief second in Manehattan right?”
Rainbow Dash scratched her head for a brief second but quickly said “OH YEAAH! I'm Rainbow Dash!”
She extended her hoof again. Shadow grabbed it and a burst of bad memories rushed his head. The memory of the fight burned his brain for a brief second.
“ Uh, I'm Shadow Strike.” Shadow replied.

“Shadow Strike huh? That’s a cool name, where ya off to Shadow?”
“I'm uh heading to the Equestria Games” Shadow said.
“Cool! I'm the captain of team Ponyville.” Rainbow Dash said
“I’ll be Cheering for ya” Shadow said. And with that Shadow entered the car and took his seat…
Shadow sat and stared out of his window at the beautiful landscape. All of a sudden he felt the brush of a wing on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Rainbow Dash smiling at him.
“Oh hey, what's up?” Shadow asked Rainbow Dash.
“Awe nothin much… you?” She said
Shadow shook his head and felt his cheeks burn. “Uhhh How’s your team doing?” He tried to spark a conversation.
“They're doing okay…” She said. “Ya know I haven’t seen you ever in Ponyville. Are you new?”
Shadow nodded. Rainbow Dash then asked “Why aren’t you on the team? You seem like a good flyer.”
Shadow forced himself not to blush. He then was reminded of his broken wings. The memory faded in an instant as the face of Rainbow Dash woke him up. “OH uh, I had an accident and permanently broke them…”
Rainbow Dashes smile turned into a frown and said “I'm sorry…Well…I gotta check on the team… seeya around Shadow!” Rainbow got up smiled at shadow and moved to the next car.
Shadow smiled back and went back to staring out of his window.

The sky was clear, except for the competitors in the sky. Shadow felt a stab of jealousy overcome him as a Pegasus flew over his head. He pushed it aside and focused. He scanned the place for Rainbow Dash. Eventually he found her among her team. The one named Bulk Biceps was flying. A Fritter came out of nowhere and hit him in the face. Shadow laughed as the Giant Pegasus hit the ground. He looked over and saw where the fritter came from. Apple Jack tried to launch one into Bulk Biceps mouth. Later they tried passing batons. After failing, Shadow noticed Rainbow Dash seemed to be not doing well…

Shadow followed them to the Wonderbolts training course. He looked up and saw Soarin blazing through the course. Across the field he saw Rainbow Dash gazing at him. Shadow looked up again and saw Soarin fly through the loops. But as soon as Soarin hit his wing on the loop, a memory bashed strait into Shadows skull. The battle raced through his head as the unshakeable memory of the pain shot through his body. Shadow looked away and walked away…
He sat from under the tree staring at Rainbow Dash who had begun to practice with the Wonderbolts. Shadow saw her transition from her team to the Wonderbolts. He knew what had happened. She was practicing with the wonderbolts but not telling her team. Shadow wanted to confront her but he decided to let it play out. The progress of team Ponyville wasn’t exactly good. Shadow watched as Rainbow Dash repeatedly ditched her team and practice with the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy and Bulk Biceps were good team members but Rainbow Dash didn’t like practicing with them. Shadow finally broke. He walked up to Twilight Sparkle who seemed to already be suspicious of her.

“Hey Twilight Sparkle, you got a minute?” Shadow asked
Twilight nodded and walked to Shadow “What is it?”
Shadow told her everything “She is practicing with the Wonderbolts. I just though you should know…”
Twilight said “Yeah I kind of guessed.”
Shadow nodded and walked away “Don’t tell her I told you.” He said.
Shadow sat down next to her and just let his mind speak. They talked about Ponyville, the fun she had in her adventures with her friends, even the fight against Discord. They both laughed and talked for what Shadow thought was hours. Eventually the fight for Canterlot came up. Shadows memories haunted him up until she asked him one question “So… how did you hurt your wings?”
Shadow seemed to freeze as he tried to come up with a quick lie “I…uh….got into a fight with someone. They broke my wings…”
Rainbow Dash frowned and said “I'm sorry…seeing us out here flying must be tough. How much did you like to fly?”
Shadow replied “Oh, I love it. Every time I had the chance or choice to fly, I did. The wind in my face was the best. I could spend days up there…”
Rainbow dash listened to Shadow go on and on about flying.

“Hey Shadow,” She started “I was wondering if I could tell you tell a secret…”
Shadow looked at her and said “You’re practicing with the Wonderbolts…”
Rainbow Dashes jaw dropped. Shadow nodded and asked “Is it really worth it?”
She looked at the floor and back up at Shadow “Yeah… I wanted to ask a favor.”
Rainbow Dash quickly explained what Twilight told her. Shadow listened to her completely forgetting the past.
“I just wanted to know what you would do.” Rainbow Dash asked Shadow.
Shadow Nodded slowly and simply said “This is your choice Rainbow Dash. You need to make the right one.”

Rainbow Dash then walked through what Twilight told her. She wanted to act like she was hurt so she wouldn’t have to choose. Shadow went through with the plan… He gathered the things for her and helped wrap her up.
“Listen…” Rainbow Dash started “I am sorry about your wings…I could never go through that…”
Shadow wasn’t prepared for what came next. Rainbow Dash extended her arms and hugged him. Shadow felt a warm fuzzy feeling in him and accepted her hug. For once in his life someone actually hugged him…

Rainbow Dash let go “Hey listen, I gotta go…thanks for your help...”
Shadow waved bye and trotted away with a new feeling inside of him.

Shadow hoped that team Ponyville would qualify. He sat down and saw Bulk Biceps and Fluttershy do the course. As she neared Rainbow Dash though, a message came through. The green smoke came out of nowhere and surely enough the voice of Queen Chrysalis came through. All of a sudden Shadow remembered who he was. However the memories of his time with the ponies changed him. His mortal enemy turned out to be his best friend. He tried to keep a serious face.

“Shadow, what is your report?” She asked.

“Oh my Queen!” Shadow started “uh. Nothing to report today…just simple pony stuff…”

“If anything changes please contact me.” And the Queen hung up.
Shadow quickly looked for Rainbow Dash. She was blazing her way through the course. His heart was pounding knowing that the time was almost up. When Rainbow Dash passed the checkpoint Shadow uncontrollably jumped up and threw his hands in the air. He shouted her name “Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! YEEAAAHH!”
He felt his insides glow as he jumped up and down. Shadow was so happy she made it. Later that day the ponies all celebrated. Pinkie Pie dropped off an invitation for Shadow who was about ready to leave…
Shadow walked over the hill and saw Rainbow Dash. She waved at him and Shadow waved back.
“Hey Shadow…I gotta surprise for ya!” Rainbow Dash said.
Shadow followed her shortly to her group of friends. Shadow almost was confused and scared at the same time. He was worried they would find out he was a Changeling. He still had time however before his spell would wear off.
“Shadow, come here!” Twilight shouted.
He walked with a confused face towards Twilight. Just then Twilight introduced him to all of her friends. Shadow felt a shower of heat and happiness overcome him. All of a sudden a red and pink lighting ball shot at him. He gasped as it traveled straight to him.
“Don’t move Shadow!” Twilight ordered.

Shadow shut his eyes and braced for the hit. Its over he thought. Just then he felt a small pulse pass through him. Shadow opened one eye then the other. He looked at his hooves. He was still in disguise.
Twilight’s voice chimed in “Rainbow Dash told me to research a spell that may help you get your flight back.” Shadow couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “It looks like it may have worked! Try and open up your wings and flap.” Twilight suggested.
Shadow slowly opened up both of his wings without a pain blasting through him. He chuckled and smiled.
“Good! Now try” Twilight was cut off as Shadow blasted off from the ground and flew straight up with no problem.
Shadows smile turned into a loving laugh as he let himself fall after climbing over 2000 feet in a matter of seconds. He dove back down nearly touching the ground in a dive bomb. Rainbow Dash joined him. They flew together for the longest time. A tear escaped Shadows eye and fluttered down onto the dirt. Shadow turned around and landed right in front of Twilight Sparkle
“Oh my goodness Princess Twilight Sparkle thank you!” Shadow shrieked out.
Shadow didn’t think. He lunged for Twilight and embraced her with all of his might. Tears began to shower out from his eyes. Rainbow Dash was the next to join the hug. Shadow turned around and threw both of his arms around her. Twilight hugged his back. Soon Apple Jack joined then Rarity, then Fluttershy, then Pinkie Pie. Shadow bawled onto her shoulder. He never felt so happy. No one, not even Shadow, noticed him slipping back into his changeling form. Shadow felt everyone slowly let go. He felt Rainbow Dash drop her hooves. Shadow looked up and saw all of them staring at him. He looked down at his hooves and saw the Swiss cheese arms. Slowly he gazed at the mane six.
“I'm…” Shadow lost his words…

choosing a side

Twilight was the first to act. She fired a stun bolt at shadow. He ducked it and Ran straight at Twilight. His body collided with hers and they both tumbled a few feet. Shadow scrambled to his feet and galloped away towards the train station. The ponies gave chase. Shadow wiped away the last of his tears. A bolt exploded next to him. He looked back and twilight was firing at him. He turned around and blew open the wall to the office. He jumped through it. He broke open the front door as Rainbow Dash tackled him from the back. Once again he felt a sharp pain in his right wing. Shadow threw her off and tried to get to the train. A strong kick from the side sent Shadow flying through the side of the train. The wall broke and he landed in a seat. The train moved forward. Shadow got up and was immediately tackled by Apple Jack. She punched his face until Shadow bucked her off into a window. The rest of the mane six jumped onto the last car as the train sped off to Fillydelphia. Shadow bucked Apple Jack away and ran off to the front of the train. The train was ten cars long and filled with passengers. Shadow was in the fifth car. Other passengers ducked under their seats as the fight raged. Twilight sparkle broke through the door and fired several shots of stun spells at Shadow. He ducked behind a seat as bolts slammed into the cover. Shadow stood up and fired an automatic stun spell at her. The spells tore through the sides of the train.

Shadow closed his eyes and fired an explosive spell at Twilight. The train exploded and parts flew in all directions. The last car was unhooked from the rest of the train. Twilight along with Pinkie Pie and Rarity focused on getting the train to stop. Fluttershy fell back to help them. Shadow turned around and went into the next car. As Shadow walked forward a thick object smashed the window and nearly hit him. Shadow peeked out the window and saw Rainbow Dash carrying Apple Jack with a bag of her Apple treats. The mountain side railroad hung off of a big drop. Snow started to appear. Shadow ducked as more of Applejacks food busted through the glass. Shadow crawled to the seventh car while being peppered with shards of glass. Shadow fired back stun spells but missed. He tackled the door to the next car and. He sprinted through it but was stopped by Apple Jack. Rainbow Dash dropped her off on the next car. Applejack galloped towards him. Shadow dove out of the side of the window. Glass shattered as he hung from the side of the train. He climbed to the top of the train and saw Rainbow Dash flying furiously towards him. Shadow ducked almost feeling Rainbow Dashes fur. Shadow got up and jumped into the next car. He was in the fifth car when he heard Apple Jack try and tackle him. Shadow spun around and felt a body pummel him to the ground. Shadow forced her aside into the wall. He got up the same time Apple Jack did. Applejack jumped up and kangaroo bucked Shadow into the door. His changeling body slammed into and broke down the door to the fourth car. From the ground he fired his magic at Applejack making her duck down. Shadow used another spell he knew and disconnected the train cars. Apple Jacks car let go and all that was left was Rainbow Dash. Shadow spotted her flying alongside the train. She however fell back to help Apple Jack. Shadow continued to the conductor’s seat. He made it to the last car when Rainbow Dash broke through a window in front of him. She lunged for Shadow. He felt her body collide into his. Shadow lay on the ground with Rainbow Dash on top of his body. He blocked a punch and pushed his enemy off of himself. Shadow fired a blast of fire at Rainbow Dash unwillingly. The fireball slammed into the train’s wall. A bright yellow explosion rocked the train as the ball made a giant hole in the side of the car. Shadow jumped up as Rainbow Dash got up. Shadow felt a hoof grab his leg. He fell onto the floor. Shadow kicked Rainbow Dashes foot away and sprinted to the door leading to the main train. The driver gasped at Shadow entered the room. Just then Rainbow Dash entered.

“I can’t believe I was friends with a Changeling!” She yelled out.
“Why!?” She yelled “I thought you were my friend!”

“I'm sorry!” Shadow shouted back.
He lunged for the controls. The conductor tried to stop him. He shoved Shadow into the main control system. Everything shattered.
Rainbow Dash gasped as the train slowly started to gain speed.
Shadow looked over the side of the train and saw the bank of the hill the track was on. Just then the train jerked forward. Shadow leaned out of the window and saw one of the wheels of the train had come loose. He spun around and saw Rainbow Dash leave the train and go in front of it. Shadow felt the train start to tip over. He looked at the cars behind him and saw them slowly coming off of the track. Just then Rainbow Dash came back in.

“I can’t stop it!” she yelled.
Shadow then saw his entire world turn on its side. The train flipped over and was sliding down the side of the mountain. Shadow looked at Rainbow Dash as a piece of metal from the train hit her across the head. Shadow lunged for her and grabbed her body. He tossed her to the ground and covered her. The conductor did the same. Shadow was hit with various items. Just then a giant piece of metal struck his side. He yelped out as the train continued to slide down. In the distance Shadow saw a tree. Soon it became a forest. Shadow shut his eyes… The front train that contained Shadow and Rainbow Dash slammed into the first tree. Shadow was lifted off of the ground with the Pegasus in his arms. The rest of the cars were sent flying into the distance crashing over. Shadow traveled through the glass of the front car and onto the snow. He looked down at Rainbow Dash who was still unconscious. The Pegasus leaned against his chest with small breathes. Shadow propped her up against a tree and walked to see the rest of the passengers. He saw all of them holding one another. Shadow spun around and galloped away as fast as he could…

…Days and episodes later…

He couldn’t stop crying. His bed became soaked with tears of this memory. He started to shout out I'm sorry, over and over again. He felt like dying at that moment. Never in Shadows life has any one given him this kind of love. The memories of Rainbow Dash filled his head. His feelings towards all of the ponies had changed. He forgot about his mission, his past, and even his queen. He was about to leave when A note appeared on the table. The note told him to go meet another changeling in Manehattan…

Shadow walked down the sidewalk. His wing had healed up but it was a pain to use. His next target was the coffee shop he used to go to when he followed Rarity. Shadow walked through the door and saw his contact. A blue and red pony sat down and sipped his coffee. Fury turned to Shadow as he sat down.
“I heard what happened…” began Fury “your cover was blown.”
Shadow sighed “Yeah... I was able to get some information before I had to bug out.”
“Shadow you did good. The queen actually wanted to thank you for your work. Even if you didn’t get as much info as we needed. You did your best man.” Fury said
Shadow Sipped a tea that was given to him and looked back at Fury “What happens now?”

“Well” Fury began “It’s time to push our plan forward. Tirek is coming and we need to help him take the princess and everyone out. Best way to do it…”
Fury stopped and looked around. No one was listening. He quickly casted a mute spell around them. It makes it sound like they are talking about something else.
“Well like I was saying, the best way to do it is to disrupt the land of Equestria. Anarchy and chaos will follow and the royals will be too busy trying to calm everypony down and attempting to quell our little insurgency. This will give Tirek another massive edge. We are planning on detonating a massive chunk of ice over the Equestria games.”
Shadows brain slipped into the memory of his past with the ponies, the hugs the happiness…The fight. He knew that Rainbow Dash and her friends were going to be there.

“The ice will crash down and crush thousands of little ponies. We are working with old friends of Daring Do… the bandits…Them along with some of us are going to set up a charge on the ice and then detonating it from under the stadium. We are using the underground training and staging area… I want to know if you want some payback.” Fury sat back
Shadow knew what his nature was telling him; however his heart was in a different position. His brain flooded with his memories of his past. His whole life as a changeling played in his head. The good and the bad circled around and around until one memory forced all the other ones out, even the battle of Canterlot. Rainbow Dash reached over and hugged him. He smiled at the thought, but was snapped back into reality when Fury spoke “You like the idea huh?”
Shadow knew what he had to do. “No…” he said
Fury was shocked “What?”
Shadow repeated himself.

Fury stared at him and spoke “Oh… I see…you became attached to them… how sweet. You’ve grown soft Shadow… You better think about what you’re going to do next... think real hard.”
Shadow looked up and stared fury straight in the eyes “I know what I'm doing next…”
Shadow flipped the table and changed into his original state. The table landed on Fury. Fury shoved it off of him and tackled Shadow into the bar area. Shadow was forced onto his hind legs while fury wrapped his hooves around Shadows neck. Shadow kicked fury in the stomach and pushed him off of himself. The customers watched in horror as two thought to be gone forever creatures brawl right in front of them. Shadow dodged a punch from Fury and pushed him into a shelf filled with cups. The shelf broke as the body smashed into it. Fury charged up his horn. Shadow jumped behind the counter as bolts of death hurled right at him. The cashier had called the police. Shadow popped up and returned fire. The other ponies in the café all dropped to the ground as the two traded shots. Shadow popped back up again with a metal pan as Fury closed in on him. Shadow hopped back over the counter and slammed the Pan in Furies face. Fury got back up and threw a chair at Shadow. He dodged it and threw the pan at Fury. Fury went to tackle Shadow. Shadow dropped on his back and threw Fury over him and into the table next to the door. He quickly fired a massive explosive bolt at Fury. Fury ducked as the whole front of the café exploded into a giant ball of yellow. Shadow saw no sign of Fury and zoomed out of the giant hole he made…

The Equestria Games

…Equestria Games…

The guard let the black and red pony through the metal detector and waved for the next one to come. Shadow thanked the guard and walked through. He had one mission today. Stop the changelings from detonating the bomb and apologize to the ponies. He spawned a tactical map and navigated away from the crowds. He looked for paths leading to the underground center. The main entrances were blocked but he saw a way through the bathroom. Shadow walked into the bathrooms. The place was filled with eager ponies waiting to see the games. Shadow walked into a stall and thought of a quick disguise. Out came a maintenance pony.
“Okay I need everypony to leave for at least 20 minutes. I'm going to fix something. I won’t be coming back this way.”
Shadow waited patiently for them to leave and opened up the vents that lead to the underground section. He crawled into the vent and closed it behind him. He opened up his map and set up virtual waypoints, along the way. Eventually he got to the end of his objective. The gate was forced open and Shadow dropped down onto the floor. Around him were boxes filled with things. Carts filled with food lined up. Shadow heard footsteps behind him. Two changelings walked up around the corner. Shadow dove behind the food carts. He peeked under the carts and saw them walked towards him. He let them pass. He fired a suppressed bolt at one changeling and tackled the other.

“Where is the detonator?” Shadow whispered violently in the changelings face.
The changeling growled at Shadow. Shadow punched his stomach as the growl became a whimper. “The locker rooms!” the changeling bursted out.
Shadow knocked the changeling out and continued to the locker rooms.
The games have started…the crowds cheered as the contestants entered the field.
“Oh no!” Shadow said.
He galloped faster and faster. Shadow came upon the locker door. He heard voices on the other side. He took a deep breath and kicked it open. Three changelings stood in the center of the room. Shadow fired his horn and killed the three changelings. He entered the locker room. Shadow spun around and saw a changeling charge him. He braced as the two bodies collided. Shadow threw the changelings head into a locker and slammed the door on his face. The changeling grabbed his head and crumpled to the ground. Shadow put the changeling on his side and asked “Where is the trigger?” Shadow asked.
The changeling gasped “Fury, our leader has it! He just went to the west side of the seats under the bleachers!”
Shadow threw him down and continued all the way to the west wing. Shadow caught a glimpse of the games. He saw team Ponyville. Shadow inside cheered for them as he raced for the detonator…

“Hurry up and get echo team back. The games have started and they are going to get seen.” Fury was barking out orders to the other changelings.
The three mercenaries who fought daring do walked up the Shadow “Sir? We aren’t hearing anything from sector three; I think we have a problem.”
Fury was confused and baffled at the same time. “Take a team and find out what happened.”
The three men took some changelings and walked away. Fury turned back to his changeling army. “Keep your eyes out for trouble!”
A body fell behind him…

Shadow looked up from his knocked out prey and stared at Fury. The changelings locked eyes. Shadow saw all of the changelings charge at him. He sprinted forward firing black bolts at them. Changelings dropped in front of him as the bolts found their targets. One changeling tackled him on his back. Shadow threw him off and immediately bucked another away. He punched another changeling away. Shadow moved forward punching and kicking his way through the changeling mob. Shadow tackled the one changeling and shot him point blank. Another tried to take him down. Shadow spun around and grabbed him. He tossed him onto the ground headfirst. A Changeling bucked at him. Shadow grabbed his legs and threw him into the wall.
Shadow punched the last changeling and stared at Fury.
“Put it down.” Shadow growled at him

Fury scoffed “Yeah, you’re not in a good position to make any demands. I hold the key to the lives of almost every single pony up there.”
Shadow noticed the trigger in his hands. “Once the awards are being handed out, I'm going to crush everypony up on the field, in the stands, and once that happens, chaos will follow. Right now it seems to be the archery contest. Let them enjoy the victory… you’ve made an enemy of your own kind. I can’t believe you.”
Shadow was stuck. He didn’t know what to do. All of a sudden a radio static came in. “SIR, THE ICE IS FALLING ALREADY!!!”
Outside the observing Changeling agent saw the ice block was disrupted by an archer.
“What happened?!” He shouted through the mike.
Shadow saw him close his grip on the detonator. He fired a bolt at Fury. The bolt hit Furies elbow and he recoiled back. Shadow tackled him to the ground and punched him. He stood up and walked over to the detonator. Shadow cut the wire and turned around. Fury was gone. Shadow walked away and shouted his name, but he was long gone. He picked up a hoodie and put it on. He wondered why the ice didn’t break through or why there wasn’t much chaos despite the ice falling. The Changeling reached the main seats to see what happened.

“What happened?” Shadow asked another pony
“Oh that little dragon spike Saved us!” She answered.
Shadow looked down at spike the dragon and smiled…

stand by my friends

Shadow locked the door and put as many objects in the way as possible. The reign of Tirek had begun. The queen had already deployed her special forces. They all had one target…Shadow was needed dead. Darkness fell over Equestria and Twilight and the Mane six were too busy to notice the many changelings slip by. Shadow knew they were coming his way. He boarded up the last window and sat down… days past as news of Tireks reign spread quickly. Discord had betrayed his friends and the evil Tirek was on his way to Ponyville already. Shadow ate food and from inside his house which was the size of Fluttershys house, kept himself fit…
Shadow had just begun to put a bowl of food onto the table. He sat down and as soon as he took the first bite, heard a knock on the door. He grabbed the bowl and put it down next to the opening. Shadow looked through a homemade peep hole. Outside behind the figure was an army of changelings. Shadow Looked and saw Him. Lord Tirek had come.

“Open up Shadow.”
Shadow stayed quiet and let Tirek talk. “We want to give you a second chance. Come out and rejoin these fine soldiers as they help infiltrate the world and spread my glory.”
Shadow grabbed the bowl and put a quick spell in it…
He climbed the stairs onto the top floor and peeked out of the window. Shadow broke the window open and tossed the soup which spilled out onto the changelings.
“Sorry!” Shadow yelled “Here lemme give you something else”
Shadow strained hard and heard it happen. Outside the soup ignited into a burst of fire. A massive explosion blasted Changelings everywhere.
“Shadow…” Tirek began “I'm not here to fight you… but they are.”

Tirek left the scene and left a large number of changelings left. They charged up their horns and fired at the house. Bolts of black started to tear up the house. Shadow ducked as shards of his house rained on him. Shadow looked at the boarded up door. It was shattering into nothing. He took a deep breath in. Memories flowed in, the Manehattan incident, meeting Rainbow Dash.
He opened his eyes and charged straight for the door. Two changelings were standing in front of the door getting ready to break it down. Shadow busted open the doors sending them flying. He rapidly fired bolts at them killing many. An explosion next to him knocked Shadow off of his feet. Shadow fired into the air. Down rained phosphorus shards. They burned the changelings as they tried to find their once brother. Shadow backed up to the patio to his house. The changelings fired a giant yellow ball of fire towards him. Shadow dove down as his house behind him exploded into pieces. Shrapnel sprinkled his body as he put his hooves on his head. Behind him his house had disappeared. Wood pieces littered the once called house. Shadow fired violently at the changelings. A body collided with his and he was sent to the ground. He elbowed the changeling on top of him and threw him away. His hooves collided with another changelings face. Shadow shot at the army in front of him. A large wood pole lay to his left. He grabbed it and hit the changelings in the head knocking them down. One tried to come up behind him. Shadow swung at him. The wood broke as it came into contact with the changeling’s neck. All of a sudden a blast came over him. He was sent flying into the surrounding trees. He looked up and saw the outline of Fury converged on him. Shadow tried to stand but it didn’t work. His world spun and turned to black…

Shadow woke up with his arms chained to a wall. The single lamp hung over shadows head. A door opened. In walked Fury alongside the queen. Shadow leaned forward and yanked at his chains. His horn was engulfed in a bubble of green. His magic didn’t work as he grunted and tried to force a fire blast out.

“Shadow, Shadow, Shadow…” the Queen repeated “I trusted you with a mission to bring your race back from the undergrounds. You betray your own kind to help these pitiful ponies. You are a disgrace. Tirek is fighting Twilight as we speak. Once he wins we will rule with Tirek as our commander. And me our rightful queen of Equestria. Fury will be the leading member in the Special Forces team I created. You however, will rot in a prison cell were you belong. You don’t belong with any of us. You’re not a pony and you’re definitely not a Changeling. This is good…”

Another changeling dressed in armor entered the room. “Tirek lost my Queen! Twilight has taken him down.
He formed a recording of the fight. Shadow looked at the screen and saw the whole thing…
Tirek was massive compared to the little Twilight sparkle. The library exploded twilight shot Tirek and he Shot Twilight. Shadow inside was cheering for her even though it had already happened. He saw Twilight ask for her friends back in exchange for the power, even Discord who had betrayed her. Shadow felt warm and fuzzy inside. Then the ponies came back. Tirek wasn’t even powerful to stop them. Shadow couldn’t help himself he laughed and cheered from in his cell. The queen was not happy. Fury walked over and punched the happy shadow in the chest. Shadow crumpled and weakened in his chains. He then went for Shadows left wing. Shadow screamed out as his left wing was destroyed. The pain made shadow tears fly out.
“Assemble the death Squad for tomorrow… I want Twilight and her friends and even Discord dead!”
Fury nodded and two of his armored guard walked out with him.
Shadow saw the Queen exit “Shadow…your so called friends will be gone by tomorrow.”
The queen walked out leaving a masked changeling in front of Shadow. He had to get out and warn twilight, but first the chains. He pulled on them but they didn’t budge. The green orb around his horn still wouldn’t come off. However soon it hardened. He quickly planned his way out…

Hours later…

“Hey you!’ Shadow yelled.
The guard walked over and leaned into Shadows face. With all of his might, Shadow slammed his head into the guard’s helmet and the orb shattered. Shadow heard the helmet crack. With his horn free he fired two explosives at his chains. Shadow pulled his chains off and opened the door. He was in the main camp of the Changelings. Shadow walked down the hallway until he reached a door. He opened it up and was revealed a prison camp. Barbed wire carved the perimeter along with hundreds of changelings waiting for the go to assault Ponyville. Shadow walked around. Tents and crude buildings surrounded him. Then he saw it. To his right at about 100 meters were carts and carriages piled high with explosives and supplies. He looked and saw that the camp was sloped. He was high above in the Foal Mountains. He nodded and swiftly walked towards the carts. A changeling patrol was approaching him. He dove behind a set of boxes and waited for them to pass. Shadow made his way to the carts again. He fell onto his stomach and crawled under a building to avoid another patrol. Shadow continued to crawl from under the building as snow and ice covered his naked body. On the other side he spotted the carts. Shadow sprinted to them not caring if he made noise. There were 20 carts lined up right next to the 5 carriages. Shadow saw the blocks on the tires. He worked fast. He took out the explosives to one cart and piled the rest into the other carriages.

“Hey!” Shadow heard behind him.
He fired a blast at the guard putting him into the ground. An alarm sounded. Shadow shot out the carts blocks and they began to roll for the front gate. Shadow jumped into his. Guards started to shoot him. Shadow fired back as he heard the snaps of the bolts flying right by his head. The carts began to roll faster. Shadow saw more guards pile in front of the gate. They fired furiously at Shadow. He ducked down as a bolt nearly took off his head. A head the guards had moved out of the way as the Carts approached. They slammed into the front gate one by one. But the gate stopped them. Guards formed defense lines right in front of the barricade and shot at Shadow. Shadow aimed right between the guards and fired. The red bolt traveled past all of the guards and hit the TNT crates. Shadow saw the carts turn into a giant bright ball of fire. The guards flew in all directions as the gate blew open. Shadow Slid down the mountain and shattered the destroyed gate.
“Yeah!” He shouted.

It was a long slide down. Shadow dodged the oncoming trees in his way. Just then a tree next to him exploded. He looked up and saw three changelings chasing him. Shadow Turned on his back and fired back. One bolt hit its target and he came crashing down into the trees below. The snow kicked up as the other two tried to shoot him. Shadow blasted them but they kept missing. A tree seemed to appear out of nowhere. Shadow jumped out of the cart as his ride was shattered into shards of wood. He was now sliding down the mountain. The two changelings followed. Shadow dodged the trees as well as the incoming fire from the two pursuers. He turned on his back again and fired at the other ones. One changeling was hit and went crashing into the ground. The next changeling had enough. He dove straight at him. Shadow shoved both of his hooves into the ground and slowed himself as the changeling landed right in front of him. He heard a snap and spun around to see the changeling arm bent out of shape. Shadow sighed with a relief and continued to Ponyville.

It was a beautiful sight. The castle which was now Twilights was excellent. Fury and 20 spec ops soldiers had arrived all under disguise. His plan was to storm the castle and take out Twilight and her friends…
Shadow had no time to transform. He sprinted passed the nearly empty Ponyville heading straight for Twilights new castle. It was about the middle of the day and has only been a single day since Equestria was threatened with a violent force of evil. Shadow saw it. The castle had crowds of ponies outside. He didn’t change and one of his changeling pals saw it. In the bushes an over watch for the squad had been placed. Shadow was met with a bolt nearly taking his head off. Shadow saw him come out of his hiding place. The changeling sprinted towards him firing bolts. Shadow Ducked down and fired bolts which slammed into his head. Shadow continued his mad dash to the castle. Ponies of all kinds were in the front with carts filled with delicious foods and gifts. They all gasped as Shadow sprinted through them pushing some ponies down. Shadow saw more changelings approach him. All of them were in disguises. Shadow fired a blast towards two of them. The carts behind them erupted in flames as they began to fire back. Shadow dove behind a cart full of gifts.

The vendor was holding his hooves over his head. The cart began to shatter away as bolts pelted the side. Shadow stood up and fired back. One of them went face first into the ground. The other was hit in the leg and was sent down to the dirt. Shadow sprinted towards the main entrance when it began to close. Shadow saw the changelings in disguise shutting the door. He fired at them hitting both of them in the head. Shadow busted through the door and made his way to the top floor. He arrived on the top floor and saw Fury meeting with Twilight. Shadow yelled out Rainbow Dashes name and she looked at the charging Changeling. Fury grabbed Twilight while the others tried to grab the other ponies. Apple Jack bucked them away while Discord tried to protect Fluttershy. Shadow Jumped up and kicked a changeling in his face. All of a sudden everything stopped. Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Rarity were in the clutches of the changelings while the others backed away slowly. Shadow had been surrounded by multiple changelings.

“Shadow” Fury started “good you are here. Now you get to see me execute your pony friends one by one.”
Shadow breathed heavily and saw the fear in the ponies eyes. He looked behind them and saw the other three along with Discord. He saw something else. Discord was going for a chair. And under the chair right below Fury he saw Spike getting ready to pounce. Shadow nodded slowly to both of them. Spike bit the leg of Fury and Discord swung a nearby chair at the changelings. Shadow lumped up and bucked two of his assailants away. He fired his horn at the two behind him sending them flying. Twilight wrestled out of Furies grip and flipped him onto the floor. Rainbow Dash swung out of the changelings reach. She flew up carrying her enemy and slammed him hard into the ground. Rarity flipped the changeling onto his back Shadow saw Fury aiming at Rainbow Dash. Shadow jumped as high as he could in front of her. The black bolt of death hurled straight for Rainbow Dash. The bolt slammed into a wing. Rainbow Dash and all the ponies gasped as Shadows body twitch. Rainbow Dash flew and tackled Fury to the ground. All around them were the bodies of the changeling operators. The whole room grew quiet as the Ponies gathered around the one who had saved them. Rainbow Dash turned Shadow over and saw a bloody hole enter his right side and out through his right wing. His wings were once again permanently broken. Shadow gasped for breathe.

“Hey Rainbow Dash.” His weak voice said.
Rainbow Dash was tearing up. Shadow forced a smile on his face and looked at all of them and asked “Can you guys forgive me?”
The ponies were tearing up as well. “Shadow…” Twilight began “Can you forgive us?”
Shadow asked “why? I'm the one who nearly killed you guys back at the Canterlot fight and even throughout these events.”
“No…” Twilight said “We forgive you for that…but Shadow please forgive us for not letting you talk back at the tryouts. We should have known that everypony has the ability to change. No matter where they are from or what happened in the past.”
Rainbow Dash held Shadow as the changeling’s breath became shallower. His world began to swirl. “I’ve never had friends…” the weak changeling said “Can you guys be my first?”
Rainbow Dash nodded and so did the others. Rainbow Dashes tears fell onto Shadows face. Shadow smiled as his world faded to black knowing he was in the company of friends…

…Days later…

Shadow awoke in a room of white. He was hooked up to all sorts of medical equipment. HE heard footsteps and turned over slowly and saw a familiar face.
“Nice to see you again changeling” Aloe said “Or should I say Shadow.”
He smiled at her and lay back down.

“Listen I'm kinda sorry for being a mean person the first time we met.”
“Don’t be” Shadow said “I didn’t deserve anyone to be nice to me at the time.”
“The medic said your flight is once more disabled but we have a cure for ya buddy.”
Shadow saw the helo in his chest and remembered the ponies.

“You have visitors.” She said
In walked the Mane six. Shadow smiled his changeling smile and felt his heart warm up.
Rainbow Dash galloped over and wrapped her arms around Shadow.
“Hey Shadow.” Twilight said. “We may have a fix for you and your wings. Just whenever you are ready come to the castle.”
“Thank you princess Twilight Sparkle” Shadow said
“Call me Twilight.” She said back
“Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!” The pink pony announced “It’s really awesome and cool and sweet and awesome to see your doing awesometacular!!!”

Rarity came up and gave him a scarf “here you go love. I made it just for you!”
Apple Jack walked up and set down a bowl of Apple Fritters next to him
“Funny,” Shadow said referencing the train fight.
“Don’t worry Shadow You'll be strong enough to pull a plow through rocks once you’re done!
“Okay Shadow were going to leave you now” Twilight said
“wait…” Fluttershy said “Here… it’s a card from me and Discord.”
Shadow opened it up and it said crudely get better.
Shadow laughed and told Her “Thank You miss Fluttershy.”
“Twilight can I stay with Shadow more?” Rainbow Dash suddenly asked.
Twilight nodded and walked out.
Shadow saw Rainbow Dash sit down next to him.
He was about to fall asleep when he heard the bouncing of a ball against the wall.

The end…