Brink

CHAPTER SIX: The Shadow Meets Equestria

I walked into my house with The Shadow following me. The pink rotting flesh trailed behind him wherever he went. But The Shadow, thankfully, had power over it. So just small little globs would appear on a blade of grass or two.

I knocked on the door.

“It's open!” Chimed Silvermoon.

I opened the door. I was greeted by a sudden bear hug as Silvermoon threw herself on me.

“Dorchester! You're back! I take it you and Frederic got everything done?” Silvermoon asked as she noticed The Shadow.

“Yup! Turns out The Shadow is a really nice guy!”

Silvermoon laughed. “That's good. Nice to meet you!”

Silvermoon held out her hoof. The Shadow looked at me, confused.

“Go on, shake her hoof! It's just like shaking hands.”

The Shadow carefully put out his claw, and grasped Silvermoon's hoof gently. They shook hands/hooves.

Suddenly, pink flesh grew on Silvermoon's hoof.

“Eek!” Silvermoon yelped, slinging the flesh off of her hoof.

I laughed. “Guess I should have mentioned that... The Shadow leaves a trail of pink, rotting flesh behind him.”

“As long as he keeps it at a minimum! I don't want to have to clean this house every few minutes.”

I waved my hoof. “Cleanings my job, you just relax. I'll take care of The Shadow.”

The Shadow coughed.

“Oh yeah...”

I forgot all about it. The Shadow, of course, can take care of itself.

“Well, if you ever want to go out. Make sure it's at night so no one see's you. Okay?”

The Shadow nodded.

I turned to face Silvermoon.

“I'm just going to take The Shadow around for a bit, help him meet my friends. That okay?”

“Yeah, sure. I was up all night listening to the radio. Your adventures spread faster than wildfire in a dry bush field.”

“C'mon, we've got some ponies to meet!”

The Shadow and I walked downtown, ponies everywhere gave us strange looks.

“Just ignore them,” I whispered to The Shadow.

“They're assholes.”

The Shadow's head bobbed up and down like it was laughing silently.

We arrived in front of Canterlot Castle. The guards nodded at me, letting us through. We walked into the Throne Room. There was a guard standing there.

“Where is Frederic?” I asked him.

“In the Canterlot Castle hospital wing sir.” The guard said.

“Thank you.” I nodded. I motioned for The Shadow to follow me. The guard looked nervously at The Shadow as it grinned at him.

I opened the door of the hospital wing. I saw Lance talking to Twilight Sparkle. He seemed okay, but I could tell he was tired.

Lance noticed me and The Shadow approaching him. He quickly finished his conversation with Twilight and gazed over to us.

“Hey,” He said hoarsly.

“You okay?” I asked him.

“Oh yeah, yeah. Just a minor infection, nothing too serious. Nurse Redheart said she could cure it easily after a few check ups. I'm having the gash looked at a bit more, and then they're going to stitch it back together.”

I sighed. “Sorry about what I put you through.”

Lance laughed and waved his hoof. “No, no. It's fine. I had a hell of a time actually.”

I chuckled. “How long are you going to stay here?”

“The treatments here are much better than the ones back on Earth. I'll have the wound cleaned up and treated, and I'll be out the door in a few hours.”

I smiled. “That's good to hear.”

Lance looked over to The Shadow.

“Didn't expect him to look like that.” Lance said.

“Me neither. Turns out he's a really nice guy! He just wanted his orb back. He'll be staying with me until this whole thing blows over.”

The Shadow nodded.

Lance nodded his head. “So, can you talk?”

The Shadow shook his head.

“You're on mute, huh? That sucks.”

Lance groaned. He pushed a button that was connected to a mic.

“I need some more painkillers.” He said. There was some static and a voice replied.

“I'll be right there.”

“You know, I can't wait until this whole thing does blow over. I don't mind helping you and all, keeps me out of the house. I just find it funny how I always get my ass handed to me, on several occasions.”

I laughed. “I don't doubt you on that one.”

Lance gave me a dirty look. “You saying I'm weak?”

I smirked. “Maybe.”

“If I wasn't forced to stay in this damn bed, I would pound your face in.” Lance growled.

“You'd probably get your ass handed to you again.” I retorted.

Lance grinned. “Alright, if you think you're so high and mighty... why don't we see who's the manlier pony? Once I'm out here, all fixed up, we'll fight. Yet try not to break any bones...”

I laughed and held out my hoof. “No promises.”

Lance shook it. “Alright. You might want to explain to Twilight what The Shadow is doing here though.”

I suddenly remembered. “Wait, where's Annabel?"

Lance's face scrunched up. “Yikes... she isn't looking too good. I asked the same thing, apparently the acid burned the entire left side of her face down to the bone. She'll be here a few months until she can be restored. Poor Discord... I've heard him moaning all the way from my house a few blocks down from here.”

I felt my stomach do a back flip.

Lance waved his hoof again. “Discord doesn't blame you. Luce could have targeted anyone.”

I sighed. “I guess so.”

“Excuse me,” Twilight said.

“Do you mind telling me what that thing is?” She said, pointing her hoof over to The Shadow.

He growled at her.

“Careful, he doesn't like to be referred to as a 'thing'.” I said.

“Oh, sorry.” Twilight said.

“This,” I said, pointing one of my wings at The Shadow. “Is The Shadow, a supernatural force that guards what we call, The Orbs. If one of the orbs is taken, The Shadow hunts the thief down. The downside is, if you are to encounter one of the orbs, you might a massive urge to go up and grab it.”

Twilight nodded her head. “I see.”

I sighed. “I guess I should go and see Annabel.”

Lance nodded. “Discord is in there with her. He's a little unstable.”

I sighed again. I felt terrible.

“Hey Twilight.” I said.

“Yes?”

“Could you take The Shadow back to my house?” I asked.

Twilight nodded. “Sure, no problem.”