The Shadow Griffon

Celestia brought Nightshade to the nearest hospital worried for his health. She came and visited everyday for a year. Then another year. She always came to the same thing every day. Nightshade was out cold. He stayed that way for years. During one night Nightshade tossed and turned in his comatose state. He was in a dark room. Nothing seen. Nothing heard. "You have failed me Nightshade!" Someone said loudly. Nightshade looked around scared. "You were supposed to make an army for me! I EXPECTED A FULL ARMY TO BE AT MY COMMAND!" He flinched scared.

The dark griffon cowered where he stood. ".... I-I tried Princess Luna!" He said.

Nightshade was mysteriously picked up by a force he couldn't even dare to explain. "YOU DIDNT TRY!" The booming voice yelled. "YOU LEFT ME TO FACE MY SISTER ALONE! SHE IS EVIL IN WHAT SHE DOES TO MY NIGHT TIME BEAUTY!"

Nightshade couldn't help but whimper scared in fear to what was happening. He clenched his eyes shut afraid of what could happen next. He felt nothing. Nothing but someone shaking him a bit. His head was pounding. He groaned and opened his eyes now seeing a bright light. "Sir? Are you alright?" Someone said. It was the voice of a mare. Nightshade still saw nothing but a bright light. Quickly he looked away blocking his eyes with his claw. The way he looked he saw a mare in a nurses uniform. She was a unicorn with a red mane and a nice pink coat.

"...W-where am I...?" Nightshade said putting his claw on the side of his hurting cranium. "...Who are you....?" The nurse smiled.

"You're at a hospital." She said. "You've been in a coma for about three years! That is what the most veteran doctor said. I just started working here not too long ago. The names Heart Rate! You're Nightshade right?" Nightshade nodded still groaning from the pain. Heart Rate turned to the door just as a doctor came in to view. "Doctor can you bring some painkillers for the early bird here?" She said. She quickly turned to Nightshade. "No pun intended sir!"

The doctor smiled. "Right away nurse!" He said. "Oh and by the way after you give him the pain killers you may need to check with him and see if he remembers anything from before he was in a coma!" The nurse nodded and the doctor walked out of the doorway.

"... I.... I remember...." Nightshade said working through the pain. Nurse Rate looked to him.

"You remember something?" She asked. Nightshade panted and nodded trying to ignore the blunt pain in his head.

"...I remember... A colt and a mare... Admiring the night Princess Luna made...." He said.

The nurse gasped. "Luna...?" She said. "I haven't heard her name since before the incident with Nightmare Moon...." Nightshade groaned a bit more as he sat up. The nurse tried lying him back down but he wouldn't budge. "Sir you stay there and rest! You may not be able to stand or even walk you've been out so long!"

Nightshade looked the nurse in the eye. "I'm fine!" He snapped. "Let me observe what I have missed!"

The nurse shook her head and forced the griffon back onto the bed. "If you stay down my boss won't fire me!" She said. "I want to help you! Just rest and I promise you may get out tomorrow when your visitor comes!"

Nightshade huffed and crossed his arms giving in to the nurse. "Fine!" He said. "I hope that visitor comes soon then!" The nurse sighed and pulled up a chair as the doctor came back in with a pill bottle in his hoof. The bottle was labled 'aspirin' in big bolded letters. He twisted the lid with his teeth and poured out two pills into the cusp of his free hoof. A closer look at the doctor revealed he was a pegasus. Dark blue mane and a normal blue coat. He hid most of it under the white coat he wore. Nurse Heart Rate used her magic to take the pills from the doctor.

"Open wide please!" She said. Nightshade opened his beak a bit allowing the pills to slip in and lie on his tongue. He quickly swallowed them.

"There we are that should kick up in a few minutes." The doctor said. "Now... Why don't we try and dig into that memory of yours...?"

Heart Rate looked to the doctor. "I already asked him and he told me the last thing he remembered was Princess Luna and Nightmare moon." She said. "I didn't ask what he remembered about her or what had happened or even how he got this way...."

The doctor hummed looking at Nightshade. He went to the other side of the room and pulled another chair beside the empty bed to Nightshade's bedside with Nurse Heart Rate. "Speaking of that how did you even get in here anyways?" He asked.

Nightshade shrugged. "...I remember things like Princess Luna..." He said. "... Last thing I remember I saw Celestia blast Nightmare Moon with six strange gems..."

The doctor and nurse met each others gaze. "You mean the Elements of Harmony?" Heart Rate asked.

Nightshade shrugged. "I don't even know what those even are." He said. "I need something to soothe my thirst. I need it now."

The doctor sighed. "We'll get you water but you tell us all you know about how you got here!" He said.

Nightshade huffed. "That I don't remember." He said. "Get me my water!" The doctor got back up and walked out of the room without saying another word.

Nurse Heart Rate looked at Nightshade. "Surely you must have done something to get here!" She said.

Nightshade sighed hanging his head a bit. "I do remember but I don't trust that fuck of a Pegasus!" He said.

The nurse sighed as well. "You figured that out in the short time that you've seen him huh?" She said. "He's been an untrustful doctor with all the sexual harassment he's been doing... No one stands up to him because he can blame anyone for malpractice. Everyone who tried to prove themselves during the redemption test failed because they were scared of either being harassed again or just nervous all together."

Nightshade looked to her. "Sexual harassment...?" He said confused.

Heart Rate tilted her head. "Do you know what that is?" She asked.

Nightshade shook his head. "Between you and I... The night Nightmare Moon was thwarted by Celestia for eternal night I was created to make an army for Luna... If you don't believe me shut off the light and witness what I can do..."

Heart Rate was just frozen in place. "... Y-you did know about Nightmare Moon's plan...?" She said a bit shocked.

Nightshade nodded. "...I didn't come through with the plan because I wanted to tell Luna about the few ponies who did appreciate the night sky..." He replied. "...When I got there Nightmare Moon had already made her appearance and tried stopping Celestia from raising the sun.... Promise me you wont say anything to anyone miss?" She smiled a bit.

"Nothing was said and nothing was heard!" She said.

The doctor came back in and Nightshade had his water. They sat there for hours. The doctor and nurse told Nightshade about everything he had missed since he was passed out for so long. He was told about the war between the Pegasi and earth ponies. They even said the unicorn had joined the earth ponies to neutralize the Pegasus threat. They even told Nightshade about how the leaders of each pony leader of the Pegasi, the Unicorn and Earth Pony armies met during a cold winter inside of a cave. He was even surprised that they even survived after narrowly drawing up a peace treaty that now binded them in a new area called Ponyville. As the hours passed Nightshade became more and more educated about the present world he now resided in. The information started to slow down as sunlight peeked through the shades just in the middle of the room between the beds. Nurse Heart Rate yawned and looked to the doctor. "...What time is it...?" She asked.

The doctor stretched and shrugged. "Not sure..." He replied. He rubbed his eyes getting up from the chair. "...Judging by the sun coming through the blinds we should probably clock out and leave Nightshade here to rest before his usual visitor gets here...." Heart Rate got up from her chair and stretched.

"Wait!" Nightshade said. The nurse and doctor looked to him. "What do you mean by visitor?"

The doctor yawned and left the room leaving Nurse Heart Rate to explain. She turned back to the bedridden griffon. "...The visitor we're talking about is Princess Celestia." She said sluggishly. "She brought you here after Nightmare Moon was imprisoned. She told another doctor or nurse- I have no idea because I'm so tired- That you flew between her and Nightmare Moon getting hit by the Elements of Harmony or 'strange gems' as you called them..." She yawned. "....Now if you'll excuse me... I gotta go... If there's anything you need to talk about come find me in Canterlot near the castle...."

Nightshade nodded and Nurse Heart Rate left with a sleepy smile on her face. Surprisingly Nightshade wasn't even phased by the fact that he woke up in the middle of the night. He didn't look tired but he even knew the Nurses and Doctors working through the night had been awake even more earlier. Nightshade leaned in his bed trying to look out the open door. Nobody there. He then looked to the window in the middle of the wall and slowly climbed out of the bed feeling like he could be caught at any moment. He grabbed a string attatched to the topped of the window and pulled it a bit. The shades tilted inward to the right letting in more light. Nightshade blocked his eyes from the bright light from outside. He quickly heard hooves coming down the hall outside and he hopped back into the bed acting like he was there the whole time. Suddenly the clopping of hooves against a hard surface stopped. Someone took a deep breath and entered. To Nightshade's surprise it was Princess Celestia! She had her eyes clenched shut and she still took deep breaths as she slowly stepped in. She stopped just short of the chairs that were sitting at Nightshade's bedside. "...Well look at you... Enemy of my ally and LEADER!" Nightshade snapped alerting Celestia.

Her eyes quickly snapped open and locked on to Nightshade not even looking at her. He had his arms crossed and his head was cocked towards the wall on the opposite side of the room. She sighed and smiled. "You're finally awake!" She said surprised. "Look I know you were created by my sister to take control of my throne but after you threw yourself in the blast of the Elements of Harmony I saw something in you that not even my sister could see." Nightshade's heart dropped. Hesitantly he looked over at Celestia. "You were sent to make followers to aide my sister. After I brought you here I was confronted by two pegasi who said they saw you and also from what they told me you had a change of heart. You do remember that right?" Nightshade nodded. "Well now that you know of what the dangers were of aiding my horrid sister I want you to help me with a few things." Her horn glowed and a block of color appeared and started to take shape. The colors started to fade and turn darker. Nightshade looked at the shape and instantly he knew what it was. It was his book. "Here." Celestia said. "I kept this in my possession reading it over. I figured Luna gave you the Shadow Tome while she was still sane. Take this and lets get out of here. I need something done."

Hesitantly Nightshade reached for it. He took his claw back. "This has to be a trick of some kind!" He said.

Celestia sighed and set the book on the bed. "I assure you this is no trick." She replied. "If I wanted to harm you I wouldn't have kept you around this long. You would've been beheaded for even trying to protect a great evil."

Nightshade huffed and took the book. "I cannot be killed by any conventional means!" He said taking his book. "Princess Luna has given me the gift of immortality to fulfill her desire for eternal night which I did turn away from. I could possibly survive anything you throw at me!"

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Very well then." She said. "But before we go you do these duties for me and you get to keep your immortality!"

Nightshade slowly climbed out of the bed and came to the Princess' side. "Fine I'll do your dirty work!" He said.

Celestia smiled a bit. "Good!" She said. "Now once we get outside you get on my chariot and stay by my side the whole time until I say you can go!" Nightshade nodded and followed Celestia out into the hall. As they walked Nightshade looked into a few of the rooms. He saw foals visiting their mothers, other griffons in hospital beds eating meals and even ponies who were sitting with a doctor or a nurse mourning their lost love ones. He looked to Celestia and sighed.

"...What happened to me....??" He asked himself. "I was working for Luna to overthrow her sister but.... Now I work for Celestia to do her own dirty work... I never wanted this... But... If I wanna see Luna again I will have to do Celestia's oddjobs..." He huffed and looked at his book. With one claw he flipped open the book and looked through it. He still kept a close eye on where the sister of the sun was going despite having his head in the dark book. He found a spell that might work wonders for what ever Celestia had planned with him.

Celestia looked back at him as they came into the main corridor where guards were standing. "Nightshade you and I might have different views on Nightmare Moon but we have the same view on keeping the innocent ponies safe from other evils." She said. "My sister must've told you I was evil with the time you were created. I was surprised to hear that you denied to carry out my sisters orders when I had spoken with the two that came in contact with you. They were doctors at this exact hospital. I say were because... Well I hate to say this but the harsh winter of Hearths Warming the mare you had met sadly passed away during... Her husband at the time was at war and when he returned... He just couldn't bear the thought of being alone and ended it himself. Their families requested that they were to be buried next to each other...."

Nightshade sighed as he followed her outside. "... May they rest in peace...." He said.

Celestia stopped just feet from her chariot. She turned to Nightshade giving a warm smile. "This is the good that I've seen in you." She said. "Just a forewarning I had my guards make up a room for you in Canterlot. I don't know if it will be to your liking or not but only you can be the judge of that! Now come and get on the chariot!" She stepped on the chariot just as some Pegasus guards hooked themselves in.

Nightshade hesitantly approached the chariot. The guards looked at him. So did Celestia. "Don't worry this isn't a trap!" Celestia said. "I promised earlier didn't I?" Nightshade hesitantly nodded and stepped forward onto the chariot. He still gripped his book tight as he sat next to the princess. They passed a few guards and they shot Nightshade a few dirty looks. He quickly averted his gaze looking forward as they took off.

About halfway through the flight Nightshade stood up and gripped the siding looking over the edge. He sighed looking over the changed Equestrian landscape. He saw the forest he resided in before the mishap. Just to the right he saw a little town looking like it had only started to thrive. "That's Ponyville." Celestia said.

Nightshade looked to her and caught her gaze. "Really?" He said. "I expected a little more..." He looked back over the edge looking over the landscape once more. Vast fields of small trees and bushes. Amongst the small trees he saw a small home away from Ponyville. "Celestia?" He asked.

Celestia looked at him once more. "Yes?" She said.

Nightshade pointed at the field below with the house. "You know what that place is?" He said.

Celestia looked over the edge and saw the tiny house. "That's Sweet Apple Grove!" She said. "I honestly think they wont last out there but stranger stuff has happened before." She looked to Nightshade catching his gaze making him blush and look away.

"Please princess I don't want to be called strange." Nightshade said.

Celestia smiled and looked forward. "Oh i'm sorry but I need to have a little fun with one of my sisters pitiful minions!" She said. "Now once we get to Canterlot you-"

Nightshade growled a bit giving Celestia a death stare. "Pitiful?" He snapped. "Who are you calling PITIFUL?"

Celestia sighed and pushed him away. "You if you don't prove yourself tonight!" She said. "I'll brief you before nightfall on what you need to do." Nightshade grunted and looked back over Equestria once more. They flew for a while and Nightshade didn't even break his gaze. Celestia took occasional glances at him a bit worried she had been a bit too strict. "Nightshade..." She said. He didn't even look up. "...Nightshade look I'm sorry I called you pitiful... Seeing you reminds me of my sister... I honestly cry every other night looking at the moon almost regretting what I did. I had to do what I did to protect Equestria!"

Nightshade sighed and looked up at Celestia gripping the book. "No... I should be sorry...." He said. "...I just hate myself for not being at Nightmare Moon's side.... I truly wanted to change her mind before she overthrew you but... I was too late..." He looked at the book in his claws. A tear fell from his eye onto the book leaving a darker spot.

Celestia rested her hoof on Nightshade's shoulder. "If you're worried about Nightmare Moon coming back and harming you that wont happen.... for a while at least..." She said. "I only banished her for a thousand years.... In these years I spend away from my sister I grow more and more worried that I wont be able to stop her amongst all the other problems with dark magic in Equestria...." Nightshade whimpered a bit and shuttered. He hugged Celestia just wanting to cry. Celestia shushed him hugging him back. "It's okay Nightshade... I understand your pain..." She said. Nightshade couldn't help but break down. Celestia comforted him until they landed just outside the castle in Canterlot. When the chariot came to a complete stop the Pegasus guards unhooked themselves and a unicorn guard approached them. He saluted as Celestia looked down at him. "Get some food for him please." She said looking down at Nightshade as he cried. "I want him to be at full strength before tonight."

The guard bowed. "Yes princess. Will that be all?" He said.

Celestia thought for a moment still keeping Nightshade close. "Tell the guards they are to cater to what ever Nightshade here needs. I'll inform him later but you need to take him to his quarters I had you set up." She said. The guard nodded and tried prying Nightshade away from Celestia. He didn't budge. Celestia sighed. "You know what just leave him I'll take him to his quarters. He just needs a little rest." The guard nodded and saluted before walking away. She looked down at Nightshade who almost looked like he could pass out or puke. "Nightshade? You think you need some rest?" Nightshade slowly nodded sniffling. Celestia smiled a bit and lifted the sleepy griffon onto her back. Nightshade almost dropped the book wrapping his arms around the princesses neck. Celestia caught the book in her magic and held it there. Just held it.

As she started off Nightshade started to nod off. It didn't take long for him to just pass out. As he slept he started to dream. He sat in darkness. Nothing around him. Not even a sound. He looked in his claws. Empty. "...Why do I feel so scared of my own master...?" He said to himself. "...I vowed to help her... I was even given a tome to spawn weapons for myself.... Maybe the ponies I met gave me a change of heart.... Maybe those Elements Of Harmony made a permanent seal on the good inside me...." He looked to his left claw. "... On one side I go against Celestia's orders in aiding her and take over Equestria myself...." He looked to his right claw. ".... And on the other I defy all that Luna has wished of me and aid the older sister of my own master calling Celestia my new master..." He sighed and sat his claws down onto the ground as he stood up starting to walk through the darkness. "Celestia did say she would take my immortality away if I even defied her... I need my immortality...." He looked up as he walked. The darkness above him turned into a dark red. Then into a violet and ending into blue.

"Seems that you're having a little trouble there friend." Someone said in a deep voice.

Nightshade stopped in his tracks and looked around a bit frightened. "W-Who's there?" He said.

The darkness around him turned into a nice green landscape just like the fields of Equestria. "You might wanna turn around first and then you'll know who." They said. Nightshade looked behind him and saw a unicorn with a black beard and mane. His coat was brown. His cutie mark was a spiral made of stars. The dark griffon turned about facing the unicorn colt.

"Well now you seem like you have a bit of trouble Nightshade." The colt said.

Nightshade gave him a questionable look. "...How do you know my name...?" He asked. "...And who are you anyways?"

The colt chuckled and approached him. "You've been quite the talk amongst everyone in Canterlot." He said. "The princess also told me about you. I'm Star Swirl The Bearded but you can call me Star Swirl if you like. So why don't you sit down with me and tell me about your problem?"

Nightshade sighed and sat down curling his tail around him. "... I don't know what I should do here Star Swirl...." He said. Star Swirl sat down next to him. "... Luna wanted me to create an army for her but... I met two ponies that are dead now that loved the night just before Nightmare Moon came to be... Celestia wants me to work for her even when my own leader isn't here... Should I just keep on towards overthrowing Princess Celestia or work for Celestia and keep my immortality...?"

Star Swirl hummed a bit. "Well I would say help Celestia anyways but think of this: Why continue the work of Nightmare Moon if she won't appear again until the thousand year mark of her banishment? Who will take the throne until she returns? Who will raise the sun and moon till she returns? Wait scratch that- Who will keep control over all Equestrians like me while no ruler sits on the throne?"

The words spoken rang out in Nightshade's head. 'He's right... What will happen if I overthrow Celestia...?' He thought. He let a hefty sigh. "... So I really should work with Celestia..." He said. ".... If I kill her nothing will come of it.... No moon... No sun.... Not even control over Equestria itself...."

Star Swirl smiled a bit. "You see now?" He said. "Equestria would fall apart without a ruler at the throne. You'd probably be defending your self in the empty fortress of Canterlot. You wouldn't even have any time to make followers before you'd have mobs all the way in the front hall just searching the castle, wrecking everything in sight until they found you and... Well I wanna say dismember you because Immortality means anything is cut off you wont be able to do anything else with it."

Nightshade stood up and faced Star Swirl. "Very true Star Swirl." He said. "I hope all this stays between us..."

Star Swirl stood and smiled bearing his teeth. "Celestia already knew what you were planning even before you woke up from your coma." He said. "But yes this will stay between us. Any time you want to talk with me or so ask Celestia about me and she might just show you to where I live just outside Canterlot. Otherwise this dream walking I do might just wear me out. I'll check in with you like this every.... Say two to three weeks."

Nightshade let out a little smile and extended his claw. Star Swirl reached out and Nightshade grasped his hoof firmly shaking it like a gentlecolt. "Thank you Star Swirl... I'd enjoy talking with you now and then." The dark griffon said. "Maybe you could teach me to spawn different weapons from not only shadows but from the light and the elements of the earth we walk on and fly over."

Star Swirl sighed and took his hoof back. "Maybe son... Just maybe..." He said. "Take care of yourself now." Nightshade nodded and everything faded away.

After Nightshade had awoken he found himself inside a room with a wide window. The sunset gave the skies over Equestria a red glow. The bed he slept in was large with darkened covers lying over his lap as he sat up. He looked around and saw candles and lanterns illuminating his room. Nightshade looked around and saw a bedside table where his tome sat with a piece of paper lied on top of it marked 'Nightshade'. He grabbed both the paper and the book. The paper had been folded over. He set the book down and unfolded the paper. It was a note.

Nightshade,

I hope the room is to your liking. There's even an area where you can train your tactics. I've had my guards even make self repairing test dummies. Star Swirl The Bearded even enchanted them to where they'll even fight back not dealing killing blows. And your bed, every time you rest in it your body will be healed of any injuries. I predict by the time you see this it will already be around sunset and you might be hungry. I'll be waiting in the dining hall for your arrival. A few guards should be stationed right outside of your quarters. A large bath is right across the hall if you ever need to relax after a long day's work or even just to cool off if you have something bothering you. I for one will talk with you about anything you like if that bath wont work. Your first mission for me will be given to you after you have eaten. You do this for me and I may think about giving your immortality back.

The letter was signed by Celestia. Nightshade's heart dropped. The last sentence rang out in his head just as Star Swirl's words did. Without saying another word he got up from his bed still gripping the tome. He walked over to the door and hesitantly opened it not believing what he had just read. Did Celestia, The Princess Of The Sun, really take away the immortality that Luna had given him long ago? He wanted to yell out but... Something stopped him... What that was he did not know. As he exited his room he found himself in the presence of a few unicorn guards. They both turned to him and saluted. "...Take me to Celestia right away...." Nightshade said still trying to process this shocking information.

Both guards replied "Yes sir!" The two guards turned down the hall way getting Nightshade right in between them. He followed them closely matching move for move until both guards stopped at a large door. "Here we are sir! Just as you requested!" Both guards said. They used their magic and opened the large doors revealing the large dining room with Celestia sitting at the far end of the table.

"...Thanks..." He said going past the guards. He closed the door behind him feeling as if he were going to explode into some uncontrollable rage. He turned back towards Celestia.

"I know why you're here..." She said. "...Its not for food. Its to chew me out for the note that I've left you. Correct?" Nightshade stayed at the far end of the table. "Come. Sit. I want to talk with you about that note." Celestia said pulling out a chair next to her with her magic. Nightshade hesitantly approached her. No words exchanged. Not even looking into the eyes of each other. Nightshade's growls of rage turned to whimpers of sadness. A tear streamed from his eye as he sat in the open chair near Celestia. "I know what I said earlier about not taking your immortality unless you did what I asked." Celestia said. "Honestly I was contemplating on not doing it but this is for your own good and mine too. I had the feeling you could've turned on me and tried taking over the kingdom. I wasn't going to take that risk."

Nightshade set his book on the table and sniffled. "....You don't trust me then....?" He said.

Celestia hesitated on answering. "...I trusted you enough so I'd be able to fight for you.... I even trusted you so I could fight to KEEP my immortality.... If I chose to hurt you I would've done it while I was here...." More tears started pouring from his eyes. Celestia sighed and bit her lip looking away from Nightshade as he started to cry. She held something back. Not rage. Not sadness. Guilt. She sighed and looked back to Nightshade. "Fine... I didn't really take your immortality away Nightshade...." She said.

Nightshade looked up at her and wiped his eyes. "...Y-you didn't....?" He said.

Celestia shook her head guiltily. "...I only said that so you'd fight regardless if I took it away or not..." She said. ".... I'm sorry if I made you worried but if you need to blow off some hate towards me you can get to your first target after you eat. I have a cook from Saddle Arabia just for your diet of..... ugh... Meat..."

Nightshade wiped his eyes. "...Meat...? What is this substance you call Meat...?" He asked.

Celestia sighed. "That's right... You were created about three years ago..." She said averting her gaze a bit. "Well... Meat is basically you, me other ponies and even animals around us but for you the cook is making stuff from beef, pork and even chicken. You might get a full chicken. Or maybe even a few beef steaks or pork ribs..." She nearly gagged just as a guard came out pushing a cart with a bowl and a teapot with a few teacups.

"Your salad Princess!" The guard said setting both the bowl and a tea cup on the table in front of Celestia. He even poured the tea for her. He looked to Nightshade. "Sir your food will be brought soon by your own personal chef! I can barely stand the smell of it!"

Nightshade nodded. "Understood." He said. "Ponies are strictly herbivores. I'll try this.... Meat and see if id want it or maybe take on the life of a herbivore."

Celestia hummed taking a bite of her salad. "Maybe you should get a few veggies in you too. Might even give you the energy and the brain power to keep everything about what you hear tonight." She said. She turned to the guard. "Bring Nightshade a salad and some zesty dressing or what ever he would like." The guard saluted Celestia.

They sat and ate for a while. Celestia turned away as Nightshade tore into the slab of meat that was lied out in front of him. Once he finished he wiped his beak from the juices the meat had left. Only bones remained on the plate before a guard came by to dispose of them. By the time Nightshade finished his salad he leaned back in his chair sighing. "So Nightshade...." Celestia said wiping her mouth just as she finished. "... How did you like your first taste of meat?"

Nightshade grunted a bit getting up and stretching a bit. "That was okay.... The salad had more juice than the meat... What ever that was..." He said.

Celestia smiled and got up from the table. "I hope that meal didn't fill you too much. I wouldn't want you to end up slowed down." She said.

Nightshade smiled a bit. "Don't worry it didn't." He replied. "I've been out for three years. If I wasn't feeling as agile from when she who had created me I'd deny any chance to go on said quest to destroy your foes."

Celestia started for the door of the dining hall. Nightshade followed. "Okay first things first..." Celestia said opening the door with her magic. "... What I need you to do is to take out a gang lord in Manehattan just south east of here. He has had his eyes on the jewels in my crown. I want you to take him out before his caravan reaches Canterlot. He has unicorn henchcolts that pull his cart. He always takes his sweet time before committing crimes for some reason. Probably because he doesn't want to return the scene of his crime. Bad guys always do that."

Nightshade hummed as they turned down the hall. "What's the guys name and what does the guy look like?" He asked.

Celestia gave a laugh. "You don't really need to know what he looks like." She said. Her horn glowed and out of thin air a scroll appeared. It floated down in front of Nightshade. It unraveled revealing a silhouette of a shield with a sword through it. "This is the logo he puts on everything before he leaves the crime scene. He even puts it on his carriage and his guards armor on the breast of it. I know because I had someone go undercover in their gang. He turned this in to me before he took shrapnel from a bomb HE planted to blow a wall to a bank in lower Manehattan. Just look for this logo and take him out before any items are destroyed or uh... stolen. Please do this for me but be careful even he has blades hidden and close combat is his specialty."

Nightshade huffed a bit. "He's going to regret the day he tried to steal from the order of the Solar Empire!" He said.

Celestia giggled a bit. "I don't consider myself a leader of an Empire but you seem to make that sound good." She replied. "I'll set you up with a few things just in case nearby light messes with your spells. A couple daggers will do. Its the best I could do since it would best if you didn't have anything big on your back. I'll lead you to the armory where you can get those daggers. Maybe even something to hide your identity as well."

Nightshade looked over to a window as they passed and saw the night sky. He gave a hefty sigh as he looked back forward down the hall. "...Celestia...?" He said a bit hesitantly. Celestia looked down at him as they walked through out the halls. "... Do you think Luna will take revenge on me when she returns...? I don't want to leave this world on bad terms with her...."

Celestia sighed. "Luna will be locked away behind what she's now called. Nightmare Moon has taken over her mind corrupting her." She said. "You will be fighting by my side until she returns and maybe even after that. It all depends if my plan works..."

Nightshade looked up at her. "Plan? What do you mean by plan?" He asked.

Celestia smiled a bit. "Its still a work in progress plan." She said. "Just about eighteen years before Nightmare Moon returns with the aid of the stars I will have found a student worthy enough to hold the element of Magic. Each of the Elements of Harmony will be given to others just like my student will have been given the Magic element. Six elements. Six ponies to control the elements. Right now I have lost the Element of Magic where the rest of the Elements of Harmony now sit. Each element will correspond to who the pony is. Honesty for one will be given to a hard working pony who hides no secrets other than their friends. Loyalty will reside with the pony who always stands by their word and stands by their friends in any time of need whether good or bad. Generosity, Kindness and Laughter are other elements that will be given to the others that must work to cleanse Luna's mind returning her to her normal state as my little sister..."

Nightshade shuttered a bit. "And you're sure Luna won't come after me?" He said.

Celestia nodded. "Yes Nightshade." She said. "Even if I have to I'll lock you away in your quarters and hide your presence so she wont notice you if she doesn't come anywhere near Canterlot. I'd hate to leave you alone but I'd be getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration." Nightshade didn't question it. He figured if he questioned Celestia's words he'd be in the same place as the leader he once called his... Leader.

They walked on for a bit through the halls. They found the armory deep within the walls. It lied behind a large wooden door. There were unicorn guards on either side of the door. They bowed to Celestia as she approached. "Could you allow me and Nightshade inside for a moment?" Celestia asked. "We have some important business that needs to be attended to and he needs to be fitted with stealthy weaponry." She pointed to Nightshade who seemed a bit uneasy around Celestia's guards.

The guards bowed as their horns glowed along with the giant door. "Yes Princess!" They both said.

Celestia looked to Nightshade. "Come Nightshade." She said. "We must hurry! The Manehattan gang can move quickly but you can move faster than even they can." Nightshade nodded and walked inside the armory with Celestia at his side. Just as they were inside the doors closed behind them. Nightshade looked back at the wooden doors. He huffed not even wanting to think about the guards as he turned around seeing Celestia's horn glowing. It gave off a bright light making Nightshade hiss covering his eyes. "Woops sorry Nightshade!" Celestia said looking at blades on the wall. "I'm not one to see in the dark like griffons and cats." She hummed as Nightshade looked into his book facing away from Celestia. He flipped through the pages and stopped seeing a spell for a mask.

"Could you turn that off for a second please Celestia?" He asked. The light dimmed till it was only candle light. Nightshade put his claw to his face closing his eyes. Shadows swirled around him and converged on his face. The mask started to appear over half of his face before he took his claw away sending a pulse of shadows around him that faded before it reached the solar princess. Nightshade turned to Celestia showing her his face. "There we are!" He said. "Identity hidden!"

Celestia smiled. "Very nice. The daggers are in the corner. I'll get some sheathes for the daggers." She said. Nightshade bowed as Celestia walked over to a few crates. Nightshade looked back up at the wall. Swords, Spears and Crossbows lined the wall. He looked to the corner and found the daggers Celestia pointed out. They were about half a foot blades with four inch handles with hilts. A gem sat on each hilt. Emeralds. Nightshade took both of them just as Celestia came back with two sheathes with a harness. "Here. Put this on and fly out towards Manehattan." She said. "It's just south west of here. If you see a caravan going on see if you can find the silhouette dagger and shield do what you can to take out  the leader."

Nightshade quickly hooked himself up and sheathed the weapons away. Celestia opened the armory doors again and walked out with Nightshade at her side. They stopped out in the hall just in front of an open window. Nightshade climbed into the windowsill and looked back at Celestia. "He will die a horrible death my liege...." He said.

Celestia nodded. "Remember: No marks leading the massacre to me! Clean your blades in a lake somewhere! Go!" The Princess said. Nightshade nodded and dove from the window. He fell about four stories before catching a breeze and flew off away from the castle.

Nightshade looked up at the moon as he flew. He saw what Celestia had done all those years ago. She had imprisoned her own sister in the moon. The eye of the mare in the moon looked like it was staring at Nightshade in anger. Not wanting to look any more Nightshade looked back down at the moon lit landscape. Fireflies and other beings of the night had the whole ground to themselves. He sighed and lowered himself to a road below. As he landed he again looked to the night sky back to the moon. "...Luna I'm sorry I failed you..." He said. "...If it makes my master feel any better... I'm making the world safer for your return... I'll wait till for ever until you return! I promise if the world isn't safe by Nightmare Moon's return... You have my permission to smite me as soon as you can..." He looked back to the road. Lights twinkled up ahead. Nightshade stopped and saw the lights were moving. Nightshade grabbed his book and flipped it open going just a few pages in. He closed his eyes and waved his claw. A shroud of darkness followed the path of his claw. He quickly grabbed it and tied it around his neck pulling a hood over his head. He walked down the road keeping his eye on the moving light.

As the light came closer he saw ponies around the light. Nightshade stopped and sat waiting for the ponies to come to him. They didn't seem to notice him until they were just a few yards away. Nightshade took a closer look at the ponies and they pulled a cart. A few earth ponies were pulling a coach with a lantern hung on a hook. The coach stopped. "Hey! Move!" One of the colts said. Nightshade didn't move. He just looked at every detail of the cart. The colts unhooked themselves.

"Hey didn't you hear him? MOVE!" The other colt said approaching him. Nightshade looked to the colt and saw the insignia of the gang on armor. Silhouette shield and sword. He put a claw out and instantly shadows made a pole. The blade quickly appeared and with one swing both colts heads fell to the floor with blood almost fountain like splurging from their necks.

The scythe quickly disappeared and Nightshade walked towards the side of the cart. He looked to the lantern and the bodies of the dead. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON OUT THERE WHY ARENT WE MOVING?!" A colt yelled. The door suddenly swung open and Nightshade flew up to the top of the coach and ducked down. A colt emerged. "You either get this cart moving or whip those colts into shape!" The same voice said.

Nightshade took a peek and saw a Unicorn guard. He was clad in black steel armor. The guard even had the gang insignia on it. "Right away boss!" The guard said. He closed the door and walked to the front of the coach where both of the dead bodies lied in the shadows. "You two! This is no time for rest!" The guard said.

Nightshade quietly climbed down from the roof and got to the ground where he crept up behind the guard. The guard took a closer look at the lifeless corpses and he didn't even see their heads. Nightshade pulled a dagger still being in the light of the lantern. The guard turned back. "...You really think yelling at two stiffs is going to get this cart going?" Nightshade said.

The guard backed up a bit and stepped in a puddle of blood. He started to shake scared. "...Wh-who are you...?" He asked.

Nightshade grinned and  approached with the blade still in his claw. "...You really think running away will do you any good?" Nightshade said. The guard blinked and the dark griffon disappeared. He quickly darted back to the cart but before he could open the door again he felt the cold steel of a blade push up against his neck. "Any last words...?" The guard shook as he turned his head hesitantly to see Nightshade's mask. "...Nothing? Well then..." The blade pressed more against his neck and in one swift motion blood sprayed from the wound as the unicorn gargled as he fell to the ground.

Nightshade wiped the blade with his cloak before opening the door to the cart. Inside he saw a Pegasus colt. Blue mane and blue coat. He looked scared. "W-who the hell are you?!" He asked.

Nightshade grinned and entered keeping the tip of the blade pointed at the colt. "Well... Since you're my last kill... I might as well tell you..." He said. "... The name's Nightshade... I've been sent to kill you.... By who I wont say... My leaders have me take who ever intends to hurt them and take them out before they have the chance..."

The colt tried backing away from the blade. "I-its those damned Tongva's!" He said. "They've been wanting me dead for months now! What ever they're paying you I promise I can double it if you let me go!"

Nightshade laughed. "You'll never get out of here alive..." He said. "...Now you have two options... One is I slit your throat and leave you to rot. The second option is you get burned alive... Its your choice..."

The colt whimpered. "...P-Please! Let me live! I have a daughter! If you kill me she'll be all alone! I'm the only one taking care of her! Please.... Let me go..." The colt said tearing up. Nightshade kept the blade pointed at the colt as he started to cry. Nightshade thought to himself. Was he really about to take a father away from his daughter? "...If you do kill me... Please... Take my daughter from my home in Manehattan..." The colt said. "...Just... Please... When you get her... Tell her I sent you... Don't tell her you took my life... Tell her those... Damn Tongva's got me..."

Nightshade sighed and resheathed his blade. "...I'm dark but I'm not that dark..." He said.

The colt looked to him. He wiped his eyes. "...Y-you aren't...?" He said.

Nightshade shook his head. "... My leader told me to kill you but... I just cant take a father away from his own daughter..." He said. "...I've never had a family of my own...  But about three years ago...  I met two ponies.... They were out on a nightly stroll when I came across them before I ended up in a coma... They gave me something to think about before I returned..." Tears started to come from his eyes. "Sir... Allow me to escort you home... I want you to go home to your daughter but... You promise me one thing... Drop out of this stupid crime syndicate and I promise I shall not strike you down..."

The colt sniffled and wiped his eyes once more. "... I... I'll do it..." He said. "... I only do this because my wife died... I came back from the war after she was told my convoy went missing... That was a cold winter..."

Nightshade looked closely at the colt. He looked a bit familiar. "... Wait a minute..." Nightshade said. "...Cloudsdale... Nightmare Moon..."

The colt sniffled and tilted his head. "... I used to live in Cloudsdale..." He said. Nightshade hesitated but took his hood off. The colt looked to the mask. "... Even had a mask to hide your identity huh...?" Nightshade nodded. The colt looked closer as Nightshade removed his mask. His jaw dropped. "... It's... It's you!" He said shocked. "...Y-you're the griffon I saw those years ago...."

Nightshade nodded. "...I... I'm sorry if I frightened you...." He said. "... I... I'm also sorry about your wife... She was a real nice mare..." He sniffled wanting to cry.

The colt hugged him. ".... Cmon Nightshade let it out... I promise I wont say a thing to anyone about you...." He said. "Lets fly back to my house so I can see my daughter. You just tell your master or what have you I'm dead... Just take the lantern from the hook and I'll get the bodies of my gang onto this carriage so you can burn it..." Nightshade wiped his eyes and broke the hug with the colt. The colt opened the door and stepped out with Nightshade behind him. "By the way... The name is South Paw... I used to take care of pets from the southern territories of the earth. Huskies and Penguins and what ever animal you can think of. We better hurry and get these bodies on the cart. Traffic starts to pick up sometimes and I just wanna make it look like an accident. Pour some kerosene from the lamp on the cart and smash it." Nightshade wiped his eyes and nodded before putting the mask back on. He helped the colt drag the bodies and toss them on the cart. Nightshade even helped the colt pull the cart over the blood puddles on the ground. Just as the colt said Nightshade grabbed the lantern and opened a little hatch on the lantern pouring out kerosene right onto the motionless mass inside the cart. The flame still burned bright just as nightshade smashed the lamp then catching everything on fire. In the light of the bright flame the shroud and mask disappeared in the light. South Paw looked to Nightshade. "Cmon. We gotta go before anyone catches us." He said. Nightshade nodded and they both lifted off the ground.

Just as soon as they got into the air they flew together away from the flames not even looking back. "Thank you for sparing me again Nightshade!" South Paw said. "I promise I'll destroy any remnants of my gang to spend time with my daughter!"

Nightshade glanced over at him for a second and smiled. "If you need help with getting rid of it maybe send a letter to Celestia but mark it for me so she doesn't read it!" He said.

As quickly as he said it he put his claws over his beak yelping. South Paw glanced at him. "Princess Celestia told you to do this...?" He said. Nightshade hesitantly nodded. "... It's okay 'Shade. I'll use a different name to write those letters. I'd even go as far as telling the courier to try and deliver it to Celestia himself! There's a guard that actually looks through the mail for Celestia and decides whether to let her reply to it or get rid of it."

Nightshade sighed. "I cant risk getting caught by Celestia knowing that I revealed myself to someone.... I'm supposed to keep myself hidden amongst the and the shadows...." He replied.

South Paw started to think. "Maybe when you get back to Celestia tell her you need to blend in with society just so nopony gets suspicious. That could work!" He said.

Nightshade thought to himself about what South Paw said. "... That actually sounds like a good idea." He said. "If I can get a home in Manehattan I'll come find you and give you the address. If she comes to visit at any time you make yourself scarce!"

South Paw gave a victory laugh. "You Nightshade deserve nothing but praise for that idea! Hell I might not even visit but if you come to me its alright!" Nightshade laughed as they flew towards a large clump of buildings, most of them being about three stories tall. Those that were shorter sometimes stretched about half a city block. Not too long later they lowered themselves to the street. South Paw looked very tired. He looked to Nightshade reaching under the door mat. "My daughter is asleep right now and the nanny should be watching her...." He said yawning.

Nightshade sighed. "...Maybe I should come back later." The dark griffon said. "I don't wanna bug you. You should get some sleep and I'll propose the idea to Celestia in the morning."

South Paw smiled and chuckled as he unlocked his door and opened it. "Nonsense Nightshade you wont bug me." He said. "and if anything the scare you gave me is giving me enough adrenaline to make some coffee to make myself a little snack to keep myself awake after you leave." Nightshade smiled a bit as his newly found friend opened his door into darkness. "Miss Grassland? Are you here Miss Grassland?" Nightshade observed his surroundings that were unseen by South Paw. The sitting area of his home was all hard wood. Thinking of being a gang lord would mean he'd have better things. He saw South Paw weave in and out of the wooden furniture trying not to knock anything over.

A shushing sound was coming from upstairs. "Mr. South Paw?" A mare said upstairs. "Mr. South Paw is that you hun? I thought you were working!"

Nightshade hurried up to South Paw's side just as he was about to bump into a desk with a vase on it and pulled him aside. "A problem came up that I was supposed to fix but I didn't get to it in time and I was fired." South Paw said. "On my way home I got into a bit of trouble with that kerosene lamp you gave me. The hook broke and the whole cart caught on fire." A light came from up in the stairwell. South Paw walked towards the stairs with the help of Nightshade. They both looked up in to the stairs and saw a unicorn mare using her magic to make some light. She noticed Nightshade.

"Well that is a dying shame." She said. "I'm glad you're okay Mr. Paw." She looked to Nightshade. "And who's this accompanying you?"

Nightshade smiled. "I'm Nightshade." He said. "I found him on the side of the road out of breath and helped him home."

The light from the horn of Miss Grassland intensified illuminating the daggers all sheathed. "Why do you have those then?" She asked.

Nightshade looked at the daggers and stammered a bit. "He's a hunter that lives off the land." South Paw said. "He decided to wander into town and sell some pelts before he found me. We dropped by his home and dropped the pelts off before he brought me here."

Miss Grassland shuttered a bit. "Well... Its nice to meet you Mr... Shade." She said. "Shall I get a candle and make sure you don't stay here alone Mr. Paw? Nightshade makes me nervous with those weapons so close to your daughter..."

Nightshade sighed and backed away from the stairs. "I should really go then... Those pelts aren't gonna sell themselves!" He said. "Thank you Mr. Paw for letting me into your home and next time I'll think twice on bringing my daggers around a child."

South Paw smiled. "Alright Goodnight Nightshade." He said. "Beware of those rats in the gutters. Those things sink their sharp little teeth in ya you might as well kiss your flank goodbye."

Nightshade looked back before opening the door and stepping outside. "Alright. Till next time Mr. Paw." He said before closing the door. As he closed the door he took a deep breath of the night air. He turned towards the empty cobblestone street. Nothing up the road. Nothing down the road. Nightshade looked to the sky and flew up over the buildings before heading on his way back to Canterlot.

He flew for a while. He even looked out over the moonlit Equestrian landscape. A light glimmered where Nightshade saw a lone building in the middle of a few trees just outside of a small cluster of buildings. "... Ponyville..." Nightshade said to himself. "... And just outside... Sweet Apple Grove...." He wanted to continue to Canterlot but something compelled him to descend to the small area below. Sweet Apple Grove. As he landed just outside of a fenced off area he heard a little baby crying. A closer look at the small orchard revealed a small home surrounded by thick apple trees and skinny apple trees. Nightshade slowly started approaching the home not wanting to alert anyone in the lit home. When he got to the window he peered inside hesitantly. Inside he saw a small family who looking like they had just started out. A mare sat with a small foal wrapped up in a blanket. The mare's mane was braided with a nice brown look with her green tint coat. The colt inside had a cowcolt hat and a black mane going down into his face. He had a brown coat as he sat parallel to the window Nightshade peeked through. They all huddled around a candle that looked about half burnt. They had a woodfire hearth right in the corner but it looked cold. Nightshade started to tear up staring at the family. They all looked cold. He closed his eyes and turned away from the dimly lit home and started walking towards the gate.

Just before he got to the gate the door of the small hut opened. "Hey!" The colt called out. "What're you doing here." Nightshade's heart dropped and he froze in place. "Cmon don't play statue now turn around and face me!"

Heistantly Nightshade turned around and saw the Colt standing in the dimly lit doorway. "Please don't hurt me sir... Just a lonely griffon trying to find somewhere to rest his tired wings and claws...." Nightshade said sitting down as a tear ran down his cheek.

The colt slowly approached him and let out a chuckle. "Hurtcha? Now why would I do something as stupid as that?" The colt said having an obvious southern drawl. "I aint got no weapons here. Too much danger around mah wife and kid."

Nightshade sniffled. "... I take it you're just struggling to stay warm in that hut of yours..." Nightshade said.

The colt nodded stopping just feet from Nightshade. "We ran outta wood to burn in the stove and we cant just use the tree's here." He said. "Them trees is profit. When ever them Apples are ripe we go and buck the tree's makin them apples fall. When them apples are picked up off the ground and we make em into pies, strudles, fritters. Hell anything you can make an apple into you can make it." Nightshade yawned a bit. "Listen stranger why don't you come in and rest here for the night? Warm body like you can make our foal stop cryin."

The shadow griffon looked at the home and then to his daggers. "... I wanna accept sir but I got some daggers that need to be cleaned and I cant just bring em inside." He said. "I mean you got a foal and the poor thing would probably get hurt..."

The colt smiled. "Nonsense!" He said. "You can clean em off with the water from our well. I got a rag that we use for cleanin the stove with. You're just free to use that. Once your done just leave em in one of the tree's off a branch. I can trust you to pick em up before you leave tomorrow."

Nightshade forced a smile and sniffled wiping his eye with his arm. "... Thank you sir." He said. "... I'm Nightshade. Might be nice to know your name so I don't have to call you 'sir' each time I address you." He stood up.

The colt smiled a bit. "Just call me  Mr. Appleseed." He said. "I run this here little acre of land. Hope to make something of this little family." The colt turned and Nightshade followed him around the small house. He peered inside seeing the mare holding the foal close peering right back out. Nightshade looked back ahead and yawned. "I really haven't seen you 'round these parts Nightshade. Where ya living right now?" The colt asked.

Nightshade sighed looking a bit at the ground. "... Not really living anywhere..." He said. "... I wanna try and find a place somewhere quiet..."

The colt stopped at a stone well and looked to Nightshade. "Sorry to hear that Nightshade." He said. "You sit here n wait for me. Gotta let my wife know what I'm gonna be doin and get that rag for scrubbing those blades of yours down." Nightshade gave a smile and nodded.

The colt walked away towards the hut and Nightshade looked into the well. A tear fell from his eye. "...I gotta get a home here... Here around Sweet Apple Grove...." He said to himself. "These folks seem really nice... But... Then there's South Paw... What to do what to do...?" He looked back up and found Mr. Appleseed coming towards him with a bucket hanging in his mouth by its handle. On the rim of the bucket was a dirty off-white rag. Attatched to the handle on the side of Mr. Appleseeds mouth a rope hung down a bit going back up and coiling on his back. Nightshade smiled trying to look like he wasn't even crying as Mr. Appleseed approached. Mr. Appleseed set the bucket down and dropped the rope. Nightshade took the rag off the bucket.

"Alright my wife says y'can stay." He said. "You'd have to leave your daggers and leave em on a tree just like I said."

Nightshade nodded and took his harness off. His book fell to the ground and opened up. "Ah shit..." Nightshade said under his breath as he closed his book and picked it up. He looked to Mr. Appleseed. "Here can you hold this?" Mr. Appleseed nodded and took it. "Now don't open it. It's uh...." Nightshade tried thinking of something he could say so Mr. Appleseed wouldn't look.

The colt chuckled now holding it in his hoof. "Aint no need to say its a diary son." He said. Nightshade looked to him and tilted his head. "If its something important as a diary I respect the privacy of those who hold one."

Nightshade chuckled and grabbed the rope lowering the bucket into the dark well. "You know I might get myself a home here near your family Mr. Appleseed." He said. "You're really nice for letting me rest here. Haven't had much rest since I passed out on the way to Canterlot. I was looking to sell some pelts there. I woke up n all my pelts were gone. Had to go get some more and try selling them near Manehattan." He pulled the bucket up and it was definitely heavier than before. Mr. Appleseed helped him hoist the bucket back up from the hole. Nightshade grabbed the bucket pulled it up over the stone wall of the well and set it on the ground. He unsheathed both of his daggers and lied one back onto the sheathe as he dipped the rag into the water.

As he wiped down the blade Mr. Appleseed saw his wife come out with her child clinging to her. "Honey aint you done out here yet?" She asked. Her voice was as pleasant as a song birds chirp. Her cutie mark was a trowel.

"Sorry sugar I was just helping our little rustler out here." Mr. Appleseed replied. "Nightshade say hello to my wife any my daughter."

Nightshade looked up from his sitting position and  waved with the rag in his claw. "Greetings Mrs. Appleseed." He said as he went back to his daggers.

Mrs. Appleseed smiled a bit. "Well its nice to meet you." She said. "Please hurry up with those. I just got Lil Red to stop cryin' and we just gotta keep her warm tonight until morning comes." Nightshade resheathed one dagger and picked up the other. He gave that one a quick wipe and resheathed it.

Mr. Appleseed came up and picked the bucket up with his hoof going under the handle. "Now Nightshade you go on ahead and hang them blades up while I dump out this dirty water. We gotta drink that water in that well." He said.

Nightshade stood up and walked towards a tree. "Alright just remind me before I leave in the morning to get them." The dark griffon said flying up to the tree looking for a good branch to hang em on. He saw a branch big enough to hang both harnesses on it to where they wont fall off and he hung them right up.

"Alright now cmon in so the baby don't catch a cold." Mrs. Appleseed said. Nightshade looked to her and nodded just as Mr. Appleseed poured the water bucket out near the fence. The dark griffon landed on the ground and followed the family back inside. Once inside Nightshade lied down on the ground leaning against the wall. Mrs. Appleseed came over and put the foal in his arms. The little red foal smile and giggled looking right at Nightshade in the dim candlelight.

Nightshade chuckled lightly smiling right back at the little filly. "She seems to take a liking to you Nightshade." Mr. Appleseed said lying out in front of him.

Mrs. Appleseed lied next to him. She smiled at Nightshade. "You can just lie her right between me and my husband." She said. "When you lie her down just get somewhere on my side or his side n keep close together. Need all the warmth we can get."

Nightshade sighed and smiled. He got up holding the foal in one arm and carefully walked right to the two ponies on the ground and lied Lil Red right in between them. Just as he tried to lie down she started to cry again. Mr. Appleseed sighed. "Dangit..." He said sitting back up picking his foal up. The crying filly reached towards Nightshade.

Nightshade tilted his head. "...Maybe... I could have her near me when we sleep...?" He said.

Mr. Appleseed thought for a moment. Mrs. Appleseed sighed. "Just let him give her to him so we can sleep!" She snapped. Mr. Appleseed sighed and gave Lil Red to Nightshade and she started to calm down. He lied down carefully putting the now calmed filly between him and Mrs. Appleseed. Mr. Appleseed carefully adjusted her daughter and then lied down next to his wife. Soon after they all fell asleep. All but Nightshade who was softly crying feeling accepted.