The Princess & The Rogue

by Justin Daniels

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Twilight Sparkle, Anthro, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Human, Original Character
Length: 6218

On the same night Twilight Sparkle was crowned the Princess of Friendship, she was captured by bandits. Now trapped thousands of miles away from Equestria, she has to find a way back home, all while under the "protection" of a shady human.

On the same night Twilight Sparkle was crowned the Princess of Friendship, she was captured by bandits. Now trapped thousands of miles away from Equestria, she has to find a way back home, all while under the "protection" of a shady human.

Wanted for countless crimes, and threatened with the gallows, the mysterious, manipulative, and downright clever "Shade" must find a way to free Princess Celestia's former student from her captors... all in exchange for his life and a chance of freedom from the laws he was naturally born to break. With their vast amounts of differences, however, perhaps this little rescue could be more than a simple walk in the park for them.

Lucky for him, though, Princess Celestia never mentioned any specific ways that he had to return her, other than "alive" and "unharmed".

Published 2015-02-17 17:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-02-18 16:56:40 UTC

Prologue 1: STOP, THIEF!

CANTERLOT CITY

"STOP, THIEF!" Those words echoed through the entire bustling city of Canterlot at quite an early hour in the morning. The sun's beautiful red rays were barely visible, and didn't even pass the horizon, yet. Then there was the vast number of oddly shaped clouds over the distant town of Ponyville... somewhat shaped in a checkered pattern.

The odd shapes of the distant clouds were just enough to keep the guards' attention away from the figure wearing pitch black clothing, a black hood, and a black mask. He stood a good two to three feet taller than the stallions, so it was a mystery how he was able to slip away from the guards' grasps so easily... but such is a necessary skill for a figure that was on countless WANTED posters scattered across villages, towns, and cities alike.

Below the WANTED posters, the figure's name appeared only as "Shade". The hairs that stuck from the front of his hood appeared to be a dark brown color, and his eyes appeared to be as green as a pair of emeralds. Whenever he spoke, he also appeared to speak in an accent, due to the fact that he wasn't originally from Equestria, anyways. According to his claims, he was on a ship from a distant kingdom similar to Equestria named "Asgalon"... and the capital city of that kingdom was "Camelot", from the isle of "Britannia".

Strangely enough, economic trade between Equestria and Asgalon were quite popular, even though most ponies didn't even learn what a human looked like. In fact, the only human that they knew about was the one from the WANTED posters... and sure enough, many of them cleared the streets the moment that they saw him running over the rooftops, while groups of guards tried surrounding him from down below.

As soon as he was at the end of the last rooftop he stopped for a split second and watched as the guards continued to pile up in numbers with their spears held towards him. Then he grinned beneath his mask before walking backwards a couple steps and leaping down the roof, only to catch onto the tip of the house's roof and kick his legs into the window, while the guards either rushed to the door or to where they estimated he would land once he fell down.

From inside the house, he ran from one end to the other, grabbed a hanger from a wardrobe, and slid across the clothes line that was attached to the windowsill on the house right next to them.

The guards finally reached the room, only to gasp when they saw Shade already inside the other house holding his middle finger up at them. They glared at him before rushing back to the outside and charging towards the other side again, while dividing a few groups of guards to scout the buildings that they passed. Little did they know, however, that Shade was no longer even in the houses, but rather, was running through an alleyway not too close by the rows of houses. The alleyway led to the Business District. Without even having to give it much thought, he decided to hide in the least likely of places where any guards would search for him... a boutique.

Shade sighed in relief when he saw that the boutique was unoccupied at the moment. He gently closed the door and stepped inside before scratching his chin from beneath the black mask that covered the lower half of his face. With a shrug, he decided to walk up to the counter where the "Bit Register" was. Then he reached behind his back and drew a dagger, before jabbing the blade between the upper crack of the register's door, and then bashing the tip of the handle of his dagger with his left hand; tilting the blade inside and opening the register in the process.

His eyes widened at the amount of bits that were piled inside the register. There were well over twenty stacks of ten bits in one compartment, but there were ten compartments altogether... and most of them were packed full. He gave an impressed whistle before reaching into the register to "inspect" a "few" of the coins.

The sound of the door slamming shut caught his attention, though. Shade looked towards the entrance and smiled when he saw a unicorn guard that seemed different from the rest. His coat was white, his mane was blue, and his armor was purple with golden trimming on the corners.

The unicorn glared at the human before growling, "Shade... I should've known."

Shade shrugged his shoulders while balancing a coin between his fingers and replying in his accented Equestrian voice, "Ah, Shining Armor... let's see. How many encounters have we made, exactly?"

Shining's glare intensified. "This would be the third time this month, in fact... and I don't intend on there being any more!"

Shade chuckled before flipping the coin in the air and catching it with his left hand. "Huh... now where have I heard that one before, I wonder?" He mockingly scratched his chin in thought before raising his right fingers as he began counting. "There was that one time in the Museum of Starswirl the Bearded... oh, and let's not forget the one over in the Canterlot National Treasury... and then, there's this one! In this boutique!"

Shining pointed his spear at Shade and spat, "You've broken the law countless times, Shade! Now, turn yourself in, and maybe I'll put in a good word for you! Then you may not end up in the gallows where you were intended to be!"

Shade hummed while looking up at the ceiling. Then he shrugged his shoulders before looking at Shining again. "Sorry, bud. Not interested. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some important things to do!" Before he could turn around to leave through the back door, Shining's spear swished past his right cheek with an inch of air in-between his ear, and pierced into the wooden security bar. Shade raised both eyebrows before attempting to remove the spear... only to find it stuck deep enough to the point where it couldn't even budge.

With an unamused sigh, Shade turned around and shrugged his shoulders. "Y'know... that was a really, really impressive move there... but all the same, it was also very... very stupid, for you see," he drew his sword from the black sheath dangling over his left hip, "NOW I may actually have to kill you."

Shining snorted at his comment, "Huh, is that what you think?" Then he drew his sword and raised it towards Shade with his piercing glare still intact. "I beg to differ."

In the blink of an eye, the two clashed swords together. Then the swords continuously clashed together in a fluid motion, as both combatants kept their right hands forward and their left hands behind their backs.

Shade was the first to notice, and smiled. "Huh, you seem rather different from the rest of the guards, now that I mention it."

Shining scoffed, "Well they don't let just anyone become the Captain of the Royal Guard, you know!"

"Ah, touche." Shade replied with a nod before the two continued clashing swords once again. Then Shining found a vantage point and swirled the swords in a circular motion until Shade's grip was weak enough. Finally, with a quick flourish, he disarmed Shade of his sword and thrust his sword towards Shade's chest.

Shade reacted quickly and gripped onto the nearest object beside him... a pink dress. The sword pierced through the dress, but the impact caused enough of a delay for Shade to move out of the way, wrap the blade in the dress, and disarm Shining from his own sword.

Shade quickly gripped onto the handle of Shining's sword and aimed it at Shining, while Shining in turn, did a backwards roll towards Shade's sword and lifted it up off the ground.

"Hey, a true stallion doesn't fight an opponent with a different sword... perhaps we could trade right quick?" Shade asked.

Shining smirked at Shade's request. "Do you honestly believe that I'm that stupid?!"

Shade shrugged his shoulders before replying, "Eh, could've fooled me... but here, this sword really isn't my style, anyways." With that he threw the sword in the air with the blade tilted upwards.

Shining stared in disbelief as what the infamous rogue said was actually true... or so he thought, until Shade gripped onto a mannequin and threw it directly into Shining's chest, disarming him of Shade's sword, and sending him backwards on the floor.

Shade quickly slid forward and caught the falling sword with his left hand while picking up his own sword with his right. Then he sheathed his sword and nodded his head to Shining. "Well, it's been fun, but I've got to run now!" He then ran towards the front door while Shining sat up and focused his magic on the door handle. Right when Shade's hand was just inches away from the lock, the lock to the door handle disappeared.

Shade tried moving the handle, but despite no longer having a lock, it was still locked. Shade groaned before kicking on the door, only to realize that it swung inside, and not the other way.

With another unamused sigh, Shade turned towards Shining again and said, "And yet again, you do something impressive, yet stupid... you see, now, not only have you locked us both inside this boutique, but," he raised Shining's sword up with his left hand while drawing his sword with his right again, "now you have no weapons!"

Shining's eyes widened as the sudden realization hit him. Then Shade decided to act quickly and thrust Shining's sword towards his own chest, but Shining thought ahead and already had his hands on the mannequin.

The sword's blade pierced through the mannequin, but not all the way through. Shining decided to use the situation to his advantage though, and rotated the mannequin counterclockwise to disarm Shade of the sword... which succeeded. Then he caught the handle of the blade with his right hand, blocked Shade's incoming left swing, and raised his sword with the mannequin still attached to the tip of the blade.

Shade eyed the mannequin warily before dodging another swing from Shining's sword, though he had to roll out of the way, as the mannequin added more blunt force to Shining's weapon.

Shining then sliced downwards with extra force, which sent the mannequin flying towards Shade while he was standing back up. Shade, however, raised his foot back and kicked the mannequin out of his way before turning towards Shining with a smug grin on his face. Shining took note of that and returned the smug grin.

"You know, despite being an annoying thorn on my side, you're a cut above the average criminal that I usually face!"

Shade shrugged his shoulders before replying, "Well, they don't consider just anyone as Equestria's Most Wanted, you know!"

Shining nodded his head. "Good point." Then the two clashed swords once again, though this time, Shade moved behind a round clothing rack filled with dresses and dodged Shining's sword while occasionally using the clothes to his advantage by either letting Shining's sword catch onto the cloth or tossing a dress over his face to impair his vision.

Finally Shining had enough and attempted to run around the rack, only for Shade to keep his distance. Then he grinned mischievously before shoving the rack towards Shining, sending him into a wall filled with rolls of cloth and other sewing materials.

Shade then looked up and saw a window of opportunity... or in this case, a window that was still open to let any heat out of the house. He also noticed a ladder conveniently lying right below it, and decided to try standing the ladder up to escape with.

His plan was short-lived when Shining intercepted his path with his sword held defensively. "I will not let you escape this time!"

Shade smirked before shrugging his shoulders once again. "And who says you have a choice?" Then they clashed blades once more. This time, however, Shade was able to disarm Shining of his sword by shoving the clothes rack from behind his back onto Shining's chest. Then he gripped onto Shining's sword again and attempted to strike at his neck, but Shining quickly bucked the rack with his right hoof, which was enough to leave Shade winded from the impact, and send him tumbling backwards on the ground, though he managed to keep his grip on his own sword while dropping Shining's sword, and stood back up quickly, while Shining lifted the ladder up with both hands and gripped it firmly with a determined glare on his face.

Shining charged towards Shade while Shade raised his sword defensively and anticipated an attack. Instead, though, Shining managed to swing downwards while Shade tucked both arms in and slipped through one of the holes between the steps of the ladder. He then chuckled before raising his sword towards Shining again, only for Shining to grin in response and pull the ladder back.

Before Shade had time to react, the ladder's lowest leg tripped him and sent him falling backwards while Shining managed to reclaim his sword and point it towards Shade.

Shade quickly kicked the ladder with enough force, however, that it sent Shining on the ground, but by the time Shade was able to stand back up, Shining was already up as well. Then they clashed swords once again. Shining nearly toppled over the ladder, but managed to keep his hooves floored, while Shade kept his eyes peeled on Shining, though in his mind, he already had another plan in motion.

Finally, when the ladder was behind him, Shade propped it up with his right heel and managed to get it propped on top of the mannequin with the taller corner tilted up and the shorter corner on the ground level. Due to his eyes' focus in Shining's eyes, however, he knew that Shining didn't even notice. Then Shade backed up slowly while Shining continued to attempt to close in the space between them.

He didn't even realize when the ladder was between his hooves until it was too late. Shade quickly jumped back and landed on the lower half of the ladder, which sent the upper half directly up, and in-between Shining's legs. The second the ladder hit something, Shade could only picture the sound of a bell ringing.

Shining's eyes were instantly covered in tears and his thighs were tucked inwardly, but he still managed to wobbly hold his sword defensively... though his defenses were too weak for him to do anything else, as Shade quickly hit the sword out of Shining's hand, kicked him to the ground, and held his sword up to Shining's chest triumphantly.

Shining glared at him before coughing a couple times. "Y-you... t-that was a... a dirty trick!"

Shade smirked before replying, "I'm a rogue, pal... what did you expect?"

Before anyone could say anything else, a frying pan came from out of nowhere and bashed Shade in the back of the head. He stood there silently and blankly for a moment before unconsciously falling onto the ground, while a thin mare with a white coat and a neatly combed pink mane stood and stared nervously at the two.

Shining weakly smiled before trying to stand back up to regain his composure. "Excellent timing, Misses Fleur De Lis!"

Fleur weakly smiled at Shining before helping him back up to his hooves. "Just thought I'd drop by to browse for new clothes, but ended up hearing all the commotion instead. Had to sneak into Fancy's kitchen to get this frying pan... was worried he'd notice me."

Shining accepted her helping hand and stood back up. Then he smiled at her before shaking his head. "Honestly, if I didn't even notice you, I doubt if he would've. Regardless, though, you will be reimbursed for the damages done here, as I'm certain you own a share in this place."

Fleur shook her head before replying, "Oh, there will be no need!" She looked down at the unconscious human before adding, "So long as justice has been done, I'm certain there should be a lot less empty pockets around, now!"

Shining smirked before picking his sword back up and sheathing it. "One can only hope so... perhaps now, the citizens will be able to sleep peacefully again!"

The sound of guards rushing inside the building caught both of their attention. Shining looked up at the first of the group and waited for them to do the usual "salute-and-greet" routine. When they did so, the front guard said, "Captain, your sister's ceremony should begin in four more hours, but we need your aid in the decorations for the festivities!"

Shining nodded his head and smiled. "Of course! I just..." he looked down at Shade once more, "... had a few obstacles that had to be dealt with." He then smirked before shaking his head. "Don't think I'll be seeing you around, Shade." He looked up at the guards behind the first one and pointed at Shade. "Guards, see to it that this man be taken to the dungeons at once... and prepare a medal for Misses Fleur De Lis, and her act of bravery for the capture of the infamous 'Shade'."

The guards saluted him before cuffing Shade's arms and legs together and carrying him over their shoulders. The front-most guard, however, remained there and awaited Shining's orders.

Shining looked at him and smiled. "Soldier... please assist in cleaning up this place. I would help too, but as you said, I have to help prepare the ceremony for my sister's ascension as a new princess."

The guard saluted him. "Yes, sir! And... outstanding work, sir!"

Shining nodded his head and smiled. "Thank you... and sorry, but I must take my leave now. Feel free to drop by for the ceremony off-duty, by the way. You'll earn it by helping Misses Fleur De Lis."

The soldier nodded his head and got to work. Shining proceeded out the door and started walking towards the castle gates with a cheerful smile on his face. "I can't believe it... Twily is going to be a princess, now! Oh... curse you, liquid pride!"

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the city, a small group of diamond dogs wearing long black hooded cloaks stood in a circle with their eyes focused on a single mark on a sheet of paper. The mark was a red paw print on a blotch of black ink.

The tallest of the group looked back and forth from the others before asking, "So, the plan is in motion, correct? You all know what must be done?"

The others nodded their heads before digging a hole below the gates where nobody would notice.

Prologue 2: Of Crowns and Captors.

CANTERLOT CASTLE

A slow and deep breath in the nostrils, followed by a slightly slower breath out the mouth. A lavender alicorn with a purple mane and tail with a pink stripe on each stared at herself in the mirror. She wasn't disappointed, to say the least... just downright nervous. She wore a bright purple dress with yellow trimming... something that one of her best friends made for her. The pattern was quite simple, but then again, simple is what she preferred.

She cleared her throat and attempted to speak, when the sound of the front door bursting open caught her attention. She turned around and deadpanned when she saw a young purple drake with a green stomach and green spines running up to her.

"Twilight! They did it! They-" the drake began, only to be cut off by the princess stomping a hoof down.

"Ugh, Spike! What have I told you about knocking first?"

Spike stopped in his tracks before pointing out the door. "I know that, Twilight! I just wanted to say that I saw a group of guards who were carrying that human that was on those WANTED posters!"

Twilight's ears perked up at that. She warmly smiled at him before checking herself again in the mirror. "Oh... well, at least we know we won't be in danger during the ceremony, then! Thank you for letting me know, Spike."

Spike nodded his head and turned to leave. "Any time, Twilight! Who would've known that your brother would be the one to stop that fiend from terrorizing Canterlot, and potentially ruining your coronation?"

Twilight gasped before turning to Spike again with a shocked expression on her face. "Wait, SHINING ARMOR was the one who stopped him?! He isn't hurt, is he?!"

Spike shrugged his shoulders before replying, "Well, aside from him having a little limp in his step, he told me that everything was okay, and that any wounds he got would be gone within a day."

Twilight sighed in relief before nodding her head. "Thank you, Spike... though now I'm going to have to have a little talk with him about risking his life like that! Who knows what that human would've done to him?!"

Once again Spike shrugged his shoulders before stepping out of the door. "I'd hate to imagine... though at least everything will be more peaceful around here now! Anyways, I gotta go help out with the decor! See you in a few hours!"

Twilight nodded her head and waved. "Alright, then. Goodbye, Spike! Thanks again!"

With that, the door closed, and Twilight was the only one in the room once again. She sighed before clearing her throat and practicing the speech she would say at the ceremony again.

She stood at the top of a balcony while looking at a huge crowd that gathered in the castle courtyard. After clearing her throat, she began, "A little while ago, my teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia, sent me to live in Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which is something I didn't really care much about... but now, on a day like today, I can honestly say," she beckoned a group of five mares, her friends, towards her, "I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've made with all of you! Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful. Today, I consider myself the luckiest pony in Equestria. Thank you, friends... thank you, everypony!"

The crowd let out a loud cheer as she exited the place. Princess Celestia, who was wearing a purple and golden dress similar to Twilight's in honor of her student's ascension, walked up to her and gently patted her on the back. "You did wonderful, Twilight... and now, would you care to join your family in the Dining Hall?"

Twilight nervously giggled before replying, "Um... t-that will be okay, Princess Celestia. I... I just need a moment to myself, that's all."

Celestia smiled at her former student before nodding her head in understanding. "I understand your nervousness, and will respect your decision... but please, though, do remember that your family would like to congratulate you, at least."

Twilight nodded her head and replied, "O-of course! I'll be there in a minute or two! I just... have to collect my thoughts, is all."

Celestia nodded her head again before heading out of the Throne Room to give Twilight some space. Twilight, on the other hand, stepped into the guest room where she was planned to spend the night in.

CANTERLOT DUNGEONS

Shade was woken up by a huge torrent of cold water. He gasped and coughed a few times before trying to wipe the water out of his eyes, only to find that his hands were bound together, and chained to the wall. With an annoyed sigh, he looked towards the entrance of the cell he was in and found the jailer standing there with an empty wooden bucket in his hands, with a few droplets of water dripping from the rim.

The jailer smiled menacingly and said, "Wakey wakey, Mr. Shady... wouldn't want you to oversleep when the gallows are waiting for you!"

Shade, despite the situation he was in, smirked and scoffed, "Well teach the gallows how to be patient, then!"

The jailer's smile shifted into a glare. Then he opened the gate, stepped inside, and inched closer to Shade's face, until his was just a couple feet away. Finally, with all his might, he struck Shade's right cheek with the back of his right hand and backed away a few more feet. "Welcome home, Shade. Do try to actually get... comfortable this time."

Shade groaned in slight pain before puckering his lips towards his nose in an attempt to lower his mask. Then, once his mask was below his chin (which wore a thin stubbly beard) he spat a small hint of blood out and shook his head left and right while looking down, in an attempt to raise the mask back up.

Once his mask was back over his face, he grinned. "I see you've been anticipating my return, then?"

The jailer said nothing but turned to leave. Along the way, however, he lifted the bucket back up and stepped out of the gate, which he closed and locked shortly afterwards. Then he walked over to the desk conveniently placed in front of Shade's cell and sat on the stool behind it.

Shade yawned before looking towards the only source of light in his cell; a barred window. The sun was out, but it was getting slightly closer to night time. Despite the fact that the sun was out, however, Shade felt slightly sleepier than he did before he was knocked unconscious. Deciding a few hours wouldn't hurt, he lowered his head and fell into a deep slumber.

CANTERLOT CASTLE: MIDNIGHT

A pair of guards were standing at the corner of the hallway that led to Twilight's room. The two of them had their eyes firmly glued directly in front, while one of another pair of guards who were patrolling the hallway reached the two of them to turn around and proceed through the hallway once again.

When he was in-between the two, however, all of their attention was brought to a small droplet of blue liquid that landed in the center of the red carpet that they walked and stood on. When they looked at the droplet, it spread widely across the carpet and emitted a white smoke that, once inhaled, caused the guards to gag before passing out.

Then two of the hooded diamond dogs landed in the center of the carpet with their masks firmly over their snouts. The one on the left turned to the one on the right and motioned for him to move forward. He nodded his head in response before rushing to the nearest pillar and waited while the forth guard made his way towards them again.

Once the forth guard was in eyesight, his eyes widened at the sight of his fallen comrades and instinctively, he rushed to their aid. As soon as he crossed the pillar where the diamond dog waited, though, the diamond dog firmly gripped his snout with his left arm and slit his throat with a dagger that was concealed behind the diamond dog's right sleeve.

Then the diamond dog looked at the other one and nodded his head while the other one nodded in return and silently rushed through the hallway. He stopped the moment he saw the door with a pink six-sided star embroidered on it.

Twilight was sleeping peacefully in her guest bed, which was a Princess-sized mattress with pink sheets and a lavender blanket. Spike, despite being her number-one assistant, was sleeping in another room, though.

Her dreams were quickly interrupted when a pair of paws covered her snout while another pair gripped onto her horn to keep her from using magic. She tried screaming, but the second she took a deep breath, her snout was covered by a cloth coated in the same blue chemical as the one used in the hallways. Mere seconds after the chemical entered her system she passed out again, while the pair of diamond dogs lifted her up and carried her out of the room through the window, where she was then carried through the darkness of the night.

Shining Armor was on his way to Twilight's room when he noticed something off. There were supposed to be guards stationed at the hallway, but there weren't any in sight. It wasn't until he was almost halfway down the hallway when he noticed something else off. The center of the carpet appeared to be wet, but the liquid didn't appear to be water. He inched closer to it and took a quick whiff of the liquid before gasping at the all-too-familiar scent... blood.

His ears twitched when the sound of a thin metal object sliding out of a wooden surface caught his ears. In the blink of an eye he did a quick forward roll and narrowly dodged a sword that would've surely met his neck otherwise, and drew his own sword from its scabbard.

Two hooded diamond dogs with longswords in their hands were now standing in the center of the room. The one at Shining's left lunged first, but his sword was deflected away and Shining's own sword met the attacker's stomach.

The diamond dog backed up and growled in agony before falling onto his back and vanishing in a black mist... something that caught Shining's attention immediately. "What the-"

The second diamond dog decided to interrupt Shining while he was confused by slicing vertically. Shining managed to side-step out of the way before plunging his sword in the other diamond dog's chest. The diamond dog fell over and, like his friend, disappeared into a black mist.

Shining decided not to take any more chances and ran up to his sister's room. When he opened the door, however, he was met with an unnerving sight... her bed was empty, and her window was open. He rushed up to her window and was only able to catch a glimpse of her unconscious form being carried by the other pair of diamond dogs towards the docking area for the airships that traveled over the sky and the seas.

Shining's heart nearly skipped a beat as more hooded figures filled the streets and drew weapons while the guards were unaware. Shining decided to take charge into the matter and shoot a blast of white light into the air that exploded into a red smoke; signaling the guards that they were under attack.

CANTERLOT DUNGEONS

Shade woke up to the sounds of war cries, explosions, and metallic weapons clashing and clinking just outside the walls. He looked outside his cell and noticed that the jailer was now frightened, and drew his sword from his scabbard and lifted his shield off the ground. Then he rushed towards the door that led to the stairwell up the castle... but once the door opened, the body of the guard that had his throat slit flew into the room and sent the jailer's shield flying from the impact. His eyes widened at the sight before his eyes, but Shade wasn't able to see who it was clearly... at least, not until the jailer backed away with his sword still raised.

The figure was much taller than the diamond dogs that wore the cloaks, but the cloak must've meant that the figure was, indeed, on the same side as them. One of the most distinguishing characteristics that the jailer was staring at wasn't the tall hooded figure's green, pointy-nosed face, but rather, his left hand... or in this case, his tall, red, foot-long bladed claw for a hand. His piercing black eyes with demonic red pupils only struck even more terror in the jailer's heart.

The jailer then decided to attempt a bold move... he lunged his sword at the tall figure. Before it could even get anywhere near the figure, however, he caught the blade with his left claw and pinched his bladed fingers together, which clipped the outermost half of the jailer's sword clean off. The jailer then felt overwhelming fear as the stranger's claw raised up. The last thing he could see was the red claw moving towards his chest. Then overwhelming agony followed, and beyond that, the jailer was another corpse on the ground.

The hooded figure then turned to Shade and grinned wickedly. "Well, well... if it isn't our old friend Shade... how long has it been? A whole year?"

Shade shrugged his shoulders before replying in a casual manner, "Eh, probably a bit more. Honestly, Red, I would've assumed you'd have been done with this sooner!"

The hooded figure's pupils glowed even redder before he pointed his pointing claw at Shade. "You know good and well that we couldn't even get close to the border until Cerberus escaped Tartarus! And even then, there was only a few measly hours to even reach Equestria! And when we saw the WANTED posters... well, let's just say we knew we would have to hire a few extra paws and hands to ensure that you've been dealt with."

Shade smiled before inching his face towards Red. "Ah, so you've decided to surrender your attempt at 'reclaiming your honor'? You've hired a few henchmen to finish me off, then?"

Red shook his head before turning towards the two diamond dogs who just entered the room. "No... I still plan on being the one to kill you. I've just... come to pay my respects to your foolish hide. It's not like you won't try to cheat Death again, after all."

Shade smirked before replying, "And yet again with the whole 'cheating Death' thing. Honestly, I'm pretty sure Death just simply works in my favor!"

Red glared at him again before looking down at his clawed hand. "Oh, trust me... you wouldn't have been thinking the same had this curse not bound me against killing you... though believe me when I say this! We're not here for you now, but come our next visit, we shall settle this once and for all..." he flicked the blood from his claws before turning towards Shade again with a slightly bored expression on his face, "that is, unless Death finally grows tired of you."

Shade briefly nodded his head sideways in thoughtful agreement. "Eh, touche. So, what exactly are you after, then?"

Red deadpanned at him before smirking. "Oh, come now! What makes you think I would just tell you like that?"

Shade, on the other hand, smiled at him before replying, "Because as the Binder's Codes state, you are bound to tell all of your crew about your plans... and while I may have ran away once things got hairy, I was never deemed traitor until after your curse was inflicted on you... and you still can't properly deem me a traitor until the curse is released. Correct?"

Red glared at him while several red sparks began to shoot up his left arm. Finally, after slightly growling out of minor frustration and pain, he replied, "Alright, then! We're here to abduct the newly crowned princess, and use her blood to lift us from this curse!"

"Ah, the 'Blood of the Forth Alicorn'... so once the information from those dusty old books came true..."

Red nodded his head with a snarling expression on his mouth. "That was our cue to start the operations." He then pointed his left claw at Shade before spitting, "And now that you know this, I'm certain you will bring your old crew of rebels up once again... so hear this warning! We will make it to that shrine again... and once we do..." He lifted his left pointing claw up to his throat and slowly drew an invisible line across his neck before pointing the finger at Shade.

Shade smiled beneath his mask before chuckling. "Well, I'd be on my way if I were you, then! After all, since the 'Binder's Curse' doesn't work on me, seeing as how I did manage to escape, that means you're still a target of mine... and with that reminder in your mind, once I get out of here, I'd watch my back, if I were you."

Red stood there for a moment before smiling menacingly at him. "That is... if you get out of here. From what I've heard, you were on your way to the gallows... and with your reputation, I'm certain the princesses will not want to call that off."

Shade's smile only grew. "We shall see, old friend. For now, though, don't you have a princess to abduct, and some ritual to complete?"

Red's smile dropped into a more serious expression once more. "Indeed... be ready, Shade, for your time is coming... and when that time comes," he stepped outside of the jail room while the two diamond dogs followed behind him, "not even DEATH will want to save you."

Shade sat there for another long moment before turning towards the dead guards. "Yeah... that guy has some issues..."