Cyber Equestria: Shadow's Adventuresby nihilis3ChaptersThe Mark PartyMagitechMutationsDeath LoopThe Mark PartyTwilight: The little lavender Unicorn filly was the happiest she had ever been. She still felt the buzz of getting her cutiemark the day before, or maybe it was her cute-ceñera cake. Currently her living room was decorated with the trappings of celebration. Streamers dangled from the ceiling and confetti litered the ground. Every on was enjoying the atmosphere of levity. Even Princess Celestia was causally sipping punch from a red plastic cup. Twilight once again looked at her cutiemark a pink six pointed star with five white sparkles, and giggled her hand slid through her dark hare with a multicolored streak push stray hairs out of her eyes. One of her guest went and offered her another slice of cake from the buffet table on the left side of the room. Twilight heard knocking at her front door. She looked around confused everypony she knew was already present. Her mother Twilight Velvet moved to answer the door Twi wanted to see who was at the door but her big brother a white Unicorn with blue mane and tale, stopped her with a his hand on her shoulder. Twilight looked up at shining armor and smiled as he was holding a book he had bought for her. Several minutes later her mother cam back into the room with three other ponies. Every pony dropped what they were doing. The three visiters stood out far more than any lord or noble. Velvet's face wore an expression of joy and nervousness. "Twilight come over and say hello." Velvet said motioning twilight over to her. "This is General Iron Blood of the southern lunar rookery." She said motioning to a large bat pony stallion his armor gleaming purplish armor shone in the lights. He extended his large black leather wings as he did a brisk bow. "And this is his lovely wife Crimson Blood my older sister." Velvet said motioning to an equally black coated unicorn mare who had a single red streak in her main and tail, and a horn that was in a single curved piece like a carved obsidean blade. "Finally we have Shadow he's only a few days older then you." Velvet said happily motioning for said colt to step foward. As he did both Twilight and Celestia, who was paying close attention to the new guests, gasped in surprise. Shadow was striking, he had mercury silver hair, ethereal blue eyes, and a black coat that was tiger striped by a deep violet. Show stepped forward after doing a bow similar to his father's, in his hands he carried a small package. "What I hear its customary to give gifts at a cute-ceñera." Shadow stated handing over the planely wrapped box. "General Blood its a pleasure to meet you." Celestia said walking up to the small group.every one else was giving them a wide berth but the party was still picking up after the brief pause. "Evening princess I'm surprised to see you at my niece's party." Iron said bowing to her as well. "Oh no need to be so formal General you can call me Celestia, and as for my presence here, Twilight is myn new personal protege." Celestia said smiling down as Twilight was opening her gift. "Oh, opening it already." Crimson laughed patting Twilight's head. "I must admit I'm curious what Shadow made this time." She continued nonchalantly. Twilight was more excited the ever to see what was in the box. She had heard that Lunar Pegasai were simple in everything aside from war. 'Maybe he got me a sword!' She thought tearing into the packaging. To her surprise inside the box was a book, what looked like a smaller metal box, and a belt with a built in harness for her new book. Twilight opened the book whose cover was blank. Inside she found a screen on the inside cover, a quilltip pen, and plenty of blank pages. "It uses nanotech ink so the pen doesn't need refills. Also they can use predownloaded books and the words will show on the pages. That's what the interface on the inside cover is for. Its the digital interface for the personal server." Shadow said pointing to the different features the digital book could perform. He had also included real time camera communication. Celestia was quite interested in how this young colt had managed to make such an extravagant gift. Though she had to admit she was more interested in the colt then the device. She had met many a bat pony in her long life and never had Celestia seen one with his coloration, nor his more distinctive long ears and fangs. Something was definitely off. Shadow was unique and unique was not seen often enough by her standards. Still the look on Twilight's face made her reframe from asking to many questions. "So what powers those little inventions?" Celestia asked walking over and kneeling so She could see a little better view. "Ah...uhm...I used a thaumaturgic battery your Highness." Shadow said nervously knowing what the next statement would be. "But thaumaturgic batteries are still in the theoretical stage." Twilight said confusion spreading across her muzzle. "And I thought they couldn't be made without a unicorn?" She continued tapping her hoof on the floor while she rubbed a finger on her chin. "Oh uhmm...I know someone." Shadow said pretending to be distracted by the buffet table. Celestia couldn't help but giggle at the secretive little colt before her. Twilight was still confused but also intrigued Shadow had already uploaded several of his mother's spell books. In her opinion he had given her the best gift today. Yet he was so nervous he was nearly hiding in his wings. 'I thought Lunar Pegasie are supposed to fierce of countenance.' She thought looking up to Shadow's father. 'He certainly looks the part.' She almost laughed. "Oh, I almost forgot." Shadow said perking up. He motioned Twilight to hand him back the book. She reluctantly passed it back to Shadow curious what he had planned. He closed the cover and fiddled with the book's spine. He looked back to Twilight and held out his hand asking for Twilight's. She just stared at his hand confused. "Oh, I'm just activating the encryption matrix and synchronizing it to your signature." Shadow explained as Twilight gave her hand. Shadow gently placed her hand palm down on the front cover of the book and waited for a moment. Then Twilight felt a sudden sensation it started in her horn and traveled down her arm to the hand that was placed on the book. She felt something between a tickle and a pinch. While the soft purple glow of her magic engulfed her arm then her hand and book. Finally in a bright flash of light Twilights star splash cutiemark appeared on the cover. Shadow just smiled as he hand back her book. "So what kind of encryption software was that?" Celestia asked looking at the sparkle in Twilight's eyes. Shadow tried to look distracted which wasn't too hard considering there was this delicious looking cake on the buffet table. This time he wasn't going to give up his secrets so easily. "So your not talking ehh." Celestia teased with sly grin. "Excuse miss blood would it be alright if I talk to this little one alone?" Celestia asked turning to Crimson. "Oh, of coarse your Highness." Crimson hurriedly exclaimed with a bow. "Just don't give my son a lunar vacation." Iron said enjoying the hurt look on Celestia's face just a little. Celestia turned back to Shadow and ushered him across the livinging room toward the Sparkle's kitchen. Once inside Celestia locked the door and cast a noise dempening field. Shadow: Shadow had followed The Princess with worried apprehension. 'What is she going to do.' He thought looking around the room noting where the microwave and stove were. He also noted where the windows and doors were, ready to flee. The Princess simply walked over to the dinner table and sat down smiling broadly. 'I'm going to end up on the moon aren't I.' Shadow thought unmoving. "Come on now take a seat." Celestia said in her most motherly tone. She watched as Shadow walked slowly over acting almost as if he was dealing with a dangerous animal. "Now now if we keep as this pace you'll miss out on the cake its quite delicious." Celestia said as Shadow took his seat across from her. "Now little colt tell me what did you put in Twilights book." "I built a thaumametric security matrix." Shadow said looking down at his hooves. Celestia stared at him for several dumbfounded seconds. It was impossible not only are her scientists having trouble getting simple batteries working but here was a child who had appearantly managed to create a magic security system. "So who helped you create this Thaumametric matrix?" Celestia asked still convinced that he needed atleast somepony to help with the magic side of things. "Help? What help?" Shadow asked both confused and a little upset. 'She doesn't believe I built it my self.' He thought his inherited sense of pride overriding his more subtle fears. "I built and programmed Twilight's gift from the ground up." He retorted angrily. Celestia crossed her arms thinking. It was obvious that Shadow was fully invested in the fact that he had no help. Her right hand went to her chin as she was thinking of a way to get the information she needed. There were quite a few ways that the technology Shadow was playing with could be a major issue with Equestria's national security. "Show me." Celestia said a sly grin on her face. It was the perfect plan and one that hopefully wouldn't cause Shadow too much embarrassment. "As you wish Princess." Shadow said accepting her challenge. He flared his wing just a tad as a large metal spider he had hidden under his wings crawled out across his chest. The spider drone was just small enough to be hidden by his wing and realistic enough to make Celestia's blood run cold. The spider lept from Shadow onto the table. "Don't even think about blasting him." Shadow warned protectively. Celestia let out a nervouse laugh as the large spider crawled toward her. Without warning the spider stopped moving and turned to face Shadow. It then dropped to its belly, the abdomen and thorax split right down the center. Celestia watched mesmerized as the spider produced an entire alchemy set miniature sized. She couldn't believe it Shadow had everything he needed for over a hundred different potions and compounds. Celestia also noted several chambers she didn't recognize from her own alchemical studies. "Now to begin your highness." Shadow said standing from his chair. "The main problem I've noticed with your scientists research, no two unicorns can produce the same amount of etheric energy. This means that either each battery would have to not only be customized but you wouldn't be able to let other species use them." As Shadow spoke he brought up several holographic simulations showing several different variations to the batteries she was having researched. It also showed why each would fail. Some couldn't hold a charge, others overloaded releasing the stored magic violently. Celestia nodded so far she was keeping up with his explanation. "So I scrapped that design." Shadow nonchalantly said walking over to the counter behind him where the Sparkles kept their cookware. Celestia watched in confusion as Shadow selected as small pot and moved to the sink to fill it with water. "This is for something special." He said placing the pot to boil. After he set up what he was going need Shadow took his seat once more. "Now first part of any good invention is the processor. Since this processor will be thaumaturgic in nature we'll need something both programmable and magically conductive." Opening one of his drones chambers Shadow revealed gem shards. "See gems and crystals can both hold etheric energy and be digitally programmed." Shadow reached forward grabbing the crystal and placing it on the table infront of himself next to the spider's mouth. Author's Note Third chapter so feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think P.s. no shadow is not an alicorn yet I will explain more on how his mutation works next chapter. MagitechCelestia: Celestia watched the little colt work. She had never seen any one work so quickly. Shadow for his part was using his spider's fangs as a laser and drill while his wings worked a chemical soldering solution. Pouring the liquid with the clinical precision. 'Wait that's silver how did?' Celestia thought shocked by this small feat of chemical engineering. Shadow continued lost in his work. He weaved the metal and crystal. Continually he cut the shard down to the size he wanted. Within moments Shadow had his processor ready. Celestia could hardly beleive that the little thing could do anything. 'It's smaller then a button.' She thought watching Shadow place the part aside. At this point shadow stood again. 'If that processor works it alone could change Equestria's technical industry.' She noted as Shadow walked over to the now boiling water. 'What is he up to now?' She pondered watching closely. "Storm metal." Shadow said in explanation. "Uhmm, excuse me?" Celestia asked confused as to what Shadow meant. "Storm metal, you know the special metal pegasie use. Non-cunductive, able to stay in the air even with other objects on it?" Shadow offered further. "Wait that's pegasie magic and its the one spell they don't share, even I don't know it." Celestia said leaning back. 'He's good but this is where the game ends.' She thought with a smirk. "Cumulus clouds." Shadow explained placing his hand into the rising steam. Seeing Celestia's confused face Shadow decided to explain further. "Ok, well you see at the top of newly constructed cumulus clouds there's a type of Pegasus magic that takes the form of oil. This oil when used to temper metal of any type creates storm metal." Shadow explained as he began his work with the water vapor. Celestia stared dumbfounded as shadow formed the cloud before her. 'You mean that darn slime that clings to my hooves is the greates secret of the pegasie.' She thought shocked. Still she certainly was enjoying watching the Lunar Pegasus work his magic. Still more fascinating was watching the way the fresh forming cloud was interacting with every touch of his hand. When the cloud was done forming Shadow turned off the stove and move back over to his seat the cloud floating in tow. "How are you doing that?" Celestia asked watching the cloud floating around Shadow's head. "Oh that, technically the cloud believes I'm it's parent since I formed it. This is why most pegasie use machines to craft clouds now." Shadow stated matter of factly. "Infact according to history many pegasie kept clouds as pets." He said giving his cloud some directions. He filled one of his drones legs from the top, as they acted as vials. Again Shadow went to work with his tools. His wings acting once again as extra hands doubling his work speed. Only problem was that Celestia was having trouble seeing what Shadow was up to. Still what she had seen was simply stunning. Shadow clearly had an unusual understanding of several fields of study. 'Then again the boys mother is a teacher.' She thought smiling. After another hour Shadow stopped working. Celestia perked up wondering what road block Shadow had hit. He simply removed two objects from his drone he stuck both into his cloud which flashed with lightning. Shadow brought the two pieces together. He moved the object out of the cloud and presented it to Celestia. Celestia gasped shocked by what was befor her. In his hand was a single hook earring. It had a gold base and hook with a long crystal hanging from it. The Crystal was gradient in coloration going from pinkish at the top to clear in the center and a deep red at the bottom. In the center of the crystal was a iron ball nearly in visible. From this ball shot two bolts of lightning one hitting the top and the other striking the bottom. Celestia once she recovered from her surprise thanked Shadow as she took the earring from Shadow. The moment it was in her hand, she felt a strange sensation starting in her horn. The sensation traveled along her body till it pooled in her hand and into the earring. 'Heh that kinda tickles.' She thought curiosity keeping any and concerns at bay. The moment her magic hit the earring there was a massive flash of light. Celestia was only temporarily blinded and as soon as her vision cleared she was stunned. There sitting in the center of the crystal was a miniature version of her sun. The small yellow white orb was simply sitting there but it stirred all sorts of emotions. Celestia brought her hand over her mouth trying not to let her emotions out to much. Still here eyes teared, for her it was like meeting a dear friend after centuries. The little sun showed perfectly the activity of its larger counter right down to each solar flare. Celestia couldn't hold back her tears anymore. "Thank you, I... I just... don't know what to say." She said wiping away her tears. "Are you ok?" Shadow asked hesitantly unsure how to proceed. Celestia looked back over to Shadow who had lost all his bravado. He was right back to being his shy self. She also noted that he had cleaned up, the spider was no longer on the table. "It's alright my little pony. I also must apologize I didn't fully believe you." She said still sitting at the table. "Its alright I didn't mean to make you cry." He stated still nevouse. "Don't worry they're tears of joy this is the best gift I've had in years." Celestia stated putting the earring in. "By the way how would you feel if I was to ask your parents about being my second personal student?" She asked smiling broadly. "But I'm not a Unicorn?" Shadow said shocked enough for his wings to flare. "Hehehe, yet with this and a book you've pretty much become the poster child for magitech." Celestia giggled causing some of Shadows nervousness to fade. "Magitech?" Shadows head tilted in confusion. "Yes magitech the fusion of magic and technology in harmony for the worlds betterment." Celestia announced happily standing. "Now wait here I think your parents might wish to talk to you privately in a bit something about a lab in a government building." She said coyly as she moved towards the kitchen door. Cancelling her spell as she left letting in the noise from the still ongoing party. "Oh and I'll grab us some cake." She happily stated. 'This is going to be fun.' She thought leaving the room. Iron: Iron watched as Twilight examined his gift to her. It was a traditional in Lunar Pegasus society to give a child their first weapon upon the appearance of their cutiemark. In this case he had gotten permission in advance to gift Twilight a combat knife and scabbard. It was designed to attach to her thigh like a garter belt. Crimson was nervously pacing waiting to hear from Celestia about their boy. Iron kept glance between his wife Twilight and the kitchen door. Celestia opened the door and strolled out. Iron let out a sigh there was more than one reason for him to be here. 'I guess its now or never.' He thought solemnly walking towards the princess. She was looking around the room and smiled when she spotted him. The look on Iron's face made that smile disappear. He motioned Crimson over to join him. "General what's wrong?" Celestia asked her face showing only concern. "I have to discuss something with both of you." Iron sad saddly. 'Why does it have to be my child?' He questioned himself. "What is it darling?" Crimson asked confused. "Shadow can't come home with us." Iron stated sadly. "What do you mean he can't come home with us!" Crimson nearly screamed. "Crim do you know what my brother does?" Iron said grabbing Crimson's shoulder. "Yeah he's some kind of religious leader in the northern rookery." Crimson replied confused. "You can't possibly mean he leads the Children of the Nightmare!" Celestia sighed yet again the cult dedicated to serving her corrupted sister reared its head. "What do they have to do with this." She asked clearly upset. "What does this have to do with our Shadow." Crimson was nearly begging to know what was wrong. "Celestia there is a prophecy as you are aware of her return." Iron began a touch of sadness in his voice. "Well there's a second part. This part describes her king the key to her victory if he's raised to know her." Iron shook his head. "My brother will stop at nothing to get that child." "And that child is shadow?" Celestia asked skepticism seeping from her voice. "My brother thinks so." Iron replied his own skepticism showing. "Be that as it may Shadow is in danger. Steel will take him and brain wash him to serve Nightmare Moon." Iron stopped to let his words sink. "Your Highness I know our people don't always get along, but most of my rook want the real princess back not the thing that claims to be her." These last words caught Celestia off guard so use was she to people knowing only her sister's corrupted self. "Well this might work out, anyway I was going to offer to take on Shadow as a secondary student. Hed be learning with Twilight as well." Celestia offered helpfully. "That would be perfect best protection would be at the castle." Iron replied thinking. "No I'm not giving up my son because of some loon and a dumb prophecy." Crimson declared savagely. "I'll be buck up anyone who dares touch my child." Her horn lit a savage blood red aura. "Crimson please, even steel wouldn't come to attack Canterlot. The rook, however that's another story steel would gladly turn our home into a war zone." Iron looked off into the distance, distant battlefields dancing before his eyes. "I don't want to see children lying in their own blood not in my rookery." "True urban warfare always leads to civilian casualties, and thusly should be avoided as much as possible." Celestia said her own experiences rearing their head. "But my child..." Crimson couldn't help but lightly sob the thought was crushing. "Trust me Crim this is what's best." Iron said saddly. "We'll stay for a week make sure he gets settled, but for now Princess could you take Twilight to go play with him. My wife will need a few minutes to calm down." Iron said wrapping his arms around Crimson. MutationsCrimson: Crimson loved early mornings. Not only did she get to see a beautiful sunrise but it was also the time Iron got to come home. Today her feelings were torn, she was so proud of Shadow getting accepted as the princess' protege. Yet it broke her heart that it meant she couldn't bring him home. She still felt the threat from Shadow's uncle was overstated few could stop a angry unicorn. 'Still Iron might be right.' She thought sadly. 'This might be the safest option, but that doesn't make it the best.' She stewed, Crimson knew she was stubborn, she often used to clash with her sister Velvet. "Where's Shadow he's going to miss the sun rise he never misses the sunrise." Crimson said turning from her view in Velvet's kitchen. 'What is that boy up to.' She thought moving through the living room where Iron was sleeping hanging from the roof. 'Heh couldn't make it to bed again.' She giggled as she reached the stairs. 'Did he get caught up in his inventions again.'she thought stopping in front of Shadow's room. Crimson stopped and listened waiting to hear anything from the room. 'Please be asleep.' She silently prayed as her breath caught in her bosom. She broke out in a cold sweat as she extended her fingers to grab the handle. Fear ran rampant through her mind. She opened the door slowly dreading finding an empty room. Much to her relief Shadow was right in his bed. 'Strange, he never sleeps this late.' Crimson sighed obviously circumstances had been getting to her. She took a step in wondering if she should wake him. 'Nah, he had a full night and probably went to bed early.' She thought turning to leave. "Hnng, no." Shadow said shifting in his sleep. Crimson turned and looked back at Shadow. "Another nightmare dear." She said moving closer. 'He does have a lot of them.' She thought passingly. "They want him because he's to be the Nightmare's king and the key to her victory." The words from the prophecy rang back with sudden weight in Crimson's mind. 'No that's... I'm waking him.' She thought storing over to Shadow's bed. She leaned down and gave him a rough shake of the shoulder. Shadow still didn't stir. 'No, no ,no, noo!' She nearly screened as fear took her again. Shadow: Shadow looked around confused as to where he was. All around him was dark granite. Luckily enough the darkness wasn't to much of an issue. His ears could pick up ultrasonic frequencies for his brain to translate into a 3d image of his surroundings. According to his mother several other animals could do the same. Shadow did notice however that something was off. He was picking up data not sound. Every time he used one of his 5 senses Shadow received feed back in the form of digital or magic input. Primarily it was the magic that was throwing him off. Several times before he accidentally found his consciousness floating in and out of programs almost like a ghost. In fact he enjoyed surfing the air ways that way. ‘Hmm, this magic interference I wonder who's doing it.' He thought calmly. 'It seems to make things solid.' He mused placing his hand on the cold stone wall. He laughed a little wondering if this meant he wasn't a digital ghost any more. Shadow decided he wouldn't learn anything just standing around. It didn't take Shadow long to figure out that his echo navigation needed practice. He kept missing little cracks and hoof falls in the stone work. He felt his foot slip dragging him down deeper into the program. He slid down a steep embankment for several seconds and tumbled to stop, with a resounding "oof". "Ow, well gravity works the same." Shadow said aloud. 'This pain though, why...' He stopped mid thought as his hand passed in view of his face. "No, this can't its not..." Shadow tried to analyze what he was seeing. His palm showed a clear cut with crimson blood leaking out. The blood glowed with its own purplish light. A slight panic welled up. 'I'm bleeding I can't be bleeding this its fake, I know it's fake!' He mentally screamed. Celestia: Celestia sat in her throne silently cursing her endless streams of noble each with some petty squabble or insane plan. Her hand moved up to her new earring as she reminded herself of the coming joy she was going to recieve. 'Now that I think of it nobody's mentioned my new jewelry.' She thought angrily. She always tried to look her best for her court. Infact today she was wearing a flowing silk dress with a gold torque and bracers. Celestia scuffed her gold plated horseshoe against he polished marble floor and fiddled with her crown for a second. The noble that was talking was her nephew. The white coated unicorn was complaining about how she was taking an unknown unicorn as her personal student as opposed to his son her great nephew. "This Peasant has no pedigree that would entitle her to such treatment." Vladimir Blueblood said flicking is black tale in annoyance. "Prince Blueblood! I would have you know I did consider your son but seeing as he's more concerned with his privileges than magic." Celestia said trying her best to remain calm. 'He's gonna freak when he learns about Shadow.' She let a small smile grace her muzzle. "Though I imagine your son would enjoy having a playmate when he's here." She suggested happily. The talk was cut short when a guard came rushing in through a side door. He was flushed and out of breath. "Your highness urgent news from the Sparkle residence." The earthpony guard said slipping into a chair against a wall. "The boy he's not waking up." The guard said as Celestia rose from her throne. "Sharp Word!" She said turning to her notary. "Court is cancelled for today and let the guard captain know where he can find me." She finished disapearing in a bright flash of golden light, leaving those in attendance confused. Celestia reappeared in the Canterlot hospital waiting room surprising both the Sparkles and and The bloods. She looked around at the forlorn faces of the two families. Twilight was watching the doctors and nurses run around. Celestia walked over to Crimson who was trying her hardest not to breakdown. "Crimson what happened?" Celestia asked hurrying over. "I don't know... he just won't wake up I... I think she trapped him somehow." Crimson's tone was somewhere between pure venom and a sorrow. "Can you help him your Highness?" She asked looking at Celestia with hope. "I'll talk to the doctors and see if I can help." Celestia said comfortingly she turned looking for a nearby doctor and saw iron talking to one. As she walked over she heard what the doctor was saying. "Your son is in some kind of magic stasis. We tried scanning through it but we couldn't adjust for the etheric field." The doctor said looking down at his electric chart pad. He swiped the screen before continuing. "Near as we can tell, the source of the field is not external." The doctor shook his head. "Thank you doctor This gave Celestia some pause, 'that means that either he's acting as a conduit or is generating the field himself.' She thought trying to think of what spell might be in play. 'Still I don't think Luna could do this let alone would want to.' She recalled all her sister's interactions with foals. 'No even as the Nightmare she wouldn't dare harm a child.' She thought with certainty. "Doctor can I see that pad?" She asked interjecting herself into the conversation. The doctor gave her a little bow as he handed over his pad. "Thank you doctor Compress I'll get this back to once I peruse it." She said accepting the pad. The doctor returned to his duties, and Celestia walked over to the waiting area bench where she sat next to Twilight. "Twilight why don't you help ke look over these documents. Ask about anything you don't understand." She said making sure that Twilight could see the medical tablet. 'She might notice something I miss. "The etheric field is strange." Twilight pointed out. "Oh how so." Celestia asked not seeing it her self. "Well normally it would be erratic like a fire." Twilight said trying to light up her horn to show Celestia what she meant. "You're right Twilight this field it's... there's no variation in its intensity." Celestia said looking closer at the data. 'Let's see where is... there we go.' Celestia thought swiping through to the pages till she came upon Shadow's scans. "Hey the picture's wrong." Twilight said excitedly. Celestia was surprised by how quick She had caught it. "Good catch Twilight. His scans are odd..." Celestia stopped mid sentence. The biological Etheric circuits where familiar but she couldn't place them. Celestia watch as Twilight studied the immage. "Pegasus, Earth..." Twilight muttered drawing Celestia's attention. "What's that little pony?" She asked Twilight looking down at the scan again. "Pegasus," Twilight stated pointing to a etheric vien cluster along his spine. "Earth pony," she pointed to another cluster this one in the pit of his gut. "But that's not possible he didn't show any signs." Celestia said shocked. Shadow had alicornesque mana circuits. "Hold on, he doesn't have a Unicorn circuit." She said confused. "But he does." Twilight countered placing her finger on a small cluster in Shadow's head. "That one is to small to channel magic." Celestia sighed she still couldn't see how this all fit. "Shadow doesn't have a horn." Twilight countered again tracing her hand down to Shadow's palms were two equal sized vein clusters sat. Celestia stared dumbfounded, 'a mutation what in tartarus.' Celestia rose to her hooves. "Princess, I got my cutiemark from a magic flare." Twilight said looking worried. "What if Shadow did the same!" Celestia finished excitedly. See saw the confused faces on the the others. "The magic field Shadow might be generating it as part of a magic flare once it calms down he should wake up." Celestia explain happily. "One problem, our son isn't a unicorn." Iron said sadly. "Nope he's something else entirely." Celestia replied a strange glee in her eyes. Death LoopShadow: Shadow had been wondering the labyrinthine corridors of his underground prison for quite some time. He was beginning to feel alone and lost. Shadow was also sporting several new cuts and bruises. The only positive the young pony could find in his situation was that his echo location skill had been steadily improving. Shadow could now tell gabs and crevices from simple divets and cracks. He also noticed a a steady at increase in his ultrasonic range. Still he would be happy to leave his dark prison behind. 'I wonder if I've passed this spot before?' He wondered scuffing a hoof across the stone. The sound caused to cavern to alight to his mind showing jutting stone outcroppings and an ever extending floor. Shadow sighed audibly causing another flash of landscape. 'I guess there's still no point in standing around.' He thought following the path his ears showed. 'Still how did this happen?' He thought as he moved. 'Maybe its a vr system I was...' Shadow paused to explore the current train of thought some more. Finally after a brief search through his memories he conclude that no he had not created a virtual world capable of trapping a ponie's conscienceness. 'Though the application for prisoner reformation and containment are promising.' He smiled at the thought and continued. Shadow's lonely walk continued on for several more hours. He passed the time reciting the Equestrian periodic table, several designs he had made and several long spells from his mother's grimoure. Eventually he found himself at a crossroads. Shadow froze willing his ears to hear. Some of his father's words coming to him. "Listen if your trapped underground there are two things to look for." Iron said to his toddler son. "Firstly is an elevated path." He paused looking to his son. "Do you understand? " he asked a slightly confused Shadow. "Upsies!" The blue eyed infant exclaimed happily extending his little hands to be picked up. "That's right! my little pathfinder." Iron exclaimed scooping Shadow up in his arms. "Do you know what we look for next?" He asked laughingly. "Eeroshun." Shadow replied testing the new word on his tongue. "What?" Iron asked confused. "Wawa go down take rock with is called eeroshun." Shadow said happily. "Well yeah but how did?" Iron shook the question from his head. "Has got to be that unicorn blood. That stuff is potent." He mused holding Shadow up by his armpits to look him in the eyes. "By Luna I hope its the unicorn blood." He said watching the setting sunlight catch on Shadow's hair like fire. Shadow for his part was enjoying the changing scenery. Shadow let the memory fade back into obscurity. Know what he need to do now, yet how to do it was the puzzle. Do to the nature of his hooves Shadow couldn't use them to feel for erosion and with it still being to dark to see his echo location skill was all he had to relie on. How ever echo location couldn't give him the textures he needed to see. "Glad nobody's going to see this." Shadow said bringing his hands together. A small breeze kicked up as he channeled his thaumatrgic energy to his hands. Pulling his hands apart the breeze strengthened playing with his mane and pooling in his hand. The swirling vortex in Shadow's hand soon became visible as his light blue magic combined in the center pulling itself into a perfect orb of bright blue light. "It worked!" He exclaimed with a laugh. "Mom would flip if she knew I could do this." Shadow said leaning down to see the cave floor. A brief inspection show that the path on his left was smoothest, showing the most erosion. Shadow started down the path and snuffed his light knowing that it would be easier to track then his screech. He continued the steadily rising path untill it leveled off and he found himself in a well lit cavern. The cavern was enormous with a single splash of light in its center highlighting a small grass patch with a single flower. The sunlight that rained down warmly bloomed off the grass and was dispersed around the cavern by several crystal formations that lined the stone walls and ceiling giving the cave a greenish tint. Along the far wall was a small lake were a trickling water fall pooled serenely. Over all there was a sense of calm over the place almost as though it was waiting. Shadow felt the data and magic pool above the small lake as words formed out of thin air. Water can quench thirst and heal minor damage. Drink it directly or fill your canteen to take some with you. 'Ok so where's a canteen?' Shadow thought glancing around the cavern not seeing one. After a minute or two of searching and not findimg anything. When his echo located nothing Shadow entered the cave cautiously. 'The light might be a way out which means this is where the first enemies should be.' He thought remembering games he'd seen other ponies play. He slowly made his way to the water looking through the data that flowed just barely below the worlds surfice. He scanned it for anything from activation points to blatant entity frames. His magic however didn't go far. He was stuck readiling only surface data and that he couldn't control much. 'No cheating then.' He thought hopelessly moving towards the water source. "Hello!" High pitched and happy voice called out. The sudden sound made Shadow jump. He landed in with his feet spread and his hands up and elbows in. "Easy there bruiser." The flower said raising its petals to the air trying to calm Shadow. "So what brings you to my neck of the caves?" The overly jovial flower asked calmly. Shadow stared at the flower for a moment before turning away. 'It's a daisy, I hate daisys.' He thought examining the pool of water. "Hey! I asked you a question." The flower said sounding less cutesie. Shadow smiled a bit knowing he was breaking the things facade. 'I knew that thing was faking it. Now let's see whays its real purpose is.' He thought continuing to ignore it. The flower for its part sat still and growled in frustration. "You know its rude to ignore people who are trying to talk to you."the plant said its mouth practically dripping venom. Shadow turned to face the plant again only to feel a sharp pain in his chest. Looking dow he saw a root the size his arm sticking through his chest. "Oh well, not like it changes much. Just proves how rude children are nowadays." The plant scoffed throwing shadow against a stone wall. Shadow felt his blood spilling out as death closed its chilling hands around his heart. He woke with a start still surounded by stone and darkness. 'Ok now it's personal!' He thought angrily. As he picked himself up off the stone floor. Shadow once again start using ultra sonics to mentally map his location. 'How am I supposed to beat that thing?' He idly pondered as he continued his search for an exit. 'Lets see no weapons and powers. Who builds a game like this!?' He threw his hands up in frustration as his foot came down onto nothing. Shadow tried to flare his wings to balance himself only to find that they didn't work and neither did his ability to grip with his hooves. So instead he spewed every explicit word he knew as he fell to his second death. Again he awoke on the cold stone. "Well this sucks." He said to no one in particular as he stood. "I couldn't agree more." A dreadedly familiar voice said. Shadow whipped around to see that the now larger diasy was there. "Really when I kill some one I expect them to stay dead." The flower said nonchalantly. "Your really taking the sport out of this." Flowy said as another tendral bloomed from Shadow's chest. "Buck you, and this damn game!" Shadow spat angrily. Right before his corpse hit the floor. Shadow's eyes opened for the fourth time. "Oh come on already!" He yelled fustrated. 'Who in thier right mind adds realistic pain to a game.' He thought standing. 'Ok shadow think there has got to be a way out.' He thought again trying to reach out with his magic. Yet again he could barely feel the code through the strange magic that was blocking his attemps. 'Wait I can still use my magic? Then why can't I use anything else?' He contemplated the inplacations and possibilities. After a hour or so of walking an idea began to form in his head. I'm not able to pull off complex spells.' It began. 'And if I project something more then a foot it falls apart cause I can't maintain the ethereal field.' It continued to form. 'So I need something that can stabilize or compress the magical field allowing me to use magic.' The next hour or so he spent designing just such a device. Shadow was proud of his design. It would revolutionize pony society. A device capable of letting any pony with strong magical auras cast magic like a unicorn. Now all he needed to do was build it. Author's Note Sry bout the short chapter. It just felt like the best place to end it. Also the long hiatus was because my old phone couldn't handle fimfiction anymore but now that i got a new one i should be able to post more regularly.
The Mark PartyTwilight: The little lavender Unicorn filly was the happiest she had ever been. She still felt the buzz of getting her cutiemark the day before, or maybe it was her cute-ceñera cake. Currently her living room was decorated with the trappings of celebration. Streamers dangled from the ceiling and confetti litered the ground. Every on was enjoying the atmosphere of levity. Even Princess Celestia was causally sipping punch from a red plastic cup. Twilight once again looked at her cutiemark a pink six pointed star with five white sparkles, and giggled her hand slid through her dark hare with a multicolored streak push stray hairs out of her eyes. One of her guest went and offered her another slice of cake from the buffet table on the left side of the room. Twilight heard knocking at her front door. She looked around confused everypony she knew was already present. Her mother Twilight Velvet moved to answer the door Twi wanted to see who was at the door but her big brother a white Unicorn with blue mane and tale, stopped her with a his hand on her shoulder. Twilight looked up at shining armor and smiled as he was holding a book he had bought for her. Several minutes later her mother cam back into the room with three other ponies. Every pony dropped what they were doing. The three visiters stood out far more than any lord or noble. Velvet's face wore an expression of joy and nervousness. "Twilight come over and say hello." Velvet said motioning twilight over to her. "This is General Iron Blood of the southern lunar rookery." She said motioning to a large bat pony stallion his armor gleaming purplish armor shone in the lights. He extended his large black leather wings as he did a brisk bow. "And this is his lovely wife Crimson Blood my older sister." Velvet said motioning to an equally black coated unicorn mare who had a single red streak in her main and tail, and a horn that was in a single curved piece like a carved obsidean blade. "Finally we have Shadow he's only a few days older then you." Velvet said happily motioning for said colt to step foward. As he did both Twilight and Celestia, who was paying close attention to the new guests, gasped in surprise. Shadow was striking, he had mercury silver hair, ethereal blue eyes, and a black coat that was tiger striped by a deep violet. Show stepped forward after doing a bow similar to his father's, in his hands he carried a small package. "What I hear its customary to give gifts at a cute-ceñera." Shadow stated handing over the planely wrapped box. "General Blood its a pleasure to meet you." Celestia said walking up to the small group.every one else was giving them a wide berth but the party was still picking up after the brief pause. "Evening princess I'm surprised to see you at my niece's party." Iron said bowing to her as well. "Oh no need to be so formal General you can call me Celestia, and as for my presence here, Twilight is myn new personal protege." Celestia said smiling down as Twilight was opening her gift. "Oh, opening it already." Crimson laughed patting Twilight's head. "I must admit I'm curious what Shadow made this time." She continued nonchalantly. Twilight was more excited the ever to see what was in the box. She had heard that Lunar Pegasai were simple in everything aside from war. 'Maybe he got me a sword!' She thought tearing into the packaging. To her surprise inside the box was a book, what looked like a smaller metal box, and a belt with a built in harness for her new book. Twilight opened the book whose cover was blank. Inside she found a screen on the inside cover, a quilltip pen, and plenty of blank pages. "It uses nanotech ink so the pen doesn't need refills. Also they can use predownloaded books and the words will show on the pages. That's what the interface on the inside cover is for. Its the digital interface for the personal server." Shadow said pointing to the different features the digital book could perform. He had also included real time camera communication. Celestia was quite interested in how this young colt had managed to make such an extravagant gift. Though she had to admit she was more interested in the colt then the device. She had met many a bat pony in her long life and never had Celestia seen one with his coloration, nor his more distinctive long ears and fangs. Something was definitely off. Shadow was unique and unique was not seen often enough by her standards. Still the look on Twilight's face made her reframe from asking to many questions. "So what powers those little inventions?" Celestia asked walking over and kneeling so She could see a little better view. "Ah...uhm...I used a thaumaturgic battery your Highness." Shadow said nervously knowing what the next statement would be. "But thaumaturgic batteries are still in the theoretical stage." Twilight said confusion spreading across her muzzle. "And I thought they couldn't be made without a unicorn?" She continued tapping her hoof on the floor while she rubbed a finger on her chin. "Oh uhmm...I know someone." Shadow said pretending to be distracted by the buffet table. Celestia couldn't help but giggle at the secretive little colt before her. Twilight was still confused but also intrigued Shadow had already uploaded several of his mother's spell books. In her opinion he had given her the best gift today. Yet he was so nervous he was nearly hiding in his wings. 'I thought Lunar Pegasie are supposed to fierce of countenance.' She thought looking up to Shadow's father. 'He certainly looks the part.' She almost laughed. "Oh, I almost forgot." Shadow said perking up. He motioned Twilight to hand him back the book. She reluctantly passed it back to Shadow curious what he had planned. He closed the cover and fiddled with the book's spine. He looked back to Twilight and held out his hand asking for Twilight's. She just stared at his hand confused. "Oh, I'm just activating the encryption matrix and synchronizing it to your signature." Shadow explained as Twilight gave her hand. Shadow gently placed her hand palm down on the front cover of the book and waited for a moment. Then Twilight felt a sudden sensation it started in her horn and traveled down her arm to the hand that was placed on the book. She felt something between a tickle and a pinch. While the soft purple glow of her magic engulfed her arm then her hand and book. Finally in a bright flash of light Twilights star splash cutiemark appeared on the cover. Shadow just smiled as he hand back her book. "So what kind of encryption software was that?" Celestia asked looking at the sparkle in Twilight's eyes. Shadow tried to look distracted which wasn't too hard considering there was this delicious looking cake on the buffet table. This time he wasn't going to give up his secrets so easily. "So your not talking ehh." Celestia teased with sly grin. "Excuse miss blood would it be alright if I talk to this little one alone?" Celestia asked turning to Crimson. "Oh, of coarse your Highness." Crimson hurriedly exclaimed with a bow. "Just don't give my son a lunar vacation." Iron said enjoying the hurt look on Celestia's face just a little. Celestia turned back to Shadow and ushered him across the livinging room toward the Sparkle's kitchen. Once inside Celestia locked the door and cast a noise dempening field. Shadow: Shadow had followed The Princess with worried apprehension. 'What is she going to do.' He thought looking around the room noting where the microwave and stove were. He also noted where the windows and doors were, ready to flee. The Princess simply walked over to the dinner table and sat down smiling broadly. 'I'm going to end up on the moon aren't I.' Shadow thought unmoving. "Come on now take a seat." Celestia said in her most motherly tone. She watched as Shadow walked slowly over acting almost as if he was dealing with a dangerous animal. "Now now if we keep as this pace you'll miss out on the cake its quite delicious." Celestia said as Shadow took his seat across from her. "Now little colt tell me what did you put in Twilights book." "I built a thaumametric security matrix." Shadow said looking down at his hooves. Celestia stared at him for several dumbfounded seconds. It was impossible not only are her scientists having trouble getting simple batteries working but here was a child who had appearantly managed to create a magic security system. "So who helped you create this Thaumametric matrix?" Celestia asked still convinced that he needed atleast somepony to help with the magic side of things. "Help? What help?" Shadow asked both confused and a little upset. 'She doesn't believe I built it my self.' He thought his inherited sense of pride overriding his more subtle fears. "I built and programmed Twilight's gift from the ground up." He retorted angrily. Celestia crossed her arms thinking. It was obvious that Shadow was fully invested in the fact that he had no help. Her right hand went to her chin as she was thinking of a way to get the information she needed. There were quite a few ways that the technology Shadow was playing with could be a major issue with Equestria's national security. "Show me." Celestia said a sly grin on her face. It was the perfect plan and one that hopefully wouldn't cause Shadow too much embarrassment. "As you wish Princess." Shadow said accepting her challenge. He flared his wing just a tad as a large metal spider he had hidden under his wings crawled out across his chest. The spider drone was just small enough to be hidden by his wing and realistic enough to make Celestia's blood run cold. The spider lept from Shadow onto the table. "Don't even think about blasting him." Shadow warned protectively. Celestia let out a nervouse laugh as the large spider crawled toward her. Without warning the spider stopped moving and turned to face Shadow. It then dropped to its belly, the abdomen and thorax split right down the center. Celestia watched mesmerized as the spider produced an entire alchemy set miniature sized. She couldn't believe it Shadow had everything he needed for over a hundred different potions and compounds. Celestia also noted several chambers she didn't recognize from her own alchemical studies. "Now to begin your highness." Shadow said standing from his chair. "The main problem I've noticed with your scientists research, no two unicorns can produce the same amount of etheric energy. This means that either each battery would have to not only be customized but you wouldn't be able to let other species use them." As Shadow spoke he brought up several holographic simulations showing several different variations to the batteries she was having researched. It also showed why each would fail. Some couldn't hold a charge, others overloaded releasing the stored magic violently. Celestia nodded so far she was keeping up with his explanation. "So I scrapped that design." Shadow nonchalantly said walking over to the counter behind him where the Sparkles kept their cookware. Celestia watched in confusion as Shadow selected as small pot and moved to the sink to fill it with water. "This is for something special." He said placing the pot to boil. After he set up what he was going need Shadow took his seat once more. "Now first part of any good invention is the processor. Since this processor will be thaumaturgic in nature we'll need something both programmable and magically conductive." Opening one of his drones chambers Shadow revealed gem shards. "See gems and crystals can both hold etheric energy and be digitally programmed." Shadow reached forward grabbing the crystal and placing it on the table infront of himself next to the spider's mouth. Author's Note Third chapter so feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think P.s. no shadow is not an alicorn yet I will explain more on how his mutation works next chapter.
MagitechCelestia: Celestia watched the little colt work. She had never seen any one work so quickly. Shadow for his part was using his spider's fangs as a laser and drill while his wings worked a chemical soldering solution. Pouring the liquid with the clinical precision. 'Wait that's silver how did?' Celestia thought shocked by this small feat of chemical engineering. Shadow continued lost in his work. He weaved the metal and crystal. Continually he cut the shard down to the size he wanted. Within moments Shadow had his processor ready. Celestia could hardly beleive that the little thing could do anything. 'It's smaller then a button.' She thought watching Shadow place the part aside. At this point shadow stood again. 'If that processor works it alone could change Equestria's technical industry.' She noted as Shadow walked over to the now boiling water. 'What is he up to now?' She pondered watching closely. "Storm metal." Shadow said in explanation. "Uhmm, excuse me?" Celestia asked confused as to what Shadow meant. "Storm metal, you know the special metal pegasie use. Non-cunductive, able to stay in the air even with other objects on it?" Shadow offered further. "Wait that's pegasie magic and its the one spell they don't share, even I don't know it." Celestia said leaning back. 'He's good but this is where the game ends.' She thought with a smirk. "Cumulus clouds." Shadow explained placing his hand into the rising steam. Seeing Celestia's confused face Shadow decided to explain further. "Ok, well you see at the top of newly constructed cumulus clouds there's a type of Pegasus magic that takes the form of oil. This oil when used to temper metal of any type creates storm metal." Shadow explained as he began his work with the water vapor. Celestia stared dumbfounded as shadow formed the cloud before her. 'You mean that darn slime that clings to my hooves is the greates secret of the pegasie.' She thought shocked. Still she certainly was enjoying watching the Lunar Pegasus work his magic. Still more fascinating was watching the way the fresh forming cloud was interacting with every touch of his hand. When the cloud was done forming Shadow turned off the stove and move back over to his seat the cloud floating in tow. "How are you doing that?" Celestia asked watching the cloud floating around Shadow's head. "Oh that, technically the cloud believes I'm it's parent since I formed it. This is why most pegasie use machines to craft clouds now." Shadow stated matter of factly. "Infact according to history many pegasie kept clouds as pets." He said giving his cloud some directions. He filled one of his drones legs from the top, as they acted as vials. Again Shadow went to work with his tools. His wings acting once again as extra hands doubling his work speed. Only problem was that Celestia was having trouble seeing what Shadow was up to. Still what she had seen was simply stunning. Shadow clearly had an unusual understanding of several fields of study. 'Then again the boys mother is a teacher.' She thought smiling. After another hour Shadow stopped working. Celestia perked up wondering what road block Shadow had hit. He simply removed two objects from his drone he stuck both into his cloud which flashed with lightning. Shadow brought the two pieces together. He moved the object out of the cloud and presented it to Celestia. Celestia gasped shocked by what was befor her. In his hand was a single hook earring. It had a gold base and hook with a long crystal hanging from it. The Crystal was gradient in coloration going from pinkish at the top to clear in the center and a deep red at the bottom. In the center of the crystal was a iron ball nearly in visible. From this ball shot two bolts of lightning one hitting the top and the other striking the bottom. Celestia once she recovered from her surprise thanked Shadow as she took the earring from Shadow. The moment it was in her hand, she felt a strange sensation starting in her horn. The sensation traveled along her body till it pooled in her hand and into the earring. 'Heh that kinda tickles.' She thought curiosity keeping any and concerns at bay. The moment her magic hit the earring there was a massive flash of light. Celestia was only temporarily blinded and as soon as her vision cleared she was stunned. There sitting in the center of the crystal was a miniature version of her sun. The small yellow white orb was simply sitting there but it stirred all sorts of emotions. Celestia brought her hand over her mouth trying not to let her emotions out to much. Still here eyes teared, for her it was like meeting a dear friend after centuries. The little sun showed perfectly the activity of its larger counter right down to each solar flare. Celestia couldn't hold back her tears anymore. "Thank you, I... I just... don't know what to say." She said wiping away her tears. "Are you ok?" Shadow asked hesitantly unsure how to proceed. Celestia looked back over to Shadow who had lost all his bravado. He was right back to being his shy self. She also noted that he had cleaned up, the spider was no longer on the table. "It's alright my little pony. I also must apologize I didn't fully believe you." She said still sitting at the table. "Its alright I didn't mean to make you cry." He stated still nevouse. "Don't worry they're tears of joy this is the best gift I've had in years." Celestia stated putting the earring in. "By the way how would you feel if I was to ask your parents about being my second personal student?" She asked smiling broadly. "But I'm not a Unicorn?" Shadow said shocked enough for his wings to flare. "Hehehe, yet with this and a book you've pretty much become the poster child for magitech." Celestia giggled causing some of Shadows nervousness to fade. "Magitech?" Shadows head tilted in confusion. "Yes magitech the fusion of magic and technology in harmony for the worlds betterment." Celestia announced happily standing. "Now wait here I think your parents might wish to talk to you privately in a bit something about a lab in a government building." She said coyly as she moved towards the kitchen door. Cancelling her spell as she left letting in the noise from the still ongoing party. "Oh and I'll grab us some cake." She happily stated. 'This is going to be fun.' She thought leaving the room. Iron: Iron watched as Twilight examined his gift to her. It was a traditional in Lunar Pegasus society to give a child their first weapon upon the appearance of their cutiemark. In this case he had gotten permission in advance to gift Twilight a combat knife and scabbard. It was designed to attach to her thigh like a garter belt. Crimson was nervously pacing waiting to hear from Celestia about their boy. Iron kept glance between his wife Twilight and the kitchen door. Celestia opened the door and strolled out. Iron let out a sigh there was more than one reason for him to be here. 'I guess its now or never.' He thought solemnly walking towards the princess. She was looking around the room and smiled when she spotted him. The look on Iron's face made that smile disappear. He motioned Crimson over to join him. "General what's wrong?" Celestia asked her face showing only concern. "I have to discuss something with both of you." Iron sad saddly. 'Why does it have to be my child?' He questioned himself. "What is it darling?" Crimson asked confused. "Shadow can't come home with us." Iron stated sadly. "What do you mean he can't come home with us!" Crimson nearly screamed. "Crim do you know what my brother does?" Iron said grabbing Crimson's shoulder. "Yeah he's some kind of religious leader in the northern rookery." Crimson replied confused. "You can't possibly mean he leads the Children of the Nightmare!" Celestia sighed yet again the cult dedicated to serving her corrupted sister reared its head. "What do they have to do with this." She asked clearly upset. "What does this have to do with our Shadow." Crimson was nearly begging to know what was wrong. "Celestia there is a prophecy as you are aware of her return." Iron began a touch of sadness in his voice. "Well there's a second part. This part describes her king the key to her victory if he's raised to know her." Iron shook his head. "My brother will stop at nothing to get that child." "And that child is shadow?" Celestia asked skepticism seeping from her voice. "My brother thinks so." Iron replied his own skepticism showing. "Be that as it may Shadow is in danger. Steel will take him and brain wash him to serve Nightmare Moon." Iron stopped to let his words sink. "Your Highness I know our people don't always get along, but most of my rook want the real princess back not the thing that claims to be her." These last words caught Celestia off guard so use was she to people knowing only her sister's corrupted self. "Well this might work out, anyway I was going to offer to take on Shadow as a secondary student. Hed be learning with Twilight as well." Celestia offered helpfully. "That would be perfect best protection would be at the castle." Iron replied thinking. "No I'm not giving up my son because of some loon and a dumb prophecy." Crimson declared savagely. "I'll be buck up anyone who dares touch my child." Her horn lit a savage blood red aura. "Crimson please, even steel wouldn't come to attack Canterlot. The rook, however that's another story steel would gladly turn our home into a war zone." Iron looked off into the distance, distant battlefields dancing before his eyes. "I don't want to see children lying in their own blood not in my rookery." "True urban warfare always leads to civilian casualties, and thusly should be avoided as much as possible." Celestia said her own experiences rearing their head. "But my child..." Crimson couldn't help but lightly sob the thought was crushing. "Trust me Crim this is what's best." Iron said saddly. "We'll stay for a week make sure he gets settled, but for now Princess could you take Twilight to go play with him. My wife will need a few minutes to calm down." Iron said wrapping his arms around Crimson.
MutationsCrimson: Crimson loved early mornings. Not only did she get to see a beautiful sunrise but it was also the time Iron got to come home. Today her feelings were torn, she was so proud of Shadow getting accepted as the princess' protege. Yet it broke her heart that it meant she couldn't bring him home. She still felt the threat from Shadow's uncle was overstated few could stop a angry unicorn. 'Still Iron might be right.' She thought sadly. 'This might be the safest option, but that doesn't make it the best.' She stewed, Crimson knew she was stubborn, she often used to clash with her sister Velvet. "Where's Shadow he's going to miss the sun rise he never misses the sunrise." Crimson said turning from her view in Velvet's kitchen. 'What is that boy up to.' She thought moving through the living room where Iron was sleeping hanging from the roof. 'Heh couldn't make it to bed again.' She giggled as she reached the stairs. 'Did he get caught up in his inventions again.'she thought stopping in front of Shadow's room. Crimson stopped and listened waiting to hear anything from the room. 'Please be asleep.' She silently prayed as her breath caught in her bosom. She broke out in a cold sweat as she extended her fingers to grab the handle. Fear ran rampant through her mind. She opened the door slowly dreading finding an empty room. Much to her relief Shadow was right in his bed. 'Strange, he never sleeps this late.' Crimson sighed obviously circumstances had been getting to her. She took a step in wondering if she should wake him. 'Nah, he had a full night and probably went to bed early.' She thought turning to leave. "Hnng, no." Shadow said shifting in his sleep. Crimson turned and looked back at Shadow. "Another nightmare dear." She said moving closer. 'He does have a lot of them.' She thought passingly. "They want him because he's to be the Nightmare's king and the key to her victory." The words from the prophecy rang back with sudden weight in Crimson's mind. 'No that's... I'm waking him.' She thought storing over to Shadow's bed. She leaned down and gave him a rough shake of the shoulder. Shadow still didn't stir. 'No, no ,no, noo!' She nearly screened as fear took her again. Shadow: Shadow looked around confused as to where he was. All around him was dark granite. Luckily enough the darkness wasn't to much of an issue. His ears could pick up ultrasonic frequencies for his brain to translate into a 3d image of his surroundings. According to his mother several other animals could do the same. Shadow did notice however that something was off. He was picking up data not sound. Every time he used one of his 5 senses Shadow received feed back in the form of digital or magic input. Primarily it was the magic that was throwing him off. Several times before he accidentally found his consciousness floating in and out of programs almost like a ghost. In fact he enjoyed surfing the air ways that way. ‘Hmm, this magic interference I wonder who's doing it.' He thought calmly. 'It seems to make things solid.' He mused placing his hand on the cold stone wall. He laughed a little wondering if this meant he wasn't a digital ghost any more. Shadow decided he wouldn't learn anything just standing around. It didn't take Shadow long to figure out that his echo navigation needed practice. He kept missing little cracks and hoof falls in the stone work. He felt his foot slip dragging him down deeper into the program. He slid down a steep embankment for several seconds and tumbled to stop, with a resounding "oof". "Ow, well gravity works the same." Shadow said aloud. 'This pain though, why...' He stopped mid thought as his hand passed in view of his face. "No, this can't its not..." Shadow tried to analyze what he was seeing. His palm showed a clear cut with crimson blood leaking out. The blood glowed with its own purplish light. A slight panic welled up. 'I'm bleeding I can't be bleeding this its fake, I know it's fake!' He mentally screamed. Celestia: Celestia sat in her throne silently cursing her endless streams of noble each with some petty squabble or insane plan. Her hand moved up to her new earring as she reminded herself of the coming joy she was going to recieve. 'Now that I think of it nobody's mentioned my new jewelry.' She thought angrily. She always tried to look her best for her court. Infact today she was wearing a flowing silk dress with a gold torque and bracers. Celestia scuffed her gold plated horseshoe against he polished marble floor and fiddled with her crown for a second. The noble that was talking was her nephew. The white coated unicorn was complaining about how she was taking an unknown unicorn as her personal student as opposed to his son her great nephew. "This Peasant has no pedigree that would entitle her to such treatment." Vladimir Blueblood said flicking is black tale in annoyance. "Prince Blueblood! I would have you know I did consider your son but seeing as he's more concerned with his privileges than magic." Celestia said trying her best to remain calm. 'He's gonna freak when he learns about Shadow.' She let a small smile grace her muzzle. "Though I imagine your son would enjoy having a playmate when he's here." She suggested happily. The talk was cut short when a guard came rushing in through a side door. He was flushed and out of breath. "Your highness urgent news from the Sparkle residence." The earthpony guard said slipping into a chair against a wall. "The boy he's not waking up." The guard said as Celestia rose from her throne. "Sharp Word!" She said turning to her notary. "Court is cancelled for today and let the guard captain know where he can find me." She finished disapearing in a bright flash of golden light, leaving those in attendance confused. Celestia reappeared in the Canterlot hospital waiting room surprising both the Sparkles and and The bloods. She looked around at the forlorn faces of the two families. Twilight was watching the doctors and nurses run around. Celestia walked over to Crimson who was trying her hardest not to breakdown. "Crimson what happened?" Celestia asked hurrying over. "I don't know... he just won't wake up I... I think she trapped him somehow." Crimson's tone was somewhere between pure venom and a sorrow. "Can you help him your Highness?" She asked looking at Celestia with hope. "I'll talk to the doctors and see if I can help." Celestia said comfortingly she turned looking for a nearby doctor and saw iron talking to one. As she walked over she heard what the doctor was saying. "Your son is in some kind of magic stasis. We tried scanning through it but we couldn't adjust for the etheric field." The doctor said looking down at his electric chart pad. He swiped the screen before continuing. "Near as we can tell, the source of the field is not external." The doctor shook his head. "Thank you doctor This gave Celestia some pause, 'that means that either he's acting as a conduit or is generating the field himself.' She thought trying to think of what spell might be in play. 'Still I don't think Luna could do this let alone would want to.' She recalled all her sister's interactions with foals. 'No even as the Nightmare she wouldn't dare harm a child.' She thought with certainty. "Doctor can I see that pad?" She asked interjecting herself into the conversation. The doctor gave her a little bow as he handed over his pad. "Thank you doctor Compress I'll get this back to once I peruse it." She said accepting the pad. The doctor returned to his duties, and Celestia walked over to the waiting area bench where she sat next to Twilight. "Twilight why don't you help ke look over these documents. Ask about anything you don't understand." She said making sure that Twilight could see the medical tablet. 'She might notice something I miss. "The etheric field is strange." Twilight pointed out. "Oh how so." Celestia asked not seeing it her self. "Well normally it would be erratic like a fire." Twilight said trying to light up her horn to show Celestia what she meant. "You're right Twilight this field it's... there's no variation in its intensity." Celestia said looking closer at the data. 'Let's see where is... there we go.' Celestia thought swiping through to the pages till she came upon Shadow's scans. "Hey the picture's wrong." Twilight said excitedly. Celestia was surprised by how quick She had caught it. "Good catch Twilight. His scans are odd..." Celestia stopped mid sentence. The biological Etheric circuits where familiar but she couldn't place them. Celestia watch as Twilight studied the immage. "Pegasus, Earth..." Twilight muttered drawing Celestia's attention. "What's that little pony?" She asked Twilight looking down at the scan again. "Pegasus," Twilight stated pointing to a etheric vien cluster along his spine. "Earth pony," she pointed to another cluster this one in the pit of his gut. "But that's not possible he didn't show any signs." Celestia said shocked. Shadow had alicornesque mana circuits. "Hold on, he doesn't have a Unicorn circuit." She said confused. "But he does." Twilight countered placing her finger on a small cluster in Shadow's head. "That one is to small to channel magic." Celestia sighed she still couldn't see how this all fit. "Shadow doesn't have a horn." Twilight countered again tracing her hand down to Shadow's palms were two equal sized vein clusters sat. Celestia stared dumbfounded, 'a mutation what in tartarus.' Celestia rose to her hooves. "Princess, I got my cutiemark from a magic flare." Twilight said looking worried. "What if Shadow did the same!" Celestia finished excitedly. See saw the confused faces on the the others. "The magic field Shadow might be generating it as part of a magic flare once it calms down he should wake up." Celestia explain happily. "One problem, our son isn't a unicorn." Iron said sadly. "Nope he's something else entirely." Celestia replied a strange glee in her eyes.
Death LoopShadow: Shadow had been wondering the labyrinthine corridors of his underground prison for quite some time. He was beginning to feel alone and lost. Shadow was also sporting several new cuts and bruises. The only positive the young pony could find in his situation was that his echo location skill had been steadily improving. Shadow could now tell gabs and crevices from simple divets and cracks. He also noticed a a steady at increase in his ultrasonic range. Still he would be happy to leave his dark prison behind. 'I wonder if I've passed this spot before?' He wondered scuffing a hoof across the stone. The sound caused to cavern to alight to his mind showing jutting stone outcroppings and an ever extending floor. Shadow sighed audibly causing another flash of landscape. 'I guess there's still no point in standing around.' He thought following the path his ears showed. 'Still how did this happen?' He thought as he moved. 'Maybe its a vr system I was...' Shadow paused to explore the current train of thought some more. Finally after a brief search through his memories he conclude that no he had not created a virtual world capable of trapping a ponie's conscienceness. 'Though the application for prisoner reformation and containment are promising.' He smiled at the thought and continued. Shadow's lonely walk continued on for several more hours. He passed the time reciting the Equestrian periodic table, several designs he had made and several long spells from his mother's grimoure. Eventually he found himself at a crossroads. Shadow froze willing his ears to hear. Some of his father's words coming to him. "Listen if your trapped underground there are two things to look for." Iron said to his toddler son. "Firstly is an elevated path." He paused looking to his son. "Do you understand? " he asked a slightly confused Shadow. "Upsies!" The blue eyed infant exclaimed happily extending his little hands to be picked up. "That's right! my little pathfinder." Iron exclaimed scooping Shadow up in his arms. "Do you know what we look for next?" He asked laughingly. "Eeroshun." Shadow replied testing the new word on his tongue. "What?" Iron asked confused. "Wawa go down take rock with is called eeroshun." Shadow said happily. "Well yeah but how did?" Iron shook the question from his head. "Has got to be that unicorn blood. That stuff is potent." He mused holding Shadow up by his armpits to look him in the eyes. "By Luna I hope its the unicorn blood." He said watching the setting sunlight catch on Shadow's hair like fire. Shadow for his part was enjoying the changing scenery. Shadow let the memory fade back into obscurity. Know what he need to do now, yet how to do it was the puzzle. Do to the nature of his hooves Shadow couldn't use them to feel for erosion and with it still being to dark to see his echo location skill was all he had to relie on. How ever echo location couldn't give him the textures he needed to see. "Glad nobody's going to see this." Shadow said bringing his hands together. A small breeze kicked up as he channeled his thaumatrgic energy to his hands. Pulling his hands apart the breeze strengthened playing with his mane and pooling in his hand. The swirling vortex in Shadow's hand soon became visible as his light blue magic combined in the center pulling itself into a perfect orb of bright blue light. "It worked!" He exclaimed with a laugh. "Mom would flip if she knew I could do this." Shadow said leaning down to see the cave floor. A brief inspection show that the path on his left was smoothest, showing the most erosion. Shadow started down the path and snuffed his light knowing that it would be easier to track then his screech. He continued the steadily rising path untill it leveled off and he found himself in a well lit cavern. The cavern was enormous with a single splash of light in its center highlighting a small grass patch with a single flower. The sunlight that rained down warmly bloomed off the grass and was dispersed around the cavern by several crystal formations that lined the stone walls and ceiling giving the cave a greenish tint. Along the far wall was a small lake were a trickling water fall pooled serenely. Over all there was a sense of calm over the place almost as though it was waiting. Shadow felt the data and magic pool above the small lake as words formed out of thin air. Water can quench thirst and heal minor damage. Drink it directly or fill your canteen to take some with you. 'Ok so where's a canteen?' Shadow thought glancing around the cavern not seeing one. After a minute or two of searching and not findimg anything. When his echo located nothing Shadow entered the cave cautiously. 'The light might be a way out which means this is where the first enemies should be.' He thought remembering games he'd seen other ponies play. He slowly made his way to the water looking through the data that flowed just barely below the worlds surfice. He scanned it for anything from activation points to blatant entity frames. His magic however didn't go far. He was stuck readiling only surface data and that he couldn't control much. 'No cheating then.' He thought hopelessly moving towards the water source. "Hello!" High pitched and happy voice called out. The sudden sound made Shadow jump. He landed in with his feet spread and his hands up and elbows in. "Easy there bruiser." The flower said raising its petals to the air trying to calm Shadow. "So what brings you to my neck of the caves?" The overly jovial flower asked calmly. Shadow stared at the flower for a moment before turning away. 'It's a daisy, I hate daisys.' He thought examining the pool of water. "Hey! I asked you a question." The flower said sounding less cutesie. Shadow smiled a bit knowing he was breaking the things facade. 'I knew that thing was faking it. Now let's see whays its real purpose is.' He thought continuing to ignore it. The flower for its part sat still and growled in frustration. "You know its rude to ignore people who are trying to talk to you."the plant said its mouth practically dripping venom. Shadow turned to face the plant again only to feel a sharp pain in his chest. Looking dow he saw a root the size his arm sticking through his chest. "Oh well, not like it changes much. Just proves how rude children are nowadays." The plant scoffed throwing shadow against a stone wall. Shadow felt his blood spilling out as death closed its chilling hands around his heart. He woke with a start still surounded by stone and darkness. 'Ok now it's personal!' He thought angrily. As he picked himself up off the stone floor. Shadow once again start using ultra sonics to mentally map his location. 'How am I supposed to beat that thing?' He idly pondered as he continued his search for an exit. 'Lets see no weapons and powers. Who builds a game like this!?' He threw his hands up in frustration as his foot came down onto nothing. Shadow tried to flare his wings to balance himself only to find that they didn't work and neither did his ability to grip with his hooves. So instead he spewed every explicit word he knew as he fell to his second death. Again he awoke on the cold stone. "Well this sucks." He said to no one in particular as he stood. "I couldn't agree more." A dreadedly familiar voice said. Shadow whipped around to see that the now larger diasy was there. "Really when I kill some one I expect them to stay dead." The flower said nonchalantly. "Your really taking the sport out of this." Flowy said as another tendral bloomed from Shadow's chest. "Buck you, and this damn game!" Shadow spat angrily. Right before his corpse hit the floor. Shadow's eyes opened for the fourth time. "Oh come on already!" He yelled fustrated. 'Who in thier right mind adds realistic pain to a game.' He thought standing. 'Ok shadow think there has got to be a way out.' He thought again trying to reach out with his magic. Yet again he could barely feel the code through the strange magic that was blocking his attemps. 'Wait I can still use my magic? Then why can't I use anything else?' He contemplated the inplacations and possibilities. After a hour or so of walking an idea began to form in his head. I'm not able to pull off complex spells.' It began. 'And if I project something more then a foot it falls apart cause I can't maintain the ethereal field.' It continued to form. 'So I need something that can stabilize or compress the magical field allowing me to use magic.' The next hour or so he spent designing just such a device. Shadow was proud of his design. It would revolutionize pony society. A device capable of letting any pony with strong magical auras cast magic like a unicorn. Now all he needed to do was build it. Author's Note Sry bout the short chapter. It just felt like the best place to end it. Also the long hiatus was because my old phone couldn't handle fimfiction anymore but now that i got a new one i should be able to post more regularly.
