Chapters 1. Something In The Shadows
The sun was setting on the horizon, as another day was slowly coming to an end in Ponyville. Every pony was heading home and soon there was no pony left outside. No pony, except one.
Quiet and empty, a single mare stood alone, it was Pinkie Pie. She was always so cheerful, yet something was different. Her usual fluffy mane hung low and straight, instead of smile, there was a look of seriousness, worry and most importantly, the look of fear.
Pinkie began slowly pacing her way down the empty street. She was quiet, and all that could be heard, was the sound of her hooves after each step. She continued for a while before freezing under a light. Pinkie stared down, till her eyes came upon a shadow. It was her own shadow that had been cast upon be the light. "Hello, is, is that you?" she asked with a whimper in her voice. There was no response only a gentle breeze that passed through her mane. The silence was broken by an owl nearby that let out a hoot. It startled Pinkie and with a loud "Eeeeekkkk!" she ran off, with everything she's got.
Twilight was laying in her library, reading and studying as she usually did during the evening. Reading books she already read a hundred times before. Twighlight let out a soft yawn while stretching out. She didn't say a word as she was too into her studies.
Spike was wandering around behind her cleaning and picking up the books that Twilight had left all over the library floor. He let out a sigh "Do you think you could put at least one book away after you're done reading it?" Spike asked. He looked over at Twilight but got no response, then let out a frustrated "Hmph" and continued cleaning.
Twilight was just about done her book, when Pinkie came bursting through the door. Twilight kept reading, she had become use to Pinkies crazy antics, so she wasn't too surprised by her anymore. She closed her book and stood up "Hey Pinkie, is something wrong?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie slammed the door behind her and leaned back against it, breathing heavily. "Twilight, I need your help. I can't get rid of them, they just won't leave me alone" tears began streaming down her face. She fell to the floor and hid under her own hooves, sobbing. After a while she looked up at Twilight "Please just make them go" She said frantically.
Twilight watched her with a concerned look. She walked over to Pinkie and placed a hoof on her shoulder, trying to calm her friend. She leaned in "Tell me what's going, on and I will do my best to help" Twilight responded with comfort in her voice.
Pinkie looked up at Twilight and with a glimmer of hope, gave a smile, something she had not done in days. She picked herself up off the floor and wiped her tears. Walking to the middle of the room she began to speak. "It was only a few nights ago, I was just closing up the bakery, when I noticed it. I didn't know what it was at first, it looked like some ponies shadow, but I was the only pony in the shop at the time.
"I thought it was kind of funny, a shadow on the wall without a pony there, how could I not be excited. I hopped over to the wall, but when I got close, it ran away. I thought it was some kind of fun game, like tag, and I was it. So I went after it.
"We were having so much fun, we played most of the night. Eventually I got tired, so I said nighty, night, and went off to bed, but, the shadow. It followed me to my room, stayed with me in my room. It was really hard for me to sleep, being watched like that. I asked it to leave but. It just wouldn't go.
"Then, more of them showed up. I don't know how, but soon, my walls were covered. I figured since we had so much fun, he invited all his friends to come play with us. It was nice but, I needed sleep. I kept asking them to go, but they." Pinkie hugged herself. Shaking she continued "They just wouldn't go, and now they follow me everywhere. I'm, I'm just not having fun anymore!" she finished, bursting into tears again.
Twilight listened carefully "A shadow not cast by a pony. That just doesn't make any sense." She walked over and placed a hoof on Pinkies head "are you sure your feeling alright" she asked.
Pinkie smacked Twilights hoof away "Duh, I wouldn't be making this stuff up" she leaned in close to Twilight and whispered "There probably even in this very room. Right. Now." She looked around the room cautiously.
Twilight laughed "Oh, Pinkie there's nothing to be afraid of. Look, I'll show you" she said as her horn lit up. She cast a quick spell, and in an instant, every light went out. It was now total darkness. Twilight clumsily tried to find her way through the dark "See, Pinkie. Nothing to worr-" she was cut off.
Pinkie screamed, she could no longer see, sending her into a panic. "No, what did you do?. The light, they will come, they will take me" Pinkie said, huddling on the floor of the dark room.
Twilight shook her head, becoming a little annoyed. "Pinkie you're acting crazy. There is nothing here." She said, her horn lit up the room faintly. That's when she noticed something on the wall behind Pinkie. A flickering shadow. "What is that?" she asked trying to get a better look, but her eyes were still adjusting to the dark. Suddenly, as quick as she spotted it, it ran off into a darker part of the room. "Woh!" she shouted, quickly casting another spell. Every light came back. She could see Pinkie curled in a ball on the floor, but when her eyes drifted up, she let out a gasp, and they scattered. Running to the nearest possible shadows, to hide. They were everywhere. Twilights heart sank into her chest, she began backing up frantically, tripping over some of the left over books on the floor "Oh, Celestia, they are real." Twilight said as she scanned the room.
Spike yelled loudly, which startled the entities. They quickly shuffled positions. Spike watched, staring up into the big room "Twilight, what are they?" he asked frightened.
Twilight looked back at Spike, then back into the room "I, I don't know." Her gaze came down to Pinkie. Who was muttering softly to her self.
"They hide in the shadows, they hide in the shadows." Pinkie repeated over and over.
Twilight was sitting in the Canterlot library, searching through pages, upon pages of books. Hoping for an answer that may just tell her, what these shadows really were. Book after book, hour after hour, but still nothing. She was beginning to doubt, she would ever find anything. "Agh!" her head flopped down on the page she was reading.
Spike was pulling out books, trying to help. Twilight had told Pinkie, to stay at her place and wait for them. He wasn't going to stay there. Pinkie was his friend, but he was far to afraid to be around her right now. "How's it coming, Twilight?" Spike asked.
Twilight let out a moan.
Spike looked back at her "That good, huh?" he responded. He turned back and kept pulling out books, letting out a sigh "I'd say I'm doing just as good" he said to himself.
Twilight turned her head to look at Spike. "That book" Twilight said as she jumped up from where she had been sitting. She ran over to Spike, taking it from him. "The Book Of The Unknown" she said slowly opening the book. She flipped through a couple of pages before shouting "It's here!" and ran back to her seat.
Spike came walking over "What does it say?" he asked trying to lean in close, so that he could read, but Twilight was already nose deep into the pages.
Twilight began reading out loud, "Shadow Ponies, though it has never fully been determined, exactly what they are, this phenomenon has been reported since the early days of Equestria. They are usually never seen, however, there have been rare cases in which ponies claimed that they were being stalked by Shadow Ponies. Many Investigations have taken place, but nothing conclusive has ever been discovered about the existence of Shadow Ponies. It appears that they just take an interest in a pony, and once you've been chosen, they never leave" Twilight finished reading.
Spike stared at Twilight, a look of fear and confusion on his face. He glanced back at the book "So, does this mean that?" he stopped himself from saying anything. He looked intently at one of the drawings On the page, then backed away.
Twilight shook her head "No, this cant be how it is" she said closing the book violently. She used her magic to teleport Spike on her back, then ran out of the library.
Spike held on to Twilight as she raced outside "Where are we going, Twilight?" Spike asked
Twilight responded "To the one pony who understands this kind of stuff" continuing to race down the street,"I just hope Pinkie Pie is doing alright" she added, running off into the distance.
It took Twilight and Spike longer than expected, but they finally made it to there destination. Deep in the Everfree Forest, they were outside of Zecoras hut. Twilight opened the door to the hut and peeked her head in "Hello?" she asked.
"Come in, dear Twilight, and please tell my why, you have a look of fright?" Zecora answered looking at the frightened pony standing in her doorway.
Twilight entered Zecoras hut, "I'm sorry to intrude so suddenly, but I feel you're the only pony who can help me right now" she said now standing next to the Zecora.
Zecora smiled and placed a hoof on Twilight "Don't ever doubt, I will help you out" she said reassuring the pony, then walked over to her cauldron and began mixing a potion. "Now then, what can I do, do you need a potion, or perhaps a brew" she said stirring her big cauldron, adding different ingredients.
Twilight hesitated "Well, I was wondering if you could tell me about" she paused for a moment, then looked away "Shadow Ponies" she added. A sound made her quickly look back. Zecora had dropped her big heavy mixing spoon. Twilight watched as she moved from the cauldron, distancing herself.
Zecora finally spoke up "Please do not say, they are with you today?" she asked with slight panic in her words
Twilight shook her head "No, no its not me. It's my friend, they have been following her and I just don't know what to do. Right now she is all alone and scared. I just want to-" she was quickly cut off
Zecora stared at Twilight "I am very sorry, but if it is as you say, for your friend, they will never go away" she finished and lowered her head.
It was a new day, and three fillies found themselves wandering through Ponyville. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and, Sweetie Belle were all in excitement, as they had just been given a big assignment in class, on the history of Equestria.
Sweetie Belle, humming to her self, looked over at Apple Bloom, who had her head down, in deep thought. "What should we do, make a poster, write a paper?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Apple Bloom, now watching her hooves as she walked. "I'm not too sure, this here's a pretty important assignment. It's worth eighty percent of our final grade, or something like that" she answered, turning to Sweetie Belle.
Scootaloo thought for a moment, "Well, we could always ask Twilight. I'm pretty sure she knows everything about everything" she said with a laugh.
Apple Bloom stopped walking, she scratched her head, while thinking for a moment. "Ya, she'll probably be more excited about it than we are, so, ah guess you're right" she said with a smile and a chuckle.
Scootaloo lifted a hoof "Of course I am" she said with a smirk on her face.
They all laughed together, lost in there conversations. Forgetting to pay attention to the road, they accidentally, bumped into another pony. The pony let out a soft shriek and ducked in cover. The fillies shook themselves off and apologized, but the pony was still hiding on the ground.
"Fluttershy?" Sweetie Belle asked a little confused.
Fluttershy looked up "Oh, it's just you, girls" she said in a soft voice, lifting her self back onto her hooves, then brushing off some dirt. "Forgive me, I have been a little bit, jumpy, lately" she said embarrassed.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes "I thought you were always jumpy" she whispered, sarcastically, making Sweetie Belle giggle.
Apple Bloom tilted her head confused and concerned "Did something happen recently?" She asked
Fluttershy began drawing circles in dirt, nervously. "Well, I don't really know. It could have been my imagination, but I saw something strange, while I was with Pinkie Pie the other day" she said still kicking the ground.
Scootaloo leaned in to Sweetie Belle "Isn't Pinkie always doing something strange" she said making Sweetie Belle giggle again.
Fluttershy overheard Scootaloo, and quickly turned to face the filly. "Oh, no, this was differently than the usual Pinkie. I know she is sometimes" Fluttershy paused for a moment "Strange, but when I saw her, I got this feeling. There was something, oh, um, unsettling" she finished.
Apple Bloom was becoming more interested "Tell us what happened" she said, now very curious.
Fluttershy was quiet for a moment, "Well, I tried to say, hi to her, as she was passing by me the other day, but she only stopped and stared at me. She looked just awful. After about a minute or two, she walked away. The strangest part, was after she walked away, her shadow was still standing there.
"I rubbed my eyes thinking maybe I was seeing things, but when I looked again, it was gone" she said, then shook her head. "It was probably just my imagination playing tricks on me" she giggled "I have to be going now though. Take care girls" she said picking up her basket, then walked away.
The three fillies looked at one another, completely confused.
Scootaloo shrugged it off "Like she said, her mind playing tricks on her. We better get going though, if we want to make it to Twilights before it gets too dark out" she said to the others, as it was almost sunset.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both looked at each other and nodded.
"Come on then" Scootaloo said leading the way, and after many detours, finally got them to Twilights. As they approached the door they could hear something coming from inside.
Apple Bloom listened carefully "It sounds like some pony is talking, but ah can't make out what they're say'in" she said looking back at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
Scootaloo pushed Apple bloom a side "I'll figure it out" she said pressing her ear against the big wooden door. She looked back at Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "They're mumbling something about, getting rid of the shadows" she said confused. and backed away from the door. "There's really only one way to find out" she said reaching our.
Sweetie Belle jumped in front quickly, blocking Scootaloo. "Wait, we don't know who's in there" she said nervously.
Apple Bloom rolled her eye's, "It's Twilights house, so I'm guessing it's probably her in there" she said reaching past Sweetie Belle, pushing the door open. At this point she didn't really know what to expect. The door slowly opened and a bright light emanated from inside. Apple Bloom covered her eyes, "It's so bright" she said almost being blinded. A couple minutes past before she was finally able to see inside. The place was a wreck, all the books had been torn down, all the furniture had been destroyed, and all the windows were covered with blankets and sheets. The blinding light, was coming from the hundreds of candles that had been placed all around the room, surrounding Pinkie.
"What in tarnation?" Apple Bloom asked wide eyed.
Pinkie was shaking as she placed another candle on the ground. "If I light the room enough, there will be no more places to hide. Light the room to fight the shadows. Light the roo-" she paused and slowly turned, until her eyes met with Apple Blooms.
All around Pinkie, running across the walls, the shadows, were trying to find anywhere they could hide.
Apple Bloom watched in disbelief. One stopped for a moment, but when Apple Bloom noticed it, the entity ran.
"Hey, you silly, fillies" Pinkie said with an eerie smile on her face. "You're letting out, the light!" she Yelled at top of her lungs.
Completely startled by this sudden out burst, the fillies screamed in terror, slamming the door shut, as they ran off.
Pinkie turned back and placed the final candle on the floor "I did it" she looked around the brightly lit up room, with no shadow in sight. "I don't know how, But I bested the bestest. No more scaries bringing down this party. I almost feel bad, but a pony does need her privacy" she started to laugh hysterically. "As long as I don't move from this spot, there will never be another shadow" she continued laughing. Days of being stalked, and finally she was alone at last. "I think, I'll rest my eyes a bit now" she said as her eyes slowly closed, Falling into a deep slumber.
Rainbow Dash, went whipping through Ponyville at top speed, heading towards Twilights. "Just what the heck is going on around here" she said angrily. "I didn't really understand what Scootaloo was saying, but it didn't sound good" now with gretted teeth. Her heart began to race, as she finally reached her destination. Without thinking, flew full speed through the door. "Twilight!" she shouted.
Pinkie, opened her eyes and turned to see where the noise was coming from, spotting Rainbow Dash. "Dash?" she said, softly rubbing her eyes. "What, what time is it, have they started baking with out me?" she said in a daze. Then, noticing the door, jumped up from where she had been sitting. "No, the lights getting in, or out, or" panicing, but still a bit dazed.
Dash scanned the room "Pinkie what in the wide world of Equestria, happened?" she shouted. then flew down to where Pinkie was standing.
Pinkie waved her hoofs "No, Stop!" Trying to warn Dash, but it was too late. Dash came to a halt in front of Pinkie, and the gentle breeze that followed, went softly by. One of the candles went out. She turned, only to witness, as one by one each candle extinguished. A cold chill ran through her spine, looking back at Dash, the entities surrounded them.
Dash jumped back. "Hey!" she shouted, slowly backing up, seeing all the shadows surrounding them, the walls covered. "Back off, don't mess with me!" Warning them, acting as bravely as possible. She didn't know where to look anymore, they were everywhere, and they were fast. She quickly turned and made a break for the door, but it slammed shut. "Let me out!" She began yelling, and reached for the door.
Pinkie imediatley ran forward. "Get away from the walls, Dashie!" she cried out, desperately trying to make it to her friend. The shadows went running past, and grabbed Dash. There was nothing she could do, only watch, as they pulled Dash up the wall.
Crying out for Pinkie, they dragged Dash, across the wall and into the other room. "Pinkie!" was the last word, she would ever say.
In the other room, Pinkie could hear screams of pain. Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine, being somewhere nice. She Placed hooves over her ears, and started to sing, attempting to drown out, Dash screaming. "Smile, smile, smile" she sang to her self, until finally, the screaming stopped.
Uncovering her ears, "Light. I need light" she said, trying to re-light the candles. It was as if she had completely given up hope. Managing to get a few of the candles lit, they returned, again surrounding her. Pinkie started spinning, trying to see every corner of the room. She ended up tripping over herself, and fell to the floor. Closing her eyes, wincing in pain. When she opened them again, she could see in the room, where they had taken, Rainbow Dash.
Pinkie stared for a long time, before that same eerie smile, crept across her face. Starting to laugh "Light. I just need more light" she said, calmly getting back up. Walking over to one of the candles that had been lit, picked it up, "I need more light" she repeated to her self. Still smiling, walked over to one of the sheets and tossed the candle. The sheet burst into flames.
~
Twilight had finally made it back to Ponyville, and was completely exhausted. "I can't wait to get home" she mumbled to herself. In the distance a bright orange glow could be seen. Her vision became hazy "What's happening?" she said, now wheezing. There was a heavy smoke in the air. A sinking feeling suddenly came over her. She began to run, only to come to a dead stop moments later. Tears filled her eyes, watching as her entire home, went up in flames.
