Shadow's Tail: A Dark Hero

Part 1: Derpy and Shadow

After the kiss, Trixie fell asleep in Shadow’s arms. For the first time in a very long time, Shadow did not fear the nightmares that haunted his sleep. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off to sleep for the first time in…. well a very long time. When he finally started to wake up he could feel the warmth of the sun beating on his face. He was dumbfounded by the fact he didn’t have a nightmare. A small breeze blew through his hair, and he heard the happy chirp of Bluebirds. He smiled, and reached to hug Trixie, but only felt the grass under his arm, “Grass?” he opened his eyes to see he was laying on the grass next to the fire Trixie made last night, “Are you FUCKING kidding me!” He looked down the road and saw Trixie’s cart rolling away.

For a moment he thought of chasing after her, but then a note fell from his forehead, “Shadow. I’m sorry. I really do feel like we have something special, but I can’t stay until I have finally achieved what you see in me. I will become as great as you know I should be. Then and only then can I return to you.”

Shadow crumpled the note and threw it into the ashes of the fire, “I should have known. They always leave in the end. I’m destined to be alone.”

Shadow wandered the forest, not knowing what do. He finally thought he found someone to love. Somehow he wound up home. He flew across the moat, not wanting to speak to anyone. Of course, that was too much to ask for. In his thick Germanic accent, Clyde called out, “Oh zhe Shadow. I vas told by zhe Stony to tell you, ‘Nice ass, bro.’ I do not know vut zis means, but I am doing it anyway.” Clyde was wandering around the grounds studying the dirt.

Shadow let out a heavy sigh, “What are you doing Clyde?”

Clyde didn’t look up, “Looking for good soil to grow zhe Stony’s product.”

Shadow rolled his eyes and headed inside, “No, growing inside the moated area.”

With that Clyde looked up, “Fuck, but zis is zhe soft soil!”

Shadow looked over his shoulder, “I don’t care Clyde, just find a spot in the forest.”

Shadow walked in to see Stony shaking with excitement. He was in a beige trench coat and wearing 3-D glasses, “Stony, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

Stony thought for a moment, “The asshole.” There was a rack of clothes next him and he sifted through it before throwing a short, dark blue, Crombie-style coat with red lining, dark blue trousers, a long, button up, collared, white shirt and, a navy cardigan. He smiled, “Now, put those on.”

Shadow glared at Stony, “Why?”

Stony rolled his eyes and sighed, “You know what the greatest kind of prize is, a surprise. So just do it.”

Shadow begrudgingly obliged, “I look like a funky magician with this outfit on.”

Stony chuckled, “I’m pretty sure he was going for something else.”

Shadow stared cautiously at Stony, “Who is he?”

There was an odd noise coming from the Library. It was unlike anything Shadow had ever heard. It kind of went Vworp Vworp. Stony looked extremely happy, “He’s here. Come on!” With that Stony rushed out of the room, and Shadow slowly fallowed. When he got to the Library he saw a blue box and two new Ponies.

Shadow mumbled under his breath, “Great. There’s more of them.” One was pale brown, and had a dark brown Mohawk, short tail, and a green bowtie. The other was a grey Pegasus with a long blonde mane and tail.

Stony walked over to the brown one, and with a mocking tone, “Hey ‘Time-Turner,’ ain’t seen you in a solid minute my friend.”

Time-Turner looked slightly concerned, “Oh, Stony. Oh, god. What are you doing here?”

Stony smiled, “Well I live here.” Shadow looked to the grey Pegasus who almost returned his gaze. Shadow couldn’t tell which eye to look at, so he casually walked over to the blue box.

Time-Turner sighed, “Stony, did you send out a fake distress signal?”

Stony acted hurt, “I. Don’t know what you’re talking about. Besides if I did, would it really be that bad to humor an old friend?” Time-Turner grimaced as Stony said friend.

Shadow took this distraction to enter the blue box, “Huh, it’s bigger on the inside.”

The grey Pegasus followed him in, “Isn’t it awesome? It’s called the Tardis.”

Time-Turner ran into the box, but saw Shadow slightly unamused, “Yes, it stands for time.”

Shadow cut him off there, “Time and Relative Dimension in Space, right? Kind of lame if you ask me.”

Time-Turner’s jaw dropped, “Lame? Lame! Can you possibly comprehend the power she has?”

Shadow shrugged, “Travel to any time and place you want.”

Now Time-Turner seemed agitated, “Did Stony tell you all of this? Stony! I made you promise not to tell anyone!” He stormed off to yell at Stony. When he was finally out the door, they closed and locked themselves.

The strange sound occurred again, and the whole room began shifting and shaking, “By the Eternal, what’s going on?” The grey Pegasus flapped her wings to fly and remained in place while Shadow was tossed around the room.

When the room finally went still the grey Pegasus landed next to Shadow, “I just don’t know went wrong. Are you okay?”

Shadow looked at her again, “Are you asking me, or that wall?”

She smiled, “You silly. My name is Derpy. I already know who you are, you’re Shadow. The Doctor talks about you sometimes.”

Shadow stood up, “Who’s The Doctor?”

Derpy giggled, “Well, he’s different. In Equestria he calls himself Time-Turner, but everywhere else he’s called The Doctor.”

Shadow rolled his eyes, “Never met him, so there’s no way you two can know me.” He walked to the doors and opened them, “Look at that, I was right, but where are we?” It was a beautiful city filled with Ponies. They were all running away though. He looked toward the sky, and saw an eclipse. As he was gazing at its beauty he saw the princesses in full armor, attacking one another. Celestia was clearly loosing. He watched Luna pummel Celestia until eventually their magic formed a tremendous orb between them. Luna screamed with rage and the ball of energy was sent hurtling toward Celestia. She was blown out of the sky and sent crashing into the castle.

Shadow smiled and cheered on Luna, “Atta girl. Rip her to shreds!”

Derpy walked out of the Tardis, “I know what’s going on. This is when Celestia banishes Luna.”

Shadow’s smile faded away, “Maybe it will change this time.”

Derpy shook her head, “It’s a locked event. This has to happen. Some things never change no matter how hard you try.” She went to put her hoof around Shadow, but tripped and pushed him into a mud pile. Shadow was furious, “Oh, I’m so sorry Shadow. I just don’t know what went wrong.”

Shadow glared at the ground, but looked up at her straight faced, “Don’t worry about it.” He heard a thunderous boom and looked back to see a flash of light. With that the moon grew the spots he knew so well, “Luna, you don’t deserve this.”

Derpy looked at him with sad eyes, “I’m sorry Shadow.” With that Shadow and Derpy re-entered the Tardis. Derpy finally asked Shadow, “How did you know what the Tardis was, Shadow?”

Shadow strolled over to the terminal, “I’m good with acronyms. Plus someone told me about a blue box when I was younger, it’s not important. How do we get home? I just want to be alone right now.”

Derpy looked sad, “I’m not fully sure, but I could try flying it.”

Shadow eyed her, “You sure you’re allowed to drive with eyes like that?” Derpy giggled again and messed with some buttons and levers on the center console. The room began shifting again and Shadow was sent flying around once more. Shadow looked like he was ready to kill Derpy, but before she flew over to him; he forced himself to calm down. He looked up at her and sarcastically commented on her flying skills, “Nice flying ace. I’m sure you’ll make a great pilot one day.”

He stood back up again and headed for the door before Derpy stopped him, “Maybe I should go first, we don’t know what could be out there.” Shadow moved her aside and opened the door, but what he saw made him wish he had let her go first.

It was Drakonia, his home, burning. However, it wasn’t like his nightmare that Nightmare Moon gave him. He could hear his people screaming in pain. He saw flashes of lightning strike the orphanage he grew up in. He watched the citadel he trained day and night in, decay in the blink of an eye. The streets he used to walk upon with his friends and family were being eroded away by massive waves of water. The ground beneath the Bakery he took his daughter to so often, opened up and swallowed the buildings above. He watched pillars of fire burn crowds of terrified civilians. Then he looked to Spiral Keep. Chains, whips, and of orbs of darkness shot out from the walls. Slowly the tremendous castle fell to the ground. He watched in horror as he finally saw the ones responsible meeting together in the center of the carnage. They were his friends, but they had changed so much. Rainbow Dash had lightning pulsing through her veins, Pinkie was surrounded with pure grey energy, Fluttershy had water pouring from her hooves, Rarity was covered in crystal armor, Applejack’s hair was one giant inferno, and Twilight was wearing black armor that could only be described as pure evil.

Shadow’s shock and horror slowly turned into pure rage, “I’LL KILL ALL OF THEM!”

Just as Shadow leapt into the air Derpy grabbed his tail and pulled him inside, “No Shadow, don’t. Please.”

The doors closed and Shadow’s eyes turned blood red, “I WILL DO AS I DAMN WELL PLEASE!”

Derpy’s voice was calm, “We can’t mess around with time like that, not without The Doctor.”

Shadow wasn’t playing nice anymore. Shadow smiled, and his voice grew calm, “Listen here you useless waste of space.” Derpy took a step back and tears filled her eyes, so Shadow took a step closer, “I will do whatever I damn well please, and no one will get in my way. Especially not some nobody like you.” Tears started streaming down her cheeks, “So, you clumsy, moronic, weak, Pony, stay the fuck out of my way.” She started sobbing and Shadow took a few steps closer, “I guess I understand why you don’t want to do anything without The Doctor. It’s because you’re too stupid to do anything by yourself.” Derpy laid down and curled herself up, “I mean you can’t even work your own eyes properly. What kind of retard can’t even do that?” Shadow was towering over Derpy, smiling. “What’s the matter, don’t know went wrong? Well I can tell you, you were born.” Shadow began laughing. He had said his piece and started walking away.

Then, the crying stopped. Shadow turned to see Derpy upright and tearless, “Feel better?” Shadow was confused. Derpy walked over to him, “I asked you a question.”

Shadow was too confused to be angry, “Why, Why aren’t you crying?”

Derpy looked pissed, but answered, “I’ve been tormented all my life. I’ve heard things a thousand times worse. I was beaten nearly to death countless times. What makes you think you can hurt me?” Shadow couldn’t seem to speak, “Well, do you feel better?”

Shadow stared at her eyes, which were now both angrily focused on him, “Not really.”

Derpy scoffed, “Then what was all that for? Is your only purpose in life to make everyone as miserable as you are? If so then do you really think you’re existence is worth continuing?” this time Shadow took a step back, “Why not just end it now and make the world a better place?”

Shadow finally managed to say something back, “Maybe I am here to torment, and to me that’s reason enough to live.”

Derpy let out a fake laugh, “You really aren’t worth saving. I don’t get what The Doctor sees in you.” She walked back over to the terminal as Shadow sat there with his head down, too stunned to say anything.

Shadow finally looked up, “Does he really think I can be saved?” Derpy was facing the opposite direction and smiled.

When she looked back to him though, she looked upset again, “Yes, but he thinks everyone can be saved. He’s always going on about how every life is important, so I try being nice to all my tormentors. But you, I can’t stand you.”

Shadow looked down again, “What if he’s right though? What if I can be saved?”

Derpy flew over smiling, and hugged him, “Then start acting like it, dick.”

Again Shadow was shocked, “Is every Pony obsessed with hugging?”

Derpy squeezed him tightly, “Don’t ruin the moment Shadow, just join it.” Shadow obeyed and returned her hug.

Derpy felt a tear hit her wing, “Is this moment locked two? Is this really going to happen?”

Derpy rubbed his back, “It’s not a locked event, but whether it happens or not is up to you.”

Shadow thought back, and remembered how giddy Stony was when he met Time-Turner, “So how does my stoner know your time traveler?”

Derpy didn’t let go of Shadow, “I guess he was The Doctor’s companion before me, but he let him go because he’s a drug lord.”

Shadow tried prying off Derpy, but her grip was too tight, “So, is The Doctor against drugs?”

Derpy only held tighter as Shadow struggled, “No, but apparently Stony manipulated The Doctor so he could start his empire at a young age.”

Shadow finally gave up when her grip was so tight he could barely breathe, “Why won’t you let me go?”

Derpy looked up at him, which caused her forehead to smack into Shadow’s jaw, “You’re really warm.”

Shadow rubbed his jaw with his tail and pulled his head back a bit so he could look at Derpy, “Don’t you think it’s just a little weird though, us hugging for this long when we don’t know each other?”

Derpy thought for a moment and her eyes drifted apart, “Nope!”

Shadow looked back at the door, “So where am I in all that carnage outside?”

Derpy put a wing up to bring Shadow’s gaze back to her, “I don’t know, but it doesn’t mean it has to happen. Every person has the chance to change the world.”

Shadow stared into her eyes, “How can I change anything, if everyone is constantly abandoning me. I thought I found love again this morning, but like always, she left me.”

Derpy’s eyes glistened in the light, “I know you’ll find a way, I just know it. It's weird; it’s like I see something in you, something great.” With that Derpy leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek. Derpy was smiling with her eyes closed.

She looked so happy. Shadow wanted happiness like that, “Derpy, what is The Doctor to you?”

Derpy opened her eyes and grinned slyly, “And why would you want to know something like that, Mister Shadow?”

Shadow was slightly unnerved by her new grin, “Just wondering. Since I can’t escape your hug I might as well get to know you.”

Derpy turned her head, “He’s my best friend. We travel together everywhere. He’s shown me loads of cool places.” She turned back to him with the same sly smile, “Wanna see if we can travel to some?”

Shadow remembered the last time she flew the Tardis, but right now, he didn’t care, “Sure.” With that Derpy released Shadow and jumped to the controls. Shadow looked for something to hold on to, but couldn’t find anything in time. He gave her an annoyed look when they landed, but when she smiled his annoyance faded. It seemed like she could take him anywhere but home right now. They visited all kinds of ancient ruins back before they were ruins. Shadow got to take his first look at a space station, which was millions of miles away from his home. He talked politics with alien rulers and fought pirates on the ancient, far away, seas. For them, it had been months. Shadow followed Derpy through it all, the constant running, saving the day, and all the beautiful scenery. Shadow had made himself home in the Tardis, even taking the room across from Derpy’s as his own.

Even with all the time he had spent in it, he had never explored the Tardis, “So good lookin, I’ve been crashing in this B-E-A-utiful little box without ever getting a tour. What kind of a host doesn’t give their Sauvé, handsome, companion a tour?” Derpy giggled and began her little tour. They traveled through the Tardis for what seemed like an eternity, “This place is almost as big as my manor, almost.”

Derpy giggled, “And finally, this is my room.”

The doors opened to reveal a room full of all kinds of mementos, souvenirs, Knick knacks, and collectables, “You know Derpy, this place is amazing, but after dealing with that disgusting slimy creature, all I want now is a shower.”

Derpy guided Shadow through the room to a door on the other side, “Here, you can use mine.”

The bathroom looked just like Shadow’s, “I have one just like this.”

Derpy followed him in, “Really, The Doctor said he modeled after Drakonian architecture, but isn’t your house in Equestria?”

Shadow looked at her for a moment, “Just because it’s in Equestria, doesn’t mean it’s not Drakonian.” Derpy gasped in realization, “Good job, Derpy. Also there’s no soap.”

Derpy left to retrieve soap while Shadow started the water. While she was gone he stripped and entered the shower. A few moments later Derpy returned with some bars of soap. She tripped over a towel and went flying into the shower. Shadow lifted up the curtain and re-attached it to the wall. Derpy was lying on the floor of the tub upside down, “Oh, hi. Could you not mention my wings to anyone? Please?” Derpy smiled and nodded, “And while you’re here Derpy, do you maybe, wanna join me?” She blushed, but nodded. It didn’t take long for one thing to lead to the next. Shadow and Derpy shared the night together. They knew eventually they would go back to their own lives, but for just this one night, none of that mattered. All that mattered was that they were their, they were together, and they wanted each other.

Part 2: Stony and The Doctor

Stony woke up that morning without Treehugger. There was a note on his pillow with Treehugger’s writing on it. It talked about how she had some errands to do or something. It didn’t matter, today Stony had a plan, “I can feel it in the air, a certain someone is gonna get laid soon.” He hopped out of his bead and re-made it. His room was done in classic French medieval décor. Everything in his room had a place, and it was perfectly organized. There wasn’t a speck of dust to be found. When everything was too his liking he left the room, but when he got a glimpse of Shadow’s room he couldn’t help himself. He spent the next few hours cleaning his room as well. When he was finished with that he saw the beautiful modern, gothic, style of Shadow’s room, “When it’s clean it’s actually pretty beautiful, a little dark and gloomy, but beautiful… It’s a very Shadowy style.”

He left the room and ventured to the top floor for a special set of outfits. He grabbed an empty clothing rack and picked several odd outfits with varying accessories. He himself put on a beige trench coat and a pair of 3-D glasses, “I don’t know why he has these up here, but they’re perfect.” He dragged the rack downstairs and left it in the main entryway. Then he headed for the Library. He channeled all of his magic and sent out a thought with as much psychic energy as he could. It wouldn’t do shit in a fight, but it would get his current mission accomplished. He heard a loud, Germanic, ‘Fuck’ from outside, and knew Shadow was finally home.

He raced to the entryway and Shadow greeted him with an annoyed look and a, “Stony, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

Stony thought for a moment, “The asshole.” He sifted through the clothes rack and threw a short, dark blue, Crombie-style coat with red lining, dark blue trousers, a long, button up, collared, white shirt and, a navy cardigan at Shadow. Stony smiled, “Now, put those on.”

Shadow glared at him, “Why?”

Stony rolled his eyes and sighed, “You know what the greatest kind of prize is, a surprise. So just do it.”

Shadow begrudgingly obliged, “I look like a funky magician with this outfit on.”

Stony chuckled, “I’m pretty sure he was going for something else.”

Shadow stared cautiously at Stony, “Who is he?”

There was a familiar noise coming from the Library. It was just like Stony remembered. That wonderful, beautiful wailing sound the Tardis made because The Doctor never took of the brakes. Stony was giddy with excitement, “He’s here. Come on!” with that Stony rushed out of the room with Shadow slowly following. When Stony got to the Library he saw a blue box and two Ponies. Stony knew one of them, The Doctor; he was different from when they ventured together. He was now a pale brown pony, with a dark brown mohawk, short tail, and a green bowtie. The other was a grey Pegasus with a long blonde mane and tail. Stony walked over to The Doctor, and with a mocking tone, “Hey ‘Time-Turner,’ ain’t seen you in a solid minute my friend.”

The Doctor looked slightly concerned, “Oh, Stony. Oh, god. What are you doing here?”

Stony smiled, “Well I live here.” Stony saw Shadow walk towards the Tardis out of the corner of his eye.

The Doctor sighed, “Stony, did you send out a fake distress signal?”

Stony acted hurt, “I. Don’t know what you’re talking about. Besides if I did, would it really be that bad to humor an old friend?” The Doctor grimaced as Stony said friend. Stony saw Shadow and the grey Pegasus enter the Tardis from his peripheral vision. It didn’t take long before The Doctor noticed too, and ran in after them. Stony sat down and started reminiscing about all his adventures with The Doctor when he noticed the entire Tardis was covered in a thin Shadow. The doctor stormed out to yell at Stony.

The Shadow grew to red spots which headed for the door, “Stony, how could you?” Stony ignored The Doctor and used his magic to Shut the doors and send the Tardis away. It didn’t take much energy, since he knew how to pilot the Tardis better than The Doctor did.

“Stony, what in the world are you doing?” The Doctor turned to see just why Stony had sent the Tardis away. The Tardis was gone, but a silhouette of the Tardis remained. The silhouette’s two red dots formed into eyes, which were now focusing on them. The silhouette slowly morphed into… Shadow? No, this was different. It was him, but his eyes and hair were blood red, his Destiny Mark was blue, he still had his horns, and he was covered in scars.

It glared at Stony with pure hatred, “YOU STUPID, USELESS, FUCKING STONER!” Even the screaming was different. This one’s was more high pitched and insane, compared to Shadow’s deep and demonic scream. With those words he ran off, faster than Stony’s eyes could follow.

Stony sarcastically asked The Doctor, “Was that one of your new replacement friends?”

The Doctor looked worried, “No, but I’m afraid we are in serious danger now.”

Stony squealed with excitement, “Yes, I’m so happy you’re taking me back.” The Doctor gave him a look that Stony knew meant ‘not even in your wildest dreams.’ Stony shrugged his look off, “So, who is he, and why does he look like my main man Shades?”

The Doctor gave him an ‘oh, bother’ look, “That is Shadow, or at least, a version of him. One I had thought I locked away forever. When his Eternal Element was removed, he was still so powerful. I tricked him into falling into The Pit of Eternal Night, but that obviously didn’t stop him”

Stony gave him a concerned look, “How could he escape that?”

The Doctor let out a worried sigh, “He enslaved most of the universe before I went back to stop him Even with the Element removed he had the power of a god. That pit is supposed to be inescapable, not even the Tardis would be able to escape it. He must have never showed his true power. However, he didn’t kill us on sight, so that must mean he lost a lot of power breaking out, and traversing to this timeline. How he did the second part is even more terrifying though.”

Stony looked more confused now, “Why?”

The Doctor gave him an annoyed look, “Imagine the universe like a tree, the branches and roots are alternate timelines, the other trees in the forest are parallel time lines, and all living creatures are the cells that make the tree. He is from a separate branch, and somehow managed to jump to a separate branch. This is of a course an extremely rough metaphor, meant only to get at the point that he is incredibly powerful and pure evil.”

Stony walked toward the door he thought the evil Shadow went through, “Well, we ain’t gonna stop him by standing here with our thumbs up our ass.” The Doctor rolled his eyes at the vulgar Drakonian expression, but followed Stony. Stony and The Doctor knew they were on the right path because this Shadow left destruction in his wake. “Shadow’s gonna be happy it’s a fuckin mess in here.” Stony continued following the trail, but turned his head to look at The Doctor, “So what’s different between my Shadow and… let's call him Anti-Shadow?”

The Doctor didn’t turn his head, but answered Stony, “That Shadow grew up his real parents. He was raised to be ruthless and violent. There was only one person he ever truly liked, and he took that person's place as next in line for the throne.” Stony was paying more attention to The Doctor than to the path ahead, so when The Doctor tackled him to the ground, he was very confused.

He saw a few strands of his hair falling from to the ground, and heard an annoying voice at the end of the corridor, “I JUST WANT HIM BACK! IS THAT TO MUCH TO ASK FOR! I NEED HIM, I WILL HAVE HIM, HE’S MINE! YOU CAN’T KEEP HIM FROM ME!”

Stony, confusing what he meant, yelled back, “I’m right here man. I’m the only one you hang out with.”

Anti-Shadow charged toward them, “NOT YOU, YOU FUCKING NUISANCE! ORDER! YOU HAVE KEPT HIM FROM ME FOR TOO LONG!”

The Doctor lifted up Stony, “Time for more running, Stony.” The two ran down winding corridors with the enraged Anti-Shadow hot on their tails. Hundreds of black blades whisked toward them, but luckily Anti-Shadow’s aim was terrible. The blades sunk into the walls before dissipating into black smoke.

Stony taunted Anti-Shadow, “At least we know he can’t aim for shit!” He could hear the screams of pure rage tremble the house. Stony bumped The Doctor who was forced down another path, knowing the infuriated monster would focus only on him, “Catch me if you can dickweed!”

Shadow roared back, “I’M GONNA SKULL FUCK YOUR SOUL YOU MORONIC STONER!” With The Doctor gone Stony could sprint as fast as he could. He knew where each corridor led and quickly lost Anti-Shadow. He ran to the main entryway and burst through the doors to see The Doctor and Clyde patiently waiting by the Moat.

Stony walked up to The Doctor, who instead of looking for Stony, had went outside, “You’re a bigger cunt than I remember.”

The Doctor looked shocked, “You never used that language when you were with me. Besides I have that right, you shot me!”

Stony smirked, “That was, like, forever ago, besides, I’ve always used that language, but the Tardis always filtered me. now you get to experience the full glory of Stoney fuckery. Anyway how do we go about beating our little dark douche bag in there?”

Clyde raised his hoof, “I think I know ov a vay to kill zis ‘Anti-Shadow’. Remember back ven I vas in zhe Shadow’s room, and you told me it vas a bad idea?” Stony nodded, “Vell, I vas taking blood samples to find out vat his veakness vas.”

Stony and The Doctor looked at Clyde in shock. “Dude, that’s a little fucked up, don’tcha think,” Stony blurted out in a mixture of anger and shock.

Clyde stared at Stony, “Zat is not zhe point. I vas analyzing his blood and I discovered something. Zhe Shadow is deathly allergic to, pause for dramatic effect, Chamomile.”

Stony looked at Clyde in bewilderment, “Chamomile. Of all the things to kill an old ass, strong as fuck, Drakonian, you came up with Chamomile?”

Clyde shook his head, “I did not make zhe decision. It is simply his biology. Besides, vould you rather go head to head vith him, hoping to beat him, or make him drink Chamomile?”

Stony and The Doctor looked at each other and said in unison, “Chamomile.”

“Okay, so we need Chamomile, Tidy!” Stony raised his head as he shouted for Tidy, but there was no response.

Clyde poked Stony, “He is out running errands, but I have some Chamomile. You can borrow if it means you are going to kill zat asshole.”

Stony looked back at Clyde, “Well okay, but I’m not going to kill my Shadow, just that asshole upstairs.”

Clyde grinned, “A Shadow is a Shadow, so close enough. I have three one gallon tubs in my shed you can use.”

Stony looked at Clyde in awe, “Why do you have so much?”

Clyde grinned, “I like to cover my bases.”

Stony shrugged and turned to The Doctor, “Okay, you make the tea; I’ll get Shadow to drink it.”

The Doctor took a step back, “Why me?”

Stony headed for the door, “Because of the three of us, you’re British, he has the supplies, and I know how to get Shadow to drink it.” With that Stony entered the massive house. The interior was completely destroyed, but if Stony knew one thing, it was Shadow. Stony cautiously made his way to the Library, checking every corner and constantly watching his back. Stony slowly opened the large doors to the Library. Although he couldn’t see Anti-Shadow, he knew very well he was watching him. Stony cleared his throat and proudly declared, “Tetipa”

Suddenly, The Doctor walked in behind stony carrying a tray of tea. He set it down in front of them and, in the same manner as Stony, “Yeah, what he said, tity bar.”

The red haired Anti-Shadow walked out from behind a bookshelf and began menacingly approaching them, “It’s pronounced T-Tie-Pah. Not tity bar and I accept.” As he approached them, a red aura covered his horns. A hellish table rose from the ground, and the tea tray levitated onto it.

The three of them sat at the table in silence for some time before Stony spoke up, “So why are you here exactly?”

Anti-Shadow turned to Stony, “All I want is my happy ending.” Stony looked to The Doctor in confusion before Shadow continued, “Order, my only love, is gone, and I, I was trapped in the blank space between reality and death. A cold, vast, darkness, and I was alone. Before The Doctor tried erasing me, I almost had him; he would have been mine, now I want him back.” He grabbed the tea cup in front of him, “Is it too much to ask for, to be happy, to not be alone?” he raised the cup to his mouth and took a large gulp, “He was the only one who ever truly understood me.” He began violently coughing and grasping his throat, and falling backwards, sending the table flying. The Doctor turned his head, not wanting to watch his slow death.

Stony walked over to Anti-Shadow who was now grasping his throat trying to breath. His face was turning slightly blue. Anti-Shadow stared at Stony, his eyes watering. He managed to choke out, “I, I don’t want to die, not again.”

Stony’s horn started glowing blue, “Hey man, sorry for the whole machete thing.”

Tears started streaming from Shadow’s eyes, “What machete thing?”

Stony pulled a massive, rusty, blood stained machete from his pocket, “This one!” with that he plunged the blade deep into Anti-Shadow’s thick skull. For safe measure he whacked Anti-Shadow’s head several times. Blood squirted out, and a pool formed below his head. The blood slowly turned from black to red as Stony kept sinking the blade into Shadow’s skull. When Stony finished, Shadow’s head was nothing more than a mutilated mess of blood and flesh. His brain was exposed and chunks of skull were scattered around his body. Stony himself was covered in the red mist.

The Doctor looked at Stony in horror, “Why? Why did you do that? Dear god, what is wrong with you?”

Stony smiled, “I couldn’t watch him die slowly. Besides, got him right between the eyes. He probably didn’t feel a thing. Probably.”

Clyde casually walked in and started dragging away Anti-Shadow’s body, “I need zis for science purposes.” The Doctor ran around a bookshelf and began vomiting profusely.

Stony ran to Clyde and swatted his head, “No! Any other body and I wouldn’t care, but this is still Shadow, he get’s a proper burial!” It was a wonderful ceremony. They buried him in the farthest corner of the Zen Garden. The sun was shining brightly that day. Stony grabbed a large stone to use as a headstone, and carved Shadow’s real name into it, “Chaos Ostensor Umbra, you lived a long life, and maybe in death you will find the happiness you seek. Goodbye, corrupted version of my old friend.” Clyde went back to his shed while Stony and The Doctor went back to the Library. “Well that was fun.” The Doctor shot Stony a hatred filled stare.

“Let’s just get the Tardis back, please. I’ve had enough of this. I’m starting to think he can’t be saved anymore. You know what, if he falls into darkness again, I’m going to break my rules. I’ll head back to the first day the original Shadow entered this world, and I’ll stop him from hurting anyone ever again.”

Stony glared at The Doctor with more hatred than anything he had ever seen before, “If you do anything to hurt him, I will use all my power to break you, and you know I have a lot of that. You think losing your home planet was bad, fuck with me and I’ll show you a world of pain and misery the likes of which you have never thought possible. Understood?” The Doctor took a step back and started trembling out of fear, but managed to nod his head. “Good, now let’s bring them. Wait, my Stony senses are tingling.”

The Doctor, still in fear of Stony, asked, “What do you mean?”

Stony paused for a moment and sniffed the air, “Oh yeah. That’s my boy. I’m positive about it now. Shadow and Derpy are fucking right now as we speak, and within my twenty-four hour time frame.”

The Doctor slowly stopped trembling, “You must be wrong, Derpy isn’t that kind of girl. Besides she likes, I mean I think she likes, or I’m positive she loves. Oh, god.”

Part 3: Reuniting

Derpy rested in Shadow’s wings. She was sleeping so peacefully. Shadow watched her, not wanting to do anything to disturb her sleep. Finally he lifted his other wing and wrapped it around her. They were cocooned in Shadow’s wings. He wrapped his tail around his wings to lock them together. Derpy remained asleep and Shadow kissed her forehead. He couldn’t remember how long they had been in the Tardis, but Shadow felt like he had spent a lifetime with Derpy. Shadow wanted to soak in this moment, so he laid there, feeling Derpy’s warmth.

Tidy finally arrived home, “Mister Stony, What happened to the house?!”

Stony and The Doctor were trying to clean the house. Stony looked up and said exhausted, “A lot of Shit happened while were you were gone. Where were you anyway?”

Tidy began cleaning with far greater efficiency than two of them thought imaginable, “Visiting my lady friend, Mrs. Rich.”

By now most of the main entryway was spotless. Stony asked slyly, “What do you mean ‘visiting’ you dirty poon hound?”

Tidy chuckled, “I was cleaning her gutters, something her husband apparently can’t do anymore.” Stony walked over to Tidy laughing and bumped his hoof to Tidy’s claws. Tidy walked away to begin fixing the rest of the building, while Stony and The Doctor headed for the Library again.

“Time to bring them back. Wouldn’t you say, Doc?”

The Doctor turned to Stony, “I wanted them back hours ago!” Stony’s ignored him, and his horn started glowing brightly. With a brilliant flash of light and a loud crash, the Tardis appeared in front of them.

The entire Tardis shook violently, waking up the sleeping Derpy, “Why is it shaking again? We’re not doing it this time, right?” Shadow nodded in agreement, and the two got up and sprinted for the entrance.

As they got there, The Doctor entered with Stony. “See, I told you they wouldn’t be. Shadow, where are your clothes?”

Stony jumped into the air, “Yes, I knew it! Always believe the Stoner, Doc! I’m always right!” Shadow covered his body with his wings, and Derpy blushed. Her back legs were wobbling, so she sat down.

The Doctor looked on in shock, “I can’t believe it. I simply can’t.”

Stony nudged his shoulder, “It’s you, so it happens a lot.”

Shadow finally spoke up, “Can you two, turn away so I can go get clothes on. Oh, and keep my wings a secret, please.” The Doctor stormed out of the Tardis, and Stony followed him while laughing. Shadow uncovered himself, “It seems like more and more ponies know about my wings, soon the whole town will know. Anyway, that got really awkward, didn’t it?” Derpy nodded, then lunged up and hugged Shadow.

Derpy pulled back, “Don’t you need clothes?” Shadow laughed and pulled Derpy onto his back. He carried her to her room and got dressed in front of her. Derpy watched intensely, which made Shadow slightly uncomfortable.

Shadow finally turned, and addressed her, “Are you just gonna watch the whole time?”

Derpy giggled, “I like watching my man dress almost as much as I like watching him take them off.”

Shadow smiled, “So I’m you’re man now, huh?” Stony was laughing the entire time. The Doctor glared as Stony rolled on the floor out of breath. Finally Shadow walked out wearing the outfit Stony gave him when their adventure first started, carrying Derpy on his back, “Has he been doing this the whole time?” The Doctor nodded to Shadow, and Derpy squeezed Shadow tightly. The Doctor stormed past them and waited at the door.

Derpy slowly crawled off of Shadow’s back, “I do love you Shadow, but I need you to forget about me for a while.”

Shadow looked at Derpy with teary eyes, “Why, I thought we had something special.”

Derpy smiled, “We do, but I can’t stay. I’m just not ready to stop adventuring just yet. Promise me though, forget about me, and find someone new.”

Shadow’s tears slowly turned into an extremely convincing fake smile, “I’ll never forget you, Derpy, but I know what you mean. At least promise me you’ll come back to visit me.”

Derpy smiled and gave Shadow a kiss, “I promise. okay?” Shadow nodded and they stared into each other’s eyes smiling. After a few moments Derpy wobbly entered the Tardis. She stared into Shadow’s eyes as the doors closed. A few moments later the Vworp of the Tardis sounded their departure.

Stony nudged Shadow, “I told you you’d be happy, didn’t I?”

Shadow’s face turned back into it’s usual emotionless, blank, stare, rolled his eyes, “Technically you said I’d be surprised.

Stony grinned, “Technically you can go fuck yourself, or is that spot reserved for Derp?” Stony started laughing. After a few moments they began sharing what had happened to each of them. Shadow was doing the most talking since, for him, it had been a lot longer.

Inside the Tardis, The Doctor approached Derpy, “I can’t believe you did that, I simply can’t! What have I told you about him, were you ever paying attention?”

Derpy stood tall, “You’re wrong about him. He’s not evil! You didn’t spend as much time with him as I have!”

The Doctor was furious, “You haven’t spent as much time trying to stop him as I have! He is a virus! He has just spread through each universe, when he shouldn’t even exist at all! He’s an anomaly that keeps spreading and destroying everything he touches! Don’t you understand that?!”

Derpy walked past him and started messing with the console, “I don’t care anymore. I know he’s good. I’m going home!” The Tardis shook violently, sending The Doctor tumbling. When it stopped she walked out the doors without another word.

“So you’re telling me, the other Shadow was gay? I just couldn’t see myself being into dudes.” Again Stony laughed, and eventually left to help clean while Shadow went to his room to change into normal clothes.

The Eternal Darkness was already waiting for him, “She left you like the rest, why are you not upset?”

Shadow smirked at him and began stripping, “She’s different, and she promised to come back.”

The Eternal Darkness scoffed, “So did Trixie, the only difference is you spent more time with this one. I don’t get you Shadow, you never make any sense.”

Shadow laughed as he pulled of his last article of clothing, “I’m weird, don’t try understanding me, you’ll just hurt your tiny, ancient, smoky brain.” With that Shadow flapped his wings and blew away The Eternal Darkness. It wasn’t until now that Shadow realized how horribly clean his room was. He began turning it back into the organized disaster it usually is.

When he was finished he heard Tidy’s voice over the intercom, “Alright, the house is finally clean, and dinner is ready.” Shadow strolled out of his room after putting on a black hoodie. He saw Stony head down the stairs, forgetting to close his bedroom door.

Shadow walked into Stony’s room, “You clean mine, I dirty yours.” Shadow ran through the room, tossing everything around. He looked at the disaster he had created and nodded.

Tidy and Stony were already eating, “This is a delicious salad Tidy.” Shadow took his seat at the end of the table, and eyed the fruits and vegetables on his plate. Stony thought of all that happened, “We need a funny pun for when I tell this story…We had a blazing time? No stupid. High time? Nah overused.” Finally he addressed Shadow’s unwillingness to eat, “Okay, what’s wrong Shades?”

Shadow poked his salad, “I’m just not into salads is all.” He pushed his plate away and headed toward the grave Stony mentioned earlier. When he got there, he sat down in front of it, “You were a fool, ya know? If you had just stayed hidden and waited you could’ve won. We would both have had a happy ending, but now you're dead and I’m single again. Fucking idiot.”

Clyde walked up and sat next to Shadow, “Is he really a fool zhe Shadow. He did it all for love. I am an old donkey, and I might not know much, but I know vut love is.”

Shadow couldn’t help himself, “What is love?”

Apparently neither could Clyde, “Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me.”

Shadow continued, “No more.” They sang the entire song before they went their separate ways. By now the sun had set, and the sky was full of stars. Shadow stopped in front of the entrance to the garden, and looked up at the stars and the moon, “I’m not sure if you're paying attention or not Luna, but I’m gonna talk like you are. I want to believe Derpy. I want to believe I can be saved, but maybe she’s wrong. I have done so many terrible things, that I honestly can’t see right from wrong anymore.” As he finished a star shot across the sky. Shadow smiled then headed inside to his room.

His perfect ending was ruined when he heard Stony yelling, “I got a perfect one, We had a Chronic Time.”