Lightning And Shadow Reborn

Chapters

Prologue: Death, Rebirth, A Third Chance
Act 1: Back To The Beginning
Act 2: Meeting Twilight And Her Friends Once More.
Act 3: Warm Feelings Of Displaced Memories
Act 4: The Slow Rekindling Of A Love Lost In Time
Act 5: The Phatom Of Lightning And Shadow
Act 6: The Beginning Of The Awakening

Prologue: Death, Rebirth, A Third Chance

Taylor walked through the castle corridors on his way to see Luna. It had been a very long day for him. Helping with the royal duties now that he was a ‘prince’. Since he was married to Luna. He was doing things he never thought he’d do in his lifetime. But it wasn’t so bad. He was a wielder of both lightning and shadow magic. He could see clearly like he was never able to before he came here. He has friends, loved ones, thing he never ever thought he’d ever have.

It has been five years since he and Luna got married, and they have been living happily together ever since then. The two eternal lovers spent day after day with each other, simply enjoying their time and company with one another. With the occasional trip to the royal summit every now and then, along with threats here and there. Otherwise, life was good for him, her and all the ponies of the land.

Taylor finally made to Luna’s bedroom, or their bedroom as it has been for a long time now. The guards that strolled past Taylor gave him a bow of their heads. He in turn bowed his back. Walking past them and patting one of them on the back.

Keep up the good work, fellas.”

“Yes sir.”

The both said as they continued on. Once he got to the door, he opened it to see Luna lying on the bed, she seemed to be engrossed in a book that held her attention. Usually when he comes in, she is all over him within a few seconds. This made him chuckle to himself as he watched her. He closes the door and removes his cloak that Rarity had given him long ago. It was one thing he held onto that made him remember ehr and the others from Ponyville. He still sees them from time to time. Even the little fillies who are the sisters to Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow have grown up to be fine mares and are pursuing their dreams.

“Must be a good book to have your attention like that, Lulu. Am I being replaced by a stack of literature?”

He teased as he hung his cloak up in it usual spot. The mare’s ears perked up and her head lifted as well. As her gaze falling upon her husband, she widens her eyes and quickly leaps off the bed and trots over to him, rearing up and placing her front hooves on his shoulders and planting a loving kiss on his lips, her tail swaying behind her in delight.

“You know better than that, silly man. Nothing nor nopony could ever replace you…”

She said as she gazed into his eyes happily. Pressing her body firmly against him as she rested her head against his chest. Taylor chuckled and reached down her back slowly, placing his hands on her flanks and squeezes them firmly but lovingly. Luna let out a soft moan and giggled at him.

“Somepony missed me…”

“Well of course I did silly mare. I always miss you when I have to go and do these boring royal duties that have been assigned to me. But, I suppose being a prince and being married to the hottest mare in all of Equestria is a pretty sweet deal. But these nobles and their whiny, bitchy nature. How the hell do you and your sister put up with it all…?”

Luna giggled lightly as she leaned up and kissed him once more before going back on all four hooves and walks over to their bed and hops back onto it. Lightly patting the spot next to her to welcome him.

“Well, considering the fact that Tia and I have been around for thousands of years, we have grown used to all the nonsense they bring in.”

Taylor nodded and made his way over to the bed and gets comfortable by his wife. She then climbs on top of him and makes herself comfortable as well.

“I suppose that is rational thinking for an immortal being. Speaking of which...I still need to get used to this new...immortality thing. I am thirty years old now, but I still look the same as I did when I came here. And my sense of time is already starting to feel strange.”

Luna gently places a hoof on his cheek and locks her eyes with his.

“I know my love. It can be very disorienting for those who have not lived over more than one lifetime. But you will get the hang of it, I promise.”

He lightly grabs her hoof and squeezes it gently, finding comfort in her words of assurance. She always made him feel like everything was going to be alright. No matter what happened, she was always there to cheer him up or make sure he didn’t worry himself.

“I know Lulu. It’s just. I know I won’t be able to hold onto the friends I make forever. I know one day, that Twilight’s friends will part from this world. That is the downside to being immortal. You lose too many that you care about. I am sure you have dealt with that pain before. Watching those you hold dear age their way to death.”

She nodded and kissed him lovingly.

“That I have. But there is always going to be that one pony who I will never ever lose again.”

She said as she wraps her forearms around him tightly, enclosing her wings around him as well. He brought his own arms around her as well, running his fingers through her mane, which she enjoyed very much. She always turned her flowing mane back into her regular mane just so he could do that for her. The couple laid there for what felt like hours, eventually giving into slumber as they held each other closely,

--A Few Hours Later--

Taylor eyes snap open once he feels the castle rumbling. Something was clearly not right here. He felt a massive surge in magical energy coming from below and with that came a very bad lightning storm outside. Luna lifted her head from his chest and looked out the same window that he did. She felt the energy now as well.

“By the moon...what is going on?!”

They both get up quickly and run to the window. When they look outside, their eyes widen in horror as they see a large black and blue portal forming in the courtyard with big blue eyes looking outside of it. Taylor knew this was bad. He felt an overwhelming power coming from whatever was in there. And if he didn’t act fast, he knew that ALL of Equestria was in danger. Without even saying a word, he leaps out the window and divebombs his way below, taking his smoke form before landing so as to not injure himself.

“Taylor, what are you…?!”

She called out to him as she followed him down. Taylor’s eyes was fixated on the large looking creature. It looked demonic in nature, large horns, large wings completely shrouding in black oily darkness. This is something that he had a vision about. But he merely thought it was a bad dream and never told anyone about. Not even Luna. And the dream wasn’t pleasant. The creature had killed everypony Taylor had come to love,even Luna herself. He wasn’t going to let that happen. The only thing he could do was to end the creature now before it could leave it’s portal. And he saw only one way to do it. He lowers his head and balls his fists, gritting his teeth.

"I love you Luna...so so much. And I will never forget you. Even in death."

He then casts a shadow binding spell around her hooves and a blinding spell so she could not see what he was about to do.

“Taylor what are y-?!”

She was cut off by a kiss with his hands cradling her jaw lightly.i He then pulls away and faces the the portal. The monster inside laughs wickedly.

“What can you do to stop me? Once I am free of this portal, I will ravage this entire land!”

“Like hell you will…”

Taylor raises his hands into the air, lightning begins to form in them as his body starts to spark widely. He was turning himself into a lightning rod, storing up as much as he could. The thing is, even though he could control it, it could still hurt and kill him if he took in too much. The ground below him was already crumbling and coursing with an electric flow. By this time, he already had enough lightning to decimate the entire city of Canterlot. Luna was pulling at the binds as hard as she could, trying to break free. She couldn’t use her magic for she could not see either, not knowing what she’d hit. All she could do was call out to him with tears running down her face.

“No Taylor! Please stop! We can find another way to deal with this! Don’t throw away your life! I can’t lose you again!”

She struggled and begged him over and over. Her cries made his heart ache severely. But he could see no other way.

“Goodbye Luna. Even though our time was short. I was happy to be with you through it all. Maybe one day,I will see you once more. Be good…”

He said with a smile before casting himself into the portal and latching onto the beast. He lets out a mighty roar of power as he suddenly detonates like a nuclear blast made of pure lightning. There was a loud explosion and crack of lightning as this happened. The monster within let out a roar of pain as it began to vaporize along with Taylor.

“Remember Lulu, love can transcend death…”

Where his last words before there was nothing left, not even the portal remained. The spells that he had left behind stopped since their caster was no longer alive. And Luna knew this. Celestia and the guards made it outside to find the moon princess sobbing uncontrollably, calling out her husband’s name over and over. Celestia knew immediately what had happened. She to began to weep. She made her way to her sister and wrapped her wings around her. Trying to comfort her as best as possible. He was gone once more.

--In The Void Between the Living And Dead--

Taylor floated through the darkness. Devoid of all senses.

This is the second time I have made her cry because of my recklessness. I should have told her about it. I should have told them all. But it felt like it was just a bad dream. But at least I know they are safe. I guess..this is where I will be spending eternity huh? In a black void? Not like I can go to where ponies go after they die...

“And why can’t you?”

Said a warm motherly voice from within the void. He opens his eyes and looks around, still seeing nothing. But he answers the voice.

“Because, I am not a pony. I am a human. Even with the soul of Shadow Strike, I am sure I wouldn’t be welcomed anyways.”

“Taylor, you gave your life to keep my daughters and all of my other children safe. If that doesn’t get you into the land of paradise, then what will?”

“Land of...paradise? You mean you have a form of heaven here?”

The void suddenly vanishes s a bright light peers through, revealing a land with pure green grass, the sky filled with blues, purples and an everlasting sunset. It was like he was in some kind of unreal land, even more unreal than Equestria. He was then placed on his feet. The man looks around the new place with widened eyes.

“But tell me, Taylor. Why should you be stuck here when my daughter needs you?”

Said a white furred alicorn with autumn red hair and magenta eyes. He knew who this was right away once he saw her.

“Faust…”

He said in surprise. The alicorn smiles down at him, as she was slightly taller than he was. She places a hoof on his shoulder.

“If it were possible, I’d rather go back and be with her. But I saw no other option in making sure that her and the rest of them would remain safe. Would...you really give me a third chance to be with her again..?”

She smiles and nods.

“Taylor, you have been the source of my little Luna’s happiness in two lifetimes. And tragic circumstances have always torn you away from her. But now that I know that you two belong together. I will not sit idly by while her one and only is taken from her again.”

She turns away from him with a gaze from her peripheral vision.

“However, in order to make things right. I will be starting your life over in a new body with time turned back. Before you and her got married, before Terik, before everything since you came to my world. But since your soul has been both human and pony. I must create a form for you that will suit your soul.. And as for your memories…”

Taylor lowered his head and clenched his fists.

“Please..don’t take those from me Faust...I am begging you…”

He said before getting on his his knees and bowing as deep as possible.

“I will give up anything you want. Just...don’t take my memories of Luna away from me.”

That is what he assumed would happen. But he was told otherwise when Faust lightly lifted his head up with a hoof. Giving him a loving gaze.

“I wasn’t going to remove them. I am only going to lock them away in your mind. As you get older, they will slowly resurface. Now, rise back to your feet Taylor. My son in law doesn’t have to beg on his knees. Now, obviously I cannot have you be born from a mare since your body will be a mix of human and pony. So there is only one thing I can do. A divine birth. And with this birth, I give you your old name back.”

With that, she leans down and presses her horn against his forehead gently. She closes her eyes with a warm smile with these final words.

“Back where you belong, my beloved Shadow Strike.”

Author's Note

Here it is, the long-awaited sequel. Well...maybe not by everyone, but for those who have been wanting one anyways.

May the darkness grant you peace.

Act 1: Back To The Beginning

They say old habit die hard. Well, they certainly didn’t die with Shadow Strike. Sixteen years has passed since his birth, and he still wears nothing but black. Two lifetimes and he still is the same he has always been, just in a different form. Of course, he didn’t realize that he was being as he was. As his memories are still locked away. However, on a day like today, he will recover his first bit of memories once he makes it back home from school. Now a fully grown teenager, Shadow was going through his final years in school. Living in Ponyville with his family that had taken him in after Faust had delivered him to them. They were a couple who had issues having foals to begin with, so a gift from Faust herself made the couple all the happier. So they took him and raised him. Even though he wasn’t a pony that walked on all fours and had hands, he was still a pony.

Shadow always found it odd that he wasn’t like the rest of the ponies though. Sure, he was a pegasus. But one that was so...physcially different.He stood on two hooves instead of four, he had hands, his whole body was just more humanoid than anything. This, of course, provoked a lot of teasing and prodding throughout his younger years. But eventually, he was accepted just as another pony would be...by most anyways. He could always get away from it all though. All he had to do was find a nice cloud high above the town and just relax there. Another thing that caused him some issues is the strange markings that were on his whole body, including his face. Where did they even come from? Shadow wished he knew. His style of clothing remained the same as well. A black long coat, a black t-shirt, and black jeans. He even found a pair of boots just like the ones he wore when he was human, only fit for ponies.

“Yes, he was becoming a mixture of his human and pony lives. Only this time, instead of being a unicorn, he is now a pegasus. Once he made it back home, he sets his bag down by its usual place by the front door.

“Mom? I am home.”

“Ah, welcome home sweetie! Did you have a good day at school?”

The grey-furred mare with a black mane and tail approached him and wrapped her forearms around him in a hug. He returned the hug with a smile and nodded.

“Yeah, it was pretty okay I suppose. I got picked on a few times. But, what can you do huh?”

“Oh don’t you pay themany mind. You are still a pony, despite what shape you are. But enough about that. You father and I wish to speak with you in the living room.”

Shadow’s heart rate went up a bit. Like every teenager’s does when their parents call them into the living room.

“What..did I do…?”

“Oh no. You aren’t in trouble! We...have something we were told to give you once you reached of age. It was given to us when Faust sent you to us.”

“O-oh...thank Celestia…”

He said as he placed a hand over his beating chest.he thought they may have found out who had accidently sat Sugarcube Corner’s sign on fire. But luckily no one will ever find that out...hopefully. Once in the living room, his mother sat by a large burly stallion who’s fur was a light brown and a long mane and tail, with the mane slicked back

“Come have a seat, son.”

He said in his usual gruff but caring tone. Shadow nodded and sat down on the couch opposite of his parents. He father picked up a black cylindrical object that had a grip for a hand on it. Shadow looked at the object curiously.

“We were told to give this to you once you became sixteen years or older. I believe now is the perfect time to return it to you.”

He said as he held it out to Shadow.

“This...is mine?”

He reaches out and takes it into his hand. He wraps his fingers around it slowly. When he does, a dark blue aura filling his eyes as memories of...someone using this item as a form of a weapon. The being looked like him. He had a human body but no pony features. His gray fur stood on end and his jet black mane started flowing with a none existent wind for a few seconds before it all stop. He presses the switch on the object when it extended with a blunt point on the end of it.

“I...I remember this. I remember how I used it. I remember the skills that I…”

He places his head in his free hand and lets out a groan of pain, a massive headache coming on as the first set of memories flood his mind. His mother leaped off the couch and got to his side, lightly running a hoof up and down his back. His father going to his other side and lightly places a hoof on his shoulder.

“Are you alright, Shadow?”

He lifts his head back up with tears flowing down his eyes, and he wasn’t sure why. He quickly reaches up to wipe them away and looks at his now shaking hand.

“Why...am I crying?”

His mother closed her eyes and continued to gently rub up and down his back.

“We knew this day would come, Shadow. And for the sake of your younger mind, we never told you. Faust was very clear that you needed to find out what is going on on your own. We were to just care for you and love you like the son we always wanted.”

They went on about how they could have never had a child on their own and explained why he looked the way he did to him. Everything as becoming clear in why he was so different. But even their knowledge was limited. They only knew the things that Faust had told them through a letter that was left with him.

“Wow... I knew I was different, but a divine birth? So...I am literally the son of Faust…?”

They nod to him.

“In a sense, yes. But you have been our son as well. And we love you Shadow. So so very much.”

He takes his parents into his arms and hugs them closely. This news was extremely life changing for him. Not only was his real mother the creator of all things pony, but these memories he got from this single item. They gave him a new purpose in his life. To find out just what these memories meant, and where he can find more.

--Later That Evening--

Tonight was the night of the ‘’Summer-Sun Festival’. The day that princess Celestia raises the sun to usher in the summer season. Shadow didn’t really like to attend these kind of things. So he just stayed outside the town hall while everypony was doing their own thing inside. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his extendable baton. He flipped the switch and twirled it about in his hand. Shadow didn’t know any kind of martial arts before. Now, since he had touched this weapon. Memories of expert usage of this weapon and a martial arts known as ‘Aikido’ rang in his mind over and over. As if muscle memory had set in without him really doing anything. He was lost in this thought until he got the shivers up and down his spine as a dark blue cloud flew out of the town hall over his head. Then watching a cyan blue pegasus mare fly out after it. Then watched a lavender purple mare unicorn run out as well. Shadow was very curious. And decided to give chase after the blue smoke creature.

“Something about that thing makes me feel...off. But I can also feel something else. Maybe it knows more about these...memories.”

He said as he flew off after it. Eventually, he followed it to an old decrepit castle that was sitting in the middle of the Everfree Forest. Once inside he looked around so see what he could find. Eventually, he came to a big, empty room. In his mind he imagined it to be some kind of hall that held valuable artifacts or something along those lines. But then his thought process was cut off by the voice of a female.

“Well well, What are you doing out here, little colt?”

Asked the approaching mare who was lingering in the shadows. When she revealed herself to him. Shadow knew who0 she was.

“Nightmare Moon. So the legends are not a lie. You have come to bring eternal night then have you?”

Once she got a good look at his face, her eyes widened and blinked a bit. She began to approach him slowly with a glare.

“Who are you..? I demand an answer. Now.”

“Come on Lulu. How could you forget me?”

He said with a hand on his hip. But then he caught himself, covering his mouth.

“What...did I just say…?”

Nightmare Moon back away from him whenever he said that name. How did he know that name was the real question. She then got in closer to him, her face mere inches away from his.

“Look at me, boy.”

She ordered. Be another headache came on as soon as he tried to. He felt to his knees and grabbed at his head, grunting in pain as it felt like his head was going to burst.

“What ails you? Obey me!”

Her voice sounded like it was getting further and further away as his vision blurred. Eventually, he blacked out from the feeling and fell to the ground in front of her. When he comes to, however, he sees a pair of teal blue eyes gazing over him with intense curiosity. Shadow slowly sits up and places a hand on his head, feeling the slight pain that was leftover from his ordeal from earlier.

“Sister, come away from him.Now.”

Shadow looked over to see Celestia herself, the sun princess. Then he looked down at the smaller light blue alicorn.

“But Tia…”

“Go, now. Away from ehre young one. Neither my sister nor you should be within viewing distance of one another. Not yet.”

Before he could protest, Celestia teleported him out of the castle and back to Ponyville in front of his home. His mind was racing with all kinds of thoughts. What was that he was feeling? Why the sudden headache? And why in all of Equestria did he say what he said? Who is Lulu? Many question needed to be answered. But for now, he was just exhausted. A good nap will do him some good.

Author's Note

Calm your tits all. Just because he is the 'son of Faust' doesn't mean I am going to go all holier than thou with this story. It's just how it worked out.

May the darkness grant you peace.

Act 2: Meeting Twilight And Her Friends Once More.

Shadow was in the Golden Oak Library looking for a book that would help him on the medieval history of Equestria. He needed this book for a big project the teacher had assigned to the class which was going to be a fair chunk of his grade. So he needed to be sure that it was at least going to get him a passing grade. While he was looking through the shelves, he couldn’t help but notice the staring eyes of the new librarian that was now living there. It was the same lavender mare whom he had seen run out of the town hall just the other night when things went south. He sighed and turned to gaze at her.

“Is there something about me that you just can’t keep your eyes off me?”

She simply gave a nod as she approached him.

“I am not gonna lie. You certainly are interesting to look at. You are a pony but also a mix of something else. And the markings that are on your face and arms are quite fascinating as well. One can’t help but be curious about it.”

She said as she smiled up at him, those purple eyes searching through his to see if she could find anything else about him. He shrugged and went back to searching for his book. The mare gave a slight frown but was determined.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle. What’s yours?”

“Shadow Strike.”

Twilight gasped and bounced on her hooves a bit.

“Oooh you mean like the legendary wizard who could conjure both lightning and shadow? He is my favorite pony I have ever read about. Well...next to Star Swirl anyways. Your mother must be a big fan?”

“I suppose so.”

He said as he finally found his book that he needed. He wandered over to the table he had sat his things down at and placed the book down. He took a seat and began reading through it’s pages. His lightly blue eyes gliding along the word covered parchment that was bound to the covers. Twilight admired his studious focus as she watched him. She walked closer to him and took the seat next to him.

“So, how old are you Shadow Strike?”

“I am sixteen. Why do you ask?”

“Well, seeing as you are taller than the average adult stallion, I was merely curious. I can’t help but to want to pick your brain about your origin.”

“You wouldn’t believe me if i told you. Nor am I going to tell a complete stranger.”

He said as he took a pencil from his bag and began writing a few crucial things down that he had found in the texts he has read so far. Twilight frowned as she was denied any information about his origin and walks over to one of the shelves and pulls out a book that was also about medieval Equestria.

“Well, would you like some help? I’d be happy to lend my expert knowledge into stuff like this…”

“If you really want to.”

Twilight claps her hooves together excitedly and scoots closer to him. Both of them study for what felt like hours and hours. Twilight was definitely enjoying herself, as she was studying with someone rather than studying alone.Shadow really didn’t care one way or the other. But seeing her smile made him feel..warm on the inside. Like he has seen her smile before he even met her. He didn’t pay much mind to it though. Once he had all the info he needed for his final draft. He closes the book and leans back in the chair, stretching out his arms behind his head with a grunt, then throwing them down with a sigh.

“I got all I need. Thanks for the help. I will compile my final draft on my own at home.”

He said as he slipped the papers into his belonging into his bag. Then he got up and placed the book back where it was on the same shelf. Photographic memory is a wonderful thing. He places his bag around his shoulder. Just as he was about to leave, the door swings up as five other ponies make their way in. Of course he knew them by name, but he didn’t know them personally. Well, Pinkie sure knew him...she knows everypony in the city.

“Twilight, were are here to come and get you for our weekly picnic!”

Shouted the pink party pony who then locked her gaze onto Shadow, a big smile presence on her face as always. She bounces over to him and wraps him into a hug

“Hey there Shadow! You wanna come with us?!”

He lightly pats her on the head a few times, returning a half smile to her.

“Well, I don’t think I really would belong in your group of friends, Pinkie. But it is very generous of you to offer.”

“The more the merrier. Come on!”

She said as she pulled at his hand with her front hooves. The next one to look at him was Rarity, the local fashionista. Her eyes widen as a hoof covers her mouth when she gasps.

“Oh darling, that is most certainly too much black to be wearing during the summer. And those boots you are wearing..eeegh. You could at least add a bit of blue to your wardrobe.”

I will wear what I desire thank you, miss Rarity.”

He said with his arms crossed over his chest. He then felt of hoof lightly pat at his back.

“Aww, now don’t you go worryin’ about how you dress, sugarcube. Rarity is just bein’ persnickety as she always is. I think it suits you very nicely.”

Said Applejack who look was looking up at him with her beautiful emerald green eyes.

“Hey, Iremember you. You were the one who chased off after Nightmare Moon. We found you in the ruins when we changed her back toLuna. You got guts, kid.”

Rainbow Dash said as she lightly punched him in the arm.

“Um...this has been bothering me for quite some time now. But your name is Shadow Strike...right?”

Asked Fluttershy as she approached him timidly, hiding her face behind her mane as she lightly circles her hoof on the floor.

“Yes, that is my name. Why do you ask?”

“Well, you share the name of one of my favorite ponies that I read about in my favorite collection of books. Any you also bare a resemblance to him as well. Except he is a unicorn and his fur was grey. But, i feel like I know somepony who has the markings that you have as well. But I can’t...seem to place who.”

Twilight walks up to him and gazes up and down at his body. He did share the same facial structure as Shadow Strike from the novels that she read as well. And those marking did feel awful familiar to her as well. But she could not remember for the life of her. It was like a chunk of memory had been taken from her mind, but still left small traces here and there. She felt that it would be a good idea for him to join them on this picnic lunch.

“Would you please reconsider going with us? Shadow? We certainly wouldn’t mind having you along. Right, everypony?”

“Well, Despite his choice in clothing, he seems like a very nice young stallion. Please do come with us, dear.”

Rarity felt drawn to him as well now that she got a good look at him. She felt like she had made something for him that was very special between the two of them. A flash of a long black cloak with tribal markings that were a deep blue and a tall figure wearing that cloak flashed in her mind for a second. She places her hoof to her head as she shook it lightly.

What in the name of Celestia did i just see? I am getting this..warm feeling all the sudden…

“Uh...Rarity? Are you alright sugarcube?”

Asked Applejack with a bit of concern, lightly placing a hoof on her shoulder.

“O-oh it’s nothing. I just saw something in my mind that I can’t quite place where I saw it at. Anyways, please do come with us. We brought more than enough for everypony.”

Shadow thought about it for a moment. They seemed to really want him to go. He shrugged and nodded.

“I will go if you insist I do. I never turn down free food.”

“I knew I liked you!”

Pinkie said as she hops on his back and wraps her legs around him in a hug. The group left the library with Shadow in tow. Heading to there usual place which was on a hill that was shaded by a large tree just outside to town. They were all talking about their day and what they had all gotten done since they last saw each other like this. They then turned their attention to Shadows who was just sitting there under the tree with his legs crossed. Idly tossing his baton up and catching it over and over.

“Whatcha got there?”

Asked Rainbow as she walked over to him and looked at the item in question., her eyes wandering over it curiously. It looked so sleek.

“This is my baton. Not sure where it came from. But my parents said it belonged to me.”

“Is it some kind of weapon? Pretty small to deal some major damage don’t you think?”

Shadow grins and hits the switch on it’s side, the baton extending to it’s full length in the blink of an eye. This makes the cyan pegasus nearly fall back in surprise.

“Whoa! Okay...that is pretty awesome! Very sneaky!”

“But why do you need such a thing with you, darling? You are too young to be carrying a weapon anyway.”

“Now hold on just a moment. Rarity. Ah am sure he knows what he is doin’ with that. Otherwise I know his parents wouldn’t give it to him.”

“It’s better than carrying a sword or spear. But it is an amazing device. The way it can go from compact to ready to use when needed. A perfect weapon for self-defense. And since he uses hands, I am quite curious to see how he wields it. In fact, i’d like to learn all i can about him. But he won’t tell me anything…”

Twilight said as she gives a cute pouty face as she circled her hoof in the ground. Shadow presses the switch once more and the baton goes back into compact mode. He slides it into his pocket and looks back at Twilight.

“If you want to learn more about me, you are going to have to wait. I don’t even know much of my origin myself. So until i found out just who I am. You are going to have to wait.”

They all blink a few times and stare at him. A bit shocked that he had revealed this to them.

“What..do you mean?”

Asked twilight.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. My parents told me I was given to them by Faust. That is all i know for now. Which explained why I am so different than all the ponies I suppose. But I still know very little.I have been getting these odd visions as of late though. I see this...figure and a pony every now and then in my mind. Whispering to me that I need to ‘wake up’ or something. These dreams have been coming to me ever since I turned sixteen. That is all I can say for now.”

He stands up and dusts his jeans off before looking down at the group.

“Thank you for inviting me. But I need to get home and finish this paper. Thanks again for the help earlier Twilight. Even though you didn’t have to, I appreciate it.”

He grabs his bag and sling it over his shoulder. Leaving the group to make his way back home. Twilight knew the real reason why he was leaving though. She had brought up wanting to know more about him when he didn’t want to share. She cursed herself mentally as she stomps her hoof.

Author's Note

Seems like he isn't the only one having displaced memories huh?

May the darkness grant you peace.

Act 3: Warm Feelings Of Displaced Memories

Shadow opens his eyes to find himself in what appeared to be a fog covered area with the night sky above him.The moon shining down brightly. He looks around as he walks forward a bit trying to figure out where he was exactly. The feeling he was getting wasn’t exactly like he was in a real place. In fact, he wasn’t at all. He was in another one of his odd dreams that he had been having for a while now. He suddenly heard footsteps against the cold cobblestone that was under the thick blanket of fog. He turned to lay eyes upon the figure he had seen in his dreams repeatedly. He was tall, cloaked with the hood obscuring his face completely. From what he could see by the moonlight, however, it was apparent the two had the same taste in clothing.

“How long do you plan on keeping her waiting, Shadow? Your beloved needs you.”

Said the figure who now stood two feet away from him. The being’s eyes clearly focused on Shadow’s. He gazes back in confusion. Clearly, the young stallion was very much in the dark.

“I..do not understand. You have been telling me to ‘wake up’ every night. That I am keeping somepony waiting. But who are you talking about? Please, I am so confused!”

Shadow felt the being’s hand rest on his head. He chuckled lightly in response.

“Your memories will tell you. You just need to unlock them and everything will be clear. I promise, Shadow. And when your memories surface, hers will too. Then you two can be together once more. And hopefully, prevent the tragedy that I sacrificed myself to even let happen. Wake up, Shadow”

Those last three words echoed loudly. The dream began to slowly be consumed by a bright light. Shadow snapped his eyes open and sat up in his bed quickly. Same time as always. Six in the morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise. He places a hand on his head and shakes it lightly. Those words never failed to end his dreams. He truly wishes he knew what they meant. What the whole dream meant in fact. Once he had gotten a shower and dressed for the day, he made his way downstairs where his parents awaited him with a big smile on their faces. Something clearly wonderful must have happened.

“Uh...did I miss something?”

“Oooh, sweetheart. We just got a letter sent by princess Celestia herself. She has asked if you’d be interested in becoming a student of hers!”

Shadow was a bit taken back by the words of his mother. He literally stood there like he had been smacked across the face with a sock with a stick of butter in it.Why would she want someone like him in such a prestigious school? He wasn’t at the top of his class. Sure he got good grades but that was it. He had no real outstanding achievement that would make to talent scouts look his way. So...why?

“I...don’t understand. I am just a regular schoolcolt like anypony else…”

His father smiled up at him as he approached and gently placed a hoof on his shoulder.

“You give yourself too little credit, Shadow. True, you aren’t exactly the top of your class. But, if she is asking for you to come and be part of her teaching. She clearly sees something special in you, my boy. Don’t pass up an opportunity like this. You never know when another will come if not at all.”

Shadow was still caught off guard by the thought. But at the same time, his father was right. Should he take up this offer? He did want his folks to be proud of him. And if something this wonderful has been offered to him, he saw no reason to deny it.

“If I go...that means I won’t be here.”

His mother comes up next to him and wraps her forelegs around him in a hug, snuggling him closely.

“Oh don’t you worry about us. We will come by and visit as much as we can! But a bigger and brighter future awaits you Shadow Strike.And your father and I support you one-hundred percent. We will always be there when you need us. We promise.”

Shadow nods and pulls them closely into a hug.

“I know you guys are my blood parents...but with the way you have raised me and taken care of me as if I was born from your womb...you may as well be. I love you both. And I am happy to have been raised by both of you.”

--A Week Later--

Shadow stood at the train station waiting for the train that was to take him to Canterlot. His parents were there waiting with him when he heard hoofsteps running towards him. He turns to see Rarity racing up to him with a wrapped item in her saddle bag.

“Darling, I have something for you before you depart! I made this over the past few days and wanted you to have it before you left.”

She said as she levitated it over to him with her magic. He blinks a few times and takes it into his hands, his gaze turning back to the fashionista.

“Well, go on. Open it!”

She said as she bounced on her hooves lightly. He nodded and ripped open the paper to reveal a black cloak with royal blue tribal accents on it’s side. The appearance and feel of the fabric were right on the mark. He smiles lightly and holds the cloak close to his body. That familiar warmth and memory popping in his mind

“It looks good as new, Rarity…”

“Oh, it was no trouble, Taylor. Always happy to help a frien-.”

They both open their eyes wide and look at one another. Rarity suddenly felt like crying, tears welling up in her eyes before she charges forward and wraps her forelegs around his body. He kneels down and holds her in his own embrace.

“Oh please forgive me, dear. I...I don’t know why I am crying so much at the moment. But I felt as if I have done this before...and it’s giving me a very sentimental feeling.”

He gently runs his fingers through the mare’s mane and nods

“I understand the feeling. I wish I could explain it myself...but I do not know where these...memories are coming from. But thank you so very much for making this for me, Rarity. I will forever cherish this gift you have given me. Make sure you and the other girls come and visit me as well.”

“Oh you can bet we will. Now go and do your best. And be safe.”

She leans up and plants a kiss on his cheek.

“With a handsome colt such as yourself, I bet you will have all the fillies hanging from your tail.”

She said with a wink as she walks off. He then hugs his parents good-bye as the train approaches and slings his bag over his shoulder.He steps onto the train and takes a seat in one of the passenger cars. As the train start to leave he leans out and waves to his family once more knowing it will quite some time before he sees them again. But he needed to remember, this was to further his future. After this, he could pretty much do anything he wished with a school like this on his record. Little did he know, however, that not only his learning would change, but his life in general as well.

Once he got to the train station in Canterlot, he steps out of the car and looks around. He had been here a few times in his life, but now he was going to be staying here. Definitely a bigger change in what he was used to. Not to mention all the snobbish nobles he was going to have to deal with. He was sure about that. Suddenly two pegasus guard land in front of him and look him up and down. They nod to each other and stand in front of him.

“You must be Shadow Strike, correct?”

“Yes, that’d be me.”

“Excellent, the princesses have ordered us to come and collect you. If you’d please follow us.”

He nodded in response. They all three took to the air and flew towards the castle, Shadow having no difficulty keeping up as his wings were bigger and he had been flying pretty much his whole life after all. Once they made it to the castle, the guards walked him through the large corridors and to a room where Celestia had been waiting for him. The strange thing is, he felt like he had been in this castle before. He knew the twists and turns, the layout of the whole place. He even knew that they were leading him to the royal study. A place that he and the royal sisters frequented the get a bit of peace of mind from everything that was going on. But how did he know this? All these memories, these feelings. They were starting to get a little overwhelming.

“Princess Celestia is waiting for you.”

One of the guards said as he opened up the door to allow him in. Shadow nodded and made his way inside, the guard closes the door behind him once he has entered.

“Hello again, Shadow Strike. I trust you have been doing well since our last meeting?”

Asked a warm and motherly voice from across the room. Shadow turned his gaze to the source, which was Celestia herself. He offers her a slight bow and nods.

“I have been doing alright. I am just surprised that you would even offer to teach me is all. Though I consider it a great honor, I have to ask. Why?”

Celestia gives a gentle smile and scoots over a little bit on her large pillow. She lightly pats the spot next to her with a hoof, offering it to him.

“Are...you sure…?”

He asked in slight surprise. She nods her head in response. He then makes his way over to her and sits next to her. He had never been this close to royalty and when he sat beside her, she smelled nice. Definitely a hint of cake. Her gaze was focused on his markings at first, then the cloak that he had gotten from Rarity that was now resting on his shoulders.

“I brought you here because you are very special to somepony. And you can do things that other pegasi can’t. Can you?”

“W-what do you mean, princess? I am just a regular pegasus like any other. The only difference is I walk on two legs instead of four.”

“It’s alright, Shadow. You do not need to hide your abilities here. Please, show me what I have been sensing from you for a few years now. I have been keeping a very watchful eye on you as you have grown up. And I know that magic grows within you each day.”

Shadow lifts a hand up slowly and opens up his palm. A light spark starts to form within his hand and soon it becomes a bit larger, blue lightning now curling around his hand, then arm.

“Have you really known about this for a long time, princess?”

She gives a gentle nod and brings a wing around him.

“Tell me. Do you have memories come to you that aren’t your own? One of a pony and one of another being entirely?”

Shadow nods repeatedly.

“Yeah! They both appear in my dreams as well, the bipedal being more often than the pony though.”

“And does this castle seem..familiar to you at all? Like you have been here before?”

Shadow nods again

“Somehow I knew that the guards were bringing me here to the royal study. Though I have never been here in my life, I felt like I spent a great deal here once.”

She nods again as she listens to him.

“I brought you here for more than just to teach you, Shadow. Believe it or not, I believe that you and my sister have some sort of connection. What kind of connection it is, i cannot say. All I ask is that if she starts to act strangely around you. Please do not take it the wrong way. Ever since her return, she has found it difficult to really speak or be around anypony. So I ask this as a favor. Would you befriend her? With how you are a bit different and the way that she is around most ponies. I imagine that you two would hit it off nicely.”

Shadow thought about this for a moment. She had him brought here for more than just going to a better school it seemed. And she knew about the dreams and memories that he had been dealing with for quite awhile. And she even knew about his secret he had kept for everypony else. Even his parents. That he could conjure and control lightning at will. Something that pegasi couldn’t normally do. Sure, they control the weather for the most part, but none of them can shoot lightning from their fingertips. He returns his gaze to Celestia and gave a nod to her.

“I can see why you’d think we’d be good friends. Alright. Should I run into her at some point, I will do my best to become her friends. But in the meantime. Where will I be picking back up on my studies?”

“I will be your personal teacher from now on, Shadow. I had thought about sending you to Canterlot High. But I think somepony of your...abilities may be too advanced. And under my teaching, you will be living here in the castle.Now, I must go and get ready for Day Court. Please have a look around the castle and get yourself comfortable. Though if you are the one that these memories and visions say you are. I think you know where to find your chambers.”

She said after a light giggle. Shadow just sat there for a moment, thoughts running through his head. Yep, his life was indeed going to change from here on out. And over his time here, bonds thought to have been forgotten will reform for a third time.

Author's Note

Sorry about the long wait, been busy with Ghost Recon Wildlands as of late. :P

May the darkness grant you peace.

Act 4: The Slow Rekindling Of A Love Lost In Time

Shadow walked through the corridors of the large castle after he had gotten settled in with putting his things in his room. Funny enough, he did find what would have been his former chambers before he and Luna became a couple back when he was human. Funny how things like that work. He walked out into the western courtyard, he wasn’t sure why, but his hooves lead him here. More specifically to a large shady tree that looked over the city below.He begins to slowly approach the tree. It looked so familiar to him, something of a distant fondness for this spot. Something was telling him to touch the tree. He was scared to, and he didn’t know why. But at the same time, he had to do it. He reaches out with a shaky hand and places it on the tree’s smooth bark. His eyes glow royal blue and the memory begins...

Taylor? Are you slacking off out here again, mister?

Oh, come on Tia! Can’t I get a little bit of off time to myself?!

You know if she finds you out here without her, you are never going to hear the end of it!

Well, she needs to get her flank out of bed if she wants to come snuggle with me under the tree. Or is that what you are here for? Getting a little lonely, Tia?

Oh, believe me, if she hadn’t been the one to claim you in your former life, I’d be the one you’d be sharing a bed with, young man.

Taylor, why didn’t you come get meeeee~?

Laughter was the last thing he heard in the memory before it faded. Shadow squeezed his hands into fists are started shaking slightly, fighting back tears as hard as he could with his head lowered. Little did he know that Celestia was watching him from her tower. She could see that he was struggling to hide the sadness of the memory he felt. She wanted so badly to go down to him and comfort him and tell him everything. As Faust had given her all her memories of Taylor before the day he died. But Faust was insistent that he find the memories on his own.

“I am sorry, sweet Shadow. I really am…”

Celestia said to herself in a pained tone. She closes her eyes and sheds a tear as her head lowers. She hated having to deny him answers but knowing full well the reason why Faust had entrusted her oldest daughter with the memories of that time. Should he have found out everything at once, complications would arise. She then noticed that her sister had awakened and was getting ready to raise the moon just as Celestia just set it. After doing so, she noticed her sister’s gaze falling upon the cloaked pegasus. Celestia watched as Luna flew down towards Shadow and smiled lightly.

“You may not have all your memories now, Shadow. But things will make sense. And you and my sister will rediscover them together…”

She said before making her way into her bedroom. Shadow was still trying to gather himself after the memory had taken hold of him. He hears hooves landing behind him along with the sound of beating wings. Not knowing who it was he quickly tries to regain his composure and turns around to lay eyes on the princess of the night, Luna herself. She circled her hoof in the ground as he turned to face her. He takes a bow to her.

“Princess.”

He said as he comes up from his bow. Luna looked back at him with uncertainty. It wasn’t him that was the problem, she just wasn’t sure about herself. But she musters what nerve she can and replies

“You are the one my sister has taken under her wing for your education yes? Shadow Strike?”

He nodded in return.

“Yes, I am him. It’s nice to see you again, princess. Now that you aren’t an evil mare bent on world domination. I think I like you better this way. As will your other subjects.”

He said with a light laugh. Trying to hide what he was dealing with earlier before she came to him. Luna lowers her head and frowns. Shadow realizes what he may have caused and waves his hands in front of himself a bit.

“H-hey, I am sorry! I was just trying to lighten the mood was all! I just...I heard the legends about Nightmare moon when I was younger. And I always figured there was another side to the story. I am just glad that you have returned back as our princess of the night is all.”

He said as he tried to salvage that conversation a bit. Which seemed to be working, as she turned her gaze back to him, but kept her ears pinned to her head. She slowly began to approach him, she stood at the same height as him when compared side by side.

“I am not upset with you. I know you didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just...your name, those markings. They are so familiar to me. And when I look at them, i feel like I lost someone extremely important to me a second time. And you share the same name of another pony I lost when I was younger.”

Shadow frowns as she spoke of a pony she had cared so much for being lost to her. What really caught him off guard is that she said his markings reminded her of somepony else. But who? Was there another pony who had markings covering their body similar to his? His thought process was cut off by Luna clearing her throat.

“Anyways, my sister and I have decided to split your education into two workloads. She will handle your academic studies, and I will be handing your magic training.”

Shadow lowered his ears a bit as she said that.

“Sorry, I am sure that is something you really don’t want to have to do. I am still surprised she still wants to even teach me at all.”

She quickly perks her ears and shakes her head.

“Nono, You misunderstand me. I asked her if I could help with your training. I don’t know why, but when I am around other ponies. I feel miserable. But looking at you, and the things my sister told me about you. I feel like you are the first pony I could really relate to ever since I returned from my banishment. And I will admit.I get this strange feeling of deep fondness towards you. I...just wish I knew why…”

As he was listening to her, another memory flashed quickly in his mind. That same figure he sees in his dreams taking to a shadow cloaked pony in the very same spot they were standing in now. He falls to his hands and knees as the memory fades, electric sparks coming off his body at the same time. This made Luna quickly step back, a look of genuine concern appearing on her face.

“Shadow Strike, are you alright…?”

He slowly gets back to his hooves and nods, as he does, however, his baton falls from his pocket and rolls out onto the ground in front of Luna. Shall looks down at the strange device and picks it up with her magic. When she looks it over, the name of it seems to come out of nowhere in her mind.

“This..this is an extendable baton yes…?”

Shadow was quite surprised when she guessed what it was right off the bat. He nodded in response and took it into his hand once she gave it back to him.

“It is. I have no idea why I know how to use it along with a few other combat skills. It was like when I touched it, I gained somepony’s memories pertaining to this specific item. It was like it was meant for me to have this weapon.”

He said as he flipped the switch, the weapon’s layered parts extending out at great speed. Normally, when someone drew a weapon in front of royalty, they’d be extremely worried. But Luna felt like she didn’t have to worry about him. In fact, she was rather interested in the item herself. So sleek, so compact, so...familiar. A memory of a cloaked figure displaying such...graceful and diverse form of fighting came to mind. As if she was there watching him right now. When the figure’s hood didn’t block his face, she could see only the bottom half, the rest was covered by a strange but alluring mask. But it was when she saw that smile in that memory and those eyes staring right at her. She could feel her heart racing quickly.

”Luna…”

The voice called to her fondly. The vision ended when Shadow called her name once more.

“Princess Luna?”

“Hm? Oh sorry about that, Shadow Strike. I was...seeing a memory that I didn’t even know I had…”

“If you want to princess. You can call me by my first name if it makes it easier for you.”

She smiles lightly and circles her hoof into the ground again.

“And..feel free to call me Luna. I’d prefer it actually.”

Shadow tilts his head a bit. She wanted him to just call her by her name? That is something that isn’t given out quite lightly. But he was honored no less. He walks up to her and offers his hand out to her. She places a hoof on it. When he squeezes his hand around her hoof as he shook it, something inside of them sparked. A small ember was lit which would grow into a raging fire of reunited love over time. They both pull away from one another and blink a few times.

“W-well...I am going to go catch some sleep. See you later?”

“Mhmm, you will. Sweet dreams, Shadow.”

When Shadow is out of view and earshot, Luna plops down on her haunches and places a hoof to her chest, her heart getting ready to just explode out of it.

“He is just like him..not only does he share the same name, but he is kind and has that same gaze. But that figure...who is he? His smile made me feel all warm and fuzzy…”

She regained her composure and noticed that her sister had left her window open in her chambers. Luna flies up and sees that she had kept them open for a reason. As she was laying on her side on her bed with a big smile on her face.

“Looks like you and him got off to a good start, Lulu.”

Luna lets out a happy squeal and bounces around her sister. Clearly, she thought so to.

“Oooh, Tia! He is just like him! Could it be that mother gave new life to him and returned him to me?!”

That is exactly what the case was. As Celestia knew about the whole thing, but under the orders of Faust not to reveal them.

“No one can know for sure, dear sister. But if that was truly the case. Then I am certain that it is him. I pray that it is him, for your sake.”

“There is just one thing i don’t understand, Tia…”

Celestia arches a brow and looks at his sister again.

“And what is that?”

“There..is somepony else that comes to my mind when I spoke to him about a device he carried with him. An extendable baton. The being I saw in the vision..he was tall, very burly and wore a mask. Something one would find rather unsettling. But, when I saw his smile...I don’t know. I felt like he was someone I cherished just as much as the Shadow Strike from when I was a child.

So you saw a glimpse of him, did you? That was sooner than I expected…

Celestia thought to herself as she placed a hoof on her chin. Then looked back at her sister.

“We can’t be too hasty, though sister. Get to know him a bit more and we will see if he is truly the same one you loved long ago. But for now, I Must get some sleep. And I believe you have Night Court to attend to.”

“Oh my, I need to hurry up and get there! Sweet dreams, Tia!”

She said as she runs out the room. Celestia giggled lightly and lowers her head onto her pillow.

“In due time, little sister, in due time.”

Author's Note

Here ya go, another one for ya!

May the darkness grant you peace.

Act 5: The Phatom Of Lightning And Shadow

Shadow opens his eyes but sees nothing but a black void. For some reason, he knew exactly what was coming when he was in this state. Two figures appear before him completely hooded in long black robes. He could feel malicious intent. But at the same time, not towards him. And once one of them spoke, he knew exactly who it was.

“Would you look at this, Malumi. Looks like he was able to get a third chance at life. Seems like the higher ups REALLY have a thing for this one here. First a pony, then a human, and now a humanish pony? Very interesting. Should we put a mask on him as well?”

“Hmm, that may be a fun idea, let's do i-”

A black and blue vortex of lightning appeared in front of Shadow as the same hooded figure that he had seen in his dreams. The man glared daggers at the couple as he walked through, lightning sparking from his hands and eyes behind the mask that he used to wear when he was alive.

“You will not interfere with my life again. Do you understand me? You had your fun when you brought me back to this world. But Faust is the one who brought him into this world. So unless you want a more powerful being to hunt you down. I suggest you back off.”

The hooded male and female back away a bit. Though the male chuckled lightly.

“Aaah, so you chose to wear the mask as a phantom did you? How very mysterious. Fine, we will back off the young stallion. But that doesn’t mean that we won’t have our fun along the way. After all, you know exactly who we are. Don’t you, Taylor?”

Before he could react, the figures disappear into a black smoke. And the dream changes from a black void to a moonlit lake that both he and Shadow now stood in the middle of, literally walking on water. Shadow looks up at the human who was now facing him. Taylor removed his hood, finally revealing his appearance to the young stallion. He wore that very same mask that he was given the night he appeared in Ponyville. Though his eyes were still their normal colors, brown and hazel gray. His hair was long and slicked back, a deep brown with natural red highlights in them. And a neatly trimmed straight beard. The rest of his skin was bare, a pale white. And from what he could tell, he wore the same kind of clothing he did, but his boots were built for feet rather than hooves When shadow saw this man, he knew it was someone important.

“You...are the one I have been seeing in my dreams since I turned sixteen. I know you. I know you like I am you. These memories I possess of the baton, they are yours aren’t they?”

Taylor chuckled lightly, the wind flowing through his hair and bellowing his cloak a bit. He walked over to

“Believe it or not, Shadow. That same baton was mine. And yes, those same memories, those skills you possess in how to use it are indeed mine. In fact, your ability to conjure and control lightning is also mine. To put it simply. I am you. That is to say, I was your former life. And you want to know how I can prove it? I'll show you mine if you show me yours.”

He pulls up his right sleeve and holds out his arm, revealing the very same marking that Shadow possessed on him as well. Shadow gasped a bit as he lifted his arm up slowly next to Taylor’s. They indeed matched his to the letter. Shadow staggered back a bit as he saw this. Then turned his gaze back up to Taylor.

“Was I...did I really...have a past life? And you were my past life? Is that why I have both the physical appearance of what you are and a pony?”

“That is the case, Shadow. I would tell you what happened, but now is not the time for me to share those memories with you.However…”

He said as he then placed a hand on Shadow’s head with a firm but not a tight grip.

"I am allowed to give you these."

With a strong surge of lightning and shadow swirling into one coil around Taylor’s arm, they flowed quickly into Shadow's head, the stallion’s eyes glowing brightly as this happened, his mouth agape. As all the knowledge and know-how about Taylor’s skills and powers store into his mind. Every single use of the lightning and dark crystal abilities that Taylor had used to protect Luna and all the once he cared about when he was alive. All this leaving Shadow with a large headache that fades over the course of thirty seconds. He looks up at Taylor again with great confusion as he falls to his knees. The man backing away a few steps.

“The more you work at your abilities, those very ones that now lay in your mind will unlock and be at your disposal when you are ready for them to be used.”

He said before offering a hand to help Shadow back to his hooves. He takes it and lifts himself up.

“Taylor...I have many questions about what in all of Equestria is going on with my life. Now that I find out that I am you. My thirst for these memories grows even stronger. When will you reveal them all to me?”

“In time, Shadow. You are not yet ready for what is yet to be seen. But I promise that I will reveal them to you when the time is right.”

“Just then, a blue light appears out of the night sky and out comes Luna with a frantic look on her face. Quickly galloping to Shadow’s side as she lands on the water. She looked worried.

“Oh Shadow! Thank the moon! I couldn’t get into your dream, and I feared something had happened to you! And-”

Her gaze falls upon Taylor, who was now hooded once more to hide his face. Though he was very much smiling when he saw Luna. He may be a phantom, but he could feel the warm, loving feeling come over him as he locked eyes with her, she to could feel it.

“My sweet Luna...It has been sixteen, long years since I have seen you. I miss you dearly, and think about you every day…”

“Who..are you…?”

He chuckles lightly and backs away, that same vortex appearing behind him as his gaze turns back to Shadow.

“Keep her safe, won’t you Shadow? I imagine someday soon, she will be yours. And what we discussed, keep it to yourself for now. She doesn’t need to know the memories either. Just as I have been ordered to keep them from you, Faust ordered somepony else to hold onto her memories, but that pony shall remain nameless.”

“Wait, please! Tell me who you are!”

Luna cried out as she tried to catch him before he vanished into the vortex. But it vanished right as she got to it. She plops her rear down and lowers her head. She was so so close. And he managed to slip away from her again. Shadow walks up to Luna and places a hand on her back gently.

“Luna...I know who he is. All I can tell you is that he is my past life. Anything else he is currently hiding from me. He says I am not ready for the rest.”

Luna quickly turns and trots up to him, leaning in closely as her eyes were mere inches from his.

“Did you get his name?! I must know it, please! Ever since I have seen this image of him, I can’t get it out of my mind!”

Shadow leaned back a bit, taking a few steps as well. Placing his hands up in front of him.

“H-he said his name was Taylor. The name was very familiar to me when he said it. And when I saw his face, I knew I knew him. Even with the mask he wore..”

Luna blinks and falls back onto her rear. She lets out a sigh of slight disappointment as she looks to him again.

“I feel like I should know him as well. Like somepony who was extremely precious to me. But the only pony I remember who I had such strong feelings for was the one who shared your same name. He was a very powerful unicorn wizard who could wield both lightning and shadow crystal magic. Much like a foe my sister and I sealed away over a thousand years ago. He was the one I was to marry. Since He and I were betrothed at a young age. And when we married, we were to share immortality with one another, but he was taken from me before it could happen…”

Shadow could tell that that bringing up that very same memory brought a look of sadness in her eyes. He walked up to the princess and gently placed his hands on her forelegs and took her hooves into his hands in a gentle grip. This took Luna by surprise, but she didn’t pull away from him, instead, she locked her teal eyes with his sky blue colored hues.

“Listen to me, Luna.I know talking about that isn’t easy. But whatever is happening here, you and I are connected somehow. I want you to know if there is anything that you wish to talk about, or if you need a friend at all. I am going to be here. In this realm or the waking one. Over the past month, you are your sister have been nothing but kind to me. Not only are you teaching me. But you have given me a place to stay while doing so. You and I will get through this together. Alright?”

Luna was shocked by his words, not in a bad way of course. But he seemed so..serious. His gaze, his words, they all reminded her of the pony she loved all those thousands of years ago. She leans in and wraps her forelegs around his neck and holds him close, nuzzling into his shoulder and nodded quickly.

“Yes..thank you so much Shadow...I am so very happy that you are the way you are with me. You don’t act like most around a member of royalty. You allow me to let me be myself around you, just as you are around with me…”

She said in a quiet, but happy tone, continuing to nuzzle into him as she tightened the embrace slightly. Then Shadow remembered what had happened before she came in.

“Ah, I forgot to mention, Taylor gave me these..memories that involve the use of lightning and shadow magic. He said the harder I work at them, the more of the locked abilities I will be able to use. I think I am more eager to learn them now, now that I know what is in store if I do.”

There it was, that combination of magic only made her more hopeful that this young stallion was indeed the one she had been hoping that had returned to her from his death long ago. The thing is, he is that same pony, and later down the road as their relationship develops, they will both learn that this will be the beginning of something greater. A chance to make sure what happened to Taylor, will not happen again. He will be able to not only save Luna and those he will grow to care about, but he will be able to save himself.

“First thing tomorrow evening...I am going to see what you are capable of with these new abilities. I want to see them.”

He may very well be my lost love. If he is..thank you so much mother for giving him back to me...but for now, I will watch him. And make sure that he is the powerful wizard he once was.

She thought to herself before standing up. Making her way to leave his dream.

“Sleep well, Shadow. Should you ever need me..for anything. Just call out to me in your dreams. I will come running.”

“Thank you Luna...I greatly appreciate it. See you tomorrow.”

Author's Note

Here ya go guys, enjoy!

May the darkness grant you peace.

Act 6: The Beginning Of The Awakening

Shadow Strike woke to the sound of a knock at his door. He sits up and rubs his eyes before looking outside the window. It was still daylight outside. Why was he being woken up when his days...well nights didn’t begin till after Celestia had set the sun? He gets out from his bed and calls out to the one knocking.

“Who is it..?”

“I am a guard. I have been informed to tell you that the princesses have requested you to join them for lunch. I recommend you not keep them waiting, young one.”

Said the guard in a rough and gravelly tone. Shadow nodded and called back out. Making his way to the bathroom to get himself cleaned up.

“I will join them soon. I don’t think the two rulers of Equestria want their guest joining them fresh out of bed after all.”

The guard could help but let out a light laugh and agree.

“You are a smart kid. I will go inform them you are getting ready then.”

Shadow turns on the water to the shower head and gets in.The water feeling absolutely wonderful against his body and his eyes finally fully opening. If both of them wanted to see him, it must have been important. At least to some extent. Or maybe they finally found out that he was the one who hid Celestia’s cake baking ingredients from the royal kitchen and tossed out half the crates of bananas….naaaah. After getting cleaned up and dressed, he makes his way out of his room, down the stairs and into the dining hall where princesses were sitting across from one another speaking with each other. Shadow was about to step in until he heard them speaking about him in hushed tones. He leans against the wall to hide himself from their gazes and listens carefully.

“Tia...our young friend has been showing signs of progressing in his magical studies. But I am worried about his academics. It’s not that he is doing bad, not in the least. But he seems to be distracted by something as of late. When I am giving lectures, he seems to have this thoughtful look in his eyes. As if something is always on his mind that he must worry about.”

Celestia listened to her sister intently as she spoke about Shadow. After she finished, she gave her own response.

“Perhaps he is just concerned about what lies ahead. After all, receiving memories of magic from a strange phantom in one’s dream is certainly something to really worry about. I have seen his progress in controlling his magic. And I agree, he is doing a fine job of it. But he also has to wonder about the other memories that are locked away in his mind. Perhaps when Twilight gets here, he could speak with her and hopefully, their common ground will help settle both of them not worry so much about the future and the little things that come with it. They are quite the same in a way, but also extremely different. That could benefit them both, sister.”

Shadow came from behind the wall of the entrance and lightly cleared his throat to make himself known. He waves to them both and they in turn wave back to him. He makes his way over to the chair next to Luna’s and sits next to her after it was pulled out for him.

“Forgive me for asking, Princesses.But why am I awakened on one of my days off from both school and training? I was in a particularly good sleeping position and my body heat was just right enough to stay under the blankets…”

Both the sisters just giggled at him when he said that. They knew that kind of feeling all too well. That feeling when you are in a perfect sleep and don’t want to move at all for it would ruin it.

Well, we thought you’d like to join us for lunch. And I have a pony I want you to meet. She is my own student and I think you and her would make a great pair of friends if you got to know her.”

Shadow sat down while listening intently to Celestia’s words. A student of hers? He wonders who that might be. Soon enough though, she I revealed to him, and the pony who enters is really not all that surprising to him. After She called out to the mare, Twilight Sparkle walks into the room with a big smile and rushes to Celestia’s side and hugs her tightly, happy to see her mentor once more. Shadow’s response was just a little chuckle.

“Why am I not surprised this bookworm is your student? She certainly took an interest in me that night when Luna returned.”

Twilight gasped lightly as she looked over to Shadow. Her eyes scanning over his form and suddenly widening and sparkling with want….well, scientific want anyways. She never did get the chance to study him, and she wanted it bad.

“Princess Luna? He is the student that is under your wing…?”

She asked before taking a seat beside Celestia, her eyes not moving away from the anthro pony, not for one second. Even though that Luna knew why Twilight was ogling him, it made her feel...jealous? She shook the feeling from her and nodded to the lavender unicorn. She gently placed a hoof on his shoulder and gives a proud smile.

“Indeed, Twilight. He is a fine young stallion and his abilities have definitely been surpassing both me and my sister’s expectations.”

Shadow averted his gaze from the group and shook his head. Trying to deny such a nice praise. He puts a hand up and shakes his head in denial.

“Naah, Sure, I am gaining control of my magic and I am doing alright with school. But I am sure I am nowhere near as smart as Twilight here. I am still surprised that I am even here and learning under the princess of the night herself.”

“Well first off, you are a pegasus that can use magic So that’s reason enough. And not only that, but you are a pegasus that is quite different from every other pony in Equestria when it comes to physical appearance. A fine specimen to study and learn about indeed…”

Said Twilight as she leaned in to get a closer look at him. One thing odd she noticed about him though, was that his eyes were different from other ponies. They were reptilian like. Just like her little baby dragon companion. They were a beautiful sky blue, but his pupils were slitten. Apparently, she was getting more and more curious about him with every moment that passed. Luna cleared her throat before speaking up.

“You must understand Shadow. We have you here for both your best interest and for the kingdom’s as well. If any of our foes learned of you. Who knows what they would do to get you away from me-....us. You may not feel it now, but my sister and I believe that you are a valuable asset. That is why we both worry about your health and education.”

This was Celestia’s concern, true. But Luna’s was that and more. Little did Shadow know that Luna always kept a close eye on him. Anytime she had available to herself, she’d always follow him around and just...watch him. She is drawn to the young pony like she knows him on such a deeper level. And it bothers her but, not in a bad way. Simply because the mare saw the cloaked figure in Shadow’s dream wearing an extremely familiar mask and had a very familiar name. After a while, Shadow cleared his throat and looked to Celestia.

“You did not need to introduce me to her, princess. I am already good friends with her and the other five mares she is friends with. Even her little dragon as well. They are a very nice group, Rarity even gave me this long coat I am wearing before she left. She is quite sweet.”

“Mhmm! After all, he did help us with bringing Luna back to herself.”

Said Twilight. Shadow blinked a few times and looked back to Twilight. Slightly confused.

“I..I did? Only thing I remember from that is passing out…”

“You provided the distract my friends and I needed to prepare the use of the elements of harmony. I’d say you did quite well. Oh, I almost forgot. A new zebra friend of mine wanted me to give this to you. She said she found it on her journey here. And she said it belonged to you...even though she didn’t really know who you are. How odd.”

Twilight reached into her saddlebag and pulled out something with her mouth. She places it onto the table in front of him. Shadow’s heart suddenly feels a very cold feeling pass through his heart. Enough to make him jump up and back away, nearly stumbling over the knocked down chair behind him. He knew exactly what it was. The way he behaved towards the item drew concern for the three mares as they all gazed at him with surprised faces.

“That...that thing. The figure in my dream. He was wearing that…”

Shadow could feel his heart getting ready to burst out of his chest as he stared at the mask. As his gaze remained on it, it began give of a resonating glow that seemed to sync with his heartbeats. The color of the aura glowing around it was a mixture of cobalt blue and pure black. It suddenly took to the air and started levitating toward Shadow. Celestia and Luna were quick to act to prevent the mask from making contact with him. However, their magic even combined was not enough to pull or knock the mask away from him. Every nerve in his body was telling him to run. Suddenly he heard that familiar voice in his head. The one of the cloaked figure of his dream.

“The time has come to begin your awakening, Shadow. And the mask is the key to the beginning…”

Shadow only heard the voice in his mind, everything else around him was unheard. Even the scream of Celestia and the others were not heard. Luna wasn’t going to let this thing near Shadow without a fight, feeling that it was something terrible. She leaps towards Shadow and stands in front of him with a magical barrier surrounding them both. She stood there in a defensive stance, wings flared up and her eyes glaring daggers at the mask. Though it did not stop it from getting closer.

“Step aside, princess Luna. This must be done.”

“No, you stay away from him! I will not let you harm my student! How are you even speaking?!”

“Forgive me, my love….I did not want to do this. But this is for the future of all Equestria.”

The mask began to glow brighter, a sudden concentrated beam of dark magic and lightning magic shoots from the eyeholes and immediately shatters her barrier, the impact tossing Luna to the ground like a ragdoll. She lets out a yelp of pain as she hit the floor and then against the wall.

“Sister!”

Princess Luna!”

Shouted both Celestia and Twilight as they rushed to her side to help her up. In this time the mask turned its attention back to Shadow. The item now only a foot from his face. The light of the glow now illuminating on his body.

“The time is now, Shadow. Let your awakening begin. And learn the fate that could plague Equestria if you do not act…”

The mask suddenly latches itself onto Shadow's face, immediately lifting him up into the air afterward. His body spasming and his feet kicking as his eyes go wide in shock as the visions are shown to him. A magic circle appearing under him and the sounds of clock gears and bells with lightning sprouting from it filled the room. The visions faded in and out that showed a portal opening from the ground. That same cloaked figure he had seen in his dream. Then showed Luna bound in some kind of dark magic and blindfolded as well. A large dark monster that looked like it came from the bowels of hell. Then a sudden burst of pure lightning energy that filled the sky. After those visions, the mask glowed even brighter as it began to dissipate in the air from Shadow’s face. Lightning began to flow from Shadow’s hands and legs, his eyes sending out cobalt blue beams of light as he lets out a scream. A loud clap of thunder fulls the room, nearly busting out everypony’s eardrums in the process until Shadow falls to his feet and then to a knee. With everything over now, Luna gets to her hooves and rushes towards Shadow who was still sparking a bit. He was breathing heavily, but still conscious.

“Shadow!”

She called out to him in a worried and scared tone as tears threaten to flow from her eyes. She brings a hoof to his back and tries her best to see if he is okay. All he could do was look at her with a scared look on his face. This worried Luna even more.

“We need to be ready. We ALL need to be ready for this...six years from now. If we do not prepare, Equestria is done…”

Celestia and Twilight both approach the other side of Shadow. Celestia lowering herself in front of him. Twilight peeked from behind Celestia with a sad and worried gaze. Had she not brought this mask to him, this wouldn’t have happened. Little did she realize is that she may have helped save the world by doing so.

“What did you see, Shadow?”

She asked in a calm but firm voice. This wasn’t a memory per say. But the last effort vision of the future produced by Taylor’s spirit to make sure that things are well prepared before the event in question happen. He explains to Celestia what he had seen and this sparks a great concern in her mind and heart. The same thing with both Luna and Twilight. Celestia’s gaze falls to her sister and nods.

“Take him up to his chambers then meet me in the study. We have things to discuss.”

She looks back to Twilight.

“Listen to me my dear Twilight...the things I am going to discuss with my sister and you are strictly confidential. Can I trust you to not speak of them to anypony else?”

“Y-yes, of course, princess…”

“Good, follow me please.”

And this is only the beginning. As time marches on, the restoration and combining of two beings will happen. And the moment of truth will be upon them all.

Author's Note

Here you go everyone, enjoy!

May the darkness grant you peace.