I stirred from the darkness with the first thing that I heard is a heart monitor. Which means I made it to the hospital. Of course.

I finally opened my eyes to view where I am. As I expected I was in the hospital. I saw a few key things though. One was my sweet darling Zecora beside my bed like she slept in that position. I could see she laid on me like that, crying earlier today. I softly sigh only shuffling around a bit, but it seemed to do the trick because Zecora wake up from my sudden movement.

"Shadow?" She asked warily.

"Yes sweetie?" I replied.

That simple response caused her to give me a big hug. I smiled weakly still from the pain that I was in, but it was dulled as I hugged back.

"It's alright. I wasn't going to die that easily." I said.

"How was I supposed to know? My potions didn't work on your wounds. The doctors said that somepony with strong enough antimagic was able to block you from regenerating yourself," Zecora said. "I'm glad you weren't killed through, but what were you even thinking in taking on a creature like that was a good idea!"

I sighed again. "I had to in order to prevent the thing from causing more harm."

"In what way? You talk about Sombra like you knew him before all this." a new feminine voice said out through the doorway.

The mare who owned that voice was Nightmare Moon. She flashed a toothy smile toward me. "Ah, I see you came to visit me. This is unexpected," I said as Zecora released herself from my body. "You both met each other by any chance?"

"Yes, I'm quite familiar with Nightmare Moon. She has been seeing you occasionally for the passed two weeks you have been out." Zecora explained.

I was quite shocked at how long I was out. But then again I did had to fight magic from my original universe. It worried me though. That means that there might be more survivors that landed in other places as well. Maybe even more old foes... Yeah, better not to think about it.

"And to answer your question Nightmare, no, I haven't met Sombra in my entire life. I just knew the creature that was inside of Sombra." I said.

"The creature? Then you mean that strange red crystal he was covered in, right?" Nightmare Moon said.

"Wait how did you know that?" I asked.

Nightmare looked uneased at my tone. "Some of the Guard found some of it outside of the barrier. That's the last we heard of the crystals though. The guards said it went into the ground. Before they could pick it up."

I took the information in slowly at what events had happened. He was still alive. "Fuck, well, it's fine. He won't be a threat since he has been weakened. Although, I have no doubts that won't be the last time he'll strike." I said.

"Uh, Shadow if you don't mind me asking," Zecora asked. "Who is this creature?"

I looked between the two ponies in front of me before then focusing. "Don't tell the princesses a word of what I'm about to say," Nightmare nod her head before I continued. "The creature is called Rufusdraco. It's made completely out of this strange red crystal you first saw. Little is known about Rufusdraco, but where I'm from the guy was a major villain......before the end."

"Where exactly are you from anyways?" Nightmare asked.

When I said nothing they switched topics. "So I actually came by because the princesses wanted you and me to do a mission." Nightmare said.

I raised an eyebrow. "A mission? Well, I probably have no choice in the matter anyway."

Once the doctors gave the okay for my release, Nightmare and I head straight for the throne room. Luna and Celestia were there as well as a few guards. Celestia told them they were dismissed. Once they all left Celestia smiled down onto us.

"How dost thee fare, Shadow?" Luna asked.

"Quite fine Luna. Thanks for your concern. What exactly am I here for though?" I said.

"Well, first off, we like to introduce somepony to you." Celestia said.

As she said that a mare came from out of the darkness. I saw Bon Bon in a black agent uniform come in to view. "I would like to formally introduce you to Agent Sweetie Drops. She and Nightmare Moon will assist you in destroying the demon problem."

My eyes widened at the statement. Did she even realize what demons are capable of? "I'm sorry Celestia, but what did you just say?" I asked.

Her expression hardened at my question. "I know that you can't do this alone. And my sister and I fear that the demons are planning something. They have been quiet this whole time after that Nightmare Night scare they did back in Ponyvile."

"That could mean anything, Celestia. As I see it the demons have weakened in their resolve." I said.

Celestia grew quiet before she spoke again in a softer tone. "Recently, a former student of mine stole the Element of Magic from Twilight Sparkle in the Crystal Empire then flees into the Magic Mirror." She said.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "How does that connect to the demons exactly?"

"That's just it. When she came over I felt a strange sense of hidden evil inside of her. I'm afraid that my former student, Sunset Shimmer had made some kind of deal with the demons I'm not aware of. I need you and the team I assigned you to find Sunset Shimmer and stop the demon's plans, whatever they may be."

I thought about it for quite a bit until I came to a conclusion. "Sure thing Princess of the Sun. I'm always up for a demon fight."

"Well, this just ruined my recovery."

"You guys ready?" I asked the two recently joining the demon hunt. Both of them nod. "Okay, then we'll see you ponies later."

With that, we exit the throne room. However, as soon as we did Bon Bon (more accurately Sweetie Drops) made the face of a fan girl toward me.

"Shit."

"I can't believe it. I finally get to go on a mission with THE Shadow Faze!" She squealed.

I looked back to Nightmare Moon as she sighed. "Well, news of your victories spread across Equestria and all of Equis even. You are even more famous than the recent Bearers of Harmony." Nightmare explained.

I groaned. "Okay, Sweetie Drops, right? Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm no hero. Matter of fact, I grew up as the opposite. I just only do what's right for me."

"That's exactly what a hero would say!" Sweetie Drops exclaimed filled with excitement.

I couldn't resist the facepalm that happened just now. "Anyway, we should get going then."

My horn lit up before they could say anything and we were gone in my magic.

When it comes to teleportation I have a fifty-fifty chance of my bad luck happening. Multiple teleportion spell? Well, that ratio goes out the window. We came into the Crystal Castle with a bang, literally. My magic exploded as soon we got there. Luckily, no one was injured but that still made me curse violently to the damn god that gave me this stupid curse of bad luck. Even Nightmare Moon was surprised at my colorful vocabulary.

Princess Cadence came in horrifed at seeing all of us sprawled on the ground. "Are you ponies alright?" she asked.

"Yeah. Pretty sure we are..... Celestia sent us to go after Sunset Shimmer." Nightmare Moon said before I could.

"Ah, of course. Celestia sent me a letter informing of the details. Follow me."

"Wait, WHAT?! How!"

But we were off before I could get some answers. Anyway, we get to the room with the 'magical' mirror in it. To my disappointment, it looked exactly like a normal mirror.

"Thank you Cadence. We got the rest." I said.

She nod as she exit the room. "Good luck!"

"Good luck... Well, at least someon- I mean, somepony believes they could help my luck."

We say our thanks before we enter the strange mirror. It didn't take long for us to stumble out of what appears to be a statue..... Not going to question it. First thing I noticed was that I could stand up easily. Second thing I noticed was that two colorful humans laid on the concrete beside me.

I froze as my brain try to wrap what I just said. Humans.

I looked at myself and noticed that my skin wasn't a black like my unicorn fur was. Instead it was like normal skin of a human.

"This can't be..... Impossible!"

The two humans stir as they rose to their feet. I also noticed these humans were women that looked exactly like Nightmare Moon and Sweetie Drops just in human form. "Nightmare, Sweetie Drops? Is it you two?" I asked to the women.

They noticed me, but ultimately were taken aback by my human form. "Wait, is that you Shadow?" Nightmare asked.

"Yeah, it's me. Sorry for the odd transformation. I'm surprised the mirror did it for me too. Can you use magic here?"

Nightmare tried to use her magic, but couldn't. "No, I can't here." she stated disappointed. Sweetie checked through her spy gear to make sure it was all there.

It was worth a shot. So I snapped my fingers as suddenly my favorite colorful rainbow apple appeared in my other hand. My smile widened across my face while both women stared at my stunt with their mouths wide open. I then ate the rainbow colored apple before giving a content sigh of relief at the familiar delicious taste.

I looked back at their agaped expressions. "What? Didn't I tell you already that I'm a traveler?"

"A traveler?" Sweetie Drops questioned.

I sighed tiresome. "Let's just get this demon hunt over with." I said finally.

That was when we looked at our surroundings. We appeared to be a some sort of crazy colorful high school. Am I crazy or is this version of Earth a bit odd. Whatever the case, we entered the building and was greeted by a storm of high schoolers. The strange part about all of them was that their color skin would match the exact color their pony counterpart was. Which bugged the crap out of me. We then decided to go to the Principle office for some assistance. What we were met with surprised all of us the most. It was a human looking Luna.

"Hello." I said.

She looked up from her 'light' paper work in front of a desk. The human Luna gave us an obvious fake smile at our presence.

"Ah. It's not everyday that the school board representative here shows himself. What seems to be the problem?" She said.

That made me look at myself again and sure enough I was wearing a nice black suit and tie with my hair combed back. The same exact outfit I had before I was flung into a land of ponies. Luna looked at me concerned before I cleared my throat.

"Of course Vice Principle Luna. I was hoping I could get your sister to see us immediately." I said. I seemed to get her title right on the money. She nod and walked off to fetch her sister.

"You're good at improvising I see." Nightmare remarked.

"Eh. It was a strong trait for me to keep adjusting."

The human versions of Celestia and Luna come back into the room as Celestia greated me with a fake smile.

"Nice to meet you Mr....."

"Shadow Faze."

"Ah, It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Faze." She said.

"Yes. I was hoping you can show us the profile of Sunset Shimmer. I'm afraid there are certain debates about your student and her grades that we must look over privately." I said.

Luna gave a concern look toward her sister, but she just smiled it off. "Of course, right this way Mr. Faze." Celestia said.

Nightmare, Sweetie and I then follow human Celestia to the back where the files are kept. She searches through all the files before she came across Sunset Shimmer's school profile.

The human Celestia gave the file to me as the women and I look into it. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to it until I felt something off about the spelling the words made for her description. "Would you give us a moment Principle Celestia?"

"Of course. Let me know whatever else you need." she said exiting through the back room.

"Something is wrong with her description." I said.

Sweetie Drops raised an eyebrow. "There is nothing suspicious about describing her physical traits."

"To some, yes." I felt my eyes flash as the words on the page in the description faded away to be replaced with a black liquid demon symbols.

"Wait, what is that?" Nightmare asked.

"It's the demon language. It says 'If you want the power you desire you must first gain the power of the pure to obtain corruption then ultimately the purest power of all'." I said.

"The 'Power of the Pure'. Aren't the Elements of Harmony pure?" Nightmare asked.

I could see just then why Princess Celestia picked her. "Correct. Which means it requires the strongest element of all the Elements of Harmony." I continued.

"That explains why Sunset needed the Element of Magic specifically for." Sweetie Drops said.

"The question now is where is the element now?"

We fell into a silence as i reversed the spell making the paper normal. We said our goodbyes to the human Celestia and Luna before leaving the office. We wandered the hallways until something caught my eye. A form was taped to the hallways that looked to be some type of prom thing they do.

I then saw a high schooler loitering around the area, so I decided to ask him. He looked to be a chubby version of the pony Snips that I knew and met in Ponyvile.

"Hey, kid." I called to him. He seemed to freeze in his place at my voice. The human Snips turned around to see me, and I could tell even from here that he was panicking.

A friendly smile spread across my face. "You're not in trouble. l just want to ask you some questions."

He seems to relax a degree, but I pressed forward. "So, tell me about this prom you guys are having." I said.

"Oh, that's for the Prom Queen selection. Because the prom has a new crown for the Prom Queen." He said.

"New crown? Is that so. Thank you student. Oh, and stay out of trouble." I said continuing my walk with the two women.

"W-Will do sir...." Human Snips said.

I could tell something was off by that reply, but I had bigger threats on my mind to worry about. We decided to get out of the high school. Turns out it was called Canterlot High.... Alternative universe logic...

Anyway, we tried looking for clues outside of the Canterlot High area, but unfortunately came up empty with any further clues. We got an apartment living space conveniently out of a deal the company was having today. (Don't ask.) Either way, we were all kind of tired and fresh out of ideas. Sweetie Drops looked frustrated in a pile of reports while Nightmare was 'searching' through the TV channels.

"Found anything?" I asked.

"No." Both women said simultaneously.

It was evening and we still had close to nothing on the crown whereabouts. Then, a sudden burst of evil energy burst forth out of nowhere. "Girls! Got something. Hold on to my hands." I said.

They looked at me remembering the last time, but my look gave no room for back talk. Once they were both holding on to me we teleported.

To the women's surprise they landed safely at the statue we orginally started at. In the front of the Canterlot High was a human set of the mane six and..... Three demons. Great.

One of the demon's go wide eyed at my appearance as the main she demon looked mildly annoyed. "Now what! Who are you people!" She yelled at us.

"The name is Shadow Faze. My friends call me Shadow." I said calmly walking toward the demons slowly.

When I mentioned my name the human Twilight was shocked. "Shadow?! How and why are you here?" she asked.

I materialized Apocalypse looking at her for a split second. "No time to explain. But I'm here to hunt some demons." I said giving a toothy smile.

The teenage demons seem to be startled at my subconscious actions of licking my lips. The demoness however, didn't seem all too impressed.

"Take care of Twilight and her group. That man is mine though." She said.

The two demons followed their orders as she walked up to me. A smile crept up her face. "My, my. And to think I was going to waste my power on those weaklings," She smiled circling me, showing a predatory grin of sharp teeth. "I can feel the unlimited amount of power radiating off you."

I raised an eyebrow. "You must be new to being a demoness then if you think this is great power."

She looked puzzled for a second before her playfuliness turned into anger. "I'll make you eat those words you bastard!"

She blurred claws outstretched only for me to disappear then reappear behind her. I swing my blade just as she blocked my attack with her claws. Her eyes were wide with surprise.

"You're not the only one here with magic at your disposal." I said before pushing myself back a few feet from the demoness.

She smirked as she screeched a cry into the air that made my ears ring for a few seconds. Then all of a sudden, a familiar serpent torched me in a torrent of fire sending me into the walls of Canterlot High. I heard Twilight and the gang yelling out my name out of habit, I suppose. I could feel the smile on the serpent's face.

"Nice to see you too, Leviathan." I said getting back up from the rubble.

He chuckled. "So the bastard can remember names. Incredible. Well, sorry, but we are in the process of ruling the world, oh, and Equis while we are at it."

My rage boiled as I felt a dark energy run through me. I smiled before laughing at him. "Yeah, as I said before to you. You can go back to hell for all I care."

Leviathan seem to enjoy my remark before we clashed again. This time though I could feel my restricted power before start to release itself. I smirked at the rush of power delivering a powerful uppercut to the jaw, sending him flipping through the air. My smile grew bigger as I sped to him again lightning fast. But it wasn't good enough. He burst into flames before wrapping his coils around me. He then slammed me into the ground cracking the earth beneath the impact.

"Try that on for size, insect!" Leviathan gloated.

His confidence didn't last long as his coils were suddenly pierced by many black spikes. Leviathan cried out releasing me from the coils.

I laughed again. "You're in my territory now. Before my power was limited... Now, I get to bare its true fangs!" I said. I lifted my arms creating two shadow gauntlets on myself while retrieving Apocalypse.

Leviathan backed off and just as I was about to strike the bastard down the demoness with the Element of Magic on her head blocked me in a force field of magic. I sighed focusing back on the new demoness. She looked absolutely shocked at me. I smiled as I snapped my fingers once more. I used the power of my shadows to restrain her.

"NOW!" I shouted toward Twilight.

She nodded as Twilight did her thing in making the human elements shape into a heart as it hit her. The demoness screamed in protest but was eventually purified along with the other two beaten up demons into normal teenagers again.

"That explains a lot."

I drew my attention back to Leviathan only to see nothing but scorched earth. The coward didn't even put up a good fight. A little fed up with demons, I returned myself back to normal. I then walked back to Sweetie Drops and Nightmare seeing that they had fought the other two demons with their gear pulled out.

"We should go back to Equestria." Nightmare said.

Sweetie Drops looked back to the conversation going on in front of us and noticed the demoness that was converted back to normal.

"Wait, that was Sunset Shimmer?" she asked.

I looked back to the conversation hearing the name 'Sunset Shimmer'. "Yeah, pretty much was. The element crown gave it away."

"Well, at least the demon problem is solved over here." Nightmare said.

"Then it'-"

BANG

The world seemed to slow as I felt a small pain in my chest. I looked down to see a fairly large hole where my left lung should be. Then I fell to the cold ground. The women around me panicked as my life blood spilled out of me and fell unconscious.

Nightmare Moon POV

I was shocked and terrified at seeing Shadow getting suddenly impaled by something. I didn't even know what that was, but he was bleeding which doesn't mean it was meant to save him.

"Bon Bon, Twilight, get him to Equestria, stat!" I ordered them.

They waste no time in getting through the portal as I searched around the perimeter. Another bang went off nearly missing my head embedding itself into the concerete surface behind me. I searched again more cautiously this time until my eyes laid upon a weak flash on the roof of Canterlot High. I raced inside going up the nearest staircase, quickly drawing my saber, Crescent Moon. Coming upon a locked door, I used my physical strength to pick it open. I rolled on the ground to avoid the bullets going over top of me. The man it looked like saw my speeding approach before jumping off the roof. I didn't give him the satisfaction as I was able to stab Cresent Moon through his thigh. He let out a cry of pain trying to get out of the sword's grip. I looked down at the man and only saw red cold serpentine eyes of what might be a demon.

"Who are you? Why did you hurt Shadow!" I questioned the man.

He chuckled in mild pain from hanging up side down. "Hurt him? You misunderstand woman. I killed him. He knew too much about us. And unless you want to end up like your friend, then I suggest you don't poke your nose into things you don't understand.n he said.

My eyes widen at his statement, but I reminded confident. "He has survived through worse then an impaling or whatever you did to him!"

"It's called getting shot and if you haven't noticed the hole blew his left lung and half of his heart with it," he laughed. "No amount of healing can save someone from that. Goodbye Shadow!"

My anger peaked as I angrily grabbed the bastard by the throat. He continued to laugh like the sick monster he is.

"Sorry, but my Archdemon needs me intacted for her plans," he teleports out of my grip before I could hurt him further. "See ya!" he then burst into a pillar of fire being absorbed back into the earth.

My brain was screaming to move, but my body didn't seem to register the command. Was Shadow really died? I pulled Crescent Moon out of the roof before I went straight to the statue. I assured the human mane five and Sunset that everything would be fine. But my fears got worse as I entered out of the mirror and head straight to the Canterlot Castle's medical infirmary.

I went through the enterance and came to the help register. "I need to see Shadow." I told her.

The nurse smiled weakily at me. "I'm sorry ma'am. But he's not allowed to have visitors yet. He's right now in critical condition at this moment. You'll have to-"

"No, I'm an alicorn! I can save him easily." I proclaimed going pass her and attempt to enter the hospital doors only to be stopped by two bulky stallions. To my shock, both earth ponies easily stopped my approach. I grew enraged until Celestia's voice prevented from things to get ugly.

I looked over to see Celestia behind the two stallions. She told them to step aside as they obliged. We then enter the operation room as I could see Shadow being operated on. The doctors inside were frantically trying to stop the bleeding and patch up his organs.

"Is he still alive?" I asked.

Celestia looked at me uneasy. "That's the thing. His pulse is below average heart speed, but his brain is still able to function perfectly. We think the metal object that was found inside of him is the source of the problem." She said.

I was about to ask about the object until she showed me pictures of the strange object. It looked crumbled slightly maybe from impact, but looked strangely like a metal cone for the most part.

"That thing is the same thing that demon stallion shot at me when I went to confront him." I said.

Celestia looked concerned at my statement, but she returned her gaze back on the operation happening down below them.

"Will Shadow be okay?" I heard Twilight said making herself and Bon Bon known in the room.

"I sure hope so Twilight. Shadow was shot for a reason. From what I know, they could have injured him to scare us." Celestia reassured.

I shifted uncomfortably in place. "The demon stallion also said that he was shot for knowing too much about their plans. He said that before he vanished in a pillar of fire."

Celestia went quiet at my explanation. I somehow knew she knew that too. It didn't matter now anyway. Shadow's life is at risk now. Last time it was just a large injury to the stomach. This time, it's most likely a fatal wound to the upper chest.

Author's Note

Well, Shadow is not having a good day it seems. I usually miss Hearts Warming timed chapters, but I was able to do it this year. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. More will be coming! Happy Hearts Warming, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays!