NightTime Ne'er-do-well!

I hate when I'm right about things.

Long slinking tendrils for arms and legs, check.

Semi-tangible, check.

Definitely not myself, check.

Became a shadow thing again, check.

I was asleep, getting some much-needed rest from the many events which have plagued me since my arrival. Then the next thing I know I was launched from my still sleeping body into the form I'm in now. Not exactly unpleasant, but jarring nonetheless.

The shadow form itself was reminiscent of a human and was exactly like me in terms of proportions. There were just no fingers or toes and more like split ends which I could bend to my will. My legs came to a point and walking was more like levitation...or maybe like gliding across the floor. Now the most eye-catching thing about this state of being was the red pulse sent up the right arm from my ring finger.

Through some quick experimentation, I discovered that while in this form I'm intangible or partly-so. I can pass through wood with ease and I can manipulate very small objects like paper.

However, before I could experiment more my right hand was being tugged towards the window, seemingly pulled by my ring finger. No matter what I did resisting the pull was impossible, the pull forced me through the window. I closed my eyes and held my breath expecting death via plummeting into the dirt.

No such thing happened, confusingly enough I could also fly. Not with any conscious effort though, if anything It felt very similar to breathing. I've come to the conclusion that if I can't resist the pull I might as well enjoy flying around towards wherever it's pulling me to. The ring shot me up into the night sky and what I saw was truly a sight to behold.

The large sprawling city of Stone Haven as lively as could be. Hundreds of lights blinking and moving as the populace went about their night. It made me halt for a moment, it was a view I don't think anyone in their life would ever see, except maybe the winged ponies. Then in just a few seconds, the pull forced me to move once again.

The speed of my movement was startling, swiftly passing through solid rocks and city walls in a matter of seconds. Next thing I knew I was out of the city limits and flying into the mountain ridge north of Stone haven.

I could see my shadow on the snow as I passed over the landscape, my form making my shadow look odd, it's just another thing on my list of what the fuck. I started thinking of everything that's happened to me as the snowy landscape and scenery passed beneath me.

Where is this thing taking me? I mean, this is all so weird. I mean, everything that has happened would drive any normal man insane, and now this too?

On that note, why am I so calm? This is unlike me, or rather I'm not traumatized but what has happened to me since I've arrived in this alien world. Everything is just so...strange.

I wonder if there is a way to get ho-

My thinking was interrupted by the pull suddenly halting.

It was quiet, silent except for the sounds of a ragged and ripped flag moving in the cold wind. The ring had stopped me above the ruins of a small fortress laying on a hill, which from the looks of it was half-buried in snow and rocks. I lowered myself down onto the frozen ground.

Why would it bring me here? For what reason? This is so confusing, I'm just a man and man who likes books and stupid jokes about femurs.

I glided across the snow to the ruins and through the darkness, I spotted a flash of orange. Light,someone is out here, in some abandoned ruins, at this hour of the night. What kinda...well...might as well investigate...out of curiosity. I slinked through the shadows of the ruin, passing through the rubble and snowed in portions of the decaying ruins with little to no effort.

This ring...I'm kinda starting to like it. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to keep it...thoughts for another time I suppose.

I arrived at the source of the light, a lantern placed outside a hole in the hillside. I approached the hole and as I neared it I noticed something peculiar. While in this form I was very susceptible to light. The lantern itself was enough to cause my right arm and the right side of my body to distort and dissipate.

I retracted my arm and entered the hole, and the end of what I could only assume was a pony made tunnel I saw the shadows of two ponies conversing. My ring pulsed, and I felt the pull once more though with a lot less force and much more subtle like it was directing me.

I skulked through the hole maneuvering effortlessly through the rocky footing. Upon reaching the end of the hallway, I turned my shadowy head around the bend to see the ponies. It was the bat pony from before, a mare, she looked terrified. This was the same mare that was in the storage facility earlier today.

The other pony in question was...rather hard to describe. Shadow like in nature, very similar to me but tangible in every sense of the word. A dark-colored unicorn mare in a deep almost black robe, with a loose hood ending before her horn. I couldn't see much more about her. It seems however that this conversation was heated.

"After your little screw up in Appleloosa, you should be happy your little band of outlaws didn't completely peris-"

"I-I didn't know that Bowi-"

"Silence, don't interrupt me again."

The bandit only trembled in response to the order and nodded her head furiously.

"Luckily enough for you, I managed to locate the amulet. I assume your retrieval of the artifact didn't have any complications?"

"Y-yes ma'am, for the most part, I ran into this strange creature while attempting to leave and I had to flee."

"What creature...describe it."

"Like a monkey, gangly and tall. Redish hair on its head. The same one that took down Bowie"

"Ah...that is semi-unexpected. One of my agents reported this creature previously, he was identified to be wearing the Ring. I shall have somepony investigate this at a later time. Now, hand me the amulet."

The terrified mare quickly handed the necklace over. Once she handed it over, the other mare uncovered the item from the cloth to reveal an amulet. One that, in design, looked sinister.

A brilliant display of red light was spreading out from the amulet, reflecting off the small cavern walls and ceiling. It put the small lantern inside to shame. The expression of the onyx colored mare was frightening. At least I think that's what that look is, her smile is super creepy.

"Good good, with this in our possession we are one step closer to his resurrection. That being said our deal has come to a close. You'll find your payment at the previously discussed location, with obvious reduction of your screw up."

With little to no warning, the dark mare was enveloped in magic. Then with a 'bzzzt' sound, she was gone. Leaving only the trembling mare by herself.

I've heard all I need to know, at least I think I have. Out of curiosity, I wanted to try something. I could feel my shadowy form dissipating slowly, It must be time to return to my original form. I walked up behind the mare making no sound as I slid up behind her.

I reached out with one of the tendrils forming it into five abnormally long fingers and touched her. When it came to living beings I am tangible I cant go through them, that's good to know. The mare was startled, her bat wings started twitching and her ears turned. She slowly turned her around and looked at me.

I tried to speak but it seems while in this form I can't speak, I should have worked that out earlier before attempting to say hello. She, however, seemed to have something to say.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

The mare kept screaming and the last thing I saw before I dissipated was her galloping out the hole with a lantern in her hoof. I was back in my bed, cold sweat drenched my forehead. I couldn't help but laugh at the experience, It's the best way for me to cope. I looked down at my body...all normal so far, hopefully it stays that way.

Though that was pretty fun, especially scaring her at the end.

Ha, I'm mean.

Ah, I'm in danger. The witch-cult looking mare is gonna send someone to investigate me.

What can a guy like me do...I have to do something to protect myself, but that's tomorrow because I'm way too tired to be paranoid tonight.

With that done I fell asleep, with hopes I wouldn't be dead by morning.

Author's Note

Please check out the original poster of this content, Liderfin on Tumblr. I just thought that this was a good idea of what the shadowy form looks like for those that need a reference.

A bit of a more human-esque head and two eyes. Imagine a subtle red pulsing from the right hand and I feel like this was a good reference picture.

Thanks for reading!

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