Once a Shadow

A warning on this chapter, this one is not for the faint of heart. Enter the world of Once a Shadow at your own risk.

I opened up my eyes and smiled. Yesterday was pretty cool, well, not really. The last part of it was, but the vomiting and the wrenches? Not so much. I snuck out of bed to avoid waking Rainbow. I trotted downstairs to fix myself a breakfast. I made the usual and sat down to eat. When I finished, I cleaned my plate off and trotted outside. Rainbow would know where I'm at. I jumped and flew off towards Cloudsdale. When I got there, I went inside the HQ and trotted down to the sanctuary where Ni, Spitfire, Soarin, and Blaze were sitting and the Round Table.

"Another mission?" I asked.

"Nah, we're just hanging out here for a little while." Blaze answered.

"Alright, good, because I'm still tired from two days ago."

"You're a bad liar Shadow. You should have felt ready to go on another mission right after our previous one was concluded. That potion isn't just for show." Spitfire said.

"Physically yes, but mentally, no. Just because I can fight for a long time, doesn't mean I want to."

"Well said." Spitfire replied with a grin while kicking her hooves on the table and leaning back in her chair.

"Did you just test me?" I asked.

"Sure did." Spitfire said before yawning.

"You know what? I don't care. I got laid last night. 'Aint that right Ni?"

Ni laughed. "I don't want to know Shadow. Leave me out of this one."

"Nah, you need to back me up."

Just then, a pegasus I had never seen before trotted in and went up to Spitfire. He whispered something in her ear which gave her the creepiest smile. Then he left without a word, but not before giving me a weird glance.

"Who was that guy?" I asked.

"Nopony you need to know yet. You'll get the chance to know him soon enough."

"Uh, okay."

"But nevermind that. He just gave me a lead on Sorrow Curse. He's hiding out on the outskirts of the San Palamino Desert to the southwest of here. Looks like you have to do some fighting after all Shadow. Think you're up to it?"

I sighed. "I guess, as long is it's some evil douche that's zombifying ponies, then I suppose I'm ready to fight him."

She nodded. "Good. I want you to go get your armor. The rest of us will wait for you outside of Appaloosa."

I nodded. "I'll see you there then." I said before trotting out. I flew back home and grabbed my equipment. Something's different about it though...wait, why's it crimson all of the sudden? I'm pretty sure it was black. I'll have to ask Spitfire when I get a chance. I put on my gear and trotted upstairs to check on Rainbow. She was still asleep, so I started to trot back downstairs.

"Shadow?" She said, opening an eye.

"Yeah?"

"Be careful."

"Aren't I always? Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"I love you."

"Love you too Rainbow. I'll be back later." I said before going downstairs.

I went outside and pulled out my map. After taking a look at it, I folded it back up and flew to Appaloosa. After about thirty minutes of flight, I reached my destination. I looked down and found my team in full gear waiting for me so I flew down to meet them.

"Spitfire, why is my armor suddenly crimson?"

"Because when you drank that potion, your strength increased."

"Uh, so?"

"Meaning that Princess Luna apparently put an additional minor enchantment on the armor to change the color when you got stronger. Hell, ask her if you're so curious."

"Yikes, I got it."

She didn't say anything to me, instead, she turned to the team in general. "Alright, everypony's here, so let me explain what we're doing." Spitfire said. "Our objective here is to eliminate the Black Hoof leader known as Sorrow Curse. His base should be exposed and easy to find according to my source."

"So he wants us to find him." I said.

She nodded. "It would seem that way. This is an obvious trap, but we may not get another oppurtunity like this. I'm sorry for making you walk into a trap like this, but-"

"We understand Spitfire. We knew the risks when we signed up." Blaze said.

Spitfire smiled. "Good to hear. So we go in, take down Sorrow Curse, and get home in time for dinner. Questions?"

"Yeah, what's with the overused line about being home before dinner?" I asked.

"...Shut up Shadow."

Blaze and I laughed.

She rolled her eyes. "Alright, lets move!"

When she said that, we jumped up off of the ground, kicking up a lot of dust when we did, and sped in the direction Spitfire was heading in. After flying top speed for ten minutes, we came across what looked like an old European style fort. Like something you would see in a movie, complete with drawbridge and moat. Oh wait, the moat is filled with blood, so nevermind.

I took a look at the moat. "Well that's cute."

"Yeah, it doesn't look like he'll get a good resale value for that." Soarin said.

"Alright, that's enough jokes. We came here for a reason, so focus." Spitfire said.

We cut the chatter and flew over the fort, but we were blocked by a magical barrier.

"Now what? I don't think we can get through this thing, it seems pretty solid." I said.

"Ah, here are my guests. How are you doing everypony?" A voice said from inside the barrier. Just then, a pony in a black robe trotted out on top of one of the towers on the corner.

"Is that-" I started to say.

"Sorrow Curse." Spitfire said.

"Don't act so sour Spitfire. I thought you would be happy to see me."

"Come out of that barrier and I'll show you just how happy I am."

He laughed. "Violent as ever I see." He shifted his gaze towards me. I couldn't see his face, but I could see the red eyes glowing in the darkness created by his hood. "You must be Shadow Flash. A pleasure to finally meet you."

"Oh, the pleasure's all mine."

"I see you finally decided to recruit somepony with manners Spitfire. It's about time, I was wondering if you were planning on always being rude."

"Enough of this! Soarin, break the barrier down!" Spitfire yelled.

Soarin flew up to the barrier, and readied himself to punch it.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Sorrow said.

"And why is that?" Soarin asked.

"Because I have a hostage. A sweet mare, this one. It would be a shame if her blood was on your hands."

Soarin looked at Spitfire.

"If you want a shot at beating me without killing the hostage, you have to play by my rules."

"And how do we know you aren't lying about the hostage?" Spitfire said.

"Of course, how silly of me. How can I expect you to play along if I don't have any proof of the hostage? One moment please." He said before lowering his head. I saw his horn glow under his hood, and just then, an earth pony mare appeared. She had a tan coat with silver hair. She was tied up and had tears in her eyes.

"You sick bastard..." I said.

He smiled. "I appreciate the compliment. I found this one wandering too far from Appaloosa and figured I could put her to good use. So now that you see I have a hostage," He said before teleporting her away. "you should play my game if you value her life in the slightest."

We looked at Spitfire for an answer. "...We'll play your game."

"Excellent! Let me lower the drawbridge so you may enter." He said before disappearing.

We flew down in front of the drawbridge as it opened.

I looked at Spitfire. "Are you sure about this? How do we know he won't just kill her anyways?" I asked.

"We don't, but any chance I get to save a life, I'll take it."

"Okay. Any decision you make, I'm right behind you." I said.

"Good. Now get ready, the drawbridge is almost all the way down."

We quit talking and we looked at the drawbridge. When it finished lowering, we trotted over it across the blood moat. I'm pretty sure I saw a bone in there. When we were inside the fort, the drawbridge raised.

Sorrow's voice spoke up. "Now in front of you, there are five doors leading through five different tunnels. You will each take a different one."

"I don't like this Spitfire." Ni said.

"I hope you don't think I do. This is the only way to save a life, and I don't see another choice. Everypony, be especially careful when dealing with this guy. Please."

We nodded.

"Okay, I'll see you all on the far side." Spitfire said.

We then split up and went into our own doors.

I trotted through my door, and when I went inside I noticed a spiral set of stairs going up. I went up the stairs and emerged on a very large roof easily going a thousand yards in both directions. This is weird, I don't recall seeing this place on the outside.

"You're probably saying to yourself that this place wasn't here earlier. Well you would be correct. This is an illusion I've created to give you space for what you are about to face." The voice of Sorrow Curse said.

"And what will I be facing exactly?"

"You will have three rounds of competition. You will find out the identities of your opponent if you defeat the previous challenger. As a show of good will, I'll allow you five minutes of rest should you make it past a round."

I rolled my eyes. "That's very generous of you."

"I know. Now prepare yourself young one. Your first challenger approaches. Good luck."

When he finished speaking, a hole opened up in the roof about fourty feet in front of me. I watched in horror as five abominations crawled out of the pit that had appeared.

There are going to be a lot of perspective changes again, so bare with me. The ones with Shadow and Ni will be told from first person, while Soarin, Blaze, and Spitfire will be told in third, so don't get confused. Over to Ni.

I trotted down a set of stairs in front of me, and when I got to the bottom, what was in front of me was a very long hallway. It was probably twenty feet wide.

"Captain Night Wing. Welcome. You're challenge is slightly more difficult than the others. In front of you lies a hallway rigged with several traps. Make it to the end, and you win. Simple right? Oh, and promise you won't get mad, but I may have added on a bit more difficulty than I should have." Sorrow said.

I gave a stretch. It doesn't matter what challenges this sicko throws at me, I can take any obstacle course he throws at me, especially with plenty of room to fly. I jumped in the air and spread my wings, and as soon as I did, I noticed that I had been standing on a pressure plate. As soon as I got off of the plate, it rose up.

Well this can't be good. I listened and watched for what was coming at me. It's too dangerous and reckless to simply fly through there. My ear twitched, and I ducked just in time to avoid an axe that swung from the wall. I wasn't safe yet though, because as soon as I ducked, a few spikes shot out of the ground which I was able to avoid by flying forward. Okay, I need to move, forget what I said earlier!

I took flight down the hallway. I winced as my right wing accidentally touched the wall. When it did, a bunch of panels slid open on the walls, ceiling, and floor. Behind them were hundreds of tubes. Uh oh. I flew as fast as I could to get away from the arrows firing at me. Once I was past the arrows, I continued flying onward. This isn't too difficult, why would Sorrow Curse say this was more difficult than the othe-"

"Somepony please help us!" cried a voice in the distance.

No...he didn't do what I think he did. I flew ahead as fast as I could and came across a little filly who couldn't be older than nine, and a very old looking colt.

The filly looked at me in horror, and the older colt moved in front of her. "Stay away from my grandaughter you monster!" He said in a raspy voice.

That sick son of a bitch brought innocent fillies and elderly into this!

I landed. "Please, I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to take out the pony causing all of this, and save anypony along the way that I can."

"I don't believe you! You want to turn us into one of those abomination creatures!"

"I'm begging you, please let me help you."

The green coated pegasus filly with a purple mane and tail went around her grandpa and went up to me.

"Peep, don't go near him!" The grandpa called out.

"It's okay grandpa, I think he really does want to help." She trotted closer to me. "You are here to help right?"

I nodded. "That's right. I want to save you."

"Peep!"

"Grandpa, if he wanted to hurt me or you, he would have done it already!"

"...I guess you're right Peep." The older colt trotted up to me and held up a hoof. "I apologize for my behavior, I'm just very protective of my grandaughter Peep. Name's Shifty Levers."

I shook his hoof. "Night Wing. Now do you know what happened to you?"

He shrugged. "Me and Peep live in Appoloosa, we were just about to make a trip to Dodge Junction to visit some relatives. We suddenly blacked out, and next thing we know, we're trapped in this very large hallway. We thought it best to just stay put and wait for help."

"Good call. This hallways is completely covered in traps."

"So how are you going to get us out?" He asked.

I thought for a moment. My thoughts were interrupted by a loud sound coming from behind me. I peered into the distance behind me. The walls behind us had started slamming against each other!

Shifty sighed. "I knew something would happen eventually. I want you to take Peep and get her out of here, understand me son?"

Peep ran up to clench her grandpa. "No grandpa! You need to come with us! I won't leave you!"

Shifty picked her up and hugged her. "There there Peep. I've lived a good long life, and I have no regrets. Now I want you to go with mister Night Wing here, okay?"

The filly broke out in tears. "Please grandpa! Don't go!"

He then gave her to me. She was struggling to break free. "Go on, if you wait too long, you won't be able to save either of us."

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me for not making it here fast enough."

"Don't blame yourself son. It 'aint your fault there are just plain evil ponies out there. Now get out of here and keep my grandchild safe!"

I trotted forward. The smashing walls were getting closer. I looked back at Shifty. He smiled and nodded just before disappearing between the slamming walls. I jumped in the air and flew full speed away from the smashing walls.

"Grandpaaaa!" Peep screamed with the tears flowing from her eyes. "Let me go! Let me go back to my grandpa!"

I tucked her closer to me. "I'm so sorry kid. I'm so, so sorry."

To Shadow.

The abominations charged me at once. I jumped into the air and came down on one of their skulls with one of my hidden blades, killing it instantly. That leaves four. They were each on different sides of me. They charged me at once again. This time, I jumped into the air and flattened out, sticking my legs directly at their faces and activating all four of my blades, causing them to drop instantly.

"Now, that was very impressive. Congratulations mister Shadow, you made it to round 2. That wasn't much of a challenge, but the next one will be harder. I promise. Also as promised, you get a five minute break." Sorrow Curse said.

Sick fuck...

To Soarin.

Soarin trotted through a second door, which led to a very large room with four support columns in each corner. On the far side of the room, a door opened up, and a pony in a black robe walked in.

"Hello mister Soarin. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Sorrow Curse's right hoof pony, Ruined Soul. I'll be keeping you company in this place."

"Keeping me company eh? Did you bring some coffee? A board game, maybe? I do like a good game of checkers." Soarin said.

Ruined Soul laughed. "My my, you are quite the comical pony. Alas, I'm afraid all I've brought is myself and superior knowledge of forbidden magic. Do forgive me, because games that involve forbidden magic are all I know."

"Oh that's fine. Care to enlighten me on the rules?"

"What kind of host would I be if I kept the rules from you? The rules are quite simple really. All you have to do is survive."

Soarin cracked his neck. "Alright, ready when you are."

Ruined Soul gave an evil grin. "Begin."

As soon as he said that, Soarin charged in with incredible speed. Right before he landed a punch on Ruined Soul, his eyes and horn began to glow white, and he unleashed a charge of energy. Soarin had to barrel out of the way before the beam hit him and back up.

"It's going to take more than a direct charge to get to me. Go ahead, make your next move, I'll wait." Ruined said.

Soain didn't say anything, he just flew at Ruined again, and when he shot another beam at Soarin, he reared back and punched it into nothing.

"Impossible!"

"Looks like I win." Soarin said as he prepared the final blow.

"Fool!" Ruined yelled as his horn was enveloped in a black aura. It spead across his whole body, making even his eyes turn black.

Soarin backed off as a precaution.

"What's the matter? Is it my appearance?" Ruined said, sounding like the first skeleton Shadow fought, with thousands of voices speaking at once.

Soarin didn't say anything. 'Okay, I'm guessing that aura is some kind of barrier.' Soarin thought. 'And I get a feeling my natural strength won't be enough for this guy. Only one thing to do then.' Just then, Soarin's helmet started emitting a dark blue aura, which soon surrounded Soarin. 'One hundred times normal strength should be sufficient.'

"It appears I'm not the only one with a card up the sleeve. You better give it your all if you're honestly thinking of another direct charge you fool!" Ruined said.

"Nah, ten percent should be enough." Soarin calmly replied.

Ruined laughed. "If you want to die, be my guest!"

Soarin didn't say anything more. He closed his eyes and the blue aura surrounding him concentrate around his right foreleg. He took off and charged once more. Ruined responded by letting out a solid black energy wave, which Soarin simply flicked with his right foreleg to destroy. Ruined's eyes got wide.

"Wha-what are you?!"

"I'm a Wonderbolt." Soarin said before punching Ruined Soul into oblivion, literally sending pieces of him everywhere. After a few seconds, the pieces disintegrated in a black aura.

The blue aura disappeared from Soarin's leg and he trotted onward.

To Shadow.

"Ding! Five minutes are up! Get ready for your next challenge mister Shadow!" Sorrow's voice called out.

I hope I get to fight that jackass for the third round.

I heard a very loud roar come from the pit. That better not be what I-...I'm going to cut myself off right there, because I'm probably only going to jinx it.

The roar got louder, which means it's getting closer. Pretty soon, I saw the solid black dragon crawl out of the hole in the middle.

Fuck, I was right. Sort-of anyways. I thought it was a dragon, but I didn't think a regenerans beastia would be here. This is worse than a dragon.

It looked down at me and roared, nearly deafening me.

"Okay, I get it! You're a fucking dragon, now quit yelling!"

It suddenly inhaled very deeply.

My brain: dragon + deep inhale=...fuck.

I flew out of the way just in time to avoid the solid black flames erupting from its mouth. It looked at me, and spewed more flames at me. I dodged and wove my way around the dragon. When I got to the back of it, I pulled out a dagger, and stabbed it into it, getting a roar. I didn't stop there. I gripped the dagger tightly, and began slicing across.

I was jerked as the thing took flight, and turned itself upside down, leaving me at the bottom now. I yanked my dagger free, and jumped off just in time to avoid getting crushed. It quickly recovered and started spewing more flames at me.

Damnit, how can I take down something this big with just a few daggers? Wait, maybe I can attack a soft spot.

I jumped out of the way to avoid another spew of flames, and charged at its eye. I got my dagger ready and jabbed it straight on his left eye, making it roar in pain. I then dragged my dagger from one side of his eye to the other, making it go ballistic. It reached a claw for me, but I jumped away.

It was screaming in pain..wait, maybe that's how I can beat it, but fuuuck do I really want to do something that gross? I better do it before my window closes and that eye heals and it can attack again.

On it's next roar of pain, I flew straight into its mouth. After a while of flying through the throat, I cut my way out of it. I flew around its body, slicing up anything I could find. After a while of searching, I finally found its heart. I pulled out a second dagger and jabbed both of them into the heart. I completely rended it. When that was finished, I began to cut my way out. When I got outside, I saw that the beastia was on the ground, and unmoving. It then disintegrated and disappeared forever.

I wish I could say the same about all of this blood and guts on me. This is so weak.

"My my, you actually killed it. Aren't you the special one? Five minutes before your final challenge. This last one's a doozy."

I sighed and sat down in wait.

To Blaze.

Blaze continued on her way through a pitch black tunnel. She was a little nervous, because she hadn't been on that many missions. She was also slightly irked by the fact that Shadow had already passed her up in terms of skill. It was expected though. She was only 15, so it's only natural a little jealousy showed. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard something beside her. The torches suddenly cut on and illuminated a very large underground arena. There was a thin layer of sand covering the area.

At the other end of the arena, there was a large gate. It opened up, and a pony with necromancer robes trotted out.

"So you're a necromancer I get to kill? Cool, because I've been looking for something to do ever since I got here."

The necromancer didn't say anything. His horn started glowing a black aura, and a black void easily fifteen feet tall, and ten feet wide appeared in the middle of the arena. Something with a massive grey hoof reached out of it and grabbed the side of the void. Another reached out and grabbed the other. Its face emerged first. It was a scaley demon with red eyes that appeared to leave a trail of light behind him when he moved his head. Then the rest of his body appeared. It had four large legs, each ending with a hoof. The parts of his body not cased in armor were grey and covered in scales. It's like something you'd see in world of warcraft or something like that, except real, and pissed. Pissed probably isn't the right word, more like hungry...for life...your life.

Blaze took a step back. "You're...big. Like really really big."

The necromancer smiled behind his hood. "Allow me to introduce you to the anima interfectorum."

"The soul killer huh?" Blaze said to herself. She smiled. "Awesome! When I take this thing down, I'll get some recognition for sure!"

The necromancer laughed again. "A little cocky aren't we? You are about to see how wrong you are to get over-confident before the fight even begins, especially against a demon."

"Oh yeah? Well-" Blaze's eyes shot wide as the giant demon was in her face in less than a second.

"How-" Was all Blaze got off before being picked up and slammed against the ground.

Blaze scrambled off and flew away just in time to avoid being crushed by a mace the demon was carrying.

'Damnit! How is this thing so fast?!' Blaze thought to herself. 'How the hell can I fight something that's a lot bigger than me, and just as fast-' Blaze's thoughts were cut off by the demon as it grabbed her in between two of its front hooves. It started squeezing. Blaze cried out in pain.

The demon looked at Blaze for a few seconds, then threw her on the ground full force, breaking her back, strong bones or not, you were getting some bones broken from that. The impact knocked Blaze unconscious.

"Finish it!" The necromancer yelled.

The demon raised its mace to deliver the final blow, and came down with his mace, slamming onto Blaze.

The necromancer smiled. "Well, I guess she was just unlucky to have come across me. Eat her soul and you can go home soul killer."

The demon knelt down to the impact area.

The necromancer was trotting away when he heard the demon roar. He whirled around in time to see the demon's head slide off. "What is this?!" He yelled.

Spitfire appeared in front of him with a cold look. "Your end." She said before punching a hole straight through his chest and tearing out his heart. It was black.

Spitfire dropped the black heart on the ground as the necromancer fell. She rushed to the spot she had set Blaze down after saving her before the demon's mace hit her.

Spitfire checked for a pulse, and concluded that she was still alive. Spitfire breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're alive." Spitfire said quietly. "I'll get you home after our mission is done. You've earned a rest kid." Spitfire finished. She picked up Blaze and carried her onward.

To Shadow.

"Ding! Time's up! If you'll direct your attention to the hole in the roof, your next challenge emerges." Sorrow said.

I got up and prepared myself. What's worse than a regenerans bestia transformed into a dragon? Well, unfortunately that question was answered when the mare we all saw from outside the fortress was raised up, strapped to a table, with two necromancers standing on opposite sides. She had tears in her eyes.

"Are you ready for your final challenge Mister Shadow Flash?" Sorrow's voice said.

"No...don't do this!"

"I'm afraid it's too late for that. Would you two gentlecolts be so kind as to use the spell?"

The two necromancers turned to the crying mare. Their horns became coated in a black aura, which soon enveloped their bodies. The aura then left them and went to the mare, completely shrouding her. The two necromancer ponies dropped dead, and I could hear the mare screaming behind that curtain of shadow.

I snapped out of my trance and flew over to the table the mare was strapped to. I couldn't see her, but I undid her restraints, and the mass of blackness fell to the ground. Please be okay...

I heard something come from the mass of blackness, and jumped back just in time to avoid a spike looking object. The black veil was lifted, and I could see that the mare from earlier was no more. What was left in her place was a nightmare. Her tan coat was now white, and her mane and tail were black. She had the same lifeless look in her eyes like the abominations. In addition, her body was covered in fleshy spikes.

"This...is my fault." I said, dropping down. "I could have done something, but I was too scared to move..." I shook my head. Those thoughts will have to wait for later.

I got off of the ground and looked at the former mare in front of me. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it to you in time. Please forgive me from what I'm about to do."

I charged at the mare and activated the hidden blade on my right foreleg. Right before I hit her, a couple of those fleshy spikes lunged at me, forcing me back. I gritted my teeth and looked at the cut one of the spikes left on my left foreleg. This is going to be difficult.

The creature charged at me, and several of the spikes extended and bent towards me. I jumped out of the way as they assaulted the spot I was just at. I flew up behind her and prepared to stab her once again, but more spikes shot out of her to keep me at bay. She charged at me again, and I flew into the air to avoid her. Two spikes shot out of her body and extended well over sixty feet to attack me. I deflected one of them, but the other managed to pierce my left wing. I winced in pain and quickly lowered myself to the ground. She anticipated this and charged at me with five extended spikes. Well fuck.

Just then, my armor started glowing again like it had once before. Also like before, I felt a surge of energy rush through me. I moved to the side with literal lightning speed, and went towards the mare. The spikes shot out at me, but to me, it looked like they were going in slow-motion. I easily avoided them and stuck a dagger in her back.

After that, everything went back to normal speed. The mare collapsed on the ground, and the spikes started receding. Her coat was also returning to its original tan color, and her mane and tail were turning silver again. She looked at me and struggled to smile. "Thank you."

I shook my head. "Please don't thank me, I'm the one who did this to you."

"You didn't turn me into a monster. You saved me. Please don't blame yourself." Her eyes started to close.

"Don't die on me! Do you hear me?! Hey!" I yelled.

"Thank...you..." Were her last words before her eyes closed forever.

"FUCK! DON'T DIE!"

It was too late.

I yelled. "COME OUT HERE YOU SORRY SON OF A BITCH SORROW CURSE!"

His laughter filled the air. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline. You Fugiens Mones don't dissapoint though. I didn't expect all of you to survive. I'll have to rethink my plans now. Thank you, you were excellent test experiments. Ciao."

"YOU FUCKING COWARD! GET BACK HERE!"

There was no response.

"Shadow..." A voice said. I whirled around to see the team watching me. Spitfire was carrying Blaze, and Ni was holding a filly.

The tears started. "I'm so sorry...I couldn't save her. I should have done something, I should have-"

Spitfire cut me off with a hug. "It's okay Shadow. You did your best."

"My best wasn't enough. I did my best and I still couldn't save her!"

"Come on Shadow. Let's get out of here." Spitfire said, breaking the hug.

"You know what the worst part is? I didn't even learn her name. I killed her, and I didn't even give the fucking courtesy of learning her name!"

"That's enough Shadow. I'd like to get this filly to some kin." Ni said.

I took a deep breath. "Alright..."

"Do you know anywhere some family is?" Spitfire asked her.

"I don't wanna go live with my aunt! I'd rather stay with you guys!"

"What?"

"I...I wanna give that mean pony some justice! He...he killed my grandpa! I wanna make sure he never hurts another pony again!"

We looked at her in surprise. All of us except Spitfire anyways.

Ni looked at Spitfire. "Wait, Spitfire, you're not seriously considering this are you?"

"Why shouldn't I? She's only nine at the most, yet she already understands revenge isn't the right path. Do you know how rare that is? It's rare even for adults. If she wants to make sure somepony doesn't hurt others again, who are we to stop her from trying?"

"..."

Spitfire knelt down in front of the filly. "If you really want to do this, you can't have any contact with your family or friends. Officially, you died here. If yes, we will take you, and shape you into a protector of Equestria. The chance of death is likely all along the way. Knowing this, do you still want to continue?"

The filly thought for a moment, then looked up. "I want to help other ponies, and make sure nothing happens to them like what happened to my grandpa. Can you please help me to do that?"

Spitfire nodded. "We can. Welcome to our little family. What's your name little one?"

"It's Peep."

"It's Solemn Justice now, got it?"

The green and purple filly thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "I like it."

"Climb on top of Night Wing's back, and we'll get out of here."

Night Wing knelt down and allowed Solemn Justice to climb on his back.

Spitfire turned to me. "We'll handle things from here Shadow. Go home and get some rest. You deserve it."

"Yeah...sure." I said before spreading my wings. I took one more look at Solemn Justice before taking flight home.

When I got back, it was dark inside. I took off my now crimson armor and set it on where I thought the couch was. I trotted upstairs, careful not to trip.

Why is it so dark? "Rainbow?" I called out.

No response.

I made it upstairs and went into the bedroom to find Rainbow in bed giving me a very seductive look.

Welp, here it goes. (by popular demand.) If you don't want to read a clop scene, skip to the author's notes.

"Rainbow?"

"Shadow, come here, I need to tell you something."

I trotted up to the bed, and she leaned in and whispered, "How long can you last?"

I gulped and got in bed.

We started a little slow. Our lips met, and we were making out passionately. One of my hooves made its way down to her nether area, causing Rainbow let out a surprised moan. I continued to rub her, making her moans get louder and more frequent.

Rainbow broke the kiss and slid down my body. She stopped when her face was in front of my dick. She took it in a hoof and placed it in her mouth, slowly bobbing her head up and down. With every bob, she got it deeper into her mouth, and within a short time, she was deepthroating me. I tensed up, I couldn't take it anymore, and came in her mouth. She released me from her mouth, and closed her eyes and swallowed. She looked at me and grinned.

"My turn." She said.

I nodded and my face went down her body, kissing her along the way. When I got to her sweet spot, I teased her a little by kissing along the edges. I then placed my mouth on it and started licking away. I got several loud moans in response. I was greedily taking in all of her juices. She then held my head in place with her hooves, and arched her back as she let out a long satisfied moan.

I rose up from her, and she turned over and readied herself. I started by placing just the tip in first, making her gasp in response. I then slowly slid the rest in and started thrusting, each one getting a moan. I picked up my pace, making her hold onto the bed for dear life, and screamed when I came inside of her. There was so much that it overflowed a little bit. We collapsed on the bed with my dick still inside of her.

A few minutes passed, and I was starting to get hard again.

"Ready for the next round?" Rainbow asked.

And there you have it, my first clop scene. Was it worth it? It was my first attempt at one, so don't bust my bawlz. I won't be doing to many of these, so don't expect one every one or even five chapters. That's not to say this is going to be the only one, it's just not going to happen that often. Anywho, what did you think of the chapter itself? Was it good? Bad? Okay? Best thing ever? This story just gave me cancer? Lemme know in the comments ;)

Chuck Norris Fact of the Day: Early church fathers omitted the part of the Bible when Chuck Norris rappelled down into the Last Supper, karate chopped the table in half, and teabagged Judas.