Once a Shadow

I rose up in bed and gave a stretch. That asshole wants to fuck with my dreams? Fine, I just won't sleep, which is exactly what I stopped doing about five hours ago. I just stared at the ceiling the entire time, thinking of what the future might hold. If my twisted reflection effortlessly defeated me like that, what chance will I have when he attacks for real? I need to train more. I refuse to let that son of a bitch win!

I looked over at Rainbow, who was still sound asleep. I gave her a small kiss on the forehead and got out of bed. I trotted over to Solemn's room to make sure she was up, and knocked on the door.

"Hey Solemn, you up?"

"Yes. I'll be downstairs in a little bit." She replied in a tired voice.

I trotted downstairs and into the kitchen. I fixed up the usual breakfast, (Weekly hay bacon moment mother bucker. Throwin' in some greasy hay bacon flips and sh(*squee*)t.) made enough for all three of us. After about twenty minutes, Solemn soon trotted down with Rainbow, and sat down at the table as I was setting everything out.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" I said to Rainbow.

"The smell sure did. I like to sleep, but I like a good breakfast even better." She said as she picked up a piece of hay bacon.

I sat down, and started to eat as well.

I turned to Solemn. "So how have you been? Spitfire says you've been good, but I'd like to hear it from you."

"I've been good, Dad. I've mostly been training with Spitfire."

"I just thought about something. We need to enroll you in school."

She looked apprehensive, as I figured she would. "Uhh, no thanks Dad. I think I should just stick to training hard."

I let out a small laugh. "I'll be honest Solemn. I absolutely hated going to school, but I did anyway. Do you know why?"

She shook her head.

"Because I was forced to. I didn't really see the point of it, since I was going into a professional sport anyway. My dad never let me quit though."

"Are you gonna make me go to school?"

"Hmm...alright, how about this? You go to school for today only. If you don't make any friends at all today, you won't have to go to school ever again."

"What happens if I do make friends?"

"You can still leave, although I doubt you'd actually want to."

"So if I go today, I'll never have to go again?" She said in a hopeful voice.

"That's right. If you don't like it, you can just stick to training with Spitfire more often."

She nodded with a smile and continued to eat her meal.

I held back a smile myself. Me-1 Solemn-0. She doesn't have a cutie mark, which means that the cmc will want to hang out with her. She'll make friends in no time at all. Wait...I forgot about Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Oh well, I think I'll be able to talk them into leaving my kid, and the cmc, alone for good.

When we finished our food, I picked up the dishes and put them in the sink. I tried to turn the faucet, but it wasn't cutting on. I opened the door beneath the sink to check the pipes...made of cloud.

I calmly closed the cabinet door under the sink, and trotted over to Rainbow and Solemn. I picked them up with one hoof each, and gently set them down outside and softly closed the door.

3rd pony (yep, I'm going with pony. NO MOAR TEARING MY OWN BRAIN IN HALF FOR ME!) perspective.

"Mom? Why did Dad just set us down outside?" Solemn asked Rainbow.

She let out a sigh. "Cover your ears Solemn."

"Huh?"

"I knew this day would eventually come. Cover your ears."

Solemn nodded, and did as she was told. Rainbow braced herself. She knew what was about to come.

Slight profanity warning ;)

"SON OF A MOTHER F(*squee*)ING GOD(*squee*) C(*squee*)K SUCKING MOTHER F(*squee*)KER! SUCK MY C(*squee*)K YOU SORRY PIECE OF SH(*squee*)T! I'LL SLICE YOUR C(*squee*)K OFF YOU (*squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*)

Rainbow listened, making sure there was no more before she gave Solemn the all clear. Before she could, however, the door opened, and Shadow carefully picked them both up again, closed the door behind them, and softly set them on the couch with a world class poker face.

Back to Shadow's perspective.

"So are you ready for school, Solemn?" I said, putting on a smile.

"Uhh, I guess?"

My eye twitched.

"I mean yes! I can't wait!"

"Awesome! That's great to hear! Just wait outside, and I'll bring you a lunch!" I said as I trotted over to the kitchen.

Solemn gave a scared look, and nodded before trotting outside.

Rainbow walked up to me. "Did you get that out of your system finally?"

"I have never felt better in all of my days."

"Well at least that's over."

"Oh don't be so sure. If I spot something else made of cloud when it shouldn't be, I'll probably bash my head in with a nearby blunt instrument."

"Yeah, well good luck with that." She said with a roll of her eyes.

I laughed. "I should be going now I guess. Bye Rainbow."

She wrapped a hoof around my neck, and pulled me in for a surprise kiss.

After a solid five minutes, we thought it was time to break it.

"Well, that brought back a good portion of my senses. I guess I shouldn't keep Solemn waiting any longer. I'll see you later Rainbow."

She laughed. "Alright, bye Shadow."

I left the house, and found Solemn waiting rather impatiently.

"There you are, I've been out here for like ten minutes!"

"Uhh, sorry about that Solemn, that goodbye lasted longer than I thought it would." I said, scratching the back of my head.

"Right, well next time, could you not take so long to make out with Mom?"

If I had something to drink, I would have spit it out. "I, uh, uh, don't know what you're talking about." I said with a poker face that would have made Clint Eastwood proud. (obviously)

"Whatever you say Dad. Just don't keep me waiting forever next time."

Talk about awkward. "Uh, okay. Hop on my back." I said, before getting down to her level.

She climbed on my back, and waited for her to get settled. "Holding on tight?" I asked.

She nodded, and I spread my wings and took flight.

Within a few minutes, we were at Ponyville's schoolhouse. School probably won't start for another thirty minutes, but hopefully Cheerilee is here.

I troted up to the door, with Solemn still on my back, and gave a knock.

"Comiiing." A cheery voice called out.

The door opened, and Cheerilee appeared with a smile. "Hello sir, how can I help you this morning?"

She's obviously a morning person. I have no idea how people do it. "Yeah, I was hoping that I could enroll my daughter here."

"Of course! Step inside, and we'll get her signed up." She said, turning around, leading me inside.

"Alright, great!" I said with a smile, and followed her inside.

We walked over to Cheerilee's desk, and she pulled out a clipboard. "All I need you to do is fill out a few things."

I took the clipboard. "Sure thing."

Cheerilee looked at Solemn, who was now standing beside me. "You're so adorable! And I bet you're very smart too. I think you'll fit in very well here.

"Do you really mean it?" Solemn asked.

Cheerilee nodded. "I most certainly do."

I finished the paperwork, and handed the clipboard back.

She smiled and looked at Solemn. "Welcome to school! You may as well stay here, seeing as class will begin shortly. There's an empty seat over there by Sweetie Bell's desk, so you can sit there."

I looked to Solemn. "Have fun kiddo, I'll see you after school."

"Alright, bye dad."

I nodded to her and Cheerilee, and trotted outside just as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were making their way into the building.

"Oh look, it's that blank flank adult!" Silver Spoon said.

"Yeah, why are you here blank flank?" Diamond Tiara added.

I put on my best fake smile. "I just enrolled my daughter here, so I expect all of you to get along just fine."

"Why? I bet she's a blank flank too." Diamond Tiara said.

I slowly trotted over to the two, knelt down, and brought their heads in slowly with my forehooves, my smile still present. "I have seen things you two couldn't even begin to comprehend. I've witnessed multiple innocent lives taken. I've even killed a bunch of ponies. I fight a cult that would tear your heads off and use them as trashcans. If it weren't for me and my group, you would all be dead. All I want is for my daughter to be safe, and bully-free. The same goes for any other pony. If I hear, that you two have picked on another pony, or try to tell an adult what I just said, I'll find you. Am I clear?"

The two frantically nodded their heads. I rose up, never letting up on my smile. "Alright then! Great chat you two! I look forward to hearing about how great my daughter's day went!" I said before flying off.

I probably just scarred them for life, but meh, they had it coming. I was lying about hunting them down anyway, but they don't need to know that.

I continued on my way to Cloudsdale, and eventually arrived at the Wonderbolt HQ. I trotted inside, and went down into the sanctuary.

The whole team was down here. Soarin, Spitfire, Blaze, and Ni.

"Hey Shadow, how's it going?" Ni asked.

"Pretty good, all things considered. I figured I'd let Solemn go to school today and see if she likes it."

"That's good to hear."

"I assume you'll be taking her here after school then?" Spitfire said.

"Yeah, don't worry. I won't let this interfere with her training."

She nodded. "Good. Now is there something you needed Shadow?"

"Yes, actually there is."

"And what might that be?"

"I'd feel a lot more comfortable if there were more members of the Mones around Canterlot during my wedding..."

She raised an eyebrow. "Is this about that dream you had of the necromancers attacking and rising out of the ground?"

"Yes it is. It felt like more than a dream though. It was more like a vision. Please, if not for my paranoia, then for the safety of Canterlot."

Spitfire thought for a moment, then sighed. "Alright Shadow. I'll post Ni's squad and the medic squad around Canterlot. Ni, you and your top three troops will be planted inside the wedding, while the rest will be in various places around Canterlot. This will be the same case with the medic squad. The captain of the squad will be planted inside the wedding, along with his top three troops, while the rest remain around various places in Canterlot. I'd send the archer squad in as well, but they're on a mission to hunt down a group of marauding dragons in the Badlands."

I sighed in relief. "Thank you. This means a lot to me."

"Don't sweat it. If Sorrow Curse thinks he can take us by surprise, then he has another thing coming."

"...So the captain of the medics, huh? I've never seen him or the archer captain before. What's the medic captain like?"

She smiled. "He's like you in a few ways. Strong, compassionate, and daring. There's also one more thing about him, but I'll let you find that out for yourself."

"So how will I know him when I see him?"

"You've seen him once or twice, although you didn't really speak to each other much."

"Wait, I've seen the captain of the medics before?"

"It's been a short while, but yes, you have. That was before he was captain though, he was only promoted recently. I'd say he climbed his way to his current level almost as fast as you did. I told him to come with us in our assault on that fortress in the desert. He took down Sorrow's right forehoof pony by himself."

"Awesome, I can't wait to officially meet the guy. I actually wouldn't mind going one-on-one with him..."

Spitfire chuckled. "Glad to see you haven't lost that spirit. Is that all you came for by the way?"

"Yeah, that's it. Thanks a lot Spitfire, see you guys later." I said before leaving the sanctuary.

"Now, what to do?" I thought aloud as I exited the Wonderbolts HQ building.

I've got an idea. I think I'll go visit a certain somepony, and hopefully it won't be awkward as hell.

I took flight, and flew to the east.

A few hours or so later.

Knock* Knock*

I backed away from the door, and waited for the response.

"Be there ina sec." Called the voice from behind the door.

After listening to the unlocking of the door, it opened.

I smiled. "Hey Vinyl."

I got a hug in response. "Hey Shadow! What brings you to Manehattan?" She said before breaking the hug.

"I wanted to ask you and Octavia something, if you don't mind."

"Sure thing, come on in." She said, making her way inside.

I followed her, and closed the door behind me.

Octavia looked up from a book she was reading. "Oh, hello Shadow. What brings you here?"

"Well, I probably have no right to ask, but I was hoping I could get a favor."

"A favor? Like what?"

"How do you two feel about Canterlot?"

"Well, I personally adore Canterlot, but I'm not to sure on Vinyl's feelings."

Vinyl shrugged. "It's just another city to me. Why, what's up?"

"Well, I'm getting married to Rainbow in two days, and I was wondering if you two would like to play at my wedding in Canterlot."

Octavia smiled. "I always love to perform in Canterlot. The crowds there are always so receptive."

"Thank you, I want to have an awesome wedding, so I think a classical touch will do nicely." I turned to Vinyl. "And I want you there so we have somepony to follow up Octavia with some awesome beats."

Vinyl grinned. "Look no further. The best dj in Equestria will be there."

"Thank you, you two. This means a lot to me, if there is anyway I can repay you..."

"Well, now that you menion it..." Vinyl said in a suggestive tone while brushing her tail against me, making me gulp.

"Vinyl, that's enough." Octavia said.

"I know, I know, I was just having some fun. I know you're a one mare stallion now, Shadow. I won't lie though, that was one of the best nights of my life."

I blushed. "Heh, well thanks I guess."

"I should thank you."

"I uh, I guess I'll be going now. I need to get back to Ponyville."

"Alright Shadow. Thank you for stopping by, and don't worry, we'll be at the wedding." Octavia said.

I smiled. "Thanks again. I'll see you two in a couple of days." I said as I trotted back out.

"Okay, take it easy Shadow." Vinyl said before closing the door.

I smiled, pretty satisfied on how that meeting went, and left the apartment building. I stretched my wings out, and lifted off the ground in the direction of Ponyville.

When I got back home, I trotted inside, and found Rainbow and Solemn on the couch.

"Hey you two. How did school go Solemn?"

She smiled. "It was great! I made friends with a few ponies on my first day!"

"I'm glad to hear it. What were their names?"

"Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, and Applebloom! They noticed I didn't have a cutie mark, and I got worried at first. Then they said they didn't have a cutie mark, and they wanted me to join their club! Then they said you were a member, and-"

I laughed. "Alright, take a breath. I'm very happy for you Solemn. I'd imagine you're tired though, am I right?"

"Are you kidding? I feel like I could stay up for another-ZZzzZzz..." Solemn started to say before abrubtly falling asleep.

Dash and I laughed a little.

"I'm not surprised this happened, she's been bouncing up and down for a while now, eager to tell you about her day." Rainboow said.

"I can see it went well. How was your day?" I said before giving Rainbow a kiss.

"It went pretty well. Me and the girls just spent a portion of the day together before I picked up Solemn and flew her to Cloudsdale for her training. How was yours?"

"It was pretty nice. I guess you're pretty tired, huh?"

She let out a yawn. "Yeah, I am pretty beat. You wanna head up to bed?"

"I'll head up to bed later, you go on ahead."

"Alright, don't stay up to late, okay?"

"I won't. See you in a bit."

She nodded and trotted upstairs. When she was out of sight, I calmly went trotted outside, and flew into the Everfree Forest.

Eventually, I came upon the ruins. This spot will do. Since I can't sleep without dreaming of death and destruction, I'll spend my time training.

I found a support beam, which was no longer supporting anything. Guess I'll start here.

I punched the column once. Then again, and again. My punches getting faster and more frequent. I imagined the beam was Sorrow Curse. My hooves were now a blur to the naked eye. The beam was starting to crack.

Then the image of Sorrow Curse spoke. "You'll never be able to kill me Shadow. I'll have your precious wife and child on a cold, concrete slab, and slowly pull each of their organs out. One. At. A. Time."

I screamed and punched through the column, causing it to collapse. I sank down, heavily panting.

"I figured you'd come here. It's the last place anypony would think to look for you." A voice said behind me.

A whirled around, ready to attack. I saw who it was, and relaxed. "What are you doing here, Spitfire?"

"Shadow, I understand what you're going through, but you don't have to do it alone. Let me help you."

"I don't want anypony else getting mixed up in my affairs. Besides, I thought I've already finished my training."

She smirked. "Is that what you think? Just because you became a level four fighter, doesn't mean there is nothing left to learn. There is always something to learn. Let me show you a move you've never seen before."

I sighed. "Alright, if you think it will help."

"Good. Now what I'm going to show you should only be used in an absolute emergency situation, understood?"

I nodded.

"Alright then. There are two pre-requirements to learning this move, both of which you meet. It's called the-"

Several hours of training later.

I slumped down on the ground next to Spitfire. Both of us were exhausted.

"I think you finally got it down." Spitfire said, turning to me.

"I think I have too. Thank you, Spitfire."

"Anything for family."

I smiled. "I appreciate that. I should probably get back home before Rainbow and Solemn wake up. Thanks again." I said before flying off.

When I got home, I slowly opened the door, and trotted upstairs to the bedroom. Rainbow should still be asleep, since it's four in the morning.

I opened the door, thankful to find that I was right. I snuck in bed, just as Rainbow wrapped her hooves around me in her sleep.

"I love you Shadow.." She said, still asleep.

I smiled. "I love you too Rainbow, and I'll gladly give my life for you." I said to myself before closing my eyes.

Something decided to fuck off this time, because all I dreamed about was Rainbow and Solemn. My life, and my loves.

After the next chapter, it's the big finale, the wedding chapter! I know you guys have been looking forward to it for a while, and so have I. Curious about that move Spitfire taught Shadow to use only in emergencies? Good, it'll be all the sweeter when he uses it in the future. Sorry for this pretty short chapter, but hey, at least it's a chapter, eh? I figured I'd put out one more chapter before the zombie apocalypse on the 21st. Goodnight, and if the apocalypse really does happen, I'll see you all in hell, or a safe haven I created from the zombie infested world. ;).

Chuck Norris fact of the day: Chuck Norris's motorcycle has 4-wheel drive. (Credit to Supah on that one.)