White Shadows

A/N: Hey guys! Just wanted to say that there is a sex scene in this one! Don't worry, you can skip it and not be left out on the plot. So, enjoy!

Red like roses fills my dreams and brings me to the place you rest,

White is cold and always yearning burdened by a royal test,

Black the beast descends from shadows,

Yellow beauty burns gold.

I think that’s how it goes. It is a small song about a righteous monster hunter who conquered her darkest fear. It was Pre-Nightmare Moon, so it had some meaning back then. Though I knew there were monsters coming now. I was no blind stallion, and I saw what was happening in Stalliongrad. The Bleeding Heart Virus was mutating the innocent civilians of the now nearly destroyed Stalliongrad. I didn’t care much for that fact, seeing as how Celestia was already sending hazard units to splice the place with some clean steam, but something else was stirring in there. I didn’t have much time to think about it now. At this possible moment, I was too busy putting on my now-clean uniform.

“Daddy, let me help you!” Pouted Daring, and I smiled.

“Fine, you can tie my mane with a bow,” I said.

I hadn’t trimmed my mane in a while, so it had gotten quite long. So, instead of letting it hang back in my eye, I decided to tie it back with a ribbon tonight. Daring was tailing along with me, and I had picked a small dress for her. I wasn’t exactly the deepest pocketed pony in Canterlot, nor was I the one with the best fashion sense, but I think I did pretty well. It was a baby blue colored, with a small pink tiara, complete with rhinestones. It took a huge cut out of my paycheck, but it was worth it.
Daring finished tying the ribbon into my mane, and hopped down, putting on her Tiara.

“Daddy! Do I look pretty?” asked Daring, spinning around.

“Of course you do, my princess,” I said, when there was a knock on the door.

I walked over, and opened it, to see Lyra, dressed in a different dress from before. It was light purple, with a pearl necklace, and a pretty silver band on her right for leg.

“Well, aren’t you dashing tonight?” I said, and Lyra gave me a peck on the cheek.

“Thank you, dearest. I see Daring is coming along then?” Asked Lyra, walking into my flat.

“Yeah. I thought she might as well get used to going to such occasions,” I stated, attaching my blade to my belt buckle.

Lyra smiled, and sat down next to Daring. She had a funny way of sitting, almost like a humanoid way. It was kinda of cute, but in a way, it was also disturbing. Her back sat upright, and her legs dangled below her, instead of supporting her. I shook my head, and I put on my eye patch on.

I looked out the window of my flat, and stared off into the horizon. There was an overcast, and the sun was shooting rays through the thick clouds, painting the amber fields in-between the mountains and the Everfree forest. It was a beautiful moment. But something felt wrong, felt…off. As if something was waiting, watching.

Then I saw it.

A tall, black pony. He was scarred, with eyes red as fire. A small, blue colt with golden eyes stood next to him, staring up at the massive city nestled in the mountains. The black pony looked like he was staring at me, and turned away, his black cape flapping in the wind.

I turned away, wondering where I had seen his face before. I shook my head, and looked at the small grandfather clock in the corner. It read 5:15, and I cracked my neck.

“I suggest we head towards the throne room. Celestia will be expecting us,” I said, putting on my colonial hat.

I lifted Daring on my back, and Lyra stood up next to me, brushing against me. I smiled gently, and we walked out the door. I locked the heavy oak entrance behind us, and walked on.

“Do you think he saw us, master?” Asked Tear Drop.

“Yes… and he will seek us out. I implanted the sickness in his head, and he will definitely come. Then, we will kill him, or we will make him join our cause,” The Vampony said in his multi layered voice.

“I… Why do we have to kill him?” asked Tear Drop, his golden eyes turning back to their red hue, a natural ability of Vamponies.

“He is a formidable foe. If we do not kill him then, he will us. I have seen him fight,” Said the Vampony. “He is more of a monster, then we are,

I walked inside the throne room, where the massive dinner table was set out. All the ponies had already arrived. The six keepers of harmony, not to mention the dumbass that was Twilight’s current love interest. There was also Spike, and a number of aristocrats, picking at the delicacies at the buffet line. I put Daring on the ground, so she could roam around. Lyra took my foreleg, and we trotted over to the Princess, who was conversing with the keepers of Harmony.

“Ah! Speak of the devil, here’s the stallion now!” Said Celestia, gesturing towards me.

I walked over, and bowed, and Lyra curtsied. The keepers of harmony curtsied themselves, and I nodded towards the two princesses, sitting in their respective thrones.

The pre-dinner to the gala was amazing. While the place wasn’t nearly as loud or as fancy as the gala, it was still as extravagant, with beautiful mounds of luscious fruits and vegetables at the table. Towering stacks of dandelion cake, massive bowls of chocolate fondue, mounds of strawberries. It was good living the life that I was currently living, since I was accustomed to simply going and buying the crappy stuff at markets. Now, I had the food of the royals at my hoof tips.

“So, is all those fancy weapons for show, or can you actually use them?” Asked the male unicorn accompanying Twilight.
Twilight nudged him ever so slightly, but he acted as if nothing had ever happened.

“I’m sorry, we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Shadow,” I said, holding out my hoof. Kill them with kindness, as they say.

“Dr. Moon Dust, at your service,” Said Moon, shaking my hoof.

“To answer your question, yes. I’ve killed many a stallion with this blade. Also, princess, may I inquire about Pillows?” I asked, and Celestia smiled.

“So kind of you to be concerned. He’s fine. He’ll have a slight limp for the rest of his life, and he will have a nasty scar, but he’s the same other wise,” Said Celestia, and Dr. Moon looked at us.

“So I have a cripple and a slob as care takers? How nice,” He said, and I shot a glance towards him.

“Excuse me?” I asked, a slight edge in my voice.

“You heard me. You look sloppy, even when tidied up. And your friend is crippled. He’s useless now,” Said Dr. Moon, and I gritted my teeth.

“You can demoralize me, but don’t you say one word about Pillows. He did nothing to you,” I said, and Dr. Moon scoffed.

“Hey, Dust, stop. Please, we went over this,” Said Twilight, and a butter colored Pegasus came up to me.

“We’re really sorry if we’re making you mad, it’s just that Moon doesn’t really like other ponies,” Said the Pegasus, and I nodded.

“Yeah, I noticed. Lyra, sweetie, why don’t you go and get some food. I’ll be right with you,” I said, and Lyra smiled at me.

“Okay, I’ll keep an eye on Daring, as well,” Said Lyra, walking off.

There was a moment of silence, and Dr. Moon scoffed.

“Very pretty girl you have there, would be a shame if someone were to, I don’t know, perhaps, steal her,” Said Dr. Moon, and I gritted my teeth.

“Please stop, Moon. I’m really sorry, Steam, he’s on his man period,” Said Twilight, and I nodded.

“I’m going to go and get something to eat, I’ll return when I feel the need,” I said, walking off.

I grabbed a plate, and filled it delicately with savory treats, like watermelon, cantaloupe, and Rose cake. I found Lyra, and I walked next to her.

“He really is a dick, isn’t he?” Asked Lyra, and I nodded.

“He’s too prideful for his own good. Somepony is going to have to cut him down, and fast,” I said, taking a bite out of my cake. “By the way, where is Daring?”

Lyra spun around, and frowned. “She was just here a minute ago!”

I looked around the big ball room, looking at the different places she might be. Buffet? No. Kids table? No. Aristocrats table? No. Being man handled Moon Dust? Yes.

Wait, what?

I ran over to the table, watching as Moon lifted her into the air, looking her over. Twilight was angrily shouting at him to put Daring down. He just looked at her, awed.

I ran over, and wrenched her out of the grasp of Moon, who looked at me astounded.

“What was that for?” He asked, looking at me wide eyed.

“Don’t you lay a hoof on my daughter, or I will kill you,” I said, rage in my eyes.

“Oh! And you have a daughter? He doesn’t even know how to put a condom on! And he makes her look like Daring Do!” He shouted, and everypony looked at him funny. “What, is my joke not funny?”

I looked down at Daring, and she had tears in her eyes. Big tears. She huddled next to my leg, silently sobbing.

“I wanna go home, daddy. Please take me home,” She said quietly.

I looked up at Moon, who was laughing. Celestia walked over to see what the commotion was about.

“What’s going on?” She asked sternly.

“Your bodyguard, who already has a daughter at the age of 25, seems to have painted his child to resemble Daring Do!” He boomed, and everypony gasped.

“God damn, Twilight, how the fuck do you stand this dick wad?” I asked, and everypony gasped again.

Celestia was taken aback, and so was everypony else.

“You come to our city on a royal invitation, and act as if you can just trot all over everypony like they’re piles of shit! What, just because you have a royal invitation and you’re the colt-friend of one of the Elements of Harmony makes you better than everypony?” I asked, rage boiling up inside me. “Then you go and make my own child, who IS Daring Do, cry?”

Moon was taken aback, and then he regained his composure.

“Well, I nev-,” He started, but I cut him off.

“Shut the fuck up, asshole,” I said, and everypony seemed to draw away. Many just stared at me with half-smiles.

“Moon, please stop,” Twilight said, but Dust backhoofed her.

The whole room stood still, as Twilight fell to the ground. Celestia’s eyes widened with rage, as did Luna’s. The elements of Harmony became angry as well. I saw Shining Armor run from his position in the room, where I saw Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence, run after him (funnily enough, this was the first time I had seen her my whole stay in Canterlot.)

“Twily!”

“Twilight!”

“Twi!”

“YOU SON OF A BITCH!”

I punched Dust as hard as I possibly could, and he stood up.

“Fight me,” He said, angrily. “Duel me tomorrow, to the death. It shall be an interesting event.”

“Fine. You better show up. You have embarrassed Twilight, her majesty, and everypony else by your actions,” I angrily barked, and he nodded.

“Fine then.”

He walked out of the room, and I helped Twilight up.

“Are you okay?” I asked, and she nodded.

“I might have to call off the Gala because of this. That was repulsive!” Shouted Celestia after Moon, who just walked on.

“Your Majesty, do I have permission to take his life tomorrow?” I asked, and the Princess nodded. “Twilight, do I have your permission?”

“Ye-Yeah…” She said, hugging her brother. “I’m so sorry, Steam.” She said quietly, as her friends comforted her.

I started to walk off, but then I turned back to the Princess.

“Don’t cancel the gala because of this. It’s not worth it,” I said, then I turned back to the crowd. “Everypony! Go back to eating and drinking!”

I looked at Daring, and she jumped on my back, still sobbing. I patted her on the head, and we walked off. Lyra followed us, and she looked glum.

“I’m so sorry, you two. I should have known he was trouble,” I said, and Lyra sighed.

“It’s not your fault, it’s his,” Lyra said, when she suddenly looked at me. “Are you going to kill him?”

I thought about it for a moment, and then I sighed.

“Maybe. Depending on how I feel in the morning. I don’t want to, but if it comes to it, I will kill him,” I said, and Lyra nodded.

“Hopefully the gala will be better than this,” Lyra sadly muttered, and I nudged up against her.

“It will,” I said, as we made it to my flat.

We walked inside, and I took Daring to bed, still sobbing. She tucked her in, and gave her a little goodnight kiss on the head. Within seconds, she was sound asleep. I smiled softly, and I came out into the living room. Lyra was sitting on the couch, looking out the window, into the now dark sky. I sat next to her, and she turned and looked at me.

“I’m scared, Steam,” She said, and I raised an eyebrow.

“Of what?” I asked, and Lyra sighed deeply.

“Octave Hearts. He’s getting mighty violent, and he almost kept me from coming tonight. I wish our divorce would just get over with, you know?” She asked, and I nodded.

“Look, if you want, you can stay here in the mean time. I don’t mind,” I said, and Lyra gave me a smile.

“Really? You’d do that for me?” She asked, and I nodded.

“Of course. Friends look out for eachother, don’t we?” I said, and Lyra’s smiled melted off her face.

“Friends?” She asked, and I knew I had made a terrible mistake.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Lyra, I…” I started, but she shook her head.

“Whatever, it’s fine,” She said, standing up.

“Lyra, I-,”

I was cut off by a pair of lips connecting to mine. My eye widened, as Lyraclimbed onto me, kissing me. I felt euphoric, like I was flying. She pulled away, giving me a look of lust.

“Steam…” She said, her eyes half closed.

I pushed into another kiss, and she put her hoofs around me. I felt her heart thumping inside her chest. I could feel the heat coming off her body, and we separated lips again. Lyra’s face was blushing redder than a robins chest. I probably was too, but my grey fur, now silvery after the events at the hand of the battle inside the factory, probably made it much more diluted. Lyra crawled off me, and I breathed somewhat heavily. She and I just looked at one another for a bit, and then she finally said it.

“Steam… I… I think I’m in love with you,” She said, giving me a small smile.

“I think I love you too,” I said, moving closer to her.

She unbuttoned the buttons on my uniform, and I pulled it off. She gave me the most sweet eyes you could ever see. She leaned in for a kiss, and I pulled off her dress. The feeling of her soft fur moving across my own was a feeling that nothing other in the world could match. I felt warm inside, and suddenly, I knew what was coming. We pulled away, and I looked into her eyes.

"Please, Steam,"

She was cut off by a moan as I shoved myself into her, pushing as deep as I could. I felt her tense up around me, and then I continued to do the action. She moaned and sighed to the beat of my pushes. I couldn't help but to let out a soft groan as I shoved myself into her. I picked her up, and let her ride on top of me, moving ourselves to the bedroom. I couldn't take it any longer, when I finally released myself in to her, falling on the bed. Lyra groaned in euphoria, as she rolled off me, still panting. I fell asleep almost instantly.

I woke up the next morning with a headache. Lyra was lying next to me, smiling happily. I got up gently, not to wake up Lyra, and I went out to the living room. It was around 9:00, and nopony was up yet. I donned my protector robes, when suddenly, a stallion materialized in the corner.

“You think you can win?” He asked, and I sighed.

“Look, I know I can,” I said, and the stallion scoffed, coming out of the corner. Of course, it was The Creator.

“He’s got magic, and he’ll use it unfairly. How about we teach you a new move?” He asked, and I cocked my head. He sighed loudly. “Your own magic.”

“Ah. Sure,” I said, and The Creator simply smiled.

“Alright, this one is called Adrenaline. I’m sure you’ve heard of a much weaker move used by unicorns called ‘focus’, but that is pussy compared to this. You’ll be able to move at near speed of light,” Said The Creator.

Suddenly, my left foreleg burned, and a small band appeared on it, looking as if it came from pre-nightmare moon, tribal times. It was made up of Crescent moons, and it gave off a small, shimmer of white light.

“Sooo, I get a tattoo everytime I learn a new move?” I asked, and The Creator scoffed.

“Your left forleg will hold the chaotic powers you have. Your right one will hold the powers of Order. Comprendo, muchacho?” He says, and I raise an eyebrow.

“Whatever. Just summon the power, and you’ll be quick as lightning. Test it out on this poor sap today. I’m sure the crowd will love the fact that you just ran a cocky bastard through in ten seconds flat,” He said, his body already dispersing.

“Whatever. I’m sure I would have won anyway,” I said, as he disappeared.

I walked back into my room, where Lyra was laying sleepily. I kissed her on the head, and her eyes opened up. She smiled at me, and I leaned in for a kiss.

“Hey, tiger,” She said, after our lips separated, and I brushed some wild sea foam green hair out of her eyes.

“Morning beautiful,” I said, and she sat up. “I’m off to kill some poor sap.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure Daring doesn’t know,” She said, and I kissed Lyra again.

“When you get home, I’ll be ready for more,” She said, with a sly smile.
“So will I,” I said, before leaving the bedroom. “Oh, by the way, I may be home late tonight, if you could watch of Daring for a little.”

“I don’t mind. Bye sweetie!” She called after me, as I walked out the door.

I walked into the massive plaza, where they had already set up the dueling plaza. Everypony had come to see the fight, including the six keepers of Harmony. Octavia and Pillows sat in the crowd together, happily munching on some popcorn. I saw a Twilight somewhat somber looking, and Shining Armor standing in the middle of the arena, looking at me. He had some traditional robes on, and he was looking somewhat depressed.

I walked up to him, and he smiled, patting me on the back.

“I want you to kill this asshole. Nopony does that to Twily, you hear? He brought a tag team partner, who seems to be a slaver from the east, you know, the Griffin lands? Kill them both,” Said Shining Armor, and I nodded.

“Count on it,” I said, walking forward, but he stopped me.

“They’re using flintlocks, so watch out,” He said, and I nodded.

He walked out of the arena in the plaza, and the Doctor himself emerged from the doors that open up into the outside. He brought along a scrawny looking Pegasus, who had two machetes hanging from his belt, along with a bloody looking wip. His eyes were savage, and his eyes were on me.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts! Today, as a challenge made as of last night , we have a duel to the death between the renowned Doctor Moon Dust, as well as his partner Weeping Eyes, and the Grand Royal Protector, White Steam, or ‘Shadow’! We’ll have a great fight on our hands today, so get seated!” Shouted the announcer, and I drew my sword, jumping to my hind legs.

I pulled mask down, so that nopony could see my face. I heard some music playing in the background, and I saw that the Canterlot Orchestra had started to play some battle music. The two ponies stepped onto the arena stage, and the magical borders surrounded us. I tightened my bracers, showing off the Chaos tattoo on my left hoof. I twirled the blade, as the slaver walked forward, pulling his two machetes.

“You’re going to be gutted like a pig, meat!” Shouted the slaver.

He charged at me, swinging wildly. I blocked his attack smoothly, and bit back with a slash across his eye, letting it roll out of his head in a gush of blood. The crowd gasped, but went back to normal as he jumped at me once more, and I blocked it again.

“Why aren’t you attacking? You scared meat?” He asked, and I scoffed.

“Because I want to entertain them,” I replied, as he delivered a slash to my shoulder.

A bit of blood poured out, but replied to his attack by focusing in hard. Everything went slow-motion but I could still move normally. I delivered a volley of stabs into the slavers body, each one suspending blood in the air as I pulled out. I then stabbed into his upper chest, and pulled down, tearing his stomach open.

I felt like I was using up my magic, so I unfocused, and watched as the slaver’s guts poured out of his stomach, and onto the arena floor. Blood splattered all over me, and I sighed. The doctor recoiled, but stood up to the challenge. He pulled his Calvary blade, and lunged at me. I blocked his attack, and delivered a swift cut to his cheek. Blood spilled out of his wound, when he suddenly pulled out a double barrel flintlock, and fired.

The pain was unbearable. Hot lead tore through my body, and out my back, splattering blood against the magical barrier. The crowd gasped, as I looked up. I saw the faces of Pillows, Octavia, the keepers of Harmony, Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor. The list could go on, but they all looked at me with a face of longing. As if I needed to go on. I felt the muscles in my chest tightening, and the wounds healed shut. I stood up, and the doctor dropped the pistol.

“W-what?” He asked, dumbfounded.

I jammed my sword through his throat, then I jumped into the air, swinging around, cutting upwards through his skull, then falling back on the other side. His skull split in half, and sprayed blood all over the arena. I was doused in the blood of my enemy, as I walked away, sheathing my blade. I heard his body hit the floor with a thump, as the barriers disappeared.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts, we have our WINNER!” shouted the announcer, and the crowd went wild, throwing confetti everywhere. Pillows and Octavia ran down to congratulate me.

“Damn man, way to kick some ass! The way you multi stabbed that guy, and then opened him up was bad ass!” Shouted Pillows, hoof bumping me.

“Oh my gosh! You were great out there, Steam!” Shouted Octavia, about to give me a hug, when she saw the blood covering me.

“Yeah, better not. Now, who’s up for some drinks!” I shouted, when Celestia flew down upon us.

“You were amazing, Shadow. I take it the Creator has been training you further?” She asked, and I nodded. “Revel in your victory now, Shadow. You have the rest od the week until the Gala off. Then, it’s off to your next assignment.”

I smiled, as Celestia flew away. The others laughed, and we went back to my flat. Little did I know, that it was all just a test.

“Master… He…”

“Yes, I know my child. One of our own, taken from us so quickly. The slaver was weak, though. He should have a harder time killing us.”

“But he will die soon enough…”