Author's Note
I Will Protect You
All my friends surround me singing happy birthday, I smile and let out a giggle, feeling like I was getting too old for this. I just wish my coltfriend, Jaded Steel could make it. Unfortunately, he had other plans with friends for today.
I blow out the candles as everyone cheers. Pinkie pie set off her party cannon. I’m happy to see everyone was having a good time. Finally, time for presents.
Not many ponies were able to get me stuff this year, but I don’t mind. I'm getting older, and I don't need as much anymore. I'm fine with just getting one or two things that I need. I got a couple of new sketchbooks and some new books and quills and that's pretty much it.
We finish the party with cake and ice cream and I thank everyone for coming. After heading home, everyone shared a group hug. Ellie offered to walk me home but I told her I was going to be alright and that I could take care of myself. I walked out the door and began humming to myself with a smile on my face as I trot back home.
I admire the sunset as I let out a content sigh. It's been four years since I was attacked by Shadow Mane but things have been getting better. I haven't had a nightmare since the anniversary a few months ago and even though I do occasionally have panic attacks, they aren't as bad as the ones from before.
All of a sudden, I felt someone tackle me and cover my mouth. I let out a muffled scream as I felt myself being dragged behind a house. I managed to bite whoever was trying to attack me and ran for Jaded's house, it wasn't too far from here. I risked a glance behind me, trying to see who it was and my eyes opened wide. I began screaming out Jaded's name.
I reached Jaded’s house and frantically entered, slamming the door behind me. I lean against the door, shaking and panting as hoofsteps pounded down the stairs. Jaded appeared in the entry.
"Script?" Jaded asked. "Is everything alright?"
I looked at my coltfriend in terror. "It's Shadow Mane!" I panted. "He attacked me on my way home, but I managed to get away-"
"Whoa, hey, hey, it's alright." He interrupted gently, pulling me into a comforting embrace. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, he tried to attack me and now he’s chasing me."
A knock interrupted and I let out a frightened scream. Jaded put his hoof on my shoulder.
"It's alright, I'll handle this."
"Be careful," I said as I trembled.
"I will," Jaded said. "Go hide."
I nodded, backing away from the door, Jaded waited until I was out of sight before answering the door.
I peek around the corner, hiding in the kitchen probably isn’t the best idea, but I wanted to make sure Jaded was safe. Shadow Mane is waiting on the other side, his horn lit up, holding something out of sight.
"Hello?" Jaded asked.
“Hello, I’m looking for someone, you wouldn’t happen to know Script Singer, would you?” Shadow Mane’s smile almost looks menacing.
"I'm her coltfriend."
Shadow let out a chuckle. "I know," he said. "I've been watching you and Script for quite some time now."
"So you're stalking us?"
“Of course not, that would be wrong! After all, you two are very public in your affections.”
“Why are you looking for Script?”
“Oh! Just some unfinished business between us is all.”
“You’ll leave her alone, Shadow Mane,” Jaded growled. “I don't care what sick obsessions you have with her-”
The gleam of the knife in Shadow Mane’s grasp catches my attention..
"Jaded, look out!" I scream.
I realize my mistake as Shadow Mane’s eyes lock with mine and I duck more fully into the kitchen.. I hear Jaded cry out in pain and Shadow Mane teleport inside. I look around cautiously and feel him breathing down my neck. He grabs me, covers my mouth, and teleports back outside a distance away from Jaded, he’s bleeding from a cut on his shoulder.
"Script, no!" Jaded yells, galloping after us.
"Jaded, help!" I scream.
I watch Jaded follow us, his eyes ablaze with anger and determination. Shadow Mane tsked and began casting a spell, Jaded’s eyes slipped off our forms, no longer able to focus on us.
“Keep quiet if you know what’s good for you.” he purred in my ear, his knife caressing my neck. I whimper in response.
"Show yourself, you monster!" Jaded screamed.
Shadow Mane dragged me away from my coltfriend. “Such a fun little toy I’ve found, the Notice-Me-Not spell.” he brought up the knife, dragging it across my cheek, I cried out in pain. “Ah, ah, Flower, no noises.”
I hear Jaded's hoofsteps grow closer as Shadow Mane's grasp on me grows tighter.
Jaded then tackled him off of me. "Script! Run!" he yells. I scramble away, only making it a few yards away before stopping, trying to make sure Jaded is okay. I watch as Shadow Mane throws his knife at Jaded. Jaded dodged in front of me, blocking Shadow Mane from easy access. He planted his hooves, ready for a fight.
"You're not going to touch her!" Jaded growled. "Never again."
“I can do what I want, you, nor anyone else can stop me.” Shadow Mane chuckled.
Jaded shouted and charged, a well-placed strike to Shadow Mane’s horn causing it to fizzle out, catching the dropped knife in his own magic and turning it on its owner. Shadow Mane let out an enraged growl, trying to back off but Jaded tackled him, pinning him to the ground and stabbing the knife into his eye, he screamed a blood-curdling as tears began to form in his eyes. Jaded got up close and personal, I can only imagine his face with his back to me.
"Listen here, you," he growls, I can almost hear his teeth grinding together. "If you so much as come near Script ever again, Celestia help me, I will castrate you with a spoon and make you eat your parts."
He then threw Shadow to the ground and watched him scramble back to his hooves and run away. Jaded turned and galloped toward me with worry in his eyes.
"Script!" he exclaimed. "Are you okay?"
I shook my head as I began trembling anew. "Y-yeah, I'll be alright " I replied. The sudden realization hit me as I felt the tears stream down my face. I shut my eyes tight as I clasped onto my coltfriend sobbing. "Jaded…" I choked. "I was so scared…"
Jaded held me close and gently stroked my mane. "Hey, it's okay. I will not let him hurt you. Ever. Not as long as I'm around."
I pulled myself out of the embrace. "But… what if-"
Jaded grabbed me by the chin and stared into my eyes. "I promise. That monster will not be bothering you again anytime soon."
I just held him close as I wailed and sobbed as he stroked my mane gently.
Later, I lay in bed with Jaded, having calmed down by now. I was still a little shaken up by the event. Jaded lay beside me, his hooves encircling me protectively and gently stroking my mane.
"Thanks," I whispered. "For helping me out with him.
"No need to thank me, love. I'm here to protect you."
I snuggled up closer to my coltfriend and buried my muzzle into his coat. He chuckled and pressed a chaste kiss on my forehead, gently pulling the blankets up around our shoulders and flicking out the light. We would tell our friends in the morning and report Shadow Mane’s reappearance, but for now, I snuggle into my coltfriend’s warm embrace and drift into a peaceful sleep.
