It was bitterly cold outside. I hate being cold so I put on the uniform given to me when I joined the royal guard. Today felt different. It felt like bad was lurking; this had me on edge and most knew it. I walked out of my quarters and everyone was running around frantically.

“Whoa! Whoa! Twilight what's happening?”

“Make sure you have your group together and get down to Ponyville!”

“Why?”

“Just do it!”

“Luna!”

“Talk to shadow whatever is going to happen is bad he wants us gone!”

“What?!”

“What the hell are you doing and why!”

“What?”

“You told Luna to have everyone out by noon, why?”

“What time is it?!”

“10am!”

“You guys need to leave, it's not safe here!”

“Why! Tell me why!”

“My brother came back and he has the intent to kill!”

“We can stop him!”

“You can't I know first hand!”

“If the whole royal guard can’t stop him what makes you think you can”

“I can’t and I’ll die trying but someone later will defeat him!”

“I'm not leaving you to die!”

He pinned me to the wall and said “I'm not giving you a choice in this, you leave here on your feet or being carried it’s up to you!” I pushed him away.

“You only ever think about yourself!”

“That makes sense yeah because going on a suicide mission to save hundreds if not thousands of others is selfish!”

“That’s not what matters, what matters is you didn’t stop to see what anyone else thought of this!”

“What they think doesn't matter, it never mattered what they thought about me! I don't do this to be a hero, I do this to save ponies. I'll die saving others or I'll die trying!”

“What do you want me to do? My best friend is going to get himself killed!”

“I want you to leave and make sure everyone makes it safely to Ponyville!”

“Fine! Be that way!” I made sure I was the last to leave but I never actually left whatever was happening here was not good and I wasn’t about to let shadow die. I saw Shadow's brother arrive a short conversation and they were fighting each other. Magic I've never seen before was used. Heavy dark magic was used as a big nope to all magic bearing ponies. A thick black mist covered the area where you could only see spells made by Shadow. Contact had been made but didn’t know by whom the blue and green spike rained down and ball of fire was thrown randomly into the mist. Contact had been made, but they had no idea who had rained down blue and green spikes and thrown the ball of fire at random into the mist. I couldn't see shadow or his brother only shadows spells. Finally some pony hit the ground hard. I left my hiding spot to see the action. As soon as I saw who hit the ground I knew I had to help.

“Hey!”

“Who are you!”

“I could ask the same question!”

“I'd have to assume Shadow is your friend!”

“Only the best!”

“You should’ve tried harder to keep him from this!”

“It’s his fault he’s here but I won't let him die to you!”

“Shining! Run while you—” a blood curdling yell came from Shadow as his brother dug his hoof deeper into Shadow's chest.

“I don’t think you were addressed Shadow, let your friend exercise his voice!”

“Whether I address him or not there are three of us here he can talk!”

“Maybe I just don’t want him to!”

“You’re sick!”

“Shining shut up you’re going to get yourself killed!”

“It’s too late for that he chose his fate when he came out from hiding!”

“Why are you here? Why are you doing this?”

“You wouldn’t understand and I don't feel like explaining!”

“You're an ill-tempered pony, you just don’t know when to leave somepony alone!” I cast a spell but by that time he had already cast one. I was thrown into the wall to my left and in a daze but I still heard their conversation.

“Shining! Shining!”

“If he’s still alive I’ll be surprised he hit that wall hard and if he is alive he’ll certainly never cast a spell again!”

“You took everything from me but you won’t take him” I watched with all I had as Shadow exploded into a ball of fire sending his brother quite far then I was out.

I woke up to the feeling of being carried. It was Shadow well what was left of him.

“Shadow what happened?” he didn’t respond and I didn’t think he ever would. His horn was broken and he limped on probably all four legs.

“Shadow stop! Shadow!”

“You can’t walk.”

“They’ll come back for us! take a break!”

“They won’t make it back in time. Look at you leg.” I hadn’t noticed it before but I was pretty hurt. My leg was primarily red, there was no way I was walking on it.

“How far?”

“Don’t know, shut up and save your energy you’ll need it” He was right I felt dizzy already. I relaxed but tried to stay awake. Time didn't exist. After what felt like days Shadow collapsed we were just outside of Ponyville.

“Shadow! Shining!” it was Twilight and Luna running frantically in our direction

“I don’t care about me how’s shadow.” It probably sounded more like a garbled mess but they looked at him first. It would be 2 days before I saw them again. I had fallen into a deep sleep I’m sure due to blood loss.

“Shining! Shining!”

“Huh? What?”

“How do you feel?”

“Is dead an option?”

“I guess but you’re not dead.”

“Twilight. What happened to Shadow?”

“Doc said you’ll be alright just a messed up leg.”

“Twilight.”

“He said you’ll need to practice spells again your horn was messed up”

“Twilight!”

“What?”

“What happened to Shadow?”

“He… didn’t make it Shining. We all tried to help him but he was to far gone”

“What!”

“I’m sorry! We tried so hard to save him but it was no use he wasn’t trying.”

“Did he say anything?”

“He never woke up.”

“What am I supposed to do now?”

“Remember to never forget”

The Letter

Shining Armor,

It was a great pleasure to serve with you but it was an even greater one to be your friend. I get you hate me for how things ended but please understand why I did it. Don’t let me being gone affect you friends come and go but memories stay forever.

I wish you the best, Shadow Colt, Red Mane.

P.S. Tell Govend I'm sorry Luna will treat him well.

Author's Note

I loved writing this even though it has its sad nature. This story was originally dedicated to my friend Brandon who about one month ago took his own life. he loved helping others and wouldn't stop until it was done right. He pushed himself very hard to be a good, reliable friend. I wish you well Brandon 05, 2006 - 01, 2023