It had been quite the day we had a scouting trip go awry so we had to go find a few ponies. Luna keeps thinking she found shadow and the guard as a whole is just not ok. It's been 2 years since we lost Shadow so the wound was still raw. It was recognized what he did for us but we also realize how little we did to help him in all honesty we probably did worse for him.

“Shining (Shining Armor)!”

“What?”

“Look at this!”

“No! Not you too!” It was a photo of the forest just outside of canterlot in it was a figure very closely resembling Shadow

“It looks so close to him though!”

“He’s gone twilight! He’s gone! We saw it with our own eyes! He's dead! What don’t you understand!” Tears started to well up in her eyes. I knew I had screwed up.

“Twilight I'm sorry… I just… I don't want false hope.” she looked down and ran away ‘Great I've screwed up now.’ I thought to myself.

“You’ve got to get some help.” Said Garring he was new to the group and the first Griffon I ever had.

“What do you mean i'm fine she’s messed up.”

“If you’re fine then you would console her not yell at her!” He was right and no matter how much I hated it I couldn’t get mad.

“I know I just… it’s not that I'm not ok I’m just tired of hearing it.”

“It’s going to go on until they figure out he’s truly gone and when that day comes you’ll really hate it.” he walked passed me

“Also we have a new guy coming tomorrow he’s… well you’ll see.” I didn’t know whether to be sad or happy about that. I mean I'm happy to accept somepony but the way he said it was well… not comforting. It was late so I went to sleep. I swear that as soon as I hit that pillow I was out.

I woke up to the sound of knocking. I looked at the clock and it said it was about 6am ‘great this will go real well’ I thought as I got up and quickly dressed. I opened the door to see Flash (Flash Sentry)

“You’re wanted in the break room, it's about the new guy you’re getting today.”

“What has everyone up about this new kid?”

“You’ll see.” We went to the break room. I expected there to be a few ponies there at this time but I underestimated by a long shot.

“Wow everypony is here!”

“Have you seen that new kid you’re getting today?”

“No. I haven’t gotten him yet.”

“His real name is Crimson Shadow but he goes by Blue Light. He is very similar to Shadow both in his name and how he looks.”

“Ok so?”

“You know how a shadow could change the way he looked color wise.”

“Yes.”

“This guy can too.”

“Ok? I’m still lost.”

“We don’t want him.”

“That’s why you guys aren’t getting him.”

“That’s not what we mean we all agree you should turn him down.”

“What? Have you lost your mind? We can't turn a pony down simply because he looks like another pony!”

“How can you be ok with accepting him, he's exactly like Shadow. Was Shadow not your friend?”

“You have lost your mind if you think I'm going to turn a pony down because he looks like Shadow. Shadow was my friend! That’s why I'm ok with accepting this kid! He would want us to move on! He never cared that we liked him, he never did this to be noticed or famous or liked he did it to help others. He would want us to move on! I’ve started, why don’t you guys! You ponies are pathetic. If I find out that you did anything to him or my group I’ll rain down hell on you! I left slamming the door behind me normally. I could just wait for the new recruits to come find me but with the way they were acting I had no doubt they would get in this kids way.

“Hello, I'm looking for a Shining Honor. Can you help me?”

“Are you Crimson Shadow?”

“Yeah, who are you?”

“I’m Shining Armor, the one you’re looking for.”

“Oh yeah, Shining Armor not honor, sorry.”

“It’s alright the rest of the group is in the quarters just down the hall I’ll introduce you.”we didn’t even make it into the doorway before he just stopped.

“Something wrong?”

“There’s a Griffon in there!”

“Yeah, He’s ok don’t worry trust me.” I basically had to drag this poor kid in there but finally he would come in just enough to be seen.

“Alright this is Crimson Shadow he’s the new arrival” of course garring was the first to speak to him he wasn’t taking the hint to simply shut up,

“Do you have a nickname?”

“Um… my friends call me Shadow.” my eyes went wide and then closed as I dipped my head i looked up and I could see it in their eyes they went from OK to very uncomfortable real quick.

“Those from Shadow's group are excused.” The five of them left as crimson looked at me puzzled.

“I’ll tell you later” I told him. It didn’t take long for him to make friends well… with everyone but those from shadow’s group and Garring. Garring tried his best to not be scary but it wasn’t working out too well the kid simply wouldn’t get close. I pulled the kid aside to talk about earlier.

“So you were puzzled about earlier.”

“Yeah I'm quite confused.”

“About 2 years ago we lost a pony named Shadow Colt.”

“The memorial on the wall?” We made a small memorial in Shadow’s honor recognizing all he had done for us. I still had mixed feelings about it because it wasn’t something he would’ve wanted but we all have to compromise somewhere I guess.

“Yeah he did a lot for the guard and he was loved by all of us but he gave his life to protect us from a bigger enemy one that us combined wouldn’t be able to stop.”

“Sounds like a good pony.”

“Yeah, if only he knew that’s what we all thought.”

“What do you mean?”

“In my opinion we kind of failed him, we never showed him that he was appreciated and we never thanked him for anything he did.”

“I’m sure he knew or else he wouldn’t have stayed.”

“Yeah I sure hope so.”

“Would it help if I went from Crimson Shadow to Blue Light?”

“Don’t change yourself to appease the others. They’ll get over it or they’ll live with it…or they’ll do something stupid.” Those words bothered me. I didn't think they would do anything to him directly but with them anything is possible.

“I’m not wanted, am I?”

“They don’t want you but I do.”

“Maybe I should just leave and come back later. I mean I'm assured a spot.”

“No, they may not welcome you but I do.”

“How long have you known Shadow?”

“Years. The memorial and log books don’t show it well but the whole time he was here was about 15 years. Well there was a 5 year break for him but I still knew him.”

“So he gave a lot of time to this.”

“There were days he wouldn't even sleep. He was always ready to get something done.”

“What was the enemy that he fought?”
“He claimed it was his own brother and I believed him. He was pretty close to the way Shadow looked.”

“How do you know?”

“I was there, he didn't want me there but I stayed anyway.”

“I’m sure he appreciated it though.”

“I don’t know, sometimes I wonder if he would’ve lived if I wasn’t in his way.”

“Don’t think that way.”

“Saying he would’ve died anyways?”

“You’re making it very hard to help.”

“Don’t worry, I'll be fine.”

“You don’t sound like you’ll be.”

“Yeah I've been getting that lately.”

“Get help then.”

“I don’t really talk about my feelings.”

“So then what the hell did you do there?”

“I told you about Shadow, that's all.”

“Yeah ok whatever you say.” He walked away but I couldn’t stop thinking about what he said. Was I really OK or was I falling apart? A couple months past nothing fun or exciting happened but tension was building between the guard. This banjo string could only get so much tighter before it snapped and when it did I wasn't sure what would happen. I did the usual patrolling of the palace and this took around an hour. When I made back to the quarters something was off.

“Hey kid.”

“Oh hey.” These words quivered as they came out. He was scared of something. It didn't take me long to see that he had gotten into a fight.

“Did you win?”

“Win what?”

“Your fight.”

“Oh… I think." It was everything I had to keep my composer and not blow up. Not at him but at the other group. I thought I knew who’s group did this but I wanted to make sure who it was.

“Who did you beat up?”

“I don’t know his name but he was orange in color with a blue mane.”

“Wait Flash?”

“I guess.” I was astonished. I knew Flash was uncomfortable around him but I wasn’t sure why he would do this. I made my way to the break room where I found Flash and Lanes.

“You need to get your guy under control!”

“Shut up before I put a pony sized hole in the wall.” Flash was upset but not at me. I came in mad but when he said that I realized there was more to it.

“What happened?”

“It was my fault I instigated it.”

“Why?”

“It’s just weird having a replacement Shadow around.”

“That’s not what he is.”

“That’s what it feels like I mean he looks almost the exact same!”

“That's not what he is trying to be.”

“I know it’s just uncomfortable.”

“When he joined he offered to change his colors and be Blue Light. I told him no, that he didn’t need to change. I think maybe I should take him up on that offer but on one condition.”

“What?”

“You guys have to act like he’s just any other pony in the guard, don't avoid him, don’t start fights, and don’t look at him as a Shadow replacement.”

“I can do that.”

“Then I'll take him up on the offer.”

“Thanks I guess.”

“How’s your… well everything.”

“He can fight that’s for sure.” After making Sure Flash was ok I went back to the quarters.

“Hey kid, do you remember the offer you made me when you joined?”

“Yeah about being Blue

Light.”

“Well I'll take you up on the offer but only if you still want to.”

“Yeah I’ll do it.”

“You’re sure.”

“Yes.”

“Alright, they're just not ready for somepony that looks like Shadow.”

“That’s why I made you the offer before I figured this would happen.”

“Huh. sorry." It was late in the day so I headed to my quarters but I stopped before leaving.

“Hey when the… Whoa, that's completely different!”

“Yeah, white and blue are pretty far from dark gray and red.”

“Umm anyways when the rest of the guard comes in let them know I went to sleep.”

“Yep.” I went to sleep but I didn’t sleep long, maybe about an hour. I was woken up by Govend. He was never one to disturb anyone so I assumed it was urgent.

“Hey what’s wrong?”

“The last scouting trip never came back; it was Garring and Crimson.”

“What was their path?”

“The edge of the timberwolves line.”

“The kid has only been here 3 months and you guys send him to the timberwolves line?”
“Flash suggested that they go.” I pushed past Govend and headed towards Flash’s quarters but he met me halfway.

“I promise there was no ill intent.”

“Then why did you suggest them?”

“One was good at navigation and the other was good at fighting.”

“You know Blue doesn’t like Garring!”

“Look I wasn’t trying to hurt either of them, I didn't know they didn’t get along!” he was genuine so my anger turned to worry.

“Alright you’re coming with me.”

“I can’t Luna needs me, I'm already late to see her.”

“I’m going alone then.”

“That’s not safe and you know it.”

“I don’t care!” I grabbed some armor and headed out with where they were at. The armor wouldn’t do much but it was worth a shot. I knew the path they were supposed to take but I stopped when I saw blood. There was no reason for blood unless the timberwolves had pushed further into canterlot . I looked up expecting to see one of the timberwolves but there was nothing. I followed the blood for as long as I could.

“Shining!” it was a quite yell he really struggled to get that out.

“What the hell happened!” Garring looked like he had been hit with something big but this was just Garring, Blue was nowhere in sight

“The timberwolves they must have pushed farther in.” he was clutching his chest which was red for the most part.

“How bad is it!”

“It’s bad! I sent Blue to get help. I couldn't walk any farther.”

“I’ll stay here with you.”

“Thanks.”

“How long have you been alone?”

“Long enough to see the moon go from the east to where it is now.” I looked to see the moon was making its descent on the west side.

“It's been a long time, did Blue know how to get back?”

“He started in the right direction.”

“We just wait then. How did Blue seem around you?”

“He was not ok the whole time.”

“What happened to him that he doesn’t like a Griffon?”

“Could be anything”

“I don’t know even the guys that were taught griffons were bad get along with griffons”

“Oh well it happens.”

“Has he tried to make conversation?”

“Little.”

“What happens when you try?”

“Very short.” We stopped talking for a while to just listen. The sounds were nice; you don’t get them in your quarters.

“How’re you feeling?” I looked over to him. It was dark so I couldn’t actually see much other than his outline. It had been maybe 20 to 30 minutes since I made it to him.

“Garring.” He didn't respond so I said it again louder and I hit his shoulder. Nothing

“Shining!”

“Lanes?”

“Blue made it back he said Garring was still out here we told him that you came out.”

“Garring is here but I think we’re too late.”

“What!”

“He’s not responding, we need to get him back!” We both struggled as we tried to hoist him up but finally the both of us were able to carry him even with the both of us it was a heavy load. By the time we made it back the top of the sun could be seen.

“Shining!” Twilight's eyes went wide lanes, looked at me and I looked back. I think we both hoped she was just surprised to see a pony carrying a griffon but we knew that wasn’t it.

“Is it bad?”

“Umm… well… just take him to Doc.” her eyes welled up as she walked away. The other ponies that gathered all looked down as we walked by. I knew what was wrong. I just didn’t want to believe it.

“Dr. Whooves!”

“What can I… umm… wha–t happened.” he walked over, made one look and shook his head. He guided us into one of the rooms and we laid Garring down on the bed. I hadn’t realized how bad it was until now.

“There’s nothing I can do, he's not here anymore.” We heard the door open and it was Blue.

“Doc!”

“In here!”

“How bad…” he stood there wide eyed. I didn't know what his reaction would be since they didn’t actually get along well.

“He’s in a better place, there's nothing I can do.” Doc and Lanes walked out.

“This is my fault”

“No it’s not Blue.”

“If I had just waited for you he would be alive.”

“You didn’t know I was coming.”

“If only he was a pony.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Why does he need to be a pony?”

“It only works on them.”

“Trust me it’ll work on him.”

“How would you know you can’t even cast a spell anymore!” He was right ever since I got hurt in that fight against Shadow’s brother I couldn't make spells. I had injured my horn so now every spell was painful.

“Whoa, I wasn't trying to be mean!”

“Sorry, you should go shower, you look nasty.”

“Nah, I was planning to eat before showering.”

“You do you but sit at the far corner where I can't see or smell you.” We both laughed at this. I made my way to the shower. It would feel great to get sleep. I've been up for 24 hours by now. With Garring gone I was unsure what to do next.

“Shining luna wants you!” It was uncommon for Luna to send twilight to get me. Whatever it was, it was important.

“Let me shower.”

“I personally would like you to take a shower but she requested your immediate arrival.”

“Is it life or death?”

“I don’t know.”

“She can wait, she'll appreciate me clean.” I took a quick shower and then ran to Luna. The guards stopped me though.

“When were you asked to be here?”

“Twilight sent me.”

“Oh that’s right, sorry.” Usually Luna sends Govend to go get ponies but today was different.

“Luna.”

“I sent for you a while ago.”

“I showered, it wouldn't have been right for me to come in here with how I looked.”

“Actually I'm glad you showered. I saw you guys come in this morning.”

“Yeah.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk about.”

“I figured.”

“How is he?”

“Garring?”

“Yes.”

“He didn’t make it.”

“I’m sorry I didn't know.”

“It’s alright I feel bad for the new kid Garring sent him for help but it didn’t work out.”

“Wait, Garring sent him for help?”

“Yeah that’s why he came back.”

“Chaser said he left Garring out there purposefully.”

“What?”

“I found it hard to believe but I know you went out there so I wanted to know what you knew.”

“Garring sent him for help as he couldn’t walk any farther.”

“Govend!”

“Yes.”

“Go get Chaser.”

“How come I always have to go get him.”

“Does Govend not like Chaser?”

“Chaser can get pretty annoying.” It didn't take long for Chaser to get here but there was awkward silence the whole time.

“Luna you sent for me.”

“You told me Blue purposefully left garring out there.” Chase looked at me with a with disgust.

“That was an assumption based on the way it acts towards Garring.”

“Seriously you called him it he’s a pony just like you and Luna and me Chaser!”

“Chase there is a particular set of standards one has to meet to be a royal guard, and more yet to be the captain of it. You must be willing to risk everything for the country and ponies you are defending. You must be prepared for battle, you must be quick to react when needed, and most importantly you must always put other ponies ahead of yourself. Not everypony is made to bear it. You’ve proved over the past few days to be incapable of these standards. I'm relieving you of your duties.” He sat there in stunned silence.

“You should be gone by morning lest I have you forcefully removed.” Chaser left in anger.

“I expected consequences but not of this caliber.”

“He was getting very unfit for the job. I was only going to demote him but when he made his
statement on assumptions I decided he should be relieved. We work on facts not assumptions.”

“If it’s ok I haven't had sleep for about 24 hours.”

“One last thing.” She walked over to her desk and opened the top left drawer. Out of it she pulled a blue and gold lock box. She opened it and pulled out a journal.

“This was Shadow's, he left it to me. I think you should give it to the kid.”

“Are you sure? He left it to you.”

“He said he wanted somepony to continue his legacy and only the right pony could open it. The kid is the one.”

“If he gave it to you then he knows you can.”

“I can’t and neither can you” she hands it to me.

“You were right. Why would he lock it like this?”

“I don’t know but if anyone can open it it’ll be Blue.”
“I’ll bring it to him.” I headed back to the quarters where I knew Blue would be

“Hey Blue.”

“Oh hey Shining.” He looked stressed as he sat on his bed

“Something wrong?”

“I just…” he got up and hugged me “I'm so sorry it’s all my fault.”

“None of this is your fault this is what happens we protect and serve others at the expense of our own safety he vowed to help others even if it meant he died so did shadow.” he stepped back and looked at me.

“You don’t understand I could’ve saved him.”

“I know he didn’t let you, he told me.”

“I should have anyways.”

“Let me tell you of my first battle as a member of the guard, stallions were taken that day. Good stallions with families and friends and ponies who cared about them. The changelings were defeated by a few cannons, and a bit of magical aim helping some spears and swords. The grounds were cleaned up and replanted, lives mourned and then laid to rest. We all moved on, it seemed, but me. That day was the first time my career viewpoint changed. In my childhood dream, guards sacrificed their own safety to protect others. It's still that. Yet, it means watching ponies you love like siblings die for a worthy cause. The grim reaper devoured Royal Guard ponies, demanding payment. The death of loved ones is scarier than your own. I still think about that.”

“How are you ok?”

“I talked to my family about how I felt.”

“I can’t really do that.”

“Too far away? You can take leave if you need, I'll grant it.”

“No, my dad is out of the picture and my mom died.”

“Oh! I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine I never told you.”

“You could talk to Twilight, she would listen.”

“I’m just a random pony who won’t talk to me, she's royalty.”

“I’m her brother, I could get you in if you wanted.”

“Wait seriously!”

“You didn’t know?”

“I had no idea that’s cool!”

“Oh anyways I had this.” I pulled out the journal I had been carrying and handed it to him. “This was Shadows' journal.”

“No it can’t be.”

“It is. Luna specifically told me to give it to you.”

“Really? I can’t take this, I'm definitely not the one to get this.”

“Open it.” he sighs and opens it. It actually opened for him “wait it seriously opened holy crap!”

“Yeah, it opened its a book!”

“watch.” I tried to open it both with my hooves and with magic but to no avail.

“Wait, you really can’t open it?”

“No I can’t.”

“It doesn’t matter, I can't take it, the pony was a legend, I'm just a pony.”

“He wanted this. It’s in the letter he left to Luna.”

“I just…” he said as he was flipping through the pages. His eyes went wide when he made it to one of the pages.

“What is it?”

“This page has my name on it!”

“Let me see.” He passed it to me out flat as soon as it left his hooves it closed.

“You know I can’t open it.”

“I didn’t close it!”

“You read it.” He flips through the pages to where he was.

“It says ‘to Blue Light or Crimson Shadow whichever you go by you are probably very confused on how this journal works and how I know who you are. I leave this journal to you to fill it with your adventures. It will only open to you and will close if someone takes it while open. There will be a day where you have to fight the same battle I died to. I can’t say how it will turn out. Use my stories to your advantage. I wish you the best of luck. Also tell Spike I’m sorry for being distant. I feel bad we never got to talk. I'll miss everyone. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.’ How did he know me? He said how he knew me?”

“There’s so much we don’t know and will never know about him.”

“I guess I have no option but to take this now.”

“Yep, it's yours.”

“Thanks I guess.”

“Don’t thank me, thank Luna if she didn’t think of you this wouldn’t have happened.”

“I can’t really thank her, you know I can’t go see her.”

“I’ll tell her you said thanks.”

It had been 2 months since Blue joined and in that time we somehow had someone get fired and someone pass away. I had a decision to make. Go on like I was or see if somehow Shadow was still around. That can wait till tomorrow I need sleep!

Author's Note

All of my current stories are connected make sure you read them you'll get a better understanding and different points of view.

Shadows Go Cold (What started all my stories)

Blue Light