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
It’s been two months… Two months since I was hurt I'm better now but I'm still in pain, not physical pain but emotional; I hurt for Blue. He’s been in this constant state of pain and anguish he contracted Changeling Fever but in the worst way possible I wish I was in his position he would be able to see how far we’ve come in pushing back Rusty and his minions. I started a special team of operators our best guys our mission was to tame the fury of Rusty and his beasts. We had succeeded there’s been no contact from them for 15 days, no sightings, no injuries, no casualties.
“Today we celebrate! We celebrate the absence of our enemy! The absence of our pain, anguish, and terror! But we reminisce about those who are lost, those who are hurt, and those who we still haven’t found. We will remember: Ace, Delta, Lanes, Salt, and Govend who gave all they had to protect those who needed them.” Luna was a strong pony but even she was hurt by the events we all lost somepony close to us. For her it was Govend.
“Luna!”
“Shining?”
“Luna, I want to make it right.”
“Shining you’re fine you couldn’t help it.”
“It still doesn’t feel right though.”
“It never does and it never will.”
“Luna, I failed you!”
“You didn’t! Now please just take your mind off it even if only for now and celebrate.”
“How can I celebrate without Salt or Delta?” me and salt joined the guard together we were inseparable when we joined then we both became captains. We kept in touch and when all this started happening me and him brought the idea of a special team to Luna. She liked it but she wanted to have me as the captain of it. Salt was fine with that and helped build the group up helping me and Luna decide on guards. Then Last month we had a surprise attack by the beasts Salt was the first one out. We were woken from our slumber so everyone was mad as hell. We made sure they paid for the disturbance. There were only a few left. I looked over and saw Salt he had been hurt.
[Flashback]
“Salt!” he was hyperventilating struggling with every breath
“You’re going to be fine, just hang on!” I tried to save him but everything I did was hopeless. I was causing him more pain by trying to help.
“Shining! Just stop!”
“I’m not letting you die here, you've come too far to die here!”
“There’s nothing you can do, it's too late for me. Just don’t forget me.”
“I’m not leaving you here!” I tried to lift him but his screams of pain broke me. I just couldn’t do it.
“I can’t leave you to die!”
“Then don’t leave.” I laid down next to him he was broken still hyperventilating but raspy
“You’re dying and there’s nothing I can do for you!”
“Just sit by me, don't send me off all alone.” I looked at him we made eye contact
“We did it for the greater good. We fought just like we wanted to shining. Now I'm going out in style.” he put his hoof on me and I did the same. He winced at this
“Sorry.” I looked over and he looked at me and smirked.
“I’m going to see my brother. I just wish you could.” he closed his eyes and that was it his suffering was over.
“Shining!”
“Hey.”
“I’m sorry about Salt.”
“It's ok he was happy, that's all that matters.”
“And what they did to Delta I can’t even begin to know how you feel.”
“I don’t want to think about it.” Delta was a newer member to the guard he was the youngest in the guard too. He caught on quick, followed orders, and quickly climbed to the top as one of our best. He was like my son. I'll admit I treated him nicer than the others. If he needed me I'd drop what I was doing to help. It was just the two of us we were on a scouting trip and we were jumped by the things. 2 of the five recognized me. They talked in a way that was barely coherent but they wanted revenge. Apparently I had killed their friend. They grabbed Delta and just beat him. They tortured him. There was nothing I could do while the two were beating Delta the three were holding me down. I was knocked out and woke up some time later. In my daze I saw Delta that woke me up quickly and I rushed to his side.
[Flashback]
“Delta! Delta!” his breathing was low and his pulse was slow
“Delta, Delta! Come on, don't give up.” I hoisted him up and onto my back and ran as fast as I could to Doc
“Doc! Doc!” no response so I took Delta to a room and put him on a bed. I searched for doc around the rooms but he wasn’t there. I tried my best to save him but he wouldn’t wake up.
“Shining! Shining! He’s gone even if you did wake him he’s too hurt to stay alive.”
“He’s too young!”
“I know.”
“There has to be something we can do!”
“Shining they mutilated him he would never be the same, it would be worse for him if we saved him.”
“So we just let him die?”
“Shining, he's already gone.”
“That's fine I get it. Go spend some time with Flash, he could use some cheering up.”
“Twilight, you know I don't like to do that.”
“Why though?”
“Because I can do nothing to help them.”
“You can give them a moral boost.”
“Fine!” I headed over to Doc’s office.
“Hey shining.”
“Hey.”
“Shining he’s not getting better it might be time to say goodbye.”
“He’ll make it out you’ll see.”
“Shining i don’t want you hurt when… IF he doesn't make it.”
“He’ll make it doc it’ll be fine.”
“I hope so for yours and his sake.” I decided I'd go and see flash first as he was awake and all.
“Shining?”
“Hey flash. How do you feel?”
“Like crap. I'm surprised to see you here.”
“Twilight made me.”
“Why don’t you visit?”
“Because there’s nothing I can do for you guys. I hate to see you guys not doing what you like.”
“This stuff goes by a lot faster when we can talk to ponies.”
“Yeah I guess that’s true.”
“I'm sorry for what they did to Delta, maybe if I was there.”
“They would’ve just gotten both of us.”
“Well you do have something to look forward to.”
“What?”
“Your son, he’s joining the guard, I thought.”
“No! I wouldn’t let him or Flurry not that she would want to.”
“Come on he’s got the best fighter in the guard as a father you’ll train him he’ll be as good as you.”
“That doesn’t matter, I don't want to see him get hurt.”
“You know that he’s wanted to work beside you, don't take that away because of what happened to delta.”
“This is different if we didn’t have a relentless enemy out there I would let him join.”
“How are you going to tell him?”
“For now I'll just decline his papers.”
“That’ll go over well between you two.”
“Look, I'll parent here!”
“Go ahead, no ones stopping you.”
“That’s a good thing!”
“You should go see Blue. He may not be awake but he’ll know you were there.”
“That was my plan anyways.” Blue's room was across the hall. Doc gave me a look as I entered the room. I stood there for a second as the door closed behind me. The machines beeped and whistled their readings coming from any of the probably hundred or more wires on him. He was supposed to join the group of guards tasked specifically for the things. We don't even know what to call them yet but they’re so dangerous we have a special force to deal with them.
“I wish I could ask how you’re feeling. Doc says you’re not getting better. He said I should say goodbye. I don't believe it. You’re going to make it out of this. Although you might wish you hadn’t made it once you find out what all has gone on. We lost Govend. That was a sad day for the whole guard. You don’t know how much you’re missed Blue.” I put my hoof on him as I left. One of the machines started beeping faster and louder. I walked out and told Doc about this.
“It's just his brain reacting to the touch; it doesn't mean anything.”
“Way to ruin a mood doc.”
“Sorry.” I headed back to our barracks ready to sleep the rest of this day away.
“Hey shining. Not celebrating?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“I’m not because my leg hurts like hell, what’s your excuse?”
“Same thing.” he looked at me then my legs then back to make eye contact.
“What’s eating at you?” He said with a sigh as he laid down his book.
“It’s Delta he barely had the chance at life.”
“He told me the day he joined that he couldn’t wait to start. Our first day out when we got into a tango with those things he stayed strong even when carrying Kick. That kid knew what he got into, he knew what could happen and he didn’t care. Don’t feel bad, he liked what he did and he wasn’t afraid when he died.”
“We need to come up with a name for those things.”
“You didn’t take in a damn thing I just said.”
“No, I did.”
“Cheer up a little tomorrow Shield can start working with you.”
“I’m not letting him.”
“What?”
“Not while certain death is waiting for him out there.”
“Shining, he's a mini you, the only difference is that he needs training which will come from you.”
“What if my training isn't good enough?”
“You have a whole group of guards that you have trained we’re the best in the guard.”
“My training didn’t work for delta.”
“Shut up! What happened to you? You used to never let anything get at you now you can’t have a full sentence without pity!”
“I won’t let him die, I'm not going to put him in a place where he will die!”
“Do you seriously think that low of yourself! So low that you think you can’t train him to be like you or do you think low of him.” his eyes went wide and he sat up in his bed.
“Shining i'm sorry! I-I overstepped, I'm sorry!”
“I expect you up 3am you’ll work until breakfast you’ll eat then work some more. Do you understand me!”
“Yes sir.”
“Now get some sleep, I'll need your help tomorrow.”
“May I ask with what?”
“Well since I clearly can’t train my son, you're helping.”
“Shining, I was wrong, you know how I am emotions rub off on me. I don't think you or your son is stupid I just don’t want you to think you’re not good enough.”
“I get what you’re saying next time just try a different approach. I also want you there to help me because you’re similar and without Blue around he’ll have a harder time making friends.”
“Do you remember the day you brought him in because he couldn’t stay with Cadance?”
“Yeah why.”
“I honestly thought he would’ve told you but he made friends with pretty much all of us that day. He's got an autograph of every guard that was here that day, even one from Shadow.”
“Yeah, I'd like to see that.”
“It’s true he showed me just ask him.”
“Alright, I'm holding you to that story.”
“Go ahead.”
“Oh, and don’t get up at 3am because I certainly am not.”
“Thanks.” I took a shower and hit the bed. 6am came quickly and I wasn't ready for what the morning brought.
“Alright, everyone up it’s time to roll, we have things to do, places to be!”
“It’s 6am already?” said Charge he was clearly wasted beyond life itself.
“Nice to see you had a good time last night. I’ll get you a coffee.” Everyone had a small laugh at this. It surprisingly didn’t take long for them to get rolling this morning. I had walked back into my quarters to grab something when Doc walked in.
“Shining, can we talk?”
“Sure.” He walked in and I shut the door behind him.
“Blue’s heart stopped last night. I was able to bring him back but he’s not better.”
“Remember how Blue said to get him if I ever needed anything? Well now I'm telling you the same thing if he needs it you come get me.”
“You have two kids and a wife. I'm not doing that.”
“I never said I would kill myself to save him.” Doc left the barracks and the rest of us followed behind him.
“Hey dad!”
“Hey kiddo!”
“Ready to work?”
“I am but you still need some training.”
“Well that is part of work is it not?”
“Yeah I guess.”
“Do you know where Ace is? We made a bet and I just won.” Everyone shut up real quick when he said that.
“Um… something wrong?”
“He didn’t make it Shield.”
“What?”
“He killed himself a little while back.”
“Why?”
“We don’t know.”
“Well what about Salt? I have something I have to give back to him.”
“No, not him either.”
“Salt didn’t make it!”
“He would’ve if he would have just let me try and save him.”
“I’m sorry i didn’t know this stuff doesn’t make it to non Guards.”
“I know.”
“I can only think of two others that I wanted to talk to.”
“Shoot.”
“Delta and Shadow.” My heart dropped. It's true these things don’t make it out of the castle doors, no civilian gets to know these things.
“I don’t even know how to tell you shield.”
“They aren’t around either are they?”
“Well yes and no Delta is gone but we're unsure about Shadow.”
“What do you mean?”
“I would show you but I can’t open the book.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll show you.” I walked him into the barracks and over to Blue’s desk.
“Look, this thing is locked up tight.” I tried to open it but of course I got nowhere. He asked to see it so I gave it to him.
“Yep locked up real tight.” He said as he opened it.
“What the hell?”
“Here.” he gave it to me and it of course closed.
“I didn’t close it.”
“I know you didn't close it; it closes to those who can’t open it.”
“Why did it get set up like this?”
“I don’t know. Shadow did it.”
“So this is your guy's reason for him being alive?”
“It's what's in it. Shadow still writes in the book we thought he was dead but there is writing from him in the book.”
“Shining! You’re wanted in Doc's office now!” I didn't even get to ask why before twilight ran off.
“Go find Charge.”
“I’ll just come with you.” I took a second to think about it but I didn’t want him there if it was a bad thing.
“I don’t want you there right now. If all is good, I'll send for you.” he sighed and walked out i hurried off to doc
“Doc, did you send for me?”
“In here!”
“What is—” he was standing next to Blue who was awake and responding to everything.
“Hey shining.” I stood there astonished. Not even an hour earlier Doc told me he had almost died.
“You-you almost died like an hour ago.”
“Doc was telling me.”
“Doc!”
“In here!”
“What the crap! I thought you died”
“That’s what I thought.”
“So wait how long have I been out?”
“More or less 2 months.”
“What!”
“Yeah it’s been a while. Doc when is he free to go?”
“Um, we need to talk first.” he walked out and had us follow him down the hall.
“It was the work of Shadow.”
“What?”
“You can tell Blue has more power now there was also a lot of power exchanged.”
“I felt it when I walked in but didn’t think anything of it.”
“I didn’t but I'll believe you two.”
“You used to be really sensitive to that stuff Flash what happened.”
“That time I got really hurt last year.”
“Either way if we didn’t have proof before we do now.”
“He left this.” it was a note that read All in Dew time.
“The hell does that mean?”
“I’ve got an idea but i’ll take it to my sister she’ll know.”
“Take it to the kid he has the book, maybe the answer is in the book.”
“I learned something today.”
“What?”
“Shield can open Blue’s book.”
“How?”
“I don’t know but I also learned that he has an autograph from Shadow.”
“Dude this guy barely knew your kid and your kid got more than I did from him.”
“When is he free to go Doc?”
“Take him, I have nothing more to do.”
“Flash tend to my group while I get Blue back in order.”
“Yeah sure um take it slow a lot has happened you know.”
“I know.” he exited and Doc gave me a look of concern and sorrow. I made my way back into Blue’s room
“Whoa whoa! I got you, I got you!” he tried to get up but slipped on something and was just precariously leaning on the bed and the wall
“Thanks.”
“What happened?”
“I tried to get up but as soon as I put weight on my legs they gave out.”
“It’ll be fine, you just need to regain strength.”
“Yeah I figured.”
“Come on, I'll help you out.” I helped him out and back to the barracks.
“Wait a minute.”
“Sit, I'll answer your questions.” He sat on his bed and I sat on the open one across from him.
“Beds are vacant, what happened to Ace, and the new guy?”
“They found Ace under a tree in the garden and he overdosed on some meds. As for Delta well…
“Ace killed himself?”
“Yeah I'm sorry I wish there was better news.”
“It’s my fault too.”
“What? No it's not.”
“It was when you got hurt I came in here mad. Me and Ace talked but it got heated and we ended up basically yelling at each other. He tried to calm it down saying you would make it through like always I retorted with ‘I'm sure you said that for shadow yet here we are.’ ”
“But why?”
“It just happened. What about delta?”
“Ask someone else I don’t want to talk about it.”
“How’s Govend been? You know I owe him a coffee. I guess I'll just talk to him later.
“Buck…”
“What?” Govend left his journal and a special deck of cards to Blue. I walked to my desk and riffled through the drawer until I found them.
“What are these?”
“Govend left them to you.”
“He left?” I lowered my head and shook it. I didn't want to say it but he wasn't getting the hint.
“He died, Blue, he told me to make sure you got these.”
“W-what?” He sat there looking at me for a second before falling into his pillow. I knew they were friends but I didn't know it would hit him this hard.
“I’m sorry Blue if it helps at all we haven't had any contact from those things since.”
“Did we lose anyone else?”
“In all we lost Ace, Delta, Lanes, Salt, and Govend
“What happened to Lanes?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Shining.”
“Same time Govend died. It was just a full on attack and we were caught off guard.”
“How!”
“I took enough time to push it out of my mind. I won't bring it back just to tell you.”
“Sorry, I get it.” I got up and walked to my quarters.
“Blue, you’re excused from duties for 2 weeks per Luna’s orders.” He said thanks and I shut the door. I sit here now at my chair even more curious about what's happened to Shadow. We have proof he’s alive but why doesn’t he just come back and why did he make us think he died?
Author's Note
Remember all of my stories are connected
Shadows Go Cold (What started all my stories)\
Blue Light