So apparently Shining has a son I never knew about. Flash got hurt in a fight the day I got out of the hospital so much for 15 days free of the Abhor. Rainbow Dash came up with that name. She's pretty cool but she doesn't come around too much. They say she’s a good flier but they haven’t seen me fly yet. We’re supposed to get two new guys today Sky Raider and Copper Blade Shining wants me to get them that’ll go great.

“Blue, I told you to get the new guys.”

“Oh, sorry.” I hustled out and through the castle but I stopped when I saw flash. He had gotten hurt and lost vision in his right eye; he was still struggling to walk.

“Hey flash you’re doing better.”

“Hah, thanks kid.” I stood there for a second just thinking why did the world have to be this way, why can’t we just get along. I snapped out of it and ran past him to the front gates. I saw Copper Blade immediately all I could think was I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.

“Copper Blade?”

“I am. Who are you?”

“I’m Blue Light.”

“Well I'm looking for Shining armor.”

“He sent me to get you.”

“Ok.”

“I still have to get one other guy.” We walked around a bit and I finally spotted a guy looking similar to Sky Raider.

“Please tell me that's not him.” The guy looked like he drank 12 sodas before coming out here. We looked at each other for a second.

“I think we should just not.”

“Shining would kill me.” we made our way over there cringing the whole time

“Hello?”

“Oh hello, do you know where I can find Shining Armor?”

“He sent me to get you.”

“Ok cool. We walked back to the barracks. Raider didn’t shut up the whole time.

“So what’s it like being a Royal Guard?”

“You’ll see.”

“Whoa she’s cool.” I looked to my left and saw Rainbow Dash.

“We're almost to the barracks, let's hurry up.” We made it there quickly and Shining met them at the door.

“Hello you must be the new guys.”

“Yep I’m Sky Raider. I don't know his name. We haven't really met yet." Of course he talked first.

“I’m Copper Blade.”

“Nice to meet you two…” I started to get impatient. I wanted to catch Rainbow Dash before she left.

“Do you have something you need to do Blue?”

“Yeah.”

“Go ahead.'' I ran to the courtyard where I last saw Rainbow Dash. I looked around but she was nowhere in sight.

“Dang it I missed her”

“Missed who?”

“Ahh! Oh no one, don't worry about it.”

“Come on who?”

“Twilight.”

“I’m just trying to help.”

“Ugh I was looking for Rainbow Dash. She was out here a while ago.”

“Oh she’s over there.” twilight pointed to the coffee shop.

“Oh thanks.” I made my way over and tried not to act like a stalker. There was a line but I was able to get in right behind her.

“I've never been here before, what would you suggest?”

“Oh I didn’t see you come in. I like the medium frappuccino with two extra sugars, a shot of espresso, light cream, and caramel drizzle.”

“The what?” she giggled

“Don’t worry I'll get you one.” we waited in line and got our drinks

“So why did you decide to be a Royal Guard?”

“Honestly I had nothing better to do.”

“I guess that works.”

“This is actually a better drink than I expected.”

“Glad you like it.”

“Did you ever get to know Shadow?” her smile faded as she shifted in her seat.

“Sorry, nevermind.”

“No it’s alright I never got to know much about him, only what twilight sent in letters. He seemed like a good guy. I wish I came up here more often when he was alive. He seemed like a good pony.”

“I didn’t get to know much. I wish I knew more. I mean he knew my name before I knew his.”

“What do you mean?”

“Apparently Shadow left his journal to me but he died before I became a guard. I don’t know how he knew me.”

“That is weird.” She was getting uncomfortable so I tried to change the subject.

“You can fly pretty well.”

“Thank you. I've never seen you fly but I’m sure you can.”

“It’s been a while you don’t need to fly as much in the guard.”

“I’m going to teach some lessons for some kids later want to join

“It’s a date… I mean a plan… I mean yes I'll join if you still want me to.” she laughed at my utter screw up but allowed me to join.

“It’s not for another 30 minutes so take your time.” She got up. I assume to get ready I took some time finishing my drink and went back to the quarters.

“Hey shining, can I get some time off for maybe four or five hours.”

“Four or five hours! What for?”

“Rainbow Dash invited me to help her teach some kids.”

“You have a date with Rainbow Dash?”

“It’s not a date!”

“Hmm… ok sure whatever you say.”

“So… am I free?”

“Yeah go ahead.” I still had about ten minutes so I went to find her

“Blue over here!” I turned to my left and Rainbow Dash is walking a small group of kids to the field

“Hey so what exactly do you teach?”

“Some of the kids needed general help learning to fly, others were learning tricks and things.”

“Oh ok that’s cool.”

“Today is the last day.”

“Ah yes graduation.”

“Pretty much it’s just going to be a showing off kind of day.” we made it to the field and took flight

“Ok everyone, so today we’re just going to show off what we’ve learned. I have a friend with me today everyone say hello to Blue.” the kids said hello at least I believe that’s what they said. There was only about 10 minutes left in the ‘lesson’ so Rainbow Dash decided to show off her greatest trick, a rolling dive to the ground with an inverted lift she said.
“I mean I get you’re like the best and all but are you sure?”

“Yeah we’re good.” She went for it. We were pretty high up as she went for her inverted lift and she stopped and darted upwards.

“Ok sorry about that due to some unnoticed issues i’ll have to cut class a little short.” she looked at me swallowing hard

“Don’t go down there.” she whispered.

“Why?”

“You don’t want to see what I just saw.”

“Let's get them back I need to see so I can report to Shining.”

“You’d rather not see it but ok.'' We rushed them back to the courtyard and after making sure they were safe we headed back.

“Was it really that bad?”

“You’re on your own down there I won’t see it again.” We made it back to where she saw it. I went to the tree line and descended slowly. I didn't have to see. I could smell it. I was only 15 feet from the ground but against my better judgment I descended more. What I saw can have no description. I don't know how she held it in but I didn't know what was left of it was everywhere something had happened here and I wasn’t sticking around to find out.

“Blue! Get up here! Quick hurry!” She said I flew up so fast whatever was down there with me got pushed away.

“We’re going now.” We flew full speed all the way back. I kept up somehow. Maybe she wasn’t going full speed as she was afraid of leaving me behind. We landed the visible terror on our faces for all to see.

“Are you guys ok?” A random pony said from across the courtyard.

“Yeah we’ll be alright.”

“Come with me back to the barracks.” she looked at me and nodded visibly shaken and in horror. We made our way to the barracks but I stopped her before we made it there.

“He is going to ask you questions, do you want to do this?” her eyes welled up and she started to cry. I did my best to comfort her.

“Look it’s ok you don’t have to, I'll just tell him what I saw and you can wait outside if you want.” she nodded and i went in while she stayed behind.

“Shining, we need to talk now!”

“Come into my quarters.” We entered and as he was shutting the door he saw Rainbow Dash.

“What happened?”

“We both saw something in the forest by the field near the courtyard. I would tell you to look for yourself but trust me when I say you don’t want to.”

“Did any of the kids see it?”

“No sir.”

“Describe it.”

“There is no description. What once was is now simply all over the relative area.”

“You mean…”

“Yes sir, I don’t know what would cause this or do this but yes.”

“Could you make out who?”

“No sir”

“Color, cutie mark?”

“The mark wasn’t visible. I think the color was black…” that's when I realized what Rainbow Dash ws talking about. Whatever did It was waiting, waiting for me to get just a little bit closer.

“That’s not the right color, that was the color of what did it.”

“I’ll send a team out.”

“No, don't! It’ll just get them killed.”

“Let me talk to Rainbow Dash.”

“Shining, be careful, I don't think she’ll want to talk if she’s even still out there.”

“I understand.” I walked out first where I was met with Rainbow Dash and Twilight.

“Twilight.”

“Could I ask you some questions if you’re alright with it?” Rainbow Dash nodded and Shining shut the door behind her.

“Twilight I don’t know what could do that.”

“Why did you make her go back?”

“I didn’t make her. She could have stayed in the courtyard with the kids.”

“Why did you need to see?”

“I had to report it to Shining.”

“You couldn’t have let her do that?”

“She's too shocked and scared to talk about it. I'm sure what we saw was enough to if you had given him the book it would’ve been worsescar her.”

“And yet you made her go back.”

“I didn’t make her do anything!” Just my luck for Luna to come walking around the corner.

“Yep, I'm getting fired.” Shining and Rainbow dash walked out.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” Luna asked as she gave me the death stare

“Rainbow Dash an Blue were in the field by the courtyard teaching some of the kids Rainbow dash went to do a trick and saw something in the forest. From what I gathered from Blue it was not a pretty sight and it’s no longer a safe place to send anyone.”

“I’ll have to go see for myself.”

“Luna! I understand you’ve probably seen plenty of terrible sights but this is one you’ll wish you never saw.” Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement.

“Ok well according to Shining it’s something that might need cleaning?”

“You’d be better off letting it rot away. I would feel bad but I don't think it's safe to send anyone over there both physically and mentally.”

“Ok, I will trust you guys in this because I know I can trust you two. There’s still one thing to be settled though what was happening between you two?”

“After Rainbow Dash saw the scene they took the kids to safety then Blue made Rainbow go back so he could see and report it to Shining.”

“I didn’t force her to come with me. I'll admit i didn’t tell her to stay but I didn’t tell her to come with me either.”

“He’s right, I did come on my own accord.”

“Ok, I see no issues here then.” She walked away and I turned to Rainbow Dash.

“You don’t think I made you come do you?”

“No.”

“Blue I’m sorry it’s just not normal for Rainbow Dash to go back to something that’s scared her this much.”

“I understand.” Twilight left and Rainbow Dash started to follow her

“Wait Rainbow Dash.”

“You can call me Dash you know.”

“Oh ok, lok if you want to talk I'll be here.”

“That was my friend.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay at least they can’t feel pain anymore.”

“You look like you could get some sleep.”

“I can’t sleep after that.”

“It doesn’t hurt to try.”

“I have to get back to my place.”

“Sleep here no one will bother you, it's not the first time a non guard has slept here.”

“I don’t know.”

“I’ll stay here, I have nothing else to do.” She finally decided to try and sleep, nothing much happened until the funeral. They held a funeral for Dash’s friend. I didn't learn until today that Rainbow Dash was a guard, well kind of she was more of a spy kind of position. We were allowed to bring a friend if we wanted but I didn’t think it would be right to take Unyielding Shield. Me and I have gotten along really well. I figured he would be wary around us but he seems to get along.

“Blue!”

“Twilight.”

“Did you bring anyone?”

“No, I kind of thought it wasn’t right. It's not a wedding, it's a funeral. I also didn’t think bringing Shield would be smart.”

“You and him get along real well.”

“Yeah, I'm surprised. Who did you bring?”

“Flash.”

“Oh. How is he?”

“Eh he’s ok not doing great but able to walk comfortably.”

“That’s good, I'll go talk to him later.”

“There’s a spot at the table for you.”

“Thanks.” I spotted Rainbow Dash and Flash talking so I made my way over. I put a wing on Flash.

“Hey how are you?” He shook me off.

“Don’t pity me!”

“I’m sorry I just wanted to know how you were doing.”

“I’m fine, thanks for asking!” he walked off.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“He doesn’t like it when people pity him. His thought is he does this for the greater good if he gets hurt, ponies should just understand.”

“I get it but jeez that's a little rough.”

“Yeah.”

“How are you doing?”

“I'm vertical.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be it’s not your fault.”

“I promise there will be a day where the Abhor can’t hurt you. I may die trying to make that happen but it’ll happen.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep Shadow did the same thing I think that’s why he went on his suicide mission. He knew he would die but he thought that was the price to pay for the promises he couldn’t keep.”

“I’ll keep this promise. You will see a day without the Abhor.”

“I want you to meet someponies.” She had me follow her to the other side of the courtyard. The yard had been picked up and trimmed. The trees in the center looked great; the pink and orange blooms added a burst of color usually missing.

“These are the WonderBolts you’ve probably seen their airshows but they’re more than that.”

“We’re a special forces team put together by Luna and Celestia at the start of these attacks. We do more than just fight though we coordinate your guys next move where you go, how you go, and how many go.”

“Sounds like a big deal.”

“We’ve only heard good reports on you compared to others you hold yourself together out there.”

“Thanks.”

“These guys can’t be killed, you've never seen them out there but everytime you guys go out they follow.”

“I’m glad to know someone’s got my back.”

“Always.” Rainbow Dash walked away but i still had questions for the WonderBolts.

“Who is she to you guys?”

“Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah.”

“A friend that we can count on to be there when we need her, trust me when I say you don’t want to be on her bad side.”

“Well if you don’t mind me asking who is-

“The pony the funeral is for? Well…” he held up a photo that was lying on the table. It was the four of them Soarin’, Fleetfoot, Spit Fire, and Fire Streak.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It’s ok. She was a great pony and she liked what she did.”

“That’s true.” I figured there would be a time of remembrance you know, some time of rest but there we were the next day suiting up to push back the Abhor.

“Shining, I don't feel good about this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Something is going to go wrong.”

“You always feel this way.”

“This is different. I don't think you should have Shield come out with us.”

“It’s too late. I made a promise to him.”

“Shining this is different. I really think he’s going to get hurt. I don't want that to happen.”

“He’s not weak, he can hold himself.”

“I know maybe it is just me.” There we were trying to push back the Abhor. I knew our WonderBolts were in the sky if not we would be overrun. Shield was to the front of the group unable to fall back. I was held up by two in front of me and shining had a guy on him. No one had any worry of Shiled’s abilities until he yelled I looked up and he was overrun. It was him on five I ran through my opponents and plowed into one of the Abhor that was it I blacked out. When I woke up I was tied to a chair. Shield was about 10 feet away. I heard noise so I prepared for what it might be.

“Your friend is still asleep huh not for long.” He grabbed a slab of something off the table no more than a few steps from Shield and swung it at Shields' horn. It didn’t break but I've never heard a scream so loud it was so full of pain.

“You sick Buck!”

“Hah feels great to be on top!”

“Only a sick buck like you would find this amusing!”

“You know there was a time Shadow loved this too.”

“Maybe but he’s not that way anymore.”

“That’s right because he’s dead.”

“How could you kill your own brother?” Shield was still wailing I know he was hurting but the magic suppression ring on my horn kept me from doing anything

“Gah! Shut up kid!”

“Shield! Shield! Look at me.” he looked up at me, his eyes bloodshot.

“It’s going to be ok just stay strong.” His eyes burned me; they were full of pain and terror.

“Look, this can all end if I just get one thing that you have.”

“What?”

“Shadows journal.”

“I don’t carry that on me you would know you have my bags.”

“Yeah I know.”

“What do you want with it?”

“He kept all of his secret spells in there and I want them.”

“You’re not getting them!”

“We’ll see about that!” He made a spike using magic and held it to Shields chest.

“Now you either give me the book or i’ll make sure he hurts for the rest of his life.”

“Don’t do it Blue.”

“No one asked you!” He pushed the spike harder onto Shields chest causing him to yell and bleed.

“You determine this Shield you’re in pain I’m not!”

“Don’t give him anything!” His voice is full of grit and bravery but of fear and pain as well.

“Well you sound like you could use some persuasion.” Without hesitation he thrusted the spike into Shield he Screamed in agony all Rusty did was smile

“How do you like this?”

“The pain of others is fun. You don’t Laugh when the foal falls on his face?”

“No, I'm not a sick buck like you!” Shield looked up at Rusty and a red smile crossed his face.

“You're not getting anything from us. I'll die before you get anything from either of us.”

“Fine if I can’t cast spells neither can you!” picking up the plank he had before he swung it at Shields' horn It shattered. A blast of white light and wailing that could make one go deaf followed.

“NO!” I used all my energy, everything I had and I broke free from the ties after removing the ring I cast a blow off spell. It was from Shining's journal. Its purpose was simply to push everything away. This sent Shield, Rusty, and my bags flying at least 100 feet. I jumped up and bolted for Shield. Rusty was already gone somehow but the shield was still on the ground. I ran to grab my bags where I had some medical stuff and a blanket. I wrapped Shield in the blanket tightly and put him on my back. I wanted to get out before Rusty got back.

“What is happening?” Shield had woken up. I'm sure me carrying him wasn’t helping his pain.

“I’m taking you home.”

“I think I need to puke.”

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” that didn’t work he ended up falling off and puking there.

“Well I guess this is just as good a place to check.” I unwrapped the blanket and it was clear he needed bandages or he wasn’t making it home.

“This is probably going to hurt.”

“Why?”

“Because the bandages have to be tight.”

“Could we just not have bandages then.”

“I think your father would like you home alive.” I pulled the bandages from my bag and started to wrap them around Shield everytime he yelped. I died a little more. I had let this happen, it was my responsibility to protect him and I failed that.

“Done.”

“Good gah my head hurts.”

“Get some sleep, kid, it'll keep you from feeling pain.”

“The pain keeps me awake.” He started to cry. I knew he was in serious pain. I could see it in his eyes.

“Ahh dammit kid what do you want from me? I'm trying my best here.”

“Just make it go away!” We stopped and I let him back on the ground. I embraced him in a hug which he didn’t fight and we just sat there. He cried until there were no more tears and didn’t stop there. He cried until he finally fell asleep at nightfall.

“Alright let’s get you back home kid.” I put him back on my back and walked the rest of the hour and thirty minutes home. When I got back everyone was asleep except for our barracks. They were still searching. Shining was back he must have just gotten in as he was taking his armor off. I walked behind him to Shields bed and placed him down trying not to wake him. I sat down on his bed.

“Shining.” I whispered

“What!”

“Quiet down, he's asleep.” he started running over but I stood up

“What happened to you two.”

“Rusty kidnapped us.”

“I’ll kill him.” I moved out of his way so he could see his son. His eyes went wide and he embraced his son in a hug. I unwrapped the blanket surrounding Shield this gave a more clear view of his horn.

“Rusty did that?”

“Yeah. I never wanted this.”

“So he won’t even be able to cast anymore spells.”

“Give him rest. He needs it after today.”

“What did Rusty want from you two?”

“He wanted Shadows Journal. He said it had secret spells in it and he wanted it from me. Shield was just ‘persuasion’ as he said.”

“Sick buck!”

“I should’ve given him the journal.”

“What? No!”

“So this is fine?” I looked at Shield and back to Shining my hoof pointed to Shield.

“No it's not but it would've been a lot worse for both of you if he got the book.”

“I have to change these bandages hopefully without waking him then i'm going to sleep somehow.”

“I’ve got the bandages go to sleep.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

And now here I am not sleeping because I can't. I figured writing this down would help but I realize now how stupid I was. I only hope tomorrow will provide some relief. Shield is up again, his horn is killing him. I wish I could make his pain go away but I can't. I'll search this book until I go blind for a spell to help him.

Author's Note

Remember all of my stories are connected

Shadows Go Cold (What started all my stories)

Shining Armor Chronicles