Night Stalkerby dragovin08ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6: FinalChapter 1The night was cold and the breeze blew rustling the leaves of the trees. Coming upon Ponyville was a tall black figure walking slowly with hooked chains dragging on the ground. A young stallion was heading back to his house after a long night of hanging out with his friends. Opening the door the figure was in the view from his window. "Gwah!" The stallion jumped startled, not noticing the figure standing in the view of his window," Are you lost?" The figure didn't speak a word, it just stood there like a statue. The figure opened his eyes revealing two blood red, pupil less eyes and he out stretched two large hand like appendages from his back. "What are you?" The stallion said in fear. Around the corner Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell, and Applebloom (Who snuck out because they thought it would be fun.) stopped staying behind a wall of a nearby building "That looks like Aeon," Applebloom said in a low tone. "It does but why does he have those things coming out of his back?" Scootaloo said in a low tone also. With a small movement of the figure's arms the chains moved like snakes grabbing the stallion's legs and lifting him into the air. "HELP ME!" The stallion screamed. It stood staring at the stallion with its blank eyes, then with a flick of its wrist the chains pulled away from each other tearing the stallion in two. Blood spilled out like a water fall from the lifeless stallion. Dropping the bottom half the chain holding the top half lifted the carcass towards the figure. It drank the last remaining drops of blood from the carcass before dropping it. The cutie mark crusaders were traumatized by what they saw, never had they seen such murderous intent of death in front of their eyes. They were so fueled with fear that they were to scared to move, Applebloom looked into its eyes and saw no remorse in those blank eyes, just hatred and the satisfaction of the smell of death. Though they were infatuated with fear, the figure turned around and went back into the forest where it came out from. At the moment the figure went back into the woods, the three of them darted back home as fast as they could. Sweetie Bell got to her house and slammed the door behind her. The sound woke Rarity up and she came downstairs to see what was going on. "Sweetie Bell, what's going on?" She asked Sweetie Bell who was panting like a dog. "I don't know, but I saw Aeon or something that looked like him..." She stopped herself still shocked by what she saw. "You saw Aeon or whatever it was do what?" She asked in a concerned tone. "I saw it kill a stallion!" Sweetie Bell screamed still in fear. "Are you sure? Cause Aeon wouldn't do such a thing." "I don't know... but it almost looked like him but it had red eyes." "Red eyes?" Rarity was confused by what Sweetie Bell just said," Well that's odd because he has green eyes but don't fret Sweetie Bell I'll talk to him tomorrow." "Okay," Sweetie Bell composed herself. It was the next day and the mane six and Aeon were passing by where the stallion's body laid. There were guards around the place and Aeon walked over there. "What happened here?" He asked one of the guards. "A ponycide, some pony found his body right in this spot, poor guy was ripped in half," The guard replied. Aeon looked at the body, still freshly killed but drained of blood," Any markings of hands?" "Hard to tell if he was dug up or drained dry, but one pony said they heard a scream last night but couldn't see whom it came from." Aeon looked at the wall next to him were markings written with blood," these don't look like claws but it must have been something with really big hands." "Huh, I never thought of it that way," The guard said," Do you know what it says." "It says- death shall come in the shadows for it stalks through the night," Aeon said reading the markings. "So it's saying that it attacks at night." "Maybe." "Aeon," Twilight said," Can we talk to you?" "Of course," He walked over to them," What is it?" "This way so they don't hear us." "Okay," They walked far enough to where the guards wouldn't hear them," Okay so what is it?" "Rarity why don't you go first," Twilight said. "Last night Sweetie Bell came home acting like she had just seen a ghost, she said that what killed that stallion looked almost like you," Rarity explained to him. "Me? But I wasn't even out last night, why would she think I did it." "She doesn't know, the only thing she said it looked like you, but it had blank red eyes." "Red eyes?" Aeon began to ponder grabbing his chin with his thumb and pointer finger," That's odd." "Applebloom said the same thing too, that what killed that stallion looked like you Aeon," Applejack joined in. ".... this doesn't make sense, why do they think I did it?." "I don't know but she said it was also a black color." "black skin?" "Yeah, and something about hands coming out of its back." "Hands?" Aeon was confused to the point of fascination. "Aeon do you know anything about something that looks like what we just said?" Twilight asked. "Not in the slightest," He pondered," I've never heard of any kind of creature like that." "Maybe we could look through some books." "Maybe but just give me sometime to think." "Alright." Aeon began walking trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but nothing was adding up. It could be something from the old legends. He though. Yet there were many legends he's heard of things that kill others, so it would be hard to know. He arrived at Shoeshine's place (since it was where he was staying.) opening the door walking upstairs to see what she was doing. She was sitting on her bed reading a magazine not even paying the slightest attention that Aeon was back. He leaped like a frog and landed on the bed scaring her. "You scared me," She whimpered. "Well that's what you get when you don't pay attention," He joked with her sitting up. "So, now how was it?" "How was what?" "Your time helping Applejack." "Oh, it was fine." "I just heard that there was a killing last night." "There was." "do you think those gargoyles are back?" "No. if they were there wouldn't even be a body," He paused moving closer to her," I think it's something else." "Really, do you know what it is?" "If I knew, I would have told you." "That's true," Shoeshine rested her head on Aeon's chest," But whatever it is I know you'll take care of it." "And you know I will," He chuckled, then laid down," I just hope it's no army setting a plan to make an ambush or something in that nature." "Let's hope not then." She sighed and Aeon ran his fingers through her mane, she could feel the tips of his claws rubbing against her head. They felt so good and so relaxing that she quickly fell asleep. Aeon noticed and began thinking again Whatever this thing is I won't let it terrorize Equestria. Chapter 2It was now the next day and Aeon was now on a extreme want to find out what this new terror was. Aeon saw a group of guards near a house, another killing had happened over the night. Believing that he would find more clues he walked over there. "Same thing?" Aeon asked. "Yeah, another pony was killed last night." Aeon turned his head to see if they were bringing out a body," Where's the body?" "Everywhere." "What?" "Look for yourself then." When Aeon looked inside he was speechless from what he saw. There was blood all over the walls, floor and ceiling. Smashed organs on the walls with the indication of large red hand prints, intestines were hanging on the ceiling dripping with fresh blood. "My lord be it thee, may you save us from this monstrosity," Aeon prayed. "That's not all," The guard said. Both the guard and Aeon walked inside, under his feet he could feel the squishing of the carpet full of blood. They went into the kitchen of the house and on a picture frame on the wall was the pony's head smashed on it. Its eye balls were hanging down looking at the floor, bits of brain and skull were scattered all over the wall and teeth were on the floor. Aeon's chest had a heavy pounding; he felt sick to his stomach, he had never came upon a scene of such brutality. Aeon began coughing as if he was going throw up, he ran out of the house and grabbed on to a near by wall. His head felt light and his legs were shaking, feeling weak. "My god," Aeon said under his heavy breathing. "Ever since he got here bad things have happened," One mare said talking to another. "I know it's like if he's some kind of omen, first those gargoyles now this," The other mare responded. Aeon over heard them and began to think that this is happening because of his presence here, that everything he's done in the past has came back to pay their debt. He composed himself and began heading towards Twilight's place; on the way there he thought that whatever this thing was it was out of blood. Coming upon Twilight's house he looked into the window and saw Cranky Doodle talking to Twilight. "This lizard thing has been causing nothing but trouble Twilight, we need to convince the princess to banish him from here," He said to her. "And for what reason?! If he didn't come back to fight against those gargoyle things we all would have been torn apart," She responded being rational. "It's been a year and now something else has came to Ponyville trying to drown us in fear and death, and I think it's because of his presence," He added. "Well you can't prove that, why cause he's different, cause he comes from a different place?" She asserted. "That and there's just something about him, something that he's hiding from every pony, something he keeps in the shadows, it's something that makes me think he's not what he seems to be," He confessed. "He has no home left, he's the last of his kind, and this place is all he knows now, so what difference does it make just because he's not a pony or a colt, Spike's a dragon and you don't complain about him." "Well Spike's been here all his life, that zenthian has only been here for a year, and trouble's stirring up again and it's scaring every pony, so take that into account Twilight, do you care more about this zenthian or the safety of Ponyville?" "Well if you want to banish him, then do it yourself because he's my friend and I can't," She remarked. "Fine that's your choice, but when this monster you call a friend stabs you in the back don't come to me saying I was right," He addressed harshly heading towards the door. Aeon overheard the conversation and began to feel mistrusted of them becoming suspicious of him, but he knew if they found out about his full past they wouldn't see Aeon, they would only see a monster. Cranky Doodle opened the door and saw Aeon, he said nothing and passed him only giving him a look. Aeon went inside to speak with Twilight. "You overheard that didn't you?" She stated. "Yes I did but thanks for sticking up for me Twilight, I really appreciate that," Aeon softly remarked. "Every pony thinks that you're some kind of demon that has only brought danger upon us." He sighed, "I know." "But I know you're not," She turned herself to face him," Cause you care a lot about everyone and I know you do those things that has been happening recently," She gave a little smile. "I heard that they're going to try and banish me, but just like I said before I'm not going anywhere." "Yeah, but enough of that I found a book on ancient tales and myths, I think this could help us find out what this thing is." "Let's just hope that," Aeon addressed. Twilight used her magic to lift the book and bring to each other. She opened it turning its old pages, the book had tales of every race from all over the world. " Wow, just look at all these old tales from all over the place it's just mind blowing," She said in astonishment. "Wait! I think I saw something," Aeon stopped her from flipping the pages. "What is it?" She said in a worried yet curious tone. He flipped one page back over her shoulder and came upon a two page section with drawings of every kind of zenthian but these looked different, they had long claws, spiked tails, white eyes, and a dark grey skin. "These zenthians look so different from what they're usually described as," Twilight said looking at the picture," Do you know what they are?" "They were what we were before our instinctual feral side," Aeon answered. "Feral? What do you mean by that?" "When the world was first formed zenthains were all over the world but as creatures that acted on instinct, but as time went on and the other races couldn't handle their ferocity they captured all the zenthains and put them on an island covered by fog. That soon came to be called Lacerta by us as we began to learn from each other becoming thinking creatures," He explained. "Really?" "Yes, it's said that even some of the strongest of warriors can't take down a feral zenthain." "But how did your kind get to the state it is, well was now?" "No one really knows, as time went on our feral side became forgotten," Aeon touched his black stripe that went down his back," Yet we always know it's there with the black stripe down our backs." "I can't believe that just looking at these pictures then looking at you, it's almost as if I'm looking at a completely different creature." "I know but let's keep on searching." While Twilight and Aeon searched through the book, the sun had set and the night fell upon Ponyville for death shall come in the night. It was silent and it gave an uneasy presence in Ponyville. Heading out working late was Fancy Pants with Fleur with him heading to Rarity's to see her new project. He was looking sharp as usual with his suit, tie and monocle. They were both walking under the moonlight with not a care in the world. "I must say, the moonlight is quite lovely," He said to Fleur. "Why yes it is," She replied. They kept on walking, then they heard a sound. "Did you hear that?" Fancy Pants said in unease. "Yes, I did it sounded like chains rattling and dragging." "I know," He stopped and looked into an ally way right next to them think that there was someone there. "Come on Fancy Pants let's keep moving I don't like being out here," Fleur fretted. "You go on ahead I'll catch up," He insisted and looked deeper into the alley way," Hello?" Fancy Pants began to turn around but then he heard a sound again, he turned his head and in the blink of an eye a large hook at the end of a chain came down. Its tip stabbed right through the top of his skull killing him instantly; he fell lifeless and was quickly dragged into the alley way. Fleur came back to the alley to see if fancy pants was okay," Fancy Pants... Fancy Pants where are you?" She looked in the alley way from where she was standing but couldn't see a thing. then falling down in front of her was Fancy Pants' dead body hanging on a chain. His eyes were limp, blood was running down the hook and there was a huge hole in his chest where his heart was. Fleur screamed at the top of her lungs seeing that Fancy Pants was dead. Yet that wasn't the last of it, she heard a chewing sound then a swallow behind the body. Standing behind it was the figure with its blank red eyes staring at her. Fleur was so enthralled with fear that she was too afraid to move, she shook intensely wanting to beg it for mercy but looking into its eyes it would give no mercy. It opened its mouth slightly having a slight glow it revealed its long, slender and sharp teeth. Creating a crooked tooth smile, it reached out its arm towards her. Its arm was black with long thin fingers and claws with a chain welded to its fore arm. At that moment she attempted to run but the figure was too quick and grabbed her by the tail. It had the strength equivalent twenty bears, picking her up like a rag doll and swinging her into a wall. She fell down, then it picked her picked her up and swung her again breaking her spine. It did this again and again until her blood immensely stained the walls. then the merciless beast dropped her and Fancy Pants leaving them to become a feast for the rats. The figure crept away slowly into the night leaving death in its tracks and staining its hands with blood once more. Aeon searched vigorously through the book but found nothing of what the others described this thing to be. "There's nothing here," Aeon bellowed," There is nothing!" He threw the book across the room in defeat. "then we should get the others and discuss this matter," Twilight gave note of. "We should... let's go." Chapter 3Aeon and Twilight left the house to go get the others to see if they could help figure this out. "Oh, hello Aeon," Rarity said. "Rarity I need you to head to Twilight's house, it's urgent," Aeon quickly saying as if he was panicking. "What happened?" She asked. "Nothing we just need some help." "Okay I'll head over there right now." "Good, I still need to go get Pinkie Pie." "Okay then I'll see you over there," Aeon ran off heading towards Pinkie Pie's place, while Rarity closed her door and ran towards Twilight's. Aeon arrived at Pinkie Pie's and knocked on the door, and she opened it quickly. "Pinkie I need to head to Twilight's and pronto," He panted. "Why?" She asked. "It's urgent." "Okie doki," She closed her door and headed towards Twilight's with Aeon. Heading back Aeon noticed out of the corner of his eye the bodies of Fleur and Fancy Pants. "My god," Aeon uttered," What is this thing?" He knew about Fancy Pants and how Rarity worked for him but for him to die in the brutal manner this thing killed him was something else. He sighed out of his nose and moved on since he knew the guards will find the bodies. Aeon arrived back at Twilight's and the others were there as well. "I hope you have a good reason why you woke us up and gathered us here," Rainbow Dash barked. "Yeah, what's going on?" Applejack asked. "Let's go inside, I need your help," Aeon said.. They all went inside to start discussing about whatever this new terror was. "So what do you need our help for?" Rarity asked "I need your help because nothing adds up, the way you all described this thing has no relevance what so ever," He explained. "Do ya think it's some wild animal?" Applejack asked. "With something that can kill as brutally as this thing, no, it's smart and stealthy and I know it can think since it leaves no trace of its identity," He claimed. "And we need to know how this thing's pattern is so we know when and where it will strike," Twilight told them. Aeon grabbed the book on the floor and looked at it, the words began to flow through his head. Death shall come through the shadows for it stalks through the night. Those words kept running through his head like a broken record. Things were coming apart and piecing together like a puzzle. It stalks through the night. Was only left running through his mind then it finally came to him. "Night Stalker," He mouthed. His eyes widened and his heart felt heavy as if it became a ten ton weight. He dropped the book and looked at his hands they were shaking beyond belief. "It can't be, it can't be," He muttered in fear. Memories, memories he wanted to forget raced through his mind taking him back to a time of insanity. He looked up to the orange sky watching the black clouds race backwards. Then he looked down and saw other zenthains that he recognized impaled by spikes and hooked chains, their blood running out of their bodies and their bodies absent of life. Aeon looked back down at his hands covered in blood now. He looked at the dead zenthains again and they were staring at him with a haunting vision. "we will always follow you," Their haunting chorus echoed. "No, no! Please stop, please!" He cried holding his ears and waving his head as if he was crazy. looking down was a puddle of water and he looked at his reflection. Yet it was of a hooded figure looking at him with blank eyes. Then it reached out and grabbed Aeon by the neck. It uttered," Puny weakling." Aeon snapped back to reality shaking vigorously with a face as if he just died. "Aeon are you alright?" Fluttershy asked. He turned his head and looked at her with such fear in his eyes that it seemed like he wanted to commit suicide. Then the room went dark as all the lights went out. "What's going on!?" Rainbow Dash began to feel afraid. "Ow! Who stepped on my hoof!?" Twilight said. "More importantly who turned off the lights?" Rarity said. "I don't know cause none of us were near the switch," Aeon said. A dim light began to show in the back of the room, they turned to see a distorted and dirty pegasus standing by it. "Can you help me? I'm lost," The pegasus said, his unnatural voice echoing through the room. "Wait, how did you get in here?" Applejack asked the pegasus. "I'm not sure, I just found myself in here," The sound on a chain slowly dragging on the ground started to emanate throughout the room. Aeon looked at the pegasus, his eyes were gouged out, one half of his was torn with scratches, some of his upper and bottom lips were ripped off and blood was running out, his wings were broken and one of his legs were covered in maggots. "Whoever you are c-can you please leave?" Fluttershy said in a soft yet frightened tone. "Why? I just need some help," The pegasus said. Then two chains grabbed Rarity's hind legs lifting her in the air and wrapping themselves around her body. Rarity screamed as she felt the chains tightening themselves. Aeon turned and looked at the pegasus who was attempting a huge crooked smile. Aeon came to his senses, running and striking the pegasus. It flew and landed on its back then disappeared. It was toying with them but that didn't matter, Aeon walked towards the chains. Rarity could feel the chains beginning to break her bones, she could hear cracking and a immense pain in her body. He grabbed the chains; using his full strength he broke them apart. Aeon thought it was the end of it, yet it was only the beginning. Feeling hands come upon his shoulders the Night Stalker swung Aeon into a book shelf. It looked at Aeon with its blank eyes. It increased the light only by a little to reveal itself; Aeon was shocked to see what it looked like, for it looked almost exactly like he does. Yet on the sides of its head were two horns, a white stripe going down its chest and a smaller tail. "What are you?" Aeon whispered fearfully. "The same you," It answered with a groggily voice," And the sins of the past." The Night Stalker closed its hand to strike, it swung but Aeon moved his head. It hit the book shelf making a hole in it. Aeon tried to swing but the Night Stalker turned into black smoke. "Huh?" Aeon was confused. Hearing chains link back to together, one of the chains whipped up sending Aeon flying out and breaking the door. The Night Stalker turned back to normal in front of the door, the large hand like appendages stretched out. Now out in the moon light Aeon could now see the Night Stalker clearly and believed he had the advantage now. He jumped to his feet and charged at the Night Stalker but this was no gargoyle king. One of the appendages came down and smashed down on Aeon. The large appendage came off of Aeon ad moved back to its original spot. Again Aeon got to his feet, he tried to kick it but his kick was blocked. He swung his fist and it was blocked by the Night Stalker. Every attack he was making fail as if the Night Stalker could predict and read his movements. Both large appendages came down on Aeon but he stopped them using his hands. He was using every bit of his strength to not get overpowered by the Night Stalker. Then the chains whipped down, the hooks stabbing into Aeon's shoulders. Aeon grunted in pain and let go, the large appendages smashed down on Aeon. One of the large hands picked him up and threw him into the air. The Night Stalker turned around and swung over his slamming Aeon into the ground. Aeon again got to his feet and pulled the hooks out, he did it quickly even though the pain was unbearable. Turning into a puff of smoke, the Night Stalker appeared in front of Aeon to strike him down. Aeon swung his fist but the Night Stalker blocked it and held it in its hand. The Night Stalker grabbed Aeon's upper arm and with a quick movement bend Aeon's elbow backwards breaking his arm. Aeon screamed and screeched in pain making the heavens know of it. Aeon held his left arm and tried to kick but the Night Stalker pushed his leg down. Then he felt cold metal in his right side and warm blood trickling down his body. The stab wound was not deep enough to kill him but the Night stalker wasn't done just yet, it moved the hook down making the opening bigger causing Aeon to lose large amounts of blood. Aeon's vision began blurring out," You don't exist," He mumbled," You are nothing." "Defeating a demon has created a new one," The Night Stalker whispered," From sins of the past." Turning into black smoke the Night Stalker crept back into the shadows. Aeon was too dizzy to move and fell to the ground. "Sins of the past," He murmured before blacking out. Chapter 4The sun was fully risen and Ponyville was safe for the moment. Shoeshine ran to the hospital where Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were waiting for her. "I came here as soon as I could," Shoeshine panted," What happened to him?" She was worried and they all noticed it. "We got attacked by something and he ended up fending it off but it gave him a good beating," Twilight answered. "Where is he? I just need to see that he's okay," She panicked worried about Aeon. A doctor came into the waiting room," Are you the ones who are waiting for a Mr. Aeon was it?" "Yes," Twilight said. "Okay, well he is awake but he's barely in a stable condition." "What about Rarity?" Spike asked full of concern. "With her there was a lot of trauma put on her body and it has set her into a coma." "Oh, then we'll go and see Aeon then." "Right this way." The doctor lead them down the hallway to a door that was at a corner, He opened the door and there laid Aeon in a bed. "Here he is, now he's very fatigued from the lack of blood so it's a struggle for him to stay awake for long periods of time," The doctor explained to them. "Okay," Twilight responded. "You're lucky you brought him in when you did, any time later and he would have died," The doctor said," But he'll make it." They were quite relieved to know that Aeon was going to be fine, even though he didn't look it, his eyes were barely open, his broken arm was hanging from a strap from the ceiling and the iv stand had multiple blood bags hanging on it. "If it's not too much to ask, can I go see Rarity?" Spike asked the doctor. "Course you can right this way," The doctor took Spike escorting him to Rarity's room. Shoeshine walked up next to Aeon," Aeon," She said. He slowly turn his head and looked at her," Shoeshine," He softly said. "I'm just glad that you're still alive," She rejoiced putting her hoof under Aeon's right hand. He looked at the others. "Where's Rarity?" He asked. "She took in quite a bit of trauma and the doctor said she maybe in a coma for a week maybe a little longer," Twilight explained to him. "Damn it," He said trying not to yell since it would hurt," I'm going to find away to stop that Night Stalker." "But right now is not the time Aeon you need to recover from your wounds," Twilight addressed," And you know that thing is too strong and if you fight it again, it'll probably put you in worst shape or even worse... die." Aeon didn't say anything and moved his head back sighing," I know," He responded. "We should go see Rarity," Applejack said. "Yeah lets go," Twilight responded. Twilight and the others left the room to go to Rarity's, Shoeshine stayed with Aeon. She laid her head on his chest. "Huuuu, oh what am I going to do about you?" She said in a relieved tone. "What do you mean?" He asked. "You're just so reckless, but can you promise me one thing... Aeon," She said softly. "What is it?" He asked. "That you won't try and fight that thing." " I don't know if I can completely promise you that," He avowed. *** A week has passed and Aeon was able to get checked out since he was in a more stable condition. His wounds still hurt and the stab wound was almost completely sealed up, though his broken arm won't be fully healed for awhile. He walked out of the hospital with Shoeshine heading back to her place. While at Shoeshine's he wasn't able to do much because she wouldn't let him. So he mostly walked around the shop doing little things. "I'm going to head out Aeon, you think you'll be fine by yourself?" She asked him. "Yeeesss," He answered. "Okay," She closed the door, heading out into town. Aeon just walked around looking at the shelves fixing the horseshoes. A few minutes passed by and Cranky Doodle walked in. "What are you here to do chew me out?" He snarled," Cause I get enough of that from everyone else." "No, I'm here here to talk," He responded. "And about what!" He bellowed," If you've got something to say, then say it you jackass." "Fine it's just many of the ponies in Ponyville think that you're a big part of these recent events." "No, that's what you think because ever since I've made my place here you've been trying to take me out," He hissed. "Look I'm trying not to get you angry, but with these weird events going on has every pony scared to death." "And yet you jump to jump to conclusions! That oh, if we banish the big ugly lizard all our troubles will go away," He mocked Cranky Doodle.. "And how can you prove that because when you came here those vile gargoyles came with you! " Cranky accused Aeon. "Get out my sight," Aeon threatened, walking up in arms reach of Cranky Doodle. "Why did you even come to Equestria in the first place? you know don't belong here and yet you stay." "I said get out of my sight," He threatened again, looking at Cranky Doodle with eyes enthralled with rage. "I know you're hiding something and I think whatever is killing those ponies has something to do with what you're hiding." "It has to do nothing with that." "Are you sure lizard? Because when I look in your eyes I see a killer and monster," He accused Aeon. "What did you say to me!" He roared grabbing Cranky Doodle by the neck, lifting him up and slamming him into a wall. "You see you're no different from a monster," Choking under his breath. "I'll kill you right here, right now," He growled. "Go on then do it or are you just talk?" He sneered. "You're just talk and you're in my way!" His pupils began to constrict as he was looking at Cranky Doodle, his breathing heavy and his teeth closed on each other. "You don't think I know what you've done," A lie he told with Aeon's grasp becoming tighter crushing his throat. "YOU KNOW NOTHING!" He growled wanting to crush Cranky Doodle's throat. The color in his eyes began fading into a darker color. Kill him, A voice began echoing through Aeon's ears, Make him suffer, The voice was haunting and controlling, grasping Aeon tightly, Paint the walls with his blood. Aeon dropped Cranky Doodle to the floor, grabbing his head with his still moving arm. Cranky Doodle got up and stormed towards the door, but before leaving he said," I will find a way to get you out of Ponyville, even if it causes my own death I will find away to get you out of here lizard, because you don't belong here." Aeon said nothing and just stood there grabbing his head, for it hurt to even think right now. His eyes were back to normal and full of fear and confusion wondering what that voice was in his head. Shoeshine waltzed in back from where she was still as care free as ever. Aeon had let go of his head making it look like he was fine. "Did Cranky Doodle come in? Cause I just saw him passing by," She asked. "Yes," He grumbled. "For what?" "To talk." She turned to Aeon seeing that he was angry about something, she moved herself away from her desk and towards Aeon," What's wrong Aeon?" "Nothing." "You're a bad liar, I can see something's got you irritated, just talk to me don't try and push me away." "Well it seems that the great and wise Cranky Doodle likes to stick his ass in places where it doesn't need to be, thinking that I am the cause for these recent events," He ranted. "Why?" "I don't know to be honest with you Shoeshine," He said rubbing his eyes. "Aeon you've done nothing wrong and I know you're not the cause of these events." "How do you know Shoeshine? You don't know nor do I because maybe it was I that caused this." "Now don't start talking like that you know as well as I do you've had nothing to do with these events." Aeon sighed turning his head opposite of her direction," What if that thing was something I've been trying to forget, something I've been trying to let go but haunts me till this very day?" "And if it is than all you can do is live with it or face it," She smiled at him and he turned. She went to work and Aeon walked up stairs to the bedroom and laid down for a while. It was the middle of the night and Aeon woke up, lifting himself up like a dead man rising from the grave. He walked down stairs, walking light on his feet so Shoeshine wouldn't wake up. He left the house headed towards Twilight's place. After a few minutes of walking he made it to Twilight's house, looking up he saw the lights were off in the windows. He knocked on the door waiting for her to come open it. After a couple minutes she opened it still half asleep. "Uuhhh, who is it? It's late you know," She even sounded half asleep answering the door. "Twilight I need to ask you a favor," Aeon said. "Can't we do it in the morning?" "No, I wish I could but I need it done now." "Well what is it?" "Can you heal my arm?" Twilight became fully awake when he said that," What! Why?" "Just because." "Because isn't a clear answer." Aeon exhaled from his nose," Because I want to put an end to that monstrosity." "When I heard it talk to you it said something about sins of the past, do you think it has to do something with you?" She asked "I don't know," He uttered. "Are you sure? Because it said the same as you." "I don't know." "And it looked a lot like you an..." "God damn it! I said I don't know!" He bellowed out in frustration and anger. Twilight gasped, jumping from his roaring voice. "I just don't know Twilight, I swear." "I'm sorry but I can't help you because your intentions are too dangerous Aeon." He exhaled," Fine." He walked away from Twilight heated. Heading back to Shoeshine's house, he stopped at a window looking at his reflection. He looked at his broken left arm taking the sling and cast off, Staring at it he saw his arm was bent backwards at the joint. He backed up to the wall of the building behind him and sat down, grabbing his wrist he quickly snapped his arm folding it back. A loud crack came from his arm as he moved the dislocated bones back into place. Aeon screamed loudly in pain feeling the unbearable serge from the snap. Panting he looked at his left hand watching his fingers move; the pain quickly faded away and Aeon could almost bend his arm fully but not with out it still hurting. Astonished that it worked he went home and constructed two war axes to battle the Night Stalker the next night. Chapter 5Through the day Aeon sat waiting for the night to come again like an owl. Shoeshine was working and didn't really talk to Aeon since she was busy. She poked her head from the shop's lobby,"Oh, I didn't notice your cast is gone," Shoeshine said drawing away his attention. "Yeah," He replied. "How?" "I did it myself," Sounding irritated in his voice. "Oh, okay just make sure you don't do that again," She said turning around getting back to work. Aeon was tired from his lack of sleep from last night, though he's been having trouble sleeping for the last few nights. He decided just to try and get some sleep, so he hung his head and quickly fell asleep. The sky became orange and the black clouds were racing backwards. All the dead and impaled zenthains were reaching, trying to grab Aeon and pull him towards them. His eyes were filled with fear and his body began shaking once again. Aeon looked at one of the dead zenthians, its jaw was hanging by just a thread of skin, eyes yellow and mindless wanting nothing but to seek death. "Leave me alone!," He screamed waving his arms," Go away!" The corpses didn't respond, they only were trying to get closer but couldn't since they hung in the air moaning, hungry for his blood. Aeon's vision became blurred and he wanted to panic thinking that something was going to grab him. Shortly his vision was restored and standing in front of him was the hooded figure, his maroon colored eyes and small slits for pupils stared like gun barrels at Aeon. "Weak," The figure uttered, grabbing Aeon, bringing him to his knees. "Just let me go," Aeon began cowering. The figure said nothing, only having a large grin on its face. It grabbed both Aeon top and bottom jaw and began to rip it off. "Don't you remember, don't you remember what you've done?" It scolded, Aeon began to recognized the voice for it was his own. tears were streaming down Aeon's face as he felt his jaw being ripped off. The agony of his fear and physical pain was too much to bear as he felt blood rising out of his mouth and flowing down his neck. The figures claws were digging into the roof of his mouth, the tips sticking out the top of his snout. The figure cackled as it made one last push to finish it; Aeon's jaw broke and his flesh was ripped off his own body with blood leaking out non-stop he woke up realizing it was a dream. His breathing was heavy and his focus was not in the right place. He peeked out of a curtain and saw it was night out. *sigh* "It's time," He murmured. Aeon reached down grasping both the axes that were rest next to the chair, that he forged the night before. Shoeshine was about to head upstairs, but she saw Aeon with the axes in his hands. "What are you doing?" Concerned of his intentions with those weapons. "I'm going to take care of this thing once and for all," He replied. She moved away towards him, worried," Why- why are you doing this?" Aeon got down to his knees setting the axes on the ground," Cause it's something I have to do." "No-no you don't have to, you promised that you wouldn't fight it," She begged with tears in her eyes," You promised." "This is something I have to take care of myself," He proclaimed," Something that's kept its grasp on me." "But you'll die!" She sobbed," And I don't want you to die." Aeon put both hands on her cheeks and touched his snout on hers," I won't, I'll be fine." "And what if you do?" She whimpered. "Then I'll die for good reason." Taking his hands off her cheeks, he opened the door and walked outside with axes in hand. The moon was full this night and it shined brightly. Aeon turned to the right and saw the Night Stalker standing in the street knowing that Aeon would do battle again. Its chains rolled up onto its forearms putting the hooks into its hands, giving a deceiving smile. Aeon looked at the Night Stalker holding his axes tightly in his hands," I'm going to put an end to you here demon," All the Night Stalker did was chuckle slightly waiting for Aeon to make the first move. "You're still filled with fear of us," The Night Stalker said. "Shut up! I'm only filled with rage towards you." "Then show me." Aeon began charging at the Night Stalker at full speed, with his axes above his head he swung at the Night Stalker but missed. Like thin air the Stalker disappeared from Aeon's sight and Aeon looked every where from where he was standing. "Aeon," He heard a soft feminine voice behind him," Aeon." He turned around to see who it was saying his name and he was shocked to see who it was. It was a young zenthain woman around the same age as Aeon standing behind him, her skin was a winter red color, her eyes a majestic turquoise and her feathery hair was black with orange tips. "H- Hazel," Aeon said dropping his axes and falling to his knees. "Yes Aeon it's me," She smiled at him," We can go back to the time when we were together... Don't you remember?" She put her hand on the side of his face. He nodded with tears filling his eyes," I do, Hazel, I do," Putting his hand on top of hers, a single tear ran down his cheek," Can you really take me back?" "Yes, I can." Shoeshine snuck out through the back of her house and ran to get help from Twilight and the others. "Then take me away, take me away from this suffering I live it, so we can just be together," He begged. "But do you still love me?" She asked. "Yes, I have always loved you and I still do." "Then let us leave," She raised up her arm with a knife in her hand to kill Aeon. "Aeon!" Shoeshine yelled seeing Aeon in submission, Twilight and the others were with her as well but all they could do was watch. Aeon came back to his senses, grabbing one his axes he swung it and Hazel's body disappeared. One of the Night Stalker's large hands swung at Aeon, yet he dodged it having it strike the air. He grabbed his other axe before getting to his feet. "Where are you?" Aeon growled. "Here," The Night Stalker's voice echoing in his mind. "Show yourself!" The Night Stalker jumped down from above landing on top of Aeon, slamming him to the ground. Aeon rung his tail around the Night Stalker's neck and threw it off of him. Aeon got back up though the Night Stalker was already on its feet. "I know all your weaknesses, all your fears," The Night Stalker said. "you know nothing demon," Aeon responded. Charging at the Night Stalker again, it tried to strike Aeon with its large appendages. Yet dodging them it figured out that Aeon knew how it would strike using them. Aeon now in striking distance of the Night Stalker swung his axe over his head. Using its hook to block the axe, the Night Stalker kicked Aeon back. Only moving back a couple steps he swung again, as the Night Stalker did also. as the battle ensued they were equally matched in skill with their weapons. Aeon hit the Night Stalker in the face making it move back, he held out his axes now with many chips in the blade. The Night Stalker's hooks were unscathed with no chips on the blades of the hooks. Lunging forward at Aeon the Night Stalker pulled down Aeon's axes using its hooks. "You and I are the same accept it," The Night Stalker said overpowering Aeon's strength leaning him back. "I'm nothing like you," Aeon snarled. He head butted the Night Stalker and swung his axe. The Night Stalker grabbed the axe crushing the handle, then the white stripe on its chest opened. The stripe was a mouth with large sharp teeth, drooling with a black slime. Aeon swung with his other axe but the Night Stalker grabbed that one, also crushing the handle. He looked down at the large mouth watching it make a horse chomping noise trying to reach Aeon. "I shall devour you nice and slow," It chuckled. "Then do It!" Aeon yelled. The mouth opened as wide as it could ready for that first bite. Before it could even touch Aeon, he bit the Night Stalker's neck. The Night Stalker released Aeon's hands and Aeon threw the Night Stalker down the street just enough to be out of arm's reach; it landed crashing to the ground. Getting to its feet it sighed," Then I'll just make it easier, unfortunately it'll be less fun, but oh well." The Night Stalker unraveled the chains off its arms, it swung both chains like whips. Aeon had no weapons now, so all he could do is to trying and catch them. Yet the chains came at him with lightning speed striking him, knocking him to the ground. "Looks like this is the finale," The Night Stalker chuckled looking at Aeon who was trying to get up, yet he was tired from the long fight," quite anti-climactic for my taste though." Swinging its chains overhead the Night Stalker whipped them down sending falling towards Aeon like boulders falling off a high cliff. Shoeshine ran moving Aeon back so she could take the hit; the chains had struck with such force they instantly knocked her unconscious. "Shoeshine?" He said crawling towards her unconscious body, she had two large slash marks on her back and there was blood running down her body," Shoeshine." "Oh, looks like I missed," The Night Stalker joked. Aeon's hands were shaking and his had a look of shame," You bastard." "Oh my di- did she really?" Fluttershy said bewildered by what she just saw. "Yeah Fluttershy, she took the hit instead on him," Rainbow Dash said. The Night Stalker swung his chains at Aeon, but in the blink of an eye he caught them. Aeon turned his head back, all color in his eyes was gone leaving them glowing white. His skin turned from orange to a dark grey and his tail grew long barbs on the end of it. The mane five were horrified by what they were seeing Aeon turning into some kind of monster. Snapping his arms back, Aeon threw the Night Stalker towards him. He hit the Night Stalker with his foot and slammed it on the ground. The Night Stalker grabbed Aeon with its large appendage hands throwing him; he landed on all fours letting out a screeching horsed roar. Aeon charged at the Night Stalker with such speed that he was almost unseen, he swung upper cutting the Night Stalker. Grabbing the Night Stalker's neck he slammed it to the ground; the Night Stalker hit the ground looking into Aeon's glowing white eyes, all it could see was a mindless monster that would not reason, that would fight just out of instincts and survival. The Night Stalker began cackling," We really are the same, we are mindless killing machines, you can't deny it." He lifted the Night Stalker into the air and dug his claws into its chest. Yet the Night Stalker did nothing but it only kept on laughing. Aeon's hand came out of the back hold the Night Stalker's heart that was still beating, he brought his hand back and crushed its heart but the Night Stalker was still alive, still laughing. "I can't die," it said," I will haunt you till your death." Aeon threw the Night Stalker on the ground, grabbing its jaw. The Night Stalker was on its knees not doing a thing, not fighting back, not even pleading it didn't make a sound. Aeon using his strength tore its head in half, then threw both the head and the body away. He roared with his frill fanned out in victory. Hearing a voice he turned his head and saw a guard coming towards him," What is that?" Aeon growled at the guard ready to kill him. "Let's get it!" "No!" Twilight yelled. Aeon charged at the guard quickly killing him, slashing his claws across the guards face. Then he ran into the forest disappearing without a trace. Twilight looked at the forest. What are you Aeon? Twilight thought. Hearing a noise Twilight saw the Night Stalker get up holding the top half of its head, it reattached its head," We will meet again," It said disappearing into a puff of smoke. "Twilight!" Applejack called. Twilight ran over to her," Yeah." Applejack was with Shoeshine," She's not dead but she's unconscious, we need to get her patched up though." "Okay let's get her patched up then," Twilight used her magic to lift Shoeshine to take her to the hospital. Now Aeon has unleashed his true nature and must be found before he can do more harm to others or himself, but they know they need Shoeshine's help to get him before others do. Chapter 6: FinalShoeshine woke up on a bed in the hospital, she looked around and saw Twilight, Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack in the room with her. "She's awake," Fluttershy said letting the others know. "where's Aeon?" She asked. "He ummm, well," Fluttershy stuttered trying to answer her. "Aeon's disappeared," Twilight answered. "Disappeared! What do mean disappeared!?" She puzzled. "Well he didn't exactly disappear, he ran into the forest." "Then we need to find him." "We are but we're starting to have second thoughts about looking for him." "Why?" "Because he turned into some kind of... monster." "Monster?" "Aeon thought you died out there and then he transformed into some kind of beast." "I don't care," Shoeshine climbed out of the bed," I'm still going to find him." "Why? He probably won't recognize you." "It's worth a try... Aeon's the only thing I care for the most and he said he'll always be by my side no matter what and I know he'll keep that promise." "You seem pretty confident there Shoeshine," Applejack said," How do know he will." "I know he will." Shoeshine was able to check herself out of the hospital and the six of them split up to go get somethings for a search party; a few minutes later they met up at Sugarcube Corner ready to go. "What are those books for?" Shoeshine asked. "They're spell books to see if we can change him back," Twilight responded. "Oh." "We best get goin," Applejack said," If we want to find him before it gets too dark." They left Sugarcube Corner and headed to the forest, still they knew it wouldn't be easy to find Aeon since they could be there for days and find nothing. The sun started setting and as the search was going nowhere since they found not even a trace of Aeon. "We should try splitting up so we can cover more ground," Applejack suggested. "Sounds like a good idea just yell out if you find something," Twilight said. So they split up going in different directions from each other, to see if they could find Aeon better this way. Applejack was walking looking up in the trees, behind her, and on her sides," I don't like this, it's dark and it's hard to see anything," She told herself. Then she heard a rustling sound in the trees above, she looked up seeing that leaves were falling down. A thump sound came from a tree behind her, she looked at it watching leaves just fall. Again another thump sound came from the right side and she looked up again to see only leaves falling. Applejack's felt her heart racing as the sound was jumping around her. Then above her she saw a large figure jumping down landing in front of her, shaking the ground under her hooves. She looked and saw it was Aeon; his arms and his head were dangling towards the ground. He lifted his head up opening his white glowing eyes looking at Applejack. He lifted his arms up spreading them out, showing his long claws. "Aeon it's me Apple..." She said. Before she could finish what she was saying Aeon lunged at her, swinging his arms to slashed at her. Applejack moved making Aeon slash at a tree, breaking off a large chunk of it. She ran off to find the others and Aeon began chasing right after her; his speed easily out matched Applejack's making him catch up with her in a short distance. Showing his teeth he tried to bite her, but she turned making him slide increasing the distance between them only for a spit second. then she looked up and saw Aeon leap over her head landing right in front of her. Applejack knew that running would get her nowhere since Aeon is a lot faster than her. She began backing up slowly with Aeon following her, he was growling showing his sharp teeth with saliva running out of the sides of his mouth. Aeon then couldn't move his legs as they felt like a thousand pound weights, he began squirming for freedom to get his prey. Applejack looked and saw Twilight was using her magic to hold Aeon down in place. Shoeshine came over seeing Aeon but seeing him she was almost certain that wasn't him. "Is that... Aeon?" She asked. "Yes," Twilight responded," It's him." "It can't be," she looked at the roaring mindless grey monster in front of her. She began walking closer to Aeon, with each step she took the more his attention was drawn to her. Shoeshine came close to Aeon to where she could touch his face. "Aeon," She said softly reach her hoof up to touch his face. He seemed calm now since he wasn't squirming anymore but Twilight kept held down in case if he did anything. Shoeshine's hoof touched his snout; immediately he snapped trying to bite her hoof. She jumped back from almost getting bit; there were tears in her eyes as she sees that Aeon is now just an empty shell of himself. "Shoeshine are you okay?" Fluttershy asked just arriving. Shoeshine said nothing, she only turned and started walking back to Ponyville seeing that there was no purpose to try and save him. "Shoeshine where ya going?" Applejack asked. "Home," She answered. "Why?" "Because that's not Aeon." "It is him." "No it's not him, that's a monster." "Just because he attacked you, you're just going to give up," Twilight said. Shoeshine nodded as tears filled her eyes," I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but an empty shell, just a shadow." "Don't worry we're going to turn him back no matter what." Aeon noticed that Twilight's guard was down and that meant the restraints would be weakened. Easily he broke the restraints without the others noticing what he had done. He jumped towards Twilight with his claws extended at her to deliver a punishing blow. Aeon tackled her down to the ground holding her by the neck, raising his other hand into the air to kill her. Twilight had to think quickly of a spell that would get him off of her, then she thought of it as her horn glowed. She blasted Aeon throwing him into the air, he flew until he hit a nearby tree. Aeon landed on many branches before finally landing on the ground, he wasn't moving or trying to get back up. "Let's get him up," Rainbow Dash said. They got Aeon to sit up on the tree; he was barely conscious from the hit. Aeon barely had one eye opened but they noticed it was lime green. His grey skin was turning back orange with the barbs on his tail shrunk back into his tail. "We did it! We turned him back to normal!" Pinkie Pie yelled in celebration. Aeon opened his eyes and saw them in front of him," Hey," He looked around," How did I get here?" "You don't remember?" Twilight asked and Aeon only nodding in response," Then what do you recall?" "Only fighting the Night Stalker... Di-did I win?" "I think so." Aeon sighed," Well I guess that's a relief," He glanced around," Where's Shoeshine?" "she's right here." He looked," Shoeshine you're okay." She walked up to him," Yeah, I am now that you're back Aeon." Aeon gave her a slight smile as he got to his feet," Then I guess we should head back now." They all started heading back to Ponyville as the sun began to rise from behind the mountains. Everything went smoothly on the way back, then standing out of the edge of the forest were guards from Canterlot. "Are you Aeon?" One of the guards asked. "Yes," He answered. "Then come with us the princess would like to see you." Aeon and the others followed the guards to Canterlot; as they entered the castle Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne with a displeased look. " You've got some explaining to do," She asserted Aeon stopped walking just standing a few feet away from the princess and the others were standing behind him," The events of the last few days aren't of my doing." "True I know that, but many ponies have said that you're the cause of it though." "Believe what you want but I know I did nothing." The princess was silent for a moment before speaking again," Were you able to defeat it?" "I'm not sure, to tell you the truth," He confessed. "What do you mean you're not sure? It's just a yes or no question, so did defeat it or not?" She asked assertively again. "I'm not sure! It's a fucking demon I don't know if it's dead!" He bellowed. "I see... I have also heard that you murdered one of my guards after you supposedly defeated it," She addressed. Aeon lowered his head," I'm not sure... I blacked out during the fight, so I don't remember," He confessed. "If you blacked out, then how were you able to still fight?" "I-I..." Aeon paused trying to think raising his head up looking at the princess"...I let my instincts take over me." "And when you let that happen do you still have any kind of control over yourself." "No." "So you would hurt both friend and foe alike?" "Yes." "With what you've just told me you seem more like a liability than an asset to us." "What do you mean?" "That if you let it happen again, there's going to be a lot of collateral damage before we can stop you and we know how fast and strong you are." "... I see." "With that and how little we know about you makes it hard for me to see you as a great asset." "I understand." "I know you protected us from those gargoyles but a year has passed and we still know almost nothing about you since you tell us that makes it hard to trust you." "Then what are you trying to do make me leave?" "No, I'm just saying that right now you're a liability but if you have things you still need to settle then you can." Aeon exhaled from his nose and said," I did have things to settle but why should I settle them now?" "Aeon, I'm only doing what's best for my little ponies and I can tell that you keep something hidden from us, something that makes you distant." "I'm not trying to risk any ponies safety, I'm just trying not to bring my experiences into your land Princess... I'm just trying to forget things that I've done to others." "Then will you tell us everything?" "No, I won't," He said in a blunt tone. "Then I'm afraid you have no choice but to leave Equestria." Aeon said nothing to the princess and turned away from her facing the entrance," Even though I'll leave, I know that demon won't." The others were shocked to see that Aeon didn't even resist against the princess's decision. Yet Aeon knew if they could not trust him then he has no reason to stay. Aeon walked passed them saying nothing, only having a serious look on his face. As they left Canterlot to head back to Ponyville they couldn't think of anything to say to Aeon all they did was just look at him seeing that he's not the zenthain they met a year ago. You're so different from when we met you, what is it that you're hiding? Twilight thought. Arriving at Ponyville everyone went their separate ways home. Shoeshine and Aeon were heading back home; even though Aeon was right next to her he felt as if he was a thousand miles away from her. The only sound that could be heard was a slight breeze in the air and their footsteps. Shoeshine opened the door and they both went inside; Aeon went into the room next to the lobby and sat down on a chair, Shoeshine just went upstairs into her room and closed the door. It was now night, the moon was full and its light was bright. Shoeshine finally came down stairs, she walked towards Aeon content to find put what he's been hiding. Aeon was standing at the window holding a small clock in his hand; his back was turned towards her. "If you have something to say, then just say it," he announced. "Why- why didn't you try and convince the princess so you could stay?" She asked. "If she can't trust me, then why should I even stay," he answered. "But what is it that you hide Aeon, just what is it?" "That's nothing you need to know Shoeshine." "But why! Is it something that haunts you, something that scars you?" "It's none of your business, Shoeshine!" He raised his voice," I don't have to tell them anything about me and if they don't like what I've told them, then I have no reason to be here." "But you have me, you have your friends doesn't that matter to you," tears began to fill Shoeshine's eyes," Can't you just tell them everything so you don't have to leave." "I can't..." "Why?" "Because it's something that would truly banish me and make me seen as something dangerous." "What is it?!" "I don't have to tell you." "Then tell just tell some pony." "I don't need to tell anyone." "But why Aeon?" "You want to know why!" He turned around throwing the clock across the room, it flew above Shoeshine. It hit the wall breaking into pieces of broken glass and wood," Because it's something that I've done, that I keep away from others and there is no reason why I need to tell you or anyone else... I'm not going to sit there and say, ' oh here you go I'm an open book,' that's not me, my pages are closed and they stay closed!" Aeon bellowed out in anger. Tears were streaming down Shoeshine's face," Who are you?... you're not the zenthain I met a year ago." "You're right, I'm not." "Just get out," She said under her breath. Aeon looked confused at her. "Get out!... Get out! Get out! Get out!" She screamed. Aeon walked towards the door grabbing his satchel. "I never want to see you again!" Aeon opened the door," Fine by me," he grumbled walking and out closing the door behind him. She was struck to hear those words out of his mouth, it seems as if he didn't care about her. She leaned against the front door sobbing uncontrollably from what she just witnessed out of Aeon. As he was walking toward his boat he felt heavy from all he said venting out his anger at Shoeshine. Aeon didn't know what came over him it just happened, but it doesn't matter to him now, he was forced to leave and he'll do just that. Aeon came up to his old boat still surprised it was still in one piece, he came up to the boat and patted its edge. "Well old friend... you ready for another round of the open sea?" He said to the boat setting his satchel in it. He pushed the boat out to the water until it began floating then he jumped in it. Aeon grabbed an ore rowing the boat out farther from the shore. Out on the water he felt a calm wind thinking it was a good sign that maybe one day he'll come back and everything can be put in the past. He turned his head and looked back at Equestria slightly smiling. One day I'll be back, one day all my scars will fade into forgotten memories.
Chapter 1The night was cold and the breeze blew rustling the leaves of the trees. Coming upon Ponyville was a tall black figure walking slowly with hooked chains dragging on the ground. A young stallion was heading back to his house after a long night of hanging out with his friends. Opening the door the figure was in the view from his window. "Gwah!" The stallion jumped startled, not noticing the figure standing in the view of his window," Are you lost?" The figure didn't speak a word, it just stood there like a statue. The figure opened his eyes revealing two blood red, pupil less eyes and he out stretched two large hand like appendages from his back. "What are you?" The stallion said in fear. Around the corner Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell, and Applebloom (Who snuck out because they thought it would be fun.) stopped staying behind a wall of a nearby building "That looks like Aeon," Applebloom said in a low tone. "It does but why does he have those things coming out of his back?" Scootaloo said in a low tone also. With a small movement of the figure's arms the chains moved like snakes grabbing the stallion's legs and lifting him into the air. "HELP ME!" The stallion screamed. It stood staring at the stallion with its blank eyes, then with a flick of its wrist the chains pulled away from each other tearing the stallion in two. Blood spilled out like a water fall from the lifeless stallion. Dropping the bottom half the chain holding the top half lifted the carcass towards the figure. It drank the last remaining drops of blood from the carcass before dropping it. The cutie mark crusaders were traumatized by what they saw, never had they seen such murderous intent of death in front of their eyes. They were so fueled with fear that they were to scared to move, Applebloom looked into its eyes and saw no remorse in those blank eyes, just hatred and the satisfaction of the smell of death. Though they were infatuated with fear, the figure turned around and went back into the forest where it came out from. At the moment the figure went back into the woods, the three of them darted back home as fast as they could. Sweetie Bell got to her house and slammed the door behind her. The sound woke Rarity up and she came downstairs to see what was going on. "Sweetie Bell, what's going on?" She asked Sweetie Bell who was panting like a dog. "I don't know, but I saw Aeon or something that looked like him..." She stopped herself still shocked by what she saw. "You saw Aeon or whatever it was do what?" She asked in a concerned tone. "I saw it kill a stallion!" Sweetie Bell screamed still in fear. "Are you sure? Cause Aeon wouldn't do such a thing." "I don't know... but it almost looked like him but it had red eyes." "Red eyes?" Rarity was confused by what Sweetie Bell just said," Well that's odd because he has green eyes but don't fret Sweetie Bell I'll talk to him tomorrow." "Okay," Sweetie Bell composed herself. It was the next day and the mane six and Aeon were passing by where the stallion's body laid. There were guards around the place and Aeon walked over there. "What happened here?" He asked one of the guards. "A ponycide, some pony found his body right in this spot, poor guy was ripped in half," The guard replied. Aeon looked at the body, still freshly killed but drained of blood," Any markings of hands?" "Hard to tell if he was dug up or drained dry, but one pony said they heard a scream last night but couldn't see whom it came from." Aeon looked at the wall next to him were markings written with blood," these don't look like claws but it must have been something with really big hands." "Huh, I never thought of it that way," The guard said," Do you know what it says." "It says- death shall come in the shadows for it stalks through the night," Aeon said reading the markings. "So it's saying that it attacks at night." "Maybe." "Aeon," Twilight said," Can we talk to you?" "Of course," He walked over to them," What is it?" "This way so they don't hear us." "Okay," They walked far enough to where the guards wouldn't hear them," Okay so what is it?" "Rarity why don't you go first," Twilight said. "Last night Sweetie Bell came home acting like she had just seen a ghost, she said that what killed that stallion looked almost like you," Rarity explained to him. "Me? But I wasn't even out last night, why would she think I did it." "She doesn't know, the only thing she said it looked like you, but it had blank red eyes." "Red eyes?" Aeon began to ponder grabbing his chin with his thumb and pointer finger," That's odd." "Applebloom said the same thing too, that what killed that stallion looked like you Aeon," Applejack joined in. ".... this doesn't make sense, why do they think I did it?." "I don't know but she said it was also a black color." "black skin?" "Yeah, and something about hands coming out of its back." "Hands?" Aeon was confused to the point of fascination. "Aeon do you know anything about something that looks like what we just said?" Twilight asked. "Not in the slightest," He pondered," I've never heard of any kind of creature like that." "Maybe we could look through some books." "Maybe but just give me sometime to think." "Alright." Aeon began walking trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but nothing was adding up. It could be something from the old legends. He though. Yet there were many legends he's heard of things that kill others, so it would be hard to know. He arrived at Shoeshine's place (since it was where he was staying.) opening the door walking upstairs to see what she was doing. She was sitting on her bed reading a magazine not even paying the slightest attention that Aeon was back. He leaped like a frog and landed on the bed scaring her. "You scared me," She whimpered. "Well that's what you get when you don't pay attention," He joked with her sitting up. "So, now how was it?" "How was what?" "Your time helping Applejack." "Oh, it was fine." "I just heard that there was a killing last night." "There was." "do you think those gargoyles are back?" "No. if they were there wouldn't even be a body," He paused moving closer to her," I think it's something else." "Really, do you know what it is?" "If I knew, I would have told you." "That's true," Shoeshine rested her head on Aeon's chest," But whatever it is I know you'll take care of it." "And you know I will," He chuckled, then laid down," I just hope it's no army setting a plan to make an ambush or something in that nature." "Let's hope not then." She sighed and Aeon ran his fingers through her mane, she could feel the tips of his claws rubbing against her head. They felt so good and so relaxing that she quickly fell asleep. Aeon noticed and began thinking again Whatever this thing is I won't let it terrorize Equestria.
Chapter 2It was now the next day and Aeon was now on a extreme want to find out what this new terror was. Aeon saw a group of guards near a house, another killing had happened over the night. Believing that he would find more clues he walked over there. "Same thing?" Aeon asked. "Yeah, another pony was killed last night." Aeon turned his head to see if they were bringing out a body," Where's the body?" "Everywhere." "What?" "Look for yourself then." When Aeon looked inside he was speechless from what he saw. There was blood all over the walls, floor and ceiling. Smashed organs on the walls with the indication of large red hand prints, intestines were hanging on the ceiling dripping with fresh blood. "My lord be it thee, may you save us from this monstrosity," Aeon prayed. "That's not all," The guard said. Both the guard and Aeon walked inside, under his feet he could feel the squishing of the carpet full of blood. They went into the kitchen of the house and on a picture frame on the wall was the pony's head smashed on it. Its eye balls were hanging down looking at the floor, bits of brain and skull were scattered all over the wall and teeth were on the floor. Aeon's chest had a heavy pounding; he felt sick to his stomach, he had never came upon a scene of such brutality. Aeon began coughing as if he was going throw up, he ran out of the house and grabbed on to a near by wall. His head felt light and his legs were shaking, feeling weak. "My god," Aeon said under his heavy breathing. "Ever since he got here bad things have happened," One mare said talking to another. "I know it's like if he's some kind of omen, first those gargoyles now this," The other mare responded. Aeon over heard them and began to think that this is happening because of his presence here, that everything he's done in the past has came back to pay their debt. He composed himself and began heading towards Twilight's place; on the way there he thought that whatever this thing was it was out of blood. Coming upon Twilight's house he looked into the window and saw Cranky Doodle talking to Twilight. "This lizard thing has been causing nothing but trouble Twilight, we need to convince the princess to banish him from here," He said to her. "And for what reason?! If he didn't come back to fight against those gargoyle things we all would have been torn apart," She responded being rational. "It's been a year and now something else has came to Ponyville trying to drown us in fear and death, and I think it's because of his presence," He added. "Well you can't prove that, why cause he's different, cause he comes from a different place?" She asserted. "That and there's just something about him, something that he's hiding from every pony, something he keeps in the shadows, it's something that makes me think he's not what he seems to be," He confessed. "He has no home left, he's the last of his kind, and this place is all he knows now, so what difference does it make just because he's not a pony or a colt, Spike's a dragon and you don't complain about him." "Well Spike's been here all his life, that zenthian has only been here for a year, and trouble's stirring up again and it's scaring every pony, so take that into account Twilight, do you care more about this zenthian or the safety of Ponyville?" "Well if you want to banish him, then do it yourself because he's my friend and I can't," She remarked. "Fine that's your choice, but when this monster you call a friend stabs you in the back don't come to me saying I was right," He addressed harshly heading towards the door. Aeon overheard the conversation and began to feel mistrusted of them becoming suspicious of him, but he knew if they found out about his full past they wouldn't see Aeon, they would only see a monster. Cranky Doodle opened the door and saw Aeon, he said nothing and passed him only giving him a look. Aeon went inside to speak with Twilight. "You overheard that didn't you?" She stated. "Yes I did but thanks for sticking up for me Twilight, I really appreciate that," Aeon softly remarked. "Every pony thinks that you're some kind of demon that has only brought danger upon us." He sighed, "I know." "But I know you're not," She turned herself to face him," Cause you care a lot about everyone and I know you do those things that has been happening recently," She gave a little smile. "I heard that they're going to try and banish me, but just like I said before I'm not going anywhere." "Yeah, but enough of that I found a book on ancient tales and myths, I think this could help us find out what this thing is." "Let's just hope that," Aeon addressed. Twilight used her magic to lift the book and bring to each other. She opened it turning its old pages, the book had tales of every race from all over the world. " Wow, just look at all these old tales from all over the place it's just mind blowing," She said in astonishment. "Wait! I think I saw something," Aeon stopped her from flipping the pages. "What is it?" She said in a worried yet curious tone. He flipped one page back over her shoulder and came upon a two page section with drawings of every kind of zenthian but these looked different, they had long claws, spiked tails, white eyes, and a dark grey skin. "These zenthians look so different from what they're usually described as," Twilight said looking at the picture," Do you know what they are?" "They were what we were before our instinctual feral side," Aeon answered. "Feral? What do you mean by that?" "When the world was first formed zenthains were all over the world but as creatures that acted on instinct, but as time went on and the other races couldn't handle their ferocity they captured all the zenthains and put them on an island covered by fog. That soon came to be called Lacerta by us as we began to learn from each other becoming thinking creatures," He explained. "Really?" "Yes, it's said that even some of the strongest of warriors can't take down a feral zenthain." "But how did your kind get to the state it is, well was now?" "No one really knows, as time went on our feral side became forgotten," Aeon touched his black stripe that went down his back," Yet we always know it's there with the black stripe down our backs." "I can't believe that just looking at these pictures then looking at you, it's almost as if I'm looking at a completely different creature." "I know but let's keep on searching." While Twilight and Aeon searched through the book, the sun had set and the night fell upon Ponyville for death shall come in the night. It was silent and it gave an uneasy presence in Ponyville. Heading out working late was Fancy Pants with Fleur with him heading to Rarity's to see her new project. He was looking sharp as usual with his suit, tie and monocle. They were both walking under the moonlight with not a care in the world. "I must say, the moonlight is quite lovely," He said to Fleur. "Why yes it is," She replied. They kept on walking, then they heard a sound. "Did you hear that?" Fancy Pants said in unease. "Yes, I did it sounded like chains rattling and dragging." "I know," He stopped and looked into an ally way right next to them think that there was someone there. "Come on Fancy Pants let's keep moving I don't like being out here," Fleur fretted. "You go on ahead I'll catch up," He insisted and looked deeper into the alley way," Hello?" Fancy Pants began to turn around but then he heard a sound again, he turned his head and in the blink of an eye a large hook at the end of a chain came down. Its tip stabbed right through the top of his skull killing him instantly; he fell lifeless and was quickly dragged into the alley way. Fleur came back to the alley to see if fancy pants was okay," Fancy Pants... Fancy Pants where are you?" She looked in the alley way from where she was standing but couldn't see a thing. then falling down in front of her was Fancy Pants' dead body hanging on a chain. His eyes were limp, blood was running down the hook and there was a huge hole in his chest where his heart was. Fleur screamed at the top of her lungs seeing that Fancy Pants was dead. Yet that wasn't the last of it, she heard a chewing sound then a swallow behind the body. Standing behind it was the figure with its blank red eyes staring at her. Fleur was so enthralled with fear that she was too afraid to move, she shook intensely wanting to beg it for mercy but looking into its eyes it would give no mercy. It opened its mouth slightly having a slight glow it revealed its long, slender and sharp teeth. Creating a crooked tooth smile, it reached out its arm towards her. Its arm was black with long thin fingers and claws with a chain welded to its fore arm. At that moment she attempted to run but the figure was too quick and grabbed her by the tail. It had the strength equivalent twenty bears, picking her up like a rag doll and swinging her into a wall. She fell down, then it picked her picked her up and swung her again breaking her spine. It did this again and again until her blood immensely stained the walls. then the merciless beast dropped her and Fancy Pants leaving them to become a feast for the rats. The figure crept away slowly into the night leaving death in its tracks and staining its hands with blood once more. Aeon searched vigorously through the book but found nothing of what the others described this thing to be. "There's nothing here," Aeon bellowed," There is nothing!" He threw the book across the room in defeat. "then we should get the others and discuss this matter," Twilight gave note of. "We should... let's go."
Chapter 3Aeon and Twilight left the house to go get the others to see if they could help figure this out. "Oh, hello Aeon," Rarity said. "Rarity I need you to head to Twilight's house, it's urgent," Aeon quickly saying as if he was panicking. "What happened?" She asked. "Nothing we just need some help." "Okay I'll head over there right now." "Good, I still need to go get Pinkie Pie." "Okay then I'll see you over there," Aeon ran off heading towards Pinkie Pie's place, while Rarity closed her door and ran towards Twilight's. Aeon arrived at Pinkie Pie's and knocked on the door, and she opened it quickly. "Pinkie I need to head to Twilight's and pronto," He panted. "Why?" She asked. "It's urgent." "Okie doki," She closed her door and headed towards Twilight's with Aeon. Heading back Aeon noticed out of the corner of his eye the bodies of Fleur and Fancy Pants. "My god," Aeon uttered," What is this thing?" He knew about Fancy Pants and how Rarity worked for him but for him to die in the brutal manner this thing killed him was something else. He sighed out of his nose and moved on since he knew the guards will find the bodies. Aeon arrived back at Twilight's and the others were there as well. "I hope you have a good reason why you woke us up and gathered us here," Rainbow Dash barked. "Yeah, what's going on?" Applejack asked. "Let's go inside, I need your help," Aeon said.. They all went inside to start discussing about whatever this new terror was. "So what do you need our help for?" Rarity asked "I need your help because nothing adds up, the way you all described this thing has no relevance what so ever," He explained. "Do ya think it's some wild animal?" Applejack asked. "With something that can kill as brutally as this thing, no, it's smart and stealthy and I know it can think since it leaves no trace of its identity," He claimed. "And we need to know how this thing's pattern is so we know when and where it will strike," Twilight told them. Aeon grabbed the book on the floor and looked at it, the words began to flow through his head. Death shall come through the shadows for it stalks through the night. Those words kept running through his head like a broken record. Things were coming apart and piecing together like a puzzle. It stalks through the night. Was only left running through his mind then it finally came to him. "Night Stalker," He mouthed. His eyes widened and his heart felt heavy as if it became a ten ton weight. He dropped the book and looked at his hands they were shaking beyond belief. "It can't be, it can't be," He muttered in fear. Memories, memories he wanted to forget raced through his mind taking him back to a time of insanity. He looked up to the orange sky watching the black clouds race backwards. Then he looked down and saw other zenthains that he recognized impaled by spikes and hooked chains, their blood running out of their bodies and their bodies absent of life. Aeon looked back down at his hands covered in blood now. He looked at the dead zenthains again and they were staring at him with a haunting vision. "we will always follow you," Their haunting chorus echoed. "No, no! Please stop, please!" He cried holding his ears and waving his head as if he was crazy. looking down was a puddle of water and he looked at his reflection. Yet it was of a hooded figure looking at him with blank eyes. Then it reached out and grabbed Aeon by the neck. It uttered," Puny weakling." Aeon snapped back to reality shaking vigorously with a face as if he just died. "Aeon are you alright?" Fluttershy asked. He turned his head and looked at her with such fear in his eyes that it seemed like he wanted to commit suicide. Then the room went dark as all the lights went out. "What's going on!?" Rainbow Dash began to feel afraid. "Ow! Who stepped on my hoof!?" Twilight said. "More importantly who turned off the lights?" Rarity said. "I don't know cause none of us were near the switch," Aeon said. A dim light began to show in the back of the room, they turned to see a distorted and dirty pegasus standing by it. "Can you help me? I'm lost," The pegasus said, his unnatural voice echoing through the room. "Wait, how did you get in here?" Applejack asked the pegasus. "I'm not sure, I just found myself in here," The sound on a chain slowly dragging on the ground started to emanate throughout the room. Aeon looked at the pegasus, his eyes were gouged out, one half of his was torn with scratches, some of his upper and bottom lips were ripped off and blood was running out, his wings were broken and one of his legs were covered in maggots. "Whoever you are c-can you please leave?" Fluttershy said in a soft yet frightened tone. "Why? I just need some help," The pegasus said. Then two chains grabbed Rarity's hind legs lifting her in the air and wrapping themselves around her body. Rarity screamed as she felt the chains tightening themselves. Aeon turned and looked at the pegasus who was attempting a huge crooked smile. Aeon came to his senses, running and striking the pegasus. It flew and landed on its back then disappeared. It was toying with them but that didn't matter, Aeon walked towards the chains. Rarity could feel the chains beginning to break her bones, she could hear cracking and a immense pain in her body. He grabbed the chains; using his full strength he broke them apart. Aeon thought it was the end of it, yet it was only the beginning. Feeling hands come upon his shoulders the Night Stalker swung Aeon into a book shelf. It looked at Aeon with its blank eyes. It increased the light only by a little to reveal itself; Aeon was shocked to see what it looked like, for it looked almost exactly like he does. Yet on the sides of its head were two horns, a white stripe going down its chest and a smaller tail. "What are you?" Aeon whispered fearfully. "The same you," It answered with a groggily voice," And the sins of the past." The Night Stalker closed its hand to strike, it swung but Aeon moved his head. It hit the book shelf making a hole in it. Aeon tried to swing but the Night Stalker turned into black smoke. "Huh?" Aeon was confused. Hearing chains link back to together, one of the chains whipped up sending Aeon flying out and breaking the door. The Night Stalker turned back to normal in front of the door, the large hand like appendages stretched out. Now out in the moon light Aeon could now see the Night Stalker clearly and believed he had the advantage now. He jumped to his feet and charged at the Night Stalker but this was no gargoyle king. One of the appendages came down and smashed down on Aeon. The large appendage came off of Aeon ad moved back to its original spot. Again Aeon got to his feet, he tried to kick it but his kick was blocked. He swung his fist and it was blocked by the Night Stalker. Every attack he was making fail as if the Night Stalker could predict and read his movements. Both large appendages came down on Aeon but he stopped them using his hands. He was using every bit of his strength to not get overpowered by the Night Stalker. Then the chains whipped down, the hooks stabbing into Aeon's shoulders. Aeon grunted in pain and let go, the large appendages smashed down on Aeon. One of the large hands picked him up and threw him into the air. The Night Stalker turned around and swung over his slamming Aeon into the ground. Aeon again got to his feet and pulled the hooks out, he did it quickly even though the pain was unbearable. Turning into a puff of smoke, the Night Stalker appeared in front of Aeon to strike him down. Aeon swung his fist but the Night Stalker blocked it and held it in its hand. The Night Stalker grabbed Aeon's upper arm and with a quick movement bend Aeon's elbow backwards breaking his arm. Aeon screamed and screeched in pain making the heavens know of it. Aeon held his left arm and tried to kick but the Night Stalker pushed his leg down. Then he felt cold metal in his right side and warm blood trickling down his body. The stab wound was not deep enough to kill him but the Night stalker wasn't done just yet, it moved the hook down making the opening bigger causing Aeon to lose large amounts of blood. Aeon's vision began blurring out," You don't exist," He mumbled," You are nothing." "Defeating a demon has created a new one," The Night Stalker whispered," From sins of the past." Turning into black smoke the Night Stalker crept back into the shadows. Aeon was too dizzy to move and fell to the ground. "Sins of the past," He murmured before blacking out.
Chapter 4The sun was fully risen and Ponyville was safe for the moment. Shoeshine ran to the hospital where Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were waiting for her. "I came here as soon as I could," Shoeshine panted," What happened to him?" She was worried and they all noticed it. "We got attacked by something and he ended up fending it off but it gave him a good beating," Twilight answered. "Where is he? I just need to see that he's okay," She panicked worried about Aeon. A doctor came into the waiting room," Are you the ones who are waiting for a Mr. Aeon was it?" "Yes," Twilight said. "Okay, well he is awake but he's barely in a stable condition." "What about Rarity?" Spike asked full of concern. "With her there was a lot of trauma put on her body and it has set her into a coma." "Oh, then we'll go and see Aeon then." "Right this way." The doctor lead them down the hallway to a door that was at a corner, He opened the door and there laid Aeon in a bed. "Here he is, now he's very fatigued from the lack of blood so it's a struggle for him to stay awake for long periods of time," The doctor explained to them. "Okay," Twilight responded. "You're lucky you brought him in when you did, any time later and he would have died," The doctor said," But he'll make it." They were quite relieved to know that Aeon was going to be fine, even though he didn't look it, his eyes were barely open, his broken arm was hanging from a strap from the ceiling and the iv stand had multiple blood bags hanging on it. "If it's not too much to ask, can I go see Rarity?" Spike asked the doctor. "Course you can right this way," The doctor took Spike escorting him to Rarity's room. Shoeshine walked up next to Aeon," Aeon," She said. He slowly turn his head and looked at her," Shoeshine," He softly said. "I'm just glad that you're still alive," She rejoiced putting her hoof under Aeon's right hand. He looked at the others. "Where's Rarity?" He asked. "She took in quite a bit of trauma and the doctor said she maybe in a coma for a week maybe a little longer," Twilight explained to him. "Damn it," He said trying not to yell since it would hurt," I'm going to find away to stop that Night Stalker." "But right now is not the time Aeon you need to recover from your wounds," Twilight addressed," And you know that thing is too strong and if you fight it again, it'll probably put you in worst shape or even worse... die." Aeon didn't say anything and moved his head back sighing," I know," He responded. "We should go see Rarity," Applejack said. "Yeah lets go," Twilight responded. Twilight and the others left the room to go to Rarity's, Shoeshine stayed with Aeon. She laid her head on his chest. "Huuuu, oh what am I going to do about you?" She said in a relieved tone. "What do you mean?" He asked. "You're just so reckless, but can you promise me one thing... Aeon," She said softly. "What is it?" He asked. "That you won't try and fight that thing." " I don't know if I can completely promise you that," He avowed. *** A week has passed and Aeon was able to get checked out since he was in a more stable condition. His wounds still hurt and the stab wound was almost completely sealed up, though his broken arm won't be fully healed for awhile. He walked out of the hospital with Shoeshine heading back to her place. While at Shoeshine's he wasn't able to do much because she wouldn't let him. So he mostly walked around the shop doing little things. "I'm going to head out Aeon, you think you'll be fine by yourself?" She asked him. "Yeeesss," He answered. "Okay," She closed the door, heading out into town. Aeon just walked around looking at the shelves fixing the horseshoes. A few minutes passed by and Cranky Doodle walked in. "What are you here to do chew me out?" He snarled," Cause I get enough of that from everyone else." "No, I'm here here to talk," He responded. "And about what!" He bellowed," If you've got something to say, then say it you jackass." "Fine it's just many of the ponies in Ponyville think that you're a big part of these recent events." "No, that's what you think because ever since I've made my place here you've been trying to take me out," He hissed. "Look I'm trying not to get you angry, but with these weird events going on has every pony scared to death." "And yet you jump to jump to conclusions! That oh, if we banish the big ugly lizard all our troubles will go away," He mocked Cranky Doodle.. "And how can you prove that because when you came here those vile gargoyles came with you! " Cranky accused Aeon. "Get out my sight," Aeon threatened, walking up in arms reach of Cranky Doodle. "Why did you even come to Equestria in the first place? you know don't belong here and yet you stay." "I said get out of my sight," He threatened again, looking at Cranky Doodle with eyes enthralled with rage. "I know you're hiding something and I think whatever is killing those ponies has something to do with what you're hiding." "It has to do nothing with that." "Are you sure lizard? Because when I look in your eyes I see a killer and monster," He accused Aeon. "What did you say to me!" He roared grabbing Cranky Doodle by the neck, lifting him up and slamming him into a wall. "You see you're no different from a monster," Choking under his breath. "I'll kill you right here, right now," He growled. "Go on then do it or are you just talk?" He sneered. "You're just talk and you're in my way!" His pupils began to constrict as he was looking at Cranky Doodle, his breathing heavy and his teeth closed on each other. "You don't think I know what you've done," A lie he told with Aeon's grasp becoming tighter crushing his throat. "YOU KNOW NOTHING!" He growled wanting to crush Cranky Doodle's throat. The color in his eyes began fading into a darker color. Kill him, A voice began echoing through Aeon's ears, Make him suffer, The voice was haunting and controlling, grasping Aeon tightly, Paint the walls with his blood. Aeon dropped Cranky Doodle to the floor, grabbing his head with his still moving arm. Cranky Doodle got up and stormed towards the door, but before leaving he said," I will find a way to get you out of Ponyville, even if it causes my own death I will find away to get you out of here lizard, because you don't belong here." Aeon said nothing and just stood there grabbing his head, for it hurt to even think right now. His eyes were back to normal and full of fear and confusion wondering what that voice was in his head. Shoeshine waltzed in back from where she was still as care free as ever. Aeon had let go of his head making it look like he was fine. "Did Cranky Doodle come in? Cause I just saw him passing by," She asked. "Yes," He grumbled. "For what?" "To talk." She turned to Aeon seeing that he was angry about something, she moved herself away from her desk and towards Aeon," What's wrong Aeon?" "Nothing." "You're a bad liar, I can see something's got you irritated, just talk to me don't try and push me away." "Well it seems that the great and wise Cranky Doodle likes to stick his ass in places where it doesn't need to be, thinking that I am the cause for these recent events," He ranted. "Why?" "I don't know to be honest with you Shoeshine," He said rubbing his eyes. "Aeon you've done nothing wrong and I know you're not the cause of these events." "How do you know Shoeshine? You don't know nor do I because maybe it was I that caused this." "Now don't start talking like that you know as well as I do you've had nothing to do with these events." Aeon sighed turning his head opposite of her direction," What if that thing was something I've been trying to forget, something I've been trying to let go but haunts me till this very day?" "And if it is than all you can do is live with it or face it," She smiled at him and he turned. She went to work and Aeon walked up stairs to the bedroom and laid down for a while. It was the middle of the night and Aeon woke up, lifting himself up like a dead man rising from the grave. He walked down stairs, walking light on his feet so Shoeshine wouldn't wake up. He left the house headed towards Twilight's place. After a few minutes of walking he made it to Twilight's house, looking up he saw the lights were off in the windows. He knocked on the door waiting for her to come open it. After a couple minutes she opened it still half asleep. "Uuhhh, who is it? It's late you know," She even sounded half asleep answering the door. "Twilight I need to ask you a favor," Aeon said. "Can't we do it in the morning?" "No, I wish I could but I need it done now." "Well what is it?" "Can you heal my arm?" Twilight became fully awake when he said that," What! Why?" "Just because." "Because isn't a clear answer." Aeon exhaled from his nose," Because I want to put an end to that monstrosity." "When I heard it talk to you it said something about sins of the past, do you think it has to do something with you?" She asked "I don't know," He uttered. "Are you sure? Because it said the same as you." "I don't know." "And it looked a lot like you an..." "God damn it! I said I don't know!" He bellowed out in frustration and anger. Twilight gasped, jumping from his roaring voice. "I just don't know Twilight, I swear." "I'm sorry but I can't help you because your intentions are too dangerous Aeon." He exhaled," Fine." He walked away from Twilight heated. Heading back to Shoeshine's house, he stopped at a window looking at his reflection. He looked at his broken left arm taking the sling and cast off, Staring at it he saw his arm was bent backwards at the joint. He backed up to the wall of the building behind him and sat down, grabbing his wrist he quickly snapped his arm folding it back. A loud crack came from his arm as he moved the dislocated bones back into place. Aeon screamed loudly in pain feeling the unbearable serge from the snap. Panting he looked at his left hand watching his fingers move; the pain quickly faded away and Aeon could almost bend his arm fully but not with out it still hurting. Astonished that it worked he went home and constructed two war axes to battle the Night Stalker the next night.
Chapter 5Through the day Aeon sat waiting for the night to come again like an owl. Shoeshine was working and didn't really talk to Aeon since she was busy. She poked her head from the shop's lobby,"Oh, I didn't notice your cast is gone," Shoeshine said drawing away his attention. "Yeah," He replied. "How?" "I did it myself," Sounding irritated in his voice. "Oh, okay just make sure you don't do that again," She said turning around getting back to work. Aeon was tired from his lack of sleep from last night, though he's been having trouble sleeping for the last few nights. He decided just to try and get some sleep, so he hung his head and quickly fell asleep. The sky became orange and the black clouds were racing backwards. All the dead and impaled zenthains were reaching, trying to grab Aeon and pull him towards them. His eyes were filled with fear and his body began shaking once again. Aeon looked at one of the dead zenthians, its jaw was hanging by just a thread of skin, eyes yellow and mindless wanting nothing but to seek death. "Leave me alone!," He screamed waving his arms," Go away!" The corpses didn't respond, they only were trying to get closer but couldn't since they hung in the air moaning, hungry for his blood. Aeon's vision became blurred and he wanted to panic thinking that something was going to grab him. Shortly his vision was restored and standing in front of him was the hooded figure, his maroon colored eyes and small slits for pupils stared like gun barrels at Aeon. "Weak," The figure uttered, grabbing Aeon, bringing him to his knees. "Just let me go," Aeon began cowering. The figure said nothing, only having a large grin on its face. It grabbed both Aeon top and bottom jaw and began to rip it off. "Don't you remember, don't you remember what you've done?" It scolded, Aeon began to recognized the voice for it was his own. tears were streaming down Aeon's face as he felt his jaw being ripped off. The agony of his fear and physical pain was too much to bear as he felt blood rising out of his mouth and flowing down his neck. The figures claws were digging into the roof of his mouth, the tips sticking out the top of his snout. The figure cackled as it made one last push to finish it; Aeon's jaw broke and his flesh was ripped off his own body with blood leaking out non-stop he woke up realizing it was a dream. His breathing was heavy and his focus was not in the right place. He peeked out of a curtain and saw it was night out. *sigh* "It's time," He murmured. Aeon reached down grasping both the axes that were rest next to the chair, that he forged the night before. Shoeshine was about to head upstairs, but she saw Aeon with the axes in his hands. "What are you doing?" Concerned of his intentions with those weapons. "I'm going to take care of this thing once and for all," He replied. She moved away towards him, worried," Why- why are you doing this?" Aeon got down to his knees setting the axes on the ground," Cause it's something I have to do." "No-no you don't have to, you promised that you wouldn't fight it," She begged with tears in her eyes," You promised." "This is something I have to take care of myself," He proclaimed," Something that's kept its grasp on me." "But you'll die!" She sobbed," And I don't want you to die." Aeon put both hands on her cheeks and touched his snout on hers," I won't, I'll be fine." "And what if you do?" She whimpered. "Then I'll die for good reason." Taking his hands off her cheeks, he opened the door and walked outside with axes in hand. The moon was full this night and it shined brightly. Aeon turned to the right and saw the Night Stalker standing in the street knowing that Aeon would do battle again. Its chains rolled up onto its forearms putting the hooks into its hands, giving a deceiving smile. Aeon looked at the Night Stalker holding his axes tightly in his hands," I'm going to put an end to you here demon," All the Night Stalker did was chuckle slightly waiting for Aeon to make the first move. "You're still filled with fear of us," The Night Stalker said. "Shut up! I'm only filled with rage towards you." "Then show me." Aeon began charging at the Night Stalker at full speed, with his axes above his head he swung at the Night Stalker but missed. Like thin air the Stalker disappeared from Aeon's sight and Aeon looked every where from where he was standing. "Aeon," He heard a soft feminine voice behind him," Aeon." He turned around to see who it was saying his name and he was shocked to see who it was. It was a young zenthain woman around the same age as Aeon standing behind him, her skin was a winter red color, her eyes a majestic turquoise and her feathery hair was black with orange tips. "H- Hazel," Aeon said dropping his axes and falling to his knees. "Yes Aeon it's me," She smiled at him," We can go back to the time when we were together... Don't you remember?" She put her hand on the side of his face. He nodded with tears filling his eyes," I do, Hazel, I do," Putting his hand on top of hers, a single tear ran down his cheek," Can you really take me back?" "Yes, I can." Shoeshine snuck out through the back of her house and ran to get help from Twilight and the others. "Then take me away, take me away from this suffering I live it, so we can just be together," He begged. "But do you still love me?" She asked. "Yes, I have always loved you and I still do." "Then let us leave," She raised up her arm with a knife in her hand to kill Aeon. "Aeon!" Shoeshine yelled seeing Aeon in submission, Twilight and the others were with her as well but all they could do was watch. Aeon came back to his senses, grabbing one his axes he swung it and Hazel's body disappeared. One of the Night Stalker's large hands swung at Aeon, yet he dodged it having it strike the air. He grabbed his other axe before getting to his feet. "Where are you?" Aeon growled. "Here," The Night Stalker's voice echoing in his mind. "Show yourself!" The Night Stalker jumped down from above landing on top of Aeon, slamming him to the ground. Aeon rung his tail around the Night Stalker's neck and threw it off of him. Aeon got back up though the Night Stalker was already on its feet. "I know all your weaknesses, all your fears," The Night Stalker said. "you know nothing demon," Aeon responded. Charging at the Night Stalker again, it tried to strike Aeon with its large appendages. Yet dodging them it figured out that Aeon knew how it would strike using them. Aeon now in striking distance of the Night Stalker swung his axe over his head. Using its hook to block the axe, the Night Stalker kicked Aeon back. Only moving back a couple steps he swung again, as the Night Stalker did also. as the battle ensued they were equally matched in skill with their weapons. Aeon hit the Night Stalker in the face making it move back, he held out his axes now with many chips in the blade. The Night Stalker's hooks were unscathed with no chips on the blades of the hooks. Lunging forward at Aeon the Night Stalker pulled down Aeon's axes using its hooks. "You and I are the same accept it," The Night Stalker said overpowering Aeon's strength leaning him back. "I'm nothing like you," Aeon snarled. He head butted the Night Stalker and swung his axe. The Night Stalker grabbed the axe crushing the handle, then the white stripe on its chest opened. The stripe was a mouth with large sharp teeth, drooling with a black slime. Aeon swung with his other axe but the Night Stalker grabbed that one, also crushing the handle. He looked down at the large mouth watching it make a horse chomping noise trying to reach Aeon. "I shall devour you nice and slow," It chuckled. "Then do It!" Aeon yelled. The mouth opened as wide as it could ready for that first bite. Before it could even touch Aeon, he bit the Night Stalker's neck. The Night Stalker released Aeon's hands and Aeon threw the Night Stalker down the street just enough to be out of arm's reach; it landed crashing to the ground. Getting to its feet it sighed," Then I'll just make it easier, unfortunately it'll be less fun, but oh well." The Night Stalker unraveled the chains off its arms, it swung both chains like whips. Aeon had no weapons now, so all he could do is to trying and catch them. Yet the chains came at him with lightning speed striking him, knocking him to the ground. "Looks like this is the finale," The Night Stalker chuckled looking at Aeon who was trying to get up, yet he was tired from the long fight," quite anti-climactic for my taste though." Swinging its chains overhead the Night Stalker whipped them down sending falling towards Aeon like boulders falling off a high cliff. Shoeshine ran moving Aeon back so she could take the hit; the chains had struck with such force they instantly knocked her unconscious. "Shoeshine?" He said crawling towards her unconscious body, she had two large slash marks on her back and there was blood running down her body," Shoeshine." "Oh, looks like I missed," The Night Stalker joked. Aeon's hands were shaking and his had a look of shame," You bastard." "Oh my di- did she really?" Fluttershy said bewildered by what she just saw. "Yeah Fluttershy, she took the hit instead on him," Rainbow Dash said. The Night Stalker swung his chains at Aeon, but in the blink of an eye he caught them. Aeon turned his head back, all color in his eyes was gone leaving them glowing white. His skin turned from orange to a dark grey and his tail grew long barbs on the end of it. The mane five were horrified by what they were seeing Aeon turning into some kind of monster. Snapping his arms back, Aeon threw the Night Stalker towards him. He hit the Night Stalker with his foot and slammed it on the ground. The Night Stalker grabbed Aeon with its large appendage hands throwing him; he landed on all fours letting out a screeching horsed roar. Aeon charged at the Night Stalker with such speed that he was almost unseen, he swung upper cutting the Night Stalker. Grabbing the Night Stalker's neck he slammed it to the ground; the Night Stalker hit the ground looking into Aeon's glowing white eyes, all it could see was a mindless monster that would not reason, that would fight just out of instincts and survival. The Night Stalker began cackling," We really are the same, we are mindless killing machines, you can't deny it." He lifted the Night Stalker into the air and dug his claws into its chest. Yet the Night Stalker did nothing but it only kept on laughing. Aeon's hand came out of the back hold the Night Stalker's heart that was still beating, he brought his hand back and crushed its heart but the Night Stalker was still alive, still laughing. "I can't die," it said," I will haunt you till your death." Aeon threw the Night Stalker on the ground, grabbing its jaw. The Night Stalker was on its knees not doing a thing, not fighting back, not even pleading it didn't make a sound. Aeon using his strength tore its head in half, then threw both the head and the body away. He roared with his frill fanned out in victory. Hearing a voice he turned his head and saw a guard coming towards him," What is that?" Aeon growled at the guard ready to kill him. "Let's get it!" "No!" Twilight yelled. Aeon charged at the guard quickly killing him, slashing his claws across the guards face. Then he ran into the forest disappearing without a trace. Twilight looked at the forest. What are you Aeon? Twilight thought. Hearing a noise Twilight saw the Night Stalker get up holding the top half of its head, it reattached its head," We will meet again," It said disappearing into a puff of smoke. "Twilight!" Applejack called. Twilight ran over to her," Yeah." Applejack was with Shoeshine," She's not dead but she's unconscious, we need to get her patched up though." "Okay let's get her patched up then," Twilight used her magic to lift Shoeshine to take her to the hospital. Now Aeon has unleashed his true nature and must be found before he can do more harm to others or himself, but they know they need Shoeshine's help to get him before others do.
Chapter 6: FinalShoeshine woke up on a bed in the hospital, she looked around and saw Twilight, Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack in the room with her. "She's awake," Fluttershy said letting the others know. "where's Aeon?" She asked. "He ummm, well," Fluttershy stuttered trying to answer her. "Aeon's disappeared," Twilight answered. "Disappeared! What do mean disappeared!?" She puzzled. "Well he didn't exactly disappear, he ran into the forest." "Then we need to find him." "We are but we're starting to have second thoughts about looking for him." "Why?" "Because he turned into some kind of... monster." "Monster?" "Aeon thought you died out there and then he transformed into some kind of beast." "I don't care," Shoeshine climbed out of the bed," I'm still going to find him." "Why? He probably won't recognize you." "It's worth a try... Aeon's the only thing I care for the most and he said he'll always be by my side no matter what and I know he'll keep that promise." "You seem pretty confident there Shoeshine," Applejack said," How do know he will." "I know he will." Shoeshine was able to check herself out of the hospital and the six of them split up to go get somethings for a search party; a few minutes later they met up at Sugarcube Corner ready to go. "What are those books for?" Shoeshine asked. "They're spell books to see if we can change him back," Twilight responded. "Oh." "We best get goin," Applejack said," If we want to find him before it gets too dark." They left Sugarcube Corner and headed to the forest, still they knew it wouldn't be easy to find Aeon since they could be there for days and find nothing. The sun started setting and as the search was going nowhere since they found not even a trace of Aeon. "We should try splitting up so we can cover more ground," Applejack suggested. "Sounds like a good idea just yell out if you find something," Twilight said. So they split up going in different directions from each other, to see if they could find Aeon better this way. Applejack was walking looking up in the trees, behind her, and on her sides," I don't like this, it's dark and it's hard to see anything," She told herself. Then she heard a rustling sound in the trees above, she looked up seeing that leaves were falling down. A thump sound came from a tree behind her, she looked at it watching leaves just fall. Again another thump sound came from the right side and she looked up again to see only leaves falling. Applejack's felt her heart racing as the sound was jumping around her. Then above her she saw a large figure jumping down landing in front of her, shaking the ground under her hooves. She looked and saw it was Aeon; his arms and his head were dangling towards the ground. He lifted his head up opening his white glowing eyes looking at Applejack. He lifted his arms up spreading them out, showing his long claws. "Aeon it's me Apple..." She said. Before she could finish what she was saying Aeon lunged at her, swinging his arms to slashed at her. Applejack moved making Aeon slash at a tree, breaking off a large chunk of it. She ran off to find the others and Aeon began chasing right after her; his speed easily out matched Applejack's making him catch up with her in a short distance. Showing his teeth he tried to bite her, but she turned making him slide increasing the distance between them only for a spit second. then she looked up and saw Aeon leap over her head landing right in front of her. Applejack knew that running would get her nowhere since Aeon is a lot faster than her. She began backing up slowly with Aeon following her, he was growling showing his sharp teeth with saliva running out of the sides of his mouth. Aeon then couldn't move his legs as they felt like a thousand pound weights, he began squirming for freedom to get his prey. Applejack looked and saw Twilight was using her magic to hold Aeon down in place. Shoeshine came over seeing Aeon but seeing him she was almost certain that wasn't him. "Is that... Aeon?" She asked. "Yes," Twilight responded," It's him." "It can't be," she looked at the roaring mindless grey monster in front of her. She began walking closer to Aeon, with each step she took the more his attention was drawn to her. Shoeshine came close to Aeon to where she could touch his face. "Aeon," She said softly reach her hoof up to touch his face. He seemed calm now since he wasn't squirming anymore but Twilight kept held down in case if he did anything. Shoeshine's hoof touched his snout; immediately he snapped trying to bite her hoof. She jumped back from almost getting bit; there were tears in her eyes as she sees that Aeon is now just an empty shell of himself. "Shoeshine are you okay?" Fluttershy asked just arriving. Shoeshine said nothing, she only turned and started walking back to Ponyville seeing that there was no purpose to try and save him. "Shoeshine where ya going?" Applejack asked. "Home," She answered. "Why?" "Because that's not Aeon." "It is him." "No it's not him, that's a monster." "Just because he attacked you, you're just going to give up," Twilight said. Shoeshine nodded as tears filled her eyes," I looked into his eyes and saw nothing but an empty shell, just a shadow." "Don't worry we're going to turn him back no matter what." Aeon noticed that Twilight's guard was down and that meant the restraints would be weakened. Easily he broke the restraints without the others noticing what he had done. He jumped towards Twilight with his claws extended at her to deliver a punishing blow. Aeon tackled her down to the ground holding her by the neck, raising his other hand into the air to kill her. Twilight had to think quickly of a spell that would get him off of her, then she thought of it as her horn glowed. She blasted Aeon throwing him into the air, he flew until he hit a nearby tree. Aeon landed on many branches before finally landing on the ground, he wasn't moving or trying to get back up. "Let's get him up," Rainbow Dash said. They got Aeon to sit up on the tree; he was barely conscious from the hit. Aeon barely had one eye opened but they noticed it was lime green. His grey skin was turning back orange with the barbs on his tail shrunk back into his tail. "We did it! We turned him back to normal!" Pinkie Pie yelled in celebration. Aeon opened his eyes and saw them in front of him," Hey," He looked around," How did I get here?" "You don't remember?" Twilight asked and Aeon only nodding in response," Then what do you recall?" "Only fighting the Night Stalker... Di-did I win?" "I think so." Aeon sighed," Well I guess that's a relief," He glanced around," Where's Shoeshine?" "she's right here." He looked," Shoeshine you're okay." She walked up to him," Yeah, I am now that you're back Aeon." Aeon gave her a slight smile as he got to his feet," Then I guess we should head back now." They all started heading back to Ponyville as the sun began to rise from behind the mountains. Everything went smoothly on the way back, then standing out of the edge of the forest were guards from Canterlot. "Are you Aeon?" One of the guards asked. "Yes," He answered. "Then come with us the princess would like to see you." Aeon and the others followed the guards to Canterlot; as they entered the castle Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne with a displeased look. " You've got some explaining to do," She asserted Aeon stopped walking just standing a few feet away from the princess and the others were standing behind him," The events of the last few days aren't of my doing." "True I know that, but many ponies have said that you're the cause of it though." "Believe what you want but I know I did nothing." The princess was silent for a moment before speaking again," Were you able to defeat it?" "I'm not sure, to tell you the truth," He confessed. "What do you mean you're not sure? It's just a yes or no question, so did defeat it or not?" She asked assertively again. "I'm not sure! It's a fucking demon I don't know if it's dead!" He bellowed. "I see... I have also heard that you murdered one of my guards after you supposedly defeated it," She addressed. Aeon lowered his head," I'm not sure... I blacked out during the fight, so I don't remember," He confessed. "If you blacked out, then how were you able to still fight?" "I-I..." Aeon paused trying to think raising his head up looking at the princess"...I let my instincts take over me." "And when you let that happen do you still have any kind of control over yourself." "No." "So you would hurt both friend and foe alike?" "Yes." "With what you've just told me you seem more like a liability than an asset to us." "What do you mean?" "That if you let it happen again, there's going to be a lot of collateral damage before we can stop you and we know how fast and strong you are." "... I see." "With that and how little we know about you makes it hard for me to see you as a great asset." "I understand." "I know you protected us from those gargoyles but a year has passed and we still know almost nothing about you since you tell us that makes it hard to trust you." "Then what are you trying to do make me leave?" "No, I'm just saying that right now you're a liability but if you have things you still need to settle then you can." Aeon exhaled from his nose and said," I did have things to settle but why should I settle them now?" "Aeon, I'm only doing what's best for my little ponies and I can tell that you keep something hidden from us, something that makes you distant." "I'm not trying to risk any ponies safety, I'm just trying not to bring my experiences into your land Princess... I'm just trying to forget things that I've done to others." "Then will you tell us everything?" "No, I won't," He said in a blunt tone. "Then I'm afraid you have no choice but to leave Equestria." Aeon said nothing to the princess and turned away from her facing the entrance," Even though I'll leave, I know that demon won't." The others were shocked to see that Aeon didn't even resist against the princess's decision. Yet Aeon knew if they could not trust him then he has no reason to stay. Aeon walked passed them saying nothing, only having a serious look on his face. As they left Canterlot to head back to Ponyville they couldn't think of anything to say to Aeon all they did was just look at him seeing that he's not the zenthain they met a year ago. You're so different from when we met you, what is it that you're hiding? Twilight thought. Arriving at Ponyville everyone went their separate ways home. Shoeshine and Aeon were heading back home; even though Aeon was right next to her he felt as if he was a thousand miles away from her. The only sound that could be heard was a slight breeze in the air and their footsteps. Shoeshine opened the door and they both went inside; Aeon went into the room next to the lobby and sat down on a chair, Shoeshine just went upstairs into her room and closed the door. It was now night, the moon was full and its light was bright. Shoeshine finally came down stairs, she walked towards Aeon content to find put what he's been hiding. Aeon was standing at the window holding a small clock in his hand; his back was turned towards her. "If you have something to say, then just say it," he announced. "Why- why didn't you try and convince the princess so you could stay?" She asked. "If she can't trust me, then why should I even stay," he answered. "But what is it that you hide Aeon, just what is it?" "That's nothing you need to know Shoeshine." "But why! Is it something that haunts you, something that scars you?" "It's none of your business, Shoeshine!" He raised his voice," I don't have to tell them anything about me and if they don't like what I've told them, then I have no reason to be here." "But you have me, you have your friends doesn't that matter to you," tears began to fill Shoeshine's eyes," Can't you just tell them everything so you don't have to leave." "I can't..." "Why?" "Because it's something that would truly banish me and make me seen as something dangerous." "What is it?!" "I don't have to tell you." "Then tell just tell some pony." "I don't need to tell anyone." "But why Aeon?" "You want to know why!" He turned around throwing the clock across the room, it flew above Shoeshine. It hit the wall breaking into pieces of broken glass and wood," Because it's something that I've done, that I keep away from others and there is no reason why I need to tell you or anyone else... I'm not going to sit there and say, ' oh here you go I'm an open book,' that's not me, my pages are closed and they stay closed!" Aeon bellowed out in anger. Tears were streaming down Shoeshine's face," Who are you?... you're not the zenthain I met a year ago." "You're right, I'm not." "Just get out," She said under her breath. Aeon looked confused at her. "Get out!... Get out! Get out! Get out!" She screamed. Aeon walked towards the door grabbing his satchel. "I never want to see you again!" Aeon opened the door," Fine by me," he grumbled walking and out closing the door behind him. She was struck to hear those words out of his mouth, it seems as if he didn't care about her. She leaned against the front door sobbing uncontrollably from what she just witnessed out of Aeon. As he was walking toward his boat he felt heavy from all he said venting out his anger at Shoeshine. Aeon didn't know what came over him it just happened, but it doesn't matter to him now, he was forced to leave and he'll do just that. Aeon came up to his old boat still surprised it was still in one piece, he came up to the boat and patted its edge. "Well old friend... you ready for another round of the open sea?" He said to the boat setting his satchel in it. He pushed the boat out to the water until it began floating then he jumped in it. Aeon grabbed an ore rowing the boat out farther from the shore. Out on the water he felt a calm wind thinking it was a good sign that maybe one day he'll come back and everything can be put in the past. He turned his head and looked back at Equestria slightly smiling. One day I'll be back, one day all my scars will fade into forgotten memories.
