Chapter 12 Even if she don't need him

"Are we there yet? No... Are we there yet? Oh... How about now?... Are we-"

"Could you stop for at least 5 seconds! We're not even out of town and I can see the library from here! Pinkie!", Twilight yelled at the mare who was literally in her ear.

The group was walking along the main road towards the Everfree Forest. Until Pinkie asked next to her. "Well, of course we're still in the town. I'm asking if we're at the part where the main character will be able to appear."

"...What?", Twilight said with a WTF face.

"Ignore her.", Applejack came to her side. "Sometimes Pinkie... it can be unexpected."

"I'm not. Only from Monday at 7 am until Friday at 10 pm. Weekends are a random schedule to whatever I feel like."

Applejack was staring at her too, but over the years she was used to it. "Well... So what's the plan, Twi?"

Twilight putting her worries aside, addressed the group, who were right at the exit of the town towards the forest. "Well. The book of the Elements of Harmony tells that they were last used in the ancient castle in this forest. I don't know what we could face... and Nightmare Moon could appear to stop us. So we can expect to face many types of dangers."

"REALLY!"

Twilight was waiting for Pinkie to say something strange. She was surprised to be wrong. "Rarity, why are you happy about that?"

As soon as she heard the danger, Rarity went to Twilight's other side. "Because, my dear Twilight, if I, a damsel like myself, are in mortal danger, a beloved knight might appear to rescue me!", she said with a delightful face.

Twilight was confused, even more so when the girls started talking amongst themselves as Rainbow added. "Oh, you mean he might show up. Finally! Now I can show him who's the best!"

"He will appear... Oh God... I'm not ready to see him yet. What if he hates me because I haven't changed?" Fluttershy adds while worrying if her heart was ready or not looking down. "I don't want him to find me a nuisance... like the others..."

"Don't worry, Shy! Who could be mad at a cutie like you!", Pinkie said as she hugged Fluttershy to calm her down, and it worked as Fluttershy smiled. "He'll definitely be happy to see you, even more so if you change into that bunny costume we bought you! Pst, some advice. Let him make his way to you and you can have the best night of your life.", Fluttershy then made a face just thinking about Pinkie's 'advice' about 'changing'.

Twilight couldn't understand what they were talking about, Applejack gladly ended the conversation before she could finish it herself. "Alright girls, Ah know ya want to see him, like Ah do. But Ah need to remind ya that we still have the problem with this Nightmare Moon vermin. So let's focus."

"Okay," with all the approvals, the girls stop talking and begin their journey towards the Everfree Forest. Just as she finished, Twilight approaches Applejack.

"Hey, Applejack. Who were they talking about? It shows they were hoping to see... 'him' but why?"

"SIGH... A friend that the girls trust a lot but who cares more about his well-bein, includin me. Ah also wanted to see him since the last time he was injured, we just want to know he's okay. Everypony has a different reason but it's the same with me, we wanted to help him with whatever he have."

"And what's wrong with him? What did you and the girls want to help him with?"

Applejack turned to Twilight and could see that she was really curious about the topic. She smiles hoping that Twilight will also join the cause. "To free him."

"Free him?... From what?"

"... Of the curse... and whoever his master is.", with that, Applejack leaves Twilight to reflect on what she just heard.

'Curse? Master?... That reminds me- No!', Twilight thinks in her mind that she already heard something like that but the mere thought makes her body shudder. 'Just stop, he's not here and he's nothing to me. Right now, Nightmare Moon is the top priority right now. Beside...'

Then Twilight headed to the exit of the town where the others were waiting for her. 'There's no way anypony is happy to see him... nopony is happy to see me either... Come on Twilight. Focus!'

She walked while ignoring the problems, her fears, her worries about the mission. And the shadow following her.

How do you feel when you achieved your goal, how happy can you feel when you finally overcome an obstacle and celebrate when your resolutions come true for you? For Shadow, it was a great relief to see his master again.

When night fell, Shadow finished his preparations and decided to go to town. In case his master was in danger, he would hide in the shadows so he would be ready to help her. However, there was not much he could do while his order was still in effect.

He was able to sneak in without alerting anypony, he was even glad to see that the pink problem didn't notice him this time. When he found out that his master was in the library, he was there but could not appear in front of her since he was not authorized to do so yet. He was also unable to stop Nightmare Moon in the event, as his success rate was still 0% without the key to defeating her, he simply decided to be nearby in case she needed protection. He was able to provide his finding when she was reviewing the book of The Elements, however, he was still not called.

So how did he feel when his master entered the forest with the rest of the holders, saw the cliff they were passing suddenly collapse, and saw his master about to fall? Well, he was happy to complete his purposes while holding her like a princess. Unfortunately for Twilight it wasn't like that.

'IamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIamgoingtodie', her mind screamed as all she could do was stand still like a frightened deer. She looks directly into the light she feared, Shadow's eyes.

Neither Twilight nor Shadow moved or said anything. They just stared at each other like it was a staring contest. Each of them was in their own world and they could be like this forever, one asking that this could be eternal while the other asking to finish and run as far as possible. To their misfortune and luck, in that order, they were reminded of the current situation.

"Heads up!", both were able to return to reality as the owner of the voice fell next to them. There Applejack joins them. "Phew... Wow, that was close. For a moment Ah thought we were done for."

"Applejack..." Twilight, still petrified from being held by Shadow, tries to call for help. She prays for any hope, which did not come.

"Hey Shadow, so you finally decide to show up, old partner." Applejack said as she patted him on the back. Then, she turns to an astounded Twilight. "See. Ah told ya that ya will be safe and in capable hands. There's no pony Ah trust more than this guy."

"HUH?!", Twilight was surprised, she looked directly at Applejack and fearfully confirmed that there was no mistake that the pony she was talking about was none other than Shadow. 'Did she sell me to him?!'

Then, Rainbow's voice could be heard. "Girls! What's taking you so long?!... Wait! Is it HIM?!", the four girls on the ground are straining their eyesight to better look in their direction.

"Looks like they're waiting for us. Come on buddy!", with that, Applejack began to carefully jump down. Leaving Twilight behind with Shadow.

'Oh no. Are they working together? Could it be that I fell into Nightmare Moon's trap?!', as she guessed why Shadow was here, he decided to take action.

"Master. Hold on tight.", Shadow jumped down as well.

"Wait, what did you s-what are you DOINGGGG?!!", not giving Twilight time to prepare and of course she didn't get the message.

Shadow didn't follow Applejack's example. While she jumped from rock to rock, he preferred to slide directly to the ground. Using his armored feet, he slid towards the part where the rock wall was straight. When he was about to encounter a rock formation, he would jump to the side or jump off the wall and do a kick to destroy the obstacle. All this was done at high speed and without giving Twilight time to calm down, even worse at the moment when it seemed like they were going to fall directly to the ground.

'IamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIamgoingtodieIAMGOINGTODIE!'

Fortunately, with Shadow's agility, Twilight was not harmed by any debris and reached the ground safely. As they reach the ground, Twilight holds onto Shadow very tightly the entire time. Once she calmed down and saw that they were already on the ground, she began to fight him.

"...PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT O-", he obediently obeyed and placed her on her hooves while making space between them. "...I'm starting to see deja vu."

"Are you hurt in any way?", she then turns to him.

Just as she expected, he was the same black metal being. Shadow had the same red stripe patterns that Twilight remembers on him and his red eyes that she saw. And once again she began to feel that sensation, however she discarded it because of how convenient he had appeared until now. 'Could he be related to Nightmare Moon? Did they send him to spy on me?!

CLANG She was under suspicion for his motives, but before she could question him, a pink blur appeared in front of them. Well, on Shadow's chest.

"Owie.", then they both look towards that pink dot and discover that Pinkie went straight towards Shadow, with her face. Then she removes her face, still holding Shadow. "Ow... what a tough skin... But. HA! Finally I capture Shadow! You are tag! Caught me if you can!", and just that, Pinkie screams in Shadow's face only to start running the other way. Twilight and Shadow just watch the way Pinkie disappears.

'What's happening now?', Twilight thought as she returned back to Shadow, when the others caught up with them.

"SHADOW!", this time it was Rarity as she hugs him by holding his arm. "It's been a long time since we broke up! Did you miss me?! Did you come to save us?! GASP Did you come for me, my beloved prince?!", she said.

'Prince?' Twilight had no idea what she meant.

Rainbow flies to his side. "Hey! It's time for you to show up! Where were you, buddy? Wait! Don't say you went hunting for more monsters? At least tell me if you need help. As my rival, I have to make sure no one defeats you!"

'Rival?', Twilight was lost.

That's when Applejack finishes getting down and walks towards him. "Well, Ah am really glad ya are okay. Ya know, we were worried sick about ya. Especially Apple Bloom, she's been prayin for weeks. But thanks for comin back safely, buddy.", she said, patting his chest.

'Now partner, what's next, savior?', Twilight didn't believe it.

Worse when Fluttershy talked to him. "Ohm... Hello Shadow... If it's okay, I... uhm, I wanted to thank you for saving me... If you don't mind...", she said trying to get his attention, which she succeed and receives a nod from him as Twilight simply slaps her face not accepting that she guessed correctly.

"Okay, what's going on?", she finally decided to intervene and get everypony's attention. "What is this? How do you know him?"

"Of course we know him.", Twilight simply turned to the owner of the voice, to find Pinkie in sales mode. With her merchandise and salesmare's mustache. "He's famous! He's 'The Shadow Blade of Ponyville', the metal demon that lurks in the abandoned castle in the Everfree Forest. Here's a doll! And so are you!"

Pinkie gives one of the chibi dolls to Twilight and Shadow. For her, she was amazed by the details when she took it from Pinkie. It was a really small copy of him, only she didn't remember the demonic mouth. As for Shadow, he didn't react and didn't grab it as Pinkie waved it in front of him.

"Come on~~ I know you want one. Ha? Ha? Unless you want to sue me.", Pinkie then threw her vendor box and all the merchandise aside, with her fake mustache. "Wow. Who was that? Who could sell your image and profit from it, because I can't!", she failed to look innocent as she whistled and looked away.

'The Shadow Blade of Ponyville, the metal demon that lurks in the abandoned castle in the Everfree Forest,' Twilight keeps repeating all the ponies' comments, including Pinkie's crazy propaganda. "What are you girls talking about? Don't you see he's dangerous?!"

The five mares look at Shadow, who hasn't said anything. "Of course.", only for everypony to say the same answer.

"What?!" Twilight shudders at the quick and honest response. "Then why do you all trust him?"

Rarity, who has not yet separated from him, speaks first. "Don't worry dear, my first impressions were the same as yours. But once you give him the generous opportunity to meet him, well, you can begin to see him as... Your Charming Knight~~", she said with a Very flirty, but Shadow shows no signs of flirting back.

"Well... He's actually menacing.", Fluttershy said as she was glad to see him okay. "But... I can tell he's a kind soul.", even she was praying that his demon wouldn't appear again, for his sake.

"Yeah!", it was now Pinkie Pie, somehow climbing up his back hugging his head. "He gives off a bad boy vibe, but he's fun to be around, plus he's cool! Right, Dashie!" GROWL, he wasn't on the same page with 'fun' with her.

"Well, he definitely looks strong in that armor. But I bet I can beat him without it. And yeah, he's great to be around," Rainbow said looking at him, yet she cared about his well-being even if she didn't want to admit.

"Cool or threatening, I'm glad this guy is safe. Honestly, I was worried about you." Applejack was happy that her sister had the chance to see him again, however, she worried if Apple Bloom would plan how to pair the two of them off again. "Beside, havin him on our side can improve our chances against this Nightmare Moon vermin."

After they spoke, Twilight could only simply take in all the comments about him in her mind, but she still refused to believe that he was on their side. "Girls... You have no idea who he really is. He's- EPP!!!" but she didn't get the chance to explain, because Shadow started walking towards her.

Frightened, Twilight backed away from his sudden movement. Shadow leaves Pinkie off of him and walks away from Rarity as he walks towards her. As he draws his left sword. 'HE'S GOING TO SILENCE ME?!', Twilight was frozen in fear, even the others didn't move since they didn't know what was happening too. Twilight, expecting the worst to happen to her, closes her eyes. But he soon begins to understand what he's doing when he puts his hand on her shoulder.

And places her behind him. "Something is coming."

With a simple warning, Twilight opened her eyes and the others saw Shadow putting himself between her and anything that alarmed him. Twilight was still suspicious of him, but again the same feeling crawled over her skin. Not in a bad way, in a way she feels safe again. Only then could she concentrate on her surroundings and what he was talking about.

ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR

"What was that?", Rainbow said as soon as the group could hear the scream of a beast.

"Whatever it is, it looks like it's coming this way.", Applejack added as she felt the tremor coming.

It was just a few seconds that the group saw the birds escape into the distance while the trees were shaken. Applejack and Rainbow were side by side in the front like Shadow. As for Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy decided to wait at a safe distance.

And Twilight wanted to move but she couldn't get over the feeling of safety from being close to him. 'Why do I feel this way? What is he really to me?', as she debates this phenomenon, the group soon discovers what they were about to face.

Destroying any flora in his path, the culprit crushes trees and destroys bushes between him and his destination. Before long, the beast appeared in the clearing where the group was waiting. Having the body of a scorpion's tail, the wings of a bat and the body and head of a lion. A manticore roars in the air. ROAR

"A MANTICORE! Why is there a manticore here?!" Twilight shouts after studying their legends, identifying the beast.

The beast also saw them and was also preparing to fight while stepping on its right paw. And suddenly roaring. The party takes this as confirmation that they will have to defeat the beast to continue.

Applejack was the first to step in. "Well, this fellow was seen waitin for some action. Dash, cover me!"

Seeing the inevitable fight, Applejack and Rainbow Dash took the lead. Pinkie and Rarity decide to provide support in any way. Only Twilight was unsure of what to do, she still thought it was all planned by Nightmare Moon. As for Fluttershy, she was worried about something. She, for some reason, thought something was wrong with the Manticore.

And she found out by asking the only one she knew could handle it. "Could it be? Shadow!", as he knew.

"Leave it to me.", was all he said as he left Twilight behind with the rest and ran straight towards the beast.

ROAR The Manticore noticed the threat that was Shadow, so it tried to roar at him as a warning, but it didn't work as Shadow soon closed the distance. Seeing the imminent danger, Manticore's first move was to use his tail to sting him. Even if he was wearing metal armor, Shadow did not receive the attack and dodged it by running even faster in the next second and passed underneath until he was face to face with the beast. The astonished Manticore tries to strike him with his claws, but using his sword, Shadow blocks and repels the attack. Without missing the opportunity, Shadow approaches the beast and with his free hand hits the right front paw.

ROAR Sensing the Shadow's attack, the Manticore retracts its paw but suddenly freezes because it felt strange. But in a second, he dismisses it as he tries to hit Shadow again with his left paw. Unable to repel it this time, Shadow jumps away from the attack and looks for an opportunity again. Unfortunately, the beast was not going to stop, the beast attacked again with its tail. As soon as Shadow steps aside to dodge it, the Manticore combines its paws and tail to attack relentlessly, sometimes attempting to bite Shadow with its fangs.

"Are we going to help him?", Pinkie asked as the rest watched the fight.

Rainbow was ready to take flight. "Of course we are! I am going in!", but Fluttershy stopped her in the air.

"Wait!" Fluttershy flies up to get between the group and the fight. "Girls, please. I know you want to help. But leave this to Shadow and me."

"What are you talking about Fluttershy?", Rarity wasn't going to join in but there's no way she's going to let Shadow get hurt. "Even I trust Shadow can handle it, it's too dangerous to leave everything in his hands. We have to help him somehow."

"I know. But we can get in his way and harm the poor baby.", as Fluttershy said that, the rest looked at her because they had heard wrong. ROAR Until a roar from the beast catches his attention.

Somehow, the manticore was locked with its left paw with Shadow and his sword in an effort to avoid being pinned to the ground. However, that was his plan, so as soon as the Manticore put its body weight on his pressure, Shadow released his lock on the beast and let it fall towards him as Shadow took a step to the side and turned to the right side of the beast. It seemed impossible, but Manticore's face fell to the ground as his right front paw was caught by Shadow's arm. Without wasting any more opportunities, he put aside his sword and accurately struck the beast's claw with his free hand while grabbing it with his other arm.

The Manticore roared at the sudden assault on his arm, but was confused when he began to notice how his arm felt. Even so, he was still afraid. Wasting no time, the beast stands up to move its right paw towards its face and attempts to bite Shadow. Shadow was dragged away, loosening his grip and dodging the bite. He was now face to face when he did it and was wide open for a quick hit. The beast saw this and threw out its right paw, and saw it's right paw dangling unresponsive.

The Manticore was now scared. He couldn't understand what was happening and why. But he could understand that Shadow was a dangerous being as he walked towards him. So, in his fight and flight, the response was simple, the beast tried to hit Shadow with its left paw, once again as he wanted. Shadow grabbed the punch above him as he turn around and, with just his strength, Shadow did a shoulder throw judo with an animal that was twice his size.

BANG The clearing echoed with the fall of the beast and then everything fell silent for the group of mares who were barely witnessing the feat. The manticore was perplexed, it did not believe that it was thrown by a being smaller than itself, but it did believe who was stronger. Then the animal, a manticore, a beast of legend, appeared submissive to Shadow, while he warned him.

"Stay still or else...", once his aura did the job, Shadow confirmed that the Manticore's nod was his confirmation that he will obey. Now he could call the only pony who could solve this situation. "He's ready."

The group didn't know what he meant, but Fluttershy did. "Oh my, I hope those two weren't hurt. Well, at least for that poor little baby."

"LITTLE BABY?!", they knew she meant the manticore.

Ignoring the others' confusion, Fluttershy flew towards the Manticore where she took Shadow's place and came face to face with the beast. "Oh~ Poor thing. I'm sorry for Shadow...uh, strength. But we need you to calm down. Are you calm now?"

The Manticore was confused, but not because Fluttershy was talking to him or how he could understand her. He was confused because he was actually calm, he was also afraid. He grunted that he was fine now.

"Okay, could we see your right paw...please?" Fluttershy asked politely, but it was loud enough when the group just arrived.

"Fluttershy, what's going on?", Twilight asked for the group. "He's a beast, he can't understand you."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I don't deserve kind help.", to everyone's surprise, even Shadow, the beast followed Fluttershy's orders as it stood up, with Shadow's permission. And he let Fluttershy take his right paw. Where he had a kind of black thorn impaled.

Fluttershy examines his paw and the black spine. "I see, so this is why. Poor baby, I know you're hurt and scared but don't worry I... We can help you, it's okay.", with a motherly voice, Fluttershy was able to dispel any doubts from the Manticore. So he nodded and trusted them.

"Okay... Oh.", without warning, Shadow came and inspected the thorns as well. Only to take it in his grasp and pull it away in an instant. Everypony expected the Manticore to become frantic, once again, even the beast, was confused because it didn't feel anything.

But the answer came to them. "I strike your nerve points. Most of the paw is numb, but I can reverse it, so don't panic.", Shadow explained as he put the thorn aside.

He took his backpack, no pony notice it he had, searching and taking out some leaves and pieces of cloth. Shadow further examines his paw for any toxic or possibility of poisoning. But when he doesn't find any, he helps Fluttershy patch him up. And once they were done, he massaged the beast's paw and also tapped his finger to wake up the numb paw.

"It's done," Shadow said as he stepped back and let the beast check his paw. The manticore moves and flexes his full leg. Surprised to be able to feel his paw again without the pain that tormented him. But when a yellow hand held his paw, all fears dissipated with her sweet voice.

"Don't worry, I know you're scared, but I assure you that we have no intention of hurting you.", the manticore stared at the owner of the voice with her motherly blue eyes. Unable to control itself, the manticore captures Fluttershy with its paws.

"FLUTTERSHY!", the group was ready to fight the beast for the sake of their friend but they were stopped by Shadow's hand and a laugh.

Stop~ That tickles! HAHAHA!", the group calmed down as they watched the Manticore lick Fluttershy's face. Once she managed to calm the beast, the manticore stared at Shadow. Only Fluttershy was able to understand what he was thinking. "I guess I want to thank you, Shadow."

"...", Shadow didn't respond, internally he didn't know what to do. Fluttershy saw this and decided to help him a little.

"Here, let me guide you.", gathering up her courage, she went to take his hand to guide Shadow on how to pet the manticore.

He didn't resist so the group could watch Shadow's hand caress a now peaceful but deadly Manticore. The image of a menacing warrior petting a dangerous animal like a gentle owner petting his cat was something they never expected to see. The girls were glad that Shadow, even with his appearance, was the kind soul they met.

Except Twilight, who still has her guard up as she asks. "That's enough. What's going on? And what are you doing?"

As soon as she finished Twilight's question, Shadow was the one who answered her directly as he stopped what he was doing and straightened his posture towards her. "This Manticore had an unknown species of thorn in its right paw, this caused the beast to go crazy, losing its ability to identify allies and enemies. As soon as it saw us as an enemy, I had no choice to take down the beast in any way so that it couldn't hurt you."

When Shadow finished his answer, it didn't mention who, all the girl's thoughts were that Shadow didn't want to see them hurt while repelling the beast. But Twilight could sense that he was referring to her without knowing why. This only confuses her and makes her suspicions about him worse. Twilight was about to say what was on her mind, but the girls beat her to it.

"Oh, so you really came to protect me?!", Rarity leaves the group, pushes Twilight aside, to hug Shadow's arm again. "You really are my Shining- I mean... Dusk, Dark or Night? It doesn't matter. Thank you for coming to my rescue, my Charming Knight~", as the rest of the group also leaves Twilight behind.

Rainbow flies towards him. "Come on buddy, did you think I needed protection? Yeah, I may not have noticed that Lumberwolf last time, but this time I'll definitely fight. So don't go to all the trouble."

"Even if Dashie wouldn't want to admit it. We're worried about ya gettin hurt, or at least the thought that ya might get hurt.", Applejack added ignoring Rainbow's glare. "In the end, we'd be glad if ya could come with us. We'll need every pony available to stop that Nightmare varmint."

"Yeah!", it was Pinkie's turn to add her opinion, as she was on top of Shadow again. "The more the merrier! Plus, Shadow is a lot of fun to be with. -GROWL- Look, he agrees too. What do you think Fluttershy?"

Like Pinkie, the Manticore was also on top of Fluttershy, but that didn't bother her at all. "Well, I feel safer if Shadow comes with us. Besides being the strongest pony I know, he is also the kindest soul I have ever met. Without him, I might not be able to save this poor baby and show him the kind help he needed." GROWL, The manticore also agrees with her as his now patched paw was proof enough.

Twilight wanted to refute her. 'Kind! He is not kind at all. Princess Celestia sees him as a national threat, plus he left Shining's face purple for an entire week! It's definitely dangerous and...', she wanted to send Shadow away, but seeing that the group wanted him to go with them, she didn't have the voice to speak. It also couldn't negate Shadow's power and could be useful against Nightmare Moon. IF he wasn't on her side.

But she feels that couldn't change the group's decision. "So, can we keep him?"

Twilight returned with Pinkie's voice and seeing that all the girls, including the Manticore, were waiting for her approval. Unable to deny the group's request, she decides to humor them. "Fine! He can come with us and do whatever he wants with all of you!"

She then headed towards the direction they were going, before leaving the group behind to add: "But he's forbidden from talking to me!"

The group just watched Twilight leave. They also knew that they can't convince her to trust Shadow since they also have their own mistrust with him at first. It was only after they interacted with him that the girls' opinion changed. That's why they were saddened to see Shadow lower his head with his eyes closed, since they thought he was hurt by what Twilight had just said. They did not know the reason, but they left it behind since the trip had to continue.

"Well, ya heard her. The world depends on us. And don't take her seriously, partner. She hasn't met ya so she doesn't know what ya can really do.", Applejack said patting him on his free shoulder and walking out. The group behind towards the castle with Twilight.

Soon, the rest also follow up but not before giving Shadow some sort of condolences. Shadow simply opened his eyes again and watched as the girls began to march off to catch up with Twilight. Only Fluttershy stays behind to send the Manticore back into the forest and also turns to Shadow to ease his worries.

"Hmm... Don't worry. I'm sure she's not really mad at you... so... hang in there? Hehe.", Shadow just looks back at her but nods back. "Okay then...let's go.", Fluttershy then flies off to catch up with them as well, leaving Shadow alone.

Shadow took a couple of minutes watching the group leave. But he didn't care about his feelings. He was simply processing the events and his new findings, while holding the unknown thorn of the Manticore. He could feel the magic emanating from him and was uneasy as to what this could mean. The game was ON and he can, no, he will fight Nightmare Moon before gaining the power of the Elements.

He finished processing his new findings as he went to pick up his sword that he left aside during the fight. Just to take it and cut the thorn. When the piece was cut, it exploded into magical particles, spreading throughout the clearing. When everything clears up, only Shadow is left in the place. However, I could feel it. And he still had no chance. This time he will have to let it go and regroup with the girls. When he heard in the back of his mind the same warning when he saw her.

Rate for success... 0%

When she saw him again, she began to idolize how he would look kneeling once she won. When she hears him for the first time in a long time, she already imagines his words when he will refer to her. She was not able to decide in mistress, madam, or the simple one, master.

However, her mind was held to a single thought about him, Shadow. 'WHY DID HE SAVE THEM?!'

Nightmare Moon was madly angry. After finishing the first two obstacles, the cliff and the Manticore, she went to see the show. Only to see it ruined when a dark and surprised player entered the game. Her game to put him and Celestia in check isn't working.

'He must have seen our meeting. He must have heard the rules of the game... so... still... and despite that... HE CAME TO SAVE THOSE WHORES! WHY DID HE HELP THEM?!', and she didn't know it.

Nightmare Moon was furious but did not lose her temper as it would ruin her setup. 'Calm down, inhale... and exhale...', while she calms down to put her thoughts and order, and not lose her spectral form watching over the group.

'SIGH... Let's recap. I knew you were there, Shadow Blade. You heard our conversation with Celestia. Then you must listen to the rules... So why didn't the rules affect you? I know your secret and how you operate... but could it be that I'm wrong about you? Or did I miss something else?'

When she saw the group enter a section of the forest, a special section, her time was up. 'Whatever it is, I still win if they don't get the Elements... So, let's see if they come out in one piece.'

"Any news on the mission of the new holders? Have they taken possession of the Elements?", The General of the Equestrian Army, Fort Liberty, a strong and muscular brown earth pony, dressed in a military general's outfit, asks the Chief of Espionage in their temporary headquarters in Manehanthan.

Secret Gadget, a silver unicorn in a coat and detective hat, was reading the magical scrolls that came to him from his apartment reporting their statuses in the other cities. He put aside the current scroll and answered his old friend. "To be honest. My best agents have just reported the presence of Nightmare Moon. And the holders went alone to recover the artifacts on their own."

Gadget speaks so quietly that only Fort can hear him. The general also lowered his voice as many other ponies advanced towards the building they chose for their operations. "Then the target appeared and the battle for the peace of our country is just beginning."

As their princess ordered them, the army of Equestria with the guards of each city have mobilized in Las Pegasus, Dodge Junction, Fillydelphia, Appleloosa, The Wasteland Frontier, Canterlot as they did in Manehanthan. As night fell, all the civilians began to become alarmed when the sun did not appear. But with the coordinated effort, soldiers and guards were able to reassure the public and educate them to return home until further notice.

This allowed the cities and outposts established around Equestria to be secured, so the army was ready for any attack or invasion. And just in time when The Children of the Night finally spring into action. Soon some streets of many cities were filling with their squad to provoke the guards. Just as their leaders planned, multiple cult squads attacked the posts and cities where the largest population resides. Their goal was simply to create chaos and redirect the attention of the guards so that their leaders would help their queen.

So a long war the cult planned ended in hours and failed in its mission. The reasons were many.

By waiting for the signal that did not come, the cult squads acted too late when they attacked the cities. The army did not receive fatal surprise attacks on its posts, so it did not suffer many casualties. The army was able to establish minimal to no damage and casualty control while the cult was losing squads. As the army's counterattack closed in on them, without a solid base, the cult squads were easily overwhelmed and captured in the process.

Another reason was communication between cult groups, since without a general signal, their coordination was almost nil. Some acted too early and others too late, allowing the army to concentrate on one front. Once they were done, the army was able to divert and prepare for another attack. Without military coordination, their attacks did not penetrate the army's defenses and the cult squads retreated in disarray, becoming easy prey, falling one by one.

Furthermore, when a squad or its strategists did not receive any communication and their official channels did not respond, they decided to use other means. This allows Gadget's agents to intercept and sabotage their missions. Missions such as kidnapping, planting bombs or gathering information including protecting their bases failed.

Yes, victory in the battle for Equestria was on the army's side, but General Fort didn't feel like he was winning. "So the main guest has shown up. But tell me, Gadget, what are you hiding?"

With a deep sigh, Gadget turns to his old friend. "I just lost contact with my people in Ponyville. You know what this means, right?"

Fort stared heavily at his friend before answering. "It means we don't know if Princess Celestia or the holders are alive, isn't?"

Gadget scratches his head before answering her. "Yes, Nightmare Moon could very well appear now with the holders' heads if she wanted to." Gadget replies as he lowers his head. "And I don't want that reality to come true."

"Don't tell me you're just attached to those girls?...", the general then focuses on him. Knowing that habit of yours. "You didn't fall in love, did you?"

"Just because I was in charge of collecting their information doesn't mean I'm a stalker or that I have feelings for them.", Gadget then focused the last part. "If I want a mare to suck me, I only need to go to the brothel in this city, there I can have fun until I get tired with one or more. Besides, they are very green, it is better for them to enjoy their lives little by little."

Fort just looks at his old vice friend. "Whatever makes you happy buddy. But get to the point. There's something else you know, isn't there?"

"...Yeah.", Gadget then looked around and saw how everyone was working. Only when he was convinced that no one was listening did he reveal the secret. "He showed up too."

The place was busy and noisy, other generals as well as captains and messengers were working all over the place. Only Fort and Gadget's side was silent. How that part of the world froze. But it didn't take long as Fort was checking the map, a complete map of the lands of Equestria.

Fort blurted out his proposal. "Do we assault with the entire army or let our 'heroes' face these monsters alone? What's your opinion, Gadget?"

Gadget didn't respond. He simply took out a small box from his pockets and took out a cigarette. A chocolate cigar while biting into a piece. "Hmm... Well, for me we should do it like you said. But I trust the princess and her champions. After all, I didn't just investigate the girls."

Gadget said as he took out another one to continue. "I can trust this Shadow, if he is on our side. I just want to know what his 'master' could order him to do.", while reading a special report that he left at the end, with the words 'Yami Tool' and one of the leaders, codename Fire.

He learned some secrets about the legion and how the 'master' system works from the notes and reports he received from the Ponyville. With his findings and deduction abilities, Gadget was able to theorize that Twilight Sparkle is currently Shadow's Master. The only concern he had was whether Twilight would be able to control him properly.

Or take the wrong step. Gadget thought checking a very concerning note.

'Maybe Iron wants to know this, how lucky he was to fight him in his normal state. And may Faust save the poor soul who faces the real monster. I hope these 'restrictions' are just a fantastic figment of a young colt's imagination.'

Author's Note

I will short, I do want this chapter be short. Was debating if but a part of the tree section but then I need to look for Pinkie lyrics, and I thought that could take time and space so again I i decide to change or add more section on this chapter. Yet again, if you guys say that is fine with this version then I will leave that way. But I kindly lazy so may not change at all.