Author's Note

Hi, sorry for the late update. I got hit by the covid and was hard, because of the headache was hard to focus some days that had a a writer's block. Originally I was going to upload the fight only but then decide to add an extra chapter for what happen after the fight. From here how Shadow works and how Twilight choice can determinate the course of Equestria will start to be reveal.

Chapter 14 And he will face any danger

Chapter 14 And he will face any danger

It was almost 6 am on Equestria, and the rest of Terra, yet the sky was still under control of the night.

This strange phenomenon spread throughout the planet. Luckily, Princess Celestia established a plan to control the chaos that could be generated and thus all the cities of Equestria were under control. She also, with her ambassadors, notified the other countries but with only 24 hours to stop the eternal night. So Equestria was still calm, even with the initial chaos, everything was going well in most cities.

In Canterlot it was another story for a princess to take care of the nobles' complaints.

"Please tell me I heard it wrong.", Princess Cadance, as the second princess and next to Princess Celestia in authority, was doing her best to respond and receive all the concerns of the citizens.

She was also in charge of receiving all reports on the progress of Nightmare Moon's invasion operation in Canterlot. For now things were something she could handle, but there was something she didn't like to face. "You've got to be kidding me. Brother."

"How could I be kidding about this, sister?", Cadance had a brother. Unlike her, who was born 4 years after her, her brother did not receive the magical core to be a celestial alicorn, much less belong to the alicorn race.

He was a young white unicorn of 20 years old with always perfect blonde mane. His choice of clothing was always an elegant smoking of white, light blue and sometimes gold with silver, real gold and silver. His entire presence shows royalty, but in reality all he received was the title.

Prince Blueblood. "I'm just saying that our aunt is getting too carried away with this joke. It's almost time for the date I scheduled for today and the cafe I'm taking her to hasn't opened yet!"

"Brother. I understand that the night has dragged on quite a bit, I even know that this will affect our ponies' business and lifestyle in some way. And believe me, our aunt has no bad intentions with this.", Cadance uses what her aunt told her on the subject, that this was her own prank to avoid the news of Nightmare Moon's arrival.

However, that wasn't the problem she had with her brother. "What I don't understand is, why do you need 30 of our guards to escort you to see your marefriend?"

Blueblood is quiet for a minute. Cadance was trying to give him enough time to hear the new excuse this time. When she decided that was enough, Blueblood gave his answer. "...Because it's dark outside."

"...And.", Cadance raised an eyebrow at him, forcing him to tell the whole truth.

"...And I'm afraid that a thug will appear in my path.", Prince Blueblood was not a brave pony, he was a coward and useless in times of emergency like this day. On top of that, he didn't have any fighting experience and was afraid of pain. "And that can steal all the jewels and gems from my suit, leaving me with nothing, not even my clothes."

Cadance stares at him with a blank face. Unfortunately for her luck, Blueblood's excuse was actually justified this time as she also received reports that multiple crimes were occurring throughout Equestria. Most were small purse snatchings like 'give me all your money', however, there were also large criminal groups and bandits who decided to take advantage of the chaos. None were successful as Equestria's guard corps and army were guarding them along with the Children of the Night.

So Cadance didn't have an answer for him. 'I can't deny the possibility but we can't move our guards now. I can't even move one since they were all strategically placed until the danger of an invasion passes. However, there is the idea of my brother running around town in his underwear... or naked. Yeah, nopony deserves to see that.', gathering her thoughts, Candace began to 'persuade' her brother to change his mind.

"...Well... how about she comes here- No. That's still a bad thing to say, even coming from you... So, how about you carry a spare sword- Nope, a tragedy can only happen if you have a sword... How about you go with a guard uniform- What are you thinking, Cadance? Our subjects may mistake you for a real guard... and yes, I know you're just wearing your smoking jacket.", Cadance was losing her chances as Blueblood questioned her with his eyes.

"Sister. I know I'm not the best at... fighting events, but why do you still persist in staying inside? Not only our subjects, but also the castle staff and me. Our aunt wasn't supposed to be playing with us by not lifting up the night to scare us.", Blueblood said as he crossed his arms.

'I wish that were the case.', Cadance keeps thinking of many ways to convince him. Anything to convince him.

But her time is running out when Blueblood questioned her while narrowing his eyes. "Sister? Why don't you answer me?... Are you hiding something?" Cadance panics since her brother knows her, to a certain extent.

She was about to spill the beans when a new voice came to her rescue. "Well, believe it or not, today is a special day for Princess Celestia so she was planning to extend the night a little, your highness.", said the voice of Captain Iron.

The two were arguing in the hallway, so it was easy for Captain Iron and Shining Armor to enter one of the hallways when they turned towards them. Iron spoke up, giving Cadance a break. "You can take it as a mini vacation. I figure she's sleeping and forgot to tell us."

"So... Is Princess Celestia just taking a little time off? Was our aunt having a bad time before this holiday?" Blueblood got distracted by starting to review his memories. "I had no idea our aunt was going through a difficult time."

"Yeah, it's hard to imagine that.", Iron then walks towards him. "So, Prince Blueblood, we want to give our Princess some time to herself. It's a shame that some ponies (the nobles) aren't as considerate of the princess taking some time off. If you go out, they'll ask you, and we don't want them to turn to you as their new target to vent their hatred on the royal family if you give them bad news."

One thing Blueblood was good at was his audience interaction skills. He was the face of many public campaigns and was also the leader of many political movements for the progress of Equestria. The only thing he was not included in were important matters of war and invasions. So he was not informed of Nightmare Moon's arrival. They were afraid that he would tell the truth to the public.

Blueblood thought if such a case would happen, and in the end he could see the problems in it. "Yes... It's okay. I understand the situation. But, what about-"

"Your marefriend?", Iron took him at his word and put the final nail in the argument. "I can take care of it. One of my daughters has just been promoted from a new recruit but has not been assigned yet. I will send the message so she can check on your marefriend. She can even deliver a letter from you. Is that good for you?"

Although Iron is now retiring from the battlefields of warriors, he is still experienced in the battlefields of words and is a veteran. However, he always loses when his wife and daughters argue. He even failed to win when his eldest daughter requested to be a guard to keep him away from the gates of the dead at a time when her father was going to a losing battle. The face she made after hearing that her father decided to leave the job of Captain of the Royal Guard was a good memory that he will take with him when he promoted her that same day.

Blueblood mediates the offer. "Hmm. Then I should write that letter.", ignoring the rest, Blueblood walks to the nearby study for some papers and quills.

Iron smiles that he was able to trick him, but now he has to figure out how to trick his daughter into doing him the favor. "Well, I'll have to look for that new recruit. Shining, stay here and make sure the princess is safe.", then he left the two of them. Without looking as the princess and the guard throw themselves into each other's arms.

Cadance wasted no time in seeking some comfort from her stallion. "Shining... I..."

"Yes, I know... I'm also worried and scared.", Shining tries his best to comfort his marefriend.

After a couple of minutes, they decide to take some time to look at the full moon through a window. Without worrying about any pony seeing them, they continue to speak their concerns and thoughts. But only one thing really worried them.

"Do you think Twilight is in trouble?", Cadance spoke up as she rested her head on her colt's chest. "The report from Ponyville stopped coming the moment she showed up."

"Yeah I read them... She show up and took out the guards and spies we have on Ponyville.", Shining let out his mind. "If only I could go there, then I can protect her. But..."

"Yes, I read them... She appeared and eliminated the guards and spies we had in Ponyville." Shining blurted out his mind. "If only I could go there, then I could protect her. But..."

Cadance removes herself from his chest and moves his head so Shining can focus on her. "I know... You need to protect the useless princess of love."

"Hey. Don't say that.", Shining grabbed the hand that was on his face. "You are still learning to be a princess. And believe me I said that you are strong in your own way. Soon you will be a strong, loved and beautiful princess."

Cadance couldn't hide the growing smile on her face, she was happy to have a special pony such as Shining. Too much that ideas came to her. "You know... we don't know what the future have ready for us.", she remove her hand and tap her finger on his chest. "We should make sure we don't have regrets later."

Cadance couldn't hide the growing smile on her face, she was happy to have a special pony like Shining. And too many ideas occurred to her. "You know... we don't know what the future holds.", she removes her hand and taps her finger on his chest. "We should make sure we have no regrets later."

Shining lowered his hand and looked blankly at his marefriend. "Are you in heat?"

"What! No... No,no,no." Cadance pretended to be shaken by such a comment. "But if I am, don't you want to leave something to remember you?", only to turn around and give him his best puppy dog eyes.

Puppy eyes that he was already immune. "Cadance. First, I'm not going to die or go to war. Not yet. Second, stop killing me every time I have a dangerous mission. Third, I know you want more than a quick one when you're in heat and we don't have time or condoms."

While Shining was killing his mood, Cadance puffed out her cheeks and returned the cold treatment to him. Without seeing how he approached her ear. "But we can have as much time as we want after this, with or without condoms."

When he finishes, Shining retreats and waits for the result. After 10 years of relationship, Shining now knows how to treat her. Then he knew that when she was holding back her giggles, he opened his arms ready for the mare to threw her arms over him.

"Ehehehe~ Oh! Brilliant! I love you!", Cadance laughs as she hugs him and rests her head on his shoulder.

"And I love you!", Shining was happy to have a wonderful mare who loved him. But with pain he hides from her the real reason why he can and would abandon her and go to Ponyville. 'The Shadow Blade is there. If you hurt my sister, I will come after you.'

While Shining has his own secrets, Cadance does too and it pained her to keep them from him. She just received Gadget's report, with his findings on Yami's rules. And the true danger of Nightmare Moon's goal with them. 'Twilight... please be careful. Don't make the wrong decision.'

"Rainbow Dash! Are you okay?", she watched as the yellow mare hugged the light blue mare.

"Yeah... I am okay, alright. Shadow saves back there.", she can confirm it since she saw the entire battle as a spectator and as the one fighting against him. "I wasn't going to abandon them even if I lost my wings, but thanks to him I was able to keep them. So we could finish fixing the bridge, alive."

"Really?! And where are they?! I want to show those bullies not to mess with my friends! I also wanted to ask them where they got their suits so they could advise me on making my own. I'm still looking for a solution to my party canon trick where I can shoot myself without burning my butt.", she was really upset because the pink mare didn't end up inside a tree. She wanted to destroy her foolish and innocent soul, as well as that annoying attitude.

"They... it doesn't matter. We take care of them.", she didn't believe how lucky she had just been. Her summons were made of her magic and part of her will was in them, especially in the mare. There was no way the blue mare could survive this challenge, but she emerged unscathed. Thanks to somepony.

"Shadow! Are you OK?! Did those ruffians hurt you?", somehow she was jealous of that white mare. That white bitch spoke as if her slave belonged to her, but soon he will be under her command, as it should have been from the beginning. Only she was worried about why she hadn't succeed on it.

"Ah am more worried about how he's doin. That was a nasty jump. Ah know ya have superpowers, but that was a whole new level. Are ya really okay? We can rest if you need it partner.", she agrees with the orange mare. She also wonders how he keeps doing it, going against her.

All these thoughts passed through Nightmare Moon's mind, as she watched the group from the roof of one of the castle towers. She had planned everything and had all the cards on her side. Even with her limited resources, she discovered Celestia's plan to use the new holders of the Elements upon her arrival in this era, which is why she needs to place restrictions on Celestia to prevent her interference. She knew that her real threat to her was these new holders.

However, they had been just a group of college mares who had not even reached true adulthood. She knew they were just a bunch of little fillies unable to overcome (survive) their obstacles.

Once these fillies are out of the way, Celestia will crumble and be able to conquer Equestria, she had many ways to succeed. She even didn't care about her cult anymore, knowing that some of them were located in this castle. She discovers this when she sends one of her summons made with her magic to perform a reconnaissance. When she discovers their current state, she decides to do nothing with them and focus only on the Elements. Anyway she didn't have time to punish them and what she really needed was to stop these fillies and victory was within her reach.

She could very well take care of it, however, all her problems, including this one, came from a single culprit.

"...Thanks, Shadow. For saving Rainbow...", the purple mare, who knew nothing, approached her servant.

Now she was looking at Twilight Sparkle, the student her sister chose to tutor, who was talking to Shadow thanking him for saving Rainbow. And how he recognizes her. 'Why does he answer her?'

Through her phantoms, she was able to hear an order received from him during the fight for the bridge. Nightmare Moon stops her frustration and anger to redirect her attention to the unknown mare who couldn't get anything from the cult and her findings. However, she wasn't sure what her role was in all of this. Was she the leader, a guide or something more?

Like Twilight, Nightmare Moon goes back to studying the Elements of Harmony, because for some reason she forgets how they work. She had no memory of how the Elements of Harmony were used and activated on her early days with Celestia as one of the holder. Yet she even had pieces of memory of her being one holder as well

She did not remember how The Elements of Harmony were used and activated in her early days with Celestia as one of the holders. However, she even had memories that she was also be holder herself.

But she didn't remember it clearly. 'When was that? When I was at my weakest self, 'Luna'? Did I... betray myself?'

Nightmare Moon was able to understand that she was a person created by the real Luna. Both ponies share the same body but not the same consciousness, it can be said that it was part of her subconscious to separate the memories to protect Equestria from herself. But as Nightmare Moon she doesn't care as she only needs the memories of her findings. And the objectives for which she was born.

TAKEHIMFROMHERCORPSE

'That's right, I can take him from Celestia, from any whore who dares to take him from me. I just need to focus on winning the title with the rules that were established for everyone. For me~ To make him mine~ That is his promise.'

Nightmare Moon put in order her mind and restate her resolution. Especially when her mare mind was executing all the things she hoped to do with him right away. Because she knew it well. She knew about the commandments, and the hidden power.

'I may not know how he is helping them, it may be that they allow it, but... It doesn't matter. The whole thing is that the famous Shadow Blade is weak and I am stronger than the last time we faced each other. Maybe... I can finally get our revenge back.'

Nightmare Moon knew that the game was not over yet and their winning rate was still high as the secret to activating the Elements remains a mystery to them. Now that the group was entering the castle, he also knew that there was only one more event for that night.

With her resolve to destroy the heroines' will, Nightmare Moon turns into the blue night mist and rushes to reveal herself. 'It's time for our rematch, Shadow Blade. I promise you, all of Equestria will be ours!'

After making sure that none of them, Rainbow or Shadow, were hurt, the group could now enter the castle. His first impression was the idea of how mystical and ancient the place was. All the ponies could feel the history and importance this castle had. Twilight had a desire to tell the story of the castle. But the group didn't care if she did so they let her do her thing, a mistake they regret.

From the entrance, Twilight informs the group that this was the original castle where the King and Queen of the alicorn race settled to raise the two princesses of Equestria. These two princesses receive the gift of controlling the sun and moon from their mother Faust, while their parents receive the gift of the stars and galaxies. As time passed, this castle was the home of the two princesses for thousands of years, until the two fought each other for the right to rule the land.

Nopony knows the real reason for this fight and what could have caused it. Twilight and many other historians theorize what might happen if this place were abandoned. However, all ponies conclude that Princess Celestia inherited the right to rule the country and move her domain to where Canterlot is now. And the golden era of Princess Celestia's monarchy began, until today. That is what Twilight told the group but lose them as she add more unrelated stuff.

And not the things they were interested in, since Twilight was explaining the 13th painting they found. Six ponies are no longer interested.

"As you can see here in this painting, it reflects the revolution of the writers against the high nobility who controlled literature at that time. His struggle consisted of freely expressing his ideas and stories even if they were based on real life, other popular themes and even fictional areas. This revolution changed history and allows us to write the stories we want and the choice of making them public or not depends only on us. So from that moment on, the so-called 'Fanfiction' was created in Equestria. Very interesting without girls!"

An excited Twilight explains with delight all of the knowledge she had when she was able to identify most of the remains of paintings and other pieces of art during their trip to the Hall of Elements. But she didn't stop there. She also educated the history of the statutes, the decoration that was still practically intact, the architecture of the castle and even some art windows. And none of the girls could, nor have the heart, to stop her happy moment.

"Yeah...", Rainbow was the first to lose all interest. "Really... fascinating..."

"Well, it was interesting to know what fashion was like a few hundred years ago.", Rarity did pay attention, but only to the parts related to clothing from that era. Only to check out her new look again with her short mane during the rest of Twilight's speech.

"Really? Ah am sure Ah won't wear those types of dresses. Ah prefer to have some movement if things get pretty bad and brute force is required.", Applejack added that she wasn't interested in many topics, but she did put her attention on the food section, especially her story of her apple family ancestors.

"Aja, Aja, Oh! Girls, you must concentrate. Now it came to the rock type part for the construction.", Pinkie...let's just say she listened to Twilight's every word. "Oh, I have a question! What did you use? Granite, marble or limestone? If I may add, I think sandstone is the best choice as a personal opinion."

As for Fluttershy, she wasn't paying attention to the castle. She was focusing more on Shadow, who was also listening intently to Twilight's educational guide. 'Shadow is acting weird, isn't he? And why do I feel like I know what it is?'

As Fluttershy asked herself these questions, the group finally entered the main hall in the center of the castle. Where the pedestal of the Elements was present and waiting for them.

"And this place is... wait! Is this?!", an outburst from Twilight woke up the group. She ran to the pedestal and could see the five stones displayed on the Elements of Harmony altar. "These are... These are The Elements of Harmony! Could it be that we finally found them!" She was happy, but reality crushed her feeling of winning.

"I only see five, doesn't the book say there were six?", Rainbow asks in the back as she and the girls catch up to Twilight.

"!... You are right Rainbow. We only know that five are here, but the sixth will appear as a spark ignite with the five together. That means I'll have to figure out how to get that spark. I just need -SWOOSH- EPP?!", Twilight was about to ask them for help, in the end Shadow went and retrieved the five stones before the others could act.

"Oh... Thanks... Shadow, um, you can leave them here.", with those instruction, Shadow set up the five stone in front of Twilight as she sit down on her knees and observe the stones. "The Elements of Harmony... now we can stop Nightmare Moon."

When he was no longer needed, Shadow walked behind Twilight and waited until she was finished. This allows the girls to meet behind his back. This allows them to talk to each other.

"...Hmm, maybe we should leave so Twilight can focus.", Applejack was the first to speak.

"Are you sure?", Pinkie adds quietly. "It might not be a good idea to leave a young colt and a mare alone in this dark castle. Things can go downhill pretty quickly with these kids these days."

Rarity rolls her eyes. "Pinkie, that will never happen. If Shadow didn't want to take advantage of a beauty like me, and I'm not saying Twilight isn't, what could you make yourself believe he'll do anything with Twilight? They just met today."

"I don't think that's the case." All eyes turn to Fluttershy. "I could be wrong but... don't you think that Shadow only appeared on the same day Twilight did, it can't be a coincidence? And besides, I think he's not acting like himself, not how we know he behaves. Shadow usually pays little attention to us, but once we were with Twilight... he follows her around, whatever she wants."

Fluttershy then turns to Shadow, who was keeping an eye on Twilight while she worked. After pondering her ideas, Fluttershy decides to talk about her concerns. "I think... Twilight- Wait.", but was stopped by the last member of the group.

Rainbow stops Fluttershy from saying more. "Maybe we should follow Applejack's idea and leave them for a moment."

"Why? What do you say that?", Applejack asked worrying why Rainbow was changing her mind until now. Rainbow didn't say it, but the girls could sense that Rainbow was more attached to Shadow than before, as she truly believes that he might die if she wasn't there for him.

Rainbow didn't respond immediately, instead taking a few seconds to look at the group's new duo. She was looking at Twilight, trying to see if she noticed them talking loudly. "There is... something I need to tell all of you. Something you all need to know.", then she turns around and tells them to follow her.

The girls were worried about what might happen, but they didn't stop and followed Rainbow. One by one he looked back at Shadow and Twilight, it was just a moment to see if they were making progress. And when their curiosity is satisfied, they leave the room, leaving Twilight and Shadow alone.

Twilight didn't notice the girls leaving them. She simply stares at the five unresponsive stones with a gem emblem on each one. 'I found them... when the five come together a spark will ignite The Magic of the Elements... but what is that spark?'

Twilight tries to use her spell. She tests common spells with advanced ones. She took the spark literally, so she tried lighting and fire spells without enough power to destroy the stones, but it didn't work. She then tried using activation and unlocking spells, these were useful for magical artifacts, but for Elements they were ineffective. She then began to pray and chant spells, she even chanted what the book said about the sixth element. However, neither his beliefs nor his prayers worked. On the stones.

U$+ #o@r $@ol

"Huh?!", Twilight simply lost her concentration. She opened her eyes at the sudden sensation, but soon noticed that it wasn't the stones that responded. It was because of what was behind her.

Twilight without wasting a second, turns around and confirms her suspicions. Whatever he had felt came from Shadow's presence. Because that feeling that she never knew what it was, from that day until today, their meeting until their trip to the castle, was now talking to her. It still wasn't clear enough but she could guess what the message was.

Use your tool

Use &$*^ $er&*(t f@# &ou$ d♠@#@$

Use y@u$ #e%•on a$&*nst !$─#@♠$

Use &*(r p~!er t@ ch@■g≡ t•⌡ ±@♥!d

'What?', Twilight could feel something speaking to her. Her question was where the voice that spoke to her came from. The surprise was too much for her.

At first she thought it was Shadow talking to her. But, as she calmed down and tried to reason what was happening to him. Twilight was able to determine that it wasn't Shadow. Because a young female voice was trying to reach her through her mind. Or rather, speaking on her mind.

Use your tool

GASP Twilight took a deep breath to control her frantic heart. This time the feelings were much stronger and that scared her. It was as if something was on top of her, whispering in her ear. She believes that since Shadow was around her all this time, he had influence on something. But she wonders, what was it? As soon as she took it in, she discovered that it wasn't trying to hurt her or control her. But instead of helping her.

'Use my... tool?', once she stops being afraid and overthinking it, Twilight decides to confront the culprit. Since he hasn't moved from the place in all this time. Waiting for her from the beginning, what she wants most.

"Shadow... what are you?"

"I am your tool, your weapon, your arms and legs. My will is to serve your wishes, commands, and desires. Your will is my reason of existence as I am your shadow."

Silence. It was all that atmosphere could say in the room and between these two souls. No more sound was made as the mare on the ground repeated the words she had just heard in her mind from the dark being in front of her. Twilight read a lot of books, sometimes novels and fantasy stories. I had read how a protagonist confesses his love or resolution to his loved ones. But this was not the case for her.

She was afraid, she was afraid because she had no idea that something like that could happen to her. She didn't know what to do either. This was something she could not handle as part of her presentation and presentation of her classes and studies. She even wishes to return to her intention of impressing that guard, Strong Shield. Even with bad experiences in flirting, she could find a way to handle it. But all of these were useless for this situation.

She wishes something would break the ice between them for her. And his wish was granted.

WHIRL Suddenly, a dark blue tornado appears behind Twilight. "Huh?!... What is happening?!", and the stones were carried into the tornado. "NO!", out of her instincts, Twilight also jumps over the tornado to save the Elements.

Even Shadow was caught off guard when the dark blue tornado manifested, but his mind panicked when his armor detected magic within it. And it got worse when he saw Twilight jumping into it. "MASTER!"

BANG Using all his strength, Shadow moves to catch the tornado or at least get Twilight out. However, the tornado suddenly disappears as it appeared when his hand almost reaches it. Skidding on the floor only stopping by burying his hand on the ground, Shadow frantically scanned the entire room without wasting a nanosecond. When he couldn't detect any traces, he focused on the place where his master disappeared.

He was angry.

Shadow notices the type of magic in that tornado to know the culprit. He was ordered to stop her and yet he did not do so either to protect his master. If he weren't so weak, Shadow could handle Nightmare Moon in his own way. But that was the problem with his situation. He hasn't received the correct order 'how' to stop her, like Twilight wanted. Knowing this, he tries to convince himself that he has not failed, that he was not capable of doing it. And that his master has not yet lost. He just needs to keep her safe and listen carefully to what she wants to do.

He hasn't lost her. 'Focus!', Shadow was able to calm himself against the raging anger building up inside him.

Even in this kind of situation it was no excuse to let out his frustration. And that worries him. As he told Rainbow, his physical body was already on the verge of collapsing. He could only move thanks to his armor, once again his reserves were running out and soon he would not be able to continue operating. And defense mechanisms can be triggers.

Using his connection to the commandment and his sensory attribute of armor, he forced himself to detect the magical trace and his master presence. Once he had a good confirmation, he opened his eyes and stared at a lone tower that he could see through the broken roof. He didn't debate whether this was the right place, he just knew it. So he gathered his determination and the little energy he still had left to face the confrontation of his master and his opponent.

So he runs towards the final battle of the eternal night, with red iris demonic eyes on him.

Outside in an abandoned courtyard of the castle, Rainbow led the rest of the girls to discuss their next course of action. A few meters away from where the hall is located and away from Shadow and Twilight's ears.

"So, how many of you believe that Twilight is Shadow's master?", what she received were not surprises or that she was considered crazy, but they all considered the idea and agreed with it.

"I think it's obvious, I could see that Shadow is a little tamed by her.", Pinkie adds to the theory. "I can be annoying, dumb, airheaded, distracted, annoying, crazy, innocent... well, not so much, and a manic pony. But I know when a colt has his eyes on a mare. And I know the feeling, these girls draw too much attention.", Pinkie was referring to her two big (E) babies. "With jumps and jumps everywhere I do attract attention, with everypony. But with Shadow... I see that is not the case with Twilight, he is like a pet following his master."

Rarity rolls her eyes at Pinkie's comment, not because of the fact that she's jealous since Pinkie won in that area as a mare, *ahem, she's (D)*, she still adds her opinion. "I second Pinkie's point with Shadow. He didn't treat any of us when we met him like he did with her when they met. When Twilight showed up, he was putting all his attention on her, even if she dismissed him. I don't know how Twilight managed to charm him, something even I couldn't do with my flirting skills. Unless that's what Rainbow confirms."

Applejack thinks about Twilight, from the moment she met her to this moment. She, like the other girls, also thought that Twilight was the potential master. However, she only had one doubt. "Ah don't know. Ah can be with all of ya that she is the master he answers to. But was she the one who put the curse on him? And why does Shadow listen to her without resistin? Twilight does not prove to be a pony to harm others. Or to control other ponies."

"But that doesn't change what I heard.", Rainbow said, bringing back what she told the group. "He specifically said, word for word, what order he received. He was ordered to 'Stop Nightmare Moon', and who is the pony that is obsessed with stopping her. I don't blame Twilight for being the one to curse him, but she doesn't care about his well-being!"

"What if she doesn't know?", the last one, Fluttershy, took her turn to speak. "Twilight showed that she didn't trust him and didn't want Shadow to be around him. Still, he was surprised when Pinkie pointed out that he was listening to her. I think if we ask them, maybe all the misunderstandings can be cleared up."

All four of them agreed with that part. With Fluttershy being the voice of reason, they also knew that if they asked Twilight with Shadow present they would be able to solve the mystery of the master's identity. And if he listens to her and answers all her questions, they may also discover the truth of the curse on him.

"But...", there was something else worrying the group, as Fluttershy turned to Rainbow. "Are you sure what you suspect? Is Shadow weak again? Is he losing consciousness again? Is he... in danger of falling into the hands of his inner demon?"

Rainbow wasn't there at the time Shadow attacked Fluttershy. So she could only trust what they told her. "Yes. He told me that he is low on energy and that only his armor allows him to continue. Also, his armor was flashing as if it was going off."

"Oh no...", Fluttershy started to panic. "If he loses control again, this time he will lose to the curse. He could die..."

Applejack decides they had enough time. "Okay, then let's vote. We can't waste any more time, we've already left them alone long enough. So who want to-" BANG

The group soon stops their movement when the ceiling of the room where the Elements were located suddenly explodes. Paralyzed by the surprise of the explosion, the girls expected at least Nightmare Moon or Shadow. What appeared was something else. From the roof they could see a dark figure, thanks to the red stripes and the shine of two swords they recognized Shadow, however they felt that they were seeing another pony. Only a pony could grasp the danger in the two demonic eyes with red irises blazing in him.

"No... does this means... it's too late.", Fluttershy let out her fears and she wasn't the only one.*****

"Is that... Shadow?...", Rainbow even now couldn't believe it, the proof was in front of her. "What the hell is he?"

"I admit the curse part sounds kinda cool...", Pinkie added.

"...And now?" Rarity was unable to take her eyes off him. About how correct the curse part was.

All the girls were now taking the curse seriously when Pinkie responded. "...Not anymore."

Even if only the eyes had changed, the aura that Shadow exuded showed that he was something more, or that he was becoming what he really is. The girls even think that there was another Shadow they were looking at when he turned to them. An incredible bloodlust could be found in his gaze, fortunately for the girls' sanity, they felt that it was not for them. Just one look at them was enough for that Shadow to lose interest, he turned to where he was going. Soon the girls knew who those eyes might be for as they turned towards a tower at the edge of the castle grounds.

Like flashes of light emanate from the topmost floor of the tower.

Rainbow could now recover from her frozen state. "Wait! If Shadow is there, could that mean-" BANG, her response came as Shadow began running across the roof toward that tower.

Applejack detecting the type of situation they were in, woke up the group. "That answers our question! Come on girls! Twilight might be in danger!"

With Applejack's determination, the girls return to reality and follow her through the castle. The last thing they could see before entering was the figure of Shadow beginning to climb from the outside of the tower with his two swords as climbing tools. The girls didn't know what happened when they were separated from the two of them, but they knew that this search was coming to an end. As was their main concern, will they all survive?

Or are they going to lose a friend? This was Applejack's fear. 'Tarnation! All the signs were there and I didn't do anything about it! Please, Mother Faust! Make sure nopony dies! Twilight, Shadow and even Nightmare Moon! I don't want to lose another pony!'

"The Elements!"

Twilight didn't know why she jumped into the tornado, she only knew that losing the Elements of Harmony could end her mission to stop Nightmare Moon. Since you were a victim and flying above the tornado, try to grab at least one rock. But his journey ended in no time and, in addition to failing to grab a rock, he walked out of the storm and crashed to the floor.

"AHHH!", Twilight fell onto her back and took some time to suppress the pain. As she recovers and sits up, she opens her eyes seeing in horror what was in front of her.

The tornado that took her and the Elements transport her to another room. He could see that the new room was a hallway with multiple columns lined up along the room. The windows showed no part of the castle or even the forest, but rather a clear blue night sky. Some of them were broken and half intact, but the window at the end of the hallway was completely intact and reflected the light of the night and the moon behind it. It was also where the tornado was that brought her and threw her to this place.

The tornado was made of blue night magic and from inside Twilight could see the five stones, but also a figure inside. When the show was over, the tornado began to break up, leaving behind the five stones on the ground, and a pair of hooves next to it. The tornado was replaced by the appearance of a figure that began to materialize. Soon the body of a tall mare with wings and a horn appears as her full battle armor reflects the moonlight on her. Her astral night sky mane flowed freely behind her helmet as her blue cat iris eyes opened to look at Twilight.

"Nightmare Moon...", Twilight was amazed, everything she knows is from her legend, but seeing her in person was too amazed to hide it.

"Hahahaha, I'm happy to see you too, my little pony.", Nightmare Moon responded to her audience. "But you're going to hate me because I bring you bad news. Your search... ends here~" and he intensifies his warning as he summons his astral scythe. "You have lost."

"No...", Twilight couldn't believe it. She was close and at the same time far from saving Equestria and her master. She almost fell at Nightmare Moon's statement, but soon a strength gave her courage. She remembers her family and the ponies she had gathered today. 'No. It's far from over!' and she stands up, adopting a fighting pose.

As Twilight stood up, Nightmare Moon looked at her with amused eyes. "You're kidding? Ha! Hahahahahaha... You're kidding, right?"

"AHHHHH!", with her battle cry, Twilight sent her spells at her as she began to run and charge her horn.

"Oh~ how cute~", Nightmare Moon responds by using her scythe to repel her spells while taunting her. She smiled with the intention of playing with Twilight so she also ran to meet her.

'Just wait for it.' Twilight had no intention of clashing into her. When the two were about to meet, Twilight's spell was activated. 'NOW!'

"You are-", Nightmare Moon was ready to take Twilight down, but at the last second she teleported away. "Gone?! Where did you go?!", her response was a flash behind her.

Twilight teleports right between the five elements and resumes activating the spark. 'Please! Elements of Harmony! Answer my call!'

Twilight tried one more time with all her hopes in it, and finally had an answer. The five stones began to flicker with a light inside them and their magic began to manifest as the stones levitated in the air. Soon the five Elements began to glow as sparks flew out around them.

"No! Impossible!" Fearing that Twilight was really the one who activated the Elements, Nightmare Moon uses her own teleportation on herself and moves in front of Twilight. But she was too slow.

When Nightmare Moon reappears, she can't do anything as Twilight was in the air and the Elements surround her with their light and sparks. For a moment, a sixth spark was forming in front of Twilight, however it rejected her.

"AHH!", when Twilight was able to grasp the sixth light, it sent her flying a few meters away from the other five.

Again, Twilight falls to the ground as the same pain and a new one spread throughout her body. "Ugh. What...", she opened her eyes and sat up only to watch in horror as the five stones became dull and fell to the floor.

Nightmare Moon was also amazed, then her fear was replaced by excitement. "...Ja...jajajajaJAJAJAJA! You fool! You thought you could stop me! That the magic of the Elements was within your reach!", when she saw the desperation in Twilight, she wanted to make her truly desperate. And she did so while levitated the Elements.

"Not anymore~" SLASH, and pulverizes them with his scythe.

"The Elements...", she fails as she watches the five stones being reduced to pieces.

Twilight Sparkle did not get the Elements of Harmony. She fails her master. He fails his family and Equestria. She fails to stop Nightmare Moon and save Terra. She fail to-

D@ y^& a#m%t d$f(@a+

"Huh?!", her thoughts were unclear, she thought she started imagining things. She wasn't thinking clearly as the voice spoke to her again. At that moment, she couldn't get the message but thanks to that she came back to reality. In time to hear Nightmare Moon's speech, as she approaches her with her scythe.

"Oh poor, my little pony~", Nightmare Moon leaves the now destroyed Elements of Harmony behind to go to Twilight. "I had to admit that I really thought for a moment that it really was you who would stop me. A hero and champion to stop the evil that came to destroy her country. That she was destined to stop me!"

♦o ?^o @%^it *ef@at

"But now... it proves the opposite, you are neither a savior nor a hero. I don't know what Celestia saw in you. But I do. And all I see is a little filly. A useless, incapable filly hoping to stop me. To a goddess. Hehehe.... So let me tell you the truth.", at this point, Nightmare Moon was only a meter away from reaching her.

~! ?uo ad♣-+ de^e@t

"This is our new reality, you failed and I won.", then a thought crosses your mind. "Hmm? I promised to bring you in chains to Celestia, but I didn't promise it in one piece, so I'll have to cut off that horn of yours.", Nightmare Moon stood in front of Twilight with her scythe ready to bring it down. "And with this my victory is assured. The night will last FOREVER!"

Twilight was lost, her mind was not clear, her thoughts were not in order, her body did not respond, her spirit seemed to lose hope and her soul... burned with a desire that she did not know she had. She did not reject her current situation nor accept that there was no way to stop Nightmare Moon. A desire told her she was wrong.

This flame was telling her that she can defeat her opponent, that she can change the world, that what she wanted can become real for her, that if she can command, someone will answer her.

CRASH She found it as the form of metal against metal.

"You...", Nightmare snarls at the one who dared to oppose her.

GROWL He did the same with the one who dared to hurt her.

"Why are you here...", Nightmare began to lose her posture when she saw those red eyes.

GROWL He just put more pressure in his swords as an answer.

Twilight could only say a word as Nightmare Moon and her scythe were repelled. "Shadow."

CRASH In front of her, Shadow with his two swords stops and pushes Nightmare Moon back. Now being able to hear the young female voice in her head.

Do you admit defeat