Chapter 25 To be forever

"So, what do you think of the new princess?", Solution was deployed to cover security in the castle during the event at the weakest points during Luna's announcement. He was with his superior, Shield. "Do you think she's a MILF?"

"Dude... how old are you?", Shield turned to him with a strange expression at the hallway that connect to the balcony of the event, he wasn't taking him seriously his cadet. "Please tell me you didn't join the guards for that."

"Hey! I'm 21 years old like all the other cadets. And yes, I heard that a guard is dating one of the princesses.", Solution replied with a goofy smile. "Now that there is a new princess, is it not possible for any of us?"

Shield couldn't look him at his eyes, for work of course. "One, it's true but with Mi Amore Cadenza. We all know that she was born in this era so she is like any mare of our time. Two, the rumor is with Shining, the older brother of the princess' protégé. He was lucky that Princess Cadenza was the nanny who took care of Twilight Sparkle in the castle, luck that we don't have. AND!"

Shield looked around the hallway to make sure he wasn't overheard in the next part. "Princess Luna is Princess Celestia's sister, that means she is over a thousand years old."

"So?", Solution replies as if nothing was wrong with that. "The more wrinkled the raisin, the sweeter the fruit is, right?"

Shield did stare at him for that. "...Don't talk to me again.", then she walks away from him. "I will deny everything you do to...PRINCESS LUNA!"

Both guards turned and noticed the pony in question walking towards them. The two guards stand their ground and wait at the side of the hallway for Luna to walk past them, ignoring them.

Luna passed quickly and never spared them a glance, a great disappointment to Solution and relief from Shield's fears. They could only catch the anger in his eyes and his murmur, 'it's not the first so calm down, there are other firsts' and 'the fillies these days, how dare they nowadays'. The last thing they could hear before she disappeared was her about to take a bath to calm down with a 'I should have done that too....in your dreams, maybe?'.

Both guards turn towards the direction she took. Shield takes the opportunity to warn his cadet.

"Don't even think about it.", Shield didn't receive a response from Solution as he saw him froze with the mouth open. Curious, Shield turns to see that another group was coming, it was his captain's family that came from where Luna came from.

With Scarlet, the mare he is trying to impress. "Oh! There's Scarlet with Captain Iron, and that must be her little sister...Maybe I can- SHHHHSS!!!"

Shield was silenced by his cadet Solution, who also didn't lose time to stand his ground. Shield couldn't ask and just do the same. They were both hallway guards again, but Solution actually wanted to camouflage himself in the hallway to go unnoticed. They both remain still again and can listen to the family conversation, with the mother staring at her youngest daughter.

"Mom, could you calm down?", Miracle turns to her mother who hasn't taken her eyes off her since they finished talking to the princesses. And him. "It was just a kiss, didn't you do the same thing to steal dad's first kiss?"

"Yes, I did.", Pink finally took his eyes off her. But then it comes back with more intensity. "Only that you did it with that freak back there. We still don't know what germs or diseases it may have. But what really worries me (and makes me angry) is how you are going to keep that silly promise you made to yourself. You know there are better colts."

"Of course I know. But I promised myself that I would marry the colt that would save my father from that cruel fate we feared. Beside, the same thing didn't happen to you when you were in a love that was impossible to come true. I always wanted a love story like that for myself.", Miracle smiles with her eyes closed walking forward.

Pink didn't like it. And definitely not her daughter's next words. "Now I know how you feel when your love for him was unattainable. It's kind of exciting."

Pink was losing her patience. However, knowing that her daughter is just like her, she gives up trying to convince her. So she chooses to do what mothers do. Giving advice to her daughters.

"Look, he's involved in... something not normal and I'm checking his secret so at least I know it's not dangerous. But I still forbid you to see him. Furthermore, he himself said that he cannot have foals and you may not be able to save him under what he is enrolled with. One piece of advice, just give up on it.", she turns toward the hallway, not looking at her daughter's smile lingering.

"You may be right, however, you didn't give up on your case. They didn't say it was impossible to save dad when you met him.", Pink didn't respond. But her eyes narrowed even more. "And we could adopt instead of trying. He said he was devastated, which made me want to comfort him whatever he's struggling with. Just like you and Dad, right?" SCREECH

Pink clenching her teeth was enough for answer. While these two mares had their own talk, the father had his with his eldest daughter.

Iron, unlike his wife, was more curious to know his daughters' opinion. "So, what do you think of him? He's pretty strong, even seeing him in person you can tell, right?"

Yeah... You were right dad.", Scarlet replied while her eyes were glued to her sister. She murmurs herself. "How did Miracle just...do it?", enough for her father to hear her.

"You know, you can have my blessing.", Scarlet shudders and turns to her dad.

"But I'm sticking with your mother's side, it's better to wait until we're sure you can date the colt that beat your father.", Iron turned to the silly face his daughter was making. "You said that if you can't marry dad, then you will do it with the colt stronger than me. When was it? When you were 5 or 7 years old?"

"B-b-b-b-b-but... do you think he's attracted to me?" Scarlet's cheeks turn reddish.

Scarlet always liked strong ponies and her father was the best example of 'strong'. Shadow caught her attention when her father told her about his battle with him, since then, she wanted to fight him and test him like other colts.

Only, Scarlet was already stronger on her own than normal ponies. "All the colts started to get bored of me or think they couldn't stand me."

"Well, his words were 'strong and capable mare'. I think the part that recognized you as a mare is already covered.", Iron smiles at his daughter's naive smile.

If only he could smile the same way. 'Shadow, if it's possible to choose you to keep my daughters safe, I would... but we have to see if that curse will stand in your way. If it weren't for this pain, maybe I would look for other candidates.'

Iron flexes his right leg in pain. 'I might need to use that crane soon.'

The family is finally out of sight, both guards also turn in their direction, both conversations ending as they turn around the hallway. Thus the two guards that no pony had noticed were left alone in the hallway.

Just in time Cadet Solution begins to warn. "Sergeant, you might want to try those two sisters. But in addition to getting their parents' approval, each sister has her own trial."

Solution looks into the air and remembers it. First his training with Scarlet, then how he heard horror stories from test patients of Miracle's new medical methods. He never met Miracle, but Scarlet filled him with stories of the patients' ugly cases and the methods used, whether they like it or not, by a mother-daughter duo. All methods were approved or used by Pink, both mother and daughter.

Shield wanted to comment, but was not allowed. "Believe me... you're either bone-broken with the elder or mind-broken with the younger."

While they thought about it, by that Solution was remembering last medical case story and the recruit who practiced with Scarlet that he witnessed, a new group was arriving. And the two guards turn to see the last two princesses, Celestia and Cadance, with Shining's family.

"I hope everypony had a good time during the event, and I hope to see you Mr. Light and Mrs. Velvet again.", Celestia was in the front with Twilight's parents and Spike.

"The honor is our Princess Celestia." Velvet responds, with Spike following her.

"We can still come here, right?", Spike asks with hope in his voice licking his lips.

"Of course Spike, and you can access the royal kitchen and order any dessert. Just ask Twilight to send me a notice so you can enter the castle.", in their chat they pass the guards, the next ponies to pass them were Shining and Cadance.

Shining had his eyes straight but this thought passed through his mind: 'He's not a monkey. He's a monster. He's not a monkey. He's a monster.', in an excuse if somepony asks him about Shadow.

As for Cadance, she was in her own world, she was thinking about everything she had just seen. But no matter how much she tried to distract her, she couldn't stop thinking about Shadow's past. With the rules, the curse, and his past love, she wonders what future fate holds for Twilight to be with him.

As for the pony in question, Twilight walks behind them with her eyes squinted at the ground. However, she catches the attention of the guards.

Although Shield already knew her, he wondered if it was possible to try to partner with her again. She was cute and had that innocent vibe. This convinces Shield to think about it while Solution puts aside her MILF obsession for a moment by looking at her. For some reason they both had the feeling that she would be somepony special on the level of the princesses. But everything changes with one detail.

As she walks past them, they soon meet her dark knight and become completely silent as he walks past them. They withdrew all attempts to think about approaching her. Because that mortal knight who cares for her senses their intentions.

And stare at them deathly with his blood red eyes.

When the message was received, the knight assumed his role of keeping his master safe from any threat to a docile guard dog. All in a second, leaving the hallway to the guards who were supposed to keep watch. They both give their opinion on what they witness and come to the same idea.

"...Sergeant, uhh, can we take patrols into the city to meet other mar-, I mean, see the city?"

"Hmm, I think we can take a civil security check around the park... maybe I had a chance there..."

Shadow walked calmly as if nothing he did happened. He immediately takes his place, behind his distracted master.

Even if Twilight saw Shield, she would never look at them even once, as she had to concentrate on her thoughts. And those thoughts were praise from Twily for how well she did back there. And with that, bombard her to just do it.

Come on, do it. I know you're mad at her. You wanted to rip out her mane when that bitch was on our Shadow. How about we burn her and her family. No, let's make her watch her family burn. And then burn their house, their things and everything they love. After ripping off those lips and burning them in front of everypony to get the message!

Come on. Just do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it ~

'Could you please SHUT UP!' Twilight was at her limit.

She already talked to Luna about it but she said that in a week she can make the seal stronger. That's why Twily was taking advantage of every opportunity she had at every moment to continue bothering her.

Twilight! Twilight! Twilight! Twilight! Twilight! Twilight! Twilight!

"Twilight?"

"WHAT?!...Oh!", Twilight came back to herself checking what she was doing now, she was in her favorite library talking with the old stallion librarian that manage the place. An old friend of hers. "Oops! Sorry...what were you asking me?"

The old stallion in the librarian suit with the library cart stares at her as if she were a different pony. He had worked at the city's public library for so long that he met an innocent and energetic filly Twilight 10 years ago. He even helped her with her membership so she could check out books, even if she checked out 20-30 books a week, he considered her his daughter. That's why he was worried about how distracted she was.

"Nothing important... it's like you're not here and you almost collided with the shelves.", the 68-year-old stallion moves Twilight back to the right path. He smiles at her innocent reaction and makes her start walking back to the counter with him. "If you ask me, I think you have something on your mind. What is it? Did you finally fall in love with a colt?"

'Yeah, a demon human colt with his obsessive stalker...wait, if Twily is me then I'm that- no, never mind,' Twilight shakes her head and focus on her task.

She came to her favorite library to notify that she will start living in Ponyville, her own library away from Canterlot. Then she asked for advice and returned the books she had lent her. Only the process was slow because she was too focused on Twily. The representation of her hidden obsessions, even those she didn't know.

Therefore, in addition to hanging out on her last day at the bookstore, Twilight engaged in her possible last conversation with a true friend she made in her foalhood.

That's why Twilight was thinking about whether or not to tell him. "Not exactly, it's almost another version of myself that is... crazy about somepony. Something like that, Hehehe."

"Aha. But is this version of you more faithful to what you want?", the old stallion stopped his cart and began to organize the books he brought. He put them on the desk and continued talking to her. "So let me look at it this way, this version of you just watched this special somepony get taken away, no, other fillies wanted to take him away."

"How-?" Twilight opened her eyes, but the old stallion only raised them to show the book she had had with her all this time. It was 'Dating 101' with the page marked 'How to best your rivals'.

You've been reading this chapter over and over again for the last hour. Knowing you, you must be confused about what to do with your feelings.", then scans the books and marks them as returned in the files. "If you want advice, do it. Life can be short, and although sometimes it is better to keep your feelings to yourself, other times you will have to let go of your fears and fight for what you want. Whether it was a good or bad idea, only fate can tell."

Twilight just keep listing while he was working. She did think it about it. 'My feelings? Could it be that it's not the effects of the rules curse but rather my true feelings for him? Am I in love?',

Twilight was never in love, but she couldn't classify those feelings as that. She was debating if she wanted him by her side or if she really wanted him in her life.

"If you're not sure, take your time.", she turned to the old stallion, who had a smile that told her it was okay if she did. "The best thing for now is that you spend time with that pony, good times and bad times alike. And, like I said, if you're both meant for each other, you'll get your answer when the time comes."

Twilight let the words sink into her mind, somehow calming Twily's voice.

'Fate... right. Shadow shows up at the moment when I really needed him... and his words...', she pressed her hand on her chest, feeling her heart beating harder than normal.

Twilight took a moment to relax and control her breathing. She was not an expert, but Twilight managed to enter a state of peace. Neither her worries nor Twily's voices affected her. And yet, she was excited. Twilight felt the excitement for a moment, when it was enough she was sure of one thing.

Twilight open her eyes knowing that was happy having Shadow. "You're right, Mr. Scroll. I will follow your advice. So, everything is set up."

"Yes, of course. Here.", he then handed her a confirmation receipt. "The return of the 58 books you checked out has been recorded in the library system and your library membership will never expire. So you can go back to that special someone if you want to recommend a book here. Just don't go to lonely areas to-"

"Mr. Scroll! Shadow and I don't have that-", she got angry at the same joke, but just gave up. "It doesn't matter... But I can introduce him to you later, it's just... I'm still working on our 'relationship'."

"OH! I never thought that you both had already advanced in your relationship. Hehehe!", the old man laughs at the subject, without knowing that the 'subject' was observing him from afar.

"Yeah... It's really complicated.", Twilight waved her hand to calm the two red eyes in the shadows. "Just because I said it's okay to keep an eye on me... SIGH... It's okay! Mr. Scroll, thank you for everything and when I return to Canterlot I will plan to visit you. Please be careful until I return."

"For you too, my little filly. No, you are an adult and beautiful mare.", he sat in his chair. "Ah, my legs... Good. Now I'll feel very lonely without you, but sooner or later you'll have to live your life outside the nest. Take care of yourself too."

Twilight said goodbye to him and left the library. Before turning the knob, she turned to take one last look at her favorite fillyhood spot with an old friend who could understand her. She took the time to look at this past, because she turned around and opened the door to face the new future with his Yami Tool.

"Okay, books check. Luggage check. And... uh, that's it. I thought I had more- UH!" , it was before as she only took a few steps to find her past again. She collided with a pony on the side road. "Ow... Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't see where- Twilight?"

She stops at the mare's voice, turns around and her eyes narrow because she found three mares and two young stallions. All of them the same age as Twilight, in fact she knew these ponies.

They were her bullies at her elementary school. "It's you! My God! I never thought I'd see you again!"

"Oh!... Uhm. Hello, Daisy.", Twilight calls the yellow unicorn with white mane dressed in a pink shirt and a very short green skirt. She was with her two classmates and the strongest colts in the classroom. "Hi Sunflower, Iris, and I see you're with Bass and Knuckles."

The two unicorn mares had different colors but the same type of clothing as Daisy, Daisy's entourage. While Bass had a black jacket with blue pants and Knuckles had white sleeveless top for men with green shorts, both young earth stallions.

These five were always together in elementary school and made Twilight's life miserable until she was admitted as Celestia's personal student. Since Bass and Knuckles were the physical force to hold her down and take her things while Daisy was the one insulting her with Sunflower and Iris in the background repeating and mocking her.

And Twilight instantly saw that the group was still led by Daisy.

"Yeah! We're super friends, we keep in touch after high school. We met up to watch the real announcement before going to lunch at a restaurant." then, Daisy remembers the title that Twilight holds. "Hey! Are you Princess Celestia's protégé? Can you possibly introduce us to her and that new princess?"

"What?", Twilight was surprised, then remembered that Daisy was the one pony who wanted to meet important ponies. "I'm sorry, I can't bother Princess Celestia right now. Besides that, I don't have time to waste."

Nightmare Moon's chaos was still unstable and will take time. And right now he was about to take a flying chariot to Ponyville, his new home. So, Twilight was telling the truth. But Daisy didn't know or care.

"Why?! Come on, Bookie! It will be just like old times.", by that she means how they make Twilight carry their things and pay for their meals. Their servant. "You always listen to us, aren't we friends, Bookie~?",

Including the nickname they gave her. 'Bookie...I almost forgot that name.'

Twilight's eyes narrowed, the mention of them being her friends only making her angry. Now that she had real friends, who were waiting for her, Twilight just wanted to stop seeing these 'friends'. She was starting to want it, but she calmed down.

"I'm sorry, Daisy, but I can't take you to the castle. Period." Twilight's voice grew heavier with each word, making Daisy shudder at her tone. "Plus I'm making arrangements to move out of- Hey!"

But the confidence he was gaining was stopped by one of the colts. "Look! The nerd is still in love with books!", everyone turns to Knuckles, who takes a piece of paper from the floor, the library receipt. "After all, she's still the same bookworm! Bookie just came out of her nerd nest!"

Twilight moved her hand to her skirt pocket and checked that it wasn't there. It may fall with the blow, it was all Daisy needed. "Oh~ My~ Really, Bookie~"

Daisy's old confidence came back, while Twilight's old shyness came back to her. "All this time and you haven't put down those books! Seriously?! Wait! Don't tell me you haven't met other ponies thanks to them?! We always told you that you would never get a friend with those useless books! I bet you still don't have a coltfriend in your entire life~! HAHAHAHA~"

"N-n-n-no, it's not l-l-l-like that.", Twilight took a step back and couldn't meet her eyes. Bringing her love for books always makes her feel uncomfortable, especially with them. "L-l-look I d-don't have time s-s-so I am-! What the?"

"Wait there, Bookie~", Bass grabs her by the shoulder and holds her with his other arm extended behind her back.

Twilight wanted to leave, talking to these ponies only brought back bad memories, but they didn't let her. Bass pulls her towards the group. Just like old times.

"So far we've only been able to see you today. Why don't you come with us? We can talk to catch up, what it's like to live in the castle and other things. I've always wanted to see you again~", Bass told her. Closer to him while smiling to her.

Twilight was confused by his approach, until she heard the other two mares talking. "So it's true that Bass was interested in her, but he knows she's a virgin?"

Sunflower said with Iris' response. "That must be it, he just wants to bang her while she's. I bet Bass will discard her later when he's done with her."

'What?!', was that moment when Twilight simply had enough.

"STOP! Enough! I'm sorry but I don't have time for this! I'm leaving!", however, her will was not enough to break away from Bass's grip. "Just! Let me go, Bass!"

"What the buck is your problem!", Bass struggles to control her. He had to grab both of Twilight's arms, while Daisy got angry at her.

"What the buck is this?", Daisy walks towards her, dropping her friendly demeanor. "What Bookie are you? This isn't the Bookie I know! You think you're important just because you're the princess's favorite mascot? You think you're above us?! Is that it?!"

Luckily for Twilight, the street didn't have any guards patrolling the scene, the closest group was just around the corner. She keeps her fight alone. "No... And stop saying that name. I don't have time for this. And! I had -Enough.-?!!!"

But that was in the past, she was just as lucky to never have to fight alone again now. Twilight tried to free her left arm without realizing she had already done so, this drew everyone's attention to the new voice.

The group turns, especially Bass, as Shadow removes Bass's left arm.

And twist it. "AHHH!!!"

Bass's arm was twisted behind him backwards, putting him in an arm lock causing the group of thugs to back away and Twilight to finally be free. Shadow then brought Bass to his knees at his mercy. Daisy and the others were instantly afraid of the dark knight who appeared out of nowhere. For Twilight, that calms her down, not knowing that seeing Shadow makes her happy.

Without realizing that it wasn't just seeing him again, deep down she wanted Shadow to beat them. No need for Twily to remind you how you want it.

That is right~ We are happy to see you~ Our Shadow~ Do it~

And it was about to come true with him ready to slam his other fist into Bass's face.

"Huh? No! Wait, Shadow!", Twilight snapped.

"EEPPP!!!...?", Bass was crying, he almost pooped when he saw how close the dark fist was to his face.

Twilight came to herself just the moment before Bass got a black eye. "Shadow! You're hurting him! Release him! Now!"

"Order received.", he let go obediently.

Shadow moved to the side and stood among the group, standing between Twilight scaring the bullies from trying anything else with him present. Bass was angry, he went for him anyway.

"You! Buckhead!", Bass tries to hit Shadow when he finally recovers. But at this moment, all the ponies knew what "trying" would bring.

"Shadow! Don't hurt him!", Twilight's order came as Shadow raised his left arm.

With his order received, Shadow just pushes down on Bass's fist and extends that same arm to hit Bass's chin with the back of his hand. The blow, strong and enough, unbalanced Bass and he staggered backwards. Shadow then just uses one leg to kick one of Bass's legs and uses the same hand to push him down, slightly but enough.

"UGH!!!", Bass let the air out of his lungs as he fell with his head back onto the concrete. The hit makes him wonder what just happened, as do the other bullies. While processing in their minds, Shadow went to check on Twilight.

"Twilight, are you hurt in any way?" Shadow's voice scared the bullies, even it was the same emotionless voice, it had a tone of rage. "Because of your order, I wait until the last second until these ponies are considered enemies. I'm sorry if-"

"No! No! No! It's okay.", she waved her hands to get his attention when the word enemies was mentioned. "Shadow, they aren't enemies or any kind of threat... They aren't my friends either so... I'm not mad at you. Okay?"

Shadow nodded at her, and Twilight didn't know it but she was smiling at this. Being around him makes her feel safe and comfortable, with him listening to her, this makes Twilight consider whether her feelings for him are real or not. She then thought about Mr. Scroll's words about whether it was destiny for her to meet him.

However, she changes her mind remembering the rules, especially when Shadow stops a fist without looking. Only then could she tear her eyes away from him, as Shadow did the same, and watch as he parried Knuckles' fist.

There was silence between the 7 of them with Knuckles sweating, not long before his scream began.

"AHH!!! BUCK! BUCK! BUCK! BUCK! HURTS! HURTS!"

Shadow began to crush his fist and twist it to bring him to his knees. In less than a second, the muscular stallion was crying like a poor, weak colt. Shadow was able to continue and put more pressure, but Twilight told him that was enough and to let the colt go.

Right there, Twilight rethought her feelings again. Or rather what she thinks when she has the power of Shadow on her side. Was it really your feelings, or what a Yami Tool really brings to its User? Twilight thought, but she really knew she was being tested.

"Hey! What's going on here?!", and Twilight had more to come. The commotion was enough to draw the attention of the patrol rounding the corner. The squad was being led by a light green pegasus captain mare.

"What are you foals doing?!", the captain mare shouted when she saw Bass on all fours and Knuckles bent down to relieve the pain in his right hand.

Twilight and Shadow with the bullies remain silent, Daisy was the only one who sees an opportunity to speak first.

"Thank Faust you're here!", Daisy walked past Twilight and Shadow to eclipse them. "We were going to our same restaurant until this monster showed up and beat up our two friends! Please put it down now!"

It was obvious what she was doing, and Shadow didn't help by narrowing his eyes at the guards. The mare captain saw him and knew that he was dangerous. It was her judgment to stop in analyzing Shadow's danger that prevented her from giving the order to arrest him at first, until she receives the reason why she thinks so.

"Wait! Captain, we shouldn't mess with him!", one of the stallions guards grabs her by the shoulder and makes her look at his fears. He was one of the original guards in their fight in the royal chamber. "This is The Shadow Blade! He's the pony Captain Iron orders us not to mess with unless it's the last option!"

"Wait? The Shadow Blade? The pony who defeated 10 guards alone without breaking a sweat? The same one who defeated our Captain and Shining together?", now the captain mare knew the reason.

Her guard nodded to all of her questions and turned to Shadow in fear. And gave the same feelings to all the ponies on the area. Although it was not their intention, their conversation was overheard by the bullies, who had their eyes wide open, and by all the nearby passersby having the reason to stay away.

With fear and caution, the mare captain cautiously approaches the duo. "E-excuse me. Sorry to interrupt, are you Twilight Sparkle?"

When Twilight confirmed it, the mare continued, not forgetting Shadow watching her every movement. "We received notification that any problem with The Shadow Blade we should consult with you. We were told that he will only listen to you and will attack anypony that threatens your safety. Also that we should talk to you about anything related to him. Is there a problem we can help you with?"

The ponies in the surrounding area were amazed. Although some may say that he was just defending himself and Twilight, the guards were not prioritizing the calm of the public but rather that of 'The Shadow Blade'. And to get to it they must first check out Twilight above any other pony.

Daisy was out of words, so they do her group with Sunflower and Iris helping Bass to stand up with Knuckles holding his hand at their side. The group of bullies began to think that if Twilight decided that they were the ones who would go to the dungeons, that's what Twilight thought too. This made Twilight feel a kind of superiority, she couldn't believe that even the guards listened to her with Shadow at her side.

'Still, I don't want Shadow to get into any more troubles. Or pay for my mistakes.', with her mentality set, Twilight turns to the captain.

"I'm sorry. We had a dispute but I calmed him down. Sorry to disturb everypony's peace, we'll be on our next errand. We are sorry for the inconvenience.", she walks in front of Shadow, intending to prevent trouble from reaching him.

The ponies were surprised by his speech, the captain took it to mean that the matter was resolved.

"I understand Miss Twilight. Please call us if you need...help with him.", then the captain turned to her squad and the rest of the citizens. "All right! Move on ponies! There is nothing to see here!"

With their squad, the guards leave the place with the bullies and with their mouths open with Twilight.

"What?! Hey! Where are you going?!", Daisy was shocked as she watched the guards just walk away, some looking at Shadow in fear. "Are you going to leave us with this monster?! He just attacked my friends and -Daisy.- EEPP!!!"

Daisy trembled at Twilight's voice as she turned to face her. The Bookie who was afraid was no longer there, in her place was Twilight with her arms crossed with a strong will. If they had the idea of attacking her with insults they wouldn't even achieve anything, they didn't even have the courage to mention her nickname that they were using for fun. Because how dare they call her again with Shadow right behind 'Bookie'.

"I'll only say it once, so listen carefully. I'm not that Bookie you usually pick on. Shadow is not a freak. And we are definitely not friends. If there is nothing important that requires my attention, then I will ask you to leave me alone.", Twilight then turns to leave them. "Shadow, come, our chariot is waiting for us. They are not worth our time."

"Order received.", Shadow follows her, leaving the 3 mares to pick up their defeated colts.

Daisy was furious and was about to yell at them, insult them as they leave. Her words stuck in her throat. Shadow makes it clear with his deadly gaze and bloodlust. He looks back at the road with Daisy falling on her butt losing the will to fight.

Only the servant's metallic footsteps could be heard with the master's hooves steps leaving the scene. However, only for those two could the maiden's words to her knight be heard.

"...Thanks..."

Twilight walks away feeling renewed to leave that past behind with those words. She moves towards the new stage of her life.

On her way, she took a look at all the streets and shops she could see before leaving, some to the places where her family took her, others to where they took her. Before reaching the port, they pass through the city park.

Twilight just took the short way but took her time. She remembers her time playing in this place. In those days it was her and her family, on her best days Cadance joined them with a baby Spike. But not all were goods days. Those kinds of days she was alone.

Twilight stopped so she could imagine herself appearing on one of those days of her former self. And if she could go and meet her fillyhood self, she would go and tell her that she won't be alone anymore. She will tell her that a strange human knight will appear and take care of her, but she must promise to take care of him. Twilight smiled and left the park imagining what that filly would say, she is a crazy mare.

"Are you ready?", once there, she left the carriage with all her luggage and the ponies that came to say goodbye to her.

Her parents gave her a warm hug and told her that she can return if necessary. Cadance and Shining were there, Cadance gave him advice with his hug and his BBBFF told him to contact him anytime, especially if the problem is Shadow. And finally, Celestia came to wish her good luck, asking her if she was ready to start living her life.

Twilight distanced herself to look at her entire family, the idea of not seeing them anymore hurt her, she felt somewhat alone. That all changed when she saw how happy they were for her and when she turned to the place she was going to see that she wasn't alone in this.

She saw Ponyville from afar and knew that her new friends were there waiting for her. Then she saw Spike, her little brother, next to the carriage that would come with her and he would make sure to take care of her if she forgot to do so. And she might feel safer when she looked at Shadow.

With Shadow she felt that she can do everything that comes her way, and if she needs it he will help her.

Twilight couldn't resist. She was able to smile again from her heart.

"Hmmm. You look happy, what happened back there to make you smile like that, Twilight?", Spike asks his sister after arriving back in Ponyville. They were on their way to their new home, the Golden Oak Library.

"Huh? Me?", Twilight rubbed her face, not knowing that she had a smile this whole time.

"Yes. You look a little happier now... but it's nice to see you like this! I thought you'd be depressed and angry like when we left the castle the first time.", Spike put his hand behind his head walking beside her. "Did something happen? I know he followed you after you left the house."

"Well... we can say that Shadow helped me with a burden I had. Hehehe~", she scratches her face, just to hide her expression from how she confronted her bullies with Shadow. She then changes the subject. "By the way. Why don't you help carry the luggage?"

"Does he look like he needs help?", Spike and Twilight turn to prove his point.

Shadow was right behind them, carrying eight suitcases under him, looking like Atlas carrying the world. The suitcases were stacked neatly, forming a tower. And a larger luggage was tied to his back with a rope. Doubles his size.

"He just took everything for himself...however, I'm impressed by how normal he looks wearing his lab equipment.", Spike took a moment to admire the scene, Twilight did the same.

"Yeah...he's really impressive...", Twilight stares into his eyes, as he looks into hers. There is no longer any fear that she felt when looking into those red eyes. "But that doesn't mean I'll leave all the work to him. And neither will you, Spike."

Then she turns around and continues her walk. "Okay...wait? What do you mean by that?", Spike turns to catch up with Twilight.

"It means you'll have your own chores around the house and don't think I'll let you borrow Shadow to do them.", she ignored his pleas, they were near the library.

"Oh! Come on! I can still make breakfast for all of us, but can I have the afternoon free from arranging the books? I want to read my comics while I eat... a cupcake. Hey, where are all the ponies?", Spike's complaints lost tone as he had deja vu. When he realized this, they arrived at the tree library.

"That's why I won't let you slack off.", she checks to get the keys and open the door. "This isn't a vacation Spike, from now on we're going to live alone and I'm going to make a list of chores for each of us. I'll have some, you and Shadow can- wait, where is he?"

Before opening the door, she realized that the luggage was unloaded and they were behind Spike, but there was no sign of Shadow. They both began to look around, until Spike could see him. He was standing on the side of the library, looking toward an open window.

Before they could ask him why he had the rope in his hand, Shadow jumped to the open window and went inside. And before they could say anything else, chaos erupted inside.

"WHAT THE- HEY! LOOK OUT! TIME OUT! TIME OUT! I KNOW IS MY TURN BUT- WHOA! WHERE ARE YOU TOUCHING SHADOW! COULD YOU BE LESS HARDER! IS MY FIRST TIME AND- HMPH!!!"

Inside you could hear the sound of furniture tipping over, cartoon chases, and the screams of barn animals. Twilight and Spike flinch at any loud noises and pops, like a cat chasing a mouse destroying everything in its path.

When things calmed down, Twilight worked up the courage to open the door, checking that it wasn't completely locked. But knowing the voice a moment ago, she entered and was not surprised to find Shadow and her pink friend. She couldn't hide her shocked reaction upon finding Pink in a full body harness with the rope that Shadow uses, and also with an apple in her mouth.

Twilight was about to ask when Pinkie, lying on her belly with her legs and hands tied behind her back, gestured with her mane pointing at something. Twilight considered obeying, in the end she did and found the light spell switch. She started to guess what she was up to, so to make Pinkie happy, she turned on the lights.

"SURPRISE! -HMPH! HMPH!"

When the light stone was illuminating, ponies jumped out of the shadows with confetti in the air. The room was decorated with tables and chairs with food and drinks. And the place was packed everywhere, some places even had game tables and a piñata hanging in the corner. Twilight looks around and comes to ask.

"Why are you all here? I thought we already celebrated. Is this a second party that Pinkie always throws?" Pinkie in question jumped towards her, but the apple in her mouth couldn't let her speak. "...Shadow, can you free her? Oh! Hello! Girls!"

Obeying, Shadow got to work as the other girls appeared. Her friends, in their normal attire, came to welcome and hug Twilight and Spike to their new home.

"Howdy partner, good to see ya safe and sound.". Applejack greets her and Spike.

"Ah ma sorry for Pinkie, she told us she was throwin' this party for ya. The only thin' we didn't expect was for Shadow to surprise us, or her. But Pinkie told us it was part of her game.", they turned to Pinkie now released. "Whatever they are into."

"But what's the party for?", Twilight asked as Pinkie pulled the apple out of her mouth.

"PUFFS. For Shadow's 'Welcome to Ponyville' party! Duh! I've already done Twilight and Spike but never for Shadow! And since you were coming today, I make his party here! In your new home!", Pinkie's comment about her new home warms her heart, only to raise an eyebrow at what follows.

"By the way, Shadow. I know it's my turn to hide but..." Pinkie blushes at Shadow drawing the girls' attention with her next words. "Could we play in my room? It was the first time I was tied up like that. And it was the first time I couldn't escape! I want to learn it so I can tie ponies for their parties! Hehehe~"

Ignoring how creepy it became with Pinkie playing with the rope, everypony turns to the new neighbors in their town.

Rarity spoke first. "Well, Pinkie aside, we all came to greet you too and since you were with Shadow we had the party here. After all we have never done anything for him, it is our way of thanking him for everything he has done for us.", she said hugging Shadow's arm, her smile was genuinely friendly but Twilight couldn't believe it was like that.

"She is right.", Fluttershy came next with a basket of desserts for him.

"In addition to searching for the Elements of Harmony, Shadow had helped many ponies during the weeks he stayed in the Everfree Forest.", she went and gave him the basket, in the process Shadow notices and stares at her bandaged hand. "It's okay... I don't regret helping you, Shadow.", he nodded at her.

"Hold on?", Twilight interrupted. She looked around and saw that the place was super full of guests. "So you're saying all these ponies came to see Shadow?"

"Most of them.", Rainbow floats over them so the party guest can see Shadow. "Someponies just found out about Pinkie's party, with the merchandise she sells and the rumors, they came just to meet him. But.", then she flew towards a grayish mare pegasus with a blonde mane.

The curious thing was that both of her eyes were not straight. "Some were helped and saved by him, and they just wanted to thank him. Right, Derpy?"

With Rainbow's help, Derpy approaches Shadow free of Rarity. Once face to face they did not say anything in silence, not much time for Derpy to let out her tears and throw herself to hug Shadow. After allowing her to feel comfortable in her embrace, Shadow began to pet her head. Everypony just looks at them with an 'Ahh'.

Rainbow walks over and talks to Twilight. "Derpy got lost in the woods weeks ago. When we were ready with a rescue team, we found her at the entrance of the town. He was sleeping with a blanket and all his wounds bandaged with leaves and medicinal herbs. We took her to the hospital to treat her broken wing. But guess who does all the hard work?"

Twilight didn't need the answer. She watched as Derpy separate from him so Shadow could see her daughter Dinky. The filly also launched herself at him, on his waist, and began to thank him for saving her mother. Twilight continues watching the moving moment, looks around and sees that all the ponies were also moved by the scene.

Applejack also came to her side. "Well, we now know it was Shadow who was movin' around Ponyville. Thanks to him, many accidents were avoided, and some ponies even found things they lost. Others got a bit of help here and there, all done anonymously. It took us some time to figure it out, but when we learned he was hospitalized, many of us prayed for his well-bein'."

Twilight smiles after hearing that. After Derpy and Dinky finish talking to him, other ponies come over to talk. Seeing this, an idea occurred to her.

"Shadow.", he turned to her ready to hear her order. "You can take off your helmet during the party. There's no threat to worry about."

Shadow stares at her for a moment, he accepts as always. "Order received."

"Well, the party is over for us but we enjoyed it. Thanks Pinkie. Thanks Rainbow Dash.", Derpy was outside holding Dinky after she got tired and was sleeping on her mother's shoulder.

"No problemo! I hope Dinky had fun meeting Shadow!", Pinkie said goodbye to them at the entrance. It was almost late, so most of the guests returned home.

Shadow was the special guest and was the center of attention for many ponies, even more so for the foals. When he took off his helmet, most were surprised by his true face, but everyone said he seemed friendlier.

The first group that approached him were the ponies who did not believe in his existence due to rumors, they were the first to be sent as they were only interested in knowing the truth.

Then came Shadow's fans. These groups were made up of those who liked rumors and participated in events that Pinkie held to promote his legend. They were also the same ponies that accompanied Fluttershy with her weekly food delivery. They talk to him and are fascinated that the legend is true, but after meeting him they decide that their curiosity has been satisfied and the charm of the mystery has been lost. After the party, they decide to disband the cult or find another legend to idolize. Pinkie screams into the air because they stop and throw away her merchandise, losing her source of Bits.

Except for one mint green mare, she even mentions collecting a sample of his blood.

The last ponies that were on top of him were the foals. They were all over him, ignoring the desserts and games just to see him nearby and talk to him. Some were disappointed that he didn't answer all the normal questions they had for him, like what he likes or what he does. However, they were excited by the questions he was able to confirm, including how he defeated the Lumberwolf that arrived outside the town. They keep asking more about him, only a few stay when others give up when there is no more to know about him.

"Are you really a knight?", asks a 15-year-old orange pegasus filly with a magenta mane.

She was wearing a red t-shirt with a skateboard logo and knee-length blue shorts, she had magenta eyes and a band-aid on her cheek. Shadow knows her as the town's daredevil filly, Scootaloo. "Where are your swords and shield? Oh! Can you get them out?"

"Negative.", Shadow followed her with his eyes as Scootaloo spun around him. "As Twilight's orders, I am not allowed to draw my swords. Although I am a fallen knight, I do not take action unless the situation allows it."

"So... what does that mean?", a new voice came from a white unicorn filly.

A white unicorn filly wearing a pink dress decorated with musical notes on her waist, the dress reaches just to her knees was the second onw that still was with Shadow. She was at least 14 years old and was a really cute little sister that everypony would liked to want to have, with her mane double-parted with light purple and pink.

Rarity told him that she was her little sister, Sweetie Belle. "So you're that kind of knight who saves maidens and princesses?! Rarity keeps saying that she wanted to be saved by you again."

"Hmmm...", Shadow processed his question, after meditating, he found an answer from the bottom of his soul. "While I should not interfere in the affairs of the children from Terra, I don't like lives being wasted. If I have to choose... I would like to protect all the foals in this world."

The girls were stunned by his response. While they both understood that he wanted to save lives, especially the foals for some honorable reason, it was the other words that they couldn't understand what he meant.

While thinking about it, Shadow look at his back to the last filly. "Apple Bloom, I can't move if you're still stuck to me like that. I can't move without hurting you. Suggestion. I'm not going anywhere so you don't have to take care of me."

"NO! Ah won't let ya go again!", Apple Bloom shouted. She was hugging his waist from behind.

While Shadow met with the guests, the Apple family of course appeared with Applejack and went to see him again. With this, Apple Bloom took the opportunity to capture him and never let him go again. She claims that if she hadn't let him go from the beginning he would never be in the hospital for his injuries in the battle with Nightmare Moon.

While her sister assures her that their magic cured him, Apple Bloom simply rejects him and declares that she will never leave Shadow's side. Everypony let her act like that because she looked cute doing everything she could to keep him safe, only to find out she was serious.

"No matter how strong you are! I won't let you go anymore!", Apple Bloom had her face in her metal plates, no pony could see her happy tears at seeing him safe. "Ya never came back! Ah was worried somethin' would happen to ya!" SNIFF

Shadow looked down with his emotionless eyes, but he had a hint of concern for her as he stroked her head. "Thanks... I will consider your feelings for my safety. But you don't have to worry, I won't go down so easily. My objective is to keep Twilight safe in her quest and help her. So I won't let any enemy defeat me.

"Really?!", Apple Bloom pulled her face away from him to see him.

"I think he's serious, Apple Bloom.", Scootaloo commented after seeing how serious he was, even though he was still emotionless. "And now I have no more doubts that this guy defeated that Lumberwolf! Just look at him! He's cooler than I imagined! Well, not like Rainbow Dash."

Sweetie was next. "Aha! Rarity told how brave she was with those bullies who bother her on her trip. He really is the strong gentleman she talked about. Although I don't like how he looks with that armor... but he is kind of cute without his helmet~", she smiles looking at him, the other two fillies just roll their eyes at another of Sweetie's crushes on another colt.

"Leaving Sweetie's fantasy, -Hey!- as long as he is strong, the more afraid I am that he won't care about himself.", Apple Bloom finally let go of him, still staying by his side. "Last time you injured your foot and you wouldn't let me help you heal. Just, please be more careful."

"Thanks. Know that I'll keep that in mind.", Shadow simply accepted her advice.

"Ah guess it's the best Ah'll get.", she smiles when she sees him safe. But then Apple Bloom brought what she really came to see him. "But Ah wanted to ask ya. How did Twilight win over ya? Ah know ya didn't care, or at least, the type of mare ya date. Ah ma not saying Twilight isn't a good choice, but ah think somepony like my sister would be a better fit. Ya know, ya two are strong, stubborn, uncivilized, weird ponies- APPLE BLOOM!- EEK!"

Caught, she flinches at Applejack's scolding from afar. "Stop brainwashing Shadow into pairin' him with me!...Ha, Ah was hoping she'd give up on that."

Applejack then turned to Twilight with her own chatter at the drinks table. "Ah ma sorry for ma little sister, Twilight. She may not know the rules, but... if she insists or talks to him behind ya back, tell me so I can tell her off."

"It's okay, there's no need for that.", Twilight responded as she held her drink, she takes a sip before turning back to her. "I'm just glad she doesn't have to worry about him from now on. So you can tell her that he won't be in danger anymore. As for the other topic, well, let's just leave it between us. She doesn't need to get into all that mess."

Fluttershy next to her adds her opinion. "I'm with Twilight. The less she knows, the safer she will be. Since we don't know what could happen if the rules were activated again. I'm worried about Shadow's safety if those things come back for him.", the girls narrow their eyes at her words, Rainbow was the next to complain about it.

Rainbow almost crushed her cup of drink. But calm down and turn to Twilight. "I just hate that something like that exists. If you two ever get into trouble, I will drop everything to help you. Even I will sacrifice my nap time for you!", she smiles proudly as if it's the best thing she can do for them.

"Really?!", Pinkie was surprised by that next to her, her hands were tied with the same rope because she was playing with it. "You always said never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never again to wake you up while you were taking a nap. You must be very serious then, why only with them?"

"Because when it's you, either you show up having a heart attack or you choose the worst method to wake me up!", Rainbow then massages her ears from what Pinkie used that afternoon to wake her up. "Seriously, who uses a gong to wake up a pony?"

The girls laughed at the conversation they were having, except for Rarity who was at another table with other mares. For mare stuffs.

"Come on, you have to tell us. At least to me.", Rarity was talking to a group of her own friends, it was actually an association of sisters to help each other. "Redheart, just tell us... well, those who are interested, that Shadow has the 'package' at least."

"Just because I'm the only nurse in the group doesn't mean I have to tell you all those stuffs." Redheart, at 28 years old, was not lucky to find love on her own. So she and Rarity formed the sisterhood to help each other. "I could lose my job just by telling you this."

"We understand.", by 'we' Rarity means her. "But that's why we formed the group. So we can help each other find the stud of our dreams. But if you don't want to continue using our services. Well..."

"Okay! You win, but you have to tell me about any candidate for me. You promised me that you would mention me to a noble friend of yours." Redheart looks around, when she was sure she spoke to her sisters. "He does indeed have a package, so if any of you are interested you don't have to worry about it... There's just one thing that bothers me."

Rarity rejoices in her mind, still holding out hope that there is a chance for her with Shadow. Only she worried that they might have problems in the future. While she was keeping it to herself, her other sister had expressed her opinion. Sweetie Drops, or Bon Bon, a 24-year-old female earth pony with a beige coat, pigment blue mane with a pink mane, dressed in a simple t-shirt with a candy design and blue pants.

She was the first to retreat. "Wait? What do you mean by that? I am not aiming for him, but if you know something you should tell us."

Bon Bon joined the group because she was from Manehattan from a filly-only school. She's not good with colts so she's on the same page as Twilight. It didn't help that her roommate in her tent was a scheming lunatic and scared off all the stallions that came near her when she was with Lyra.

Redheart lowered her voice before continuing. "Well, it's nothing serious. Remember my fellow nurse, Lollipop, that mare with big tits like Pinkie. He didn't react at all when we bathed him.", when her sisters respond with 'Nooo' she continues. "Either she wasn't his type, he's not interested in mares but another species or he's gay. That's what bothers me and I can't say if we had a chance with him."

A sophisticated voice speaks until now. "But that doesn't make it interesting.", Octavia Melody.

Octavia Melody, a mare with light gray fur, light violet eyes, black mane and tail, wearing her black vest over her white shirt and her favorite pink bow tie with a white collar with black cloth pants, she was Ponyville's famous classical music cellist.

She was famous and could get concerts with audiences of hundreds of ponies, but her classes and strict schedule did not allow her to find love. So she was also in the group for their services when she moved to Ponyville. Being 25 years old, she hoped to find what she was looking for, but like Rarity, the stallions only see her as one-night fun.

She was watching Shadow and how he handled the foals this whole time. "I see that he is kind to the foals, that is a positive point in my opinion."

Octavia turns to the group. "If he's the type who won't be seduced by an easy mare or a whore, that makes him a loyal husband in the future. I say I'll try to get to know him more.", although she is not the oldest, Octavia was now looking for a candidate to marry.

Rarity stares at her for a while as she drinks her cup. 'Marriage and foals, huh. Although I wasn't thinking about it from afar... what Shadow thinks about it.', she also turns to Shadow and sees how he let Sweetie Belle hang on his arm.

It was the last member of the sisterhood's turn to speak. "Well, good luck, but I'm not going for him.", being the teacher at Ponyville school, Cheerilee was thinking about how other ponies look at him.

She was the oldest of them, since the purple-coated mare was 30 years old with her pink mane with a light pink stripe in the middle, she was looking for a husband. She wears her cream jacket with long blue dress pants. She was the well-behaved type so appearance was everything to her. After all, she did not sacrifice her time studying for her freedom as a rebellious teenager to become the teacher she is.

"If I ever date a pony like him, I might get in trouble with the town's parents. So I won't compete with you girls. Cheerilee, is out.", they all nodded and seriously think about Shadow.

Rarity was the only one who thought about the rules, but hope was possible somehow, to help him if he ever got the wish of a normal life with the ponies. She turned back to Shadow, still playing and preventing her sister with Scotaloo and Apple Bloom from making a mess. But she did glaze a moment to Twilight.

Rarity watches her, watches every move she makes. And she notices it. She raised her cup and took a sip in an effort to hide her smile, amused that things would get interested from now on. "Let's forget about him, I want to consult with all of you about my request."

The mares turn to their sister as she looked at another part of the room. The mares found Cheerilee looking nervously at her target. "Is there a recent update... is Big Mac still available?", she blushed but couldn't resist asking when other mares spoke to him.

The party had ended and Twilight was seeing off her friends, the last guests of the night.

Twilight was at her door saying goodbye to them. "Thanks for everything, girls. I enjoyed the party. Is this what I missed on the day of the Summer Sun Celebration? Sorry for leaving you all aside that day."

"No problem, sugarcube!", Applejack said with the girls outside and her family, Big Mac carrying a tired Apple Bloom while Rarity with Sweetie and Rainbow with Scootaloo. "But thanks for allowing us to help ya clean and organize ya luggage. Ya must be tired of leavin' ya home."

"Yeah... Anyway, thanks again.", she looked towards the twilight that covered all of Ponyville, her new home. "I'll really love living here. Bye! See you tomorrow!"

With her friends returning to their homes, Twilight closes the door and looks at her new home. The treehouse at the end was a library. Mayor Mare provides her with the keys to officially be the librarian of the Golden Oak Library.

Twilight looked at all the shelves the library had with her own books that she was allowed to bring into the collection. Most of the tables and furniture were already here but soon she will decorate and bring more to brighten this place with a touch of herself. Spike already started when he brought over his beanbag chair that he brought, and now he was snoring in it.

Twilight approaches him, seeing that he was already asleep makes her feel tired too. "With Princess Luna's announcement and the luggage, I guess we had a very busy day in the end." THUNK

She turned to her side when she heard loud footsteps on the wooden floor, she wasn't surprised to see Shadow with his helmet on, ready for her. She smiles because she didn't need to say anything, she just steps back as Shadow picks Spike up. And she didn't need to said any words as she head upstairs with him behind.

"YAWN Well, let's call it a day, let's go to... our room.", even if Spike came too, Twilight blushed because she said it more for Shadow.

As they began to climb the stairs, Twilight asked him. "Shadow, how are you sleeping? And where do I have to put you to sleep?", she opened the door to their room, Spike and Twilight, for it was the only room in the building.

"My armor can slowly recharge over time, but I can put myself in a sleep state where only my basic senses are activated to monitor our surroundings.", he entered the room. "Any place where I can stand by is sufficient."

When Twilight entered behind Shadow, she was able to check her new bedroom. It had Twilight and Spike's closets separated on one side. Their beds, with the girls' help, were ready at the end with the round window open in time for the moon to rise in the sky. There was also a personal bathroom at the other end, where Twilight was heading.

Shadow went to Spike's bed and laid him there. "As your fallen knight, you can place me anywhere you want. Additionally, I can patrol the area, look for weak security points, and fortify the building so that intruders don't take your rest."

"I-i-intruders?", she opened the bathroom door to enter but turned around just to confirm it. "There's no need for that... but can you check and make sure all the lights are off and that I haven't forgotten something?"

"Order received.", he nodded and he were about to leave, but she added another request.

"A-a-a-also...", Twilight was playing with her hair with her blushing face looking down so as not to look at him. "Y-y-y-y-you can s-s-sleep h-here. I-i-i-it's j-j-just for e-e-extra security!... If you understand me. Hehehehe."

She was embarrassed that she had said this to a colt who wasn't Spike and his brother. "Is that your order? Then, order receive.", he confirms leaving the room to finish closing the library.

Twilight stared at where he went, when she was warming up she went into the bathroom to splash her face with cold water. "...This won't be easy."

She begins to clean herself and put on her new pajamas. As a request from her family and their concerns, Twilight brought a long, non-transparent dark pink nightgown and some long, loose dark blue sleep shorts. Luckily it was to her liking so she had no problem putting it on when she was in her white panties. However, she stops to look in the mirror.

She stopped to check her body and face, checking how she had changed. In the mirror she saw a young mare of 19 years old. She was the pet master and the filly that everypony used to laugh at. But now she is the new Holder of the Element of Magic and an User of a Yami Tool.

Twilight took some time to process her current appearance. She didn't pay much attention, however she was fascinated by her naked body, more like her C cup chest with her cutie mark on her left breast. Her waist and thighs were not slim like Rarity but they had that attractive curvy figure. At that moment she asks if she was an attractive mare checking out her pretty face, just to remind her of Bass's intentions.

Twilight shakes her head wanting to forget that ugly memory, only to switch to Shadow rescuing her. She wonder, if she asked him if she was attractive to him, how would his answer make her feel? What will make her say? And how she really wished it were real? Not some inorganic response.

The last part was for her as she looked at herself in the mirror again, seeing Twily looking at her again. He soon regained knowledge of the rules. How she felt about his power over her and Shadow. Coming to Shadow, how he suffers from them and the weak state of his body. She had to close her eyes and make a final decision.

'Shadow has always been protecting me, helping me even if I had rejected him or denied knowing about him.', she opened her eyes when she saw that the mirror had returned to normal.

Not for her feelings, but for her role. 'As long as I am his master, no one will harm him again. Not even me.'

She turns around to finish cleaning and put on her pajamas. She came out, in her pajamas, finding everything dark except the lights of the Shadows.

"Twilight, is there anything else?", he asks, standing still in the middle of the room.

"...No, there isn't.", she considered ordering him to sleep without his armor. But she immediately retracts it and goes to her bed. "We had a busy day so let's rest... You can rest here... and stay alert."

Shadow nodded and walked to the side of the bed. Her face was red hot thinking he would climb with her. But he simply stopped, turned around and crouched on the ground. There he adopted his yoga posture, relaxing his breathing and turning off his lights. Twilight took some time to witness the process, her mind still wondering whether to just go to sleep or continue when he was done. She decides to continue.

"Shadow?", his eyes light up, telling her that he was paying attention. "Can you tell me... I'm an attractive mare or... I need to change something about myself- Don't change."

She froze because she was interrupted. But in reality, she Twilight simply stopped, so she could hear Shadow's words.

"Suggestion. Beauty is subjective. Everyone has their own perspective of beauty. I won't be against it if you choose to change your look. But. You should remember, you have your own kind of beauty. You just need to find it and nourish it. The real ponies who admire and care for you will tell you the same."

She keeps repeating his words. All the doubts she had about her image, what her bullies think of her, what the ponies say behind her back dissipated. Including her fears of not finding a partner. She never asked or thought about this again with the next words he said to her.

"For me, you are beautiful just the way you are. You don't need to change."

The two continue looking at each other without saying more. In the end they turned around and went to sleep. Twilight hugs the sheets of her bed as Shadow simply repositions himself in his stance. Twilight closes her eyes with a happy smile repeating the words in her mind. Shadow shuts down and decides to rest because she will need energy to help her.

Both fell asleep, marking the end of their first day together.

But with an end comes a new beginning. And a beginning will bring a new end.

These were his thoughts for so long during his journey. He has ended so many lives that he lost count. He no longer knows how many he has brought to justice for those who deserved it, avenged those who could not get it, or how many he has killed for those he did not want.

However, in the end, it was the same for him.

Dark clouds covered him as his target was hidden here. With red eyes under his heavy coat, he searched from a castle tower, waiting for the moment to begin. He came to claim another life.

The devil arrived at Canterlot, the new castle of the two alicorn princesses, to end the life of his target.

Author's Note

Hi. First thanks for reaching this part of the story, I would like to tell that while I had the major points already write in paper, most of the story was from zero and that is because I debate if only tell the main part but them I ask me 'how my readers will understand some parts'. Question like that make me right the chapters such as how my OC meet each of the main six rather than write 'we already meet him'. Well, this chapter focus of how Twilight understood her feelings beside her fear and concerns of the consequence of the power Shadow carries and the dangers she may fight in the future.

Telling this, I wanted this story started with good footing to create my Yami Tools universe for this is only the beginning as well my debut as writer. Unfortunately this also means the end of this part for my real story covers until the Crystal empire where I create this story from season 3 was launched. Also were things will go out of control when season 4 occur, and this means I will have this story in 4 books.

Well the end of book 1 will be the next chapter. Where some mysteries will be reveal.

P.S. This chapter is not edited so some errors may have been leave, will fix it once the story is complete.