Chapter 5, Do no let any one oppose in your way

On the roof of the castle, near the research tower, were three souls. Two were the best guards in the Royal Guard and one was considered a legend of the past. The point is that one side was clearly at a disadvantage. So who was it?

One side was fighting for their duty to protect the castle and the lives of the ponies in it, they were simply doing their job. But the last one didn't have to be there. He just wants to complete his purpose and now they deny him for not understanding his situation. His patience went out the window and he was ready to fight back. It doesn't matter who his opponent was.

Shining Armor and Iron Wing were about to face 'The Shadow Blade'. But not before the Captain of the Royal Guard begins his duty.

"Before I start to get you out of my castle, I need to ask. What are you after?", Iron asked. He just wants to start the fight, but his duty as Captain of the royal guard forces him to get the reason for his appearance in the castle.

"Are you after the Princess?", Iron ask checking for a response.

"..."

"Were you hire to hunt down a noble who came to the castle?", he still hope for something.

"..."

Iron's patience was wearing thin, but he still needed to get the reason, so he asked one more question. "Are you here to stalk somepony?".

"..."

"Did a filly on this castle broken your heart, heck, do you even have one at all?".

"...", after all this, still no answer from 'Shadow'.

"Freak.", Shining let out his thought thanks how 'Shadow' was close to his sister when he found them.

'Easy kid, we are facing a legend or that's what I heard.', Iron did not need to ask the reason for his student's anger as he already knew who could only be in the research tower at this time of day. His sister and the princess pupil. 'Did he came to kill or foal-napped Twilight? If he after her, why show himself in the throne room before coming here? Well, if we want answers, will need to get it out from him... By force.'

Since his taunts didn't work, Iron decide being honest with 'Shadow'. "If you're putting on the tough guy act, trust me, you're not going to get anywhere with it. You are suppose to be a legend, but even if you are, is my duty to protect all the ponies under this castle.", Iron then prepare his hammer to emphasis his warning.

"So you have to past me, and boy, I will not make it easy for you."

This time he did get an answer. 'Shadow' prepare his swords. And the battle began.

Driven by the rage of grief at being separated from his master, 'Shadow' closes the distance between them and takes the first step. Shining ready, he display a barrier to stop 'Shadow', but he simply jumps high enough to pass the barrier over it and his two opponents. Which makes them happy that he fell into the trap while Iron flew with his hammer strike him.

This move were perfectly coordinated thanks to their training. Shining and Iron had been training together for the past few years since Shining graduated from being a cadet. Over time, they create a special bond as father and son that makes them the strongest duo that coordinates without speaking. They became the best unit of sword and shield of the Royal Guards. But their expectation of their skill were too high as their moral fall of what happen next.

CRASH As Iron swing all his strength to strike, he was expecting 'Shadow' to try the impossible to dodge, but 'Shadow' just took the hit.

'Shadow' blocks his hammer with his two thin blades in an X formation where he receives an impact so strong that it vibrates the air around him. Iron hoped to send him flying or break his swords in the process. None of that happens. 'Shadow' not only flew away, but quite the opposite, he did not even move as he stand still on the air.

Iron was wondering if 'Shadow' was capable of using magic, the truth came to him when he was being pushed back. "Shining, undo your barrier, now!"

Shining listening without a second thought to his teacher, undo his spell and without a second later 'Shadow' flew away by Iron strength. Both guards did not pursue 'Shadow' and decide to rethink their strategy as he rolls and slides across the roof floor.

After confirming his theory, Iron let out his thoughts. "Using your barrier as a platform won't make it easy.", Shining had his eyes wide open when he realized too.

For the two guards, normally their fighting style is for Shining to seal his enemy's movement with his shields, not forcing them to turn around but forcing them to enter the Iron domain that was the being in the air. Without the ability to move once in the air, his opponents were easy prey for Iron's strong aerial attacks. And even if there is a counterattack or the enemy escapes, Shining can bring up new shields and hit them, giving Iron a second chance.

'Shadow' jumped over the barrier and fell into the trap like the others, but he made no unnecessary moves and only jumped high enough to overcome the barrier. When Iron attacked, he used the edge of the barrier to resist the impact but also to avoid being thrown into the air. What scares both guards is that he shows no sign that the impact damaged him or his swords, letting them know the toughness he have.

"Shining only uses your shields as little as possible or when the opportunity arises, if not he can use them as a jumping platform or support against our attacks.", Iron gave him more instructions as 'Shadow' began running towards them again. "Also put more magic on your shields, his swords are as hard as hell like my daughters' burnt cupcakes!"

Iron runs towards 'Shadow' for a head-on fight as his tricks won't work on him. As they close the distance, Iron twists his body to gain momentum to lift and bring down his hammer on 'Shadow'. 'Shadow' simply responds like the previous attack, blocking Iron's Hammer with his two swords in an X formation and the impact shakes the air again.

'Shadow' having better balance and Iron being on the ground, both held on better and were able to push the other back not like last time. When their weapons were separated, 'Shadow' prepared a counterattack. However, a flash that was captured in his sight made him think twice.

WHOOSH 'Shadow' twists his upper body backwards to move in an impossible way as the glowing magic shield passes by and brushes against his helmet.

He had no choice but to back away after moving the rest of his body away for a possible second attack. From there he could notice Shining teleporting to his blind side and trying to bash him. This time he did not send or throw his magic shield, he brandished them to personally attack 'Shadow'. He could hunt down and counterattack Shining since he was now very close to him, he could, if it weren't for Iron to prepare another attack from his hammer.

Iron did not stop his rotation and swing his hammer again. However, 'Shadow' notices that Iron stood between him and Shining, in a way to make him think.

'Acting as a shield.', 'Shadow' thought, so he decided to dodge it this time instead of blocking it. As soon as he moved out of the way of Iron's hammer, he lost sight of Shining again only to find another attack from his shield in a new blind spot.

'I see... it's a relay attack', 'Shadow' discover their new strategy. Both Iron and Shining acted as sword and shield and changed roles with each attack.

Both guards realize that their aerial supremacy will leave the risk that 'Shadow' will find a way to strike back, even in the air, so they decide a close combat. Since Iron decides to use a heavy weapon, it forces him to perform big moves with enough power to crush anyone, but leaves him open if he misses. That's where Shining acts as his shield and teleports to hit the opponents' blind spot. The role change occurs when Iron does not stop his rotation and prepares to attack again, but places himself in front of Shining acting as a shield as well.

If 'Shadow' counterattacks Iron, Shining stuns him enough for Iron to recover. If he decides to attack Shining, Iron will come between them and, if he is not careful, he can be crushed by his hammer. 'Shadow' continued dodging without being able to find a good moment so he became prey to the guards' dance. A dance that he soon learned.

'Three... Two... One...', 'Shadow' step left from Iron swing.

'Three... Two... One...', then he crouch from Shining bash from the right.

'Three... Two... One...', 'Shadow' step to the right this time for Iron swing.

'Three... Two... One...' He turn his head away from the shield bash from the left.

After a few more dance steps, he found his chance. 'Three... Two... Now.' 'Shadow' jump to the right when Iron hammer came from the left. But as soon as he detects the flash, he prepares to swing his two swords to his left as a teleported and unprotected Shining appears.

"BUCK!!!", unable to dodge, Shining had no choice but to continue his shield strike. He decides to throw his magic shield from his hand to protect himself from being cut by 'Shadow's' swords. But, even after being advised by his teacher, he could not hide his surprise when he saw his shield cut in half.

"SHINING!!!", Iron shout as 'Shadow' did not stop there.

'Shadow' decided to take down one of his opponents now and launched a second swing of his sword towards Shining. Unable to do anything, Shining could only watch Shadow's swords descend towards him. And look how he slices his teacher in front of him.

"NO!!!!", at the last second, Iron abandons his hammer and uses his pegasus speed to take the hit instead of Shining taking it. Frightened, Shining uses his teleportation spell to escape with Iron. Then they both reappear a few meters away.

Once Shining's spell worked, he inspected his captain's wound. 'It's not deep enough. You are safe.', Iron's wound went through his chest, his armor was cut very easily but he avoided a fatal wound. Seeing his teacher wake up, he tried to put him on the floor but was stopped.

"Buck! Shining how many times I need to tell you! Don't lose sight in a fight!", Iron shouts, trying to get back on his hooves.

"What-", SMACK Shining did not finish as his head snap back.

Shining only put a few meters of distance between them, a distance that 'Shadow' quickly shortens. Soon enough, 'Shadow' caught up to both guards and started with a jumping kick to Shining's face, but his assault didn't end.

Iron, who saw his approach, tried to punch him in the air and 'Shadow' caught him as he delivered his kick. And with it, he uses Iron's arm as a quick support and performs a black spin in the air where Iron receives a backward kick to the back of his head. The kick was hard enough to send Iron's face to the floor of the roof.

With this trick Shining was separated, who staggered backwards, and Iron was left on the ground while 'Shadow' fell between them. He didn't give them any chance and he began his beatdown on Shining. 'Shadow' runs in front of him and turns his swords so that the handles of his swords can be used as knuckles.

"UGH!!!", with a strong blow to the stomach, Shining loses all his air and crouches down.

Being an easy target, 'Shadow' began sending multiple left and right punches into his face without allowing him to get too far away with each punch. When it was enough, he delivered a uppercut to Shining's snout. With his head thrown back again, his chest takes more abuse as 'Shadow's' new punching bag. Even with his armor, Shining could feel the full impact of each blow.

Iron recovers just in time to see Shining's punishment and tries to suppress the pain in his chest to stand up. "Don't you dare forget me!!!", Iron screams and starts running. Unfortunately for him, he was not forgotten.

As Iron gets closer, 'Shadow' moves his sight to confirm how far away he is. When the time came, he quickly jumped up and delivered a double kick to Shining. The result was that Shining was sent off the roof and fell into a water fountain below in the courtyard that was next to the research tower. And send 'Shadow' directly to Iron.

"SON OF-", Iron took a headbutt to the face from 'Shadow's' helmet, and he was just getting started. 'Shadow' quickly recovers and turns around to deliver a roundhouse kick to Iron's face sending him to the other side, where his hammer was nearby.

After sliding over the roof tiles, Iron began to get up. "He's really good.", after that and suppressing the pain on his face, Iron found his weapon and was able to pick it up. He soon turns around and sees that 'Shadow' didn't follow him. He just stood there waiting for him.

'He also has good morale in battle. If not, he could have killed me by now.', Iron moves his gaze towards his wound. As Shining concluded, it was not fatal. But if it had been a little higher it could have severed an artery and Iron could have died in minutes.

When he was satisfied, Iron returned to 'Shadow', who was preparing to resume the fight. Iron was angry, but not for the fact that he was about to lose to him, but for not putting up a good fight even with Shining on his side.

'If I were younger, this could be the best fight of my life. I could respond better to Shining's support and be able to save him without sacrificing myself in the process.', he move his gaze to the fountain where Shining fell.

'If you wanted to kill us, then you should already be able to do it in the throne room. Would it be easier for you to just cut off our heads and take whatever you're looking for? Why not deal the final blow?', Iron returns to 'Shadow' after remembering how his other guards were defeated without a single blood being shed.

'You really are a legend', still lost in his thoughts, he just watches 'Shadow' who has already been on his way, wanting to get this over with. 'Now I see that it is not just your fancy armor, weapons or training that makes me angry with you, but that I am jealous of your true warrior's heart. That's why...', Iron took a deep breath and began to chant.

He then opens his eyes, now filled with magic, and shouts. "THAT'S WHY AT LEAST LET ME HIT YOU ONCE!!!"

Iron, for the first time, was able to catch 'Shadow' off guard. The reason he inspected his wound was not to check how bad it was, but to check if his armor still worked. His armor had an enchantment, requested by him, to provide him with magical strength to wield his hammer and be able to strike perfectly, ignoring its weight when flying at high speed. This allows your body to ignore its limitations and explode to its maximum capacity.

With its magical explosion, 'Shadow' hesitates for a moment. A moment that allowed Iron to fly towards him and smash his hammer into 'Shadow's head.

CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG

The sound of metal hitting echoed off the ceiling, but it wasn't just once. Four more times the sound was heard as 'Shadow's' head turned to the side many times. Iron hits 'Shadow' 5 times when he activates his enchantment, he could feel his body burning with power. But due to his old age, he no longer had the ability to exercise this power properly. He just enjoyed this feeling again and was happy to be able to use it against a pony like 'Shadow'.

He was even happier when his sixth strike didn't connect. CRASH

After recovering from the initial attack, 'Shadow' was able to block his next attacks. Iron was proud to have caught him in this state. None of his previous opponents could match Iron's magical speed and strength. That's why Iron smirked at his opponent.

"Sorry for making you wait, now we can dance!", Iron shouts and swings his hammer uncontrollably in all directions. 'Shadow' was surprised but soon caught up with Iron's strikes.

CRASH CRASH CLANG CRASH CLANG CRASH CRASH CLANG CRASH CLANG

Seconds passed as they clashed at high speed and intense ferocity, but to them it felt like hours. Iron's new strength was able to land a few more hits against 'Shadow', while he was only able to block and counter a few exchanges. But soon Iron began to feel the power escaping from his body.

'If only I were younger!' he curses his luck but continues to the end.

When the magic was running out faster than before, he couldn't keep up the speed and had to start moving backwards. Next, Iron was near the edge of the roof. 'Buck it, if I fall I'll do it by fighting back!', Iron prepares to deliver his final blow but 'Shadow' did not allow it.

'Shadow' knew that Iron's newfound strength was being drained with each blow, so when the time came for Iron's final strike, he pushed himself with his body while swinging his swords to deflect the hammer with more force than before.

CRASH The result, Iron's hammer slipped from his hands and flew into the air, but 'Shadow' and Iron collided with each other and went off the roof directly into the courtyard.

'Huh?!', they both think the same thing as soon as they fall to the ground.

'Well, this is it...' Iron already accepted defeat, he didn't try to save himself because his body began to go numb. 'Oh well it was a good- WHAT!', his thoughts of defeat change when 'Shadow' catches him in the air.

What surprised him was that 'Shadow' did not use him to cushion the fall, but instead allowed himself to be the cushioning bag so Iron did not receive any damage while they changed places. Iron could only stare at his decision, in his sane mind he would never do it for his enemy. Well, not for everyone, and that scares him. He couldn't think about it anymore as the ground got closer.

CRASH BANG

Before long, they both crash to the ground and crash hard into a large cloud of dust, as the hammer falls straight into the fountain breaking it in the process. Inside the cloud, 'Shadow' wasted no time and pushed Iron away from him. He begins to check out his new surroundings, still on guard for new threats.

COUGH COUGH The iron was on his back, soon he began to feel the aftereffects of the magic. Like the other times. 'Ahhh, I hate when this comes.'

All of his muscles began to go numb or burn with pain due to the sudden tension he experienced when he used the incantation. He felt like he went through a marathon, fought an army, and had a dispute with his wife. He was tired and heavy, but he thought nothing of it as he turned his head towards 'Shadow'. He was checking his surroundings, as if the fall did nothing to him. As he watches 'Shadow', he notices something he couldn't during their exchanges of blows.

The armor of 'Shadow' had no damage or dents at all, even from the hits of his hammer and with the fall. Like it wasn't damaged to begin with. This makes Iron realize more facts about 'Shadow'.

'This fellow is tougher than I expected. So that means I didn't have a chance at all.', Iron let aside that fact and concentrate more of what he knows now. 'But he didn't go to kill me or my guards, and he offered to take the impact of the fall for me, knowing that I am a pegasus. Is it really an evil that we must defeat?'

''Shadow' finally understood his surroundings and returned to Iron, who was still in thought. 'He is really dangerous... but now I think he-', just to grab him and lift him up. So he could throw Iron around like a sandbag.

'is a SON OF-' POW Soon Iron crashes into something and enters a new world of pain. "UGH!!!"

As they both hit the ground, 'Shadow' had no problem realizing that this was the courtyard he sent Shining through off the roof. When he sees a figure following his path, he recognizes the movement and shape as Shining, but to make sure he sends Iron to find out. When he hears both of their moans of pain, he makes the right decision to avoid permanent collateral damage. Both guards were adults, so more pain will be nothing to them, even if they both received a beating moments ago.

With his opponents finally down, 'Shadow' walks out of the dust cloud to where Shining and Iron are moaning in pain on the ground. When he found that they were no longer a threat, he sheathed his right sword but kept the other out. He didn't want to hurt them, but it angrily annoys him for continuing to get in his way. He wants to make sure the message has been received, so he decides to turn around to restart his search. Due to his misfortune, Shining did not allow him to do so.

"You're not getting away!", he shouted as he threw another of his shields, but from that moment on he was weaker. Something that pisses off 'Shadow'.

SLASH 'Shadow' had enough as he slice off the attack of his magic shield. 'Shadow' return to Shining as he secures Iron to the side of the courtyard. He could ignore it, but his anger continued to rise to the point where he could no longer suppress it. He didn't forget that it was Shining who interrupted his meeting with Twilight earlier. With his newfound anger, he walks towards Shining to put him down for real.

"Oh...Shining?", Iron opened his eyes just in time to see that he was pushed aside.

"Yes I am here-", he stop for Iron grab his shoulder.

"Listen son, he is too strong and you can't-", however, Iron's warning could not end when he saw that 'Shadow' was right behind Shining. "You need to run n-" COUGH COUGH, trying to get up was too much for the old Captain. With this, Shining's determination grew stronger but he was realistic.

Shining didn't need to be warned, he just made sure Iron was safe so he could return to 'Shadow'. Who was a few meters behind, ready for him. He was afraid but his fears did not prevent him from protecting his family, although he was already exhausted from the beating and the fall. With his determination he addressed 'Shadow' with a right punch.

"If I don't stop him, WHO WILL-", determination that was broken when 'Shadow' grabbed his punch with his free hand.

"Buck.", SMACK is all he says as 'Shadow' beat him in the face with the handle of his sword.

Losing his balance, Shining staggered but did not fall. 'Shadow' did not let go and did not allow him to escape so he continued his assault on Shining's face. After a few hits, Shining's face received more bruises than any of his training or fighting practices. When the punishment was enough, 'Shadow' twisted his arm and put him on one knee.

"ARGHHH!!!", Shining shouted as his arm was locked in the grip of 'Shadow'. He tried to move, but each time his arm twisted into a terrible inverted angle. Making him at the mercy of 'Shadow', as he raises his sword.

'Shadow' wasn't going to kill him, he was about to knock Shining down with his fist. But the rest thought differently from the way he raised his hand with the sword. They looked like he was going to insert the sword. A thought that ran through all the ponies in the yard, including Shining, Iron, and the spectators that 'Shadow' hadn't yet noticed.

"SSSTTTOOOPPP!!!"

'Shadow' freezes as he hears that voice with his fist halfway to meet Shining's face.

For a moment, the entire world stops moving as seconds become hours for everyone in the yard. Only after a couple of minutes, 'Shadow' move his head and his anger soon disappears as he finds the only source of his reason for existing. And just like a lost cub searching for its mother, the anger, anxiety and desire to kill in the heart of 'Shadow' dissipated into thin air when he encountered the only mare he would listen to.

There was the baby dragon he came to find and a young purple mare he found while she was sleeping, but now she was wide awake. Spike and Twilight were on the other side of the yard this whole time, scared as Tartarus to see how brutally 'Shadow' was beating their brother. Spike arrived in time to take Twilight away, but as soon as Iron and 'Shadow' fall to the ground, he is left with her, unable to move and carry her to safety. He tried again, but he still couldn't move because his legs were shaking.

Twilight's scream caught his attention due to her fear for her brother's well-being. "L-l-leave him a-a-alone! I-I-If you w-w-want me, c-come to ME!!!", she didn't know what to do but she needed to do something.

"Twi... just run...", Shining tried to speak but could only get out a few words due to the pain, and if we include his now swollen face.

"No I am n-n-n-not escaping!", said with determination to save his brother. "S-s-so release him or- OW!",
'Shadow' releases his grip as Shining falls face down to the ground as she requested.

"Eh?", she didn't finish her threat, she was just surprised that 'Shadow' listened to her and freed Shining from his punishment. The ponies all stared dumbly in disbelief at how easy it was for 'Shadow' to listen to Twilight, but soon their fear returned as he walked towards her.

"OH NO! We need to run!", Spike screams and tries once again to lead them to safety, but Twilight was pinned to the ground due to fear that 'Shadow' might jump on them if they turned their backs.

"... No .. leave them alone- ARHG!", Shining tried to get up from the ground and suppress his pain, but he could only stare at the ground holding his bad arm.

'Something's wrong, no, strange... but what is it?', Iron was also watching, he also didn't try to stop 'Shadow' due to his fatigue and pain.

The aftereffects still linger on his body, but the real reason is that he noticed that the tension of the air changed somehow. When 'Shadow' was beating Shining he could feel his bloodlust, but when Twilight stopped him, that aura disappeared. 'If he didn't come to take their lives, what did he do?', he couldn't get any response and could only witness what happened next.

'I need to run... I need to escape... I need- EH?!', Twilight was lost in thought as she panicked over what to do. But as 'Shadow' got closer to her, she could feel that connection again.

Something came to her mind, telling her that he was a friend, her ally, and that she was safe with him. Unfortunately, that scared her and seeing 'Shadow' walking towards her with his sword still in his hand, she screamed her fears.

"DON'T COME NEAR ME!!!", Twilight screams and closes her eyes.

She was prepared for the attack she thought she was about to receive, so she was surprised and worried as the seconds passed, nothing happened. She opened her eyes and gasped at what she saw. 'Shadow' was a few meters away from her, but he seemed to freeze in the same way she stopped him when he was about to hit her brother. Time passes again and not a single movement. Nobody knew what to do. Her confusion was as great as her fears that it almost made her wet herself right there when 'Shadow' moved. Taking a step back.

Twilight could only stare back at Shadow's gaze. "What's going on?", she murmurs those words. She was still in her flight or fight moment, it was thanks to her fears being suppressed as her curiosity grew greater and greater about what was happening, she was able to remain calm for longer.

"Is he... listening to you?", Spike blurted out what each pony was thinking. And he was right.

Unbeknownst to the rest, 'Shadow' was able to verify Twilight's rights over him thanks to The Commandments the longer he stayed close to her. So he has no choice but to listen to her, unfortunately not all the ponies knew this, including the new spectator. Soon 'Shadow' senses a killing instinct coming towards him, but unable to determine if it was against him or Twilight, he moved even if it was against her wishes.

"Try asking him to jump. Oh, on one leg.", Spike said to Twilight, also curious if he was listening.

"I am not goi- TWILIGHT!", Twilight responded but could not finish as Shining shout to her. After hearing her brother warning, Twilight turn around and freeze as 'Shadow' was already upon her.

'This is it, huh.', time stops for her. She couldn't move. She couldn't defend herself. All she could do was watch as that dark hand moved towards her.

She already visualizes what will happen to her. He will grab her and could break her neck or sever her head clean from her body. She hoped the sword wouldn't cut her. Even piercing her heart could be less painful for her. But every thought comes to one conclusion: she was going to die.

'NOOO I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!', her mind began to regret it when she felt his touch.

'Every pony was right. I did waste my life! So much books I wanted to read! So many thesis I didn't submit! So much sweets I wait to eat IF NOT FOR SPIKE!', she was still lost in her mind as 'Shadow's' grip was on her.

'Sorry mother and father, I will leave Shining the right to give your first grandfoal to him. And yes Cadance was right!', 'Shadow' brings his body closer to her.

'I also wanted... wanted... at least...', only to shove Twilight with Spike behind her, away from him.

'Huh... why-', when she returned to reality, time began to flow normally for her as she saw 'Shadow' turn to his side.

Receiving a beam of solar magic to his chest. BANG

'Shadow' was sent into the fountain next to him and crashed into the fountain pillar while the beam still burned him. Once finished, 'Shadow' attempted to get up but his armor could not suppress the full force of the spell, and this was the third time he was pinned down by it. All he could do was turn his head as the culprit of casting that spell approached him in the air. He knows well who she was, since she appeared in everyone's sight.

'... How... annoying...'

Celestia was floating above the courtyard and even Twilight couldn't recognize her since she was wearing her battle armor. The same one that 'Shadow' knows she only uses when she's really going to war, or when she's really angry at her former master. He knows from experience of his previous order from the Master (jokes) what he is required to do. Only this time her murderous instincts against him were real. Each pony was silent as they floated in front of 'Shadow' where they bathed with their solar eyes.

"You dare to come to my castle, disturb the peace of my kingdom and endanger my subjects!", Celestia screams as 'Shadow' continues to suppress the magic damage on his body.

'... shup... up...'

"Princess Celestia...?" Twilight let out as she was help by Spike but both were freeze due Celestia killing aura.

'... not... acceptable...'

"Wait your hig-" COUGH COUGH, Iron tried to say something, his body failed at it. Celestia did hear him, but hearing him with pain, her rage did not diminish, it only increased. Even hearing Shining's pained moans fuels her resolve.

'... out... of my way!...'

"I hoped you learned from your past mistakes. I hoped that you and your 'master' would be changed forever, but I see that you will continue to be a danger to my ponies.", he said that while 'Shadow' keeps trying to get up but keeps falling to his knees.

'NNNNOOOOWWWWWW'

"I am a pony that give second chances, but I won't forgive you for daring to harm my student!", Celestia started to charge again her spell. "Do you have any last wo-"

"... Shup up..."

The voice rang out too low for the entire courtyard to hear, but the power it carried was enough for everyone to hear. And freeze all movement, including Celestia. "...What?"

"... I said...", 'Shadow' lift his body.

"...just...", his armor began to glow.

"...shup up...", as he raises his red eyes that shine with an intense light that no pony has ever seen before.

All the air around him began to vibrate. The water on his armor began to evaporate. His armor was giving off a dark aura. All eyes were on him. And for the first time they could see in him an emotion that he could no longer repress. His true rage.

'What's happening!? This is the first time he has acted this way!', Celestia couldn't believe her eyes. 'He didn't show any emotion before, so what's different now!' Could it be... that we trigger him or something else is moving it?!'

"... I am tired...", the voice was heard again. It was right at that moment that everyone really knew who was speaking.

"Is that him?!", Spike finally heard his voice, all he could think about was the rage emanating from him. But no one answers him as the warrior's dark voice continues.

"...I had...enough...", his anger was visible to everyone, the water from the fountain also began to evaporate around him.

'Is this... the real 'Shadow Blade'? Or something else is coming out?', Iron continue observing.

"...all... of you... are in my... WAY...", his armor began to light up more than normal. As boiling red blood ran down his stripes.

Shining finally found a way to suppress his pain, his fear of the monster that was about to be released soon. "I need to...get Twilight safe...", he tried to crawl over to Twilight, but he wasn't sure he could reach her in time. From time to time he couldn't ignore his pain and return his sight when 'Shadow' got up.

"... how... ANNOYING!", the wounded servant's scream echoes through the air as his dark aura increases.

Twilight continues to look at him. She could no longer understand what was happening or why. She could not specify what she will do. She only has one thought. As did his teacher, the pony who was about to confront him.

"What are you?", Celestia ask him. "What you are you looking for?"

'Shadow' returns his gaze back to her. But no one expected his response when he stepped forward.

"..I am my master tool. Her weapon, her arms and legs. My will is to serve my owner wishes, commands, and desires. Her will is my reason of existence as I am her shadow. And you will not stop me for reunite with my new mas-" THUNK

He didn't finish his speech. He suddenly remained silent for a moment and his dark aura stopped. As if he was turning it off.

Everyone realized this and began to worry. Even they thought if what happened was an illusion but soon a sound was heard, the sound of a crunch as the dark servant's boot sank into the ground. 'Shadow' turned behind him to discover that Iron's hammer not only destroys the fountain when it falls, but also damages the underground water pillar.

The weight of the hammer crushes the strength of the pillar structure. And with the blast of Celestia and the weight of 'Shadow', it finishes the job of destroying the support. Soon the floor of the fountain began to sink and crack. 'Shadow' missed the chance to jump out when the crack expanded and he was swept by the water into the castle's underground water channel.

"No!!!", Twilight was the only pony to move but was to late.

All she do when she reach the edge was to witness 'Shadow' being drag by the underground current, to whatever place he could end.

"Shadow...", Twilight was standing there. She was separated from him. Now, she can't ask her question. "...who are you?"

Author's Note

Thanks for getting here. This is the first part, this first book will be my writer's test to become one and the beginning of my story I am building here. So don't be afraid to leave a like, or a dislike, at least I'll know how bad I am. But any criticism will be welcome.