Shadow Colt The Series

I was marching the group out. Shadows' plan consisted of the Changelings coming in from behind while the rest of the guards came in from the front. We had made friends with the Changelings to take down Rusty. Blue caught Changeling fever which didn't help our relationship with the Changelings but it was overlooked for the most part. Most of the guards didn’t like working alongside those who had taken so much from us but even they knew their help was needed. We waited alongside the forest tree line. We expected Shadow and the Changelings to push the Abhoori to us but it never happened so we walked in. The moon was still high which was good for us. Maybe 30 minutes after walking into the forest we caught a glimpse of movement we hunkered down waiting for them to come to us.

“Changelings stand down, Allies stand down.” I said the last thing we needed was to start a fight between the two of us. I saw Shadow walking to me so I met him halfway.

“If we're both here they’ve surrounded us which means Rusty has more guys than we do.”

“Or they're gone?”

“Yeah right my brother wouldn’t stop until he gets what he wants.”

“Abhoori!” I looked in the direction of the yell and there they were. They were everywhere, Shadow was right, they had surrounded us.

“I want my alicorns in the air! Don’t let these guys behind you hold strong!” Celestia gave Shadow the role of director. He had say in every move both the guard and the Changelings made.

“Shield you’re an alicorn get up here!” He put a hoof on his head. I somehow forgot he didn’t have a working horn. Shadow swooped down to him and in a matter of seconds Shield was up next to me with a horn ready as ever. We were fighting for the lives of many but no one said we couldn’t have fun while doing it. I was able to make a hoofball bat with my magic.

“Shadow, give me a fastball.” the smile that shot across his face when I said that was priceless. He threw me a ball and I swung, sending the ball straight into one of Abhoori. Shadow however never told me the thing would explode. We were doing good, especially Blue. I don't know what Shadow did to him but Blue was as ready as ever.

“What is that?” I said one lone figure rested above the Abhoori.

“Celestia! Luna! over here!” Shadow yelled out, not moving his eyes from the figure.

“What is it?”

“That’s my brother you guys fall back and get around him… find my son… please.” breaking eye contact with his brother he looked at the two.

“Don’t bring him here, take him to the map maker in Ponyville. He goes by Ash Burns and he'll take care of him for me.”

“Have two others go, we should stay here.” Celestia said

“I want at least one of you to go. If somehow my brother catches you I know you can hold him off.”

“I’ll go. Shining will you go with me?”

“Luna, I have a kid here as well.”

“I’ll take care of him, you've got mine I’ve got yours.”

“Dad just go, I'll be fine here.” reluctantly I fell back with Luna. We split ways at the edge of the forest I didn’t cut into the forest until I couldn't hear fighting. The walk was long and annoying every little thing set me off. I don’t know why Luna wanted me to go. I couldn't fly, it would take me much longer to get there. It had been about 5 hours since the first contact with Abhoori and maybe 4 hours since I left. The forest was almost pitch black as the Black Eclipse took over more of the world. I made it to a relatively civilized area with one sizable house and a few huts.

“Luna!”

“Don’t worry about her, she'll be fine. She took off for you about an hour ago although she went the wrong way.”

“Rusty!”

“It was his decision whether he gave his life for his son or his son died for him.”

“What is with you and going for families?”

“Causes the most pain… for the family of course I don’t feel a thing.”

“And what if someone took your kid?”

“Mines already dead, I can thank Shadow for that. You don’t even know his real name do you?”

“That is his real name!”

“Oh you poor poor pitiful soul. His real name is Twisted Spectre, you know the master deceptionist.”

“You expect me to believe you after all you’ve done to me and my friends!”

“Join me and you’ll see everything you need to. You’ll believe everything I've told you.”

“I think I’ll pass.”

“All you’ve ever wanted, all you’ve ever needed the power you’ve craved for so long.”

“You’re desperate if you’re offering that.”

“I am. I’m desperate for my brother to get what he deserves.”

“And if I walk away right now.”

“I’ll allow you to get back to your people so you can say goodbye.”

“What happens to them if I accept?”

“I’ll do my best to save them but I can't promise anything.”

“If your goal is to kill your brother, why do you have a spell that can kill the world?”

“A spell can be canceled at any time you would know that best you do that a lot.”

“What can I do to make this end?”

“Bring me Shadow.” his voice was deep and groggy and he faded away.

“Shining! Shining! Are you ok?”

“Huh! What! Who are you?”

“It’s Raider. I followed you.”

“How long have I been out?” I looked up for the sun but it was blocked out by the Eclipse.

“You left 6 hours ago.”

“What?” I shot up and started running through the forest.

“Shining! Luna already got him!” I stopped.

“We need to get back to the fight then!” He started running and I followed. The time to get back was surprisingly short. I must not have made it very far.

“Shadow!”

“Shining!” He swooped down tackling me.

“Did you forget how to land?” He helped me up and gave me a hug.

“No, I just thought you died!”

“Not while I’ve got a family around.”

“Let’s get back to it then!”

“Wait!”

“What is it?”

“When I was knocked out I saw your brother. He tried to deceive me; he wanted me to get you to him.”

“He's a master deceptionist; he'll lie to you day and night.”

“Twisted Sceptre?”

“yeah. How’d you know.”

“He told me that’s who you were.”

“Don’t believe him, please don’t believe him!”

“I don’t.” I wasn’t sure who to believe but I trusted Shadow more than I did Rusty.

“What else did he tell you?”

“He said you decided your life for your sons.” his face changed to sorrow and he wouldn’t make eye contact anymore.

“Shadow, that's a lie right!” no response from him

“Shadow I won’t let you die to your brother!”

“I don’t want to die, I want to be with my son but I’ll give my life for him before I let him die.”

“We will make sure you’re with your son! That’s a promise!”

“Don’t make promises in uncertain circumstances, especially ones you can’t keep.” He flew off before I could say another word

“All Hold!” The abrupt unfamiliar voice made everything stop.

“This is going nowhere so I’m willing to strike a deal! We can end this all with a single fight and the winner doesn’t die!”

“Then you’ll fight me!” It was Blue.

“No! That won’t happen!”

“Kid, your willingness to save a friend is admirable but it’s fruitless as I know who I’ll fight.”

“Then remove your men and I'll push mine back, we'll settle it.”

“Shadow Don’t do this, think of your son!” he looked at me

“Take care of him.” the ground exploded beneath him sending him flying to the treetops he caught himself firing back. The Abhoori scattered and the guards did the same from underneath the two but didn’t leave.

“You took my son from me, Shadow! If I can’t take yours I’ll make sure you never see him again!”

“Your speaking fools tongue again brother! Mother should’ve let Father finish the job but now she had to save her baby, the same baby that only a few years later would kill her!” An explosion so bright I went blind for some seconds when I looked up. Shadow was on the ground Rusty standing over him like before.

“We don’t talk about what happened to Mother!”

“Because you know what you did!”

“Blue no!” Blue started to charge at Rusty but it was in vain he didn’t even make contact with Rusty before he was thrown back.

“That kid really wants you alive, Shadow.”

“Wouldn’t know why I haven’t been a good guy.” I ran to check on Blue he landed at the base of a large tree.

“Blue what's broken?” he didn’t respond, he just dragged a hoof to his left hind leg.

“Just stay here, don't move around too much.” He nodded. I needed to break Rusty’s shield to charge him. I gathered all my energy, all of my magic I sent it at Rusty’s shield and it broke. He shot back at me but it was slow putting up my own shield. I charged him his attacks were slow and delayed as I dodged them with ease. It wasn’t a straight shot. I had to watch out for the holes, broken armor parts, and bodies of both enemies and friends. This was a war that ended here and today no exceptions. I stopped, not that I wanted to.

“You fool! I thought you were on my side!” I couldn’t respond. I was frozen in place.

“No matter bringing one extra to death is no big deal.”

“Stop this madness! I will put for no more!”

“Oh look sweet princess Celestia finally spoke up!” My shield was breaking. I couldn't hold it any longer.

“Shining! Hold on! Don’t let go!” the words muffled as i started to pass out. A bright flash I could see through my closed eyes.

“Shining!”

“Shadow?”

“Come on, you're not safe here!” he yelled as stumbled around beside me. I couldn't see what happened nor could I get to my hooves in time for what happened next. The ground beneath us exploded and I was sent flying far less than Shadow though. I slowly made it to my hooves when I caught rusty coming at me. Shadow taught me one good spell for a situation like this it was a blow off. I put all I had into it. He went through two trees before stopping partially into the third but he wasn’t the only one I moved; there was enough power to move the whole guard back quite a bit. To my right was Shadow. I don't know if I sent him into the rock or if Rusty did but it mattered none.

“Shadow!” it was clear he was hurt but I didn't know how bad until I was next to him. The flash of light must have been his horn breaking.

“You’ll be ok, we'll get you somewhere safe.”

“He’s not done!” hearing his fear I put up a shield he crashed through it but he was weakened substantially. I fired back at him and he did the same with our magic colliding. His weakened state had us at a stand still and one of us had to stop but neither of us would. Rusty yelled and my magic collided with his horn but it didn’t break it only sent him backwards.

“Shining, take my magic only you can defeat him now, I can’t.

“I’m not doing that! Your magic is keeping you alive.”

“This won’t end until he dies or I die!”

“You have a kid, I'm not doing it!”

“Do it for him!” He turned away from me coughing. I couldn’t tell if he coughed blood; his black coat masked it.

“That’s even more of a reason for me to not do it!”

“Your left!” without looking i shot up a shield the ground to my left exploded.

“You can’t protect him forever!” He readied for an attack but was stopped by Blue

“Poor pitiful you!” He said, using Blue’s own spell to throw him randomly into the forest.

“Blue!” Shadow yelled he tried to raise himself up but only his front half moved.

“Give up Shadow!” Shadow looked up at his brother.

“I gave you the option to run! I gave you the time to figure it out! Now you’ve gone too far! I knew you wouldn’t kill my kid, you have that decency but I won’t let you kill any more innocent souls! I’ve let this go on for far too long! He flew full speed at his brother, his back legs hanging limply as he flew. Grabbing hold of him he forced a magic suppression ring on Rusty’s horn and they disappeared into the sky.

“Get the injured back!” I said, I didn’t know Shadow’s plan but with him taking care of his brother we needed to take care of our own.

“We can’t leave you here!” Said my son

“I’m going to get Blue then I’ll come back!”

“Let me go with you!”

“It’s for the better if you go with us Shield.” Luna was looking out for him but I decided to allow him to follow. I had been keeping him sheltered for so long he wasn’t actually being a guard.

“Come on Shield!”

Are you sure Shining?” Luna winked; she knew why I was allowing him to follow.

“Yeah I'm sure.”

“Be safe!”

“Stay near me! if you can’t keep up, say so!”

“Got it!” We took off running in the general direction calling for blue the whole time. We had no response ever but when we finally made it was too late.

“Oh no…” I heard the sound of Shield puking so I turned around

“What do we d-d-” he was cut off as he puked again this time with nothing left he just heaved.

“Here come on let's move away.” he turned his face and head moved randomly as he tried to breath without heaving.

“What do we do?”

“We just let the others know.” We were startled by a loud crash coming from where we had just left. I took off and Shield followed albeit slower than before. We jumped over the little green plants and berry bushes and dodged trees just like before. When we got back it was clear it had been finished Shadow laid on his side on the ground Rusty couldn’t be seen but it was clear by the new crater he was no longer with us.

“Shadow!” I ran over to aid him.

“You have to stop the Black Eclipse.” he was vastly more hurt than before his words shaked as he said them.

“How?”

“You have to redo the spell. The same spell that made it removes it.”

“I can’t do dark magic, I've never studied it!”

“I saw the book in your drawer, don't worry, no one cares as long as you don't use it to hurt ponies.”

“When… no why were you in my drawer?”

“Stop the Eclipse.” I was about to ask why I had to do it but I realized he couldn’t do it in his condition anyways. With a general idea of how the spell worked I gave it a shot.

“Ahh! What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re hurting me stupid!”

“I was targeting the eclipse Shadow!”

“Try again.” doing the same thing I tried again this time he didn’t yell at me. Nothing was happening I thought but I realized that it was night time I guess Luna had been keeping time in the pitch black darkness.

“We need to get you back, Shadow.”

“I can’t get up. Not that it’s a good idea, I'm too nauseous.”

“You carried me back no I guess it’s my time to return the favor.” the shield helped me to lift him but it wasn’t going too well. Shadow couldn't help the two of us at all.

“Ahhh! Put me down, put me down!”

“What happened, you were fine.”

“This won’t work, I can't do that.”

“We have to get you back.”

“Wait a minute, Blue!” he called out for Blue trying anything to get to him.

“It’s too late, we already found him.”

“He’s… dead?”

“Yeah I'm sorry.” he crumpled to the ground and started crying quietly.

“Just leave me here, I don't deserve to live.”

“I’m not leaving you here, I'm getting you back.”

“You can’t lift me, we already tried this.”

“I’m not leaving you here! I let Salt die because I was weak! I won't be weak this time!” He looked at me and sorrow filled his eyes.

“Then let's do it, I can't stop you.” We tried again being as gentle as possible. It worked and we started toward the castle.

“Wait, take me to Blue.”

“You won’t make it there and back.”

“That wasn’t me asking.” I sighed but made my way towards Blue.

“What the Buck… How can anything be willing to do this?”

“I don’t know.”

“If I were you I would look away.” I didn’t get to say anything before a bright flash seared my eyes.

“Shadow!” I whipped my head around to be met by Blue.

“Wait…” I turned my head as far as I could. Shadow was limp.

“We need to go now!” I took off running. We made it to the castle in maybe 30 minutes. The place was bustling with ponies, everyone on a mission. We were pretty well disregarded except for the curious few. When we made it to Doc's I had never seen him so busy.

“Doc!”

“I’m a little busy Shining!”

“Where do we take this guy then?” he walked out and took a look walking closer he checked for a pulse.

“He’s got a pulse but not for much longer. He’s been drained of his magic. Bring him in here.” I brought him in Shield and Blue following me.

“I’ll get to work here you guys get cleaned up.”

“Thanks doc.”

“Wait Shining! I want to talk to you.”

“What's up Doc?”

“You might not get this so I’ll say it… Thank you, if it wasn’t for you and Shadow we wouldn’t be here right now.”

“It’s not just me though.”

“I know but you played a big part.”

“Thanks doc.”

“Before you go, what are you doing about Shadow’s son?”

“I’m going to talk to Luna about that. I think Shadow would want us to take care of him.”

“I think so.” I left took a shower and headed off to Luna’s

“Govend I see you got your job back.”

“Temporarily while her guard heals up.”

“You don’t want this job anymore?”

“Well with Shadow back I figured I would be his partner.”

“You’ll be with me for a while at least until he wakes up.”

“Yeah I figured.” He let me through to see Luna. As I walked down the hall I couldn't help but think that the marble pillars were a little brighter and the hickory wood lining the oval shaped windows looked a little more clean and inviting. The granite floors had perfect reflection and the pictures on the wall looked correct and straight.

“The place does look a little bit brighter than before doesn’t it?”

“Yeah it does.”

“You did something today I've never seen before. You kept going even though you were completely drained when you were beaten, bruised and destroyed. You kept going and here you are still going.”

“There’s still work to be done.”

“Get rest, whatever it is, can be done in the morning.”

“What are we doing about Shadow's son?”

“Shadow can go get him whenever.”

“Shadow can’t get him.”

“He didn’t die did he?”

“He almost did when saving Blue.”

“We can go get him then.”

“That would be for the best.” We went to the map maker in Ponyville where Shadow’s son, the pony who ran the place, was much older than I expected.

“All I know about the kid is that he’s older than the original colt we saw and younger than your son.” The old pony walked in from around the corner.

“Hello.” he said his voice cracking

“I seem to have misplaced my glasses.”

“They’re behind you sir.” he turned around as I said that and picked them up.

“Alrighty, what can I- oh hello again.”

“There’s been a change of plans Shadow won’t be able to get him.”

“Oh I'm sorry to hear that. Should I tell him or would you like to?”

“He’s not dead, he's just not able to get him.”

“Oh that’s good.” he walked back around the corner.

“It’s a good thing you told him that Luna or we would’ve had a very confused and sad kid.” When he reentered he was followed by a small colt and red dragon slightly bigger than Spike.

“Here he is.”

“You certainly have your hooves full sir.” I said I couldn't take my eyes off the little red dragon as he did his best to hide behind the pony.

“Usually it’s just me and Spark but I'm happy to do anything for an old friend and please call me Burns.”

“Spark?” I asked.

“I thought he followed me out… Spark it’s ok these ponies won’t hurt you.” He showed himself but he still stayed mostly behind Burns.”

“H-hi.”

“It’s nice to meet you Spark.”

“How is my father?” I was slightly startled by him talking and I jolted my head to look at the colt.

“Or not, don't worry about it.”

“I’m sorry kid I didn’t expect you to talk.”

“He’s a little jumpy after what happened. It's ok though I expect he’ll do quite well with you guys.”

“We should go, it is getting late. I’m sorry Shadow isn’t the one here, we'll send him your way when he can.” Luna said

“No worries, I would have to assume Rusty is dead.”

“Yes sir.” He mumbled something after Luna said that.

“Can you repeat that?” I asked

“Sorry, I mumble randomly. Sometimes it gets worse as I get older.”

“We really should be going. Thank you for keeping him safe. I'm sure Shadow would be very happy.”

“Anything for an old friend you guys get going now.” We started our way to the train station. We hoped the ride would be better this time. I tried to make conversation with the colt and it seemed to be going ok.

“What’s your name kid?”

“Obsidian Shard but don’t call me by my full name please.”

“Is Shard ok?”

“Yeah.”

“Your father gave everything to make sure you stayed safe to make sure Rusty didn’t hurt you.”

“I believe it, I don't think he’s bad. We used to be a happy family but…” he trailed off.

“Do I even ask?” I whispered to Luna.

“No!” she did not whisper back.

“I was with her when she was robbed and when she didn’t give up what they wanted they killed her.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Good job shining, you're doing great.”

“It’s ok my dad doesn’t talk much about anything that’s happened.”

“I understand.”

“I just wish he could be himself again, drop the need for revenge and be… happy.” Luna looked at me and we made eye contact. I sighed the rest of the walk to the train was silent and so was the train ride.

“He’s asleep.” Luna said

“Wake him.”

“What if he hasn’t had any sleep?”

“I’ve got plenty of bunks left in the barracks. I'll walk him there and he can go back to sleep.”

“I don’t want to wake him, he looks so content.”

“Next time just wake me.”

“Told you!”

“Shining will take you to where you’re staying. Shining when you get there, send Copper Blade to me.”

“Umm… why?”

“The incident with Shadow.”

“It was a misunderstanding, it's nothing to get mad at.”

“It was an unnecessary use of force.” I sighed knowing that there was nothing I could say to change her mind. I took him to the barracks we walked in and I showed him where he could sleep.

“Oh hey Shining, who's that?” It was Garring when Shard saw him he bolted out of the barracks but he didn’t watch where he was going and ran into one of the many walls.

“Am I just scary?”

“When was the last time you looked in a mirror?”

“You do realize the mirrors in this place are half my size right?”

“Uhh… yes definitely.” I walked out to check on Shard.

“You’re supposed to look where you walk.” a glow brought my attention to his horn when we got him he had it now it was broken.

“You broke your horn running into a wall?” He quickly made it appear as full again.

“It’s been broken for a while, I just don’t show it!”

“I’m sorry, I'll see if we can get somepony to fix it for you.”

“No, it’s ok.”

“Just like your father. Are you alright otherwise?”

“I’m fine.”

“Garring won’t hurt you otherwise he wouldn't be here.”

“I don’t trust them. It was a griffon that killed my mom.”

“I’m sorry.” I looked over to Garring and signaled for him to leave as the kid wouldn’t even think of going back in there if Garring was there.

“Do you want ice or something?”

“What are you a school nurse?” I couldn't help but laugh a little. I helped him up and got back to the barracks.

“Like I was saying you can sleep here my guys will come in and out but they won’t bother you.”

“That one griffon wont come back will he?”

“He’s not the only one in my group, they may come in and out but you don’t need to worry they won’t hurt you.”

“I don’t trust a griffon.”

“Not all of them are the same. Your fathers best friend is a griffon.”

“That’s not possible, he's always hated a griffon.”

“You’ll have to meet him.”

“I’ll pass.” he went to sleep. Finally with complete silence it gave me time to write it all down. There's definitely more to the story but I can’t remember it all. It's been quite the day… well… days. Great, they're calling for me.