Author's Note

This is the start of the rest of a series that never came to be what I wanted, but as I move toward what's next I must leave behind what can't be helped. So without further ado here is the unfinished remains of the series.

Shadows Go Cold

It was bitterly cold outside and I hate being cold so I put on the uniform given to me when I joined the royal guard. Today felt different. It felt like bad was lurking; this had me on edge and it was noticeable. I walked out of my quarters and everyone was running around frantically.

“Whoa! Whoa! Twilight what's happening?”

“Make sure you have your group together and get down to Ponyville!”

“Why?”

“Just do it!”

“Luna!”

“Talk to shadow whatever is going to happen is bad he wants us gone!”

“What?! Where is he?"

"In here!"

"Govend?" I asked as I ran into his quarters. It was nothing much just a solid light gray room with two beds and a desk in the far right corner

“What the hell are you doing and why!” I asked.

“What?” He asked all groggy as he woke up.

“You told Luna to have everyone out by noon, why?”

“What time is it?” He asked still groggy but that question had him waking quickly.

“10am!”

“You guys need to leave, it's not safe here!”

“Why! Tell me why!” I yelled at him.

“You guys are in danger I'm trying to save you. My brother came back and if you guys are gone it might change what he does here."

“We can stop him!”

“You can't I know first hand!”

“If the whole royal guard can’t stop him what makes you think you can”

“I'm his brother I know him!"

“I'm not leaving you to die!”

He jumped out of his bed and pinned me to the wall. “I'm not giving you a choice in this, you leave here on your feet or being carried it’s up to you!” I pushed him away.

“You only ever think about yourself!”

"Shining how is he thinking of himself? He's looking out for us." Govend asked.

“That’s not what matters, what matters is he didn’t stop to see what anyone else thought of this!”

"it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks! I'm trying to help you guys!"

“What do you want me to do? My best friend is going to get himself killed!”

“I want you to leave and make sure everyone makes it safely to Ponyville!”

“Fine! Be that way!” I made sure I was the last to leave but I never actually left whatever was happening here was not good and I wasn’t about to let Shadow die. I saw Shadow's brother arrive a short conversation and they were fighting each other. Magic I've never seen before was used. Heavy dark magic was used. A thick black mist covered the area where you could only see spells made by Shadow. Blue and green spikes rained down and balls of fire were thrown randomly into the mist. Finally some pony hit the ground hard. I left my hiding spot to see the action. As soon as I saw who hit the ground I knew I had to help.

“Hey!” I said.

“Who are you?” The tan pony asked.

“I could ask the same question!”

“I'd have to assume Shadow is your friend!”

“Only the best!”

“You should’ve tried harder to keep him from this!”

“It’s his fault he’s here but I won't let him die to you!”

“Shining! Run while you—” a blood curdling yell came from Shadow as his brother dug his hoof harder onto Shadow's chest.

“I don’t think you were addressed Shadow, let your friend exercise his voice!”

“Whether I address him or not there are three of us here he can talk!”

“Maybe I just don’t want him to!”

“Maybe I don't want you to!"

“Shining shut up you’re going to get yourself killed!”

“It’s too late for that he chose his fate when he came out from hiding!”

“Why are you here? Why are you doing this?”

“You wouldn’t understand and I don't feel like explaining!”

“You're an ill-tempered pony, you just don’t know when to leave somepony alone!” I cast a spell but by that time he had already cast one. I was thrown into the wall to my left. in a daze I heard their conversation.

“Shining! Shining!” Shadow yelled.

“If he’s still alive I’ll be surprised he hit that wall hard and if he is alive he’ll certainly never cast a spell again!”

“You took everything from me but you won’t take him!” I watched with all I had as Shadow exploded into a ball of fire sending his brother flying.

I woke up to the feeling of being carried. It was Shadow well what was left of him.

“Shadow what happened?” he didn’t respond and I didn’t think he ever would. His horn was broken and he limped on probably all four legs.

“Shadow stop! I tried to yell at him.

"Shadow!” I tried again.

“You can’t walk.”

“They’ll come back for us! take a break!”

“They won’t make it back in time. Look at your leg.” I hadn’t noticed it before but I was pretty hurt. My leg was primarily red, there was no way I was walking on it.

“How far?”

“Don’t know, shut up and save your energy you’ll need it” He was right I felt dizzy already. I relaxed but tried to stay awake. Time didn't exist. After what felt like days Shadow collapsed we were just outside of Ponyville.

“Shadow! Shining!” It was Twilight and Luna running frantically in our direction

“I don’t care about me how’s shadow.” It probably sounded more like a garbled mess but they looked at him first.

“Shining... Shining?”

“Huh? What?”

“How do you feel?”

“Is dead an option?”

“I guess but you’re not dead.”

“Twilight?"

"Hi Shiny."

"What happened to Shadow?”

“Doc said you’ll be alright just a messed up leg.”

“Twilight.”

“He said your horn was messed up and to give it some time before you try any big spells.”

“Twilight!”

“What?”

“What happened to Shadow?”

“He… he, didn’t make it Shining. We all tried to help him but he was to far gone”

“What!”

“I’m sorry! We tried so hard to save him but it was no use he wasn’t trying.”

“Did he say anything?”

“He never woke up.”

“What am I supposed to do now?”

“Remember to never forget”

The Letter

Shining Armor,

It was a great pleasure to serve with you but it was an even greater one to be your friend. I get you hate me for how things ended but please understand why I did it. Don’t let me being gone affect you friends come and go but memories stay forever.

I wish you the best, Shadow Colt, Red Mane.

P.S. Tell Govend I'm sorry Luna will treat him well.