Shadow Colt The Series

It’s been two months… Two months since I was hurt I'm better now but I'm still in pain, not physical pain but emotional; I hurt for Blue. He’s been in this constant state of pain and anguish he contracted Changeling Fever but in the worst way possible I wish I was in his position he would be able to see how far we’ve come in pushing back Rusty and his minions. I started a special team of operators our best guys our mission was to tame the fury of Rusty and his beasts. We had succeeded there’s been no contact from them for 15 days, no sightings, no injuries, no casualties.

“Today we celebrate! We celebrate the absence of our enemy! The absence of our pain, anguish, and terror! But we reminisce about those who are lost, those who are hurt, and those who we still haven’t found. We will remember: Ace, Delta, Lanes, Salt, and Govend who gave all they had to protect those who needed them.” Luna was a strong pony but even she was hurt by the events we all lost somepony close to us. For her it was Govend.

“Luna!”

“Shining?”

“Luna, I want to make it right.”

“Shining you’re fine you couldn’t help it.”

“It still doesn’t feel right though.”

“It never does and it never will.”

“Luna, I failed you!”

“You didn’t! Now please just take your mind off it even if only for now and celebrate.”

“How can I celebrate without Salt or Delta?” me and salt joined the guard together we were inseparable when we joined then we both became captains. We kept in touch and when all this started happening me and him brought the idea of a special team to Luna. She liked it but she wanted to have me as the captain of it. Salt was fine with that and helped build the group up helping me and Luna decide on guards. Then Last month we had a surprise attack by the beasts Salt was the first one out. We were woken from our slumber so everyone was mad as hell. We made sure they paid for the disturbance. There were only a few left. I looked over and saw Salt he had been hurt.

[Flashback]

“Salt!” he was hyperventilating struggling with every breath

“You’re going to be fine, just hang on!” I tried to save him but everything I did was hopeless. I was causing him more pain by trying to help.

“Shining! Just stop!”

“I’m not letting you die here, you've come too far to die here!”

“There’s nothing you can do, it's too late for me. Just don’t forget me.”

“I’m not leaving you here!” I tried to lift him but his screams of pain broke me. I just couldn’t do it.

“I can’t leave you to die!”

“Then don’t leave.” I laid down next to him he was broken still hyperventilating but raspy

“You’re dying and there’s nothing I can do for you!”

“Just sit by me, don't send me off all alone.” I looked at him we made eye contact

“We did it for the greater good. We fought just like we wanted to shining. Now I'm going out in style.” he put his hoof on me and I did the same. He winced at this

“Sorry.” I looked over and he looked at me and smirked.

“I’m going to see my brother. I just wish you could.” he closed his eyes and that was it his suffering was over.

“Shining!”

“Hey.”

“I’m sorry about Salt.”

“It's ok he was happy, that's all that matters.”

“And what they did to Delta I can’t even begin to know how you feel.”

“I don’t want to think about it.” Delta was a newer member to the guard he was the youngest in the guard too. He caught on quick, followed orders, and quickly climbed to the top as one of our best. He was like my son. I'll admit I treated him nicer than the others. If he needed me I'd drop what I was doing to help. It was just the two of us we were on a scouting trip and we were jumped by the things. 2 of the five recognized me. They talked in a way that was barely coherent but they wanted revenge. Apparently I had killed their friend. They grabbed Delta and just beat him. They tortured him. There was nothing I could do while the two were beating Delta the three were holding me down. I was knocked out and woke up some time later. In my daze I saw Delta that woke me up quickly and I rushed to his side.

[Flashback]

“Delta! Delta!” his breathing was low and his pulse was slow

“Delta, Delta! Come on, don't give up.” I hoisted him up and onto my back and ran as fast as I could to Doc

“Doc! Doc!” no response so I took Delta to a room and put him on a bed. I searched for doc around the rooms but he wasn’t there. I tried my best to save him but he wouldn’t wake up.

“Shining! Shining! He’s gone even if you did wake him he’s too hurt to stay alive.”

“He’s too young!”

“I know.”

“There has to be something we can do!”

“Shining they mutilated him he would never be the same, it would be worse for him if we saved him.”

“So we just let him die?”

“Shining, he's already gone.”

“That's fine I get it. Go spend some time with Flash, he could use some cheering up.”

“Twilight, you know I don't like to do that.”

“Why though?”

“Because I can do nothing to help them.”

“You can give them a moral boost.”

“Fine!” I headed over to Doc’s office.

“Hey shining.”

“Hey.”

“Shining he’s not getting better it might be time to say goodbye.”

“He’ll make it out you’ll see.”

“Shining i don’t want you hurt when… IF he doesn't make it.”

“He’ll make it doc it’ll be fine.”

“I hope so for yours and his sake.” I decided I'd go and see flash first as he was awake and all.

“Shining?”

“Hey flash. How do you feel?”

“Like crap. I'm surprised to see you here.”

“Twilight made me.”

“Why don’t you visit?”

“Because there’s nothing I can do for you guys. I hate to see you guys not doing what you like.”

“This stuff goes by a lot faster when we can talk to ponies.”

“Yeah I guess that’s true.”

“I'm sorry for what they did to Delta, maybe if I was there.”

“They would’ve just gotten both of us.”

“Well you do have something to look forward to.”

“What?”

“Your son, he’s joining the guard, I thought.”

“No! I wouldn’t let him or Flurry not that she would want to.”

“Come on he’s got the best fighter in the guard as a father you’ll train him he’ll be as good as you.”

“That doesn’t matter, I don't want to see him get hurt.”

“You know that he’s wanted to work beside you, don't take that away because of what happened to delta.”

“This is different if we didn’t have a relentless enemy out there I would let him join.”

“How are you going to tell him?”

“For now I'll just decline his papers.”

“That’ll go over well between you two.”

“Look, I'll parent here!”

“Go ahead, no ones stopping you.”

“That’s a good thing!”

“You should go see Blue. He may not be awake but he’ll know you were there.”

“That was my plan anyways.” Blue's room was across the hall. Doc gave me a look as I entered the room. I stood there for a second as the door closed behind me. The machines beeped and whistled their readings coming from any of the probably hundred or more wires on him. He was supposed to join the group of guards tasked specifically for the things. We don't even know what to call them yet but they’re so dangerous we have a special force to deal with them.

“I wish I could ask how you’re feeling. Doc says you’re not getting better. He said I should say goodbye. I don't believe it. You’re going to make it out of this. Although you might wish you hadn’t made it once you find out what all has gone on. We lost Govend. That was a sad day for the whole guard. You don’t know how much you’re missed Blue.” I put my hoof on him as I left. One of the machines started beeping faster and louder. I walked out and told Doc about this.

“It's just his brain reacting to the touch; it doesn't mean anything.”

“Way to ruin a mood doc.”

“Sorry.” I headed back to our barracks ready to sleep the rest of this day away.

“Hey shining. Not celebrating?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I’m not because my leg hurts like hell, what’s your excuse?”

“Same thing.” he looked at me then my legs then back to make eye contact.

“What’s eating at you?” He said with a sigh as he laid down his book.

“It’s Delta he barely had the chance at life.”

“He told me the day he joined that he couldn’t wait to start. Our first day out when we got into a tango with those things he stayed strong even when carrying Kick. That kid knew what he got into, he knew what could happen and he didn’t care. Don’t feel bad, he liked what he did and he wasn’t afraid when he died.”

“We need to come up with a name for those things.”

“You didn’t take in a damn thing I just said.”

“No, I did.”

“Cheer up a little tomorrow Shield can start working with you.”

“I’m not letting him.”

“What?”

“Not while certain death is waiting for him out there.”

“Shining, he's a mini you, the only difference is that he needs training which will come from you.”

“What if my training isn't good enough?”

“You have a whole group of guards that you have trained we’re the best in the guard.”

“My training didn’t work for delta.”

“Shut up! What happened to you? You used to never let anything get at you now you can’t have a full sentence without pity!”

“I won’t let him die, I'm not going to put him in a place where he will die!”

“Do you seriously think that low of yourself! So low that you think you can’t train him to be like you or do you think low of him.” his eyes went wide and he sat up in his bed.

“Shining i'm sorry! I-I overstepped, I'm sorry!”

“I expect you up 3am you’ll work until breakfast you’ll eat then work some more. Do you understand me!”

“Yes sir.”

“Now get some sleep, I'll need your help tomorrow.”

“May I ask with what?”

“Well since I clearly can’t train my son, you're helping.”

“Shining, I was wrong, you know how I am emotions rub off on me. I don't think you or your son is stupid I just don’t want you to think you’re not good enough.”

“I get what you’re saying next time just try a different approach. I also want you there to help me because you’re similar and without Blue around he’ll have a harder time making friends.”

“Do you remember the day you brought him in because he couldn’t stay with Cadance?”

“Yeah why.”

“I honestly thought he would’ve told you but he made friends with pretty much all of us that day. He's got an autograph of every guard that was here that day, even one from Shadow.”

“Yeah, I'd like to see that.”

“It’s true he showed me just ask him.”

“Alright, I'm holding you to that story.”

“Go ahead.”

“Oh, and don’t get up at 3am because I certainly am not.”

“Thanks.” I took a shower and hit the bed. 6am came quickly and I wasn't ready for what the morning brought.

“Alright, everyone up it’s time to roll, we have things to do, places to be!”

“It’s 6am already?” said Charge he was clearly wasted beyond life itself.

“Nice to see you had a good time last night. I’ll get you a coffee.” Everyone had a small laugh at this. It surprisingly didn’t take long for them to get rolling this morning. I had walked back into my quarters to grab something when Doc walked in.

“Shining, can we talk?”

“Sure.” He walked in and I shut the door behind him.

“Blue’s heart stopped last night. I was able to bring him back but he’s not better.”

“Remember how Blue said to get him if I ever needed anything? Well now I'm telling you the same thing if he needs it you come get me.”

“You have two kids and a wife. I'm not doing that.”

“I never said I would kill myself to save him.” Doc left the barracks and the rest of us followed behind him.

“Hey dad!”

“Hey kiddo!”

“Ready to work?”

“I am but you still need some training.”

“Well that is part of work is it not?”

“Yeah I guess.”

“Do you know where Ace is? We made a bet and I just won.” Everyone shut up real quick when he said that.

“Um… something wrong?”

“He didn’t make it Shield.”

“What?”

“He killed himself a little while back.”

“Why?”

“We don’t know.”

“Well what about Salt? I have something I have to give back to him.”

“No, not him either.”

“Salt didn’t make it!”

“He would’ve if he would have just let me try and save him.”

“I’m sorry i didn’t know this stuff doesn’t make it to non Guards.”

“I know.”

“I can only think of two others that I wanted to talk to.”

“Shoot.”

“Delta and Shadow.” My heart dropped. It's true these things don’t make it out of the castle doors, no civilian gets to know these things.

“I don’t even know how to tell you shield.”

“They aren’t around either are they?”

“Well yes and no Delta is gone but we're unsure about Shadow.”

“What do you mean?”

“I would show you but I can’t open the book.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll show you.” I walked him into the barracks and over to Blue’s desk.

“Look, this thing is locked up tight.” I tried to open it but of course I got nowhere. He asked to see it so I gave it to him.

“Yep locked up real tight.” He said as he opened it.

“What the hell?”

“Here.” he gave it to me and it of course closed.

“I didn’t close it.”

“I know you didn't close it; it closes to those who can’t open it.”

“Why did it get set up like this?”

“I don’t know. Shadow did it.”

“So this is your guy's reason for him being alive?”

“It's what's in it. Shadow still writes in the book we thought he was dead but there is writing from him in the book.”

“Shining! You’re wanted in Doc's office now!” I didn't even get to ask why before twilight ran off.

“Go find Charge.”

“I’ll just come with you.” I took a second to think about it but I didn’t want him there if it was a bad thing.

“I don’t want you there right now. If all is good, I'll send for you.” he sighed and walked out i hurried off to doc

“Doc, did you send for me?”

“In here!”

“What is—” he was standing next to Blue who was awake and responding to everything.

“Hey shining.” I stood there astonished. Not even an hour earlier Doc told me he had almost died.

“You-you almost died like an hour ago.”

“Doc was telling me.”

“Doc!”

“In here!”

“What the crap! I thought you died”

“That’s what I thought.”

“So wait how long have I been out?”

“More or less 2 months.”

“What!”

“Yeah it’s been a while. Doc when is he free to go?”

“Um, we need to talk first.” he walked out and had us follow him down the hall.

“It was the work of Shadow.”

“What?”

“You can tell Blue has more power now there was also a lot of power exchanged.”

“I felt it when I walked in but didn’t think anything of it.”

“I didn’t but I'll believe you two.”

“You used to be really sensitive to that stuff Flash what happened.”

“That time I got really hurt last year.”

“Either way if we didn’t have proof before we do now.”

“He left this.” it was a note that read All in Dew time.

“The hell does that mean?”

“I’ve got an idea but i’ll take it to my sister she’ll know.”

“Take it to the kid he has the book, maybe the answer is in the book.”

“I learned something today.”

“What?”

“Shield can open Blue’s book.”

“How?”

“I don’t know but I also learned that he has an autograph from Shadow.”

“Dude this guy barely knew your kid and your kid got more than I did from him.”

“When is he free to go Doc?”

“Take him, I have nothing more to do.”

“Flash tend to my group while I get Blue back in order.”

“Yeah sure um take it slow a lot has happened you know.”

“I know.” he exited and Doc gave me a look of concern and sorrow. I made my way back into Blue’s room

“Whoa whoa! I got you, I got you!” he tried to get up but slipped on something and was just precariously leaning on the bed and the wall

“Thanks.”

“What happened?”

“I tried to get up but as soon as I put weight on my legs they gave out.”

“It’ll be fine, you just need to regain strength.”

“Yeah I figured.”

“Come on, I'll help you out.” I helped him out and back to the barracks.

“Wait a minute.”

“Sit, I'll answer your questions.” He sat on his bed and I sat on the open one across from him.

“Beds are vacant, what happened to Ace, and the new guy?”

“They found Ace under a tree in the garden and he overdosed on some meds. As for Delta well…

“Ace killed himself?”

“Yeah I'm sorry I wish there was better news.”

“It’s my fault too.”

“What? No it's not.”

“It was when you got hurt I came in here mad. Me and Ace talked but it got heated and we ended up basically yelling at each other. He tried to calm it down saying you would make it through like always I retorted with ‘I'm sure you said that for shadow yet here we are.’ ”

“But why?”

“It just happened. What about delta?”

“Ask someone else I don’t want to talk about it.”

“How’s Govend been? You know I owe him a coffee. I guess I'll just talk to him later.

“Buck…”

“What?” Govend left his journal and a special deck of cards to Blue. I walked to my desk and riffled through the drawer until I found them.

“What are these?”

“Govend left them to you.”

“He left?” I lowered my head and shook it. I didn't want to say it but he wasn't getting the hint.

“He died, Blue, he told me to make sure you got these.”

“W-what?” He sat there looking at me for a second before falling into his pillow. I knew they were friends but I didn't know it would hit him this hard.

“I’m sorry Blue if it helps at all we haven't had any contact from those things since.”

“Did we lose anyone else?”

“In all we lost Ace, Delta, Lanes, Salt, and Govend

“What happened to Lanes?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“Shining.”

“Same time Govend died. It was just a full on attack and we were caught off guard.”

“How!”

“I took enough time to push it out of my mind. I won't bring it back just to tell you.”

“Sorry, I get it.” I got up and walked to my quarters.

“Blue, you’re excused from duties for 2 weeks per Luna’s orders.” He said thanks and I shut the door. I sit here now at my chair even more curious about what's happened to Shadow. We have proof he’s alive but why doesn’t he just come back and why did he make us think he died?