Rise of Shade: Book 1 - Slade's Downfall

Chapters

Introduction: Shade's Overview
Chapter 0 - Details on Slade
Chapter 1 - Slade's Grand Plan
Chapter 2 - Slade's Defeat
Finale: The Return

Introduction: Shade's Overview

There is naught but darkness until a voice starts to speak...

My name is Shade. Or at least, that's the name I go by when I travel through time, making sure that history stays on it's correct course throughout the various timelines of my homeworld Eques.

I have made it my mission; my duty; to ensure that everything is as it's supposed to be.

Suddenly the camera shows Eques; the world of My Little Pony.

While I have an actual name besides the name of Shade; that is a name that I shouldn't be telling anyone from the past for fear that it would alter the timeline. So, I always introduce myself by my code name: Shade.

Believe it or not though, the soul that burns in my chest was reincarnated into what I've become. I used to be someone else. Someone evil, someone who once threatened to alter reality by making it about killing for the sake of killing.

The camera zooms into the planet, zooming through many familiar faces from Friendship is Magic.

So your probably wondering, how my former self was able to be reincarnated into how I am now; this protector of the timelines? Well, to understand that we need to go back...back to the past...

Suddenly time began to march backwards.

And you'll have to meet the most sinister villain that ever graced their face to the Mane Six.

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Rise of Shade
Slade's Downfall

Chapter 0 - Details on Slade

Slade Johnson was the most notorious serial killer. For twenty long years, he managed to avoid being charged for any murder simply because he sold his services as a serial killer by marketing himself as a contract killer.

But make no mistake, Slade was a serial killer by nature; for each one of his contract kills were the exact same in how they were carried out. I apologize for giving you such gory details like these up front, but to understand Slade, you must hear them.

Each one of Slade's victims were cut open through their stomach, but they did not die immediatly from this. As they laid bleeding on the floor, Slade would use his signature katanas to pain the walls, floors, and cealings with the victim's own blood. And just as the victims was about to die, Slade would finish decorating the scene by using some blood to paint an upside down triangle with an S in the middle of it.

So yes, the victims die of bloodloss, but Slade makes sure they see him perfom this one act of painting the room as they lay bleeding. It's a despairing thing for the victim to go through, and it's just as despairing for those that find these crime scenes.

You might be wondering, if the victims were killed all in the same manner, then why wasn't Slade ever brought to justice?

Simple: A loophole in the law. Most planets have a loophole where contract killers are to be classified as murder weapons, not the actual murderer so long as a contract is signed that would absolve the contract killer as taking responsibility for the murder. It's how Slade was able to get away for so long.

But then, by a miracle, a planet called "Alternate Earth" removed their statue of limitations, and that meant that Slade could be tried for the murder of his own parents. The difference between their murder and Slade's victims is that the scene was not dressed. Therefor, one could argue that this killing was Slade's first. Every Serial Killer has a pattern they stick to; with Slade, it was painting the room with the victim's blood. Therefor, the arguement could be made that Slade murdered his own parents before he began life as a contract killer.

And what's more, it was assured that enough evidence was discovered to confirm Slade's Guilt. And when Slade if found guilty of these murders, Slade's immunity from selling his services as a contract killer for his subsequent crimes no longer holds water. It'll make all his future crimes be allowed to be tried on Slade. Needless to say, if this were chess, Slade was in danger of suffering checkmate.

And it's on that note that the real story begins...

Chapter 1 - Slade's Grand Plan

In a strange house, Slade was looking at some moniters. And he was doing so with glee. For the past few days, he has been going to various timelines of the Friendship is Magic and attacking every known creature imaginable.

In one of these, he attacked Spike. In a different one, he attacked one of the florist sisters. In a third, he attacked Rarity. In a fourth, he attacked a green dragoness. In a fifth, he attacked Mayor Mare. In a sixth, he attacked Luna. In a seventh, he attacked Rainbow Dash. In an eighth, he attacked Twilight. The list goes on, and on, and on.

However, he did not expect many of these realities to band together to find his house. And that's exactly what they did. "...Well, well, well, look who's decided to pay me a visit."

Many versions of Twilight and her friends arrived at Slade's house, where they were soon up against what looked to be Slade himself.

"Well, well, well, look who's decided to pay me a visit." Slade? said.

"You're through Slade. You're not going to get away this time." One of the Twilights said; this one had Hamtaro and Bijou on her back.

"We've managed to ham-team with a lot of the realities you've been to." Hamtaro said.

"Ha. You really think you can stop me?" Slade? asked.

"There's a lot of us, and only one of you. Do the math, buster." One of the Scootaloo said.

"I say we just beat him up." One of the Rainbow Dash said.

They attacked without waiting, only to soon reveal the slade before them was a robot. And there were several that soon took it's place as the real Slade came up on a moniter.

"My house; my rules!" Slade said with an evil smirk.

"What was with all your attacks anyways?" A different Scootaloo asked; this one having Sparkle on her back.

"And why was it only our universe?" A Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yeah, where's the motive?" A second Rainbow Dash asked.

That version of Rainbow Dash didn't even realize that she had just asked a very forbidden question, as music began to start up.

My dear guests, you are seeking my motive?
There is no motive for despair!

So come on and stay a while as I share with you
the who, what, when, where, why, and how
of my genius plan!

Our story opens
on a soldier coming home.

Now cut to him standing over his parents
It was a struggle

As I watched them
bleed from their bodies
so I instead I came up with a way to prolong suffering in the future!

I was obsessed
I couldn't stop.
I wouldn't stop!
Until everything drowned in the despair that I created!

So I made a decision;
to sell my services.

I'd make my victims watch
as I painted the room red!

Patience is a virtue
Good things come to those who wait...

Proverbs uttered by utter fools,
I'll do anything it takes!

Are you ready for trouble?
Gotcha Binge Spending!
You're stuck with Slade Johnson.
You can't stop me...
from cooking up this instant classic;
YOU AND YOUR DEATHS WILL LOOK FANTASTIC!

The red carpet is rolled out...
Come and get your tickets!
Before they're all sold out.

Don't wanna miss this moment
when this bar becomes full

There was a quick transition to a bar filling up.

It'll drown all of
Reality in my personal...
Despair...
(evil laughter)

(Ladies and gentlemen)
(Excuse the interruption...)
(The following message goes out to the stars of FiM:)
(The MLP4 Crew!)
(And we're rolling let's go!)

You wanna know why I chose you?

YOU WANNA KNOW WHY I CHOSE YOU?!

'Cuz you're the happiest show
That I've ever seen;
So if you fall into despair
It'll effect everything!
(Evil Laughter)

Are you ready for trouble?
Gotcha Binge Spending!
You're stuck with Slade Johnson.
You can't stop me...
from cooking up this instant classic;
YOU AND YOUR DEATHS WILL LOOK FANTASTIC!

The red carpet is rolled out...
Come and get your tickets!
Before they're all sold out.

Don't wanna miss this moment
when this bar becomes full
It'll drown all of
Reality in my personal--

The real slade suddenly popped up out of nowhere.

GRAB A SEAT AND LET'S SEAL THE DEAL!

When that bar becomes full
It'll drown all of reality
In my personal despair!!!
(Evil Laughter)

And Scene!

The real slade had gotten lost amongst his robot doubles, and managed to escape via a conveyor belt. "After him!" A second Twilight said and followed the conveyor belt with everyone else.

Author's Note

There's actually a hidden hint to a future story hidden in this chapter. Can you find it?

Chapter 2 - Slade's Defeat

Everyone traveled past varoius rooms before they finally found the real Slade in a room with a lot of moniters.

"Th-that's a lot of monitors..." One of the Sweetie Belle said.

"Tell me about it..." What looked to be a changeling foal said; this one was the version of changelings from before they started giving love instead of taking it. "It's a little unsettling because it looks like there are other versions of most of us that aren't here."

"I know what you mean, Amethyst. It's a little creepy." The Sweetie Belle nearby the changeling foal said.

"Heh, don't get used to this sight." Slade said from the chair nearby. "It won't be much longer before they start to go on a killing spree."

"Oh yeah? And how do you suppose that huh?" One of the Rainbow Dash asked.

"Don't you know anything about me? If you did, you'd know I normally try to murder people via a contract. However, my goal with all of these versions of you was to attack them, not kill." Slade said.

"Wh-what was the point of letting them live?" Twilight asked.

"The point was to plant seeds of doubt with them. Seeds that have been making them become increasingly paranoid." Slade said. "It won't be much longer, before one of them starts killing every pony else in what they would rationalize as 'self defense'." He then smirked. "For as much stock as you put into Friendship; seeing first hand what lengths ponies will go to for self-preservation will be a wake-up call. I'm certain the first one to start killing will be a pony. And that'll destroy your precious friendship at it's core. Because at the end of the day, friendship is easily eroded and corrupted; twisted on it's head when ponies start getting it in their head that it's every pony for themselves." Slade turned his head towards some of the monitors. "All it takes is just one pony to snap. And then, the despair begins."

"Your plan won't succeed." One of the Twilight said.

"Oh really? What makes you think you can stop me while your hear? Defeating me won't stop my plan. All you'll end up succeeding in doing is buying more time for my plan to succeed." Slade said.

The Twiight who had Hamtaro & Bijou on her back's eyes went wide. "Y-you planned this. You wanted us to get distracted by you so your plan could be successful."

"That's right. How does it feel to have your precious ideas of friendship used to spread despair? Must be full of despair. Such glorious despair." Slade said.

However, that was when a particular song started playing form the various moniters. "Oh go Hampton & The Hampsters." Sparkle said from atop one of the Apple Bloom.

"Wh-what is this music?!" Slade exclaimed.

"That's Hampton & The Hampsters; looks like their about to nick your little plan in the bud." Sparkle said. "There's a reason they are the most popular hamster band after all."

"No! No no no no no no no!" Slade said, throwing a tantrum as the depair bar began to empty.

"Looks like your plan's been foiled Slade." Twilight said, and when the song finished, the bar was all the way empty, and the moniters began to static. "You lose."

"No...not yet!" Slade before he hit a button which trapped all the ponies in the room with him. "You may be many, but your not capable of defeating the likes of me!" He added brandishing his katannas.

"SAYS YOU!" One of the other Twilgiht said, hitting Slade with some magic. It went right through Slade, but instead of causing any bleeding, it caused something else to happen.

"...Wait...what's this?" One of the other Apple Bloom asked.

Slade cupped where it was hit for a bit, then brought the hand to his eye sight. "Wh-what..." Slade was just as confused about this.

"Slade...is just a druid animated by dark magic..." The Twilight that had Hamtaro & Bijou on her said.

"So...I've been played for a fool the entire time..." Slade said. "It seems...like I won't be able to last much longer now..."

"What are you talking about?" The Scootaloo that was near Amethyst asked.

"I wasn't always about despair. I am the lone surviving soldier of a deadly war. A war that wiped out all the human population. It was just me, my cousin, my parents, my aunt, and my uncle left. And since my cousin was male, with neither my mother nor my aunt able to even produce any more children due to being too old...Alternate Earth's Human Race was going to be extinct." Slade said.

"Why turn to despair then? What drove you to that?" One of the Twilight said.

"Because when the final battle ended with me as the lone soldier who surived, I was bleeding on my way home. That was when, a massive blizzard hit." Slade closed his eyes as he looked upward. "It came out of nowhere. And it made my chances of surviving practically impossible. That's when this strange figure appeared before me, and offered me a deal."

"...I guess you can't be blamed for taking such a deal. So, your near death experience drove you to despair." One of the Fluttershy noted.

"Something like that..." Slade said. "I may not have much time left...so I can only ask you for the kindest thing you can do for me at this moment." He then threw his katannas away. "Give this soldier, a honorable death in battle."

Slade gripped his shirt as new music began to play and threw it off, revealing a soldier's uniform underneath. And just before the music really got started, he drew a pair of cutlass swords. "I am going to go out, not as the king of despair, but as the General of Supreme Tactics!" Slade said.

Supreme Tactics General
Soldier Slade Johnson

Even though Slade wanted to die here on his terms, he also didn't want it to be a given; the ponies understood that, most of all the various Fluttershy. This was not a battle of life & death; it was to give a soldier a dying wish.

Throughout the battle Slade used various tactics such as fast paced slash dashes and even throwing his cutless only to rush towards where he was throwing them to catch them before they could get stuck in the wall. As the ponies did damage, Slade's skin peeled off, revealing more dark magic animated him.

When about 50% of Slade's skin was gone, Slade suddenly flipped something on the cutlass, which electrified them. "These are my own personally modified Cutlass swords; if I am to die, then of course I wouldn't hold back one inch." Slade said.

The battle raged on from there, but it was clear as the damaged piled up, that Slade wasn't going to live for much longer. At one point, he finally just fell over; unable to do much more then just lay there. That's when the Scootaloo who was near Amethyst rushed over to him. "Wh-what are you doing?" Slade asked.

"I don't care how you chose to live your life; I refuse to just let you die alone." The Scootaloo said. "You may be a monster, but not even a monster like you deserves to die alone."

Slade couldn't help but smile; not an evil one, but a sad one. "You know...if I could be reincarnated...I would love it if...if you became my mother..." Slade said.

Suddenly, Slade became a bunch of light particles which then absorbed into the Scootaloo that was next to him. "Wh-what just happened?!" One of the Twilight exclaimed.

And then a bright light enveloped them all.

Finale: The Return

The ponies found themselves in an endless void; with some kind of large; undiscribable figure looming over them. They couldn't even see the thing's head. Hell, they could barely see past the figure's waist.

So, it seems that the anmoly was fixed before anyone else got invovled... a masculine sounding voice that gave off a sense of basically god-hood said. For that, I give my thanks...

"Who...are you?" One of the Twilight asked.

I'm afraid I cannot answer that question. Because most of you won't be able to remember the answer. In order to restore the damage that still exists, I must revert your universes back to how they were before Slade got involved with them. The god voice said. The being aboved looked like it moved and then most of the ponies vanished.

The only ones that remained, were the ones who came with the hamsters & Amethyst. "So...what about us then?" The remaining Scootaloo asked.

Due to certain things, I cannot remove Slade's influence from your world. Doing so, would undo way too much for your universe to remain stable. Therefor, I'll have to return you to your universe in a way to where there hasn't been any time passed since your departure. There is not much more I can do then that without resetting your entire universe. The god voice said.

"Will we...ever see you again? The remaining Twilight asked.

I pray that you never have to. The god voice answered before the figure moved again, the remaining ponies are blinded by an immense light again.

When everything comes to, the ponies are back where they were. "Wh-what did that god guy mean by Slade's influence being too much to remove him from our world?" Scootaloo asked.

"Uh...Scootaloo?" Diamond Tiara said, poitning at the pegasus filly's flank.

Scootaloo looked, and noticed that she now had a cutie mark: One of a heart with lightning bolt inside of it. "...Oh." She wasn't sure what to think about that. On one hand, she had a cutie mark now. On the other, she's not entirely sure what that entails exactly. But one thing is for sure: She can't wait to find out.