A New Magician in Town

Chapters

The Yellow Mare: First Contact
Introductions at the Pastry House
The Morning After
Twilight's Shadows
Friends With Benefits / First Date
First Date: Part Two
The Great and Powerful
Prolouge/A Fresh Start
Ponyville Nights: The Ballad of Shadow Storm

The Yellow Mare: First Contact

*PHEEEEEEEEEEEE*

The sound of the kettle whistling almost startled Shadow. Almost, he thought to himself. He trotted over to the stove and raised the kettle off of the element with his magic. Walking over to the cupboards to grab one of the two mugs that had been left there, he came to a sudden realization.

“Oh what the HAY!” he bursted. “I don’t have any teabags! Of all the things under Celestia’s Sun I could run out of, I had to run out of teabags today!” Shadow merely stood staring at the kettle for a solid two minutes, trying to formulate a plan. He wanted to go into town today, but he just couldn’t face all the new ponies without a cup of his herbal brew to calm the nerves. After another minute or two had passed he had finally formulated a decent plan of action, he would wander around the outskirts of Ponyville looking for the herbs he needed for his tea, and then he would go into Ponyville. With a deft magical movement he threw on his cloak and wandered out the door.

After about an hour of uneventful and fruitless searching, he began to hear a faint hum. Not being sure what the origin of this high pitched buzzing was, he decided to investigate. I am a student after all... sort of, and students investigate things! He reasoned to himself. As the sound grew louder he began to make it out as something humming. Still unable to discern kind of animal was humming, he moved closer. Based on the pitch of the sound, he was guessing it was a squirrel, or hummingbird, or some similar small animal.

Do they even have hummingbirds in Ponyville? It wouldn’t surprise me, hummingbirds are relatively adaptable creatures. They would easily flock here if there was someone who was taking care of them. Wait... what does this have to do with the humming? Oh, hummingbird... right. Wait a second.. IT’S STOPPED! You dumb pony, you got so lost thinking about hummingbirds that you missed where the actual humming was coming from! Good move Sherclop Pones! Now we’ll never know what was making the hum.

As Shadow was having a rather self deprecating internal dialogue, his eyes wandered around the surrounding area.

Rock. Rock. Tree. Rock. Rock with a pink tail. Roc-

At that moment he came to a sudden realization that something about one of those rocks was different. Specifically, one had a tale.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fluttershy had been having what she would describe as an excellent morning. She awoke well rested, and after she trotted over to her mirror, she noticed that her mane had hardly been mussed up at all over night. With a few strokes of a brush her pink mane was nicely tailored to her personal liking. She turned around to get a better look at her haunches in the mirror. I suppose I’m not TOO plain looking, she thought to herself with a little grin. Perhaps I should give my tail a trim. It has been getting rather hard to control lately.

Before she was able to complete the thought she was disturbed by a small bunny who entered her room rather abruptly.

“Good morning Angel Bunny” She said with a refreshed sweetness in her voice. The bunny just looked at her expectedly, but lovingly, and requested breakfast with his gaze.

“Oh, of course Angel. I’ll get your carrots in a minute”. Fluttershy went about making her bed and ensuring that her room was pristine. The bunny just stood still staring at the pocket watch he held. In his little bunny mind he waited for the second hand to make a full rotation.

A loud “AHEM!” escaped the bunny’s throat just as the yellow mare began to walk over to him.

“I’m coming Angel Bunny” she said. “I’ll have your breakfast ready in two shakes of a filly’s tale”.

After a relaxing breakfast with all the animals, Fluttershy decided to take a quick walk to pay a visit to her birdy friends. Angel decided to tag along, although he decided to do so at a safe distance, and without the knowledge of sweet-natured mare.

On the way back to her cottage, Fluttershy couldn’t have been in better spirits. She trotted with a spring in her step, and every few minutes she lifted a few feet off the ground to flutter about. During one of these quick flights she began to hum a little tune. It was a familiar one, and the bunny following in the distance rolled his bunny eyes as if to say “Oh not this song again”.

However, as she floated across a small opening something caught her eye in the distance. A grey pony, wearing a black cloak, with a black and red mane. He was just standing there, it looked as if he was talking with someone, although no one else could be seen. Fluttershy quickly let her timid side take over as she bolted behind the nearest rock and stopped her humming immediately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shadow began to trot over to this oddly accessorized rock, wondering what the hay he was going to find.

“Hm, I’ve never seen a rock with a pink tail before” He said aloud. Fluttershy closed her eyes tightly, she knew that she’d been spotted. Although she was trembling with fear and anxiety, something deep inside of her chuckled.

That was sort of funny I guess, in a bland way. Maybe he isn’t a bad pony. I should really stop judging books by their covers. NO! He’s coming closer. I can’t run, he would outrun me. With that thought she tried to spread her wings to make an aerial getaway. But to her despair, they remained glued to her flank. Oh no! This is it. This is the end of Fluttershy the pegasus. Maybe he isn’t too bad, he did make a joke. Maybe he’ll make another while he.. he.. BEATS ME AND HAS HIS WAY WITH ME AND LEAVES ME TO DIE IN THE EVERFREE FOREST!!! The yellow mare, who really still had the heart of a filly, let out a small squeak.

“Hello? Um, is someone there?” Shadow said, more confused than before. All his gut instincts were telling him that somepony was hiding from him behind a rock, but he just couldn’t fathom somepony that timid.

After no response he finally thought, buck it, I’m just gonna take a look. After a second or two of a slow canter he arrived at the rock. Looking around the large stone he saw a mare curled into a ball. He couldn’t make out any distinguishing features, all he saw was a ball of yellow and pink. Normally he would have just walked away, leaving the pony to whatever she was doing. But that was the old Shadow, he was starting a new life in Ponyville. I suppose now is as good a time as any to start being more social, he thought to himself.

“Um, excuse me... miss? Are you hiding from something?”

“Oh yes” the ball replied, not moving an inch. “There was a mean looking pony at the other end of the field. He had a dark coat and darker main and a dark cloak and he wasn’t looking to happy and he was about to come over and approach me but I guess you came alo-” as she began to open her eyes she saw the dark pony standing over her. Her rather speedy explanation of the events leading up to the current situation left her short of breath, so when she tried to give a little squeak in terror, nothing came out. She resumed her ball formation.

Feeling a bit guilty, but mostly perplexed, Shadow stood for a good half minute, waiting for something to happen. When it became clear that the yellow pony wasn’t going to move, he gently put his hoof on her side to make sure she was still breathing.

“eeeeeeeeeeee” Fluttershy whimpered. What the hay kind of sound is that? The standing pony thought.

“Hm, well that does sound like a rather sticky situation. Who knows what that pony might be up to” Shadow said half jokingly, attempting to break the rather thick ice.

“eeeeeehm” Fluttershy responded.

“But why didn’t you fly away? You are a pegasus after all.”

“...”

“Sorry I didn’t get that?”

Mustering up all the courage that she had, which by her own admittance was a very small amount, the mare responded “When I get scared, I don’t ...”

“Pardon?”

“When I get scared, I don’t.. fly well...”

“Oh, well I suppose that’s... reasonable.” Replied shadow. “My name’s Shadow Storm” he said, forcing an awkward grin.

“That’s a nice name” replied the timid mare as she began to unravel herself from her defences.

“Thanks”An awkward silence ensued, nopony talking, and both attempting to get a better look at the other without making it obvious they were staring.

Finally the dark pony broke the silence “Do you.. y’know, have one?”

“Have what?”

“A name”

“Oh... yes..”

“Aaaaand?”

“Um, it’s not really the coolest name.”

“Well I suppose I can be the judge of that”

“It’s Fluttershy” said the mare almost inaudibly, trying to avoid staring into the ponie's cherry red eyes.

“Oh, well I think that’s a... g-good name” said Shadow with a stutter. “Do you live around here Fluttersty?”

“Yes” said the yellow pony. Now feeling a bit more comfortable and gaining enough nerve to stand on four hooves. She ignored the obvious mispronunciation of her name and decided to reveal a bit more about herself. “I live in a cottage near the Everfree forest”.

“No kidding!” Shadow replied with a sincere grin. “I’m renting a cottage that’s only about a half-hour canter from there. It looks like we are going to be ne-e-eighbors” He said with a neigh. Fluttershy gave a little chuckle at his pronunciation of neighbour. She noticed he had the slightest Canterlot accent. She thought that she should introduce this new stallion to her friend Rarity.

“What made you move here? From what I’ve seen Canterlot is quite nice this time of year” the quite pony queried, half trying to make conversation, half trying to inch back to her cottage. Shadow noticed her slight movements, and began to walk in the direction the decidedly cute mare inched.

“I’m kind of a student, and Canterlot just wasn’t the place to study dar- uhh... To be studious” Shadow replied, not wanting to reveal the nature of his studies.

“Well that’s nice. What is it that you study?” Fluttershy inquired

“Er, um, well. I-I stuuuudy..” Shadow couldn’t help from letting his speech stumble. It was a bad habit he had since he was a young colt. Although, in this particular situation he didn’t exactly want to be forward, at least on this topic. He knew that if he let out that he studied Luna’s dark magics he would be judged. He knew that if he told the especially timid Flutterdry he would be labelled an “Apocalypse Pony” and “troublemaker” and would then be ostracized by his new town.

“Well I study history mostly. Yup, mostly history. History history history. A little magic here and there on the side sometimes as well on.. yknow.. occasion.” He managed to stutter out.

“Isn’t that a suprise. I actually have a bit of a friend who studies magic as well. She really is quite good at it. In fact, she moved here from Canterlot as well. I’m sure you would get along splendidly.” Fluttershy was thinking about a certain purple pony whom she admired. Shadow on the other hand, was distressed to find that another magic student lived in Ponyville. He knew that his charade would be nearly impossible to keep up around her. “I could introduce you to her if you would like” continued Fluttershy.

Not wanting to seem rude or antisocial he replied with a jilted “Yes. I. Would. Like... to meet her”. Fluttershy only smiled in response.

What the hay are you doing shadow!? If you get found out and labelled everything that you hoped Ponyville would bring is just going to melt away. There is a time for everything to be revealed, but that time isn’t now. Now you just have to make friends!! His train of thought was briefly interrupted when he noticed that he stood before a cottage that wasn’t his own. However, without missing a beat, his train of thought continued on. Now his brain prepared a retort to the previous negativity. Well you did make friends! You met Flutterguy! Isn’t that what you set out to do? Make some friends?! Wait.. I didn’t come out to make friends.. I just wanted some tea.....

At this point he noticed that the yellow mare’s muzzle had been moving in conversation ever since they reached the cottage.

“I mean... If you would like to..” It was obvious that Fluttershy had said something previous to this, but Shadow had been too deep in thought to catch it.

“Sorry, I missed that, would you mind repeating it? I don’t have the uh.. the best ears.” He said with mildly convincing grin.

“Oh it’s really ok if you don’t want to. I understand” said Fluttershy with a reserved smile and understanding nod.

“No really, I just missed the first bit.”

“Oh... I said that I was just going to head over into Ponyville to meet my friends. We’re going to have some tea and cupcakes. I’m sure they would have no objection to me bringing you along.” Shadow felt a massive amount of conflict welling up inside him. His shy side began to take over, what if they don’t like me, what if that magical pony is there. WHAT IF EVERYTHING FALLS APART!? Regardless of the doubts he had, Shadow realized that he had already agreed to the invitation the second tea was mentioned.

With a deep breath he prepared to jump smack into the middle of the social lives of six very unique Ponyvillians.

Introductions at the Pastry House

Shadow Storm and Fluttershy walked side by side in silence for the entire trip to Sugarcube Corner, aside from a quick explanation from the mare that they were going to a sweet shop where her pink friend rented a room. It wasn’t as if there was no interaction of course, without saying anything both ponies managed to make it clear that they were used to silence. Every now and again one would begin to stare at the other, only to quickly act as if they were casually glancing at a butterfly or shop window, out of fear of coming across creepy.

As their destination began to come into sight, Shadow started to have second doubts about what he was doing. Naturally the pony felt a little nervousness from being thrust so quickly into a social gathering, but what really got him was the nature of Sugarcube Corner. He stared with a little confusion at the building that was seemingly constructed out of pastries and candy. A sudden wave of wariness washed over him. When my time comes to leave this world, and enter the halls of Foalhalla, I don’t want to be remembered as the pony who died after a house made of candy collapsed on him, Shadow thought with a slight touch of uneasiness.

The two ponies walked onto the doorstep of the odd building, and stood there in silence. After a couple awkward seconds Fluttershy timidly spoke up.

“We’re here” said the mare.

“Oh... Good to know” responded Shadow. Another few seconds of silence ensued, both ponies now looking each other straight in the eye. What the hay was that?! Shadow thought to himself. ‘Good to know’!? Might as well just go out and say ‘oh yeah, I don’t get out much. I’m actually pretty dumb sometimes. Just don’t pay attention to me’. For a brief second he actually considered saying that. Another second passed and he remembered that he was quite good at teleportation spells, and he considered making a quick excuse and then excusing himself back to Canterlot.

‘We’re here’? You silly filly. Might as well tell him that the sky is blue or that his eyes are a nice shade of red. Wait?! What are you thinking? You just met him! Oh why can’t you just say something a normal pony would say? The mare was the first to break away from the stare when she cast her gaze downward in an attempt to hide her quickly reddening face. Unfortunately, this did not bring the two any closer to their goal of entering the large pastry that stood before them, and they continued to stand on the doorstep in silence.

“Um. Fluttershy? What are ya doin?” A non-chalant voice questioned. Rainbow Dash popped her head down from the awning of Sugarcube corner where she had landed stealthily enough that the two silent ponies hadn’t noticed.

Fluttershy! That’s her name... Buck. No wonder she didn’t talk to me at all when we were walking here, Shadow thought with a slight frown.

“And who is this shady pony you brought along?” The rainbow maned mare said with a wink.

“Hello Rainbow Dash” Fluttershy said with a smile. “This is Shadow Storm, he’s new to Ponyville so I thought I could introduce him to our friends”.

“Aw Yea! That sounds awesome! The names Rainbow Dash, and in case you didn’t notice, I’m awesome too. Pleased to meetchya!” The energetic pegasus exclaimed, half to Shadow, half to anyone who was listening.

“So uhhh, I wasn’t interrupting something between you guys... was I?” She said with a playful wink and flair of the wings.

“Oh uh”

“ummmm...” both ponies stuttered in unison.

If shadow perhaps a lighter coat, they would have blushed in unison as well. However, Fluttershy was left alone in that boat.

“Not really” Shadow said slowly.

“Not at all Rainbow, we were just waiting to go to Pinkie Pie’s party” said the yellow mare.

“Ah.. What’s stopping ya? It is here isn’t it?”

“Oh yes. We were just waiting for... just... waiting...” Fluttershy’s voice trailed off into nothingness as she tried to finish her sentence.

“Aaaaaalrighty then. How about you stand on the doorstep then, while I take our new friend inside?” The perky pegasus questioned with yet another wink. Shadow debated whether or not to ask the new pegasus if she had some nerve damage, but decided that he wasn’t quite comfortable enough with his new friends to start poking fun. Especially at a filly’s body he thought. Experience had taught him that, no matter how innocent the joke, if you make a jest about the way a mare looks, there is always potential to start Equestria’s third great war.

Fluttershy stood speechless. She secretly admired how forward Rainbow was able to be with strangers, but on this occasion her admiration turned to jealously, Shadow Storm was her new friend.

“I think we’ll be able to manage Rainbow dear” She said with an uncharacteristic air of sarcasm and forwardness.

“Oh. Right.” Rainbow said with a nervous smile, not sure how to respond to this out of character Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash wonders if she might have struck a chord with her fellow pegasus, making a mental note that she might have something to taunt her with at a future date.

The three ponies open the door where they are greeted by a cheery Mr. And Mrs. Cake.

“Oh hello dearies, me and the mister were just heading out for the day. You’re here to see Pinkie I’m guessing? Well you have all of Sugarcube Corner all to yourself.” The older mare said with a maternal smile as the couple walked towards the door.

“Stay out of trouble y’hear?” Said Mister Cake as the owners of the shop exited their establishment.

“Oh don’t worry about us Mister and Misses Cake. Have a good evening” Said Fluttershy with her signature smile that crinkled her face, and caused her eyes to close. The Cakes just smiled at the quiet mare and headed closed the pink door.

“Woah, good cover Shy! They didn’t suspect a thing!” The floating pegasus commended.

“Suspect? What do they have to be suspicious of Rainbow?” Said the stationary mare.

“Oh well... Nothing really... Yet”. Rainbow grew a devious grin. “Let’s just say that I heard from a little bird that AJ is bringing over some of her special cider”.

Shadows ears perked up at the mention of the words ‘special’ and ‘cider’. The fact that they had been spoken in succession greatly pleased him. He was by no means an alcoholic, but he did enjoy the feelings of euphoria and easy socialization that came with drinking too much... special cider.

Fluttershy remained silent and wondered if one of her birds was the culprit.

The three walked up the stairs to the top floor where this teatime turned party was supposed to happen. Shadow still remained in awe that the place was structurally sound.

As they reached the top floor they saw a pink pony sitting silently in the corner. Shadow recognized her as the pony who he had seen ‘vibrating’ when he trotted through Ponyville a few days previous. However, the pink mare was in a much different state than when he had seen her last.

Pinkie Pie sat in the corner with her head hanging low. Her normally fluffed and curly hair was straight and rigid. She stared down, oblivious of her guests, at a doll that she held in her hoof.

Pinkamena, have you moved the rocks from the east field yet? The pony thought to herself.

Not yet mother! She shouted back in her mind.

Well Pinkamena, no dinner for you until you move the rocks.

I’m a grown filly mother! I don’t even live on the farm anymore! I have friends now and I work in a pastry shop!!

Pinkamina? What did your mother say? Pinkie picked up another doll with her free hoof.

She said to move the rocks BUT THATS NOT MY LIFE ANYMORE DADDY!

Pinkamina Diane Pie, do as your mother says. You don’t want for to have to scold you now do you?

But daddy I have friends coming over...

No buts Pinkamina.

Pinkie Pie started to push a rock with her nose.

The three newcomers just stared in silence at the mare who hadn’t said a word since they came in, and decided to interrupt when she started to try and roll some invisible object across the room.

“Hey Pinkie!” exclaimed Rainbow as she dashed to the center of the room. “Ready for a party?!”

Pinkie Pie’s hair immediately inflated and regained its normal composure. The sudden rush of air to her mane caused her to float for a couple second before she began to hop around the room squeaking, her pupils slightly dilated and her eyes both staring off into different directions.

“The guests are here. The guests are her. No more rocks, the guests are here!” The pink mare said in a sing-songy voice.

“Umm... Is she alright?” Shadow whispered to Fluttershy

“Oh yes. She’s just being Pinkie Pie.” She responded with a light smile.

“Ah... Alright then”

“Oh, Shadow, by the way, this is Pinkie Pie”

“Hm.. I gathered.”

“Haha... right” Both ponies awkwardly grinned and looked in opposite directions as they trotted into the party room.

Pinkie Pie bounced over to Shadow looking him straight in the eye and standing in silence before saying. “Twilight Sparkle!? Wow, you sure went all out! I knew you said you were thinking about trying a different look, but wowie zowie po-powie! I hardly recognized you!”

“Pinkie” Fluttershy said as loudly as she could manage. Pinkie didn’t hear her and kept giggling at Twilight’s makeover.

“Pinkie?” Fluttershy repeated as she tapped the giggling earth pony on the shoulder. The tap surprised Pinkie more than expected.

“AAAHHH!! WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!! PONY THE BATTLESTATIONS! LOAD THE ROCK CANNONS!! THE FARM WILL LIVE ON!!” Screeched the pony. Fluttershy immediately dropped down onto the floor and put her forehooves over her head, preparing for the worst.

“Oh wait. IIIIT WAS JUUUST FLUUUTERSHY!” Pinkie sing-songily sang. Rainbow Dash had been laying on the ground clenching her midsection in laughter up till this point.

“Haha, Pinks, you sure are one crazy pony!” The cyan pegasus exclaimed after she caught her breath.

“I knOOOoow!” Pink said, her eyes staring off into different spaces again. A smile much too wide swept across her face. After making sure that they weren’t under attack and that everyone was safe, Fluttershy attempted to introduce the dark pony once more.

“Pinkie Pie? This is my...”

“OUR!” Rainbow Dash interjected with a sly grin.

“Sorry... This is OUR new friend, Shadow Storm.” Fluttershy shot her pegasus friend a glare.

Up to this point Shadow had been staring at whatever happened to be moving the fastest, trying to keep up with what the hay was going on.

While the whole fiasco of Pinkie preparing for war was going down, he recalled a name that had been dropped.

Twilight Sparkle... Twilight Sparkle... Twilight... TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!! His mind’s eye shot open and stared right into his past when he finally remember the name. Twilight Sparkle?! The prized student of Celestia?! The great and powerful Twilight?! NO! No no no no no NO!! If there is anypony who would find out what kind of magic I use it would be the personal student of Princess Luna’s sister!

“Well hi there Shads! Shads? Nah, Shady? Stormy? Hm.... Shadormy? Nah... Well HI!” Pinkie said with a grin and a hug. Shadow’s eyes slightly bugged out at the sudden social interaction and the force of the hug.

“Nice to meet you Pinkie Pie” The unicorn said.

“Just call me Pinks! Pinks? Nah, how abooout, Panky?” Pinkie said with a giggle. “Heehee nope! Hooow aboouut, Pinkamina?” With the mention of the last name, her eyes did that thing again where they roll in opposite directions and stare off into nothingness. Shadow debated again whether or not to crack a joke about nerve damage, but quickly vetoed the idea.

“Naaaaaaaaah!” said the bubbly earth pony, breaking her blank stare. “Just stick with whatever ya feels like!”

“Right, Gotcha. Umm, you mentioned a name before... Twilight Sparkle?”

“OOOHHH, Twisparks! Yup yup yup! Greastest magician in all of Ponyville and personal student of the princess herself? THAT’S HER!”

“Oh, do you know her personally?”

“DO I!? TWILIGHT IS MY BESTEST BESTY NERDY FRIEND!! SHE’LL BE HERE ANY MINUTE!”

Shadow began to feel a sick to his stomach. He just knew that if he got found out his new friends would ostracize him, and then spread the news to the rest of Ponyville. He knew that Princess Luna had been growing on the residents of Equestria, but something in the back of the mind kept repeating: they’re going to hate you. You really thought that a change of scene is what you needed? Pff, you damn well know that it’s not where you are, it’s who you are.

Trying to hide the despair in his eyes he trotted over to Fluttershy. He felt more comfortable around her than the other two. The mare had sat down on a large fluffy pillow in the corner, and had not said a word after introducing Shadow. She still felt a trace amount of annoyance towards Rainbow, although she didn’t know why. When it became clear that Shadow planned on sitting next to her, she immediately stopped feeling annoyed. The feeling was replaced with a tiny sense of victory. As he drew closer she looked once again at his richly coloured red eyes. She felt her cheeks turn a similar colour.

Before shadow was able to plop down beside the pegasus, Pinkie Pie began to shout in excitement again.

“THE UNICORNS ARE HERE EVERYPONY!”

Shadow looked towards the entrance with terror. Two unicorns stood directly in his line of sight.

“Hello girls!” Pinkie exclaimed as she embraced them both. “Twilight! We were just talking about you!”

“Were you now?” The purple unicorn said with a smile. “Good things I hope” she said chuckling.

“Yes indeedy!” the excitable earth pony said as she laughed.

Shadow looked on with a nervous stare, he knew he was in trouble now. However, the voice in his mind that always played devil’s advocate began to override his survival instincts.

Wow, Ponyville filly’s sure are lookers. Never thought that I’d end up here, with five cute mares when I woke up this morni- shut up shut up shut up! Gotta keep my composure and act natural around Twilight Sparkle, and NO MAGIC!

He ignored the conversations that had been going on around him until he noticed that everypony had stopped talking. Much to his despair he also noticed that the two newcomers were staring right at him. They had a look in their eyes that told him they expected him to introduce himseld. He tried to think of something non-chalant to say, but all he could think about was how he would stutter when trying to introduce himself. Luckily for him, the rainbow maned pony spoke up.

“Rarity, Twi, this is my new friend Shadow!” She wore a grin directed at Fluttershy, who sat in the corner, now plotting the closest thing to a revenge she could come up with, a comeback.

“Yes!” The yellow pegasus exclaimed rather loudly, for her at least. All eyes turned to her.

“Oh, um.. Yes.. Shadow Storm...” She cast a gaze downwards.

“I am Rarity, pleased to make your acquaintance. Charmed I’m sure.” She held out her hoof in a distinguished manner. Shadow wasn’t sure whether to kiss it or shake it. He ended up taking it in his hoof and holding it. He started to move his head down for the kiss, but quickly decided against it and pricked it back up. Shadow realized that now he was just holding her hoof in silence. He gave it a quick shake and let go.

“Hi” he managed to get out.

“And I’m Twilight Sparkle. Nice to meet you” She smiled and tilted her head sideways sweetly. She recognized the slight social awkwardness of the new pony, and decided to forego the hoof holding. Twilight knew from personal experience how hard it can be to meet new ponies.

“Hehehii..” Shadow stuttered, trying to act like the most common pony in the world. Me? Luna’s Dark Magic? Haha, nope, I’m just your average everyday unicorn. That’s me.

Fluttershy chimed in “He’s a student just like you Twilight.” Half introducing him, half showing that she was closer to him that Rainbow. Oh Celestia.. Shut up shut up shut up, he thought as a slight feeling of nausea returned.

“Oh! Well that’s nice” the purple unicorn said cheerfully. “What is it that you study, umm... Shadow.” She smiled extra wide hoping that he wouldn’t notice that she spaced on his name. Shadow froze. He opened his mouth and began to stutter slightly

“Ah, I-I, uhh, study-” before he could finish, Fluttershy opened her pale yellow muzzle again.

“He studies magic, just like Twilight.” At this point Fluttershy was basically talking to Rainbow Dash, who had sat down next to her, leaving no room on the pillow for someone to sit beside Fluttershy, but plenty of room for a pony to sit right beside the awesome Rainbow Dash.

“Oh wow! We should get together sometime and compare notes.” Twilight said without looking away from the mysterious grey pony.

If it wasn’t for his resolve to not use magic, he would have teleported back to Canterlot right then and there.

“How long are you staying in Ponyville?” The mare continued.

Gathering up all the courage he muster, Shadow managed to make a coherent response.

“I actually uh, plan on staying here. Temporarily for a while.”

“Well then, I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other then!”

Twilight was happier than she let on at the arrival of the new pony. Up to this point she was the only pony in Ponyville who was a full-time student, it was refreshing to have someone else join her in that boat.

Feeling slightly relieved at the friendliness of Twilight, Shadow smiled back. Perhaps this isn’t gonna be too bad, he thought.

Just as the two ‘conversing’ unicorns began to stroll away from the entrance, the final pony arrived.

“WEEEHOOO EVERYPONY! GUESS WHO’S HERE AND WITH WHAT!!” Applejack ran into the room with two saddlebags that appeared to be stuffed full of glass jugs.

“OO, OO, OO,” Pinkie shouted. “Is iiiiit.. APPLEJACK!? WITH HER VERY SPECIAL SWEET SWEET CIDER?!”

“YOU BET YOUR LIFE IT BE! APPLEJACK THE ONE AND ONLY!!” The earth pony spoke with a slight slur cantered into the room with a stumble. Rarity turned to Rainbow Dash who, much to the pegasus’s annoyance, she had sat down next to.

“Looks like someone started the party a little early” She whispered into the ear of her fidgety friend.

The Morning After

The bird’s outside sang several decibels louder than Shadow’s current taste. Every vein in his head felt like it had expanded to twice it’s normal size. The throbbing pressure in his skull was accompanied by the nausea in his belly. He had been awake for almost half an hour now, but had not yet gathered the strength to rise from the large pillow that he deemed as his bed. Ok, you can do this, he thought as quietly as he could. First step to getting out of bed, opening the eyes. With that, he began squeak open his left eyelid. A tiny ray of sunlight shot into his head through the ocular opening. Sweet Celestia’s sun! Nope!

His eyes shut tighter than ever as he began to recall last night’s events. The party at Pinkie Pie’s, the midnight walk with Rainbow Dash, meeting that other pony on the way home. Wait, what was that filly’s name again? He racked his brain for the name of a pony he met on his journey back to the cottage. Oh right! Berry Punch, wow, she was barely understandable. Someponies just can’t handle their cider I guess. He chuckled at the thought of the random pony who was completely smashed. Chuckling however, proved to be a terrible idea, as a pulsating pain in the head proved.

Ok, time to colt up and rise and shine. I’ll just open my eyes, get up, crawl downstairs, make some tea, and go about my day. Wait... something isn’t right, that won’t work. Why not? I know I’m still alive, so it shouldn’t be too hard. Oh buck.. What if I’m not alive? What if I’m dead?! Is this death? Wait... no... I opened my eye and saw the real world. Ok. I’m good. This plan is solid. Wait! Aww, Luna curse me, I don’t have any roots or herbs for tea! Ug, well, I won’t get any tea by lying here, might as well get up anyways.

Although his spirit was willing, his flesh proved to be a bit less eager. Pushing through the headache, Shadow managed to crawl his way down to his kitchen, without ever standing up. Admittedly he looked stupid, but with no one around to see him, all he could think was: meh.

“Well well well! Look who’s finally up!” A throaty voice rang from above him.

“In the name of all that’s sacred! What the hay are you doing here? How do you know where I live?!” Shadow looked straight into the purple eyes of a familiar rainbow maned pony.

“Duh! I was here last night. I mean.. Duh!” Rainbow Dash chuckled as she hovered above the floor. “And let me tell you, anyone who ever called you a quite sleeper was a liar.” She continued to giggle as she glanced around the modest cottage.

“Man this place is drab! I haven’t seen a cottage this empty since Fluttershy moved into her’s.”

Shadow wasn’t sure how to react, partly because of the slightly embarrassing comments being made by the pegasus that was floating around the room, but most because of the fact that there was a pegasus floating around his room making demeaning comments.

“Well, I did just move in...” He said slowly.

“I know” the pegasus exclaimed. “That’s why I rainbow dashed to my place and got you this housewarming present!”

Rainbow Dash unfurled a massive poster of a flame coloured pegasus, wearing a blue body suit and flying through a thunderstorm. On the top of the poster a fiery text read ‘Spitfire’. Shadow looked on in awe. He had no idea what he would do with such a massive effigy of another pony. Well, unless that pony was Princess Luna of course.

“Wow... Is that-” before he could finish his sentence the pegasus cut him off.

“Yup! Life-size! Impressive ain’t it?” Rainbow dash interjected with a smile.

“No no no. Is that Ms. Spitfire?”

“Ms. Spitfire? Never heard anyone call her that. But yup! Most fiery of the Wonderbolts, second fastest pony in Equestria! The one, the only, Spitfire!” The pegasus gave a holler and threw her arms in the air at the mention of her idol.

“Wow, I took a class with her back in Canterlot. Never knew she was such a big deal.” Shadow explained without the same excitement that Rainbow Dash had displayed. Rainbow’s proverbial jaw dropped.

“Wait wait.. So you know spitfire!?”

“Well, yeah. There was a class I took about flying magic and the unique biology of pegasi back in Canterlot. She was the TA.”

“But, but why would she even teach when she’s part of the Wonderbolts!?”

“Well, when she introduced herself she said that she was just trying to give back. Buuuut, I wasn’t exactly the best student in that class, so she had to tutor me one day, it was sort of weird since she’s only a few years older. Anyways, we got to talking, and she basically said she had to complete sixty hours of community service.”

“Oh yeah... I guess that makes sense. I suppose you don’t set half of Fillydelphia’s clouds on fire and get away with it scot free. Even if you are Spitfire.”

Half the clouds on fire?... Pf, I could do that. Shadow let his more devious side take hold as he plotted how he would actually go about doing that. But before his plan could come to fruition, or even budding, the pegasus interrupted him.

“Aaaanyways, I gotta go set up the next rainstorm. Enjoy the poster! I know I do.” Shadow noted the hint of suggestiveness in that last sentence. He expected a wink, but got nothing, and the pegasus was already half way out the window.

Wait, I still have questions. Where do you think you’re going!? Not willing to be ditched before he had his questions answered, he used his dark magic to stop Rainbow Dash in her tracks.

Rainbow felt her flanks chill. Something strange was embracing them. Something cold, yet comforting; tingly, yet smooth. She looked back and saw a red and black aura pulling her into the cottage. She realized it was Shadow’s magic. The odd sensation was promptly noted by the pegasus, but to her, all unicorn magic was the same to her, so she gave it no thought.

“Wait wait wait. I have a couple questions to ask you before you go.” Shadow said as he placed the pegasus in front of him.

“Oh, alright then. Shoot mister mysterious.”

“What exactly did we do last night once we got back here?”

Rainbow gave a filly’s giggle and looked right into Shadow’s eyes, giving the most seductive look she could muster.

“Don’t remember? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget.” The pegasus whispered suggestively in Shadow’s ear.

“Not.. Every last detail... Maybe you could fill me in... on what.. exactly, yknow.. happened..” The unicorn caught himself tripping over his words again. He felt his body temperature rise.

“Well, after a charming walk to your cottage, you opened the door for me, and walked me into your humble abode.” Shadow hung on her every word, not sure what he wanted to have happened.

“Then you put your arm around me, and insisted that I take your bed. ‘No sleeping on the floor for Dashie’ you told me.” Rainbow paused.

“Yes..?”

“Aaaand a couple seconds later you told me you were going to bed. So you wished me a good night, crawled into your bed, and passed out.”

Shadow breathed a shallow sigh of relief.

“And that was all that happened?”

“Well, I might have given you one more kiss before I headed out. Just to make sure.” Shadow felt mildly violated.

“Make sure of what?”

“Oh, yknow. Just making sure I didn’t want to wake you up and uhh.. get to know you better.” With that, she gave the wink that Shadow had been expecting for a while.

“Buuut, yeah. Nothing happened. I told you before, colt’s aren’t really my thing. I just like to remind myself of what I’m missing out on every now and then.” Shadow went from feeling mildly violated to mildly used. The feeling quickly passed however when he realized that he was nopony to judge.

“Oh, so I guess you’re still quite the fillyfooler then, eh?”

“Mehhh, I prefer the term: ‘appreciator of fine fillies’. Like that one right there.” She motioned to the poster which lay spread out on the floor, taking up most of the room. Shadow remained silent.

“Sooo, enjoy the poster, I know I did.” The pegasus gave another chuckle and hovered in the air. “And I guess I’m heading out then”.

“Wait a sec, one more question!” Shadow called out before the filly was out of ear shot. “If you went back to your place last night, how did you get back in this morning?”

“Your window. Duh! Catch ya later Shadow!” Rainbow shouted back to him as she flew away into the clouds. Shadow felt as if his home had been broken into, but the feeling quickly passed. No harm no foul, he reasoned.

He looked around at his cottage and mentally went through the checklist he made earlier in the day. Get out of bed, check. Get downstairs, check. Make tea... Well, looks like I finally have the chance to head out and gather some herbs.

Shadow’s eyes glanced around looking for his saddlebags. His mind thought back to the pegasus’s remarks.

This place is looking pretty shabby. Maybe I should do something about it. Get these boxes unpacked. Make some bookshelves. Put this poster up... maybe.

After staring at the massive portrait of Spitfire, he decided why not. He levitated the poster off the ground and placed it against the largest wall of the cottage. Using his magic he embedded the poster a half inch deep inside the wall. Then, using a spell he had learned only through banned books, he froze the air in front of the poster into a solid but smooth and clear material, leaving the wall perfectly intact. Just now it had a life size picture of Spitfire embedded in it.

Shadow stood back and admired his handiwork for a minute before trotting over to the boxes he kept in the corner. He finally had a chance to unload the hundred or so books which he read so religiously. Just as the first twenty or thirty we laid out on the floor, a knock came at the door.

What is with ponies and this cottage? He thought, trying not to become agitated. Remembering his resolve to be more social, he decided to forego his normal strategy of making himself invisible and pretending no one was home. He wondered who, aside from Rainbow Dash, even had a reason to see him.

He used his magic to swing open the door, without even looking up from his books.

“Come in” He shouted half-heartedly.

“Thank you” a cheery voice replied.

Shadow froze. Oh bucking hell. What the bucking buck. Why me... He turned around and winced as he confirmed who stood before him.

“Hi Shadow Storm I-”

“Please, just Shadow.” He cut off the unicorn with gritted teeth. One of the few things that bugged him more than an unwelcome guest who had the power to ruin his hopes and dreams, was when ponies addressed him by his full name.

“Oh.. Right” The smiling pony replied. “Anyhow, I was just dropping by, to see how you were doing. I know it’s nothing simple to move into a new town. Especially as a student amiright?” The purple pony chuckled nervously as she saw the obvious dissatisfaction of her fellow unicorn.

“Well thank you very much Twilight Sparkle” Shadow said with a forced grin. “It’s good to know that somepony sympathizes with the difficulties of a student’s life. Most notably how little time we have to socialize.” The dark pony hoped Twilight would catch on to his insinuation.

“Oh, yes... of course.” Twilight wasn’t sure if that was a hint, or a sincere lament. Well, it took all my courage to come out here and talk to him... I’m not going to back out now, the purple mare thought to herself.

“That’s a very nice piece of art you have there!” Twilight exclaimed as she gestured towards the massive poster of Spitfire.

“Thank you.very.much.” Shadow thanked her with a searing glare.

“Rainbow Dash would love it! Did it come with the cottage?”

Unsure of what to say, Shadow decided it would be simplest to just tell the truth.

“No. Rainbow actually gave it to me this morning.”

“Oh... So she was with you this morning?” Twilight felt her heart sink, remembering the events of the previous night. She recalled Shadow leaving with her pegasus friend, and she was well aware of Rainbow’s playful nature. If she wasn’t so nervous she would have been jealous.

“Yuuuup.” Shadow said slowly. Realizing what he just implied, he decided that the last thing he needed was rumours floating around about him and Rainbow Dash. He quickly tried to correct himself.

“Oh! But we didn’t do anything... I mean, much... I mean, nothing! She didn’t even stay the night. She came back this morning and gave it to me ‘cause she thought my place looked a little bare. So.. yeah..”

Twilight felt her heart flutter once again. There was hope for her yet.

Shadow began revert back to his nervous self. He felt as if the playing field had been levelled, he was no longer in the position to shoo Twilight out of his cottage. Now he had to play on the defensive. He stared at his foe intently, and kept staring. His eyes moved from the unicorns face and all the way down her slim body, finally focussing on her curvy haunches. What the hell are you thinking dumbass!? This is no time to become enamoured in a pony who you should avoid by any means possible!

“Well that’s nice of her! But I’m amazed, how did you get this installed so quickly? And so beautifully I might add.”

Still half entranced by Twilight’s body, Shadow gave the simplest answer he could think of.

“Oh, um.. Just something I whipped up. Yup..”

“Really?! Since this morning? I’m beyond impressed. That’s truly amazing, you must be very good at magic then, to just ‘whip up’ something like this.”

“Hehe.. well, I try.” Shadow’s tiny narcissistic side took delight in the praise.

“I have to ask though, how did you manage to get this glass so quickly?” Twilight asked. Shadow froze when he realized that the true answer would be his undoing. Twilight continued to prod.

“I mean, you obviously must have used some kind of spell, but which one? Not meaning to blow my own horn, but I know quite a decent amount of spells, and I’ve never heard of one that creates glass.”

“Oh, well.. uh..” Shadow’s brain could only remember the three words. “Ummm, well” He repeated.

A look of concern grew on Twilight’s face.

“Shadow... What spell did you use?” She asked with a chillingly serious tone

Shadow stared at the mare, feeling his pounding once more. She trotted over to glass to take a closer look.

“Shadow, this isn’t glass... This is petrified air! I know this spell! When a pony compresses the air around him or her to create an almost invisible, but solid, piece of air!” The purple unicorn was excited at her discovery, but a whole world of questions opened up to her.

The dark colt stood in awe. This was not the reaction he had expected. What the hay? She almost seems... excited? She obviously knows of the spell, and unless she’s completely derpy, which she’s not, she would know that it’s a basic spell of Luna’s dark magics. So why isn’t she shocked.

“This is...” The purple unicorn started, “This is... Luna’s dark magic! Shadow! I’m shocked!” Twilight Sparkle practically shouted in joy. Shadow looked on, more confused than he had ever been.

The purple unicorn trotted over to the boxes of books and helped herself to them. Shadow was slightly annoyed and wondered if he should get rid of the ‘mi casa es su casa’ doormat his aunt and uncle had sent him. His thoughts quickly focused on the more important case at hand, the gleeful unicorn rifling through his boxed library.

“This is amazing!” Twilight exclaimed. “These books! So rare! So much knowledge! Shadow, I...I can’t believe this.” The unicorn’s tone turned from a filly’s excitement, to a sombre joy.

“Shadow, you managed to preserve so many. I can’t believe it.” She wrapped her forelegs around the colt and embraced him. “I had no idea you were that kind of student.” Twilight felt her heart begin to beat faster. She felt his body rub up against hers. Never before had she felt so aroused by a simple hug, but this pony was different.

Shadow, who up to this point had been standing still is awe, wondering what the buck was going down, finally managed to get a word in.

“That kind? What kind is that exactly?”

“A rogue student! One who manages to preserve Luna’s magic of the sacred moon!”

“Woah woah woah, I’m no rogue, I passed through Canterlot’s magic schools just like every other unicorn. This is just what I did in my free time.”

“And you weren’t caught!?” Twilight seemed surprised.

“Well I tried to keep it hidden best I could. It wasn’t that much trouble though, only cost me most of my social life. Why do you think I moved to Ponyville?” Shadow explained with a sarcastic tone.

“Shadow... I think we need to have a very long talk...” Twilight looked Shadow straight in the eye, attempting to look as serious as she could. Although, her most serious face soon had a blush on it, Shadow’s eyes had a tendency to do that to young mares.

Twilight's Shadows

Shadow and Twilight sat across from each other. He had moved the boxes of books from the corner into the center of the room where they acted as makeshift chairs.

“So let me get this straight, and correct me if I’m wrong.” Shadow said to his fellow unicorn.

“Alrighty” Twilight replied with a half smile.

“So what your basically saying is that; back in Canterlot there is a group of ponies who work to destroy all of Princess Luna’s Dark magics.”

“Right”

“And these ponies are so serious that they would even kill somepony who is highly knowledgeable of said dark magics.”

“Also right”

“So I’m lucky to be alive”

“Still right”

“But in spite of those ponies, there is also another group of ponies who try to preserve works of literature that explain and teach Luna’s magic.”

“Yup”

“And you, Twilight Sparkle, are part of them.”

“Correct”

“And so are Princesses Luna and Celestia”

“You’re on a role.”

“Ok, here is my big question. If both rulers of Equestria are completely for preserving this form of magic, why do we have to keep it secret?”

“Equestria’s politics aren’t as simple as you think Shadow. Celestia and Luna may be the princesses, but by no means are they the only ponies with power. Public figures, powerful businessponies, entire corporations play a large role in how Equestria is ruled. And not all of them are exactly honest.”

“Well, if these ponies and businesses are so corrupt why doesn’t Celestia get rid of them?”

“Two reasons. If she suddenly got rid of all these ponies, the foundations of Equestria would shatter. It would be like removing the first floor of a castle, and expecting it to stay standing.”

“But Twilight, even a castle without a first floor can still stand with the power of magic. Couldn’t Celestia just use her magic to hold Equestria together?”

“Well that brings about the second reason. If Celestia suddenly removed all those ponies’ power and status, there would be revolution. Those ponies are rich enough to fund their own armies. It would start Equestria’s second civil war. So that’s out of the question. The only way to safely get rid of those ponies’ power, would be to kill them. And as harsh as that sounds, don’t think Celestia hasn’t considered it.”

Shadow looked on with concern. Never before has he imagined Equestria to be so corrupt. He listened to Twilight Sparkle intently.

“But even if Celestia killed all those ponies with her magic, something much worse would happen. In the same manner that Princess Luna transformed into Nightmare Moon, a demon of the moon a thousand years ago, Celestia would turn into a demon of the sun.”

“Wait... Go over that again...” Shadow wasn’t sure if he didn’t understand what the mare was telling him, or if he just couldn’t believe it.

“The alicorns are a rare breed of immortal pony. Only two exist, Luna and Celestia. However, an alicorn has two sides to them. A godly side, and a demonic side. When an alicorn is pure and uses their power for good, they remain in their godly form. But when they commit evil deeds, or become corrupted with anger or jealously, they transform into their demonic entity.”

“Just like Luna turned into Nightmare Moon.”

“Exactly. An alicorn’s life is not an easy one, they must watch themselves closely. Now, Celestia must watch herself closely. The slaughter of so many ponies, regardless of how corrupt they are, would be enough to push her over the edge, and turn her into a demon.”

“Wow...”

“So that’s where we stand. The princesses can’t get rid of the ‘moonbane’, or whatever they’re calling themselves, so all we can do is remain in hiding until something drastic happens. That’s when we would make out move.”

“Oh, so what’s this drastic thing that’s happening?”

“Don’t know, I just hope it’s in our favour.”

“Wait wait wait, I still don’t understand why these people are so strongly opposed to Princess Luna.”

“Well there are two reasons for that. Part of the moonbane are against Luna because they don’t like the fact that now there are two princesses of Equestria. It means that Celestia is less dependent on them, since she can depend on her sister once again. They don’t like it. They are simply trying to rid Equestria of Luna’s influence and weaken Celestia.”

“Hmm...” Shadow was having time letting this sink in.

“The other part of the moonbane don’t care about money or power. They are the ones who are opposed to Luna’s very existence. They believe that she is an evil pony, one who deserves to die in the name of their god. They believe that her very being is a blight on this world. That her works and magics are corrupting and evil. These are the ponies that would kill anypony they thought was practicing her magic.”

Shadow, who normally was apathetic about the majority of things, began to feel uneasy.

“So there you have it. All the knowledge of Equestria’s political and religious undergounf. It’s important that you don’t go spreading this about. It’s not the kind of information that anypony wants floating around.”

“So... What am I supposed to do then?” Shadow felt anxious, he always knew there was more to Equestria than what was on the surface, but the sudden flood of information made him jittery. Noticing his anxiety, Twilight tried to calm him.

“Well, for now, and most likely forever, just lay low, any don’t use any magic that is distinctively Luna’s, at least in public. But continue to study it by all means, having someone who practices her magic is a great asset.”

Shadow nodded, he began to feel a bit better. It wouldn’t be to hard remain low-key. He was rather quite good at that.

“And most importantly, make some friends!” Twilight gave a massive smile. Her horn glowed and a picture of herself and her five friends, framed in a golden heart, floated in front of Shadow.

“I carry this with me everywhere-”

“That’s a bit creepy” Shadow whispered to himself.

“Sorry? I missed that.” Twilight said with a nervous chuckle. She felt he body grow warm.

“Oh, nothing nothing. You were saying?”

“I carry this with me everywhere, it reminds me of the power of friendship, and the effects it has on magic.” She began to draw closer to Shadow.

“Even though Luna’s magic is dark and cold-” She could feel his breath now, and looked him straight in the eye. “- there’s always room for a little... warmth.”

With that, she pulled Shadow in close and placed her lips against his. At first Shadow was in shock, wondering how they got from discussing Equestria’s secret societies and underworld to here. The feeling of shock soon passed however, Shadow had learned not to question how he got into the odd situations he always seemed to end up in. Closing his eyes, he let Twilights agile tongue slip into his mouth.

The two kissed passionately, their tongues intertwining as they kept their lips tightly locked. Without even noticing how they got there, they now lay on top of each other on the floor. Twilight let her hips slowly move forward and back. Shadow let his frame press against Twilight gently, enough so that she was pinned to the floor, but not so much that she had no room to move her body about.

Suddenly, Twilight broke away. Both ponies just lay there, completely intertwined, looking into each other’s eyes. They both gave the ‘how the hay did we end up like this’ look to each other. Shadow opened his mouth to speak. He didn’t know what he was going to say, but someone had to break the silence. However, before he had a chance, Twilight gave his bottom lip a kiss. She apparently wanted to speak first.

“It’s not like me to do this.” She said.

“Really, I never would have guessed.” He replied jokingly. Shadow smiled and took a page out of Rainbow Dash’s book, and gave Twilight a wink. Unfortunately he didn’t possess the same affinity for it that Rainbow apparently did, and it ended up just looking like a parasprite flew into his eye. Twilight giggled at his attempt to wink and continued to explain herself.

“It’s just, when I saw you last night, I really felt like we could be more than friends. We’re both students, and now we share so many secrets. I just think that... maybe we... would yknow, be good... together...”

Shadow was still on top of Twilight, only now he supported himself completely, putting no pressure on Twilight’s supple body. His long mane fell on the floor and mingled with hers, making a brilliant display of purple and black. He was unsure what to think, so quickly his opinion of Twilight had changed. One second she was his enemy, now she was his comrade, and now she wanted to be more.

He looked at her flushed face and stared into her lavender eyes, pondering what to say.

“Well? What do you think?” She asked.

“I think that...” Shadow paused, trying his hardest not to stutter “I think that we’d be good together”. He wasn’t sure if he meant it, or if he had said it in the heat of the moment, but in that moment, it was what felt right, and deep down, he knew he spoke the truth.

Twilight pulled him down closer to her and greeted his lips with a passionate kiss. Having had enough of the floor distracting her flanks from the colt on top of her, she rolled the two of them over, so she lay on top of him.

Shadow began to feel himself become aroused, and Twilight felt it too. She began to slide her hoof down Shadow’s body. A seductive smile grew on her face as she pulled her lips away from shadow. She began to nibble on his neck as he rubbed his hooves up and down her quivering body.
*knock knock knock*

Both ponies froze. Only the sound of their breathless pants could be heard. The door opened and revealed Fluttershy, still oblivious, walking in backwards and trying to tell her animals to stay outside.

“Hi Shadow. I was just coming over to bring you a little welcoming basket. It’s got some teas and snack an- oh sweet Celestia!!!” Fluttershy dropped the basket she held in her mouth in shock.

“Fluttershy! Get the buck out of here!” Twilight shouted loudly.

“I’m so sorry I’m so sorry I’m so sorry” Fluttershy turned around galloped towards the door. Unfortunately for all ponies involved, the door had blown shut without Fluttershy noticing. A few seconds later the timid pegasus lay flat on the floor.

Twilight sat upright with Shadow still between her legs.

“I suppose we should help her” the dumbfounded colt muttered.

“Arrrrg” Twilight let out a loud frustrated moan.

The two walked over the shaking pony lying on the ground.

“I’m so sorry I’m so sorry I’m so sorry I’m so sorry I’ll never do it again I’m so sorry.”

Twilight looked at ball of yellow and pink, suddenly feeling much more sympathetic than she had a few seconds ago.

“It’s ok Fluttershy, you can open your eyes now.” Twilight managed to say. Fluttershy opened her eyes and saw the couple standing above her. A small tear rolled out of her eye.

“Oh Twilight, I’m so sorry. I never thought that... It’s just I never imagined that Shadow would be... I’m so sorry Shadow, I shouldn’t be going around to other ponies houses unannounced.” Shadow looked at the yellow pony. He couldn’t help but feel forgiving.

“It’s... fine, don’t worry about it. Just... look in the window next time or something kay?”

Fluttershy nodded intently before apologizing again. Twilight reached out a hoof help the pony up.

“Thank you Twilight, I truly am so sorry... I really should be going. I’ll just leave your basket-” She looked around at the goodies that were scattered on the floor “-I’ll leave it with you...”

Fluttershy opened the door. Her first step was less than steady, instead of bringing her closer to the outside, it sent her sideways.

“Ummm, you sure your okay Fluttershy?” Twilight inquired.

“Oh yes, I’m fine. Have a good day you two.” She said sweetly with a smile. The pegasus gathered herself and started to walk down the dirt path in front of Shadow’s cottage, her animals close in tow.

Shadow and Twilight watched as the adorable mare stumbled away from his cottage. At one point it looked as if she was going tumble over onto Angel Bunny, but she regained her composure just in time and continued her shaky walk.

“You might want to go to the Doctor! Get that looked at!” Twilight shouted at the mare. Fluttershy raised a wing and waved it in response.

Twilight pulled Shadow close to her and rested her head in his neck.

“That’s our Fluttershy” she said lovingly. Shadow gave a light chuckle.

“By the way” he said “who’s the Doctor?”

“Oh, well, he’s the Doctor” Twilight replied with a smile.

“Yeah yeah, Doctor who?”

“No silly, Doctor Whooves. You know him?”

“Nope” Shadow replied bluntly and mildly confused

“Oh... well stick with me and my friends long enough, you just might have to pay him a visit.”

Both ponies laughed. Twilight placed her lips on Shadow’s, and gave him a passionate kiss. They sat together on the doorstep, cuddling, kissing, stroking. Neither of their minds dwelt on Luna’s magic or the moonbane. Well, Shadow’s mind occasionally happened upon them, he had a tendency to let his train of though wander.

“I should get going” the mare finally said. It was getting late and drizzly. “I need to be back at the library before sundown to take apart one of my experiments. If it gets touched by moonlight it will catch fire, and when you live in a tree, that’s not a good thing.”

“I’d imagine” Shadow replied, making Twilight chuckle lightly. “Do you want to... yknow.. maybe go out somewhere tomorrow?... Together?” Shadow was letting his nervous side get the better of him. He’d never asked a mare on a date before. All the fillies he’d been with never wanted a relationship. Of course, neither did he. But now, it wasn’t looking like such a bad thing.

“I’d like that” Twilight said with a satisfied smile. She felt proud that she had conquered he shyness and was able to show her feelings in a way that was... so unlike her. She gave him a final kiss before standing up and stretching her legs.

“So then” she said “tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow”

Both ponies smiled at each other, and in a second, Twilight was gone.

Shadow trotted back into his cottage. He took a look at the gift basket contents that were scattered about his living room. Cookies, biscuits, more cookies, more bucking biscuits... c’mon, there’s gotta be some... YES!!! Here it is! Using his magic Shadow lifted a pack of tea leaves off the floor. He laughed at himself, just earlier this morning, admittedly at about one in the morning, he had been planning on leaving Ponyville. It seemed as if it just took a few days for the place to really grow on somepony. Putting his kettle on to boil, he continued to unpack his boxes, preparing for quite the interesting stay in this town.

Friends With Benefits / First Date

Rainbow Dash lazed about on a fluffy cloud, above the drizzling rainclouds she had just placed above Ponyville. Just as she began to fall asleep, basking in the rays of the moon, she heard a small noise. It sounded like a tiny animal had hurt itself. Meh, I’m sure Fluttershy’ll take care of it.

A couple seconds later she heard the whimper again, and again in another second. Okay, that definitely isn’t an animal. Rainbow concluded that it was somepony who probably just had a bad day. The pegasus suddenly felt a bit bad about putting rainclouds directly over a crying pony. Ah well, such is life. She let out a semi-audible chuckle.

But wait a sec, who could that be? The only pony who’d be walking around out here after dark... She immediately flared her wings and rolled off her cloud. The only pony who’d be out here after dark... is Fluttershy. And the only reason she’d be walking on this path, is if she went to visit Shadow. And now she’s crying. Buck...

The rainclouds practically disappeared as Rainbow Dash shot through them, coming to the aid of her sobbing friend, whose animals had long since ran ahead to escape the rain.

She saw Fluttershy, slowly walking along the road, her head hung so low her mane was dragging in the mud. But Fluttershy didn’t care, she didn’t care about anything, she hardly noticed the fact that the rain above her suddenly stopped. In fact, she hardly flinched when Rainbow set down beside her, and pulled her in close with a wing. Without saying anything, Fluttershy accepted her friends
comfort.

“C’mon Shy, how about we get back to your cottage and I’ll make us a nice warm drink, and we can talk about whatever’s got you down. Hm?”

Without raising her head, Fluttershy gave a choked noise of agreement. The two slowly walked through the mud until they reached a quaint cottage. After rubbing their hooves on the doorstep, they entered into a warm and welcoming room. Suddenly, Fluttershy threw her forelegs around Rainbow Dash’s neck and began to cry.

“Oh Dashie, I don’t know why I get like this sometime. I-I-I’m sorry for dragging you all the way out here.” She managed to speak without choking between words for the most part. But whenever she paused, she buried her head in Rainbow’s mane and sobbed.

“There there, don’t worry about it.” Rainbow replied with a smile. “I mean, what are best friends for?”

Hearing this cheered up Fluttershy a bit, and she paused her crying long enough for her pull Rainbow Dash in even closer and hug her tightly.

“So how’s about I go make some tea, you sit down on the couch, and I’ll be there in a minute. K?”

Fluttershy nodded and started to sob again. Seeing that Fluttershy was in a delicate state, Rainbow Dash walked her over to the couch before venturing into the kitchen. Rainbow Dash, by her own admittance, was not the most comforting of ponies, but with Fluttershy, something was different. She had known her ever since they were fillies, and she hadn’t seen Fluttershy this bad since back in flight school.

The rainbow maned pony re-emerged holding a tray that held a steaming kettle, two teacups, and some sugarcubes. Placing the tray on a small table she sat down next to her friend, and wrapped her strong forelegs around her.

“Now how about you tell Dashie all about it.” Rainbow Dash adopted a very maternal tone. Ironically, it was something she had learned from Fluttershy after watching her console many a pony.

Fluttershy tried to let at least a few words out, but all she managed to do was sob, and bury her head in Rainbow’s shoulder, in her soft rainbow mane. Seeing that Fluttershy just needed to sit in silence, Rainbow pulled her friend in closer, and gently stroked her mane.

A long time passed with nothing being said. The roaring fire was reduced to searing embers, and the steaming tea had grown cold. Rainbow Dash sat patiently, showing nothing but the deepest concern for her fellow pegasus. However, she couldn’t help but let her mind wander a little bit. Every now and then she’d find herself staring at the fire, thinking of her favourite pony. Spitfire’s slender body, the tempting way she moved, her glorious wings, her captivating gaze. You dirty filly, what are you doing? Now is not the time to let your mind wander, she’d think to herself everytime she felt her wings begin to rise.

Fluttershy felt warm, being pressed against her friend’s firm body. She pretended not to notice whenever Rainbow went off into one of her fantasies. The faster heartbeat, the slightly heavier breathing, being pulled in even closer, they were all telltale signs of her oldest friend’s fantasies. But still, she pretended to not notice them, she was comfortable where she was.

When Fluttershy had finally stopped sobbing, the two sat together, just enjoying the companionship they provided to each other.

“Hey Shy, y’know... If this is about Shadow, I really am sorry for sorta.. yknow.. bugging you two.” Rainbow ran her hoof along Fluttershy’s supple waist. “Is it... like... about him?” Fluttershy snuffled her nose before giving a response.

“...Sort of...” the mare practically whispered back.

“Yeah, so... sorry about all that. Like, at Pinkie’s party, I was being a bit of a bitch.”

“It’s okay Dashie, I’m not mad about that... anymore.” Fluttershy smiled and hugged her friend closer. After the apology the two decided to welcome silence once more, holding the other was all they wanted.

“Hey Fluttershy? Why were you at Shadow’s today?” Rainbow Dash finally spoke up, hoping she wasn’t crossing over any boundaries.

“Oh... I was just bringing him a welcoming basket to... welcome him.”

“And that made you cry? What did he say? I got the impression that he can be rather blunt sometimes.”

Fluttershy began to smile and cry at the same time.

“Well... He was with Twilight.” Rainbow wasn’t sure what to make of her friends new expression. She began to cry harder than ever, but she was trying to laugh between sobs.

“He was with Twilight and they were... close.” At this point Fluttershy broke into a full blown giggle, still crying, but a giggle nonetheless.

Sensing that her friend was in a bit better spirits than before, Rainbow Dash decided to go out on a limb.

“Oh well, Shy, let me tell you, you’re not missing out on much.” Rainbow said with a grin that had a hint of playfulness.

“And how would you know that Ms. Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy responded, holding back her tears and replacing them with a tiny smile.

“Let’s just say Pinkie Pie throws some good parties.” Both ponies smiled, and relaxed in each other’s arms. After a moment Fluttershy broke the silence.

“So wait did you two actually-”

“Ew no! We just made out a bit. Then Berry Punch decided to drop by and say hi.” Both ponies laughed at the mental image of Berry Punch stumbling in on the two.

“Well, Twilight seemed to be enjoying herself.” Fluttershy said after a pause, with a hint resent.

“I think in Twilight’s case, as long as her coltfriend has as many books as she does, she would be enjoying herself.”

“I do seem to remember some books lying on the floor nearbye.”

“There ya go!” Once again they both laughed and drew their bodies closer together.

“Hey Shy?”

“Yeah Dashie?”

“Remember back in flight school when we...” Rainbow paused, this was one of the few times she was short for words.

“When we what Dashie?”

“When we were... fooled around?” For once, Rainbow Dash’s voice sounded nervous.

“Mmmmm, how could I forget Dashie?”

“Hehe, those were good times eh? Flight school seems like such a long time ago.” Dash smiled nostalgically and stroked Fluttershy’s soft, slightly mud-tipped mane. Fluttershy placed her hoof on Rainbow’s belly, and slowly drew a pattern up and down her body.

“Well, I still have my favourite part of flight school right here. I could forget the rest, but as long as my Dashie is still here, I have everything I need.” Fluttershy couldn’t restrain herself anymore, she tilted her head up, and grazed her lips against the side of Rainbow’s mouth. She slowly dragged her lips into the center of Rainbow’s mouth, where her lips were softest.

As Fluttershy’s tongue slipped into Rainbow Dash, the cyan pegasus gave a little squeak, she hadn’t seen her friend this lively since back in flight school. Rainbow always loved the relationship she had with Fluttershy, they as close as lovers, except all they ever expected from each other, was friendship.

Remembering just what her friend liked, Rainbow Dash quickly rolled so that she was kneeling upright on the couch, with Fluttershy between her legs, and her wings fully spread.

Fluttershy wrapped her arms around Rainbow’s waist and pulled her body in close. Rainbow deftly placed her right knee between Fluttershy’s legs. In response, the excited yellow mare spread her legs. They continued to wrestle tongues.

“Dashie, you know that I love you right?” Fluttershy asked as she broke the kiss and began to nibble on her friends neck.

“Mhmmm, and I love you too Fluttershy.” Rainbow said with a moan. Fluttershy lifter her head back up, and looked her pegaus compaion right in the eyes. No words were said. No words needed to be said. Both ponies held each other tightly, and enjoyed the warmth the other provided, as they embraced each other in a warm wet kiss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bucking hell. Dates, why must fillies always want to go on dates. I can think of at least two things that are more fun than going out, eating, then doing something mundanely amusing. At the mention of eating, Shadow’s stomach gave a little rumble. Ok, maybe that part isn’t too bad. He looked around at where he was, he realized that he was sitting in the middle of an empty room, alphabetically organizing books, and he was less than mundanely amused. Ok, ok, maybe this won’t so bad. After a brief mental image of Twilight Sparkle popped into his head, Shadow rather looked forward to seeing her again.

After making a cup of Fluttershy’s tea and sitting in his favourite corner, Shadow looked out at the sun. Ehhh, about six o’clock. Twilight said I should be there about six... I should get going soon. Shadow stared at the sun, he pondered why ponies so quickly praised Celestia for her sun, and so rashly scoffed at Luna’s moon.

Taking another sip of his tea, Shadow felt some flecks of tea leaves wash around in his mouth. He looked down at his cup. He frowned, it was empty. Ah well, looks like I have no more excuses. After setting the empty mug on the floor, Shadow closed his eyes and began to concentrate.

Twilight had given him directions to her library from Sugarcube Corner, since that was the only place in Ponyville he really knew how to get too. Shadow pictured the oversized pastry in his mind, the area around it, the smell, the way the air felt. His horn gave off a slight glow. The sensation of being in front of the sweet shop overwhelmed him, his memory became crushingly vivid, it was as if he was there. In that moment Shadow cast the spell. Shadow opened his eyes, and saw the sugary building in front of him.

“AAHH! They’re coming for me! I must protect the sacred rocks!”

Without notice, a wild pink pony ran up and tackled Shadow, incoherently shouting about protecting something. He managed to catch a glance at the pony as she was flying through the air and realized who it was. Uhg, she’s just being Pinkie Pie, Shadow reminded himself.

Remembering Twilight’s advice, Shadow decided not to zap her with his dark magic. He simply grabbed hold of the ponies swinging forehooves and looked her in they eye.

“Pinkie... Pinkie! It’s me, remember, Shadow?”

“Oh! It’s you! Shadow!” Pinkie’s expression quickly switched from one of berserker rage, to one of elation.

“Yup that’s me.”

“Oh you! It’s like you just popped up out of nowhere!”

“I did Pinkie Pie... I used a teleportation spell.”

“Teleportation spell!? I know those! Twilight uses those all the time! Especially when she’s crazy!”

“...When she’s crazy?”

“Oh yeah! Twilight Sparkle is one crazy filly!”

Shadow’s brain frowned. Coming from you that means a lot.

“Sorry, did you say something Shadow?”

“Hm? Oh... nope...”

“Heehee, I thought I heard you mumble something.” Pinkie gave a psychotically wide grin.

“Nope...” Shadow gave a nervous grin. I really need to stop thinking out loud.

“Hm?”

Buck!

“I said: I really need to start thinking now...luck!” His nervous grin widened.

“About what...?” Pinkie’s expression became strangely inquisitory.

“About going to go see Twilight of course!” Shadow attempted a chuckle, but ended up sounding like something was lodged in his oesophagus.

“Okie-Dokie-Lokie! It’s super rawesome that Twilight has a coltfriend who’s punctual!”

“What? She’s not... my... marefri-”

“Have a nice date!” Pinkie suddenly bolted away, destination unknown. Shadow stood in a little cloud of dust. Sweet Celestia's sun, do these mares tell each other everything?

Shadow followed the rather complicated directions that Twilight had given him. He had to admit, he was impressed at the detail that had gone into them. If there was one thing that he had learned from the rumours about her that circulated around Canterlot’s students, was that she was smart. Really smart. Shadow wondered how this would play out. Although he never would admit it, he always felt a little intimidated when another pony could outwit him. On the other hand, when he was obviously smarter than the ponies around him, he often became easily annoyed.

Maybe that’s why I never had any really close friends back in Canterlot. I suppose I can be a bit of a dick sometimes. But I haven’t been since I got here. Well... at least not in a major way. I suppose I should ball up and give this dating thing a chance, I mean, what harm can come of it?

Before he knew it, there Shadow stood, in front of a large tree. Well, this tree seems fit to the description Twi gave. How the hay did this tree end up as a library though?

Shadow decided not to question Ponyville’s ways and began to walk towards the door. Suddenly, he heard a voice call out to him.

“Shadow! SHADOW! I’m so sorry I’m late!” Twilight was franticly cantering in his direction. “I am so sorry I’m late. I volunteer sometimes at a support group for alcoholic ponies and it ran later than I expected and I’m really sorry th-”

Shadow cut the mare’s rapid apology short.

“Don’t worry about it, it happens to the best of us.” He smiled sincerely. Something about Twilight made him feel forgiving, even if there really was nothing to forgive. Maybe it’s her shade of purple, he wondered as he checked out the flustered filly. She smiled back at him and continued to speak.

“I hope you weren’t waiting long Shadow.”

“Oh, not too long.” He replied, knowing very well that he had just arrived. “Why didn’t you just use a teleportation spell or something though? Would’ve saved you time I’m sure.” Twilight inhaled deeply, as if about to give a little speech. She was.

“Well! I thought that if I teleported I might miss you, because if you got here early, and waited until six o’clock, and saw that I wasn’t home, you might knock on the door. If you knocked on the door, Spike would answer. If Spi-“

“Wait wait wait... Who’s Spike?” Shadow interrupted. Twilight grinned at his question.

“He’s my assistant”

“Oh. Ok, you were saying?”

“I was saying; If Spike answered the door, you would ask where I was. He’d tell you that I was at the Ponyville medical center. You would probably try and go looking for me and-” Shadow smiled in his mind. Nope! He thought, although he would’ve waited for quite a while.

“-and if you went looking for me you wouldn’t be able to teleport there, because you’ve never been to the medical center. So if you walked, and I teleported, we would have missed each other. So I decided I should just gallop here as fast I could. So...yeah. Sorry.” Twilight ended her speech with a sheepish grin. Shadow gave her a warm smile. Even though Twilight seemed a tad out there, Shadow admired her mental process. He saw somepony who thought the same way he did, even if they were a bit more charitable in their thoughts.

“Was there by any chance a pink earth pony there? Grapes and a strawberry for a cutie mark? Goes by Berry Punch?” Shadow asked. Twilight paused before she answered

“...I’m supposed to keep it anonymous.”

“Oh. Haha. Fair enough I suppose.” An awkward silence ensued.

“So this Spike guy... Been your assistant long?” Shadow attempted to make conversation, the awkwardness began to grow to... awkward.

“Mhm, ever since my first day as a student.”

“Oh wow, he must be quite the pony.” Twilight giggled at the preconception.

“Haha Shadow, Spike’s not a pony. He’s a dragon.” Shadow’s eyes bolted open.

“You mean... A dragon? As in, a dragon dragon?”

“Mhm” The mare couldn’t help but smile

“Do you think I could. Um. Meet him?”

“'Course!” Twilight let out a loud shout. “Spike! Could you come outside for a second!?”

Within ten seconds a small, purplish reptile emerged from the door.

“What is it Twili- Oh! This must be Shadow! Pleased to meet you Shadow!” Spike smiled anxiously. Shadow leaned his head in to Twilight.

“I honestly thought he’d be bigger.”

“Well he is a baby dragon.”

“Well maybe if somepony specified the baby part-” Shadow punctuated his sentence with a playful poke at Twilight’s ribs. Twilight giggled and gave Shadow a quick hug.

“Wanna get going?” The mare said.

“Sounds dandy” Shadow replied, amused with the filly’s playfulness. With that, the two began to walk down the street. Well, it looks like this could end up being fun, Shadow admitted to himself as he looked over at the cute filly trotting beside him.

“Um, guys? Was that all you wanted? Guys?!” Spike stood on the doorstep shouting. He gave up waiting after a few minutes, and decided to spend the rest of his evening doing nothing important.

“So I thought that since you’re new to Ponyville, we should go to one of its finer establishments, The Silver Palette.”

“Sounds fancy”

“Just a bit... I hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh, nope. I can be classy when I try.” Shadow imitated his Canterlot counterparts, nose in the air, eyes almost closed, and a look of boredom across his face. His all-too-accurate impression made Twilight laugh.

“I know that kind all too well. But don’t worry, I have a feeling we won’t run into any of those ponies in Ponyville.”

“Phew, I suppose that means I should stop walking like this eh?”

“Just maybe.” The ponies shared a laugh as they approached the refined cafe. After being seated and ordering their respective dishes, Shadow asked a question that made Twilight just a bit annoyed.

“So, you’ve met Princess Luna. What’s she like?” Twilight hadn’t gathered all her courage up to go on an actual date so she could talk about Luna! She felt like saying that, but wisely took the high road.

“Weeeell, she’s an alicorn... and a princess... sooo yup! That’s Luna. A bit loud at times too.”

“Oh... That’s nice I suppose... I mean, her being princess and all... and stuff. Yeah.” Shadow foresaw the evening turning sour from here on out. Whenever he started to misplace his words, bad things happened. But before things had the chance to get any worse, a waiter who posed in the same manner that Shadow had mocked earlier, approached the table.

“Rockford Blanc hay et greens for ze mademoiselle. Spicy herbs et greens for ze monsieur.”

“Thank you very much.” Twilight said politely before the waiter trotted away.

“Thanks!” Shadow called back after the waiter was halfway to the kitchen. Twilight smiled, she tried to think of something interesting to say.

“Do you know why my hay and greens are going to make me happier than yours?” She really had no clue why she said that, and scolded herself as she made a mental note never to say that again. Shadow on the other hand, was rather amused at the question.

“Not a clue.” He smiled extra wide as he face-dived into his meal to make the point that spicy hay really made him quite happy. Twilight figured she was already neck deep in the stupid question, so she might as well plunge in.

“Well, it’s because Rockford Blanc greens, which means White Rockford greens, actually releases a naturally produced chemical, which stimulates your-”

“Your selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors?” Shadow interrupted. Twilight was shocked at the fact that Shadow knew what she was talking about.

“Y-yeah. Which means that you-”

“Get happier?” The dark unicorn cut off his date once more. His date didn’t really mind however, as she was in shock.

“Th-that’s right! That’s completely right!” Shadow smirked at Twilights disbelief.

“Hm, that’s rather interesting. But think about this; ever since I was a young colt, I always ate spicy foods when I was having a good time, which means that I had high levels of dopamine whenever I at spicy foods right?”

“Right.”

“So, now, whenever I eat spicy food, I’ve trained my brain to release dopamine, to make me happy. Now tell me who’s dinner is going to make them more happy.” Shadow smiled and leaned across the table. The ball was now in Twilight’s court.

“Oh, well, that’s just a textbook case of classical positive stimuli conditioning. Nothing special. But I have in front of me actual food that makes me happy on a neurological level.”

“But mine does to! It’s just something that I’ve had to train over the years though. Auto-neural conditioning doesn’t happen overnight!”

Both ponies laughed as if one of them had made a joke, but both knew they were just laughing at themselves. Twilight looked deep into Shadow’s eyes as they discussed whatever overly complicated subject came up. She had never been able to act this smart with her other friends. Twilight felt her body become warm, she always read that intelligence was the strongest aphrodisiac.

First Date: Part Two

“So why did you come to Ponyville anyways?” Shadow sat across from his date, sipping on a glass of well aged cider. The mental debate of whether or not to ask the waiter for a Canterlot cigar raged in Shadow’s mind. That would just be so damn classy. But what if they don’t allow cigars in the restaurant? What if they don’t even have them here?! Dear Luna I’d look like an idiot. Better not risk it and just focus on Twilight, after all, she’s interesting enough to listen to. I mean, I practically hang on every word she says!

“ -so after that whole ordeal I decided to stay in Ponyville with the other Elements of Harmony!”

Shadow stared blankly. He had no clue what the filly had said, or what in the hay ‘elements of harmony’ were.

“Wow! That’s quite the.. uh.. story!”

“I know right! I feel so very lucky to have such great friends, and have Princess Celestia’s patronage! By the way Shadow... Who exactly is supporting you? I mean, a student’s life isn’t cheap.” Shadow cringed at the question, it only reminded him of how low his finances actually were.

“Ah well... I did a few under-the-table jobs back in Canterlot, and they paid well enough for me to get started here in Ponyville. But I was actually going to start selling herbs and teas. Hopefully that will be enough for me to keep living here.” Twilight smiled and began to talk about the abundance of flora and fauna in Ponyville.

Shadow glanced over at the stairs that led to the second floor, something had caught his eye. He saw a small school-aged filly sticking her head around the corner, hoping to catch a glance of the dining ponies. However, almost as quickly as the filly appeared, a faint voice called for her return.

“Silver Spoon! No going outside until you finish your extra assignments.”

“But moooom, none of the other fillies have to do extra homework!”

“No buts dear, if you want to be the best, then you have to spend more time than other fillies.”

“But even Miss Cherilee says I already have the highest grades in the class. Why can’t I just go out and play with my friends?”

“Because I said so!”

The faint voice suddenly grew rough, and frustrated. Shadow decided now would be a good time to stop eavesdropping. It seemed funny to him, how some things never change. Back in Canterlot his aunt and uncle had always kept a watchful eye over him, to watchful. When he began to act out against them, coming home late or not at all, growing him mane longer than all the other ‘respectable’ colts, it only made them more controlling. And when asked he asked why they decided to control his life, the same answer was always given, ‘because we said so’. Of course, that always led to the same response, ‘buck you! you’re not even my real bucking parents!’. After those words were spoken, as they always seemed to be, Shadow would run off into the night, only being guided by the moon.

“ -and so then Pinkie Pie actually knew what they were, and got rid of them just as the Princess arrived.”

It suddenly became obvious to Shadow that Twilight was talking. Shit...

“Oh wow! Haha! That’s great!” The sudden trip back into his youth made Shadow feel slightly less talkative than before.

“Anywhooves! Wanna get going? It’s almost sunset!” Twilight showed no signs of fatigue or discomfort, she was cheerful as ever. The lavender mare’s smile gave Shadow a little comfort.

The sun was low in the sky, casting out a rich blanket of red across Ponyville’s skies. Shadow and Twilight walked side by side, just taking pleasure in each other company. However, as many married ponies can tell you, that feeling can sometimes be cut short.

“Quit taking up all the space!” A squeaky voice could be heard in the distance.

“I ain’t takin up all the space! It’s that big talking that tree that’s taking up all the space!” The sound of young fillies was slowly approaching.

“What in the world are you talking about Applebloom?”

“Trees Sweetie Bell! Trees! Hey Scoots! Why don’t y’all get a bigger space-chip so we can fit all the trees?”

“No can do AB, remember the last time I tried to pull something bigger than this wagon?”

“Oh yea... Those poor chickens...”

“Exactly! Anyways, with this, I can pull us super fast cause it’s so light!”

Twilight remained oblivious to the conversation that had just ensued. Shadow wondered if she was hard of hearing, or if this was just normal background noise in Ponyville. However, background noise soon became a quickly approaching problem.

“Aaah!!! Hit the breaks Scootaloo!”

“I can’t Sweetie Bell! We’re going to fast!”

“Lookouut!”

The sight of three fillies speeding uncontrollably in a wagon was a sight that normally wouldn’t annoy Shadow. But this was different, this time they were speeding uncontrollably right towards him, and this annoyed him. Without even attempting to get out of the way Shadow planted his hooves in the ground and steadied himself for the incoming charge of fillies.

With a high pitched harmonized scream, the Cutie Mark Crusader-mobile collided with the dark colt’s flank. Three colourful fillies layed in a pile beside the still-standing, and rather unimpressed looking, Shadow. When they finally got a better look at the brick wall they had just crashed into, the cutie mark crusaders’ pupils dilated to a level of cuteness that had previously been unattainable.

“Oh sir, we’re ever so sorry! We didn’t mean to run into your castle!” Applebloom finally spoke up.

“Yeah, we’re really sorry for crashing into you mister.” Scootaloo apologized with her head hung low.

“Hi Twilight!” All heads turned to Sweetie Belle’s squeaky voice. She had long since turned her attention from the annoyed looking colt.

“Oh hi Sweetie Belle. Out and about as always hm?” Twilight completely ignored the fact that they had just crashed in to Shadow.

“Mhm! We were out trying to get out cutie marks in wild mushroom picking!” Twilight’s look suddenly turned from cheerful to the ‘are you kidding me?’ face. Shadow thought to himself, holy buck these fillies are stupid.

“Well, you’re all feeling ok, right?” Twilight asked with a look of concern.

“Mhm! Except Applebloom, she’s been saying some funny stuff. But she always says funny stuff!” Applebloom hadn’t moved since she last spoke up. She stood in a staring match with the scowling Shadow.
Slowly she raised a hoof up to his face.

“It’s like... I can touch you...” The country filly slowly jabbed her hoof into Shadow’s eye. He lethargically blinked, trying not to laugh at the little ball of tripping cuteness that stood before him. It poked his eye once again before he felt it necessary to use his magic to grab hold of Apple Bloom’s hoof.

“Oh my. OH MY!” The little filly cried out in excitement. “It’s beautiful! It ’taint like nothing I’ve ever seen! I can see the moon! And the stars! And all the planets up in the sky! Ain't it just gargeous!” Apple Bloom stared at the glowing aura around her hoof in amazement.

“Yeah. Like I said, she’s been sayin some funny stuff.” Sweetie Bell said cheerfully. “Right Scootaloo?” She looked back to her friend, but she had left her post beside the unicorn filly. Instead, Scootaloo chose to stare directly at Shadow’s flank.

“Wow! That’s a cool cutie mark you got there mister!”

“Yeah. Um. It is pretty cool I guess.” Shadow felt slightly flattered at the comment

“I can hear it calling out to me!” Applebloom chimed in.

“Uhh.. Yeah..” Scootaloo gave her fellow crusader a slight tap on the head, resulting in an inexplicably cute ‘donk’ sound.

“Ma head! Ma head is apples!”

“Looks like we should be getting someone home.” Twilight chimed in, trying to assert herself.

“I taste green!”

“Nah Twilight, we still have to go to Rarity’s shop pick up the capes she made for us!” Scootaloo hooted excitedly as she placed Applebloom back in her wagon.

“This space-chip feels like fast!”

Sweetie Bell quickly hopped into the wagon, and in a flutter of Scootaloo’s wings, they were gone.

“Byyyyeeeee!” The three shouted in unison as they disappeared into Ponyville. Well, Applebloom didn’t really shout, more of a gurgle. Twilight hung her head and sighed as she lost sight of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Hmmm, I don’t know what we’re gonna do with those fillies.” Twilight showed genuine concern for her friend’s sisters and company. Shadow, on the other hoof, couldn’t contain himself any longer.

“Hahahaha! Discord’s dentures! Did you see that?! That little filly was tripping the buck out!” Shadow’s knees buckled underneath him, and he had to steady himself before he collapsed and came down with a serious case of the giggles. His mare companion was less than impressed.

“Shadow! Those fillies could have seriously gotten hurt! And here you are laughing?!”

“Oh c’mon, fillies will be fillies. And you have to admit, it was really cute when her pupils tripled in size.” A stern looked cemented itself on Twilights face. She didn’t want to start arguing, but Shadow was just so incorrect. Sensing Twilight’s displeasure, the dark colt tried to change the topic.

“Hehe uuh... How about some... tea?”

“Tea... would be nice.” The mare decided to let it go. After all, no sense letting one small thing ruin a perfectly nice evening. The two trotted over the

Shadow and Twilight strolled out of a cafe, two cups of steaming hot tea floating in front of them.

“C’mon Shadow, I know this really great place where we can watch the stars come out!”

“Sounds good to me.”

The two of them trotted to the outskirts of Ponyville. Every now and then one of them would awkwardly lean into the other, intending a small act of affection, but usually just throwing both of them off balance. Shadow had always been jealous of the pegasi and their wings. The fact that they could embrace their marefriends with their wings while they walked always seemed like most ingenious thing.

After a walk that left both of their shoulders a bit sore, they arrived at a hill atop a clearing. Twilight lay down on the warm grass, and motioned Shadow to lie beside her. Trying to be as obliging as he could, he cuddled up next to her, and put a foreleg around the inviting mare.

Twilight rolled over and faced the dark colt, ran her hoof along the length of his body and pressed the back of his head in close. She could smell the faint scent of herbal tea on his breath, and she liked it. Without a second thought, Twilight rolled on top of the colt, and held him between her legs. She bent her head down and grasped his lips with hers, keeping her body firm on top of his. Shadow slipped his tongue onto Twilight’s wet lips, her tongue eagerly pulled his into her mouth. His hoofs ran down her slick coat that was slightly damp from the dew of the grass.

The stars glistened and Luna’s full moon shone down on them, providing just enough light for the couple to navigate lovemaking. The mare’s hip rocked back and forth on top of the strong colt. A few woodland animals were able to hear the moaning of the pair, the female’s especially. Even the lurking timberwolves began to steer clear on account of the noise.

Shadow’s mind was entranced by the gorgeous filly that was on top of him. Her slender body, her wincing face, the fact her cutie mark reminded him of the stars. Without thinking he let his eyes wander from Twilight’s flanks, to the night sky. The moon was full, and the sky perfectly clear. Everything about the sky was breathtaking, every single ball of exploding light, and especially the glowing moon.

No! There is a time and a place for everything, and now is not the time to be thinking about the moon! Shadow tried to focus on the task at hand.

Twilight’s moans began to grow louder, beads of sweat started to mingle with the moisture of the night air and dew. She was practically shimmering in the moonlight, but Shadow’s eyes began to wander once more.

Damn it! This isn’t working! I need to focus! But I can’t focus while I’m staring up at the moon! Buck! I’m starting to lose it. I can’t mess this up. But what the hell am I going to do!?

Suddenly it came to him. If he couldn’t focus over the distractions, he’d just get rid of them. Shadow grabbed Twilight by her flank, flipped her over onto her back, and assumed a position on top of the gasping mare. Twilight grinned mischievously and brought her lover in for a kiss. Shadow no longer had any trouble keeping his eyes locked in the pleasured mare. The only distraction he had now was the grass, and the occasional beetle that crawled by. After a good twenty minutes, Shadow rolled off of the breathless Twilight.

As the two laid on their backs, side by side, they gazed up at the moon. Shadow felt happy, he knew he had been accepted into Ponyville for who he was. Not only that, he had a filly who he cared about, and who cared about him. He shifted his eyes over to look at the dozing Twilight, mane dishevelled, and eyes half open. She caught him staring, and rolled over and embraced him. As she buried her head in Shadow’s shoulder, she asked him a question.

“Shadow?”

“Mhm?

“When you stare up at the moon... What do you think about?”

“Princess Luna.”

“What?”

At this point, Shadow knew he had given the wrongest answer possible. He had basically just won the wrong Olympics. On a scale of things that are wrong, he was up there with genocide and infant sex trade.

Twilight’s eyes hardened, she was not a pony to judge when it came to saying out of place things, but what Shadow had just said was just so remarkably dumb. However, before anything more could be said, a voice began to call out in the distance.

“Angel Bunny? Angel Bunny where are you?”

Both ponies recognized the voice, it belonged to a familiar yellow pegasus. Shadow spoke up in an attempt to redeem himself.

“Hey Twilight, remember that time when that one pegasus walked in on us? Then almost killed herself walking into a door?”

Twilight couldn’t help but giggle. Of course she remembered, the vivid image replayed in her mind and only made her giggle more as she responded

“Oh yeah! I remember that. Who was that again? Rainbow Dash?”

“You mean the one with the rainbow mane and rainbow tale?”

“Yea her.”

“I distinctly remember more yellow, and alot less ego... Maybe it was that other one.”

“Fluttershy?”

The wandering voice grew louder, as Fluttershy’s search for her pet brought her closer to the couple.

“That’s the one! Maybe we should get going before history repeats itself.”

“Agreed.”

With that, the two unicorns began to walk back to town. They repeated their ritual of occasionally leaning on the other as they walked, only this time they were a bit more successful, and hardly knocked each other off balance. After about ten minutes they couldn’t hear the uncharacteristically loud shouts coming from Fluttershy. The silence was pleasant, but after hearing Fluttershy’s bloodcurdlingly cute yelling, it made them uneasy.

The path was supple underneath their feet as they trotted along a forest path. However, one step felt different, it felt like they stepped on a thin layer of something that was placed on top of the ground. Suddenly a
net swept them up off the ground and suspended them in the air.

“I’ve got you now my precious!” A wild voice called out from the trees. “Now you’re all mine! MINE!”

The yellow pegasus bolted out from the brush and flew up to the net. Shadow and Twilight stared in awe at the wild huntress.

“Fluttershy?!” Twilight exclaimed.

Fluttershy’s expression turned from bloodthirsty to perfectly amiable in a quarter second flat.

“Oh! It’s you! I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

“Fluttershy! What are you doing?” The purple unicorn had no clue how to react.

“Just rounding up my animals for their dinner.” Fluttershy smiled a smile that would melt even the hardest of hearts.

“Is this... how you always do it?”

“Oh no, only when their being... difficult.” Fluttershy’s innocent eyes widened.

Shadow used a small flare of his magic to cut the rope that suspended them, causing the pair to tumble a couple feet to the ground.

“Well, I have to get going you guys. Animals to take care of.” Fluttershy smiled gracefully, and fluttered off down the path calling Angel Bunny’s name.

Shadow couldn’t help but think of the situation as hilarious. No matter how amiable or innocent Fluttershy seemed, he knew that the craziest ponies always kept it hidden the best.

“Wow, Fluttershy sure cares about her animals.” Shadow said honestly. Well, at least he made it sound honest, but deep down he was just a bit sarcastic. He knew that she did care for them of course, but there
was that tinge of insanity that Fluttershy had that made her care so much. Twilight didn’t detect his sarcasm, which was probably for the best, and responded with a smile.

“Oh yes, she really is quite passionate about them.”

“Oh yeah. Obviously.” Shadow gave a light laugh.

“Well, I really should be getting back to the library. I have an experiment, and if it doesn’t get any moonlight it will catch fire.”

“There seems to be a lot of fire involved in your experiments.”

“Yea, I’m writing a paper about different minerals and how they combust in different atmosphere.”

“Sounds interesting. Well, I won’t keep you. So, uh... See you... soon.”

Twilight smiled and leaned in to give him a kiss. Fate had different plans though. As Twilight leaned she moved one of her legs to get a better footing, unluckily, her new footing included a large rock underneath her hoof. She stumbled forward and her muzzle collided with Shadow’s, resulting in a familiar ‘donk’ sound.

“Oh Celestia... Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to, um, do that.”

“Haha, Oh Twi, if you wanted to hit me all you had to do was ask.” Shadow grinned as he placed his lips on Twilight’s. He was feeling just a tad romantic tonight. Twilight embraced his warm kiss for a couple seconds before she spoke up.

“Ok, I really have to get going before I start a fire. Soooo, how about we both use a teleportation spell at the same time k?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Great!” With that, the ponies began to count down in unison.

“1”

“2”

“3”

In a second, both were at their respective homes.

Shadow began to think about the nights event, but decided that he’d put off thinking until the morning. He strolled into his kitchen, put a kettle on to boil, and stared out the window at his stars.

Twilight was lying in her bed thinking about nothing but what had just happened. She never would have imagined her first time would be on a grassy hill under the moonlight. It was just like in the books she kept hidden from Spike.

The Great and Powerful

After Shadow’s first date with Twilight, two days passed rather boringly. Shadow had devoted those two days to catching up on the studies which he had neglected in the face of a love interest. Luckily for him, Twilight understood, she too had neglected her love interest in the face of a new study. But when the sun crested the horizon on the third day since Shadow’s date, and he awoke from his slightly unsatisfying dream, nopony could believe who was trotting into town.

Shadow stared at the ceiling of his cottage, he tried to count how many small planks of wood made up each section of roofing, but got bored after the first few hundred planks. Restlessness began to nag at him, he knew that he had to start collecting herbs to sell if he wanted to eat, but his makeshift packing foam bed was unusually comfortable. Thoughts shot in and out of his mind, each vying for his attention, but one in particular stuck; the image of Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna planted itself in his mind. Shadow’s mouth curled into a lust-filled smile.

Unluckily for him, though perhaps luckily for his mental constructs, somepony came knocking on his door before he was able to elaborate his thoughts, and Shadow was forced to get up. In an attempt to hide a rising situation, Shadow wrapped a towel around his midsection. The knocking grew louder the longer it took to answer.

“I’m coming, I’m coming hold your haunches!”

As Shadow descended the stairs he glanced towards the window hoping to catch a glimpse of the caller. The image in the window made him do a double take; a cyan pegasus floating a foot off the ground, staring directly through his window with wide eyes and wider smile. The sight gave him a shock, it wasn’t everyday that a filly stared in through his windows, and this was the first time she was smiling.

When Rainbow Dash made eyes contact with Shadow she became more excited than one would expect. Her hoof began to rapidly knock on his window.

“Hey! Hey Shadow! Shadow!! It’s me! Can you hear me?” Shadow couldn’t hear her, but decided to nod at whatever she said, his normal course of action when he didn’t hear someone. Before Rainbow Dash could say anything else that he couldn’t hear, Shadow opened the door and let the excitable pegasus into his home. She dashed into the cottage, nearly flying into the worn love-seat Fluttershy had given to Shadow.

“Hey! I like what you did with my poster!” Rainbow exclaimed proudly.

“Yeah. Thanks”

“This place is looking better, but it still needs to be about twenty percent coo-”

“ Yeah I know right. Can we cut to the chase?” Shadow cut off the pegasus before any more design suggestions could be made. He had done some research on the wonderbolts, and decided he didn’t want a life size picture of Soarin embedded in his walls.

“Right to the point eh? Suits me. So I basically came to tell you th- Hey, wait, why do you have a towel wrapped around you...?” Shadow began to stumble looking for an excuse, deciding he wasn’t quite up to telling Rainbow Dash the truth of the situation.

“Oh... Well, I was just... taking a shower!” He managed to squeak out an answer and matching grin.

“Why isn’t your mane wet then? Actually why aren’t you wet at all...”

“’Cause I’m really good with a towel okay!? Can we please move on?” Shadow was always thankful for his dark mane, he could feel the blood rising to his face and a visible blush would just make the situation terribly awkward.

“Alrighty then. I just thought I should let you know that today would be a great day to come back to town for a visit. There’s someone there who you should meet.” The pegasus adopted a very matter-of-fact tone.

“What? Who?”

“Well you won’t know if you don’t come. Duh!” Rainbow knocked her hoof against her head and stuck her tongue out to punctuate her sentence.

“Or you could tell me...” Shadow was slightly amused at the prospect of meeting someone important, but it was still too early for him to show an emotion other than mildly peeved.

“Naaah. Gotta dash! See ya in Ponyville!” Without so much as a warning, the pegasus was gone. Shadow stood bewildered at the speed of the filly. As he stared out the front door that had been left open by the disappearing mare he wondered who she could mean.

Shadow flung off his towel, and put off everything he had planned for the day, which was admittedly very little. In a second he was gone, and teleportation magic brought him right to the town square.

He found himself on the outskirts of a large crowd, which was rapidly growing larger. Looking around for somepony he recognized, he saw only one. He walked over to the plum-coloured earth pony and attempted a conversation.

“Hey Berry Punch! What’s this big crowd for?”

“Oh hi! ...You! How’ve you been doing?”

“Great great, just came into town to see what the big hubbub was about.”

“Fantastic. Look do I know you?”

“Yeah... We met a few nights ago, in an alley? Remember?”

“No...”

“Oh... Sorry I bothered you then...”

“Oh it’s perfectly alright, you can bother me whenever you want.” Berry Punch flicked her mane seductively and gave Shadow a wink.

“Great, yeah... So I’m just going to stand over there, try to get a better look at... at the thing. Bye!” Shadow left the mare to herself, as he walked away he glanced back at the mare. She looked sad, she stared down at the ground and pulled an inconspicuous flask from a saddlebag and took a quick swig. Before Shadow could draw any conclusions a familiar voice chimed into his ear.

“Sweet Celestia you’re fast! How’d you get here so quickly!?” Rainbow Dash hovered above him, looking in disbelief at the unicorn.

“Benefit of being a unicorn.” Shadow let his horn glow slightly.

“Aah, pff, well I wouldn’t trade in these babies for all the bits in Manehatten!” Rainbow Dash replied as she flared her wings.

“Ha, I bet you’re just jealous.” Shadow said playfully. His odd encounter with Berry Punch had made him a bit more thankful for the friends he had.

“Pff, you take you magic, I’ll take my flying!”

Shadow was about to make some snide remark about all the things he can do with his magic, but abruptly stopped when Rainbow gave him a slight hit to the shoulder. He noticed that a few earth ponies were giving them less than adoring glares. Looking up he saw Rainbow Dash giving an embarrassed and slightly apologetic smile to the surrounding earth ponies.

“Hey Shadow!” A voice called out. Shadow immediately recognized the voice as belonging to a familiar purple unicorn. Twilight left her friends behind her as she trotted up to Shadow and gave him an affectionate nuzzle. Rainbow Dash promptly let the two “loveponies” brood, and flew over to her four unattached friends. Rarity rolled her eyes at the public display of affection, a sentiment shared by Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy simply smiled, seeing Twilight’s and Shadow’s intimacy made memories with a certain pegasus pop into her cute little head.

“Hee Hee! So cute!!” Pinkie Pie hopped over to the two unicorns and embraced them both, slightly choking Twilight, and slightly aggravating Shadow. “I can’t believe I haven’t seen either of you guys for two whole days! You guys seriously need to get out more!”

Twilight and Shadow glanced at each other as they were slowly being suffocated by the pink one, and co-ordinated an escape. But before they could put their plans into action, Pinkie released them.

“So what’s this I hear about that Trixie character coming back to Ponyville?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she through forged a path through the crowd.

“Trixie?” Shadow asked cluelessly.

“Aka The Great and Powerful Trixie!?” Pinkie looked at him in disbelief. “You never heard of her?!”

“Not really.”

“How can you not have heard of the Great and Powerful Trixie?... Are you a spy?!” The pink mare stared Shadow straight in his eyes.

“I... don’t get out much?” Shadow replied, grasping for a viable answer. Before Pinkie could grill him anymore, Rarity jumped in.

“Well my dear, I think that is far from a bad thing. The less popular Trixie is the better I say.” She adopted a rather snooty look when speaking about Trixie. But regardless of Rarity’s feelings towards the G.A.P.T. Twilight felt a tad more sympathetic.

“Now Rarity, we should give Trixie a second chance. After all, as we’re all well aware sometimes a pony just needs to learn a little lesson every now and again.” Twilight gave a self-righteous smile that, although being justified, made Shadow feel as if Twilight was attempting to be overly “learned”.

It was nearing midday now, and the sun was crossing the clear skies. Suddenly a massive dark cloud positioned itself right above the town square. It showed no signs of blowing with the wind, and darkened the entire area, making it seem almost as if it was night.

“What in all of Equestria?” Rainbow spoke inquisitively. “There wasn’t any kind of weather change scheduled for today, and we never even use this kind of cloud.”

Well ain’t this just fine and dandy, Shadow thought to himself. He caught himself staring blankly at Applejack for no particular reason, but quickly looked away before she noticed. Ponies all around were talking amongst themselves, speculating as to what caused the sudden weather change, but none of them could reason why (aside from a mischievous pegasus) the weather took such a sudden turn. Suddenly, out of nowhere a voice began to speak.

“In the beginning, there was darkness.” A loud yet mysterious voice boomed out onto the crowd. “Then... There was Trixie!”

Shadow now noticed that there was a wagon, in the center of the crowd that was not normally in the town square. As his eyes were beginning to adjust to the dark he tried to get a better look at the wagon.

Without warning a blindingly bright firework shot from the roof of the wagon, immediately contracting Shadow’s now aching pupils, and into the dark cloud that shrouded the crowd in darkness. It did not pass through the cloud, but rather exploded in the center of it, immediately dispersing the moisture, and causing a rainbow to form amidst the mist of the exploding light. It was quite the spectacle indeed. As the “oohs” and “ahs” from the crowd were at their height, the voice spoke once again.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie lives!” With those words the caped unicorn jumped from the door of her wagon, and strutted into the crowd. As she waltzed through the path the ponies made for her, she proclaimed her intentions for coming to Ponyville.

“Tonight shall be a night that will live on in the memories of anypony who attends! Beginning at the sunset, I shall show you magic seen by none for hundreds of years! To miss it means you will have an average night, like any other. However, to attend means you shall see magic like you never before thought imaginable! Come one, come all, to Trixie’s show of wonders!”

As Trixie’s speech ended she vanished in a poof of smoke. Shadow didn’t get a good look at her, but he imagined she must be quite the pony, to have such magical prowess.

“My my my, looks like someponies never learn.” Rarity consorted with her friends. The six marefriends had began to walk away from the wagon, leaving Shadow slightly behind. Twilight noticed that she was missing an appendage and called back to it.

“Hey Shadow! You coming?”

“Umm, nah, I’ve still got some stuff I need to do. I’ll see you tonight back here! That is, if you’re coming.”

“Oh. Ok, sure! I’ll see you here at sundown!”

Shadow smiled and waved as his marefriend trotted away with her pack. As he watched them walk to wherever they were heading he began to think.

Sweet Celestia’s hooves, look at them. They practically travel in a pack. They’re pretty much a coven. I seriously wouldn’t put it past them to belong to some cult. Haha, I can
see it now, the cult of Lord Grogar. Run by six fillies. Oh man, that would be hysterical.

Before his fantasy play out any further, Shadow caught a glimpse of the azure coloured coat the magical mare wore. Trixie was attempting to enter her wagon as stealthily
as possible, and as soon as she entered, she swung the door to a close.

“Wait! Ms. Trixie!” Shadow called out.

Shadow used his magic to transport over to her wagon and stick a hoof in the door frame, preventing it from closing. Trixie gave an annoyed grunt and decided it would be less trouble to just hear the pony out than try to get rid of him

“Ms. Trixie! I need to talk to you!” Without so much as glancing at Shadow she sat down in a large chair on the other end of the wagon. Shadow looked at his surroundings before speaking.

Trixie’s wagon was by no means as extravagant as her attitude. It was rather bare considering how small it was. One wall bore a large poster of Trixie, with the words “The Great and Powerful Trixie” written on it in a mystical font. On the other wall was a picture of Trixie as a little filly, no larger than Applebloom or Scootaloo, and her parents. Shadow noticed that the mother, although she looked only a few years his elder, seemed very old. The way she held herself, it appeared as if she had reached the age where one has seen much pain, and has accepted the inevitability of death. Shadow shook off the sad feeling the mare seemed to emanate and looked at the father. Or what was left of him, the place where the colt’s head should have been appeared to have burned out long ago.

Shadow suddenly felt great empathy for the wandering magician, he recognized the formula that the picture put forth, the formula for a broken home and broken childhood. A young mother who has felt the pains of childbirth much too early, and a father who should just be burned from memory. He felt himself slipping back to his own childhood when a voice rattled him from his memories.

“Can I help you?” Trixie still hadn’t looked back at him, or seen him at all for that matter.

“Oh um, yes. I was actually just uhh...” Shadow couldn’t think of words to say. In fact, he couldn’t think of what he was really doing in here.

“Sigh.” Trixie actually said ‘sigh’. “This is normally the part where you ask for an autograph.” Trixie began to rise from the chair from which her magician’s hat now hung. Her magic floated a pen, which was rapidly scribbling on an accompanying bit of paper, over to the dark colt.

“There you are. I hope you enjoy the show.” Trixie, still in the sluggish motion of rising from her chair, gave a slight wave of the hoof.

“Oh, thank you...” Shadow replied awkwardly. The travelling unicorn still had her back turned to him as she tended something on the opposite side of her caravan. When she sensed that her visitor hadn’t yet left, she decided to speak.

“Look is there something-” Trixie swished around and stared at the unicorn that stood in her home. His charcoal coat, his long pitch black mane, his glowing red eyes, she had never seen somepony quite like him, and a unicorn to boot. Feeling her heart begin to melt, Trixie tried to finish her sentence.

“something... I can help you with?”

Shadow too was taking his first close look at Trixie. Through the crowd she was barely visible as it was, not to mention the sudden changes in lighting that distorted Shadow’s vision. He was thankful for the fact that he had spoken to her before he had the chance to be left speechless. The soft, yet entrancing colours of her mane and coat, the confident demeanour of her beautiful eyes, and her slender unicorn body. Suddenly a thought of Twilight popped into his mind. All he could think when he saw his pretty marefriend was: Fuck.

His mouth was as single tracked as his mind, but since he couldn’t actually say what he was thinking, he decided to go with a generic invitation.

“Oh, um... I was just wondering if you wanted to go get some tea... or, y’know... something else if you don’t like it... Tea I mean, if you don’t like tea you could get something else... to drink...” Shadow basically failed at asking Trixie on date, which technically was a great thing considering the fact that he already had a marefriend. However, Trixie wasn’t in a more coherent state than Shadow.

“That would be... charming. Yes.” Abandoning her normal proud nature, Trixie let her head slightly hang and her voice soften as she accepted Shadow’s invitation.

“Cool. We can talk.” Realizing that sounded terribly strange, Shadow tried in vain to think of something to follow up with. Luckily Trixie took the words right out of his muzzle.

“Yes.” She replied sheepishly.

Trixie felt like a little filly. I shouldn’t feel this way after being asked on a date. It’s perfectly normal for an attractive young mare to be courting, Trixie thought to herself, and she was right, it’s perfectly natural for two young ponies to go out together. But for Trixie, it wasn’t so normal. In fact, this was the first time a colt had ever asked her on a date. She was right to think it was perfectly normal for young ponies to date each other, but in that thought is the reason Trixie had never been asked on a date. It was for normal ponies.

Trixie had led a far from normal life, with a mother as young as hers and a father she tried to forget, her life began in tragedy. She left home when she was just a little filly, the road was the only home she’d had. Her magic served as her parents, her guiding light and comfort. But now, someone else was here for her, she didn’t even know his name, and she didn’t know their future, but right now they could be together.

Shadow opened the door for Trixie, letting her descend the couple of stairs before him. Trixie forewent the use her signature cloak and magician’s hat. Shadow couldn’t help but ogle her rump and flanks and she stepped down to the ground. Another image of Twilight popped into his head, he couldn’t stop himself from preparing the two. Unfortunately for all but Trixie, her flanks won out against Twilight’s in the head of Shadow.

The colt was beginning to feel anxious. He could feel his hormones calling out for Trixie, but he knew he couldn’t act on them. It was an odd feeling for him. The feeling that he shouldn’t do something, as opposed to couldn’t. He knew he held Twilight’s trust, along with her heart, in his hooves. And he did care for her, but something about Trixie was just drawing him in.

Ok, best case scenario, he began to think to himself as the two started to walk down a street. Best case scenario is that Trixie turns out to be a complete bitch, and we have nothing in common. His reasoning was flawless; if Trixie was what he hoped her to be, then he could forget her and go back to Twilight, happy and content. Unfortunately for all but Trixie once again, fate had different plans.

“So I suppose I should ask your name.” Trixie finally spoke after the two had walked for a good minute in silence.

“Shadow. Shadow Storm. But just Shadow.” The colt tried his best not to stutter, and for once he succeeded.

“Oh that’s nice.” Trixie replied, trying to sound earnest and mask her sudden onset shyness. Finally, after gathering up enough courage, Shadow managed to make small talk. Small talk was a practice that he hated, but right now it was all had.

“So what brings you to Ponyville?” He asked, attempting to sound interested.

“Just another stop on my tour.” Trixie replied, suddenly returning to the boisterous tone she normally spoke in. It was a question she was asked often, and the response was programmed into her brain.

“Tour?”

“Oh, yeah... I tour around Equestria sometimes.” Trixie chuckled, the conversation began to stray from her programmed responses. “Well, actually, all the time. I pretty much live out of my little wagon back there.”

“Oh wow, that sounds like quite the life.”

“It can be. Sometimes it quite a hoof-ful” Trixie smiled, she began to open up to her new friend.

“Where are from? Like, town-wise?” Shadow inquired, hoping to spark a conversation.

“Well, I was born in Palominer, that’s a small mining city up north. But left when I was quite young.”

Shadow had to bite his tongue, he wanted to ask why (although he was already quite sure of the answer), but knew that it was a bit early to ask. But this is perfect ya dumb colt! If you ask her that, it’ll dampen the conversation, put out whatever flames you have growing in your flanks, and you can go back to a simple life. Shadow knew that would provide an easy out for his current conversation, but something was still bothering him. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to scare Trixie off.

“So where is this cafe, or whatever place we’re heading to, anyways?” Trixie asked, trying to change the subject. That’s when it dawned on Shadow, he didn’t know where they were going. Hell, he didn’t know where he was.

“Oh... damn... well, now that you mention it... I don’t really know.” Shadow eeked out an answer

“What?”

“See, I’m pretty new to Ponyville myself. I haven’t even been here two weeks, and I’ve only actually been into town twice. I live outside of town so... yeah.” Shadow felt slightly embarrassed, he wasn’t used to being lost, and on the occasions he did get lost, it turned into a game. But now he had a companion, and he really started to want some tea.

“Oh, well do you have something to drink back at your place?” Trixie gathered all her courage to ask Shadow this question. It took all of Shadow’s to respond.

“Y-yes. Yes I do.”

“Well... we could just go there... If you want. For tea, because you have it there. Right?”

“Oh, yes. Of course, yeah.”

“Ok, great. Let’s go?”

“Sure”

Shadow began to close his eyes to focus his magic into a transportation spell. Then it hit him, Trixie has no clue where he lived. He gave Trixie a brief instruction.

“Ok, umm, since you don’t know where I live, and walking there would take too long, just hold on to me okay?”

“Sorry?”

“Just hold on to me. And give me a second.”

Trixie decided that no harm could come from obliging the colt, and wrapped her forelegs around him. She was however, quite perplexed. Celestia’s transportation spells only allowed for one pony to be transported. Could it be that Shadow was... different?

In a second, and with a slight flash of grey and purple, they were gone. In another second, they were back at Shadow’s cottage.

Before Shadow could open his eyes, he felt something warm on his lips. As he pulled his eyelids upwards he saw the closed eyes of Trixie, staring into his. He felt her supple lips caressing his, not passionately, but lovingly. Trixie quickly broke away, slightly embarrassed, but apparently very excited.

“I just knew it!” She said happily. “I just knew you were different. There was something about you! Something that made you different from the other unicorns. And now I know!” Trixie was practically bursting with glee. Shadow on the other hand, was beyond confused. Until it hit him.

“Here, let me show you something.” Trixie said, trying to calm herself down. Her horn began to glow a with dark hue, as did one of Shadow’s ears. Trixie was using her magic to take control of Shadow’s right ear. That’s when everything made sense to him.

“Sweet Celestia! That... That’s Luna’s magic! Tr- Trixie! How... Where did you learn this?!”

“Myself, I taught myself all my magic. You see, when I was a little filly I was on my own, and had nopony to teach me how to use my unicorn magic. The only way I could learn to control my magic was by reading all the books I could on the subject. But since I had no money and no parents the only way I could get books was by stealing them. And the first book I ever stole, the first thing that ever taught me about magic, was ‘The Darkness in the Light.’” Shadow recognized the book, very rare, and very expensive. It chronicled the creation and development of Luna’s dark magic, and was written by Star Shine, the twin sister of famed author Star Swirl “The Bearded”. The two had moved over to Fluttershy’s love-seat, and were sitting rather close on the well used cushions.

“Wow. And you haven’t been caught? Or at least persecuted for using Luna’s magic?” Shadow asked.

“Oh I’ve been caught for a few things, but never for that. I keep my knowledge hidden, and when I do use it in public, I hide it behind fireworks or other kinds of extravaganza.”

“Wow... That’s quite the amazing story.”

“Well, it’s really not. It’s just the way things are. Nothing amazing about that.”

“Oh c’mon. I mean, aren’t you known as ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’?”

“Well, that’s really a name I gave myself when I was a filly. I’d stand in the mirror wearing a cape that my grandmama made for me, and pretend I was a magician. I would call myself that to make up for the fact that I hadn’t really learned any magic yet. I guess it just sort of stuck.” Trixie gave a nervous chuckle.

“Haha, I think it suits you quite well.” Shadow flirted subconsciously, somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he was digging a very deep grave.

“Thanks. I like to think so on occasion.” Trixie sighed as she spoke.

Shadow saw something in Trixie that he could relate to. Isolation, loneliness, doubt, regret, he knew those things all too well, and he saw that Trixie knew them too.

“So what is it that you do, Shadow?” Trixie inquired, attempting to sway the topic from her past.

“Oh, well, I mostly study. I study magic most of the time, a little bit of history for context. But mostly magic. Specifically Luna’s dark magics. But since that doesn’t exactly pay
to well I’m starting to sell herbal mixtures and teas.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“I like it. If I hadn’t already invested so much time in studying Luna’s magic I would probably just give up my studies and settle down as an herbalist.”

“Really?” Trixie responded half consciously. She could feel herself beginning to grow weary, partly from the cozy atmosphere, partly from the long trip to Ponyville.

“Yeah, haven’t you ever felt that way? That Luna’s magic filled something in your heart that was missing and sent you down a strange path. And that given the chance, you’d go back and choose to lead a normal life?” Shadow’s tone suddenly much more serious than he liked. Trixie just sat there, staring blankly, lost in thought. Before even she was sure of what she was thinking, she spoke up.

“I know what you mean. Luna’s magic made sense of things for me. It put everything into perspective. It gave me a reason to be who I was.” Trixie felt herself being oddly sentimental.

“That’s exactly what I mean. And that’s what her magic is. It comes to those who are lost. Just like Princess Luna herself, lost, alone in the darkness she adores, so alone. But her magic seeks us out, it finds those who are lost and alone, who need a reason to go on living. And it comes down and embraces us in it’s cold arms, and shows us that there is hope.” Shadow finally had the chance to speak his mind. He finally was able to speak about his relationship with Luna’s magic to somepony who understood. Somepony who was like him.

Trixie felt a tear slide down her cheek. She tried to hold back, but nothing she did could hold back tears. She threw a foreleg around Shadow and rested her head in his shoulder as she cried. Shadow put his hoof on Trixie’s back and tried to comfort the sobbing mare. He wondered what Twilight would say if she saw him. Shadow quickly pushed those thoughts out of his mind, and tried to comfort the filly that was crying on his shoulder.

After almost a half hour of sitting in silence, Shadow spoke up.

“Trixie?”

“Mhm?” She responded without looking up from his shoulder.

“You said before, that you were on your own as a filly.”

“Yeah.”

“Why?” Shadow hoped he wasn’t asking too much of Trixie.

“I left home. I had to leave.” Trixie felt her tears beginning to form again as she poured out her past to Shadow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A young filly sat at her small table beside her small bed in her small room. She scribbled a picture of a mare resembling herself fending off a large mystical bear-like creature. The filly was happy, lost in her dream world of magic and wonder. She had to stay lost.

A slamming door and tired shout could be heard coming from another room.

“What are you doing!? It’s ten in the morning! And now you decide to come home?”

“Shut your mouth you damn mare. Who’s the one who pays for this roof you’re under? Now shut it!” The slurred, raspy shout of the angry colt shook the walls of the humble house.

“Shh! You’ll wake Trixie.”

“What? What the hell is that worthless filly still doing asleep!?” The colt’s voice only grew louder.

“We were up late. Waiting.”

“Well why the hell would you do that? I don’t need some damn mare waiting up for me. I don’t need a damn mother!”

The filly in her room had to hold back a tear. The shouting was starting again

“Well you need someone to take care of you! You obviously can’t take care of yourself!”

“Shut your damn muzzle, mare. I keep a roof over our head and food on the table.”

“Ha! That’s a joke have you seen this place!? It’s falling apart!” The mare’s voice now rose into a shout.

“shut up...” the colt responded.

“And have you even seen Trixie lately?! She’s practically skin and bone!”

“Shut up.”

“Forget Trixie, have you seen yourself!? Look at you, you can barely keep a job at the mines between the time you spend at the bar you worthless piec-.”

“SHUT UP!” The filly heard the sound of something breaking. “Maybe if I didn’t get tied down with some worthless mare things would be different! If I didn’t have some pathetic little filly tagging on to my life things could be better! But no! I had to go knock up some useless mare who wouldn’t even get rid of the damn kid.”

The filly couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.

“And now look at me, a nothing with a nowhere job. Fuck you Morning Glory! And fuck that worthless thing you call our daughter. All she ever did was fuck up my life, and yours.”

In her room, the filly sat, entranced by her drawing. An Ursa Major, vanquished by Trixie. The filly threw her cape and hat into a small saddle bag, along with a blanket, and crawled out her window into the world.

~~~~~~~~~~

Trixie sat in Shadow’s embrace, her eyes red from tears, her nose wet from crying. She hadn’t noticed, but she was practically squeezing Shadow. Her story was not easy to tell. In fact, Shadow had been the first to hear it.

Shadow felt a warmth well up inside him. But not a good warmth, one of a burning past, one that brought back memories that hadn’t been remembered in many years. But
amongst the memories he also found comfort. Just knowing that somepony else had the same painful childhood was comforting. But to actually hold that pony, to embrace her as she embraced him, it almost felt like... happiness.

“I don’t know what to say Trixie... I suppose that everyone has a past that they try to forget.” Shadow tried his best to comfort Trixie. Unfortunately, comforting wasn’t one of Shadow’s strongpoints.

“Thank you for listening. I’ve never actually told anypony that... ever. I sorry that I got your shoulder wet... Who knew a filly had so many tears in her eh?” Trixie attempted a laugh through her tears to ease the atmosphere.

“Ha, yeah. Who woulda guessed right.” Shadow responded as he rubbed Trixie’s back. “Now, how about a cup of tea?” Shadow looked down into Trixie’s lavender eyes. She responded with a little nod, and eased herself off of Shadow. He trotted over to his kitchen and put a kettle on the stove.

“Hey Shadow” Trixie called out, her speech nearly sob-free.

“Mhm?”

“Do you have a fillyfriend or anything like that?” Shadow gave a slight chuckle.

“What?” Trixie asked.

“Oh nothing. I’ve just never heard that expression before. Fillyfriend.”

“Really? It’s pretty common word in Palominer. But then does that mean that you don’t?”

“Don’t what?” Shadow tried to stall for time.

“Have a fillyfriend, or marefriend, however you want to say it.” Trixie’s tone turned playful. She was getting her hopes up.

Shadow froze, he had no clue what to say. On one hand, he felt as if Trixie was his other half. It was as if she was everything he had ever dreamed. On the other, Twilight was his marefriend, and he did care for her.

“Yes. I do. Her name is Twilight Sparkle.” Shadow spoke slowly, for once choosing his words very carefully. Trixie’s expression turned from hopeful to blank. Her battle with Twilight seemed to have no end.

“Oh... So I guess that means you’re not looking eh? haha...”

“Sort of... Well, not really. I mean... I don’t know!” Shadow was thinking out loud. “It’s just that Twilight... She’s sweet and interesting and smart. And you’re all that, but... you’re just... I feel like you’re the part of me that I lost.” Shadow didn’t know what spawned the uncharacteristic confession of feelings, but it felt good to have finally said that.

Before Trixie could say anything, Shadow walked in with two cups of steaming tea. The relaxing aroma seeped through the air and seemed to bring a certain degree of tranquility to the atmosphere. Trixie took a sip, being careful not to burn her tongue.

“Wow Shadow this is amazing!” Trixie exclaimed.

“Thanks” Shadow replied with a modest smile.

“No really, I mean, this is great. Not to mention I can practically feel myself relaxing. Tell me, what’s in this?”

“Well, ginger, chamomile, hemp, and a tiny bit of honey.”

“Wow, no wonder you make money as an herbalist.”

“I try.” Both ponies gave a little laugh as they sipped at the tea.

“So, from what I hear you don’t really have the best reputation in Ponyville.” Shadow began.

“Yeaaah.” Trixie began to blush slightly.

“What happened the last time you were here?”

“Well, I can be a bit... outspoken at times. Some people take my act a little too seriously I think.” Trixie tried to explain politely why nopony in Ponyville seemed to like. “I suppose I used to act a little full of myself. I still do. But that’s all just a stage show, just a show for my audience. But I never really had anyone close who I could be myself with. It seems like the entire world is my audience, and I have to act my part for them.”

“I know how you feel. Everypony feels that way sometimes. To quote a famous author, ‘all the world is a stage, and we are the players’.” Trixie looked into Shadow’s eyes, her heart melting.

“Wow... I feel like that sums up my entire life.” Trixie mumurmed.

“And he went on to say ‘to thine own self be true.’ I suppose he meant that, although you might be an extra in somepony else’s story, you still have yourself. You have your identity, regardless of whether or not other people see it, you are who you are.”

Trixie felt a tear begin to run down her cheek. But it wasn’t a tear of remorse or regret. No, Trixie had finally heard those words. Those words which she sought her whole life. The words that told her that she was perfect being just who she was, that she didn’t have to pretend to make something of herself. She nuzzled herself close with Shadow and took comfort in her friend’s warmth.

Shadow sat with Trixie, sipping on his tea. He didn’t know what was going to happen. He didn’t know whether or not Trixie would want to see him more. He didn’t know what Twilight would say if she saw him now. And he sure as hell had no clue what he was going to do about Trixie and Twilight. He decided to leave it, no sense worrying about it now. Shadow always thought that unless you knew what was going to happen, there’s no sense in worrying. Anyhow, there was something that he knew for sure, he just made a new friend, and the tea was damn good.

Prolouge/A Fresh Start

Shadow Storm lay flat on his back in his colt-cave, staring up though the skylight at the night sky. He remained motionless for over an hour, enchanted by the milky black canvas with pinholes of light shimmering through. “Should be only a couple more minutes” he thought to himself.

Sure enough, three minutes later the first inch of the moon crept into his field of vision. As it inched its way farther across the darkened sky, Shadow’s pupils dilated in the light. He felt as if the crazy life that he could never get a grip upon was finally in his grasp. Everything was simple, everything was straightforward, all the confusion in his mind and all the doubts he had about his magic became crystal clear. He gave a light sigh and relaxed his body.

Regardless of the relief it gave, he knew the moon couldn’t stay framed in his skylight forever. It had to move on. A wave of regret that he was still awake washed over him. Shadow always tried to fall asleep gazing at the moon, it ensured him a peaceful night. He felt an urge to run outside, find a hilltop, and gaze up at the sky until morning. That wasn’t really an option though, sleep started to creep over him, and his sluggish legs did not feel as adventurous as his mind.

Slowly his eyes slipped shut, and his mind started to wander. He thought of what it would be like to be a pegasus, to be able to soar up into the sky, to be even closer to the moon and stars. But the fantasy quickly ended, he reasoned that he wouldn’t trade his magic or his magical studies for anything. Shadow reasoned that while wings might bring his closer to the stars, his magic made him a part of them.

Soon his consciousness began to lose control to sleep, and the dreamy reality that comes between sleep and wakefulness flooded his mind. However, it was not a good flood. Images of his life with his aunt and uncle in Canterlot began to float in his mind. Images soon became memories, and memories soon became dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shadow Storm has always trotted down a different path from other ponies. At a young age he had discovered a proficiency with magic, and was enrolled in Celestia’s School for Gifted Colts. There he toiled daily to learn all the magic known in Equestria. While he was there, he learned many a thing of both magical and historical nature. All things that he saw interested him, although there was one subject in particular that interested him, the tale of Nightmare Moon. He read endlessly of Luna’s downfall and of her transformation into Nightmare Moon. As he grew older he began to critique the author’s (whoever authored the particular book he was reading) writing. Everypony always degraded Nightmare Moon for her deeds, and celebrated Celestia’s victory over her. But Shadow didn’t understand, HE liked the night, especially the moon, and with them, he grew fond of Nightmare Moon. Some days he mindlessly carved pictures into classroom tables with his magic, but on one particular day he found himself carving a portrait of Nightmare moon.

He began to study the magic that Princess Luna had used before her transformation. The texts were not easy to get a hold of, but the young colt managed to get them all the same. Luna’s method of magic was so very different from Celestia’s. This new magic intrigued Shadow like nothing had before. Every night he would sit underneath the moon and study his new mentors work.

His dark magic, as the ponies of Equestria classified all of Luna’s magics, talents flourished, although they had to so secretly, for a young colt so enamoured with Nightmare Moon and the lost Princess Luna would be looked upon with disdain. He knew that the magic he learned was dangerous and had great potential to cause destruction, but he kept a true heart and resolved to not fall down the same path that led Princess Luna to her downfall. Although it caused him to feel distant and different from the other colts and fillies, he kept his obsession with Nightmare Moon hidden for the time being. When his cutie mark, a crescent moon with six small stars lining the moon’s right concave side, finally appeared, no other pony really understood what it meant. Most ponies assumed that it had something to do with his dark grey coat, and even darker black and crimson mane.

After eight years of intense study, he was ready to graduate. He had already been accepted to the Canterlot College of Magic and History, and was set to move into the dorms. Although he was all packed and had said his few goodbyes, Shadow was far from prepared. He knew that living in the dorms would make his secret studies even harder to conceal. Living with his aunt and uncle was no longer an option. As kind as they were to take him in, their overly zealous and traditional ways were too much for him to bear any longer. Sitting alone in his room he knew he’s be happy to leave, but still felt inexplicably anxious. He absent-mindedly began to carve a replica of his cutie mark on the door, in the back of his mind he knew that his aunt would find it mildly heart-warming, whereas his uncle would most likely replace the door. As Shadow put the final touches on his carving an intense wave of realization crashed over him. It wasn’t where he was that caused him to feel anxious, it was where he was going. He knew he had to go far away from where he was. He desperately needed a change. The college would never accept his magic, Canterlot would never accept his magic! He needed to travel someplace quiet and common, someplace he could study his magic in peace, and there was one particular place that he had in mind. The gossip which Canterlot so happily thrived upon said that there was one town which the newly returned Princess Luna particularly favoured. Perhaps here he could advance in his studies and perhaps meet his mentor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shadow awoke with a slight twitch. Glancing around he noticed how bare his cottage was. Only the few bits of furniture that had been left with the cottage furnished his residence. Well, those and the shipment of books that had been delivered by an odd looking pegasus the day before. He got out of his bed and looked at the boxes books he had delivered from his old home. Upon closer inspection he noticed that the boxes looked like they had been dropped several times. To his relief none of the books were damaged or missing. He walked over to a stove and began to brew a cup of herbal tea. While the kettle boiled he reflected on his short time in this new town.

It had only been a week since he had moved to his cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville. Most ponies would expect somepony to have at least one acquaintance after a week. However, Shadow Storm had only ventured into the town once, for food. Even on that occasion he wore a thick cloak that made him conspicuously inconspicuous. He saw quite a number ponies, a few even caught his eye, a purple unicorn and a white unicorn who looked his age talking to a pink earth pony who he only remembered as “vibrating”. “They seem cute enough” he thought to himself as he gave a small smile. It made him feel a little more at home to see that there were some friendly unicorns about, and that the general pony population of Ponyville seemed nice enough.

“I suppose the general population of Ponyville is nice enough” Shadow said to himself. “In fact, they seemed almost welcoming!” A determined look grew on his face “That does it! Today I’m going to go into town and make at least one acquaintance!” He clopped his foot on the ground as if to seal the pact. He finally had the chance to start with a clean slate.

Ponyville Nights: The Ballad of Shadow Storm

“And here’s to the newcomer, Shadow Storm!” Rainbow Dash raised her glass in the air as she shouted out the toast to her friends.

“Cheers!” The fillies said in unison. Not sure exactly what to do, Shadow did the same, except a couple seconds after everyone else. Everyone gave a laugh at the awkward reaction to his own toast and downed their drinks.

Finally, the lone colt thinks to himself, I’ve been needing this. The familiar burn and then warmth trickles down his gullet and into his belly. For the first time since he arrived at Sugarcube Corner he lets a non-akward smile grow on his muzzle. Perhaps the night wasn’t going to be too bad. Suddenly he heard an excited voice creep up behind him.

“My dear! I have just been informed by my dear friend Fluttershy that you come from Canterlot! Well I don’t know if you can tell but, I am quite a fan of your hometown!”

Shadow cast his eyes downward as if trying to suppress an unwelcome memory.

“Canterlot isn’t actually my hometown. I moved in with my aunt and uncle there when I was a young colt.”

“Oh, well, I would imagine you’ve spent a great deal of time there. Tell me, how is that divine city?” The white unicorn leaned in with a grin.

“Ah, it’s fine. They’ve rebuilt the Mane Street Bridge, and the crime rates have started to drop in the past years. So I guess you could say Canterlot is doing quite well.”

“That’s... Good to hear.” The mare didn’t receive the answer she expected. The ponies apparently moved in very different circles back in Canterlot.

“So, Mane Street, that’s down in the Grey district is it not?”

“Indeed it is” Shadow replied, feeling a little loosened up after his second glass of cider.

“Mm, well, do you get to the cloud district very often?”

“Oh no, unless it’s required as part of my studies I never travel up that way. Too rich for my tastes”

“Aha.. Of course you don’t.” Rarity replied with a sincere but condescending grin. “How about another glass of cider my dear.”

“No objections there!” A wide smile grew on the colts face. He saw this turning into a good night. After knocking back another glass of cider, a wild Pink pony scooted up next to him.

“Shads! We’re friends now right!?” Pinkie said rather loudly. “You know what friends do right?” He had no clue what the answer was, but he saw the opportunity to give a response that might make the filly laugh even more. As he began to open his mouth, the pink pony answered her own question.

“They take a drink together of course!” Pinkie began a giggle that quickly evolved into a loud hooting noise. After filling up two smaller glasses from a jug that had three x’s drawn on it, Pinkie clenched her drink. Before she could raise it to her lips another pony ran up to the two and shouted

“Hey hey hey. What the hay do you think y’all are doing?! Leaving me out o’ this round? I d’aint thank so!” The orange earth pony stumbled up, her eyes half closed and her speech less than coherent. Pinkie giggled and filled up another shot glass. In a deft movement the glasses were empty. Shadow began to open his mouth to speak, but realized that he was standing alone. Pinkie Pie and Applejack had run off into the center of the room and started to dance rather clumsily.

The solitary unicorn began to scan around the room, his shyness all but gone, and his worries non-existent. He saw Fluttershy sitting on the same pillow in the corner that she had been for most of the night, and began to move in her direction. Unluckily for him, just as he got close enough to begin a conversation, a purple filly trotted up.

Twilight opened her muzzle to say something, undoubtedly about the quality of the cider. But before she was able to compliment Applejacks handiwork, she began to fall forward. Luckily for Twilight, she had good reflexes from dodging the books that she always kept floating around her room. So with a quick movement she reached her foreleg around Shadow’s neck and kept her balance. He quickly shot her a glance, and stared her right in the eyes. Twilight responded with a stare herself, right into his eyes. Fluttershy sat in silence, staring at them both.

“That was very nice of you” Twilight said, trying not to slur her speech, but not the most bang-up job.

“Don’t mention it” The colt replied, trying to remember if he actually did anything.

“So what school did you go back in Canterlot... umm...” The normally bright filly realized that she still couldn’t remember her fellow student’s name.

“Shadow?” the colt replied, hoping that was the word the pony was looking for.

“Shadow! Yes that’s the one. I’m normally a smart filly, being a student and all” Twilight explained excitedly. “But sometimes I just completely space out on things sometimes y’know. Happens to everypony from time to time I suppose. I can’t believe I couldn’t remember your name though. I’m normally a smart filly, since I’m a student right? It’s pretty hard to be a student, but I guess you would know that wouldn’t you?”

Shadow tried his best to keep up with the rambling unicorn, but his brain wasn’t up for it. So when Twilight ended her rant with a question, he decided to answer with a ‘yes’, regardless of what the question was.

Seeing that the yellow mare he had originally come over to talk to was still sitting right in front of him, he leaned forward and sat down beside her. Twilight, now without anypony supporting her, fell forward onto the pillow beside her newest subject of attention.

“So Fluttershy,” Shadow started, feeling it necessary to use the mare’s name now that he finally had it right, “do tea parties always turn into such rowdy affairs?” He chuckled after he finished the sentence, although he wasn’t sure why.

“Oh no!” The pegasus exclaimed. “My friends are normally very civil. Sometimes they just like to... let loose.”

Shadow noted the defensive tone in her voice. He wondered what prompted it. Maybe she thinks I’m judging them. Maybe she thinks that since I’m from Canterlot I’m all reserved and snooty. Those damn Cloud District ponies give the rest of us a bad name.

“Y’know, not all Canterlot ponies are from the Cloud District” The slightly inebriated pony explained.

“Excuse me?” asked the yellow mare.

“I’m not judging you at all, I like to let loose as much as the next pony”

The mare was slightly confused as to what prompted this explanation, but decided to chalk it up to Applejack’s cider. She hadn’t had any yet, but this recent interaction made her consider breaking her rule just once.

Fluttershy and Shadow got up and began to trot over to the table that held the cider, leaving Twilight alone on the pillow. The pegasus looked back, feeling a little guilty at leaving her friend behind. The feeling quickly passed however, when she noticed that the unicorn had become immersed in a book that she floated off Pinkie’s Shelves. She squinted her eyes and saw that the title was ‘Psychosis and Cupcakes: A Complete Guide’. The mare wondered what kind person would write such a book, or why Pinkie Pie would even the book. Regardless, it made her feel a bit better about leaving Twilight to herself.

As the two new friends stood beside the table, they remained in their familiar silence. Finally Shadow spoke up, with the most intellectual thing he could think to say.

“Umm, wanna drink?”

“Oh yes.” The mare responded. She was much too reserved to take a drink herself, but on the occasion when someone offered her one, she was more than happy to accept.

Without thinking, Shadow used his magic to levitate the jug of cider, and pour it into two nearby red cups. Fluttershy stared at the Unicorns horn in silent awe. It was nothing like she’d ever seen before.

Shadow’s horn was glowing a rich and fiery red. But something was different, something made it stand out from the other unicorns’. The yellow mare was clueless as to what made it do so, and decided to leave it alone, now was not the time to quiz a cute unicorn about his magic. A devious thought started to rise Fluttershy’s mind, but with a little effort she managed to crush it underneath several layers of shyness.

“Here’s your cider!” Shadow grinned as he levitated a cup over to the pony, still not realizing that he was breaking his first rule of going out into public. Luckily for him, the only mare in the room that would confront him about his magic, was currently engrossed in the intricacies of how to give your baked goods sentience.

“Thank you very much.” Fluttershy said with a cute smile. She plucked the cup out of the air and began to drink. As her muzzle grazed through Shadow’s magical aura she felt something strange. On many occasions she had been touched by both Twilight’s and Rarity’s magic, and it’s familiar warm glow. But this was different, this was cold, this was dark, it felt as if the night sky had suddenly collapsed into the room and was caressing her face.

She pulled away quickly, almost spilling her drink. She pondered what she had just felt, and debated whether or not she should question the newcomer. In a second her cup was empty.

“Wow! Somepony sure likes that ponies cider .. um... what was her name again? Hm....” Shadow paused in thought for a few seconds. His eyes wandered around the room looking for the orange earth pony.

Fluttershy stood still, she felt her belly grow warm and her head get light. She deftly poured another cup and finished it in a second.

“Who were you looking for?” The mare said in a much louder voice than normal.

“That pony, the one who brought the.. umm..uhh.. this.. stuff.” He replied as he pointed to his cup. Fluttershy giggled at how he tripped over his words. She gave a wide smile and answered his semi-coherent question.

“I think you’re looking for Applejack. She went to lie down a few minutes ago” As Fluttershy talked she looked right into Shadow’s eyes. A familiar warmness raised in her cheeks, now amplified by the effects of the cider.

“Oh right! Applejack! She’s the one who I was referring to when I was talking abo- oh. Hey, are you okay? You’re looking a little red.” Fluttershy gasped and immediately looked away, trying to think of anything but the colt in front of her.

“Yes. Oh yes I’m fine. I was actually just thinking that I should check on Applejack, just to make sure she is okay. Do you think that’s a good idea? I think that’s a good idea.” With that she bolted away from the table they had been standing beside and through a door on the other side of the room. Shadow stood by himself, wondering what he had done wrong to scare off the filly. He recounted back through everything he had done since he talked to her on the couch.

Let’s see, small talk, more small talk, walk to the table, offer her a drink, get her a drink, drink the drinks... What the hay did I do wro- In this moment his mental process shut down when he came to the sudden realization of what he did. He felt the warmth in his body turn to a cold chill. His veins no longer pumped blood, but ice. He shut his eyes to steady to rocking room. Everything he resolved to do, all his dreams of a new life, he just through them away. There was no doubt about it, he saw the way even the kindest of ponies would react if they found him out. His head sunk low and the end of his mane fell on the floor. To make matter worse, when he opened his eyes he saw his mane sitting right in a puddle of cider.

With that, he decided it was about time to get going. He looked around the room to try and find the host of the party so her could politely thank her, and let her know it was nice to meet her. He also debated whether or not to say goodbye to Fluttershy, but decided he could do that in the morning, before he left for Canterlot.

Suddenly, as he was about to walk in the direction of the dancing pink pony, somepony stumbled into him.

“Whohoaa, sorry there bro, my balance is just a little on the downside at the moment.”

Shadow looked at the cyan pegasus that was leaning on his flank. After unsuccessfully racking his brain for her name, he gave a sullen reply.

“Don’t worry about it umm.. you. It happens to the best of us.” The pegasus deftly lifted herself off of the colt, noticing his dreary tone.

“Hey, what’s up? That isn’t any kind of attitude to have at a party!”

“Oh, just feeling a little tired. I was thinking about heading home.”

“What?! Oh no no no no. I can name at least two fillies here who would be more than a little disappointed if you did that.” Rainbow punctuated her sentence with a wink.

“Ok, really? Do you have some sort of nerve damage? You wink a hellofalot.” Shadow finally got to make his joke about nerve damage, although it was really more of an observation than a joke. Luckily, it still got the reaction he had hoped for.

“Haha! Nerve damage! That’s a good one! Ahahahaa!” Rainbow Dash hooted and began to laugh uncontrollably. She started to stumble backwards, but before she collapsed onto the floor, Shadow grabbed her and held her steady. Without missing a beat, the mare continued to talk with the colt that was embracing her.

“Y’know what I do when I get tired and the night’s still young?” Shadow opened his muzzle to give a clueless response, but before he could say anything the mare answered her own question.

“I go out for a fly in the night sky! Wanna go for a fly?” Shadow just stared at her, unsure how to respond.

“Oh wait... I forgot! You’re not a pegasus! Hehe, sorry ‘bout that.” Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously, hoping she hadn’t insulted the newcomer.

Ever since Equestria was united thousands of years ago, it was considered a social taboo to mock or make fun of a pony for what they could or couldn’t do. However, it was a sort of understanding between the unicorns and pegasi, that as long as they kept the earth ponies out it, there wasn’t that much of a problem.

Shadow stood silently, thinking it would be best to ignore the remark.

Well then, if we can’t fly, how about we go for a midnight walk?” The pegasus asked, trying to redeem herself.

Unsure if the cyan pony would be able to manage walking, Shadow let go of her and observed if she was able to stand on her own.

“Woooaaah” Rainbow Dash moaned a little as she swayed, trying to keep upright. After a couple seconds of balancing herself out, she stood almost perfectly still, with the exception of her back leg, which clopped against the floor with the beat of the music.

“Boom! It’s settled, walking through the night! Just me and my pal Shadow! Woo!”

Shadow saw that she was at least mildly capable of walking, and he saw no harm in having a little company as he walked back to his cottage.

“Wooo, let’s do it” He said half-heartedly, obviously feigning the same excitement the pegasus felt. As the pair trotted down the stairs, Fluttershy emerged from a door, after tending to a pony who actually was feeling quite sick. Regardless of all the excitement that was going on around her, she managed to focus only on the gray and blue flanks that descended the stairs, side by side.

Oh Fluttershy, another new friend got bored of you and walked off with Rainbow Dash. Just like in flight school. You just can’t compete with her. Fluttershy looked down at the floor in dismay, and trotted over to Twilight, who hadn’t moved an inch and was still engrossed in the book, although looked slightly dismayed. Fluttershy sat down beside her, and stared at the wall in silence.

Rainbow Dash and Shadow Storm exited Surgar Corner and stood at the stairs looking at their next challenge. There was no railing to lean on, unlike the two flights of stairs they just descended. Rainbow was the first to attempt to walk down them. Raising her hoof she leaned forward and tried to place it down on the next step. Unfortunately, she failed, and began to fall forwards. Her wing quickly shot out, and caught Shadow’s back. This was enough for the pegasus to regain her balance, and stand upright again.

The pair stood still, remaining of the top step of the sweet shop. It was then that Shadow got to witness something that few ponies had ever seen, Rainbow Dash’s cheeks started to turn a light shade of red. The pegasus chuckled nervously as she kept her wing around Shadow.

“Maaaaybe we should try and tackle these together, eh?” The cyan pony proposed, trying to act as calm and cool as
possible.

“Solid planning right there” Shadow replied with a chuckle.

After a few false starts, the two ponies finally made down the stairs. They trotted along for a couple minutes, Rainbow’s wing still pulling Shadow in close, before Rainbow spoke up.

“Soooo, you smoke?” The pegasus inquired as she pulled something out from a little bag that had been hanging at her side.

“Naah,” replied Shadow, “Never really had the bits to start up on that. Student’s aren’t exactly the richest people.”

“Oh, well these aren’t your conventional victory cigarettes.” Rainbow gave a wink as she finished her sentence. Shadow was about to open his muzzle to make a joke about nerve damage, but he quickly caught himself and remembered he had done that about fifteen minutes ago. They walked down an alley and leaned on the side of a building.

Taking a closer look at the rolled paper the mare had, he realized it was home-rolled. A familiar scent wafted into his nose. He had a flashback to some of his days back in Canterlot. The ponies that he had spent time with, albeit on few occasions, always had this scent about them. Shadow was by no means an innocent pony, he had partaken in their smoke-up sessions as eagerly as the next pony. However, it had been quite a while since he had spent any time with those friends, in his last two years he had completely immersed himself in the study of his dark magic. It made remember why he had grown such a long mane.

“Oh wow, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen one of those” Shadow said to the mare.

“Hm?” Rainbow wasn’t sure if her new friend was a tad more prudish than she thought. She considered asking him if he was ‘cool with it’, but she had already placed the joint in her mouth.

“Haha, you planning on sharing?” Shadow inquired, suddenly trying to act very cool. Rainbow smiled then giggled, the smile for what he said, the giggle was for his sudden attempt to match her coolness. In that moment, a desire swept up into her brain.

“Hey Shadow?” They mare said, briefly looking to see if anypony was around.

“Yeah?” He responded, looking down at the filly, awaiting her response.

In a single swift action Rainbow propped herself and the colt onto their hind legs, and positioned herself in front and on top of Shadow. The couple leaned against a wall. Rainbow reached her forelegs around Shadow’s neck, and crept her wings around his torso, bringing herself closer to him.

The mare felt the warmth of the colt that she pressed her body against. She felt her entire body grow warmer as her heart began to beat faster

“I don’t normally do this” she whispered into her partner-in-crime’s ear.

The flushed mare closed her eyes, and pressed her mouth against his. Shadow reached his forelegs around the slim filly and pulled her even closer in. The two stood still, holding the kiss under the night sky. Finally, she broke away from the kiss.

“Don’t normally do what? Seduce shady colts in back alleys?” Shadow chuckled as he stared straight into Rainbow’s eyes.

She grabbed the back of his head and licked his grinning muzzle before she kissed him again. The filly slipped her tongue through Shadow’s muzzle and tasted the inside of his mouth.

How the buck did I end up here? Shadow asked himself, but decided to leave his question unanswered and enjoy the moment.

“Hehe” Rainbow chuckled as Shadow broke the kiss.

“Oh no, seducing ponies is a specialty of mine, just not colts.” She smiled slyly and kissed Shadow once more before falling back on all fours.

“Now how about that smoke?” Rainbow proposed.

“Sounds ideal” The confused colt replied, now wondering how indeed did he got there. Rainbow began to search through her small pouch again. Before long she shouted in frustration.

“What the hay, I forgot matches! Now we’re gonna have to go back to Pinkie’s!”

“Gimme one sec” Shadow said as he closed his eyes. In a second his horn gave off a dark glow, and a tiny burst of flame ignited the tip of the joint held in Rainbow Dash’s mouth. The filly inhaled deeply. As she blew the smoke out of her mouth she commended the colt.

“That’s some trick you got there. Twi would be impressed.” The name gave Shadow a slight shock. The spell he used was a signature of Luna’s dark magic, if Twilight found out he knew it, nothing good could happen.

“Ummm, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell her about that.”

“Meh. Suit yourself boss.” Rainbow passed Shadow the smoking joint.

The rest of the night his magic wasn’t brought up or used once. He saw that Rainbow Dash wasn’t the kind of pony who would judge him for what kind of magic he used. Maybe I’ll give Ponyville a second chance, he thought as he caught a glimpse of the large moon overhead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Twilight Sparkle stumbled into her library just as the sun began to rise. She felt as if she was about to collapse.

“Fun night?” Spike asked with sarcastic tinge.

“Ugggg Spike. Sometimes I don’t know how the hay I have any friends at all!” Twilight stumbled over to a couch and practically fell onto it.

“There I was, sitting right in front of the cutest colt who came from Canterlot to Ponyville to be a student! I was sitting there right beside him, practically begging him to start talking about his studies or my studies or somebody’s studies! But then he just gets up and walks away! Do I really look so stupid that not even another magic student wants to talk to me!? Not to mention the fact that he was probably the best looking pony in Ponyville! Oh Spike, he would just be perfect. I don’t know what I’m going to do!”

As Twilight’s slurred rant ended, Spike pressed his hand against his face and shook his head back and forth. He left to make himself breakfast, and fetch a blanket for the pony who had just passed out on the couch.