A Knight's Shining Star

Shadow Pov

Shadow panted as he raced down the hospital corridors. Doors passing him in a blur, he had to find Star! He's not sure what happened. If their jaunt in the strange forest was a dream or if his mind is playing tricks on him but right now Star's scared and hurting. And Shadow will be hanged if he lets her stay that way.

Shadow speaking "Star! I'm coming! Hold on!" Yelling he calls his sisters name.

Not bothering to notice the sparks flaring off his horn. or the glowing white knight in his bag as he gains speed that would put an Olympic runner to shame. A burst of pure kinetic energy smashes through a door as Shadows charges into the room. Silver magic illuminating the dim oppressive hospital room.

His eyes scanning the room find Star hiding in the corner wings flared curling around herself as she tried to block out the voices of the shades that surrounded her.

"its your fault! Your parents would be ashamed of you! How could you! What would your brother think? After everything he's done to help you!" There voices mixing in a downward spiral for the young pegasus mare.

Star whimpers... "It was an accident! I didn't mean too!" Tears falling from her bronze eyes. "Im sorry... I'm so sorry!" she pleaded. Voice dropping to barely a whisper.

Shadow seeing the torment HIS little sister in. Lost his cookies. With a feral snarl horn flaring instinctively his magic yanked a black rook from his bag. As he poured magic and intent into the golem it grew in size towering over everything in the room. Activating the Black Rook following its King/Masters intent followed its purpose. With berserker rage it tore into the shades that dared to hurt HIS little sister.

With a grim sort of satisfaction Shadow moved over to Star's side. Carefully, gently he held her close. Petting her mane, He knew how much Star blamed herself for the death of their parents. Shadow himself had a perpetual limp from the crash. But he knew Star wasn't to blame. though he had in rare moments felt a bit bitter about how they'd died.

It was Star after all that wanted to take a family trip to the ocean. And after a week of being confind to his own hospital bed. It died the instant he learned Lilly now Star would never live without life support again. Seeing her laying there with all those machines. And Star begging for him for their parents. Broke and steeled his heart. As her big brother Shadow would never let anything happen to her again. Be it real or imagined.

Star Pov

Star blinked her eyes open, and froze. Familiar machines and equipment surrounded her.

Star speaking "No not here please, Not here anywhere but here!" She begged.

Without realizing she lept off the bed wings flaring as she bolted from the dreaded room that became her life. Only for the door to slam closed. Locking ominously. As shadows with vague shapes their voices spewing the poisonous thought and accusations she had repeated to herself hundreds of times. Despite Shadows assurances, Star couldn't help but feel guilty. If only she hadn't wanted to visit the ocean for their 20 birthday. She had pleaded with Shadow and their parents for weeks until they agreed on the family trip. With the prevision that they stop by the national chess museum. Jack/Shadow being an avid player and master at the game. Having gained his scholarship through his winning the national chess tournament.

Star had readily agreed. As she loved to listen to shadow talk about all the famous players. Though she did find it annoying she could never beat him at the game. Preferring astro-photography over chess. Her room covered in night sky pictures. Knowing the stars patterns as well as Shadow did his chess strategies.

But then it all went wrong. As Star cowered on the floor trying desperately to block out the shades venomous words. She remembered what happened. They had just left the national chess museum. Jack/Shadow having just received a duel set of special one of a kind antique chess pieces as a birthday present. Lilly/Star picked one up and accidentally dropped it. As she and Jack/Shadow hunted for it. Their parents went to get the car. Only for a drunk driver in a large work truck to slam into their parents car. Lilly/Star seeing what was about to happen shoved her brother back out of the way as the vehicles crash in a fiery explosion. Catching a bit of shrapnel in her spine. crippling her for the rest of her life.

Star speaking "It was an accident. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." Star whimpered.

Huddled in a corner she'd been backed into, wings curling around her as a shield. Not seeing the the door burst open or the silver magic as Shadow dealt with the shades by using one of his golems. Nor did she notice Shadow coming to lay beside her. Sniffing, as Shadow petted her mane. She barried her face in his chest crying.

Luna Pov

The Lunar ruler paused as she felt fear/pain/grief. Mixed with anger/protect/not alone. Ripple to her from the dream realm. Each on there own was normal but to have both in one dream gave her pause. Queen Luna Luminous of the Lunar Equestrian Kingdom. Held up a silver gilded hoof. Silencing her once personal student Twilight Sparkle. The purple coated mare watched her queen with mild curiosity. It wasn't often Luna did this, both enjoying the verbal duel. Twilight watched as Luna closed her eyes focusing on the dream realm.

Shadow&Star's dream Luna Pov

Luna's eyes open and she looks around, taking in here surroundings. It looked like a hospital. Trotting down the long dark corridor. The ruler of the lunar kingdom paused as she came upon the shattered remains of the door. Moving to peer inside she comes snout first into the edge of a halberd. Her magic flaring to form a shield. Looking up she sees the biggest black rook she'd ever seen blocking her path into the room.

Knowing what she sought was on the other side of the giant chess piece. Luna lighted her horn, using her power as the ruler of dreams. Luna dissolved the oppressive and ominous hospital. Even the rook which stood guard slowly dissolved as the dream changed into an open field with a gentle stary sky above.

What shocked the Lunar Queen was this was in fact two ponies dream not just one. She couldn't help but stare for a moment at the two young ponies. A unicorn and pegasus respectively. The deep royal purple stallion for what else could he be with his deepening voice. If Luna was a betting pony, she'd say they were just entering adulthood. The stallion was trying his best to comfort pegasus her coat a pale blue that faded to a deep azure like a shooting star. Hearing his hushed voice Luna Paused.

shadow speaking "It's ok, Star it wasn't your fault." His voice firm but gentle.

Star speaking "But Shadow." the newly dubbed Star replied in a trembling voice

"If i hadn't..."

The stallion, 'Shadow' put a hoof to her muzzle. His voice firm, unyielding.

Shadow speaking "No. I don't blame you. And I know.."

Luna cleared her throat, keeping a polite distance not to scare them.

Shadow POV

Shadow stopped speaking. feeling his connection to the black rook vanish. Then the clearing of a throat. Causing Shadow and Star to look up. Startled he saw a large blue horse?.. with wings like Star and a horn like him staring kindly down at them. Shadow wasting no time jumped up shielding Star with his body. Horn flaring with silver essence.

"Who ARE you?" He growled.

Star Pov

Looking up to see the blue... Alicorn? She wasn't sure that was right. Not that it mattered. It was BIG. Star shrank back from it's gaze. Unable to help the relieved sigh that escaped her when Shadow jumped in front of her to shield her from it's gaze. Flinching only slightly at his growling voice. Star knew better then anyone how far Shadow would go to protect her. Not that she didn't feel the same. But with what happened there was never anything Star could do... Being confined to a hospital bed attached to machines to keep her kidneys functioning with monitors on her heart and lungs. The piece of shrapnel that severed her spine had done her insides no favors.

"Who ARE you?"

Luna speaking "It is alright, my little ponies. I felt your turmoil in the dream realm and came to aid you."

Star peeked around her brother. When the other spoke. It was.... strange... Almost like their mom's had been when they were kids and had nightmare. Star blinked in surprise when she saw the intruder in the... dream? It. No, her voice was gentle almost like a soft night breeze. She smiled at Star as she peeked around Shadows flank.

Surprising herself and Shadow, Star replied with a quiet. "Hello."