Shadow

by Shadowloo

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Other, Original Character, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo
Length: 1057

"It's Shadow. Just Shadow. Say the whole thing, and we're not friends."

"The name’s Shadow. Just Shadow. Say the whole thing, and we’re not friends.

This story? Yeah, it’s about my life. But let’s get one thing straight first—see that cover photo? The one where I look all smiley and ‘cute’? Total fraud. My parents and teachers forced me to smile. I hate it.

Don’t like this story? Don’t care.

Disclaimer

This is written from my OC’s point of view. Shadow isn’t exactly the nicest pony. I, on the other hand, am not actually a total jerk

Published 2025-02-12 21:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2025-02-12 21:20:00 UTC

Prologue

I stare at my reflection, unamused.

Same old face. Same spiky mess of purple and red mane, defying gravity like it’s got something to prove. Same sharp magenta eyes, glaring right back at me, daring me to blink first. Same stupid class photo taped to the corner of the mirror, mocking me with a wide, forced smile. The teachers practically held me at hoof-point to get that picture. Fake.

I scowl and peel the tape off, letting the photo drift to the floor.

That’s better.

I lift my chin, inspecting the purple collar fastened snugly around my neck. The silver buckle gleams under the dim light, catching my eye. Some ponies ask why I wear it. Others just assume it means something. A symbol of rebellion, maybe. Or some deep, tragic backstory. The truth? It’s neither.

I wear it because I can.

That’s the whole reason. No sob story. No secret meaning. Just because I like it, and nopony can tell me not to. And that’s basically how I live my life, doing what I want, when I want, and not giving a single feather about what anypony else thinks.

I lean against the desk, exhaling sharply. The mirror’s still there, still showing me. The real me, not the filly in the class photo, not the version my parents wish existed, and definitely not the polite, well-behaved pony teachers always hope I’ll magically become.

But let’s be real. That’s never happening.

Who Am I?

Good question. You’re either nosy, curious, or about to regret asking. Either way, here’s the deal.

My name? Shadowloo. Disgusting, right? Sounds like some kind of cutesy stage name for a magician’s assistant. It’s the name my parents gave me, and the one every authority figure insists on using like they’re reading off a checklist. But if you actually want to stay on my good side:

It’s Shadow. Just Shadow. Say the whole thing, and we’re not friends.

I’m a Pegasus. Yeah, I can fly. No, I don’t do it just to show off like some ponies I know cough Rainbow Dash cough. Flying is cool and all, but I prefer gliding at night, catching the wind currents when the world is quiet, when I don’t have to deal with everypony’s expectations.

The Filly In The Mirror

I give my reflection a once-over. Same spikey, purple and red mane. Same violet eyes. Same purple collar. Same black, spiked bracelet. Ponies like to assume a lot of things, based on my appearance. That’s fine. Let them assume.

They look at me and see a troublemaker.

A problem.

A pony who doesn’t follow the rules.

And guess what? They’re right.

I don’t do “nice.” I don’t do “sweet.” I don’t do “what I’m told.” Ponies say I have an attitude problem, like that’s some kind of shocking revelation. Congratulations, genius, you figured it out. Want a trophy?

Family? Yeah, I have one

I step back from the mirror and flop onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. Let’s get one thing straight: I didn’t ask to be part of a family. Families mean expectations. They mean rules. And I don’t do well with either.

But there’s one exception.

Her name’s Scootaloo. Maybe you’ve heard of her. Little filly, orange coat, purple mane, looks up to Rainbow Dash like she hung the stars. Yeah, that one. She’s my little sister.

And before you ask, no, we are nothing alike.

Scoots is all about that whole "determined, hopeful, never-give-up" energy. Me? I’m more "get-out-of-my-face-before-I-make-you-regret-it" energy. She wants to prove herself, be somepony important, make her mark. I just want to live my life without everypony trying to control me.

But here’s the thing: nopony messes with Scootaloo.

She doesn’t know it, but I watch out for her. I don’t smother her with attention, Celestia forbid, but I keep tabs. If somepony ever crosses the line with her? Well… let’s just say I have a very convincing way of making sure it doesn’t happen again.

I snort and shake my head. Whatever. I don’t need their approval. Never have.

And no, I’m not getting into details.

Then there are my parents if you can call them that. Dear Mum and Dad the two ponies that are supposed to watch over us, too keep us safe, to keep me out of trouble. Yeah right, they've been too busy, travelling all around the world, to care about us. In fact, I would be very surprised if Scootaloo can remember them.

Instead of our parents, doing their jobs, it has to be our aunts that has to take care of us. Now don't get me wrong, Aunt Holiday and Auntie Loftie, aren't bad ponies, they do alot better than those Daring Do wannabes that call themselves our parents, I would prefer the love our parents... For Scootaloo anyway. But if you think I want their love or approval,

You don’t know me at all.

Reputation? Couldn’t Care Less.

Ponies talk. They always do. They whisper behind my back in class, saying I’m too aggressive, too rude, too much trouble. Teachers send me to detention like it’s some kind of punishment. Like I actually care. It’s hilarious how they think sitting in a room for an hour is going to change anything.

Newsflash: it won’t.

Parents sigh when they see me. Neighbors pretend not to notice me. Guards? They recognize me on sight. I’ve been called everything from a “bad influence” to an “unsalvageable delinquent.” Yeah, real creative.

Do they think I lose sleep over it? Please. Let them talk.

I live my life on my terms. I don’t need their approval. I don’t need their rules. I don’t need their fake smiles and forced concern.

So, Why Am I Telling You This?

I flick my tail, staring back at my reflection. That’s a good question. Why am I even bothering?

Maybe because everypony assumes they already know who I am.
Maybe because they’re all wrong.

Or maybe because—just maybe—I want somepony to actually listen for once.

Not to judge.
Not to correct.
Not to fix.

Just to understand.

But hey, if that’s too much to ask, whatever. I’m used to ponies not listening.

This is my story. Like it? Cool. Don’t? Don’t care.

I smirk at my reflection, winking and turn away from the mirror.

Time to live it.