Shadow Mark

Chapters

The Test of Loyalty
The New Guard
New Friends
The Dominion
The Skirmish
NewFound Respect
A Near Fatal Blow
The Other Side Of Luna
Love and Drunkish Chatter
The Board Meeting
The Attack
A Sad Truth
Work and It's Drawbacks.
Idle Errands
The Battle: Part 1
The Battle Part 2
Passage of Time
A Cryptic Dream

The Test of Loyalty

Walking on the path through the gloomy forest his mind was filled with thoughts. Recalling the set of events that set into motion him being here although almost…how long ago was it…he couldn't remember about 670 years ago give or take a few. While still deep in thought the black alicorn ran into a sharp bush reopening the scared flesh there. Sighing as the blood dirtied his dark blue mane and made the white streak down the middle of it red. Stepping out of the bramble he tore

his white goatee. Remembering with both regret and sorrow he laid out his sleeping role and recalled the events in detail.

690 years before

The warrior Shadow Mark was born in Canterlot before the mating of a unicorn and Pegasus was outlawed eliminating the chance of an alicorn child. Since then they have all died, in a dungeon, or in hiding. In school he was always attentive never making friends though. He was rather solitary especially after his parents died.

He had known what his destiny was since he was a very young colt. That was to be the head of the personal guard of Princess Luna. Bully's telling him otherwise…though they always received a trip to the hospital shortly after to make sure they were not sterile. Most of them were though.

He did however make many friends with those much older than he. Most did not even know how young he was due to the fact that alicorns' had naturally longer legs.

After graduating high school he immediately trotted up to the palace of the two princesses. He was uncaring of the passing scenery he only cared on what he was going to arrive at. The castle loomed over him as the gates approached guarded by four guards two of them Luna's on the right side on the left Celestia's.

"Halt who goes there and what is thi business." Asked all of the guards simultaneously "I am here looking to become a royal guard of the Princess Luna." Stated Shadow Mark respectfully.

"You realize how many years of training it takes. How much it takes, are you sure you have what it takes?" a hidden voice answered it was feminine. Shadow looked around wondering who had spoken though eventually gave you and answered.

"If I said I did, I could be lying for I know not yet, though if I said I do not I would be cowering out of a difficult task without even trying. If I said that I will try my best then it is not enough. So I will say I will spend my life in service of her who raises the night. Even if it costs my life, torture will not change my mindset for I have decided." Shadow said to no one in particular for

he did not know where the voice came from.

His eyes widened as he saw the beautiful princess of the night Princess Luna step out from behind a bush. "What is your name young sir? You seem worthy enough to be in my personal guard, though you will have to pass through the ranks of course." (No I am not going to use the Canterlot voice get over it) Princess Luna said almost as if she were speaking to an old friend.

Quickly bowing down while speaking "My name is Shadow Mark your highness. My dream is to be in your service. I wish to do so." His mane was in his eyes as he spoke he bowed as low as possible until his horn pierced the dirt between the cobblestone path. Raising his wings because they were too large to stay closed while bending so far down.

"Rise young Shadow, and please walk with me. We have much to do." She turned as she motioned with her hoof starting to trot slowly then stopped waiting for him.

He followed for a moment then was stopped by a guard's voice. "Luna you need to have a guard at all times. For all you know he could be a spy." She looked at them and said "If he were a spy then he wouldn't have been so frank. A spy even an untrained one would try to be at least a little subtle about their intentions. Besides if there was another spy or assassin. He has already pledged his entire life to protecting me so we shall see."

"Please Princess do not put all your faith in me. For I am untrained I cannot defend you." Shadow said almost pleadingly she looked into his eyes as if searching for something. She raised a hoof in the air as if signaling.

Then he saw a magical bolt hurled towards her. It was expertly cast and he could not dispel it. "PRINCESS LOOK OUT!" he said flying in front of the bolt to shield her. It hit him square in the chest; the electricity sent him falling to the ground in convulsions.

"I feel this proves my point." She said walking away while Shadow got up. "I am still not convinced. It could have just been instinct." Said one of the guards

Then two strangers trotted slowly up the road. When they came within ten meters they removed there cloaks revealing knifes at least a three dozen each. Using their magic to take about six each and flung them toward each of them.

It all went slow motion then charging forward, horn glowing; he took hold of them and continued the charge until the only thing left of them was corpses. Blood trickling out of the wounds down the cobblestone path. Heart still pumping for a few minuscule moments.

Looking down at his work then back to the guards and the princess. They gaped in awe "I have never seen anything move so fast. Let alone on land." (Cause there is no rainbow dash yet) stated one of the guards. Luna simply said "So you were telling the truth. Come we need to go the blacksmith we need to get you some armor as a badge of office."

The guards all looked simontainously at her and said "Princess we do agree he should be allowed to skip some of the training procedures. Yet the loyalty test he must do no matter what he does out here, it could all be a fabrication, a trick, or instinct."

"If it must be then fine he will go through the test. Go ahead of us and set it up." Luna then turned to Shadow Mark as the golden armor of Celestias' royal guard and the deep blood red of Lunas' royal guard walked through the gate of the castle to set up the test.

"Young Shadow I thank you for saving my life. So I must warn you this test of loyalty has injured or killed many. I hope you do not become one of them."

"Then let us begin, I do not wish to disappoint you so I will complete this task." He said walking along side Luna

The guards shoved him into a doorway and closed it behind him and sealed it with magic. He knew that the goal was to find the exit of the maze. So he followed the wall for a while. He then he felt the ground underneath him give way. Before he knew what was happening, flames shot up from the ground, searing and boiling his flesh, bubbling up and popping, then cauterizing. Staggering back screaming, he knew that these must be the things the princess warned him of, so he would fly.

After about five minutes of flying through the white washed maze, he felt a cable on his neck. Again the flames shot out, but now from the ceiling, searing his wings and all of the flesh that was not burned the first time. He fell with a crash and whimpered where he lay.

He examined his wounds; glad he had taken Health in high school. The wounds had cauterized, but still oozed blood. Every time he moved, the scabbed flesh popped and bled. The pain was unbearable, but he knew he would have to bear with it.

After triggering another pressure plate, he came to an idea. Make a trail along the walls. He would have to use his blood, but he would know when to turn. After beginning this, he nearly gave up. The opening of the wound was too painful.

Unfortunately, Shadow put most of his focus onto the trail of blood he was leaving on the wall, and stepped on a pressure plate. As the flesh burned, he flew up into another cable in the sky, scalding his eyes shut, making him blind.

Screaming in horror as the blackness sprawled him out on the floor. Unseeing, unknowing where he was. He felt a gentle hoof on his scabbed shoulder. He instinctively turned to see who it was even though he couldn't see. Although he couldn't see, he saw what looked like an older version of himself. He looked into his own eyes. It was strange, but he ignored it. He saw himself pointing towards the ground behind him. He looked there, and saw what looked like black hoofprints.

Then he realized that they were his own. He knew how to retrace his steps now. He gasped as he realized that he didn't feel the pain of the burns. After he shrugged off the fact he no longer felt the pain of the wounds, he continued on, determined to find the exit.

After countless times of losing his focus, he screamed in horror as the pain came back. Rolling around, writhing until it subsided. He bore through the pain, managing to stand up, nowhere to go.

He began talking to himself; yet what he said were just his thoughts actually spoken aloud with no one around. "How long has it been? My strength fails, yet my hunger does not. Wait… what is that? Those aren't hoof prints. Is it blood? Forget it. I should continue."

After what seemed like forever, he had finally done it. He had traced the entire maze, gone through every entrance in every tunnel, twice, to make sure he wasn't missing an exit, but there was nothing to open to the world. He had given up. He glimpsed around the outermost walls.

He then saw a faint glimmer through the darkness. It seemed to be a reflection of sorts. He knew the escape now.

Luna stepped into the observation room. "How long has it been?" Luna asked with curiosity. "Umm…," *the guard glanced down at the timer* about ten days and seven hours. It's been six days since he's beaten the record. And that's of surviving at all. Those who survived the test and come out only lasted a day or two." "What is he doing now?" Luna asked.

They saw Shadow Mark bashing his hoof against a wall violently until it was bleeding vigorously. Then he used his horn to open even more scabs and made a large puddle on the ground. Then, dipping his horn into the thick liquid, he began to scrawl something over the wall. He continued dipping his horn into the blood; occasionally bashing the wall with his hoof again.

"My word….why would he do such a thing…? Is it his last testimony? WAIT! What is wrong with his eyes?" She squinted, looking at his eyes, how they never focused or opened. They were gone; almost a blackened lump of charcoal in his skull.

He actually looked at them when he finished writing it said. 'I know you are reading this Luna. Step away from where you are.' With this he began to flap his burnt wings, the bone stuck out in places and the red liquid seeped through the skin.

"What is he doing now...my he does look disgusting. He's charging get out of the way!" Luna shouted while jumping to the side. The triple pane glass of the room shattered almost without effort, though one of the shards cut his wing but that ruined his focus and he crashed into the doorframe.

Standing up on his new and scabbed flesh. And looked at Luna, who in return looked at him. As she looked into his eyes she saw they weren't lumps of charcoal but were eyes. Although they were bubbling. Boiling, scalded looking at her, disconnected, dead, yet he could still see. "Please don't look at me with those eyes Shadow they are grotesque. The doctors can…do something."

"Luna if you do not like them…then rip them out of my skull they are useless. I can see not with those eyes I have a different way of seeing. The only way the doctors can help is a transplant." Then he raised his head up as if waiting for her to actually do it.

"Are you serious? I could never do that I won't hurt you for the weakness of my gag reflex." "Luna your hurt!" Shadow dropped the subject as he noticed the blood on her side trickling down from a gash from the glass.

"Shadow would you stop….ergh just get the doctors." Luna said storming out after she was out the door she sighed. She tried to be the good ruler who cares for their subjects then they just care for her more.

The New Guard

The doctors walked into the observing room minutes later. One walked up to Shadow and said to him “I need to give you a sedative; you’ll wake up in an empty room. This is because in every case I’ve seen the pain comes about a day later so we put them in almost an asylum room to keep you safe.”

Shadow nodded understanding though fearing it. They injected the needle into his neck. The world began to go fuzzy and fade. He actually gripped to stay awake but It was fruitless he was asleep in seconds.

Shadows Dream.

He was in a void nothing around but the tendrils of living darkness and shadow. A figure appeared before him. As he looked more intently at it the figure seemed to be the older version of him he saw when he was blinded. His mane was longer he had a white goatee, and he was taller, much taller. Actually he was the height of Celestia. (Basically a full grown horse)

“Young Shadow. You have discovered your powers for the first time. So I must warn you of the consequences of such.” The older Shadows voice boomed and echoed across the void of his mind.

“What do you mean? Are you speaking of when I was able to see without eyes. And when you appeared around the same time the pain subsided.” Shadow asked as the other nodded his head

“Precisely, the powers of the shadows themselves are great. Are they not?” The older him looked into his eyes and walked over to him. Close enough to whisper even though it could still be heard for a while in distance.

“The shadow? What do you mean? Are those what the powers are called?”

“Indeed they are the shadows of the void in which you stand. To call upon them again though, you must be warned. That you cannot die or feel pain using the shadow. Neither can you die while feeling the pain of the shadow. But once it goes which it always must, you will feel the pain of whatever you felt while using it five times over. Meaning unbearable pain, the pain of death over and over again if you cannot take it then choosing you was a mistake. It is your namesake after all.”

“You mean when I wake up I’ll feel all the pain of the fire and burns that I should have felt along with the pains of the current burns.”

“Unfortunately yes, I must leave you now though I feel we will meet soon.”

“One last question. Who are you what are you?”

“Young Shadow I am you yet I am you when you call upon the shadow I am merged with shadow, worked into my very flesh. Use my powers well.”

It all faded then he felt himself flying through a tunnel launched by some invisible force.

The room.

It was only about five seconds, from the time that he woke up that he started wailing in agony. Rolling on the floor writhing; beating away his own flesh to stop the pain. Blood soaked the floor in puddles splashing as his inconsistent writhing in them made them larger.

His vision was gone as he realized that. Feeling a burning and stabbing. The only actual cuts he had where on his neck belly and legs yet they were bleeding furiously. As if to make up for what they missed, which only Shadow realized that they were.

For the three days that he was in there he never once stopped the howling. It was heard throughout the entire castle.

Constantly. He was blind yet occasionally he saw using the shadow. Faint but still seeing, all he saw though was his own blood stained everywhere.

He did not even notice that there was a window that was placed to observe all though it had been closed after the first hour because he had flown into it covering it with blood.

Three days after that he was still writhing in the ever growing puddles of the thick substance of blood. Any normal pony would have bled out about five times over by now. But he had some sort of protection because of the shadow.

He then heard an opening of a door. Turning blindly towards the sound he heard pony’s five or six he couldn’t be sure. He heard mumbling mostly complaining about how much blood they had to clean. “Who’s there…” he managed meekly

“Can you not see us? I and my sister were both amazed at your performance. The test has never been outsmarted you were the first we had to see you and now that your yelling has stopped.” He heard a familiar voice say

“No I cannot, I am blinded. I fear I can no longer be the Princess Lunas guard. I suppose I’ll have to find something else to do. Hopefully the Princesses will still let me do something here at the castle.” Shadow then had a coughing fit with blood “Ok I think that’s the last of it. Although I need a doctor to be sure.”

“What do you mean blinded I saw you write on the walls in your blood. You were the most qualified guard in history and you’re blind! Tia can’t you heal him?”

“TIA! You two are the princesses!” he stood up and bowed his head to them. “Forgive me for not knowing earlier princesses I did not recognize you.”

“unfortunately Luna the powers that cause him pain are beyond me. They are the shadow of the void. I cannot tamper with it. I suppose I could help fix his eyes but it may hurt. Are you okay with that Shadow?”

“If it is anything like the pain of the shadow then no but if it means being guard for Luna then yes. Yes I am ok with this.” He said still bowing.

“You may rise. I will try my best but I cannot do everything.”

Then as Celestias horn began to glow the empty eyes in shadows head shrunk then grew. He felt them popping and fixing he tried not screaming. So he remained silent.

When it was done he could see. And wished he couldn’t the place was stained with blood stains not just a puddle here and there but it covered the ground. Although it was a small room only about seven by seven feet. Maid ponies were already cleaning it, he felt sorry for them.

“Can you see?” Luna asked hopefully “Yes you can I can see your horrified at the room. Don’t worry they will clean it up.

"Thank you Tia.”

“Thank you my princess for giving me my vision back. I am very grateful.” Shadow said respectfully.

“Oh no it’s any trouble. My sister thought you were a great addition and I had to see for myself. I can’t wait to see the results of the weekly competition.”

“Weekly competition? What do you mean princess?”

“You see Shadow to train and boast and have a little fun we set up little skirmishes between mine and Celestias guard you’ll participate in next weeks on Saturday.”

“Sounds fun can’t wait. Is there a guardhouse though to sleep and rest?”

“Yes I’ll show you there later after we get you some armor.” Luna said as she motioned for him to follow.

“One last thing Shadow. Don’t use the shadow on the other recruits maybe in the spars just nowhere else it could kill or injure someone.”

Shadow nodded in agreement. “If I am attacked though I shall use it.”

“Agreed.”

New Friends

Luna showed Shadow through the various corridors of the castle. They eventually reached what looked like a blacksmiths. It was quite large it was a large circle then two alicorns on the back rearing up. The statues were made of marble and jewels.

“Welcome Princess is this new recruit here to get suited up?” The blacksmith pony asked. The pony was dark gray with almost white gray mane tail and stubble with an ingot and hammer as his cutie mark.

“Indeed Steel Hammer, use the dark metal of the early recruits. We shall be back in a few hours to pick it up.” She turned to leave but was stopped by Steel hammer.

“I’ll need a few minutes to see measurements. What’s your name?”

“I am Shadow Mark I am pleased to meet you 3 foot 9 from the withers. (the beginning of the neck) and I generally were medium.” Shadow said.

“Well thank you Shadow Mark I will begin working immediately. It’s surprising how many alicorns have come to work for Luna recently more than double then what we have had in the past ten years so five. They are quite rare to come by.”

“Well it was nice meeting you. But I have to go follow the princess or else I’ll be lost.” He said then ran off.

“Here we are Shadow the guard house this is where you will be staying with the other recruits.” Princess Luna said to him as he walked inside and she walked off.

Shadow Mark walked inside to see about thirty ponies’ in the guard house most of them being unicorns. He thought he would start to get to know them he walked over to an alicorn with a black coat, blue mane like his own yet had red down the middle.

“Hey. What you doing in here another new recruit?” the other pony asked

“Yes I am another new recruit. My name is Shadow Mark what is yours?”

“My name is Red Talon. Because my mane is red and I use daggers like no other. Why did you join?” Red Talon asked

“I joined to protect Luna. You?”

“I don’t actually know something just compelled me to join so I did. So I guess for the hay of it. Money maybe that’s usually a good reason. Well I guess I will see you later.”

Nodding Shadow walked over to another alicorn. Very jumpy, hyper more like it, brown coat, and a dark brown mane.

“Names Swift Hoof. Pleasure meeting you what’s your name? Why did you join? And what do you do?....man you are poor aren’t you.” He said the last part to himself

“My name is Shadow Mark. I came here to protect Princess Luna and I use the void to conquer my foes. Now I question why you are called Swift Hoof are you a runner?”

“HAY NO! I am the best thief in all of Equstria. I joined for fame and glory. I sneak into the base during the skirmishes. And you use the void that’s cool. Man you don’t have anything good.” He mumbled the last part but too loud and Shadow remembered he was a thief and spoke out

“Hey give me my stuff back!” he shouted

“I was wondering how long that would take. I didn’t take anything just about 5 bits.” Swift said

“Well fine keep them. I suppose it was good meeting you.” He said walking off to another. He remembered the blacksmith telling him five looked like him. He found two now just the other three before meeting the rest of the team.

He walked up to a gray alicorn with a gray mane with blue in the middle. He had a crossbow and quiver as a cutie mark.

“Hello sir my name is Shadow Mark I’m new and trying to get to know everyone.”

“Well call me Straight Shot, best archer here in Equstria, or so they say. I joined to protect Equstria not just the princess. I fly above the bunkers and bases during skirmishes and take shots at them. What do you do?”

“I use the void. The shadow of the void, It leaves me undying when using it yet afterword’s it leaves me screaming in a room for three days. I haven’t done a skirmish yet so I don’t know.”

“You and I should go toghter you just be my meat shield and attack when I run out of arrows.” He said with a sly smile

“I will think about it. Is there any one in charge like a room keeper or someone who just looks over yet is a ranking officer?”

“Oh yeah his names John Silver Tongue. He has a knack for getting others to do as he wants. He should be arriving soon to announce your arrival how long you lasted the test special talent. Just boasting for you trying to get you friends.”

Shadow nodded and walked away looking for the other two alicorns. He saw them he decided to go to the closest one first. He was dark blue had a hammer as a cutie mark and had a lighter blue mane. Shadow spoke the first words of greeting.

“Hello I am new and was trying to get to know everyone. I was wondering who you are and what you do here.”

The alicorn replied “Names Crafter just Crafter. If you’re wondering what I craft, well anything and everything. I’ll build barricades, bunkers, weapons, armor anything that uses a hammer, so no clothes I’ve tried fixing those once and woo don’t ask how it turned out.”

“My names Shadow Mark. I just use the shadows of the void to aid me. Its deffitnatly got its drawbacks but it’s handy. *shrugs* so why did you join?”

“I guess to do some good in the world protect the princesses. You?”

“Protect Princess Luna. That’s about it.”

“Respectable now I need to get back to fixing some guys watch. See you later.” Crafter said.

Shadow nodded and walked over to the last alicorn. He was sitting on a bed muzzle in a book. He had a white coat with a light gray mane and tail. He had a book as his cutie mark.

Before Shadow could say anything to him he spoke up and said “I couldn’t help but notice what you were doing since the moment you walked through the door. You claim to be trying to get to know everyone yet you only go to the alicorns me included. I also heard you use the void if this is true you are indeed dangerous. Yet I cannot find a reason that you would only go to the alicorns. What is it you are doing creating a band of heroes, perhaps you do you not like other races of ponies, whatever it is I do not care? But it is a pleasure to meet you Shadow Mark. Names…”

He was cut off by another pony nearby finishing the sentence for him “SMART ASS!”

The alicorn seemed unharmed by this insult and shouted back “Technically ass refers to a donkey scientifically Equus asinus. Is actually generally unintelligent and stubborn so in our society it would be impossible to be ‘Smart’.” He paused for a moment then finished telling his name to Shadow. “It’s Cerebrum Equus Caballus. It’s the scientific tem for brain and pony or horse. Best scholar and strategist here in Equstria.”

“Wow mouthful, I suppose you already know who I am. But why did you join?”

“To be a tactical officer, yet I also want to do some work in the field. Oh and call me Cerebrum.”

“By the way about your previous question of why I am talking to alicorns first. Well I just hoped to get along with those like me. We kinda stand out in society. I don’t feel like I’m being treated as an equal.”

“A fair enough reason. Oh look John Silver Tongue is here probably to make an announcement, listen.”

A gray earth pony walked in and hollered while jumping on top of a table. “Attention everypony! We have a new recruit! His name is Shadow Mark and he has accomplished a remarkable feat! You know the last record of four days and six hours that Celestias guard won! Well he got the time of….ten days and nine hours!”

Some pony’s cheered for Shadow some cheered because the honor of longest time went to Lunas team again. Others just stared at Shadow Mark and his new skin and fur with only a couple burnt places. Why are they all staring? I wish they would stop its getting kind of creepy.

Cerebrum noticed Shadows reaction and quietly said to him “They see you as both a threat and an advantage against the other team. Stay vigilant or you may end up somewhere you don’t want to be.”

“Calm down everypony we haven’t even gotten to his talent yet!” John shouted and at that the staring and cheers stopped.

“Now although it is hard to see his cutie mark is a shadow yet it’s not an ordinary shadow it’s the shadow of the void!

Meaning he can use it and acquire its powers! These powers being strength, speed, a kind of sight, and not to mention the ability to avoid death! I say avoid because when he is using the shadow he cannot feel pain or fatigue yet afterword’s, well as informed to me by Princess Celestia he will feel all the pain of it five times over. Meaning bleeding out in a room for three days straight yet not dyeing!”

The stares returned to him this time even more intense. Now the only people who looked at him as if he weren’t a threat but like an ally were the alicorns he had spoken with. That reassured him, at least a little.

“The skirmish will be held three days from now and in the usual area!” John shouted as he stepped off the table and walked towards Shadow.

“Now kid follow me. I’ll show you were you sleep, also remember ponies here see you as a threat. Now there is no rule about fights as long as he threatens you or he throws the first punch. Yet make sure to stay with some pony so that way you have a witness. But if he comes at you with a weapon I want you to beat the crap out of him. This isn’t the place for killing. Ahhh here we are only open bed right with all the other alicorns. Strange having five join in the same month all within a week of each other. All of you the only recruits this month. Well I’ll leave you to whatever.”

“Thanks for the advice. I guess I will just go see if the blacksmith is done with my armor.”

“No it will be dropped off in the morning it takes a while to make.”

“Ok well I will just talk then.”

“Curfews in about an hour so if you want to do just idle conversation try to make some friends.”

After an hour of talking and making friends truly the only ones who wanted to be friends were the alicorns. He lay in bed now forming an Idea to show them all that alicorns aren’t just some mutts. Most people disliked alicorns except for the princesses because they were so good. Well that would change. They would form an elite squad. The thief, The warrior, The Strategist, The archer, The builder, and himself. Now a name, no it can wait till morning I need sleep.

The Dominion

Waking up with a breeze on his face he looked down and saw his armor there. Along with a paper with closer inspection he realized that it was a schedule.

7:30 Am breakfast 8:00-11:00 training 11:00-11:30 lunch 11:30-3:00 training 3:00-4:00 free choice 4:00-6:30 study 6:30-7:00 dinner 7:00-10:00 skirmish practice run. 10:30 curfew

Wow lot of training. Well its 5:00 right now so I could go roam for an hour. Wait is there a special schedule for the skirmish day there has to be. Then he saw it.

Skirmish day 4:00 Am – 10:30 pm skirmish

Day after skirmish Rest day

Wow long battles I wonder how big the field is. I’ll ask when everyone wakes up. Might as well go see the blacksmith. I want some specialized gear. I could talk to crafter for some of it but he isn’t up yet.

After about ten minutes of getting lost through the corridors he finally just decided to use the shadow to find his way. “How do I do this never done it on purpose before?”

He then just thought about letting it into his being and it worked. He felt the darkness of the shadow and followed his old footsteps through the corridor. And sure enough he found his way to the blacksmiths. Lucky for Shadow he was already there.

“Hey Steel Hammer do you make special sets of weapons and armor?” Shadow asked

The earth pony turned around “Ahhh Shadow, yes I can make special requests. Though I am afraid I will have to charge you for it. So what is it you need?”

“I wasn’t expecting it to be free. About what I want well I was thinking to make the most of space I would have different weapons hidden in different places.”

“Go on.” Steel said while turning back to the chunk of metal he was molding.

“Well specifically I would like a small leather belt to fit under my wing made for throwing daggers. Another of the standard gauntlet daggers, some armor for the tail with a barb on the end, armor for the wings made sharp around the edges.”

“Hmm well that may take a little work. But I will do it should be done by tomorrow my schedule is quite empty. So I am quite glad that you give me something to do.”

“Thank you I do appreciate it. Now I have a question is there a chemist around here?”

“Oh yeah she is down this corridor to the right when you reach the end take the left and then the second right you’ll be right there.”

Nodding he thanks he began to trot down the corridor. Once he arrived at the chemists he saw a candle burning so he walked in. he saw a unicorn there sitting over a burner while throwing in ingredients like mad. Then once she stopped she poured the result into a flask and emptied it into another container with other chemicals. She only noticed him after a couple of minutes.

“The names Derilia (dur-ill-e-a) what is it you need?”

“Is there any poison that is strong enough to knock someone out but not kill them? Names Shadow Mark I’m a new guard.”

“Yes there is yet I have not made one recently….” She stopped and threw ingredients into a jar started a burner and melted them. Then she mashed up some more and threw them into a distilling apparatus and poured in the newly burned ingredients. Mixing them slowly. After a minute she gathered the remains and put them in a bottle.

“Here you are don’t inhale if you can get them to smell it or into blood stream then they will be out in less than 10 seconds. No charge you were the mark of Luna I would like to see her win one of these skirmishes.”

“Thank you. I am quite grateful.”

“Oh by the way there is a rather annoying guard of Celestias. Just poor this into his food and he will get what’s coming to him.” She handed him a liquid

“What does it do and who is the guard.”

“Well he keeps flirting with me and also a bit perverted about it. So this makes him completely sterile.”

“You mean…”

“Well no just for a month or to maybe a year if he drinks all of it.”

“Ok who is it?”

“The general…”

“Fine I’ll do it. I have to go.” It was almost 6:30 and he wanted to speak to his friends about his plan

“I like the idea.” Swift said

“It is possible that we may be insulted more because of this it’s a small percentage but still possible. Exactly….5.352%.” Cerebrum said

Red Talon just nodded he was the silent type. More of the man of action.

“What would be the name of this ‘organization’ if I know I could make us some special gear.” Crafter said

“Who’s the leader we can’t be just a band of revelers.” Straight Shot said

Red Talon spoke up now “All In favor of this organization say I.”

“I” they all said

“All in favor of the leader being Shadow Mark say I.” Red talon said and raised his hoof and said I

“I agree he is probably the most capable.” Straight said

“Well he is….87.625% most qualified; it could be a chance that he is not.” Cerebrum said

The last two just said I and it was decided.

Then Red Talon spoke again “All in favor of the name The Shadow Legion say I.”

“I don’t know I kinda like the name The Alicorn Six.” Swift said

“No no it should be The Shadow Warriors.” Straight said

Crafter agreed with that yet Cerebrum said “Latin for The Heroes of Equestria.”

“No I say The Lunar Dominion we are all Lunas guard so why not show it’s her we stand for.”(No this is not a The New Lunar Republic reference I may use the symbol but no I am not bringing that crap into this.)

It was unanimous all agreed Crafter then thought aloud “Well what’s the symbol something that when the people of Equstria look upon it, they cheer, cheer for our great deeds and tasks.”

“How about Luna’s symbol with the shadow of the void behind it.” Straight said (I don’t know if I am right but I am pretty sure that her symbol is the new lunar republic one if not just look at the pic i have up)

Nodding their heads in agreement Crafter shouted out “I’M ON IT!!” and rushed off to his workbench were he stayed until breakfast.

At breakfast Shadow said to Swift. “Hey swift you see the general over there Celestias. You pour this into his drink I’ll distract him.”

“Fine but May I ask why.”

“Just a prank. It will shame him for at least, forever.”

“I’m all for shaming them so high and mighty pisses me of. No need to distract him I will do it all. CEREBRUM!”

“Yes?” Cerebrum said

“Cast an invisibility potion on this liquid and myself.”

“Ok” he did within and within fifteen seconds he heard faint flapping of wings. Then laughing as he returned, and Cerebrum dispelled it.

“So what did that chemical do?” Swift asked

“Let’s just say it will hurt to go to the bathroom for the next couple of years.” Shadow said

“…really?” they burst out laughing then the bell rang from the bell tower signaling time for training.

For the rest of the day he trained and talked with his friends. The practice for the skirmish was really just rehearsing for different scenarios.

They all got let off early from training so Shadow headed to the blacksmith and picked up his custom gear. It was just what he hoped it would be. Shiny, sharp, light, sturdy.

When he returned to the room Crafter called him and the others over to his workbench. And showed them the broaches that he had made. Each one outlined in gold.

“Perfect. Now to confirm this forming of the dominion we must swear an oath made of blood. If you want out say so now.” Shadow said with no one doing anything he preceded.

“Repeat. To The Lunar Dominion I pledge my life. To be the mark of it with pride were we are not welcome. To protect Luna this dominion was formed to do. So I will continue to do as my predecessors. The law does not intervene with this oath. Nothing intervenes with this oath. And with this blood…” he grabbed the throwing knife next to him and not only cut himself but gouged the symbol into his hoof. Then continued. “I pledge my oath. Even death shall not bring traitorous words to the dominion or to Luna even if they cause the death personally.”

The others repeated before asking what it meant exactly Cerebrum did not have to but the others were confused. Swift asked first. “What does all that mean?”

“Well now if it means the protection of Luna break the law for it does not matter. Nothing stands as a barrier between us and protecting her. And no torture or threat will give away any information.”

“Can we admit new members?” Red Talon asked

“We shall see but for now we rest.”

The Skirmish

The next six days he trained with his friends until the day before the skirmish. Instead of the usual training they all packed gear and met on the skirmish field.

The crafter pony’s worked all night to build the bunker and defenses. Once done the six of they discussed the plan.

"I believe the most successful plan is to first Straight flies above and shots magic and arrows at them. Red Talon and Shadow Mark you go charge in and create a distraction. Remember to 'kill' them you have to knock them out. Then Swift you sneak in the bunker when they are distracted and knock them unconscious. I will stay with Straight and use magic. I specialize in defense magic so I could stick with Red Talon because Shadow has the shadow." Cerebrum said

"I am fine with this idea. Now...." the flare shot up interrupting Shadow.

"LOOK OUT THEY ARE ABOVE US!!!" the 'leader' of the skirmish shouted.

"Go into the bushes stick to the plan let them think they have taken us out. We will come back to free them later." Shadow said to his friends.

"Follow me I know where they start. This isn’t my first skirmish STRAIGHT SHOT HELP WE ARE GETTING ATTACKED FROM ABOVE!" Red Talon shouted knowing that they had all agreed to stay close in case this happened.

Within fifteen seconds they were down one landed right in front of him and Shadow quickly unfurled his wings and unleashed the throwing daggers at him.

All their weapons were enchanted to the could not cut veins or something like that. He would ask Cerebrum later all he knew is they all could not die unless strangled.

"THANKS COUNTINE FORWARD!" Red Talon shouted at Straight and gave a salute

"UNICORN AT 3 O'CLOCK." Shadow said and Red Talon hardly looked he just used the dagger gauntlet (hidden blade kinda cause I mean it is hard to hold stuff with hoofs.) and pointed it at the direction. The foolish unicorn ran right into it and fell over whimpering. Red Talon proceeded to kick him hard in the groin, which the unicorn responded with wide eyes and uncounsiousnis.

"Good work. You lead the way." Shadow said (by the way I’m sorry if the Shadow said or Straight said or Red Talon said. it’s just that in locations like this they may repeat a thought so it’s not really dialogue so I have to actually remind myself who’s talking sometimes.)

About ten minutes later of slowly treading across the ground and then occasionally knocking out somepony and binding them. The bunker came into view. "Ok I’ll start the distraction get my back I don’t want to be whimpering in a room for three days straight again."

Red Talon nodded and Shadow charged in using the shadow. The tendrils coming off his body as he got to the first one arrow and magic bolts fell from the sky. Good they are watching over me. He thought to himself. He clashed daggers with another pony but his broke so he pulled out his other and smacked the other pony upside the head, sending him to the ground.

About a minute later his other gauntlet broke. So he resorted to primitive means, his hoofs and his horn. He heard Red Talon cry out as he was struck down.

Turning around quickly he beat the crap out of them and helped Red up his dagger was broken to. "BACK TO BACK!" Shadow shouted.

They lasted five minutes before they saw the ponies in the bunker fleeing and it bursting into flames. "Well that’s a good sign." Red Talon said

"As long as Swift got out of there....I think we may need a little help." Shadow said as the enemas closed in around them. And to make things worse the shadow left him then. "AHHHHHH!!!" he cried out and went to a knee.

Red Talon fought them off for a little while calling to the others. Luckily they heard and landed next to them Cerebrum saw Shadow was hurt and cast a spell on him. "There that should help the pain. Also here take my gauntlet I prefer magic over metal."

An hour later after the sweat beading down their faces and them constantly giving ground. They ended up fighting in a six pronged star type formation. There they stayed for the rest of the day. Until twilight, as the sun dipped below the horizon he shouted a battle cry "I PRO LUNA PRINCEPS!!!!!" he had asked cerebrum for the phrase earlier knowing he speaks Latin.

It translates (according to Google translate) to I fight for the moon princess.

His friends repeated and riled at the cheer. "I PRO LUNA PRINCEPS!!!" they shouted then the translation of it "I FIGHT FOR THE MOON PRINCESS!!!" though unexpectantly the rest of the team rallied to this as well. They heard their cheer echo throughout the skirmish field faintly from somepony but still heard.

After the echoing had stopped for about five minutes and only the sound of steel could be heard. They then saw their general walk onto the battlefield he had armor like Shadows yet golden. Knowing that the goal was to bring their general down he shouted to his teammates in Latin. He was glad he had asked Cerebrum to teach them so they could speak and still be unknown. "Vestibulum duce IMPERATOR!" (Get the general, CHARGE)

They all looked towards the general and charged wings out stretched each with the special armor Shadow had. Shadow leaded the charge Red Talon to his right and Swift to the left behind them Straight Shot and Crafter, Cerebrum was right behind Shadow flying only a couple of feet above the ground so his armor went right over Red Talons and Swifts though only one wing, still it helped.

With the last few steps of the charge they lowered their heads and started a charge of magic to release on impact. Shadow felt his horn hit the general’s armor. Perfect the electricity will be much more effective. Within ten seconds the only movement of the general was the spastic movements every time the electricity jumped from armor plate to armor plate and into his body.

As Celestias guards stared gaping at what just six alicorns had done slowly turning their head from the still burning bunker. Then back to the general they had ended it at least three hours earlier then the last match. The Lunar Dominion looked toward the bushes as they heard their own general’s battle cry and saw the raised tabard of Luna. "FORWARD FOR LUNA!" he shouted and the entire army charged through the thick bramble. And every single one of the fifty - seventy of the men who were still up gaped at the six alicorns who were now leaning against a tree with the general hog tied and their own banner raised.

"Finally we've been waiting for what seemed like hours. Now though General Tenebrae Calx (translate the names yourself they will be Latin English or if something else I’ll tell you.) you see we have obviously done our work and now that your here our shift is over. So I and my friends here are going to go get a pint of ale and revel, sing, cheer, and have a merry time. While you and yours.....do whatever you do." Shadow said while walking past the general patted him on the shoulder and they all flew off towards the castle.

Later that night as they were in the mead hall drinking rejoicing and singing. The general walked in and sighed "You realize it is past curfew do you not."

"Really caushe to me I shee a no....wait....the middle one....okay I can’t shee the time maybe I've had one to many pints *sigh* oh well." Shadow said drunkly

The General sighed again. "You realize also you’re not supposed to be intoxicated."

"Really well that would explain that cheap bartender shaying I’ve had enough. Weres mah mead....." Shadow said then getting up and looking everywhere for his mead glass that was on the table the whole time.

Once again the General sighed and said under his breath "How did HE get a promotion so quickly. I'm going to be apprenticing a drunken foal soon." He scoffed at the idea. Then proceeded with his message. "By the order of Princess Luna of Equestria you have been promoted and are to advance three times in rank."

The revelers cheered Shadow stayed slightly mellow until he found his mead in front of him then he cheered and finished it off.

"Sho what’s mah name now Shargent Bull Shit like all you other high and mighty generals." Shadow said angrily and drunkly

"No but you are squad leader now you may choose seven to go with you from a rank one below you." Tenebrae said

Shadow looked at him and with all the effort he could walked as much in a straight line towards him and speak as soberly as possible "Look Tenebrae you can forget it. I lead my FRIENDS into battle NONE OTHER. I do not care if it is an order to move to a different rank. You can go tell Luna even though I created this Dominion to protect her. Never in my oath did I say I would do whatever she says.....right...” he turned around and asked his friends. And they nodded "Ok so right now unless my decision puts her in direct danger I will not accept!" his friends cheered and stood well sat a gape at his decision.

Tenebrae trotted out of the room surprised at Shadows decision. When he stepped out he saw Luna just where she was when he went in. Her expression stated she was satisfied. But that could not be right she must not have heard.

"Did you hear all of it?"

"Every word, didn’t I tell you of his undying loyalty, unfortunately though he has conflicted loyalties between me and his friends."

"So you heard him break all four of our rules and know we must send him out to expel him not only that but punish." Tenebrae stated

"Well drinking was the result of all of them." Luna said

"Even breaking one of the major rules means thirty lashings and indirectly breaking the rest means a total of fifty."

"I see no reason to punish him."

Staring into her eyes the entire time he noticed her eyes soften whenever they mentioned 'him' "You feel for him don’t you."

She panicked for a moment looking for a way out of this "Oh.....ummm....No I just......ummm Maybe I was being too soft....yes.......lashings sure."

Tenebrae looked at her with unamused face "Princess even a goat could see through that lie. *sigh* but you know maybe I just had to many beers and I was intoxicated and imagined the whole thing." he began to slur his words

She smiled and said "Oh no I am not falling for him......I just.......want to......become a better princess by uhh you know ummm getting to know my subjects." She smiled hopefully

"Not working Princess. Now I got to get some rest you should to. Go brag to Celestia about us winning for me."

She nodded and waited till he was out of view and walked in.

"PRINCESS!" All but two of the ponies exclaimed them being Swift and Shadow because they were the only ones truly drunk. They were just laughing next to the bar until Swift noticed.

"Hey look itsh the princess, hey hey princess howsh it going..." he said just before stumbling over and topples into Luna.

"Princess you can forget about me being your Shargent thing a ma bob I already shaid *takes swig of mead* no."

"Forgive us princess we didn't let him get anymore cause we said he couldn’t hold his liquor so he said 'is that a challenge' and drank all of ours then bought five more and well just make sure to clean that corner over there may be messy." Crafter said being the one with most manners.

"Shadow would you listen to me please." Luna said

"Well Shure what do you have to shay." (Btw just I am just guessing on how it is to be drunk I am underage so I have never tasted alcohol)

"I grant you your request; you get to stay with your friends. But they will be part of you squad to lead and order. You will train under General Tenebrae."

"WHAT!!!" General Tenebrae exclaimed and fell out from his position behind the door. (oh crap I forgot to describe him just to do so He looks kinda like male Luna I guess with black mane not an alicorn though Pegasus and he’s very formal has blue eyes and like once again a really long mane.)

"Yes are you worried this 'Drunken foal' has become too good for you to teach him anymore then he already knows" she said smugly

"No of course not." The general said.

"Then it’s settled your training begins tomorrow. Shadow I give you the funds to supply your squad. Now I must return to my chambers I grow weary." Luna said

"Goodnight amici lassitudo i tam mane videbo vos" Shadow said to them and the nodded they all had to prepare for the task ahead.

NewFound Respect

Well this is an authors note im changing the rating to M for gore its lower end M so dont go i wont read it now just cause of that i just dont want someone reporting it because of that. it will still be same type of story critism is still apprieacted welcome wanted so i will be working on my other chapters now

Shadow had been assigned new quarters next to Tenebrae. His companions stayed in a small complex area as big as his quarters yet divided into five rooms a bathroom kitchen and a living room.

He wore the armor of Lunas personal guard. He had the emblem of his squad emblazoned on the front where the neck ended and underbelly began. A cape began from it along his back. It was the blue of Lunas mane. (In Luna eclipsed) It also had a magical enchantment that made it flow like it to.

Waking up to train tactics with Tenebrae and also Tenebrae told Shadow about Luna. He had walked into the command room (the room with the map and stuff like that I forgot the proper term for It.) and said to Shadow. “Today Shadow I will show you and tell you everything I know. I am not supposed to tell you this but you are to be promoted in a year. You will become my senior.”

“A year?” Shadow asked

“Normally it’s seven, though I need to tell you we have been informed that you look like a hero figure to some. The word got out about your record talent and miraculous promotion. Many think Luna even fancy’s you.” Tenebrae said whilst staring at the map of Equestria and the latitude and longitude. Comparing to the sheet of paper he had in his hand.

Shadows eyes grew in surprise “Are these rumors true? Between you and me I don’t want to be a royal, I would if I had the chance to be with Luna, yet I’m fine without it.”

Shaking his mane the general said “Now if I told you what fun would there be in watching how it turns out. Saying yes would be like going HEY SHADOW LUNA LOVES YOU AND SHES GONNA ASK YOU TO MARRY HER QUICK SHES IN HER BEDCHAMBERS. Yet saying no would be like saying PSST Shadow Lunas an assassin and wants to promote you just so she can stab you in the back.”

Shadow chuckled at the joke “We’ll let us work without the rumors.”

“Here…” General Tenebrae Calk tapped his hoof on a location. With further inspection Shadow realized that it was a settlement called Manehatten. “This is where you will be stationed as head of guard until promotion the settlement has only began well settling about a year back so they need a town guard.”

“So you send me as a town guard I thought that was recruits jobs.” Shadow said jokingly yet slightly agitated

“As I said they see you as a hero they have been having bandit problems and if you save a town by coming out of nowhere and slaying the bandits your reputation will improve with the country they will trust you .So if you do something stupid they will still follow you. Yet now if you screw up they will leave your side. If you ever want your respect to grow trust me I will help you.”

“Fine I will gather my friends and we will leave.” Shadow answered now anxious

“Also Shadow be cautious don’t brag or boost be a man for the people from the people not one who just sits around and takes glory for what your team has done I have lost respect because I did this. Also finish it up before the skirmish I want another win.”

Nodding his head Shadow walked out of his room and into his friend’s quarters. “HAUL ASS I WANNA SEE EVERYPONY OUT ON THE COURT YARD IN TWENTY!!”

Cerebrum replied in Latin “Quot vicis have vos ego asinus asinum et conceptum, non dissimulo, me unum ex eis.”

“Non-mecum bene PLACENS” Shadow shouted to him

“Denique.” Cerebrum said

“Ok this is our first actual task. We need to go to a newly settled Town of Manehatten. They have been having problems with bandits and we need to exterminate them. Any questions?”

“Immo quanto nos adepto pensus?” Cerebrum asked

They all laughed at the statement. “Yes but remember I am your boss so I get paid first and will then proceed to pay you. Remember that if your pocket seems a bit light.” Shadow said jokingly

The rest laughed even harder at this comment. “Any more questions…no ok then let us fly.”

After flying for two days straight they arrived landing in the town square and asked around a bit “Hello citizen I am Commander Shadow Mark me and my team here are here to take care of the bandit problem.”

“Really well that’s great but only six of you there have got to be at least forty of them. Anyway they hide in the forest that we use for wood up north.” One citizen pony said

“Forty huh…here take these I’m going alone.” Shadow threw his weapons back to his group. “You needed to train more anyway. Don’t scratch them.” Shadow said walking off towards the forest.

“HE’S GOING ALONE!!” the citizen shouted

“I feel sorry for those bandits we aren’t there to calm him down. I would like to follow just to see the berserker rage he gets.” Straight said

“Fusce a mauris manebo et latronum dismembrentur questus questus ex virgis mauris.” Cerebrum said

“Quit it with the Latin I barely know any seeing how I was training when you taught the rest of us. And now we can’t speak it but we can listen of course besides me I don’t know crap.” Swift said

“Why don’t you quit monolougeing everything Swift.” Crafter said.

“Let’s go get some training or Shadow will kill us.” Red Talon said. The citizen standing there was in horror he knew they were just letting their commander die. Should he do something? Well maybe he could take them.

Two hours later

“ANYONE ELSE?!” Shadow shouted at the top of his lungs, he had made an arrangement with the bandits if he could take them all out in 1 on 1 combat they would go away. Although he could not fly use magic or a weapon. Shadow also did not use the shadow. Takes the fun out of it. He said to himself. How many was that twenty thirty forty fifty dang I have terrible memory. “FINE IF YOU’RE GOING TO PANZY OUT ANY PONY STILL STANDING OR WHO CAN STAND UP YOU CAN TAKE ME ON ALL AT ONCE.”

About ten ponies’ ran out of the bushes and were carrying lances. Chuckling Shadow jumped in the air not flying but gliding seeing that his wings were tied to his back bucked two of them with his hind legs then smashed two more ponies’ heads together. Then just beating the others.

“Ok that’s all of you now pack up your things and go.” Shadow said starting to trot away

“Not so fast you see you have shamed us now you must die.” A bandit said he looked like the leader covered in specs of gold on his armor.

“Pity I didn’t plan on burying fifty bandits tonight. Or even one I still need to go clean the blood of my blade from that dragon.” Shadow said lieing to intimidate them

“Dragon?” The bandits asked fearfully

“But of course what other type of meat do you expect me to eat. Oh well I suppose I can finish the cleaning tomorrow.” He said with a hint of sarcasm

“Don’t let him scare you, kill him!” The leader shouted

Ponies ran from all sides at Shadow. He used the shadow and lunged at one pony smashing his hoof against his jaw smashing it and blood spilling out. With a smirk in his eyes he bucked the pony behind him in the face sending him ten feet in the air and landing with a sickening crunch. Grabbing another pony with his tail and choking him to death then undoing the knots of his wings. Then using them to fly into the air with the other pony still in his tail then dropping him. “ANYONE ELSE HAVE A DEATH WISH!!??” he shouted then he saw a blur shot across the sky into him. It was Straight.

“I thought you would need these.” He said giving Shadow his weapons and armor. Nodding Shadow put them on and then turned his razor sharp wings toward the Pegasus flying towards him. Flying faster than ever upwards and when they were quite a distance away he turned around and dived. Gaining speed quickly he hit them and extended his wings to the side slicing whatever came into contact in two. Their screams ended as the ground came up to meet them.

Landing again the unicorns shot bolts of magic at him. “Simple...” As they neared them he grabbed them out of course and with each bolt he held the bigger it got then let go of it turned around and bucked it into the face of an unsuspecting pony then his head exploded. “LAST CHANCE!!” He shouted

This only increased their efforts. They did not even hit him he did not need the shadow. He had always disarmed them and killed them with the weapon they were holding.

Arrows began raining from the sky to many to be Straight. Looking up he saw about thirty ponies firing at him. Well that could hurt someone other than me. He thought to himself. Using his magic he created a wall and grabbed all of them and launched them back up towards the archers. They had already begun the second volley which he let hit the ponies around him.

“RALLY WE NEED TO KILL HIM!!” the leader shouted and Shadow shouted back while beating his way through the crowd to get to him. “Shut up you can’t use fifty men to kill one pony.”

“RALL…” the leader began but Shadow had grabbed his tongue using magic and said “I said shut up.” And ripped the leaders tongue out of his mouth smashing the teeth to get out the jaw blood spilling out. “Now I will let the rest of you live if you go away and don’t show your face again.”

Nodding they all lay their weapons down and trotted away as if nothing had happened. As did Shadow trotting slowly returning to his friends. When he got to town a citizen had told him to go to the tavern. “Oh crap...” thought Shadow walking over to the inn and slowly opening the door. They were all there drunk…more or less.

The villagers all noticed the blood stains on his coat and asked him about it. “Oh no I am not hurt I was just getting rid of your bandit problem. You should not have any more problems with them. How much does a room for the night cost.” Shadow said and then looked over at his friends “Six rooms?”

The inn keeper responded in shock before answering his question. “Truly you killed them all? By yourself? By Celestia here is one on the house. It is a great service you have done for us here. Is there anything else we can do?” He tossed a mug of Ale to Shadow.

“Thank you but I need no pay for a good deed. I don’t want to end up a stuck up lord not respecting the lower living style.” Then saying in a mocking voice sticking his snout in the air “Oh my this place is just dreadful. No fine cuisine in sight.” He mock fainted and everypony laughed “And that’s exactly why I enjoy this place. Cheers my friends for another glorious day.”

“CHEERS!” they all shouted. Then the inn keeper asked him a question “What is your name and who are you? The rooms are ten bits each by the way.” (Dangit I got to stop forgetting to describe characters. So just a light brown earth pony with dark brown mane and a mug of ale as his cutie mark.)

“My official title is Commander Shadow Mark of Canterlot Head of the Lunar Dominion. But screw formalities just call me Shadow unless you prefer that crap.” Shadow said

“Truly? You’re the great Shadow Mark?” The inn keeper said mouth agape

“Heard of me?” Shadow said surprised

“But of course through rumor though so if you could tell us the truth of the rumor I’d be much obliged.” The inn keeper said grabbing a mug then starting to clean it with a dirty rag.

“Ask away nothing held back, we’re all friends here. Although I still don’t know your name.” Shadow said finishing the ale in one big swig

“Ha my name is actually Tavern Keep. And I have never had a high ranking official call me his friend. Oh yes the rumors well we all know there is a loyalty test you have to pass to be admitted to the guard. An eventually the times get around. But yours, yours was unbelievable they said two weeks said you were so strong willed that you slept while on fire. Not caring if you stepped on a pressure plate and said you actually escaped from the test.” Tavern Keep said

Shadow laughed at first then said “No what you heard is wrong in its core true yet most of it false. Yes I did escape yes I did beat the record time to crap. And yes I did not care if I was burned. But the time was ten days nine hours not two weeks. Plus it was not willpower that kept me asleep while on fire. You see...” he pointed to his cutie mark “This although faint is what the shadow of the void looks like I can use it for power. Strength, speed, will power, unable to feel pain, no fatigue, and a special sort of vision that shows me where I’ve been as well as where blood has been so if I look at say a knife I would see blood, clean it and to you it would be gone but to me I could see it in a special color and somehow I just know who used it, just I do I can’t explain that part of it.”

“Wow you’re going to turn out a hero of Equestria if you can remain unbragging and have such a power. THREE CHEERS TO SHADOW MARK! THE CHAMPION OF LUNA! LET US HOLD HIS NAME WITH THOSE OF THE HEROS LONG PAST!” Tavern Keep shouted

They all cheered and rejoiced that night well until someone challenged Shadow to a drinking contest Shadow accepted and they sat down at a table and Tavern Keep brought over fifteen mugs of ale. “Fifteen? There are two of us?” Shadow said

“Yes but whoever drinks more of them wins.” The pony challenging him said.

“GO!!” Tavern shouted

Grabbing the first mug Shadow downed it in one swig and looked with a smirk at the other pony who was downing two in the same fashion. “How about this.” Shadow said grabbing three mugs one with magic and the other with his fore hooves. Downing them in a few gulps then slamming them down. To Shadows surprise the other pony had kept up with him. They drank and drank after his seventh glass the other pony won but Tavern Keep played a joke and kept pouring ale in Shadows mug whenever he slammed it down. Shadow was too drunk to notice. So in total he drank about ten and a half glasses he passed out after drinking half of the last one. His friends had done the same at some point so Tavern left them till morning.

“Ergh what happened.” Shadow said getting up from the ground noticing the stain of ale and puke he had been sleeping in. “Dangit I smell like crap.” He said then noticing his friends had woken up and were talking to Tavern about how boring life was.

“Hey time to return to Canterlot guys.” Hey said slowly still part drunk and sleepy trying to hold back pukeing

“Sufficit tibi decorem accepit ibi dormiunt.” Cerebrum said jokingly before walking over and kissing him on the cheek (No he is not gay it is a joke get it sleeping beauty kiss it fits get your mind out of the gutter)

“PUGNUS i would vos si duo ex vobis ipsis si ungulae i me movebant, ita putabaris.” Shadow said

“Fine lets go then.” They said

“Thank you for letting us stay here.” Shadow said tossing sixty bits into Taverns hoofs.

“There is no need for this.” Tavern said

“I don’t want to have any more power than anypony else so please just accept it.”

“fine” Tavern said nodding his head.

They said goodbye walked out and flew off partially carrying Shadow after he kept hitting something. Oh well Shadow thought to himself I have gained respect in one town. Only a…lot to go.

A Near Fatal Blow

Landing outside the porch of his quarters he trotted to Tenebraes quarters. He was awake and staring over the map of Equestria although to Shadows surprise Luna was there to.

Quickly bowing out of respect more than what was told for them to do. She noticed him and then said “Rise Shadow…what is on your fur?”

“What?” He asked turning around and then realized what it must be. “Oh well after I killed the bandits I went to the inn to get my gang and well there was a drinking contest and I fell asleep in ale.” He looked at her slightly embarrassed

“So you got the task done.” Tenebrae said

“Yes I did are there any other tasks?” Shadow asked

“Well yes Shadow, well Shadow it has come to my attention the separate oath you and your friends made.” Luna said then glancing at the scar that was completely visible. “Well it may be best if we support this dominion publicly. You would become the heroes who saved everyone and helped selflessly. Like the old tale Stallion Hood.” Luna said

“So we were thinking of a base of operations. Right here” Tenebrae pointed to a bare section on the map. That is where all the sewer systems connect you can use them to get everywhere unseen and unsuspected. Now what we will do is put drainers between the doors so it does not flood and it will just go below your H.Q. and we can make a separate housing over there and there for new recruits.” The general then grabbed a quill and started jotting blueprints aimlessly

“So Shadow how do you like it here?” Luna asked

“It’s a great place. A little too fancy but still good. I prefer it a bit more rustic. Say imagine this all grey instead of whitewashed and old looking that is the way I like it. Not to be insulting I wouldn’t change the palace if I had the choice but…” Shadow tried to apologize but Luna cut him off

“It’s alright Shadow I understand the meaning. Are you liking being a high ranking officer, many don’t?” Luna asked

“It’s great though not meaning to sound selfish which it is but I need to be even higher in the ranks to go from royal guard to personal guard.” Shadow said slightly nervous about answering

“Hmm well I do think in a few years you’ll be right at my side. But for now you have to be three doors down.” Said Luna

“Well thanks for the encouragement. I will go and train out in the field while Tenebrae is whatever the heck he’s doing.” He said the princesses face grew slightly sullen at this Shadow did not notice but Tenebrae did.

After Shadow had trotted out Tenebrae asked her “So you have decided on your feelings. You realize he’s going to get suspicious if you….”

“No Tenebrae I must wait but when the time is right I will.” The alicorn said sullen almost regret that she had not told Shadow already.

While training Shadow noticed something different about himself. He had acquired a new taste for murder, blood, and violence. No this is not me. I do not enjoy killing. But I do…NO!! It must be the shadow corrupting my mind. I must not use it unless necessary or maybe train myself with it channel it so it does not take over. He thought to himself as his deep blue mane blew in the wind and covered his eyes. Well let us see how long I can train without it. He thought then brushed his mane out of his eyes and activated the hoof blades and began to attack the dummies.

Celestias sun was beginning to set so Shadow decided to head back to his quarters. The sweat dripping from his face as he slowly trotted back. He was surprised when he received bows from guards on watch signifying they recognized an upper officer. Each time he told them it was unnecessary and waved them off. He did not like this new respect, from villagers is one thing but Royal Guards is different entirely.

Reaching his room he opened the ornate oak door and looked around the fancy room. Ornate rug, intricate windows, fancy furniture, expensive…everything. Ahhh I wish it was more bland more modest. I do not like this fancy room; it was assigned so I will live with it. But I will not sleep in that bed WAY too soft. I will take rocks over it but the shingles of the room will have to do. The black alicorn thought as he opened the door to the balcony and flew up on to the top of the ramparts.

Lying there listening to the steady hoof steps of the guards below the covering. Gazing up at the night that had just begun. Luna’s night. Pure beauty, so….perfect. Ahhh I remember when I first decided to become a guard. It was when that guard saved my parents by giving his own life. Best not to dwell in the past. He said then lay his head on the shingles and fell asleep.

“Ergh…” He grumbled when he woke up at the noise of a bird “I wish I weren’t such a light sleeper. Well I got a good six hours of sleep it is about two in the morning now. Well I suppose I’ll just watch the sky and listen to my surroundings.”

Listening to the occasional bird or growl of a dog and the constant trotting of the guards as well as the breathing. Then all of a sudden the trotting stopped just stopped. Then the breathing.

This cannot be good. Shadow quietly lifted off the roof and flew lower to see what happened. “No….” He gasped at the sight. Two guards lay dead or alive he could not tell but they had lost a lot of blood. He went to the first which after only a second’s glance he knew this stallion was gone without hope he had been pierced through the head.

Then he went to the other slumped against the wall with a trail of blood. He heard faint raspy breathing. Yes so at least one is alive. “Sh..Sh..Sh..adow…Is it you…hurry...princess…danger…leave me it’s hopeless.” The guard said Shadow had recognized the voice “No John…no you can’t die.” Shadow said already attempting to heal the wound in John Silver Tongues chest.

The pony still coughed up blood. “No you must go…its over for me…but I need a…favor a last request.” He choked out. “I’ll do it whatever it is.” Shadow said tears forming in his eyes. “Will you really?” Shadow nodded “Good good...i need you to finish me Shadow use my blade. This…pain is unbearable…just let me die in peace…please Shadow do it.” The pony coughed more blood and handed Shadow his gauntlet.

“NO I WON’T!” Shadow cried and shouted “I WONT DO IT!” He looked into the pained eyes of John as the pony said his last words.

“You must…” He used his strength to put the gauntlet on Shadows hoof and then repeated “You must…” He said longingly

“NO!! YOU CAN STILL LIVE!” Shadow screamed at John

“REMEMBER ME SHADOW!” as he grabbed the hoof of shadow activated the blade and plunged it into his own heart. His eyes narrowed at the acute pain before they softened and he said faintly “I see my children my Lucy my beautiful Lucy.” With that all life went out of him and he fell back against the wall a slight grin on his face.

Shadow pulled the blade out of the ponies’ chest and wept briefly before remembering the killer and ran in the direction that the blood trailed. “No he’s going for one of the princesses.” Increasing his gallop he saw the assassin and then slowed down. I have not been noticed yet might as well tail him.

Then his heart sank as he saw the killer begin to open the door to Lunas chambers. Only five hoofs behind him he heard the rasp of metal on metal. The assassin’s blade was out.

“Stay your blade assassin or feel the bite of mine.” Shadow said menacingly pointing his right hoof blade at the figure. He wanted revenge.

“You really think YOU can stop me.” It was a mare’s voice and she stepped into the moonlight and unmasked herself. “Rumors of your skill have spread far. Yet even if you kill me our order will still kill your precious princess.” The white mare with a grey mane spat on the ground.

“You nor any other shall even touch the princesses in a hostile fashion WHILE I STILL BREATH!” Shadow was now aware that Luna was awake watching but was wise enough not to move or change breathing.

“Maybe Luna but what of the assassin after Celestia.” The mare laughed. “If you had not already made vows we might have recruited you. But now your princess must die.”

“NO!!” Shadow said lunging towards the mare as she was turning to stab Luna he tackled her and brought her face close to his. Holding both his and johns blade just under her chin. “I told you to stay your blade. But now you die.” He said as he activated both blades and punctured into the mare’s brain.

He then turned around and bowed to Luna then asked franticly “Where are your sisters chambers?!”

Luna responded fearfully “She’s two rooms down after you take the corner to the left as you walk out of the room.”

“Thanks.” He then looked at the wall and sprinted for it smashing through it into the next and then repeated the process.

When he got to Celestias he heard the breathing of multiple ponies. Lowering his head and charging at the wall and broke through the thick stone. Then shouted noticing the assassin was beginning the approach on Celestia. “Halt assassin your comrade is dead. Do you want to end the same?”

The assassin laughed. It was a stallion “Even if you kill me I will kill her.” The assassin pulled out a crossbow and quickly aimed at the princess

Shadow lunged at the stallion and nocked the bow. Making it only hit Celestias leg. Only then did she wake. Just as he was about to kill the assassin the stallion said. “Ha that bolt was poisoned with the Altendergrey leaf.” The assassin choked out

Having been skilled with medicine he understood imdiantly “DAMNIT!! YOUV’E KILLED HER! STAY STILL PRINCESS I CAN STILL SAVE YOU!” Shadow shouted and dropped the assassin but beat him on the head.

Running over to the princess he noticed it was looking bad it was lodged in between the bone it had cut a few veins. “Crap. Stay still princess it will travel faster if you move.”

The princess began to panic thrashing around. “Help Help!” Worried that this might end up killing the princess he took the knock out liquid and poured it down her throat.

“That should slow your heart, as well as prevent bleeding out.” He mumbled to himself. Working feverously he pushed the bolt through and cut off the tip and pulled it out. Then he went up to her shoulder and cut it so the poison could leak out. He saw most of it go out. The green slime apparent amongst the red blood.

If only there is some Arcamadis (btw those words are just made up not Latin) to make a chemical reaction to turn it into a weaker substance that will only provide a stomach ache.

Looking around for some he saw it on the table thank goodness it was a bright pretty plant or she would not have had it. Quickly mashing some of the root up and then making an incision near her heart and cutting the vein and dropping the root it. It has to work it must.

He saw the green slime connect with the brown and then react into a pink sludge. Oh thank Celestia and Luna that worked. Then he heard a chuckle behind him. The assassin had gotten up and loaded another bolt. He fired it straight into Celestias stomach

“No you have killed a monarch of the throne. You must pay.” Unfurling his wings he reveled the knife belts of ten knifes each pulling out every single one and surrounding the assassin with them and skillfully flung them were it would make his death the most painful. Though Shadow had placed another poison on the knifes and it reacted…well badly with stomach acid and made and explosion with one of the knifes. Shadow averted his eyes from the scene and returned to Celestia.

Using his blade he cut open her abdomen to get working space. Pulling out the bolt for there was nothing else to do he put the brown mush on the injection the acid ate it away but it had done its work. Now to stop the acid this is tricky.

Lowering his horn into the stomach of Celestia and felt the acid creep over his face and burn away his flesh. He used his magic to heal the wound it slowly healed. He had done it he had saved the princess, although now he was dripping in blood and acid.

This is the worst part I have to sow her wounds before she bleeds out. If Luna informed the staff there should be doctors on their way but she would bleed out. Needle...needle AH THEARD. Quickly sowing the stomach then the gash he had made to see then the one near her heart and finally the leg.

He heard the doctors and guards charge in just as he was finished. He then realized he had neglected the shadow the entire time he felt the burning of the acid on his face. Looking in the mirror of Celestias room he saw that he had gashes from running through walls and he saw his ghastly white bone of his muzzle and forehead caked with blood around it. He then fell on the ground screaming in pain and accidently lied in the remains of the assassin. But he didn’t care he was going to sleep

The Other Side Of Luna

Slowly as he opened his eyes and blinked groggily, he noticed he was strapped down to a hospital bed. He tested the bindings and wondered why they were there. Then he asked himself why HE was there.

He heard a door open and saw a light grey stallion with a near white short mane trot in. (why do I like grey so much?) The doctor seeing Shadows distress answered the unspoken question. “First of all I must clarify three things, first I am Dr. Gondren. Second, do not try to speak some of your jaw tissues have ruptured and we do not want to displace them again. Third the bindings are for our protection didn’t want you thrashing out during your surgery.”

Nodding his head he wondered how he could speak he had a few more questions. Thinking briefly he thought he still needed to know at least one thing. Examining the room briefly he saw a quill and ink on a desk no paper though.

Using his magic he picked up the quill dipped it in ink and wrote on the patient’s garb he was wearing. It wrote “What of the princesses? Luna? Celestia?”

“Ahh they are fine thanks to you. You are known as a hero now. Killing two assassins to save both princesses. Although it may take some work fixing the walls and cleaning the blood stains. It was still a heroic dead though I have a few questions myself. Here take this to write on.” He passed Shadow a clipboard with his magic.

“Ask away.” He wrote

“Well first is why Celestia had traces of three different poisons. Second is why did you cut open her abdomen? Third why did you run through the walls? Fourth why was your face burned so badly?....” Dr. Gondren was going to continue but Shadow began to write.

“First,” he wrote “let me just recap the story to you.”

“I was sleeping on the roof of the ramparts listening to the guards on patrol and watching the night, I was up there because the bed was too comfortable. Then I heard the hoofsteps and breathing of the guards stop just stop. I flew down to inspect and noticed well they had been killed. Along with my old mentor John Silver Tongue. I followed the killer till he or she reached Lunas chambers I confronted the assassin which ended in her death. But not before she said Celestia was in danger also. So, I asked Luna where her sister’s chambers were, she told me and I took the shortcut through the walls. Getting there I noticed the assassin and confronted him he fired a bolt at Celestia but I knocked it out of the way so it her leg not head or heart. He said it was poisoned with the Altendergrey leaf. So I threw him to the ground and rushed to her side. I quickly removed the bolt, cut her shoulder so the poison could leak out, but some had already passed. So I quickly counteracted the poison into a weaker one but Celestia resisted so I was forced to give her a knock out drug. Then the assassin continuing the attack shot one in her stomach. Needing working space I made incisions to peel the flesh I removed the bolt and placed the Arcamadis to seep up the poison. I then stuck my horn in the wound to. One, stop the flow of acid although it went on my face. And two, to heal more of the wound so I could channel my power. To deal with the assassin I used my throwing knifes which I conceal beneath my wings which are coated in a chemical that I did not know reacted with stomach acid and one pierced his abdomen and it exploded. I also showed up Celestia so she would not bleed out. Did I leave any question unanswered?”

“No that you did not. Wow quick thinking with the poison. Now get your rest you may or may not have to make a speech in front of Canterlot sooner or later. If you have a visitor I will tell you before they get let in.” The doctor said walking out

Shadow laid his head to sleep for not five minutes when he heard breaking glasses and crashing of trays, the toppling and grunts of ponies. He then heard a loud crashing into his room. Oh Celestia do not tell me. Opening one eye fearful at what he would see. He saw his friends standing there sheepishly.

“Hey Shadow they said you were sleeping and we said we didn’t care. So they tried to escort us out so we sprinted for your room, and well kinda broke a lot of stuff.” Straight said.

“More sicut praecepit. Rectus iustus trying ut subsisto INCRETUS et Crafter et sequebantur eum.” (I have decided to translate all the Latin.) (More like charged. Crafter and Straight just bolted and we followed trying to stop them.) Cerebrum said.

Shadow facehoofed “guys how did you even know I was here?” he wrote down

“The news of an assassin spreads quickly enough. Let alone on the princess, let alone both. Especially when the one who saved them has only been in the guard for less than a month. And already is a figure because of his endurance and leadership.” Red Talon said.

“Don’t be surprised if you come out of this with a medal or two eh.” Crafter said patting Shadow on the shoulder.

“Can you ask when I get out of here.” Shadow wrote down

“Sure.” Said Swift and bolted out.

“Scitis et vos putet quod Luna ... bene, bene dormit lacus.” (You know people think that Luna and you have...well slept with well yeah.) Cerebrum said

“Well why in the blazes would they think that?” Shadow wrote

“Not only her but Celestia to, while you knocked her out.” Straight said with a smirk on his face

“The people think that the princess has a “special” liking to you.” Red Talon said with almost a giggle which was unlike the stoic pony

“Well it’s not true.” Shadow wrote defensively.

Just then Swift popped in and said “Three weeks.”

Shadow actually spoke in anger. “Buck that I’m fine now. Help me up we’re getting out of here.”

“Angry are we?” Straight said teasingly

“Just help me for Luna’s sake.”

“Si bene agere, ut ire agere, ut te unum infantem.” (Well if you are going to act like a baby might as well treat you like one.) Cerebrum said then using his magic he picked Shadow up with ease and began to walk out.

“I really wish you weren’t such a genius or magical master sometimes. It gets on my nerves.” Shadow said unamused by the antics and just floating there in air unable to move and stuck in a position curled up as if he were just an infant.

They all laughed and followed Cerebrum as they walked through the castle, for at least four-five hours, parading Shadow around in his state. A lot of the guards bowed and laughed at the same time. Eventually they walked by Luna who confronted them.

“What are you doing?” She asked

“HELP IM BEING HELD AGINST MY…” Shadows plea was muffled as Swift shoved an old rag in his mouth.

“So you plan to humiliate my Guards.” Luna said slightly agitated.

“Nope just this one. And not your guard your stallionfriend. ”Cerebrum said in English because Luna did not know Latin.

Luna became furious. “WHY YOU LITTLE! YOULL PAY FOR THAT!” She punched Cerebrum in the face and his laughing instantly stopped as he fell to the ground unconscious. And Shadow fell to the ground incapacitated and watching Luna beat the crap out of his friends. He both grunted in pain and laughed at the same time.

Coming out of her frenzied state and with all Shadows friends no longer laughing and unconscious. She noticed Shadow had fallen, then she noticed the awkward position he lie in. His one of his hind legs had clearly broken from the awkward impact on the ground. And he was also lying in a position that his wings bent under him.

“Oh I’m sorry Shadow I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.” She said

“It’s fine princess now if you would be so kind as to offer me your hoof in help.” Shadow said in pain

Cerebrum came to and noticed the scene and played yet another prank. He teleported a wedding ring in between them a wedding dress on Luna and a tux on Shadow.

His laughs could not be concealed and Luna turned around once again red in anger. She bucked him in the face and Cerebrum dropped like a stone, unconscious.

“Uhh princess I think I saw a couple of his teeth fall out.” Shadow said somewhat worried.

Luna teleported the clothes away. “Only a couple, how disappointing I was hoping for much more.” She said “Now you should go back to the hospital or you’ll get hurt even more.” She said the last part almost motherly which aggravated Shadow he hated how they always obsessed.

“No I don’t, I am perfectly fine I can walk on my own.” He tried to stand then fell over and one of his forehoofs shot out to Luna trying to steady him but when he fell…it broke. “Ok maybe just a pony to help me limp.”

“What did I tell you?” Luna said using her magic to lift Shadow up and held him above her head and began walking back.

Shadow began to struggle and shouted at Luna. “NO I DON’T NEED TO BE HELD WITH MA…” he was intercepted when Luna teleported a bottle of milk in his mouth and he was wearing a dipper.

When he looked at her she was continuing on. He struggled again only without speech well muffled speech. “I don’t…..magic….help….set…down!”

Luna then taunted him further. “Ahh does the little baby need his sleep.” And then appeared a baby stroller. She set him down in it.

“What did I do to deserve this?” Shadow asked slightly pissed off.

“Oh you struggled when I told you not to. As well as not doing what you are told. As well as it just being funny.” She said chuckling

Then Shadow tried to make a threat of his own. “Let me out of here or I’ll make the rumors about us worse.”

“You think that I haven’t already dealt with it. But just because you mentioned it.”

“NO NO NO!” He shouted but it was too late he was turned back into a colt. Then he mumbled to himself “Buck this and buck you and that and just….ERGH.”

“Ahh the wittle baby shouldn’t be cursing.” She said then turning him into a filly and then teleported a dress and bow.

“WHAT THE BUCK IM A FILLY YOU TURN ME BACK RIGHT NOW OR ILL, ILL.” He or She shouted almost on the verge of tears.

“I can make it permanent. Now quite you are supposed to be my guard and you said. “I will defend you no matter what.” So I am testing that as well as getting a laugh.”

Shadow cried probably because he not only was a filly but now partly had the mind set of one to. “So this is a onetime thing right.”

“Of course not, whenever I get mad I’ll just do this and takes anger right out.” She said smug

Shadow wept again. “But I’m a FILLY! How do I go to the bathroom!?”

“Hmm Shadow isn’t a very good filly name is it. Shadow…Shadow, hmm you got any suggestions did your parents ever tell you what they would name you if you were a filly? Don’t worry I have a truth spell.” The chuckling Luna said casting it on him.

Shadow had a fearful look in his/her eyes he bit back his tongue.

“Oh this will be great if you’re so reluctant.” She said using her magic to pry his mouth open.

“Fine I’ll tell you. I was supposed to be named somewhat after you. Flos lunae. Or moon flower in English.”

Luna laughed and little to either of their knowledge Cerebrum had gotten up yet again and now plotted to pull another prank. “ha ha the gender change spell. Well Luna how do you feel about being a prince.” He said chuckling.

“Ok Flos Lunae you shall….WHAT THE BUCK JUST HAPPENED TO ME!” she or now he turned around in anger looking at the laughing Cerebrum. “YOU LITTLE SHIT COME HERE!” she said charging at him horn lowered

“Aww Bu…” he was interrupted by a two hoofs strangling him. Then Luna turned around and bucked him multiple times in the face. Making sure every last bone broke.

She changed herself back then walked back over to the stroller and looked at Shadow or Flos Lunae with a smirk. “NO DON’T TAKE IT OUT ON ME. TAKE IT OUT ON CEREBRUM! PLEASE.”

“You mean I can kill him.” She said hopefully looking down for conformation which it was not. “Fine I get what you mean.” She then made the stroller for two ponies and trotted over to Cerebrum

Laughing she brought him back in colt form and dropped him in. “OH NO PLEASE KEEP HIM SEPRATE. HE IS A SICK PERVERT! I DON’T WANT TO BE RAPED BY MY OWN FRIEND!”

“Ok fine then.” She said doing nothing but closed the covering on it made so that way the foals could sleep.

“YOU’RE A SICK PERVERT TO LUNA DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE NOT FUN AT ALL! HELP ME!!!” Shadow said bursting into sobs

“LUNA!! HELP ME!! THIS IS SICK YOU KNOW THAT SICK! S-I-C-K.” Shadow shouted

“Well sometimes you just have to fulfill those sick thoughts to get rid of them just go with it.” Luna said smugly

“WHAT DOES THIS ACCOMPLISH YOU PERVERT IF YOU WERENT THE PRINCESS I WOULD KILL YOU! WHYD YOU MAKE THIS FORM SO WEAK I CANT FIGHT BACK!” Shadow made a last attempt to free him it was useless

Three hours later when they reached the hospital Luna fearfully opened the covering and saw Cerebrum sleeping very close to Flos Lunae shivering and eye twitching. “You…are….sick….change…me….back….now.” he said between sobs

She did although not completely she made him adult but kept him a filly so she made him a mare. Shadow gave her the look of all his disappointment. “Are you sure you could be my maid.”

“No change me back right now.” He demanded.

She smirked and then walked over to Cerebrum. Then said to Shadow “I give you ten seconds.”

“What…” he said at first then realized the meaning. Doing a limp run away from Cerebrum he shouted back. “SICK!...”

Luna laughed and then looked in the stroller and was disgusted at what she saw. “Oh I owe Shadow an apology he wasn’t kidding.” She then burned the stroller never wanting to see it again. And then laughing at Shadows trouble

Love and Drunkish Chatter

“You will never speak of this again.” Shadow said still in mare form at both Luna and Cerebrum. They nodded laughing.

“Cerebrum I will KILL you for what went on.” Shadow said to him

“Ok I’ll turn you back now Shadow. Stay still or some part of you may be left out of the spell and this will become permanent.” Luna lowered her horn and turned him back into a stallion.

“Ahh good to be back.” He said throwing punches to test his strength. Then Luna answered the question that was only beginning to form in Shadows head.

“I healed you as well so go ahead and chase Cerebrum he ran that way when you weren’t looking.” Luna said nodding with her head to one corridor.

“Thanks.” He said then activated the shadow and the black tendrils surrounded him. He got an evil smirk on his face and leapt forward flying leaving a black trail behind him.

Cerebrums Point of View

“I putant i perdidit.” (I think I lost him.) Cerebrum said to himself he turned around to see if anypony was following him.

“NON!!” (NO) Cerebrum said sprinting away there was a black blob moving towards him. Fast. It had a trail behind it. “OH SH—“he said in English forgetting his formalities.

Shadows point of view

Shadow felt great, air through his mane and feathers. Although he also had the need for blood. Not killing just blood. Well that will be satisfied once I find Cerebrum. Oh look there he is.

Shadow trailed behind Cerebrum gaining speed very quickly. “COME HERE!” He shouted to him. Ergh must…kill…no…just…blood.

“NON!” Cerebrum shouted back trying to increase his trot.

Shadow caught him and grabbed his neck then flew into one of the pillars holding the roof up. He flew through it breaking the hard marble.

“Est quod omnes obtinuit?” (Is that all you got) Cerebrum asked taunting

“You want to see the max of my power?!” Shouting to get over the noise of the wind. He was continuing to fly upwards. And then came to a stop waiting for reply.

“Metuo ne etiam me ad pugnam puellula.” (Well I am not afraid to see a little girl fight me!) He said with a smirk as if it would help.

“THAT’S IT!” Shadow dive bombed down into the courtyard garden maze. The ground approached quicker and quicker.

“O stercore o stercore non occidere me!” (Oh shit oh shit don't kill me!) Now fear was in his eyes then they went blank into a cold calculating expression working out how much force he would hit the ground with.

“I wasn’t planning to!” Shadow shouted and Cerebrum opened his wings assuming Shadow would still kill him. But at the speed they were going the wind force broke his wings. They went completely limp dangling above his friend.

In the next ten seconds they hit the ground and the force of it resonated through the ground Shadow had let go of Cerebrum once they actually impacted. It made a crater of large size

But after the body impacted it instantly broke every bone in his body and ruptured a kidney. Also Cerebrum bounced a good ten feet in the air. Then came crashing down with an unconscious Cerebrum.

Although Shadow lost the shadow in his anger and the force broke enough bones to render him paralyzed. “HELP!” he cried out feebly. Then he saw guard ponies up on the ramparts look down on them in fear and ran to the hospital.

“Ok I should be safe now.” Then he realized he was bleeding. How am I bleeding? And so much. Then he noticed two things one Cerebrum was holding a knife with him during the decent and now it was in Shadows chest. And two the knifes under his wings had cut him to.

“No this can’t be good…LUNA!” the effort even more feeble he was loosening gallons of blood. He tried with all his might to grab at the void. It worked but only enough to hold him an inch within life. Everything faded to black.

He was still aware of his surroundings in this state but could not move, blink, speak, or even breathe. He was dead, in a state that was unnatural. Because his eyes were open when he went into the shadow he saw when the guards picked up his and Cerebrums body. Strewn over the back of the guard.

He heard the gasps of high ranking ambassadors or maids as they hurried by. Images only flashed before him. As if he were only watching what he saw. It went by in slow motion. He noticed one thing though Cerebrum was still breathing. Well that is good.

As they passed it faded from one black scene to another. He was in the hospital bed. He heard the meter for his heart. Then it flat lined. He then heard the sobs and sobs of everyone he knew.

Then a sheet was put over his face and the doctors rolled him away. I do not even have the strength to get into my body to deactivate the shadow so I can die in honor. I will be in a morgue forever.

Then he was on a morgue bed cold and hard but he did not know that he could not feel he was only aware. Then he heard familiar voice accompanied by crying. “You loved him did you not?” that is Celestia whose she with.

“Tia how did you know.” WAIT THAT IS LUNA WHY IN THE…I will just listen.

“I saw it in your eyes; you want to break the oath to bring him back to life. You know we cannot use our magic to do that. It is unnatural. I’ll have to banish you if you do so.” Celestia said sadly

“THEN BANISH HIM WITH ME! I LOVE HIM TIA!” She broke down weeping repeating to say. “I love him.” NO DO NOT DO IT LUNA IT IS NOT WORTH IT!

“Then do it sister.” Celestia said sadly.

Shadow felt the magic go through him healing his wounds. I will kill you Celestia if you banish her….I will kill myself.

He could move again. He deactivated the shadow and got up as if electrity shot through him. Jumped towards Celestia with a lunge and grabbed her by the throat and looked up into her eyes. “You shall not banish Luna. I DO NOT CARE WHAT SHE DID! You are not going to banish Luna because she healed me. NOT resurrected me I was alive because of the shadow. Faint enough so not noticed but still very much alive.”

“So you heard what I said?” Luna asked timidly

“Yes Luna I heard. But now is not the time for pleasantries. Where is Cerebrum I fear I may have killed him.” Shadow said letting go of Celestia

“Well I will not banish you Luna seeing as he knows what we said. What he says must be true. Your friend Cerebrum is not dead he is injured and thinks he killed you. I heard rumors that he’s going to try to kill himself.” Celestia said

“I will see you both later but for now I must go.” Shadow said already bolting

“WAIT SHADOW! The healing I gave you was only enough to bring you to life meaning you’ll need to be in the hospital within the next six hours before the actual healing wears off.” Luna said

Nodding Shadow galloped to where he knew Cerebrum would be. He always said there was a story behind the place, but never said what it was. He traveled to the nearest balcony and flew upwards to it. It was the top of the mountain where Canterlot was. There was a shrine up there and Cerebrum knew about it but would not tell them.

He was correct Cerebrum was there siting before the shrine saying something in Latin but Shadow was too far away. He was able to work out the words “pay the price with death”

He shouted out to him “CEREBRUM STOP IT’S SHADOW!”

Cerebrum spoke in English now for some unknown reason. “Shadow I killed you I broke the oath.”

“No forget about it I’m alive and well, well for six hours at least.”

“Your weak Shadow, learn to uphold your promises.” Cerebrum said flinging himself off.

“CEREBRUM!” He called on the void and lunged off. Gaining speed he grabbed Cerebrum just before he hit a spike. “Don’t do it.” Shadow said.

Shadow flew back to the hospital with Cerebrum and the white alicorn went in to stay for a while. Then Shadow looked at the time hmm only ten minutes till the spell runs out. I wonder how it will feel. It will all be answered soon.

Then going up to the nearest nurse he said “I need a room im severely injured. Don’t ask questions just do.” The nurse nodded and showed him an empty room.

Just before stepping into the bed he felt a crunching inside and outside every bone in his body. Then the wounds reopened and he lay there paralyzed. “Can you help me into bed?”

The nurse lifted him into bed and called the doctor. The doctor took to steps in walked out and called the surgeon and told the nurse to get the knock out fumes. “No need.” Shadow said and then passed out.

When he woke up there were five faces staring at him. Luna, Crafter, Swift, Straight, and Red Talon. “Cerebrum is bed ridden also he’s a bit mad at you.” Straight said

“Well he should be. I nearly killed him.” Shadow said with difficultly because of the full body cast.

“That’s not it Shadow, when you dropped his body in the decent you pushed off the ground once he hit. Though what you pushed off was….” Luna began before blushing and stopping

“His testicles Shadow you completely crushed his testicles. Although somehow he is not sterile. But he has a slightly higher pitched voice.” Red Talon said. Just like Red Talon to be blunt about it.

Swift then said “Hey any of you guys want ale or anything?” Also like him ahhh me and him love to drink.

“I’ll need much more than just a little to forget the events of today.” Shadow said thinking Luna had told them.

“What happened?” Straight asked.

“First Luna leave the room I don’t think you want to hear this.” Shadow said and Luna left the room. “Well right after you guys got beat up…”

After the story was told in a very descriptive fashion.

Swift and Straight were throwing up, Crafter was just looking at Shadow in horror, and then Red Talon asked “How did it feel?” Just like you Red never affected by anything so you jump to the questions. How did it feel besides weird, disturbing, and creepy?

“It sounds gay to say it but, mildly ok. NEVER DOING IT AGAIN THOUGH.” Shadow said almost shocked at himself.

“Laddie that was…sick. That was a terrible mental image you gave all of us.” Crafter said speaking as if he were the adult and the rest were children. Maybe the most mature not the oldest though.

“That’s why Cerebrum is going to have trouble pissing for the next few months.” Shadow said with a chuckle

Then to his surprise Cerebrum trotted in and said. “Utinam non illud malum. Qua nolo malum de paucis mensibus habebis negotium in perpetuum.” (Oh it wasn't that bad. By the way I won't have trouble for only a few months I’ll have trouble for about, forever.)

“Do you know how drunk I’m going to have to get before I forget that? A lot.” Shadow said in as a matter of fact tone.

“Scitis dilexisti eam.” (You know you loved it.) Cerebrum said

Ignoring the comment Shadow then said to Swift. “Get me the strongest liquor they have in the bar. And I know they’ll serve it in a shot glass so order a bottle of it. Say it is for all your friends. Don’t drink out of it.”

“I like your style of liquor my friend. But for me I drink Vodka the drink for real men.” Swift said.

“No the drink for men is ale, the foam on your lips and the sweetness of her bite in the morning.” Crafter said.

“Vinum enim me placet.” (Some wine for me please.) Cerebrum said imagining the taste of the wine on his lips.

“Well I would like a whisky I’m not sure I’m up to it after that story but I’ll still try.” Straight said finally recovering himself

“How about you Red?” Swift asked

“Do you know of the brand of mild brandy they brew in Stalliongrad? That beer brings memory’s perhaps I will tell them to you one day. Perhaps not.” Red Talon said

“Ok I’ll be back soon. I’ll tell Luna to come in when I go out.” Swift said trotting slowly.

Luna walked in and said to Shadow. “You know you’re still not supposed to be drunk on the job.” Sitting on the bed next to him.

“I’m on leave now you still have to pay me cause this is indirectly your fault. And you are not getting paid this week.” Shadow pointed at Cerebrum

“Erat tanti.” (it was worth it) Cerebrum said.

“By the way Shadow if he you know with you as a mare. What happened to his…stuff? Like is it going to change you back or what?” Red Talon asked.

“Luna?” Shadow asked slightly worried.

“I don’t know I could ask Celestia. I apologize for what happened.”

“I’m going to kill both of you if I get pregnant or some odd shit like that.” Shadow said angrily

“Well I’m getting tired. It’s getting late but I need my guard so I’ll stay with Shadow until he sleeps.” Luna said with a yawn and lye next to Shadow on the bed.

“BACK!” Swift said holding the drinks with his magic. then tossing three medium sized bottles to Shadow. “They are pretty small so I got three. Maybe give one to Luna.”

Popping the cap Shadow grabbed a shot glass for Luna and poured her a shot, and then he drank the rest of the bottle and threw it against a wall. “Sorry Luna I will try to calm down.” Shadow said when she gave him a look. She drank the liquor and tried to keep it down but couldn’t she threw up.

“That was terrible.” She said.

“Ahh Stalliongrad my hometown, worked at the brewery till the war, joined the war got shot, and then I came here and now serve as a guard.” Red Talon said

“The last war with Stalliongrad was over two hundred years ago.” Luna and Cerebrum said.

“So?” Red Talon said.

After all but Luna was drunk out of their minds the doctor had to come in and show them out. All but the princess, for her she set up the guest bed next to Shadow. Then when the guard entered and said he would be outside Luna pulled both beds together.

“Goodnight Shadow.” Luna said kissing him on the cheek

(in any dot dot dot with more than 3 dots in the story remember to think of each dot as a second.)

Warning drunk perverted comments following this note nothing cloppy more like just slightly perverted it will probably just put bad mental images like earlier but that’s all I’ll say but if you don’t like it skip to the next note

“Your pretty ya know.” Shadow said partly sober and mostly drunk.

Remember Luna he is drunk no matter what he says it does not matter. She thought to herself “How so?”

“Well your flank ish really nice and….. shtuff.”

Luna blushed “Umm thank you Shadow but that’s not really appropriate.”

Shadow then said “My dick hurts. Can you sit on it?”

Once again blushing Luna said “No Shadow that’s a problem i won’t fix.”

“Then how come you’re so wet. Itsh shoaking mah bandages.” Shadow said

Shifting uncomfortably Luna noticed that there was beer spilt in that area. That makes more sense. “Shadow that’s not what you think that’s beer.”

“No itsh not I’m serious. Please Luna.” Shadow said almost half asleep

“You’re in a full body cast I couldn’t if I wanted to and I most certainly do not.” Luna said beginning to move her bed away from Shadows with magic

“Fine I’ll just…I don’t know but I’ll do something. Preferably you.” Shadow said slightly lustful

Silence spell, sleeping spell yes I sleeping spell. Luna cast the spell on Shadow heard him talking in his sleep. Quite disturbing things…That is disgusting…how could he know that…oh yeah Cerebrum…I wish I had not been listening in on the story. Gosh I feel sorry for Shadow. He will have to live with it.

“Luna….sex….*moans* good sex….mmm Luna.” Shadow said in his sleep Ok a silence spell to.

Stuff ends here so go ahead and continue reading.

“What happened last night? OH NO GONNA THROW UP!” Shadow did just that except he could barely turn his head so he threw up on himself.

Luna groaned waking up. “Shadow…what happened to you?”

“Hangovers and casts don’t go well toghter. Ooo I should not have drunk all three bottles. That was at least 70% alcohol. Ergh…” Shadow groaned

“I’ll go get the doctor to change the cast. Or clean it.” Luna said

“Nah its fine I’ll just use magic.” And that he did “Luna what did I say or do last night. Cause I’m worried about it.”

“You said a few…things and I cast a spell on you to go to sleep. Then you were dreaming and talking in your sleep. Apparently about me and you mating.” She said raising an eyebrow.

“I got to stop drinking.” Shadow groaned.

“I have to go to a council with my sister and advisors. Very boring, you’re lucky you’re here.” Luna said

“Can you get the doctor first?” Shadow said

“Sure I don’t have to go for another hour or so.” Luna trotted out and got the doctor. And trotted back through the white halls.

“Doctor I was wondering can I get out of the bed and into a wheelchair at least?” The black alicorn asked hopefully.

The mare doctor nodded and bucked a wheelchair over to the side of his bed and walked out.

“Great.” Shadow said unhooking himself from the wires holding his limbs up, which were only in gauze not casted. “Now let’s go to the council.”

Woot longest chapter! :D

The Board Meeting

“WAIT I need something from my quarters.” Shadow shouted while they were trotting in that general direction.

“Ok let’s go we may be late if we don’t hurry.” Luna said

Rolling his wheelchair as fast as he could he said “I wish i didn’t break my wings. This would have been much quicker.”

“No you didn’t break them Shadow you shattered them.” Luna said with a smirk

Giving her a look he said “Don’t be picky. Oh there is my quarters wait out here.”

“Fine don’t take too long though.” Luna said slightly impatient

A short time later Shadow came out in full uniform. “Why are you dressed up?” Luna asked curiously

“I cannot be too casual; I need to show my rank.” Shadow said

“Fine.” Slightly annoyed at the formality Luna looked at the clock in Shadows room. “WELL BE LATE! WE CAN’T BE LATE!” Then picking up Shadow with her magic she ran at a gallop in the direction.

“NOT AGAIN!” Shadow shouted slightly afraid

Luna was breathing heavily when they got to the entrance. She was about to walk in but she forgot to set Shadow down. Then she just dropped him. “Ow.” He landed with a bang

“Sorry but hurry in and be formal. Sit next to me.” Luna said holding the door open.

The board room was a large room with a huge map of Equestria 18’x10’ the map was made of some hard leather, the table itself oak, the room was full of ponies about twenty in all. All sitting in formal clothing signifying their rank and position, besides Celestia and Luna. They were all looking into the map. Until they walked in they merely glanced over Luna. A familiar face, but Shadow, foreign, new, unknown. Their eyes ate him as he moved his chair next to Luna’s.

Seeing everyone silent Luna leaned over to Shadow and whispered. “They are all wondering who’s going to make the first move. If you speak it tells something about you. Just remember don’t speak unless you tell me what you’re going to say first.”

Shadow nodded as Luna explained who he was. “This is my new guard and…” looking to Shadow for confirmation to tell their relationship he nodded. “…stallionfriend. His name is Shadow Mark I believe a few of you may have heard of him. Well he has been injured in a crash recently and has been in the hospital so for a change of scenery I brought him here.”

Shadow then noticed Tenebrae in the room and nodded to him, Tenebrae nodded back with a slight smile. “Well, let the meeting begin.” Said Celestia with the royal Canterlot voice used only if one of the royal family decided it necessary.

“Why are we meeting here today and what are we meeting about?” Asked one of the ambassadors

“I was getting to that Silver Saddle.” Celestia said then continued “We are meeting today to discuss the arrangement and placing of our troops as well as the matter of young Shadow Mark here. Any questions about any of the subjects?”

“What is your talent Shadow Mark?” asked a pony with decorative clothing

Looking at Luna and she nodded so he continued “If you want to know then take my blade and stab me.” The pony looked sullen at this. “No I am fully serious with you. I will not feel it till later.”

The pony walked over around the table to Shadow then Shadow grabbed at the void and the black tendrils shrouded him. Then handing the earth pony his gauntlet. The pony stabbed Shadow in the gut.

“Oh you stabbed me? Try again.” Then the pony turned around and bucked Shadow in the groin.

“You had to hit my Achilles' heel the only place I can feel pain.” Shadow staggered. The only reason he was able to get out of his seat was because of the void.

Then sitting down in the chair he activated it and slightly winced at the pain. Trying not to seem weak. “How did the blade not hurt you? Do you not feel the pain now?”

“Yes now I do...ergh…after the shadow of the void leaves me I feel the pain that was inflicted upon me fivefold. *grunts* so I feel now the blade five times over. As well as in my loin.” A slight chuckle went around the room at this “Although I can’t die from anything when I have the shadow with me. It almost temporarily heals the wounds and then makes them worse when it goes.”

“I also have a question.” Tenebrae said quite loudly. “One how did YOU of all ponies end up with Luna. Two, how well do you fight?”

Shadow laughed and said “I have no answer for either question. Especially the first, the second I’m just being formal and modest.” Once again many chuckled. Although some of them stared in pure anger at him.

Looking to Luna to ask her if she knew why. She said “Ahh those are some of the stallions who tried to get together with me and were turned down. Yet I came and asked you first so they are even madder about that. Just ignore them.” Nodding Shadow did just that

“Ok I believe those are enough questions. Let us continue.” Celestia said causally

“Agreed most divine princess. May I begin the discussions?” Tenebrae asked.

“Don’t overdo it. But yes.” Said Celestia and Luna nodded in agreement as well.

“Brilliant, now to begin we have gotten reports that there have been assassinations on members of the royal family. Shadow meaning not the princesses you dealt with that but family of them. Old brothers and sisters. That type of thing. Now as I was saying, many of them have claw marks around their necks. They all have their gut cut open and the acid poison them. We suspect griffins. Especially because of the locations it has happened in. Feathers were also on the scene. And we found campfires in caves nearby. I suggest we move troops over to the border and stop all griffin income to Equestria.” Tenebrae said

“That’s a bit extreme don’t you think General Tenebrae?” The ambassador named Golden Hoof said.

Shaking his mane Shadow spoke out of turn. “No Golden Hoof. It is not extreme enough; do you recall the same thing happening about ten years ago? Then you only took action after the griffins had raided Coltsdale my family died because of that. None others shall.” Shadow finished angrily though mixed with sadness.

Another pony asked. “Well what would you suggest we do?”

Then looking down at the map Shadow smirked with his black mane shielding his eyes with the white streak in the middle. “Tenebrae where have the assassinations been taking place, who, when? This is all important.”

“Well exact locations and names. Times to?” Tenebrae asked Shadow nodded then looking on a list Tenebrae began. “Mostly royals a couple of servants and guards. Four in the same night here. Three mares and one butler stallion. Two more a week later, one foal and her mother. Then over here two weeks after that three were killed. Two guards and a closer relative to the line a prince in fact. Then we have on the next night the mayor and his entire family and guards, servants even pets they burned the house to the ground. No evidence.”

“Can you give me information on the bodies?” Shadow asked beginning to form the plan.

“Yes I will use my magic to transfer the image of them to you, I must warn you though. It is disgusting.” Tenebrae said

“Do it.” Then beginning to get the image in his brain he knew he saw a similarity on all them. First, all of them had been cut on the neck. Then the entrails had been spilled out. Third, all had relatively bloodless bodies. Drained before cut into perhaps? Wait is that! IT IS!

“Something about the bodies has been brought to my attention. First it is defiantly the same organization doing it. Two, none of the bodies are bloody they must have been killed by other means. Then the most disturbing and troubling fact. In the 12 years after my parents death (making him 20 so far) every summer was spent in griffin territory, studying them making friends with them, just finding out if they were planning another attack on Equestria. That is the signet of their top clan of soldiers. Thirty griffins answering only to their king and queen. I made friends with one of them. He told me “Shadow is wary, be vigilant, I’m not allowed to be your friend. But I want you to know that, our clan is responsible for that attack that killed your parents.” Then he gave me this signet. I heard screams during the night. And when I woke, he was being crucified as a traitor. They each bear the symbol. The king has marked these royals dead probably all of them. We must stop them.” Shadow said with sadness and anger as well as remaining calm.

Gasping the ambassadors around the table debated.

“BLASPHAMY!”

“THIS MEANS WAR!”

“No we must remain calm and speak like civilized ponies.”

“We must hide they could be coming for us!”

“QUITE!” Shadow said slamming his hoof on the table. “According to this map. There is only one other town that is in the area where the killings have been held. Last time this happened the same things were done. First just killings then burn one house, then an entire town. That is the town where it will happen. It will happen within the next two weeks. If the rest of you approve then I will gather my squad together and leave imdiantly.” Shadow said intent on doing just that, he wanted revenge.

“All who approve of this raise their hoof.” One pony said raising his hoof

Most others followed. Luna stared at him longingly as if asking him not to go, she gave up and raised her hoof with a single tear shed. Celestia then said “Then it is decided. Shadow once the meeting is over you may go you have permission to do anything that does not break the law. I don’t want to hear of any riots but if they happen deal with them.”

Nodding Shadow said “Then let us continue.”

“The next subject is about you Shadow. It has come to my attention that you have made a second oath in service to my sister and your friends have done it too. You call yourself The Lunar Dominion am I correct?” Celestia said leaning forward in her chair

“You are indeed Princess.” Shadow said showing the mark he carved into himself as well as the amulet he wore which Crafter had given them all once they formed the dominion.

“Well I also heard Luna was planning on making you a H.Q. without the permission of the board.”

Luna blushed then tried to defend herself. “I was planning on telling you. How did you find out?”

“Tenebrae was mumbling about it. Now on to the current subject, I do approve of this. I think it motivational to people, we need someone of the people for the people to look at in awe not us. So that way they can feel it’s not a tyranny.”

“Never thought of it that way.” Luna said

“All who agree raise their hoof and we will move on to where the H.Q. is located.” Celestia said

Ponies were hesitant about this one but most agreed seeing no harm in it.

“Ok now we were planning on it being right here.” Said Tenebrae standing up and trotting to the position “Nothing is there but forest and we were planning on it being underground with tunnels as the sewers as well as quarters here, here, and here…” once again trailing on Tenebrae discussed it for the rest of the meeting.

“I must go now everypony I need to stop the griffins.” Shadow said strolling out

Luna followed him out shortly then asked him bogglingly and crying “Don’t go Shadow, what if your wrong and you get killed. PLEASE DON’T GO!”

Looking into her eyes her beautiful eyes he said. “I will come back, for you my Princess for you is why I’ll come back. Now I must call my men together." Shadow said slowly troting off in sadness he couldn't stay

The Attack

“HAUL ASS! MEET OUT ON THE PORCH IN TWO HOURS!” Shadow shouted waiting for Cerebrums witty reply

“Tibi a nice unum.” (You have a nice one) Cerebrum shouted back followed by “EWWWWww” “Disgusting gutter rat” “You dog.” And from swift “What did he say I DON’T SPEAK LATIN!”

“Just get out here we have a mission!” Shadow shouted rolling back to his room to get his weapons.

He then headed to the doctors to see if he could fly. “Mrs. Could you please tell me where your head doctor is. The one that healed me?”

“Over there.” She pointed

Nodding Shadow trotted to him. “Ahh Dr. Gondren just the doctor I wanted to see. I was wondering, could I fly yet my wings feel great but you are the doctor so?”

“Ah ha Shadow. Yes I suppose you can fly how great of a distance are we speaking. You wouldn’t ask for nothing.”

“To griffin territory. Or the border I have a mission to save some residents there.”

“Here let me check your wings and then wrap them in special gauze and cast them partly so you can fly that great of a distance.” Dr. Gondren motioned to a room.

An hour later Shadow was able to fly around. “I give you my thanks. Did you treat Cerebrum too? The white alicorn.”

“Oh yes I heard you did that to him. He is your friend well he will be able to make the journey. And hurry to the town, from what you tell me that is where my family lives. I don’t want to lose them.”

Nodding Shadow rolled off not wanting to use needed energy. Might as well relax for an hour before leaving. In fact it could be my last.

Meeting his group of friends they all new the way and without a word they took off. They flew through the night. Looking at the landscape beneath them, the trees basking in moonlight. Enjoying the sight of night Shadow relaxed while flying.

Sunrise

“There it is the town.” Red Talon said pointing.

All landing outside the front gate, and Shadow rolling in, they went up to the guards in the entrance.

“How many griffins have you seen enter in the past day or so? This is urgent, no more may enter and be wary of the ones inside. Do not be alarmed me and my team will deal with it. We have direct orders from Celestia and Luna. You will do as I say.”

“Not many. I will do as you ask as long as it protects the residents of this town.” The guard said.

Nodding Shadow turned to his team and said. “Go inside the town, then go to the tailor ask for cloaks with hoods any color you want just get me a black one with a white streak. I will go and scout around. After you speak to tailor, find the royals and tell them of the danger and make sure they are safe. And make sure if there are any griffins nearby they don’t bear this mark.” Shadow said holding a sign.

Nodding they went about their tasks. Shadow went looking for a camp that was recently used. Eventually he came to a cave. “Perfect, griffins love to hide.”

Rolling in quietly, looking for branches, twigs, traps, anything. Wow this is a large cave. Then he came to a fork in the cave system. Maybe they have a fire. I just have to reduce the light in here.

Then he extinguished his lantern, and slowly he saw what he suspected. YES! They have a fire.

Following the light it opened to a room, large, with a fire in the middle. There were thirty or so griffins. He recognized about ten of them. The ones who held the execution for his friend. The leader he hated the most, black griffin with eyepacth. He did not need it he just liked looking like a villain. He also had blood stained feathers.

He heard them talking so he silenced himself. “Ahh gonna be fun killing the entire town. Haven’t seen so much blood since…that raid ten years or so ago.” A white female griffin said stretching her claws.

“Silence, wait for tonight. Then you get your violence out on those ponies. They need to respect their superiors. As well as bow down to our king.” The leader said with his mysterious sounding voice.

“Still none of us can wait to shame the princesses. I heard that Luna sent her new guard after us. I can’t wait to slit his throat.” Another said this one brown with a white head.

“When did you hear that? And how could the princesses know where we were?” The leader asked

“About a week ago. And you’re right the princesses are too ignorant to even know we were attacking.” The brown one said.

I have got to leave and prepare the defenses.

After he donned his cloak and explained to his friends the situation. All of them went into frenzy. “Calm down and listen I know what to do…well I know generally but Cerebrums the strategist.”

Cerebrum then got a twinkle in his eye and said in English for Swifts benefit. “I thought you would never ask. Now sit over at this table.”

They all sat and Cerebrum laid out a map of the town and started explaining while his eyes moved rapidly intakeing what he saw. “Ok there are two entrances, Crafter how fast can you build a barricade?”

“Quickly though I’m not sure quick enough, if I could have help that would be good.” Crafter said

“Ok take Swift, Red Talon and Straight go up and make it rain, hard. Make it hard to see it will help griffins do not like water from what I hear. Then when it comes down to it, Shadow and Swift will defend front entrance. The rest of us will defend the back. But for now Shadow you go prepares the guards I will warn citizens. To stay in their homes and to not come out. GO!” They all set out in a cold sweat hoping they could get done quick enough to save the town

Sunset.

The rain was still coming down as hard as when it began. Standing inside the barricade between the gate of the walls Shadow and Swift stood waiting. “How many do you think are going to come to us?”

“I don’t know but run if you need to. Look in the skies they could be there.” Shadow said calmly the hood of his cloak shielding all but the tip of his muzzle from the rain. Then he got out of his wheelchair.

“Shadow you need it, you can barely stand.”

“No it shows weakness, we must remain silent. I think I hear them.”

They heard a slight flap of wings. And looked up seeing two or three griffins. “GUARDS KILL THEM!” Shadow shouted

The griffins heard it and began their charge. One went down and Shadow and Swift went to meet them in combat.

Flying into the larger one he pulled out his blade and attempted to stab the griffin. Then the griffin struck the blade and with her other claw struck Shadows face. The hood feel and the griffin gasped.

“I see I am not forgotten, Aalis (medieval French name for Alice) remember just last year when it was your blade, YOUR BLADE that killed Alexander.” Shadow held his blade against her neck and the griffin began to cry

“No don’t kill me, please don’t kill me. I am sorry Shadow I will never do violence again I will leave the clan. PLEASE!” The griffin begged

“Tell me the truth. Do you mean what you say?” Shadow asked brining the blade closer.

Looking into his eyes Aalis said “Yes, I loved Clay we were discussing if he should leave the clan just so we could be together. But then I would still do anything for the king. Now I say the king is rotten and corrupted.”

“Then go and hide your clan will kill you if they find out.” He said letting go of his grip.

“NO I WILL AID IN THE FIGHT! I WANT TO AVENGE THE WORTHLESS MURDERS IVE DONE!” Aalis shouted at Shadow

“Fine, HURRY FIVE ON THE GROUND!” Shadow shouted and the three of them dive-bombed towards the griffins landing in the middle. They always gave them a chance to surrender. But they always declined.

“Shadow I must tell you. I saw you in the cave today, but I need you to know what you saw was only a fraction of our forces. The main part of that force is attacking your friends to distract the guards. Then about fifty will come from this side with the rest so in all about seventy.”

“I have an idea lets go meet the force they will drop all they are doing to kill you and me. Me because they know me I know your secrets, and you do as well. Swift you should be safe. But we need one more Swift hurry go get Red Talon.” The rain drenched them.

“How long before the main group arrives?!” Shadow shouted to be heard above the rain.

“Ten minutes or so. I hope your friends are all right.” Aalis said while fighting off a few straggling griffins.

“They will be.” Shadow said

Red Talon came back with Swift a couple of minutes later.

“Follow me.” Aalis said.

They went over the hill and Swift and Aalis gasped. Shadow donned the Shadow and Red Talon activated his blades. “That’s more than seventy.” Swift said

“You think.” Said Shadow

“That’s at least two hundred THAT MUST BE OUR ENTIRE CLAN!” Aalis shouted

“Well we must kill them.” Shadow said shooting a beam of magic into the sky. Red Talon and Swift followed his lead. The rain thundered down on them.

Stopping the beam then flying forward with the speed of a hero from an epic. His friends behind them shouting at the griffins, curses and taunts. They filled the sky, his heart sank but he had to overcome. Charging into the middle of it he shouted at them. “Come and kill me you feathered bastards or do you not think you can kill me. I TELL YOU, I WILL FIGHT MORE THAN ALEXANDER!”

Hearing the name they all converged around him, he recognized some, but they all knew him if not personally by word of mouth. The only pony to make friends with one of their clan and then escape an execution.

Blocking furiously and stabbing back when possible, as well as flipping around in every direction constantly. He was surrounded, but his spirits did not lower. “YOU SHALL NOT PASS INTO LUNA’S DOMAIN!” He shouted before he was smacked upside the face and countering to stab and block

“THEY HAVE SURRONDED HIM! HE’S GOING TO DIE!” Aalis shouted crying

“Die no but we had best save him before he becomes cripple!” Red Talon shouted to them.

“Hey look the others are behind us!” Swift shouted pointing at their friends figures flying towards them.

As soon as they got there Straight stared at the scene while flying towards it. “What in the blazes is that? WHERES SHADOW!? Oh what has he gotten himself into now?” Staring at the sphere of bird like creatures surrounding the pony inside.

Grunting Shadow pulled his blade out of the skull of the giant bird letting the body fall to the ground. Then flipped onto the back of the one lunging at him. Grabbing the claws he jabbed them into the griffin’s chest and the creature screamed falling down to its death. Wiping the rain from his brow he bucked one in the face while stabbing another. Taking the wing of one and breaking it then cutting another across the face. Then cutting them with his wings, as well as setting loose all the knifes under his wings.

Then blocking a near fatal blow from a griffin smashed his gauntlet. With a grunt he punched the griffin in the face and It feel like a stone. Then used magic to shoot another. “How many more?!” He asked no one but said it to lower moral.

They seemed to not stop coming, then he heard the battle cry of his Dominion and a shrill scream. Finally. He thought to himself deflecting another blow breaking his other gauntlet. Then he grabbed the griffins arm and broke it and kicked him in the groin.

Nonstop for what seemed like hours. Shadows strength began to fade, and the void with it. “No…cannot…give…up…now!” he said grabbing the neck of a griffin and snapping it. Using more might then he thought needed, but he had never fought except for once without the void.

Then he cried out for aid from his friends “FORM TOGHTHER! BACK TO BACK!” they gathered around.

“Still about a hundred left, if not more.” Cerebrum said stabbing at one of them.

“I know. But we cannot give up. We must hold steadfast!” Shadow shouted.

Then Aalis saw their leader and cried out at him. “YOU! YOU MADE ME KILL HIM!” She charged at him

Shadow tried to stop her but he could not. She killed at least five on the way there and then when she got to the leader she decapitated him with a single blow. She dropped dead as a stone only seconds later shouting out “It was…worth…it!”

“NOOOOO!!!” Shadow shouted in agony then going into a frenzy time seemed to slow and he felt a new strength in himself.

The rain finally stopped and the sun began to shine through. The battle is still far from over. “Everypony run I will distract them!”

He took off against his friend’s wishes and all the beasts followed seeing that he was the leader. He flew long and hard until he was at the top of a mountain. Standing on the small area he said to himself. “Goodbye Luna I have not the strength to live.”

Then with unimaginable speeds he flew up at the crowd of griffins. Then using his last amount of strength to use the void knowing it would not hold long but still delay death. Even before the void he had a black streak behind, and then with the increased speeds he flew up and broke the sound barrier in the middle of the crowd.

They were screaming at the sudden black wave and noise that deafened them. Then as the speed wore off Shadow noticed all of them had died or fell to their deaths unable to see or move because of the event. He then said to himself no one to hear. “My wounds…overtake me…I go now…to be…with…my family.” And he gave up fighting and just let himself fall. Without a word…silent, and dead.

A Sad Truth

Trotting into the library he noted the size of it, it was quite tall. And large, only a few ponies were actually in the library. Walking up to the receptionist he said to her. “Do you know any books about a place called Gemadon?”

Shaking her mane she said “No I don’t know of any books on the subject. Over there is the legends over there are maps. And over there is non-fiction.”

“Thank you.” Shadow said walking over to the maps section. Good as any place to start.

As he was browsing through the books he was roughly pulled into a room nearby, used for studying. Slamming the door behind them and turning on the lantern the pony said to him. “Are you crazy!? Gemadon is a legend! You will go mad trying to find it! And everypony will abandon you!”

The pony was wearing a stared robe with a pointed hat. “What do you know of Gemadon?” The pony finally asked.

“Only that it’s the original place of alicorns.” Shadow said

Sighing the pony moved over to Shadow and sat down in a chair. “My name is Starswirl the Bearded. Stay awhile and I will tell you everything about Gemadon. Enough to make you go mad. But you seem to be set on it.”

“A long time ago when the land was all intact and there was little water, the first alicorns of the world got together in one location, Gemadon. This was a time when ponies were still primitive. These alicorns were the first to use magic, made the first language, and built the first structures. They were the first to use tools as well. Records show that it took about two thousand years to build the city. I am one of the few who have actually been there. But I must tell you, against popular belief of alicorns being bred from a Pegasus and unicorn it is truly just you inheriting the genes from the original two hundred. You see they have many prophecies; one is the Guardian of the Sacred Temple. This is the most well-known prophecy it tells us that an alicorn of the decedents of the leaders of the guild of the alicorns in ,Gemadon, will be born in a far off land and travel to Gemadon after losing a love of his. Well this is what I infer, truly it says. “With wing and horn he fights. Till lost one he delights, for thousand years she be gone. He goes to homeland of Gemadon. With dark and light he fights, to bring peace to world of all.” Not as cryptic as some prophecies but still.”

Shadows face grew dark “Luna told me I was the Guardian of the Sacred Temple. Does that mean that…?”

Then Starswirl’s face grew grim “Possibly…possibly. But many bad things have come to pass because of people trying to stop it. Just live on, if it happens then it does. But don’t stop it or it will be guaranteed.”

Shadow nodded trying to bite back a slight sob from thinking of Luna. “Well thank you for telling me but I must go.”

Nodding they both left the study room. Shadow although not advised to want to go train specifically to protect Luna.

Two hours later.

“Shadow!” Swift shouted out.

Shadow stopped and looked at the dummies that he had absolutely shredded. “What do you need?”

“Oh well I was wondering. WHY THE HAY ARE YOU BUTCHERING THE DUMMIES AT THE HEAT OF THE DAY! Look at yourself your literally DRIPPING in sweat. You want to stop?” He chuckled

“No I must continue.” He said in between deep breaths.

“May I ask? Why?”

“No, perhaps I should rest.”

“Good lets go get a drink.” Swift said with a smirk

“No I wish to stay sober at the moment.”

“Your choice. You go do what you want; I will bring back some ale for you.”

“Ok then I either be with Luna or in my chambers.”

Trotting slowly to his chambers still deep in thought. Trying to think of something other than losing Luna. Racking his brain for something to do he thought of something simple, to repair his armor and cloak. First he had to pick them up.

Opening the door he saw Straight, Red Talon, and Cerebrum. “Damnit! You couldn’t have taken a minute longer to let us pull a prank!” Straight said.

“Just pull it now Cerebrum!”

“Ha ha ha tu ut ignis ad faciem.” (Ha ha ha you going to get fire in the face.) Cerebrum said laughing pulling a string launching a metal ball covered in oil then lit on fire and hit Shadow in the face.

“I don’t have the void at the moment.” He shouted between screams.

“Oh forgot about that. Ummm let’s help him out.” Straight said scratching his mane.

Five minutes later when the fire was put out Shadow stood up and said to them. “I will kill you. What’s that smell?”

“Quod esse faciem.” (That would be your face.) Cerebrum said

“Hmmm well I will let you live, if you help me find my armor and cloak.”

They quickly grabbed it and brought it to him. Then with a smirk on his face he shot a bolt at them flinging them against the wall of his room. Then walked away causally. With his things being held by magic

Trotting over to the blacksmiths he waited to talk to the smith pony. About ten minutes later he reached the place where he was heading. Steel Hammer saw him first, “Shadow! You here to repair your armor?”

“You are correct. When will it be done?”

“Quite a while I am very busy making armor and weapons after the assassination attempt. But just drop it off and I’ll do it.”

“How much pay?”

“None for now.”

“Is there a tailor somewhere?”

“Yes just ask around. I need to work now.”

Nodding Shadow trotted away looking for the alchemist, to ask her where the tailor was.

Before he actually got to the alchemist he ran into the tailor. The tailor announced himself by commenting on Shadows state of clothing. “You are planning on stitching that cloak up correct? If so I am the tailor so I will fix it up.”

The white stallion looked at him through his round wire glasses, he looked friendly enough his mane was short and brown. “Yes in fact I was looking for you. When can you have it done?”

“Give it to me.”

Shadow handed (hoofed?) him the cloak. The pony pushed the glasses father up his muzzle and looked closely at the rips and tears. Then the pony said to Shadow “How did you get these?”

“I was fighting, say two hundred griffins.” Shadow said this not expecting the tailor to believe him.

“Are you Shadow Mark?” The pony asked knowingly

“Yes, how did you know?”

“Rumors pass quickly here in the castle. So I will fix your cloak up I will give it to Luna when I’m done and she will give it to you.”

“What do you want for pay?”

“I will tell you when it’s done. Now I must work.”

So many people need to work now. I suppose I will just speak with Tenebrae see if there is something to do.

Trotting away to Tenebrae wondering what task he would be given. Head then hanged remembering the words the wizard had told him. Then he was sullen the rest of the way.

Opening Tenebraes door and Tenebrae noticed and said “Ahh Shadow I was just about to leave for about a week to oversee your H.Q. building. I will be leaving tonight actually. I would advise if you came too. Luna should be done with whatever she’s doing in about an hour say your goodbyes and meet me here.”

“Rather demanding don’t you think?”

“I am still your superior. Remember that.”

Shadow laughed “Yet soon I will be yours.”

“Yes now go pack your things we will be gone for a week.”

Nodding Shadow trotted out and then went back to his chambers for an hour to pack. After words he went to her room and rapped on the door. “Come in.” He heard the voice from inside

He opened the door to see Luna sorting out scrolls and papers. “Ah Shadow, the tailor told me to give you this. And I also heard you’re going with Tenebrae to the work sight.”

The tailor already finished? Then looking at the garment Luna put in his hoofs he realized the tailor had not fixed it at all. But made an entirely new cloak. It was black with gold trim; it had a stainless steel clasp to go around his neck. It was made of thick leather that would not rip easily. Then he noticed it had Lunas emblem etched in gold in the center. “What did he ask for pay?” Shadow asked slightly worried.

“Oh I’ve dealt with it no need to worry.”

Narrowing his glance he said in an almost scolding tone “Luna. Tell me what you paid him.”

Reluctantly Luna said in an almost whisper “200 bits.”

“Luna. This is real gold how much?” His glance ever narrowing

“Fine you win! He asked for 600 bits but I paid it so no need to worry.”

Shadow was not surprised at the price he reached into his satchel and flung his coin purse into Luna’s hoofs. “That’s 600 bits more or less. But I must say goodbye for a while. Tenebrae gave me the order to go with him.”

She kissed him briefly on the muzzle and blushed. “Well Shadow I will await your return. Now be safe I don’t want you to go into the hospital again.”

“I will be. I love you Luna. I know what you were talking about this morning. I spoke to a wizard.”

“I heard, I suppose you know what it means. I will explain in greater detail when you return.”

Nodding Shadow left the room and once again trotted in sorrow. Opening the door to Tenebraes room and the general pony said “Finally how long does it take to say goodbye.”

“Let’s just fly.” Shadow said aggravated

“Fine that’s what I was waiting for.” Jumping out the window into the 2:00 sun Shadow following him in his new robes which he figured out was an entire new suit not just the cloak.

Looking down at his shadow below him huge in comparison because of how high up he was. He thought how eerie of a sight he must be to see during night. His thoughts drifted to Luna as always and for the rest of the four hour flight he was silent and solemn.

Work and It's Drawbacks.

Following the general in flight for the last hour to see where the site was. He focused then on how it actually felt to fly. The wind, the sun or moon shining on his wings, there were too many variables to describe it.

Shadow was glad when Tenebrae finally landed on a small cliff above an entirely flat plain; this was where the site was. It was well into night now and difficult to see so Shadow said “I am assuming that we begin work tomorrow.”

Shaking his mane Tenebrae said “No we have already begun, look down at the plains. But you see you and me are the overseers we don’t have to do work at all.”

“Wow they really work during the night. Well I can’t stay still for too long so I will actually work with the others.” Shadow said jumping off the embankment and gliding down to the digging site.

Putting on the gloves designed to use for tools. It was a simple design really just a glove to put on the forehoofs and had a leather circle extending out one slightly larger than the other. He undid the small one and hooked it to the base of the pick, then the larger one around the center so it could slide up and down to put more force in the swing.

Flying over to the entrance to the mine he almost regretted his choice to help. It was dark and had foul stench it had wooden pillars to hold up the ceiling every four meters or so.

Confused on where to start he walked up to the nearest pony and asked “Where is the mining most needed?”

The pony quickly bowed and said “General Shadow Mark sir.”

Sighing Shadow said “First off I am Captain not general I will be promoted to general next year. Second I’m here to work not give orders.”

Slightly confused the pony said “Well follow this path and you will reach the opening and that’s where the mining is needed most.”

Nodding his thanks Shadow sort of hovered down the tunnel until he hit the opening the pony spoke of. It was a large room and there was a fore(stallion? Pony? Screw it I will use pony) giving orders.

Deciding that at the moment it was too hindering to walk with the pick he undid the straps and hung it on his saddle. Then cantering over to the forepony. “Hello, do you need help in a specific area of the mine?”

Before turning around the forepony shouted at him “WHY SHOULD YOU EVEN ASK I’VE ALREADY ASGINED EVERYPONY! JUST GO SOME...oh general Shadow Mark what are you doing here?”

“CAPTAIN, CAPTAIN! Why does EVERYPONY get that wrong? It’s not hard just one word instead of another.” Shadow said agitated

“Sorry CAPTAIN Shadow Mark. What are you doing here?”

“To work. I was wondering what needed to be done.”

“The other stallions will show you where to mine. Currently just over there. By the way, isn’t that a rather fancy robe for mining?”

“Oh right your correct.” Taking off the cloak and storing it in his saddle bags Shadow put on the pickaxe and began working.

The rock broke slowly and took much effort. The room was planned to be about, twenty meters by twenty meters and five meters tall. It had a low ceiling now which Shadow had to near crouch in due to the natural height of alicorns. It was also only about eight meters x seven meters. And it was found as a seven by five meter cave. This was going to be a lot of work.

Working through the night and most of the day the ponies made little progress. Shadow however did make progress of a sort. He had gained even more respect; they were surprised that a warrior a captain no less would stop from training to actually do work.

Tenebrae came down into the cave once and said that they needed to speed up. The first day they only brought the cave to an even 9x9 meters. After the strenuous work Shadow fell asleep on the floor.

The rest of the miners laughed and joked “I’m surprised he even made it this far.” Or “He isn’t like most. Most wouldn’t have fallen asleep there or even worked at all.” Laughing they dragged him out not wanting him to wake with a start and crack his head.

This process repeated for the next week. For the first few days they all were surprised that Shadow returned. Some of them even made bets on whether he would or would not.

He made some bits off it as well. On the last night when it was all done they revealed and cheered. Drinking and singing and the drunken attempt at dancing. When Tenebrae and the forepony walked in, they facehoofed at Shadow dancing on a table top singing. He then fell over and laughed.

“Shadow. HOW MANY TIMES MUST I TELL YOU NOT TO BE DRUNK ON THE JOB?! THIS IS THE…one, two, three,….seventh time SEVENTH TIME! THIS MONTH! Well you have only been here one month. BUT THAT’S BESIDE THE POINT!”

“Well I just worked more then you have in a month I think I deserve a drink.”

“Not if it drives you to dance on tables.” Tenebrae said still facehoofing

“Oh I would have done that sober, I just wouldn’t have fallen off. Now are you sure you do not want a beverage. You’ll forget all your worries.”

“No I don’t now come with me.”

“Make me.” Shadow said then drank from his goblet whole still lying on the ground

The forepony and Tenebrae simply trotted over to him and dragged him out without a word. Even against Shadows complaint, they both knew he would never enforce them anyway.

“Shadow no more beer.” Tenebrae said then through Shadow in his tent and trotted off knowing Shadow would not be sober enough to unzip the tent.

“Hey let me…” He was asleep before he could finish.

The next morning he stumbled out with a headache. “Ergh. I hate hangovers.”

“You’re gonna have a hay of a time flying home today.” Tenebrae said while packing his things.

Using his magic to start to pack his Shadow said “You know I question why we built this place. It’s irrational seeing how the leader of the guild is going to be spending most of his time with the princess.”

“Well you know the other five could always manage things when you’re gone. And you should probably admit new members sometime soon.”

“Ok let’s go home I am so tired.”

“Ok but if you crash it’s not my fault.”

He laughed it off and closed his saddle bag then took off.

“The castle is in view shouldn’t be long now. Eh Shadow.”

Absent mindedly nodding his acknowadgemt his thoughts drifted. He began falling slowly and gain speed. He then fell asleep completely during mid-fall.

Then he crashed into a tree the branches pierced his wings. The initial crash broke them anyway. As well as him remaining hanging there held by the branches.

Tenebrae flew down and landed next to him. “Damn it Shadow you crashed. Didn’t I warn you? Wait are you still sleeping? HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE!? YOU JUST CRASHED! AND YOU ARE STILL SLEEPING!”

Shadows only acknowledgment was a loud snore. “I’m going to have to fly you aren’t i?”

More snoring, sighing Tenebrae picked up his sleeping body a flew hindered to the castle.

It only took Tenebrae a few moments before he realized Shadow sleep talked. “Someday we will all be flying on chocolate devices. Colored like rainbows.”

“The bu…”

“Mmmm chocolate.”

“And THIS is who Luna loves? Celestia save us.” Tenebrae facehoofed repeatedly as he wondered what the hay was going on in his friends mind then facehoofed again when he thought about was going on.

“Why does the chocolate taste like blood?” Shadow asked himself

Tenebrae looked over his shoulder to see the blood from his wings pouring into his mouth. “Ok need to hurry.”

Ten minutes later Tenebrae landed and broke down in tears. The doctor walked up to him and asked “Why are you crying your friend will be fine.”

“No you got it wrong. HES DRIVING ME INSANE! HE GOES ON AND ON ABOUT SOME SORT OF FLYING CHOCOLATE RAINBOW! HE NEVER SHUTS UP!” Tenebrae said pounding his head against the floor

“Ok well I must attend to his surgery. The twigs from the tree have also gotten into his chest luckily it missed all vital organs. Although one punctured his kidney. Goodbye sir.”

Then stopping his pounding of his own head only to see Luna staring down at him. “Are you going to be alright?” She asked worried

“Have you heard that Shadows in the hospital, again?”

“That’s why I’m here but currently I’m more worried about you. It is not healthy to pound ones head against marble flooring. Especially not for a general of the army.”

“His voice though. It is so obnoxious; ten minutes nearly drove me insane. And he was asleep.”

“I have heard his sleep talking before…it’s slightly…disturbing.”

“Well Luna I have business to attend to.”

Luna glanced back as he walked away. Then continued inside remembering Shadow was hurt…again.

Trotting in to the room she saw Shadow was still asleep yet talking to the doctor who was also pounding his head into a cabinet.

Trotting over to Shadows side she lay next to him. Then came to the conclusion he must be partially aware of what was going on because he flung his arms around her.

“MOMMY!” Shadow shouted in pure glee. Ok so maybe not completely aware.

About ten minutes after that Shadow was still hugging Luna and then woke up. He noticed what he was doing then asked. “What’s going on?”

“You can let go now.”

“Nah. That wouldn’t be fun. Why can’t I move my wings? Or use magic.”

Sighing Luna answered although had trouble breathing. “Simple you crashed into a tree and broke your wings. The doctors cut off your magic flow because last time you healed yourself you made it better yet worse.”

“Worse how? And how did I end up hugging you?” He said still not letting go

He is like a five year old who missed his mother during school. She thought then remembered his parents died before he was even five. “Well you weakened your overall bone structure. And you were sleep talking and called me your mom and started snuggling against me.”

“Oh.” He let go yet still lay against her.

“Shadow. Why do you keep getting injured? It worries me. I don’t want to lose you.”

Shadow said sullenly “I don’t know why I get injured but I know if what you say about me is true. Then you must lose me, and I you.” He began to tear up.

“Don’t cry, it is far from time when that will happen.”

“But I love you. I do not want to lose you. Ever.”

Now Luna began to cry and she then brought him closer. She cried on his shoulder and said to him “I won’t leave you if you don’t leave me.”

He kissed her then not exactly a peck but not long either. He remained silent unless she spoke first.

They remained this way for hours. Until finally Luna fell asleep on Shadows shoulder. He smiled at her beauty he lay his head on hers and felt her mane moving without anything touching it. He fell asleep, silent, happy and grieving sleep.

Shadow’s Dream

Looking down at himself he noticed he was in a suit a tuxedo actually. Looking around he noticed he was in a cathedral, the large doors opened to reveal Luna in a wedding dress. White and beautiful with a long train.

The priest married them and he kissed her long and hard.

It then went to another scene of Luna and Shadow with a foal. Smiling and playing. Shadow smiled and kissed Luna on the cheek.

Then went to the scene of the foal all grown up and doing homework on a desk with Shadow helping him.

Then went to a gloomy scene, clouds and rain. He was in a graveyard thinking of why he would be there he looked before him and wept. It said Here lies Princess Luna. 200-5236. Cause of death: Murder. Killed by her own husband Shadow Mark.

He woke up then and noticed Luna there still sleeping. He sighed in relief and smiled. This is my best hopes come true. Just spending time with the one I love. Then he lye back down and slept.

Idle Errands

“Shadow your friends are here. Wake up.” Luna shook him awake and he grunted in response.

“Hey Shadow how you feeling?” Crafter asked

Swift asked then “I heard that the base is done. When can we start admitting new members?”

“Well I don’t feel exactly good but I don’t know when new members can or even should be admitted go have a meeting on it.” He said drained of energy

“O non esse infantem iusta non dormire bene. Praetereafecerunt habere contione ante hic sic vincere.” (Oh don't be a baby just cause you didn't sleep well. Besides we actually did have a meeting before coming here so we win.) Cerebrum said

“Ok then why did you ask?”

Straight said then “Because we didn’t want to piss you off too much. Too late I suppose.”

Cerebrum then brought out his perverted self to try to lighten the mood. Or at least his own. “Ideo Luna nocte dormivit. Quomodo? Describere mirabileaffectum sexus.” (So, you slept with Luna last night. How was it? Describe the most wonderful feeling of sex.)

“You wish. It never happened.” Shadow said

“What did he say?” Luna asked and Shadow leaned over and whispered the translation in her ear. Her eyes widened and turned her head towards Cerebrum who stood smirking.

“You pervert.”

“I know. But you know you want to do it with him.” Cerebrum smirked then realized it was a bad decision just before he could turn tail and run Luna grabbed him by the neck and held him there.

“What are you going to do to me?” he asked worried

Her horn began glowing and then there was a flash of light. Shadow heard Cerebrum whimpering and then the light was gone. When he looked he saw Cerebrum with his legs tied behind his back with chain.

Luna then took a syringe and flung it at his chest, although because of his struggles Cerebrum managed to move enough so that it hit his stallion parts. Squealing in pain he rolled around on the floor then the syringe still in he hit a wall and pushed the plunger.

“That’s what you deserve.” Luna said head lifted high

Gasping Cerebrum used his magic to pull the syringe out and look at what chemical it was. “Ok good it’s a pain killer. Wait no…reacts with…SHIT I CANT HAVE KIDS ANYMORE!”

“Really?” Luna turned around now slightly sorry.

“Yes…I’ll be in my lab searching for a cure to the poisoning effects. Oh wait I still can’t move.” His voice was high pitched and pained.

Luna freed him and he hobbled out. “Now I feel quite bad.”

“Don’t he had it coming to him.” Shadow said shuddering at the memories the rest of them shuddered at the thought wishing Shadow hadn’t told them

“Ok Shadow we will be leaving now. See you in a week at H.Q. to introduce all the new recruits and also have our first monthly meeting.” Swift said and they all dashed out.

“Oh Luna did you ask your sister about what happened with…you know?”

“Oh yes I did. She said nothing will happen so it’s all good.”

“Ok good. But I need to get up and move around.”

“No Shadow stay in bed you cant protect me injured.”

“I can’t protect you when I’m weak either.”

“You’re not weak. You’re the strongest pony I’ve ever seen.”

“Not strong enough. And your lieing to make me feel better. Perhaps when I use the void I’m strongest but without I can name at least ten ponies that could beat me in a fist fight.”

“Ok Shadow just stay here and relax for a while you aren’t a hero pony…yet.”

He stomped his hoof angrily “I don’t want to be if it means losing you.”

“I must once again leave you.”

“Fine but tell the doctor I’m at the training field. Staying here bored is more pain then breaking all my bones. And I know how that feels so I am not exaggerating. Wait isn’t the skirmish tomorrow. It’s going to be my first one commanding.”

“Ok Shadow just don’t get hurt…Or drunk.”

“Not even a buzz.”

“No Shadow.”

“Fine” Shadow said getting out of bed walking out.

I wish I could use my wings. They are long enough to almost be second legs and they hurt like hay being tied up and casted. He thought to himself walking down the corridor to the training room.

Once there he encountered a bunch of new recruits sparring hoof to hoof combat. They were terrible so he thought he would teach them a thing or two.

“You ponies need any help training?”

“Sure always nice to have help from a ranking officer.”

Shadow grabbed another pony with the badge of corporal “Sir you’re a captain not an enlisted troop in the army. I don’t think it right to fight you.”

“I may be a captain in officer branch but I’m well over corporal in enlisted branch.”

“Who are you sir?”

“Captain Shadow Mark.”

“Oh you ok let’s brawl.”

While fighting he explained to the other ponies how to fight. “You see you dodge until he throws a punch that puts too much weight into it. Then you strike back at the legs or face.” He tripped the other pony and landed him on the training mat.

“I wasn’t ready. Let’s go again.”

“As you wish. Watch the forms we take and how we fight.”

It was punch after another Shadow either blocked or dodged every blow until one was obviously a fake throw. So he acted like he took it then threw a fake punch of his own right at his head. The pony dodged left, directly into the next punch. Knocking him down.

“As I said don’t fake a punch without a backup plan. Now you try.”

“Rematch.” The other pony said.

“Ok you all spar while I spar him again. Then I will show you blade combat.”

Once again Shadow won although not flawlessly he took a blow to the face and staggered. Though turned around and bucked the other pony in the face. “Ok blade combat.”

“Now you’re going to lose. I am the second best at blades in my rank.”

“Who’s the best?”

“Red Talon.”

“Three things Red Talon is ONLY a corporal second Red Talon works for me third I have beaten him in many a spar.”

“Really, well I will still beat you he was probably lieing to teach you instead of always wining which doesn’t teach much.”

“Possibly. Now let’s fight.” They grabbed the equipment and went at it.

Stab lunge parry feint. Those were the only words in their vocabulary at the moment. It went on for about ten minutes until the pony Shadow was sparring against punched him in the face and stabbed him in the gut.

“You win, now I can’t breathe.”

“Told you.”

“Ok you did now stop bragging and help a ranking officer up.”

The other pony extended a hoof and helped Shadow up. “You know I heard you were the leader of the Lunar Dominion and I was wondering if I could join.”

“You heard correctly but I don’t admit new members speak to Red Talon. But you should have the skills to join.”

Nodding the other pony shook his hoof and walked off. Shadow continued training the recruits for another two hours.

Only after they were drenched in sweat did he stop. One of the recruits had actually learned well from the training the others needed much more training. After leaving the training room he decided to go back to his own room.

Trotting slowly and admiring the castle, thinking of things he would do differently if he were in charge. Not much he decided, once at his door he hesitated waiting for a trap.

He opened it quickly then glanced around. No bombs, that is surprising. The bomb came from his bathroom as he trotted by. Thinking quickly he dived out his window forgetting he did not have wings. After jumping he turned around and grabbed the windowsill.

“Guys? You there?”

No response, he tried to pull himself up but he felt too weak. He kept trying knowing that the fall from a 26 story window would kill him. Eventually he succeeded and pulled himself up. There he saw Straight and Swift scratching their manes.

“Umm sorry Shadow we meant to hit you not miss and also not send you flying out the window.”

“Then why didn’t you help me up?”

“Cause we thought you could do it yourself like you just did.”

“Ok well I’m going to sleep good day yes I am aware that it is daytime but I don’t care I would rather sleep during Celestias sun and stay awake during Lunas night. Not vis versa.”

They left and closed the door behind them. He lay down on the bed and slept. Dreaming and hoping of ways to save Luna.

A.N. Authors Note. I am planning on making another story and post it while writing this one. I do not know what I will call it yet but it is definitely not original but my friend but the idea in my head and it will not go away. But a brief summary of it

What happens when an army special ops gets teleported to Equestria? Read to find out… Yeah that is all I have to go on. But yup it is a human in Equestria story do not read if you do not want to. I should have the first chapter of it posted tomorrow.

The Battle: Part 1

Waking up slowly, saddened by not coming up with a solution to his problems. He looked out the open window and enjoyed the breeze that rolled in. With the moon rising in the sky.

“Ahhh pure beauty, the night, it’s just remarkable.” He said to himself getting up from the bed.

“It’s about midnight. I have that skirmish tomorrow, so what I should probably do is scout out the area we’ll be sparring on. Although I have all day to do that. So I could just walk around.”

Opening up the door to his room he began to trot around the castle. Generally he was greeted with surprised looks from the night guards. “Sir what are you doing up so late? Do you need to visit the doctor?!”

“No its fine I just much enjoy the night over the day. Beautiful is it not?”

“Yes general sir. I suppose it is.”

Shadow’s brow furrowed and he begin to shout not angrily but just to get the point across. “CAPTAIN NOT GENERAL WHY DOES EVERYPONY MIX THAT UP!?”

“Captain that’s not what General Tenebrae told us. We were all informed you were his equal as a General not a captain.”

“Tenebrae. I wonder why he told you that. Do you have any idea?”

“Perhaps to make you more respected. Well umm…permission to speak freely.”

“Granted.”

“Well most of us are a higher rank then captain at least in the officer branch. The enlisted soldiers are lower rank either way. As I was saying, I think he wanted us to think of you as a superior and not as a lesser. Probably because your rising through the ranks so quickly and are to be promoted soon. Right? Another reason may be for Luna’s sake, so that way it doesn’t seem like her liking to you being why she treats you so well but your rank.”

Nodding he said “I suppose that’s possible. I’ll speak with him. And if most of you are a higher rank. What rank are you?”

“Well sir I’m an enlisted soldier not an officer. But on a different note are you ready for the annual skirmish tomorrow?”

“Annual I thought they happened weakly? Is this one special somehow?”

“Oh you don’t know. Well once a year we fight a skirmish without the restrictions.”

“Meaning you can kill?”

“Well let me revise there are rules just no restrictions. Meaning that normally if you stab someone they just won’t die. But now they don’t have this magic field and it’s possible to die. But if you do kill you will be punished. But injury or serious wounds are not uncommon. There are always a few deaths but generally those are from the explosions or crashes. This battle is also longer instead of dawn to dusk it’s until the other team surrenders. Tenebrae has won the last two hopefully he’ll give us another victory.”

“But Tenebrae told me I was commanding the skirmish tomorrow.”

“Really well I wish you luck. You’re still recovering from your injuries. I’ll not argue with his decision but I hope he’s right.”

“Well I’ll leave you to your duties. We still have tonight and then the day then the battle.”

Trotting off paying attention only to the night. After a while he saw trotted around and noticed the forge was in use. “Hey Steel Hammer why are you up so late? You admiring the night like I am or are you really working this late?”

“Shadow? Well it’s a little of both. I do have work to do but I still have free time. What do you need?”

“Nothing I was just walking around. But perhaps if it’s not too much trouble, although maybe not right now, if I could learn to smith as you do.”

“Hmm, sure I have time. Grab that hammer you start now.”

*two hours later*

“YOU MAY BE IN CHARGE AROUND HERE BUT THIS FORGE IS MY BATTLE GROUND AND YOU’RE IN BOOT CAMP! STRIKE FASTER AND HARDER!”

“Why is this so difficult?” Shadow said drenched in sweat

“The blades too thick! Use the mold to hilt!”

“Ok I’m try…” just then he smashed his hoof with the hammer and heard it smash.

“CRAP MY HOOF! I need to stop now!”

“DENIED KEEP WORKING!”

“Ergh.”

“Ok let’s stop the blade work go to armor.”

*6:00 am*

“Ok it’s been six hours can we stop my hoof really hurts?”

“What have you accomplished? I haven’t been watching you for the past hour.”

Looking at what Shadow made Steel sighed “Well it’s not bad. IF YOU WERE TRYING TO MAKE A WORTHLESS CHUNK OF METAL!”

“Hey I said I was taking a break not that I’m done. And have you finished fixing my armor I’m going to try something.”

“Yes I have. And if you really want to I’ll guide you but you’ll do it all yourself.”

“Fine let’s get working although less difficult and with five minute breaks when I get tired no more six hour straight work.”

“Fine. THEN GET TO WORK!”

*4:12pm*

“Steel Hammer have you seen Shadow. I’ve been looking for him all day. Oh and you may want to clean up around here. Especially that rag over there it smells and looks terrible.” She pointed at a torn up wet lump

The lump, being Shadow, raised his head looked towards Luna and said “Thanks I appreciate being called a rag. Lifelong goal and all. I just love lying here.”

“Oh umm Shadow umm you look great umm.”

“Help me up.”

Reaching out a hoof but then hesitated “Umm why do your hoofs look like they have been smashed?”

“Cause they have been.”

“What?”

“Yup been working slightly more than twelve hours. And I got a couple of rewards for it. Like broken hooves.”

“Shadow how many times have I told you don’t get yourself hurt. Especially now tomorrow is the annual battle and you’re going to be the general of the battle if you’re this weak then you won’t survive.”

“Thanks I feel so much better.” He said

“I’m sorry Shadow I meant no offense.”

“It’s fine you don’t have to apologize you’re the princess.”

“But I…wait why are you on the ground if you’ve been working?” The question was more directed to Steel Hammer then Shadow

“Cause he decided to take a nap and just fell down asleep.”

“Need to continue working.” Getting himself off the ground and grabbing the hammer he began to smash the metal into the shape he wanted.

“Shadow you need to stop, you’re bleeding.”

“So?”

“Shadow please stop your overworking yourself.”

“No I need to work I can’t go easy on myself.”

Looking at the ground she began “Shadow pl…” Then she looked back at him and realized that Red Talon had walked up to Shadow and then punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious.

“Princess.” He said with a bow before he ran off dragging Shadows body behind him.

“Wha..wh..what just happened?” She said confused

“That happens. If you look around you’ll see that Shadow gets dragged around quite often. Which is why he’s always injured.”

“Often, how many times this week?”

“Ok its Thursday so…eleven, eleven times this week that I’ve seen.”

“Eleven? But he’s been in the hospital.”

“That doesn’t change things.”

“Ok well I’ll be going to find out what they’re doing.”

“I wouldn’t suggest that. You know umm in Shadows weekend state he kind of cant control his feelings so his friends come by and knock him out when their afraid he’ll reveal something or insult you ummm ,sexually, probably.”

Luna blushed and then said goodbye and walked away.

*6 hours later*

“So you’ve finally woken up. You should probably armor up the fight will begin in two hours. Just enough time for rallying speech.” Said Swift

“Where are we?” Shadow asked

“The middle of the battlefield.” Straight said

“Armor up.” Red Talon said holding out the armor modified earlier that day

“Fine, is there a doctor nearby I want to know if I can fly?”

“EM, me scitis amicus Cerebrum.” (Ahem me your friend Cerebrum.)

“Right you are a doctor. Or at least a little.”

“Could you speak English for the convince of the rest of the team.”

“Fine, as I was saying you can fly I have healed the wounds or at least sped up the healing. Now go make a speech this is the first time in ten years that Tenebrae didn’t command. First time in 100 years that someone as low as the rank of captain commanded.”

“That better have not been an insult.” Shadow said angrily.

“Well let’s go wing a speech.”

“You mean you haven’t prepared one.”

“I didn’t know this match was special until last night.”

“You’re kidding right.”

“Not at all.”

They all facehoofed and then walked up with him to the small platform prepared for a speech. Standing up there he realized and said to his friends. “This is the entire army.”

“Yes except for the personal guards. So have fun being general for a day.” Said Crafter

Scratching his head Shadow said activating his horn to amplify his voice. “Well ummm I have no speech and not much to say. All I really have to say that counts as a speech is. Let’s go kick Celestias army’s ass! But as a strategy…” he took a slight pause for breath “Well just follow a few rules 1: make sure to woop some ass 2: cause all the chaos possible through fire and the sort 3: work as an individual and together. If you feel that you can do more good in the skies or from a range go with Straight Shot, stealth Swift Hoof, blades Red Talon, Crafting and strategy Crafter and Cerebrum. Anything else come with me or go individually if you want. 4: Have fun.” He said jokingly

To his surprise most of them chuckled. He turned and asked his friends if it was time to start. And it was

“CHARGE!!!!!” He shouted and they all charged crying out in the name of Luna. And ready for a battle...

The Battle Part 2

“CHARGE!” the ponies charged forward chanting and yelling. The unicorns lighting shrubs, trees, and anything flammable alight.

All of them slowly formed into groups and followed the leader of their choice. Many of them followed him. Going at a full gallop forward he soon slowed. Seeing explosions and smoke in the distance, he thought perhaps he should leave the completely direct assault to Red Talon.

The troops following him slowed as well one of them asked “Why are we stopping?”

“We need a strategy. Give me only a moment I think I have one.”

Nodding the soldier fell back into line knowing it would be best not to ask or try to help. Shadow began thinking to himself “Hmm how do I get to win this with the least damage to my team as possible. I could try to find the general. Mabye Tenebrae gave me a hint when I spoke to him earlier. What did he say? Nothing of use all he said was ‘Remember Shadow this battle is different. But that gives you a way to win.’ He put emphasis on different but I don’t see how that helps.”

Then it clicked in his mind and a smirk crossed his face. He said aloud to his team that it was ready to go but never told them his plan. The rhythmical sound of the explosions and the crackle of the fire. It became a music to him. Forgetting entirely of the team behind him. He just rushed forward everything seemed to follow a slow rhythm giving the illusion of slow motion.

The battlefield became his entire world. A magical bolt of lightning came towards him. Rolling away from it, it made a large explosion on the ground. Two ponies were hit and for a moment his attention wavered to them. Both seemed to be floating in the air. He flew into the air after them. He carried them on his back knowing he couldn’t tend the wounds here.

One of them was still awake and said to him “General Shadow Mark leave me I’ll slow you down. The medical team will treat me.”

“Fine but I’ll at the very least treat your wounds.”

Quickly setting them both down he ripped his leather garment and dressed the awake one’s wounds. Then when he went to the other he was filled with sadness and anger. The pony had lost a wing and was bleeding out. If he didn’t do something quickly he would die. He had no medicine and he had no training to deal with this type of thing. He wrapped his entire garment around tightly to slow the bleeding.

The pony awoke but in more of a dream “I can still fight I can still…fight.”

“No just rest. You’ve lost your wing just lay down and rest.”

The pony passed out again and Shadow looked around noticeing most of his squad was fighting or tending the wounded. “FOLLOW ME!”

They finished their battles and tied off the bandages then followed their charging commander. Ignoring their own wounds and only caring of the battle. Rolling and diving into foxholes bushes whatever acted as cover.

“Go raid that bunker over there I’ll look for their commander.” The men following him ran in and began to fight.

Then he put his crazy idea into plan and plan into action. He turned from the battle, and headed straight for the princess…

It then clicked in his mind. He knew what was different about this battle. Unlike EVERY other skirmish the princesses were ON the battlefield sitting on pedestals unlike the usual were they sat in their chambers looking out the window or from a very far distance or not even watching at all. But they always ALWAYS had their entire personal guard of 40 soldiers not now where they only had four. FOUR. He knew, that plus the hint from Tenebrae. It was too much to be a coincidence. Although if it was, then he’d be killed without a second thought. Well maybe not. At the very least he’d be imprisoned.

He then called upon the void and the black tendrils surrounded his body. 30 meters 25…20…15…the guards then noticed that this wasn’t just a mistake of direction. They held out their spears on the defensive “That’s it they would have killed me already if they were seriously guarding her…that or they just suck at guarding.”

He leaped into the air and glided over them. Unsheathing his blades and landing right behind the princess. He heard her say between clenched teeth “This is depressing I was hoping it last longer. Well what do you say we work it a bit. Do you want me to start or you?”

He dispersed of the void and started to speak “SURRENDER OR THE PRINCESS…ergh…”

“Wow you’re a terrible actor.” Celestia said, then realized that he didn’t grunt from hesitation but from the spears piercing his side. Her guards had gotten their act together and stabbed him. Five spears one pony. “I thought I told them not to kill anyone unless it’s a serious threat. They should have surrendered. I could have been killed because of this.”

He was using all his strength to keep himself up. Both his blades were around her neck “Forgive me…princess…I cant move…my…arms…from…your…”

He fell over and because of it the blades began cutting through her skin. He became a dead weight cutting through her throat. If she shifted it would just shift Shadow’s body into the position that would cut her main artery.

“WE SURRENDER TAKE YOUR BLADES FROM THE PRINCESS!” the general shouted

Then her guards realized she was being cut. Which they reacted to by panicking. Then from the corner of her eye she noticed a blur. Then the blades were taken from her neck. She could breath again. Both armies were gathered before her. “Princess.” Red Talon said

“Your Shadow’s friend correct?”

He nodded and then grabbed Shadow’s body and flew away. Then the army noticed what had happened. And started laughing about it while the medical team rushed for the princess.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU JUST SURRENDERED TO AN UNCONSCIOUS BODY!”

“SHUT UP WILL YEAH SHE WAS IN DANGER!”

“WHY DON’T YOU GO COWER IN FRONT OF SOME DOLLS NOW?”

“I SAID SHUT UP!”

Just then Tenebrae walked out into the middle of the field “INOWOFFICALLYPROCLAIMTHEANNUALBATTLEOVERYOUARENOWFREETODOWHATYOUWISHGOODDAY!” and they all broke out into a fight

Red Talon landed on the corridor and began dragging Shadow’s body calmly through the corridor leaving a trail of blood behind. He walked by the forge while on the way to the hospital. He stopped for a moment nodded and said “Steel Hammer.”

“Red Talon.”

And he began walking again. Luna teleported beside him. “OH MY IS HE OK? I WARNED HIM. IS HE GOING TO BE ALRIGHT HIS WOUNDS *hyper ventilates and begins to calm down* please tell me he’ll be alright.”

“Princess.” Was all he said

“Well at least pick him up and carry him. He’ll bleed out.”

“He’s fine.”

“But it will make a mess.”

“There’s servents.”

“But I but there’s…”

“Your overreacting he’s had worse.”

“Fine. I’ll make preparations at the hospital.” She flew ahead in a semi panic although knowing Red Talon was right

When Shadow came too it was already late day. With some effort he asked aloud “What happened?”

“Well you won the battle. More or less.” Said a voice that didn’t sound familiar

“But then what’s the fighting out there?”

“The way you won caused great anger in many of Celestias army. So they rioted against your army for a rematch.”

“How bad are my injuries.”

“Compared to the normal pony or to your previous vists?”

“I don’t care I just want to know when I get out of here.”

“Well you got beat up pretty bad. I think I know what your planning though.” The doctor said

“Well I didn’t hear refusal of what I’m doing in that statement so I’ll be off.” Shadow said rising from his bed

“Wait one moment. You may go on one condition, after this you will actually listen to the medical staffs orders.”

“Fine.”

Then Shadow jumped out the convient window ,that was in every room in the castle, and flew towards the riots.

Upon landing in the clearing he shouted trying to get the attention of the ponies. No such luck. However his friends saw him and trotted next to him. He asked them how to get the attention of the fighting ponies who paid no attention to the one who was the source of their anger.

Before he finished his question Cerebrum shouted “LOOK SHADOW MARK’S RIGHT HERE! HE’S INJURED TOO!”

“Damn it. Cerebrum are you trying to get me killed?”

He nodded then backed off from the hundreds of eyes gazing at Shadow.

“LETS GET HIM!”

“Well,” he said turning his head back to his friends “We’re dead. I don’t have enough strength for the void. I didn’t think this through.”

Just before the hundreds and hundreds of angry ponies charged into him. Including some of Lunas army because they wanted a longer battle or they thought it was unfair.

He heard a crash and saw Luna standing there and then her horn began to glow. The light blinded him after only a few moments.

When he got his vision back Luna was gone and everypony on the field was unconscious. “What the hell just happened?”

“Why are you asking us you’re the one who did that.”

“No it was Lu…I’ll be back soon.” Taking off with questions filling his mind.

Landing outside Luna’s quarters he neglected to knock and just walked in. She was about to undress. She blushed “Umm hello Shadow.”

“Sorry Princess. I just wanted to know why you saved me earlier and then run off. They think its me who knocked them all unconscious.”

Her eyes widened “You were able to see me?!” she slammed the door when he nodded and then said “You shouldn’t have been able to see me. No one else saw me thought right?”

“Seeing as Cerebrum didn’t probably not. He’s the most observant. Is something wrong with me being able to see you. Did you do something?”

“I’m not supposed to use too much of my power. It could say…blow up the world.”

“Are there rules against it.”

“Yes.”

“Then promise me not to use it again unless its within your permission.”

She lowered her head “Yes Shadow. Now go back to the hospital I can already see the bandages ripping and the blood soaking them.”

“Yes my love. I shall see soon.”

Passage of Time

Returning to the hospital, he lay down in bed and waited for sleep to come. Thoughts filled his mind once again. He couldn’t let go of consciousness. Not of Luna, not of the battle, not of his friends. He thought to himself for a moment and then spoke aloud holding his hooves in front of his weary tattered face. “Who am I? Shadow Mark the General whose life goes extremely well? Or am I the tormented soul who no one knows or truly hears because they think I am Shadow Mark the General? Why am I thinking of this now anyway? This is nothing to sleep thinking about.”

He laid his head on the pillow and turned to one side. He heard a faint creaking. Knowing exactly what it was he waited until it was just behind him. Then he swiftly turned to the other side and punched Swift Hoof dead in the muzzle.

“OW WHAT THE HAY WAS THAT FOR!?” Swift shouted a little too loudly.

Shadow heard complaining in the other rooms. Sighing he said “Quiet, ponies are going to hate more than they already do for having ‘visitors’ at this hour. Now where’s Cerebrum. And what prank were you planning this time.”

“Umm no prank why would you think that?”

Shadow’s eyes narrowed “Because I had a guard placed outside and told him not to let you or Cerebrum out. Now what did you do to him?”

“Oh about that PLAN B DO IT NOW!”

Cerebrum threw a bucket of water at Shadow but it was facing the wrong way for the bucket to splash him. So he just punched it towards Swift, who it did splash.

“Fine I get it. You and your lack of humor.” Swift said as they both exited the room

Shadow snickered as he saw the spear lying on the ground that the guard was holding. Lifting it with his magic he lifted it up turned it sideways and slammed it into the two ponies walking down the dark corridor.

He had to let go of the spear because it was risky holding stuff you couldn’t see. Then with a sigh of relief that all the business of the night was over and he could sleep.

“Wait I can’t see the night from in here.” Getting up and walking around he moved his bed to face the open window which faced the moon rising in the sky.

“Much better.”

On awaking he noticed a sharp stinging feeling in many directions. Then looking around he noticed many doctors in the room and he was being injected by many needles.

“What’s going on? What are you doing?”

“We want to find the source of your powers that protect you so well.” A voice said

“Celestia. This isn’t revenge for the battle is it.”

The white alicorn walked up to him, her mane flowing behind and kindly said “No of course not Shadow. This is to protect our own soldiers.”

Shadow relaxed hearing this, bad mistake. Celestia then brought her hoof up and slammed it down with a huge amount of force on his gut. And being that the bed was already lowered the punch had a lot of time to gain force. Gasping for breath Shadow wheezed in pain.

“That, was for the battle. I suppose we’re even now.”

“Can’t…breath.” He said through gasping breaths recovering from the wind being knocked out of him.

“Princess you broke our needle that went into his stomach and that had chemicals we didn’t want to release unless EXTREMELY necessary. And will make him un conscious and in rare cases put him into a coma. Yet also making the brain and heart overwork at the same time. We need him conscious and aware for our experiments so please refrain from abuse of the test subject.”

Just regaining his breath he realized he was getting sleepy. “Did you speak to Luna about doing this?”

“Why, are you worried?”

“Not at all but she would be. She worries for me. And more pain then death would be for her to worry.”

Celestia’s eyes saddened “You really love my sister don’t you. Ok I’ll stop the experiments until I get her approval. But don’t tell her. Please.”

Shadow nodded and slipped unconscious against his efforts. Luna watched over him constantly and when she wasn’t her guards were. When Luna asked around to get information about what happened no pony knew. So she went to her sister. Celestia explained and Luna was at first quite shocked and appalled so she quickly declined the idea.

After some thought though she nearly gave in. Then went to her advisors and Shadow’s friends. When Shadow finally woke up out of his coma, after two weeks, the issue was decided. There would be no further testing into the subject seeing that it might not be worth it anyway, inability to die for unimaginable pain, a convincing trade but many not willing to take it.

Luna went to check on Shadow for the first time that day. She noticed he had awakened from his coma and appeared to be well. “Hello Luna, it’s nice to see you.”

Luna sighed in relief and walked over to him and kissed his forehead.

“Likewise.” She said smiling

“How long was I out?” he rubbed his temple weary from being out so long

“Two weeks.” She sat in the doctors chair and pulled it up next to him.

“Wow that’s along time. What’s been going on while I was out?”

“Nothing of note. Although we’ve decided that war shall not be waged on the griffins. But our borders will be on high alert.”

“Well that’s good. And my wounds are healed so I can actually move.” He then hopped out of bed and then fell on the ground.

One of the doctors heard the thud and paced in quickly. “It’s ok he stood up to quickly and so much blood went out of his brain he passed out. Just give him a minute.”

“Should we get him off the ground?”

“Yes please do help me up. Ergh my head feels like its been smashed by a hammer. And I do know how that feels.”

“See he’s awake already.” The doctor said and she reached down to help him up.

Standing fully upright Shadow felt dizzy “Whoa my legs feel like jelly. Scratch that I cant feel them at all.” He said stumbling around like a drunk

“Take it easy your bodies getting used to moving again.”

“Got it doc.” Leaning against the bed he recovered his strength. Shaking his mane trying to get blood flow back. Once satisfied he let go of the bed and walked out of the room with Luna behind.

“Shadow the doctor said to take it slowly.”

“Yes and I am.”

“Your cantering down the corridor like you always do when you get an injury. And every time you injure yourself again.” She said worried

“Well then I’ll once again ignore the injure until it becomes critical and life threaten…” Luna paused seeing Shadows body slumped and Red Talon standing over it.

With surprise and fear Luna shouted at him “What did you do that for he’s just recovered?”

“Cerebrums after him and Shadow couldn’t out run him in this state. So I knocked him out to keep him safe.”

“Why are you even here?”

“Because Cerebrum and Swift take the pranks too seriously as well as Shadow’s tough pony act. He acts as if he can take on the world and could take the pain of the result no sweat. But that’s just a shield he developed in his youth to hide his emotions. So nopony would ever worry or insult him because of his pain. He couldn’t have that. Not when he was trying to protect everypony. He felt that if he died saving somepony else, it was worth it. He still does. Even if he only openly says it about you.” He said with minimal emotion like he always did. Always calm

“How would you know?”

Red Talon flew off without another word. Luna saw Cerebrum ran past looking for Shadow. He was yelling something about revenge of the night before. She was tempted to order Cerebrum to stop. But she decided to let Red Talon deal with it.

She wondered where he came from, what was his backstory. He said he was in the Stalliongrad rebellion. There hasn’t been a rebellion there in two hundred years. He must be older than he looks, though it’s no surprise alicorns don’t age much. But he seems familiar. No time for this.

Red Talon sat atop the roof of the castle and set the sleeping Shadow down upon the shingles, and laid down upon them himself. Sighing to himself then saying aloud. “How do you manage you to get yourself into so much trouble? If you realized how important you were. Would you get beat up so often?”

“No I doubt anything should change, you’ll always risk everything to protect others.”

Shadow began to stir. “Why this time Red?”

“Cerebrum was chasing you.”

“So I can deal with him. Why’s he so mad?”

“That spear last night, when you pushed him away. It stabbed him in the umm rectum and the head broke off. And is stuck there still. They can’t do surgery unless they cut through bones.”

“Then I’ll deal with him right away.”

“No you won’t.”

“Are you defying me?”

“Yes.” Then Red hit him upside the head knocking him unconscious.

Although the force of it sent the body rolling and due to the slanted roof, and fell off the top of the castle onto the ground below.

“Oops.”

Looking over the side he noticed Shadow was still breathing.

“He can do what he wants now.”

3 weeks later

Shadow sighed sheathing his blade after wiping the blood on his tunic. How many more jobs must I do before this country is safe. That was the third this month. Though now Luna finally convinced him to try to be safe instead of having fun. He was slightly surprised when she figured out that he never used full strength. Then she was surprised when he told her that none of the six used their powers.

Now most of his time was spent in meetings, searching for recruits, or doing jobs. He planned on just relaxing for a while. He had nothing to do that was of note till his promotion.

When it came time for his promotion six months later he was surprised by the setting and arrangement of it all. It was planned in the main hall. Luna convinced him to wear some fancy clothes as long as Shadow got to pick them. He decided on black and blue mottled cloak made of leather, complete with dark metal armor like that of her personal guard. But more polished. He wore his mane down covering his left eye to hide the hideous scars there.

He was right on time. He opened the door and walked in briskly. Even though he was surprised to see the entire room packed, he wore a face of subtle emotion. It was surprisingly quiet. Only the faint gasp or whisper could be heard. Standing up on the pedestal he looked down upon the room. He noticed with surprise that the entire dominion was there.

The surprise was evident in his expression. And the faces of the crowd noticed. The princesses took side beside Shadow. The ceremony went well. He earned many glances and caused a great stir. All were astonished by how silent and calm he was. Most had a nervous breakdown during their ceremony.

Things were looking to go perfectly well for once. He was going to take it easy just continue guarding Luna.

A Cryptic Dream

“Is that?” Cerebrum asked but was answered by Red Talons reaction

“SHADOW!” With all speed capable Red Talon flew towards the falling body of their leader

Colliding with the body he held on tight and said “Don’t give up!” seeing his wounds were grave. No response. DAMN! Have to get to Canterlot.

Flying nonstop although slower until Straight came alongside him and picked up the body as well and they flew in the direction of the city of royalty. They were able to keep up with each other. And Cerebrum was casting fire magic on the wounds to cauterize them and searching through his bags for a salve. When he finally found it he held Shadows mouth open and poured the liquid in. “That should keep him alive until we get to Canterlot until then I can do no more. Although it will be night again when we get there.”

In Shadows mind.

“We meet again young Shadow.”

“Am I in the void again? Ergh I feel the pain of my wounds…I feel myself fading.” Shadow said to the older him

“Yes you are. I never thought I would tell you so early that you are grave would be the void. You are so young. It has been four thousand years since our last inhabitant died. He accomplished many deeds but I will not tell you of them. Though I am happy to say your death will not happen today but be wary or it will be soon.”

Nodding Shadow felt everything going to black.

Reality.

He heard voices and more crying. He felt hoofs on him and a machine being hooked up he also felt the tears soaking his fur. He opened his eyes with difficulty and saw his friends.

He reached out a hoof and said to them crying himself. “Do not cry my friends, the battle was one today. If my life ends sooner than another is that is the way it must be. If I die here, just know…I was in peace.” He took his hoof from his friends shoulder and lay down trying to relax.

More crying and he heard Someone trot into the room. And say “He will live, but you need to leave he is resting. Then he heard somepony galloping in the hall and enter.

“SHADOW WHAT HAPPENED!?” the familiar voice of Luna said crying

Opening his eyes once more he said to her. “We won, but victory comes with a price. I chose to pay it myself instead of force it upon my friends.”

Then he heard Red Talon say “We aren’t leaving. And I doubt you can make us.”

The doctor groaned and brought in something. Probably cots. *sigh* my wounds hurt, but it is not as in pain as my mind.

“No alcohol for him this time.” The nurse or doctor said.

He then heard Luna ask them all “What happened to him?” Sniffleing

“He flew into a crowd of at least two hundred pissed off griffins. Swarming around him he managed to take on about twenty alone. And we brought their numbers to about ninety when the griffin on our side got herself killed. Shadow shortly afterwords broke free and they all followed him. We chased after but his speed was astonishing. Landing on top of a mountain we saw him and then take off into the griffins, then a burst of dark light. Loud to. Every one of them dropped dead. Shadow fell too and Red Talon caught him and we brought him back here. He was a true hero.” Straight said

Shadow then said to them “A true hero would find a way out of the conflict entirely. Somepony once said “The best battle is where it’s won without a single death.” I killed too many to be called a hero. The blood on my hoofs well never wipe away. I will always be a killer, a fighter, NOT a hero.” Shadow began to cry.

He felt someone kiss him on the lips. Then the crying stopped and then he said “Ok was that Cerebrum or Luna?”

They all chuckled and Luna said “It was me. Don’t ever leave me.”

“I won’t.” Shadow said

“Shadow, I know how you feel. About being called a hero I once was called, “The hero of Stalliongrad” I could not accept it for what I had done so I left that place never to return. There is so much I want to tell you guys…but it hurts too much. Those memories haunt my dreams.” Red Talon said beginning to cry.

“How long do I have to stay in here?” Shadow asked

“I will ask the doctor.” Said Luna

“Swift, let’s leave and I will teach you Latin.” Cerebrum said

“FINALLY!” Swift trotted out.

Then straight asked “Never do something so stupid again. We will all share each other’s pain. Do not keep it to yourself wishing to spare us. Now I must go train.”

Red then said “Shadow if I lost anyone of you I couldn’t bear it. I have lost too many. Too many. Stalliongrad was a cold and brutal war.” Red left then

Crafter the last one there said to him “Keep in mind laddie, none of us fear death. We fear others deaths. Such as yours. Don’t do it again.” With that he was alone.

Five minutes later Luna trotted back in and Shadow opened his eyes to see that she had a confused expression. There were six cots but nopony in the room. “Ok well the doctor said quite a while. You have gashes pretty much everywhere on your body as well as let us see. Instead of breaking every bone in your body. You now have raised the bar and SHATTERED every bone in your body. You’re going to stay for a while.”

“I thought I would die Luna, I thought I would die.” Shadow said

“But you didn’t you came back like you promised. I love you Shadow I truly do.”

Then he asked the question that had filled his mind. “Why do you love me though? There has to be a reason.”

Luna thought for a moment. “You are like my father, although more heroic. I just love the way you are.” She said sitting down in the bed with him.

“Your cute you know.” Shadow said brush her mane out of her eyes.

Hoping this was not going where it had two nights before “Why?” She asked

“The way your mane flows without wind, your beautiful fur, your voice. Need I go on?” Shadow said in pain but happily

“Does it hurt much?” Luna asked knowing that it hurt but not actually processing it.

Shadow answered anyway and without anger in his voice. “Yes…and no. I feel the pain; in fact somehow I feel every shattered bone fragment inside me. I feel it all each pain individually, yet I do not really FEEL it. I feel as if I am not even in my own body. As if no matter how much pain is going on in me. It’s just happening to someone else.”

“Are you sure?” Luna asked interested.

“Yes I don’t know how describe it but it just is. The pain is just…there. But nothing else. Could we not talk about this please?”

“Ok I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Always remember though if you are in need of someone I will already be there. For now the pain takes me, to sleep.”

“Good night.” Luna whispered

Then Shadow mumbled his response back “Only because it’s yours.”

Smiling they both slept. Shadow dreamed of a white city, with walls of water jutting up at least four kilometers. Yet the city itself was under the sea itself by another few kilometers. Everything was over scaled, and then his sight drifted to the most magnificent site of all. Three towers in the middle of a circular city. One next two another. The first in the center of the two smaller was at least one hundred kilometers tall. The others where about seventy. But the most stunning fact was, he could see a symbol. One that he recognized. It looked like a combination of Lunas symbol (or at least the one im using.) with the sun around it. Then ornate deigns inside the sun, the sun itself seemed to be on fire. YET IT WAS A TAPISTEY! The moon FROZEN!

(To give you an idea of how big this is the empire states building is about 305 meters tall. And imagine the diameter of this city {one side to the other through center.} is about FOUR HUNDRED kilometers. Meaning it is pretty tall.)

Waking with a jolt and trying to comprehend what happened. “What’s wrong?” Luna asked lifting her head from the book she was reading. She must have been up for a while.

Recapping his dream to Luna he noticed her face becoming grimmer as he went on. Finishing he asked her “Do you know of this place? Is it real or did you just have the same dream and that’s why you’re so grim?”

Using her magic she closed the door and said. “Shadow look, I am not allowed to speak of this place. But I will tell you a few facts. First it is my true homeland, the land of the alicorns where we first came from. Second its name is Gemadon. (Gem-a-don) Later I will show you where it is located on a map. In case something happens to me at my sisters doing travel there. And last, I tell you something that goes against my vows, but you are destined to be the Guardian of the Sacred Temple. Never breathe a word of what I just told you. It will kill us both.”

“What is the Sacred Temple?”

“No I have said too much.”

“Then I will not ask.”

A hoof rapped on the door and then a voice. “Shadow, may I come in?” it was the doctor

“Yes.” Shadow said and the door opened, the doctor pulled up a chair and sat in front of Shadows bed.

“It’s time for magic therapy; there are two ways to do it. The quick painful way or the very long but mostly painless way. Oh and you can’t use the void it won’t allow any change meaning we couldn’t fix your bones.” The doctor said

“I will take the quick way out.” Shadow said without a second thought.

Sighing the doctor said “Luna if you don’t want to watch. Do not, the last thing I want is for you to be angered or saddened by his screams. I have never had a single patient in twenty years ever resist screaming with even a broken arm. The worst injury I cured this way was a shattered leg and wing. They almost passed out.”

Luna shook her head, she wanted to stay. That is good I was hoping you would. Someone to hold strength in.

The doctor’s horn started glowing and so did Shadow. He felt his bones crunching back into place. Yet never a grunt escaped his muzzle. After a while the doctor reconnected the magical flow into his horn. Finally now I can finish this sooner.

Grabbing the remainder of fragments inside his body he crashed them tighter at once. Then, he screamed but only briefly. Then he sucked in a breath and finished with his wings.

The doctor stood back and said in awe “No pony has ever done their own surgery. And you did not scream. Well only briefly. How do you feel?”

“I feel like getting out of here.” Shadow said ripping off the bandages and helping himself up with his wings.

“No you must not leave you could break them again, or maybe they are still fractured.”

“Nope I checked.” Shadow said already trotting out. Luna followed briefly after.

“Shadow I must go attend some royal business. You are on leave due to injury for the next four weeks. So go relax. If you need me I will be in my room.” Luna said

Nodding Shadow walked off to the library. He was going to do some research.