Shadow Mark

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.