The Shadow Chroniclesby Master-ChiefChaptersWhy Hello there.A missed opertunityThe Silver Tounged DevilEscaping scruitnyWhy Hello there."For the last time, I will not assist you on your little invasion plan's" "Why not, you must clearly want to get your revenge on Celestia dont you?" 'Yes why not Shadow? Please Shadow, do it. Do it for us. Shadow please do it.' Shadow clenched his eyes shut trying to block the voices inside his head. He opened them later to see the changling queen laying before him. He looked around and he was still in the everfree forest. "Do we have a deal?" 'Accept it Shadow and we will leave you alone.' "Sorry I will not, help you." "I see, even if I were to get rid of the voices in your head." 'How does she know of us. Shadow keep her quiet. do it Shadow." "NOOOO!" He screamed making birds and other forms of animals scury out of hiding. Chrysallis was taken aback and decided it wise no to pester the older alicorn. She back off giving Shadow breathing room. "Okay I respect your desicion, but if there is anything may do to be a service to you, dont hesitate." "Kind words coming from a heartless creature about to commit a crime." She smiled and took a form of a pink alicorn. She turned around and headed deeper into the forest. "Alone at last." 'Your never alone Shadow. Yes Shadow your never alone. We love you Shadow.' The ghostly voices inside his head kept talking and they never let Shadow rest. 'He is a fool.' 'I know, he should have accepted that offer from the changling.' The two voices kept talking to each other while the other voice watched Shadow in silence. The alicorn looked restless and his eye's were bloodshot. He seemed to be on the verge of insanity. He didnt blink nor move a muscle except to breath. 'Shadow.' piped in a slightly more feminin voice. "What?" 'It's getting late, you should change form now.' Shadow sighed as his body of an alicorn changed that into a body of a black cobra. Shadow slithered into his warm burrow that sheltered him from the harsh weather. He quickly fell asleep. He dreamed but for once in one thousand, five hundred years, he finally had his own dream. Shadow walked the country side, the sun embracing him in warmth on his dark coat. He walked untill he came across a small town. Ponies walked through the streets and go on about their day, buying food and other nick-knacks. But he was all but a ghost among them. The voices came back. 'There, there is the one that will set you free.' "What are you talking about?" The manifestation's body or bodys trotted up. They had no face, their coat was snow white, and each sepretly had a their own mane color, green, brown, and blue. 'There.' they said in unison, pointing at a butter colored pegeasus with a smooth pink mane and tail, and three pink butterflys for her cutie mark. "How will she set me free?" 'This one lives near the everfree, you shall gain her trust and she will take you out of your prison.' 'That is how the spell is broken, the one with a kind heart shall set fear free.' "And then what?" 'We take our prize, that we have yearned for so long.' 'Then we will finally leave you Shadow.' "You after the elements arnt you?" 'That is the hole reason were stuck with you.' "Remind me how did I; I mean you get stuck with me?" Shadow nearly brought more pain to his mind, remembering what happened last time. 'We took control of your body and tried to steal the elements.' Luna watched the four ponies. The crowds suddenly dissapeared and only left Luna and Shadow, who had his back turned. The sky turned dark and Luna's moon came out. The buildings of ponyville became nothing more than destroyed ones instead. Luna walked towards Shadow. In a flash Luna was face to face none otther than Nightmare Moon. Luna joltted back in fear. She woke up on the balcony; the moon still there and her stars shined down upon equestria. She turned back to see her room and Nightmare Moon was standing inside. She had a toothy grin plastered on her face. But the nightmare simply vanished into smoke as Luna's sister passed through. "Luna are you alright?" Luna broke down into tears. "No I saw him, and...and her." Celestia kneeled down beside her sister and gave her a tight embrace. "Its okay I'm here for you. Now who was it that you saw?" "Shadow." "Are you positive?" Luna nodded her head. "What did you see happen in there?" "He stood in the middle of ponyville, just talking to himself about being set free. Something about one's kind heart will set fear free." "Okay thats enough for now Luna try to relax." "I will sister. Celestia left her sister's chamber with one thing on her mind. "One's kind heart, will set fear free. One's kind heart will...... oh no, Fluttershy. I must notify Twilight imeadetly." She pulled out a quill and parchment and wrote down the warning as fast as she could and sent it to her prized student. -Meanwhile in ponyvillle- Twilight was about to call it a night when she heard her assistant belch from upstairs. Spike came crashing down the stairs. "Twilight, Twilight. Urgent message from the princess." "Oh goodie." She said, but her smile turned quickly into a frown. "Twilight whats the matter?" "We have to warn Fluttershy." She said standing up instantly and heading out the door and with Spike running after her to catch up. Twilight ran across town geting looks from all the ponies that were still outside. She finally reached Fluttershy's cabin and she pounded on Fluttershy's door. "Just one second please." The door opened and Fluttershy greeted Twilight with a warming smile. "Fluttershy I have to warn you about......" She was interupted by heavy breathing. She looked down and saw Spike with his hands on his knees and panting. "Dont mind me." Twilight turned her attention back to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy princess Celestia told me, to tell you to be very careful around the everfree. It isnt safe around there." "Oh okay Twilight I'll be careful." Twilight sighed in relief. "Come on Spike time to go home." Spike groaned and walked back along side Twilight A missed opertunity'Shadow. Shadow, wake up Shadow. Shadow please wake up.' "AAAAH, what do you want with me?" 'Oh nothing we just needed to wake you up. Yes the one to set you free is near by. We must not miss the oppertunity.' Shadow slithered out of his burrow and cringed at the sun's rays that made it through the canopy. He made his way through the fallen leaves that rustled around him. 'She's up ahead Shadow. Faster Shadow. Please Shadow hurry.' Shadow kept quiet and moved along the forest bed. Strangly enough he heard crying. "Must be another animal" Shadow thought. 'No you fool. Go rescue her. Hurry Shadow!' Shadow slithered as fast as he could towards the distressed pegeasus. Within moments Shadow saw the crying pegeasus curlled into ball, with a wolverine poking at her with its left claw all the while hissing. Shadow lunged out of the bush and hit the wolverine head on. They fought and fought until Shadow bit down on the wolverine's neck, killing it instantly. He spat out the blood from the creature taking an imeadient disliking to the flavor. He came out of the bush to make sure the pegeasus hadent seen what he had done. Sure enough she didnt see anything, she still layed down on the ground curlled up in a ball. Shadow brought his dark tail and poked the trembling Fluttershy. She opened her blue eyes and looked down at the cobra before her. "Oh hello mister cobra, thanks for saving me from that meanie wolverine. 'Stay silent. Dont say a word.' "Any ways thank you, but I must be getting back to my other animal friends." She stood to her full height and walked back out of the everfree. 'Shadow do something. Shadow.' "Please dont go." said Shadow. 'You fool.' "Who.. who said that?" 'Go ahead and talk. You already messed up.' "Me." Shadow said once more. Fluttershy turned her attention to the black cobra. "You can talk?" "Yes." He said with a slightly evil chuckle. Fluttershy's mouth hung agape. "Is something the matter?" "Animals cant talk!" she screamed and raced out of the everfree. 'See what you did.' The voice struck Shadow to the ground leaving him in mental pain. Fluttershy flew with all her might towards ponyville. She got a couple looks from the ponies down below, not have ever seen Fluttershy fly so fast. Fluttershy skidded to a halt infront of Twilight's house. She pounded on the door furiously until it clicked and opened. "Oh hey Fluttershy, whats up?" "Not now Spike where is Twilight?" "Um.. upstairs I think. HEY TWILIGHT FLUTTERSHY IS HERE TO SEE YOU!" he yelled up the stairs. "Okay let her in, I'll be down in a bit." Spike waved her inside and she took a seat on the library's couch. Twilight walked down the stairs. "Alright Fluttershy what is..." she was cut off. "Twilight there was a black cobra in the everfree and it talked, it talked!" "Wait a black cobra, useally they're brown. Are you sure you wernt seeing things?" "I know what I saw Twilight, it was black, had a grey under belly, and had deep crimson eyes." "Okay Fluttershy, I'll do some reasearch on this creature and see if anything comes up. Okay now head home and tend to your animals, its around breakfast time isnt it." "Oh my I completly forgot, thank you Twilight." "Sure no problem." With that Twilight closed the door with her magic and went back upstairs. "Hmm a black cobra, with crimson eyes. Ah ha here it is, and it was considerbly easier to find other than most books!" She levitated it out and turned to the first page, and began to read. Over one thousand, seven hundred years ago lived a young prince, well at least young for an alicorn. "Alicorn?" Just like the princess' Celestia and Luna who had their duty of controling the sun and the moon. Shadow's was to control fear. When he was two hundred years of age he attempted to steal the elements of harmony. Some say it was because he was possesed or had a hunger for power. After his failiure to steal the elements, princess Celestia banished him to the everfree forest. It is there where he resides in the body of a black cobra and waits for his banishment to end. "hmm. Maybe I can go ask him some questions, I mean he's not to far away and what could a couple of questions do?" She packed the book inside her saddle bag and headed out towards Fluttershy's cabin. She took a brisk walk and soon enough she was going up the pathway to the cabin. She knocked twice on the door and Fluttershy appeared. "Oh hello Twilight are you here because of the snake?" "Yes, yes I am." "Oh okay what did you find out about it?" "Alot of things actually and I would like you to take me to it so I may ask him a couple of questions." "Are you sure, I dont know it seems kinda dangerous." "Its okay I'll be right next to you." They walked into the everfree and they both gave a quick sigh before going in. Meanwhile Shadow was still on the ground being tortured mentally. But it all stoped abruptly when voices were approaching. 'She's back. Yes she's back. Dont mess up this time Shadow.' This time there were two ponies, one of which he didnt reconize at all. "See Twilight there it is." "Hello... my name is Twilight Sparkle, can you talk?" 'This one seems to have encouraged the yellow one, go ahead and speak.' "Yes I can speak." "Fascinating. Is it alright if I ask why you are in a body of a snake?" "No." "No?" "Why are you here?" "To ask you some questions." "Why must you ask questions you already now?" "I dunno, um, how about... Oh do you know when your banishment is over?" "It has already ended a long tome ago, I just need somepony to take me out of the forest." "And who may that just be?" Shadow directed towards Fluttershy. "What me, I dont know what to do." "Simple my dear friend, I can ride on your back, I promise I wont bite." "Oh alright." Fluttershy said relunctently "Wait." interjected Twilight. "Yes what seems to be the problem?" "Shouldent I tell the princess before we do this." 'No you would not dare!' "I'm sure it is unnessary, My banishment has been long over." "Oh okay then." Fluttershy stuck out her hoof and Shadow slithered up. He coiled up onto her back so that way he wouldnt fall off. Fluttershy started to walk out of the forest along side Twilight. When they got out of the forest, Shadow leaped off Fluttershy's back and changed into his alicorn form. He streached out his back and neck. "Thank you Twilight and most importantly you Fluttershy." 'Yes thank you; fools.' "No problem." they both said. "If you want you can stay at my home I have a spare bedroom." "That would be most appreaciated Twilight. I'll take you up on that offer." "Great then if you would please follow me. Oh and goodbye Fluttershy." "Goodbye Twilight." Shadow and Twilight walked into town, but no pony could be seen any where. "Where did every pony go?" "Oh its nothing to worry about, they just get scared when somepony new and intimidating comes into town." "Is that so." "Yes it would seem that way, but we have to get inside before pinkie notices." "Who's Pinkie?" "Hey did somepony say my name." She appeared out of no where with an assortmant of conffettii blew around in the air. "Oh hello Twilight and mister snake." "Snake?" Twilight looked down at Shadow who was back in his snake form. "Is this your new pet Twilight?" Pinkie said jumping up and down eratticly. "Yeah sure is pinkie." Pinkie left back to sugar cube corner. Shadow change back into his true form and walked along side Twilight back to her home. Twilight opened the door and set her saddle back neatly away in a corner. "Go ahead and make your self at home.. Your bedroom is through those doors." She said pointing with her right hoof at a door. "Most apreciatted." Shadow walked inside the room and layed down on the bed. Twilight walked up the stairs and layed down on her bed as well. "Spike take a letter." "Sure thing Twilight." Spike said pulling out a parchment and quill. Dear Princess Celestia, Today I made a new friend. You may now him as well, but I have learned from him is to not judge a book by its cover, so to speak. Sincerly, your most faithful student Twilight. "Did you get all that Spike?" "Sure did." with that he huffed and sent the letter to the princess. The Silver Tounged DevilShadow arose from his bed eager to start a new life in a new world. But his companoin's make that dream impossible. He could smell eggs cooking, so he went into the kitchen across the main library room. He walked through the the doorway and saw a purple dragon making the eggs he smelt earlier. He looked at the eggs on a seperate plate and was about to take a bite when a spoon smacked the top of his head. "No eating yet Shadow, I havent got the toast ready yet." said the purple dragon with his arms crossed. "My apologies little dragon, I have not eaten actual food in a very long while." "Yeah I guess so, and the name's Spike." Spike said with a cheery smile. 'This one way to vastly inteligent for a dragon. Well it appears to be that way.' "Oh good morning Shadow I didnt expect you to be up this early." "Morning miss Sparkle, neither did I but the smell of food enticed me." "Well thats good then, please have a seat." Shadow walked over to the wooden table and sat down. He took a sip from the orange juice infront of him and waited for the food. Spike walked in a minute later with the eggs and taost on two seperate platers. He belched and the food platers flew into the air. One landed perfectly infront of Shadow, while the other didnt land so gracfully. Eggs were in Twilight's mane, which seemed to smoke a bit from the roots. A crimson auroa surrounded the mess and floated over to the trash. "Thanks Shadow." "No problem my dear." Twilight picked up the letter that portruded from Spike in her own magic. She read the letter carefully. Dear Twilight, I'm afraid I dont know whom your are speaking of, so I will come down to ponyville to meet him. Also dont tell him I'm coming I think I'll be a surprise. From your loving mentor, Celestia. Twilight rolled the parchment and put it away inside a small closet. She picked up her glass of orange juice and drank it in a hurried fashion. "Something the matter Twilight?" Her lip quivered a bit. "Princess Celestia is coming." Shadow's warm and pleasant smile turned to a frown in a fraction of a second. He shot up from the table and marched out of the dinning room. He reached the main forje and was turned around by Twilight trying to get his attention. "Shadow please wait, I'm pretty sure she doesnt want to do anything to you." "No I'm sure she doesnt, but just think of what her reaction might be if she see's me." 'Yes she cant see us. Shadow please protect us. Dont let her get to us Shadow.' -knock-knock-knock- Shadow stared into Twilight's eyes witth a pleading look, while Twilight gave him a stubborn look. The door finally opened with Twilight using her magic. Celestia walked in with her eyes closed and opened them shortly afterwords to see Shadow and Twilight looking at each other in a dead lock. "SHADOW!" 'Oh no! Duck!' Shadow ducked as a magic bolt missed him and went strait into a pile of books. Shadow took the form of the snale and bolted out the door. Celestia tried to catch him but failed. Shadow slithered his way through out the streets. All the ponies were spliting apart. He looked behind and saw Celestia charging at him. She stepped on his tail and came oot of the form of a snake, and was face to face with regeal sun goddess. Shadow was out of options, he had no where to run, trapped by four hooves. Shadow thought to himself for a second. 'Yes do it you fool!' He kissed Celestia sqaure on the lips for a single second, her eye's realed back at the contact which in turn took her by surprise so he pushed her off and made another run for it. He wasnt two steps away when he was trampled once more. A light blue auroa surrounded his legs and wings making him immobile. He looked at a gaurd holding him still. He looked into his eye's and sure enough he did to. The gaurd fell to the ground screaming. The gaurd frantancly moved about looking at every one like a monster. Shadow bolted once more to only be hit with an unknown force. "THOU HAS NO REASON FOR SUCH NOTORIOUS ACTS, STAY STILL!" 'Great the blue one got us. Way to go Shadow. You failed us." The voices made alot of high pitched shrieking making Shadow tremble underneath Luna. "STOP!" yelled Shadow as he tried to get up but Luna kept him down. The shrieks grew louder and louder until Shadow had enough. Shadow jumped up throwning Luna off his back and into the air. She landed swiftly next to her sister as they took an offensive stance towards Shadow. Shadow staggered around, almost like a drunk. His eye's were clenched shut, but they shot open revealing pure cyan eyes that covered the iris' in the same color. 'Back off fools. You have no idea what your dealing with. Leave us be.' "Shadow what happened to your voice?" Celestia asked, but soon after fell to the ground trembling. "ENOUGH!" yelled Shadow making the voices jump off his coat for a mere second. His eye's restored back to the original crimson. He trotted over to Celestia and touched his horn to hers. She stopped trembling and looked at the mass of ponies around her and then to Shadow. His eye's twitched and finally closed and fell ontop of Celestia. Shadow woke up in a daze. He had no idea where he was or what was going on. 'You betrayed us Shadow.' 'Why Shadow you were so close of being free of us.' 'You will suffer from us for eternity.' "No please dont, I promise I wont do it again." 'Sorry.' The voices made more unbareable shrieks. The two princess' watched Shadow from afar. "I still cant believe that he still walks." Celestia said flatly. "I know sister, it must be hard to see him once more. I feel the same way too." The sounds of the everfree buzzed with life but soon fell silent. The two sisters looked around for what the source of what was making the area silent. Chrysallis walked out into view of the two sisters. The changling walked and stopped directly over Shadow's tortured body. "It's a shame you didnt help me Shadow, we could have made an excellent pair in taking canterlot. But no you decide to lay down in the ground in a dark forest and let those voices torture you." She layed down next to him and was about to kiss his cheek when Celestia walked forward. "Ah princess Celestia, I was wondering when you would show up." "What are you doing here?!" "Well feeding off love is what I am doing princess." "Who's love?" Luna asked coming out of the shadows. "Well more simply to put it, is his love towards you princess Luna." "You speak lies Chrysallis." Celestia said stomping on the ground. "Sorry no lies here." with that she teleported away from the two sisters. They looked at one another and looked at Shadow who was trembling in the dirt. Escaping scruitny"Where am I!" Shadow screamed waking up on cold cobblestone floors. The room he was in was small and crammped, dark and qiuet. But a flickering light from that of a flame illuminated the iron bars in front of him. 'Silence. They will come for you. Dont say a word.' "Okay what do we do then?" He asked mentally. 'Turn into the cobra. Slip past the bars and gaurds to your armor. Then we will leave your body and take the elements.' "Then after?" 'We will see what happens.' Twilight and the others followed Princess Celestia and Luna into a corridoor that had a heavy wodden door. Two gaurds stood there still and unmoving. "I never seen those types of gaurds anywhere princess, where did they come from?" "Funny you should ask Twilight, they are Shadow's elite gaurds." "That makes no sence, why would they be here." "They are not living at all, just a thought with a body." "So why are they down here?" "To gaurd a very perticular piece of armor." The two gaurds walked up to the group. They made low pitched sounds of 'Boy woy' as the walked near. Fluttershy hid behind Rarity. Rainbowdash took to the air and charged the oncoming shadow gaurds. "Hey you!" "No Rainbowdash dont!" screamed Celestia and Luna. A long pole that had an irregular J shape and a cyan blue light emminating a blade hummed as it swung through the air. "Oh my gosh they just tried to get me with their axe's!" "Please girls stay behind us." Celestia said looking at the two gaurds who magicly levitated the humming axes. The group proceeded on and into the dark chamber. The gaurds closed the doors and gave off a dim light from the glow off their axe's. Celestia used her horn to light a the torches in the room. The light revealed a black armor set that to fit an alicorn. The girls cowered back a few feet, except Twilight who looked at the black armor with curiosity. "Princess what is.. I mean who's is this?" "Shadow's my faithful student." "It is a powerfull set of armor and only can be used by its owner." said Luna. Twilight inspected the armor more closely. "Princess is alright if I see it?" "Sure Twilight but be careful." 'I dont think so.' "What who said that, reveal yourself." A cobra slithered its way out of the armor and looked at the group. 'Iv'e revealed myself now what?' "Shadow I should have known." 'We are not Shadow.' 'You are alot more foolish than I thought originally.' "Who are you?" 'The spirits that corrupted Shadow.' 'Maybe you should listen to other's problems before banising them.' 'Oh how you broke Shadow all just because you wouldnt listen to him.' 'You dont deserve to rule, you dont take the time to listen to others, especially when they are in need.' "Then what are you here for?" 'We are here for the elements limitless power.' 'But I'm certain that Shadow want something as well.' Shadow's body of a cobra changed into his own self, but the eyes were blue again. Shadow adorned himself in his armor. He looked at the gaurds in the back of the room. 'He will also be taking these back.' The group turned around and the gaurds took them. Hours later princess Celestia awoke and felt like she was being held. She looked around and saw that the door to the elements was ripped open. She looked at the last enemy she did not want to see. "Ah yes why hello Celestia long time no see." "Discord let me go!" 'SILENCE, both of you!' "My apologies O' dark one." Shadow was fiddling with the elements and stared deeply at them. "Discord let me go." Celestia said in a hushed tone. "Alright I will play your hushy qiuet game with you. I'm truly am sorry princess, Shadow was about to put me in the same predicament you are in unless I didnt help him." "So you took his offer." "Yes but I clearly regret it know, this isnt the chaos I like." "Then let me go and we can get him." "And what be locked back up again, sorry no can do princess." Celestia put her head down in defeat but saw Luna and the element bearers in another corner of the room. Luna started to awaken and so didnt the girls. Magicly they were all lifted across the room and a green goo formed all around their hooves. A evil maniacle laugh ecohed in the room. They struggled to get free but to no avail. Chrysallis appeared at the door with a wicked grin plastered on her face. "Oh how joyfull is this, We are all going to get what we want. Haha!" 'You wont get anything.' "What do you mean?" Chrysallis asked with a hint of fear in her voice. "Yes prey tell what do you mean O' dark one?" 'You are all pawns in my little chess game.' "Pawns?" 'Yes and I do think that I have used you all enough.' 'Discord if you would please set the princess down.' "I dont think I will." 'Defiance is futile.' Then Shadow looked directly into discord's eyes, and the next thing you knew it Discord was spliting apart with bright lights streaming out of his body. Then poof he was gone. Celestia stood strait up and looked at Shadow menacingly. 'If you would please detain Celestia, Chrysallis I will let you go and not let the same thing happen to Discord happen to you.' She did as she was told and sealed Celestia to the ground. She hung her head down low and walked towards Celestia. "For what its worth I'm deeply sorry." Celestia didnt say a word and let the changling alicorn walk away. 'Chrysallis hope your not going anywhere.' "Why do you ask?" Then she to as well began to split apart with white lights, soon she was gone from the face of the planet. Shadow fiddled more with the elements till they started to glow and hum. 'Finally we did it.' 'You are free to go Shadow.' With that Shadow was thrusted out of the armor and skidded along the floor before Luna. "Im sorry." "If thee are sorry help us out." "Im sorry I cant." He said looking at the spirits that held his armor. "Please thou are our only hope." Shadow struggled to stand up but eventually did. He limped over to each of the element bearers and freed them from their bonds. "Thank you Shadow." They said in unison. "Twilight call over the elements." She lifted the elements away from the spirits grasp. 'Hey!' "Now Twilight!" Shadow said jumping on the walking armor. The six mares floated above the ground, a light was being formed around their mass and a rainbow shot out and dived towards Shadow and the spirits. The stone encasing formed up along their body's at a slow pace. 'Was it worth it Shadow?' "To keep you away from others, yes I do believe it is." 'Well welcome to another milenia with us Shadow.' 'Yes Shadow welcome.' 'You will pay Shadow.' "No you will be the ones to pay." "Shadow?" Shadow looked up to see Celestia and Luna looking at him. "I'm sorry princess'." "No I am sorry Shadow, I should have listened to you." "We would like to see thou once again." Shadow smiled for once in his life and redirected his attention to the already cement sealed enemy of his. A black edge formed at the ends of his eyes, but soon it was nothing but blackness. "He made the ultimate sacrifice for us." is all Celestia said before leaving her sister with the statue. "We are truly sad for what has happened to thee, we wish there was yet another way to solve this but it seems that this was the only viable way. I'll miss thee." She kissed the Shadow's stone cheek and walked away.
Why Hello there."For the last time, I will not assist you on your little invasion plan's" "Why not, you must clearly want to get your revenge on Celestia dont you?" 'Yes why not Shadow? Please Shadow, do it. Do it for us. Shadow please do it.' Shadow clenched his eyes shut trying to block the voices inside his head. He opened them later to see the changling queen laying before him. He looked around and he was still in the everfree forest. "Do we have a deal?" 'Accept it Shadow and we will leave you alone.' "Sorry I will not, help you." "I see, even if I were to get rid of the voices in your head." 'How does she know of us. Shadow keep her quiet. do it Shadow." "NOOOO!" He screamed making birds and other forms of animals scury out of hiding. Chrysallis was taken aback and decided it wise no to pester the older alicorn. She back off giving Shadow breathing room. "Okay I respect your desicion, but if there is anything may do to be a service to you, dont hesitate." "Kind words coming from a heartless creature about to commit a crime." She smiled and took a form of a pink alicorn. She turned around and headed deeper into the forest. "Alone at last." 'Your never alone Shadow. Yes Shadow your never alone. We love you Shadow.' The ghostly voices inside his head kept talking and they never let Shadow rest. 'He is a fool.' 'I know, he should have accepted that offer from the changling.' The two voices kept talking to each other while the other voice watched Shadow in silence. The alicorn looked restless and his eye's were bloodshot. He seemed to be on the verge of insanity. He didnt blink nor move a muscle except to breath. 'Shadow.' piped in a slightly more feminin voice. "What?" 'It's getting late, you should change form now.' Shadow sighed as his body of an alicorn changed that into a body of a black cobra. Shadow slithered into his warm burrow that sheltered him from the harsh weather. He quickly fell asleep. He dreamed but for once in one thousand, five hundred years, he finally had his own dream. Shadow walked the country side, the sun embracing him in warmth on his dark coat. He walked untill he came across a small town. Ponies walked through the streets and go on about their day, buying food and other nick-knacks. But he was all but a ghost among them. The voices came back. 'There, there is the one that will set you free.' "What are you talking about?" The manifestation's body or bodys trotted up. They had no face, their coat was snow white, and each sepretly had a their own mane color, green, brown, and blue. 'There.' they said in unison, pointing at a butter colored pegeasus with a smooth pink mane and tail, and three pink butterflys for her cutie mark. "How will she set me free?" 'This one lives near the everfree, you shall gain her trust and she will take you out of your prison.' 'That is how the spell is broken, the one with a kind heart shall set fear free.' "And then what?" 'We take our prize, that we have yearned for so long.' 'Then we will finally leave you Shadow.' "You after the elements arnt you?" 'That is the hole reason were stuck with you.' "Remind me how did I; I mean you get stuck with me?" Shadow nearly brought more pain to his mind, remembering what happened last time. 'We took control of your body and tried to steal the elements.' Luna watched the four ponies. The crowds suddenly dissapeared and only left Luna and Shadow, who had his back turned. The sky turned dark and Luna's moon came out. The buildings of ponyville became nothing more than destroyed ones instead. Luna walked towards Shadow. In a flash Luna was face to face none otther than Nightmare Moon. Luna joltted back in fear. She woke up on the balcony; the moon still there and her stars shined down upon equestria. She turned back to see her room and Nightmare Moon was standing inside. She had a toothy grin plastered on her face. But the nightmare simply vanished into smoke as Luna's sister passed through. "Luna are you alright?" Luna broke down into tears. "No I saw him, and...and her." Celestia kneeled down beside her sister and gave her a tight embrace. "Its okay I'm here for you. Now who was it that you saw?" "Shadow." "Are you positive?" Luna nodded her head. "What did you see happen in there?" "He stood in the middle of ponyville, just talking to himself about being set free. Something about one's kind heart will set fear free." "Okay thats enough for now Luna try to relax." "I will sister. Celestia left her sister's chamber with one thing on her mind. "One's kind heart, will set fear free. One's kind heart will...... oh no, Fluttershy. I must notify Twilight imeadetly." She pulled out a quill and parchment and wrote down the warning as fast as she could and sent it to her prized student. -Meanwhile in ponyvillle- Twilight was about to call it a night when she heard her assistant belch from upstairs. Spike came crashing down the stairs. "Twilight, Twilight. Urgent message from the princess." "Oh goodie." She said, but her smile turned quickly into a frown. "Twilight whats the matter?" "We have to warn Fluttershy." She said standing up instantly and heading out the door and with Spike running after her to catch up. Twilight ran across town geting looks from all the ponies that were still outside. She finally reached Fluttershy's cabin and she pounded on Fluttershy's door. "Just one second please." The door opened and Fluttershy greeted Twilight with a warming smile. "Fluttershy I have to warn you about......" She was interupted by heavy breathing. She looked down and saw Spike with his hands on his knees and panting. "Dont mind me." Twilight turned her attention back to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy princess Celestia told me, to tell you to be very careful around the everfree. It isnt safe around there." "Oh okay Twilight I'll be careful." Twilight sighed in relief. "Come on Spike time to go home." Spike groaned and walked back along side Twilight
A missed opertunity'Shadow. Shadow, wake up Shadow. Shadow please wake up.' "AAAAH, what do you want with me?" 'Oh nothing we just needed to wake you up. Yes the one to set you free is near by. We must not miss the oppertunity.' Shadow slithered out of his burrow and cringed at the sun's rays that made it through the canopy. He made his way through the fallen leaves that rustled around him. 'She's up ahead Shadow. Faster Shadow. Please Shadow hurry.' Shadow kept quiet and moved along the forest bed. Strangly enough he heard crying. "Must be another animal" Shadow thought. 'No you fool. Go rescue her. Hurry Shadow!' Shadow slithered as fast as he could towards the distressed pegeasus. Within moments Shadow saw the crying pegeasus curlled into ball, with a wolverine poking at her with its left claw all the while hissing. Shadow lunged out of the bush and hit the wolverine head on. They fought and fought until Shadow bit down on the wolverine's neck, killing it instantly. He spat out the blood from the creature taking an imeadient disliking to the flavor. He came out of the bush to make sure the pegeasus hadent seen what he had done. Sure enough she didnt see anything, she still layed down on the ground curlled up in a ball. Shadow brought his dark tail and poked the trembling Fluttershy. She opened her blue eyes and looked down at the cobra before her. "Oh hello mister cobra, thanks for saving me from that meanie wolverine. 'Stay silent. Dont say a word.' "Any ways thank you, but I must be getting back to my other animal friends." She stood to her full height and walked back out of the everfree. 'Shadow do something. Shadow.' "Please dont go." said Shadow. 'You fool.' "Who.. who said that?" 'Go ahead and talk. You already messed up.' "Me." Shadow said once more. Fluttershy turned her attention to the black cobra. "You can talk?" "Yes." He said with a slightly evil chuckle. Fluttershy's mouth hung agape. "Is something the matter?" "Animals cant talk!" she screamed and raced out of the everfree. 'See what you did.' The voice struck Shadow to the ground leaving him in mental pain. Fluttershy flew with all her might towards ponyville. She got a couple looks from the ponies down below, not have ever seen Fluttershy fly so fast. Fluttershy skidded to a halt infront of Twilight's house. She pounded on the door furiously until it clicked and opened. "Oh hey Fluttershy, whats up?" "Not now Spike where is Twilight?" "Um.. upstairs I think. HEY TWILIGHT FLUTTERSHY IS HERE TO SEE YOU!" he yelled up the stairs. "Okay let her in, I'll be down in a bit." Spike waved her inside and she took a seat on the library's couch. Twilight walked down the stairs. "Alright Fluttershy what is..." she was cut off. "Twilight there was a black cobra in the everfree and it talked, it talked!" "Wait a black cobra, useally they're brown. Are you sure you wernt seeing things?" "I know what I saw Twilight, it was black, had a grey under belly, and had deep crimson eyes." "Okay Fluttershy, I'll do some reasearch on this creature and see if anything comes up. Okay now head home and tend to your animals, its around breakfast time isnt it." "Oh my I completly forgot, thank you Twilight." "Sure no problem." With that Twilight closed the door with her magic and went back upstairs. "Hmm a black cobra, with crimson eyes. Ah ha here it is, and it was considerbly easier to find other than most books!" She levitated it out and turned to the first page, and began to read. Over one thousand, seven hundred years ago lived a young prince, well at least young for an alicorn. "Alicorn?" Just like the princess' Celestia and Luna who had their duty of controling the sun and the moon. Shadow's was to control fear. When he was two hundred years of age he attempted to steal the elements of harmony. Some say it was because he was possesed or had a hunger for power. After his failiure to steal the elements, princess Celestia banished him to the everfree forest. It is there where he resides in the body of a black cobra and waits for his banishment to end. "hmm. Maybe I can go ask him some questions, I mean he's not to far away and what could a couple of questions do?" She packed the book inside her saddle bag and headed out towards Fluttershy's cabin. She took a brisk walk and soon enough she was going up the pathway to the cabin. She knocked twice on the door and Fluttershy appeared. "Oh hello Twilight are you here because of the snake?" "Yes, yes I am." "Oh okay what did you find out about it?" "Alot of things actually and I would like you to take me to it so I may ask him a couple of questions." "Are you sure, I dont know it seems kinda dangerous." "Its okay I'll be right next to you." They walked into the everfree and they both gave a quick sigh before going in. Meanwhile Shadow was still on the ground being tortured mentally. But it all stoped abruptly when voices were approaching. 'She's back. Yes she's back. Dont mess up this time Shadow.' This time there were two ponies, one of which he didnt reconize at all. "See Twilight there it is." "Hello... my name is Twilight Sparkle, can you talk?" 'This one seems to have encouraged the yellow one, go ahead and speak.' "Yes I can speak." "Fascinating. Is it alright if I ask why you are in a body of a snake?" "No." "No?" "Why are you here?" "To ask you some questions." "Why must you ask questions you already now?" "I dunno, um, how about... Oh do you know when your banishment is over?" "It has already ended a long tome ago, I just need somepony to take me out of the forest." "And who may that just be?" Shadow directed towards Fluttershy. "What me, I dont know what to do." "Simple my dear friend, I can ride on your back, I promise I wont bite." "Oh alright." Fluttershy said relunctently "Wait." interjected Twilight. "Yes what seems to be the problem?" "Shouldent I tell the princess before we do this." 'No you would not dare!' "I'm sure it is unnessary, My banishment has been long over." "Oh okay then." Fluttershy stuck out her hoof and Shadow slithered up. He coiled up onto her back so that way he wouldnt fall off. Fluttershy started to walk out of the forest along side Twilight. When they got out of the forest, Shadow leaped off Fluttershy's back and changed into his alicorn form. He streached out his back and neck. "Thank you Twilight and most importantly you Fluttershy." 'Yes thank you; fools.' "No problem." they both said. "If you want you can stay at my home I have a spare bedroom." "That would be most appreaciated Twilight. I'll take you up on that offer." "Great then if you would please follow me. Oh and goodbye Fluttershy." "Goodbye Twilight." Shadow and Twilight walked into town, but no pony could be seen any where. "Where did every pony go?" "Oh its nothing to worry about, they just get scared when somepony new and intimidating comes into town." "Is that so." "Yes it would seem that way, but we have to get inside before pinkie notices." "Who's Pinkie?" "Hey did somepony say my name." She appeared out of no where with an assortmant of conffettii blew around in the air. "Oh hello Twilight and mister snake." "Snake?" Twilight looked down at Shadow who was back in his snake form. "Is this your new pet Twilight?" Pinkie said jumping up and down eratticly. "Yeah sure is pinkie." Pinkie left back to sugar cube corner. Shadow change back into his true form and walked along side Twilight back to her home. Twilight opened the door and set her saddle back neatly away in a corner. "Go ahead and make your self at home.. Your bedroom is through those doors." She said pointing with her right hoof at a door. "Most apreciatted." Shadow walked inside the room and layed down on the bed. Twilight walked up the stairs and layed down on her bed as well. "Spike take a letter." "Sure thing Twilight." Spike said pulling out a parchment and quill. Dear Princess Celestia, Today I made a new friend. You may now him as well, but I have learned from him is to not judge a book by its cover, so to speak. Sincerly, your most faithful student Twilight. "Did you get all that Spike?" "Sure did." with that he huffed and sent the letter to the princess.
The Silver Tounged DevilShadow arose from his bed eager to start a new life in a new world. But his companoin's make that dream impossible. He could smell eggs cooking, so he went into the kitchen across the main library room. He walked through the the doorway and saw a purple dragon making the eggs he smelt earlier. He looked at the eggs on a seperate plate and was about to take a bite when a spoon smacked the top of his head. "No eating yet Shadow, I havent got the toast ready yet." said the purple dragon with his arms crossed. "My apologies little dragon, I have not eaten actual food in a very long while." "Yeah I guess so, and the name's Spike." Spike said with a cheery smile. 'This one way to vastly inteligent for a dragon. Well it appears to be that way.' "Oh good morning Shadow I didnt expect you to be up this early." "Morning miss Sparkle, neither did I but the smell of food enticed me." "Well thats good then, please have a seat." Shadow walked over to the wooden table and sat down. He took a sip from the orange juice infront of him and waited for the food. Spike walked in a minute later with the eggs and taost on two seperate platers. He belched and the food platers flew into the air. One landed perfectly infront of Shadow, while the other didnt land so gracfully. Eggs were in Twilight's mane, which seemed to smoke a bit from the roots. A crimson auroa surrounded the mess and floated over to the trash. "Thanks Shadow." "No problem my dear." Twilight picked up the letter that portruded from Spike in her own magic. She read the letter carefully. Dear Twilight, I'm afraid I dont know whom your are speaking of, so I will come down to ponyville to meet him. Also dont tell him I'm coming I think I'll be a surprise. From your loving mentor, Celestia. Twilight rolled the parchment and put it away inside a small closet. She picked up her glass of orange juice and drank it in a hurried fashion. "Something the matter Twilight?" Her lip quivered a bit. "Princess Celestia is coming." Shadow's warm and pleasant smile turned to a frown in a fraction of a second. He shot up from the table and marched out of the dinning room. He reached the main forje and was turned around by Twilight trying to get his attention. "Shadow please wait, I'm pretty sure she doesnt want to do anything to you." "No I'm sure she doesnt, but just think of what her reaction might be if she see's me." 'Yes she cant see us. Shadow please protect us. Dont let her get to us Shadow.' -knock-knock-knock- Shadow stared into Twilight's eyes witth a pleading look, while Twilight gave him a stubborn look. The door finally opened with Twilight using her magic. Celestia walked in with her eyes closed and opened them shortly afterwords to see Shadow and Twilight looking at each other in a dead lock. "SHADOW!" 'Oh no! Duck!' Shadow ducked as a magic bolt missed him and went strait into a pile of books. Shadow took the form of the snale and bolted out the door. Celestia tried to catch him but failed. Shadow slithered his way through out the streets. All the ponies were spliting apart. He looked behind and saw Celestia charging at him. She stepped on his tail and came oot of the form of a snake, and was face to face with regeal sun goddess. Shadow was out of options, he had no where to run, trapped by four hooves. Shadow thought to himself for a second. 'Yes do it you fool!' He kissed Celestia sqaure on the lips for a single second, her eye's realed back at the contact which in turn took her by surprise so he pushed her off and made another run for it. He wasnt two steps away when he was trampled once more. A light blue auroa surrounded his legs and wings making him immobile. He looked at a gaurd holding him still. He looked into his eye's and sure enough he did to. The gaurd fell to the ground screaming. The gaurd frantancly moved about looking at every one like a monster. Shadow bolted once more to only be hit with an unknown force. "THOU HAS NO REASON FOR SUCH NOTORIOUS ACTS, STAY STILL!" 'Great the blue one got us. Way to go Shadow. You failed us." The voices made alot of high pitched shrieking making Shadow tremble underneath Luna. "STOP!" yelled Shadow as he tried to get up but Luna kept him down. The shrieks grew louder and louder until Shadow had enough. Shadow jumped up throwning Luna off his back and into the air. She landed swiftly next to her sister as they took an offensive stance towards Shadow. Shadow staggered around, almost like a drunk. His eye's were clenched shut, but they shot open revealing pure cyan eyes that covered the iris' in the same color. 'Back off fools. You have no idea what your dealing with. Leave us be.' "Shadow what happened to your voice?" Celestia asked, but soon after fell to the ground trembling. "ENOUGH!" yelled Shadow making the voices jump off his coat for a mere second. His eye's restored back to the original crimson. He trotted over to Celestia and touched his horn to hers. She stopped trembling and looked at the mass of ponies around her and then to Shadow. His eye's twitched and finally closed and fell ontop of Celestia. Shadow woke up in a daze. He had no idea where he was or what was going on. 'You betrayed us Shadow.' 'Why Shadow you were so close of being free of us.' 'You will suffer from us for eternity.' "No please dont, I promise I wont do it again." 'Sorry.' The voices made more unbareable shrieks. The two princess' watched Shadow from afar. "I still cant believe that he still walks." Celestia said flatly. "I know sister, it must be hard to see him once more. I feel the same way too." The sounds of the everfree buzzed with life but soon fell silent. The two sisters looked around for what the source of what was making the area silent. Chrysallis walked out into view of the two sisters. The changling walked and stopped directly over Shadow's tortured body. "It's a shame you didnt help me Shadow, we could have made an excellent pair in taking canterlot. But no you decide to lay down in the ground in a dark forest and let those voices torture you." She layed down next to him and was about to kiss his cheek when Celestia walked forward. "Ah princess Celestia, I was wondering when you would show up." "What are you doing here?!" "Well feeding off love is what I am doing princess." "Who's love?" Luna asked coming out of the shadows. "Well more simply to put it, is his love towards you princess Luna." "You speak lies Chrysallis." Celestia said stomping on the ground. "Sorry no lies here." with that she teleported away from the two sisters. They looked at one another and looked at Shadow who was trembling in the dirt.
Escaping scruitny"Where am I!" Shadow screamed waking up on cold cobblestone floors. The room he was in was small and crammped, dark and qiuet. But a flickering light from that of a flame illuminated the iron bars in front of him. 'Silence. They will come for you. Dont say a word.' "Okay what do we do then?" He asked mentally. 'Turn into the cobra. Slip past the bars and gaurds to your armor. Then we will leave your body and take the elements.' "Then after?" 'We will see what happens.' Twilight and the others followed Princess Celestia and Luna into a corridoor that had a heavy wodden door. Two gaurds stood there still and unmoving. "I never seen those types of gaurds anywhere princess, where did they come from?" "Funny you should ask Twilight, they are Shadow's elite gaurds." "That makes no sence, why would they be here." "They are not living at all, just a thought with a body." "So why are they down here?" "To gaurd a very perticular piece of armor." The two gaurds walked up to the group. They made low pitched sounds of 'Boy woy' as the walked near. Fluttershy hid behind Rarity. Rainbowdash took to the air and charged the oncoming shadow gaurds. "Hey you!" "No Rainbowdash dont!" screamed Celestia and Luna. A long pole that had an irregular J shape and a cyan blue light emminating a blade hummed as it swung through the air. "Oh my gosh they just tried to get me with their axe's!" "Please girls stay behind us." Celestia said looking at the two gaurds who magicly levitated the humming axes. The group proceeded on and into the dark chamber. The gaurds closed the doors and gave off a dim light from the glow off their axe's. Celestia used her horn to light a the torches in the room. The light revealed a black armor set that to fit an alicorn. The girls cowered back a few feet, except Twilight who looked at the black armor with curiosity. "Princess what is.. I mean who's is this?" "Shadow's my faithful student." "It is a powerfull set of armor and only can be used by its owner." said Luna. Twilight inspected the armor more closely. "Princess is alright if I see it?" "Sure Twilight but be careful." 'I dont think so.' "What who said that, reveal yourself." A cobra slithered its way out of the armor and looked at the group. 'Iv'e revealed myself now what?' "Shadow I should have known." 'We are not Shadow.' 'You are alot more foolish than I thought originally.' "Who are you?" 'The spirits that corrupted Shadow.' 'Maybe you should listen to other's problems before banising them.' 'Oh how you broke Shadow all just because you wouldnt listen to him.' 'You dont deserve to rule, you dont take the time to listen to others, especially when they are in need.' "Then what are you here for?" 'We are here for the elements limitless power.' 'But I'm certain that Shadow want something as well.' Shadow's body of a cobra changed into his own self, but the eyes were blue again. Shadow adorned himself in his armor. He looked at the gaurds in the back of the room. 'He will also be taking these back.' The group turned around and the gaurds took them. Hours later princess Celestia awoke and felt like she was being held. She looked around and saw that the door to the elements was ripped open. She looked at the last enemy she did not want to see. "Ah yes why hello Celestia long time no see." "Discord let me go!" 'SILENCE, both of you!' "My apologies O' dark one." Shadow was fiddling with the elements and stared deeply at them. "Discord let me go." Celestia said in a hushed tone. "Alright I will play your hushy qiuet game with you. I'm truly am sorry princess, Shadow was about to put me in the same predicament you are in unless I didnt help him." "So you took his offer." "Yes but I clearly regret it know, this isnt the chaos I like." "Then let me go and we can get him." "And what be locked back up again, sorry no can do princess." Celestia put her head down in defeat but saw Luna and the element bearers in another corner of the room. Luna started to awaken and so didnt the girls. Magicly they were all lifted across the room and a green goo formed all around their hooves. A evil maniacle laugh ecohed in the room. They struggled to get free but to no avail. Chrysallis appeared at the door with a wicked grin plastered on her face. "Oh how joyfull is this, We are all going to get what we want. Haha!" 'You wont get anything.' "What do you mean?" Chrysallis asked with a hint of fear in her voice. "Yes prey tell what do you mean O' dark one?" 'You are all pawns in my little chess game.' "Pawns?" 'Yes and I do think that I have used you all enough.' 'Discord if you would please set the princess down.' "I dont think I will." 'Defiance is futile.' Then Shadow looked directly into discord's eyes, and the next thing you knew it Discord was spliting apart with bright lights streaming out of his body. Then poof he was gone. Celestia stood strait up and looked at Shadow menacingly. 'If you would please detain Celestia, Chrysallis I will let you go and not let the same thing happen to Discord happen to you.' She did as she was told and sealed Celestia to the ground. She hung her head down low and walked towards Celestia. "For what its worth I'm deeply sorry." Celestia didnt say a word and let the changling alicorn walk away. 'Chrysallis hope your not going anywhere.' "Why do you ask?" Then she to as well began to split apart with white lights, soon she was gone from the face of the planet. Shadow fiddled more with the elements till they started to glow and hum. 'Finally we did it.' 'You are free to go Shadow.' With that Shadow was thrusted out of the armor and skidded along the floor before Luna. "Im sorry." "If thee are sorry help us out." "Im sorry I cant." He said looking at the spirits that held his armor. "Please thou are our only hope." Shadow struggled to stand up but eventually did. He limped over to each of the element bearers and freed them from their bonds. "Thank you Shadow." They said in unison. "Twilight call over the elements." She lifted the elements away from the spirits grasp. 'Hey!' "Now Twilight!" Shadow said jumping on the walking armor. The six mares floated above the ground, a light was being formed around their mass and a rainbow shot out and dived towards Shadow and the spirits. The stone encasing formed up along their body's at a slow pace. 'Was it worth it Shadow?' "To keep you away from others, yes I do believe it is." 'Well welcome to another milenia with us Shadow.' 'Yes Shadow welcome.' 'You will pay Shadow.' "No you will be the ones to pay." "Shadow?" Shadow looked up to see Celestia and Luna looking at him. "I'm sorry princess'." "No I am sorry Shadow, I should have listened to you." "We would like to see thou once again." Shadow smiled for once in his life and redirected his attention to the already cement sealed enemy of his. A black edge formed at the ends of his eyes, but soon it was nothing but blackness. "He made the ultimate sacrifice for us." is all Celestia said before leaving her sister with the statue. "We are truly sad for what has happened to thee, we wish there was yet another way to solve this but it seems that this was the only viable way. I'll miss thee." She kissed the Shadow's stone cheek and walked away.
