The Shadow of a Marine

I arrived and was greeted by Big Mac, “Shadow.”

“Big Mac.” I replied.

“Just follow me I’ll get ya to where you're needed.” He said leading me off to where the girls were working.

“Hey what is he doing here?” Dash asked.

“He’s been a good farm hand since he started. Hasn’t complained.” Applejack replied.

“I wouldn’t I got the complaints beaten out of me in basic training. And whatever was left of them beaten out in Advanced Training.” I replied as I started to buck trees. Now I wasn’t as good as the Apples but I did what I could. Took me three good kicks to get the full tree cleaned off.

“Ah I can do better!” Dash said.

“Hmph. Go ahead. I’m not trying to injure myself.” I replied. I don’t want to turn this into a challenge I had a job to do. Not a bet to take on. I moved onto the next tree and when I prepared to buck I felt a spark. When I did buck the tree I cleared it AND the one behind it and I managed to put a pretty large dent in the tree. Oh… damn… I’m back in full operation…

“What the…” Dash said.

“... Great.” Was all I managed to say when I realised what had happened. I had managed to use a sonic concussion spell and I channeled it through my back hooves in a solid line.

“That was a…” Twilight began.

“Was that magic?” Applejack questioned.

“That was great!” Pinkie shouted.

I was stunned now. I’d probably just screwed myself over without even trying. That has to say something about my life, “I now have some explaining to do….”

The general consensus was an all resounding yes.

I just nodded and began my explanation. “It’s simple… if you neglect to count the super advanced hardware that replaced my hoof. I thought my magic was dead except for the capture and rebounding that I was doing last night…”

“So… because of the hoof you can…” Twilight began.

“In theory I should be able to cast any type of magic. But in reality it’s physical enhancements and arcane magics…” I continued.

“Arcane… that’s… impossible… only the Princess can cast arcane spells… even she doesn’t they’re…” Twilight started.

“To unpredictable, too power consuming, and to destructive. But my hoof… because of a… ritual that was performed to create it… it has natural arcanic mana running through it. That levies the power consumption and the unpredictability. Beyond that I’m limited to what I want to cast and what I know. Which isn’t much… I can fire an arcane bolt or a barrage of them, teleport, and I can capture and reflect other magics. And now I can create a small sonic concussion that is a new one for me. Physically I can’t do much more then, increased strength for very short times and increase my stamina for a decent amount of time. That’s all that I have to say on it.” I finished.

“So… you were just going to hide this from us? For how long?” Twilight began to question me.

“The reflection comes from the material my hoof is composed of… I didn’t find out that I was even able to do anything beyond that until just now… so I don’t know how long… But I can tell you once I found out it wouldn’t have been too long before the rest of you found out. Like now.” I replied not trying to garner a massive fight that would cost me more than these girl’s trust, “My actual hope was that my magic was all dead… It wasn’t ever easy living with it after the accident. It’s not like any other magic it demands a lot from me…” My depression kicked back in now too.

I couldn’t even look any of them in the eyes now… I felt like I was misplaced and I didn’t belong. I felt alone again. Where would I belong? I’m not normal in any definition of the word.

“Just… details like that are important to know… Incase they do come up again…” Twilight said with a hint of apprehension in her voice.

“Yeah… Things like that are important. That doesn’t make ya any less welcome here.” Applejack said with a comforting smile.

“Okay… being able to increase your strength is unfair!” Dash almost shouted.

I laughed, “If I do accept any challenges I won’t use anything other than my base skills so you won’t have to worry about that.”

“And ya aren’t off yet so get back ta work!” Applejack said finishing the conversation effectively.

“Right away!” I saluted back as a sort of joke. I went back to my work. I knew tonight if Twilight got me alone she’d want to see everything I could do.

I got off for lunch. The sheer fact that my magic is fully running again made me feel tired.

I decided to drop by my house to get the robe and deliver it to Rarity.

I arrived at my house and went right to the box I gently picked up the robe and under it a mask sat. The base of the mask was a muted black. The eye and nose holes were painted red. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before. I flipped the mask over and a note was placed on the inside of the mask.

“To Shadow:

I hope you enjoy the gift I sent you. Wear it with pride and honor. Do not falter in your course, don’t let fear rule you. And most importantly remember who your family is and remember to keep your friends close to you.

Signed-

A Lost Friend”

No. It can’t be… It’s just a coincidence just a very scary coincidence. He… how? The engine room. The explosion… He’s dead… There’s no way he could have survived… I got a bad feeling that someone was playing a very dirty trick on me. I tried to shake it off but it wouldn’t go away. It hung in the back of my mind.