Shadow

Grim was laying on his side bleeding on the floor he coughed pain tearing through his body trying to stand he coughed again the blood filling his helmet pressing a series of buttons the mask hissed open blood spilled onto the floor he coughed again more blood. Morg and Drull raced over to Grim they picked him up and placed him on a bed charging into the room was a young mare named Fritz she was a black pegasus with a pink mane and tail she was wearing a purple shirt with black roses on them forming a skull, she wore black cargo paints with silver pouches, and she was seventeen. Kneeling by the bedside she was talking fast "Okay he has lost alot of blood i don't know if i can heal him with my magic go into the medical wing and bring me some bandages, rubbing alcohol, and some medical tape." the two tigers nodded in unison and ran off to collect the prices "Dad what happend out there ?"

(Few hours later)

Applejack started to stir waking up she was in a cell light grey but set up to be comfortable it was the size of a medium sized living room standing up she began to walk to the cells entrance stumbling a few times hearing a noise she turned to see Twilight waking up she was back to her usual self rolling off the bed she landed witha dull thud quickly standing up she screamed "WHERE ARE WE ?!?" Applejack shrugged at her friend running forward she grabbed two bars "HEY IS ANYONE OUT THERE !?!". Fritz walked up to the bars she never bothered to change her shirt was covered in the dried blood of her adopted father looking at the two mares she said "Yeah could you stop the screaming my dad is trying to sleep now could you back up and calm the fuck down."

"W-why a-are y-y-you covered in b-blood ?" Applejack stuttered at the mare sighing who simply shook her head and asked Twilight and Applejack "How did you get here ?"

"Well we tackled your dad through the portal and-" Twilight was cut off by a ten year old pegasus filly racing up to Fritz she giggled "Is daddy back is he is he huhuh ?!?!" looking closely Twilight could see scars lining the two pegasuses arms and necks gasping she looked to the black pegasus. Fritz looked down at the younger sister she was a dark grey filly with a purple mane and tail streaked with silver she was wearing a white t-shirt and yellow pants smiling Fritz said "Yes but daddy needs his sleep but Drull and Morg are here i think they'll be excited to see you why don't you go play with them." pouting the filly nodded and skipped off looking for the two tigers. Turning back to the mares she said "So now back to my question."

"We already answered it we tackled your dad through thah portal and then we woke up here." Applejack said to the mare crossing her arms she continued "So from what i can reckon you were caught up in whatever your "dad" was caught up in a few years back ?"

"Yes i was 11 when i was taken my sister who you just saw was taken at three and we both were experimented on not as long as dad but long enough the day we were supposed to get some more test done he broke out killing everybody that was a scientist when he came across our cell he was covered in black fire i thought this was the end so i started to cry and beg for my life then i felt his hand on my shoulder." she stopped telling the story taking a shaky breath she continued "Looking up he was back to normal from what i could guess he looked at me with gold eyes that held kindness, strength, and pain he said 'I'm not going to hurt you or your sister i'm here to help along with my friend Scales' he then began to move me out of our cell and covered my eyes when we reached what i could guess was the exit he asked 'Do you have any where to go' i shook my head he then told me 'Then you and your sister are coming with me' so he wrapped us in a hug and we were teleported to this place."

"So he rescued you WHY ?" Twilight said leaning forward Fritz just chuckled and said "I don't know but we staied with him for a year and then one day my sister Vertigo called him daddy and well thats when he offically unoffically adopted us."

"Are ya'll allowed to leave ?" Applejack asked sitting on the bed crossing her arms across her chest leaning back

"Yes we are this country lays in Equestria its just well this is what Vertigo calls it Lost World and well we have fun perfect weather all the time a pool out back exotic plant life i mean i have friend who come by from time to time so its a good life we have food, clothes, tech, toys and ETC." Fritz said counting things off on her fingers looking at her watch she sighed and said "I need to check on my dad then if he is feeling up to it he'll decide what to do with you." she then walked off.

Applejack watched the pegasus mare walk off fuming she kicked the bars not even denting them she growled low and deep kicking it again and again the clanging echeoing across the house. Sighing Twiligh used he magic to hold her friend still till she calmed down "Hehehe your funny." looking down Twilight saw the grey filly again leaning forward then back looking at the two mares with big yellow eyes "Well hello there my name is Twilight Sparkle whats yours ?"

"Well daddy tells me i shouldn't tell strangers my name UNLESS he gives me permission so my name will remain Secret."

Twilights right eye twitched along with her head the little filly began to giggle again pointing to Twilight she giggled "You make funny faces when your confused, stuck or angry."

"How did you know that sweety only me and ah few others knew that." Applejack said leaning forward she was interested by this little filly she was only a few years younger that Applebloom and her friends "Well when my dad or my sister were busy i would read one of the psych books he owns amongst other books so i learned to read people i also know a little bit of trigonometry and some sciences." Twilight and Applejack stared at the young filly with wide eyed stares and mouths that hit the floor the filly giggled saying "You two have funny looks again well i'm gonna go and play with the baby tigers." the filly then skipped away happily.

(Different room)

Grim began to stir his eyes fluttering open white light filling his vision grunting he forced himself in a up right position coughing a little bit he felt a warm liquid coated his bottom lip and drip onto his chest. Swinging his legs off the bed Grim tried to stand only to land on hs sde with a heavy thud coughing violently that his bones shook blood coated the floor infront of Grims face forcing himself up he tried to walk out of the room making it only halfway to the door before Fritz walked in. Seeing her father on his knees with blood dripping from his lips walking forward she got down face to face with him reaching forward she picked him up and placed him on the bed where she began to heal him. Thirty minutes pass by and Fritz finishes healing Grim sitting in the chair in the corner of the room she sighes sweat coating her face grunting Grim sits up "Fuck my everything hurts."

"Weeeeelllllllll you did show up with your ribs broken, lungs nearly torn to shreds, some of your muscles were ripped and bleeding, internal bleeding in you chest and stoach, and a dozen fractures the fact you were alive is a miracle."

"Fritz you know that miracles don't exist it just survival and i'd do anything to survive."

"Yeah just glad to have you back dad.......how long are you able to stay this time ?"

"This time i don't know i had a tiny fight with the elements, captain of the royal guard, and personal student of Celestia."

"Yeah its kinda on the new everywhere we go 'The mask pony kidnaps two elements.' and then theres 'Is this masked pony fiend or friend.' the headlines and arguments go on and on."

"Wow how long have i been out ?"

"A day or two not long."

"What do they mean by kidnaps two elements ?"

"Well Twilight Sparkle and Applejack tackled you through the portal and ended up here me, Morg and Drull didn't know what to do with them."

"Okay did they see me without my helmet ?"

"Nope all of you were knocked out when you arrived here so now i just teleported them into the special cell."

"Okay good so when should we send them back ?"

"Don't know dad." Fritz said sighing she stood up and strechted walking out of the room she stopped and said "Dad when are you going to stop looking for this ponie ?"

"Simple when he is either dead or somepony comes along and stops me hows school going ?"

"Dad its the first day summer break today." Fritz said leaving Grim alone in his room swinging his legs off the bed Grim got dress putting on a white shirt and black kahkis along with grey VANS walking over to a cabinet he opened it sitting on a glass ball was his helmet picking it up and going through some of its systems Grim left to go and talk to his two 'Guests'.

(Cell)

Applejack was staring at the ceiling now having given up trying to break out of the cell she kept trying to figure a way out of this cell so she could get back to her family. Twilight was banging her head against the bars of the cell trying to figure a way out no windows, no air duct, no locks on the door, and magical wards, seals, and blockers coated the door like sugar on one of Pinkies cakes. The two mares heard a clicking sound coming down the hall and towards them backing away from the cell door when they saw the masked stallion in a deep voice he asked "Now you two are going to answer some of my questions."

"Oh and why should we answer the likes of you ?" Twilight said crossing her arms she then added "Plus i won't answer questions to those who hide behind masks and voice modulators." shaking his head the stalliong reached up to the underside of his helmet and shut off the modulator by taking out the batteries and tossing them to Twilight. 'Its been awhile doubt Applejack would notice my voice but my face she would recognize.' Grim thought as he took the batteries out and tossed them to Twilight saying in his normal voice which over the years lost its cheerful and friendly tone instead it was replace with one colder than ice and sharper than obsidian edged knife "Happy now girl and the reason is that your in MY house and far far from home and the only way back is through me or through one of my daughters so you should want to talk to me."

"Fine but first answer this why wear the mask ?" Twilight shot back at the stallion she crossed her arms and smiled waiting for his answer Applejack leaned forward and peered at the stallion 'That voice.' she thought

"Well i wear it because in my line of work you meet some nasty people and if they can't recognize you they won't be able-" the stallion started to cough holding his side he muttered something standing straight he finished "-recognize you then they can't track you down."

"Hmmm okay..........then take it off we aren't that dangerous."

"Do you want to go home Ms. Sparkle ?"

"Yes of course i do."

"Then i keep my helmet on until i'm able to open a portal to Ponyville."

"Fine so what is it you want ?"

"First your the princesses personal student." Twilight nodded at this "Good do you know of an object known as the Eye of Ra ?"

"The Eye of Ra but thats just some old hunk of junk from Celestias trip to Egypt."

"Hahahaha *COUGH* no its a powerful item that allows the princess to see ponies all who *COUGH* walk under her sun and with it i can find some old aquantices."

"B-but t-t-that eye is under 24 hour guard and has the best of the best guarding it."

"So wouldn't be the first time i broke into a castle to do something."

"HA like you'd be able tah make it past the gates yah see aftah that little scuffle the guards are probably forming a task force to take you on." AJ said at the pony chuckling at the thought of him fighting over a dozen guards, her brother, Spike and Shining Armor

"Well Sweet apple i think i can take on some guards." the stallion said pulling his arm back he punched the bars that Twilight and Applejack have been doing all they could to break, melt or make come out of there holds bent a good 5 inches into the cell before forming back into the straight line flexing his hand the stallion popped a few of his tendons and knuckles.

"Don't you call me that yah bastard !!!" Applejack roared rushing forward she grabbed the stallion and pulled him into the bars causing his helmet to smack into the bars and crack.

"Why not ?"

"Cause only one stallion can call me that and you ain't him." she slamed him into the bars again the crack spider webbing out a signal piece fell off the helmet beg enough for the mare to make out a golden eye staring at her. Pulling away Grim broke the mares grip gently he stepped back coughing "Well i'v already got what i need while we were having a nice talk i managed to break into yours and Twilight minds i know what the outside and inside of the castle look like so you two can wait a little while." he said darkly "Oh and i'll tell Shining and Big Mac yes that was there name i'll tell them you said hello." then he walked away his boot echoing through the hall Applejack slumped to the ground crying along with Twilight they were trapped with no way out.

(Kitchen area)

Grim looked down at Vertigo and Fritz both girls were staring at him intently between the three was a chocolate triple chunk chip cookie and the last one none of the three moved then in a blur the cookie was gone with Vertigo grinning in victory "I WIN !!!" she declared happily giggling sighing Grim said "Sheesh your getting faster Vertigo and Fritz is getting stronger soon you two will be out on your own."

"No i want to be with you forever and ever daddy." Vertigo pipped up she was munching on the cookie happily smiling at him with a wide grin chuckling Grim ruffled her hair "Alright bed time i need to get something done i may be gone for a day tops."

"Okay good night daddy." Vertigo said skipping off with a pout on her lips. Grim turned to Fritz and stared at her for a second before saying "Tomorrow i go for the Eye i need you to let the two mares "escape" from the cell and then open a portal for them exactly five minutes after i leave."

"Okay but why let them go ?"

"They've served there purpose and i no longer need them and they haven't seen anything that should give away our position so its safe."

"Alright dad so when does this start ?"

"Now." Grim said backing up a light flashed and he was now dressed in full combat gear black he had his helmet on, he wore military grade kevlar infused with shield magic able to stop most magic and bullets the kevlar was built into his black shirt and hooded jacket he had the hood up, his pant were black and grey with a block formation going along them he wore black combat boots with knives strapped to each boot he carried no guns only two swords on his back and one short sword strapped to his side. Nodding to Fritz he opened a portal in the kitchen and jumped through at the moment it was 11:00 at night in Canterlot.