Checkmate

Twisted Shadow left his gorgeous home from the edge of the dark Everfree Forest.  The dark Coniferous and Deciduous trees give the forest a more natural look, covering up the dark and irregular patterns on the inside of tree line.  Shadow had a special connection with the unnatural patterns found in the strange forest, able to feel comfortable next to or even in the shadows of the tree tops within.  In-fact, Shadow could handle almost any uncomfortable situation anypony else would find undesirable.

The sun was just rising in the distance off to the East, glowing light for the citizens for Equestria to utilize for their everyday mornings.  Shadow's mornings usually consisted of going to Twilight's library and helping her with her book organizing while nopony else was up and about to go and borrow the books.  This tremendously made Twilight happy, and helped Spike with his own day as well.

Shadow started walking the path towards Ponyville, taking in the scenic view the rural area provided him.  The birds were chirping, and the trees he passed swayed in the slight breeze that blew around town that morning.  The air was nice and cool, making it perfect for the stallion's personal preferences on whether he was comfortable or not.  There were clouds over the Everfree forest, however, indicating that storms were probably imminent over the uncontrollable forest.  Storms were Shadow's favorite weather pattern though, making the controversy over the Everfree's strange weather patterns in his own view, moot.

Now on the edge of town, Shadow took a deep breath, taking in the perfect peacefulness the townspeople gave off to visitors, or even other residents.  Shadow started to walk again, making his way towards the middle of town, where the library was located.  His friend, Twilight Sparkle, loved books.  She would chose books over anything else to do anytime.  But she knew better than that.  She knew that a good friend would take time out of their schedule to hang out with their other friends.  However, when Twilight wasn't doing anything for Princess Celestia, or hanging out with her friends, she was usually concentrated on a good book.

Shadow got to his destination, knocking on the library door.  He was greeted by the same small dragon that he was usually greeted by.

"Sup, Spike."  Shadow gestured.

"Nothing much,"  The little dragon gestured the stallion to come inside the house, which Shadow graciously accepted.  "You?"

"Just the usual things I do everyday..."  The stallion stared blankly at nothing, confusing the baby dragon.

"I'll be right back with Twilight then."  Spike piped up.

Shadow nodded his head in confirmation to the reptile's comment.  When the dragon left the room, Shadow went over the nearest cluttered bookshelf and started organizing them in alphabetical order.  The stallion was, however, completely oblivious to the purple mare staring at him from the kitchen of the house part of the library.  Shadow wasn't completely aware of how handsome he was to the mares of Equestria.  All of the Elements, and almost every mare he has come across on his adventures with Twilight and the others.  Maybe this was a good thing for him, most stallions take that sort of thing to their heads and flaunt their stuff as much as possible in front of any mare they find desirable.

Twilight snapped out of her ogling and started towards her friend.  She gave him a quaint smile and greeted him, "Hi Shadow!"

"Hey Twilight, how are you today?"  Shadow generously asked.

Twilight telekinetically picked up a couple books and brought them to Shadow, "Happy now that I have seen one of my friends."  Twilight sheepishly smiled at him, blushing a little as well.

"That's nice."  Shadow blankly replied.

Twilight sighed and returned to the front desk of the library.  "You know, Shadow, I got a letter here addressed to you."  Twilight pointed.

"Oh really, Derpy must've dropped it off this morning."  Shadow replied.

Twilight picked up the letter and took it to her friend.  "It has a Royal Seal on the envelope.  Must be from Celestia, or somepony else..."  Twilight tried to make it obvious that she had something to do with the letter, but Shadow couldn't tell.

Shadow took the letter and ripped open the seal, taking out the contents.  "It says:  Dear Twisted Shadow,  I, Shining Armor, Captain of the Guard, have been informed of your capabilities and would like to see them for myself.  My sister, Twilight, has brought it to my attention that you have an interest in the art of fighting, and I myself would like to see that first hoof.  Please come to Canterlot Castle and tell the guard waiting outside the Castle's main gate the phrase, "The Lunar Sun".  The guard will direct you to me and we will discuss this arrangement more then.  For now, take care.  Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor.  Shadow stared at the letter for a little bit longer, then turned to Twilight, who wore a big grin on her face.  "Thank you!" The stallion graciously locked Twilight in a hug, and continued to stare at the letter.

"It was nothing really Shadow.  I have connections."  The mare went back to her front desk, feeling successful in her attempts to further her relationship with Shadow.

Shadow quickly finished his work at the Library, making sure to go as fast as possible, without slipping up.  On his way out he went to Twilight once again.  "Thank you Twilight!  For everything."  He kissed her on the cheek and continued, "I don't know when I will be back, but I have a feeling you will see me soon."  Shadow, nodded his head one last time to Twilight.

"No problem Shadow."  Twilight embraced him into a hug and let him on his way,  "Just be careful..." She whispered to herself.

Shadow now found himself heading back towards his home by the Everfree, opening the front door and gathering any things that may help him in his new quest.  He grabbed his saddlebags and an apple to have on the train ride to Canterlot.  With only those things, he left his home, and went off to the train station.

Shadow passed many friends while on his way to the train station, only able to say hello and run off past them afterwards.  He felt bad, but he needed to get to his destination.  At the train station, he gave the money to the ticket master, who gave him a train ticket, good for going to and from Canterlot once each.  When he was cleared, he went onto the train, and awaited the conductor, who would check his ticket.  Sure enough, the same train conductor that always checked his tickets, now checked it again.

Shadow handed him the ticket.  The conductor punched a hole in it and gave it back,  "Thank you."  Shadow said.

"Anytime Shadow."  The conductor was very fond of Shadow. They had a mutual relationship that most conductors had with often passengers.

Now on the train, Shadow waited.  He waited for about a half hour before the train came to a screeching halt, signaling the arrival to Canterlot's train station.  Shadow exited the train, immediately heading towards the castle that stood in the back of the glorious city.  When he arrived there, he found a guard awaiting him at the front gate.  Shadow approached the golden armored guard.

Shadow stood directly in front of the guard, "The Lunar Sun."  Shadow muttered the secret phrase to the guard.

"Follow me."  The guard commanded him, leading Shadow to the barracks.  There they saw Shining Armor, getting ready for another training schedule no doubt.

"Aw, Twisted Shadow, I am glad you could make it here today."  Shining Armor sat down a the bench behind him, "Please take a seat."

Shadow sat down,  "So, if you don't mind me asking, why is it that you think I should come down here?"  Shadow asked.

"That's a good question."  Shining coughed and continued on with his speech, "You see, I am going to the Crystal Empire, and I would like someone who is skilled enough in battle to come along with me."

"And you think I am the chosen guard?"  Shadow chuckled.

"Yes."  Shining got up and walked around the room they were in, "You see, my sister tells me great stories of how you can defend the Elements of Harmony single handedly.  Is this true?"

"Yes."

"Then do you doubt yourself?"  Shining questioned.

"No, it's the sort of thing that you think a skilled fighter like me should come along and protect you from."  Shadow honestly answered.

"Yes well, going through the almost unknown arctic can be a bit of a dangerous treck, don't you think?"  Shining laughed.

"Yeah well... why me?  Why not another skilled guard?"  Shadow pressed further into his questioning.

"Because, no other guard can take on a platoon of Changelings that look just like the ponies that you are protecting.  No other guard has the capabilities that you possess.  You are even stronger than me."

"Fair enough."

   "Yes well, there is one more thing I need to mention to you before you go back to Ponyville."  Shining piped up.

"What is it?"

"Get ready."

..........

Twisted Shadow exited the train, making his way back to the Library.  To his surprise, nopony was home.  He went to Sugarcube Corner to see if Pinkie knew where Twilight was.  He approached the door, and was almost ready to knock until Pinkie slammed the door open and revealed herself.

"Hey, Shadow!"  Pinkie greeted herself in the usual loud voice that was Pinkie Pie.f

"Sup Pinkie."  Shadow recovered from his ear splitting headache and returned to his friend.  "Do you happen to know where Twilight is?"

Pinkie put her hoof to her chin, signaling that she was in deep thought, "Yes, she is in Canterlot, taking a test that Celestia is giving her."

"Okay, thanks."  Shadow left Pinkie back to work and went to his own home.  Preparing for the ensuing journey that lay ahead of him.