Shadow Flame
(A Path of Burning Darkness)
Chapter 5:Fear of the Fire
Shadow wasn't going to waste time sleeping when he could be searching the town, but if he left Twilight might think something was up. So he decided to use a spell. He began to concentrate, his horn started glowing a dim red color as he focused. He imagined a butterfly in his mind and then poof, a solid black butterfly with red trimmed wings was created. "With this I can spy on the town and nopony will even know." Shadow looked up and noticed an open window.
"Go my friend," he whispered as the butterfly slowly fluttered away. Shadow closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. "I can see and hear everything this butterfly sees, haha this is perfect…... wait now what's this?"
He saw Applejack and Pinkie Pie talking. "Hmmm perhaps I should see what my 'friends' are talking about." He then had the butterfly fly in on a flower that was close to Pinkie and AJ.
"So what exactly happened inside the train Pinkie?" asked AJ.
"I already told you. I was telling Shadow about you guys, and Ponyville before the alarm sounded. And then the train started to crash! Thank goodness he was there to protect me!"
"Yeah yeah," said AJ, "But was there anypony else on the train with you? I mean there had to be a conductor what happened to him?"
"I don't know," said Pinkie, "I guess ….Shadow couldn't save them and they got washed away by the current."
"Seems a bit weird that he only saved you doesn't it? He didn't know the other two either. Do you remember anything while he was shielding you?"
"Hmm," said Pinkie, "Well I do remember seeing fire, and then two other really bright lights before the smoke from all the steam came in and blinded me. I think it was just him casting his magic."
"Hmmm, I'm going to go look for myself. Something doesn't seem right about this guy."
"Okay," said Pinkie, "But I think he's nice, and I think Twilight likes him! Hehe!"
"Well I hope not, he seems like a bad pony to me. Even though he saved you, I think he has other reasons in Ponyville other than making friends…"
"You worry too much AJ, learn to lighten up," shouted Pinkie who then realized the time. "Well I have to get back to the bakery and help cook some cupcakes, bye bye!"
"Goodbye," said Applejack. She then turned and slowly started the walk to her farm. Little did she know, she was followed by an innocent looking butterfly.
"Well Well Applejack you don't trust innocent little Shadow do you? HA! At least sompony around here has some brains. I'd better follow her so she doesn't end up a thorn in my side later. Hmmm, I'm going to have to shut this one up. But I can't kill her, at least not yet. She could provide me with more data on the elements. Pinkie told me about all her friends and all their elements. I've seen them all except for the elements of kindness and generosity, Fluttershy and Rarity…"
As Applejack was on her way home, she began to talk to herself. "I should head over to that train crash site, and check to see if I can find anything out myself. I'll stop home first to let the family know where I'm going, and in case something bad happens to me they will know where to look."
"Smart thinking," thought Shadow, "Now show me where you live Applejack, this information will be valuable!"
After walking a little while longer Applejack made her way home, and let her family know she would be out for a walk by the river and the train tracks. Shadow saw everything.
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"Are you doing alright Shadow?"
The words made Shadow open his eyes, and look around quickly. He saw Twilight at the side of his bed.
"Why yes I am, now that you're here Twilight."
Twilight blushed. "You're so sweet. Haha, I only wish I would've been able to kiss you under better circumstances, but I think CPR counts…doesn't it."
"Well, just in case it doesn't," He paused pulled her in slowly. He met her eyes with his, and began a long warm kiss. While this happened Twilight felt weightless, like she was flying through the clouds faster than she could've ever been imagined.
"There now that counts," said Shadow.
Twilight, still in shock from the kiss smiled and said, "Yeah, it sure does." She was still heavily blushing.
"So I have a question for you." Said Shadow
"Ask away," said Twilight
"How did you get to the site of the train crash? or to Canterlot the night we met for that matter?"
"Oh, I used a teleport spell."
"Ah," said Shadow, "....could you teach me? I find that spell very interesting."
"Sure no problem!" said Twilight. "Are you sure you're ok to learn Shadow?
"Yeah, I feel a lot better now, let's start."
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After about an hour of teaching and practicing, Shadow had already mastered the technique.
"Wow," said Twilight, "You're a fast learner!"
"Thanks," said Shadow, "I guess you call me an egghead."
"My friends call me that all the time!" said Twilight as she laughed.
"Haha, well aren't you wonderful," said Shadow.
"Thank you, Shadow. Hehe, you're so nice."
"Hey you don't mind if I try this spell outside, do you? I feel a lot better now. You took such good care of me."
Twilight smiled, "Well if you're up for it, go get some air. It would be good for you!"
"I will return in a little while," he said as he went outside.
He focused and charged the teleport spell. Then took off with a flash of magic, leaving a burn mark in the ground and the smell of fire in the air.
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It was midafternoon by the time Applejack reached the train. It was still there on the tracks where Shadow had left it. She went inside the train and looked around. She saw two vicious burn marks. One in the Conductors seat and the other in a seat somewhere near the middle of the train.
"That's weird. If he said he only had time to shield himself and Pinkie, did he try to shield them or did he..."
"Burn them?," a cold familiar voice said.
Applejack's heart was racing in fear as she turned around to see Shadow standing in the doorway of the train.
"Why yes Applejack, I did burn them. I seared them to the bone, such fun it was." said Shadow smiling with an evil grin on his face.
"Why would you do that! They didn't do anything to you! They were innocent" shouted Applejack.
"Well they were of some use I guess. I was able to try my powers on them. And let me tell you Applejack... it worked wonderfully."
"How did you know I was here?" questioned AJ
"Let's just say I'm always watching, Applejack. Now there's only one question my dear. What should I do with you?"
"You aren't going to kill me are ya," she said as she fought to hold back tears of fear.
"I coouuullld do that but hey, even I have some compassion left in me. I tell you what, you are the element of Honesty after all, so as long as you don't tell anypony what happened here I won't do anything to you."
"You're a sick monster," said Applejack, "But…. I promise I won't say anything. Just don't hurt me or my friends!"
"Good," said Shadow, "Now shake on it." He extended his arm with an evil grin on his face.
Applejack slowly raised her arm trembling, and right as there hooves met, boom!
They were now standing in front of sweet apple acres.
"Wait! How did we get here?!" screamed AJ
"Teleport spell my dear, Twilight taught me herself," he said as he grinned and plucked an apple off one of the apple trees. He took one bite, then spit it on the ground and said, "Tsk… not even fit for worms."
As he said this, the apple in his hoof was ignited and turned to ash. The wind slowly blew it away.
"Now Applejack, I'm going to hold you to your word about your promise. If you tell a single soul about what you saw in that train, I will burn the barn, everyone, and everything you know and love to the ground." While he was saying this a tree beside him slowly started to smoke and blew up. "And then I'll boil the marrow of your bones."
Applejack collapsed on the ground with fear, and began to shiver as she said,
"I swear I won't tell a soul."
"Good, and give my regards to Granny Smith and Big Mac, they seem like nice people."
Shadow then turned and slowly walked away, but then stopped when he heard the laughter of three young fillies coming towards him.
"Well hello there mister," said one of the young voices, "Are you friends with my sister?"
"Why yes I am Applebloom."
Applejack's heart sank as she heard him call her sister by her name.
"How do you know my name mister?"
"Me and your sister talked about you for a little while. You should be proud of your sister Applebloom. She really loves you." He patted the young mare on the head then smiled at the other two cutie mark crusaders.
"Well I must be off ladies, have a goodnight all of you."
Applejack just now noticed that it was getting dark, still in shock she was just regaining her bearings as she heard a voice in her ear.
"Remember, Ill burn EVERYTHING close to you to the ground, and I'm always watching." She looked, and only saw a small black butterfly slowly flying away.