*Several months after the events of chapter 2*
Shadow looked over the ruined landscape of Equestria from his rocky perch. From the cliff he was standing on he could see for miles. There wasn't much to look at though, just the ruins of cities and towns, fires, and smoke. Still it was quiet and he had told the princesses and the elements to leave him be, so he could take some time away from them. there was one thing that he was still unsettled by though.
"Who am I, and why am I here?" The question had been in Shadow's mind since the battle with the corrupted. He knew who he was in identity an form, and knew he was here to help Equestria, but there was something lingering at the back of his mind; something dark. "Maybe the better question is: what am I?". His frustration grew but he didn't let it hinder him.
Explosions rocked the earth as a massive wave of strange looking corrupted swarmed into the city, their coats were as black as Shadow's. Shadow only saw them as a source of entertainment for his bored-to-death mind.
"I guess some practice in combat will be fun at the least." the black and red pony said. He was about to turn and head down the mountain, when a voice stopped him.
"Shadow" it said. The speaker was powerful, Shadow could feel that. But more importantly, much to Shadow's surprise; the voice was familiar.
The red and black unicorn turned. He saw nothing but he felt someone's presence. Then his eye picked up movement among the backdrop of destruction. A cloud of black mist floated up to him, slowly it started to take form.
The being wore flowing tattered robes, their mane was a pair of spikes that pointed up at the ends, and their coat was the same as Shadows; a solid black. The figure reguarded Shadow with cold eyes, and it was then that he noticed the being was lacking a mouth, and was translucent.
"As you can see, this land is dying at a very swift rate. But I can help you stop it if you bring me the Elements of Harmony. Together we will restore this land to perfection!" The ghostly avatar said. Its tone making it seem like what it was asking of Shadow required no further explaining.
"What are you talking about? Who are you, and how do you know my name is Shadow?!" Shadow retorted.
Before Shadow could press further, the avatar reverted to its smoky form and flew away into the city below. Shadow was about to follow when suddenly several explosions rocked the earth around him. The force from the blasts threw up thick clouds of dust obscuring the cure's view, leaving him undamaged however.
"What was that all about, and who is that guy?" Shadow said. As his mind processed the pony's speech. "And what does he mean by 'restoring the land to perfection'. The only way I'm gonna get the answers to my questions; is if I get those elements". Shadow said before igniting his skates and racing down the mountain trail.
***
Shadow blazed into the streets of Canterlot. Taking out any of the corrupted that stood in his path. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he saw a prismatic streak of color swoop down from the sky.
The black and red unicorn turned his head to see a certain rainbow-maned pegasus land beside him.
"Hey Shadow long time no see!" Rainbow Dash said. Shadow noticed that she was missing the necklace that was the physical representation of her element.
"Dash, where's your element?" The cure asked.
Rainbow made a confused expression, and then realized what Shadow was talking about.
"We don't really know; one moment we're wearing them, the next moment there's an explosion right in our faces, and then they're gone!" the blue pegasus explained. All the while Shadow processed the words, thinking about his mission at the same time.
"This could work to my advantage. If the elements are scattered; then i can obtain them without much confrontation" he thought.
The black unicorn turned his head to face the blue pegasus.
"Do you know where they might have ended up?" Shadow asked.
"Well, Twilight used a locator spell, and we have rough ideas of where the elements are. Mine is in Canterlot, somewhere, but it hasn't turned up yet." the pegasus said.
Shadow would have pressed for more info, but the two were interrupted by a sudden series of explosions. Without another word the two set off down the street.
***
"It looks like these corrupted are much stronger than before, but I bet we can handle em', lets do this Shadow!" Rainbow called out. What she was saying was true enough; these corrupted were bulkier, armored, and armed.
Shadow launched into the air, became a ball of orange, and launched himself at the corrupted. Each one he hit fell to the ground limp-bodied and broken.
Rainbow dash assisted smashing into the corrupted at near-sonic speeds scattering them like leaves in the wind.
"looks like they're starting to loose numbers!" Rainbow said. chasing after a group of corrupted pegasi.
Suddenly the group of flying corrupted spun around to face the blue pegasus. Together they unleashed a storm of energy darts. Rainbow was caught off guard by the sudden attack, and dodged in a sloppy way. Being hit 4 times by the powerful energy darts.
"Shadow, A little help here!?" She cried out. now leaping back and forth to avoid the blasts.
Shadow let his arcane magic fly. Entangling the corrupted in webs of burning torture. They fell to the ground with a thud screaming in pain and misery.
"Heh that was way too easy." Shadow said. A loud moan interrupted his thoughts as he whirled around to see Rainbow Dash rubbing her head as she trotted up to him.
"Heh-eh thanks Shadow!" She said. Smiling at the black and red pony with gratitude.
"No problem Rainbow Dash. Lets get moving we still have to clear the city of the corrupted an-" Shadow was interrupted by a glow of red, coming from under some nearby rubble.
"Hey whats that?" he asked. Moving to inspect the glow. He removed the chunk of rock that was covering the glowing object; and found a golden necklace with a ruby-red lightning bolt adorning its center.
"H-Hey that's it, that's my element!" Rainbow Dash stuttered.
Shadow picked up the element, inspecting it. He was about to hand it over to Dash when all of a sudden it started to glow brightly.
"What the h-"
A Red lightning bolt shot out of the element and started to orbit Shadow. Before anypony could wonder what was going on; the lightning bolt shot straight at the cure.
Shadow felt a surge of raw energy as the bolt entered his chest. It was as if the element had given him a new energy to work off of. He felt the knowledge of another being flow into him; With it came new spells designed for a combat-oriented situation. Shadow also felt something at the back of his mind awaken, like a dam had overflowed and was letting new memories spill out.
He "remembered" the name of somepony who had meant a lot to him.
"M-A-R-E-I-A"