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// Chapter 2: Early years 
// Story: A Rise from Darkness 
// by Phantomslayer230 
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	Things never got easier for Shadow growing up. Going through school, he was insulted and picked on nearly every day. His days were always the same. Wake up, go to school, get picked on all day, go home, go to bed, and repeat. Although, as bad as school was, home wasn't much better. Shadow's father was never home during the day. He always came home late at night. And every night when he came back he was drunk. Shadow couldn't remember a time when his father wasn't at least a little intoxicated. Shadow would have trouble sleeping at night because he could always here his parents fighting about something. Sometimes it was money, other times it was Lightning's alcoholism, and sometimes it was just about how they hated each other.

Despite how horrible of a father Lightning was, Moonlight never left him. She couldn't. He was their only source of income, even if he did use half of it on booze. If Moonlight left she wouldn't be able to keep a job and take care of Shadow. If she told anyone she could lose custody of her son, and she couldn't do that. She was all he really had. Or at least she was for a little while.

One day at school Shadow was being picked on again, but this time was different. For the first time the bullies at school physically harassed Shadow. They shoved him down the hall, threw him into walls, and kicked him on the ground. But for the first time, somepony stood up for him. In the midst of the bullies assault on shadow, a young pegasus mare threw herself between in front of Shadow. She was a few years older then Shadow and slightly taller. She had a neon green coat and an electric blue mane. She wasn't strong enough to stand up against the bullies, but the look in her sharp blue eyes could strike fear into a dragon.

"Are you alright?" The mare asked Shadow as she helped him to his hooves.

"Ya, I'm okay. Why did you help me? No pony has ever helped me."

"I couldn't just sit by and them do that. By the way, I'm Emerald Blaze." She said holding out her hoof.

Reluctantly at first Shadow slowly shook her hoof. "Shadow Wing."

Emerald was Shadow's first taste of friendship. The two were nearly inseparable. Only willingly leaving each others side in order to go home after school. Shadow's mother was ecstatic that her son had made a friend of his own. Even his father seemed happy he had a companion. A pegasus filly no less. Emerald grew to be another glimmer of light in the darkness of the world that surrounded Shadow. Right next to his own mother.

Unfortunately, Not all great things can last forever. And just as the sun passes at dusk to make way for the night, a bright time in 
Shadow's life passed. Just to make way to the darkness to follow.


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Emerald was the first pony aside from my mother who ever showed me any kindness. She didn't care if I was different. In fact she like it. She just couldn't stand to watch me in pain. If she knew how things went at home, She' probably try and beat my dad herself. Despite that fact he was five times her size and strength back then.

A little while after meeting Emerald, my mom gave me some advice that I've never forgotten. She called into the living room one night and sat be on her lap and said, "Son, you may not like it, but I'm not always going to be here to help you. It's important that you find other ponies who you can trust to help you with your troubles. I know I haven't met your friend Emerald but from what you've told me I can tell that is a true friend. If you keep looking, you can form an entire new "family" of friends."

If she only knew where that advice got me before I found you guys. Emerald may have been my first real friend, but you guys, you're more then friends. Your family to me. And just like back then, you've brought light into my life.

Those days so long ago were some of the best in my life. The light they brought was breath of fresh air I had yet to experience. The warm embrace of comradery and friendship isn't a feeling you ever forget.

However, where there is light, there will always be darkness. And sometimes, that darkness grows and consumes the light that tries so fruitlessly to overwhelm it. And when that light is finally gone, we are lost. Left to wander and wallow in our own sins and sorrows. The blackness that fills our hearts cuts deeper then any knife can. And its shear presence pulls us ever further into the void. And after a while, you can't get out. 

I remember my time in that bit. I remember it like it was yesterday. Not just because it was the darkest time in my life. But also because it was my first time taking a life.