//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: A Lighter Shade Of Darkness // by veteranO'awesome //------------------------------// (A/N) Sorry about the wait everyone! I had to go to New York for a bit for a school trip, so it took forever (I live in Florida). Enjoy! "Don't worry about him Rainbow! I'm sure he likes you too, I mean, you saved his life didn't you?" "Yeah, I guess." Rainbow Dash re-adjusted herself on Fluttershy's couch and glumly looked at the floor for a few seconds before perking up. "Hey, I know!" She randomly yelled out, causing Fluttershy to let out a shrill 'EEP' and sink to the floor. "I should take you to meet Shade!" "That would be nice, I guess." "Then let's go!" Rainbow said as she grabbed Fluttershy by the hoof and pulled her out of her cottage and towards town. Ponyville Shade strode across town. Nopony wanted to approach him, to which Shade wasn’t surprised, but they were still smiling and waving. He had never felt this happy before. He saw a nearby carrot stand and he decided to stop and get some with the bits that Twilight gave him. “She's been too kind.” Shade thought, “I should do something for her”. Shade approached the stand and was greeted by a tan coated, female earth pony with an orange mane and carrots on her flank. "Hello! What can I get you? “She happily said with what sounded like a slight German accent and a smile on her face that said 'I love my life'. "Hi, I would like to buy some carrots please” He said the friendliest voice he knew. "Sure thing Hun how many would you like” “Erm…just one for now if that’s ok.” he answered. “Of course, that’ll be one bit”. Shade nodded and took two golden coins out of the small pocket-sized bag. He was in a good mood, so he placed them both on the counter. "The other bit is so you can have one and not lose any profit when you want to eat." He happily said. "Well that’s very kind of you”. She replied, handing him his healthy snack. "I'm surprised everpony isn't used to you yet. My name’s Carrot Top by the way.” "It was a pleasure to meet you. I am Shade." He said as he waved back to the kind mare while getting back on course. Shade wasn’t going anywhere specific, just wandering around and chatting with the locals. Shade quickly ate the carrot with smile on his face and a comforted mind. His smile suddenly and slowly disappeared as confused looks replaced the smiles of the multicolored ponies around him. Shade knew what was wrong and quickly turned around, emitting a shriek from a green unicorn as she fell on the ground. "Hi there!" said Shade to the unicorn that was most likely in shock. "H-hello?" She replied. Shade stuck out his hand to help up the terrified pony. "Thanks." She said as she pulled herself up. Now Shade could get a better look at her. Her coat was minty-green as well as her mane, but it had a streak of light grey in it. She had a lyre on her the side of her flank, apparently meaning that she had some special talent with it. "I'm Lyra, Sorry about freaking out”. She said as she stuck out her hoof. "Nice to meet you, I'm Shade”. He replied, grabbing and shaking it. "If it's not too much trouble, might I ask what you were doing following me?" Shade said with an annoyed look on his face, she blushed and looked at the ground. "Well, I heard that there was a thing with two legs walking around town and I thought everypony was just trying to make fun of me so-" "Wait a second." Shade interrupted. "Why would the other ponies make fun of you?" "Well, it's just that I've been, quote, 'obsessed' with humans for a while, so everpony thought I was insane for trying to prove their existence”. "That makes sense” he said whilst scratching his chin in thought. “But it doesn't excuse bullying. I have an idea." "What would that be?" Asked Lyra curiously. "I'm gonna let everyone that hasn't already seen me really know that I'm here and you weren't wrong. But first, do you have a stage and a DJ?” “You’re lucky. Our DJ, Vinyl is only in town for a few more days.” replied Lyra. “That’s good to know, well then, let’s go and meet her.” “This is gonna be fun" He thought. Elsewhere A dark room that was clearly moving had the voices of evil itself echoing around its stainless steel walls. "Have we found our next destination?" "Yes……..but it will take us a week to get there." "That doesn't matter………..What's the name of this place and what are its inhabitants?" "It is a planet filled with mythological creatures, like unicorns and pegasi, called Equestria." "How devilishly fun that sounds. Alakii needs a snack anyways." As if on cue, two bright red circles with small black dots appeared along with glowing red Egyptian symbols around what looked like a face filled with razor sharp teeth that had devoured countless innocent creatures. Ponyville two hours later Rainbow Dash finally let go of Fluttershy and she was slowly trailing behind to town. "Hurry up, Fluttershy!" "I'm right behind you." Fluttershy said back. She was right behind Rainbow Dash, but Dash was really anticipating Fluttershy meeting Shade. "We have to get to Shade while I still know where he is!" She shouted back. "I know, but can't we go a little slower?" Fluttershy sort of yelled. "Not really, we need to-WHAT THE HAY IS THAT?!" Rainbow screamed. She and Fluttershy were looking at a large stage with many neon lights coming off of it. With the time being the dusk, the lights were very much visible. On the stage were Lyra Heartstrings and Vinyl Scratch. Vinyl was behind a DJ's station and Lyra was standing in the middle of the stage with a smile on her face. "Attention, mares and stallions!" Lyra announced through a microphone as music began to play. "Today we have a special show put on by a very special guest for you all…….he is…..the one…….the only…… Shaaaaaaaaade!!!” (A/N) OHHHHHHH!!! This next chapter's gonna be fun to write! Shade helps Lyra and everyone will know who he is. I need a decision made though. Shade needs some awesome entry music. I would prefer something by Skrillex because I have a few songs in mind, but my goal was to see what you guys think. Post in the comments and I will make a decision. Next chapter should be out in a few days. Be sure to thank my proofreaders who checked my spelling, added ideas, and a bunch of other stuff, Deadsteel and RainbowMissile97. Visit their pages and.....do whatever the hell you do.