Of Heart and Soul
Twilight's Castle
The sound of the scream resonated throughout the castle, reaching each and every room, including the one Twilight had left her Spike, her brother, and his wife in. In a matter of moments, all three had quickly made their way towards the castle gate, stopping in their tracks upon seeing Twilight holding a battered and bloodied body in her hooves, sobbing into it. " Tw..twilight?! " Spike's eyes widened as he ran towards her and Shade, his eyes began welling up with tears at the sight of his fathers unconscious figure, "..D...dad?!?! " the sight was enought o make him faint on the spot.
" Dad?! " both Cadence and Shining questioned simultaneously, looking more confused than they ever had.
Twilight's head shot up suddenly, " Rainbow Dash, help me get him to my room, hurry! " Rainbow Dash could only nod as she began helping Twilight lift the large half-breed stallion into the air. Twilight fought back her tears as she did her best to focus her magic on lifting his body, " Spike, you need to get the emergency first aid kit...please...hurry.. ".
Spike was quiet at first, still in shock from the initial sight of his father, but he quickly shook his head and nodded, " Alright Twilight, you can count on me! " without hesitation, he bolted off, hoping to find the supplies quickly.
Before Shining Armor or Cadence could get a good look at Shade's body, Twilight and Rainbow Dash had already begun hauling him off. Cadence watched with a worried look as they did so, "...Twilight... "
Shining Armor looked at his wife, just as worried as she was, he had never seen Twilight like this, never had she been so grief stricken, "...Cadence...she'll be alright..let's just...go and support her.." he went to follow them, but he stopped upon feeling his wives hoof placed on his shoulder.
She slowly shook her head, "...No Shining.....we need to give them space....she'll tell us when she's ready.....this isn't just any emotional problem...this is her heart..and I know more about that than anypony else ".
" But she...but Cadence, Twilight is..." he stammered momentarily before letting out a sigh of defeat, " Alright...we'll wait, " he couldn't help but look at the blood trail that the body they were carrying left behind, it must've been in terrible condition to leave that much of a trail, even with all those bandages.
Twilight fought hard to keep herself from bursting into fits of uncontrollable crying as she carrying Shades limp body, after seeing what he had been capable of doing, she thought it was impossible for something like this to happen. They soon reached Twilight's bedroom, wasting no time at all in getting him onto the bed, and as soon as Spike arrived, made haste in replacing his bandages. Although some seemed to have healed, there were still too many, including the gash going down his chest, just the sight made Twilight feel as though she could vomit, "...How....how did this happen to him Rainbow Dash...what made my Shade look like this... " she softly rubbed his cheek that wasn't bandaged up, never taking her eyes off of his body.
Rainbow Dash looked at the floor, remaining silent for a good minute before saying anything, ".....It was awful Twilight.....we found Shade out in the woods...he was..meditating or something like that....but right as we were about to bring him home...this thing..this...evil....thing...attacked him....Shade wanted to fight back...but....sweet Celestia...that wasn't a fight..it was a slaughter.... ". Rainbow Dash looked as if she could get sick at just the thought of what that vile thing did to Shade, the pain it inflicted on him, "....we....we couldn't do anything...the three of us were frozen from fear...I'm sorry Twilight... "
Twilight slightly looked towards Rainbow Dash, she wasn't acting like herself, not her usual self that was, whatever happened must've shaken all three of them up terribly. She slowly stepped towards Rainbow, and upon reaching her, gave her a hug, "...It's alright Rainbow Dash.....I...I just can't thank you enough for getting him back before....before... " she clenched her eyes shut again, trying her hardest to fight the tears that oh so desperately wanted out.
"..Twilight..." Rainbow Dash returned the hug, gently patting her best friend's back.
Taking a moment to regain herself, Twilight wiped at her eyes with her front leg, before stepping towards Shade again, "..Rainbow...I need you to go to the hospital....and bring....just bring anypony...any doctors you can....he needs medical attention....more than this..or...it'll just get worse.... "
Rainbow Dash hastily nodded and prepared to take off out of a nearby window, " Don;t worry Twilight, I'll have them here faster than..faster than me! " and like that, she was off in an instant.
Twilight felt the tears fight back, urging her further to cry, but she wouldn't, she had to be strong, for him, "...Please...don't leave me Shade....there's so much in life that I want to experience with you.....so much that I want to tell you... ". She gently laid her head on his chest, although faint, the sound of his heartbeat began calming her, easing her nerves. She released a small sigh of relief as the urge to cry slowly left her, "...I love you...Shade... " but suddenly, her peace was interrupted by a fit of coughs coming from Shade, causing her to panic slightly
After finishing his sudden coughing, Shade slowly opened the one eye that wasn't bandaged, laying his gaze upon Twilight, the sight of his eye was enough to relieve Twilight of her panic, and instead, caused her to jolt towards him and hug him. " Ow....ow...easy..Twilight..." but when she attempted to pull away, he simply pulled her back into the hug with his working leg, "....I...love you too....Twilight... "
Twilight's face turned bright red, her heart started beating rapidly, but she had little time to say anything, using his last seconds of consciousness, Shade gave her a loving kiss on the lips, one of which she happily returned. She remained hugging him, even after he had passed out again, "...Get well soon....please Shade ".
Deep Within the Darkness of Shade's Mind
Here Shade was again, deep within the recesses over his mind, the same place he retreated to every night he slept, the same place he spent over five thousand years trapped in, it would always feel familiar to him, but something was off this time, the abyss within him seemed, disturbed. " Somethings not right... " the pitch black ground beneath him rippled like water being pelted with stones, but a thousand times more violent, almost like a raging storm in an ocean. This however, did not deter Shade from going about his routine whilst inside this emptiness, he begun walking in a single direction, not knowing where he would go or what he would find within his head, he just kept going in the same singular path.
The further he went, the more violent the rippling became, and the more violent the ripple became, the louder the voices that reside within Shade's psyche became, crying out to be heard, pleas for help, for silence. Shade lowered his head, the louder the voices became, the more he ached, two voices were the loudest of all of them however, two voices he'd never forget. " ....Son...where were you....we needed you... " Shade's eyes widened at the sound of the first voice, " .....we needed you son...why did you leave us.... " he placed his claw over his heart, he could feel it pumping rapidly from the shock, but there was no rest for him, the voices of his past continued to torment him.
" SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! " Shade screamed, he dug his claws into his head, shouting in continuous pain as the never ending onslaught of voices continued, they were the voices of every life he had taken, every life he had ruined, and those long gone to him. In an attempt to silence the voices, he began bashing his head against the empty, yet solid ground at his feet, " JUST BE QUIET ALREADY!!!!!! YOU AREN'T REAL!!!!!!!! " however in the midst of his shouting and crashing his head into the ground, Shade noticed something, he had begun to sink into the abyss beneath him. He looked panicked, he did his best to try and pull away, but he only kept sinking, he could feel the blackness around him, enveloping his body, trying to change him into monster like it had done to others, " NO!!!!!! I won't let you!!!!! " but the more he fought the deeper he sunk. He could feel the darkness covering his body, reaching up to his eyes, which slowly became solid red, he twitched as he tried fighting, but to no avail.
All seemed lost for him until suddenly, light began shining within his mind, light, and the angelic voice of his love, the voice of Twilight Sparkle, " Shade...I...don't know if you can hear me..but please wake up soon...I...I need you, " the light poured over Shades body.
The bright light that Twilight gave off was enough to cause the darkness around him to fade, release his body from blackness around him, "..Twilight...." he stumbled towards her, his claw extended out towards her until finally, he placed his outstretched claw on her hoof, and then, a flash, he was struck with another vision.
Somewhere in the Forest, a Lone Cottage Sits
Shade walked towards the home that he had built with his own claws, the place he now called home, he had pushed through a hard day, the only thing he wanted now was to be with his family. He made his way up the front steps, opened the door , " I'm home! " but the second it barely open, something had rushed towards him, or, somepony more like it.
" Daddy's home!! " a little filly, no older than five jumped up and wrapped her front hooves around his neck, " I missed you so much daddy, " she nuzzled her little head against his scaly body, taking in the warmth he gave off.
Shade could only smile and rub the fillies head, slightly ruffling her purple and grey mane, " Daddy missed you too Dusk, " he pulled the filly into a warmth-filled hug.
She fluttered her tiny wings and gave the brightest smile before practically shouting, " Mommy!! daddy's home!! "
" I can tell sweetie, " a cheerful voice called from the kitchen.
Shade could hear the sound of hooves making their way from the kitchen into the living room, his smile grew wider as his eyes laid upon his loving wife, accompanied by his son Spike " After a long day of being out of the house, the best thing to brighten my mood is coming home to be with my wonderful family ".
Back in the Abyss of Shade's Mind
"..No..it went away again...that vision...I was....happy.... " he placed one of his claws over his head, grasping it, happiness was not a feeling Shade had possessed in a long time, he may smile and experience joy, but he has not experienced true happiness for thousands of years. The light that Twilight gave was still shining, as bright as ever, almost as if she were beckoning him to come to her, which he did, he continued stumbling towards his new beloved, "....Tw...Twilight... " but as he drew closer the light quickly consumed him, enveloping him in its shining beams.
Inside Twilight's Castle Three Days Have Passed
Sunlight shone in through the window of Twilight's bedroom, the bright beam laid upon the sleeping Shade's eyes. It wasn't very long before he was sitting up and opening his eyes, he scanned around the room, aside form the beam of sunlight it was dark, dark and devoid of anypony else. Upon getting out of bed, he immediately made his way out of the bedroom, and towards the main lobby of the castle, on his way he spotted nary a soul anywhere, "...It's quiet....where is everypony ? " He stopped along the way to look at himself in a mirror he was about to pass, his body was covered in bandages, the sight angered him, he clenched his claws tightly, partially drawing blood, "..I'll make that thing pay... " with a swift swing of his claw, the mirror shattered and he went along his way.
Just a few rooms away, Spike had been sleeping soundly, having stayed behind to watch over his injured father, he had stayed up all night waiting for Twilight to get back. The sound of shattering glass was enough to wake the young drake up, causing him to literally jump off of the couch he had made into his temporary bed, " wha?! who what when where why?! what the hay was that ". He poked his little head out of the room, only catching a glimpse of his father tail going around the corner of the hall and towards the front door, " D..dad? "
Upon reaching the front door, Shade placed his claws on each door, he took a deep breath, his body still ached, but he could care less at the moment, the only thing on his mind, nay, the only pony on his mind, was Twilight. He gave a powerful shove on the large metal doors, and as they opened, sunlight began pouring inside the castle and bathing his body in the bright rays, but even with the beams of light in his eyes, he could still make out an image making it's way towards the castle, "...Twilight... "
Right as Shade had pushed the castle doors open, Twilight had been trotting her way towards her home after finally making it back from following the mysterious map that had led her and her friends towards a village in need of their help. Her eyes widened and her mouth partially opened letting out a gasp, she couldn't help but stare at his mighty figure, even when covered in so many bandages he was a marvel to behold, " Shade! " She took off on a full sprint towards him, practically leaping into him, but lucky enough for both of them, Shade had great enough reflexes to catch her with ease. She began kissing him multiple times on his cheek as tears started pouring from her eyes, " I'm so glad your OK!! " she clung to him tightly and sobbed into his bandaged up chest.
Shade wrapped his front legs around her, keeping her close, " Twilight...I'm so sorry for worrying you...I'll never do it again... " the two looked upon one another, crimson met violet, dark met light, the two most unlikely of lovers held one another with powerful, yet loving grasp.
"...I was so scared you'd never wake up..I would have stayed the whole time..but..the table in my thrown room..it's really a map..it was telling us that we weer needed somewhere...I...I " she started stammering as she tried her best to explain to him.
" Twilight, it's alright, I'm just glad you're back, with me, " he picked her up off of the ground, still holding her as close as he could, and carried her back to the room which he had been bedridden in for three days.
" Dad? " Shade heard from behind, quickly turning to see his son standing there.
" Spike...my son...come to your father.. " he knelt down and held out his free claw towards him.
Spike's eyes watered, he too had been worried about his father, not knowing if he'd ever wake up, but he did, Spike's wishes came true, " Dad!! " he sprinted towards his father, hugging him and sniffling.
Shade only gave a small smile and picked him up, "...You both have given me something I've always wanted...ever since I was young..."
" W..we have? " Twilight said, slightly confused, what could they had given him that his parent's never could.
" Yes...you've given me a place in the world...a world that for so long I felt as if I did not belong, " he stood up, and continued on his way towards the room, " You've given me a life I want to hold onto for as long as I can...I love you both. "
Twilight Smiled and wiped the tears from both her eyes, and Spikes, " We love you too Shade, don't ever leave us, please, " she lifted her head upwards towards his, and gently placed her lips on his once before pulling away.
" Cmon guys can you not do that in front of me, " Spike said, his head turned away and his arms crossed.
Both Shade and Twilight chuckled at the little half dragon's reaction to their kiss, " What's the matter son, I thought there was a pony that you yourself had your eyes on, you do realize you'll have to kiss her too someday right, " Shade grinned as he watched his son's face turn as red as his own eyes.
" D...dad! I know that but..but I'm waiting OK! " he couldn't help but feel embarrassed as his father spoke, and it wasn;t helped any when Twilight added on.
" Yeah Spike, you'll need to get use to kissing, I mean even a kiss on the cheek from Rarity is enough to turn you into a little pile of jelly, " she giggled as he tried to find words to deny what she was saying, but couldn't.
" You guys are mean, I can't help that I'm no good when it comes to mares! " he said defensively.
" son, " Shade started, " It's alright, I'll teach you how to not turn into a puddle at the sight of a female you care for " .
Spike looked at his father and smiled slightly, " You will? You're the best dad ever " he gave him as tight of a hug as he could, but to Spike it was as if he were trying to squeeze a rock.
" Of course I will, I am your father after all, and I'd gladly do anything for you, but first, " he suddenly paused and looked at Twilight, " I want to hear all about the trip you took, and if everything went well " .
" You..you want to hear about the trip we took to that village I said we went too? well, alright then " she rubbed her chin with her hoof, trying to find where to start with.
Shade sat and listened as she told him everything that happened, about how all the ponies there had the same cutie mark, and equal sign, about their strange leader, a pony named Starlight glimmer, and about how the ponies there had there cutie marks taken away by force, then about how Starlight glimmer was really the one behind it. He could feel himself clenching his claws tightly as she spoke of the part where Starlight had taken her cutie mark as well, but with a little help from the village ponies, she had been able to to stop Starlight, and get everyponie's cutie mark back, but not before Starlight could slip away, unable to be found. He was listening to her intently, but the whole time she was talking, he could only think of her, she amazed him, even without powers like his, she still managed to make everything as it should be, she didn't use might or force, instead, she used something he had mentioned many times, the magic of friendship. While he could not understand the magic itself, he could understand how she was able to use it so easily and skillfully, she had the purest heart he had ever seen within a pony, it was just one of the many things that made him want to be with her even more.
After Twilight had finished telling them everything that happened, both she and Spike soon dozed off in Shades grasp, keeping close to his warm body. He kept his front legs wrapped around each one of them, keeping them secured against him, he didn't want anything bad to ever happened to them, they were his loved ones, they were his very own family, " I love you both so much, and I'll never leave either of you as long as I live, " he kissed them both on their heads, and laid back in the bed, closing his own eyes, and joined them both in slumber.
Well hey there ladies and gentlecolts, I'm really sorry for the short hiatus, it's harder than it looks to juggle a job, writing, and a loved one all at once, but I manage. Anyway, to talk about this chapter, I thought since the last few chapters have been filled with action and violence, that this chapter, and the one after it, would have a more somber, and relaxed tone to it, I mean, even ponies as powerful as Shade need a little time with their family every now and then, as for my other stories, they too will be updated soon, along with this one again, I just need some time, but seeing as it's the weekend now, I might have a little extra time to get some writing in. Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter, if you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to say them below the story, and I'll see you all again real soon 
Bye now!
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So nice to see Shade relax, especially after the beating he got. Curious to know how Shining and Cadence will react when they will take a good look at him though...
7661887 You know, I think you just might find out sooner than you think
Good chapter. Loving the story.
"Yea, It's ok to be a little shy son but don't let that get in the way..."
"Well what do you need , How can I help you?"
"You have legal problems? A restraining order maybe?"
"What is it trouble with Rarity?"
"Well spit it out son!"
"Wow! way to go son I'm proud of you!"
"Wow I have Twtlight by my side Spike making me a Grandpa and I get to spoil the grandfoals and lay around the castle in my under garments and guzzle cider what a life!"
7662309 I like this comment alot
7662364
Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles too.