Short Stories #1- The Watchers

Hello! Before this story begins, I would like to say that this is a short story about ninjas and the like, the reason this isn’t a full-fledged story is because of the setting that it takes place in, though it is still pony centered. Other than that, please enjoy the story.

The legend goes that a ninja mare, one of great power and skill in her arts, was traveling the land for ways to increase her hold on the land of shadows, a place, a skill, that would make one form into the shadows themselves. The mare, a simple earth pony with a light grey mane and soft purple fur, had finally found a temple far from her hometown, right in the wooded mountains of the Forgotten Ones. Her climb was easy, her skill took long years of not just sneaking, but training for any condition imaginable, climbing was one.

Once she reached the top, she found, who looked to be waiting for her, and elderly women. Her gaze was stern, yet soft, her dress one of pure silk of all the land. The mare bowed, showing respect to the one of this age and most likely, one who contained the wisdom needed.

“Who might you be, young Ninja of the East?” the mare’s voice was gentle, like that of a mother talking to a child before bed.

“I am Lavender Moon, mistress of the Forgotten Temple,” Lavender said, her front half still bowed,” I wish-”

“Ah, I know why you are here then,” The mare’s voice ringed in the young ninja’s ears, how did she know?

“They, the ones of shadows told me,” She said with a smile,” They know of your search of power, yet it is not for greed, it is to better yourself.”

Lavender remained speechless at the mare’s knowledge.

“Come, I must speak with you inside,” she said, her hoof gently pulling the ninja’s head up so that she could see eye to eye with her.

“Yes, of course, mistress,” Lavender nodded firmly.

“Please,” the mare said with a slight chuckle,” Call me Gray.”

The two mares head inside, and the ninja told the elder her story of protecting others from the evil tyrant they called Emperor. The mare had made tea and spoke at the end of the mare’s story.

“If you so choose to find out how to blend into the shadows of old,” the mare took a sip of her tea,” Then you must find them first. Go down to the forest, and find one with brown eyes.”

“Yes, Misstress Gray,” Lavender said calmly, with another bow, she headed to the forest.

There, she searched and searched, yet nothing came up, nothing appeared to have brown eyes here, or the other fact that nothing seemed to live here. Yet why did she feel like she was being watched by something? She then felt a breath on her neck. With surprising speed, she whirled around, the sword strapped to her hip now out in full length, pointed at the creature that stood behind her. She froze as she looked on at the creature. It was tall, dark gray, and had brown eyes. It loomed over her a good five feet or so... how had it remained hidden?

“Who are you?” Lavender growled as the sword got ever closer to the monster.

With a single move of its hand, her sword went flying into a nearby tree, with little warning, the creature now stood in front of her. Nothing in this world could have done what this bipedal creature had done. It was quicker and more silent, even as it appeared in front of her, she heard no russling of the grass below the wide feet, nor the sound of breathing. It looked her dead in the eyes, then pointed to the temple.

“W-what?” Lavender asked as she backed up a bit.

The creature looked at the temple, then back at her. It pointed to its mouth and moved it, like it was trying to talk, then pointed to the temple once more. That made it click in Lavender’s head.

“You are the one she sent me to look for!” Lavender accused, to which the monster nodded.

“I shall head back to the temple, and tell her,” she said,” If that is what I am supposed to do.”

The creature nodded once more, and off the ninja went, the master of every technic, except the one of shadow bending. Now, hopefully, she knew that it will be taught to her that her mission is now complete. She told Gray her findings, to which the elder knew already. Her training began later that week, the elder had brought more of the creatures to teach her, each one of a various size and strength. It was long, but she finally knew how to bend the shadows, and be one with them.

It was a shame that this true form of shadow bending would later be shot out of place by those of future type of ninjas.

This is the story of the Watchers