//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: My Little Pony: Lights and Shadows - Part I // by OmegaTale //------------------------------// Having sent a letter to Celestia about the capture, the Canterlot train arrived at the train station for the sole transportation of the ponies and their captive. Moon Frost, receiving a leave of absence decree from Princess Twilight, was permitted to join them and return the following day. There had to have been at least thirty royal guards on board, most of them in the center cart keeping a continuous watch on Shadow, who was still trapped in the crystal prison. Starfall knew several of the guards, so he was able to convince them to give the group of friends one cart to themselves. At this point, it was very late. Everypony in the cart was exhausted after what was an already long day. Spike, Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack went out like clockwork, finding viable places to sleep. Fluttershy had disappeared a while ago, and everypony else decided to give her some space. Starlight faded in and out, but eventually nodded off in her seat. Starfall opened the cart door and walked in, seeing most everypony asleep. Twilight and Pinkie looked like they were talking about something important. He then noticed Moon sitting near the window, staring into the night. He walked over and sat by her side, which didn’t turn her attention from the changing landscape. “You should sleep.” He suggested. “We’ll be arriving early in the morning, plenty of time to get some shut-eye.” “I’ve never been to Canterlot…” Moon replied, sounding tired. “I’ve always wanted to go, and I’ve dreamed of seeing the archives for myself….although I know I probably never will.” Starfall smiled, and moved to stand, but Moon turned around, stopping him. “How did you become Princess Twilight’s sole guard?” Resting back onto the seat, Starfall sighed. “Well….I joined the Canterlot Royal Guard as soon as I was old enough. I met all the requirements, but Captain Shining Armor always said I lacked the mentality of a royal guard. Said I needed to be less talkative and more intimidating.” Starfall chuckled at calling him that. “Princess Celestia knew me from before my training, so she had me sworn in despite the captain’s disapproval. She said I showed potential and, during Princess Twilight’s coronation, she offered my services to Twilight, but she chose to return to Ponyville rather than stay in Canterlot.” The story had begun to make Moon’s eyelids feel heavy. She blinked herself awake a few times, wanting to hear him, but it was growing more and more difficult. Shifting around on his seat, Starfall continued. “It took a while for me to catch Princess Celestia’s attention again, but I guess I must have done something right. I was specially instructed to guard the four princesses during the Equestria Games along with a few other highly regarded guards.” Starfall chuckled to himself. “I guess it all really began when-” Starfall felt Moon lean over onto his shoulder, fast asleep. He rolled his eyes and shook his head, a smirk on his face. ‘Figures.’ He thought to himself. He looked down at the sleeping pegasus; her wings were tucked in comfortably and her tail hung off the edge of the seat. He knew he shouldn’t stare, but he found it hard not to. He wanted to get up, but knew that doing so would likely wake her. Glancing down the cart at Twilight, who was still busy speaking to Pinkie Pie, he turned back to her. Resting his head back against the cushion, he decided a few minutes of sleep would do him good. The door to the center cart opened, the royal guards quickly glancing over at it. Fluttershy peeked inside, earning sharp looks from them all. “Umm….” She whispered. “Could I have a couple minutes alone with Shadow?” The guards didn’t even bother giving her an answer, and stood like statues at their posts. “Umm, please?” All of them stood at attention as Twilight entered the cart from behind her friend. “All of you move into the next train cart.” She commanded, making the guards all glance at one another. “Now.” Immediately after hearing that, the guards trotted out, leaving them alone beside the crystal prison. Twilight gave Fluttershy a hopeful look, and then backtracked to their cart, a sad expression taking her over as she went. Fluttershy looked into the crystal at Shadow, who kept his head down. “Shadow?” she said quietly, but he did not respond. Fluttershy lowered her head. “I am so sorry….for….” She cried, eyes shut tight. Shadow’s eyes steadily glanced over in her direction. “It is all my fault….I didn’t want any of this, I swear to you I didn’t….” She collapsed onto the floor, her forehead pressed against the crystal. “I am *sniff* going to do everything I can to make sure that they see you for who you are….I promise….” Shadow now stood just on the other side of the crystal wall, looking down at her. She managed to look up, seeing his golden eyes staring calmly into her own. He lifted a hoof onto the crystal, and she did the same, the two of them smiling slightly. The sound of hoof steps sounded in Starfall’s ears, and he woke to see Twilight walking slowly to the back of the cart and through the door. Looking over at Moon Frost, she had leaned away at some point and now slept comfortably facing the train window. Starfall rose from his seat and followed the princess. Twilight walked to the last cart on the train and sat on the backdrop, looking through the glass out into the night. This was all becoming too much to bear. Whatever mystery that surrounded Shadow had already begun to affect her friends, especially Fluttershy. Foe after foe, test after test, and consequence after consequence. That is all it seemed to be anymore. There was always something tearing at her or her friends, and now it had become this. Needing to be protected on a daily basis, having to worry about Queen Chrysalis, and being drawn between her mentor and her friends. It was all just too much for her to handle alone. “Twilight?” Starfall asked, entering the cart. “May I join you?” Twilight stifled a sniff and rubbed her eyes with a hoof. “Yes, you may Starfall.” Starfall walked in and sat beside her. He could tell because of the red around her eyes that she had been crying and was trying to hide it. “It is alright to cry sometimes princess.” He said to her, earning a look from the mare. “Nopony will think any less of you.” Twilight arched her neck, her head lowering as she began to tear up again, taking in sharp breaths. Starfall gently placed a hoof on her opposite shoulder and pulled her in for a hug, of which she immediately grabbed hold of him. He used his right wing to cover her as she let out all of the emotions that had piled up inside. This wasn’t the first time Starfall had ever been a shoulder to cry on. “Princess?” Starfall asked, knocking on the bedroom door in Canterlot. “Princess, are you alright?” Not hearing a response, Starfall slowly opened the door and looked inside. Princess Luna sat on her bed, hunched over and crying. She glanced behind her at the Royal Guard. “Leave us be Starfall Blitz….” She commanded, unable to say it very loudly. This went against what he was trained to do by Shining Armor, but followed what Celestia had told him about his role in Equestria. Starfall entered the room and slowly shut the door. Luna faced away from him, tears rolling down her face. “Your princess wishes not to be seen in such a pitiful state….” “If I may, Princess Luna, I have yet to see you in such a way.” Starfall said, at first still standing near the door. “We are no longer Nightmare Moon, yet our subjects look upon us with such fear and distrust….” She confided, falling down onto her stomach, her hooves covering her face. “Perhaps we remain the evil mare we once were.” Starfall shook his head. “I do not believe that.” Luna peeked out from under her hooves as Starfall approached slowly. “Such kind words spoken through duty rather than heart….” Luna said, in disbelief that he did not fear her too. “You speak as you are commanded, not as you feel.” Starfall stopped when he reached her bedside. “I was trained by my captain to be silent and obey without confliction. I was taught by your sister to be something greater.” Saying this caught Luna’s attention and she looked up at him. “I have always been honest with you princess, and I always will. I like to think of you as my friend, and friends comfort each other in times like this.” Sitting down by her side, Luna sat up and looked at him. “It is alright to cry sometimes princess.” Luna began to tremble as her tears came back again. “Nopony will think any less of you.” Lowering her head, Princess Luna leaned onto Starfall’s shoulder and he hugged her gently, earning one back. Tears falling from her face, she held him tight, having not hugged anypony other than Celestia for over a thousand years. Starfall stroked her mane gently and offered a smile. “Believe me princess,” Starfall said softly. “Everything will change with time.” Twilight, having let out all of the tears, now held onto Starfall quietly as the moon shined brightly in through the glass dome. Starfall lifted his head and looked up at the moon, remembering that night as clearly as ever. “You know Twilight,” he said softly. “When I was a young colt, I was small and afraid all the time.” Twilight listened, but didn’t move. “I was bullied left and right every day by the ponies at my school and even in my neighborhood.” Twilight looked up at him, and asked, “You were?” He nodded, and continued. “Auraglow helped as much as she could, but others could only help me so much.” He smiled as he recalled what to say next. “I always loved the Trader’s Exchange though. No matter how much I was afraid of those bullies, it never stopped me from going out to see all of the stalls and goods from around Equestria. I always snuck out to it early to catch a glimpse of Princess Celestia who, at the time, oversaw it every year.” Twilight smiled as she remembered always sneaking to the front of the crowd during the Summer Sun Celebration to do the very same. “One day during the exchange, when I was still very small, I saw all of the bullies picking on a filly because of her eyes. They bullied her more than they ever did me, calling her names and ganging up on her to keep her from getting away. Something happened when I saw it, I became so…so…brave all of a sudden. I charged into the crowd and stood in between her and the bullies, telling them to leave her alone. They laughed at me and, just as they were about to continue, they stopped and backed away.” Starfall paused, earning a confused look from Twilight. He looked speechless for a moment, as if the memory was happening to him now. “I didn’t even realize that I had been standing in somepony’s shadow. I turned and….there she was….Princess Celestia, the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, standing there looking down at me. I was so shocked that I completely forgot to bow my head as everypony else was around me. For a split second, I thought I saw surprise in her face, but it changed to a benevolent smile. She asked my name, I was reluctant to reply, still so nervous. She told me that I was destined for something great, and pointed at my flank. That was when I got my cutie mark.” Starfall looked down at Twilight. “The day after you received yours.” Twilight smiled, breaking away the flood of emotions that had just overwhelmed her. “I knew, from that moment on, that I was meant to protect others. No matter what happened afterwards, I knew it was my destiny.” “Starfall….” Twilight said, trying to say something. “When I first discovered I was to be your guard, I was frightened, I really was.” Starfall admitted. “I had learned about the adventures you shared with your friends, the feats you had accomplished, and it was intimidating to have to keep up with. But I am here because I am meant to be, and so are you. No matter what life throws at you, you will stay strong and take it. Because this is your destiny, just like it is mine.” There were no words. Twilight had needed to hear that for so long, and kept all of the stress built up inside. Now, finally, it was gone. Starfall Blitz was meant to be her guard, and he was right; she was meant to be the Princess of Friendship from the very beginning. When finally she could, she said, “Thank you Starfall.” There was no need to say anything else, she hugged him again, and pressed her head against his shoulder as his wing remained over her. Starfall smiled, taking in a deep breath, and looked back up at the moon. Everypony was awakened as the train came to an abrupt halt. Quick to the door, Twilight and Starfall were there to see a host of royal guards awaiting them. All of the unicorn guards used their magic to lift and move the Shadow’s crystal prison out from the center cart, trotting under heavy protection towards the Canterlot dungeon. Twilight knew Fluttershy would be the first to protest, and so she turned, saying, “I will speak to Celestia, Luna, and Cadence before Shadow is brought before them. Starfall, go with those guards and keep an eye on Shadow, everypony else, wait in the castle suite for me.” “But Twilight-” Fluttershy began. “Trust me Fluttershy.” Twilight said to her, taking off towards the castle throne room. Starfall followed after the crystal prison as everypony else headed for the castle spire. Celestia, Luna, and Cadence all sat on their thrones as they awaited Twilight’s arrival. There was a very heavy tension in the air. “Shining Armor,” Celestia commanded, grabbing the prince’s attention. “Have your crystal guards prepare the train for departure; we’ll need to move quickly to return the creature to the Tree of Harmony.” “You shall do no such thing.” Twilight replied, entering the chamber. Shining Armor looked confused. “Twilight-” “This is important Shining Armor.” Twilight interrupted him. She was happy to see her brother, but she had seen this coming the moment they set out to find Shadow in the first place. Celestia had no intention of giving Shadow a chance. She trotted past her speechless brother and approached the three princesses. “The shadow pony that escaped the castle ruins is not what you say he is.” “Twilight, what do you mean?” Cadence asked, sounding concerned. Twilight looked up to Celestia, this was something she knew she had to be firm about. “In my letter to you, I expressly remember saying that there was something wrong about all of this and that you needed to meet him personally.” Celestia was not usually one to rush a decision, but this was different, she had seen the vision and she knew what it meant. “We cannot allow that creature to have the chance to escape, and you-” “His name is Shadow Light.” Twilight interrupted her. “And he is a pony, not this evil creature you have made him out to be.” Shining Armor didn’t appreciate being swept aside by her baby sister. He marched in front of her, saying, “We have already decided that this is what’s best for all of Equestria Twilight, and you need to respect that.” “I understand that is how you feel,” Twilight answered him, knowing that they believed Shadow was evil. “But my friends and I have seen another side of Shadow, and much like your wedding big brother, I feel like we are not seeing the truth.” The mention of the wedding completely shattered Shining Armor’s attempt at an argument. “I couldn’t believe Discord could use his magic for good, and Fluttershy proved me wrong. She is the one that believes this shadow pony is good. The four of you need to face the fact that you do not know who or what he is.” Twilight looked back up to Celestia. “If there is anything I know, it’s that you should always trust your friends. I believe in Fluttershy, and she believes in Shadow.” Starfall followed the twenty unicorn guard escorts into the dungeon, and was recognized by the others, therefore not being restricted from the escort’s destination. Shadow’s prison was indeed brought to where it was supposed to go, into a secure location at the prison’s core. As soon as he was sure the guards were awaiting further orders, he inspected the chamber just once, leaving to watch over from the dungeon entrance. Shadow sat in the dark of the dungeon cell, still restricted movement because of the crystal formation around him. Feeling a strange presence, he looked to his right. “So you are the one I’ve heard sooo much about?” came a confident voice. The strange form of a draconequus appearing out from thin air, a pair of binoculars held up to his eyes, which made them go straight through the crystal wall. “How elated I am to finally meet you.” Shadow looked at his guest with strange familiarity. “Discord…?” he asked. Discord reappeared wearing a tuxedo and bow tie, twirling a cane around, and tipping a feathered hat. “The one and only! And who might you be?” “My name is Shadow.” The dark pony answered. A blank expression conquered Discord’s face as he looked unimpressed. “Well that’s hardly original, why not call yourself Carl? I’d say you look more like a Carl than a Shadow.” “What do you want?” Shadow snapped, more annoyed than afraid. Discord feigned being offended. “What? An ex-antagonist can’t make idle conversation with another soon to be ex-antagonist? Our kind has been growing over the years, but I still believe we should stick together, don’t you?” A strange feeling came over Shadow, he felt like he had met Discord before, but where? It would be difficult to forget a personality like his, but it wasn’t the annoyance that triggered the remembrance, it was just hearing his voice. “Have we….met in the past?” Discord inspected Shadow, circling his crystal prison while grabbing a book out from his mouth, turning through a few pages. “Hmm, let’s see….” He mumbled, reading through a few lines. “Smooze, no. Whitetail, nope. Grogar, nuh uh. Black Gryph0n….he wishes. Larson…..good lord no.” Discord puzzled and puzzled, scratching his head. “No…no….nope….no…..” he looked back up at Shadow, saying, “I don’t believe we have.” It was only upon looking into Shadow’s eyes that Discord’s smile crumbled away. There was something…..wrong, although he couldn’t quite figure out what it was. He had seen those eyes before, but where? Pulling the strange feeling out of his mind in a literal puff of smoke, Discord’s large grin returned. “Well, have fun being punished by Celestia! I have a Fluttershy to meet up with!” “Tell her I say hello.” Shadow said quickly. Discord was halfway into snapping his claw, when he stopped, piercing eyes now fixed onto Shadow. “What?” he asked inquisitively. “Fluttershy,” Shadow repeated. “She’s my friend too, tell her that I am alright.” The speculation and doubts returned to Discord as the conversation had already gone on longer than anticipated. This was going to pester and vex him for some time. Without another word, Discord snapped his claws and vanished. After hearing from Twilight everything that had happened, and how it had happened, Luna’s gaze softened. She had originally been on the side of her sister, having seen the vision as well, but now, she felt compelled to give Shadow a chance. “We will agree to listen to this proposal of yours.” Luna said, surprising her sister. “Luna,” Celestia spoke, only to be interrupted. “I understand your concern dear sister.” Luna said calmly. “But I too wore a veil of darkness once, it did not seem like I could be brought back to the light, but I was. If this, Shadow, truly does have the heart to stay peacefully in Equestria, then we cannot so easily proclaim him as evil.” Twilight looked upon the princess of the night with appreciative eyes. Luna winked at her, offering a sweet smile. Celestia was silent for a while, she did not know what to say. Inside, she knew Luna was right, and that so was Twilight in that they should give him a chance. But this time is different; it is not Nightmare Moon or Discord or Chrysalis they were dealing with. Whatever this thing was in the days of Alarei…..it was worse. Blinking a few times, and thinking hard on the matter, Celestia finally raised her gaze to her former student. “Bring him before us.” Starfall opened the door to the throne room, holding it as Shadow slowly walked through. Closing it behind the shadow pony, Starfall walked just behind him as they approached the Equestrian Royals. Shadow didn’t need to look up to know that there was a fierce gaze upon him. He feared that looking upon the princesses would trigger another one of the nightmarish visions he had been experiencing, and so he kept his eyes cast upon the floor. It took a few moments for the two to reach the foot of the throne steps, and they were deathly silent moments indeed. “Shadow,” Twilight said quietly. Eyes darting up to meet her own, Shadow remained with his head lowered. “It is alright….you don’t need to be afraid.” Focusing back on the floor, the silence returned to the chamber as the princesses awaited him. Shadow’s eyes rose slowly, being met with the gazes from three alicorns. “H-hello.” He said hesitantly. Luna could feel the fear in his voice, which softened her gaze. Cadence was not sure what to think; Twilight had made some pretty powerful points from before, and she could no longer definitively say whose side she was on. Celestia, on the other hoof, did not look so convinced. “Princess Twilight claims you to be peaceful,” Celestia spoke, her voice making Shadow cringe slightly. “So tell us what you have told her, about yourself.” While still timid, Shadow knew that being afraid forever would not solve anything, nor would it win him the princesses’ trust. Steadily, he raised his chin, and his golden eyes narrowed. “From what I have been told,” he said, trying to be bold. “You know more about me than I do.” His response puzzled the princesses. Not that he confirmed what Twilight had said, but how he had said it. Not receiving a reply, he continued. “Three days ago I awoke in the deepest, darkest chamber of those ruins.” Shadow grimaced, as if still feeling the effects of his awakening. “I was alone….and I was afraid, I still am afraid. I remember nothing from before it…..but I-” He paused as he contemplated telling them about the visions. “I know that I used to be something else.” Celestia raised an eyebrow as Cadence asked, “How do you know that if you cannot remember?” “It is a feeling.” He replied, his voice no longer timid and afraid. “I don’t know how to describe it, and I don’t want to.” Luna had kept silent long enough. “Speak plain, what do you mean?” Shadow’s gaze fell for a moment, but it caught the light piercing in from the stained glass windows. He had never felt sunlight before, at least, he couldn’t remember if he had. It was warm, comforting, and beautiful. It reminded him of Fluttershy, and of the hug she had given him. Upon feeling this, Shadow felt something else….something more. It was faint, but there. A light of some kind, although weak, it held onto him tight, as if afraid to let go. It made him feel….happy. And it made him feel powerful. Returning his gaze to Celestia’s, Shadow said, “I don’t want to know who I was, I never want to.” He stopped, looking over at Twilight, a smile on his face. “I want to be me, no pony else.” Celestia’s sharp eyes lost their edge, returning calm after hearing what he had said. She looked over at her little sister, who was already looking to her with expecting eyes. Then she turned to Cadence, who looked to her with a look more at ease than before. Eyes casting upon Shadow, finally, Celestia’s fears released her. “Very well.” Celestia said, nodding her head. “You may return with Princess Twilight to your new home in Ponyville.” Fluttershy had begun to lose her nerves, pacing more rapidly across the suite floor. Spike looked at her, worried. “Calm down Fluttershy. You’re going to pull a Twilight and pace a groove into the floor if you keep that up.” The door opened and everypony turned. Twilight and Starfall stood, offering hopeful smiles. Fluttershy took a half-step forward, not able to ask it. The princess and her guard stepped aside, letting Shadow walk in. Fluttershy had not felt so happy in so long, racing up to him, she hugged him tight. Everypony else in the suite, despite having any doubts about the shadow pony, all smiled as they saw their friend’s happiness. Fluttershy turned to them, saying, “Everypony, this is Shadow Light.” Before anymore could be said, the ring of friends converged on the shadow pony, welcoming and introducing him as their doubts began officially fading away. Amidst their greeting, Twilight nodded to Starfall, who walked around the group of excited ponies to Moon Frost, who just watched from inside the suite. “Could we take a walk?” he asked her. “There is something I want to show you.” Twilight had told Starfall he had ten minutes before they left for Ponyville, so he had no time to waste. Leading Moon past several guard checkpoints she wouldn’t have been able to pass without him, the two pegusi came upon the castle grounds restricted to a hoof-full of individuals. “Where are we going?” Moon asked, glancing around. Starfall raised his chin, hiding a smirk. “You’ll see.” The two entered a unique courtyard that led to an ornate building. Moon’s glancing about ceased as her eyes became locked upon the structure. She opened her mouth to say something, but she kept silent, following Starfall as he opened the large door for her. The chamber was massive, with shelves of books and scrolls all over. The shelves were set in a pattern that led to a central room that had a massive hourglass at its center. The glass dome overhead cast a glow about the chamber that made Moon Frost’s eyes widen. “Starfall….?” she asked. “Is this….?” Starfall chuckled. “I recall you saying something about wanting to see the Canterlot Archives, am I right?” Moon had dreamed of this moment before, but dreams held no merit to the experience itself. She turned to Starfall, her eyes telling him what she was about to ask. “Go on.” He said with a smile, gesturing forward with his head. Hesitant at first, Moon walked to the center of the aisles, looking around at it all. Starswirl the Bearded Wing, the most secure information and intelligence in all of Canterlot. She felt like having a book-mare, filly scream, but held in her excitement enough not to. She then turned to see Starfall stood at the entrance. “I have to go, but you enjoy.” He told her, looking outside. “And don’t worry about the guards, they are friends of mine, you can stay in here all day if you want.” Moon trotted back over to him, an indescribable look of happiness on her face. She gave him a quick hug, which he gave back. “Thank you.” Once separated, Starfall watched her fly off to seek knowledge, turning with a smile, he headed back to the suite. Celestia sat alone in the throne room. Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor had all left some time ago. She needed time to herself in order to think, and analyze what she had just seen. “Celestia.” Discord said, appearing in front of her. Sighing as she rolled her eyes, Celestia replied, “Not now Discord, I am really in no mood for your crazy antics.” There was no punchline or reality altering spell that followed. Discord floated up the steps and looked at her with a rather serious expression. “We need to talk about this….Shadow character.”