Fluttershy watched the shadow pony as he was upright and leaning against the window, looking out at the passing lands. She had missed him so much, looked forward to his return so much, that the air about her felt thin in this moment. Months spent locked in place, unable to even search for him for fear of upsetting Twilight as she awaited the awakening of her royal guard, it had built up and raged like a storm. All of that time, and now he was coming home.
“The conductor said the tracks should be clear from here on out.” Twilight announced, returning from the front of the train. She sat and shook her head. “Who would’ve known Pinkie was right about those sheep? I mean, since when does it take 2 hours to clear a herd of sheep off from the train tracks?”
Shadow leaned off from the window, sitting back down. “True, but it was only a few hours. I’ve waited over 2 months to return home; 2 hours is nothing.”
Twilight bobbed her head from side to side, realizing he had a point. “So, where all did you end up going?”
“Apploosan Flats, Ghastly Gorge, White-Tail Woods,” Shadow listed, remembering them all in great detail. “Spent a week in the Smokey Mountains, then I crossed Unicorn Range and into the Wilds.”
“And you were there the rest of the time?” Twilight asked. Shadow nodded, making Twilight and Fluttershy glance at one another for a moment before returning to him. “That’s a long time to have spent in the Wilds, alone.”
Shadow nodded again. “It was.” He confirmed, offering up a smile to cut the tension. “Doesn’t matter now, you girls found me, and once we find those three and take them down, everything can get back to the way it was.”
Fluttershy smiled. “Yes, it will. When all this is over, maybe we can finally have a break from all of this chasing and fighting.”
“I sure hope that day comes soon…” Twilight replied, taking a deep breath.
Shadow patted her hoof with his own, earning him a smile from her too. He then looked up and around. “Did Discord leave already?”
Twilight nodded. “He did, said it was time for him to go see a friend.”
Shadow tilted his head. “Which friend?”
“He didn’t say,” Fluttershy answered for the princess. “Seemed like it was urgent though.”
After another few moments, Shadow turned and leaned up against the window again. “We’re here! Look, look!” He was ecstatic to see Ponyville again, looking like a little colt, he was so excited. Twilight and Fluttershy both shared the same, happy grins as they watched him get all riled up.
The Friendship Express began to slow down as it approached the station, all three ponies up and by the door. As soon as it opened, Shadow sprang out onto the platform, a huge smile on his face. He turned around quickly as his friends disembarked the train.
“Can we go see Starfall?” He asked, needing to see his fallen friend.
“Not quite yet,” Twilight said, reluctantly. “We need to stop by the castle first, make sure Trixie is doing alright. I’m sure she’ll want to see you again anyway, and from there we can all head on over to Ponyville General to check on him.”
Shadow was about to agree, but he stopped when his vision darkened slightly and for a fraction of a second before returning to normal. He halted mid-step as the happiness drained away from his face, his senses on full alert at the interruption.
Fluttershy looked over at him, tilting her head. “Shadow?” Hearing her clearly and as if nothing was wrong, he looked to her. “Is everything alright?”
He waited for a short moment, thinking maybe it was all just in his head. Upon feeling nothing else, he nodded. “Y-yeah, my stomach growled, guess I’m just hungrier than I thought.”
Twilight chuckled a bit as both Shadow and Fluttershy resumed following her. “We’ll get you something to eat along the way, don’t worry.”
During their walk towards the castle, Fluttershy advanced to Twilight’s side and the two began talking about the upcoming festival at the Crystal Empire. Shadow zoned out as he trailed behind them, ears erect and eyes strained. He listened for him… but there was no voice. His sight blurred, the shadows on the ground moving in his peripheral vision, only to lie still when he turned to them. His ears quivered as he heard sounds; inaudible noises that were similar to those of his visions he had months ago. It was all different though, weaker, and while they were alarming to him, there was little more effect than that.
Shadow was so caught up in these sounds and visual disruptions that he completely missed his name being spoken.
“Shadow?” Twilight tried again. The shadow pony heard it the second time, glancing up at her immediately. “You alright if we hold off on the food until we get there? Or do you want to get some now?”
He smiled to reassure them past him missing his name. “It’s alright, I can wait.”
Both mares smiled and faced forward again as they walked, leaving Shadow to his mental isolation again. He tried piecing together what this was… he thought he’d been purged of the darkness in his head.
“Shadow!” He heard his name being called with excessive joy and energy.
Shadow tensed up, recognizing the voice in a heartbeat. “Oh bo-”
He wasn’t even able to finish his sentence, being plowed into and embraced by the pink earth pony, hugging him with her deceptively powerful arms. “Oooooh, I’m sooo happy to see you again!”
Twilight and Fluttershy both spun around to see Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack all around Pinkie after she had tackled Shadow to the ground. As soon as Shadow got up, all four mares hugged him at once, putting a halt to his worries as he tried hugging them all back.
“Where did you go?!” Rainbow asked.
“Whatever happened to you, darling?!” Rarity added in.
“Have you gotten taller?” Pinkie asked, tilting her head. Everypony stopped and shared the same, confused look at Pinkie, who glanced around at all of them. “What? Hasn’t he?”
Applejack shook her head, chuckling a bit. “Glad to have ya back, partner.”
The four all released him at once, Twilight and Fluttershy joining them. “Glad to be back, girls.” He replied, smiling around at them all.
“Where’d ya find ‘em, Twilight?” Applejack asked, looking to the princess.
“Up in the Crystal Empire,” she answered, nodding to him. “Shadow here spent quite a long time in the Wilds before making his way up north.”
Rainbow flew up into the air, hovering over top of them. “So… why the Crystal Empire?”
Fluttershy then chimed in. “Turns out all he needed to do was go see the Crystal Heart, he’s better now.”
Shadow was happy Fluttershy didn’t look at him when she said that. In that moment, his vision darkened again, only this time it lasted longer, his pupils dilating for the moment. He closed his eyes and opened them up before anypony could notice. Everything was normal when he opened them, but whatever this was… it was getting worse.
“When did you all get here?” Twilight asked them.
“Just now, darling.” Rarity replied. “Did you just get back as well?”
Twilight nodded, and Pinkie zipped up to her in the blink of an eye. “Railroad sheep?” she asked with far too serious of a voice and expression.
“Railroad sheep.” The princess confirmed.
Pinkie spun around and shook her hoof to the sky. “CURSE YOU, SHEEP!” She then immediately spun back around with a wide smile. “Well, at least we all arrived around the same time!”
“Shadow!” came another voice. He turned again to see Starlight trotting up to them, Spike on her back. She hugged him, and Spike hopped down, hugging his leg. He returned the hugs, chuckling to himself.
Twilight smiled at seeing the reunion, waiting for them to separate. Spike was quick to turn his attention to Twilight. “Boy oh boy do we have some news for you!”
“Get in line, scales.” Rainbow said, landing beside Twilight. “Pinkie and I made the discovery of a lifetime. Twilight, you are not gonna believe-”
“Hold your horses, Rainbow.” AJ interrupted her. “Rarity and ah found somethin’ none of y’all are gonna believe!”
“Girls, girls!” Twilight announced, quieting them. “I would love to hear about it all, but first let’s go check on Trixie. You can tell me all about your adventures after we stop by and check on Starfall.”
There wasn’t a single complaint to that, everypony wanting to go see their friend at the hospital. Not far from the castle, they got there in just a few minutes, opening the doors and walking inside. Twilight was relieved to see the entrance hall was in one piece, not that she doubted Trixie’s ability to handle staying there alone for a few days… definitely not that.
“Trixie?” Starlight asked, her voice carrying. “You here?”
There were whispers off in some direction, but before it could be listened for more carefully, Trixie opened up the door to the throne room. “Starlight! Twilight! So good to see you’ve all returned.”
Both Twilight and Starlight could both tell something was up. They looked at Trixie with similar, deadpan stares. “Trixie?” Twilight asked calmly.
“Do you have something you want to tell us?” Starlight finished for her, the two of them expecting to hear about some kind of catastrophe she caused with her magic.
Trixie held a hoof up to her muzzle. “Whaaat? No, of course not!” The princess and her student raised one eyebrow in unison. Trixie waved them over. “Come on in!”
Everypony walked into the throne room, not bothering to take their seats since they were soon to go to Ponyville General. Derpy was in Rainbow’s throne, waving at them as she dawned her goofy grin.
“What’s this about, Trixie?” Starlight asked her, now more curious than judging.
Trixie trotted over to the other side of the throne room to draw their attention away from the door. “Well… the Great and Powerful Trixie just wanted to make sure the atmosphere was perfect.”
Just before Twilight could question the blue unicorn further, the sound of the slowly door opening echoed in her ears. She was the first to turn and watch Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo opening the doors. Time slowed, her eyes widened and her breath left her.
A dark gray furred pegasus stood there in an upright, noble posture. He had a fiery blue colored mane and tail, and his wings were tucked in as he looked upon the princess with a smile… his smile, the one she had been longing to see again. His dark purple eyes met hers, and the moment turned magical beyond all hope of measure.
Twilight’s eyes shimmered, her entire body trembling as she turned around to face him completely. Everypony else soon followed suite, each of them having their own excited, happy reactions, but the princess… hers was at a whole other level.
“S-Starfall…?” She gasped softly, her eyes tearing up slightly. It took her another moment to retain this, her body in near shock at the sight of him. It didn’t last long though, as she went into full gallop and collided with him, the two holding each other in a tight hug.
“Welcome home, Twilight.” He replied softly. Everypony in the room converged on the two, joining into a group hug. All except Shadow, who stood watching them with a silence about him that was without peer. Starfall glanced over at him. “You too, Shadow.”
The shadow pony broke free of this silence, joining the hug as he closed his eyes tight. As thought through before, he had gone all those months with the belief Starfall had died. Of all the pain he felt in those long nights alone, the memory of seeing his friend there, broken and still… that memory had hurt the most.
Twilight buried her head into Starfall’s embrace, her breath still coming to her in sharp bursts, and the tears still falling down her face. The pegasus looked to her, wiping those tears away with his hoof. She smiled deeply at him, a warm smile that made him feel stronger than ever as he held her there, in a group embrace with all his closest friends.
Mayor Mare had helped get the town involved in a celebration for the awakening of Starfall and Shadow’s return to Ponyville. The whole town was there, everypony wanting to see Shadow again as others who had not yet been to see Starfall did so with great joy.
Pinkie Pie added in her own flair, of course, making the party all the more lively. The halls of the castle were filled with ponies, all laughing and enjoying themselves. Vinyl Scratch and Octavia supplied the music, working in unison as their newest duet of classical and dub-step had begun its growing success all over Equestria. Trixie had her own little magic show set up in the entrance hall to offer, “Amazing and spectacular feats of magic beyond comprehension”, to put it the way she did.
The castle had not been so full since it first appeared after the defeat of Tirek. Even the Hearth’s Warming Eve parties there never got this large, since there were plenty of other celebration locations across Ponyville.
Shadow spent most all of his time walking around with Fluttershy, but he also kept the CMCs’ company as they darted around, having such a good time. Fluttershy was quiet for most of it, just remaining at the shadow pony’s side as nearly everypony stopped to welcome him back at least once. Occasionally she would spot his attention being drawn elsewhere. He would stop and glance in a direction, or his eyes would get a kind of paranoid look to them for a moment. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to realize she was watching him, and so she was able to recognize it happening consistently throughout the celebration.
Her curiosity was soon to get the better of her, once the two of them were generally out and away from the bulk of the castle guests.
“Shadow?” She asked him, being discrete. “You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”
The question blindsided Shadow, who looked at her as if she knew what was going on already. “Never.” He replied.
The two walked up the stairwell, to the second floor where there were far less ponies around. When they reached a spot where Fluttershy was confident they had their privacy, she turned to him. “I can tell when something is bothering you… please tell me.”
Shadow looked upon her, not wanting to say it, but knowing that it would do more harm than good to keep a secret from her. He sighed and lowered his head. “It’s coming back…”
Fluttershy went quiet for a moment or so, her hoof lifted slightly from off the floor. “The voice?” She asked, having been told about it at this point.
He shook his head. “No… the voice isn’t there… but the darkness is.”
“Oh, Shadow…” She could only manage to say.
“It’s weak,” He continued, looking back up at her. “But it’s getting stronger. I thought the Crystal Heart took it all away… I don’t understand…”
Fluttershy lifted her hoof up onto his shoulder, her voice quiet and calm. “We need to tell Twilight.”
Shadow had feared hearing those words, his eyes pleading to Fluttershy. “But she’s so happy… my return, Starfall waking up, all her friends back under the same roof… I can’t ruin that for her.”
“Shadow, this is too important.” She tried reasoning with him. “If the darkness is coming back, we need to fix it as soon as possible. Otherwise… it could take you away again-”
The shadow pony grabbed her hoof with his own, holding it tight. “Nothing is taking me from all of you anymore.” He said boldly, unable to bear leaving them a second time.
She smiled at hearing that. “I believe you. So trust in me, we need to tell her.”
Shadow paused, his gaze lowering to the floor. It took a moment, but his eyes met hers again, and he nodded.
“So… when should we tell Twilight?” Rainbow asked, in a circle with Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie. “Should we wait till after the party?”
“Ah don’t see us havin’ much of a choice, Rainbow.” AJ replied, looking to the other two. “What do y’all think?”
Pinkie looked back at her saddlebag for a moment before returning to them. “I can hang onto the book for a while, it’s not like she has to read it right away, right?”
Rarity looked at the bag as well. “What is this book, again?”
“We found it in an ancient-looking temple!” Rainbow explained again, still stoked about going on her own little Daring Do adventure. “It was so cool! It was on a pedestal in an underground chamber full of glowing crystals!”
“Oh yeah?” AJ chuckled, knowing her and Rarity’s news would make Rainbow lose her mind. “Ah bet we can top that.”
Rainbow scoffed. “Ha! Doubt it!”
Just then, Spike walked up to the group. “Heya ladies, Whatcha talking about?”
Pinkie Pie hopped up and down a few times. “We all found super-duper amazing stuff during our searches! Twilight’s gonna love it! It is totally gonna freak her frizz!”
“Yeah?” Spike managed a cackle. “Ten bits says she’s gonna love what Starlight and I found even more.”
Rainbow hovered over his head, leaning down with a confident smirk. “Oh yeah? What makes you so confident, squirt?”
Spike had such a smug look on his face. “I’ll let the discovery speak for itself.”
“You’re on, little guy!” Rainbow replied, hoof bumping the baby dragon. “Just don’t be too surprised when she forgets about whatever it is you found and focuses more on our awesome book.”
“Hehe,” Spike chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”
Rarity rolled her eyes as the two made their bet. He then got to looking around, turning a bit as she scanned the faces of the ponies around them. “Has anypony seen Twilight recently?”
Twilight sat on the edge of her balcony, leaning on the railing as she watched all the lights glowing in the chambers below. Her eyes lifted from the sight of the castle to the horizon. The sun had just set, and night began to fall across Equestria as Luna raised the moon.
Starfall watched her from inside the room, his head tilted slightly. Standing upright, he walked over to her side and sat down, sharing the view with her. “Princesses sure do love their balconies, don’t they?”
Twilight chuckled a bit, shaking her head as she looked at him. “I suppose we do.” The two looked into each other’s eyes for a few moments before the princess returned her gaze to the land beyond. Silence fell between them as the two ponies watched Luna’s beautiful night conquer the sky. “I really missed you.” She said softly.
His gaze lowered a bit, and he glanced over to her. “I know.” She slowly turned to him, her eyes asking the question for her. “It is a strange thing… being asleep for all that time. It didn’t feel like 2 months… but I could’ve guessed I’ve been out for a while.” He replied, smiling at her. “My memories of it are faint, but I remember hearing your voice.”
Her eyes widened a little at hearing him say that. She had read about ponies waking from comas and recalling sounds from around them, but she had never personally looked into it for validity before.
“It wasn’t much,” He continued, his wings shuffling a bit on his back. “But one thing I do remember is hearing you say how much you missed me.”
Twilight took in a quick breath. “I… may have said it a few times…”
“A few?” He asked, smirking at her.
She managed a sheepish smile back at him. “Felt like a hundred.”
He chuckled a little. “Sounded like a thousand.”
She playfully pushed at his shoulder, immediately recoiling from doing so. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I didn-”
“Hey, hey, it’s alright.” He laughed lightly. “I don’t know what kind of condition I was in when I went down, but I’m better now.”
Twilight then smirked. “Oh, well then good.” She then shoved him, making him lose his balance and fall down on the floor.
Starfall chuckled again, shaking his head as he sat up. “How very princess-like of you.”
She laughed lightly as he returned to her side. She lifted her hoof up to where his bandages had been, feeling his fur. “They don’t hurt anymore?” She asked, her seriousness coming back in a moment of vulnerability.
“A little sore,” he replied, then shaking his head. “But not too bad.”
Feeling his fur, seeing his wings and legs all healed, it got to her. She suddenly hugged him again, much like she had a few hours before upon seeing him again. It caught him by surprise, and so he just held her.
“I don’t think I’ve thanked you yet.” She said quietly.
His eyebrows furrowed for a moment as he looked down at her. “Thanked me for what?”
She looked up at him, her eyes on the verge of tears again. “You thought you were going to die, didn’t you?”
The vulnerability struck him as well, remembering the light, the heat, and then nothing. Slowly, he nodded. “To protect you… yes.”
Moments like these are ones never forgotten. Rare moments when something happens that you carry with you for the rest of your life, see in your dreams, and hope to feel again and again until the end of your days. Princess Twilight, in the embrace of her royal guard, lifted her head to his and lightly kissed his cheek.
Starfall’s face reddened, blushing darkly as his princess returned down into their embrace, burying her head into his shoulder once again. He was locked in a soundless void for the few moments that followed. All he could do was hold her there, a look of sheer bewilderment on his face. He looked down at her, smiled softly, and lifted his gaze to meet the rising moon in the distance.
They stayed there for a few minutes, the two of them knowing this was how they had both wanted their Grand Galloping Gala night to end. When it passed and finally they felt like they had their magical dance finished the way it should’ve been, the two of them returned into the room, heading down to rejoin their friends at the party.
Spotting Starlight in the crowd of ponies watching Trixie’s magic show, the two of them joined her in the small audience.
“Fillies and gentlecolts!” The blue unicorn announced, reeling up on her hind legs. “Prepare yourselves for the most jaw-dropping, spectacular, and amazing magic show in all of Equestria!” Small bursts of fireworks appeared behind her as smoke and explosions rattled the stage around her.
Starlight smirked and shook her head. “Yep, that’s my Trixie alright.”
“Hey Starlight,” Twilight said, grabbing her friend’s attention. “Are you enjoying the party?”
“I am, actually.” She replied, nodding to Starfall, who nodded in return. “The girls and I have a few surprises for you after the party’s over. We may not have found Stormclaw or Chrysalis, but I know Spike and I found something that will be of interest to you.”
Twilight smiled. “Well then, I look forward to hearing all about it.” She looked around for another moment. “Speaking of the girls, do you know where they are?”
“Oh, they’re around, I think I saw them over near the dining hall.” Starlight said, pointing her hoof down the adjacent hall.
“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, standing just behind the princess with Shadow beside her.
Twilight turned around. “Fluttershy, Shadow, are you-” She stopped when she saw the look in the shy pegasus’ eyes, the look of something that is wrong.
“Can we talk in the throne room?” Fluttershy asked.
“Of course.” Twilight replied, Starfall and Starlight following them as they made their way to the Cute Map in the throne room.
Once the doors were closed and they were sure they had their privacy, Fluttershy looked to Shadow, who stepped forward. “The Crystal Heart… it didn’t work.” He shook his head, lowering it a bit. “The darkness is still inside me.”
Twilight didn’t look overly surprised. “I think I figured that out before we left the empire.”
Everypony in the room looked at the princess, confused by this. “Y-you what?” Shadow asked, still trying to process that.
“Shadow, you had to have seen it too.” Twilight continued, shaking her head. “Whatever this force is that’s tormenting you, it cursed Discord by him just looking into your mind. It created a magical imbalance every time you had one of your visions. Merely hearing your name started a massive, magic storm over you wherever you went.” She looked at him, knowing he would understand the more he thought about it. “This power inside you… I can’t imagine it could be so easily purged.”
“Why didn’t you saw something, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, feeling her worry build up again.
The princess turned to her friend. “I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to be wrong and see that it worked… that’s why I called everypony back early.” She looked to Shadow. “I wanted them to be here to welcome you home, but more importantly, I wanted us all to be together because in the past, we’ve been the only ones capable of helping you. When we came together and called to you that night at Neighagra Falls, you heard us and woke up.” She lifted her hoof up onto Shadow’s shoulder. “I needed you to know, even if the darkness came back, that we are all here for you. Your friends are here for you, Shadow.”
Shadow took a deep breath, closing his eyes. She was right, it was too easy. To think all he had to do was see the Crystal Heart and this nightmare would end? Only a fool could be so naïve. Opening his eyes, he nodded to her. “You girls mean everything to me… you’re all I need.”
Twilight smiled and hugged him, who hugged her back. Fluttershy felt her own lips curve into a smile as she saw he still had hope and was clinging to it best he could. Starlight looked to Starfall, who returned the look, the both of them smiling as well.
Once the shadow pony and the princess separated, she trotted over to the Cutie Map. Using her magic, she lifted a scroll and quill up onto it, looking to Starfall. “Could you bring Spike to me? I have a letter I need him to send.”
Starfall nodded. “Right away.” He trotted to the door and walked out, closing it behind him.
“Who’s the letter to, Twilight?” Starlight asked, walking up to her side.
“Cadence.” She answered, starting to write her message. “If the Crystal Heart was able to suppress the darkness inside of you, Shadow, maybe she will know a way to do it again. And hopefully for a longer period of time.”
Dear Cadence,
I know you must be wondering why I am writing to you so soon. There is great news, Starfall was woken up! I arrived just earlier today and found him waiting for me, it’s been a long time since I felt so happy. Unfortunately, I have grim news as well. While the Crystal Heart seemed to have helped Shadow, the effect is already beginning to wear off. I expected the effect to be temporary, but I had no idea it would happen this quickly. You know more about the Crystal Heart than anypony else I know, is there anything you can think of that could help Shadow? Although his symptoms seem to be weaker than before, I fear they are only getting stronger. Please Cadence, he needs a normal life, we have to find a way to give it to him.
Twilight
Just as she finished writing it, Starfall returned through the door with Spike at his side. “To Princes Luna?” He guessed, reaching Twilight’s side.
She shook her head. “The Crystal Empire, to Cadence.”
Spike took hold of the scroll and held it up, breathing his green flames onto it as it transformed into smoke and disappeared from their eyes. “There, it’s on its way.”
Twilight turned, feeling a little anxious now. “Oooh, I hope she replies soon…”
Spike’s cheeks puffed up and he burped out green flames, a scroll appearing from the smoke and falling to the floor.
Twilight perked up and spun around. “Whoa… I didn’t realize she could reply that soon.”
Spike reached down and picked the scroll up, seeing the emblem engraved on it. “It’s from Canterlot.”
“A letter from Luna?” Twilight recoiled, using her magic to take hold of and open the letter, reading it.
Dear Twilight,
I have heard word that Starfall has awakened, and for that I am very glad, but there is a matter of great importance that all the princesses of Equestria must know. Please come to Canterlot at once, and bring your friends, what I have to say may come as a shock, but it is something that must be done. Make haste, we will be waiting for you.
Princess Celestia
“Princess Celestia?” Twilight reread the name.
Starlight looked at the letter, reading it over. “She must be back from her search, perhaps she found them?”
Knowing that Starlight, Spike, and Starfall didn’t know, Twilight looked to Fluttershy, who nodded. The princess turned to her student. “She wasn’t searching for them.”
Starfall tilted his head, having been told that Luna informed them of Celestia’s solo search. “Then… who was she searching for all that time?”
Twilight looked to her royal guard, and then around at the rest of them. “I imagine we’ll find out when we get there. Go get the girls, we need to leave at once.”