//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: Shadow Pony 
// by Pearly_Glider 
//------------------------------//

Applejack trotted off the train and made her way to the Canterlot Castle. She had no real idea of what had happened just a few hours before in the Ponyville Library but knew that the princess would know. As soon as she was off the train platform she ran up the streets toward the castle. When she left Ponyville she didn’t tell anypony but Rarity, who had convinced her that she needed to stay and keep an eye on everything. At first, she thought it was a good idea to have Rarity with her, to help her along the rough road ahead, but it was obvious that she was upset and needed time to process all that had happened.
The castle was within sight now, she ran faster and faster to where she needed to be. She stopped at the front gate and admired how much protection there was. A guard walked up to her, his dark blue mane showed through his armor and looked to be troubled about something.
“Excuse me, sir, my name is-”
“I know who you are.” He stated, his brows relaxing. “Your Applejack, the Element of Honesty.”
She straightened up and said, “I’m here to-”
“Talk with Princess Celestia?” The pegasus inquired moving closer to the light orange mare. “I’m sure she’s in the palace with her sister. They’ve been there all day listening to decrees and such. I can escort you if you wish?” The stallion put a hoof out, signifying for her to walk with him.
“Thank you sir, but I know the way.”
“No problem.” He smiled and moved back to his post and Aj sprinted down the familiar halls of the palace. She remembered how just a few months ago this place was ridden with changelings. She shuddered slightly but maintained her pace, the same as when she are her friends sought out the Elements of Harmony.
In a matter of seconds, she burst through the doors and skidded to a stop that lasted halfway across the room. Two ponies who looked to be from Appaloosa turned in shock.
“Why hast thou entered our domain?” Luna bellowed as she eyed Applejack in suspicion. Celestia moved her hoof in front of Luna in attempt to silence her.
“Calm down Luna,” Celestia chuckled, “this pony is the bearer of the Element of honesty.” Celestia cleared her throat and increased her volume. “Apple Tart and Bright Orange, please excuse us for a moment.” The two earth ponies trotted out the door. As soon as she knew they were gone she spoke. “Applejack what an unexpected surprise. Is something wrong?” She asked as she stepped from her throne and moved closer to Aj, who bowed.
“I’m sorry for the interruption Princesses.” She began, bowing her head. “I am here to report a great evil that has risen in Ponyville and has harmed Twilight Sparkle.”
“What has happened Applejack?” Luna asked, taking up for her sister. Celestia still sat absolutely still as Applejack told her all that had happened in the library, and only flinched with the mention of an exact replica of Twilight.
“This creature is not like the changelings,” Aj told the princesses. “It was as if it didn’t care if it was discovered.”
“How do you know?” Celestia meekly asked, still motionless. The thought of her student being hurt was absolutely unbearable.
Luna put her hoof at Celestia’s side. “Do explain Applejack.”
“I saw Twi by the door.” She explained. “She looked hurt and told me to come here.” Luna inspected her sister carefully, for she had only seen her like this once before when she herself showed signs of becoming Evil. “I told Rarity what was going on, but thought it best for her to stay in Ponyville and keep an eye on things.”
“Celestia, what dost thou suspect is happening?” Luna asked in a low whisper.
“Applejack,” Celestia said, looking up at the pony. “I need you to do something for me.”
“Yes’m. What would that be.”
“I need you to go to the Royal Catacombs.” Luna looked at her sister in shock. Not once did Celestia let a pony down there, not even herself. She knew that whatever this was, it wasn’t good.
“Sister, are you sure this is necessary?” Luna asked. Celestia looked at Luna with a stern expression.
“I’m afraid so Luna, whatever this is only Applejack will be able to identify it. I don’t think there is much we can do right now.”  She turned back to the pony who was still stunned. “Applejack were there any events that happened before this?”
“I reckon so,” she rubbed the back of her head. “But I don’t think that would have anything to do with this kind of matter.”
“Please my little pony, share.”
“Well, Mrs. Cake’s sister came to Ponyville-”
“With a foal.” Celestia shook her head and turned to Applejack. “Young pony I have a favor to ask of you, but I must tell you in advance. This is not going to be pleasant.”
“I’ll do anything to serve you and Equestria and your Highness,” AJ said eyes wide. "I will do anything to serve you and Equestria, your highness. Even if it means I have to crawl through the sewers of Appaloosa." AJ said noticing Luna's amused gaze at Celestia.
"It's good for you to say that," Celestia said, turning back to her throne. "Have you heard of the Canterlot Archives that stands beneath the castle?"
"You mean that fancy library that Twilight complains you won't ever let her see?" At this Luna chuckled. Her elder sister didn't even let her down there because of the history it holds. Of course, she knew there were other reasons.
"That is correct. Now listen carefully. I need you to go down there and look at only one book. It is in section 3.82 of sector A. There you will have to look at a few of Starswirl's journals to find the source of the issue. I remember him talking about a creature you are describing, but have never asked him, thinking he solved it." She sighed at the last statement.
"Why sure Ma'am, but why exactly is this accurate to this situation?"
"Because there is a great evil that lurks inside Ponyville. Something worse than the Candy Mare that used to terrorize Equestria many years ago." Applejack was taken aback by this new found information. For many years she had been told this old pony's tale and even told it to her younger sister to get her to behave.
"The candy mare? But I thought she was just an-"
"Old Pony's tail? I'm afraid that is not the case. With this meeting, I'm afraid you will find out a lot of the campfire stories you and your friends have told are in fact true. Starswirl, Luna, and I have put a lot of bad ponies in their place over the years."
"Wait, does this include Rarity's hubbub stories about mares with killer hair?" This caused Celestia to miss a step to her throne from amusement.
"I'm afraid so, but it never got as bad as some of the stories claim," Luna said taking her sister's place in the explanation.
"I will have a royal guard escort you to the Archives. I need you to read Starswirl the Bearded's journal, and no other books. I'm afraid that if you read any other you will read something that will put is in even more danger," Celestia sighed at this, remembering how many ponies were lost over the years due to some of those books. One of them, costing her younger sister for a thousand years. 
"Celestia? Is everything alright?" Luna asked putting her hoof upon her sister's shoulder.
"Yes Luna, I'm sorry," she whispered to her sister. She then cleared her throat and looked back to the pony of the hour. "Young Applejack, I will warn you now. The journey ahead will be dangerous and may cause all memories of Equestria's memories of this to disappear or be altered.” Applejack did not falter at all, to Luna’s surprise, she simply nodded. “Very well. I wish you luck my little pony." She lifted her head, "Strong Arm!” Celestia shouted down the throne room. Within seconds the pony that had greeted Applejack when she arrived came running through the doors.
He bowed to the royals present. “Yes, your majesty.”
“We need thou to taketh the orange earth mare to the Canterlot Archives beneath the castle.” Luna demanded in her “royal voice”. She still wasn’t completely adjusted to the present day ponies of Equestria.
“And I need you to pack her enough food for about a week. I’m afraid time will pass quite quickly down there. I would accompany you, but my sister and I have to keep an eye from above.”
“I understand your highness,” Applejack replied.  I only wish Twi could be here to help. Applejack slumped down a little at the memories that decided to take that very moment to replay in her mind.
“Your Highness, if it doesn't interfere with the current situation, may I accompany this mare on her journey?” The guard asked still bowing.
“I’m afraid not, this is too dangerous to risk another pony’s safety. I do wish you make haste on packing and escorting Applejack.” Luna looked at Celestia with a puzzled look, never did she once see her reject a pony’s request without thought. Maybe it has something to do with the timing? She thought to herself.
“Yes, ma’am.” The pegasus answered. “I will start preparations immediately.”



Hours had passed and Civil Duty was getting worried. He hadn't heard about how Pinkie was doing and hoped that Pony Ville's party pony was alright. Pearly had to leave the hospital for a family issue, and a quiet colt took her place. He didn't like him much and just ignored him.  He picked up one of the hospital's old magazines and read an interesting short story. Minutes passed and Sweet Heart came through the doors and began to walk to him. 
"Are you the one who brought Ms. Pie in?" She asked with a clipboard by her side. 
"Yes, ma'am. Is she alright?"
"I'm afraid we have no idea why she is having spasms in her back. We thought of your rock theory and did some X-rays but nothing we found can be caused by a rock, even if it were the size of a house."
"Then what is it?"
"The doctors think this is an act of some dark magic, but are not sure. They are sending her to Canterlot in the morning for better tests and we need somepony to tell Mr. and Mrs. Cake of what has happened" She looked at him, indicating that that was his job.
"May I see her?" He asked.
"No, she is in quarantine until further notice. I know that this will not help much, but what the doctors presume is correct then she may not be able to return to her past self for a long while." 
"I understand. Please call me if there are any updates."
"Yes sir, have a good night."
"You as well." He then teleported back to the police station. He was glad to find it just the way as he left it and called out to his volunteer.
"Ms. Dash, are there any updates on Velvet's missing colt case."
"Yes sir, she got the forms competed about an hour ago and went back to the Cake's about ten minutes ago at my insistence." Rainbow was behind the front desk organizing some papers. Civil Duty sighted and sat in his favorite rolly chair in the office. "Is Pinkie ok?" Rainbow asked anxiously.
"They think that the cause of her spasms and passing out was an effect of some dark magic, and is being sent to Canterlot tomorrow for further tests."
"Oh great, is there anything I can do?" Rainbow asked awaiting a task.
"Yeah, you can tell Mr. and Mrs. Cake all that has happened and tell them that she cannot have visitors until further notice." Rainbow's face fell on that last statement. 
"Yes sir," she put away the last of the paperwork and left. Leaving Civil Duty alone with his thoughts. 




“Fluttershy?” A country stallion called from under the trees. “What’re you out at this time of night?” Fluttershy stopped where she was and looked to where she heard the voice.
“Big Mac?” Flew down to his level and hid behind her main. “I was returning this little one to his family.” She held out the colt so he could look.
"Is that the young colt from Manehattan?"
"Yes, I found him running past the Everfree."
"I'm right here you know!" Bundt cried. Fluttershy hushed him.
"Well, do you need somepony to walk with you?" He asked, "This is no time for a mare such as yourself to be wondering about." 
Bundt pulled at Fluttershy and shook his head. This pony reminded him of someone but wasn't exactly sure. Another animal's cry came from the forest but sounded closer than ever.
"I'm sorry, but you need to get home Big Mac. I think that may be an Ursa and I don't want to see you get hurt."
He chuckled at her statement. "Fluttershy, I've dealt with worse. Now please, let me come along."
"I have to decline once more, now please I have to get Bundt home." Fluttershy began to fly, but something she heard something that made her fur stand up. When she looked back and found that Big Mac wasn't there anymore, instead stood a black mass that was laughing uncontrollably. "W-what?" 
"Henry? What are you doing here?" The pony's head turned unnaturally toward to young colt, continuing to laugh. Fluttershy looked down at Bundt in surprise.
"You know that thing?" She asked shaking. 
"Hey, don't call him that. He's my best friend." Bundt jumped out of Fluttershy's hooves and ran toward him. He ignored Fluttershy's cries and hugged him. "Henry I missed you," he began to sniffle. Fluttershy stood there in pure horror as the monster smiled at her and hugged the young colt.
"Why didn't you try to find me," Henry asked. "I thought that was how you played Hide and Seek?" 
"Bundt, get away from it! NOW!" Fluttershy yelled. Henry's smile grew larger and larger until his razor-sharp teeth were exposed. 
"You went into the forest, and something chased me. I was so scared." 
"It's alright little one, I'm sorry." Henry's eyes didn't leave the yellow pegasus as he hugged the colt tighter and tighter. 
"Henry, stop." Bundt choked, "You're hurting me." Henry began to laugh once again and continued squeezed him causing Bundt's small joints to pop with a horrifying sound. She yelled at him to stop but was only met with laughter. Then, something strange happened. A large stick came out of nowhere and hit the assailant right in the back. Causing him to scream and drop the little colt. 
"Fluttershy, Run!" Yelled Big Mac, the real one this time. Without thinking, Fluttershy ran, picked Bundt up, and flew as fast as her wings could carry her. She could now see Pony Ville, it was just a few mile away. She pushed her small body as hard as she could as adrenaline filled her veins. She glanced behind her and was horrified by the sight she saw. 
A large cloud of black was at least twenty feet from their tail, she swooped down toward the trees thinking that the thing couldn't catch them with the many twists and turns. Unlike the monster, she knew the trees of Sweet Apple Acers like the back of her hoof and tried used it to her advantage. She looked down at the small form in her hooves, happy to know that he was still breathing and just unconscious. A clearing was up ahead and looked back, she could no longer see the cloud but didn't falter. She knew that it would be close soon, so she tried her best to fly faster, but her adrenaline was running low. Come on Flutters, you can do this. This little one needs your help 





“T-T-Twilight?” He choked. “I-I.” He tried to breathe but it was too hard for him. He did the only thing he thought of to comfort the mare who raised him from an egg. He wrapped his claws around her and hugged her as tight as he could manage. Twilight returned the hug for some time. Then, his whole body relaxed. Spike, her number one assistant, was gone.
“No.” She cried. “NO!” 
Twilight sat in her library, holding her assistant in her arms. Hours had passed, and Celestia's sun was coming up in the distance but she didn't notice. She didn't realize anything right now except that the baby dragon she raised was gone. She got up, holding the still form in her hooves as she levitated a pen and parchment to her. She then did the only thing that she knew she could, write a letter to the Princess. She sobbed as she read aloud what she was writing. 
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I have some devastating news." Twilight paused at this and sobbed. "I-I failed. Last night, Spike and I were assaulted in the library coming home from a party of Pinkie's. S-s-spike's dead. I couldn't save him, I failed him. I don't know what to do." She collapsed onto the floor, the fatigue finally taking over. She cuddled up to her dragon and passed out, not noticing the letter that fell by her head a few moments later.