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// The Obligatory Villain Monologue 
// Story: The Fabrication in The Shadows 
// by RainbowSparkle3 
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I stared in utter disbelief at Shadow, and I saw that Twilight was shocked too. “I-,” I started saying. “I can’t believe you’re the criminal! You were so heroic when I met you, and silly, and you just gave off a positive vibe. What happened to you?”
Shadow had been standing relaxedly with a cool, calm expression on his face. However, as soon as I said that, his eyes suddenly blazed with hatred and his whole face seethed with extreme fury as years of pain seemed to flash before his eyes. Then, he spat, “I’m not the bad guy here. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to bring you here.”
“Okay?” I said in confusion. “Why?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Do you know how much I went through after what you did? Because you were too cruel to care at all? My life was ruined!” He started emitting heat from his body, and me and Twilight backed away.
“Actually,” I said, after considering his words for awhile. “I think I do. My life kinda sucked for a long time, and at the moment, it sucks too.” I prepared myself for what I was about to say, after wanting to say it for so long. First, I took a deep breath. Then, I said, “But still, I know what I did was horrible, and I am truly sorry. I’ve completely changed since then, but it doesn’t excuse my past actions. I know I can’t make it up to you, but I’m asking you to please forgive me. If there is anything you think I can do to atone for my awful sins, tell me.” During my apology, I had collapsed onto my knees and lowered my head in shame.
Shadow again did a complete 180 and started cackling, to my confusion. I had been sincere. I got my answer soon enough. “Do you really think that a few nice words are gonna make me feel all better!? I know all about your little problems, Sunset Shimmer. But that’s nothing compared to how I felt when you beat me half to death!” 
He too lowered his head and he began a speech. “Ever since I moved away because of that traumatic experience I had with you, my dream of becoming a great magician was simply crushed. Whenever I dueled with or sparred someone, I had a flashback to the terrible pummeling I’d received because of one simple remark, and I got distracted and lost!" He said that last bit in an overly cheerful voice and then gave a little manic giggle and I backed away a bit more. "Soon, I knew I could never continue pursuing my dream until I faced you once again and got over my trauma. I trained so hard for so long, constantly learning new spells, training my stamina, and fighting mock battles in my head.”
Before he could continue, I interrupted him. “Um, you do realize that monologuing is the easiest way to get defeated, right? I don’t mean to stop you from telling us about your epic backstory, but it might not be the smartest move. For one, you’re giving us a lot of intel, and you’re also leaving yourself open to an attack.”
Shadow put his hands behind his back, smiled, and said, “Sunset Shimmer, I have watched you for a long time now, gathering information to use against you, and I know you, as well as Twilight, are not the type to be rude like that and charge me while I’m talking. As for the contents of this “monologuing,” I wish for you to know everything! So that I may have the satisfaction of seeing you helpless to stop me even if you are aware of the full details of my plan.”
Wow, I thought. How can he think he’s not being evil? That’s some really evil stuff. At least he's kept some of his old silliness. I mean seriously, a monologue? Pure black clothing? And the way he talks is so villain-like. I sure hope this won’t be turned into a story, otherwise, he’ll be a terribly cliche and edgy villain.
I snapped back to reality when Shadow continued his monologue. “Eventually, I discovered that you had supposedly turned good and had a friend named Twilight. I thought of something even better than defeating you in battle. If I could separate you two before ending you, it would make my revenge all the sweeter!”
I was somewhat surprised by the sudden revelation that he was going to kill me, but it made sense, with how dark he seemed now. I also realized that he had unintentionally shifted his goal from getting over this trauma to getting his revenge, but I didn’t bother commenting on it. “Originally, I wasn’t going to get rid of you once and for all, but after I found out that you’d gotten away with so many bad things, and tricked most people into forgiving you, I knew it wasn’t enough. Otherwise, you could go on living a happy-go-lucky life. That all lead to this. I’ve been spying on you, as well as other key players in my plan for months, and hatched a plan to bring you two to me.”
I was curious now. I wondered how he'd planned all that out. “As you may have figured out by now, I’m the one who started the rumour which has turned your life upside down. Obviously, I injured the elite guards who reported me, and before I let them go, I made sure to tell them that I started the little rumour. You may be wondering how I fought them without being reminded of you, but my motivation was strong and allowed me to do many amazing things.”
I wondered why he didn’t just decide to give up then, since the reason he wanted vengeance was no longer a reason, but then I realized that he was too revenge driven at that point to stop. “Then, the elite guards I attacked would tell your Boss about me, and the information about the rumour. Power Boss was one of those people who would play a big part in my plan, and I figured that he would be subtle about the information regarding me. In essence, I knew he wouldn’t tell you outright that I had started the rumour, but he would still push you to go on the mission.” 
I was actually kind of impressed. I looked over to Twilight, and she seemed impressed too. That was some pretty damn accurate people reading. “I also knew that you would want to escape from your worries, and go on this mission. Of course, your Boss realized that your girlfriend would want to assist you if she knew, so he’d recommend you both go. I was almost sure already that my plan would go off without a hitch, but to be certain, I used a special spell which would allow me to tell me how people would react to certain situations, and all my predictions, as I expected, were correct.” Again, he was right, to my surprise. Notwithstanding the spell.
He smirked, a dark look in his eyes. “Next comes the fun part. Or at least, to me. I will summon a volcano, and throw your beloved Twilight into it. Then, I shall kill you.” I thought that was the complete truth, but it turns out he had left a little something out, probably because that was the one thing which could be affected if he’d told us. 
I was horrified. I knew he was evil, but I didn't realize he was that evil. He finished his speech, declaring, “Then, I shall finally be able to move on in my life, and be satisfied, knowing that I’d destroyed such an evil person inside and out.”
He was a fool. Shadow was a fool, or he was lying to himself. He'd never be able to return to the pure, innocent boy he had once been after doing something as horrifying as that, and all the change he’d went through in general. I pretty easily realized that he wasn’t someone worth apologizing to anymore if he’d go to such extreme measures. I felt bad for him, but nowhere near as much as I did before. I did still wonder if there was a chance for him to be saved, though.
“Um, Shadow?” I was startled and looked over to Twilight. She looked a little shaken. “I know you think that you have to do this, but you don’t. You have a chance to redeem yourself. Don’t let your anger blind you. Look deep inside yourself, and ask if you truly think this is the right thing to do.”
Shadow did seem conflicted for a few moments, but it didn't last long. Twilight just hadn’t said enough. “It is. Sunset Shimmer has caused so much pain to the world, and she must be punished. I am sorry about getting you involved, but it’s necessary.” Twilight’s head lowered. 
My confidence in redeeming him was diminished by this, and I sighed, thinking, That’s too bad. Of course, I wasn’t just about to let him kill me and Twilight, and I looked over at her. She saw this, and she turned her head sideways. I nodded, and we both knew what that meant.