//------------------------------// // Voice in the void! // Story: Fate's Shadow! // by Shadow_lulamoon //------------------------------// The empty blackness surrounded Trixie enveloping her in its cold embrace. The young woman cried out in fear. "Shadow, where are you? This place... is... so... dark..." "Trixie...Trixie...Trixie..." said a voice from the darkness. "Who are you?" asked the panicked girl. "I am Trixie!" "What do you mean?" A faint violet hue flared up before the young woman's eyes causing her to flinch at the sudden light source. A transparent form began to take shape, mirroring the young woman. Pin pricks of fear ran up her spine as Trixie starred up at her own unnatural smiling face. Trixie quickly closed her eyes trying to forget the ghost. "Shady please help me!" whimpered the elder twin. "Trixie remember what happened," said the apparition with a flourish of her hands, images of the twin's last interaction played like a movie. The young woman slowly opened her eyes and watched as the scenes unfolded. The harsh words, raw emotions, the accident and finally the pool of blood. After each progressive image Trixie felt a little piece of herself break. Unwavering the ghost Trixie continued. "Trixie helps Shadow and he is ungrateful and unappreciative. He insults, belittles, yells, and hurts. When Trixie is injured, and bleeding where is Shadow?" Tears begin to flow as black tendrils reach out. "He is nowhere to be seen. If he really cared about Trixie, he would be by her side, but he is not." The young woman is wrapped in anguish, unable to move. The tendrils begin to encompass her. The voice began to soften "The only one who can save Trixie is herself." "Yes!" came the choked reply. The tendrils consumed the elder twin. "Trixie will show Shadow." "Yes!" came another reply this time with more resolve. The blackness begins to glow a dull violet. "Trixie will punish Shadow." "Yes," a third, angrier response. The aura brightens more. "Trixie will rule." Without a word the violet flares. "You... are... mine..." ******************** "Unbelievable! I give you two one task go to school and don't screw up. I give you everything and this is how you both repay me? One of you skips school and ruins his life to play games. The other can't do anything right, always causes trouble for those around her and is now lying unconscious on a gurney," said Mother shouting at Shadow. In the principal’s office of Canterlot High, Sunset Shimmer stood clenching her fists next to Shadow who just stared emotionless, into space while his mom carried on. "I can see why the siblings are so dysfunctional now," thought Sunset bitterly. "Mrs. Lulamoon please settle down there are other students who are learning," said Celestia interjecting. "Ahem! Sorry Principal Celestia I got I little overzealous," said Shadow's mother clearing her throat. "That was overzealous?" muttered Sunset. Shadow's mother turned to the young woman scowling. "Who might you be little girl?" "My name is Sunset Shimmer Mrs. Lulamoon," said the young woman glaring at the older woman. "You’re not part of my family. So why are you even here?" "I am a friend of Trixie and Shadow. I was also the first one on the scene of the accident." Shadow's composure faltered just a bit at Sunset's words. "While I do appreciate your assistance with my clumsy daughter your presence here is no longer needed," said Mrs Lulamoon dismissing Sunset with a wave of her left hand. The older woman's arrogance was starting to grate on Sunset. "With all due respect ma’am, I can't leave because I am Shadow's moral support." "Moral support don't make me laugh. I can tell by the way you are dressed that you’re probably a bad influence on my misguided children. In fact, I believe you are the one who has been influencing my son to skip school," replied Shadow's mom with a haughty expression. "Grrrrrr... you... " Sunset clenched her fists, contemplating about punching the snooty old hag but was held back when Shadow held her back gripping the young woman's left are with his right hand. "She is not worth it Sunshim?" said Shadow as he released Sunset and turned to exit the office. The room fell silent at the young man's words. All those present stood in bewilderment. "Where are you going young man," spat the angry mother. "To go see my sister and get away from you!" Shadow spat back. "No, you’re not you will stay in school and further your education. Besides you have caused your sister enough problems and I have already made it quite clear to the doctors at the hospital that Trixie is not to be disturbed by anyone." The words sank deep piercing Shadow like sword, causing his blood to boil. "You arrogant old witch," roared Shadow ready to lunge. This time it was Sunset's turn to stop him as she clutched the young man's arm pulling him towards the door and finally shoving him out. "For someone who cares about her children shouldn't you be by your daughter's side instead of berating you son about petty things," said Sunset venomously as she slammed the principal's office door behind her. Sunset grabbed Shadow's hand and sternly said, "come on." Had this been a different set of circumstances Shadow would have died from panic overload at the thought of a girl holding his hand. ******************** Out in the parking lot Sunset tossed Shadow a red helmet with a visor "here!" "what is this for?" "For your protection of course." "Grrrr... you are starting to sound like my sister." "I am a bad influence remember." "Whatever!" Sunset placed a black helmet on her head and just smiled at the disgruntled young man. "Just get on." The young woman straddled a black motorcycle, nodding to the spot behind her. Shadow followed her example and sat. "Hold on tight Shady." ******************** It was dusk by the time the motorcycle zoomed into the hospital parking lot. The pair placed the helmets on the bike and walked to the entrance. "Well now I know where Trixie learned to drive." "What do you mean?" asked Sunset. "You're both terrible at it," said Shadow with a slight smile. "Did he just tell a joke?" wondered Sunset. "Shut up," said Sunset lightly punching him in the arm. "Can I ask you something?" asked Shadow. "Sure." "Did you mean what you said earlier?" "About what?" "The... friend... thing?" said Shadow turning away from the red head trying to hide his embarrassment. "Yes!" "But you don't even know me!" " Trust me after all we have been through today, I know you well enough to consider you a friend." "If you say so." "Come on lets head in before they close this place" said the smiling red head nodding to the hospital.