//------------------------------// // Chapter 20 // Story: The Darkness Shard // by OliverSparkle //------------------------------// By the time morning came, everyone had some of Celestia’s delicious pancakes for breakfast. However, they weren’t able to leave and continue their journey just yet, because before going to bed, Doctor Strange, Dumbledore and the royal sisters placed an invisible barrier around the area of the forest they were in to make sure no one or anything comes in and tries to attack them during the night and it only goes down till the next day. They even made sure it was wide enough to move around in and for only them to leave and come through the barrier. So they decided to spend the rest of the day trying to do something to past the time till they can leave and continue on to the Tree of Life tomorrow. Most of the Equestria group, as well as Dumbledore’s Army and some of the guardians, went out to make sure no one was spying on them or even planning to attack once the barrier is down. But to also collect some more firewood to make lunch. Lightning was asleep on Silverstream’s lap with a blanket on him and his head resting on her pink soft fur chest along with her talon arms gently wrapped around him as she slowly stroked his back to comfort him during his sleep. After having another nightmare last night, everyone decided it was best for him to rest some more and try to get some better sleep. Fluttershy, Capper, Starlight, Luna and the young five were there to help make sure he’s sleeping again and nothing bad is gonna happen. Lightning was sleeping okay before shaking a bit, but was stopped by the hippogriff softly hushed him in his ear to help him calm down. Smolder started to slowly and gently stroke his mane in comfort while Silverstream continued to rub his back. Fluttershy started to feel more and more worried for her baby boy as Capper gently rubbed his wife’s shoulder in comfort. Meanwhile, outside the tent, Flurry Heart was happily jumping in the leaves with Oliver watching her. It wasn’t overprotecting her or anything like that, she just wanted her big brother by her in case something or someone tries to hurt or harm her while the adults were out doing important things. Doctor Strange, who was wearing dark blue jeans, a dark blue jacket with his hands in its pockets, a light blue shirt underneath the jacket and a dark red scarf, walked towards Oliver and stood by him while watching the little filly play in the leaves. He smiled at Flurry before saying, “She looks like she’s having fun.” “She enjoys jumping in leaves,” said Oliver while smiling at her sister playing, “Whatever she does that makes her happy, it makes us happy.” “Yay!” Flurry Heart said happily while jumping in more leaves. The two continued to watch the happy filly play in the leaves until Oliver asked, “You wanted to speak to me about something?” “I did, actually,” replied Strange as they walked amongst the area of leaves with Flurry Heart following them, “What do you know about the dark Equestria magic?” “The dark Equestria magic?” “Hm,” answered Strange with a small nod as well. “Princess Celestia had her theories,” began Oliver, “She said that the dark magic in Equestria can get into those that are unable to see a better way to fix their problems, those that can get jealous easily, and those that have no sense in being good. And that it’s the most dangerous magic in Equestria, nopony or creature should use it, even those that wanted their life to be better again as it was before.” “What about the one that you control?” Strange asked. “It’s a different kind of dark magic,” answered Oliver, “A kind that not even my Aunt Twilight seen before.” “What’d you mean?” “Before my new family took me in, I didn’t know much about the magic I have, even while living in that orphanage. Constantine didn’t know either. But after learning how to control it, we’ve moved on from figuring out what kind of magic it was. Well, until Discord’s stupid Grogar move came and Chrysalis revealing everything about my magic.” “Chrysalis?” Strange asked getting more confused but interested into what Equestria has that he’s never seen, heard or faced before. “She’s a Changeling, like Ocellus, only before they turned good at the end,” explained Oliver, “You see, back when all the Changelings were evil, there was a Changeling named Thorax, who wasn’t anything like Chrysalis or the other Changelings.” “So he’s like a good Changeling,” said Doctor Strange. “Yes, he escaped the hive and ended up at the Crystal Empire where he become friends with Spike and helped him to prove to everypony that he wasn’t a bad guy. But when Chrysalis returned, she drained all the love from Thorax. Luckily, Starlight Glimmer was there to help him and told him to give it all to her which changed him into a colourful Changeling and a new king of the Changelings after all the Changelings changed as well.” “And he’s still handsome and friendly!” Flurry Heart added before giggling. “And what about Chrysalis?” Strange asked, “What happened to her?” “Starlight tried to get her to become good as well and not to go down the path she took when she was a bad pony. But she ignored her and swore revenge at her before flying off somewhere. Then when Discord did the whole Grogar thing, Chrysalis tried to get me to join her while revealing that…she’s my real mother.” “Your mother?” “Yes,” Oliver said, “She tricked my real father into making me which made him leave her and brought me to that orphanage where my life started terrible until I ran away from Mr and Mrs Warlock, met John Constantine and became part of the Crystal Empire.” “And he’s been the greatest big brother I’d ever have!” Flurry said happily. Oliver smiled at his little sister for saying that. “And I take it you refused to join her and remain as who you are now, right?” “Yes, I didn’t join her after hearing my backstory before I was raised in that orphanage,” replied Oliver, “I may have dark magic that nopony has ever seen or heard of before, but I’ve been using it for good, and I have friends and a family. That’s enough to make me happy. Besides, if you had unknown dark magic but use it for good and it makes you happy, don’t you wanna continue doing it?” Doctor Strange smiled at the grey alicorn as the two stopped walking while Flurry Heart continued to jump in the leaves. “I think I can agree on that,” said Strange happily, “It was your choice what to do with your new life and magic, and you wanted to continue being good rather than start using your magic for evil. You’ve made a good choice staying who you are now.” “And I’m glad I did. Besides, I like this life better and the family I now have.” Suddenly, a new strange male voice was heard echoing from the distance. “Then it’s a shame you disappointed your mother after discovering the truth.” Flurry Heart became terrified of that voice and ran underneath her big brother while Oliver and Doctor Strange looked around to find where that voice was coming from. “Who’s there?” Oliver asked, “Show yourself!” Just then, they heard the sound of a dark corridor appearing behind them as they turned round and saw one a few metres away from them but thankfully not anywhere close to the tent. “What the?” Strange said in shock before magically changing his clothes to his sorcerer outfit, “How did that get in here? The barriers were strong enough to take them out.” “Maybe it’s because I’m the only one who can get through the barriers so easily,” said the voice again. Just then, a pair of feet walked out of the corridor to reveal a black creature, which looked like a hedgehog, with a black nose, a tan muzzle and small triangular ears with tan canals and has red stripes on his six quills, around the edge of his eyes and arms with a patch of white fur on his chest. He has two spines on his back and a short, pointy tail. He was wearing white gloves with black cuffs, red tongues and a Inhibitor Ring on each wrist. He also was wearing air shoes that was white and have black cuffs and red tongues followed by a Inhibitor Ring on each ankle. The new guy glared at Oliver, Strange and Flurry Heart as he stopped walking and crossed his arms while the dark corridor disappeared behind him. Flurry shook in fear of the creature and hugged Oliver’s hoof tightly as possible. Oliver glared back at the creature while saying, “Who are you? And what do you want?” “My name is Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog. I have been frozen for many years now, only to be released and found out that my home has been destroyed by a young boy who is the grandchild of a king that died years ago. So to answer to your other question, I want to find that boy and make him pay for what he has done to my life.” “And who told you about this young boy that destroyed your home?” Asked Oliver calmly, but deep down, he was worried that Shadow might be referring to Lightning Twister. “A man named Darkness,” answered Shadow, “He told me everything he did. He even asked me to find and bring the boy to him. He plans to lock him up for the crimes he’s committed and the people he hurt during my time being frozen before Darkness freed me and…” Before Shadow could continue, Doctor Strange interrupted him. “I’m sorry, but the boy you’re looking for is not here,” he said, defending the innocent colt, “So you need to pack up, and leave us be.” Shadow looked at Oliver and asked, “Young captain, does this sorcerer speak for you?” “Certainly not, like him, I speak for myself,” replied Oliver while taking a few steps forward with his horn glowing in dark ink grasp, “You’re trespassing and invading our own mission.” Doctor Strange made two orange sorcerer rings appear around each arm and got ready to fight Shadow before saying, “You need to get lost, Saix.” Shadow grinned while chuckling before saying, “If that’s the way you want…so be it.” He then took out a green diamond and held it in his right hand. It was a Chaos Emerald. “What’s that?” Flurry Heart asked as she stared at the diamond Shadow was holding. Shadow held the Chaos Emerald in the air and shouted, “Chaos control!” He suddenly disappeared in the flesh. Oliver, Doctor Strange and Flurry Heart shockingly looked around for Shadow, but couldn’t see him anywhere. “Where’d he go?” Oliver asked confusedly while still looking for the hedgehog. Suddenly, Shadow appeared behind Oliver and punched him on the back of the head causing him to fall forward and slid on the ground with Flurry Heart letting go of his hoof and fall to the ground too. Shadow kicked Doctor Strange on the back of his legs which made him fall forward, but he spun forward and landed safely on his feet. Shadow walked towards Oliver as he slowly got up and moaned in pain after that punch. “If your magic is dark, shouldn’t you use it to fight me?” Shadow asked, “You should know that by now since you were in darkness.” Oliver felt insulted by that and glared angrily at Shadow with his horn glowing in dark ink grasp again. “I’ll show you darkness, Shadow.” He said in his Ink Demon voice before transforming into his Ink Demon form. Ink Bendy tried punching Shadow, but he quickly moved back dodging his attacks. Shadow tried kicking and punching Ink Bendy, but he blocked his attacks with his arms covering his face. Ink Bendy grabbed Shadow by the quills and throw him towards a tree which he crashed through as it landed on top of him. Shadow angrily moved the tree off him and stood back up again only to glare angrily at the Ink Demon and breathing heavily. “Good enough for you?” Ink Bendy asked. “You’ve just made a big mistake,” replied Shadow angrily while shaking his fists and crushing him tightly. Shadow zoomed towards Ink Bendy and punched him really hard which caused him to fall backwards and hit the ground several times before landing on his front and unable to move after that attack. “Olive!” Flurry Heart shouted worriedly. Ink Bendy transformed back into Oliver as he moaned in pain and struggled to get back up again. Shadow walked towards him while saying, “If Chrysalis called you weak after you refused to join her, then she does make a good point about you. You don’t even try to embrace your dark magic and use it for what your real mother wanted you to do.” Oliver was still struggling to get up, because of the pain he was given by Shadow, but he was able to look at Shadow before saying, “Because I’m not like her. She feeds off love from everypony and creature, and treats them like they’re nothing.” “Heh. Still being the pony that chose the path when he was young. You really are weak like I was told about you.” “He’s not weak!” Flurry Heart said crossly making Shadow turn to her, “He chose to use his dark magic for good, because it was his decision and he’s his own pony! He gets to decide who he wants to be!” Shadow grinned at the little alicorn. “Defending a pony who isn’t really your brother. How pathetic.” “He IS my brother! I don’t care if he’s adopted or not, he’s still family! You’re just saying those things, because you’re a jerk and listening to a bunch of lies from someone who you shouldn’t be trusting!” Shadow’s grin slowly turned into an angry look after hearing Flurry Heart calling him a jerk and saying he’s been listening to lies from Darkness and how he shouldn’t be trusting him. “You dare insult me,” he said angrily before matching over to Flurry Heart which made her more scared than before as she didn’t know what to do or what he’s going to do. “No! Leave her alone!” Oliver shouted, but still struggling to get back up again. Shadow looked at the grey alicorn and said, “I’ll deal with you later. Right after I’m done with her.” He continued to walk towards Flurry to where he was standing right in front of her. Shadow stared at Flurry Heart, but his angry stare suddenly turned into a frown as he continued to look at the filly. While staring at Flurry Heart, his vision changed to where he can see a young sad girl, with blond hair and a white blue dress, looking at Shadow with sad puppy blue eyes. Shadow was surprised by this as he remembers that girl he was seeing while Flurry Heart started to stare at Shadow confusedly as she didn’t know what was going. “Ma…Maria?” Shadow asked. “Who?” Asked Flurry Heart while raising an eyebrow in confusion. While Shadow was seeing things, a new portal appeared in a shape of a giant golden ring which catches the attention of both Oliver, Flurry Heart, Shadow and even Doctor Strange himself. Suddenly, a blue furry spiny ball rushed out of the ring portal and punched Shadow causing him fall to the right and slid on the ground before hitting a tree. “Oh for God sake!” Doctor Strange said in annoyance, “Is the barrier broken or something?!” Shadow slowly got up and saw who it was that punched him. Standing a few miles in front of him was another hedgehog but in the colour blue all over him but with tan muzzle and belly with a black nose and blue eyes. He was wearing white shoes with red and white shoes covering them. The blue hedgehog glared angrily at Shadow. Shadow grinned before saying, “Well, look who’s back for more.” “I’ve been searching for your location after we last fought,” said the blue hedgehog, “And I’m not gonna let you leave after what you did.” “What I did? You’re the one who was trying to make me look like a bad guy and ruin everything I had before I was frozen!” “You did that to yourself! And I didn’t do anything to you, that was a lie!” “I didn’t chose to be frozen! And I refuse to believe that I was being lied to!“ Shadow shouted. “And I didn’t ruin everything for you! I’m not a fake!” Shouted the angry blue hedgehog. “Fake or not, I’m still gonna destroy you and make you pay for ruining my life,” said Shadow as a red light appeared around him with red sparks sparkling on him, “And like I said, you’re never gonna get my power.” “Do I look like I’m after your power?” The blue hedgehog asked crossly as he started shining in a blue light with blue sparks sparkling on him. The hedgehog got ready to run towards Shadow as he speeded towards him fast in a blue light and smashed the black hedgehog making him fall back a bit, but he was able to stand on his feet still. Shadow started getting more enrage with the other hedgehog and started zooming in a red light and fought the blue hedgehog as they zoomed pass each other and banged into each other while zooming pass each other. Just then, four more figures came from the big ring portal as the ring portal shrunk down and disappeared. Two figures were a man and a woman while the other two were like the two hedgehogs but different creatures. One was a orange fox with two tails, white muzzle, black nose, white stomach, white gloves and white shoes with white and red shoes. He was also wearing a yellow backpack. The other was a red echidna with a tan muzzle, black nose, tiny white fur on his chest in a shape of a V, white gloves with two tiny spikes on each glove and look like boxing gloves, green socks and red and yellow shoes with six dots on a tiny grey square on each shoe. The man had pink skin, brown hair and was wearing a green shirt, brown leather jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. The woman had black skin and hair, and was wearing a black shirt, blue jacket, black trousers and white shoes. “There they are!” Said the echidna while pointing to the hedgehogs fighting in blue and red light style. While watching the fight, the woman suddenly saw Flurry Heart trying to help Oliver up as he was still injured after his fight with Shadow. “Tom!” Said the woman in a worried and shock tone as she pointed at the two ponies with Tom looking at what she was pointing and saw Oliver injured. “Hurry!” Tom said while running towards the two ponies with the other three following him. Oliver was groaning in great pain and coughing a bit while struggling to move a bit as Flurry Heart tried to help him up. Doctor Strange, Tom and the other three rushed over to Oliver’s aid. “You okay?” Strange asked while helping the alicorn up. “I think so,” answered Oliver. “Try not to move so much,” said the woman, “The pain will get even worse, but it will slowly go if you take it easy.” “Thanks. And you lot are…?” “Oh I’m Thomas Wachowski, the sheriff of Green Hills. You may call me Tom. That blue hedgehog that’s fighting the other hedgehog, he’s called Sonic. And this is Maddie, my wife.” “I’m Knuckles.” “And I’m Tails. You’re probably wondering why I’m called that.” “Let me guess. Because of the extra tail?” Oliver asked. “That’s right!” Tails answered happily while showing his two tails to the two alicorns, “Everyone else got that answer as well.” “That’s cool. Also, what is going on?!” Flurry Heart asked, “Someone’s giving Lightning nightmares, villains from other worlds appearing, Cold Wind and the Warlocks are back, and why is that evil hedgehog from the past here after being frozen for so long?” “Oh that’s Shadow, but he probably already told you his name,” said Tails, “He’s here, because someone told him that Sonic was a fake version of him and both him and a little pony has ruined his home while he was frozen.” “Little pony?” Oliver suddenly let out a small gasp of shock. He now knows what little pony both Tails and Shadow were on about. “Lightning Twister.” The two hedgehogs crashed down to the ground together causing dust to flow around as it slowly disappear to show Sonic and Shadow standing near in front of each other while glaring and slowly breathing heavily. “You’ve gotten in my way for the last time, Sonic,” said Shadow before taking out the chaos emerald, “And I still have justice to serve.” “I don’t care what justice you wish to serve, I can’t let you or your mysterious friend hurt anyone else or this little pony,” said Sonic, “And that chaos emerald doesn’t belong to you! Give it to me!” Shadow grinned at Sonic while saying, “You want it? Come and get it.” Sonic growled angrily as he was shining blue again. He charged towards the black hedgehog, but he was still quick on his feet. Shadow held the chaos emerald in the air and said, “Chaos control!” Shadow disappeared in the flesh before Sonic could even hit. Sonic stood in the spot Shadow was standing and started to looking for the evil hedgehog, but couldn’t see him. “Where did he go now?” Suddenly, a flash of light was shone from inside of the tent. Luckily, Doctor Strange, the two ponies and Sonic’s family were close enough to the tent to hear and see the flash of light knowing that Shadow was now in the tent. “Sonic!” Thomas called getting Sonic’s attention. He then pointed to the tent showing that Shadow was now in there. “On it!” Sonic zoomed into the tent. “You two go help him. We’ll take care of the ponies,” said Maddie to Tails and Knuckles. Tails and Knuckles gave Tom and Maddie a nod in understood before running into the tent to help Sonic. Inside the tent, Shadow placed the chaos emerald away behind him before seeing Fluttershy, Starlight, Luna and the young six, with Lightning Twister awake now, staring at him. He suddenly saw the pony sitting on Silverstream’s lap as he grinned. “At least,” he said before approaching the colt, “Justice is mine.” Shadow was about to grab Lightning, but another hand grabbed his hand as Sonic’s voice was heard, “Hands off the kid.” Shadow got angry again and turned his head to glare at Sonic who was staring angry at him. “You may want to have justice and I respect that, but I can’t let you hurt that little pony! He’s innocent!” Before Sonic could say or do anything else, Shadow angrily punched him in the face really hard causing Sonic to let go of Shadow’s arm and collapsed to the mini stairs of the tent as Tails and Knuckles came into the tent and quickly rushed to Sonic’s aid. “Take that, faker!” Shadow shouted crossly. Knuckles glared at the evil hedgehog while saying, “Hey! No one does that to my friend!” Knuckles charged at Shadow only to be punched aside as he bumped into the wall of the tent and collapsed to the floor. He tried to get up, but he couldn’t due to the pain he was given by that punch. “Pathetic warrior,” said Shadow. Princess Luna stared crossly at Shadow and bravely approached him while saying, “Enough! Tell us who you are and what do you want!” Shadow turned to look at the princess before answering, “My name is Shadow. And I’m here for that pony. Hand him over!” “Never!” Starlight Glimmer said while she and Fluttershy glared at the hedgehog. Shadow glared at the two ponies. “Then leave me with no other choice.” Shadow took out the chaos emerald as it started to glow green. “Watch out! He’s using the chaos emerald again!” Tails warned. “The what?” Gallus asked confusedly. “Chaos cont…” Before he could finish his sentence, he was suddenly hit by a rock making him drop the emerald. He groaned before rubbing his head, where the rock hit, and seeing who threw it at him. It was Flurry Heart, who was standing on top of the mini stairs and glaring at him. “That was for my brother!” Shadow glared very angrily at Flurry Heart while keeping up the emerald and putting it away. “That’s it!” Shadow shouted angrily before approaching the little alicorn as she backed up against the tent wall in fear, “I’ve had enough of this! I’m gonna do what I should have done before that clone showed up! And this time, no more distractions!” Shadow moved his fist back ready to actually hurt Flurry Heart. The filly got more scared and covered her face with her wings. But before Shadow could actually hurt her this time, he was kicked really hard making him fly out of the tent and slide on the ground. That kick was done by none other than Tempest Shadow herself as she glared at Shadow. Flurry Heart moved her wings from her face and saw Tempest walking out of the tent and towards Shadow. Shadow groaned in pain once more before slowly getting up and brushing the dust off him with his hand. He saw Tempest Shadow approaching him as she glared at him still. Shadow glared back at the pony before saying, “You should know better than to mess with me. You are so gonna regret doing that to me.” He then saw that Tempest has a broken horn on her head. “And I see your horn is broken. How are you going to fight me with your magic?” “I don’t need magic to stop you!” Tempest answered before her horn started to spark. She then zapped Shadow causing him to yell in pain. She stopped zapping the hedgehog as he breathed heavily. Shadow glared at the unicorn as he took out the chaos emerald and said, “You’ve asked for it now.” He held the emerald in the air and said, “Chaos c…” But before he could finish, a orange sparkling ring shaped portal opened behind him. Shadow turned behind him to see it before seeing Doctor Strange was the one that opened it as his hands where glowing in orange grasp sparks. “Not this time,” said Strange. Tempest turned round and kicked Shadow making fall into the portal fly into the distance as he screamed. Doctor Strange quickly made the portal disappear before Shadow could even try to escape. Flurry Heart walked out of the tent and saw that Shadow was gone, but she still wanted to thank the pony that saved her. “Thanks for saving me, Fizzlepop,” she said politely. “You’re welcome, kiddo,” said Tempest while smiling. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Fluttershy, Starlight, Luna and the young seven walked out of the tent, with Lightning in Fluttershy’s hoof, as they saw Thomas, Maddie and Oliver walked towards them as Oliver’s painful body started to get better. Just then, they all saw the rest of the Equestria group, as well as Dumbledore’s Army and some of the guardians returning with the firewood they needed to make lunch. “Hey guys,” said Sora while carrying a pile of firewood, “We’re back with some firewood, and there’s no one spying on…” Before he could continue, he and the others saw the mess around the tent area as well as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Tom and Maddie looking at them. “Uhh…what exactly happened while we were gone?” “And who are they?” Axel asked. “It’s, kind of a long story, to be honest,” answered Oliver. “A very long story since we’re including our story,” added Sonic with Thomas nodding in agreement.