//------------------------------// // Echo of Sins - Part 2 // Story: The Shadow Bolt // by JackParker123 //------------------------------// As Lisa's eyes widened, she remembered a vital detail... all of the transparent ponies looked exactly the same, to the very last detail. As if they were all - the same pony. "Oh my God" Shadow whispered as he looked at the sky "Gentle River... I remember him..." as the words left his mouth, his mind drifted to the past. To a distant memory, he tried to forget, but his conscience, his guilt, didn't let him. A court room so big, it housed every citizen, in Ponville. Three rows of Shadow Bolts, sitting in front of the crowd, their hooves chained. None of them dared to look up, from the guilt they bared. Celestia, standing next to them, reading the verdict "In light of the new evidence, it became clear, every detail of past days events, were solely orchestrated by the Alicorn sister, of King Sombra. Not only did she capture Princess Luna, impersonated her, and thereby deceived all those loyal to Luna, but also set up, all the events that made, the Shadow Bolts loose faith in me. She played and used me, just as she used the Shadow Bolts and us all. If anyone is to blame for this disaster, it is me, for I have not discovered this plan sooner.... perhaps all of this could have been avoided. The Shadow Bolts.... in their firm belief they were carrying the will of their Princess, did what they thought, at that moment was best, and when they discovered the true meaning of their actions, stood once again, in the name of Equestria, and fought bravely by our side again, as brothers, risking their lives, to stop the Alicorn monster, that had plotted to destroy our very home. In light of these new events, I, Princess Celestia, declare the Shadow Bolts, free of all charges, and to be released in the court of law” Many different voices were heard from the crowd, but eventually they were drowned by the loved ones, of the Shadow Bolts, who rushed forward and hugged, their brothers, sisters, fathers and daughters, who looked back, shy, still wearing their Shadow Bolt uniform, which they were ashamed to be in. As Lisa rushed forward and hugged Shadow, a piercing voice was heard from the back of the crowd. "THIS IS WRONG!" a small pony shouted. The courtroom fell silent as they all looked at him. While he just angrily glared back."MY BROTHER WAS HURT IN THAT ATTACK! ..... HIS WINGS -" the ponies voice broke, as he tried to fight the tears back. "HE MAY NEVER FLY AGAIN!" He screamed, as tears fell down his face. "BECAUSE OF THEM!..... AND NOW YOU SAY - THEY ARE INNOCENT?!" The small pony shrieked. "Gentle River - " Celestia stepped down from the podium and started to walk towards him. "NO!" he shrieked back "THIS IS WRONG!" As he burst the doors open and ran out of the room, his words still echoed off the tall walls. "This is wrong" Shadow Wind repeated again. And looked back at the bandaged pony. "He blames me for what happened to you.... for what I -" "Shadow," the bandaged pony stopped him "I don’t even know if it was the Shadow Bolts that caused this, a random accident or my own clumsiness. It was so chaotic back then, I don’t even know who caused that piece of debris to fall. Maybe it fell on its own, maybe not... it doesn’t matter. Its just how these things work Shadow... its just combat... Back when you were still with the Wonder Bolts, brought light to the skies, and trained young pegasi to fly, from the village, I always looked up to you. All you ever wanted was what was best for the village, for everyone. Maybe mistakes were made, maybe a wrong turn, but in the end, you meant well... Your a good man, Shadow" the bandaged pony said with a smile. Shadow looked at him in shame "You can still say that ? .... after everything I've done................. You lost your wings.... Because of what I started" "You didn't start this, Shadow" the bandaged pony smiled "That Alicorn did, and even if you didn't come with her, some pony else would, and I would have probably lost my wings just the same. I don't hold a grudge or anger against you.... Thats just how life is sometimes" he gently placed a hoof on Shadows Wind shoulder. Shadow looked away for a moment, as a single tear fell from his eyes "Im sorry," he whispered. Lisa gently stepped in, and looked at the bandaged pony. "Tell me... what happened to River, in the end.... did he .......?" "No" the bandaged pony shook his head. "He was fine, and looked like every other pony. He visited me at the hospital, just one week ago. He used to come everyday, but then he disappeared and didn't come anymore," "I wonder what happened to him, how he came over this power" Twilight stepped closer, looking up at the sky. As she did, a voice rang, it seemed from the heaven itself. The voice, without a doubt, belonged to Gentle River "Citizens of Ponyville. I have placed a very serious amount of energy, under your village. It will go off, and destroy everything, in a very wide radius. There will be no more Ponyville, and no pony inside will survive.... The only way to avoid this is - Give me Shadow Wind... and I will spare all of your lives. He must go to the forest, and follow me through one of my portals. There I will pass judgement on him. I will not pursue anyone else, I will not harm another. After Shadow Wind enters the portal, I will leave this land, and never come back. Resist, and you will all die. Justice must be made. It is simple. Give me Shadow Wind. Or you will all perish. The choice is yours. Telissa was shocked, she knew River from the time he was a colt, she had no idea that he could be capable of such things. She looked over at Astra and saw the exact same thoughts in her eyes. Meanwhile, Lucky and Mart, the latter of whom had finally calmed down, looked at each other, grim determination in their eyes "Mart" said Lucky "in case we don't make it, I want you to know... I'll always love you... like a brother!" she turned around, oblivious to Mart's crestfallen expression, "now let's find Cherry." she said "we shouldn't have left her in the first place. Cherry had come out of her trance and was sitting staring at everything she did when she heard Lucky say, "it's fine now, you're safe." she turned around to see Savannah back on the ground, with Mart and Lucky standing next to her. "But I wrecked the square" Cherry said "aren't I going to be in trouble?" "I'm certain they'll understand" said Astra, who was walking up with Telissa beside her "What happened today is enough to scare anyone, now let's see what we can do to stop this." "Shadow," spoke Silver, "you don't have to do this. We'll find a way, we just need to delay him." He looked at Twilight. "Find something about this type of magic. Maybe we can defuse it” Suddenly a dark silhouette flew above ground and Mercy noticed one of Rivers transparent copies, leaving the area. He jumped in front of it and said "You have harassed and traumatized countless innocent young ponies today, you are no better than any Shadow Bolt, maybe worse" the silhouette became enraged. Mercy stared at River standing tall in front of him and said : “I, no we have forgave all of the Shadow Bolts from the bottom of our hearts” River got ready to dive-punch. Mercy continued “the only one that should be brought to justice today is you” River lets out a scream, and flies as fast as he can ready to punch Mercy “But the cycle must end and I FORGIVE YOU” Mercy catches River, and hugs him making him turn solid and drained most of Rivers negative energy, but was hit by the punch and was in serious pain "Let go! Let go!!!" River cried in pain, trying to wiggle his way out of the grasp, but to no effect. Something strange was happening to his body. The more solid it appeared, the more dark smoke began to come out of it A sudden voice ripped through the air, so dark and menacing, it sent a chill down everyones spines. "RI-VVVVEEEEEER!" A female voice hissed, and the dark smoke coming out of River, slowly took a faint shape of an alicorn. "H-h-heees trying to stop you-u-uuuu.. Rivvveeer..... END HIM!" the smoke shrieked "N-no!" River faintly answered. "I don’t - want to do this anymore" "YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE IT NOW?!" The smoke leaking out of him, roared. "IT IS TOO LATE FOR REGRETS NOW - RIVER!!!! YOU WANTED POWER, AND I GAVE IT TO YOU - YOU'RE MINE NOOOOOW!!!!!" The smoke shrieked, and those watching gasped in horror, as it took shape to remind them more and more of the Alicorn Monster, they faced weeks ago, above Canterlot "YOU!" Shadow Wind roared, pointing his hoof at her "LET GO OF HIM NOW!" "RROOAAAAAAAARRRRR" The Alicorn shrieked back at him. "YOU WANT RIVER ?! COME TO THE PORTAL IN THE FOREST, SHADOW WIND, COME ALONE. OR I WILL END RIVER, EVERY SHADOW BOLT I ALREADY TOOK, AND THEN YOUR PRECIOUS VILLAGE YOU CHERISH SO MUCH!!!!" "Let-me go," River cried in a faint voice, but the smoke engulfed him once more, and both River and the dark Alicorn disappeared in a puff of smoke. Only the Alicorns voice remained, echoing off the buildings for a few long moments. Shadow ran up to Mercy, who was visible in pain. "Are you alright?" “I've been in much worse” Mercy said acting like he just remembered a traumatizing event. A white pony with a red cross as her quite mark, appeared next to them "I'm a medic, I'm here to help you!" she said as she quickly sat next to Mercy, and opened a first aid kit. "Please show me where you’re hurt" "Shadow" Lisa stepped close and put a hoof on his shoulder. Before she could speak again, Shadow cut her off. "Im going” "W- you cant!!!!" Lisa shouted "Do you understand what your saying?!" She glared at him "The moment you set your hoof through that portal alone, there will be nothing stopping her from ending your, right there ! Then River, your Shadow Bolt comrades, and then everyone else in the village! You cant just walk in there alone!!!" she grabbed one of his hooves with both of hers "....what choice do I have Lisa ?" he looked back at her with sad eyes. "....I started this.... now I just have to finish it" he said and looked down. "Shadow no! NO!" Lisa said and grabbed him tighter. "I WONT LET YOU!" Shadow only quietly mumbled something, still looking at the ground. Lisa, just barely loosened her grip, trying to catch what he said "W-what...Shadow?" "IM SORRY!" he screamed and throwing her hooves off, he jumped to the side, spreading his wings. Lisa rushed forward to him, trying to pin him to the ground, but he threw a kick, sending her flying back. The next second Shadow's wings grasped for air, and he shot upward with unbelievable speed, and streaked through the sky, towards the forest. "Shadow.... SHADOW!" Lisa screamed, trying to get up. Twilight ran up to her, holding her down. "Wait Lisa please, we cant just rush after him" Twilight tried to say in a calming manner "WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?!" Lisa shouted at her, tears starting to form in her eyes. "I SHOULD JUST LET HIM GO THERE AND D-" "I didn't say that...." Twilight slowly helped her get up. "What I meant was, if we just blindly rush after him through that portal, it will all be over. What we really need to do, is figure out a way, how to follow him, without the Alicorn noticing, until its too late." Lisa got up and pointed her hoof at Twilight "We don’t have much time for this" Lisa said "If you don’t come up with something fast, I'm going! You understand?!" She was heavily breathing as she pointed her hoof at Twilight "....of course , I understand" Twilight quietly said. Silver looked at the arguing ponies. "We're on the same side here. Lisa, we won't leave him. We will still do whatever it takes. But for once, please not live up your personality to your name." Lisa turned her back to him, crossing her hooves. Silver thought for a moment "I'll go. I know the forest like the back of my hoof. If anypony can follow him silently, it would be me. And besides," he drew his sword, "How many of you know how to fight with a sword?" The nurse was putting bandages back into her bag and, when she turned around, the colt she had just finished taking care of was already gone. She ran and told Twilight and Silver that her patient was missing. Realizing that she was the one taking care of Mercy, they already knew he was going to help Shadow Wind. Mercy ran through the brush of the forest straight for the portal. Mercy knew the Everfree forest well. He was able to catch up to Shadow and began following quietly. Lucky was murmuring, going back and forth between the zebra and pony languages, and staring at the spot River and the Alicorn vanished from, her face contorted in shock. "Lucky, are you okay?" said Mart "It's her, during the attack she razed my mother's lab to the ground, they barely managed to evacuate in time, and saved most of the research and rare plants. She got lucky that day, no one was hurt except for minor burns and smoke inhalation." Lucky said. "Let's see what we can do to stop her before anyone else gets hurt." said Mart "He left us.... he left...." said Telissa "he's going to..." she burst into tears "We'll save him" said Astra "and we'll make that monster pay for what she did, then and now." Cherry just sat, terrified of that thing, a look of shock on her face "Cherry okay?" asked Savannah "big cloud scare Cherry?" Cherry nodded "Savannah fight cloud!" she said "Savannah fight cloud for Cherry!" "Savannah that's insane!" said Lucky "you're just a plant, you wouldn't stand a chance against an alicorn!" "Savannah fight alicorn cloud!" she said defiantly "Savannah fight for Lucky and Cherry!" and walked over to the big group of ponies in the center of the square, followed by everyone else. * * * "No, no!" cried River " I don't want to do this anymore,". he was sitting down on a cold surface, holding his head with both hooves. "I did a bad thing...." It didn't matter that he had his eyes closed. He was completely surrounded by darkness anyway. There was nothing to see "Come nowww--- R-r-riverrrr" a voice hissed over his shoulder. "Weeee are so clossseee.... I thought you wanted Justice for what was done to your brother...." "I did something bad!" River cried out "I hurt a pony.... he didn't do anything.... and I hit him.... I hurt him--" "RIVERRRR!" The voice behind him roared, draining his thoughts. "Focus now Riverrr..... Shadow Wind..... remember Shadow Wind...." River stopped for a moment and opened his eyes. He was sitting in a very large and dark, empty area. It looked like a cave, but the surface was strangely smooth, unnatural. The only small light, came from a purple circle, faintly shining above, on what could be the ceiling of this place. The portals entrance... "Shadow Wind....." River repeated "I remember...." "Yesssss..." the voice hissed again, and the darkness softly touched his shoulders. "He was a Wonder Bolt once.... I remember" River quietly said "He was an instructor at the Academy.... he trained new recruits.... He even made a special program in schools, to teach young pegasi to fly. He used to come down to Ponyville himself, and help everyone personally. He wore his shining uniform, covered in medals... and my brother used to look up to him. 'He will teach me to fly, when I'm old enough' my brother liked to say. He was a good man" "And then he betrayed you, and your brothers trust!" the darkness hissed "He is the one responsible for everything..... he led the attack -" "No" River cut her off "It was you! It was you - you monster! I know.... Celestia tolled me everything..... She came and talked to me, and explained how you set her up.... how you made her look reckless. How you made it look like she made mistakes... and wasn't concerned with the countries security. How you made the Wonder Bolts loose faith in her. Once it was too much for them to bare, you masked yourself as Luna and offered them a solution.... a coup d'etat. They believed in you.... In Luna... they believed it was the only way.... You made them believe... But you betrayed them... you never cared about this country.... about saving it, or making it better... you just wanted to destroy everything.... You.... Monster "ENOOUUUGH" The darkness cried and grabbed River, holding him tight. He tried to struggle, but it only brought pain. "WE MADE A DEAL RIVER..... EVEN IF YOU BACK AWAY NOW, IT IS TOO LATE.... REMEMBER..... I LIVE IN YOUR SOUL NOW.......". River gasped as fear began to take hold of him "I CAN MAKE YOU FORGET WHATEVER I WANT.... AND MAKE YOU DO WHATEVER YOUR HEART ONCE DESIRED...." "...N-no..." River tried to cry out. "YOU WILL FORGET EVERYTHING - UNTIL THERES ONLY HATE LEFT IN YOUR HEART" the darkness fully covered his body, and its color became more and more dark.  "YOU WILL END THIS" Rivers body shook and he closed his eyes shut "YOU WILL..... DESTROY SHADOW WIND" Rivers eyes opened, and they shined purple bright. His mind drifted away somewhere, giving room for a different entity to take over. River smiled and laughed " I Am King Sombra's Sister..... I Am Named Blinding Hate " * * * The portal shimmered with purple light, and Shadow emerged on the other side, into a large, dark empty area. He couldn’t see the walls, only the floor and the ceiling, which looked unnaturally smooth. The only light came from up top, where the portal still shined. Some distance away, stood River. His colors looked solid dark, and he appeared to be much taller than his natural shape. He had huge wings and a long horn, even though he was an earth pony. His eyes shined with a purple dangerous light "Shadow Wind.... " River spoke, but his voice was so deep and distorted, it sounded as if it was somebody else. "After so long.... I can finally ... end this" "Where are the Shadow Bolts !" Shadow demanded. "Release them - And River first.... then I will do what ever you want". Darkness itself swirled from the air, engulfed Shadow and slammed him over the floor, pinning him in place "You forget your place Shadow Wind.... you're no longer in a position to bargain...." the dark alicorn said in a deep voice "WHERE ARE THE SHADOW BOLTS ?!" Shadow Wind grunted, still pinned to the floor, unable to move "WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS?!" "Oh I took good care of them" the alicorn calmly answered. As she did, a number of figures drifted out of the darkness. Shadow gasped as he saw his comrades, engulfed in darkness, their eyes closed, purple energy sipping out of them, and slowly disappearing in air, as if feeding the dark around them. "Its no easy task maintaining this realm, I fed on their life force to use all my powers.... doesn’t look like they have much left in them... oh well... they served their purpose..." "LET EM GO!" Shadow screamed looking at them "Oh no Shadow... I want you to watch this.... I want you to suffer as much as you possibly can, before I end what is left of your life... then and only then will my revenge be complete" "River.....enough" Shadow faintly said, and looked at the floor "Just end it quickly" "You think your talking to River right now ?" The alicorn smiled and let out a cold laugh. "He's so lost inside my soul now, I'm not even sure he can hear you" "So you just used him ? ... to get to me ?" Shadow asked looking at her "Wasn't it a great plan, after all.... so much benefit comes from using others.... you...the Shadow Bolts...River" The alicorn laughed. "I will enjoy this... Shadow... Now lets see.... River hated you because his brother lost his wings after the battle.... I know... Why don't I start............. by ripping, your wings off" The alicorn smiled. Darkness swirled around Shadow grabbing his wings. He let out a faint sound, and looked back at the alicorn. "So its just blind revenge.... because I turned on you, at the last moment.... your more lost than I thought" Shadow said and smiled through pain, as the darkness began to slowly pull at his wings. The alicorn, frowned slightly "How does it feel Shadow... the moment before you loose something you cherish ?" "Idiot" Shadow laughed "You think I care about something so meaningless ? I CANT EVEN FLY STRAIGHT, YOU THINK I'D CARE IF YOU TAKE MY WINGS OFF ?! Such a pitiful creature you are.... a feeble attempt to take revenge on Celestia, that failed miserably, and now you're trying to - " "Oh but Shadow" The alicorn cut him off, and gently smiled "You think I wanted revenge against her ?" Shadow frowned and looked back at her "What ? You started this mess, the attack of the Shadow bolts, to get back at Celestia ...... " Alicorn seemed as if it was about to laugh, then in a second she became very serious. The seriousness that became anger. Her eyes sparked. "What in the hell are you saying..." she barely managed to squeeze the words out from her anger "You still didn't recognize me ?..... You still don’t remember me ..... You still have no idea what I've been doing and why ?!"    Shadow looked at her, anger on his face gave way to confusion.    "IDIOT!" The alicorn screamed "HOW DID YOU NOT RECOGNIZE ME, THE MOMENT I SHOWED MY REAL FACE ABOVE CANTERLOT?!" she was breathing heavily, barely containing her anger.    "REMEMBER WHEN I SAID I WANTED REVENGE ?  IT WAS NEVER AGAINST CELESTIA - IT WAS AGAINST YOU!  ITS YOUR FAULT!!! EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT!!!"    "W-what ???" Shadow began to understand less and less by the second. "Because I turned on you at the battle in Canterlot ?"    "NO YOU FOOL!!!! YOU DONT EVEN REMEMBER?!?!?!  YOU DARE!!! TO FORGET WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME!!!!!!!    EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED - ATTACK OF THE SHADOW BOLTS, RIVERS JUSTICE, YOU BEING HERE NOW  YOU ALONE - IT WAS ALWAYS AGAINST YOU - I WANTED YOU AND YOU ALONE TO SUFFER THE MOST!    DO YOU REALLY THINK ANYONE WOULD PUT A USELESS LOOSER LIKE YOU IN CHARGE OF THE SHADOW BOLTS ?!  RIVERS BROTHER COULD FLY BETTER THAN YOU, AND HE WASNT EVEN A WONDER BOLT!!  I DID IT SO YOU WOULD TAKE MOST OF THE BLAME! I DID IT SO YOU WOULD FACE LISA IN BATTLE  SO YOU WOULD HURT HER, AND AS A RESULT, YOURSELF.  EVERY PUNCH YOU THREW AT HER, ALL THE PAIN YOU  MADE HER GO THROUGH, IT HURT YOU TEN TIMES MORE. I MADE YOU GO AGAINST THE ONE YOU CHERISHED MOST -   AND YOU DID IT BY FREE WILL, CHOOSING DUTY OVER YOUR FEELINGS - AND IT CRUSHED YOU!!!  I SAW YOUR EYES SHADOW. I KNOW WHAT YOU FELT.  YOU TOOK ALL THE BLAME FOR WHAT SHADOW BOLTS DID! EVERY ACCUSATION THEY THREW AT THEM AFTER THE BATTLE,  YOU DIVERTED TO YOURSELF. IF ANYONE WAS GOING TO BE PUNISHED, YOU MADE SURE IT WAS ONLY YOU!  AND WHEN THAT OLD PRINCESS PARDONED YOU, I MADE SURE, YOU WOULD SUFFER MORE!  STILL DONT GET IT?! I WAS THE ONE WHO TOOK THE WINGS FROM RIVERS BROTHER!"  "What ?!" Shadows face was slowly turning white    "I WANTED TO CREATE SOMEONE WHO WOULD HATE YOU, AS MUCH AS I DID." The alicorn shrieked.  "FROM WHAT WAS LEFT OF MY SOUL, I SEARCH AND FOUND HIM. I PROMISED HIM JUSTICE AND HE BELIEVED ME. I STRUCK AT PONYVILLE AND THE SHADOW BOLTS AND I KNEW, THAT ULTIMATELY YOU WOULD TAKE THE FALL FOR THIS ONE AS WELL.  YOU WOULD STAND OUT FROM THE REST, AND ASK THAT ONLY YOU BE PUNISHED.  I JUST PROVIDED YOU THE OPPORTUNITY." The alicorn sighed, and seemed to slightly calm down    "And now you’re here Shadow.... Now you are here...  The only one I ever hated .... the only one I wanted to destroy the most...  My revenge... was always meant for you..."    Shadow was staring at her with wide eyes. His jaw opened. He tried to think but couldn’t, he tried to find a reason but failed. He opened and close his mouth several times, before words finally came to his mouth.  "... you went this far............ Why.... what have I done to you ?"  The alicorn took a step back, as if she was slapped across the face    "You will insult me more Shadow ? ... with your pitiful memory.... your single act that destroyed my life  did not even win a second moments notice in your thoughts... so much as you even forgot it...  I really will..........destroy you......... As a Lieutenant in the Wonder Bolts... you led a mission once, outside the Equestria boarders. A strange occurrence took place in the near by lands. Ponies were going mad, and turning on each other. They said as if hatred itself had materialized and pushed them to their limit. You were sent to investigate. There you found me.... Oh how I loved to play with those little fools, how I loved to watch them turn on each other... to watch them suffer.... And then you came.... Shadow... the Wonder Bolt... In your shining armor, you fought me, until I had no strength left. When my last drop of power left me, my spell backfired, and turned on me. It was over. The spell consumed me, changed me.... I lost all emotion I had.... I could no longer feel happiness, I could no longer enjoy life. All I ever felt from that moment was Hate... Blind... meaningless hate, towards every living being that still existed and dared to enjoy life around me. You made me go through suffering I could not escape... And now... I will do the same to you...." "Now I remember you... Blinding Hate" Shadow mumbled through pain, as the darkness pulled harder and harder on his wings "You were an abomination that thrived on suffering of others. Your understanding of your own happiness meant causing pain to those you see around you. You haven’t changed.... your still just every bit as twisted as then.... I cant help you.... I'm sorry.... for there is no cure for madness..." Shadow said in a firm voice and looked her right in the eye "Even if I wanted to help, I cant. As long as you will bare hate towards others , you will continue to suffer into eternity...... For what its worth.... I'm sorry I caused you to suffer, all this time... I didn't know your spell would backfire. I don't like causing pain to others.... I'm sorry" "...Sorry.... you're SORRY!!" The alicorn shrieked and began to shake in anger. "I don't want your apology.... I WANT YOUR LIFE!!!!" Shadow began to scream as the pain became unbearable. * * * Mercy was now watching from behind Blinding Hate. She was unable to see him through her hatred. Mercy couldn't bare to watch, as he ran up and grabbed the black smoke and threw it to the ground. He hit it, only for the smoke to disperse around his hoof. “Remember what really happened !! Stop making memories that aren't there ! We both know what really happened.” Mercy said staring at the black cloud that was Blinding Hate. "Look back in your memories, try harder and focus" Mercy said insistently "The pony that did that to you, what did he really look like?" "WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU- ?" Blinding Hate roared, as Mercy head-butted her, sending fake memories deep into her head. She let out a sharp scream. Mercy began to push further “What color was that pony ?” "No thats impossible..... HE'S BROWN" she screamed. Mercy continued "What else ? That pony didn't have wings. Shadow was also a low ranking officer. They would never send him on a complex mission like that. Shadow doesnt even wear armor. He is a kind pony who taught flying to young pegasi. Not going out stopping alicorns. "WHAT?" Blinding Hate shrieked in anger. "Look closer at the ponies who did this to you ! There was no group of Wonder Bolts. It wasn't Shadow who did this to you. It was me ! " "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH" The alicorn screamed, baring her teeth. "I couldn't stand the hatred you were causing so Silver and I stopped you" Mercy kept pushing fake memories deeper into her head "When you got up, overwhelmed with rage, you blamed the first pony you saw and that was Shadow Wind. I spared you, because you cried my name. Now its time to finish this. "I........ I WILL END ALL OF YOU" Blinding Hate shrieked, as she forgot about Shadow, and rushed towards Mercy. Lisa burst through the portal, followed by countless others. A scream of horrible pain, attracted her attention, and as she looked to the side, she saw Shadow.... A brief moment, and she turned completely white, from horror and shock, at what was being done to him. Another moment and she screamed in rage, her voice filling the cave, and draining every other sound. Her eyes were burning with fire. She turned to the alicorn and cursed her loudly. All her feelings from the past day, all the terrible memories from past events, all her accumulated emotions that she tried to suppress, now spilled out, as she cried in anger and pain. Her body flashed and light up so bright, it became like a star. Light rushed forward in every direction, dispersing the darkness, and reaching into the darkest corners of the place. The Alicorn shouted and screamed in pain, as the light touched her body. Her figure became distorted more and more, her screaming more incomprehensible. Just a shadow of darkness, still dancing before a waking sun. "I'll never forgive you..... demon" Lisa cried, as small tears began to fall from her face. "You destroyed so many lives.... just to satisfy your emotions.... you monster...." she scowled at the alicorn, light still shining from her body, eyes burning with fire. "I'LL END YOUUUUUUUUU" Lisa shrieked and rushed forward in a flash. As she connected with the dark monster, the Alicorn screamed, as if light itself washed over her body, and threw her away, from Rivers body. He slowly began to fall to the ground - and was caught into Lisas hooves. She gently stepped back on the ground, and placed River next to her. His coat looked completely white.... his real color was white. Lisa looked back up, and saw a misty figure still dancing some distance away, trying to escape the coming light "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" The alicorn cried "YOU CANT STOP MEEEE. YOU'LL NEVER STOP MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Her distorted, transparent body was being shaken with spasms. "WHERE IS HEE?!?!?!" She hissed, and her eyes fell on Mercy "YOUUUUUUOUOuuuuu ..... I'LLL TAKE YOU OUT FIRST!!!!!" She shrieked and rushed towards him. Mercy didn't counter attack, simply moved to the side, letting Blinding Hate crash herself into the hard stone ground. Mercy looked down at her with sad tired eyes. "Don't you look down at me with pity !!! This isn't over ! As long as you fight back, I will get stronger" Blinding Hate said. Mercy grabbed her shoulders and stared deep into her eyes. As he stared in them, he saw fire. They stared into each others eyes and the world began to spin around, faster and faster, until the two became one. "A battle of will, is it?" Blinding Hate hissed. "Its time to forgive" Mercy said "NOOOO !" she screamed back. Mercy said three words "I forgive you" and without screaming or pain, Blinding Hate faded away. Maybe it even was the first time she felt good, in a long time. She got smaller until she was small enough to lay in the warmth, that was in the bottom of Mercy's heart. Mercy heavily sighed and looked at the others " It is done, lets go home” Lisa ran up to Shadow, as he slowly tried to get up from the floor. "Shadow ! Shadow are you ok ?!" She asked in a panicked voice "I'm..... I'm fine Lisa " he tried to smile, but a sudden spike of pain, cause him to scream out. He began to fall to the ground again, but Lisa caught him, and gently held him, in her hooves. His wings looked very bad, and even their slightest movement caused him visible pain. "..........Shadow....." Lisa called in a weak voice, and she slowly hugged him. Shadow felt a tear, slowly drop from her cheeks "Hey.... c-come on, I'm ok ....." he said in a calming voice, slowly hugging her " I'm alright...... I'll be alright....." * * * The ponies slowly walked out of the portal to see Twilight, Silver, a whole army of Wonder Bolts and village ponies, and a very angry nurse. "Right forgot about her" Mercy said as he tried to run back into the portal before getting caught. "Sorry Shadow but I think I will be missing the late night lunar rave party." Mercy said and began to complain to the nurse as she attempted to drag him back to the hospital “Hey I'm fine, its just a flesh wound, you already bandaged it, come on......." "Hey Mercy......" Shadow called " That was very fast thinking back then, making Blinding Hate believe that it was actually you who stopped her...... Mercy smiled. " It was all I could think of, to get her to focus on me " "I guess she was so swallowed by hate, she was ready to believe anything....." Shadow quietly said " It was very dangerous though, making her believe that, so she would come after you, instead of me....... dont.. do it again, ok ? The burden of my actions.... is only mine to bear" "Shadow, she forgives us from the bottom of her heart. Mercy will always triumph over Hate" Mercy said and smiled again. As they walked, Shadow was leaning heavily on Lisa. His wings uselessly spread, were dragging the ground. They didn’t take two steps before the sky flashed above them, and two figures appeared, covered in light, and gently stepped down on the ground before them. Princess Celestia and Luna, covered in shining royal armor, looked both worried and tiered, breathing heavily. "Is it over ?" Luna asked, nervousness ringing in her voice. "Yeah....." Lisa said in a tiered voice and looked at Shadow. He seemed to struggle to stay conscious, from the pain in his wings, leaning heavily on Lisa for support "....I'm sorry we couldn't come sooner" Luna said in a faint voice, looking at Shadows wings "It took every bit of mine and my sisters strength, to defuse the energy bomb under Ponyville. Still.... we were too slow...." "Its alright.... my Lady" Shadow slowly mumbled through pain, and smiled "I swore, after all, to give my life for this country .... whatever happened to me, whatever pain I had to endure... if it helped protect my country, even a little bit, I don't regret it" ".... Shadow" Luna looked at him with sad eyes "Let us delay no longer" Celestia spoke, raising her horn. "We will teleport you to the hospital now... you have done enough..... my comrades..... my friends.... Rest now.... As a result of your noble and selfless actions today.... I trust the future... Will be a little bit brighter. * * * Time passed, and the weather slowly began to change. It really seemed like every day, became a little more sunnier than the last. Lisa was standing in formal uniform, next to a doctor in the hospital. Her nervousness was so visible it began to slowly transfer to those nearby. The doctor wiped the sweat off his forehead, and looked at Lisa. "Well ??" she finally asked him, unable to remain still any longer. "How did it go ?" The doctor coughed briefly and answered "We finished the final series of operations on Shadow's wings but... I'm sorry miss, but its still not clear whether Shadow will ever be able to fly again.... only time will tell....." he sighed. ".... I understand" Lisa said, looking down at the floor. "If... you'll excuse me" the doctor said nervously and left the hall, going back to his work. Lisa stood in place for another moment. She closed her eyes, sighed heavily, and collected herself. She looked behind at somepony, nodded her head, then began to walk down the corridor until she came to a closed room. She hesitated for a moment, then opened it and came in. "....Shadow ?" she quietly called, looking inside. Shadow was laying in bed on his stomach, reading a book, with a cheery smile. His wings were completely bandaged, and awkwardly spread open over his head. He heard Lisa's voice, turned to her and smiled. "Hey Lisa, you ok ?" "I'm fine Shadow.... are.. you ok ?" she asked uneasily, stepping into the room "Yeah its all good" He said smiling and throwing another brief look at his book. "It doesn't hurt anymore" ".... you still can't lie very well" Lisa said, with a strained smile, coming closer to him "Its not like I've been flying very good anyway" Shadow said looking at her. "Its going to be fine.... don't worry" "How can I not worry...." Lisa said with a sigh, sitting down on a chair. "By the way... there's someone here to see you....". "Oh! Who is it?" Shadow smiled looking very excited. "Come on in guys" Lisa said, waiving her hoof. Shadow's eyes slowly widened, as more and more ponies poured in through the door. Little Lily and Silver, followed by Luna, River and his brother, then half a dozen former Shadow Bolts. All stood next to his bed and smiled. The curtain separating the room between Shadow and the other patient slid aside to reveal Mercy behind it, with bandages around his chest. "....you guys" Shadow smiled back shyly. "We came to wish you to get better soon!" Lily said in her tiny voice, jumping in place. "The doctor said, if you get better, you'll need a lot of exercise to learn how to fly again! So when you get better - " Shadow smiled, but the light in his eyes slightly dimmed. " - I can teach you to fly again!!!" Lily finished in a happy voice "You taught me slowly and patiently when I was little once, and I was a terrible student, but you never gave up on me! So I'll never give up on you too!!!! I'll definitely teach you to fly again!!!! " She said and blinded him with her smile. "....Lily..." Shadow said, at a loss of words. The filly shined a ray of light to his heart, and for a brief second he believed it was possible. Then he looked at everyone in the room and smiled to them ".... Thank you everyone " he finally said. It seemed, the future will really be brighter.