//------------------------------// // The Changing Tides // Story: The Shadow Lands // by kento124 //------------------------------// His image kept appearing in her mind, as if every word or thought of the farm dredged him up. The smell and taste of the pie, the farm it self, and the kind nature of Applejack all reminded her of him. The feeling of dread was building up they first meet, as if he was in her eyes. “Hun, you alright?” Was all she could hear, in her mind the emotions were at the tipping point. She turned to Applejack as she tried to say, “Applejack, I want to tell you something.” She notice a small change in Applejack's eyes, they seemed curious but also worried. They were nearly the same eyes, even down to the color. That green, that light green hued. By the high lord, why does she have to be so like him, she thought as the idea raged in her mind. “I'm saying this is so you, don't you dare tell any other pony” She managed to say, as Applejack just looked on confused. As she let out a deep sigh to steady herself, “Okay, you, this town, the farm...It reminds me of the couple that ran the farm and my home.” Finishing in a near whispering hoping she didn't catch her pause. She couldn't believe she was about to tell her about him, the idea alone was shocking to her. She turned to see Applejack with a blank look, which made her uneasy. “Well you just remind me of them. Not saying you are exactly like them, but it's just I haven't been home in...” She said in confusion, just throwing out words to cover her embarrassment. She could see Applejack's face slowly change, “It’s been so long time since I've visited my home town and you just act so much like them and their family. To be honest I'll say it’s a complement, they were... “She paused after seeing that Applejack was just sitting with and eye brow raised. Feeling even more embarrassed now she managed a small, “Sorry” Applejack just sat there staring blankly at for a while, which gave Silver an uneasy feeling in her stomach. Her abrupt laughter cut the silence that grew between them. With her eyes glued to the laughing mare, her mind remain dumb founded at the site. Why is she laughing? Was what I said funny to her in some way? Was the only thoughts that passed through her head. A slight bit of anger crept onto her face, as the mare's laughing died down a bit. “I'm sorry Hun,” Silver heard her say, trying to steady herself, “It’s just the face you made when you said that...was just so darn adorable and ah just couldn't resist teasing you.” She finished with a huge smile. Adorable? That word caught her off guard as she couldn't think of a way to respond. “It’s okay, if ah remind you of somepony you knew if it helps you not feel so alone, then by all means. Being away from your family is hard and I don't take it with ill intention.” As applejack's words were calming, she looked to her as a sweet smile came apparent on her face. “Thank you.” Was all she could manage as a relief flushed over her. As they sat there, what seemed like hours to her just enjoying the clam afternoon breeze. The thought of telling her Applejack a little about her hometown and working on a farm was helping her to come to terms with her the situation. Even being one of the Shalin royal guards, she was still a mare. As her mind went on as the lingering breeze blew through her gray mane, the only one thought she had, I'm sorry father. She notices applejack looking over her farm as the sun seamed to glow around her. She is amazing, to be able to own and run the farm with just her family. She is to kind; I don't want to lie to her but, As her thoughts raced, she was torn between telling her the truth and telling a lie. She nearly jumped when a slight touch on her shoulder snapped her from the mental trance. “Ah know the farm is calming an all but Ah think ah hear twilight and the fillies.” To her dismay, she was right as the sounds of laughter and giggling could be heard from the far edge of the orchard. “Yes, yes, I guess the time for solitude has past. Shall we head back then?” She reluctantly asked. With nothing but a slight nod, Applejack started head back first. Staring at her as a small thought past through her mind, Well at least she cute. The thought floated popped into her head, she notice Applejack was few feet a head of her now. She quickly pressed the thought to the back of her mind as she tried to catch up. By the time she caught up, she could hear Applejack ask, “In a bit of a dream hun?” The sun was set by the time they reached the houes, entering through the rickety kitchen door. The sounds of playful fillies and a slightly less enthusiastic mare could be heard. “Yes, yes, I'm glad you all had a fun time at school.” She could hear Twilight saying as they entered the living room. The sight of the fillies caught her attention as they entered. She glace across them, her eyes stopped on the one little blue filly. She froze at the filly presence as she noticed that she bolted straight to her. Slightly startled by the huge she received, Silver stumbled back a bit as she could hear small weeping vibrate into her chest. As her eye's looked down to the site of the weeping filly as she feel the tear soaking into her coat. Slowly she returns the huge whispering “oh Lunar,” as she the hugged the filly. As the huge slowly dissolve, lunar looked up to meet her gaze with watery eyes. With a slight smile she said, “It’s alright Lunar, I'm alright so there is no need for those tears. I'm glad to see that you’re happy and healthy.” She notices a small smile grow on her face as it caused her to do the same. She raised her head to meet the eyes of the other fillies, “On her Teachers behalf I like to thank you four for looking after her.” Lunar shifted from her grasp as a thought formed in her mind, “Silver, where’s Teacher? I haven't seen him any ware. I thought you would know.” Those simple words brought great dread as a a lump in her throat grew. As she meet lunar pleading eye, she could see what she was hoping for. Whatever smile she gain from the Orchard was lost as a heavy sigh left her lungs. “I don't know where he's at. I'm sorry.” The wait of her words dug into struck Lunar hard, she hoped he was okay. “All he left me was two requests” XxX “Another mournful night,” She whispered. She wished they were not but a dream. Another night from a forgotten day as the moon laid its glow upon the land. The lone breeze brushed past as it brought the scent of sleeping flowers. Each of her steps echoing through the hollow halls as many has abandoned her world to return to theirs. These forgotten nights are her only solace as sadly she knowingly calls them home. Her final steps on this distasteful rock path that led her beyond the joyful courtyards. In her gaze laid a glass dome. ‘I do hope he’s awake now. It’s been seven days since his arrival. She thought walking up to the night guards standing watch near its entrances. Ever since the argument she had with her sister, she feared she might do something thinking it was in her best interest. “Your highness, we great news! He has awakened from his sleep.” The deep voice guard stated as he notices Luna’s arrival. He’s awake! she thought as the feeling of joy began to build up. She cleared her throat before saying, “Thank you, Sargent Night Watch. I will go speak to him now. Please stand guard till you’re relived.” Both of the guards saluted, she gave a slight nod as she proceeded to enter the dome. The only light she could see was that of her christened moon shining over most of the domes interior. I was a house to flowers and plants that are unable to stand the suns direct ray. With each step she searches for his presents as the guards were right as the bed she had placed inside the dome was vacant. She found him standing near some deep blue colored flowers that shined from the moon light. “It please me to see that you are now awake.” She stated as he turned to face her. As the moon light illuminated his figure so did his eyes, with their deep crimson color. They seem to draw her in as his voice remain a slight raspy, “You are the one who said she would help. What is your name?” He asked as his voice remains emotionless. The lack of emotion hounded her a bit, as she remained in character. “My name is Luna. I do believe we told you that the night we first meet.” She felt she needed answers but his presences seemed different from that night. He seems colder and distant. He seemed confused by her statement as he cocked his head before saying, “If you did, Shades mind is cloudy. I… don’t remember that day or any prior.” ‘Any prior?’ she thought ‘does that mean he has amnesia?’ the though seemed to be far fetch but she believed it. “So…” She started, trying to confirm her thought. “You can’t remember any day before we meet and you could only remember your name.” she stated, hoping I wasn’t as it seemed. “Yes. Shade knows not of his past. He has knowledge of things but his mind covered in fog, thinking he must search for someone.” He seemed to have trouble with making his sentences coherent. She knew he wasn’t a pony but still that didn’t stop her heart from caring. His body fluctuated as a small groan exited his mouth. “It seems hard to keep that form? Is there a reason to why you hold it?” she asked as she walked up next to him. His face twitched with what looked like sadness as he stated, “As I try remembering, concentration is lost on maintaining my form. The others fear so.” So he keeps that form so others won’t fear him but, “You said your searching for someone? May We ask his name, we may be able to help find him?” She preset on hoping it wasn’t too much. She could not tell what he was but his being gave rise to many questions, even if she felt compassion for his pain. A strange spike magical energy shot up from the Everfree forest four days ago. Celestia thought it was due to his presences and to her dismay, she did as well. The spike seemed odd as did his existence or so say her researchers’. His entire body is made up of a dense magical substance that we can’t tell what is but something like this is practically beyond us, they told her. The whole idea made her feel a bit uneasy as if he's the coming of something greater and more danger. “His name… its Shadow, Shadow Wingle, I think. The face and body is not in memory but I feel like I must find him. The reason escapes me so” His word brought her mind back as she thought about the name, “I’m sorry but to my knowledge we don’t know any by that name.” She watch him look down in defeat saying, “I thought a Princess of the Twin Moons of Shalin would know.” She felt down herself for not being able to help as what he just said hit her. Did he say Shalin and twin moon princess? “Um, do you mean Equestria?” She asked hoping to clarify what he said. He looked up confused saying, “Equestria? Isn’t this the Shalin capital, the castle of the New Moon?” She was surprised by what he said. Ether he was delusional or he was from a place she never heard of or even knew existed. Seeing in his eyes confusion, she reluctantly told him, “The castle you are now in is the capital of the nation of equestria. This castle and the surrounding town are named Canterlot and there are two royal princesses. My sister Princess Celestia, and myself. I know not of this ‘Shalin nation’ you speak of but I would like to know more.” She finished. She thought even if it is a delusion he thought up, his eye said he believed it all. ’What could a little story do.’ He stared at her for a while, only giving a nod before he started, “Shalin is a country of great wealth and power. It holds fast to many territories through political and military means. It stood for nearly 2000 years; never to have any kind of internal power struggle.” She was taken aback by what he was saying. “If a kingdom as such was never to faultier then the royal line must have devoted citizens?” She assumed but saw his face turn grim near the end of her question. “But that’s not the case to why it lasted for so long, for you see the citizen’s hate most of the ruling government.” She could not understand what he meant; only giving a nod to continue. Without missing a beat he explained, “There are seven ruling nobles, the King high court and the King himself as the major ruling party. The king and his court handles the law and military power with the seven families holding power to governor-selected districts. In each district, there is a mayor selected by the family to handle the less function of the land such as in farming and the marketing/selling of goods.” “So if the families only answer to the King and his courts, then why do the citizens hate them then?” She asked curiously as to his answer. This may be a tall story but he is going through a lot of trouble to hide whatever his ‘truth’ is. He has gone into it with such resolve. “It is due to how they rule. Most care little toward there citizens feeling no responsibility for them. There not allowed to own their own factories or farm land since due to the living conditions they have to endure.” “So there's over privileged nobles, what's new. What other hard ships must a pony of Shalin endure?” She couldn’t help but ask. The sheer conviction in his voice and the detail is getting to her. It was as if another was talking through him with pure confidences. “The entire country is in a perpetual sate of cold weather. It would either be the Falls freezing rain or the deadly winds of Winter. The only source of food made in building called greenhouses and coal is the only source of heat in the cold nights. For any to be warm and health, they need be a noble or join the military. The rest are forced to work in the greenhouse or the mines for a means to live.” He paused again, she began to want to know more of this world. How can he let his citizen suffer and not urn to help? How can any of the ruling parties be as cruel? “The seven ruling families have strong ties to the King and his ancestors as well to the kingdom as knights and commandants. The King of now, holds his kingdom and his concurred land with military power alone. Its strength is unmatched as is their loyalty to kingdom. There is one family that treats its subjects with care and humility.” He said with a small hint of glee that was barely noticeable in his voice. “And there name would be?” she asked as her curiosity grew. “There call the Wingle house and they hold the most of the military power in the Shalin.” Xx She glanced back at the descending moon wondering what her sister would say about the same story she heard. Even with his existing aside, how can such a place exist without them not even knowing about it? With all she knows and from what she heard from him, the rational side of her says it’s ridiculous. Nevertheless, there was a voice in the back of her mind saying to believe, that what he said was true. She gave herself a small laugh at the thought as she approached her sister’s audience chamber. The large gold embedded doors seemed a bit over the top to her. The swirls en-laced on top of the plain white marble, leaving two identical flowers on each door. They came off a bit too royal, which she thought didn’t suite herself or her sister’s personality. That her guards dressed in such formal attire was pure over kill. If anything there pleasant to at least look at. “Princes Luna, it’s strange to see you up this early,” one of the guards asked a bit stunned by her presence. So some still fear me? Now that’s slightly amusing, she thought thinking about the guard’s statement. “Yes, I have business with my sister so would you open theses useless doors,” she state as a small smile formed around her lips. The guards scrambled to open the over sized doors. She slowly walked into the cathedral sized room, keeping her smirk as she eyed both guards. They both seemed to a bit frighten by her smile, she felt it was kind of fun to teased them. The inner room was vast with arcing archways and tall pillars that gleamed in the morning sun. The reflection was almost blinding as Luna side step to ovoid the reflective glare of the sun. The room itself remains empty since it only has one uses. She dislikes this room not because of her sister but for its overall thought. Luna's personal audience chamber was made to host the nightmare eves ball as well to address the public. Her's wasn’t even this shiny ether or over the top with its decor. She notice at the end of the long room was a glass mural showing her sister and her. It gave her the feeling of the nostalgic about the old days of Equestria. The site of Celestia sitting in her thrown came into view. She seems to be speaking with some delegates from saddle Arabia, “Yes I’ll present the new trade agreement to the counsel. I will send word on its outcome.” Celestia stated as the delegates gave a bow and turned to leave. They gave her a passing glance as they walked past, “Luna my dear sister, it’s surprising to see you still up.” She said, just taking notice of Luna’s presents. “Yes true but there is a matter in which we wish to discus with you” …. “That’s a bit much,” She said tilting her head in thought. “Putting a side what he is, why would his knowledge consist only of his make believe world?” Luna wanted her input for there was still some nagging thoughts on how to deal with him. “Magic is energy, it holds no thought. Its common knowledge but he is nothing but magical energy with his own logic and mind. His mere existence defies our own known magic laws.” Celestia stated only to continue with, “Still for him to have detailed memory’s it matters not. He attacks two guards and one of the researchers’. I still think he’s a danger that we need to isolate.” Her sister’s last statement made sense but the thought left her with a bad feeling. A feeling of great dread, a dread she didn’t know the reason to. “Sister, I know what he has done. Still even if he’s just magic, he described the world in such detail and conviction.” She pleaded; seeing that this conversation might end up like the first. Celestia let out a sigh, “Even if one remembers a saying does not mean it’s his own words.” Luna understood what her sister meant, but the lingering thought still haunted her. “If you were to have spoken to him you’ll realize he could barely make a sentence to let alone a thought. But yet when he spoke of that world it as if…” She pauses to gather a better idea what to say. “As if…” Her sister repeated in response to the pause. “…As if he was another pony all together. His tone changed as well how he spoke. It was as if his voice alone had the power to control raging force and the knowledge to use it.” She knew what she just said was weird; even she knew it was farfetched. The reaction on Celestia face proved it even more so confused by what she said. “Sorry but it felt abnormal when he spoke about Shalin.” She said before Celestia could say anything. She looked to her for a answer as Celestia pondered in deep thought. She gave a small cough before saying, “Well sister that was…a weird statement, but we could at least look into this ‘Shadow Wingle’. If for nothing to sooth this...curiosity of yours however, if nothing comes up, I would like to have him at lest confined until we can know more about him. Is this acceptable?” She asked, with a small nod from Luna a slight smile grew on Celestia face. Even if it is her sister is humoring her, at least this might settled down this strange feeling. Luna would agree to this for at least but the unsettling thought grew even more. Stupid mind, the chances of what he said was true? Are a million to one, she thought trying crushed the emotion. “Sister what ails you?” She heard Celestia ask, looking a bit worried. She looked up, giving a weak smile saying, “There has been this strange sense of dread thats been eating at the back of my mind from what he told me. It feels like something terribly dark is coming.” she stated seeing Celestia worry grow. It seemed that she was about to say something as the chamber doors burst opened. They both quickly glance in the direction to so one the castle guard running toward them. As he approached, “Your highness, I bring news. The researchers have traced another magical outburst.” He stated, trying to regain his breath. Another? Luna thought. “Yes there’s been many in the Everfree forest,” she stated, guessing it was something mundane. “Yes, but this one was in the city your grace, it brought a huge explosion and sated a raging fire.”