Blades crossed in quick succession and blood spurted from freshly severed arteries, lightning arced and burned flesh, the air was hotter than the blazing fires of Tartarus, ice cold water filled his lungs. All of these things blasted on and still he did not give in.
“Is this the best you have Princess?....oh you filthy beasts have so much more in you Im sure...you with all your nightmares and darkness… you know nothing…. NOTHING!!!”
The darkness clamped shut over the pegasus’s mind and sealed him away until the next night. The sun would rise soon and she would not have enough power to focus on him until she slept once more through her sister’s day.
“My princess...any news?”
Luna looked down at her ever so loyal Soldier. Waking looked up at her eagerness and fear in his eyes. But alas she looked away. “He is a monster… I can feel it… a deep darkness within him...it's protecting him it is giving him strength to resist… I loathe having to use my powers to make somepony else talk, but this is…. this is something else… I don't know what it could possibly be…” She sat, her wings folded and her eyes cast downward.
She had done this all for their world, something evil was coming and this was all she could do. So many already thought her a monster. This was not something she enjoyed.
Her thoughts were pushed away as Waking’s armor clanked. “My princess… he does not have to talk to you…. we already know the council is responsible...It is no surprise that a hardened veteran that is being boosted by some dark power can resist….just get me into a room with the council and I assure you they will tell us everything that we will EVER need to know..”
“Waking?....” She looked at him with pain in her eyes. “...These are still my people...bringing them dread and pain is not what I wish to do. Waking responded with a visible flinch and a shake of his head.
“Then don’t, we are yours… we will protect you to our dying breath… and we will protect your Sovereignty all the same.” His eyes remained level, looking up to her.
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Waking’s eyes opened and Cookie let out a sharp “eep” falling back.
“Told you Cookie… you shouldn't get so close to others when the sleep.”
Cookie stuck her tongue out at Dart who chuckled as Waking stood. Noticing the seriousness in his Waking’s eyes Shadow stepped forward. “Then we have orders?...”
“Yes… and no… but we are moving… gear up… we are arresting the council…”
He walked to the armory that they had set up in a hurry. The forest was a fortress to be sure but they needed more. And so with some string pulling there was an order of weapons, armor, and general supplies dumped in the middle of the forest. The wolves had taken it all quickly and with a quick chat with Cookie they not only gave it to the group but helped upkeep the weapons. She had only just vaguely mentioned something about respect for sovereignty before she went on about when the next meal was.
The two younger ones flinched and the wolves below growled in protest as a hoof slammed into the wood blocking Waking’s way. “They are guarded by a bloody army… how are we going to get in? I ask because not only am ‘I’ a survivor… but despite my best efforts… I actually like you guys alive...so old fool… you going to drag me and two children into a slaughter for a slight chance that we will get to see those who are opposing us before we get slaughtered?”
Waking grit his teeth and pushed past Shadow. “There is a way… I just don't know it yet, I know its there. We will win this.”
Shadow’s eyes glinted in the setting moon’s light. “She didn’t notice did she?... nor you either… Ill bet at least one more of us have…”
Waking stopped and looked back. Shadow gave a rare smile and spoke up as he gestured towards the thick metal cage housing Shaw. Dart… you feel it don't you?.... what do you feel when you look at him?...”
Dart’s eyes widened in a little bit of discomfort. “Well… um… he's… kinda scary…”
Shadow grinned and stepped forward. “Yes… exactly… fear...but Dart… look at him… he is half your size… I mean yeah hes fast and powerful.. a skilled warrior… but still.. “
Dart’s eyes shivered as he swallowed still looking over at him. “Hes…. still scary…”
Shadow laughed. “Exactly… scary…. but its not HIM you are afraid of… look at me… how many bloody things do you think I am afraid of?.... Ill give you a clue… in general its somewhere between 1 and negative 1…. yes whatever it is around him… it inspires fear and caution in my heart…” He stepped up to Shaw’s unconscious form. “ Its like… there is something… right here… something powerful.. and frightening…”
Waking’s eyes widened as he looked over. “His armor… take off his armor…”
Shadow chuckled with a smile. “and now you get it… finally, we are not fighting against the council… we are fighting against something like me… only… much… much older….”
Dart opened the cage slowly and carefully while Shadow cut the armor off of Shaw who shuttered as if gaining strength and regaining his consciousness. But when the chest piece came off his whole body shuddered and shivered before he began whimpering in his sleep. Shadow smoothed his hoof over the inside of the chest piece and broke something off the interior. His eyes seemed hypnotized as he glared into what appeared to be a vibrant red gemstone. His lips moved with a quiet whisper “...violence…”
“What?...” Waking took a step forward and Shadow dropped the gemstone onto the table.
“Its magical...it was feeding him power… a lot of it.. I honestly have no idea what it is…” He rubbed his eyes and his wings flapped twice, his eyes seemed to surge, but no one noticed.
“Waking… drill Dart and Cookie… I will do a little recon… we are NOT doing a suicide mission… we are going to have a valid plan… and trust me… I think our princess will have no problems yanking answers from our little captain now…”
“Shadow!.... what is it you are not telling me?... what is this?...”
He turned to face Waking. “I told you… its something like me… just much much older…”