//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - A Cold Day In The Nether (Part 1) // Story: Minecraft Beginnings // by The EnderPony Master //------------------------------// Ponyville General Hospital Shadow was on a hospital when he woke up. At first, he didn't know where he was and was about teleport, but he saw the door open to reveal a brown stallion with black mane and tail. Follow by, a pure white mare with light pink mane and tail, carrying a clipboard. "Oh, it seems somepony is up early." Said the brown stallion. "I have to admit, it is amazing that you're alive right now." "Okay..." Shadow said. "Who are you two and where am I?" "Oh, you're in the Ponyville General Hospital." The white mare said. "Also, this is Doctor Stables and I'm Nurse Redheart." "Those were quite the injury you had there Mr. Shadow." Dr. Stables said. "Tell me, how did you receive such conditions?" "Well," Shadow started. "I was heading over to a friend after work, until I heard some screaming and went to check it out. When I got there, I saw a bunch of fillies cornered by a Manticore." This got both Dr. Stables' and Nurse Redheart's full attention. "It was about to kill those fillies, but I teleported them out of danger and told them to get help." "Get help?" Nurse Redheart asked. "Didn't you run along with the girls to escape?" "No, I stayed and fought the beast. I was stung by it, but I sucked up all the poison and killed the Manticore after." Now both medical employees were shocked. "How's that possible?!" Dr. Stables asked. " A pony that has been stung by such a creature would of been dead in a couple of minutes! Let alone, an angry and aggressive Manticore getting food!" Shadow smirked. "Well, we Enderponies are far more aggressive than any other creatures out there." Dr. Stables raised an eyebrow. "What does that suppose to mean?" "Trust me, you won't like it when we're angry." Shadow said it in a dark voice. "Okay then..." Nurse Redheart said nervously." Well, we originally came here to check up on you before your guests comes." "I have guests?" Asked Shadow. "Yes, and you were going to be here for awhile, but somehow your wounds healed at a amazing rate. So, it seems like you're free to go." "We'll let them in for you." Dr. Stables says as he and Nurse Redheart walked out of the door. Soon, five ponies came trotting in with different expressions on their faces. "How's it going big guy?" Rainbow Dash asked while playfully punched Shadow's shoulder. "Oh dear, are you okay?" Fluttershy said as she hovers over him. "I'm fine," Shadow chuckled. "The doctors said I'm going to make a full recovery." "Yippee! My Ender friend is going to be alright! When we get back, I'm going to through you a 'Hero' and a 'Manitcore Survivor' Party!" Pinkie Pie cheered. Shadow chuckled. 'I'll never know what powers that cotton-candy bundle of joy.' He thought. "Wait, what do you mean 'When we get back'?" Shadow asked. "Where are we going?" "Well darling," Rarity finally spoke. "Our good friend Twilight has gotten a letter from Princess Celestia that she will be given a test. I must say, I don't see what's the whole fuss is about." She and Applejack came closer to Shadow while Applejack took off her Stetson. "Also Shadow," Applejack said "Thanks for saving our sisters Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, and their friend Scootaloo. We wouldn't know what we would do if you hadn't..." Applejack was the verge of tears when something soft wiped her cheeks. "It's alright Applejack," Shadow said tenderly. "The important thing is that they are out of danger and they are still among us." "You're right, *sniff*, thanks partner." After the heart-warming moment, the gang help fill out the paper work and got Shadow checked-out. They walked down the streets, until they heard a huge explosion come from Golden Oak Library. "It sounds like Twilight is ready to go." Rainbow said. After Twilight's 'exam' was properly announced, they all set out on a train to the Artic North where they will help with the whole Crystal Empire situation. When they got off their train, a pure white stallion with light blue mane and tail, wearing a scarf and mask greeted them. "Twily!" Shining Armor yelled. "It's good to see you and you're friends again." "It's nice to see you too Shining." Twilight replied. "Where's Cadance?" "She's in the castle under the barrier." Shining finally set his gave at Shadow. He pushed Twilight behind him and pointed his horn at Shadow. "Careful Twilight, those things are dangerous!" Before he could shoot, the mares and dragon got in front of his range. "Shining wait!" Twilight yelled. "This is our friend, Shadow, and he's not a monster; he's an Enderpony!" Before Shining Armor could ask a question, there was a bunch of screeches coming from the blizzard. "We'll talk later, we got to get to the safe zone. We don't want to be out here with them after dark." "Um... who's them?" Spike asked nervously. Spikes question was answered when a huge, dark, shadowy figure with glowing green eyes was coming right for them, it was King Sombra! Without wasting time, everypony ran for dear life to the safe zone. Suddenly, three tall figures popped out of nowhere and hissed at Fluttershy who was stopped in her tracks screaming. Shining Armor lit his horn and fired at the shadow, but it teleported out of his shot. Rainbow swooped down and picked up the now crying Fluttershy. When they finally got the safe zone, they were tired out of running. Although, there were two stallions that were missing and things were going to get worse. Shining was wandering through the blinding blizzard while trying to find the mares, but he was soon met with something hard in the back of his head. He stood there for two seconds and fell into the snow unconscious. Sombra was laughing as he took a look at his victim that was surrounded by his shadowy minions. "Oh, is this suppose to be the new ruler of my empire?" Sombra quietly asked to nopony. "How pathetic..." Sombra summoned a black crystal that was sharpened to the tip. He raised it to Shining Armor's neck and whispered something in his ear. "It was nice meeting you, but I do believe my subject are waiting for their ruler to return..." Sombra grinned. "Goodbye, and don't worry... I'll put put a statue of you when I take my city back." Just when he was going to slice out Shining's neck, a screech roared threw the blizzard. Then, one by one, the shadowy minions were being grabbed and pulled into the blinding snow storm. Sombra was both confused and angry. "Who's there?!" He shouted. "Show yourself!" Soon, Shadow teleported in Sombra's view, who was looking back at him with interest. "So, you're this 'Sombra' I've heard about." Shadow said. "I got to say, you don't seem that scary. Also, I don't think you're going to put up statue for him." "Who and what are you fool?! I can see that you're not a regular pony!" "Oh, how rude of me." Shadow said in a teasing matter. "I am Shadow the Enderpony and I came to get my friend back if you don't mind." He grinned. Now Sombra was really mad. How dare he treat him with little respect? He charged his horn and shot it straight at Shadow, only for shadow to teleport to Shining Armor's form and took him out of danger. When Shadow reached his destination, he saw six mares and a dragon with their mouths hanged. "What the buck just happened to you two?!" Rainbow shouted.