//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Shadows Remain(Unedited) // Story: Shadow Men: Where Light Can't Touch // by DragonsHeart //------------------------------// Snow hangs off gates of Canterlot Castle and its towers. The guards beside them stand to attention as Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends enter through the gates. They trot through the snow covered paths, looking at icicles hanging from the tree’s branches and their breaths fogging up in front of them. These would all normally contain much joy and wonder but something heavy hangs on the air. Like a great sadness. The world feels very quiet. “It was quite the snow fall, wasn’t it?” comments Rarity, trying to break the eerie silence. “Yeah, it all blew in from the Everfree Forest,” adds Rainbow Dash, rubbing her hoofs together. This only makes it even more eerie. The snow fall was natural, not pegasus made. The eerie silence starts again. “Any idea why Princess Celestia summoned us, Twilight?” asks Applejack, breaking the silence again. “I don’t know, but it must be important because she called Cadence as well,” replies Twilight. “Maybe it has something to do with the weird snow fall,” ponders Pinkie Pie. She then gasps, “What if the windigos are attacking!” “I doubt it is the windigos, Pinkie,” Twilight states, certain. They enter the front doors of the palace and into the warm hallways. Soon they reach the throne room. There speaking amongst themselves were Princess Luna, Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence. They seemed to be worried. “Princesses!” Twilight calls to them. The Princesses turn towards Twilight, they smile but their faces were still lined with worry. Twilight has a horrible feeling in her guts. “What is happening?” asks Twilight, worried. “Is it windigos?” exclaims Pinkie. Princesses show a slight genuine smile for a while before it fades to worry again. “No, Pinkie, if it was only that simple,” states Luna. “Then tell us what has happened,” Rarity asks. Luna’s and Cadence’s eyes land on Celestia, who sighs. “Have you girls ever heard ‘Star Swirl the Bearded University’?” asks Princess Celestia. “Nope,” states Applejack. “You’re kidding?” Twilight says, shocked. “Actually, I haven’t heard of it either,” adds Rainbow Dash. There are nods from the rest of the girls. “It’s like… the next step after ‘Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorn’ if you want to learn about magic,” explains Twilight, “If I didn’t become Celestia’s student I would of liked to go there.” “Oh, I get it now,” says Rainbow Dash, “It is a University for magic nerds.” “Does Star Swirl the Bearded run it?” asks Pinkie, while Rainbow Dash and Twilight glare at each other. “No,” replies Cadence, “It was simply named after him.” “Oh, ok,” Pinkie says, smiling. “Now that we are all well acquainted to what ‘Star Swirl the Bearded University’ is lets continue,” suggest Celestia, smiling. Everypony quiets down and pays attention. “Last night after Midnight Luna heard a noise coming from the direction of the University,” continues Celestia. “Excuse me Princess,” calls Rarity, interrupting Celestia, “But where is the University? I mean it’s not in Canterlot, I imagine.” “You’re right, Rarity,” confirms Luna, “It is near Foal Mountain, next to the small settlement of Foalstead, about a four hour flight away from Canterlot.” “How could you hear something four hours away?” says Rainbow Dash, shocked, “Was it really that loud?” “It wasn’t that it was loud but it carried,” explains Luna, “We have reports from Vanhoover, Las Pegasus, Crystal Empire and Manehattan all hearing at the small volume.” “It was meant to be heard,” adds Cadence. “What did it sound like?” asks Twilight. Luna seems to ponder it for a while, “It sounds a bit like roar of anger but it is tone was of sadness.” “It can be both?” asks Pinkie. “It is just what I thought of when I heard it,” explains Luna, “I also thought I heard words in it, later reports confirm that there was indeed word within it.” “What were they?” asks Twilight. Luna looks at Celestia who nods, “It was ‘Where are they. They killed them.’” A sudden chill is felt. “That ominous,” states Applejack. “Also a bit before that, around midnight Discord said he felt a huge magical build up at the University and then a few minutes later a huge sudden magical drop,” adds Celestia. “What is weird about that?” asks Rainbow Dash. “While magical build up in a University that studies magic is not weird, a sudden magical drop is,” explains Cadence. “Why?” asks Rainbow Dash, still not getting it. “Because… magic doesn’t disappear,” says Twilight, catching on, “It has to go somewhere.” “Well done, Twilight,” praises Celestia, coursing Twilight to blush. “In most cases a sudden magic drop would mean a magical explosion, but there was none,” explains Luna. “I have a bad feeling about what happened at the University,” states Applejack. “You are right, Applejack,” agrees Celestia, “When Luna sent guards to investigate they reported that everypony there were massacred!” The girls gasp. “Not a single survivor has been found yet,” continues Celestia, “And parts of the building has been knocked down as well.” “A team of experts are investigating right now,” adds Luna, “So far it is believed that a group of ponies summoned something and it got lose.” “While am mighty sad to hear all about this,” Applejack says, taking off her hat and hugging it to her chest, “But the Foul Mountain is on the other side of Canterlot to Ponyville, so what does it has to do with us.” “Do not think idly of this, Applejack,” warns Luna, “The University had some of the finest Anti-Magical fighters guarding it, if it could kill all of them then it must be formidable.” “And it could still be lose,” adds Cadence, “Most summons disappear after the magic runs out, but some don’t.” “All communities’ officials have been warned and as you six are some of the foremost important ponies of Ponyville we needed to warn you as well,” states Celestia. “Do you know what was summoned?” asks Twilight. “As of now we do not know,” states Luna. Twilight seems to ponder this, “Then with your permission I would to go there.” “WHAT!?!” yells her friends, even the princess seem shocked. “You do not need our permission, Twilight, you are a Princess now,” explains Celestia, nervous, “But I must warn you it is quite horrible. Even the reports make my stomach churn.” “Thank you, but I must find out more and I will be fine,” Twilight states proudly. “Then I will prepare a chariot to carry you there,” says Celestia, still uncertain. Celestia, Luna and Cadence leave the room, leaving behind Twilight and her friends behind. “Do you really have to go, Twilight?” asks Fluttershy, who has been quiet until now, “I mean it could be dangerous.” “Yes, I do,” Twilight states, “If I am going to protect Ponyville I need to know what I am facing.” “Do you mean WE need to know what we are facing,” corrects Applejack, “You not leaving us behind.” “Oh, do we have to go?” asks Fluttershy, quietly. “Yes, we, do,” answers Rainbow Dash. “Are sure? I just want to check somethings,” asks Twilight. “We are sure,” states Applejack, followed by three nods and one hesitance nod. “Then let’s go,” Twilight says smiling. The chariot flies across the sky, pulled by two Royal guards. “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with a C,” says Pinkie. “Cloud,” answers Applejack, bored. “Right!” Pinkie says, happily, “Your turn.” “Fine, I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…” Applejack cast her eyes around, until she spots something “B.” “Oh, is it… a bird?” asks Pinkie. “There are no birds in Winter, Pinkie,” states Applejack. “A balloons?” “There are no balloons.” “A blimp?” “There is no blimp either!” says Applejack, getting annoyed. “Is it a book?” asks Twilight, holding up the book she is reading. “Yes!” says Applejack, sighing in exasperation. “I was going to guess that next!” pouts Pinkie. “What are you reading anyway, dear?” asks Rarity. “I’m just brushing up my knowledge on summoning magic,” answers Twilight. Rainbow Dash groans, “This trip is taking forever!” “Well it is a four hour trip,” states Twilight. “You won’t have to wait much longer you can see the University now,” states one of the guards pulling the chariot, who Twilight believed is called Thunderclap. The girls looks over the edge and sees the probably once grand building of the University, but they can even from here see the damaged parts of the building. As they get closer they can see that it is fenced with tall stone walls with only one entrance. They soon land near the entrance. A large crowd of ponies are gathered outside it, yelling, complaining and… crying. Three Royal Guards stand in front of them. Two stand in front of the gate and one addresses the crowd. Twilight and her friends approach the gate and almost instantly mobbed by some of the crowd that turns out to be the Press. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, can you tell us what the situation is inside the University?” one goes. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, is it true that everypony in there was massacred?” another goes. “Alright, bugger off the lot of you before I arrest you for bothering a princess,” says coltney voice, which turns out to be the guards that was addressing the crowd. The rest of the guards dissolved the crowd and press. Soon the guard that spoke approaches Twilight and extends a hoof, Twilight takes it. “Corporal Jack Ripper, Homicide,” he speaks in a coltney accent. Twilight notices that every time he speaks causes Rarity to cringes. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, a Princess,” Twilight replies. “No shit, never would have guessed,” he says smirking, “We got a messages that you were coming.” “What is happening right now?” asks Twilight, ignoring his rude behaviour. “Don’t know. We came in, saw the magic circle and then called the Hexxers. Nothing left to do but clean up the rubble and what’s left of the bodies,” Jack lists off. “What’s left,” Fluttershy squeaks. “Oh yeah, there all over the floors… and the walls… and in some places the ceiling,” he lists off again. Fluttershy looks faint. “Who are the Hexxers?” asks Twilight, glaring at the very rude guard. “The Magic Crime and Spell Defusal Squad, we just call them Hexxers,” he explain. “We would like to go in and speak with them then,” states Twilight. Jack looks shocked, “I can’t let six nice mares go in there…” he then grins, “Not without a bucket! We have enough mess to clean without you adding to it.” “How can you be casual about this?!” yells Rarity, having enough. “I’m from Liverypool, I’m used to it,” Jack says unfazed, pulling out a dog end out from behind his ear and lighting it. “Can you just let us in?!” Twilight yells, also having enough. “Fine fine, don’t have to yell,” he says, opening the gates, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” The girls rush past him and onto the grounds. When he is out of earshot Rarity says. “His horrible accent suits him perfectly.” They soon reach the doors to the university where a few more members of homicide are moving body bags out of the building. One of them breaks off from and approaches them. “Greeting Princess Twilight Sparkle,” says the homicide member, bowing slightly, “I am Captain Iron-Sight, head of Canterlot’s Homicide. I hope Jack didn’t give you any trouble.” “Define trouble,” says Rainbow Dash, angry. “I am sorry about him,” Iron-Sight apologizes. “Why do you keep him anyway?” asks Rarity. “Because he is just so damn good at his job and not many ponies want to join Homicide,” he explains. “Is he really that good?” asks Pinkie. “He is one of the best corporals we had in a long time… unfortunately he is also Jack and therefore a total ass,” he states. “Well, what can you tell us about what happened here?” Twilight asks. “Can’t tell you much beside they were attacked by something very big,” he replies. “How big?” asks Fluttershy, nervously. “About dragon sized,” he guesses, “The Hexxers may be able to tell you more.” “Thanks, where are they?” asks Twilight. “In the main hall. Just go through the doors and keep going until you see the big broken down doors and behind that is the main hall,” he explains. “Thank you, we will head there right now,” Twilight says, heading to the doors. “Be careful, it isn’t pretty in there,” states Iron-Sights. They realize truth behind that statement when they look through the door and see the giant pool of blood behind it. They all went pale. This is the most real blood they have ever seen in one place. Rarity and Fluttershy look faint, even Rainbow Dash and Applejack look like they want to run away. Pinkie just stares at it. Twilight notices that somepony put something over the puddle to act as a bridge. Twilight gulps and takes a step on the bridge. She looks down and nearly loses her lunch, there are bits of flesh among the blood. She dashes across the bridge and moves away from the puddle. Soon the rest of the girls’ cross and they look down the hallway, the sight horrifies them. There is blood everywhere and few dead bodies as well. “I don’t think I can take walking down this path,” Rarity says, looking rather green. “Me nether,” adds Rainbow Dash. “Hold on, I will teleport us there,” suggests Twilight. With a flash of light they are gone. A few teleports later they manage to reach the main hall. Where a somepony greets them. “That was quite the entrance, Princess,” says an old unicorn stallion, with spectacles. “Sorry, we didn’t want have walk down the hall,” explains Twilight. “I understand,” he says, nodding his head, “And don’t worry, beside the magic circle, around the door and one of the walls it is pretty clean in here.” “Are you one of Hexxers?” asks Twilight. “Yes, I am Professor Hard Facts, Head of the Magic Crime and Spell Defusal Squad, Canterlot division” he says, bowing. “Can you explain what’s happening?” asks Twilight. “I will try, we don’t know all the facts yet,” says Hard Facts, adjusting his glasses. “Can you start with magic circle,” suggests Twilight. He nods. They walk over to the edge of the large circle. “This is a class F circle,” he starts to explain. “What does the F mean?” asks Pinkie. “It means Forbidden, these circles were outlawed nearly a thousand years ago,” he answers. “Why was it outlawed,” asks Twilight. “Because it requires blood and a sacrifice,” Hard Fact answers. “Oh,” Twilight says, shocked, “What was it summoning?” “We don’t know,” he says, rubbing his chin. He then points at two of the rings within the circle, “You see those ones are the rings of summoning. We don’t recognizes the symbols.” “What does that mean?” asks Rainbow Dash, confused. “The outer ring of the two is the ring of location, that is for choosing where your summon is coming from, i.e Equestria or another plane of existence like Tartarus or the Abyss. These markings are totally new to me, so I have no idea where the thing came from,” he explains. “I think I get it,” replies Rainbow Dash, “What about the other ring.” “That is the ring of being, it what you would use to pick what you are summoning. These marking are also total new to me, but they are simple so the summoner must not have been picky about what they were summoning,” he explains again. “What are the outer rings for?” asks Pinkie, curious. “There the rings of binding,” he says, pulling out a small book and flicking through it, “Extremely powerful, but not powerful enough it seems.” “Can you give us an example of what kind of creature this circle would usual hold?” asks Twilight. Hard Facts frowns, “A circle like this was once used to hold an Ancient Ursa Major a long time ago. It is also believed that these kinds of circles could hold the Princesses as well.” “It could really hold a princess!?” exclaims Twilight in shock. “I said it is believed!” he snaps back, “No one has ever bound a Princess before.” “Sorry,” Twilight says, backing off a bit. Hard Facts rubs his brow, “No, forgive me, Princess. It’s just that I don’t know what kind of creature could break a magical circle like this and that scares the hell out of me.” “Could the magic circle been done wrong?” asks Twilight, “I mean most magical circles accident are caused by badly made circles.” “I would like to believe this too but this is the best made circle we have come across in decades,” he states, “Whoever did this knew what they were doing.” “What is going on in the middle of the circle,” asks Applejack, pointing to a group of ponies gathered in the middle of the circle. “Their trying to deal with the biggest mystery of the circle,” Hard Facts states. “What’s that?” asks Pinkie, curious. “The mark that the creature must have left behind,” he replies. Twilight’s ears perk up, “Can we see it? That might help us.” “Sure. Just be careful not to damage the circle,” he says, walking towards the middle. The girls follow careful not to damage anything. The crowd parts and shows the inner circle. In the middle of the circle is a red oval, within it is a simple sad face, like one would find on an opera mask. Before Twilight can say anything a conversation catches her attention. “The tests show it’s slightly different from the other blood of the circle,” says one of the Hexxers. “It must belong to the last missing member of the family,” says another Hexxer. “So she was used as the sacrifice then,” says the first Hexxer. “Poor family,” says the second. “What are you talking about?” asks Pinkie, who has come right up to them. “What?” says one of hexxers, surprised by the sudden pink pony. “Miss Pinkie Pie, can you leave them alone to work,” asks Hard Facts, “I will answer any questions you have.” “Ok,” says Pinkie, backing off to the relief of the Hexxers. “What where they talking about?” asks Twilight to Hard Facts. “They were talking about the pony that was sacrificed and her family that were used to make the circle,” he explains. “Who were they?” asks Rarity, horrified. “They were the Flower family,” he says, pulling out a picture and handing it to girls, “There was four members, the Father: Ferrum Flower - age 49, the Mother: Fair Daisy Flower - age 43, the young son: Quick-Jump Flower - age 9 and they daughter: Joy Flower - age 17. They disappeared the previous night from their home, most likely kidnapped.” The girls look at the picture, it is a classic family picture. Full of smiling faces and hugging. “Where are they now?” asks Twilight, looking up from the picture. He points to the far side of the room where three bodies are being tended by few members of Homicide, “Over there is the last remains of Ferrum, Fair Daisy and Quick-Jump Flower. All their blood was drained and used to draw the circle. I wouldn’t suggest looking at them, a body drained of blood is not a pretty sight.” “How horrible!” exclaims Rarity, paling. “What happened to Joy?” asks Fluttershy. “We believe she was used for the sacrifice,” he explains, “Ritual must have destroyed her body, because this blood is all we can find of her.” “Oh my,” whimpers Fluttershy. “If you don’t mind can we look around the University?” Twilight asks Hard Facts. “As long as you don’t disturb anything I can’t think why not,” he replies, happy at the idea of getting back to his work. “We won’t cause any problems,” Twilight promises. Hard Facts nods and heads off to another group of Hexxers. “Where are we going, Twilight?” asks Pinkie, as they head out. “I want to check out the Headmasters office, there might be some clue to want was going on,” explains Twilight. “Good idea,” Pinkie shouts, before Twilight teleports them away. After getting directions from a Homicide member they head towards Headmasters offices. “It is soo cold in here!” whines Rarity, tightening her scarf, “It is colder in here than outside!” “I wonder how much it would cost to heat this place?” wonders Applejack. “Actually they used magic to heat the building,” comments Twilight, “They built powerful wards into the walls while they were building the university… they still should be working though.” “Weird,” comments Rainbow Dash. “You know what this reminds me of,” states Pinkie, excitably, “The time we solved the mystery on board the Friendship Express!” “Only this time it not who ate the cake, but a massacre and a very dangerous monster,” Applejack shoots down. “I’m trying to look on the bright side,” says Pinkie, deflating. “Innocent ponies died, Pinkie!” Applejack shouts, angrily, “There ain’t no bright side! A family lost their life for this sick ritual and a lot of other ponies got killed because of it!” Pinkie backs off, but Rarity comes to her defence. “Listen Applejack, I know you are upset but that is no reason to take it out on Pinkie!” warns Rarity. Applejack looks at the dejected Pinkie and sighs. “Look I am sorry I yelled at ya Pinkie, it just that all this,” she says, gesturing to everything, “kinda scares me. The thought of a family getting sacrificed to summon something and then everypony getting killed by it is terrifying.” “Apology accepted,” Pinkie says, happily. “I know what you mean Applejack,” comments Rainbow Dash, “I mean I am not scared of anything but… the thought that the monster may still be here creeps me out.” Silence consumes the group as they walk to the office, luckily they soon reach it. “There it is!” yells Twilight. They rush to the door, only to find it locked. “Figures,” complains Rainbow Dash. “It is magically locked, impossible unlock without the right spell,” comments Twilight, “Luckily I know a trick.” “Really, what?” asks Pinkie. Her answer comes quickly as Twilight rips the door off its hinges and throws it away. “Cool,” comments Rainbow Dash, “Why don’t you do that more often?” “Later Dash,” replies Twilight, “We need to search the room for answers.” The girls begin their search, but found nothing. “Oh come on, there has to be something,” complains Rainbow Dash, looking through a filing cabinet. “Nothing just records and a few books about basic magic,” replies Rarity, looking through the shelf. “Check the desk, Pinkie,” suggest Twilight, looking through a cloth cabinet. Pinkie nods and heads to office desk. “What kind of pony has a bust of King Sombra?” comments Pinkie, looking at the bust on the desk. “I don’t know, I don’t remember who the current Headmaster is,” states Twilight. “Well, take that Sombra,” Rainbow Dash says, as she childishly pushes it over. There is clunk as a secret compart of the desk opens, revealing two worn books. “I don’t know what is sadder, the fact of how cliché that is or the fact that we didn’t think about it,” comments Applejack. “Let’s just see what’s in them,” Twilight says, opening one of the books. She can’t hide the disappointment on her face. “What’s wrong, Twilight?” asks Fluttershy, nervously. “Nothing, it’s just in a different languages,” sighs Twilight, closing the book. “Really, what about the other one?” Pinkie says, grabbing the other book. Pinkie stares at the pages seriously. “Yes, yes, hmm,” she says, flicking another page. Her friends wait hopefully. “Yes, this definitely in a different languages!” she announces, causing her friends to groan. “Don’t get our hopes up, Pinkie,” complains Rainbow Dash. “What did I do?” replies Pinkie, confused. As she closes the book a piece of paper slips out, Rarity picks it up and looks at it. Her eyes widen. “You may want to look at this,” Rarity says, showing the paper. The girls gasp. On the paper is a drawing of the magic circle in the main hall, and also attached to the paper are two pictures, one of the Flower family and one of their daughter, Joy. There are notes scrawled all over the paper but all in the different language, beside one word that sat underneath Joy’s picture, ‘Perfect.’ “Creepy!” says Rainbow Dash, giving a quick shiver. “At least we know the Headmaster had something to do with it,” states Twilight. “Let’s go show the Hexxers this,” suggest Rarity, “Maybe they can help us with this language.” “That sounds like a good idea,” agrees Twilight. After all agreeing they all rush out of the office and head back to the main hall. They are halfway to the main hall when Rainbow Dash suddenly stops. “What’s wrong, Dash,” Rarity asks, stopping. “I thought I heard something in that room,” Rainbow Dash states, pointing to a broken door she stopped next to. “What kind of sound?” asks Fluttershy, nervously. “Sort of a rattling,” Rainbow Dash explains, slightly nervous herself. “What if it is the monster?!” yells Pinkie. “Then don’t shout,” hushes Applejack. “I’m going to open the door,” warns Twilight, “Be ready.” The rest of the girls nod and stand to ready to fight… or in some cases flee. Twilight throws opens the door and they gasp. Laying on the floor dead is a pony, most likely a student. His back was ripped off and he is now laying in a pool of his own blood. “Did… did he make the noise?” asks Fluttershy, hiding behind Rarity. “No, I don’t know much about dead bodies I am pretty sure this one has been here since last night,” comments Twilight, trying not to be sick. “Then where did the noise come from?” asks Rainbow Dash. As if on cue the rattling starts again, the girls look and see it comes from a barrel in the corner of the room. Twilight creeps towards the barrel followed by her friends. When she reaches the barrel she turns towards her friends who nod in confirmation. Twilight quickly tips over the barrel. A grey earth-pony rolls out. She wears a maid uniform splattered with blood and is shivering uncontrollably with her eyes squeezed shut. “Rainbow Dash, tell homicide we have found a survivor!” orders Twilight. Rainbow Dash nods and flies off. “She’s freezing!” exclaims Rarity, rubbing the side of the maid to warm her up. “In this cold and in that outfit I would be too,” comments Applejack. “I think she is waking up!” yells Pinkie, as the mare stirs. The maid eyelids flutter. Her eyes suddenly snap open and focusing on something behind the girls. She screams. “NO! PLEASE I DON’T WHERE THEY ARE!” she yells, getting to her feet and slamming into the wall in an effort to escape, “I DON’T WANT TO DIE!” “WAIT! Calm down,” calls Twilight, “We are here to help you.” The maid seems to notice them for the first time. “What are you doing here?!” she gibbers. “You must hide or it will find you and then… and then…” she tries to say. “And then?” asks Twilight. “It will kill youuuuu!” the maid wails. “It can’t be stopped, it will kill us all!” she cries, curling up into a ball. “Don’t worry you’re safe the monster is gone,” Twilight tries to comfort the maid, “But we need to know what it looks like.” “You don’t want to know!” the maid cries, “And I can never be safe, it will hunt me down and kill me like all the others.” “Please, we can protect you,” states Twilight, “But we need to know what it looks like.” “It was black, sometimes bigger than a dragon or sometimes bigger then minotaur, it always had sharp claws and tentacles coming out of its back,” the maid says, shivering again. ‘Shape-shifter?’ Twilight thinks. “Anything else?” she asks. “AND IT KEPT KILLING US!” the maid screams, clutching at her head. Just then Rainbow Dash returns with Captain Iron-Sight and two other members of homicide. “What is going on here?” Iron-Sight barks. “We found a survivor,” states Pinkie. “I know that!” he retorts, “But what is all the screaming about?” “It is the survivor,” explains Twilight, “I believe she is severely traumatised by her experience.” “I see,” replies Iron-Sight, “We better get her to the doctor then.” The two other members of homicide walk over and carefully pick up the mare and prepare to leave. “Wait,” Twilight calls. “What is it, Princess?” asks Iron-Sight. “I want to try something before you take her,” states Twilight. “What?” asks Iron-Sight, raising an eyebrow. “I mind reading spell,” explains Twilight, “With this we can find out what attacked the university.” Iron-Sight seems to think about it and then sighs. “If you weren’t a Princess I would refuse you.” “Does that mean I can do it?” asks Twilight, hopefully. “Yes, but be careful,” warns Iron-Sight, “This is the only witness we got.” Twilight nods and starts to prepare the spell. Twilight found herself looking out of the mare’s eyes and hearing what she does, like a first-pony movie. It is like being a spirt inside the maids head, watching her every move. “This sucks!” complains the maid to another maid, who are both sweeping the floor. “Suck it up, Flickering Shadows,” the other maid shot back, “You’re on parole remember? For crimes against Equestria, you’re lucky not to have been locked up. So if they say you have to work late, you have to work late.” “I just stole some things,” mumbles the now known Flickering Shadows. She is then shoved aside by two students heading down the hall and the around the corner. Twilight hears them snicker. “Damn rich aristocratic brats,” mutters Flickering Shadows. “What is going on anyway, Tough Luck?” she asks the other maid. “I don’t know,” Tough Luck replies, “All I know is something is happening at the Main Hall.” “The seniors aren’t hosting other party, right?” moans Flickering Shadows. “I said don’t know,” Tough Luck snaps. She then gave a cheeky grin, “But if they are I bet I know who is cleaning it up.” Flickering Shadows glares at the other maid and starts sweeping again. After a few minutes screams can be heard. “What is going on now?” complains Flickering Shadows. “I don’t know,” replies Tough Luck. “I hope the seniors are not doing anything stupid,” states Flickering Shadows. “I better check,” says Tough Luck, walking over and sticking her head around the corner. Black jaws snap shut around Tough Luck, bitting her in half. Her severed legs slump to the ground, twitching. Twilight would scream if she right now had a mouth. Flickering Shadows stands there stunned, unable to move. The monster walks around the corner and Twilight finally see the monster in it full glory. It stands taller than a dragon, its whole body is covered in spikes, its claws looked as sharp as knifes and while many black tentacles moved above it body. It starts to approach Flickering Shadows. Twilight can feel the fear coming off the mare and Twilight shares it. Twilight watches in horror as its jaws open and the other half of Tough Luck falls out. The body moves, she is still alive! Tough Luck looks at Flickering Shadows, her eyes begging for help. But then the monster crushes her underfoot, silencing her final screams and covering Flickering Shadows in her blood. Twilight can’t watch anymore, but found herself unable to undo the spell. The monster is now only a mere meter from Flickering Shadows, Twilight can feels Flickering Shadows wet herself in fear. “WHERE ARE THEY?!” the monster screams. Flickering Shadows can’t make herself talk, she is frozen. The monster’s mouth opens and heads towards her. A spear hits the monster mouth. The monster roars and backs off a bit. Three guards fly between her and the monster. “What the abyss are you doing!? RUN!” yells one of the guards. Flickering Shadows legs unfreeze and she runs as fast she can in the opposite direction. Twilight can hears screams behind them, and she is sure so can Flickering Shadows. She turns and see the monster cut guards down with a rain of its black tentacles. It then starts after her. It starts off slow but keeps gaining speed like a train. Flickering Shadows stumbles and falls over, rolling across the floor until she slams against a wall. She opens her eyes and to her and Twilight’s horror the monster stands above them. It raises its claw, ready to crush her. A bolt of lightning strikes the monster. The monster turns towards the unicorn casting the spells. “Die foul abomination!” yells the unicorn, throwing another bolt of lightning. The monster seem to absorb the lightning and roars. More tentacles shoot out of its back and spear the unicorn to the wall, killing him. Flickering Shadows uses this distraction to get up and run away. One of her legs are limping because of her fall, but forces herself to run faster. After a minute of running she stops and turns around. She seems to have lost the monster. Just then her injured leg gives way. She collapses and looks at her injured leg, even Twilight thinks it looks bad. It is totally inflamed and has a very nasty looking bruise. A scream gets both of their attention. Flickering Shadows looks down the hallway and sees the monster chasing a few students. Flickering Shadows starts panicking, she can’t run anymore, her leg won’t make it. She then sees a nearby door and limps her way to it. She enters the room, closing the door behind her, Twilight recognizes this is the room where they found her. Flickering Shadows looks around the room franticly and sees a few barrel lined against the walls. She limps towards one and crawls inside it. There she lays, nursing her leg. Suddenly she hears the door slam open and shut. Flickering Shadows looks out of a notch hole in the barrel and sees a student looking around franticly, he then leaps into another barrel and goes quiet. A minute passes, neither one of the two room’s inhabitants making a sound. A smashing noise causes Flickering Shadows to freeze. She looks and sees the now broken door open and something tall enters. The notch hole isn’t big enough to see the top of it but what Twilight can still see scares her. It stands on two legs and is very tall, since she can’t see its top she doesn’t know how tall, but it is differently taller than a minotaur, it’s also totally black. It has long hands and fingers that nearly reach the floor, its finger are more like claws, very long and sharp. Tentacles hang from its back and are being dragged across the floor. It walks across the room and knocks over a barrel, dragging out the screaming student. “Where are they?” it says, in a tone halfway between a hiss and a wail, “They killed them!” Twilight recognizes them as the words shouted last night. The student just cries and pleads for mercy. He then screams as the monster’s claws tear at his back until he stops screaming and moving. The monster pulls its claws out of his back and leaves. Flickering Shadows doesn’t move, Twilight doesn’t blame her. For a single movement might mean detection for her. And there Flickering Shadows lays, flicking in and out of unconsciousness as the student dies a less than a few meters away. Twilight awakes and screams. “Are you alright?!” asks Applejack, worried. “How horrible!” states Twilight, holding the sides of her head. “What happened?” asks Iron-Sight, calmly. Twilight looks around and finds that Flickering Shadows is gone. “Where is the maid?” Twilight asks. “I said they could take her away,” says Hard Facts, appearing beside Iron-Sight, “Because if I am right the spell that you are using only requires the subject to be there in the beginning.” “What are you doing here, Hard Facts?” asks Twilight, surprised by the sudden appearance of the Hexxer. “We can talk about that later,” replies Hard Facts, “I would first like to hear what you saw.” “Ok,” Twilight says, looking down, she cringes at the sight of the dead body, “But not here.” They go to a clean part of the hallway and after Twilight claims down she explains everything about the memory and the books. “So it is some form of shape-shifter,” comments Hard Facts. “And it sounds very dangerous,” adds Iron-Sight, “Good thing it is gone.” “What do mean it is gone?” Twilight says, confused. “Most summoned creatures disappears after the circle runs dry,” explains Hard Facts, “That is especially true with creature you bind with binding circles.” Something about what was said didn’t make sense to Twilight, then it hits her. The circle. “Excuses me, Hard Facts,” asks Twilight, getting the unicorn’s attention, “With this circle when it activates would there be a huge raise of magic?” “Massive,” he replies. “I thought so,” comments Twilight, “Last night Discord felt a huge raise of magic which I imagine was the circle.” “Most likely,” agrees Hard Facts. “Not long after he felt a huge magic drop,” explains Twilight, “Do magic circles drop in power after the creature is summoned?” “Not these ones,” answers Hard Facts. “Then that means…” Twilight starts. “That means that the circle wasn’t keeping it here and it might still be in Equestria,” muses Hard Facts. He then pulls out a piece of paper and starts writing down on it, “I must report this to my superiors.” “What about the books?” asks Iron-Sight. Twilight hands him the books. “What languages is this?” asks Iron-Sight, angrily. “I don’t know,” replies Twilight. “I don’t recognize it either,” comments Hard Facts, looking over Iron-Sights shoulder before getting back to writing. “You better take this to the Princess,” suggests Iron-Sight, handing them back to Twilight, “So you found them in the Headmasters office, right?” “Yeah,” answers Twilight. “That makes sense,” states Iron-Sight, “I always knew one day he would do something like this. Celestia should have locked him up a decades ago.” “In all fairness being rude isn’t against the law,” states Hard Facts. “What are you talking about? Who is the Headmaster?” asks Twilight. “You must have heard of the unicorn call Catalyst?” comments Hard Facts. The girls all shake their heads beside Twilight who looks shocked. “I’m guessing be your looks you have, Twilight,” comments Rarity. “You don’t mean the Catalyst, do you,” asks Twilight, shocked. “I not aware of any other,” replies Iron-Sight. “He is like the next Star Swirl the Breaded,” yells Twilight, “He is the best male magic user in Equestria. He has studies nearly all forms of magic and he is also one of Equestrian best historians.” “He is also a total looney,” states Iron-Sight. “I gather you don’t know what else he is famous for,” adds Hard Facts, “He is also one of the biggest critics of the monarchy.” “Meaning,” says Rainbow Dash, not getting it. “He doesn’t like the Princesses much,” explains Hard Facts. “I think hate is a better word,” interjects Iron-Sight, “He has spoken out against the Princess Celestia many times before and written a few books saying why the monarchy is making Equestria weak.” “I didn’t know this,” Twilight says, shocked. “Well it doesn’t really matter,” says Iron-Sight, shrugging, “He is most likely dead now.” “How did a guy like him become the Headmaster anyway,” asks Rainbow Dash. “It is a privately run university, Catalyst was the apprentice of the last Headmaster and he wanted him to have it when he died,” explains Hard Facts, “Celestia didn’t like it but what can one do.” “Well I thinks this all has given us some leads to work on,” Twilight comments, “I will take these books to Celestia, hopefully she can read them.” “That would be great, Twilight,” says Hard Facts, walking off, “Make sure to send us what you found out. I have to send a letter.” With that he disappears around the corner. The girls are about the leave as well when Iron-Sight stops them. “Actually there is one more lead I need help with,” he asks, rubbing the back of his neck. “What is that?” asks Twilight, curious. “You see the ponies of the nearby town won’t talk to us,” he explains “They don’t like city ponies much, mostly because of all the student causing trouble for them.” “So how can we help?” asks Twilight, not getting it. “Well I happen to know that Miss Applejack is farm pony and you all come from a rural area, they might talk to you,” he explains. “What would we be asking?” asks Applejack. “Just if they saw anything,” he answers. “Sounds easy enough, we’ll do it” replies Twilight. “Thanks we appreciate it,” he says, smiling. The girls turn to leave. The girls leave the university and only got a few smartass comments from Jack Ripper. They then head towards the town, only a few minutes away. “Ok, Applejack you handle this,” suggests Twilight, as they approach two stallions working on a cart. “Leave it to me,” Applejack says, confidently, as she walks towards the two stallions. “Howdy!” she calls. “Howdy,” they reply, smiling. “My name is Applejack, from Ponyville,” she says, offering a hoof. “I’m Barley and this is Weetbix,” Barley says, taking the hoof and giving a firm shake. “I saw some trouble down the down the road, any idea what’s going on?” Applejack asks, casually. “Eh, I hear they just all offed themselves,” Weetbix comments. “Any idea what happened?” Applejack asks. “Nope we were all asleep,” answers Barley, “The first we heard was when the guards were banging our doors.” “Oh, ok,” Applejack says, disappointed. She about to say her goodbyes when she is interrupted. “There was that picture that Natural took,” comments Weetbix. “You mean the one of the white pony jumping over the walls of the university? Yeah, I forgot about,” replies Barley. “What picture,” asks Applejack, interested. “You see Natural, who is a our local photographer was out last night taking pictures of the wildlife,” explains Barley, “He was beside the walls when he saw something jump over it and he took a picture of it.” “Didn’t he hear the roar?” asks Applejack. “That idiot is always listening to loud music with his headphones,” comments Weetbix, “Properly didn’t hear.” “I would be much obliged if I can see that picture,” asks Applejack. “Sure we are heading home anyway, we will take you to him,” offers Barley. Applejack nods and follows the two stallion, she gives a secret wave to her friends, who wave back. “I guess we have to wait until she comes back,” states Twilight. An Hour Later “Applejack better hurry up,” complains Rainbow Dash, “I’m freezing!” As if on cue Applejack appears running down the road. “Sorry girls that took longer than expected,” she pants. “So what did you found out?” asks Pinkie. “I got this,” Applejack says, showing the picture, “Taken last night.” The girls look at the picture. It shows a pony whose head has been cut off by the angle of the shoot. She is thinly built, with an almost model like build, her coat is a very light grey and her tail is a dark grey. “So what so amazing about it?” comment Rainbow Dash, “It might just be another survivor.” “Look at her Cutie Mark, Dash,” replies Applejack. The girls look and gasp. It is the same symbol as the one found in the middle of the magical circle. The sad face. But its eyes and mouth are blue this time. “Let’s take this back to Iron-Sight,” orders Twilight and the girls agree. The girls took this to Iron-Sight, who tell them to take it to Celestia and then took the long flight back to Canterlot. In a burrow far away from the University the creature once known as Joy Flower cries. “The blood, why won’t it come off?” she cries to the empty cave, washing her clean hooves in a pool of water. Visions of the night comes back and she gives a haunting scream. “I killed them all…” her eyes squeezing shut. Suddenly the open, “NO! It wasn’t meee!” she screams, smashing the stone floor with her hooves causing cracks to spread across it. She sees her reflection in the water, she thinks sees blood dripping from her mouth. “NO!!!” she yells, splashing her water, destroying the reflection. “Why won’t the blood wash off?!” she cries. "Because your guilt keeps it there," comes a voice behind her. She turns around slowly, scared of what she may see. She gasps, the burrow is a lot bigger than before and taking up most that space is the biggest dragon she has ever seen, and it is looking down at her. Its scales are a jet black and its underbelly is a very dark purple. Its head has four black horns, two on each side, a smaller one under a larger one. It doesn’t seem to have any eyes but she can imagine where they would be located if it did have some. It spine is covered in black spikes perfectly aligned, pointing toward its tail. At the end of its tail is a fan-like frill that the dragon seems to fan itself with. She wanted to escape but can’t seem to see the exit anymore. "Come now," the dragon spoke in a serious male voice that sounded older than stone but still somehow young, "This can’t be the first time you’ve spoken to a dragon?" “Yes, it is actually,” she replies, nervously, still looking for the exit. "I know, I was making a joke," he says, still in the serious tone, "And if you are looking for the exit I removed it so you wouldn’t escape." She gulps, she is trapped then. "Do not worry, I wish you no harm, thou I doubt much can hurt you now, physically anyway," he states. “Wait does that mean you know what happened to me?” she asks, hopefully. "Oh I do. I’m somewhat of an expert actually." “Does that mean you can help turn back?” she asks. He pauses before saying, "No, I can’t. You see, there is no way back for you. You’re stuck." “You mean I can’t become a normal pony again,” she says, all her hope draining away. "Normality is overrated," he dismisses, waving his talon, "“Normal is just when a pony sets the none-existent stranded, do you still feel like a pony?" “I don’t know what I feel like, I still think I’m me, but everything else feels different like I’m not entirely there.” "Then tell me your answer in the future when you have worked it out." “Huh?” "It does not matter now, there is more important things to talk about, Joy Flower." “You act as if you know me, have we met before?” "One would think you would remember one such as I, but no we have not met before, but you have heard of me though." “Where?” "I believe the wording was: And the best part is that there is only one thing that could stop it and it doesn’t exist in this realm!" he says, mimicking the voice of the leader of the circle. It took a while for her to get it but soon it made sense. The only thing that could stop it… her. She starts to run. “Stop,” he says calmly. She does. “Come here,” he says, tapping a piece of ground in front of him. She starts to walk towards him. “Why can’t I control myself!?!” she panics, as her body disobeys her. “What that stallion failed to understand is how I stop them,” he states, “I am the only one that can stop them because I am the only one that can control them.” “But how can you control me? Magic doesn’t work on me!” she cries, guessing that’s why the magic circle failed. “It isn’t magic, just words spoken a long time ago,” he explains, “The race that you are now swore allegiance to my predecessors in a time and place now long forgotten and those words still hold strong.” “What race? You mean I am really no longer a pony?!?” she cries, now standing in front of the dragon. “You are now a part of a race that has been around since the first lifeforms appeared,” he explains. She has the feeling he didn’t just mean on Equus. “The ritual merged you with one of the members of this race. Permanently saving you from death and giving it your sentience.” “Was the Tall Man the one I merged with?” she asks. “I see you called him the Tall Man… what a cute name. His real name is Sorrow,” he explains. “Sorrow? Why is he called that?” “Because it is the word he choose for himself. You will understand soon.” “What is their race called?” “Their race does not have an official name because few are aware of their existence and your languages lacks the words for what my race calls them, but a common name for them is Shadow Men, for they live in a realm of shadows.” “You also said that they gained my sentience, what does that mean?” “It means that they are usually barely aware of their own existence and only the really powerful and old ones gain a name and a unique look. Only when they merge with a sentient creature do they gain sentience.” “What can you tell me about my one?” “Nothing. I will let you found out for yourself.” She frowns, what does that mean? She then realizes something. “Wait, the stallion in charge…” she shudders as she remembers him, “…of the circle said that you don’t exist in this realm… whatever that means?” “That stallion is a fool and knows little about me or the Shadow Men. I exist in all realms but am only conscious in one, and this is the first time I have been to this particular realm of Equestria.” She thinks about this. “What exactly are you, I don’t think you are really a dragon and you haven’t told me your name yet.” “Clever. You are right, I am not a dragon and I will tell you one day what I am, when you earn it... that includes my name.” “When I earn it?” “When the blood disappears,” he says, point at her. “The blood?” she looks down at herself. She screams. She is covered in blood. “WHY DOES THE BLOOD KEEP RETURNING!?!” she screams. Tentacles shot out of her backs and start thrashing around, smashing into the walls. Then one slices across the neck of the dragon. Black blood falls on her, startling her out of her fit. She looks up at the dragon who looks back down at her, his black blood falling from his neck. “I’m so sorry!!” she cries, tears streaming down her face. “I didn’t mean… I…” The dragon holds up a talon, silencing her. He then places his hand on his neck stopping the blood, as he removes it she see that the wound is gone. “It would take a lot more to kill me,” he states, calmly. He places his hand over the ground and all his blood oozes towards it and then disappears. “A Shadow Man is created by a single negative emotion. They are sensitive to them and when you are sad, angry or scared you will effect yourself in these ways. Because when you merged with Sorrow it dissolved your body and merged with your soul, destroying it. Literally making you one.” “Does that mean… there is nothing left of me?” she asks, horrified. “I don’t know. Is a pony’s existence just physical, spiritual or is it just memories,” he asks, “This is something else you have to work out for yourself.” “I don’t understand.” “It is for you to decide if Joy Flower did die on the circle, and if this is a new existence, or that she was reborn as a Shadow Man and still lives on.” She hangs her head. She didn’t know what to think. She remembers everything about Joy Flower, her hopes and dreams but as he just said they are just memories, nothing else of her remains. Is she or is she not Joy Flower and if not who is she? “Right now Sorrow is in a way is both your body, soul and its own unique existence. The Shadow Man called Sorrow still exists within you, whoever you are now, you and Sorrow are one.” “What?” “Sorrow was the one in control when you killed everypony but one in the University, at Joy’s wish.” “I NEVER WISHED FOR ANY OF THIS!!” she screams, tears streaming down her face. “Did she not want to die?! Was she not willing to face the consequences?!” he says, raising his voice. She remembers. The deal. She would have her revenge. “I didn’t know this would happen!” she cries. “Those who are truly guilty escaped and others suffered because of it. Sorrow won’t find peace until the three that escaped are dead and the Flower family is avenged.” She just cries, covering her face. She became a monster and there is no way back for her, the blood will never wash off, for she will keep making more. She looks up and sees that the dragon has lowered one of his huge talons in front of her face. On it is an oval mask with what looks like Sorrow’s face on it only it is white instead of black. The sad face looks back her. “Sorrow is a Shadow Man of sadness, born and grown on it, as shown on its face. This mask is made from a material found in the Shadow Men’s realm, wear it until you work everything out, it will help hide the guilt.” She picks up the mask and examines it. It front was curved and smooth, no room for her snout. The sad face stares back at her own sad face. She flips it around and see that it is just white on the other side. She is about to argue about how it would never fit, until she found herself moving the mask towards her face. As she touches it with her snout, it is absorbed into the mask. She closes her eyes as the rest of her face is absorbed. As she opens her eyes and gasps. Her vision has got slightly darker, but she can see into the dark now, like isn’t there. She can also see… magic! It floats in the air as a slight purple haze, where it then swirled around her before she absorbed it. She looks at herself in a nearby pool and sees that mask has now connected to her face, she runs her hoof across the mask, it is weird not having a snout… or eyes or mouth. She looks back at the dragon and gasps again. The dragon’s body is made of black fire and magic pours from his body. For some she thought this is the closest she will ever be to seeing his true form. It is amazing. “How is it to see the world as a Shadow Man would?” he asks, “I am told it is quite stunning.” “It is…” she gasp, her voice is different, it sounds sad like Sorrow’s voice. “A Shadow Man can only speak in one tone and that is the one closest to its emotion.” “I see.” “How do you feel?” “I feel… better.” And she does, everything feels fare away and distance. She can still feel the presences of the remains of Joy but it felt like a different pony and she can now feel another presence which she guesses is Sorrow. “You are right now between Joy and Sorrow, basically as a new existence that we will call Sorrow for it is its face you wear.” She nods, she feels fine with this. “Although I must warn you that if you take off the mask you will be Joy again, with all the pain she carries and if the mask goes black the real Sorrow has taken control.” She nods, understanding. “I also have clothes for you to wear that will change with your body. You will want to wear them. Later you may want to remake them to your taste. It will also help to hide the blood.” She nods again. “Good, I like someone who will just listen, and we a lot talk about and little time to do it.”