//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: The Haunted Darkness // Story: His Light, Her Darkness // by Shadow Master //------------------------------// Days had been passing by since Shadow Dragon's staying over Ponyville... Within the Council of Friendship Chamber, Twilight and her remaining friends, sitting on their throne chairs, had discussion of the next plans. "So, girls," Twilight spoke up, as the head of Council of Friendship, "Anything else we should discuss of the matters? Any crisis to deal with? Any royal visits? Any entertainment needs to deal with?" Rainbow shrugged, "Nothing much to do, yet." Applejack nodded her head, "You said it. Sweet Apple Acres is in best and good with the crops, farms and barns. Carousal Boutique is in good condition with clothing. Weather Patrol are in secure. Animals are in safe hooves by Fluttershy. And of course, Sugarcube Corner is in good shape for celebrating ponies' parties." "HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY! WELCOME PARTY! THANK YOU PARTY! SUPER DUPER CELEBRATION PARTY! HOLIDAY PARTY! CHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEECCCCCCCCK!" Pinkie Pie screamed and squealed happily. Rarity nodded her head, "Indeed. I'd say that everything is under control. Nothing has gone wrong." Fluttershy nodded her head gently, "No complains from ponies, except Cutie Mark Crusaders." "Bully problem from Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon again?" Rainbow Dash asked in bore mannered. Fluttershy nodded her head gently. She groaned angrily, "Seriously... Don't those Snotty Duo ever quit? It's boring and annoying." "I agreed," agreed Rarity, "Some ponies need to teach them a lesson." Applejack smirked, "Now, don't you worry. I'm sure their parents and especially their fillies know who they're messing with. Everything will be fine." Twilight Sparkle sighed, "I guess nothing else to discuss about. I could rest at ease for now." Mane Five looked at her. Twilight gave the odd look, asked: "What?! You've got some suggestion to think of? I won't mind in listening." Rarity winked at Twilight, "Why not taking a day off? I mean, we haven't done so since Tirek's rampaging and making our first Council of Friendship for the first time. So, why don't we go to Manehattan? I wish to see Coco. I wonder how is she doing with her new work than Suri." Pinkie Pie nodded her head, "Yeah! Like going to Tenochtitlan Bastion! We could see Daring Do! Or Cheese, he's doing a special birthday party for her!" "Seabreeze's home. I wish to talk with him again, so I could teach him more about kindness." Fluttershy suggested. She squeaked meekly, "If you don't mind." "Oh, we could check out on Wonderbolts," said Rainbow Dash. She smirked happily, looking at Pinkie's suggestion, "But we could check out on Daring Do and Cheese about it." Applejack nodded her head, "Well, I could check out on Silver Shill of what he's doing. I'm hoping nothing wrong with him." She then looked at Twilight Sparkle, "But we leave it to Twilight to decide." Twilight hummed gently, having some thoughts, putting her hoof on her chin, "Well... I was thinking on checking Discord. I want to see his result of helping ponies. But..." Mane Five looked at her closely, waiting for Twilight's answer. She smiled, "I think we should visit of our family and friends. Check on them of how are they. I haven't talk with my family, Cadance or Shining Armor since Tirek's Rampage. All in favor?" Mane Five thought of what Twilight's suggestion, thinking of visiting the ponies they helped and their families, they smiled. They raised their hooves up. Twilight smiled, raising and slamming the judge hammer gently, "Opinion Approved." Mane Five smiled, and nodded their heads. Pinkie gasped, "Should we bring Spike and Nyx on the trip?" Twilight thought of the moment, sighed, "No. Nyx had some project to deal with. Spike might need to seat back for some library duty. It was going to be a long way." She smiled, "After all, who would have been a better foalsitter for those two than just any of us?" Mane Five looked at each other, wondering of who would be responsible of looking after Spike and Nyx? Big Mac and Granny Smith can't since they had Apple Bloom to look after, as well as their barn and farm. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were with them for now. The Cakes had business to deal with. Cheerilee had some work to deal with. Who else? They gasped together, looking at Twilight Sparkle, who smiled and nodded her head. They looked at each other, nodded their heads. They know who was fit for the job. At the Library Section, Shadow Dragon dusted off some dust from the books, while listening to Princess Twilight's proposal and suggestion. Shadow Dragon gasped in concern, heard of what she had asked. He turned to her, "Your highness! Are you certain?" Twilight smiled. Shadow Dragon chuckled uneasily, before he said, hesitantly and concern, "I - I'm - I'm - honored, your highness!" He slipped on the books behind him, falling his flank to the ground hard. He shook his head gently, he continued, "Of course - I can handle some chores and duties. But foals and dragon? I'm not so sure. I do not wish to anger you if anything had happen to them." Twilight giggled in amusement, "I'm sure you can handle it. I'm not asking very much." She approached him, sweeping and dusting some dusts off from his mane. She continued, "I could ask my friend, Flash to look after them." She sighed, helping Shadow Dragon stood up while continued, "But he's from Crystal Empire. I don't know who else to look after them. I can't just ask Discord to look because I'm visiting him and he was busy doing 'some entertainment' and apology for betraying the Equestria. My brother and sister-in-law were at Crystal Empire." Shadow Dragon thought for the moment, knew what Twilight had said is true. He sighed, "I guess I'm the only pony you can trust." He bowed and kneed down before Twilight Sparkle, "I would be honor to fulfill my obligation." Twilight giggled, "Just said, a favor. Thank you." Twilight helped Shadow Dragon up from his bowing. She smiled at him. Her smile made his heart beat, he scratched his mane gently while smiled back at her and had blush on his face. He had not seen it for a long time ago. Outside of Rainbow Friendship Kingdom, Twilight, had her books and supplies packed on her saddlebag, smiling at both Shadow Dragon and Spike, saying her farewell to them. "So, are you certain that you can handle it?" Twilight asked, making sure her friends to be well prepared for their duty. She continued, "Foalsitting Nyx won't be easy, and especially Spike. This dragon will be greedy if he gets too much of stuffs." "Hey," Spike protested, annoyed by Twilight's "I'm not that problem anymore. I hadn't become that big nasty dragon since some times ago." Twilight rolled her eyes in amusement, giggled, "I know, Spikey-Wikey." She touched on his cheeks for three times, like he was a baby. Spike giggled happily. Twilight turned to Shadow Dragon, "Can I count on you handle this?" Shadow Dragon nodded his head, "Understand, Princess. You do not had to worry. I've been some experience in battles and chores. Handling and foalsitting Nyx won't be problem." Glad and happy, Twilight smiled, know someone she can count on in protecting and taking care of Nyx. She said, "Thank you, Shadow Dragon." She turned to the front while looking and waving at both Shadow Dragon and Spike, "I'll see you and others, a week later." Shadow Dragon and Spike cried, waved at Twilight Sparkle, "We'll be fine." Twilight smiled, waving at Shadow Dragon and Spike, turning to her friends. She approached to them before headed off to Ponyville Train Station. Shadow Dragon and Spike walking on the streets of Ponyville, heading to the Ponyville's Schoolhouse, picking Nyx up. Shadow Dragon looked at Spike, "Spike..." Spike looked up at Shadow Dragon. He asked, "If you are a dragon, weren't you supposed to stay with your family? And I meant dragons?" Spike sighed, "I knew you're going to ask that." Shadow Dragon raised his right eyebrow at Spike in surprise and suspicious. Spike continued, "Well, I wasn't sure who were my family. But I can tell you this one. When I hatched from the egg, I've got no family, no father, no mother or brothers or even grandparents. Just myself. It makes me so lonely. I hate being lonely." Shadow Dragon looked down, feeling sorry and pity for Spike. He too felt that before. Spike continued, "But then, Twilight, she was the first pony I've seen in my life." He sniffed, having a watery drips coming out from his eyes, continued, "She always has been on my side since the day I was born. And I'm glad to have her. She was the best." Shadow Dragon smiled, nodded his head, understanding of Spike's memory, "What do you see Twilight in your eyes?" Spike sighed while smiling, feeling proud and happy about Twilight, said: "If I had to be honest, she was more like a mother to me." "I see. And I believe Nyx seen her as mother too when she was adopted?" "Technically, biological mother," said Spike. Shadow Dragon gave the surprise look at Spike as he continued, "Well, it happen some years ago, she was Nightmare Moon's Reincarnation and supposed to bring darkness and night to the world. But because of Twilight's teaching and kindness, Nyx became close and chose to be free." Shadow Dragon looked surprise and shock of what Spike had said. He wished he could do the same feeling as Nyx was, yet felt proud of it. Shadow Dragon and Spike continued walking towards, reaching to the Schoolhouse. Entering the Schoolhouse, Shadow Dragon and Spike gasped, looking at Nyx and her Cutie Mark Crusaders, glaring at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. "Bullies?" Shadow Dragon asked. Spike sighed, "Yeah... Those two snotty brats. What should we do?" Shadow Dragon approached to the fillies, "Teaching them a lesson." He approached between Cutie Mark Crusaders and Snotty Duo. He asked gently, "Excuse, fillies. Care to explain on what is going on?" "She started the fight again!" Apple Bloom explained angrily. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded her head. "She insulted Nyx, calling her 'Nightmare Moon' for destroying and ruining lives that she should stay with Tirek at Tartarus!" "Yeah, she deserved it since she tried to bring ruins to our world!" Diamond Tiara shouted angrily. She huffed angrily, "It's not like she's special. She is a troublemaker." Silver Spoon nodded her head, "Indeed. After all, she's a bad guy like Queen Chrysalis and Tirek." Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon giggled cruelly and evilly. Sweetie Belle groaned angrily, "Hey, watch it! She's a hero!" "Yeah!" Scootaloo shouted angrily, "What do you know of Nyx?! She saved our lives when Nightmare More Incident!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon huffed angrily, "As if we care! Once an evil, always an evil!" Nyx groaned angrily. She was about to argue, but stopped and looked down in shame and pain, felt that everything those brats had said was true. She was the Nightmare Moon Reincarnated. She will never be good or anything else. Shadow Dragon came in between Nyx, glanced at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who looked surprise yet curious. He asked, "Tell me... Why are you persecuted on the young ponies who possessed no Cutie Mark and even the one who risked her life in saving her home?" Nyx gasped in surprise, "Mr. Shadow Dragon?" Diamond Tiara huffed, "Do you want to know why?" Shadow Dragon glared at her, with his stern and angry looks. She continued, "Blank flanks are useless and it means they have no future and talents. And trust me," showing her Cutie Mark in front of him, she continued, "This is the prove that I had talents. And I am special than anyone else." "And so am I," Silver Spoon smiled. She grunted angrily, "I was so angry that Princess Twilight chose Blank Flank Crusaders. Why?" "Indeed," agreed Diamond Tiara, "They're just blank flanks. They're nothing but problems and troublemakers. I wonder why?" "That's because..." Shadow Dragon said, "They earned something more than just Cutie Mark." Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped in shock, and even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. What could he mean of that? Shadow Dragon continued, "Friendship..." Cutie Mark Crusaders gasped and looked in shock and surprise. Diamond Tiara huffed, "What's that gotta to do with us?" Silver Spoon nodded her head, "Yeah. What's that gotta to do with our talents?" "Everything..." Shadow Dragon answered. Most of Cutie Mark Crusaders looked surprise yet confuse of what he had said. He continued, "If you treasured your friendship and lessons very well, then you will gain the true meaning of talents. Talents do not come from Cutie Marks, but from within of their strengths, abilities and hearts. This is something that you had lacked the most." Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gasped in shock, yet angry. How dare he insulted them?! They were the richest, greatest and special than anypony and even had their own Cutie Marks. Diamond Tiara groaned angrily. "How dare you -?!" "If you are truly talented and special, then stop abusing your powers and Cutie Marks over something that is not worth to you. After all, don't you think you wasted enough time from this nonsense argument and bullies?" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon paused in shock and scared. How could a pony like him lectured them like he was their parents?! Shadow Dragon glared at them, "Now listen carefully, ladies. If you don't stop bullying, I can assure you that I won't be so pleasant pony. Understand?" Threatened and scared, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nodded their heads. They quickly headed off. Shadow Dragon shrugged while scoffed lightly, turning back to Cutie Mark Crusaders, who looked both shock and surprise. He looked surprise and concern. Before he could say, they screamed happily. He yelped in surprise by their screaming. "That is so cool!" Spike commented. "That is amazing!" Apple Bloom commented. "Wow, you defended us! Other than, Miss Cheerilee and our family. But you help us!" "That was so sweet of you!" agreed Sweetie Belle, squeakily. "Totally awesome," Scootaloo exclaimed happily, "You're kinda remind of us Babs Seed helping us." Nyx smiled, nuzzling Shadow Dragon's right hoof, "Thank you, Mr. Shadow Dragon for everything," She squeaked lightly, "and even my Nightmare Moon part." Shadow Dragon smiled, patted on Nyx's head gently, "No worries, Nyx. After all, you were given a second chance for redemption. So, don't waste it, okay?" Nyx smiled, "Okay!" Shadow Dragon smiled, turned to his back, "Alright then, let's get going." Nyx nodded her head. She turned to Cutie Mark Crusaders, waving and saying goodbye to them. She turned back and followed Shadow Dragon and Spike, heading back to the Rainbow Friendship Kingdom. Three to Five days later... Shadow Dragon, Spike and Nyx had been dealing with the minor situation and even the ruling the town, thought Nyx was Twilight's daughter and considered to be a princess, and yet they had managed to deal with the situation such as books, helping citizens' problems and even looking after the home. He often took them out for foods and drinks, headed to the park and visiting their friends for games, planning and party. Within The Writing Room of Rainbow Friendship Kingdom, Shadow Dragon taught Nyx about the language, culture and history of Land of Ma, while Spike swept some dust off. With the last lesson completed, Nyx closed the book. She turned and smiled at him. "Thank you, Mr. Shadow Dragon," Nyx thanked, "You're a good teacher, just like my mummy." Shadow Dragon smiled, "It is my honor. I wouldn't mind you calling me 'Shadow Dragon'." Nyx smiled happily. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Shadow Dragon, Nyx and Spike turned to their backs, looking at the door sounded by knocks, wondering of who could been disturbing. Coming out from Living Room, Spike headed straight to the entrance. Pulling the door open, he got himself slammed to the wall. Three ponies came in, shouted happily. Spike came out from the wall, glaring at three ponies. Shadow Dragon and Nyx came out from the Living Room. Shadow Dragon gasped in concern, upon looking at three ponies. What the heck were they doing? Spotting Nyx greeted the guests, Shadow Dragon put his hoof in front of her, stopping her from going to the front. Nyx looked confuse yet concern. Shadow Dragon approached to the front, while glaring at three ponies, "What are you three doing?" DJ Red gasped, "Aw man. We're hurt! I thought we were friends." Shadow Dragon groaned angrily, making him to yelped, "I meant comrades. You do realize that we're still buddies since we work and help you." "You are not welcome here." Shadow Dragon snarled at DJ Red, making him yelped in fear. Both Spike and Nyx looked confuse yet concern of the situation, and especially involving an angry pony. He continued, "I thought you would understand of leaving me alone. You knew that I would not be part of it again. And I meant it. I will not be part of it!" Clumsy whistled gently and softly, waving his hooves in front of him, "Chill, boss. It's not like we had a choice. You know our big boss wouldn't let you go." "And trust us, we really want to leave you alone," admitted Shades before he continued, "But he wouldn't forgive you for what you had done for some years ago. And you know that much of what happen next." Shadow Dragon narrowed his eyes at three ponies with his anger and hatred, making them to gulp in concern. He glared at them, "The answer is no." DJ Red sighed in disappointment, "I tried, boss. I really tried." He took something from his white jacket. He held a mysterious weapon, made out of metal unlikely weapons ponies had encountered, aiming at Shadow Dragon. Clumsy Rat and Shades did the same thing. Spike and Nyx yelped in concern and fear. Shadow Dragon remained calm and firm, narrowing and glaring his eyes at him. "I'm really sorry. This is the only way to get to you," painfully yet regret, DJ Red said. He hissed angrily, "One last chance." Shadow Dragon slowly backed away. Noticing the flower vase, he quickly grabbed it and threw it on DJ Red's muzzle hard, making him randomly shooting on the rooftop for three times. Clumsy Rat and Shades quickly aimed at Shadow Dragon. He turned to his behind; both Nyx and Spike. With haste in his speed, he quickly scooped both of them on his back. BANG! The pillar was hit into a small hole. Clumsy Rat and Shades blasted their mysterious weapons at Shadow Dragon, who galloped to the back, a kitchen. Few purplish lasers-like passing from their weapons. Some hit the walls, pillars and ceilings of Rainbow Friendship Kingdom, others almost and tried to hit Shadow Dragon, who quickly jumped up high, sliding forward ahead, and whirled himself around while grabbing Nyx and Spike tight before entering the kitchen's entrance. Escape from the blasts, Shadow Dragon, using his mouth, took both Spike and Nyx by their tails. He jumped over the kitchen's table to its back. He landed on the ground hard. He gasped in shock and concern. "Wow..." Spike and Nyx said in shock. Shadow Dragon turned to both Spike and Nyx, said: "Listen carefully, I want you two remained here at all cost. No matter what happen, don't come out until I say so. Do you understand me?" With Spike and Nyx nodding, Shadow Dragon grabbed the edge of the table, he jumped over the table. He charged at once. DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades gasped in shock and fear, blasting their weapons at Shadow Dragon. He jumped up and hovered over the first wave of blasting, and landed on the ground. Second wave blasted, making Shadow Dragon dodged and evaded the attacks by moving aside, jumping over or using tools deflected the attacks. Third wave blasted, making him in sliding down to his hideout: table, pillar and stairs from the attacks. They quickly removed small canisters of purplish diamonds-like out; taking the next to place. Shadow Dragon charged in. He jumped up and kicked on DJ Red's face hard to the ground. Clumsy Rat punched on Shadow Dragon's head, making him to dodge down. Shadow Dragon kicked on Clumsy Rat's below muzzle hard, before punching on his chest hard before kicking his chest hard. Shades punched from Shadow Dragon's back, he dodged down before swiping his leg against Shades' legs, dropping down to the ground hard. DJ Red got up, before punching and kicking for four times against Shadow Dragon, who kept on backing back and back for few times. Clumsy Rat punched on Shadow Dragon's head hard, but Shadow Dragon grabbed his enemy's arm, using Clumsy Rat's arm, blocked top, middle and bottom. Shadow Dragon pushed Clumsy Rat's arm against DJ Red's hoof up, he then punched on DJ's chest for three times, before kicked on him back. Shades charged in, with his thrusting punch from back. Shadow Dragon pulled Clumsy Rat to his back, got hit by Shade's punch. Shadow Dragon swung him up and high, and around against Shades's head for few times. He slammed Clumsy Rat on Shade's body to the ground hard. DJ Red jumped on Shadow Dragon's back, making him groaned in anger and annoyance. DJ Red punched on his head for few times. Shadow Dragon yelped in pain. Clumsy Rat and Shades got up and punched on Shadow Dragon's chest for few times. With Clumsy Rat and Shades giving final punches against Shadow Dragon's chest, he quick grabbed their hooves, before raising and slapping them against DJ Red's sides hard, making him letting go of grabbing on Shadow Dragon's neck. Shadow Dragon jumped up high, making three ponies lifted up. Shadow Dragon kicked against DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades body and heads . He gave the final kick against three ponies' chest hard to the entrance hard. They moaned in pain. Shadow Dragon panted, tirelessly and pain. He had not done it for a long time. Nyx and Spike came out from the kitchen, heading straight to Shadow Dragon, checking on him, to see whether he was okay or not. Shadow Dragon gave them a weak smile. Shadow Dragon glared at DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades, who were moaning and groaning in pain. They slowly got up. He glared at them, with his anger. "Get out!" Shadow Dragon ordered angrily. DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades yelped in fear and concern, his yelling had sent shivers to their spines. He continued, "Tell your master that I won't go back!" DJ Red sighed, "You'll really did it this time, Big S. Worse is about to come. I beg you to think. See ya." DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades turned and escaped at once... Spike and Nyx sighed of relied, knowing that the fight was over. Both Nyx and Spike turned to Shadow Dragon. Nyx smiled, "Thanks for saving me and Spike. You were amazing. But... what was that about, Mr. Shadow Dragon?" "Yeah, what do they want? What do they mean the worse is about to come?" Spike asked in concern. Shadow Dragon sighed, did not want to bring them up to this, yet he spoke: "It was just some blast from the past that I do not wish to see." He sighed looking away from Nyx and Spike. He continued, "I used to be... a gangster before I quit." Spike sighed, "Sorry for asking, Shadow Dragon. I didn't mean -" "It's okay, Spike," Shadow Dragon said, patting on Spike's head gently. He continued, "As a young creature, your curious gets best of you to know it. There is not need to apologize. Okay?" "He's right," agreed Nyx. She continued, "Mom picked the best one to help out." Spike smiled, nodded his head. Nyx smiled, nuzzled Shadow Dragon's legs. Shadow Dragon smiled and sighed in relief, thanking that nothing had gone wrong, and especially hoping that what DJ Red had said won't come true for now... Two Days later... Twilight and her friends had returned from their journey and visiting on both families and friends they had inspired them for. They were pleased and happy of it. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy returned to their homes. Applejack accompanied Twilight and Shining Armor; who was free and allowed by Princess Cadance to spent his time with his sister, returning to Rainbow Friendship Kingdom. Shining Armor looked at Twilight's pinkish ribbon on her mane. He smiled, "Discord must have outdone it this time." Twilight smiled, nodding her head, "Discord was a great friend since the day we faced Tirek together, he was still a friend." She looked at her ribbon, giggled, "Discord visited Kouma Island for entertaining the Feudal Emperor about it, and he was pleased of it." Applejack snickered a bit, "I was wondering on how your boyfriend think?" Twilight and Shining Armor yelped in surprise of what Applejack had said, they cried: "BOYFRIEND?!" Applejack giggled happily and amusement. Twilight groaned in annoyance, "Honestly, Applejack!" "If she had a boyfriend," snarled Shining Armor, "He has one thing to worry about than just protecting her." Twilight groaned, "Shining Armor. He's not my boyfriend. He's a boy and a friend. And besides..." She smiled, "He was the one who can look after Spike and Nyx. As far as I know, he's a good friend." Hated what his sister had said was true, Shining Armor sighed, "I hope you're right about it." Applejack giggled, "Oh sure, he is." Twilight glared at Applejack, making her giggled, "I'm just joking. Besides, Twilight, no worry about it. Everything's fine. After all, he is our best friends. Have I told you that?" Twilight sighed, "I guess you're right." Shining Armor huffed lightly, "Twilight better be careful with her new boyfriend." Twilight groaned, "You, big worry brother, stop teasing and treating me like a little girl." Shining Armor chuckled lightly, held Twilight to him while patted on her mane gently, "I'm just kidding, Twiley. You know that, LSBFF?" Twilight smiled, giggled lightly before Shining Armor and Applejack laughed out. Shining Armor looked up, spotting something, making him smile, "I bet he's the one?" Shining Armor, having both Nyx and Spike on his back, walking towards them, with his smile. Twilight turned to her front. She smiled gently, looking at him. She waved at him. Shining Armor and Applejack smiled as well. Twilight could hugged three of them at once. A sudden grabbed by her mouth and body, she gasped in shock. Shadow Dragon, Spike and Nyx, and even Applejack and Shining Armor gasped and looked in shock and feared, watching at the new pony: a pale demonic Earth Pony with black mane and tail in ponytail, wore the demonic blue samurai armor, grabbing Twilight Sparkle to the top of the roof. He removed her ribbon and dropped it to the ground. Twilight's mane blew out by the wind. He held her tight to him, as well as covering her mouth, chuckling at the ponies. "TWILIGHT!" Applejack and Shining Armor shouted in fear. Spike and Nyx cried, "MOMMY!" Shadow Dragon groaned in anger, exclaimed, "Longblade!" "Long time no see, pal," Longblade taunted, chuckled out loud, "You should have reconsidered the offer from two days ago when you had the chance." He scoffed, "But as usual, you were always soft. But matters little. We will have our discussion at the Everfree Forest, and hope your little friend don't get killed by night. Till next time." Twilight mumbled, trying to come out in calling, "Don't do it! Shadow Dragon! Don't-!" Longblade chuckled out loud, covering her mouth tight before jumping to another rooftop and the next. Shadow Dragon groaned in anger. Not again... Spike sobbed in upset, "That freak is going to kill her?" Nyx sobbed in upset, "Please! Not her!" Shadow Dragon turned and looked at their river flowing from their eyes. He hissed in anger, refused to let that happen. He had to do it. For her sake! For their sake! He has to go. He looked at Nyx and Spike, showing them his firm looks. "I will get her," Shadow Dragon said firmly and calmly. Spike and Nyx sniffed and gasped painfully and tearfully. He continued, "I promise you. I will get her home." Spike and Nyx stopped their crying, nodded their heads, in understanding with Shadow Dragon's words. They can trust him since he protected them. "Now wait -!" Shining Armor was about to protest. Shadow Dragon took the ribbon Twilight had worn for her mane. He headed off, following his enemy, all the way to the Everfree Forest, determined to get her back home. Shining Armor, Applejack, Spike and Nyx behind. "What just happen?" Shining Armor asked in concern and shock. Applejack smiled, "That, Shining Armor, it's the reason why she and we trusted him." Evening came... At the middle of Everfree Forest, Twilight had her hooves tied by the chains, and her neck was worn by the golden Anti-Magic brace, struggling to move. She hissed in anger, realizing that she was trapped and caught by her enemy. She looked up, glaring at Longblade, who was drinking his sake, while looking at the demonic and skeletal pony with some pale skin on face and left hand, his right crimson eye, dressed in black dress and cape, held the black staff. The skeleton pony turned to Twilight, with his frightful looks. Longblade chuckled lightly. "Don't bother of that mare. She is the key of bringing him down, Guildenstern." Guildenstern nodded his head. Twilight groaned angrily, "That is so cliche of you. If you think of using me as your hostage, you've got one thing in mind coming at you! And trust me! Shadow Dragon won't let you have it! You won't get anything you want!" Guildenstern chuckled lightly, making her annoy, "What's so funny?! You're thinking that I'm his weakness? Let me tell you something, you creeps, I am his friend, nothing more! I will do anything to make sure that you get your punishment for using me and trying to hurt my friend! And I intend to make sure of that!" Guildenstern chuckled lightly, "You're quite feisty, aren't you, Princess?" Twilight Sparkle narrowed her eyes at him. He continued, "As you can see, our true reason was not about ransom nor taking over, but to bringing him back to us." "What do you mean?" "It's quite simple. Shadow Dragon had kept the secret of his past from you or your family. And trust me, the one you had with him was nothing but a mask. For the true self of Shadow Dragon lies within him, sealing himself up, making sure that his inner self won't go wild." Twilight gasped in shock and concern. Guildenstern chuckled lightly, "We will make sure that will happen, by means of necessary." Longblade scoffed and smirked, "He's here." He took a long sword out, glancing in front of him, within the hallway-like of forests was like an entrance, Shadow Dragon, with both ribbon around his neck and held a darker sword, emerged out from it. Longblade smirked, "About time, you show up, coward." Twilight gasped in shock yet happiness, "Shadow Dragon!" Her expression wore by another: shock and concern, she saw Shadow Dragon's face different, not friendly and kind one but darker, angered and hatred. She looked concern and worry, "Shadow Dragon?" Shadow Dragon glared at Longblade, "How dare you put Princess Twilight in our battle?! And there is one thing I need to do..." His tone slowly changed into a darker, "is to defeat you!" Twilight gasped in shock, couldn't believed of what she had heard. It was not the tone of friendly and kindly, but darker and cruel... Guildenstern chuckled evilly, "Now, you learn the true face of Shadow Dragon. It is time to see who will be the victor. To see he has return or not." Twilight looked concern and scared, thought: 'What was he talking about?' Longblade chuckled, "Here I come, traitor!" Longblade charged in, jumped up and swinging his sword on midair, charging at Shadow Dragon. Shadow Dragon blocked his, with his sword hard for five times. Shadow Dragon deflected it, making Longblade jumped back. Shadow Dragon thrust his sword at Longblade's neck, Longblade blocked and deflected it to left. Shadow Dragon stroke on his left. Longblade jumped up, slamming his sword against Shadow Dragon's top. Shadow Dragon jumped back, and thrust his against Longblade's chest. Longblade deflected it to aside, before striking his sword against Shadow Dragon. Shadow Dragon blocked it. Both Longblade and Shadow Dragon continued striking and swinging their sword against each other for several times; top, bottom, right and left, at the same time, dodging and evading each other's attacks. Shadow Dragon jumped up, slamming his sword on Longblade, who quickly blocked the attacks, pushing it up. Shadow Dragon quickly strike on his left. Longblade rolled over while slashing on his left hardened and wounded. Shadow Dragon groaned in anger, quickly turned, striking his enemy down. Longblade stroke on Shadow Dragon's left shoulder hard and quick. Shadow Dragon kneed to the ground hard, feeling his wounds pain and injured. Twilight gasped in shock and concern, looking at Shadow Dragon's current condition. Shadow Dragon took the blue ribbon out, tying it on his left shoulder gently and tight. Longblade huffed in unimpressed, "What a disappointment. This is not the same pony I fought when he was one of us. He spent too much time with these fools too long. What now?" Guildenstern turned and glanced at Twilight Sparkle, smirked, making Twilight looked concern and scared. He spoke softly, "We had to take an extreme measure." Guildenstern's eyes widened while his glowed in crimson, blasted on Twilight's eyes, making her gasped in shock. Her eyes turned to blank. He chuckled lightly, "That will do." Stop. Twilight, unable speaking, yet unable felt her body and lungs like they were tightened by something. She felt herself, touching on her throat, unable to breathe or gasped for more air. Struggled, it's what she can do for now... Shadow Dragon gasped, looking at Twilight's state. He groaned angrily, glaring at Guildenstern. "Guildernstern! What the hell did you do to Twilight?!" Shadow Dragon demanded angrily. Guildenstern smirked, turned to Shadow Dragon, answered: "It's simple. I make things interesting by making you return to who you once were. If you want to save this worthless life of hers, you had to kill me and Longblade. But..." He chuckled lightly, approaching to Twilight, touching her mane gently, "Do you had what it takes to finish us off?" Shadow Dragon growled and snarled in anger, his crimson eyes slowly transformed and shifted into golden eyes, with the shape of dragon's irises. He roared and yelled in anger, holding his sword tightly, preparing to fight. Guildenstern smirked evilly, departed away from her. Twilight gasped in shock and concern, she had never seen his eyes transformed. Not many ponies could had their eyes transformed, except Princess Luna since she was once Nightmare Moon, but why was he? Longblade chuckled lightly, preparing to strike. Shadow Dragon disappeared from sight, making three ponies looked surprise yet concern. SLAM! Feeling his head slammed on the ground, Longblade moaned and groaned in pain. He slowly get up and turned to his back, found Shadow Dragon held his sword tight while glaring at him. Longblade chuckled evilly, feeling proud and happily that he finally found someone to fight. Longblade charged at Shadow Dragon. He jumped up high, spun himself and swinging his sword against Shadow Dragon, who remained calm and steady, watching and looking at his enemy's move carefully. Closing in, Longblade thrusting his sword at Shadow Dragon, who moved to his own right, before kicking on Longblade's stomach hard to the top. Shadow Dragon jumped up, following his enemy, striking against his enemy's bottom. Longblade blocked and deflected the attacks before striking at Shadow Dragon, who quickly blocked the attack. Both Shadow Dragon and Longblade charged and stroke against each other's for several times on midair while continued falling to the land. They clashed against each other's swords before pushing and departed from it. They landed on their own other's direction; Shadow Dragon on right while Longblade on left. They armed themselves in their own stances: Shadow Dragon held his sword high up while Longblade held his sword on middle, glaring at each other. Guildenstern smirked evilly, while Twilight looked concern and worry, while panted and feeling her pulse and lungs tightened than before, feared that her life will be ended soon... Shadow Dragon and Longblade charged in, striking, swinging and slashing their swords against each other for several times on top, bottom, left and right before clashed on the middle. They departed away before charging in, preparing to strike at each enemy of theirs. Longblade swung his sword in diagonal direction on right, Shadow Dragon jumped to his right, striking his left strike at Longblade's stomach hard. Pain and suffered, Longblade spilled the blood out from his mouth to the ground hard. The battle concluded... Shadow Dragon gasped and panted painfully and tirelessly, turned to his back, glaring at Longblade with his pure anger and raged eyes of demon. He approached to Longblade, held his sword tight. Longblade smirked in please, seeing Shadow Dragon's anger and hatred. Guildenstern smirked evilly, hoping his result come to fruition. Twilight gasped in fear, yet felt her body pained and suffocated. She watched the event hopelessly. What Guildenstern had said was true, she had to stop Shadow Dragon before he remained in his darker ways forever... "Sha... Sha... Shad... Shadow..." Struggled and pained, Twilight continued speaking while pushing herself to the front, without letting Guildenstern notice. Reached towards his target, Shadow Dragon raised his sword up high. She gasped, dropped to the ground. With all of her might and strength, Twilight cried: "SHADOW DRAGON, DON'T!!!!!" Shadow Dragon's sword halted before Longblade's head. He turned and found Twilight panted and sobbed in fear. He gasped. His yellowish eyes slowly turned to red while his dragon irises slowly turned into big black pupil with white dots. He turned and galloped towards her. He held her tight on his hoof. "Twilight," Shadow Dragon asked in concern. Twilight sobbed in fear and scared, weakly said: "Don't go back... Please... Whatever you had done in the past, please don't go back. You are not who you once were... You are the one who I met from the day you came to Ponyville... Please... don't..." Twilight continued sobbed in pain and feared. Guilty and concern, Shadow Dragon hissed, not angry at Twilight but himself. He held her to his chest tight and gently. Guildenstern groaned in anger, "What a waste! She'll pay for this!" With the blink of his crimson eyes glowing, the black smoke emerged and Guildenstern disappeared within it. Longblade held his sword tight on his right, turning its blade at his chest. He stroke his to his chest, piercing through hard and pain. Longblade yelped in pain, falling to his back. Shadow Dragon and Twilight Sparkle got up, heard of someone shouted in pain. They turned and found Longblade laid on the ground; blood spilling and flowing on the ground while he coughed in pain. Shadow Dragon and Twilight Sparkle glanced at him. Longblade glared at them. "Don't look at me like that, traitor," Longblade said weakly, "This is my fate... You were supposed to help us bringing a new order... Yet in the end, you betrayed us and returned to your worthless force. Damn you, Shadow Dragon... You won't get away with this. Our master will... make you suffer..." With his last breathe, Longblade coughed for three times, he vomited out of much blood out. Twilight Sparkle gasped in shock and concern, seeing a pony killed was her first time to watch. She looked at Shadow Dragon, who remained firm, yet his eyes were guilty, concern and feared, like something had happened from the past... Twilight spotted Shadow Dragon's left shoulder bleed out much. She gasped. She looked around, took much water and herbs. She removed the ribbon out, placing herbs and water on Shadow Dragon's wounds gently. Shadow Dragon held Twilight's ribbon while looking at her. "Sorry," Shadow Dragon apologized, "For ruining your ribbon, and bringing you into this matters." Twilight Sparkle shook her head, said gently, "No, it's okay." She continued bandaging the herbs and water on Shadow Dragon's left shoulder, with the vines gently. She continued, "Besides, healing the wounds is more important just the ribbon. But I was wondering. Who were those ponies? What do they want?" Concern and feared, Shadow Dragon breathed in upset, "Twilight... It's best that you don't meddle of my past for yours and everyone's safety. In fact... I don't want to talk about it. I thank you for concerning of my welfare." Concern, Twilight wished to know of Shadow Dragon's past, yet she knew how it felt of not been bothering about it. She knew some didn't want it. Twilight nodded her head, "I understand. In fact, I'm the one who should thank you, Shadow Dragon." Twilight smiled, looking at Shadow Dragon. She hugged him gently. Shock and surprise, he did not expect it, yet the feeling, he sighed of relief. He hugged her gently. He had not felt it since he lost her... Shadow Dragon wished nothing happen when he had peace and quiet with his new friends... To be continued... Review and Suggest...