//------------------------------//
// Chapter Four 
// Story: Shadow and Twilight 
// by The-Black-Knight 
//------------------------------//


Chapter Four: Apology and Truth


The Sombra’s castle was being lit up by flashes of dark magic, due to his anger flaring greater than any other has seen before. His one prisoner had escaped, and from the looks of how she escaped, there was help from another… Someone who was well versed in shadow magic. What was worse, five of his warriors were now dead, slain by some nightmarish creature that came from the young mare’s shadow.
“How can this be!? How did I not see the signs!!!?” Sombra bellowed, as he threw a chair against the wall, in his rage.
“M-My King? What do you mean?” Feather Drop asked, ducking with another chair suddenly flew past her.
“I was being manipulated, damnit! A damn shadow user was manipulating me into ignoring Twilight Sparkle for long as possible!” Sombra roared, scaring even his guards quite a bit.
“S-She couldn’t survive the blizzard, my king… She’ll die before reaching anyone out there…” Feather Drop said, trying to cheer up her Dark King.
He suddenly turned around, a glare that showed nothing but death aimed straight at the crystal mare. “Did you hear NOTHING!? A Shadow Magic User is helping her! For all we know, Twilight Sparkle has returned to the Crystal Palace! And told her I was planning on coming for them!” He walked down the throne, his hooves making cracks in the ground. “What is worse, whoever that shadow user is, may have heard our plans!”
“I-I’m sure… You’ll figure something out… My King…” She said, once more trying to calm the enraged king.
He suddenly grinned, his eyes glowing bright green again. “Oh… I plan to…” He turned to the crystal mare. “Order all the guards to search for that damned mare, and bring her back here! No one is to rest until I have her back in chains!” He ordered, the crystal mare quickly rushing off, with the surrounding guards, to give out their King’s orders and demands.


Back at the cave, where Mr. H left Twilight to her thoughts.


Twilight spent most of her time, after being freed, crying about what had occurred. What was hurting her the most, wasn’t the fact that Mr. H lied about not being powerful enough to teleport her out of the castle or the magic he taught her… It was the fact she had killed five ponies, with magic. The worst of it all, was that she was now alone within the darkness of the cave, something she hated and didn’t want to feel.
I-I deserve this…. I broke the ultimate rule of magic, never use it to kill. She thought, curling up in her position.
That was when Mr. H decided to appear once more. “Twilight?” He said, leaning over the young mare.
“What do you want?” Her voice was full of venom, making Mr. H back off some.
He recollected himself, predicting that she would still be angry. “I wanted to say… I’m sorry. I should have told you.” He admitted, keeping both hands down.
“Then why didn’t you!? What kept you from telling me?” The Mare suddenly shot up, glaring up at the cloaked figure, who didn’t flinch.
“To teach you shadow magic…. The moment you agreed, was the moment I decided to do what I did.” He said, looking down at her.
“Why? What made you decide to allow me to be tortured? I… I thought you were actually my friend, you even seemed closer than that.” Twilight curled back up, not even looking at Mr. H…. In the cell, she felt like he was like her Big Brother, or another father figure. This caused the lie to become more painful.
“Because you needed to be introduced to another truth about Shadow Magic…. And to do that, the dungeon was needed.” He replied.
“And what might that be? What was the truth that required me to be tortured?” She asked, slightly looking back at him… Suddenly noticing, Mr. H’s hooded face was right on top of her.
“Sacrifice….” His voice echoed, eyeing her greatly. “The greater the sacrifice of the user, the greater their spells. Self-Sacrifice will allow them to summon up the greatest of spells one can conjure. One that often comes at the price of the user’s life.” His tone was serious, just from that Twilight could tell he was saying the truth.
“Sacrifice? How… Could I be sacrificing anything by being tortured nonstop by a monster?” She asked, looking down while pondering over what he had told her.
“An easy question, you wouldn’t have found out that Sombra plans to invade the Crystal Empire with an army of corrupted ponies…. Each having a piece of his own magic within them.” Mr. H answered, making Twilight think about the answer.
“But… He just said he had a plan and that was it? He didn’t mention anything about invading the Crystal Empire?” She said, thinking about it even more, not recalling that information.
“He didn’t? Well then, it is a good thing… I did hear him.” He said, before placing a hand over Twilight’s forehead. She suddenly saw exactly what Mr. H saw, when Sombra was in his throne room, talking to a crystal mare with a feather in the shape of a drop. He was talking about the plan of invading the Crystal Palace with his small army, corrupting ponies as he went.
“Y-You found this out? When?” She asked, looking up into his shadowed hood.
“While you were asleep… I used some of my shadow to keep you warm, at the same time I went to investigate this Sombra. In that moment, I discovered his plans. Now, I pass that information to you.” He said, keeping his hand where it is. “The worst thing, is… I do not have time to teach you the right way of Shadow Magic, and must resort to a… Faster way.”
“W-What are you going to do? And I don’t want to harm any other pony, Magic wasn’t made for that.” She looked off to the side, pulling her head away from Mr. H’s hand.
He just looked at her for a moment, before lowering his hood. “You’re right… It wasn’t made to kill.” He said, before she felt a strange feeling coming from the cloaked body. “But Magic was created to protect others, especially Shadow Magic. Due to this, there are times when a Magic User must take a life.”
She looked back towards him, sensing the truth in his words. She could feel the pain within the tone of his voice, like he knows that fact all too well… More so than anyone else. Twilight saw that his hand was still outstretched, and without thinking further on it, the mare placed her forehead within the sleeved palm. “D-Do it…” She whispered.
Mr. H gave a slight nod. “It will only hurt for a second… But once done, you will have the knowledge of shadow spells. Just… Be careful with them, alright?” He asked, as the mare nodded.
Within seconds, streams of shadow magic spun around his sleeve, going into Twilight’s mind. Her eyes shot open, a black and white light glowing within them, as she started to scream at the top of her lungs! She could feel the power suddenly flowing within every fiber of her being, while knowledge of each spell, each level, suddenly appeared within her mind. It was an unbelievable experience, but something accidently passed through with the knowledge, a slight memory.
Twilight could see a young foal, but couldn’t quite see who because the shadows covered their body. She was hopping up and down, as she looked up at whoever was watching. “Big Brother! Big Brother! Look what I made for you!” A horn suddenly glowed, as she pulled up a cloaked doll, who had a sword and shield in hand. “It’s you, Big Brother! Now, while you’re out fighting the bad creatures, I still have you here to protect me!” Twilight recognized the doll, it looked a lot like Mr. H. Her suspicions were sealed, the moment a sleeved hand reached down and took the doll.
The hands held the doll, and Twilight could feel a new pain in her heart… A pain of longing, of someone loved that was lost. “The resemblance is uncanny! I’m sure he’ll be a brave protector, while Big Brother is away.” Mr. H said, before picking up the foal, holding her close to his cloaked chest. “Thank you, my little Princess.”
Twilight suddenly snapped back to the present, the transfer complete, and looked up at Mr. H. “W-Who was she?” She asked, a tear falling from her eye at the memory she just saw.
“Someone… I was charged to protect, during a very dark time.” He slowly stood back up, and turned away. “Though, I doubt she remembers much of what I looked like…She only really saw me in this form.” He motioned to the cloak he was wearing. “There is no chance she remembers the times I took her star gazing, or even the time I walked the Kingdoms, with her upon my shoulders…”
Twilight nodded, realizing something… Whoever Mr. H is… He was alone for so long, and yet was able to bear the pain, especially no longer able to see the one pony he cared for. “I’m… Sorry, Mr. H.” She said, looking down before realizing something. “Oh no! We need to get to the Crystal Palace, and fast!”
Mr. H gave a hooded nod, “Then you best be off… Take your time with it, while you’re able to conduct the Shadow Teleport spell more often, it will still drain you.” He warned, Twilight walking to the cave entrance.
“Aren’t you coming?” She asked, looking back at him with a raised eyebrow.
He gave a slight nod, “I will be along… Just give me time to gather myself up, I wasn’t kidding when I said this form isn’t strong like my real one. I’m limited on what I’m able to do.” He answered, motioning for Twilight to go on without him. She gave a nod, before suddenly disappearing within a flash of shadow. I do wonder, though, Celestia… Do you truly remember the real me? The me you loved to fly around, while outside, because I was taller than any tree or tower? Mr. H asked himself.


At the Crystal Palace….


“Princess Celestia… I don’t know why you came, I mean, we can handle the search well as any pony could.” Princess Cadence said, walking beside the elder Princess.
“I understand, Cadence… But I had to come, I had to be here to help find Twilight. A little dragon helped convince me of that.” She answered, walking beside the Princess of Love, looking out at the freezing snow. “She must be cold out there…”
“I understand, Princess Celestia… Shining Armor is searching without pause, to find his baby sister.” She said, looking back out at where Celestia was looking. “I couldn’t agree more, Princess Celestia… I worry about my sister in-law too.” 
Celestia was about to say something, when she caught a flash at the corner of her eye, and looked back at the window. “What?” The flashed occurred again, revealing a small figure not far outside of the walls… They seemed tired, their lavender frame falling into the snow. “I-It can’t be.” She said, before galloping off down the corridor.
“Princess Celestia! What is it!? What did you see?” She looked out the same window, scanning the outside of the wall before seeing the very thing that Celestia saw, and quickly yelled out. “Guards! Find my husband! Tell him to send a rescue team to the northern gate, quickly!” The guards saluted, and rushed off to carry out their orders. Cadence, on the other hand, rushed off right behind Celestia.


Outside the North Gate….


Twilight fell into the snow, after using the Shadow Teleporting spell for the tenth time, at a distance she knew was a mistake. Her breathe became heavy, while the cold was starting to affect her greatly, her body was becoming numb. I need to… Use the blanket spell… She thought before concentrating hard as she could, but the cold was biting at her too much, and she was too tired. The young mare tried to crawl closer to the gates, but her body was too weak.
“Twilight!” A familiar voice screamed, she tried to look to see where it came from, but the wind was blowing hard… She couldn’t figure out where the voice was coming from. Another voice screamed her name, before another, but she couldn’t figure out where they were coming from. That was when someone suddenly landed next to her, whose body was so warm. She felt a wing wrap around her body, trying to fight away the cold. “Don’t worry Twilight, I’m here…. I’m here, dear.” The voice said… It was so sweet to her ears, comforting. Twilight felt like she could fall asleep right then, but knew she shouldn’t.
Soon, Twilight couldn’t fight it anymore. Whoever was keeping her warm, was doing quite the job. She could see the bright yellow magic around them, and so… She allowed herself to finally fall asleep.


North Gate, after Twilight arrived


Princess Celestia was the first to arrive next to the fallen mare. She quickly wrapped her wing around her…. The small body was cold to the touch. How long was she out here for? The Princess thought to herself, before Cadence arrived, and joined in to keep her sister in-law warm. Before long, Shining Armor also arrived, with three squads of the Crystal Royal Guard right behind him.
Those that were skilled in the medical field, quickly checked the unicorn for any signs of hypothermia, but it seemed help arrived just in time. “She was on the verge of hypothermia… But, we got to her just in time.” The medic said, looking up at the Princesses and Prince. “We need to take her to the medical bay, and quickly… She’ll need to be kept warm, and will need a lot of rest.” He looked down at the mare’s body, noticing something. “It is strange…. I see signs of harm to her body, but they all healed to near recovery.”
While the Guards quickly started to take Twilight towards the Palace, Celestia looked at the Medic. “Strange how, Doctor?” She simply asked, the medic having a confused look on his face.
“The injuries that healed? Look like the kind that would take months, maybe years, to heal… Yet she recovered, by the looks of it, in mere seconds. I don’t know any school of medicine or magic that could do that.” He admitted.
Celestia looked towards the guards, seeing the sleeping Twilight on a stretcher. “I knew one art… But that magic is long lost, in the sands of time…” She started to follow the guards, not giving the medic a time to ask what school of magic. Right now, all Celestia cared about was her pupil-… No, her segregate daughter.


In the medical bay, after some time had passed


Twilight’s eyes slowly started to open, her eye sight was blurry at first, but she could see the white fur, and colorful mane, of Princess Celestia sleeping by her bed. “P-Princess… C-Celestia?” She said, very weakly.
Her voice caused the elder Princess to shoot up in shock, seeing her up actually brought a smile to Celestia’s face. “How are you feeling, Twilight?” She asked, walking up to the young mare.
“Rather weak… H-How did I get here? Last I remembered, I arrived outside of the wall, but collapsed.” Twilight said, looking around the medical bay. “I thought I didn’t make it.” She admitted.
“You almost didn’t… I was passing by a window, when I saw you suddenly teleport close to the wall.” She answered, nuzzling Twilight’s neck. “The moment I saw you fall into the snow… I was so worried, I’ve been so ever since Sombra took you from us.” Twilight felt, for the first time, a single tear come from Celestia’s eye. It made her feel strange.
“I-I’m fine now-… Wait! I have to warn Cadence and Shining!” Twilight said, before trying to get out of bed, but quickly stopped by Celestia.
“Warn them about what, Twilight? What is wrong?” She asked eyeing the mare.
“Sombra plans on attacking the Palace! That’s what, I have to warn them.” Twilight shouted before the Princess made her lay down.
“You stay here, and rest, I will go get Cadence and Shining Armor…. Your friends are just outside, they were ecstatic the moment word got to them you were found.” Celestia said, calming Twilight down. She watched as the Princess walk towards the door, and opened it. She leaned outside, “You all can come in now.” She whispered out, before walking out the door.
The next thing Twilight knew, all six of her friends, which included Spike, rushed in and tackled her on the bed! Each of them expressing how worried sick they were, and if she were alright. Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack, like always, were talking about how they were ready to beat the magic out of King Sombra; while Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike, and Pinkie Pie; were more concerned if Twilight needed more rest.
“I’m fine, every pony… Really.” She said, smiling at them.
“We were so worried, darling… You can’t blame us.” Rarity admitted.
“Yeah, you gave every pony a scare.” Fluttershy said, quietly.
Though, Spike’s response, made Twilight realize how bad the situation was for them. The baby dragon’s face was buried in her side, to hide his crying and not look “weak” in front of the mares. “I thought… I thought I lost you…” He muttered, in her fur.
“I’m fine, every pony… All thanks to someone who appeared after Sombra left me alone on the third day.” She looked at everyone, “I can’t wait for you to meet him, if he ever shows up…”
Everyone gave a raised brow at her statement. “What do you mean? If he saved you, then he’s a friend of ours.” Rainbow Dash said, smiling at her friend.
“Ya. Any pony that be brave enough ta help ya against that there Sombra varmint, is a friend to the Apple Family.” Apple Jack said, smiling at her, before realizing something. “Wait… Why would he not show?”
Twilight suddenly blushed, remembering how bad she must have sounded back at the cave. “W-Well… I didn’t have very kind words with him, after he got me out of the castle…. When I left the cave, he stayed behind claiming that he needed to ‘rest’.”
“Why didn’t you have kind words with him, darling? Did he mess up your hair?” Rarity asked, tilting her head at the question.
“N-No… Not that. It was the way he got me out, unexpected and what not…” She said, looking down at her hooves. “He probably doesn’t want to see me, I was being so ungrateful.” She admitted, before a voice suddenly made her face light up.
“That isn’t going to happen, Twilight. Heh, I still have to make sure you control the shadow magic in the right manner.” Mr. H said, making Twilight look up and see the cloaked figure, leaning against the wall next to her window, both arms crossed.
“Mr. H!” She shouted, making everyone look around for a second. “Girls, Spike, I want you to meet Mr. H… He’s the one that got me out of Sombra’s grasp, and saved me from being killed by him.” She pointed to the wall, everyone looking towards it while Mr. H waved at him, but then they gave her a strange look. “What? He’s waving at every pony.”
The group looked at one another, before Apple Jack spoke up. “Sugar Cube… There ain’t no pony there.” She said, making Twilight give a strange look.
“What? But… He’s standing right there.” She said, looking towards Mr. H.
The cloaked figured started to move around her friends, one by one, before actually passing through Rarity, so he could be over her right shoulder. All the while, Twilight was following his path while the others just looked at her strangely. “I can answer the reason why they don’t see me.” He spoke up, patting her head.
The group saw Twilight’s hair moving, but couldn’t tell if it was her or not. “Why can’t they see you, Mr. H?” She asked, tilting her head.
“Because they haven’t been introduced to the shadows, like you have. You can see me, but they cannot. Those who have been introduced to the shadow magic I taught you, have the ability to see what dwells within it. For now, they can’t really know about me very much.” He answered, before removing his hand from her head. “By the way…….” He suddenly smacked the back of her head! Making the whole group gasp, knowing that SOMETHING just hit their friend, while Twilight let out a loud “EEP!”
“OW! What was that for, Mr. H!?” She screamed, holding the back of her head.
“For being so careless with your magic! You about got yourself killed out there, Twilight!” He scolded her, she slouched down, and feeling like a filly would when being scolded by her father.
“S-Sorry, Mr. H… When I saw the Crystal Palace… I pushed myself to reach it.” She said, everyone just slacked jaw at what was occurring.
“Um… Darling… Who or what are you talking to?” Rarity asked, trying to piece everything together.
Twilight shot her gaze back up, and noticed the looks on her friends. “Um, it is a magic thing. It’s… Complicated.”
“Everything in magic seems that way.” Rainbow Dash said, crossing her hooves.
“C-Come on, girls… I think we better let Twilight get some rest, for right now.” Apple Jack said, everyone turning to leave but Spike, who fell asleep next to Twilight. The orange earth pony poked her head back in, “You get some rest, Twi… You’ve had it rough the past few weeks.” She added, before turning out the lights.
“Yes, Twilight… Get some rest.” Mr. H agreed, looking down at the lavender Unicorn, who had already fallen fast asleep. Heh… First time back in an actual comfortable bed. Don’t have to tell her twice.