Fate's Shadow!

by Shadow_lulamoon

Reflections amongst the stars!

Due to the overwhelming odor, Starlight glimmer Banned Sunset and Shadow from the library. The pair was tasked with bathing while the library was cleaned. Starlight escorted Sunset to the second-floor mare's room and Spike did the same for Shadow.

Shadow tripped and stumbled over his hooves as he followed Spike.

"What the heck is wrong with these things?"

After what seemed like an eternity Shadow found himself in front of the stallion's washroom. The walls were an iridescent violet blue that refracted the ambient light. A myriad of colors danced across the crystal floor. In the center of the room was a porcelain tub with lion feet, filled with bubbles. The waterspout in the shape of a golden dolphin sprayed out a never-ending stream. Mounted on the wall to the left of the door was an oval shaped mirror with a matching sink.

"Here you are my good sir," said Spike with a flourish of his right arm, bowing.

"Um... thanks," replied Shadow.

"Oh Celestia, where are my manners? My name is Spike," said the dragon holding out his clawed hand.

Shadow glanced at the offered hand, remembering Trixie's words about friends. "Trixie... where are you?"

"Shadow," said the unicorn offering his left hoof.

"So, Trixie is your sister?"

"Yes and no?"

Spike slightly turned his purple head in puzzlement.

Shadowed sighed.

"Yes, in my world she is my older sister, twin to be exact... She tried to kill me; in this world she doesn't seem to know me," said Shadow with sorrowful expression.

"Wow that is strange," said spike.

"How so?"

"Even though I am a dragon in this world the me in the human world is a talking dog, but he still lives with human Twilight. Also, Twilight's brother is still Shining Armor. Oh, I can't forget about Celestia and Luna still being sisters. I wonder what makes your relationship with this world's Trixie different?"

Shadow stood silently thinking back to his Advanced Quantum Physics class and the discussion on parallel universes. "I guess it is no longer a theory." "Fancy That!"

"Anyways that must be weird being her brother... you know because of her unique personality."

"You don't need to sugar coat your description. She is a total Snart for brains."

"Snart... do you play Ogres and Oubliettes?" asked Spike with an excited smile.

"I do much more than just play, in my world I am a digital game designer for the company that creates the game," replied Shadow smiling in return.

"Finally, someone else who plays!"

"You know Spike I am not the only one, Sunset plays as well," said Shadow with a mischievous grin.

"Sunset to! Please stop I might pass out from pure joy," shrieked Spike.

Shadow couldn't help but smile at Spike's excitement.

"So, tell me spike is everyone in this world who can talk a pony or dragon?"

"Oh, Celestia no! There are Griffons, Hippogryphs, changelings, and yaks to name a few."

Shadow danced with excitement. "Had I visited here under different circumstances, I would consider this heaven," thought Shadow glancing down at his hooves.

********************

Before his bath Shadow gazed into the mirror. Staring back was a light blue unicorn.

"I will never get used to this."

Shadow climbed into the tub and slowly slid down into the bubbles. The soothing concoction loosened his taunt muscles allowing Shadow to relax for the first time that day. Seconds later he drifted off into a deep sleep. An expanse of stars gleaming as far as the eyes could see. Then somewhere in the infinite void a voice called out "Only you!"

********************

Sunset lie soaking in the tub letting her worries wash away like the tides of the ocean. Neck deep in bubbles the unicorn thought back to that kiss with Shadow and the vision that followed. Subconsciously Sunset glanced down, expecting to see a rounded middle.

"Get a hold of yourself Sunset," muttered the unicorn shaking her head.

"What does it all mean?" With that question running through her mind, Sunset drifted off.

********************

Sunset blinked in confusion "What in the name of Celestia is going on?" An endless blanket of stars twinkled in the void.

"Am I dreaming?"

"Only you," whispered a soft voice.

"Hello, is anyone there?" echoed Sunset's voice across the vastness.

"Only You," repeated the voice from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

"What do you mean only you?"

"Only you..."

"Grrr... enough already!" growled Sunset looking around.

The void remained quiet and empty for a time, until out of the corner of her eye Sunset thought she saw something. Focusing on that spot the unicorn recognized Shadow.

"Shadow!" shouted Sunset calling out to her friend.

Shadow showing no signs of life, lie motionless among the stars.

"Only you," replied the intangible voice.

"Shadow!" said Sunset with more urgency.

Still no reaction from Shadow.

"If words won’t reach him then I have to get to him... but how?"

Reluctantly Sunset moved her front right hoof around the empty area surrounding her. Each time she stopped there was a little rippling effect like when a rock hits the water. Steeling her resolve Sunset leapt forward without a second thought. Even though there was no ground to walk on Sunset's movement was never impeded. For every step the unicorn took another ripple cascaded out among the stars.

********************

Sunset prodded Shadow with her left hoof. "Shadow?" Still no response. Taking in Shadow's sleeping features she noticed a faint blue glow emanating for his horn. Ever so gently Sunset lowered her head touching her horn to his. The blue aura flared with blinding brilliance. Visions of her and Shadow played like a movie in front of Sunset. Some happy, others sad.

One terrifying scene showed Shadow lying in a snowy wasteland bleeding out while Sunset lie inches away bruised and battered. The Sunset in the vision was crying as she pulled herself forward, her back legs dragging behind; holding her back. All around the couple the snow was littered with black insect like creatures. Sunset was unable to make out whether the bodies were changelings or spiders. Also, among the destruction were other ponies Sunset couldn't

Recognize. One figure looked gray with a white mane similar do the draconequus Discord. The second one was a dark purple alicorn. "Twilight?" thought Sunset. The third body was an odd mix of blues and grays and had features like a cow and changeling. And finally flying among the devastation was a pink alicorn a curly purple mane streaked with pink highlights.

The vision faded just as quickly as it appeared replaced by the scene of Shadow embracing a pregnant Sunset Shimmer. This time the image was a bit distorted and as she stared the vision darkened and ripped like paper as inky black and violet tendrils burst through it.

"Nooooooo!" shrieked Sunset tears dampening her cheeks as she reached out and grasping nothing.

********************

The blue aura vanished taking the visions with it, leaving a disheveled Sunset and unconscious Shadow. Sunset's shoulders shook uncontrollably as her tears dotted the void like tiny dying stars.

"Don't be discouraged, Sunshim."

Sunset jumped at the sound of the voice.

"Shadow?" asked Sunset glancing from the blue pony the transparent human form of her companion.

"Yes... and no...?"

"I hate riddles so just tell me who you are." said Sunset venomously, as she cried.

"Now is not the right time! All you need to know is that I am shadow."

"Whatever!" spat Sunset.

"You're as fiery as ever Sunshim but your anger is misplaced."

"I just watched everything I hold dear unravel before my eyes. Then my future gets ripped apart and some strange being taking the form of Shadow tells me my anger is misplaced. How dare you!" screamed Sunset furiously.

"Those visions you saw were not the future but possible futures."

"What is the difference the word possible just means that something could happen, and the future is something that has yet to happen. What you're saying makes no sense."

"The difference is that "the future," implies that even though it hasn't happened yet fate has deemed that it will eventually happen just as you saw. A possible future is something that could happen if the right decisions are made and the right pieces fall into place."

"So that final vision is a possible future?" asked Sunset.

"Yes..."

"But...?" asked Sunset prodding for more.

"I have said to much," replied the other Shadow.

"Grrrr... fine! Can you at least tell me how I am able to see these possible futures? My powers have only ever been able to show me what others are thinking?"

"You embody empathy one of the elements of harmony."

"You're misinformed, there are only six elements of harmony and empathy is not one of them."

"You are thinking too tangible my dear Sunset. What you call the elements of harmony are but but manifestations of your reality."

"How many are there then oh wise guru?"

"The number is as infinite as the stars."

"Impossible!"

"What is harmony Sunset?"

"Harmony is another word for balance. Why is that relevant?"

"There are many forms of balance for example you friend Twilight Sparkle embodies the magic of friendship or as you call it, the element of magic. Twilight found that piece of harmony when she used, generosity, laughter, kindness, honesty, and loyalty. Which are all pieces of a whole. Friendship itself is also an element of harmony but there is no need to delve further into that."

"I feel a migraine coming on," grumbled Sunset.

"Empathy is just another piece of the whole."

"That's great and all but that doesn't even answer my question."

"I was getting to that."

"I would like an answer some time this year."

"Time is irrelevant."

"Focus Shadow!"

"Ahem... as I was saying you are the element of empathy. Your element allows you the touch others and empathize with them. This manifests into you being able to see their thoughts. When you touched Shadow and Trixie you created the connection, but it was cut short by the demoness Grishadera. Then later when you kissed Shadow again you establish a psychic repoire with him."

"Wait you... Shadow saw those future visions?" asked Sunset her cheeks burning.

"Yes! Shared visions are part of a psychic repoire."

"That under handed dirt bag that's why he brought up that kiss when we were at the lockers. Just you wait Shadow Lulamoon revenge is as sweet as apple pie," thought Sunset.

"what exactly does that mean" asked Sunset regaining her composure.

"A psychic repoire is a strong emotional bond that is beyond simple empathy... That is why you are able to travel to the astral plain and why you see me."

"I see you and him... but even still prophetic dreams are beyond my abilities. There is no way I could do that alone."

"You have finally reached the point."

"Wait do you mean that you... I mean Shadow is the reason I can see the future."

"Correct!"

"What is he?"

"Shadow is an Augmenter of Causality."

"He has the power to control fate?" asked Sunset.

"Not really! I guess the easiest way to explain it is that contact with Shadow enhances your natural abilities."

"That's some upgrade" muttered Sunset.

"Only you Shadow," thought Sunset smiling to herself.

********************

"Wait... only you?" asked Sunset, realizing as she shot out of the bathtub like lightning.

"The voice was talking about Shadow but what does it mean..."