A Hermit With A Heart

by Robobrony

Chapter 4: A Hearfelt Reunion

A Hermit With A Heart
Chapter 4: Heartfelt Reunion

Nightshade and the group re-emerged from the dark hole they disappeared into, only to find their surroundings had changed. But they were really surprised at the way they got there, for it was unlike anything they had ever experienced before.

“Whoa nelly, that was some ride.” This came from Applejack.

Rainbow was next to voice here opinion. “Ok, that….was weird.”

Fluttershy was next. “Um, could we maybe not do that again please.”

The experience scared her quite a bit, but Pinkie thought it was fun. “Are you kidding? That was fun, lets’ do it again.”

Rarity had yet to voice her opinion, as she was too intrigued at the house they found themselves in. A large living room with a red carpet, brown walls, that seemed to be made of wood with candle holders lining them. Behind Nightshade was two large wooden doors that one could only assume to be the front doors of the house. And behind the group was a large, red velvet couch with gold trim. Behind that was a wooden table with a single chair in front of what looked like a kitchen, with wooden cabinets, white tile floor, a black metal wood burning stove, and a sink. To the right of the kitchen was a staircase that led to the second floor where, at the top of the stairs was another door.

Rarity couldn’t help but compliment Nightshade on his fabulous house. “Oh Nightshade, your house is absolutely gorgeouse! You must tell me who your decorator is.”

Nightshade could only look at her as she marveled at his house. He figured there was no harm in answering this question. “Um, I did it all myself.”

This left Rarity with her mouth wide open, as she never thought this grump could have such taste. Spike was still very anxious to see Twilight so he cut in their conversation. “So where’s Twilight?” Nightshade raised a hoof and pointed to the two double doors to the left that led to where Twilight was staying.

Spike led the group to the doors with Pinkie Pie happily jumping along behind the group. Once Spike got to the doors with everypony behind him he flung the doors open, and there on the floor with her back turned to them and muzzle in a book, was the very mare everyone was so worried about. In pure joy and excitement they all called out to her. “TWILIGHT!”

Twilight quickly lifted her head from the book and turned around to see who had called her. Her heart soared with joy when she saw all of her friends there to see her. She practically burst into tears. She couldn’t believe it. She never thought Nightshade would have brought them here to see her, but there they were, all together to see her. She quickly stood up and tried to run to them, but upon standing, her body reminded her that she was still injured.

As she struggled to stand, her friends saw she was having trouble getting up, so they made their way over to her. Spike was the first to get to her, as he was the most worried about her. “Twilight, oh thank Celestia you’re ok. I was so worried about you when you didn’t come back when you said you would.” Spike was practically crying when he said this.

Twilight couldn’t help but start tearing up too, as she missed her little dragon brother. “Oh, Spike. I missed you too.” They embraced each other in a gentle hug as spike remembered what Nightshade had told them earlier. The others simply stood there for a moment to let the reunion between these two go before they would say there hello. Once Spike and Twilight broke their embrace the girls moved in to give Twilight a gentle group hug to show they were worried about her too. Once they were done with the group hug, it was time to sit and chat for a while.

Rarity just had to express herself. “Twilight, darling, it’s so good to see you’re alright. To be honest, when spike said you were late getting back, I was a bit more worried for you than I let on.”

Applejack was next. “I reckon’ I was a bit more worried than I let on about ya too sugarcube. It’s a real fine relief ta see yer still up and kickin.”

Then came Fluttershy. “When Nightshade came and told us you were attacked by manticores, I was so scared. I’m glad to see you’re ok.”

Finally Rainbow Dash spoke up. “I’ll say, but how exactly did this happen again, Nightshade was kinda vague on the details.”

After Nightshade had pointed the group to the room Twilight was in, he figured now would be a good time to rest a bit. So he climbed on to the couch and laid his head down. Unfortunately he wouldn’t get the rest he wanted as his shadow double popped up again.

“Well, aren’t you going to join them?” The double said.

Nightshade wondered why he came up again like this. “They came here to see Twilight, not me.”

“So, that doesn’t mean you can’t be with them. I’m sure they would love your company.”

“Yeah right. If they knew my past they wouldn’t be so friendly to me.”

“You don’t know that for sure. Besides, don’t you think it’s about time to stop living alone?”

“Living alone is what has kept me alive this long. I’m not about to jepordize it on some stupid idea that I need friends. I’ve been doing just fine on my own for this long.”

“But don’t you think-“

“WOULD YOU JUST BE QUIET! I DON’T NEED ANY FRIENDS! I’VE BEEN ON MY OWN PRACTICALLY ALL MY LIFE AND I’VE BEEN DOING JUST FINE!! NOW SHUT UP AND LEAVE ME ALONE!!” Nightshade was furious that this shadow double kept trying to incist that he needed friends and had enough.

Back in the room, Twilight was about to tell them the whole story about how she met nightshade and how he saved her, but then they herd him talking to someone. They got up and walked to the entrance of the living room and saw nightshade on the couch talking to…no one? They weren’t sure what was going on but soon became scared when he started yelling at no one. They couldn’t believe what they just herd. Alone all his life? How could anypony live like that?

Twilight decided to try and get his attention. “Um, Nightshade?”

Still furious with his shadow, Nightshade turned to face his caller. “WHAT!” Seeing who it was, he managed to calm himself down. “Oh, it’s you. What do you want?”

Rainbow just had to ask. “Were you.…yelling at yourself?”

Nightshade had to know something before answering this question. “How much did you hear?”

Pinkie answered for everyone. “The part where you said something about your past.”

Nightshade saw no harm in answering Rainbow Dash’s question, but he figured there would be more to come about his conversation. “Being alone for so long, my subconscious created a sort of double of myself through my magic that only I can see and hear. In a way, it’s like my conscience. And frankly, it can be very annoying sometimes.”

Rarity wanted to try her luck to understand Nightshade a little better. “You said you’ve been alone practically all your life, right? What about your family, where’s your mother and father?”

He was afraid this would come up and he didn’t like it one bit. “That is none of your business! That is my personal business and I will thank you to stay out of it!” He practically yelled at her.

Everypony was a little scared now and poor Fluttershy hid behind everypony. When Nightshade saw the fear in the eyes of those ponies, he immediately felt guilty for scaring them. “Look, I’m sorry for frightening you. It’s just that my past isn’t exactly easy for me to talk about.”

They all saw he was sorry for scaring them, so Applejack decided to see if she could get him to open up. “Ya know, ya’ll can tell us anythin Nightshade. We won’t think anythin less o ya, promise.”

Nightshade looked away from the group when Applejack said this, as he knew that if he looked into those eyes, he wouldn’t be able to refuse her. “Talking doesn’t do anything but bring up bad memories and sad feelings. The past is the past, no amount of talking will make anything better. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m very tired and would like to take a nap. When you’re done with your visit and ready to go home, just let me know.” Nightshade made his way up the stairs and through the door at the top.

Twilight and friends all felt sorry for Nightshade. He had done so much for them when he didn’t have to. He didn’t have to save Twilight, he didn’t have to bring her to his house to fix her wounds, he didn’t have to go into town to tell everypony what happened to her, and he certainly didn’t have to bring everyone here to see her, but he did, and they were all grateful to him for everything that he did. He was their friend now and they all agreed that they would do whatever they could to make him happy. But for now, they would let him rest and they would continue with their visit. The girls and Spike still wanted to hear Twilight tell them everything that happened today.

Nightshade had just closed the door to his room to take a nap on his bed. His room wasn’t anything special. A simple bed with thick green covers, a bathroom, a small nightstand next to the bed, and a chair next to that. Even though he was in his own room, he didn’t want to take the chance that one of the ponies could walk in on him, so he kept his cloak on as he crawled onto his bed.

“They really do care about you, you can see it, can’t you?” Nightshade's double reappeared.

“HMPH”

“Look, I know what you know, and I think that you’re afraid to admit it. You know what it is about them that you have trouble saying no to them.”

“Maybe.”

“I know you see it. You can see that they are genuine, honest, caring, kind.”

“So what, that still doesn’t change the fact that if they knew my past, they would turn on me.”

“That’s not true and you know it. You’re just afraid to let them close. We both know that no matter what, they would never hurt you. Especially after you saved their friend. That’s why you can’t say no to them.”

“You know, you can be very annoying sometimes.” Once the conversation with himself was over, he was finally free to take the nap he had long been after.

Back downstairs in the library, Twilight had just finished telling her friends how she met Nightshade, and how he saved her. She could only go by what he told her since she was unconscious when he stepped in. Rainbow Dash was most impressed with how Nightshade took on three manticores so easily. “Whoa, no way, he seriously lifted three manticores off the ground and tossed them like rag dolls? It must’ve been so totally AWSOME!” Anyone who could deal with such monsters so easily were way cool in her book.

Applejack was equally impressed. “Whoa nelly! He sounds mighty strong if’n he could do somthun like that.”

Pinkie couldn’t contain her excitement anymore. “I’ll say, I’ll bet he was all, oh no you don’t, and they were all, ROAR!, and then he was all, oh yeah, and then they were all, AAAAAAHHHHHHH!”

Rarity was next to speak up. “Good heavens darling, it certainly sounds like he was quite brave indeed. But from the way you spoke about him, I couldn’t help but notice that you may have a little crush on him. Am I wrong?”

Twilight wasn't sure how she felt about Nightshade. “Well, he did save me, bandaged me, and made sure I was comfortable. But there’s no way I could have a crush on him, we just met, besides, we can’t worry about that now, he’s our friend, and we need to show him the magic of friendship.”

Fluttershy couldn’t help but wonder something. “But how will we do that. He seemed awful serious about not wanting friends. What if we make him mad or something?”

Spike decided he had been quiet long enough and decided to voice his concern. “It doesn’t matter. Nightshade is a hero and he deserves friends. We owe him so much.” Everypony couldn’t help but agree with the baby dragon, and Twilight looked upon him with admiration for him acting so mature.

Twilight then remembered the balcony just outside the glass door and thought now would be as good a time as any to get a better look at it and see if there was anything familiar around. "Let's go take a look and see if we can figure out where we are out there." They all agreed and headed to the window, opened the glass door that led out, and made their way to the edge of the balcony to look out.

The sight that greeted them was a massive forest. The house was sitting on a cliff face just above the tree tops. They looked to the left of the house and could see a kind of trail that led from the front door down a trail that led into the forest. They then looked at the house itself. It was painted white with a black roof.

Fluttershy was in awe at the large forest before them. “Oh my, it’s so big. What forest do you think that is Twilight?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen this forest before.” Twilight responded. As they stared in awe at the forest that seemed to go on forever, they saw one of the trees in the distance shake violently which sent a flock of birds flying off, calling out as they flew.

This startled Fluttershy. “OH MY, what was that?” She asked, fear evident in her voice.

Spike made an observation. “I don’t know, but whatever it was, it must be big.” They could definatly hear the faint echo of something big stomping around in the forest below.

Twilight thought they had seen enough and decided it was time to go back in. “I think we’ve seen enough outside for today, let’s go back in.” Before they headed back, another tree was shaken and sent another flock of birds flying. The group eagerly made their way back into the house.

Time went on and they all soon realized it was getting late as the sun began to set in the distance. Rainbow dash volunteered to inform Nightshade that they were ready to leave, so she flew up to the second floor and knocked on Nightshade's bedroom door.

Nightshade had just woken up from a wonderful nap when he heard a knock on his door. He crawled out of bed and made his way to the door.

“Hey Nightshade, were ready to go home now.” Rainbow Dash said to Nightshade, who still seemed groggy from his nap.

Nightshade followed Rainbow down the stairs to take everyone home. But before that could happen, Twilight suddenly remembered something important. “Nightshade, wait. Before everypony leaves, would it be alright if I wrote a letter to the princess? She’ll need to know about what happened too.”

This got Nightshade confused. “Why would you need to write a letter to her?”

Twilight simply answered casually. “I’m Princess Celestia’s personal student. If I’m going to be here, I won’t be able to do my studies.”

Nightshade was scared now. What has he gotten himself into? This unicorn was a personal student to the sun goddess?! But, as usual, he just couldn’t say no to Twilight. “I guess that would be ok.”

But Spike had to remind Twilight of one little problem. “Um, Twilight, we don’t have any paper or quills.” Twilight felt a little embarrassed that she forgot something so small.

Luckily, Nightshade had a solution. “Hold on a minute.” He made his way into the library/bedroom to the nightstand next to the bed, used his magic to open the drawer, and took out a sheet of paper, inkwell, and quill, and levitated them over to Spike. Spike set the inkwell on the floor and sat down ready to take Twilight’s dictation.

Twilight began, “Dear Princess Celestia. I am sorry to say that due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be unable to continue with my studies for a few days.” Twilight went on in her letter, explaining what happened. Spike got every word.

Twilight finished her dictation to the princess and asked spike to send it. Nightshade thought that when Twilight said she wanted to send a letter to the princess, Spike would simply take it back to town and mail it like normal. So when he saw spike breathe green fire on it and turn it to smoke, he was confused. “Why did he do that? I thought you wanted to send that to the princess?”

Everypony could only chuckle a little at his confusion. Twilight then explained why Spike set the letter ablaze. “Spike’s fire is magic. Any letter he breaths on with his flame is sent directly to Celestia.” Nightshade nodded in understanding.

Then Applejack remembered something she and everyone else was wondering earlier. “Nightshade, what’s with that there forest out there, we all went out on the balcony and saw that big forest. We also noticed somethin big movin and shakin the trees out there.”

Nightshade answered in a very serious tone, “That forest is very dangerouse, its full of creatures that are worse than the ones in the Everfree forest, it’s best you forget about it.”

Pinkie then wondered something about that statement. “But then, if it’s so dangerous, then why do you live in it.”

“Simple, what better place to live where you don’t want to be found than in a forest no pony would dare enter.” Before anyone else could ask a question on the matter, Spike let out a belch and a puff of smoke that formed into a rolled up scroll emerged.

Twilight immediately knew who it was from. “A letter from the princess.”

Spike picked it up and read it out loud for everyone to hear. “My faithful student, Twilight. I am sorry to hear about your predicament, but most relieved to hear you are safe. I would, however, very much like to meet the pony who saved you to thank him personally and see you in pony. Please write back to me to let me know when we might be able to see each other. Signed, Princess Celestia.”

Nightshade was really scared now. He may very well have to meet this princess in pony. What if she saw his face, what if she blames him for what happened to her beloved student, what if she decided to take her away? Wait, why would he care if she took Twilight away? He wouldn’t have to put up with these annoying ponies anymore. But no matter how hard he tried to ignore that thought, deep down a small part of him didn’t want her to go.

Twilight got real excited at this news. “Oh my, what an honor Nightshade. Princess Celestia wants to meet with you in pony and visit your house. You’re ok with this right?”

Nightshade didn’t even bother to try to refuse as he learned that no matter what, he just couldn’t let these mares down. He stated his words bluntly to let them know it was ok. “Everypony is to meet up in front of the Ponyville library at one O’ clock tomorrow.”

Twilight couldn’t contain her gratitude any longer after everything he had done for her. So without thinking, she lunged forward to give him a big hug and kissed him on his nose. Nightshade blushed so fiercley, the red could almost be seen from the darkness of his hood. At first, he wanted to back away from her, but even though it didn’t show on his muzzle, deep down there was a part of him that was enjoying it. Then he came to his senses and backed away quickly. “Just what do you think you’re doing!” He practically shouted at her, but from the way it sounded, they could tell he was more embarrassed than angry. Everypony but twilight couldn’t help but laugh at the awkwardness.

“I’m sorry Nightshade. I just had to say thank you somehow.” Twilight felt a little embarrassed herself for what she did.

“You could’ve just said thank you.” Without another word, Nightshade made his way back to the night stand to get another piece of paper for spike to wright on. “Here, tell the princess when and where we’ll meet.” He said, clearly still embarrassed about the hug and kiss. Spike quickly wrote down the information and sent it on its way. Sadly, it was finally time for everypony to go home.

But Spike didn’t want to leave Twilight. “Nightshade, is it alright if I stay here with Twilight?” Nightshade did not like this. He didn’t want another guest staying in his house.

But before he could say anything, Twilight beat him to it. “Sorry spike, but I need you to keep an eye on the library tomorrow. You can still come with everypony tomorrow to see me again.

Spike was saddened by this, but he did know she was right, he couldn't leave the library unattended for a whole day. So he sadly agreed. “OK, see ya tomorrow Twilight.”

The five ponies and dragon once again gathered around Nightshade so he could take them all home. They all waved goodbye to twilight as Nightshade formed the hole that would lead to ponyville, and disappeared. This was the first time Twilight had seen Nightshade use his teleportation method and got very curious. She would definitely have to ask him about it later. For now, she made her way back into her room and continued reading the book she had.

The group reappeared in front of the town library where they first met Nightshade. Applejack decided to give one final thank you to Nightshade before he left. “Thank ya kindly again fer everythin Nightshade.”

“Uh, you’re welcome.”

Rarity gave her thanks next. “Oh yes, we really appreciate it.”

“No problem” Nightshade said his words rather low as if he were deep in thought. He was certainly nervous about what was to come tomorrow. But that wasn’t the only thing on his mind. That hug, the kiss, the fact that he liked it. He thought that maybe a good meal would help take his mind off of things, so he teleported home to make dinner for himself and his guest.

Spike was so use to sleeping with Twilight nearby, he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. Pinkie saw Spike staring at the empty dark library and asked why he seemed so sad. “What’s wrong Spike, why so sad?”

Spike looked up at the party pony with a solemn expression. “It just won’t be the same without Twilight around.”

Pinkie then got a great idea to cheer up Spike. “Spike, would you like to stay with me until Twilight comes back?”

Spike seemed to cheer up at this invitation. “I would like that Pinkie, thanks.”

“No problem, why don’t you go get you’re things and we’ll go to my place.” The other’s made their way back to their homes while spike quickly made his way into the library and up the stairs into the room he and Twilight shared to gather his basket that he used as his bed, his blanket and pillow, and made his way back out to stay with Pinkie Pie.

Nightshade reappeared back in his living room and found Twilight in the room she would be staying in reading a book. When he saw her face, it sent him back to when she hugged and kissed him, which caused him to stumble over his next words. “So, um…how does vegetable soup sound for dinner.”

Twilight looked up from her book and gave him a grateful smile. “Sounds good, would you like any help making dinner.”

“No thanks. You take it easy, you are still healing after all.” Twilight was sad that she wouldn’t be able to help, but she was still sore from her injuries, so she went back to reading her book while Nightshade went to the kitchen to get dinner started. The smell of the food traveled through the house and into the library. Twilight could smell dinner cooking and it got her stomach rumbling, it smelled so good.

Dinner was finally ready, Nightshade levitated two bowls out of one of the cabinets, two spoons from one of the drawers, and one big spoon to serve the soup. Nightshade called out to Twilight, “Dinners ready!” Twilight got up and levitated the book she was reading and placed it on the bed. She made her way into the living room over to the table and was about to sit down when she noticed something. There was only one chair.

Nightshade saw she was about to sit on the side of the table opposite the side of the table with the chair. “You can have the chair you know.”

Twilight was surprised that Nightshade was letting her have the chair. “Are you sure?”

“Just take it.”

Twilight did as she was told without any more argument and made herself comfortable as Nightshade served the soup. The first bite she took was heavenly, the soup was so good she couldn’t help but let out a conteted, ‘MMMMM’. “This soup is amazing, you’re a really good cook.”

Nightshade responded carefully to this compliment. “Thanks,um….glad you enjoy it.”

Halfway through the meal, Twilight thought now would be a good time to ask him about his teleporting. “So Nightshade, I wanted to ask you about your teleporting, I’ve never seen anything like it before. Where did you learn it.”

Nightshade didn’t want to give away too much information about that for it could reveal what he really was, but he couldn’t lie to her either. So he would tell her the truth but try to leave out anything that might reveal what he really was. “It’s just an ability I have, as long as I have an image of a place I want to go to, I can teleport there. It’s called shadow flight because your pretty much traveling through shadows.”

Twilight was very impressed. “Wow, that’s incredible, can you teach me how to do it.” As always, Twilight was very interested in learning a new spell, but would be very disappointed in the answer she was given.

“Sorry, but it’s an ability that can’t be taught , I’m the only one that can do it.”

Twilight was sad about this, but glad she could at least learn a little more about Nightshade's method of teleporting, and Nightshade himself.

Nightshade proceeded to take the bowls into the kitchen once dinner was over. “You might as well go to bed, it’s late and there’s a big day tomorrow.”

“Ok, goodnight Nightshade.” Twilight went to her room and closed the doors behind her. She was surprised to see the fireplace lit up when she entered. She called out to Nightshade. “NIGHTSHADE!”

When Nightshade heard her call out, he thought something bad happened, so he rushed over and burst through the doors. “WHAT’S WRONG, DID SOMETHING HAPPEN!” Nightshade quickly scanned the room for any signs of trouble, only to find a surprised unicorn. “What happened?”

Twilight then realized that she might have accidently scared Nightshade. “I’m sorry Nightshade, I was just surprised to see the fireplace lit and don’t remember seeing any pony lighting it.”

Nightshade soon realized that he was actually scared that something terrible might have happened to her. He quickly pushed those thoughts out of his head and began to explain what was going on with the fireplace. “I have an enchantment on it, so whenever it gets dark out the fireplace lights up on its own. If you don’t like it I can put it out for you.”

Twilight actually enjoyed the warm glow the fire was giving off. As the flames danced about, the shadows they created seemed to dance along as well. It was haunting yet peaceful at the same time. “It’s all right, I like it.”

Nightshade felt relief that she was ok, but didn't let it show when he spoke again. “All right then, see you in the morning.”

Twilight then removed the book she placed on the bed earlier and placed it back on the shelf where she got it, crawled into bed and, in the warm, comforting glow of the fire, let sleep take her.

Nightshade went back to the kitchen to finish cleaning up, but was soon confronted by another talk with himself. His Shadow reappeared and began to speak. “Weeeellllll”

“Well what?”

“You really like her, don’t you?”

“Of course not.”

“Oh really, and I suppose you practically knocking down the doors when you thought she was in trouble was just a coincidence?”

“Yes.”

“Oh come on, just admit it, you really, really, like her.”

“Ok, let’s say I do like her, so what. It’s not like there’s anything I can do about it. And even if she did like me back, she’d turn me down as soon as she saw my face. Just face it, I’m a creature of the shadows and she lives in a world of light, were just too different!”

“But you like her,….don’t you.”

Nightshade couldn’t deny it anymore. “Yes…..I do.”

Comments

[Gboyd]

Things are getting intruging...… I wonder if everyone forgot about the creature crashing down in the forest below.... If so, I believe things are about to get a lot more interesting! I'm excited!