> Dark Shadow
>  by NightShadow76
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The First Howl, Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Year 35xx, the war planet Ares

OST

Running....that's what we've been doing for the past hour. Trying to find a reactor in a bunker the size of a small island is not easy. It's even harder when you got Nightstalkers chasing you, "MOVE DAMN IT!!! THEY"RE RIGHT ON US!!!" Captain Zero, the CO of the mission, shouts.

The Nightstalkers are walking horrors, standing at 8ft, lurking in darkness since they burn to death in the light, bodies made to be weapons with their claw like digits and armor like skin, add that to the fact that they can scale any terrain and you got the perfect stealth monster. Our enemies, The Legion, created them to be the perfect bunker guards, using many strains of animal and humanoid DNA.

"JACKLE, WE NEED A FLASH BANG NOW!!!" Lieutenant Rex, our heavy weapons specialist, roars over to our tech specalist.

"ONE FLASH COMING UP!!! FLASH OUT!!!" Corporal Jackle, our tech specalist, throws a flash bang behind us and as the stalkers run over it, it blows, killing at least 10, if not 15, of them.

"Hopefully that'll as least slow them down, but I'm not holding my breath!" Lieutenant Drake, our long range specalist, looks back at the damage. "The charred bodies seem to be blocking them for now, so we got some breathing room now."

We stop in a large room, about the size of war room, to catch our breaths. Well, they do, I just stop to let Saphira catch her breath. "Jackle, I want those doors sealed, and these open, got it?" Zero barked.

"Sir!" Jackle says as he works on the doors we came from.

Saphira looks at me, wearing a white night gown as this was a rushed mission, staring into my helmet that covers my entire head, "Daddy, I'm scared. Are the monsters gonna get us?" I can feel my blood boil in anger at the thought of those bastards touching my 12 year old adopted daughter. I shake my head to tell her 'no' and she seems happy about it. I knew taking her with us was a bad idea, but if we left her in the ship, they might have tried to take her to use her against us.

"Hey, Shadow." I turn to my left to see Commander Neon, Zero's XO, walking up to me, "How're you two holding up? That was a rough ride back there."

I nod to tell him 'we're fine' and to agree with him. He shakes his own, "Still not the talker type, huh? Well that's okay, once we blow this place sky high, we'll have a lot to talk about. So, how're you doing, Saphira, keeping your dad out of trouble?" He sports his cocky grin, making Saphira giggle.

"Yea, he's still doesn't talk, but he plays with me a lot and always tucks me in at night!" She gives that angelic smile that can melt any heart, no matter how cold.

"We got a problem!!" Jackle calls to everyone. "I can get these doors open, but I can't shut them without someone on this side!!"

Neon walks over to him, "Are you sure, what if we used explosives, wouldn't that work?"

"No, that'll just fry the controls. The only way this is closing is if someone stays behind." Everyone is silent at that.

"How fast do those doors close and how much force is needed to keep them open?" Rex asks, as his plan is obvious.

"That won't work either, there's a failsafe to prevent that kind of plan, at most, it can only be held a few seconds, and can only held open for about half a foot." It sinks in, someone has to die.

"I'll do it." We all look at Rex in shock. "I got biggest guns, so I'll last longer than any of you guys."

"Are you sure, we can find another way, Rex." Zero asks him, not wanting to lose another friend.

"I'm not the smartest guy around, but I've never been more sure in my life." Rex replies with a straight face.

"All right, open the doors Jackle." Zero ordered. Jackle obeyed, if a bit hesitant, understandable, Rex and Jackle are like brothers.

The doors open and everyone files through, that is, everyone, but Rex and me. He looks to me, giving me his dumbass grin, "You better get going, you got a little girl to take care of." I offer my arm as a sign of friendship, one he takes gladly, "It's been nice knowing y-"

I tighten my grip and, in one swing, throw Rex, and his weapons, through the door way. I rush to the terminal and destroy it making the doors shut, but not before I hold them open. I need to see my baby girl one last time.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Rex's outburst alerts everyone. They see me holding the doors, and I see Saphira looking at with pleading and confused tear filled eyes.

I need to tell her now!

"Saphira." They all look shocked at the deep sound of my voice, "I love you, for all time."

As soon as I said that, the doors slam shut, locking me in to my death. I can hear her screaming, begging me to come back, but I can't. I turn at the sound of doors bending. They're coming, and I'm ready for them.

The door burst open to reveil a horde of Nightstalkers, ready to tear my flesh apart. Funny thing about them, guarding bunkers wasn't the real reason for their making.

They were made to kill me.

"GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!" I let out a battle cry as I charged at them, claws out, ready to die.

They swarm me. I kill one by tearing out it spin and use it to kill another coming from behind me. As another slashes my back, I bury my taloned boot in it's heart, killing it, and turn to one that jumped in the air, trying to kill me from above. I take it out by slashing it's throat as it passes me.

I keep killing until the floor is covered in corpes, yet they don't stop, they'll never stop, like zombies. They start dogpiling on me as I try to get them off. I'm not going to last, so I do the only thing I can at this point.

Set my suit to self destruct.

I hold them off long enough to set the suits core to overload, and wait. Seconds later and all I see is white.


========================================


I feel cold, like I'm in space, but I can breathe. I think that this is what the afterlife is like, but I feel something else. Something wet, like a.....tongue? I open my eyes, and to say I'm dumbstruck would be an understatement.

Wolves that look to be made of wood are licking my wounds. I guess even wooden wolves see me as one of them. I slowly get up to advoid as much pain as possible, only to find that aside from my visable wounds, I'm perfectly fine. I stand to my full hight of 6'10" and see that the biggest wolf reaches my chest, while the smallest only reaches my thigh.

I pet the alpha, or the one I believe to be the alpha, and take in my surroundings. I'm in a dense forest where the trees seem to intentionally block out sunlight, a small pond of clear water is nearby, and a cave that I guess in the wolves' den.

Before I can see inside the cave, I catch a wiff of the scent of blood. Turning to where it's coming from, I bolt to find who or what is bleeding, praying that, if it's a innocent, I'm not to late.

POV change

Could things get any worse?

First, I wake to find that I'm in the old castle where the Elements of Harmony were kept. Then I find that my powers are near gone and I can barely make a body, much less move it. Now I'm being attacked by three manticores that see me, ME, as easy meal?!

I didn't somehow survive the Elements just to become a snack, but it seems I don't have much say in the matter. "Well, what are you waiting for? Do it."

I know I can't escape, but I can at lest drive one off before I'm killed. They start to circle, waiting for the perfect time to strike. They didn't wait long, as one crept closer to me, getting ready for the charge. But just before it did, it was stopped.

By a small blade at it's foot.

I looked to where the blade came from and I was in awe.

Standing on an old spear was a large bipedal creature made of pitch black metal, even more pitch than my coat, with silver clawed arms that reached up to it's elbow, a pure crimson eye in the shape of a very spred out V, taloned feet which look like they can tear stone and metal like paper, and a very wide and thick barrel chest...and....muscles....and......*drool*

I snap out of my very strange trance and focus on an out stretched arm, leading me to think that it threw the blade as a warning and it's giving the manticores a chance to run before it strikes. And of course, what do they do?

They ignore it's threat and charge at me. Not that they get far.

The biped lept from the spear, shattering it in the process, and landed in between the manticore and me, cutting them off. They change their prey from me to him (I assume it's a male from it's build) and attack all at once.

The closest manticore is the the first to die. It swings it's paw to knock the metal beast down, only to pass through said beast. He then fades out like a ghost and lands on the manticore's back. He grabs the wings and, with no effort what-so-ever, rips them off as if they were leaves. The now wingless beast roars in pain and anger, then tries to kill him with it's stinger, tries to is the key phrase.

As the stinger hits, a loud clang and a quiet snap is heard. I can guess what made the clang, but I don't see what made the snap until the manticore howls in pain, then it's clear. The stinger tip was snapped off when it hit the bipeds metal back at full force.

He then grabs the tail with one hand and with the same effort as with the wings, tears it off too, and then swings it like a club into another manticore's face, then throws his fist into the back of the first one's head, and comes out through it's face. The dead monster slumps in a heap and its killer jumps off and turns to the remaining two.

I can smell the fear coming off them and I'm pretty sure that he can too. He walks to them slowly, making them shiver more with each step.

He comes to a stop dead in front of them, and I can see that he's 2ft smaller than them. For the first time in my life, I feel sorry for manticores. Then he does something that takes me by suprise; he speaks.

"Begone, or die."

They don't need any more convincing, as they're already running for the closest exit. He then turns to me and I can feel a slight anxiety creeping in me. He walks over to and kneels to my eye level.

He holds out a clawed hand.

"Are you alright, can you stand?"

The question caught me off guard as my mind is all over the place, 'Why's he helping me? Didn't he fight them off to have a meal to himself?'

As if sensing my unease, he picks me up and holds me in his strong, but gentle arms, his left arm holding the base of my neck and the other right over my cutie mark. Before I can protest, he bolts at speeds I didn't think were possible. Not fast enough to break the sound barrier, but far faster than any thing I've seen, and this is just with him holding me, I can only imagine how fast he can really be.

"My name is Shadow, what's yours?" He says with no effort in his voice, leading me to imagine just how strong he really is. It takes awhile to find my voice.

"Nightmare Moon."
> The Second Howl, Fight and Protect [EDIT]
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

OST

Now I've seen everything, I come out of the forest to see not only an old castle, but that it wasn't sunlight trying to break through the canopy of tree, but moonlight. Then I found the source of the scent and it's a horse, a mare by the smell of it, surrounded by lions with wings and scorpion tails. And before I leave, it speaks! 

Yea, I'm not on Ares anymore.

After I saved her, I got a better look at her. Her coat is jet black, her mane and tail are flowing to a breeze I can't feel or see, and they look like the night sky, complete with stars, and her eyes, SPIRITS, her eyes, they're serpentine with a teal color with her whites a brighter cyan. I also saw that she has a pair of large wings and a long horn protruding from her head, all of which is as black as her coat. My eyes finally rest on a mark on her flank. It's a white cresent moon with a dark violet dream cloud behind it.

In short, she's drop dead gorgeous.

As I'm running through the forest, I take a quick glace at Nightmare Moon. She looks awestruck, that tends to happen to those who haven't been carried by me before.

I return to the den to find the wolves are still there. Good, I'm going to need them for sentries.

As I get closer to the den, the wolves start to growl, making Nightmare nervous. I can guess what she's thinking. I lay those thoughts to rest with a loud growl at my wooden allies. They back off, unsure why I'm defending their meal and I tell them that she's mine and mine alone.

Living with wolves for 20 years really helps in times like this.

I lay her down in the cave and check her over. Other than the large, but shallow gash on her side, she's fine. Some herbs and meds and she'll be right as rain. The problem, however, is the faint energy I'm sensing from her.

All living creatures have this energy, some more than others, and I'm able to sense said energy, but hers is too weak, almost death inducing. I cannot, WILLNOT, let her die, not after I saved her. She's my charge now.

I take a power core from one of my many pouches, and am pleased to find that it has more than enough of the same energy for what I need.

"Nightmare, I need you to drain this power core, if you do, your strength will return. But becareful, if you drain too much at once, the overdose can, and will, harm, or even, kill you." Something about this world makes me more comfortable with talking. I think I like it.

She looks to me, her face a mix of disbelieve, shock, and hope, "Y...you mean that my magic will be reclaimed, but I could die if..." She look crestfallen, she must want her....'magic'?...back as soon as possible.

"Yes, but if drained at a steady pace, then you'll be fine in a few hours." I stand and head out of the cave to get herbs.

"Wait!!" I turn to her, a little suprised by the pleading tone in her voice, "Uh....I mean....w...where are you going?" She blushes and I don't think she knows I noticed, so I'll stay silent for now. She looks nervous to be left alone, whether she wants me to stay for the company or because of the wolves, I don't know.

"I'm going out to gather some herbs for your wounds. While your power will return, those need to taken care of soon. I have some medicine, but they'll work better with the herbs I need. Don't worry though, the wolves will make sure you're safe while I'm looking, but I won't be gone for long, my friend."

She gasps while a hoof is over her muzzle and tears in her eyes, like she's never been called that before, "Y...you see me as a friend?" I tilt my head in confusion, has she really never had a friend before?

"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?" She looks at the ground in shame and defeat, tears flowing freely, landing on the soil.

OST

"I...I tried to bring eternal night to Equestria, I was just so jealous of my sist...of Celestia's day and the love she got because of it. I wanted to give our subjects one day of 'Eternal Night', just so they could see the beauty of the night, but Celestia wouldn't have that. She believed I was going to make the night last forever and wouldn't let me explain what I was doing, so she banished me and my other half, Luna, who's body I was sharing with, to the moon for a thousand years. After I escaped two years ago, I was so angry that I plunged Equestria into eternal night, with no intention of letting the sun rise again. I was only stopped by the same power that Celestia used to banish me to the moon, the Elements of Harmony. I was then separated from Luna, who no longer had my drive and anger. When we were separated, my own rage died down, till it was all, but gone. I was only a specter, however, so I couldn't do any thing to atone for what I done. But after some time, I finally made a body to live and breathe in. But my magic was weak and I couldn't move much. Then the manticores came and well....you know the rest." She finishes with a sob, while my mind is in overdrive and my blood boils.

'How could she do that to her own sister?! And did she say 'Luna'? Must be a coincidence, Neon's lover couldn't be here.' I snap out of my thoughts to see Nightmare looking at me with slight fear in her eyes, more than likely scared I'll reject her now that I now her past.

Time to kill those fears.

I walk over to her and sit on my knees, looking her in the eye. After what felt like hours of staring into those beautiful eyes, I latch my arms around her to give her the most supportive embrace I can give. "I don't care what you did in the past, if you regret your actions and want to redeem yourself, then you have my support. And even if no one else trusts you, I do, with my life."

I can tell what said had some effect, as she returns the embrace and sobs into my shoulder. While she sobs, I rub my hand through her mane, trying to calm her down. After about 10 minutes, she finally calms down enough to look at me. I will say this, she has a very beautiful smile. "I have to ask, why? Why see me, of all ponies, as a friend?"

I stare into her eyes again, drowning myself in their ocean like beauty. "Your eyes. They show me a mare who's suffered so much, that all she wanted, was a friend."Her smile widens, showing her fangs, which surprises me. "I didn't think you'd have fangs."

Her smile fades as fast as it came, replaced with a sad frown. "I'm sorry, they're just there. I've always had them when Luna became me. But I don't eat meat, honest!! We're still friends.....right?"

My heart bleeds seeing her so sad. I brush my hand across her check, calming her down again. "Of course, just surprised me, is all. To be honest, I like it. Gives you a more combat ready look." She blushes harder this time, fully aware I can see it.

She turn away from me, with a cute smile on her muzzle. "Thank you." It was quiet, but I heard her.

I then head out to find the herbs, a big grin on my face under my helmet.

Damn it, I know what's what happening to me. Neon told me about it when he first met Luna. I can't stop thinking about it and the more I think about it, the more right it seems.

Oh well, I never liked humans that way anyway.

Nightmare Moon's POV

I couldn't thank Shadow enough for what he did for me, what he's doing for me, and all without wanting anything in return. And he called me his friend! *SQEEE* I couldn't be more happy!

But when he hugged me, I could feel my heart beat like a war drum. Is this what it feels like to have a true friend?

No, that's not right, I don't how I know, but I just know that's not the right answer.

Why did I sound so desperate when I called him back to the cave? Why did I blush when he gazed at me, when he complemented me? Why did I feel safe and warm in his embrace? And why don't I realise how I feel about him?!?!

*Sigh* Who was it that said 'Love is a Hurricane'? I can't believe that I'm having a crush on somepony who's not even a pony. But he did say he'd stand by me. Okay, maybe he didn't say that, but he did say I have his support and trust. Maybe we can.....but what if he doesn't feel the same about me. And if he does, how will we live when everypony hates and fears me. And how will they react to Shadow?

How will he react to them? The Bearers of the Elements, Celestia, and Luna? Will he attack them? Oh, I just can't see a happy ending for us. I don't want to lose him, my first friend and first love.

Maybe I'm overreating, maybe it won't come to that. We could leave Equestria, go to another country. One where I'm not known and we can live in peace.

Maybe we can even have-

OST

"So, you're what we sensed in the Everfree Forest. I should have known you would come back, Nightmare Moon." I snap to my right and who I see chills my blood.

Celestia, Luna, 18 royal guards, and the Elements of Harmony, and they don't look happy to see me. "This time we'll make sure you stay in Tartarus, where you belong." It seems Celestia is still sore at me for what I've done in the past.

But before I can say anything, Shadow's timberwolves attack and scatter my would be executioners. Three for each princess, and one for everypony else. I see this as my chance and start draining that 'power core' Shadow gave me.

'Okay, don't drain too fast, but don't drain too slow, keep it at an even level.' I drain the core at good speed and can already feel my magic returning. I can hear the timberwolves losing slowly to Celestia and Luna, but I keep draining the core. Soon I feel my power back to almost half strength. I then turn my attention to the battle, it's not looking good. Only one timberwolf is left to fight the sisters, while the others are doing well. Before it can continue to fight, I send a magical pulse at Luna and send her into a tree, leaving Celestia to fight me on her own.

"You've already crossed the line when you banished me, Celestia, so you can't say anything about what I going to do to keep my newfound freedom." We circle each other before we charge, clashing our horns against each other.

We take to the skies, breaking off and clashing again just to break off again and clash again. We keep this up for I don't know how long, one trying to overpower the other, each clash sending out a shockwave and shaking the trees.

Then Celestia gets a lucky shot, stabbing my right foreleg with her horn, and then bucking me down into the ground, near the cave. She lands next to me and Luna, who finally got her second wind, comes up next to her sister. "You've lost, my dark counterpart. Now it's time to finish this, once and for-"

"GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I hear the roar from the trees and I know whom it belong to. My tears of relief and joy return. "He's coming." Everypony looks at me. "He's coming, and when he sees what you did...." I'm saddened that things have come to this, but I'm happy that he cares.

I look to where the roar came from and I see trees falling, as if a hydra was charging, just how strong is he?! A tree exploded into splinters and when the dust clears, I see him. I can almost taste his rage.

It scares me, yes, but it excites me far more.

Shadow's POV

I felt the shockwaves while gathering the herbs I needed. I could smell more of Nightmare's blood now. "No." I put the herbs in a pouch and rush back to the cave, not caring if I crash through the trees. I could see her fighting someone in the air before being struck down to the earth. I froze, as what just happened hits me like a freight train.

"GRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I use every ounce of strength and speed I have to get to her in time. I burst through the last tree and what I see make my blood boil black.

Nightmare on the ground, bleeding badly, my wolves not fairing any better.

I have only been this angry twice in my life. Once, when my village was destroyed, then when my daughter was near death. But this, this tops those two, not by much, but still.

I snap.

I leap high into the air, only to come back down with the force of a meteor on the two alicorns near Nightmare. They jump out of the way just before I hit, leaving me in a mid-sized crater. I rise and stare down the two alicorns, who I believe are Celestia and Luna.

I howl like the wolf I am and call back my wolves to protect Nightmare. I turn my head to look behind me and nod toward the cave. Nightmare must have understood because she, along with the wolves, went in and started draining the core. I looked back at the alicorns, feeling nothing, but hate.

I move faster than they expected and slam my fist into Celestia's chest and sent her straight up through the air, then turn my attention to Luna who is standing in shock, giving me the perfect shot at her. I grab her throat with my right hand and her horn with my left and started spinning in place. After a few dozen spins I threw her at a cluster of trees, causing them to collapse on top of her.

The soldiers in gold armor attacked me right after, but before they got to me, I grabbed a tree and threw it at them, tearing it out of the ground and managing to catch them all in one shot. I launched myself into the air as hard as I could, making a few slabs of stone and bedrock break upward from the force. My jump was meant to meet the returning Celestia.

And she did not look happy.

We met with a shattering clap of thunder before I grabbed her head and headbutted her right under her horn with enough force to knock out a bull elephant, but she surprised me by only being dazed from the hit. I continued my assault by jamming my knee into her chest and delivering a right hook to her face. She retaliated by shacking me off and bucking my heavy ass with the strength to kill a rhino, causing me to make a crater deep enough to make a 12 ft swimming pool, but that wasn't the end.

Oh no, Luna got her second wind and sent lightning right at me, 15 bolts to be exact. I took them since there was no way I was going to be able to move in time to dodge. After the fifteenth bolt, Celestia landed beside Luna and they waited to see if I would do anything. When I didn't move, they breathed a sigh of relief, but Celestia seemed to look sad. That quickly changed to a hard, but hateful look when she turned to somewhere, Nightmare maybe. "Your beast is finished, and as you will be soon."

I felt my anger skyrocket at those words, forcing me to break my stone bindings and making the two alicorns snap back to me in shock. I soared high into the air, ready to deliver the next deadly attack, when I heard Luna cry out. "T-that's impossible!!! No being could survive that much lightning in one attack!!!" When she finished I struck out my leg, causing me to be fired right toward them. Due to my weight and the momentum, I soon had a red cone like when something falls through a planets atmosphere, giving my kick an even deadlier effect. just before I made contact, the sisters disappeared in a flash of light, making me hit nothing, but dirt.

I heard a snap from my right somewhere and turned toward there. When the dust cleared, there they were, waiting for me. I saw a blue blur coming at me and reacted with a haymaker right into a pegasus' jaw and sent her flying right into a tree, hard. I turned to where she (if the scent is anything to go by) came from and saw an orange Earth pony running right at me. I had a feeling on what she would do so I waited and sure enough, she spins on her front hooves and pulls back her hindlegs. Just when she shot her legs out I swung my fist to meet them in the middle. A loud clap could be heard and a ring of dust from the shockwave was made. She started screaming on the top of her lungs and held her hindlegs to try and stop the pain. They weren't broken, but she'll think twice before charging me again.

I noticed movement from my left and barely had time to throw up my arms to block a pair of golden hooves aimed at my head, making me slid on the ground by 20 ft. I lowered my arms and bolted towards Celestia with a vengeance and tackled her. But instead of sending her to the ground, I latched on and picked her up while still running. I only stopped when I slammed her into the stone wall that I think is a cliff due to the steep drop from the top. I let go and began punching her with great speed and strength, not enough to kill her, but enough to make think giving up is a good idea. Nothing was spared from my onslaught, her head, neck, chest, stomach, legs.

Before I could keep it up I was sent flying by a beam-based projectile. I righted myself before I could hit anything and saw Luna with her horn glowing, making me think that that's how she used lightning on me. Celestia broke out of the tomb I made for her and stood by Luna. Then her horn glowed and all the injuries I gave her healed. 'Great, so they can heal themselves?! I better stop playing around.'

I stood to my full height and reached up and turned the clamp that held my silver claw on my left hand. I then did the same with my right and clamp them in my arms and pulled out my uncovered hands, revealing my razor sharp claws. I grabbed my gauntlets and held them at my sides. I then threw my left one up into the air, followed by the right. They went far into the air and came down like a pair of comets, making three feet holes in the ground and causing cracks to spiderweb out by ten feet. The look of absolute fear on the alicorns' faces was worth the wait.

Now I'm a little motivated!!

With my new found speed, I reached the sisters before they could blink. I swung my bare fists at there chests, Celestia on my left, Luna on my right, and launched them both to the sky. With my lighter weight, I followed after them and grabbed their horns and started to swing them like a propeller, going faster than when I did the same with just Luna. I threw Luna to the ground first and sent Celestia right after. Luna hit the ground hard enough to bounce before making a crater due to her sister ramming into her with the force of a tank.

I landed and let out a long and loud roar of victory. That is, until I felt something hit my back. I turn and get the same to my head. Whatever it is, it's blinding my visor. I wipe away the stuff and see that it's a small cake. CAKE!!! A REAL MOTHERFUCKING CAKE!!!! I haven't seen one in ages!!

I turn and see that a pink Earth pony with a canon that had frosting dripping from the barrel. I dashed over to her and rammed my knuckles into her windpipe and knocked her out with one hit. I heard a sound like a wind chime and was hit in the chest by another beam, only this one came from the lavender unicorn. I was being pushed back before I remembered that my armor can absorb energy. I began to suck in the beam like a sink drain and I stopped getting pushed back. Instead, I crossed my arms to block the beam, feeling it burn my arms as I did so, and swung them out to redirect it to a boulder, reducing it to rubble.

I saw the unicorn panting hard and I figured that I show her what happened to her energy. I channeled it to my right fist and slammed it in the ground and made the entire area shake like an earthquake. I could't have done that without that amount of power from the unicorn in my armor. The tremor set her off balance, giving me the perfect opening. I rushed behind her and gave her neck a good chop, knocking her out too. 

I felt something shatter on my shoulder and when I turned to see what it was, another hit me right in the visor, breaking it to where I could see with my left eye. I heard a posh voice speak. "Take that you beast!!!" I was starting to get really mad, so I cranked the voice enhancer built into my helmet to half max and roared right in a white unicorns face. She stood stock still for a minute and then fainted.

I stood back up, but when I was about to return to Nightmare, I her a soft voice that was filled with anger and determination. "How dare you!!!" I turned to my right until I saw a canary yellow pegasus staring right at me within three feet of me. I've that look before, the look that's supposed to break another's will. I turn fully to reveal my uncovered eye and glare right back at her, summoning all the hate, rage, and pain that I had.

I heard one of the ponies speak in a winded tone. "Alright, way to go!!! Now just keep him like that until we catch our breaths." But just as the pony said that, the pegasus started to wilt under my glare, lowering herself to the ground with fear and sadness in her eyes till she curled into a ball and started shivering.

I turned to see that both Celestia and Luna were back on their feet- hooves- WHATEVER!!!- and were powering up their horns. I decided to crank my voice enhancer to max and try out an idea. When the beams were fired at me, I waited till they three quarters of the way and let out the biggest roar I have ever made. At first, it looked like it didn't work, but just before the beams hit me, they slowed down to a stop, only an inch from me. I kept up the roar for as long as I could, but I began to feel my voice falter so I redirected the two beams into some trees that Luna tore down when the fight began. My throat was hurting, but I didn't show it.

Even though they were exhausted, the alicorns were aware enough to what I just did. Luna was the first to speak. "I-i-it deflected our attacks?! WITH JUST IT'S VOICE?!?!?!"

I smiled under my helmet and turned down my enhancer to normal levels before talking. "And I'll do more if you don't leave my territory, right now." The look on their faces was priceless!

Celestia shook herself our of her daze and glared at me before having a smug look. "I will admit, you are powerful. But not even you can stand against the Elements of Harmony!!" I felt a huge power surge from behind me. When I turned I saw that the six mares had regained their wits and second winds and were floating off the ground with a bright glow around them. When I thought the glow couldn't get any brighter, two rainbows shot out of their sides and formed a spiral at fired right at me.

'Time to see what these things can do' I took it head on and felt myself getting heavier. I looked down and saw why.

I was turning to stone.

I turned to Nightmare and saw that she was on the verge of tears. I hate that she's crying, but her tears make her more beautiful. "Don't worry, this won't hold me for long. And I never break a promise."

Then everything went black.

Nightmare Moon's POV

I screamed, I don't know for how long. A few seconds? A few minutes? A few hours? All I know is that I've lost the only friend I ever had, and I never told him how much he meant to me. My tears keep pouring out, I couldn't stop it even if I wanted to, I'm too heartbroken. I look at the statue that was Shadow and see the timberwolves howling and whimpering at the loss of their leader.

I turn to see Celestia looking at me with a shocked look, as well as Luna and the Element Bearers. "Well, I hope you're happy, you just took away the only friend I ever had!! He was just trying to protect me and you have turn him to stone for it?! I was right when I thought of you as a tyrant, Celestia!!" My outburst only makes me cry harder. "Just kill me now, I can't li-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll pimp slap you."

OST

I shoot my head up in disbelief, thinking I went crazy, but when I saw everypony else looking at the statue of Shadow with the sane disbelief as me, I quickly kill that thought. I turn to see the ground around Shadow's statue crack, as if a great weight was just dropped there. Slowly, but surely, cracks start to form, pieces fall off, and I swear the ground is shaking, like a tremor.

Shadow crosses his arms, with his claws on either side of his head, and with a loud roar, swings them out to his sides, breaking off the rest off stone skin. There he stands, as if he wasn't hit by the Elements in the first place.

He raises his hands to his head, and starts pulling it off. At first I thought he was trying to kill himself, but then I saw that what I thought what was his head was really his helmet, and that in turn meant that wasn't skin, but armor. I mentally facehoof at such an obvious mistake, but focus on what's under that helmet.

When it's completely off, my heart skips five beats. He's bald except for his black mane and has a flat face with no muzzle, but his skin is as pale as the moon, his eyes are like mine, but are a topaz yellow, and are narrow, like a predator's, and his teeth are like mine, even the fangs. He was right, they do give a combat ready look.

He turns to me, and for the first time, I see his hansome smile.
> The Third Howl, Past and Peace
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

OST

"SHADOW!!!" Nightmare Moon rammed into me, as I just barly stayed standing from the shear force of her charge, and hugged me with a vengance, her sobs heard in my uncovered ears, her mane brushing against my exposed face, and her tears running down my bear neck. A feeling that's indescribable couses through me, a feeling that can't be felt with a helmet in the way, even with it's external sensors. I then, reluctantly, break her embrace to face the ponies who dare to threaten her.

I face Celestia, glaring a challenge, daring her to try something, "So, you want to keep this this up, or are you ready to talk like civillized ponies and such.?" I expected to hear her shouting insults my way, or the very least, an answer as to why her greastest weapon didn't work.

What I didn't expect, however, was for her to bow her head in an apologetic way and speak in a calm voice. "No, it's obvious that if you truly want to hurt, or even kill, then you would have done so, instead of simply knocking them unconscious." She raises her head to look me in the eye with an apologetic gaze. "If you can forgive me and my little ponies, we can talk peace."

Luna doesn't seem to think along the same lines. "Sister, are you mad?! We aren't seriously going to talk peace with an ally of Nightmare Moon, are we?! She'll bring eternal night when she has the chance!!" Nightmare cringes at the accusation with a crestfallen look. 'Big mistake, bitch!!'

"Insult Nightmare again, and I'll break off your horn, shove it up your ass, tear off your wings, ram them through your eyes, rip out your spine, and beat your sister and everyone else here to death with it so the last thing they see is your skull." I say with all the hate and venom I have, without raising my voice. They all pale to a pure white, but Nightmare seem to have....are those hearts in her eyes? I see Celestia glaring at Luna with a fire I haven't seen yet.

"Luna, I'm disappointed in you. Can't you see he isn't evil? Only those that are pure of heart and soul can break out of their stone prison that fast. And Nightmare Moon has changed, I see that now, and you can to if you just look at her. And besides, if the Elements of Harmony can't stop him, do you really think we can?" Luna looks at the ground in shame. Good, any who insults my Nightmare will get no kindness from me.

I look over the other ponies. The rainbow maned pegasus mare is glaring daggers at me, but I shoot my own death glare to make her back down, which she does. The orange mare is glaring at me as well, but she remembers the pain, because when I meet her gaze, she pales slightly. The pink mare looks like someone just stepped on her pet frog, as she seems to be on the verge of tears. The other three, however, hold my gaze longer than most. The alabaster unicorn mare, who looks like a posh mare with too much makeup on, has fainted on a plush couch that I have no idea as to where it came from. The lavender unicorn mare looks at me with a mix of amazement, fear, and a look that, for some reason, unnerved me like I was a lab rat on a metal slab and she had a scalpel. The butter cream pegasus mare, on the other hand, is what nearly gave me a heart attack. She was cowering behind the other five mares, hiding behind her bright pink mane, with tears in her eyes. The sight was so aborable, I nearly lost it and hugged her and called her Fluffy, (Don't judge me!!) but I barely held on to my reason.

I then saw that the soldiers were coming to, so I better make this quick. "Do you have a place for us to talk, or do you wish to talk here?"

She nodded her head to show her choice. "Yes, it would be better if we talked here. I feel that, in your territory, you would feel more calm than in an unfamiliar room. And I promise, until we have come to an agreement, we will not attack you, your timberwolf pack, or Nightmare Moon." She tells me with a warm smile.

'So that's what they're called. Bad pun, if you ask me.' I keep those thoughts to myself, as to not start another fight, I doubt I would win a round 2. "Very well, what do you want to start with? Why I'm helping Nightmare? What I am? Where I came from? Take your pick, I got more." I can see on the, now awake, soldiers, that the way I'm talking to Celestia is not cool with them, or to the 6 mares.

Celestia clears her throat as she begins. "Well, for starters, why are you helping Nightmare Moon?" I can see a little glint of mistrust in her eyes towards Nightmare, so I tell her the truth as to not hit a hornet's nest.

"I found her surrounded by manticores and was hurt from one of their claws. I gave the first one a warning and when it ignored my threat and charged Nightmare, I had no choice, but to kill it." A corus of shocked and horrified gasps sounded off around me. "After killing it, I made my to the rest of the manticores and-"

"You killed them didn't you?" I turned to see that the scared yellow pegasus, was bearing a killing intent on her face.

"No I-"

"You did, you killed them!!"

"No, you're not-"

"You're nothing, but a monster!!! You kill for the fun of-"

"I DIDN'T KILL THEM!!! I MADE THEM LEAVE ON THE PROMISE OF DEATH!!!!"

There was a deathly silence after that, the now silenced mare backing away slowly from me. "You think I like killing?! I abhor it!! I only kill because that's what I was forced to do before I came here!! It was either kill or watch my loved ones BE killed!! I've already lost my village, I wasn't about to lost my daughter as well!!" Another round of gasps sounds. I can see tears in everyone's eyes.

The same yellow mare speaks again, tears falling freely. "I...I...I'm sorry, I didn't know." Damn it, that face.


'HHHHHHNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'


From my outburst, the soldiers start to attack from behind me. But before they can, or before Celestia can stop them, I snap towards them, showing only one glaring eye,and with my face covered in shadows, my eye looks like it's glowing in the darkness. "Try it and I'll forget the peace talks and kill you all where you stand." I say in a cold and even voice, sending shivers up their spines. They know not to fuck with me now.

I turn back to Celestia. "Anyway, before I was interrupted, I scared off the other manticores and brought Nightmare here to heal her and help her regain her magic. Which reminds me."

I turn to Nightmare and picked her up, bridal style, and placed her down on the soft grass, her blushing the entire time. I then pull the herbs and medicine out. I open the vials that hold the liquid meds and crush the herbs and pour them into them, four vials in total, and swirl them around till they turn from green to violet. The first two I use on her wounds directly, first on the claw mark, then on the stab wound. and the second two I hold for Nightmare herself. "They're going to taste horrible, but I need you to drink this. They will kill any poison or bacteria that got in too deep for the first meds." I say in a calm and gentle voice. Nightmare takes the medicine and downs them both in one go, resulting in a very grossed out look. Yet, as I see that, I can only think about how she looks just like Saphira when she takes her medicine. I then began to dress the wounds with the bandages from one of the pouches on my suit.

"Good girl. Now Celestia, any more questions? Or do you want to get to want you really want to say?" She doesn't even flinch, guess she's been through talks like this before.

"Very well, what I really want to ask is, will you help defend Equestria?"

"WHAT?!?!" Everyone bellows in shock, while I'm speachless. Then I had an idea. If she knows to fear me, then let's get some insurance. "Hmmmmm. IF I do, and that's a fairly big 'if', what do I get out it?" The slack jaw looks I got from everyone tells me they don't like that I'm making a deal.

Celestia, however, seems unfazed and doesn't miss a beat. "A home, for one, and I'll do every thing in my power to find a way back to your world in the mean time. You will also be paid for your services, as well as protection for when you sleep." I politely wait till she's finished till I make my counter-offer.

"A few things wrong with your offers." A loud gasp sounded off AGAIN, I'm begining to think that this is a new trend. "First, all I need for a home is that castle in the forest, just needs a few tweaks here and there. Second, I don't have a world, the world I was on was the war planet, Ares, name self explanatory, so that's a bust. Third, the pay is fine, but I don't need protection, the last idiot that thought that I could be taken out in my sleep, well, he ended up as a VERY big stain on the wall and ceiling." At this point, a few stallions and nearly all of the mares have lost the past 3 days worth of their lunch. "However, a few conditions must be said. First, I must have access to the best medicines if I'm to do this, have to keep my self patched up if I slip up. Second, if anyone wishes to see me, they must inform me ahead of time, I will not be responsible for what happens to those that I don't know are coming. Third, only a group of ten or less may see my at my home at a time, even if that castle is large, I don't feel comfortable with too many....ponies around me. Fourth, I handle any and all threats how I see fit. Fifth, and this is the real important one, Nightmare Moon will help me defend your land and will live with me."

I could tell I caught them off guard with that last one, if their ground breaking jaws are anything to go by. I don't even need to turn around to tell that Nightmare is grinning like a mad mare and if the sorching heat I feel at the back of my neck means anything, then she also has a blush that could rival a volcano. Celestia, damn her, seems to have expected this, as she doesn't even flinch. "If that's what you desire, then it shall be so." She may have a good poker face, but I see that smug bitch look as clear as spring water. "Now I believe we should introduce you and your new partner to Ponyville."

Waaaiiiiiit foooor iiiiiiiittttt. "WHAT?!?!?!?!" Called it. "Sister, have you forgotten that one of the 'new protectors' you're bringing is NIGHTMARE MOON?!" Yeah, I can tell already, that smug bitch has a plan already in place.

"Luna, don't you notice anything different about her? Like what she's wearing?" Luna and I both look at Nightmare and I don't see anything she could be wearing. Luna, however, does seem to think otherwise. "You see now? Everypony remembers her because of her armor, but without it..."

"Then we could just past her off as a lost relative." Luna finishes, but with a grimace. Guess she really hates her. Oh well, as long as she doesn't start insulting her again we're good. "Fine, but even if we do pull this off, what about her name, everypony knows her name and won't just forget it."

"I might be able to help with that." All faces turn to me. "What about Night Angel? Back on my home world, Night Angel was a guardian of the forest and the night who kept the innocent safe while they slept and plundged those who would hurt them into a living nightmare for five days as punishment." I can see the gears turn in Celestia's head. She looks up at me with a warm smile.

"That's perfect, and what about you? Is 'Shadow' all there is to your name, or is there more?" I think about telling her, wondering if I should give what The Legion called me or what my pack called me. The answer is clear as night.

"My pack gave me the name, Shadow Wolf, I guess that will do. However, I believe it would be best if we waited till Night is back at full strength. She needs rest if those wounds are giong to heal without scars." Night paled greatly at that. Celestia nods in understanding.

"I understand, and I also understand if you don't trust us yet, so it's to be expected." She still gives off that warm smile. I decided to mess with her plans a little bit.

"For the record, I DO trust you, it everyone ELSE I don't trust. However, let me give you a warning, any who hurts Night in anyway, whether through physical or mental or emotional, I will mutilate them and then send you their corpse as an example." I say in a calm and collected manner, all while smiling the entire time.

'HA!! Finally!! I got that smug look off her face!!" Celestia's face paled from a clean white, to a sick gray. Didn't think that was possible. Huh, you learn something new everyday.

I turn and picked up Night again, and before anyone can stop me, I blast towards the castle, to my-...our new home. Well, new to me, but old to her maybe. I don't know, I'm just going with 'new'.

I can feel the wind on my face, through my hair, what little there is, being short and lightly spiky doesn't give much to work with. Not that I would want to mind you, but Saphira would always want to do my hair in some style whenever I had my hair out long enough. Daughters *SIGH*, what are you gonna do, huh?

OST

As we finally reach our home, Night breaks the silence with a weird look and a expected question, never thought I'd see that combo. "Shadow, do you have a special somepony?" Okay, I take that back, was not expecting that one.

I look at her in the eye and with a straight face I answer. "No." Now she looks confused, why?

"But you said you had a daughter, doesn't that mean that...." She trails off to let her unfinished question take hold. And I still have a puzzled fa-

"Oh. OH. OH!! Oooohhh. Well, no I've never had a 'special somepony', I adopted Saphira when her parents were murdered at the age of four. I wasn't in time to save them, but at least I saved her" Night looked horrified, tears threating to escape their ocean blue prison.

"I....I....I can't believe....what kind of monster does that?!" I can see the rage at Saphira's plight, making me fall for her even more. I walk through the halls before finding a door with a cresent moon on it. I push it open to find a bedroom decorated to look like the night, but a few places seem faded with time. I set Night on the bed before debating to tell her what happened.

Then I think how stupid that is. If I'm going to keep her close to me, then I can't lie. "Well, to answer that, I would have to tell you what happened to me. It's only fair, I mean, you told me your story, so I'll tell you mine. I warn you, however, that my tale isn't as cut and dry as yours. There's much more pain than you can possibly imagine."

She looks me in the eye, and with a beautiful smile, tells me all I need to know. "No matter how painful, I'm here for you, like you for me."

I smile and give her a warm hug. I take a deep breath, as to calm myself. This is going to take a while. "Ok, it all started in my village on the planet Ferrix."

OST

"Ferrix is a jungle planet, with trees that reach the clouds, fruit that could feed a man for days, and animals that couldn't be found on any other planet. My village was one of the more primitive warrior clans, living as one with the surrounding jungle. We also had a close bond with the wolves that lived near us. They were not like any wolves you could think of, they were large, reaching 4 1/2ft on all fours, able to sense electric currents in living things, and had horns that looked like bull horns, but smaller. We called them Gigawolves."

"I was one of the hunters of the village, hunting for food and protecting the village when I wasn't hunting. Ever since I was a child, I was shunned because of who my father was. He was a tyrant, and no one was more happy when he died than me. But it seems that the sins of the father are carried by the son. At least they were kind enough to not exile me, instead, they made me a hunter. If I didn't do my part, they would have sent me to my death. The only ones who didn't hate me were a family who were friends with my mother, so I lived with them, as to keep the elders happy."

"I stayed with them until I was 20, till the day everything was ripped from me. The villagers may have hated me, but that village was still my home. I was out in the forest with a Gigawolf, hunting a large lion that we've been stalking for the better part of the day, when I heard the screams. I tore through the jungle, my Gigawolf friend right behind me, but when I got there, the village was in flames."

"I charged for home, hoping that my friends were alive. When I got to the center of the village, I saw the ones who caused the destuction. Men in white armor, carrying weapons that burned all in their path. I knew what the intruders were."

"Humans."

"I killed the ones that I came across as I rushed to get home. When I got there though, I was too late. There they were, lying in a pool of their own blood, with a group of humans over their bodies. I was consumed by rage, killing any and all that I saw. I wanted them all dead. My body was riddled with holes from their weapons, but I would not stop till they were rotting under the sun. A few villagers were able to fight back, but it was a losing battle. The enemy was more advanced than us, and they had more numbers."

"Finally, I was the only one left of the survivors, and I was still fighting. Then the one in charge ordered for my live capture. I was struck with darts that seemed to drain my strength, but I kept fighting and killing, until I collapsed from my wounds. The last thing I heard before I blacked out was the leader saying that they got what they came for."

OST

"When I awoke next, I was suspended in the air by restrants that held my arms and legs as far apart from each other as they would allow, stripped of any cloth or weapons, and surrounded by more humans. I saw my Gigawolf friend on a metal table, cut open like a bag, letting me know there was no hope for him. The humans wanted the strongest Feral they could find, which made me their prize."

"I don't know how long I was tortured with the experiments, a few days? A few weeks? A few years? All I know is that time didn't matter, I wasn't going anywhere. They were doing a project called 'New Gods', and I was to be their prototype. They tore everything apart and put it back together, with a few new enhancements. I was injected with many different serums, making me stronger, faster, tougher, and all around deadlier. Eventually, I became so powerful, that they had to make this armor, weaking me to a sliver of my true might, to be able to keep me under control."

"I was no longer a Feral, I was an abomination. They gave me the name 'Anubis', after a Jackle God of Death the humans worshipped. One day, more humans came, but these humans killed the others and freed me. The leader asked me to come with them if I wanted revenge. I didn't even have to think about it. I was taken to their headquarters. The leader's superiors told him to keep a eye on me incase I went on a killing spree, but as long as I had my armor, my mind was my own."

OST

"The human that I was stuck with, who called himself Zero, was really good to be around. He reminded me of the village warriors, with his high respect of honor. We became close, trusting each other with our lives, as we went on many missions together, sometimes going on missions that needed 20 soldiers, alone."

"Then my past caught up with me. The humans that tortured me were taking others as to recover from there lose of me. We would often get tip offs of coming raids, but we were always too late. One day I heard from an enemy soldier that a raid was about to begin. I took Zero's ship and tore through space to get to the planet in question in time. However, when I got there, the attack was already well underway. I searched the city where the raid was centered on to find any sign of life. That's when I heard the screaming."

"I bolted down the road to find 12 humans killing two humans, one male and one female, and then saw them dragging a youngling female human by her neck, her kicking and screaming the whole time. I snapped, killed them before they know what hit them, and turned to the child. She couldn't be any older than 4 or 5, yet she held a knife at me, thinking I was one of them, and called me a monster."

"I told her I was a monster, but a good monster. It took some convincing, but I got her to calm down enough for her to start bawling into my chest. I took her from the grizzly scene, but not before burying her parents. I made my way to the ship, but was stopped by more enemy humans. I fought them off for what felt like days, which it very well might have been. I feed the girl as often as I could, ignoring my own needs to keep her alive. Then finally, after what felt like a life time, Zero and the humans under his comand arrived and pushed the enemy off the planet."

OST

"He was about yell my ear off before he saw the child in my arms, holding me for dear life. I told him what happened and to say he was upset would be an understatement. I've never seen him so angry before. He ordered a blockade to protect the planet, as least till we took care of the enemy. He was about to have her put in an orphanage, but I asked that she stay with me. He was shocked that I made any request, but to make one like that might of shocked him even more."

"Then he just smiled and said that even if the end of life came, I would have her in my care. I true to his word, in a few days I was the new father of a four year old girl. I decided to give her a new name. I looked at her eyes and the name Saphira came to me, so that's what I named her. We've been close ever since and to this day she calls me 'Daddy'."

I wipe away the few tears that crawled out from their cage, but one look at Night told a different struggle. Her eyes were nearly drowned in her tears, her body shivering, and her jaw not working right. Then, out of nowhere, she lunges at me, taking me down to the ground from the unexpected reaction, and hugs me while she cries into my neck. The only thing I could think of in that situation was to caress her neck while she cried, telling her it was okay. After what felt like hours, but in reality only a few minutes, she calms down and lifts her head till it's over my face, tears still flowing. "I'm so sorry. For your loss. For your pain. For everything. If I could take the pain and hurt away, I would make it so you'd only feel happiness."

My heart soars at her words. I've had many females of many different species coming after me for my love and attention, but none of them made me feel like this. I then say the only thing on my mind. "My love." I immediately slam my hand over my mouth, but the damage is done. Night has the most shocked look I've ever seen. I turn my head in shame, trying to advoid her gaze.


'HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID?!?! SHE PROBABLY DOESN'T FEEL THE SAME WAY, YOU FUCKING IDIOT!!!! NOW SHE'LL PROBABLY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!!!! FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I feel a hoof on my cheek, forcing my head to look forward, but not my eyes. "Shadow." She speaks in her sweet voice, but I don't look, I'm too ashamed to look at her. I feel the same hoof move my hand from my mouth. "Shadow." She says with a bit more force in it. I still can't bring myself to look at her. I then feel Night shaking, from what I'm not to sure. "SHADOW!!"

That got my attention. I jerk my eye to so fast, I'm surprised they didn't fly out of their sockets. But when I look in her direction, I feel something slam into my face. It takes me six seconds to realise that Night is kissing me and already has her tongue around mine, which I find that she has a forked tongue. At first, I'm confused, but all too soon, I realise that, I DON'T CARE!!! I then return the kiss with fervor, as I force her tongue back into her mouth and start my adventure in her moist serpents cave. As I take in the feeling of bliss, I discover she tastes like freshly picked grapes, a taste I gladly drown in.

Soon I had enough of her taste and let her in my own dripping maw. She doesn't waste any time, running her tongue over every inch of my mouth, us both shivering in ecstasy. I feel her tongue reach down my throat, but strangely, I don't gag or recoil. Instead, I respond by grabbing her sides and flip her over so I'm on top, still not breaking the kiss. I have never felt this kind of happiness in all my life.

We finally break away from each other to catch our breath, staring into each others eyes. "I feel the same way, is what I was trying to tell you, but I think you figured that out by now. Nopony has ever treated me like you have, so kind, caring, protective, loving. And you're are quite the sexy stallion, if I may be so bold." If I wasn't red from what we just did, I certainly was after that!! I couldn't help, but smile the same dumbass grin Rex always has. I was in heaven, there could be no other way I could get a beautiful lover like this. But another kiss by Night killed that notion, reminding me that I was very much alive. "You know, if we're real careful, I bet we could have some more fun." DAMN YOU SPIRITS!! WHY DO HAVE TO TEASE ME LIKE THIS?!?!

"I want nothing more than to ravage you till you can't feel anything for hours." I see her shiver with delight and a gleam in eye. "But with those wounds, we'll have to wait till you're fully healed before we do anything too physical." She pouts in a way that nearly makes me go against what I just said. One things for certain, she knows how to play me. But with a smirk, I resume kissing her, neither of us wanting anything else.
> The Fourth Howl, Love and Reveal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days have gone by since that night. I could honestly say that for the first time, I was getting nervous. I knew that once Nightmare was fully healed, or healed enough, we would be rutting like lions in heat. I've never felt like this about anyone before, not even with Maria the Lynx, even with all her advances. But Nightmare, I truly feel that she could be my bond-mate.

I came back from hunting for my Timberwolves, that I use to guard the castle, and found Nightmare being showered with affection from said wolves' pups. The sight was so adorable, I thought my heart would burst through my armor.

As I came closer, their attention was shifted to me and sure enough, I was soon buried by the wooden canines. When I could finally get up, the manticore that I brought for their food was already being destroyed by the older wolves. I shook my head in amusement and walked over to my love.

We shared a deep kiss before speaking. "Hello, my love." That always seems to make her blush no matter how many times I call her that.

"Welcome home, beloved." I can never get over how soft and beautiful her voice is. I turn back to the wolves to find them feeding the pups. I turn back to Nightmare and motion for her to come inside while they feed.

When we got inside, I could see that her wounds were healing nicely and soon there wouldn't even be any scars to show. Normally Feral women think of scars as marks of honor, but I've learned the hard way that non-Feral women don't think the same.

We stopped in front of her room, which was the first thing I fixed when I chose to make this place my new home, and she turns to me and smiles sweetly, but in a way that can make almost any male attack her due to lust. Almost any male.

"I have to confess, when we first started this, I was afraid that I would be out of practice and I would look foalish, but now, I don't care, I know you love me no matter what." She leans closer to my face, our lips just out of reach. And then she whispered. "Just as I do you."

And with that we another deep kiss, our tongues dancing together in an embrace of want and need. She opens the door with her magic and, with our lips still locked, leads me inside, then shuts the door.


WARNING: CLOP AHEAD, CAN SKIP


After we break off, I proceed to take off some of my armor, as to not lose control and kill her. I start with my gauntlets by reaching for release switch and turned it sharply, resulting in a small clank and took it off, revealing my bare fore arm, along with my razor sharp claws. I repeated the action with the other arm and took it off as well.

After placing them on the ground, I went to take off my torso and pelvis armor parts, which took a little longer, but they're bigger and protect more vital areas. After setting them next to the gauntlets, I stood to my full height, slightly towering over my soon-to-be mate.

I couldn't help but smile as she blushed from seeing my combat dagger. (Or sword, whichever you'd like) Then she surprises me again. "T-t-t-that's how big you are?! That can't be right, even the biggest stallion could only reach 12 inches!!" Huh, so I'm the biggest male in Equestria? Bragging rights right there.

"In truth, it's seventeen inches, but I'm said to be the smallest in Feral history." I say in the most uninterested tone I could manage. Nightmare's head shot up so fast, I was scared it was going to fly off.

The look on her face was priceless. "You're the smallest?!?!"

It took all my will power to not burst out laughing right there. "Yeah, but I don't think that matters right now, does it?" I reply with a seductive grin, making her blush harder. 

"No, I don't think it does." She smiled back as she laid down on her belly.

She shifted her gaze back to my waiting member, hunger shining in her eyes. She took it in one of her hooves and began stroking it slowly. I could feel it hardening as she pleasured me, getting closer to the main event. Then she really gave me a workout, by taking her tongue and licked my shaft from the hilt to the tip. I could feel her wrap my pole in her tongue, wiggling  around to give a better tongue job than anything alive, while she sucked my family jewels. I was getting close, but held back, saving my first climax to match with hers.

I felt her tongue leave when she stopped her suckling. I look down and see a glint in her eye. Then, without warning, she dives down and takes almost half my member in her mouth. The feeling was unbelievable.  She stayed still for a moment to get used to my size, then, slowly, she began to bob up and down, making me moan from pleasure. Her tongue began to wrap itself around my cock again, slithering down to the hilt and back up to the tip. I thought it couldn't get any better, but Nightmare proves me wrong by plunging down the rest of my shaft into her throat. I almost lost it right there.

She gagged a little, but quickly resumed her blowjob, which by the way, is a paradise in and of itself. It was getting harder (no pun intended) to hold myself back. I began thinking that for a guy who's never had sex before, I was doing pretty well. 

Nightmare suddenly stopped, released my cock and looked up at me, that same smile still on her muzzle. "I think you've had enough, now it's my turn." She rose from the ground and turned around, revealing her glistening sex. I could smell her arousal from here, and was getting hungry myself.

I sat on my knees and brought my head to her dark cave, more than ready for a little spelunking. I took in a deep breath through my nose, wanting to memorize her scent. Then, I dined on Nightmare Pie. [Hey I made a funny!]

I think I took her by surprise, because I never heard a female gasp like that before. As I was eating her out, I could hear her panting like an overheated lioness. I pushed deeper, licking everything my tongue could reach, when I hit her g-spot. Her moans nearly made me cum, it was so sexy. Her walls started to squeeze my tongue like a vice, telling me she was close.

I stop, more for her than for me, and rose to my feet. Nightmare turned back to me. "Why'd you stop? I was so close."

I smiled at her, happy I could pleasure her like she could me. "I want our first climax to be together, I want it to be special."  I could see small tears in her eyes as I said that.

"I want that too. Take me, make yours, now and forever." I was more than eager to make good on her request. I picked her up and set her on her bed, so this would be as comfortable as possible. She laid on her back, staring at me with love and need in her gaze.

I placed myself over her, positioning my eager sex with hers. I looked back to her, concern showing in my expression, and waited for her consent. I maybe about to take her as my life-mate, but I wasn't going to do it against her will.

She noticed my worry and simply nodded, giving me the all clear. I slowly pushed myself in, taking note of her tightness, and pushed in about seven inches before I was met with an obstruction. I was puzzled by this for about three seconds before it dawned on me. "Nightmare, are you a virgin?"

My fears were confirmed when she refused to answer, the pain on her face was all the answer I needed. I was about to pull out when she stopped me. "NO!! Don't pull out!! I want it!! I want it to be you!! Nopony else, only you!!" She look at me pleadingly, tears streaming down her face.

I gazed into her eyes, finding nothing, but the need of this deed. I nodded and got ready to push. "Get ready love, I'm going for one push." She nodded, clenched her teeth, shut her eyes, and braced herself for the oncoming pain.

I pushed with everything I had, ripping her hymen all to hell. The blood-curdling scream that came was nearly enough to kill me, due to my heightened senses. I've never heard such a pain filled scream in my life, and I'm the one who caused it. I wanted to rip off my own arm for hurting her like that.

My anger must have shown, because Nightmare began caressing my cheek like a true lover, concern shining in her tear filled eyes. "Don't blame yourself. I wanted this, so please, don't punish yourself." She finished with a tender and loving smile.

I smile back, still angry at myself, and wait for her to adjust to my girth. Soon enough, she's ready and I slowly pull out, stopping at the crown of my hammer, and pushed back in just as slowly. As she got more used to me, I picked up the pace. Within a few minutes, I was pounding Nightmare's pussy with a lot of force, AND SHE WANTED MORE!!!!

I picked her up, still fucking her, and slammed her against the wall. She seemed to like that, because she telling me to really ravage her body till she couldn't walk or fly for days.

And I was more than happy to obey.

I could feel the animal in me getting restless, so I began to get a little kinky. While Nightmare was screaming my name, I saw her beautiful and exposed throat. Still pounding her, I sniffed her neck, then started licking it, not caring about the fur. Then I got a wicked thought and took action.

I sunk my fangs into her.

That got a reaction out of her. That must of been her biggest moan/scream yet. "YES, YES, YES!!!! DON'T STOP, DON'T YOU BUCKING DARE STOP!!!!!" I got the feeling that she was the really kinky type. Not what I expected, but I'm not complaining.

I then got another idea and began drinking her blood. That really drove her crazy. I could of gotten drunk off of her. Between me slamming her pussy and drinking her blood in gulps, she was in a state of euphoria. "OH BUCK ME!!! THAT'S IT, RIGHT THERE!!!! SUCK ME DRY!!!" That sounded so wrong, I almost stopped dead.

A few minutes later and I feel that familiar pressure in my groin. Nightmare was close as well. "Shadow, I'm gonna....I'm gonna...." She spoke between breaths.

"Me too, let's do it together..." I kept pumping into her, getting closer to my climax.

"Do it, do it inside....I want to feel your seed. Make me yours!!!!" And with that, the dam broke. The instant she came, I shot load after load directly into her womb, marking her as mine and mine alone. After what felt like a lifetime, I finally stopped cumming. I fell on my ass, still inside my mate, and try to catch my breath. Which wasn't much because Nightmare claimed my lips and was already wrestling my tongue for dominance. I return the gesture gladly.

We broke off, a string of saliva still connecting our lips, and panted for our first real breath. We smiled at one another and I carried her to her bed, with me still inside, and she wasn't letting go. I laid down first and positioned her on top of me so she was comfortable. We fell asleep saying nothing, because words weren't needed.


Clop End


A few days have passed since Night and I shared our love for each other and her wounds are fully healed, with no traces, but the lack of fur. It's not a problem though, that will grow back with time. For the past few days, she has been teaching me about Equestria and I must say, I'm impressed. I thought now would be a good time to reveal ourselves to Ponyville, but I would need to inform one of the six mares I saw that night, so the princesses will be ready. As I return from gathering more herbs, (one can never be too careful) I find Night trotting up to me from her room, with a noticeable spring in her step I might add.

"Well, looks like somepony's is having a great morning. Anything I should know about?" I had taken to use their way of speaking since my own way was a little confusing for Night, as she told me that, in Equestria, the leading species were the ponies and as such there way of referring to others was different, so I just did what Ferals were better masters at than humans; I adapted.

Night just nuzzled into my neck as she sighed happily. "Just that I still can't believe that I have a special somepony. After over 1000 years of living on the moon, I all, but given up hope on finding love. I'm glad you proved me wrong." She finishes with a peck on my uncovered cheek. I've taken to keep my helmet off when it's just us, letting it dangle from the strap on my belt. I took her own cheek in my hand and returned the kiss, but to her lips. As we kiss, an old human song that Neon would listen to with his lover plays in my head.

Then a idea came to me. Breaking the kiss, I put on my helmet and began searching for the song that I was thinking of. Neon loaded a whole slew of songs into my armor, 'so you could impress your girl with your moves with some good music', that's what he said, anyway. I found the one I was looking for, took off my helmet, and walked to the throne room, with Night following me, wondering what I was up to. We got there and I placed my helmet on a stone block that I haven't gotten rid of yet. I set the volume to max, as to make sure that nothing will drown it out.

I then turn to Night, who was still confused while tilting her head to the side, nearly giving me a heart attack with how cute she looks. I then hold out my hand in the most gentlemen like way I could muster and say the words I've always wanted to say to Night as the song starts up.

"Night, my love, will you honor me with a dance?"

She looks surprised and starts developing tears of joy. Slowly, she places her hoof in my hand and we walk out to the center of the room, both of us having big grins. 

[Just imagine a dance to match the song with a little pony dance mixed in it and you got it.]

I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me.
I still feel your touch in my dreams.
Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why
Without you it's hard to survive.

As the song starts off slow, we match our steps with the rhythm.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.
And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause everytime we touch, I feel the static.
And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life.

With the faster tempo, we move at a more fluid like dance. Staying in front of each other as to never take our eyes of the other.

Your arms are my castle, your heart is my sky.
They wipe away tears that I cry.
The good and the bad times, we've been through them all.
You make me rise when I fall.

Then we hold each other close, her on her hind hooves, and stay with the tempo, never missing a beat.

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.
And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause everytime we touch, I feel the static.
And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life.

As we keep up with the song, I notice a few spectators watching our dance, two of which I know the names of. 

'Cause everytime we touch, I get this feeling.
And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast, I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
'Cause everytime we touch, I feel the static.
And everytime we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you hear my heart beat so...
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life.

When the song ends, I gaze into Night's beautiful eyes, smiling with a warmth I rarely show. I decide to mess with her, though. "Hey Night? What would you do if anypony saw us like that?" I can tell I confued her, but she answered anyway.

"Well, I don't know, I might be embarrassed, I'm not the best at dancing, I have four left hooves."

"And yet, you never messed up once while dancing to a new song you've never heard before?" I really caught her off guard with that one. She blushes a deep red, but still looks at me. "But what do you say we let them decide?" Her blush fades faster than fire under water and in replaced with a more confused look. I turn to where our visitors are and so does she, and what she sees brings the red back, in force.

Walking into view were the two princesses, the 6 mares from before, and a small purple bipedal reptile. I place my helmet back on and address our guesses. "Celestia, Luna, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" I say with a genuine smile, even if they can't see it. I must've surprised them, because all of them had a confused look.

"You're not angry that we've come unannounced? Even at the risk of your wrath?" Celestia was really confused, and that made me confused. Why would I be mad? I don't recall ever saying tha-

"Oh. Ohohohoh. I see what the problem is. You are mistaken Celestia. I asked that I'd be informed of any visits so that I could make sure no harm came to the visitors. That's why I said that I won't be held responsible should anything happen. But this one is find, since you two are with them." I say while motioning towards the group of mares and lone lizard. Celestia made an 'Oooooooooooh' face showing her that she understood. I look to the rest of the group that I had yet to know. "So, are you going to introduce your friends, or am I going to have to call them by their color?"

Celestia made a small chuckle while everypony else was steaming mad at the thought of me calling them by their colors. Soon Celestia regained her composure. "Yes, I'm sorry. With all that's happened lately, I haven't had time for that. This is Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic and my personal student." She spoke, gesturing to the lavender unicorn. "And these are her friends, the Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash." The rainbow maned pegasus. "The Element of Honesty, Applejack." The orange earth pony. "The Element of Generosity, Rarity." The alabaster unicorn. "The Element of Kindness, Fluttershy." The canary pegasus. "The Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie." The pink earth pony. "And this is Twilight's assistant, Spike." The lizard.

"I see, how is he an assistant? Does he go around doing useful chores that become useless after doing them 7 times in one day?"

"Thank you!!! Finally, somepony gets it!!!" Everypony looks at him like he just said that the sun just went out. "What? It's true!!" I then just bust out with one of my very rare moments of laughter, holding my sides, and Night laughing along with me. Everypony was uneasy at first, but as Night and I laughed more, soon they too began laughing, even Luna.

After catching our lungs, I got back to the matter at hand- hoof- whatever. "Alright, now that we got that out of our systems, what are you here for? I know this isn't a simple 'hello'."

Celestia just had a calming smile as she spoke. "It's nothing important, we just wanted to see if you were ready for Ponyville. And to see if Night's injuries were healed." She looked at Night with the same warmth she showed me. "And aside from a few patches of fur, I see that she's fine." I look to Night, glad no side effects from my treatment happened, and she looks just as happy.

"Yes, there were a few close calls, but she's nothing if not tough. And yes, I believe it's time we made ourselves known." I start off for the exit, when Luna stops me.

"Just remember, we have our eye on you, so don't try anything." Luna gives me her most hate filled glare, but I'm not fazed. What I am though, is pissed. I take off my helmet, turn to Luna, and give my own glare, one that has broken the hardest drill sergeant into a whimpering mess. Needless to say, my glare won.

"And you remember, I didn't have to let you all live. I could have killed you without batting an eye and slept like a foal that very night." She backs down with a look of horror, while I continue my glare. I place my helmet back on and go to walk out of the castle, when Celestia stops me.

"You don't have to walk the whole way, we're just going to teleport to Ponyville." That got my attention. I turn and walk back to her with Night at my side. I've been teleported before and I didn't like it one bit. That feeling of death as I'm ripped apart atom by atom, it's easily on my top five on my list of 'Most Painful Times'. I brace myself as I wait for the pain, when I feel Night nuzzling into my neck, giving me a look of reassurance. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding and give Celestia the all clear.

She nods in return and her horn starts glowing. Before I know it, I'm being teleported. The weird thing is that there is no pain, only a light tingling feeling as I'm being brought to our destination. When the feeling stops, I open my eyes and see that I'm on a stage behind some curtains. I peek out to see that a whole horde of ponies have gathered. 'Celestia must have planned this ahead of time, clever girl.' I nod in respect at her strategist side, I've been caught off guard like this only by Zero or Neon.

I can hear her speaking to the crowd, leading me to believe that this is that Ponyville she mentioned. I tune out most of what she's saying and turn my gaze to Night. She looks into my eyes through my helmet with a look of uncertainty. "I don't know if I can do this, love. What if they-"

I stop her with a finger on her lips. "If they so much as throw a paper ball at you, I'll beat them to within an inch of their ungrateful life." That seemed to calm her down, but in truth, I'm a little nervous myself. I always had Zero do the introductions when I'm involved. 'Oh well, might as well get it over with.'

As I finish that thought, the curtains part to reveal more ponies than I thought present. Celestia motions me to take the stand and steps away from the podium. I walk up to it and rest hands on the top of the podium. I clear my throat and begin.

"Hello, citizens of Ponyville. My name is Shadow Wolf, and I am pleased to say that I am honored that the princesses have entrusted the safety of Equestria to me and my partner, Night Angel. I understand that many of you would see me as a monster or a demon, but believe me when I say that your princesses would not have trusted me with your lives if they didn't think I wasn't up to the task. You will not have to worry about anymore threats to the village, as I will make sure that any and all who threaten Ponyville will meet justice. If there are any who have questions, speak now, for you may not get another chance after today."

I see many hooves fly up, some belonging to the Elements of Harmony. I point to a small white colt with brown patches, one over his eye. "Where did you come from?" He asked in a human british accent, making me think that just makes him more adorable when added with his tiny size.

"I came from off world, so I guess that makes me an alien. My home planet, however, is called Ferrix and my people are called Ferals. And before anypony asks, I do eat meat, fruits, and vegetables, no, I don't eat ponies, to do so on my planet, even during famine, was punishable by death, as they had no means of protecting themselves. We only hunted other predators, as they were the more deadly. We were warriors by trade and birth, even our youngest hunters were warriors, but we were honorable." There were a few pale faces when I mentioned meat, but they calmed when I cleared up any fears. I pointed to another pony, this one a mint green unicorn with a white streak through her mane and tail and a lyre cutie mark.(I still think that is a weird name) "Yes?"

"Are there any humans out there?" She asked with a very hopeful look in her eyes, while more than a few ponies, even some of the Elements, groaned at her reasonable question, then I hear a pony shout, "For the last time Lyra, there are no such things as humans!!" I see a hurt look come across the mares face, which pisses me off, but I hold it in.

"As a matter of fact, yes, there are humans out there. In fact, there are so many, that they make up 1/3 of the galaxy. I was in a pack of three humans, a golemite, a spartaonian, and a lynx." I say truthfully, making Lyra(again, weird) grin in joy and victory, while everypony else's jaws hit the dirt, or wood, depending on where the pony was standing. I wait for the shock to die down before I continue. I point to the next pony, a pink filly with a tiara on her head.

"Why does your 'partner' look like that monster, Nightmare Moon?" Everypony gasps and my blood freezes. I don't know how this filly made the connection, but I need to think of something, QUICK!!

"I don't know who this 'Nightmare Moon' is, but Night Angel was born like this, she can't change that." Before I can point to another pony, she speaks again.

"So your saying you don't know who she is, even though she could very well be your 'partner'?" She says with a smug look. I look to Night and what I see makes me cry out for blood. Night's eyes look red from the fresh tears, her mane looks less radiant, and she looks like she's about to collapse from the shame she must be feeling. "She could be just using you so she can overthrow the princesses and-" I since her when I snap my head towards her so fast, I heard my neck crack with the force of a ship crash.

Her face pales to pure white when I set my gaze on her. I jump from the stage and land just 3 inches from her. I take off my helmet so she can see the rage I'm feeling. I kneel to her level, while still towering over her. "You finish that sentence and I'll throw you so hard, you'll leave a crater in the moon. I loath the hurting of younglings, so it can be said that I'm more than angry right now. I was feared by my enemies as my only weapons are my claws. Just remember, I rather not, but I won't hesitate to kill you if you insult her again." Never before had I threaten a child, but she push the wrong button.

A stallion stomps right up to me with fury in his eyes. "How dare you threaten my daughter!! Who do you think you are?!" I respond by grabbing his throat, and lifting him 4 ft off the ground. I look him in the eye with barely contained bloodlust.

"The one who can kill you and get away with it. If you keep up this attitude of yours, then I'll see you and your kin as a threat to Ponyville and dispose of you like trash. Do. You. Under. Stand." I say without trying to crush his windpipe, which gives my willpower a MAJOR workout, and I have an unbreakable will, so that's saying something.

He nods with the speed of a jackhammer and let go of his throat and let him drop to the ground like a sack of rice. He looks at me with great fear. Good. I'm not here to make friends. And even if I was, he definitely wouldn't be one of them. I clip my helmet to my belt and return to the stage to continue and point to Fluttershy, who then squeaks with an "Eep!". "You had a question?" I ask with as most of a kind face as I can give. She slowly peeks out from behind Applejack.

"U-um....why d-did you....t-t-threaten Filthy Rich like that, i-if you don't mind my asking?" Huh. I was thinking somepony else would ask that, but oh well.

"I don't like it when someone throws their weight around like that, makes them look less than dirt." I then point to Pinkie Pie, dreading what her question could be.

"Do you like parties?" Okay, guess I was worried for nothing. "Yes, but I don't really attend them unless they're for my daughter. So I've only been to about 8 so far." She gasped for about 6 seconds and darts off so fast that I swear I saw only a dotted outline where she used to be. I would be concerned, but when you deal with Rex for three years, you just shrug it off. I then point to Twilight.

"Huh? Oh! Uh...you said that your pack had three humans, a golemite, a spartaonian, and a lynx. We know what humans are, but what are the others? And why weren't there any other Ferals?" So she had two. and they're both good. I take a deep breath.

"Spartaonians are like Ferals in that they're a warrior race, but they're not hunters. In truth, they may be the most powerful race in the galaxy, but they, like the Ferals, have a strong sense of honor. Golemites are like humans in every way, except for one thing. They can turn their bodies into solid stone at will and still move as if they weren't. A lynx is hybrid of human and feline DNA. They're fast, cunning, agile, but if you earn one's trust, they will stay with you as a friend to the death." I see a few ponies smile at the chance of a life friend. "And there were no other Ferals in the pack because there ARE no more Ferals." I hear everypony gasp, again, at this new information. I look to Night to see a shocked and horror stricken face, then anger after she connected the dots. "I am the last of my kind, and I will carry this burden till I turn to dust." I say with the best soldier poker face I got.

And before anypony has a chance, I then point to a orange pegasus filly with a lavender mane and tail. "You look like you're just about to burst, what's your question?"

She gives me the most adorable smile with the biggest eyes I've ever seen. "How did you get your coat and eyes to look like that, it's so cool!!" I couldn't help, but chuckle at her eagerness.

"Well first off, I don't have a coat, this is skin, and the reason it and my eyes are like this is because I was born with it. A Ferals skin is as pale as the moon, and our eyes have taken a more draconic look to compensate for the lack of light on our world, since most of the year the skies during the day are covered with clouds that clear up by nightfall. I've once heard a story that we look like this because we were the moon spirit's children and she gave us our world to live in and protect." I saw Luna smile slightly from the legend. I point to Celestia, I wonder what she's going to ask.

"How did you come to Equestria?" That was one of the few I didn't want to hear, but I can't back down now.

I breathed deeply and sighed. "I could tell you, but it would be easier to just show you. Do you, or anypony you know, know a mind projection spell?" She smiles, nods, and walks up to me.

"I can cast the spell. Just choose what memory you want and let the spell do the rest." I nod and close my eyes. While I'm remembering how I got here, I hear her casting the spell, then I fell a warm air around my head.


==================================


Nightmare Moon's POV

I see the spell wrap around Shadow's head, and a beam shoots out and creates a screen in the air, showing his memories, through his eyes. The one that we see shows him running down a hall from something, but that can't be right. Shadow isn't afraid of anything, so why would he run? Then he turns to see behind him and he sees froze my blood and spine.

Horrors that would make Tartarus look like a vacation home are chasing Shadow and some others, most likely his pack. Pure black monsters with long black claws, no eyes, no ears, no snouts, a mouth filled to the brim with razor sharp fangs, and from the looks of them, maybe standing 8 to 10 ft. tall on their hind legs.

I hear one of the others call for a flashbang, whatever that is. Another calls back and throws something at the monsters, it looked like a small dark can. Shadow turns just before a great flash comes from behind them. He turns back and I can see what that flash did to them. Several charred bodies of the monsters block the hallway, no doubt from the can that was thrown.

Shadow and his pack then came into a large room and one with a long mane and an eyepatch over his left eye began ordering the others. One went to seal the door they came from, while the others pointed their strange clubs at said door.

Shadow then turns to a smaller creature in his arms and what it says breaks my heart. "Daddy, I'm scared. Are the monsters gonna get us?" I could believe it, this tiny thing was Saphira, the girl Shadow always talked about with such love only a father could have. Shadow must've shook his head, because a smile breaks out across her face. Then another comes up and he seems friendly with Shadow, even though he doesn't say anything.

Soon we hear the one working on the doors call out to the others. Shadow walks other to him and while I couldn't understand half of what he was saying, I did understand he said last. "The only way this is closing is if somebody stays behind." I heard a lot of gasps come from the ponies, and I felt the air leave my throat as well.

One volunteers to stay, and although some objected to this, the choice was made. Shadow's pack all walk though the door, leaving Shadow and the other, who we found out was named Rex. I see Shadow turn and extend his arm. I recognize this as a show of trust and brotherhood. Rex grabs the arm and began to say something, but then we saw Shadow throwing him through the door and destroying a device, making the doors close. He caught it before that happened and looked at Saphira, and what he said broke my heart. "Saphira, I love you, for all time." The doors slammed shut after that.

OST

I could hear her scream for him to come back, but Shadow kept his gaze on the other door. I saw it began to bend from the monsters trying to get through, Shadow just waiting.

He looked back only once, but even though we couldn't see his face, I could still feel the hurt that he was leaving his pack, his family. He turned back to the door, ready for a fight.

It burst open and the monsters just poured out and charged at Shadow, and Shadow charging right back. He collided with the wave and instantly, blood was spilled. I never thought I would ever see Shadow fight with such abandon, that he would ignore his own wounds. The sight of him so angry scared me, but strangely, I was also comforted. Soon though, the monsters began to overwhelm him. I saw him press something on his chest before continuing the fight.

And then, white.

Shadow's POV

I opened my eyes after the memory stops to see many looks of horror. I'm not surprised, I'm a monster in my own right. But as I look at the ponies, I turn to my right to see that Celestia, Luna, and the six and Spike had, not looks of horror, but tears of sorrow. "You gave up so much, just to save your friends? Very few ponies have ever shown that kind of loyalty. Forgive me for not trusting you till now." Luna bowed her head to me. I didn't think she was the type to shallow her pride, but I guess I was wrong.

I turn back to the ponies. "That's all for questions, for now I would like to return home with Night." As I began to walk away, Twilight called out for me.

"Shadow wait!!" I turn to her to hear what she wants. She calms down and speaks. "I know your tired, but if you could come by to SugarCube Corner, I think Pinkie has something for you." She requests with a smile gentle smile.

I was about to decline, but then I thought that this could be a good chance for Night to make some friends. I look at her and see a slight fear building up. I turn back to Twilight. "Fine, but only if Night comes with me. She's the first friend I made in this world and I won't let her out of my sight." I don't care how the ponies take that, I'm don't plan on letting one of them hurt her in any way.

Twilight's smile widened and she turned and led the way. Her friends and the princesses followed closely after her, followed by me and Night, then finally the rest of the ponies. We walked for a few minutes before I turned to peek at the ponies behind me.

There was nothing there.

My blood chilled. How were they able to sneak away without me knowing?

Before I could think about it more, Twilight called out. "Here we are, SugarCube Corner!" I looked at the building and stared in wonder. It looked like a giant cupcake with different sweets on top. I was tempted to take a bit, but I don't think that would be a good idea.

Twilight and her friends went in first, followed by the princesses, leaving me and Nightmare alone. She turned me. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

I reply without looking at her. "No, this is a horrible idea. There's so many ways this can go wrong, but..." I turned to her fully. "I'm willing to take that chance if it means that these ponies will see you in a new light." I stroke her cheek with a finger before cupping it in my hand. She leaned into it, taking in the fact I would keep her safe.

She looked back up at me and we both nodded and went into the store. When we got in, though, it was pitch black. I was about to let loose my night vision when the lights came on and my eardrums were nearly blown out.

"SURPRISE!!!!"
> The Fifth Howl, Party and Friends, new and old
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a quiet day in Ponyville, with a clear sky over head. Yes, a very quiet day inde-

"SWEET JUMPING HOLY SPIRITS!!!!!"

*SIGH* Nevermind.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I was trying to keep my heart from jumping out of my chest from shock. This was the first time I've ever been scared out of my skin. As I calm my near-heart attack, I see the place filled to the brim with ponies. The very same ponies that disappeared earlier.

Even with Rex's randomness, this is pushing my sanity to the limit. "H-how...I don't...I mean....Huh?"

The pink mare bounces over to me, a smile that seemed to big for her face plastered on her muzzle. "So did we surprise you? Were you surprised? You looked like you were! So were you? Huh?Huh?Huh?!" She asked while only inches from my face, making me feeling very uneasy.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Y-yeah, I was. Um, what is this?" I asked while trying to look around her head, only to fail due to her close proximity.

Her smile, somehow, got wider. "It's a party silly! It's your 'Welcome to Ponyville and Equestria and thanks for wanting to protect us' party!!" She stood on her hind legs and threw her hooves in the air.

I stood there dumbstruck. We didn't have a good first meeting, but a few words from her princess and a few answers from me and she throws me and Nightmare a party. I smile slightly, touched by the kindness of this mare. Very few have shown me such kindness in the past, and only after they were sure I wouldn't kill them.

I glance at Nightmare to see that she too is touched, the proof being in the small tears in her eyes. I look back to see that instead of the pink mare, a pink cupcake had taken her place. I was about to ask if Pinkie Pie had turned into it before I noticed the pastry sitting on her outstreached hoof, making me face palm mentally. I stared at it for a moment before taking it in my hand.

Now I want you to know that I have never had a cupcake before. I've seen them but, never tried them. I slowly take a small bite, unsure of what I'll get. The moment it hit my tongue my eye shot open and the mini cake was gone before I could take my next breath.

Pinkie smiled wider, if that's even possible. "So you like it? YAY!!! Let's get this party started!!" The ponies started to mingle with one another and Nightmare and I were greeted by many ponies. Though I saw that a few tried to flirt with her.

I placed my hand on her back and got her attention. "Night, let's try the food. I think it's over this way." In truth, I didn't know where it was, but Nightmare caught on to what I was doing and left the stallions and a mare.

She whispered in my mind. "Was that really necessary?"

"Yes."

"Sound like somepony's jealous." She smirked at me.

"Just as much as I am yours, you are mine. I won't have stallions, or mares, try to whoo you, no matter HOW unlikely it is." I told her while keeping a straight face.

I soon stopped however, as my eyes caught something I didn't expect. "Is that a violin?"

A grey mare with a black mane trotted up to me. "I see you noticed some of our intruments. That piece belongs to my colleague, who's not here at the moment."

I walked up to the violin and turned to the mare. "Do you mind, miss..."

"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Octavia and yes you may." She said with a soft smile. I smiled in return and grabbed the violin and bow. It had been some time, but I still remembered how to do it.

I started playing a piece that fit how I felt at the moment. I could faintly tell everything and pony stopped as I played. I only knew how to play because it would help Saphira sleep at night when she had a nigh...a bad dream. I need to be careful, saying something like that is an insult to my mate. I played with all my heart and could feel everypony's eyes on me as I did. Somewhere, Octavia and a few other ponies had joined me and never missed a beat. I saw her playing the cello and was surprised to see her hold and play it without fingers, but then again, I'm on a world where the same energy that flows through power cores is a force of nature and can be controlled, or as they call it, 'magic'.

I turned and looked at Nightmare and saw a beautiful smile on her face. She had her eyes closed as she listened to the music. Even the princesses and Twilight and her friends and spike were smiling with their eyes closed. Everypony was listening.

As the song came to a close, there was an explosion of cheers. I never play for anyone other than Saphira, so hearing this made me a little prideful. Before I could thank them, my hearing picked up a sound. It was too quiet for the ponies, but I heard it.

The engines of a star ship frigate.

I bolted to the exit, earning confused looks from the ponies. I slapped my helmet on and made it outside, where I saw it.

The Phoenix.

Nightmare Moon's POV

I saw Shadow stand still while looking up. I didn't know what had him so excited until I looked up too. My eyes widened at the sight. A colossal metal beast was silently hovering over Ponyville. It was all white with red markings I never seen before, with large wings that stayed still, and two tusks at it's front. I'd never even sensed it, but somehow Shadow did. Then that's when it hit me, this wasn't a monster. It was a ship, like one Shadow told me about.

A hatch opened up and five silver metal armored creatures like Shadow jumped out and landed after a five story drop. How was that possible?!?! They rose up like nothing happened. Four of them had those strange clubs aimed at Shadow before lowering them. Then I heard a metallic, but commanding voice cry out. "STAND DOWN!!!" The fifth walked past the four with his club on his back and a pole sized sword at his waist. He grabbed the club and tosses it to one of the others behind him, which they caught, and he drew his blade.

He pointed it at Shadow and they started to circle each other slowly. Neither were moving towards the other, just circling. The one with the sword, like the others, had a helmet on, so I couldn't tell what he looked like under it. The weirdest thing was that Shadow didn't have any bloodlust, he was calm. Not what I'd be like if my enemies came to my planet.

They both stopped and charged each other, the silver creature's sword clashing against Shadow's claw. They broke off and charged again, this time they both attacked at different area's. They were in a blur of motion, neither landing a hit. I was having trouble keeping up with the speed that they were at. Shadow ducked under a swipe and landed a palm strike to the enemy's chest making him lose his sword, but before it touched the ground, Shadow grabbed the hilt and slammed the tip of it into the creature's stomach, sending him soaring before he righted himself. Shadow held the sword in reverse and behind his back.

I remembered Shadow telling me that his sword skills were poor at best, so what was he planning to use it for? He then stood up and walked over to the creature and tossed the sword back. Wait...WHAT?!?! I could tell most, if not all, of Ponyville was watching this with me, but my mind was still a buzz with confusion.

The creature sheathed the blade and removed it helmet. I couldn't believe it, it was the same creature from Shadow's memory! He smiled at Shadow and spoke. "Hey there, how about a hug for your brother Zero, eh?"