> Love of a Prince and a Princess. > by Oblivionwalker > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue (Edited) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Close to a hundred years from Princess Luna's return. It was a quiet night in Equestria and all was safe and sound then it had been for all pony kind, of course not all were safe in the case of Enteral Abyss, a dark grey almost going on black coated with red slit like eyes thestral colt stared at what was almost unrecognizable remains of a mantacore. He and his family were all thestral's, his mother was a unicorn thestral that had a small almost non-existent of earth thestral left in her and his father was a retired night guard Pegasus thestral, but for some reason fate or by sheer luck has granted Enteral Abyss all three facts but unlike other thestral's his age, he was weaker then normal. Enteral and his family decided to go camping out in the woods, and by fate landed the poor weakened colt in this state, both of his parents dead by the claws of this mantacore and more surrounding him by the minute. Enteral was even shocked that he could do what he did to the mantacore that killed his parents, but now he was going to die thanks to him using so much power in a short time. He closed his eyes and waited for the mantacore's to make there strike but it never came, he even waited for a few more seconds before reopening his eyes to see all the mantacore's staring not at him but at something behind him, but what shocked him even more was they all looked scared. "W-w-what?" He all but muttered and with that caused the trigger to happen, one mantacore tried its luck to get its meal, only to have something as black as night rush by faster then he can even see and watched as the lone mantacore that took a chance and lunged at him be sliced in half. The black as night creature was at least seven feet tall, and from what he can see it looked like it was ether made of metal or wearing armor that gives it the look of of being as black as night, if it was armor it looked like it was made for heavy fighting but it must be light for it to move so fast, the Black as night creature had a single weapon at the ready, a curved blade that matches the armor color was griped tightly in what he knew was not a hoof but what ether the dragons, griffons or even the baboons called a hand, what even more strange was it looked like it was made from shadows. Enteral didn't know what this creature was but it did save his life but wanted to see if wanted it for itself or wanted to help so he stayed quiet. The Black as night creature stared at the remaining mantacore's before just slightly tilting it's blade to a angle, which caused all the mantacore's take a single step back in fear, even the colt was now trying to curl up into a ball and make himself as small as possible, and he was thinking of what it's going to do, he soon got his answer when he heard a deep but calm and collective voice coming from the Creature. "You can try your luck just like your friend and end with the same fate, or you can flee and leave my children alone. That goes even more for the Purebloods." He said because the voice sounded male to the colt. Enteral watched as every mantacore he could see turned tail and ran with it's tail between it's legs back deep in the forest, once all of them were gone the Creature that saved him turned to him while the blade disappearing from it's hand while at the same time kneeling before the colt and his deceased parents. Before Enteral watched as the Creatures armor went away from it's heavy fighting look to what seemed regal with a cape that blew in a non-existence wind, even though all but one part of its body it's armor remained but one piece and that revealed skin that was pink as he can tell. The Creature stretched its arm out to colt to offer it's exposed skin, but seeing it was still terrified. "Pureblood, bite my arm and drink, you need it to survive." He said while watching the colt, who promptly recoiled in fear and confusion at what a pureblood was. "N-no I-I'm not a-a vampony c-creature b-but t-thanks for s-saving me." Enteral said but for some odd reason he felt his body tell him he needed it but refused, after all he did got called a freak in school or even a vampony sometimes. The creature sighed before giving off a small pulse that caused a instant reaction in the colt who's body betrayed him and he lunged and bit the exposed arm to drink the offered blood for a few seconds before he regained his body's control and letting go of the exposed skin that had bite marks but they went away when he subconsciously licking the wound. "I am sorry but you need blood to live with, and yes you are, Pureblood's are vamponies but they only need at least a feed every month to keep themselves going and you are one. Also your welcome on the saving but I wished I was faster to save your parents, they needed to know they gave birth to a Pureblood but now with them gone, I will give you a choice, come with me and become my student/son, or remain here or go to other friends or relatives and live there, I will promise you one thing. You can NOT continue living or even live pass the age of forty without a monthly supply of blood. Also my name is Shadow and that is all you need to know till I deem you worthy later on." Shadow said. Enteral wiped blood off of his muzzle but looked at the Creature called Shadow and actually thought, He felt better then months and his power seemed to be rushing back, he even felt full but the part about going to live with friends or relatives, or go with him as a adopted child and even become a student. Enteral never had friends and all of his remaining relatives he knew were gone so the choice was simple. "I-I-I'll go with you, A-also m-my name is Enteral Abyss." He said before finally all the adrenaline in his system left and he promptly passed out. Shadow chuckled for a bit before looking over his dead parents and soon raised a hand to a clear area and easily pulled dirt out of the ground and carefully bury them, he even added named tombstones, also special thanks for his dead father for being a night guard. Shadow smiled under his helmet as finished the tombstones, these tombstones were actually special then any others for they can and only can be seen from other thestral's and to the added bonus they cover and contain the bodies buried with them in a preserved state, and for added measure if they were found he healed all wounds but they were still dead, the tombstone was of obsidian color but had a clear look cover crystal around the bodies to protect them from time. He even added a patch of moon lilies around the burial that only bloomed at night. Shadow carefully picked up the colt before taking one last look at the tombstones before disappearing in the shadows of the night, which were created by the moons glow. > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two years after the return of the Crystal Empire Princess Luna's moon was well high in the beautiful night sky over the Everfree forest, the air was calm and quiet then it should be wild and unnatural like the forest. Usually nopony comes here but a rising shadow from apart of the forest told otherwise, The shadow in question was no other than second in command of Princess Luna's Night guard captain. The shadow belonged to a stallion of very fit built, but he was much larger then any other stallion, he came almost one or two inches as tall as the night princess herself or could even be the same height if he had a horn. The stallion had a dark grey almost black coat, bat-like wings that are bigger then normal for his size, and with a red glowing cat like slits for his eyes. The stallions name in question was Enteral Abyss, why he was doing here in the Everfree at this time, he had leave each and every Saturday and Sunday but he can be on call if the situation calls for it. Reason why he was here was so he could visit his parents grave out of respect and to go to his training with his master/adoptive-father Shadow. Enteral always took a scenic route to throw off any other night guards that wanted to see why he went here but lose sight of him, and so they don't see him take a charmed amulet that he told them belonged to his grandfather before he passed away, which was only the half truth, not long before his parents died his grandfather finally died of old age, the other reason is to hide his now looked at pride gift horn. Enteral was so far the only alicorn Thestral there was in the last thousand and forty years when the last one was hunted down and killed by Shadow himself for trying to corrupt Luna into a Queen and bring forth Enteral Night, needless to say Shadow found out the reason why he did it, he was a falseblood. Falsebloods were like Purebloods but they aren't Alicorns and he just killed a random powerful unicorn-thestral and took it's poor horn off and attached it to his head to give the look he was one. Enteral Abyss has been learning everything he can from Shadow about his inheritance, what he was told that when a Pureblood like him was born, due to there nature and massive magical power they were by shadow deemed royalty but he can't become that unless Shadow personally trained and taught them himself to be fit but show politeness, and to prevent something like that ever happening again. Enteral soon seen what he was looking for in this forest and started his gliding descend to the old Castle of the Royal Pony Sister's. Enteral always wondered why they did there teachings here but as each time he comes bit by bit of the castle looks better, like somepony or someone is fixing it up. As Abyss landed on the old stone walkway and trotted to where his father was for his lessons he went back to thinking earlier about yesterday where he and a few other night guards ambushed a group of changlings out and rather swiftly took them out, even after that the other guards kept asking where is he getting his training from or how he was stronger then them. No that was not what seemed strange, what was strange that the group of changlings looked like a search and rescue team or hunting party but armed with items meant to restrain somepony or in their case when they check the items, someling. Enteral was broken out of his thoughts when he heard the now familiar calm and collective but still deep voice of his father. "Ah Enteral, you always come ether ahead of schedule or right on time. Have you been feed like I have been telling you when you are ether hurt or for the month?" Shadow Asked, He turned from what looked like a now redone throne that was Princess Celestia's or was it Luna's when it was destroyed, he still wore the same armor Enteral meet him all those years ago, as black as night but what he said was the natural state when the long blowing cape was showing that Enteral came quick to find out could do a lot of things, such as becoming giant bat wings as black as night or adding onto his armor. Enteral smiled before chuckling a bit." Yes father I have been doing the feedings, I glad I was able to get over the weird feeling of doing that before it become a natural habit that I can control, also me and few night guards his ether a search and rescue team or hunting party for restraining somepony or ling of changlings yesterday, not sure which but thought you might know something about that." He said before taking a seat on his hunches. Shadow moved his hand up to cup his chin as he thought. "Then I am not seeing things then, that is strange because I too have been seeing them, they almost seemd to be looking for someone. I took a chance and eavesdropped on their conservations and heard they were looking for what they said was a deserter or betrayer, some even said the word "princess" with hate anger in there voices." Shadow said as he went to stand in front of his student/son. "But enough of that, are you ready to begin our lesson Enteral?" Shadow said while moving his hand to his back and cup them. Enteral straightened up a bit more before giving his father his attention. "Yes father I am ready for our next lesson." He said while removing the charmed amulet from his neck to reveal his horn. Inside Canterlot Castle, inside the captain of the night guard office. The five night guards that stood at attention was feeling quite down as they have yet again lost sight and location of there target in the everfree, and now they were being more or less chewed out by there captain. The captain of the Night Guard has been strict about the protection of the princess regardless on who it was, she always made sure there was atleast a team of two or three in there rooms as they slept to guard them but still give them privately. The Night guard captains were always more strict with there duties then the day guard but they always worked with them when they needed. "And you Lost my second in command in that forest and still didn't look for him?!" She said, suffice to say she was pissed because she always wanted to know why he went there. "W-were sorry C-captain but y-you know how good he is at throwing off ponies that are on his trail and the fact he is your second in command so we can't really expect that, and he always been better at stealth then any other bat-pony out there." The night guard said while showing slight fear of being chewed out, all because they still remembered how the last bat-pony got when he berated the Captain, needless to say, that very guard is stationed in the crystal empire and they hated the cold. Nightshade sighed before trotting around her desk to take a seat. "My bad then, you are all dismissed and don't worry about going out tomorrow, I'll personally go and see where he goes to after leave." She said while actually having thoughts of where he could go, it was common knowledge that her second in command was a orphan due to his parents dying of a freak camping accident, and though that actually made his stronger to help prevent that ever happening to anypony else, but it could also be he was part of a cult or trying to find some dark artifact or even try to bring back Nightmare Moon in a separate body because she has found some bat-ponies trying to do that, they were soon sent to a mental ward or asylum to be treated. Nightshade turned and looked out the window in her office that faced the very forest where her second in command went, unknown to any other pony, Nightshade has actually gained a rather big crush on that stallion, the other guards don't know this and she wanted it to be kept like that but she lost her own parents as well, she looked over to the door to her office before a quick flash of red and the door was lock, where the Pegasus-thestral was now stood a alicorn-thestral with a grey coat and glowing green eyes that shut soon after. "His story of how his parents died might just be like mine." She said, the reports said that some monster came and slaughtered them because they were ripped to shreds and the blood was everywhere, but in full truth she had done it when she felt her body take control and acted like it went feral, her parents were ripped to shreds but her brother and sister that she had were drained of all the blood with two holes in there necks. All thanks to that Nightshade has decided to feed at least once a month to prevent that ever happening again, she will not stay idle and become that monster again, she had to go to multiple trauma sessions to get over it and she still has shivers from time to time. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the everfree forest, near the royal pony sisters castle Nightshade had followed through of what she said, trailed her second in command into the forest and found out he did visit his parents grave, she even after he left paid them blessings, but now she seen he didn't just leave the forest yet, he's heading for the princesses old castle. 'Now why is my second in command coming here, abyss you better not be doing what I think your doing.' She Thought while now keeping the ideas her second in command is ether doing this on his own to meditate because he used to do it in the barracks or he's part of some cult that wants to overthrow the princesses and bring back Nightmare Moon. Nightshade continued her silent trailing of Enteral Abyss to the castle but once she seen him land there she did also, but she took up a position so she can watch what he will do and/or who he meets. Inside the pony sisters throne room Enteral Abyss trotted back into the throne room again for his next lesson from his father/mentor. He had a general idea of what he will be learning today and that's the races of each thestral and the pureblood. Abyss tried to continue thinking about that but he let it slip off when he saw Shadow. "Hello again father, I am ready for my lesson today, and If I am right its about the races of the thestral's?" He asked while looking at the same person in pitch black armor and cape. Shadow turned from what he was doing to look at his adopted son before giving smiling under the helmet he always wore. "Ah Abyss welcome back and yes we are doing that lesson, heh your getting more smarter everyday and it shows. I think with this pace you will be ready to be the prince in no time." He said before walking to Enteral so he can begin, while Abyss took the disguise off to show a alicorn-like thestral. Off to the side, Nightshade was shocked and surprised to see that her second in command was just like her, she even thought that he also killed his parents just like she did in a bloodlust crazed frenzy, she was also the same when he said prince. 'Is he really gonna try to take over? If so why choose a prince if he can just say he is going to be king, this doesn't make sense.' She thought but continued to watch the two. "Now Abyss, as you may already know but there is three type's of thestral's, that is the earth-thestral's, the Pegasus-thestral's and the unicorn-thestrals. They all have different Abilities that are similar to ponies, but they are always physically stronger then the ponies." He said before slightly raising his head a little. "Now Abyss I want you to tell me how they are different from each other." Shadow said. Enteral Abyss nodded his head before clearing his throat so he can speak clearly. "The Earth-thestral's are just plain earth ponies but with bat-like appearances, but they have the same hearing and eye-sight like other thestrals do, they are also physically stronger than them, also some are more stubborn then most but they will help no matter what. The Pegasus-thestrals are just like the Pegasus like my Captain, she is a full example of one. They can control the weather like normal Pegasus but like the last, better eye-sight and hearing. And the last is the unicorn-thestrals, they are like the ponies unicorns but like the rest I have said, better hearing and eye-sight, but all three of them are physically stronger." Abyss said before taking a lil break to think of what he knew about purebloods. "Purebloods are entirely different because they are the thestral's Alicorn, although the ponies alicorns don't need to feed on blood every month, they have all three abilities of the thestral's tribes but they also have access to a special magic that allows them to make there own weapons and armor, even use them for good stealth missions. The Purebloods are also royalty if they are tutored and trained enou-." Abyss got trailed off when he saw his father/mentor looking over to a broken window. "Did you see something mentor?" Abyss asked as he wouldn't mind if there lesson was interrupted. Shadow looked back at his student before looking back over to the window. "No I didn't see anything but I felt it." He said which caused a puzzled look from Abyss but from the window Nightshade was almost having a panic attack because somehow he knew she was there. "I am sorry Enteral abyss but we must cut our lesson short because we have a eavesdropper." Shadow said as he began to walk over to the window. "I know your there child, I can always know when my children are near so please come out." Shadow said with a calm and collective voice. Nightshade soon decided to get away from here but she can't leave her second in command, so she did the only thing she can do, she slowly and carefully rose from where she hidden to climb though the window and moved so she was close to abyss and far from this "Shadow" guy but still close to him so she won't draw what she will do. 'After all I am going to tear my second in command a new one when we get back.' She thought. Enteral Abyss stiffened up when he seen his Captain and reflexed a salute to her. "C-Captain N-Nightshade W-what are you doing here?" Abyss said while also thinking about putting his disguise back on but passed it off due to it being to late. Shadow watched his student getting nervous around his Captain. 'So this is Captain of the Night guard, it's strange that I can feel a familiar presence from her, almost like she is a.....no it can't be can it. If she is one, then there might be a way to bring the full house back to it former glory.' Shadow thought to himself before clearing his thought to get there full attention. "Nightshade, I just want to tell you that what you have seen is training for my student to become a prince of the thestrals, its been far to long since they had one. But before I say any more." Shadow said before quieting down for some time. "What is your TRUE race, please be honest too because I don't like to be lied to." > Chapter 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "What is your TRUE race, please be honest too because I don't like to be lied to." That one single sentence made Nightshade lock up and become almost deathly pale. "W-w-w-what a-are y-you t-talking a-about, I-i'm j-just a-a p-Pegasus-thestral!?!" Nightshade all but blurted out but was shuttered due to the fear she felt going to her. 'I-i'm n-not a m-monster, b-but then again my second in command is just like me and he did took a vow to protect the princesses. But still how did he know that I was hiding my race?' She thought to herself. Enteral watched as his Captain was shaking like a leaf before trotting over to her while lifting right wing up before draping it over her. "Easy Captain Nightshade, I know that my father/mentor can be scary but he is a nice guy. Also he can sense the race or somewhat can of all thestrals, So please relax." Abyss said to his Captain, knowing full and well she sometimes gets like this when she is ether dumped by her date when she tries or when the stress of work gets to her. Nightshade looked over to Enteral when she felt his wing lay over her back and told her that so she can calm down, which caused her cheeks to flare while the rest of her body went back to its normal color, it also caused her heart to flutter due to her crush on him. Which all of this went unnoticed to Enteral. 'Might as well, atleast i'm not the only one that looks like this.' she thought. Shadow watched Nightshade before everything he seen flashed in a familiar red flash before he actually took a step back at what he saw while his eyes, inside the black helmet, widened. 'So it was true on what I sensed, since she is a pureblood, then that means their is a chance to bring the old pureblood royalty and houses back.' Shadow thought while looking at the now alicorn-like thestral before him. Nightshade stared at the tall black being, who she now seen that retaining his normal stance like he had before when teaching Abyss, but that not all she seen, she saw Abyss standing next to him while she still felt his wing over her back. To confirm this she looked over her shoulder before quickly using her magic to form a red crystal dagger and sliced right where the Abyss that had its wing draped over her back's head, which caused a black gash to appear on its head before the rest of the body turned into a black form of him before it dispersing like shadows to the light. "You know Abyss, even after all this time I am still weirded out by your power of doing that." Nightshade deadpanned. Enteral chuckled to himself before relaxing himself. "Sorry Captain, I kinda deployed that when you did that flash. Also I see your a Pureblood like me, so that means....Hmm their are now a possibility of having a prince AND princess of the thestral's." Abyss regarded while taking Nightshades form in with his eyes before thinking on how she hid it from the princess of Equestria but he knew that pureblood magic is rare and unique. Shadow raised a single hand up before snapping his armored fingers together to make his helmet dissolve to let his head appear. Shadow had white but still slightly pink skin and his head but the top of void of all fur, his hair was jet black while his eyes were blue, but what seemed strange was the quick symbol change in one of his eyes of three symbols before going to a combo of all three before disappearing. "I must actually thank you Miss Nightshade, with you here and being a confirmed pureblood means there is a chance that pureblood royalty and houses can be returned. I was about to go out and start finding poor saddened mothers who found out that there unborn would die, and use my magic to both make them a pureblood but also bless them with there child. Also to warn them of the dangers if that pureblood doesn't fed with blood once per month, which by a biological self-defense will make them go into a bloodlust frenzy to get what their body needs. If happens at a young age, then the side-effects can be fatal to those around them." Shadow explained to her, which pretty soon caused the poor thing to actually remember back to that horrific event when she was a foal. Nightshade stared at Shadow with eyes as wide as plates while she also slowly fell back onto her hunches. "Y-y-you mean t-they w-will ether drain the victim's of there blood and/or rip them a-apart?" She said while now tearing up in her eyes. All she got was a single nod from Shadow before she burst into tears that have been building up for a long time. "I-I killed my parents and siblings due to that then, a-a-all due to me not drinking blood. I-I'm nothing but a monstrous freak!" Nightshade screamed before trying to fall down to the floor, Only to be hugged by somepony and hearing Abyss voice next to her ear and telling her to let it all out while he rubbed her back with careful strokes. This went on for a good while before the crying soon quieting and completely falling silent as Nightshade let years of built up sadness and guilt out all at once. That went on till she cried herself asleep in Eternal's hooves. Once Eternal made sure she was fully asleep, he redone her disguise before looking at Shadow. "Father, want me to reveal myself to the princesses or wait, I think it might be best to do so. Because at some point Nightshade will." He said before looking at the very pony. Shadow sighed before redoing his own helmet while turning away from them. "Wait a week before you do Enteral. Then I will reveal myself to them as well and tell them of my plans. But go as you are now and once you get the outskirts of Canterlot, go the rest of the way with your disguise with her placed on your back." He said before walking over to spot close to the semi-dual thrones before sitting down on the floor to think on what he needs to do. Abyss nodded to his father before levitating Nightshades sleeping form off the ground to begin the journey back to Canterlot, he even felt bad for what happened to her even more now when she was young. "I'm so sorry all this happened to you Nightshade, I just wished there was someway I can help you." He muttered to no one but himself. The point where the badlands meet the Everfree forest A robed figure ground to a halt just before the line that separated the badlands to the dreaded Everfree. The figure's robe was black and reached all the way to even almost cover its hooves but didn't. A single soft breeze caused the robe to shift slightly to reveal a black with a faint tint of gold carapace holed legs as the figure stared at the forest with a wary gaze. "If I want to set things right, You have to do them yourself, besides the whole hive thinks i'm a traitor now. Oh I still love you mother but sometime you can be a pain in the flank sometimes." A quite feminine buzzing voice said before trotting into the forest. "After all they will all die if I Don't do this, if I don't repent her crimes and seek for help before they all die from starvation." She said. > Interlude 1: The shadow mark. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twenty years before Princess Luna's return, inside the night guard recruit barracks. A small gathering of Thestrals or "bat-ponies" as the rest of ponies called them in the barracks were mingling with the rest, they were doing this because they were about to become a part of the Night guard instead of recruit and didn't know if they see each other again. Their was a even number of both unicorn-thestrals and pegsi-thestrals of five while only three of the earth-thestrals. Right now one of the unicorn-thestral's was rapid-firing question after question along with the rest on Enteral Abyss. "Come on tell us how you did that, even I know you didn't learn that from the training they put us through?" Another one of them, a pegsi-thestral mare that Abyss heard that her name was Nightshade even joined because she had seen it too. "I like to know about that too, and why you still don't have your cutie mark, no offence in your good skills in fighting though." She said. Abyss sighed before rising a single hoof to silence them all. "Alright fine, and Nightshade I do have a cutie mark, it's just very hard to tell and what I did during that one false combat practice was actually both learned skill and special talent." He said before motioning one of the unicorn-thestral's to give off a strong light spell near where his cutie mark is, and true to his word that at a mere glance or look everypony would see he's a blank flank, but now that they actually looked with a good light, they saw a spot that seemed slightly darker then the rest of his dark grey coat. "It's a Shadow Image mark, I can by choice make Shadow forms of me that if attacked and killed, will do no harm to me but what I hate about that is I gain the knowledge about what killed them and how to both dodge/counter that. Of course at my level of using that is sill a novice so it will only stand their, while a expert of master can actually make them fight alongside them or make other objects with Shadows." He said to the group. They were actually shocked that such a mark existences, but they can think how useful of a skill like that could be in patrolling a area or protecting a high value area or pony like one of the annoying nobles or the Princess. "Sweet skill and talent, but where and how did you get it?" One of the others asked. Enteral smiled while thinking back to the training with his Master. "You guys know that I kinda had a Master before joining the Night guard right?" He asked and he only got nods from them all. "Well it was during one of his sparing lessons that I gained it." Abyss said as he told them about that day, but didn't actually tell them how long ago was it and what his Master looked like, stating that it was six years ago when it really was sixty years. ___________________ Sixty years ago, a area out in the Everfree forest. A Slightly younger Enteral Abyss stood stock still in the clearing of his Master and him while using both his sight and hearing to find where his Master was. 'I knew he said that my combat skills are better when we first started but still he just love his veil of shadows, almost makes it damn impossible to find' He thought. The reason was because just as he said, the surrounding area was covered in a think veil of shadows like a neigh-impenetrable wall. Enteral cut off all thought when he heard just a brief sound of disturbed wind before quickly dropping and rolling to the side to avoid a strike that he was close to come in contact with, even he could see the pure pitch black blade just a breaths away from him. 'In the name of Luna, I think he was holding out in our last sparing because that was must faster then normal.' He quickly thought before shooting to his hooves and lowing his wings to the ground while staring at the black form of his master but soon gave pause as he saw a rather quick but really noticeable flash of what seemed like red lightening shooting off and dispersing in the air, but that was not all, he had somewhat of glowing red eyes while the bat-like wings his armor gave off but they looked like the mix between bat wings and those of a demon. 'What the, I never seen this mode of his armor and he said he shown me all of them.' Abyss thought. Shadow let off a chuckle that sounded like his normal voice but mixed with a demonic echo. "You have gotten faster at dodging Enteral but can you keep up with me? And I see you have noticed my new set of Armor, don't worry this is a fusion of my sheath armor mode and a talent I can do that allows me and what I am wearing to become even stronger, so feel free to use lethal attacks, my now is now almost as strong as my defense mode, also I just call this state a DT for now." Shadow said before suddenly becoming nothing but a blur, Abyss decided to try and becoming a moving target but soon found out all mobility to be all for not, as tendrils of shadow burst from around him before binding him to at this spot. 'Oh buck! I so bucking hate this power of his!' Enteral screamed in his head before his body tensing up as he saw the black and slightly red form of his master appearing above him with his blade coming in for a swing. Everything to Shadow suddenly went quiet as he stopped after his blade had finished it's course, he knew that his student knew how to get out of the tendrils of shadows and is able to dodge again, but when he saw that enteral was just standing there, not moving a single inch he knew he took it to far. 'Well shit didn't mean to do this' He thought before crouching down to check to see if he had missed but when he saw a clear as day line on his student's neck he knew he screwed up. Shadow was about to shout a curse before he felt a sudden weight on his back before seeing a glow of red light as well something being set against his neck that caused him to tense up. "I think this is checkmate Master. Although I don't know how I left a another me but I do have you now." The all to familiar sound of his students voice was heard from behind him before looking over his shoulder. "Quite and that was surprising to say the least, I honestly thought I screwed up and killed you, my bad Enteral." Shadow said before both him and Enteral suddenly looked at the other enteral as it bloated up before becoming what was shadows before bursting apart. "And it seems you learned how to do the shadow afterimage, that skill will save your life like it did now." He said before allowing his student off his back and standing back up, he dispersed his shadow blade before tilting his head back while to leave his DT fusion form to go the normal mode he like, he was about to tell his student that the sparing was over before both him and enteral saw a bright flash on his flank that told him the all to familiar sign of one getting there cutie mark. "And it seems we have found your talent as well." He added before bending down to check, he seen that by any other pony that is just glancing or looking will make Enteral look like a blank flank on how both his coat and cutie mark almost match but he can see it, it was a Shadow image mark but there was also a what looked and when he studied it, he confirmed it that their was indeed a shadow crown above it. "Hmm it seems you might become a rather powerful shadow magic user, maybe even come to my level of skill." Shadow said before both him and enteral taking their leave to go a honor this event, after all you only gain your cutie mark once. ___________ Sixty years later, inside the night guard recruit barracks Enteral Abyss finished his story before looking at the faces of his fellow recruits, he saw awe, shock, horror at the fact his master allowed him to use lethal force to stop him, and even curiosity among them. "Oh damn you had one badass Master Abyss, but how powerful is this guy anyway, and what is his name?" Abyss smile only grew as she chuckled. "I can so far can tell he can be ether as strong as the Princess or stronger, not sure because he always seemed to hold back or something, it almost like he is scared of going all out or something and his name he made me to promise to not tell till he is ready. They continued to talk and chat till they finally deiced to check their armor one last time before heading to bed so they can be ready for them to become full Night Guards tomorrow. > Chapter 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A week later, half way to the old castle. Enteral Abyss sighed as he winged his way to the old castle. 'This week has been horrible, between helping Nightshade coup with what has been happening to her, help inspect the latest recruits and some of the Night Guard as well help Nightshade do some of her build up of her work I have gotten little sleep. Of course it doesn't help with even more sightings with those changling groups.' He thought while scanning the ground. Lately the Night Guard and Day Guard have been ordered to keep their eyes and ears open incase they find any word or sight of a changling. 'Still their has to be more to these sightings then meets the eye, it's almost like their lo-' Enteral thought was cut off when he seen a bright green flash in the corner of his eye from the forest below. "Well Buck, I hope nopony got lost in this forest and got caught by timberwolfs or something." He said before banking towards the bright green flash that now seems like it is getting faster and shorter then the last. 'Ok this is not somepony lost, it's somepony being attacked, not on my watch.' He thought. In a Clearing of the Everfree forest. Amaryllis panted as she used her magic to hold the shield she had casted up. 'Why? Why are they actually trying to kill me, by the rules of the hive any traitors must be captured and brought before the queen to be judged for what they did, never killed on sight.' She thought before grunting as her shield took another strong hit by the attacking changling of her hive. Outside the Golden shield was about sixteen changlings that were all attacking the shield repeatedly. "Keep attacking, her shield won't keep us out forever and once it falls, then she will too!" One of the changlings yelled out to the others as he watched the golden shield begin to gain cracks in it, they knew she was powerful but have enough hitting her at once then she will fall. Just as all the changlings got ready for their final attack on the shield, one of them went to the ground before a sweeping shadow took three more of them out as it went to place itself between the heavily cracked shield and the changlings. "That is enough, By the order of her highness Princess Luna and as her second in command of her Night Guard I ask you all to stand down!" A deep and calm but firm voice of Enteral Abyss called out. Amaryllis heard him but kept her shield up and fix it too, she looked through the shield to see a bat-like pony but she knew it had to be one of those thestrals but if he was willing to save her from these brutes then she will happily join him, after all she does need to go to Canterlot to apologize for what her mother did as well try for a peaceful relationship with the ponies and changlings. The rest of the group of changlings glared at the Thestral but their leader of them took notice that he, unlike other thestrals had both bat-like wings and a horn. "That traitor will die Alicorn-like thestral rather you like it or not, Kill him along the traitor." He said before the others quickly followed his command, only for them to nearly get beheaded by a quick shadow sweep that revealed to them that is a sword of pure shadows but one didn't manage to get away fast enough and caused it wing to nearly cleaved off, he might still fly if he gotten help their but they kept trying to find a opening to strike. Enteral knew these changlings would keep attacking till he was tired and the three he knocked down will be getting back up soon. 'I have to get her or him out of here now, but I need to get their attention on something else for us to get away.' He thought before a Idea comes to his mind, he knew both him and the one he's guarding will need to flee the moment he does spell. 'Ah buck, mentor is gonna be mad at me for using this but it might help us get out of here, even though I am a novice in that spell.' He thought to himself. "Hey, when I say drop your shield, do it, and don't worry I will grab onto you and fly us out of here!" He yell back as he began the beginning of the shadow tendrils spell. The Shadow tendrils spell works like it is, They have a lot of uses for attacking or defending a area or carrying heavy objects with ease, but that all depends on how well trained or well learned casters that have passed the novice in that spell can use it without problems. Just learned or novice casters are strictly prohibited from even using this spell outside their mentor or teachers eyes for it can bring doom on them as well, especially for any females because they sometimes think or act of their own free will. Amaryllis looked through the shield she had placed up to protect herself at the alicorn-like thestral that was protecting her from her own hive. "Ok I'll trust you but you better not trick me." She called to him while she got ready to cancel her shield spell. Enteral heard the female voice from inside the shield, though sounding buzz like he ignored this to finish his spell and cast it, at the same time he called out to her so she can drop the shield, which she did and before she can say anything she was quickly wrapped in a blood red aura and then both of them went off the ground with surprising speed, when Amaryllis looked back she could only see what seemed to be the changlings of her hive fighting back tentacles of darkness and were badly failing. Far from the clearing, Old castle in sight. Amaryllis started at the growing castle ahead of her, still wrapped in the same red glow from her savors horn as she crossed her forelegs and pouted before looking to him. "Um if you don't mind, not that being carried by a handsome stallion is rude but I can fly with my wings if that's ok with you?" She asked Enteral, who at first looked at her quickly before seeing a red tint to his cheeks while he muttered a sorry and released her. Enteral Abyss soon snapped his head back to look at the black with a gold tint carapace with golden mane and tail, she also had a triple gold color bands on her barrel as well the start of a crown growing from her head, if not for the fact she is shorter then that changling queen called Chrysalis from the wedding he might say she was one herself, he knew this was a changling. 'This is strange, she looks like a queen but she far to short but she can't be a drone due to both her crown and she is bigger then a drone, could she be a Princess?' He thought before flicking his gaze back to the old castle then back to her before letting out a sigh. "Hey sorry about all that, and I won't report you till I find out why you were being a attacked, also since your going to be with me, it would be best if you saw my mentor, is that ok?" He asked. Amaryllis looked at him while she flew next to him before giving a kind smile. "I don't mind and if your trying to find out why I look different from normal changlings, i'll tell you and your mentor at the same time so I won't need to repeat myself, ok?" She said. Enteral nodded his head before continuing his flight to the castle. 'Still I will keep my guard up, and will try to us my shadow image skill when I can, even though I hate it and it's somewhat mean to use but useful.' He thought to him self. Old castle throne room. Shadow looked at the amulet in front of him as he felt around the seals and barriers of the of the corruption enchantment inlayed within the jewelry. 'Hmm he was smart to do this, it allowed him full use with being affected by that enchantment while others will get affected. If only you didn't let dark magic control you, you might have become a very powerful and well know mage, but I sense a weak point in it I can exploit and allow other unicorns to use this amulet, or even the princesses themselves if they ever need it.' He thought before giving his fingers a single snap to hide the amulet. "You finally arrived, I was going to come looking for you, see what you got you held up. Also I see you brought someone else." He said before turning around to see his student, but also to his surprise a changling. Amaryllis stared at the tall armored being a darkness while trying to figure out how he knew they were here, she was about to come out start with it till she felt a leathery wing place over her back that caused a faint coloring of her cheeks when she snapped to Enteral. "Don't question it, I don't gave up trying to find that out long ago." He told her, they just arrived here to see his master working on a "Amulet" as he put it but never said anything more. Shadow chuckled to himself before looking the changling up and down before, to Amaryllis surprise, taking a step back while swinging his right arm over his front with two fingers curled up and three straight out, while his left went to his back and bowing forward to her. "Yes and I think it is time to tell you Enteral that the reason why I know when you are here is. You can NEVER get a drop on a mentor Assassin." He said before going back to his normal stance before he bowed to the changling. "Also, what do I have the honor of having a Changling Princess during this time?" He asked Amaryllis. Amaryllis looked at the tall being with awe on how he knew she was a princess before clearing her throat. "I am Princess Amaryllis of My mother's hive, Queen Chrysalis of the changlings, And my reason to be here is to go to Canterlot to tell the pony princesses that what my mother did was uncalled for, and apologize for what she did, as well try and work on a peace treaty between pony and changlings. Sadly it would seem the rest of the hive thinks I am a traitor, mostly because I don't need actual love to survive with, So far from what I know, I can just get what I need to live from the moon and the sun. I also have a different color then the rest." She said while looking at them. > Chapter 5 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Old throne room of the old castle. Enteral abyss stared at the changeling he had help, thinking she was a normal drone but turned out she was a princess. Shadow looked at the changling princess for a few moments before looking over to Enteral. "Hmm Enteral, I am sorry to say but I must withhold our teachings for now, and I want you to go back to Canterlot with the Princess as her escort and guardian." He said before looking at the princess again. Enteral snapped out of his thought when his master told him that before looking both from the Changling princess Amaryllis then his master before taking a small bow of his head at him. "I will protect her with my life master." He said before thinking a bit. "Also does this also means I will have to show the Princesses what I am along with Princess Amaryllis telling what she told us?" He questioned. Amaryllis was shocked to think they were willing to help her and even going so far to protect her incase her hives changelings try to get here again, but she smiled all the same at the trust she got with them. "I have to thank you for helping me, but what do you mean by letting the other princesses know about Mister Enteral since he is one of their Guards?" She asked them. Shadow looked at her before giving a small laugh before he explained to her why Enteral kept this a secret from them and the events that lead up to his time to be revealed, along with how Enteral was going though training to become the next thestral prince of his kind in the last two-hundred years. "Also when you do go to Canterlot Princess Amaryllis, it would be wise to make yourself a Pegasus because I am pretty sure they are still looking for more changelings that are still their." He told her before looking at Enteral to give him a nod. Amaryllis smiled before closing her eyes to think for a moment before she was engulfed in golden flames that faded away to pure with Pegasus mare with pink mane and tail, she still wore the cloak she had but she didn't add a cutie mark because the cloak covers most of her body, along with her hind legs and her flank so she was in no danger to be found out, when she opened her eyes, still like before, she still had gold eyes. Shadow took a glance and hoped that Princess Celestia does not get suspicious on how close Amaryllis came close to her original look before the elements caused her mane to look the way it was. "Enteral, I shall see you at the castle in a bit, also I will go ahead and place your names for a private audience for the princesses, I just hope Princess Celestia won't be to mad at the fact she has to be up at this hour because this is so important." "He said before giving them and wave off before taking a few steps into the a now growing shadows before disappearing entirely. Enteral watched his master go before looking at Amaryllis as she flexed and spread his wings. "We best get going, if I am right he might already be there and got us sighed up already." He said before taking flight with her following in suite with him. She was about to ask how he knew but cut her off to tell her that one of the skills and power called shadow teleport. Amaryllis nodded before they both flew out the nearest window and begin the flight back to Canterlot and Canterlot Castle. A couple hours later, in Canterlot, near Canterlot Castle. Enteral and Amaryllis trotted along with one another as they headed for the castle, they landed a short but still somewhat of a long walk to the castle so they won't make the other guards think they are they are intruders that are trying to get inside the castle, more over due to the failed invasion. "I know this will be your first time here but please stay with me, also I will be going by the Captain's office to get my superior, Nightshade." Enteral said before they got to the gates for the castle, which the one of the guards, who was a royal guard unicorn,stallion moved his spear in the path but noticed the other guard, a unicorn-thestral or as he knew as bat-pony guard stallion stiffening up more then usual. "Lieutenant Abyss, I didn't know you were going to be back this soon sir." The thestral guard said as she snapped a salute to his superior. While the normal unicorn guard looked at the thestral, he knew he was a higher rank but to be affected by another thestral like that, was strange. 'might be a old friend of when they were in the training or the bunkhouse leader, of course I am still a recruit.' he thought before he now noticed the thestral stallion was giving him a stern glare. Enteral seen how the other guard didn't snap to a salute yet. 'maybe his a recruit that was giving this for their first assignment to guard the gate.' He thought before waiting till he noticed his stare, once he did he spoke. "Why aren't you showing respect to your superior recruit?" He said in a stern voice before trotting up to the guard. The thestral guard seen this and knew it was of course a sign of disrespect but sometimes it is funny as heck. "Oh um, recruit this is lieutenant Abyss, the second in command of Captain Nightshade of the Night Guard, and despite on how he acts sometimes, he is a very good guy, also best friend you can get." H said before the recruit now seen the full realization. The recruit quickly pulled back his spear to snap in a salute to the stallion. "I-I'm sorry f-for the disrespect s-sir, it will never happen again!" He said before catch the sound of laughter from both stallions as he looked at them both. Enteral soon stop his laughter with a grin as he looked at the guard. "Relax, his correct you know, I may have a stern and playful side but I will be a friend and I also knew you were a recruit but I'll let it slide, just don't let it happen again." He said before he motioned Amaryllis to follow him inside. "Also this pony has very important information, and I also have information the princesses need to know." He said as both him and the mare went to the castle, on their way they found out they didn't have long to get to the audience chamber so he motioned one of the patrolling guards to get Captain Nightshade before heading straight for the chamber, along with a unlucky guard to get Princess Celestia. Captain Nightshade's office. Nightshade sighed as she was now able to get back to work but she has to take more better care due to the fact of what she found out, what she was working on was her replacement, it was getting about that time anyway and she technically already had somepony to replace her position as Captain of the Night Guard. She looked down at the replacement form with the rank and name of the pony, Lieutenant Enteral Abyss. She knew he would be a perfect choice, but all other thoughts about that and the replacement form was dashed away when she heard the door nob turn and click open, which caused her to quickly move the recruitment forms over the Night guard Captain replacement form... ....just in time as one of he suppose to be patrolling Night Guards coming inside. "Guard what are you doing away from your patrol route?" She asked the guard. "Sorry ma'am but Lieutenant Abyss requested your presence at the Private audience chamber, he said it was a urgent matter that need you and both Princesses." The guard said before turning and leaving to continue his patrol. Nightshade wonder why Enteral wanted to see her and both Princesses and why. 'I mean it cou-oh shit!' she thought before snapping her head to the calendar to see it has a red circle on todays date with the word reveal. 'He going to reveal that he is a alicorn-like thestral and he needs me their as well due to me being one.' She thought before letting out a sigh as she begin to finish the replacement form and go ahead and turn it in to her princess, and tell Enteral herself.