The darkness starts to lighten as I notice myself starting to wake. Instead of a dream tonight I was merely shown my inner consciousness. Of course this was also a place that Luna had power if she so wished. As is such, all her guards were required to know how to manipulate it as well. For the duration of my lucid dream I look around and create some of the constellations from both my lives.

For some reason my mind creates some of the more violent constellations from each life and seems to pit them against each other as if in battle. Guess it goes to show that I really haven't picked sides in this whole personality debate thing. My mind begins to wander away from that inner world of protection. Gathering any fractured thoughts, I piece together that, as soon as I awoke up, the pain might be too much to bear.

After feeling poked, my wings stretch out. Usually a simple touch like that would have me out of bed in seconds, but my actions are sluggish. Letting out an audible groan, some joints try to stiffen up as I move them.

“See? They are still working!” A small female voice exclaims. Oh great, we managed to crash outside a little girl's house. I should probably lie still and try to make her go away.

“Breezy... don't go poking him randomly please...” Another voice spoke up with more concern than excitement, but just as young and female as the first, probably two sisters.

I wonder what we... Fireball! Curling my legs inward, I expect to meet a familiar warm furry back or belly. After meeting nothing, panic sets in. Half my mind panics while the other half tries to calm it. My eyes pop open, I could tell their was fear etched into them. Sitting up I try find out where my friend went. At this point in time we could be caught and locked away, and I fear for her safety. My concern disappears as the adrenaline flees my system. The pain in my side returns and I flop backwards onto the pillow trying to regulate my breathing through the pain.

I verbalize a loud hiss through clenched teeth. “I hate flying accidents...” In for a penny, in for a pound, might as well talk for them..

“I know. Aren't they the worst?” The first voice is back and doesn't contain any concern at all.

“Sis... Please...” The second sister persists, with more concern.

I hear a sigh and a thump, presumably one of the two dismounting the bed. “Fine. I'll go play with Glowy. Feel free to join us once you are done with Mr Crash” Glowy, that doesn't really sound like a human name.

I let a grimace show on my face, I’m not too happy at being called Mr. Crash. This is actually only one of five crashes in my entire career and the only one that I caused myself. “Damn kids...”

I let my ears spin on their own in order to determine the direction of the source of the voices. That is, if they even speak again. “I know what you mean...” There, she's on my left.

Okay, let's see what she knows. Taking a deep breath I prepare for a little pain. “Where am I? Where's the orange unicorn that was next to me, who are you? Can you show me, I’m afraid my entire body hurts too much to move much.” I might have overwhelmed her with questions.

A good minute goes by as she takes in my questions. “You are in my house, the orange unicorn is on the sofa in the living room.” I breathe a sigh of relief, at least Fireball is safe. “I'm still uncertain about the whole name thing.”

I want to tilt my head and look at her, but fearing the pain did not do so. I'm at a loss as to what she means by uncertain about her name. Who could be uncertain about their own name? “I think I know how you feel... but that would mean...” That would mean that...

Ignoring the pain I tilt my head towards the voice. A smile adorns my face as I sigh in relief. “Oh thank Luna... ponies...”

Letting my entire body relax I let myself drink in the feeling of safety. “I hope you're not going to start calling me Mr. Crash, since I already hate that name. It's Shad, well, that's the one I prefer...” My voice lowers to a slight whisper, unable to hold the spitefulness in. “At the moment.” On to more important matters though. “You wouldn't happen to know where two big alicorns are do you? Hard to miss, like six feet tall one is white and the other is midnight blue.” I try to make it clear and distinct what I want. I'm not sure how old this filly is, but I wish to make sure she knows I’m looking for Princess Luna and Princess Celestia.

Her face took on a look of recognition. “You mean Tia and Luna? Sure, I saw them recently.” Well she must be on really good terms with them if she can use their first names. Though Celestia did mention something about not wanting to be called princess. “And I guess you can call me Peachy...” That's a nice name. “That's what my sisters call me now anyway...” Oh... there's resentment tied with that name.

I should try to cheer her up, but I’ve never been that good with kids. “Well... if you don’t want to be called that why don’t you tell them not to?” I mean, that's the simplest solution. “It took me and Fireball a while but eventually she gave in to me.”

“They are children. Reasoning with them is pointless...” Her face turns to a new topic and a new interest. “Anyway, why did you want to know about the Princesses?” Good, finally we can get to the point.

For some reason my mouth and throat refuse to spit out words. Struggling I manage to force some out. “Came all the way from Texas to see them.” Looking down I try to hide my loss of pride. “Didn't know what else to do.”

I turn my face upwards to check out her reaction, but she has a look of confusion and a little surprise. She blinks and holds a straight face. “Wait, you are the ones that were supposed to here?” Um, I hope so, or else we are imposing.

I let my confusion and uncertainty show. “I don't know, are we?” Seeing no response coming forth I continue. “Cause if so... I guess we only half made it...” My joke doesn't seem to register. Sighing long and deep I decide to just tell the little filly instead of dancing around the subject. “I left parts of me on the road back there and in that damn tree.”

She doesn't seem fazed at all by my words. “Tia mentioned something about two guards that were supposed to meet us in town.” She smirks. “She never mentioned anything about crashing on the lawn.”

Ha ha ha, I know how I’m supposed to respond! “Well, we were in the neighborhood and decided to 'drop in' for a visit.” My face contorts into a small desperate smile to show that I really need to have a laugh. My body felt sore and my spirits dim. Sighing, my hope disappears. “Was that a good joke? Thought I might try one for once.” It's true, I was never really good at telling jokes, so I never tried to get better.

To my small joy she did smile a little. “It fell a bit low, but it's a good start.” She starts examining my body. In response I almost try to cover my wounds to spare her the vision and memory, but it seems as if she is hiding something. “Do you happen to have pony first aid training?”

“Nope... I was more on the giving side than the receiving most of the time.”

“And I suppose your friend don't happen to be a medic?”

That last one caught me by surprise. I suppress a laugh, which turns into a snort, before finally transforming into an awkward cough. “Sorry... that caught me a bit off guard there. No,” I let out a small laugh, my mood brightens. “I highly doubt it.”

She lets out a sigh. “I figured as much.”

“Why do you ask?” Wait, I just realized something weird about this whole situation. “I feel awkward asking this... but are you home alone?”

“Oh, my parents are on vacation for at least another week, thankfully.” Oh okay good, I’d hate to be in an awkward situation. “As for the medical questions... Let just say that you should live, probably. I'm afraid my medical knowledge kind of sucks too...”

Thinking back on the past few days a smile creeps up onto my features. “Bah, don't worry I’ll live, this stuff is minor compared to most.” A rogue thought made itself known to me. I wonder... is she all alone in the house? She can't be more than 10 years old, she can't be home alone. “Though I hate to pry, where are your... pony parents.” I mean her real parents of course.

Did I just say real? What's going on with me? Her human parents are her real parents! Keeping my cool I try not to make her uncomfortable. “Did you um... get new ones because?”

The little filly took it in stride. “I got no idea, actually. This whole being a pony 25 years ago still sound kind of crazy. Anyway, I should go tell Tia that you are awake.” Both her response and her last statement caught me by surprise. One, she wasn't at all weirded out by what I said, two, PRINCESS CELESTIA IS HERE?

“Tell? You mean she's here? Oh thank god...” I felt my body sigh in relief at the thought of reaching its destination. “I don’t think I want to get up for another few days...” Letting out a content sigh my body relaxes all over. “This is a nice bed though.” It felt like a cloud on a warm spring d- how do I know what a cloud is like?

“I know, it's my bed.” She said, playfully winking at me.

Well shit, if this is her bed I don’t want to impose. Is she still standing there because I’m in her bed? Dammit! “Um, well, feel free to join me at your own desire.” SHIT! That sounds really weird!

Her face turns crimson and I could almost feel the heat. Her brain went into overdrive, the gears turning. I could tell she was struggling to think for some reason. “I- I'll get her right now!” She stutters a little before quickly jumping off the bed and leaving.

Sighing to myself I lay my head back onto the large fluffy pillow. I know why I know it feels like a cloud, but I don’t like the fact that I do. These past few days have inspired deep thought in me the boils down to one single question. Who do I want to believe I am?

Do I want to be Shad, the 25 year old teen who had his whole life ahead of him, full of mystery and chance. Do I want to be the boy who dreamed of flying an airplane and fulfilling his grandpa's dying wish? Did he want to be a human who was scared of his future secretly, scared of not turning out like the person everyone else thought he would be?

Or did he want to be Shadow, a male pegasus night guard from the mystical world of Equestria? The last male of a dying species created by an evil chaotic entity. Could he secretly want to fulfill that course of his life? The be the father of an entire race? It sounded like an enticing opportunity.

Chasing down that thought I remember that I would be nothing more than a pawn in a grand scheme of evil.

What of Fireball? No matter what I choose, if there is even a way of going back, she's going to want to stay a pony for the rest of her life. Could I choose to abandon her like this? I know she can't pay for rent and her alcohol addiction by herself. What would she do without me? She'd probably find that perfect colt-friend she's looking for... though wasn't I supposed to help her do that?

The effects of the day suddenly crash down on me and my mind starts to shut down. Maybe some nice restful sleep that didn't involve a fear of what would happen when I wake up would be nice.

Yawning I prepare myself for sleep. Curling up my legs and wings It seems that my life is finally looking up for once. I push the identity crisis from my mind. That is a problem for future Shadow.

“Good morning my little pony!” The shout tore through the air, rousing me from my almost rest.

My body launches itself several feet into the air, my fight or flight reflex taking over. Thankfully my flight reflex took over and I didn't try to get up and kill whatever just scared the shit out of me. Landing on my back I hiss in pain. “Owowowowow.”

Hearing some soft giggling I look up to see an amused Princess Celestia. “I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself.”

Sure you couldn't, sure you couldn't. Another hiss of pain escapes my mouth. “Well you did scare me… but that… hurt a bit.”

I see a quick look of concern, but her mind focuses on more important matters. Her eyes and expression turn serious. “How are your wounds? I tried to ask Peachy, but she was blushing intensively for some reason and she quickly fled to watch her sisters.”

“I just asked if she wanted to share her own bed. It's very comfortable.”

Princess Celestia lets out a small chuckle, obviously entertained by my innocent comment. “That would explain her blushing.”

“I don't get it.” Wait a second, a filly and a stallion sharing a bed. Shit did I really just make her feel that awkward? “She's a child though! She shouldn't know about how awkward it is.”

The princess put on a knowing smile. “I'm afraid it's not my place to tell, though you could be surprised.” Oh that doesn't sound good at all. Crap, did I just drive a stake into our relationship? Oh, my day is getting shitty.

“I don't know if I can anymore.” I mean, I've seen magic, pizza consumption on massive levels, dream walking, and invading, mystical, chaotic chimeras and have just traveled three days with the most insane person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

She sighs. “Never say that. Life have a way to get... weirder.”

I sigh as well, knowing full well her words contain wisdom. “True enough.” My thoughts paused for a moment. “Where's princess Luna?”

I watch as she smirks playfully. “Why, am I not royal enough for you?”

Oh crap did she take that as an insult? “No, forgive me for associating myself more with her than you.” It was true, though, that I wish to see Princess Luna at that moment, not Princess Celestia.

Thankfully the Princess smiles warmly. “That was just a joke. I'm afraid my sister is resting at the moment. She had a... long night.” Oh...

“Well me and Fireball had a long week.” SHIIIIT did I really just say that! How could I be so stupid as to try and one up the Princesses?

Her voice drops to a mumble, though not low enough for me to catch. “Didn't we all.” Sighing, I realize that I’m not in any danger of getting smitten today. “So you must be the Shadow she was talking about.” Her cheery voice is back, some interest weaved in to help the conversation lighten.

Returning her efforts with a smile I decide to not let my state and the past affect me. “Yep that's me.”

Her face did not take on a smile like mine. Instead she looks down. “I'm afraid that your friend is not doing as well as you.”

Fireball... why did you have to take the fall for me? “I hate to impose... but any chance we might receive any medical treatment? I hate being bed ridden like this.”

She lifts her head. “I'm afraid calling the hospital would be a bad idea.” Looking down she seems embarrassed. “And I barely remember how to use my magic.”

Wow, I guess not even a princess can escape what has happened. If she's lost all her magic we are truly in dire strains. My mouth spurts forth an unhappy sigh “That's unfortunate.”

“I'm afraid that the best we can do at the moment is to let both of you rest.”

Well rest I will, just on my feet moving around and being more than just a wounded pony. “Wonderful… I think I would like to get up at least.” I try to lift myself up but as soon as my body becomes upright my mind had me seeing stars and my breathing became difficult. Falling back onto the bed, I decide not to try that again. “Ow ow ow.” Flipping onto my side, I resign myself to the fact that I will be bed ridden for the next day at least. “Not fun.”

Her face screams 'I told you so.' “Like I said, it would be best for you to rest.” Her voice was more motherly, but not in the caring sense. I guess I should know better than to think I know better. “Then again, you are the one hurting, not me.”

“I guess you're right though, I should probably lay down for now. Though I fear you might need to pin Fireball in case she is hurt… she was walking fine last night, but I worry that she was putting on a brave face.” I wish she wouldn't push herself sometimes.

I see a smirk cross the princesses' face. “I didn't know she was in that kind of stuff.”

My face relays confusion and my mind tries to decipher what she means. “I'm sorry? I'm afraid I don't get it.”

“Bondage,” she mouths, finishing with a small wink.

Wow... awkward. “Oh,” I respond, looking away a bit embarrassed. “I didn't realize this is what you were like when you were… when you weren't doing your princess thing.” Whatever princesses do when they are on duty is probably what I should have said.

She sighs, her mood has apparently been killed. “Me either.” I guess we are all having identity issues then.

“Well,” I start, trying to think of a way to pick up where I left off. “She might come and check on me so if… just make sure she doesn't hurt herself please.” It's all I have right to ask of a princess.

She smiles warmly and encouragingly “Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her.” Her voice drops again. “And the cake, away.” Well... guess the rumors about the Princesses cake addiction are true enough.

But let's not go there and potentially ruin a peaceful moment. “Okay, good. I might get up… later… hopefully.”

The Princess simply nods and leaves the room quietly, making sure to close the door softly.

For some reason I finally feel at peace, like I can finally rest, sure of the fact that I am safe. I wonder if that's because I’m finally not on the run for my life anymore, or is it because deep down, I know that I will not die, and the fact that I’m still leaning on that scares me. I know I shouldn't worry about it, I’m on the side of good, and good always wins.

Jolting myself from my thoughts, I turn to happier things, like playing video games and flying at night. My memories began to mingle providing me with a happy atmosphere. My eyes began to close when I heard some shouting downstairs. Twisting my ears I strain to listen. “DANISH WEDDING COOKIES? I LOVE THOSE! PLEASE CAN I HAVE SOME! PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE-” Well, at least I know Fireball is okay. Of course, now there will be no cookies left in the house.

I start counting the number of pleases as I slowly drift off to sleep.