Chapter 42 – Trails

“Deep breath in, deep breath out, deep breath in, and deep breath out.” I was slowly chanting this to myself under my breath as all of us walked out of the restaurant. We had our meal prepared to go as now I had to prepare for my combat test. More for the fact that I didn't know anything of my opponent. Well... outside of the whole, it involves a dragon or a dragon offspring at the very least. We walked up to the carriage that now had a second smaller one behind it.

“We brought your armor, your highness,” Nightling said as she handles with the other guard on a litter much like the ones used in ancient Egypt. Just without all the fancy décor to it and a chest between the two of them. With a flick of magic I began to open the box to see the armor I wore during my bout with both celestial princesses. I turned to Luna who only uses her head and nodded towards the carriage, all I did was nod and entered it. This was way too weird for me and it just wasn't sitting right with me.

“Okay, what's the details of this 'test'?” I asked over the link to Luna.

“From what I read here. You're supposed to meet both the challenger as well as the cabinet member in the middle of town.” She began.

“Wait, so the cabinet member isn't fighting me directly?”

“No, the cabinet member issued the challenge. They aren't the one challenging you, they have a representative to fight in their stead.”

“Okay... go on.”

“That's about it, you meet up with them.” She said as it sounded like she was confused. Frankly so was I just hearing this.

“That sounds completely asinine, you can't seriously think that I'm going to fight them in the middle of fucking Canterlot?” I said out loud as I fought to slip my tail through the whole in pains. This thing I swear has a mind of its own at times. When I don't want it to droop, it does it. When I want to shift it left, it goes right and almost trips me. Seriously how do dragons walk around with these things? Kind of wish Spike was old enough to deal with it so I could ask him. Sadly his tail is on the short side, but I more chuck that up to him still on the young side. From what I read, dragons don't really start to grow out until closer to the teen years. The problem with that is that depending on the dragon in question that could very.

“That's all?” Twilight asked, bringing back to the topic at hand. “Are they seriously expecting to fight here in Canterlot?”

“It seems like that,” I said using my magic to slide my wings into the slots in the back. “But I'm not going to have that,” I growled as I fought. The tips of my wings were being a bit of a pain. The downside of having large wings is trying to get them through smaller holes. “Nightling, report.”

“We already have visible contact of both of them, your highness,” Nightling said followed by a slight dink of metal hitting metal. I could only assume that she snapped to a salute after I ordered a report.

“And?” I asked as I finally got my wings through and was sliding my arms into the sleeves.

“From what we can tell that the larger blue scaled dragon with black fins is the cabinet member. Roughly thirty-two hooves high.” Nightling explained. With a quick bit of mental math, I could tell that the height was roughly sixteen feet. Since every two hooves are equivalent to one foot that I used to measure in. Which put the cabinet member the rough size of a standard small house. Not counting any extra floors or a basement from the ground to roof. “The other dragon with him was white scales with matching black fins. He was about half size which puts him to sixteen hooves.” So about eight feet which were very tall compared to my roughly six-foot-four-inch height. Even to Celestia, this dragon was about eye level with her horn.

“Anything else you can tell me about them?” I asked.

“Besides they look really pissed off.” Nightling shot back.

“I don't think this is the right time for any snarkiness Captain,” Luna interjected.

“Yes, your highness.” My captain said with another salute just from the sound of it. It wasn't much longer for me to get the rest of my barding on. Opening the door my sight was treated with a 'what the fuck' moment as I saw both Twilight and Luna in armor. The former wearing a set of night guard armor, minus the helmet. The ladder of the two was in a set of her royal armor that I saw in the royal armory. Which was the place both sets of my armor was set at. Besides the special set, I have back in Ponyville.

“Okay, two questions,” I said using my claws to hold up two fingers. “One, why are you two in armor and Two, where did you two change at?”

“Let me answer the ladder first.” Twilight began as her horn lit up and in a flash, she was back in her dress. That was followed by a second flash returning her back to the armor.

“Okay, touche.”

“As for your first question, we are about to meet two dragons in a combat test. Do you really think we were not going to meet them in armor?” She tacked on.

“Yeah... no,” I said flatly.

“No?” Both Luna and Twilight questioned at the same time.

“I'm not going to put you in harm's way Twilight,” I said crossing my arms.

“So you'll let Luna go out there and face dragons, but not me?” Twilight huffed.

“No, I'm letting Luna tag along in a royal aspect. Mainly because I don't trust them not to pull something sneaky. Mainly because they are new to me and while I would like to hold them at face value. I can't, this is playing the political game and nothing is at face value.” I explained.

“He is correct Twilight. While I don't agree with him not wanting you there, at least for moral support. I can't fault his reasoning.” Luna tacked on before turning to me. “But I do have to question why don't you want her there?”

“Two words. Dragon Treaty.” I said as my left eye twitched a little form the memory. This was enough to get both mares to sigh a defeated sigh and have both of their ears flatten back. The guards, however, were stoic, well all but Nightling.

“That isn't fair your highness. You can't always call back to one moment like that and justify hundred of turns.” Nightling tried to counter.

“I would beg to differ. The thing about failing is that you learn from your mistakes. As far as dragons go, there is only three I trust and one of those is a baby dragon and the other is only a half dragon. Outside of that, I don't trust dragons until I see what they do. Actions speak louder than words right now when it comes to them. Till then I walk with caution around them. Than and out of all of us, I'm the only one that is fireproof.” I said stating my counterpoint. Twilight looked at me and I could see the mixture of anger and hurt. Something that I wish I didn't cause, I never like hurting anyone. Especially those close to me and it hurts that I had to do this, but it had to be done. After the treaty, I was never going to put Twilight in harm's way again, if I could help it. Getting down to my knee, I placed my left claw on her face and gently ran my thumb over her coat. “Twilight, I don't do this to be mean. This is just...” It took a few moments to get the right words that I wanted to us. “I don't want to see you hurt, not like last time and I don't think I could give this all the attention that it needs to have. If I have to worry about you being safe there.”

“I agree with Storm on this Twilight. He has to see this in a royal aspect and as much as I don't agree with some of his choices. I can't fault them either.” Luna said walking up next to me.

“Nightling, please escort Twilight back to the castle,” I asked standing back up to my full height. She looked at me a bit annoyed.

“Permission to speak freely?”

“Sure,” I said with a cocked eyebrow.

“I would like to respectfully deny that order. As your captain, I would like to guard you.” She said now verging on the more pissed side of things.

“And I would, but I trust you making sure Twilight gets back to the castle safely.”

“With all due respect, I think-”

“Let me put it this way,” I said interrupting Nightling with a clear bluntness to my tone. “It's an order, Captain.”

“As you wish your highness,” Nightling growled before turning around with a snap and matched off, Twilight shortly following. The other guard that was with her following with the now empty latter on his back. With that, I snapped around and began walking towards the meeting place in the center of Canterlot.

“Don't you think that was a little harsh of you?” Luna commented walking up next to me.

“I'm aware,” I said a little blunt as an anger began to fill my mind. Besides the fact that I was now facing a full blooded dragon on my own. I was having my captain giving me lip. Don't get me wrong, I know it's her job to protect me. It's just there wasn't anything she could do about it this time. It was a combat test. Meaning I had to fight and I wasn't going to let anypony take my stead in this. Let alone against a dragon. I would just have to be out of my god damn mind to allow something like that. Especially one that could easily flash fry anypony if they wished. The thought of all this brought back another one... one that I hadn't thought about in a long time.

“Storm why are you acting so-” Luna began to ask as we continued down the main street to the city center.

“My father...” I answered cutting her off.

“Your father?”

“Yeah... my father was... a military man. I wouldn't say he was a good man, hell I wouldn't say I was either. The thing about my family is that we have some wicked tempers. Especially my father and I.” I began to talk, I don't now what really compelled me to really speak. I just did... I told her about a lot of my father and some of the more harsher things he did. How much pain he had put me through, all because of his anger. I wasn't much better, especially during my younger years. I don't hold myself to be perfect, far from it. If anything, I've seen myself the source for a lot of peoples pain. Just by being there, family, friends, even complete strangers. It was a silly ideal that I held on for so long. Even to the point, it scared me. As I talked I couldn't help but gently rub my right arm, right where an old scar use to be on my old body. Luna listened to every word I said, and out of everypony I met... she was the only one I thought would understand. She was right, we've both seen what darkness can do t someone and somepony. There was a few moments pause after I finished before Luna spoke up once again.

“Sometimes in life... events will scar you in places other than the flesh. They will try to change you... warp your sense of self.” She said sagely.

“How do you recover?” I asked as an old anger began to burn within me.

“You fight it... to fight them... by learning how to be yourself again.” She said before turning to look at me. “If I had to say, you may not have fully healed yet, your much better now, than you were then.”

“I can only hope,” I said as we reached the center of Canterlot. Before us was the two dragons that the intel had spoke of. Luna stepped in front of me and respectfully bowed in front of the larger of the two dragons. Just the look on his face, he was enjoying it immensely. That rubbed me the wrong way, all adding to my already growing fowl mood.

“It's an honor to meet you.” She said not looking him in the face. That didn't stop me from folding my arms looking up at him as his eyes shift over to me.

“You must be Firestorm, the youngest son of Shafifner.” The cabinet dragon said eyeing me.

“Sup,” I said flatly which caused Luna to snap her head to me in surprise.

“I've heard quite a lot about you.” He said smirking.

“Oh really?” I said continuing my flat tone, this time accompanied by a cocked eyebrow.

“The youngest son to date of Shafifner. The one that has been making a name for himself by defeated the bringer of death. The one that blows a flame that burns hotter than the Tartarus itself.” He said beginning to boost a little. I will have to admit, I haven't heard any of these before. Course I wasn't really in the mood for him trying to stoke my ego at the moment, so it was time for a little dickery to come into play.

“Oh you dirty bitch, work the shaft,” I said with a smirk. This had at least three responses. Luna looked at me with pure horror, which then snapped to both dragons. The smaller one looked down right surprised at me, with a sense of anger behind it. The funniest was the largest dragons response, which was down right confusion.

“Excuse you?” He said in his gruff voice.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I like to dirty talk when someone... Is. Sucking. My. Dick.” I said punctuating the last four words to get my point semi across.

“Maybe, I should skip to my point. My name is Attor.” He said with a slight bow.

“And I'm Carmen Sandiego, guess where I am.”

“I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you.”

“Oh, so am I, and I'm failing, and I'm sorry about that. It's just that I'm so agitated because of this blue shit stain of a dragon. Strolled right into town, ruin a very lovely evening with my marefriend and possible herd member, and is trying to impress me like I'm his alcoholic father.” That was enough for the smaller of the two dragons to fly at me and grab me by the throat with his claws dug in enough to draw a little blood. I, however, had my claws an inch deep, really to right through his heart. “Be a sport and grab daddy another beer, would you?” Before either one of us could continue Attor grabbed the smaller dragon and Luna magically pulled me back. This left light scratches in my neck while the dragon and small wounds from some of my claws.

“Enough of this, there will be time for either of you to finish the other off,” Attor said as he placed the dragon back down.

“I would like to respectfully request that this 'combat test' take place somewhere other than a crowded city,” Luna said as she shut me up with magic.

“And where would you suggest this, test happen at?” Attor said with a predatory grin on his face.

“How about the Everfree forest?” The other dragon said with a sense of assertiveness. Something about these two rubs me extremely the wrong way and its absolutely annoying. That was only confirmed when I watched light begin to illuminate from under their scales in what I could only call runes. With a wave of their claw over the wound I left it, my eyes widen as they disappeared. The only tale tells sign that there was even any was the small trails of blood from the now healed room. That cheeky asshole! My eyes narrowed as I took a more critical look over the dragon before me. Just from the body structure, I could easily tell he was male. I couldn't tell what kind of dragon he was, especially with that little magic trick of his. As far as I have read, there isn't a magic only dragon. Many that I know are elemental base, some having two.

“I can agree to that,” Luna said as I was too busy spacing out on my pondering about this dragon before me.

“Then it's settled, we will have a combat test to see if you are really are Son of Shafifner. As the rumors say” Attor said, and before anything else was said the other dragon took to the air in a heart beat and began to fly toward the cliff side. Luna and I walked as I was fiddling with my prosthetic arm, trying to cue up a track.

“Something about this doesn't sit right with me,” Luna stated.

“What gave you the first clue? The grin on both of them as the smaller dragon said Everfree forest, or was it the fact that they are planning something like a trap for me?” I asked as I had finally got it ready to play.

“You don't think they would-”

“Of course I think they are,” I said interrupting Luna as I clenched my claws. “After the last time, I faced a dragon. They went for dirty tactics, and I'm expecting no difference here.” I watched Luna's ears flattened back at this.

“Isn't that a little unfair against dragons?” Luna countered.

“In general yes, I would agree with you. It's just that body language here is just speaks volumes of underhoofed tactics ahead. Especially in the Everfree forest.” I said reaching into a special pocket. “Even I am holding a trump card,” I said sliding out a few of my spell script cards to show Luna.

“Why hide them?” She asked.

“Like any good game of cards, you never want to show your hand before you're ready,” I said with a grin as I slid them back into place. We reached the edge of the city by one of the lookouts. Luna looked down as we saw the dragon reach the forest below. I stood on the rail, looking down quietly.

“Be careful Firestorm,” Luna said looking up at me, I glanced down at her for a moment as I took a deep breath. While I could still deal with flying well enough. Heights was still my Achilles heel here and I was about to glide down from the top of a mountain.

“I will try,” I said as I tapped the play button on my prosthetic and the beginning riff of the theme song to Swat Kats starts to play as I leaned forward. Just in seconds, I continued forward until I spread my wings and began to glide down.

***---***

Firestorm landed in the middle of one of the few clearings that could be spotted from above. Standing before him was the younger dragon with his wings out wide and his arms crossed in front of his chest.

“About time you got here.” Said the dragon with an air of contempt in his voice.

“I thought I would take in the sights.” Storm said as he rolled his shoulder, preparing for the fight.

“You can cut the snark.”

“Aw, but I'm so good at it.” That got the dragon's left eye to twitch. “None the less, I suppose we should start. So, shall we begin...” Firestorm blinked for a moment. “Come to think of it, what is your name?” This caused the dragon to look at him a little confused before he facepalmed.

“Drakon,” He said bluntly, this was followed by Firestorm face palming.

“Of course he has to be called that.” He said under his breath. “Alright, let's get this started.” He continued a moment later taking a stance with his left claw out, slightly loose from a fist. His right claw was only slightly behind as took a wide stance. His tail whipped against the ground and his wing flapped lightly before resting back on his back.

Drakon in turned cracked his knuckles before taking a wider stance. Both of his claws were outreached at each side, and his wings were widespread. He matched Firestorm's tail whipping as if it was a set timer for the fight to begin. There they stood, looking at each other as if the other was waiting for them to make the first move. All the while a light thump was heard as each tail struck the ground. Thump... thump... thump... minutes past as they just stayed there. Till Firestorm slightly slide his clawed hoof a bit. They both took off at each other and swung. With a large boom at the impact of both of their fists connecting. Storm grinned as he jumped with a twist as his tail was brought up high enough to strike Drakon in the face. Forcing him to be flung of deep into the woods. Firestorm turns his head causing his neck to pop as a grin began to adorn his face.

Drakon using his wings turns and began to slide against the ground. His feet slowing down his momentum, just enough for him to take a large intake of air. He looked up to see Firestorm slowly walking towards him with his horn glowing. The dragon growled as the runs on his arms began to glow and with a massive punch to the ground. Cracks began to appear in the ground causing them to riddle the ground him and shoot off towards Firestorm. Right then Firestorm raised his head as a slab of stone rose out of the ground. This was followed by him punching it with both fists. Like a gunshot, it took off right at his scaled opponent who barely had enough time to jump out of the way. The slab bashed its way through the tree behind Drakon. Breaking it down to nothing, but splinters.

“That was close,” Drakon said as he turned back to watch Firestorm flying towards him. His eyes widen and his wings flapped just fast enough to let him jump over him. Only to be grabbed by the leg with a grinning Firestorm.

“Too slow.” He said before slamming Drakon back onto the ground. The force of the impact made a small crater around them and sent Drakon back into the air. Who used that moment to fly back up into the air and take a second intake of air. Releasing a vibrant violent flame down to the forest below and all over Firestorm. Where a normal person or pony would have been fried to a crisp. Firestorm grinned as he began to intake himself. However, with the lack of air in the area, this left him to take in Drakon's flames.

“Did you seriously just eat my flames?” Drakon said in surprise when he noticed his fire wasn't spreading as it should have and engulfing the full forest. Storm grinned as the vibrant flames became and frost blue when he returned them back to sender. Drakon didn't have enough time to fly out of the way as the flames engulfed him. Unlike normal fire, the flames here had an adverse effect. Instead of heat, this released a hellish cold upon Drakon. Enough that his wings and body became covered in frost that didn't allow him to fly anymore, he dropped like a stone in water, back into the forest. “I thought you were a flame dragon?” He growled as the ice on him cracked and fell off him.

“Shafifner was an elemental dragon. Not just 'a' element.” Firestorm said grinning as he held his hand out. His horn began to glow with a blacken aura as the shadows under him began to go up against his body. When it reached his outstretched hand. It began to form around it until it turned into the shape of a large bastard sword. Drakon grinned as he got back onto his feet and then took off deeper into the forest. Storm followed with sword in hand, into the darker parts of the forest. Unable to have the natural low light vision like a dracorn would have. His horn lit with a flaming orange over glow as three balls of fire appeared around him. Lighting up the area of the forest. The eeriness of the forest gave off the vibe of something wicked hidden within it.

The moss covered trees, and the untamed flora was the only thing that could be seen within only a few feet of the light. Otherwise, everything else was swallowed in a thick darkness that would unnerve anyone or anypony. Firestorm slowly walked deeper into the forest keeping his ears open for sound, but there wasn't any. It was deathly silent, that not even the crickets dared to chirp. As Storm scanned the forest he slowly reached into a hidden pocket in his chest armor and pulled out a small vial. With a pop, the cork in it came out and he downed it in a single gulp. This left a shutter run down his spine.

“God I wish these things tasted better.” He said before attempting to slide it back in place. How ever as soon as he moved his hand close to his chest armor again. A spear of ice flew fast towards him causing him to drop the vial. He stepped to the side barely dodging the spear. That was followed by hundreds of spears flying from all sides towards him. Taking the smarter route, he jumped into the branches. Unfortunately for him, that's what Drakon was wanting.

“Surprise!” He said from the branch above as he swung down with his fist. Enough force that causes Firestorm to drop like a rock and get nailed by a few of the spears. Nothing pierced him but there were enough blows that quite many bruises were going to form. After finally hitting the ground with the barrage of spears still flying above, he growled before focusing his magic and his breath to create a wall of fire from his natural fire breath. As soon as the spears would hit the wall, they would be turned into nothing but steam. All until the spears stopped and the area around Firestorm was nothing but a cloud of pea soup thick steam. Storm grinned as he got back onto his feet and held his prosthetic claw up. To match in time his horn began to glow.

Around the Everfree forest, the roaming clouds began to converge on one spot above the battlefield that Drakon and Firestorm fought. The clouds began to turn back and unleashed a large torrent of thunderbolts down into the forest below. Just like a lightning rod, Storm's prosthetic began to get struck with bolt after bolt. Each on coming faster than the last. All while Storm held his tongue as best he can from screaming in pain from the shocks running through his system. It was after the seventh or eight bolt that Storm's mane began to take the form of active lightning and after the almost twentieth bolt. The clouds above had unleashed it's last.

“So the little drony thinks he can play with Lightning?” Drakon said from the shadows as it echoed around Storm.

“Who's playing?” He said grinning as some of the energy radiated from his hoof before he struck the ground. Energy began to shoot through the ground causing cracks in the earth as it was sent in a multitude of directions. Lighting up the area around him as he saw for a moment his target's? Storm for a moment looked confused as shook his head. That couldn't be right, could it? In his moment of distraction, Drakon got behind him and nailed him in the back, sending him into a near by tree. “I see someone is cheeky, thinking he can attack from-” Was all Storm got out before he was struck again from a different direction sending him tumbling back. Until he dug his claws into the ground to stop himself. “Okay, that's it!” Storm yelled as he focused all of the energy into his horn. With a resounding boom, that echoed all the way to Canterlot. Storm let off a large blast of lightning in all directions.

The ground around him was scourced to a crisp, that even some of the remaining grass was still on fire. Most of the trees were charred or burnt to ash. In the center of it was Firestorm breathing hard as he looked around. With a lot of the tree cover burned away, the battlefield was seen in a new light. One that angered him, as it shows that there wasn't one Drakon. No, there was five of them and all of them, but one was on the ground in a daze. The only one standing was grinning as sparks of energy sparked off him.

“Bad move there Prince.” The standing Drakon said.

“Wouldn't be my first one.” Firestorm said popping his shoulder for a moment. “Won't be my last.” He continued after taking a stance. He shifted his hand and waved his opponent to come towards him with a grin. The standing Drakon growled as he flew towards Storm in a flash of speed. Storm grinned as something sparked within his right sleeve, this caused his right arm to jerk for a moment. Before dodging into Drakon's attack and planted it right into his face. The force of the blow sent that Drakon back.

“Ready to try it?” Shadow said from inside Firestorm's head.

“May as well.” Storm said out loud as he reached into his chest armor. He pulled out what looks like a full deck of cards. Each and every single one of them was a bright violet. He smiled as his horn began to glow with a layer of a dark aura with an over glow of a flaming orange. Behind him, a whirlpool of magic appeared, much like the one from the redirection spell. Right then the cards began to glow as Firestorm threw them into the whirlpool. Then both of his claws began to glow with a matching aura to his over glow. He grabbed both sides of the whirlpool from within and began to push. Stretching the whirlpool. It looks like he was trying to tear it a part.

In fact, that's what he was doing. With the strain he was putting on the whirlpool, it began to split much like mitosis. Both Storms yelled as they forced more magic and power into the magic in their claws. With one final push, they split the whirlpool into hundreds of smaller whirlpool. Drakon flew towards Firestorm, not realizing what was about to come. He began to laugh as he turned to Drakon, who used his wings to stop himself.

“Smart move.” He said with a smile. Drakon landed and began to stake a small step back at the sight of Firestorm. It wasn't his body, which hadn't changed. It wasn't his mannerisms that changed. No, it was his eyes. The once normally blue eyes were now gradient with red as the normal whites had begun to turn into a pool of blackness. “Sadly its too late. You see, it takes quite a bit of magic to pull this off.”

“Wha-what's this?” This Drakon said sounding different than the one that began the fight. This one had a lighter voice that rang out with a sense of fear.

“You could call it a trap card.” Firestorm said in a calm but creepy tone. With a raise of his right claw, and with a grin. Snapped his right fingers as balls of magic flew out of the whirlpools. Drakon's eye widens before he used his wings to fly off in the other direction. Dodging ball of magic after ball of magic, all in an attempt to avoid the full barrage. He focused on the ones chasing him, he didn't watch where he was going. He didn't see Firestorm appear in a blast of magic with a large mallet made of shadows. Firestorm gave off a whistle as he swung back, that got Drakon's attention. “Miss me?” He said before swinging and nailing Drakon squarely, with enough force to send him flying back. Right into Firestorm's attack, as soon as he touched the first sphere of magic.

It exploded, that was followed by a chain reaction that every other ball of magic around it followed suit. This, in turn, caused the other to explode till a good few miles of forest was reduced to ash and burnt soil. In the center of it all, laid one of the Drakons. Firestorm's face dropped from the smile to a flat look. One that didn't show pleasure, nor pain. He slowly walked over to the Drakon in the creator the was left by the blast. With to fingers from his left hand, he could tell that Drakon was only knocked out and not dead. He let out a heavy breath.

“Good, he's not dead.” He said as his right ear flopped lightly. With a turn, he saw the other four Drakons standing around the edge of the creator. “He's alive.” All of the Drakons jumped into the air before flying down and stopping a few feet away from Firestorm.

“Why should we trust you?” The orignal Drakon said scowling at Firestorm.

“Well, you could always observe seeing his chest is rising and falling. So you know he's breathing and it's a little hard to do that if your, dead!” Storm said snapping back.

“I should break you right now.” Said one of the other Drakons.

“Well, I should call your asses out for cheating.”

“Like hell we did.” Said another Drakon. “We were told to face you from Elder Attor.”

“Oh, so this was his idea.” Storm said as his left eye twitched.

“And our bout is not over yet.” Said the original Drakon. “I need to put you down, especially for insulting Elder Attor.”

“What hope do you have to defeat me? He was the only storm dragon from the lot of you.” Firestorm said pointing at the unconscious dragon on the ground.

“Don't count us out yet you bastard.” Growled the last of the four Drakon.

“I believe that's my line.” Firestorm said before he was rushed but the same Drakon. Firestorm was caught off guard as he was impaled off center from this Drakon's horn. Digging his feet in Firestorm slid to a stop with Drakon continuing to try and push him further. “I don't think so.” He said before reaching down pinning the arms and wings of the Drakon. Then pulled him out by pulling back. Enough to point Drakon down in a front facelock and delivered a DDT by slamming his head into the harden burnt ground. With the force of the blow, Drakon's head was stuck in the ground much like an ostrich. “Two down, three to go.”

“You bastard!” Said the original Drakon as the last three took off towards Firestorm. In turn, Firestorm jumped up into the air and began to fly up towards the gathering of clouds high above. With the bleeding wound, slowed him too far down that the three dragons caught up with him. One of the dragons unleashed a torrent of frost onto Storm's wings causing them to show down. This made them unable to keep him airborn.

“Son of a bi-” Was all he got out as one of the other Drakons were able to grab him by the throat. Then proceed to fly towards the ground, with the other two hot on his tail. Storm growled as best he can as he tried to get his wings to work again. With the heavy frost on his wings, that was harder than it looked. His fire breath was out too with his throat being held tight. Which left him little options. With a flick of magic, four more sparks came off the rest of his armor as he pressed his prosthetic claw against the one holding him. He than mouth the words 'Surprise bitch!' as he released the electrical energy within him. This caused the one holding him to scream and release him.

“Brother!” Said the remaining two as they flew to catch their brother. This left Storm to plummet to the ground with a resounding thud hit the ground with the sound of something breaking to be heard for miles.

“I'm fine Scales, and Jewels,” Drakon said to the now named brothers as he hung in their arms. Since his wings were fighting his mind to work. Storm, on the other hand, was now having a hard time getting back to his feet as the wound in his stomach wouldn't stop bleeding and the feeling of a possible few broken ribs. Made it increasingly hard for him to get moving.

“Shadow, do you think you can keep them off me?” Firestorm asked as he reached into his chest armor for a different vial.

“I think so but, are we going to be alright?” Shadow asked, all while Firestorm uncorked the vial and began to pour the contents into the wounds. It began to smoke and sizzle as the wound started to rapidly shrink and scar over.

“Yeah, luckily Zecora knows her potions.” Firestorm said with a small chuckle.

“Tell me about it, what are you planning to do?”

“I plan to do a summon set.” Firestorm said with a grin.

“Clever,” Shadow said with a tone that sounded like a smirk on his non-existing face. Right then the shadows around Firestorm began to grow out. They spread out as if it was a bottle of ink that was turned over and poured out. It began to float up and surround him in a large dome. Spawning from that a large blacken figure in similar build to Firestorm. “Alright, you sorry excuse for dragons. Come get some if you think you're hard enough.” Shadow said coming out of the mouth of the shadowed figure. This caused them to look down at the figure.

“Who in the name of Shafifner are you?” Asked Jewel as Drakon was able to fly again.

“You can call me Shadowstorm. As every flame likes to cast a big shadow.” He said as he took flight and began to hover at the same height as them. All at the same time as Firestorm reached into his armor and pulled out three cards. Unnoticed by any of them was the once brighten cards began to darken. Right as the shadows around Firestorm began to creep up his legs.

“The spell card triad for you has been decided!” Firestorm said as he grabbed the first card. Right then a massive tremor of raw energy rushed through him and in turn threw Shadowstorm. This caused Shadow to turn and look at the dome.

“What the fuck was that?” Shadow asked as he looked slightly unnerved by what he felt.

“The power of unyielding might, eerie black.” Firestorm continued to say as the shadows crawled up to his chest.

“That's not a card set he's made!” Shadow said before flying down and tried to merge back into the dome. Before it flung him away as his link with Firestorm was disrupted somehow. “Stop it Firestorm!” He said as he tried to yell through the dome.

“The millennium prison, lunar white!” He continued as he threw the second card. Right as the shadows had swallowed his arms, tail, and wings.

“Stop it!” Shadow said as he continued to pound on the dome before he turned to the sky. “Get out of here. It's dangerous!” All while Jewel, Scales, and Drakon all few above.

“You must think we are idiots.” Scales said before he was cut off by Drakon.

“Something isn't right here,” Drakon said as he watched as weird magic began to spark from the dome. “Get our brothers out of here. Elder Attor didn't say anything about this.”

“But Drakon we still ha-” Jewel said looking nervous.

“Now is not the time to argue,” Drakon said snapping at them. “We will address this later, go now!” The other two siblings looked at each other before flying down to their downed brothers.

“And finally the unrelentless sleep, nightmare blue!” Firestorm continued as it was now only his face unswallowed by the shadows. He threw the last card, followed by his face being devoured by the shadows. Shadow continued to try and break through the dome. Till a crack formed in it.

“Finally!” Shadow said before focusing with both his hands on the spot. It was a few moments more as he broke through enough to barely get his head and forearm in. “Stop it you, idiot!” His words, however, fell on deaf ears.

“Arise, I summon you! Nightmare Moon!” He yelled as the three balls of energy flew right into the shadowed mass of Firestorm. Right then all of the shadows began to pull from him as if it was goo being pulled away. It impacted the dome as it began to melt away and go with it. In seconds the whole mass flew up into the air and into the cloud. All leaving Firestorm unconscious and on the ground. Shadow flew down to catch him.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Shadow said as he had melted back into a shadow and reformed back into Firestorm's shadow. After a few moments, Firestorm's natural body colors changed to that of Shadows as he began to take control and stand up. “Great, the guy is completely out of it. Fuck, Twilight's going to kill me.” He said before looking up as the clouds began to darken. All while the clouds began to funnel down. Creating a large wall of clouds began to form around the creator made from before. Leaving a darken mass from above that began to form into a semi-familiar shape. Shadow watched as the mass slowly lowered to the ground and took its final shape. Massive pitch black wings, long slender but powerful legs, teal serpent-like eyes and a massive grin filled with razor-sharp teeth. She slowly landed letting her wings spread, and all Shadow could do was facepalm.

“Will you put on some clothes damn it?!” He yelled in annoyance as his hand covered his face.

“And cover this beauty,” She said waving her hand over her newly acquired anthropomorphic form with a devious grin on her face.

“And doing the equivalent of lifting your tail for a stallion.” Shadow shot back with a flat look on his face as his arms crossed. That got Nightmare Moon to stop for a moment blushing red.

“On second thought, something tasteful would do.” She said with a flick of her horn and the shadows began to flow up her body as if it was nothing more than a waterfall of shadows. When they dispersed like smoke, to show her wearing a cloth that wrapped around her neck before it slowed down her shoulders and crossed above her ample bosom in a lunar violet fabric. Her lower half was covered in a long draping loan cloth that was held up by a lunar blue tassel belt. With the center of it has a sharp spade with two large circles cute out just a few inches from the point on the left and right side. In the center of that was the same crescent moon that adorns her flanks as a cutie-mark in a violet splotch. Which complimented her midnight black coat. Around her two hooves, she had large boots the same collar as her tasset belt, that matched with the large claw-like gantlets she had on with the crescent moon on the back of each hand. Upon her head was the similar moon helm as Firestorm would wear from time to time. She stood there admiring her new appearance. “Not bad for being a full pony.” She commented with a smirk.

“Well anthropomorphic pony,” Shadow commented looking here over with a cocked eyebrow. “How did you swing that one?”

“Wouldn't you like to know Shadow.” She said with a smirk.

“I could take a stab in the dark.” He said returning the smirk. “Since Firestorm was under a potion that changed his form. Since you re-spawned from him like that, it changed your form.”

“Clever little pony.” Nightmare Moon said slowly walking up to Shadow, almost eye level with him. She was a few inches taller than he was. “So I see that my 'sister' has you under a leash.”

“Do you mean Luna's sister?” He said giving her a verbal jab.

“Do not speak of my weaker half!” She growled.

“Why not? I mean, you are the dark side of the moon.” He said with his arms still crossed looking at her.

“Still cheeky as always, aren't you.”

“You better believe it, sister,” Shadow said eyeing her a bit more. He wouldn't be afraid to admit it, but he found appeal in Nightmare Moon's new form. Especially with his current form, it was easy to see why as some things stayed with the two of them regardless of form. “So what's your plan this time?”

“What makes you believe I have a plan?” She asked with her hand on her hips looking at Shadow with a smile across her muzzle.

“I'm not stupid,” Shadow said with a flat look. “You escape by draining Fire of his magic leaving him out cold. You wouldn't try to escape that bad unless you had a plan. So spill it.”

“Fine, I guess even 'ponies' like you can read between the line.” She said before she leaned down slightly and smirked. “I plan to rule Equestria as it's queen, and every queen needs a King.” She said leaning down showing off her body a bit more.

“Tempting,” Shadow said with a smile. “But I'm tired being on the losing side.” This caused Nightmare Moon to jerk back in a bit of surprise.

“How dare you imply I would lose.” She said growling at Shadow who raised his hand up to her sight line.

“Banished to the moon, When the girls found the elements, In the dreamscape being duped by my other half, When you tried to completely take over Storm when he snapped, and do you really think you don't have the best track record.” He said as he couldn't help but smile.

“How dare you! I will not be insulted by some upstart that thinks he my better.” She said as moved her hand in a motion like she was holding a weapon. When she swung down a scythe appeared in her hands. Shadow Storm jumped back lightly and used his wings to gently float.

“Something wrong Nightmare?” She growled at him with a look of murder in her eyes.

“Enough games Shadow.” Nightmare said as her wings flared out to look intimidating. Shadow only smiled as he held his right hand out, plum up. Within his plum, a black orb appeared and grew to the size of a baseball. He smirked as his fingers closed around the orb as dark purple sparks of energy rippled across it from time to time.

“Than I suppose we should get the game started.” He said before he slammed the orb into the ground. In seconds a large black dome grew out of the spot that the orb was slammed into swallowing everything in its path. Shadow Storm and Nightmare Moon included, with the ladder trying to fly away but wasn't fast enough. Once everything was swallowed up to them. They both noticed they were in a world of complete black. No color, no sounds outside of the flapping of wings and their breaths, and nothing else. The only out of place thing was the lighter shadows that were more a gray to them.

“A Shadow Realm spell?” Nightmare moon asked as she landed still with a scythe in hand. It glinted with an invisible light to show off the pale blue blade that curved like a waxing crescent moon. All being held in place by the more crystal-like tang and ring that had the crescent moon almost floating in it. The Snaith or staff of the weapon was a midnight blue with two blacken grips for easy handling coming off the middle and bottom of the staff.

“You could call it that luv,” Shadow said using a British slang to taunt her. “But I prefer to say that you're in my world now, not your world.” He said with a large sweeping gesture before he continued. “and I've got friends on the other side.”

That was followed by an echo of five or more voices that surrounded the two of them saying “He's got friends on the other side.” In an ominous tone. This gave Nightmare Moon a small shiver up her spine that she wouldn't tell anyone about.

“So is this all your going to do tonight, play games?” She asked as she held her weapon in her magic as she crossed her arms and gave her wings a small flap.

“Wouldn't dream of it love. I just like having the home field advantage.” He said finally standing up as the gray shadow under him faded away.

“Where do you think the shadows go to hide from the precious light?” She asked as she slowly walked towards Shadow.

“In the one place, they feel at home.” He said smirking.

“You think you have found an ally in darkness?” She said as she grabbed the upper handle and spun the scythe with a well-tone grace. “Do you even comprehend the powers you were gifted with?” She asked as she disappeared in a split second, only to appear behind Shadow as she tried to slash at him. With a flick of his own magic he sunk into the ground an appeared a few feet away from her with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face still. “The same powers I was born into.” She said as her eyes widened for a second before they returned to their normal size. “Who do you think stands against them?” Shadow shrugged wondering where this spiel of hers was going to go. “What you hold is only a fraction of their might. The same might I stand unyielding against each and every night.” She grinned as the blade of her scythe lit up in a luminous lunar white before she swung her weapon sending a wave of energy at Shadow. He stepped to the right and let it pass him. She used that time to fly up and pin Shadow against a blacken mass as she held the blade of her scythe to his neck. “You are nothing compared to them and your nothing compared to me. I know true terror.” She said grinning.

“You claim to know fear,” Shadow said not even blinking as she stared back at her.

“What?” She asked surprised and confused.

“I can show you, true terror.” He said as the once gold prosthetic was swallowed up in shadows. “Terrors unlike any you've seen.” He said as his arm to began to warp and twist into a massive draconic skull with only strips of flesh and muscles holding it together. He reached up and grabbed the scythe before it shattered like glass. “You've not seen anything like me.” With a flick of magic, the blackened world began to fill with buildings right out of the human world. Tall towering skyscrapers that could find at home in New Your, Chicago, or any other big city. It filled the space around them. Nightmare Moon stepped back to watch the once black empty world fill. Something she didn't even think was possible with a spell like this. She turned back to watch Shadow just disappear into the wall as if it was made of water. She tried to follow but found it to be solid like stone again. “What's wrong, luv?” Said the voice of Shadow as it echoed around her.

“Show yourself, coward!” She demanded as her horn lit up.

“As you wish 'princess'.” He said in a sarcastic tone. The buildings around her began to ripple as one of them began to break and crumble. Instead of falling down, however, the piece floated up and became a face. The face of Shadow Storm grinning from high above. “Is this more to your liking?” He teased.

“Show your real self coward!” She demanded once again as a torrent of magic fired up to the face looking down upon her.

“Ow!” He said as the ground around her began to form a large hand and closed itself around her. Thinking fast she took to the sky to avoid the hand, only to be struck with a bolt of magic coming from Shadow Storm's skyscraper face's eyes. It sent her into one of the builds, which turned to be a call floor. Around her stations of computers and phones sat on desks with chairs at each little cubical. “You know Moony, that wasn't very nice,” Shadow said as he looked at her from across the gap in the buildings. “But if I must come down to your level so be it.” He said as the face stopped. Nightmare Moon watched waiting for another trick. However, she didn't watch around herself as two hooves bucked her from behind, sending her into one of the supporting pillars. “I guess my aim was a little off.”

Nightmare Moon got up and turned to see Shadow Storm or well half of him. The top half was that of what she remembered, the bottom half was that closely resembled a spider if it was missing its head. That and if it's legs ended in hooves. “Enough of these tricks!” She said before flying at Shadow. With a flash of magic, she had created a blade of magic that she tried to slash Shadow with. She had managed to connect somewhat. She turned to see that he cut she had made, that would have split a normal pony in two. Was healing up, like it was just a paper cut.

“Really?” Shadow said slowly crawling towards her. “You should know better than that Moony.” He said as he held his right hand out. To have the blacken claw reform into a blade. “But if we must play with swords, then let's get on with it.” He rushed towards her using his eight legs to speed faster than the Duchess of the night expected. She only had enough time to bring her ethereal blade up to block the assault. “What's wrong? I thought I only held a fraction of their might?” He said before his front two legs raised up and bucked her knees, sending her to the floor.

“This is impossible!” She growled as she tried to get up only to have her legs buckle from under her. “What are you?” She asked as her horn lit up sending a wave of magic at Shadow. When it connected, he disappeared as if he was dust in the wind.

“Your worst nightmare.” He said from behind her, she turned to see Shadow with his arm pulled back about to strike. Before he could, Nightmare Moon's horn lit up and she disappeared with a wisp of magic that flew out of the building and out of the dome of shadows. The spider formed shadow stared quietly as it disappeared, along with the buildings and dome. Leaving him standing there as he was before the dome appeared. He took to the air a few seconds left after the wisp of magic left his sight. He flew back to Canterlot to see that the dragon siblings had all returned relatively safely. Luna on the other hoof looked a mixture of pissed and worried. She ran up to Shadow only to stop when she noticed it wasn't Firestorm's normal color scheme.

“What happened?!” Luna demanded to know.

“Before you get ahead of your self. Fire is only knocked out from mostly the fight. Speaking of which.” He said moving over to Attor. With a flick of magic, a massive hand of shadows flew up and grabbed the dragon by the neck and mouth, before he was slammed into the ground and pinned to it. “Listen to me you overgrown gecko. You ever pull that shit again and have a one on one battle be a five against one again. You will wish I end your life here an now!” Shadow growled into Attor's eyes after he had planted his hoof quite hardly on Attor's snout. “Do I make myself clear?” Attor tried to say something but with his mouth held shut, the best he could do was a small nod with his limited movement. “Good, now you don't ever show your face in front of me again or next time. I'm going to have dragon scale siding for my home.” He said before using the shadows to literally throw the two-story dragon out of Canterlot. Shadow then moved over to the five dragons that looked at him quietly. “Are you all alright?” He asked, with no hint of the anger from before.

“We are fine, what happened out there?” The original Drakon asked.

“Something that needs to be taken care of. If you need time to rest then do so and return home. I think you deserve that much.” Shadow said before he turned to walk home. Luna galloped to catch up with him.

“What happened?” Luna asked and Shadow growled as his claws curled into fists.

“Something bad, we need to talk to Celestia and let her know.” He said walking up to the castle and not even giving the night guards a chance to open it for the two of them. Magically flung the doors open and continued all the way to the main throne room where Celestia was watching over the night court for her Sister.

“Hel-” She got out before noticing who was in control. Her once smile faded before she gave Shadow a flat look. “Hello Shadow, what do I own your pleasured company?” She asked in an easy to tell 'I really don't want to deal with you' tone.

“Oh, nothing much just dark side of moon butt deciding to rear it's only head,” Shadow said using his left hand's thumb to point over to Luna.

“Dark side of moon butt?” Luna asked with a blink.

“You don't mean?” Celestia said with her eyes widening.

“No, I'm talking about the dreaded cake killer Celestia. Of course, I'm talking about Nightmare fucking Moon!” He said being a bit snide with the regent of the sun. Luna on the other hoof couldn't help but snicker a little at that.

“If it's that serious then we need to do something about it,” Celestia said as she got up from the throne and trotted down.

“The problem is she flew off into the night after I had scared her.” Shadow said before turning towards the door to yell, “Guard!” It took only a few seconds for the door to open.

“Your highnesses?” Asked a charcoal coated stallion in night armor.

“Go get Twilight Sparkle and tell her she needs to go back to Ponyville and get the other element bearers. As well as getting the elements themselves, something important has happened and we need them as of twenty minutes ago.” Shadow ordered, the guard saluted and galloped off to do so. He then turned back towards the regents of the solar and lunar bodies. “Now in the meantime, Luna and I need to go back to your old castle.”

“Why there?” Both Celestia and Luna asked at the same time.

“Because since Moon Butt forgot to pick up her toys. It left us in this mess.” Shadow said crossing his arms.

“My toys?” Luna asked.

“Your old armor.”

“Why would that be important?”

“Oh, well it depends if someone decided to completely check to see that any of the nightmare influence was still stuck to the armor,” Shadow said with a cocked eyebrow towards the Duchess of dreams. She looked confused for a moment before turning towards her sister.

“I'm confused here, how could the elements not have removed all negative influence from Luna and her armor?” Celestia asked as she came up to them.

“The same reason why I was able to break away from Firestorm for a while. The elements may be a refined version of the artifacts, but they aren't perfect. I was able to trick them by making them blunt. As for the armor, if it was made with the intent of that power to be in it. Then they are already in balance with it. Much like it wouldn't have worked on the Alicorn Amulet that Sombra made.” Shadow said rubbing the bridge of his nose between his claws. “The Elements find what's out of place and fixes it. With Luna, it was the corruption of Nightmare Moon. Same goes for Storm when he went crazy.”

“And how do you know so much about the elements?” Celestia asked giving Shadow the flat stare.

“Because I spent time reading, and since during the time between Luna's banishment and her reappearance you had ponies study the elements. The elements themselves are just tools, it's the intent of the ponies behind them that could really bring out their power. When it was you and your sister, you had a balance between you two. With Discord, you both wanted to put a stop to him. Hence the stone prison. The girls, however, the balance was split six ways. While some would see that as unfocused, the elements did not. It took into account parts of each girl. Much like the Artifacts did that created them. With their mindset in mind, we ended up with a freed Luna instead of another thousand years.” Shadow explained that had both Princesses looked with a mixture of confused and contemplative.

“If that's true then, if we blast Luna's old armor. It should get rid of the remnants of Nightmare Moon?” Celestia asked looking at Shadow Storm.

“I see somepony had figured out the hitch.” Shadow said with both of his eyebrows raising for a moment to punctuate the world hitch. “When did you figure it out?”

“A few minutes ago, but it makes sense. The Moon Helm as Storm keeps calling it still has a bit of Nightmare Moon in it. Which the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. What I don't get is why didn't she show up sooner?”

“Because of me.” Both Princesses looked at the standing dragon satyr confused.

“Mind explaining, because I'm not following.” Luna commented looking completely confused.

“Storm and I share this body. If you had to picture us as a ball. Both him and I take up the whole inside of the ball.” Shadow said using a light drawing spell to draw a circle in the air with His and Firestorm's names floating in it with a line splitting it in half.

“Then how did she influence Storm then?” Celestia asked this time.

“It's through my shadow simulations. See when I create a figure out of shadows like a copy of this body, a pony, or whatever. I have to push a bit of myself out.” Shadow explained as he drew a small section in the inside cutting off part of his half and placed it on the other side. “During that time, there is a small gap which Nightmare Moon used to get free.” He continued writing the mare's name in question in the opened section. “It's just when she freed herself. She took all the extra magic Firestorm had on hand. Which knocked him out, hence the case we are now standing in.”

“That makes some sense, but how do you know that was the case?” Luna asked.

“To put it simply, you can't possess somepony twice.” He said as his wing gave a light flap. “But now with all happening we have a wild anthropomorphic Nightmare Moon doing god knows what out there.” He continued with him pointing behind him in a general sense of the word.

“Anthropomorphic?” Celestia asked?

“Think Luna but with the body structure of me currently but still with a pony head,” Shadow said bluntly. This got both of them to look a bit worried.

“How did-”

“Potion effects extended to her through Storm.” Shadow explained cutting of Celestia. “Look, regardless of how much 'fun' it is playing twenty question with you two. We need to get this problem dealt with.” Shadow said turning to exit. “Luna come on.”

“Why me?” Luna asked before magic wrapped around her and floated her out of the room. “Hey! Let me go this instant!” This got Shadow to stop walking and turned back towards her. With a few steps, he was face to face with the moon princess herself.

“So it's fine that you all do this to Fire, but when it comes to you. It's not allowed?” Shadow commented with his left eye giving off a few ticks off annoyance.

“Yes... I mean no.” Luna said trying to back peddle a bit before she was lifted off the floor.

“You have five seconds to follow me now, or you will not like the outcome,” Shadow said flatly before dropping her to her hooves out of his magic. With a turn, he continued off down the hall. “Five,” he said as he disappeared around the corner. It was a few moments before Luna took off after him.

***---***

Shadow Storm gave a light sigh as he touched down outside of the olden castle of the royal pony sisters. The tall oak doors stood high above him as Luna touched down behind him. Her eyes looked over the ruins of the castle she had once shared with her sister before her darker side had taken control. Her eyes switched over the Shadow Storm and wondered if what he said was true. Even with the little time she had spent with him, she hesitated to deal with him. She watched as Shadow raised up one of his hooves and kicked the door open before walking in.

“Was that necessary?” Luna commented looking at shadow who ignored the question and walked on. “Hey, I'm talking to you!” She ran off to catch up with the towering figure. He didn't say anything as they pasted a few rooms leading up to the fateful tower that Nightmare Moon had fallen to the Elements the second time. The first time being when Luna was trapped on the moon for a thousand years. His horn began to glow as the pale blue shards of metal that was spread across the floor floated up into the air. With a flick of magic, the once broken shards fused back together to make the elegant regalia. In the center of the upside down flair-de-lis was the waning crescent moon. It floated over the Shadow as he grabbed it from his own magic.

“The old moon,” Shadow said as his claw ran across the pale silver moon in the center.

“The old moon?” Luna asked walking over.

“It's one of the many things the waning moon is called on earth. Different locations on earth have a different meaning. Like for one place the old moon is what winter is called when the yield of crops have been gathered and there isn't much left to do but wait.” Shadow explained as he as he made his way back towards the door.

“Is that something you and Firestorm share?”

“Depends on what you mean.”

“Both you and he explain this sense of lore from your world.”

“Well we were one when we were on earth, so it's not that far of a stretch to say that we share commonalities,” Shadow said as they walked through the large room where the pedestal that held the elements at one time was placed. Luna walked passed him as he had stopped for a moment to look over the pedestal before him.

“Something wrong Shadow?” Luna said walking back when she noticed the satyr not following.

“Is this-” Was all he got out.

“That held the elements yes, why?” Luna asked as she stopped right next to him. She watched as his hand slowly raised and began to move his fingers as if he was playing a piano. Somewhere in the castle, a large pipe organ had its large imposing keys began to be covered in shadows. Soft clicking could be heard from the keys before the large booming tones of the organ drowned them out. Luna jumped at the sound of the organ as she looked around. Shadow slowly walked towards the elements pedestal before them. He opened his mouth and began to sing.

♪♫ Can you hear, ♪♫
♪♫ a song is born, ♪♫
♪♫ It's the Ballad of the storm. ♪♫
♪♫ Thunder, Heavy Wind ♪♫
♪♫ My Song of Storms Begins ♪♫

♪♫ So be brave, ♪♫
♪♫ Play the Song ♪♫
♪♫ And a heavy storm will come ♪♫
♪♫ To Sings across the land ♪♫

The way he sang stricken a chord with Luna, as she could feel the fur on the back of her neck begin to stand on end. The once clear night sky around the castle began to slowly cover as small patches of gray clouds formed and clump together. Luna watched as Shadow Storm slowly made his way over to the pedestal all while his fingers continued to play invisible keys that rang out.

♪♫ Look at me... ♪♫
♪♫ Don't you see... ♪♫
♪♫ All the pain that's brought to me ♪♫
♪♫ Tears from my own eye... ♪♫
♪♫ Words from many cries... ♪♫

♪♫ Soon you'll see... ♪♫
♪♫ What they've done... ♪♫
♪♫ For my song has just begun... ♪♫
♪♫ Listen to my Song of Storms ♪♫

Luna's left ear twitched a little as the sounds of dissident thunder began to rumble in as a small baseline to the song that was now playing around her. The wind began to blow hard through the broken windows and hole-riddled walls. Almost to the tone of howling winds that made the princess want to stop what was happening. “Shadow please put an end to this.” She begged as she didn't like what was happening. It didn't stop him, at this point nothing was going to stop him outside of the divine.

♪♫ First some wind... ♪♫
♪♫ Then Some rain... ♪♫
♪♫ Then Lightning will strike the plain. ♪♫
♪♫ Let the thunder roar. ♪♫
♪♫ Let the lightning soar. ♪♫

♪♫ Thunderclaps... ♪♫
♪♫ You will hear... ♪♫
♪♫ Feel the raining of my fears... ♪♫
♪♫ As I play my Song of Storms. ♪♫

Just as Shadow had sung, the once far off Thunder sounded as if it was striking behind the walls themselves. High above the small groups of clouds began to gather around the castle covering the sky in a thick gray blanket, where no light could escape other than the bright flashes of lightning that rippled across it. Shadow's wings gave a flap as he flew up and stood above the pedestal that housed the elements. All while the rain-drenched him and his close. Pools of water began to spill into the castle.

♪♫ Heaven's Gray, ♪♫
♪♫ Full of clouds,♪♫
♪♫ The rain is pouring on me now.♪♫
♪♫ A thunderstorm has come,♪♫
♪♫ The Lightning has begun. ♪♫

♪♫ I succeed to ♪♫
♪♫ make it rain,♪♫
♪♫ As the light will hide away.♪♫
♪♫ As I play my song of storms♪♫

Shadow voice began to rise and almost belt out the song as his hands stopped playing the keys, but that didn't stop the music as it got louder and louder. The storm began to rage on, growing in power as if the storm had come from the belly of the wild and dangerous Everfree itself. Shadow looked up at the storm as he continued.

♪♫ Feel the rain... ♪♫
♪♫ Trickle down... ♪♫
♪♫ See it raining all around. ♪♫
♪♫ Thousand years of tears. ♪♫
♪♫ Thousand worlds of fears. ♪♫

♪♫ Thunder tears... ♪♫
♪♫ The Sky apart... ♪♫
♪♫ That's the anger of my heart. ♪♫
♪♫ This is my song of storms. ♪♫

Luna watched on in fear as Shadow didn't stop as the angered look upon his face told her that he wasn't to be stopped. Luna began to slowly step back as something in this storm had strike a primal fear in her, one that she wouldn't be sure where it came from. She watched As Shadow raised a fist into the air, almost threatening the storm itself.

♪♫ Hear me winds ♪♫
♪♫ Hear me Clouds ♪♫
♪♫ Lend your power to me now♪♫
♪♫ Roar loud with your might ♪♫
♪♫ Strike fear with your sight ♪♫

♪♫ Scream out loud ♪♫
♪♫ Make a shroud ♪♫
♪♫ Spread my anger all around ♪♫
♪♫ Share your fearsome Strength ♪♫

Her eyes flashed up to see all of the lightning that had once rippled the now monstrous storm was converging over Shadow. With a resonating boom that even some of the ponies in Ponyville could hear, an eldritch bolt struck Shadow's Fist before he looked down and pulled back. Her eyes widened past the already dinner plate size they were as she watched almost in slow motion, Shadow's fist slowly swung down and connected with the pedestal. The energy in a split second transferred to the pedestal riddling it with cracks. With a second powerful boom, this time echoed all the way to Canterlot itself. The pedestal exploded covering the room in dust, making it too hard to see. She did hear as the music began to slow down, followed by Shadow continuing to sing.

♪♫ Now you see... ♪♫
♪♫ What they brought... ♪♫
♪♫ Learn the lesson they have taught.♪♫
♪♫ I am like the storm. ♪♫
♪♫ lightning I can form. ♪♫

♪♫ The skies are calm...♪♫
♪♫ The rainbow shows...♪♫
♪♫ They forgive my actions now.♪♫
♪♫ As I end my song...of storms.♪♫

The organ held on the last word before the dust, as well as the note, faded back into the ether it had once come from. Standing before her, still drenched head to hoof was Shadow holding in his arm a rather large crystal. Once that Luna wasn't familiar with. She looked past him to see the pedestal was reduced to nothing more than rubble.

“Are you out of your mind?” Luna yelled almost going as far as to use the royal Canterlot voice on Shadow.

“It's been brought up, but never proven.” Shadow shot back with a cheeky smirk.

“What was that even for?!” She said continuing to yell as her wings flared out.

“For this,” Shadow said holding up a large midnight blue egg-shaped crystal with sparkles that looked like the night sky. All except that it looked like it was broken open to show milky white and pale blue clouds in it, but it wasn't broke at all. Turning it showed that the effect was smooth as if painted on, without it being so. “Fire is going to need this.”

“For what?” Luna asked still glaring at Shadow before her gaze dropped to the egg to give her a look of confusion.

“For the artifact of magic, come on Luna. Get with the picture, it's the only artifact that hasn't been found.” Shadow said walking past her towards the door.

“And how in my sister's name do you know about that?” Luna said appearing right before Shadow cutting him off.

“Because I've known for quite some time how to find the sword,” Shadow said flatly.

“Why did you keep something like that from Storm?"

"Why are you keeping what Celestia wants to ask Fire for from him?" Shadow countered coldly, this got the princess of the night start in shock. Her mouth moved for a few moments before words could even form.

"How... how did you know about that?" Luna asked slowly backing away from the satyr before her.

"I've known about it for quite some time, I know for a fact that you and your sister had the little talk before you sparred with him. All in the 'privacy' of your room, while you were getting ready." Shadow said walking up on her slowly. "Just like I said about how Nightmare got to Fire, I'm able to push part of myself out." He continued as Luna continued till she bumped into something. She turned around to see what looked like a dragon's head made out of shadows with two vibrant red eyes. All on a long snake-like head that spoke in the same voice as shadow. "And I'm able to interact outside of Fire's body and you think I wasn't going to use that chance to get stuff done?"

Luna looked at the head before turning around to glare at Shadow. Her mane to darken as she slowly walked towards him. Her horn a little dangerously close to piercing a sensitive spot on him. "So what? You decided to snoop around because you can't get enough feeding off of Storm?" She said as the anger had returned to her voice. "You really are nothing more than a parasite." She growled. She didn't expect to be grabbed by the neck and placed against the wall a few feet off the ground. All to be eye level with Shadow as his mane began to turn into blacken flames.

"Don't you dare call me that ever again!" He growled at her.

"And what are you going to do if I don't stop?" She said with a smirk.

"Oh, something far worse than your lack of tack. Since you've already failed at your job." He said before releasing Luna causing her to drop rather hard on her tail.

"And what do you know of my job?" She countered as she got up with her flank stinging from the hard stone and her own tail that she landed on.

"Well for some pony who is supposed to 'protect' ponies from nightmare. You've failed pretty hard since Fire has been having Nightmare for most of the time since he's gotten out from under Grimwand's hoof." Shadow growled as he was eyeing the princess with daggers in his eyes.

"Impossible, if he was then I would have sensed it." Luna shot back with a huff.

"Impossible, you mean the same level of impossible that you were locked out of Fire's dreams till you brute force your way in. So excuse me if I don't quite believe you that they are impossible. You know for the 'princess of the night' you pretty inept at it." Shadow shot back.

"If I'm inept as you say then what are you doing to help?" Luna countered.

"I'm doing what I can. Who do you think filed the guard requests for the Wyvern Guard? It sure it wasn't Storm, he was having a hard time fucking deciding without having to drag half the staff in for a sit-down." Shadow said giving her the same look.

"Why?" Luna asked in confusion. "Why go through all that to 'protect' Storm or is this your way of protecting yourself since you leech of him?" She continued as her look returned to a scowl.

"It's because I am protecting Fire. As much as you don't like to see it. Fire and I are like brothers, much like you and Celestia are sisters." He said crossing his arm as his magic held the egg-shaped gem. "And I protect family."

"Then why are you so against us then? Storm is part of our family through adoption and-" was all she got out before Shadow interrupted her.

"And the both of you have done enough shit to make me mistrust either of you. Especially Celestia." Shadow shot back as his mane flared sucking in the light left in the room.

"What did I do to make you mistrust me?" Luna shot back.

"Oh besides the whole trying to split Fire and I apart like you did, that made him have a nervous breakdown? Or how about the fact that you did nothing to really help Fire when Grimwand was messing with him for months? Maybe the fact that you lead him directly into a trap just for a fucking sword. I'm sorry Nightmare Moon, I would have to be suicidal to fucking-" Was all shadow got out before Luna blasted him with magic, causing him to fly across the room and into the wall. The resonating thud he made as he had hit the wall, cracked the wall bad enough that it went from the floor to the ceiling. Her mane was flaring out wildly as her eyes had turn ethereal white growling at him. "You just proved my point," Shadow said shaking a little as he tried to get up. The once whole piece of chest armor was now blown apart leaving a massive smoking hole as well as in the undershirt. The showing the slightly burnt flesh underneath from the smoking wound. Luna's eyes and mane had returned to normal as realized what she had done. Her hooves shot up to her mouth as she gasped at it.

"Sha- Shadow I am so sorry, I didn't mean to-" She said as she tried to move closer only to be stopped and interrupted by Shadow's hand. She stopped for a moment before her horn began to glow again. "Let me heal you." She said tentatively stepping closer.

"I will allow you to heal the wound, but I'm not accepting the apology," Shadow said rather calmly. She nods quietly as her magic begins to wash over the wound slowly and carefully as to not irritate the skin any further from the magic burn already inflicted upon it. Shadow watched her quietly for a while before turning his gaze out to the sky, the tale tells signs of the night giving way to the day was setting in fast. The light blues began to fade in from the darkening night. "I won't tell Firestorm that this happened." Luna looked up at him surprised.

"Why?" She asks looking up at him for a few more moments before she returned to healing the wounds.

"Because Fire still trusts you and wants to give you a far shot for the herd," Shadow said still not looking at her.

"But... why? I mean you told me that you don't trust me." She asked eyeing him quietly.

"As I said Fire is willing to try for you and Twilight, that's all I can really say," Shadow said and any further attempts were left to silence from the satyr.

"Thank you," Luna said after a few minutes of silence between them when she finished healing the wound.

"Don't thank me, just do better," Shadow said standing up slowly.

"How?"

"The relationship you want with Fire has to be built on trust." He said heading towards the door quietly. Luna watched him silently for a few moments before she nods quietly. With that, she followed him out of the door and into the air with an idea in her head.

***---***

The castle was oddly quiet as Twilight and the rest of the element bearers had returned. None of the normal staff could have been seen. The guards missing from their stations from the front door to the halls. Not a single pony to be scene castle wide. The fur on the back of Twilight's neck, as well as some of the other girls, stood on end.

"Twi, I'm not liking this one bit." Applejack said right next to her as she slowly trotted closer.

"Me neither Applejack. It was bad enough that I didn't get to see Storm after his fight, then just to go get you girls and the elements. I'm not liking this more and more." Twilight said adjusting the crown on her head with a flick of magic.

"I'm sure Storm kicked that whatever he fought's butt, no problem." Rainbow Dash said with a smirk as she flew in front of them with her element around her neck.

"If that was the case Dash, why did we need to get the elements?" Twilight countered.

"Maybe the Princess wants to bring them back to make sure they are safe," Dash said shrugging.

"RD and the reason all of us were dragged out of bed?" Applejack countered this time giving her a skeptical eye.

"Because we're awesome," Dash said with a smirk.

"I hope this isn't too serious." Rarity said slowly walking past the group. "A lady has to get her beauty sleep." Rarity continued down the darkened halls of the castle with the rest of the girls. Next to her Pinkie bounced on all four of her hooves much as she would normally do walking without a care in Ponyville. Dash was flying above looking around. Applejack was on edge much like Twilight as they scanned the calls and any open doors that saw along the way, which were very few. Fluttershy was just scared behind all of them and even with a few stops. Caused her to fly behind a nearby pillar in fear. When they finally got to the door leading into the throne room. They saw the door was lightly cracked up flooding the corridor with a ray of light that faded into the darkened hall. Inside a faint tune could be heard being hummed from a male voice, almost like an odd marry go round tune that Twilight recognized from Storm's music.

"Careful girls," Twilight whispered as they got closer. They couldn't see the throne through the gap. With a flick of magic, the door flew open before them surprising most of them and causing Fluttershy to faint in fright. Upon the throne, they saw Storm, but it didn't look like Storm. Instead of the bright colors that Storm normally had as a satyr. There sat the opposite, black and dark colors outside the vibrant purple that his scales shined with. "Shadow," Twilight growled as they all saw him lay across the seat, both feet up on one of the arms of the chair. His head on the other end with Princess Luna's crown on his head and Celestia's twirling in his black aura. On either side of the throne sat the princesses of the sun and moon in a quiet way. Either from being oppressed or something other of the sort. They all turned to see who entered as Shadow turned to sit correctly in the chair. He slowly leaned forward with a grin showing off his razor sharp fang.

"Hello, Girls." He said joyful tone.

-End of Chapter-

Author's Notes:

The song used in this chapter was the Song of Storms from Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. The lyrics were done with a mixture from Filip WinterTV, Game4ce, The Realm, Dakokiri, and myself. The latter four were all from Youtube. I hope you enjoy the chapter and Stay Frosty my friends.