Finally you realize your dark future my son. Finally you are capable of carrying the name of Living Shadow. Continue what I could not do. Kill the Sisters.

No. One is my mother. You are not in a position to make demands. I am Dracula, first of the Children of the Night and I expel you from my mind.

You cannot run forever. Silverdawn. Your mind will be mine and soon so will your former home. Chrysalis finally acts and takes the capital. And your only hope are locked away in Chrysalis’ new hive.

Dracula finally had enough and used his magical ability to fight away the voice of his father. He looked back at his mother’s gaze and said,”So, where do we begin here?”

Luna said in reply,”We must wait. Twilight and Rarity will soon have another nightmare and will reveal what we must do.”

Twilight and Rarity found a crevice in the castle ruins. They were in a room of what would be Princess Luna’s old room. A dark and broken room that had a single bed in the middle. The room was cracked and broken. Rarity under normal circumstances would not be caught dead sleeping on a bed like this and would rather stay up. But she was severely exhausted and needed sleep.

They proceeded through what seemed like a dreamless night. But soon they heard in utter blackness Princess Luna’s voice say,”In the dark it is you who try to find the light. Your destiny’s are being played out before you and what all you know will be set in question.

“But your home is threatened by a darkness that you have thought destroyed. And your only hope is being held away in a location unknown to you. Your answers are to be found in the past, when my children had first come face to face with the Changelings.”

It was midnight I had looked after my injured children. In the hospital of Shadow Garden and awaited the Originals to return with their scouting party. I helped as much as I could healing those that could be healed, but there was a poison to some of their wounds.

Finally after at least a half an hour Dracula walked in. His dark grey coat and jet black mane was stained in green blood that I suspected was Changeling blood. Dracula motioned for me to follow him outside. I did so and saw the other Originals standing there. Riptide, Night Dancer, and Marrok. Dracula said as he walked down standing next to the other Originals,”We found out where they have been hiding. They have a nest no more than a few miles outside of Shadow Garden. We were eventually found out of but nothing we couldn’t handle Mother.”

I greatly enjoyed the sight I beheld. I saw in front of me “pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies” getting along like family. This was a rare sight to see at the time, I did not understand my sisters concern with further dividing the three races. They had their own holidays, celebrations, and traditions completely separate from the Children of the Day.

I said in response,”Then we should gather up forces to counter these attacks. Take the initiative and take the attacks back at these Changelings.”

“My children are connected to me yes. It is how they are so powerful. But their source of power came from a well in the center of town. Every once a year they would do a ritual to keep their powers. It is known as the Ritual of the Harvest Moon. In order to find the Shadow Garden can only be found because only you two can sense the well. It is called the Harvest Well.”

Finally they woke in cold sweat and heavy breathing. Twilight looked at Rarity who did the same thing and Rarity said,”Let me guess…”

They said in unison,”Nightmare.”

They rushed outside to find the two ponies they were looking for. The dark blue coated mare with beautiful features and a mane and tail made of night itself. Also a unicorn colt the same size just more muscular, dark grey coated with jet black mane and tail with dark red eyes. Dracula said,”I take it you two know where to take us from here.”

His dark voice still struck fear into Rarity’s heart but she ignored it. He was their friend and he needed her and so did Twilight. She could not bear betraying her new friend’s trust. Rarity winced and said,”We can lead you to where we might find a way to the Children of the Night.”

Twilight nods in agreement and she summons her magic to see where they need to head to. The purple glow on her horn glowed bright and she saw in her sight where to go and she said,”Follow me.”

Luna and Dracula let Twilight lead the way through the ever thickening Everfree Forest. Rarity followed next to Twilight. Dracula said to Luna,”When do you think I will become the Living Shadow?”

“Time can only tell my son,”Luna says in response,”Your destiny must be found out in time. I have taught you all I know. My time as your mentor is over.”

There was wisdom behind her voice. Dracula knew without a doubt that he would have to decide his own destiny. He had known about Nightmare Moon, Dracula did not want an evil altered version of himself. But he felt deep in his heart that, that was not up to him.

Passing by the menacingly dark trees Dracula remembered the night him and the other Originals went to attack the Changelings. They lost many brothers and sisters that day but fought against Chrysalis and her Changelings. That was the first night that he had murdered his own kind when he used his talent. Dracula had a tear fall down his cheek and Luna looked over at him. He stared into her eyes as they continued to walk. No words were exchanged but her look said it all. She felt sorry for him.

“You aren’t worried about Dracula? But he just killed all those Changelings.”

Rarity tried to suppress her fear and thought she was doing well. Twilight did not move her head but said,”Dracula did what he did because he was trying to protect us. Why can’t you see that? You were the one who was willing to help him despite anything.”

She had not known why. It was like her mind was shadowed and all she could think about was how easily he killed those Changelings. Even after hours of fighting he started to show no signs of exhaustion. But when he activated his talent it was like another pony took him over.

Rarity shook her head and said,”You’re right darling. Let’s continue on.”

Twilight looks over at her friend as they walk on. She turns her head and looks at Luna and Dracula as they have a conversation of their own. She wondered what they talked about. Those two are probably the only ones to understand one another, both spent one thousand years alone. Twilight still could not shake her feelings about Dracula. The way he carried himself, the way he talks, the way he walks. They were as well the same person. She turned her gaze towards the dirt path they were on and she could sense the magic of the Harvest Well and knew exactly where it was.

Finally Twilight stopped and Luna said as her and Dracula approached them,”Why have we stopped? What is wrong?”

Twilight thought of something and said,”We are nearing Shadow Garden and if it is not much to ask Luna but could you and Rarity scout ahead and bring back what you see.”

Luna’s expression is unchanged as she answers,”Why of course. You only needed to ask. We shall return soon.”

Luna nods at Rarity and they wander off until their forms are no longer visible. Twilight turns towards Dracula and he says,”Something is on your mind Twilight. What is it?”

Twilight looked down and tried not to look into his eyes when she said,”I...I just...What exactly is your special talent?”

“I knew that you would ask that question sooner or later.”Dracula answered as he walks into a beam of moonlight,”My talent is absorbing the energy from unicorns or any other magic infused creature. It is just when I absorb a mass amount of it when I become unstable and uncontrollable. I always never use it unless I know that there is no other way.”

Twilight could not help but feel even more closer than ever before to Dracula. Dracula lowers his head in shame and Twilight says trying to comfort him,”This time you didn’t go crazy and kill everypony. You saved me and Rarity’s lives. You don’t need to be so hard on yourself because of this.”

Dracula turned his head away from Twilight and said,”I appreciate the kind words Twilight. But that doesn’t help me control my talent. And I never will, that’s that. Please I do not wish to relive this conversation ever again.”

Dracula walked away from Twilight. She wanted to stop him but they just continued to walk. Continuing with a heavy silence

“Seriously Spike! I know that they are up to something or doing something totally awesome. Just tell me.”

Rainbow Dash strapped Spike to a chair and was interrogating him in the Golden Oak Library. Spike shivered and said,”All they told me was that they were going to Canterlot. Honest Rainbow! Just untie me please!”

Rainbow Dash looked deep into Spike’s frightened eyes. She saw his fear and said with a long sigh,”Fine. But you’re going to help me find out what they’re up to.”

Rainbow Dash unties the bonds around his claws and his chest. Spike gets down from the chair and says,”Man, why am I the one always getting interrogated.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and said,”Anyway...do you know where they’re actually going?”

Spike thought for a moment. He began to recall the conversation that Rarity and Twilight had the morning before. Spike said out loud,”Hmm...well I did hear them say something about going to the Everfree forest. Maybe they went there?”

Rainbow turned away from Spike and thought. She could not think of anything that would draw them there. Literally nothing she thought of would draw them there. Twilight was a book worm who would only be drawn there for research. And Rarity had no reason to be in there, facing danger was not exactly one of her strong suites. Dash drew out a heavy sigh and turned back towards Spike and said,”Looks like we are heading into the Everfree Forest.”

Spike swallowed back the lump in his throat and began to start to sweat and visions of horrific scenes entered his mind. And none of them involved them returning safely. Spike was never cut out for adventuring, especially not with Rainbow Dash. This would be a new experience for both of them. And not a good one.

Princess Celestia awoke with a start. Her golden serene eyes staring up at the dark room in the Canterlot Castle. She was a rather tall white pony with large wings and a golden crown and golden regalia. Looking into the night she heard the sound of burning buildings and the smell of smoke. Celestia sprang out of her bed and looked out of her balcony, revealing a sight she thought she would never see.

Buildings on fire, ponies being slaughtered in the streets, and smoke rising in the air. She could see the blood pouring out into the streets. It stained the streets as they poured into the sewers. She looked and saw what the invaders were and a wave of shock blew to her. They were twisted and malformed versions of Changelings, dark energy enveloping off of them and glowing red eyes.

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she closed her eyes to not look at the horrifying sight. Then she slowly opened them and put on a face of rage. Squinting her eyes she jumped in the air and flew off through the smoke clouds. She sped fast to her sister’s room, she would need her to help take back the castle. Celestia slowed and stopped on the balcony. Moving past the thin curtains that blew in the wind. When she entered she saw that it was empty, nothing. Celestia was about to break down in rage when she took a deep breath and activated her magic. With her horn glowing bright yellow she could sense all the magic left behind. She sensed her own magic, Luna’s, and another dark power that was vaguely familiar. It felt like Luna’s magic but was more abundant and more unpredictable.

The doors into Celestia’s Sister's room burst open with one of the royal guards, Emerald Masquerade. As he broke through the threshold he said,”Princess Luna the castle is under attack and...Oh Princess Celestia where is Princess Luna?”

Emerald stood at attention. Through his armor you could see his dark green coat and his dark purple eyes. He was a unicorn and was a personal friend of Shining Armor, he was as a matter of fact the commanding officer of the Unicorn regiment. Emerald proved to be a valuable Royal Guard, equally if not more decorated than Shining Armor. And was also the best stallion at the recent royal wedding.

Celestia carried the same serious look she usually carried in a time like this and said,”I came here to take up arms with her and gather the remaining citizens and royal guards and escape the castle. But it seems she is MIA. While we are on the topic, where is Shining Armor?”

The questions hit Emerald hard and lowered his head as he said,”He and his regiment has been captured by Queen Chrysalis herself. I tried to go and save him but I couldn’t risk you or Luna getting captured or risking the eradication of my regiment.”

Emerald always had great leadership qualities and Celestia admired him for that. His face was changed to a face of sorrow and depression. Celestia walked closer to Emerald and laid her hoof on his shoulder and said,”There was nothing else you could have done, you did what you are in this position for. You should not blame yourself.”

“But at what cost Princess,”Emerald intervened,”I have just lost pretty much my brother.”

Celestia lifted up his head and said,”But I need the Emerald I remember and help save the ones who we can save.”

Emerald adjusted himself and stood at attention and put a fierce face on. Seeing Emerald do that brought new found hope in Celestia’s eyes. But she began to think that maybe this might be the end of Canterlot and that her sister might be dead for all she knew. So many scenarios entered and exited her mind, leaving behind a series of emotions. She shook herself and noticed that Emerald was unmoved from his previous stance.

He awaited his orders and Celestia said,”Round up the remaining Royal Guards and gather as many citizens as you can find. Meet me at the secret exit in the throne room in about twenty minutes. Dismissed.”

Emerald said no words, and his face was fierce and determined. He saluted and left the room in a dash. Celestia was now once again alone in her sister’s room. She wanted to fight, she knew how, but she did not want to undermine the Royal Guards. But she feared soon she must fight once more. She went out on the balcony and closed her eyes as a breeze blew past her. She shot her eyes back open when she heard the familiar voice of Living Shadow,
I will arise again.

Celestia’s heart raced as she spun her head left and then right looking for the source of the whisper. She calmed herself down as she said,”Oh sister. Where are you?”

If Living Shadow were to rise again, she would need her sister. She now knew that these great shadows were only beginning. First Canterlot, and then Ponyville.

Author's Notes:

Again I apologize for this chapter taking so long. Here is Chapter eight Shadow's Blood.