Shadow looked around her at the downed guards. “I’m sorry.” She told them and took a few steps while spreading her wings but heard a gasp before she could take off.

“Shadow?” Minako asked as she and Lyla Firecracker ran down the street looking for any helpless ponies though they couldn’t move too fast as Lyla Firecracker was still recovering.

“Shadow?” Lyla Firecracker asked Minako as she tried to figure out how her friend knew the Shadowbolt even though the mane and tail were the only thing exposed.

“Damn it.” Shadow muttered as she folded her wings in and turned to face them. “Heya, Minako.”

Minako froze in place, stunned by the fact she had guess right. “You’re a Shadowbolt? That doesn’t seem possible.”

“It’s true.” Shadow admitted. “I didn’t want you to ever find out.”

“So instead I find out in the worst possible way.” Minako exasperated. “I thought hearing things from random strangers was bad, but to lie to me and then I find out the truth?”

“Minako, what I told you was true.” Shadow lifted her goggles. “It was just a certain point of view.”

“A certain point of view?” Lyla Firecracker asked, still confused by the entire thing.

“Was anything you told me true?”

“The village that took me in had an underground complex ran by the Shadowbolts, which is where they healed me. The lightning that struck me had been intended to warn me to stay away except I got struck and needed their attention to live.” Shadow paused as she realized she was rubbing her tattoo. “It really was thanks to your tattoo that I remembered who I was.” Shadow was forced to duck as Kitsune flew overhead before righting herself and skidding a little across the cobblestone.

“Shadow.” Serenity Dreams said calmly as she regained her breath, catching the other mare’s attention. “We’re your only family. Unless they join us, fight our enemies.” To everypony else, Serenity Dreams’ voice remained the same but to Shadow, the voice took on a sweet tone. She flew upwards to avoid Kitsune, which led to another chase.

“Yes, Serenity Dreams.” Shadow nodded as she had a sudden desire to protect her partner in crime. Drawing several shadows to her, she then made shadow wolves appear surrounding her before she took to the sky.

“How are you feeling, Lyla?” Minako asked while keeping her attention between Shadow and the wolves.

“Better than when you found me.” Lyla Firecracker replied as the wolves closed in.

“Think you can handle them by yourself?”

“Normally I’d have no problem, but right now… I’ll do what I can. Why?”

“I want to find out the entire story from Shadow.” Minako admitted honestly as she raised her right foreleg to the sky. “Come forth, Ryuseioh!” She called out willing the tattoo to come to life. It gave a silent roar before flying off leaving the outline behind. Half a second later, Minako jumped onto Ryuseioh’s back and flew up to meet Shadow.

“Okay, now that’s cool.” Lyla Firecracker commented before returning her gaze to the wolves and pulling out her fireworks.

High above Canterlot, Kitsune and Serenity Dreams continued to fight. They had briefly saw the barrier cutting off Luna, Fainthoof, and Spitfire from the rest of the world. “If you were this weak back then, it’s no wonder she won.” Serenity Dreams taunted.

“You weaklings wouldn’t live to see the second night.” Kitsune countered.

“Oh really?” Serenity Dreams dropped the illusion spell revealing her bat pony form. With a shriek, she shot towards Kitsune.

Kitsune hovered and stopped Serenity Dreams before Feral Lupus completely took over. “Yes, playtime’s over.” Swiftly, she back hoofed Serenity Dreams hard enough to cause the bat pony’s head to snap to the side.

“Bat pony versus were-pony.” Serenity Dreams jammed her hoof into Feral Lupus’ stomach. “Let’s settle this once and for all.” Both cried out as they fought, all thoughts of holding back instantly vanished with both knowing the slightest mistake could end them. Ten minutes later, the two were locked in a stalemate when Serenity Dreams looked over Feral Lupus’ shoulder. “Great. I can see what's happening."

“What?” Feral Lupus asked, not risking a chance to look behind her.

“Those two don’t know it yet.”

“What the buck are you talking about?”

“We’ll be down a member if she keeps this up.” Serenity Dreams growled before getting ready to raise her voice. “Sha-”

Feral Lupus took a chance and head-butted Serenity Dreams in the muzzle. “You’re not hypnotizing her again.” She scowled.

In a different part of the sky, Shadow fought Ryuseioh and Minako, both mares seemed reluctant to do any damage to the other. So many things to tell her… Shadow thought as she flipped herself over using the momentum to slam her rear hoof down onto Ryuseioh’s head.

She’s holding back… Minako thought as she was suddenly flying downward towards the ground. Willing Ryuseioh back up, she struck Shadow with the tail before it roared ready to attack again. As Minako came back around, her head exploded in pain and her left fore-hoof shot to rest above her left eye as it closed while she tried to block out the pain. “I can do this.” She hissed through gritted teeth as her tattoo began filling itself in at a faster rate.

Shadow disappeared for a moment and reappeared behind Minako. “It’s only because I love you, that I’m doing this. Don’t come looking for me.” Shadow smacked Minako on the back of her head before the other could turn around.

Minako cried out as her vision swam from the blow and suddenly felt her rear legs drop as she was suddenly only being supported by Shadow and Shadow only. She looked at her tattoo only to find it filled itself completely back in. “Don’t drop me.” She pleaded.

“Promise you won’t look for me.” Shadow demanded, praying that she wouldn’t have to drop Minako.

“I love you. Why wouldn’t I-” Minako’s breath hitched as she felt herself drop an inch. “-okay, okay, I swear I won’t look for you.” She cried out and clutched Shadow’s fore-legs.

Shadow kissed the spot she had hit. “I’m sorry.” The moment Minako’s hooves touched the street, Shadow shadow hopped away.

“Shadow.” Minako lamented and rubbed the back of her head before getting tackled by Lyla Firecracker as several small explosions went off around them.

“Whoo hoo! Lyla is best pyrotechnician pony!” Lyla Firecracker cheered before the shadow wolves emerged, missing pieces of them but still alive. “You’re kidding me.”

Minako tried summoning Ryuseioh once more but her head gave another sharp stab the made concentrating difficult and now that she had been given a chance to recover, she found it took most of her strength to stay upright on her hooves. “Let’s take these beast.” She told Lyla Firecracker, who nodded in agreement despite both of them ready to fall over.

Paige opened her eyes when she heard a dull thumping sound of several things hitting something solid and noticing the small hexagonal shapes on the golden brown walls.

“I may have been half way to Fillydelphia, but did you really think I wouldn’t make it in time to save my daughter?” A beige earth stallion with blue eyes and a drab brown mane said.

Paige quickly pulled back as she looked up to see Dr. Hooves leaning against one of the six coral pillars as he gazed down warmly at them. “Dad?” Paige suddenly looked away to hide her blush at the position she had been caught in.

Blue Jay wasn’t sure where to look first, but she looked between Paige, Dr. Hooves, and back to Paige. “Dad? You mean Time Turner is your father?”
Paige looked at Blue Jay and sighed. “Blue Jay, meet Dr. Hooves a.k.a. Time Turner a.k.a., my father. Dad, this is Blue Jay.”

Dr. Hooves ran down the ramp that led towards a set of doors but turned at the last second before rushing over to join them and shaking Blue Jay’s hoof excitedly. “Please to meet you!”

“Likewise.” Blue Jay said as she still shook her hoof after Dr. Hooves stopped and was already heading back to the center. Embarrassed, she lowered her hoof and followed Paige up the ramp. In the exact center, stood a console with a clear column surrounding several small cylinder tubes inside.

“Like the time rotor?” Dr. Hooves asked as he saw Blue Jay looking at the column. Putting a hoof around her shoulders, he led her around the console to where three chairs rested and let her sit on them.

“Where am I?” Blue Jay asked looked from the console’s many buttons, levers, and switches to Dr. Hooves.

“Inside my ship, the TARDIS.” Dr. Hooves said happily as he swiveled the view screen around to watch what was happening outside, which showed the Shadowbolts trying to get through an invisible barrier around the TARDIS.

“That what?” Blue Jay asked Paige, hoping to get a clearer answer.

“The TARDIS. It stands for time and relative dimension in space.” Paige elaborated. “Basically it can travel through time and space.”

“So if we wanted to, could we go back and warn the princesses about the attack?” Blue Jay asked slowly as she was still trying to wrap her head around everything.

“Unfortunately, we can’t.” Paige replied and sat beside Blue Jay. “If we did now, it’d cause a paradox.”

“A pair of ducks?” Blue Jay repeated, saying what she thought she heard, earning a giggle from Paige.

“No, silly. Paradox. If we warn the princesses and we leave for the fight, would the fight truly happen? And if the fight doesn’t happen, then what’s the point of going back and warning the princesses?”

Blue Jay just looked at Paige for a moment. “Oh no, I’ve gone cross-eyed.” She shook her head and resolved to not think about that. “I’ll leave the timey wimey stuff to you.”

“Don’t worry about it too much.” Paige watched Blue Jay relax a little when she said that before looking at Dr. Hooves. “Is there any way you can help us out?” She hated the fact she was asking him for help, but at the moment she couldn’t see any other way.

Dr. Hooves paused and sighed. “I probably could find a way, but it would take time.” He suddenly stood up straight before rushing away further into the TARDIS.

Blue Jay suddenly face hoofed. “Why didn’t I make the connection before? Paige Turner, Time Turner… wow do I feel dumb.”

Paige slid off the seat and walked over to the console and fiddled with a few of the knobs locating their friends. “Don’t worry about it too much, Blue Jay. I would have denied it if anypony asked rather than finding out the way you did.” As each of their friends appeared, it was clear the battle was wearing them down and both were surprised to see Minako fighting alongside Lyla Firecracker. “Well, our friends are doing seem to be doing okay for the most part.” She added but knew it’d be a matter of time before exhaustion took over completely.

“Paige.” Blue Jay asked quietly, glad her friends were alright. “Why don’t you like your father?”

Paige sighed sadly. “That’s not something I can share right now. I promise to tell you one day.” She was glad the display screen didn’t cast her reflection and wiped her eyes before Blue Jay could say anything else. At that moment, Dr. Hooves returned carrying a small chest.

“I nearly forgot about these.” Dr. Hooves said as he opened the box to reveal six bracelets, stone grey in color with a larger circle in the middle surrounded by five smaller circles.

“What are these, Time Turner?” Blue Jay asked as she picked up one of the bracelets, it feeling warm against her coat.

“Please, I prefer the Doctor, or Dr. Hooves.” Dr. Hooves said as he set the chest on the console. “Far as I can tell, they’re bracelets that I was planning to give to Daring Do but… momentarily forgot where I put them.

Paige closed the lid and saw some old writing that looked nothing like she had ever seen. “Can’t the TARDIS translate this?”

“It’s been trying to, but so far she hasn’t been having much luck.” Dr. Hooves said before Paige gasped.

“It just did. ‘Elements of Friendship’.” Paige read and glanced at Blue Jay, who had the bracelet around her right fore-leg.

“Maybe it just needed to be worn?” Blue Jay asked before trying to shake it off to no avail. “Oh please don’t let this thing be stuck on me for the rest of my life.”

“Great job, Blue Jay.” Paige muttered as she playfully rolled her eyes and tried to get the bracelet off but had no better luck. “This is why we don’t usually put things on we have no idea what they do.” Her hoof brushed against all six circles at the same time causing the bracelet stone grey band turn to silver as well as the lid to snap open and the other five bracelets rose up. One flew onto Paige’s foreleg as the other four headed straight for the door and only because Dr. Hooves clapped his hooves together, it saved the door from having four new holes in it.

“What just happened?” Blue Jay asked as Paige tried to remove her bracelet.

“I think you two have been chosen.” Dr. Hooves said closing the TARDIS’ doors. “After they were activated, the TARDIS registered a great power from them. If you can find where the other four went, you may be able to save everypony.”

“Quick, Blue Jay, what were you thinking at that moment?” Paige asked putting her hooves onto Blue Jay’s shoulders.

“Our friends, and how much I wanted to help them.” Blue Jay replied as she looked at the display showing Harmonious Flash as one of the bracelets found her. Paige spun around and started fiddling with the controls before swinging the display monitor towards Dr. Hooves.
“Please, can we go there?” Paige asked softly.

“Where are we going?” Blue Jay asked.

“To the throne room of the princesses. I have a feeling that’s where he’ll be.” Paige said referring to Frost Aura. “If we can stop him, then chances are the other Shadowbolts will retreat.”

“To the castle.” Dr. Hooves said as he dramatically pulled down a lever. “Allons-y!”

Frost Aura hovered a couple pony lengths off the ground before landing and walking up to the throne sitting in Celestia’s seat. He honestly couldn’t have asked for a better chance, his Shadowbolts kept everypony occupied and with both sisters away, he just walked right in. Sure there had been a few guards, but they had quickly departed. Lounging across the throne, he watched as shadows swirled around before taking on the form of Luna.

“You dare to sit in my seat?” Luna asked, except it was clearly the voice of Nightmare Moon.

“Only to keep it warm for you, my Queen.” Frost Aura stood up and bowed.

“I have waited an eternity for this.” Nightmare Moon stepped towards the throne as a whooshing noise could be heard causing both villains to look towards the sound as the TARDIS materialized in a corner of the room and walked towards the sound. “Who dares interrupt my ascension?”

“Ascension, Nightmare Moon?” Dr. Hooves asked as he, Paige, and Blue Jay stepped out. “This is bad comedy more like.” Both Paige and Blue Jay looked back at him, both surprise he knew who the Luna figure really was.

Frost Aura smirked as he pulled out a special blade where he had it tucked in his wing. “Actually, you mean my ascension.” He said from behind Nightmare Moon and stabbed her with the blade causing her to cry out. “I would have never followed you. And now, with your power, both sisters will be disposed of quickly.” He sneered as the shadows were being absorbed by the blade.

“You’ll never fully defeat me.” Nightmare Moon growled as she fought to keep herself full but was soon losing. “Traitor.” She finished as her essence was fully absorbed.

Frost Aura looked at the trio darkly. “It’s time. My reunion, is to die for.” He plunged the blade into his body laughing as he took on Nightmare Moon’s power. He grew taller as dark armor swirled into place and upon spreading his wings, they easily rival Celestia’s in length. With a cry, some shadows swirled around his head before creating a jagged horn and his teeth grew sharper, which was made evident by him laughing. Channeling the darkness into the horn, he blasted Dr. Hooves back into the TARDIS before teleporting it somewhere.

Blue Jay and Paige threw their hooves up and found the bracelets generated a shield to protect them. However, hearing the TARDIS doors slam shut, they turned in time to see it disappear. “That’s impossible.” Paige muttered and looked back at Frost Aura, despite all her instincts screaming at her to run.

“Do you like this form?” Frost Aura laughed darkly. “The two of you against me. Surrender now, and I’ll spare your lives.”

“Somehow I doubt you will.” Paige said as she put a hoof around Blue Jay’s shoulder to show they had each other and help her calm down, something Blue Jay was grateful for.

“I suppose you have an entire army to stop me?” Frost Aura asked with amusement in his voice and took a step closer, the shadows spreading every time one of his hooves touched down. “I can tell you’re scared.”

“Yeah, of course I’m scared.” Blue Jay began quietly. “Right now, there might be two of us against an alicorn when we couldn’t have hoped to fight you before hoof.” As she went on, her voice started getting stronger, more confident in tone. “But you forget, it’s not just two of us. Out there, our friends are still fighting and I know I wouldn’t be able to face them later if I just let you have your way.”

“Seriously, what can you do to stop me?” Frost Aura asked. “The princesses are occupied, there are no more Elements of Harmony, the princess of friendship and her friends are trapped at the crystal empire, and by the time the Wonderbolts get here, it’ll be too late.” He gloated. “On top of that, your friends are still out there, not here.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, I have faith they’ll be here.” Blue Jay said as she took a couple steps forward, slipping out of Paige’s leg and took a deep breath. She wasn’t quite sure where the feeling was coming from, but for some reason it felt right.

“Harmony, she represents hope. Even when her debut song didn’t do well, she held on waiting for a chance to let her true talent shine and she got it.” Somewhere in Canterlot, a green column of light shot into the sky.

“Minako. Last we knew, she was still in Neighagra Falls yet she somehow found the willpower to join us here.” A pink column of light shot up.
“Lyla. Sometimes, we just need to have fun and forget our troubles for a bit.” Near the pink column, a yellow column light shone in the darkness.

“Kitsune and Feral. They would have to represent love, both the kind and the obsession that goes too far.” Blue Jay shivered as the memory of that night started to resurface but an orange column shone brightly as if pushing that dark thought away.

“Paige, without a doubt is the element of time.” Behind Blue Jay, Paige was enveloped by a grey light. “The patience required to deal with me was something that I value. But also, without give time, friendship can’t grow.”

“Lastly, after that even.” Blue Jay swallowed. “I had to learn how to trust ponies again and I’m glad I did because I wouldn’t be standing here otherwise.” When she finished, a blue column of light shone around her. When the lights faded, Blue Jay, Paige, Kitsune, Lyla Firecracker, Minako, and Harmonious Flash stood near one another. All six looked worst for the wear but at least they were together, including Kitsune and Feral Lupus sharing the body once more.

“Impossible.” Frost Aura growled looking at the six after lowering his hoof. He suddenly laughed loudly. “Even the six of you won’t be able to stop me. I’m well rested and can call upon the shadows where as you miserable lot look like you’re ready to fall over.”

Blue Jay heard her friends’ voices and she turned to face them with a smile. “Hey girls.” She held up her hoof showing the bracelet and the other girls did the same. “I’m so glad you were the ones that received them.”

Paige’s jaw dropped. “What? You said you were thinking about us when that happened.”

“I was. But I didn’t know the bracelets would listen to me.” Blue Jay replied, it was then there was a small feeling in her mind that it was time. “Trust.” She said simply as the circle in the middle was filled by a blue crystal.

“Hope.” Harmonious Flash said calmly, despite not being there for Blue Jay’s speech, somehow she felt that was her element as a green crystal filled in the middle.

“Love.” Kitsune followed with an orange crystal appearing in the center of hers. Meanwhile, the three colors began flowing around the six starting to create a barrier and when Frost Aura saw what was happening, he sent several shadow spikes towards the girls.

“Willpower.” Minako added while the center of her bracelet was filled by a pink crystal.

“Fun.” Lyla Firecracker couldn’t help but to giggle as a small portion of yellow light crystalized into the center.

“Time.” Paige finished as a grey crystal appeared in time to create a barrier that stopped the shadow spikes from hitting them. With each of their colors in the center, the colors shot out and connected all six bracelets before the other crystals filled the remaining five circles. As the light show faded and the barrier dropped, all the girls felt better.

“Well girls, ready to save Canterlot?” Blue Jay asked.

“You bet.” Lyla Firecracker grinned.

“Yep.” Minako agreed as Kitsune and Harmonious Flash nodded.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Paige smiled.

Blue Jay turned around and face Frost Aura. “Are you sure we don’t stand a chance?”

Frost Aura summoned six shadow spikes to pierce them from their very own shadow except they all dodged and charged towards him. He did his best to keep all six in front of him, but with Harmonious Flash, Kitsune, and Blue Jay flying around, he soon found himself surrounded so when he aimed for one, the others would attack. Eventually, he got fed up and summoned his energy before blasting it outward in a dome sending all six girls slamming into the walls as every window shattered. “That was a fun workout.” He said summoning magically enhanced shadow bindings around their hooves, wings, and neck before he willed them to get tighter.

Blue Jay panicked as she felt the shadow bind her around the neck and tried to fly away but her wings had been bound to her side. Quickly reaching up, she tried to pull the collar away and in her frantic state, she brushed against her bracelet as pure energy washed over her. Spreading her wings, she rose above the ground while the rest of the girls did the same. “This ends now.” She said as her friends floated over and nearby, all six radiating energy and they collected as much as they could before launching it outward sending it through every street of Canterlot.

Frost Aura watched the magic coming towards him and he prepared to counter with his own shadow magic, not expecting to feel Nightmare Moon’s panic from the time she had been forced from Luna’s body. With a growl, he send several shadow waves towards the girls only to find the light energy destroying them as it progressed his way. Realizing he wouldn’t win, he shadow hopped seconds before the wave would have hit him as he shook off the odd feeling that he wasn’t going to live.

As the magic left the castle, the six girls collapsed to the floor and saw over turned thrones. “Did we do it?” Minako hesitantly asked.

“Is it really over?” Kitsune said as she took full control of her body as the light energy had injured Feral Lupus as well.

“We… we did it!” Blue Jay shouted after a moment when it was clear they were the only ones there and the others cheered before falling over backwards or onto their side breathing hard as the extra energy the bracelets had provided suddenly left them. As exhaustion over took them, the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon as the girls fell asleep.

Fainthoof stumbled to the limp form of Spitfire. He had saw the wave coming towards them but he hadn’t been able to do anything as he had been recovering from the explosion of shadow energy. Thankfully, Luna had shielded Spitfire with a wing. “Spitfire?” He asked as Luna removed her wing and he gently shook her.

“I had hoped it would be enough.” Luna panted as she looked down at Spitfire.

“It can’t be.” Fainthoof prayed that it wasn’t the case but when he used his magic to pull the pendant away, it slipped right off.

“Fainthoof, I’m sorry.” Luna said before there was a cry of pain as Frost Aura appeared down the street.

“Damn you bitch.” Frost Aura growled as he tried to stand. His Shadowbolt uniform has been ripped to shreds while the armor cracked and fell apart. Even though he had thought he’d be safe in the shadows, the light penetrated and hit him until Nightmare Moon’s –and his– pain had become unbearable. Hearing hooves against cobblestone, he turned his head to see Fainthoof walking towards him with a purpose. Damn it, why won’t you move?

Did you really think I would let you live after what you pulled traitor? Nightmare Moon questioned. You didn’t absorb me completely. I’ve been limiting your power this entire time because when I decide to take over Equestria, it won’t be with your help.

Fainthoof stared down at Frost Aura and brought his tail scythe to rest against the Shadowbolt’s neck, sending a very clear warning the pegasus shouldn’t attempt to fly as Frost Aura had been spreading his wings. “I’ll admit. I’m glad the girls didn’t kill you.”

“If you kill me, you’ll never learn how to remove your pendant from Spitfire.” Frost Aura taunted trying to buy himself time to fight Nightmare Moon.

“Sorry about your luck, this is my real one.” Fainthoof pointed to his pendant that he had swung around his horn. “Even if it wasn’t, there’s no way I’d believe you after all the shit you put me through.” There was no drawback or special flair for Fainthoof wasn’t about to risk Frost Aura gaining the chance to fight back and Fainthoof guillotined the blade through until it hit the cobblestone. Pulling the blade out, he wiped Frost Aura’s blood off onto the ex-Shadowbolt coat before hearing his name.

“Fainthoof! Come quickly!” Luna called out as she watched Spitfire twitch and convulse. Fainthoof reached them and held Spitfire down so she wouldn’t risk hurting herself.

Spitfire hacked several times before she coughed up a pool of liquid black shadow and her body calmed down while Luna dispersed the shadows. As they were both distracted, neither of them notice shadow separate itself from Frost Aura’s body and melt into the shadows.
Fainthoof removed his hold on Spitfire now that she laid prone on the ground. “Come on, Spitfire, you can’t die on me now.” He said before leaning in to start CPR.

“Kiss me right now and I’ll kick you into next week.” Spitfire muttered as she opened her eyes to see Fainthoof’s lips inches from her own. Reaching up, she weakly pushed him away and he offered no resistance. “What happened after we saved you?”

Fainthoof let himself be pushed away, glad to see Spitfire was awake. Without thinking, he scooped her into a hug happily and all right in the world… until Spitfire started beating on his back so he let her go. “You’re alive, and the pendant is off your neck.”

Spitfire reached for her neck and found her hoof rubbed only her coat before she looked up to see the pendant around Fainthoof’s horn. “That’s the one that I wore all this time?” She asked and Fainthoof nodded. “So then, it’s finally over?”

“It is.” Fainthoof asked and paused for a brief second. “Unless you want to be my marefriend.” He offered, knowing that she would know about his feelings for her.

Spitfire stared at him. “I… don’t know right now, Faint.” Indecision shone through her eyes before she looked down and rubbed a fore-leg with her other hoof. “Faint, it’s too soon after everything I… that we… went through. I need to know where I stand with my feelings.” She sighed and looked up at him. “I promise, I’ll give you my answer one way or the other soon.”

Fainthoof nodded. “That’s fair.” Though his expression was neutral, he couldn’t help but to feel a bit disappointed but he wasn’t going to push it.

“Commander Soarin.” Luna greeted as Soarin did a less than graceful landing and laid before them for several minutes trying to catch his breath. When he could, he sat up but kept his head hung low.

“Spitfire.” Soarin started and pulled his goggles down before looking at her with watery eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not going to like this am I?” Spitfire didn’t have to ask, she could read it in Soarin’s body language.

“Silver Lining… He turned the tide of the battle but at the end, he… he…” Soarin had to take a sharp intake of breath to give him enough strength to finish the sentence. “…died.”

Spitfire felt her blood run cold as she listened to what Soarin said. “But… how?”

“Shadowbolt managed to sneak up behind him and stab him when they began retreating.” Soarin explained.

Spitfire turned but before she could say anything, she felt Fainthoof wrap himself around her before they shadow hopped straight to the academy.

Luna sighed after Fainthoof and Spitfire were gone. “Commander Soarin. Rest for a few seconds, then prepare yourself.”

“Prepare myself for what?” Soarin asked trying to ignore his aching wings but like most stallions, he didn’t want to do anything about them at the moment.

“There is no way you can fly back, I will teleport you.” Luna said hiding the fact it would call on the very last of her magic to do so. When a few minutes longer had passed, she teleported him further up the street. Gritting her teeth, she activated the spell again making sure to teleport Soarin back to the Wonderbolt academy and as she finished, she collapsed to her knees panting heavily.

Author's Notes:

Disclaimer: I don't own My Little Pony, Hasbro does.
However, I'm pleased to say I do own Blue Jay, Paige, Harmonious Flash, Kitsune/Feral Lupus, Lyla Firecracker, Minako, and Shadow.

Also, the Shadowbolts named here are mine as well.
Fainthoof is used with permission from Damien, a good friend of mine.

As always, constructive criticism is welcome. It'll help me to improve my writing and seeing what people liked. Also, please let me know if there's anything you like about the story.