Now that I’ve explained how it started, let’s get back to our protagonist, shall we? We last left Fluttershy as she fled from Ponyville, en route to Canterlot to meet with Princess Celestia. Of course, she wasn’t the first one that day to go to the castle. However, she was the only one not infected by the Shadows to go to the castle.

Fluttershy kept her eyes glued to the world below her as she flew as fast as she could. She scanned for any pony that wasn’t already taken by the Shadows. Maybe she could save them… Just the thought of being a heroine made her shiver in fear. She never would have guessed she would be left alone, without Rainbow Dash or Rarity by her side. She knew that whatever was happening in Ponyville must have reached other areas as well.

Keeping that in her mind, she wasn’t surprised when she saw the chaos and rubble that was once Canterlot. She slowed her pace as she approached the city, once again keeping an eye out for any other normal pony. As she flew overhead, the ponies below her stared up at her, giving the evilest glares they could. They didn’t attempt to attack her. They didn’t try to possess her as they had the others. They just watched as she flew through the busted front gate of Canterlot Castle.

Fluttershy decided it best to walk through the castle, so as not to draw too much attention from the inhabitants. She noticed they were all just like Pinkie Pie had been. Their irises faded, their pupils large, evil grins covering their faces. She continued to trot through the corridors, searching for Celestia’s chambers, hoping she would find a shining light, instead of a dark shadow. She swallowed the lump in her throat as her fear began to settle in.

With each step she took, her nerves got worse and worse. She wanted nothing more than to go home and stay safe in her house. But she knew that was impossible. There was no safe place now. She continued along her way, ignoring the sneers and laughs of the possessed ponies. Finally, she came to a large, wooden door. She knew immediately that this was Celestia’s chambers, and swallowed her fear once more, throwing open the doors with all her force, eyes shut tightly. She couldn’t bear to look at whatever awaited her.

“Ah, so you’re the pony my minions have been going on about, eh? Kinda cute, if I do say so myself…” A stallion greeted her with a hollow, sinister laugh.

Fluttershy’s eyes darted open, and she scanned the room in front of her for everything she could find. Her eyes first caught on the stallion who had greeted her. His eyes were similar to the other possessed ponies, but there was a greater sense of evil in them. She then noticed something that sent her heart to her throat: The bodies of two familiar alicorns lying on the floor behind the stallion.

Fluttershy’s voice squeaked uncontrollably as she stuttered, “P-Princess C-Celestia?! L-Luna?! Wh-what happened h-here?” Her knees began to buckle, but she caught herself and cleared her throat. She looked directly at the stallion, “Who are you?”

The stallion replied with a chuckle, “And such a majestic voice, to boot! Heehee, I’m almost glad you’re immune… Nonetheless, your precious princesses are no more. Though I do feel I’m in need of a better-suited body. Perhaps Celestia’s will do? Or maybe Luna’s? I always did like black better than white. What do you think, Flutter-”

“Who…are…you?” Fluttershy demanded.

The stallion sighed, and took a few steps closer to Fluttershy. He smiled as he said, “My name is Feilbach. I am the King of the Shadows. And this…is my world now.” His voice suddenly grew even more eerie than before. Fluttershy’s knees finally gave out on her at the sound of his evil voice.

She struggled to stand back up, but it was to no avail. Feilbach proceeded closer to her, all the while admiring her qualities. She finally managed to squeak, “Why are you d-doing this?”

Feilbach replied bluntly, “Because it’s fun. Besides, payback is a bitch, right?” He laughed once more, realizing he was being impolite to his guest. “Heehee. Guess I should complement your courage, Fluttershy. You truly are brave to trot up in my castle and question my motives.”

Fluttershy finally managed to stand up. She screamed at him, “How dare you do this to my friends!?” Suddenly, Feilbach lunged backwards, taken aback by this sudden burst of anger.

He then laughed, “Dear sweet Fluttershy, anger doesn’t suit you. You’re too beautiful for anger. Wouldn’t want a young grey mane to ruin your beauty, would you?” He stepped backwards, standing behind Luna’s body. “Behold, as I, Lord Feilbach, dispose of this useless stallion’s corpse and take on a more appropriate form!”

Fluttershy watched as a gigantic black ball of smoke ripped itself from the stallion’s chest and flew into Luna’s nostrils. In an instant, the stallion disappeared into thin air, and Luna came to life. Her pupils were identical to the stallion’s…

Luna’s body adjusted itself to the new soul, and Feilbach cried, “Ah, much better! More power! Less limits! An alicorn beats a regular pony any day!”

“Why are you doing this?” Fluttershy asked again, nearly in tears. She couldn’t accept the horrible truth in front of her.

“I enjoy this. It’s been millennia since I’ve been able to do it. Stealing souls, feeding my children… I love it! The Shadows love it too…” Feilbach laughed, his voice becoming deeper than before.

Fluttershy held in a sad moan, the sound of Feilbach’s voice causing the fear in her heart to increase tenfold. She stamped her hoof and screamed, “What the hell are you?!” Her own mind was confused by what she had just said. Such vulgar words she had never been tempted to use before. What was happening to her?

“Anger truly doesn’t suit you. Your words ring hollow. Your curses are blank. You are too pure for your own good, my pony. I can see how you are immune. Dear Princess Cadence was almost immune. But her hatred for the Changeling Queen allowed me to take a hold of her. But you hold no hatred. How can this be?” Feilbach raised his front hoof, examining his new body carefully, checking for flaws. He was nonchalant about the whole ordeal.

“Ca…dence? She’s gone…too?” Fluttershy’s anger subsided, making room for renewed sadness.

A voice sprang up behind her, startling her out of her sorrow. It sounded gentle, “Of course not! Don’t let his lies get to you!” It was Cadence’s voice, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Another voice followed, “You have to leave now, Fluttershy! You have to save yourself!” Shining Armor’s voice rang out in the empty chamber.

Fluttershy scanned the room with her eyes, looking for any sign of the two ponies who had spoken. She couldn’t see them, but their voices rang with an echo of truth. They were themselves, or so it seemed. That comforted her either way, as she stepped backwards toward the door. In a split second, she broke the silent stare of Feilbach, and darted toward the door.

“Uh-uh-uh. I’m not finished with you, my little pony…” A black substance shot from Feilbach’s new horn, and suddenly the room was covered in the black smoke. All the exits were blocked and sealed. Fluttershy was stuck in the room with this monster and his victims.

Feilbach conjured a silver orb from his chest. The orb shined brightly like a mirror, and Fluttershy could see her reflection in it. Distracted by the glow, she didn’t even notice the black gunk engulfing her body. It consumed her, all the way to her head. It wasn’t painful, nor was it uncomfortable. It was only meant to hold her still. Feilbach carried the orb over to her. She was soon staring herself in the face.

“Wouldn’t you like to see what happened to your precious Princesses? Sol, Luna, Love…such a beautiful triad, eh?” Feilbach laughed as Fluttershy was pulled into the silver orb.

“See you soon, my little pony…”

Next Chapter: Chapter 3: The Busted Triad Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 37 Minutes