Shadow wasted no time charging Paths after declaring his intent. He charged the other guard as fast as his legs could move him to use any surprise he might have.

Shadow was able to close the distance before Paths could give another swing, but only partial succeeded. Paths was able to move his hands to allow a faster shorter swing with his weapon when Shadow collided with him.

Paths was able to keep his right hand wrapped around the wood while his left was forced away to try and brace against the fall, allowing Shadow a fraction of a second to use.

After the two guards stopped their fall Shadow moved to assert his dominant position. Shadow gasped his left hand around the right elbow of Paths to limit the use of the hammer while he straddled Paths.

Even before Shadow had full control of Paths he swung his right fist as hard and fast as his body would allow smashing into Paths' head.

Paths' head snapped to the side from the blow and as he centered his head, a blow just as vicious contacted with the same results.

Shadow got a third blow in before his forth was stopped by Paths' attack.

Paths gave a fast powerful knee into Shadow's back causing the pain already present to intensify.

Shadow reacted with instinct and used the blow to stumble forward over Paths to escape another blow.

As the former pegasus steadied himself on his feet Paths hurried to his own feet to turn the favor of battle back to him.

Shadow was turning to face his foe when the next attack came.

Paths used a one hand swing to hit Shadow again in the back before Shadow started to turn.

Making a snap decision move to push the blow aside with his left forearm.

The two guards forearms smashed into each other allowing Shadow's armor to spread out the impact, while Paths gave a painful grunt.

Shadow brought his arm back in as he stepped forward with his left foot as he twisted at his hips to help drive his fist into the stomach of Paths.

Much as Shadow had done Paths was able to steer the blow away as he twisted his body resulting in the punch missing.

As Paths finished his twist the traitor guard saw Shadow was attempting to keep his balance after missing his attack.

Seeing Shadow off balance and exposed back Paths capitalized on the opening.

Moving much like a baseball hitter Paths was able to once again smash his weapon into his opponents back.

The hammer hitting caused a loud metallic snap to shatter the silence of the night as the armor plate gave.

Shadow gave a shout of agony before the snap disappeared into the wind and was driven to the ground.

As his head bounced on the concrete Shadow's world for a what appeared to be hours but actually only a second was nothing but red fury and white pain.

Paths took that second to step to the downed guard and heel stomp Shadow's back resulting in one of the broken edges of plate to cut into flesh.

“Why it appears that the quality of the Princess' personal Guard has drastically fallen since my departure.” Paths spoke down to Shadow with arrogance and condensation, before grinding his heel in.

Shadow screamed through clenched teeth from fury and pain before speaking.

“Yeah, it made a traitor.” Shadow's voice carried the fury and pain he felt. Paths gave a sneer at the comment before applying more pressure.

“I don't like that word, it's to harsh. I like to think I aggressively pursued a promotion in a new ruler's guard.” Paths told Shadow with a twirl of his free left hand.

Shadow gave another shout as Paths spoke and caught a glimpse of Twilight and friends chasing the crown before giving a pained laugh.

“Yeah, don't think the boss is going to give you promotion.” Paths quickly narrowed his eyes in confusion before speaking.

“I don't know who your 'boss' is nor really care since I'll be working for the Bearer of the Element of Magic very soon.” Paths told Shadow who had been able to turn his head to look up.

Shadow gave a harsh laugh that quickly turned into coughing before he spoke again.

“Jokes on you, I already work for her. So application denied.” Shadow said before flashing a smile full of bloody teeth and madness.

Puzzlement flashed over Paths face as he tilted his head to the side before anger replaced it as his head snapped to Twilight.

Shadow thinking he had a opportunity took it. Rolling to his onto his side he swiped his legs towards his body catching Paths single remaining planted foot.

The action wasn't without consequence as the roll drove the metal a fraction deeper.

Pushing through the pain Shadow scrambled to reach Paths before he could recover.

Paths instantly regretted being distracted as he fell and felt the end of his sledgehammer hit the ground before him driving it from his grip.

Shadow was to focused on Paths to see that he had dropped his weapon and repeated his actions from before only positioning himself to use his weight to prevent Paths legs from moving.

It was only after straddling him that Shadow saw he didn't need to worry about the weapon. As a result he wasn't prepared for the upcoming punch.

Paths punch caught Shadow under his jaw and snapped his head back but failed to dislodge him.

Shadow didn't bother to control Paths hands or arms, he simply forced his own hands forward to grab his target.

The second Twisted Paths took to realize Shadow wasn't following normal fighting techniques cost him as he threw another punch.

Shadow didn't care about the blows to his jaw or head, he only wanted to crush the throat of his enemy.

The injured guard clenched his fingers around Twisted's throat as hard as he could with a cruel smile of enjoyment.

Twisted quickly started to panic and his blows became wild and weak as his mind rapidly clouded and his body began to jerk unwillingly before he blacked out.

Shadow saw and felt his enemy go limp but didn't loosen his grip, it only drove him to squeeze harder as he started to violently cough.

As he held his grip Shadow paid little attention to what was going on around him and what little he did was dismissed.

It was when he heard a buzzing and teal light that he turned to see what was happening with Twilight.

Shadow saw Twilight and her friends staring up at the source of the light and noise coming to the conclusion that Sunset Shimmer had gained control of the crown.

Letting go of Twisted Paths Shadow let him drop to the ground as he stood up with difficulty to move to Twilight's side to protect her.

Half way to her Sunset Shimmer appeared from the teal pillar an a delighted laughter descended from above.

Shadow saw she had grown on size while acquiring wings that gave the image of a twisted pegasus.

'At least she doesn't have magic.' Other Shadow voice weakly carried through the rage and pain only for Sunset Shimmer to start using magic.

She turned the two kids from the library into smaller versions of herself before turning to face Shadow's direction.

“So Twisted wasn't able to handle the reject,” Sunset commented as she looked at his body before looking at Shadow, “How would you like to take his position as my personal guard as the newest ruler of Equestria? You seem much more qualified.” Shimmer posed to him as she extended a hand to him.

Shadow gave the same bloody mad grin to Sunset before he spoke.

“I already got the job, so you can piss off.” Shadow answer through his coughing.

“Fine. Then deal with the consequence.” Sunset Shimmer calmly stated as her hand glowed with twisted magic.

Shadow knew he couldn't move fast enough to avoid the spell and could only throw his arms up to shield his face.

However the magic didn't hit Shadow, it moved pass him.

Shadow instantly knew what was going on and only hoped that it hit a corpse as he turned back to look at Twisted Paths.

When the magic cleared from where he lie Shadow had put himself into a defensive posture, even though he knew it would be futile.

Twisted Paths suddenly snapped back to awareness with unfathomable power flowing through him, it was powerful enough to clear the headache he was suffering through.

When his vision cleared he was able to see that his hands had been replaced by claws and was floating in the air much like a pegasus would.

Flexing his claws he focused on his magic to pool around his claws to see if he could access any.

When dark amber magic began to pool Paths gave a victorious laugh before letting it disappear.

“Well, looks like we will be having a second round Walker.” Twisted stated as he planted his feet on the ground being uneasy with flying.

“This time however, I've got my magic back and you have no chance.”

“Pff, oh no, a unicorn hopped up on magic what ever will I do? This is the worse thing I've ever had to stare down...,” Shadow spoke with labored breaths and sweat rolling off his face.

“Oh, wait it isn't. It was the two alicorns that I faced and walked away from without a scratch.” Shadow added with smugness and confidence clearly stated in tone and posture.

Twisted didn't truly believe what he had heard but a part of him knew it was true from how Shadow was holding himself dispute his injuries.

Shadow saw the doubt and hoped to Harmony it was enough to keep Paths from acting or be overly cautious if he did.

For several seconds the two guards made no movements and listened to Sunset Shimmer explain her intention with the students.

Before she continued Twisted decided to attack. Without using his wings he started to rush Shadow.

Before he reached striking range Twisted infused his claws with magic, which Shadow was able to see.

Shadow knew it wouldn't be good if those blows hit and would have to avoid or block.

Twisted's was cautious with his first two punches that Shadow was able to block using his forearms. Unfortunately, this time hitting the metal plates didn't phase Twisted but did Shadow.

The force even spread through the plates brought sharp brief flashes of pain that Shadow couldn't hide from showing on his face.

Seeing this drive Twisted to increase the speed and power behind his punches to overwhelm Shadow.

Shadow was able to keep pace with Paths and block, dodged, or deflect what was thrown at him but it didn't stop the pain from lessening.

For almost a minute the stalemate between the held before Shadow slipped.

When he heard Sunset threaten to kill Twilight he started to turn to help before he could stop himself.

Seeing the mistake Paths took another step towards Shadow to grab him.

Shadow felt as if liquid fire had wrapped itself around his throat but wasn't actually burning as it squeezed. With the little movement he had left with his head and neck he was able to find the source.

“Now I'm going to return the favor you kindly gave to me. Any last words?” Twisted asked as he loosened his hold on Shadow's throat enough to let him speak. After a few short violent coughs he was able.

“That all? Knew you were a bitch, can't even beat two alicorns with all that magic and gave me even a tiny little scratch.” Shadow mocked as he tried to pry the hand around his throat off and after coughed blood on Paths face.

“Let me fix that.” Was all Paths said as he brought up his free left hand. Slowly closing his finger he kept the index finger extended.

“One tiny little scratch coming up.” He stated with humor and pride in his voice as he placed the claw against Shadow's forehead above his right eye.

Paths the slowly pressed the claw into flesh before dragging it even slower down Shadow's face.

Shadow didn't scream until the claw reach his eye. Shadow's scream drowned out all the noise and voices in the area. The pain and suffering in his voice didn't register with him, he thought someone else was doing it even through the trauma.

Shadow only stopped when Twisted Paths stopped after reaching below his eye. Replacing the scream was labored difficult breaths and deep violent coughs.

“There one tiny, little, scratch. What do you have to say now Shadow Walker?” Paths mocked with glee in his voice, he wasn't expecting the answer he got.”

“Thank you Sir! May I have another!” Shadow shouted with glee and madness with laughter following.

Paths paused as he watched Shadow and wondered what was wrong with the guard.

“Since you asked so nicely and seemed to enjoy the last one so much I will grant your request. First I want to know what you think that you will gain from it.” Twisted Paths answer Shadow's request with his own.

“What I've been gaining this entire time of course.” Shadow babbled out with a air of disconnection in his voice and not expanding the answer.

“Enough of your madness. You must have known you could never beat me in this form, so what did you gain?!” Paths demanded as he lifted Shadow higher into the air.

“Yeah, I knew and never planned to win. Just been gathering all the time.” Shadow restated with a smile and cough looking at Paths.

“Gathering what?!” He demanded quickly digging his claws into Shadow's neck to draw blood bringing another rough coughing laugh.

“Time.” The single word left the traitor guard lost as he didn't understand what the time was for.

“FOR WHAT!?” Paths shouted with growing impatient with fear at the edges. When he finished with the demand Paths saw an explosion of colors from in front of him causing Shadow to respond.

“That.” Paths instantly understood Shadow's plan when he heard the word and the following laughter. Before Paths could speak again Shadow spoke again before the two were struck by a rainbow.

“I win.”