It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Zikel and the girls finally met up at the train station to head back to Ponyville. They all said their goodbyes to Cadence and Shinning Armor. Zikel however, was quiet and kept to himself. He was the first onto the train and claiming his spot furtherst away from the group. Its not that he didn't want to be near them. But considering that he revealed everything that happened between him and the changelings, well...he didn't want to talk about it. His dark side's words haunted his mind over and over. He gazed out the window as the train started moving going into a far off memory from his childhood.

"Now remember my son, once you start studying this form of magic, there can be no turning back. Shadowmancy is alive and developes within a person. As if having another soul within your body. but one that is created through shadowmancy and becomes one with you as your skills develop. Its...a symbiotic relationship so to speak.

"I see...so if I remember correctly, it like one can't live without the other?"

"That's right Zikel. You must be the one to lead it along, otherwise it may get out of hand. But you my dear boy, have nothing to worry about. Your heart is strong, and your mind is sharp. You won't let it take you over. I have faith in you my son. And I know you will do your old man proud."

"Father, where did shadowmancy originate from?"

"Well Zikel, there is many origins that the form of magic came from. But the legend goes, that the first shadowmancer offered his body and soul to the shadows themselves, as long as he lived, they would bend to him, do as he wished, anything the caster could conjure in his mind, the shadows would will it. But when he died, he would have to return to them. And pass on to another shadowmancer. But since this style of magic has developed over time. We have found a way to...escape the rules of the old ways. Thus when we die, we can still move on. As will the one that manifests inside of you when you die."

"I see...then I will do my best to be the best shadowmancer ever father. You will see!"

"Thatta boy Zikel. I know you will be a powerful one. Even more so than me."

His memory is cut short do to someone poking at his arm, he comes out of his zone out to look over and see Rainbow Dash sitting across from him. He simply turned his head away from her.

"Ah, yes Twilight said you wanted to speak with me. What is it?"

"Well..I um..listen Zikel. I want to talk to you about why I have been so cold to you. I-"

"I know the whole story Rainbow Dash. But it didn't give you the right to blame me for something another creature did. It's not fair to me."

"I know...and I want to say I am really, really sorry for how I treated you. I know its not your fault. When you showed up, I instantly thought you were going to be trouble. But....it turns out you are a pretty okay guy, I just wanted you to know I take back everything I said...Please forgive me Zikel..."

He turns his head slightly to gaze at her.

"I accept your apology. But you will not get my forgiveness so easily. For you will never understand the feeling of losing those you love. Twice. Maybe in time, I will forgive you. But not now."

She frowns, but nods to him.

"Fair enough..alright. I will just leave you be then."

As she walked away, Twilight came over and sat next to him and placed a hoof on his shoulder.

"Zikel..I-"

"Twi, that's all she is getting from me for now.I accepted her apology. That's a start. But like I told her, she will have to earn my forgiveness. Simple as that."

"I know Zikel..I just wanted to say thank you. You are at least taking the initiative. And that makes me happy."

She said as she nuzzled up close to him, resting her head in his lap. He reaches down and begins running his claws through ehr mane.

"So your home show be finished by the time we return huh?"

"It depends on how hard they have been working. Why, you eager for me to move out?"

"Well..that's the thing...I will be sad to see you go. I enjoyed your company over the time you have stayed with me and Spike. Especially those late night cuddles while I read."

"Oh Twi, I would be happy to come by and stay over every now and then if that would make you happy. Its not like I am moving the Canterlot you know."

She giggled and looked up at him with those big purple eyes. He ran his claws through her mane more, getting a few coos from her.

"I don't know why you are here Zikel, but I am really glad you are."

--Next Day, Ponyville--

Zikel was on his way to check on his home. He and the girls parted ways at the train station. As he walked up to the large stone structure, he noticed there was no one there. he walked into the see his home was...fully furnished with the things he had asked for, and the underground had been fully finished and furnished as well. He could have sworn it would have taken longer than the time he had been gone. He was gone for only four days. SO how was it done so quickly? When he walked back up to the ground floor, he noticed a scroll left on the counter top with the royal seal on it.

"Of course she would have. Why does she do these things for me? Silly mare."

He opened up the scroll, it read:

To my dearest Zikel,

Word of your heroic deed has already reached me and Lulu here in Canterlot. This letter will reach you way before you return to your home. Which I have enlisted the help of a few carpenter ponies from Canterlot to aid the current ones working on your home. I know you don't like it when you are given things for free, but humor me this once. This was a gift from me and Lulu to you. We miss you dearly, and hope you return home safely.

Yours truly,

Tia

Zikel gripped the paper in his hands, not out of anger but in..well he wasn't sure what he was feeling. Why did these creature shower him with such praise after what he did? And what is even more strange, Celestia and Luna aren't phased by what they had found out. Sure he saved Cadence from the changeling queen. But you would think in such a colorful and...cheery world such as this. there was peace all over. Boy was he wrong.

"I don't deserve all the things the ponies do for me. Its not that I am ungrateful...I really am. I just don't understand why. Do I have trouble with accepting happiness when it is given to me out of fear of something coming to take it from me? Do I have to worry like that in this world?"

"That is exactly the case, Zikel. You fear happiness above all things due to your past. This is something you need to break away from.otherwise it will not only ruin you, but the others around you as well. I am saying this for both of our benefit. I may be your dark side. But I am a part of you. And despite how I want your heart to become filled with darkness, I also want to enjoy happiness as well. Its...hard to explain.."

"I understand what you are saying. Well, its my fault for taking up shadowmancy and bringing you within my mind. You got landed with someone who wants to keep those close to him safe. Sorry about that."

"Honestly Zikel, I admire you for that. You are willing to kill anyone who gets in the way of that. and you do it so brutally. And when its all said and done, you go back to the way you where, you feel regret for what you have done, but you don't let it hang over your head. A killer with remorse is quite rare. My last master was just a heartless bastard who didn't care at all. I enjoyed it very much, but at the same time...it felt...empty. Like nothing in all the world could satisfy me. But your relationship with the girls and the two royal sisters. I hope you maintain it for all your life."

Zikel arched a brow

"Who are you and what have you done with the other one?"

His darker image chuckled lightly.

"Amusing."

"I thought so to."

Zikel rolled up the scroll and tossed it onto the counter. He went back down to explore the rest of the underground portion of his home. It was exactly as he wanted it. Even down to the secret exit behind the library fireplace. Just like he had back home when he was younger. He finally head back upstairs, he hears a knock at his door.

"Come in."

The pony that entered was Twilight, she looked around at everything the was in the room, she shook her head but smiled.

"With this small fortress you got here...ponies may get the wrong idea."

"Well, let them Twi, but it keeps the sun out. Torches are enough light for me. Want a tour?"

"Yes please!"

She said with excitement, running to his side as he begins to show her around the ground floor, then the rest below. Of course, the room she loved the most was his small library. Eyeing the books that princess Celestia had so generously donated to fill up his shelves. He had a lot of reading material, no question about that.

"Well Zikel, it may be dark and gloomy for me, but it definitely suits you."

"Thanks Twi. You are welcome to come over anytime. Should you get lonely."

"You as well mister. Don't be a stranger. I need to head back. Me and the girls are going back to the castle to discuss a friendship issue that has come up. We may be gone for a few days."

"Geez, first Cadence calls us out now you may have to leave again? You hardly get a break don't you?"

"Comes with the responsibility of being a princess. Anyways, take care Zikel, be safe."

"You as well, all of you."

Twilight closed the door as she left. but this time, it was late into the evening, the sun had fallen and the moon and stars had come out to play. He lets out a long yawn, seeing the large bed that fit  him nicely and walking over to it, faceplanting into the pillow, falling asleep nearly instantly Next Chapter: Act 17: More Time With The Royal Sisters Part 1 Estimated time remaining: 53 Minutes