Far, far away, in the darkest corners of Equestria, Tartarus was pacing around his Castle made of his shadowy magic.

“Hmm… I need those Elements of Harmony! It’s my key to rule! I can almost smell the throne!” Tartarus spoke in his deep voice, hands emerging from his dark body.

Shadow Rain was lying down next to Tartarus’ throne, reading a black text book. He wasn’t really interested in his master’s ramblings ever since that day.

“I’ll need to get inside their heads!” he yelled, his eyes suddenly widening from what he said. He had come up with the perfect idea.

“Of course… Inside! Why didn’t I think of this before?!” he realized, his body beginning to glow and change form. Shadow Rain looked up at his master, his expression slowly showing fear.

“If I want the Elements, I’ll just take them from under their noses…” he muttered, slowly going into a roaring laugh.

----

Gadget was busy working on another invention as he always did, until he heard a knock at his door. Since he was under his mechanism, he couldn’t check who it was.

“Come in!” Gadget yelled from under his work, which looked similar to a flying contraption Pinkie owned.

He heard the door open and heard the voice of Twilight Sparkle.

“Hey Gadget, I think you should come down to Ponyville. You’ve been inside of your house for days. Maybe you could go for some cupcakes…“ Twilight stopped, seeing his flying machine and giving a perplexed expression.

“Is that Pinkie’s?” Twilight asked which Gadget used his back hooves to slide out from under his invention.

“What do you mean? I thought this up myself. Look at the originality! All I need to do is test run it, then I’ll be sure to impress everypony with it!” he said with confidence.

“Umm, I’m pretty sure Pinkie Pie already made something like this.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Yeah, I saw Pinkie fly around Ponyville with it.”

Gadget sighed and then stood up on his hooves.

“You have got to be kidding.” He muttered; surprised somepony already beat him to the punch.

“You can even see for yourself when we get to Ponyville.” Twilight offered, making Gadget clop past her, heading outside.

As he stepped outside, he said “Well then, we shall! Come on!”

----

Down at Ponyville, it was busy as usual. Everpony was minding their own business, until they noticed somepony enter the Town Square, grinning and posing like he was the center of attention.

The new visitor had a dark blue coat with Pegasus wings and a horn, red eyes, and a black, long mane. He looked at the ponies around him.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I… Am Night Shade! The most dashing and, dare I say, handsomest pony in this pleasant town.” Night Shade introduced himself, giving a wink to Roseluck, making her swoon and faint from his looks.

----

Rarity looked at the crowd, trying to pass them. It was tough to see, so she had no choice but to make the ponies in front of her move out of the way.

“Excuse me! Sorry.” Rarity said, squeezing past the crowd. She reached the front of the crowd and noticed Night. She was confused why everpony had their attention on him. That’s when Night saw her.

He trotted towards her, yanking her and holding her with his front hooves.

“Well, hello. You must be the most beautiful flower in this field of roses!” Night said, smiling at her.

Rarity blushed lightly from his words and said “Oh please. You flatter me, dear.”

Night put her back on her hooves, smiling away.

“We must get to know each other. Perhaps a lovely dinner later?” Night suggested.

Rarity gasped. She never was asked such a question.

“O-Oh, I don’t know. I-I’ll need to find a dress to wear and I’ll need to style my mane.” Rarity said, fumbling on her words.

“Please… Take all the time you need. Perhaps we will meet sooner than you think.” Night Shade said, opening his wings and flying off into the sky. All the ponies then began to speak to one another about the pony.

Rarity blinked a couple of times, trying to gather her thoughts. Was it all a dream to her?

----

Twilight and Gadget arrived in Ponyville, entering her house.

“Alright, you can borrow one book before I show you Pinkie's invention. Then I’ll need it back tomorrow, okay?” Twilight said, as they both entered the library.

“I’m glad you saw it my way.” Gadget commented, looking at the books on the shelf as Twilight opened a book already on the floor and continuing where she left off.

“I don’t know how ‘for the greater good’ is a plausible reason…” she muttered, beginning to read her book.

As Gadget was busy looking through the books, they both heard the door open to see Spike enter, looking kind of grumpy.

Twilight looked at him with a smile and said “Hey Spike. Where were you?”

“Did you see that new pony in town?” Spike asked, walking past Gadget and crossing his arms.

“There’s a new pony in town?” she asked.

“Yeah, but he’s such a jerk!” Spike stated.

Gadget joined into the conversation, asked “Why is that? What’s his name?”

“His name’s Night Shade. The nerve of that guy! What does Rarity see in that pony?” he continued ranting.

“Why are you so concerned?” Gadget asked, Twilight looking at Gadget with a “isn’t it obvious?” expression, making Gadget nod in realization.

“It’s just… Something about that guy rubs me the wrong way. He’s got red eyes and a black mane. Plus, how many ponies do you see with wings and a horn? He looks too perfect.” The purple dragon stated.

“Another Alicorn, you say? How many are there?” Gadget pondered to himself.

Twilight became curious about this Night Shade and asked “Do you think we should spy on him? That seems pretty intrusive for somepony new here.”

Spike gave a huff and said “Well then, I’ll just do it myself!”

Surprisingly, Gadget became interested in a little spying on a suspicious pony.

“I’ll join you. I really have nothing else to do, so…” He offered, making both Gadget and Spike leave Twilight’s house in a march. Of course, Twilight sighed and shook her head.

----

Night Shade looked at the town from the sky, standing on a cloud. He growled at the ponies wandering below, the puffy cloud he was standing slowly starting to turn a dark gray.

“I hate these ponies… They’re so happy and brightly colored.” Night said to himself, the cloud continuing to turn darker and darker until it was completely black.

“I want those Elements as quickly as possible and then I’ll get out of here. Just focus and keep your anger under control until I have a chance to snatch them from their tiny little hooves.” Night assured himself, getting off the cloud, changing it back to normal and landing at the entrance of the Carousel Boutique, seeing Rarity in the window.

“Now… I’ll take hers first. She can easily fall for this disguise anyway.” He said, chuckling to himself and approaching the door.

----

Spike and Gadget peeked around the corner to see Night Shade enter Rarity’s house. Spike squinted in jealousy and said “Come on. Let’s see what he’s up to.” The two of them slowly sneaked up to the Carousel Boutique’s door, Spike climbing on top of Gadget to see through the window.

“What’s going on?” Gadget asked, ducking his head so Spike can see. From what Spike could see, Night Shade and Rarity were just talking and oddly, laughing.

“I don’t know… I still don’t think he’s what everyone else thinks. We should keep watching him.” Spike suggested.

----

“Well thank you Night Shade. I try making the best dress for everypony in this place.” Rarity said with a smile.

“I am impressed Rarity. Never have I seen such impressive craftsmanship in all my years.” Night said, faking a grin, but he turned his head slightly towards the door, seeing Spike in the window. His face showed irritation for a moment before smiling at Rarity.

“If you’ll excuse me a moment, dear. I think those two are eager to meet me.” He said, approaching the door, making Spike and Gadget back away slowly.

----

As soon as Night Shade opened the door and stepped outside, closing the door behind him, he looked at both Spike and Gadget.

“I’m sorry, but I’m very busy. Now if you would please, shoo.” Night demanded, hinting a tone of hostility in his voice.

Spike crossed his arms and said “Don’t think you can trick me! I know what you’re up to Night Shade.” He noticed Night’s eyes widen for a moment before he acted nonchalant again.

“I have no idea what you are talking about. Now, you should really be on your way.” Night said, stepping closer to them.

Spike and Gadget stood their ground.

“We don’t trust you for a minute. The only ponies with horns and wings are Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Eternal Rain. So how come you appear out of nowhere? I’ve never heard of you before.” Spike said.

Night Shade looked around to see no pony was looking. Quickly his front hooves changed into shadowy hands, grabbing Gadget and Spike and quickly using his magic to make them fall asleep.

“I think you should rest. When you wake up, it’ll be too late. I’m certain of that.” Night Shade said, his real voice speaking to them.

When they both were out of it, Night Shade looked around once more just to be sure and put Spike and Gadget in barrels behind a building, just to be sure they would catch sight of him.

“How convenient…” Night Shade commented, before going back out into the street, whistling lightly.

----

Twilight finished reading her book and closed it with her hoof, standing up and using her magic to put it back in the shelf.

Strangely, she felt a chill in the house. She looked around, feeling as if she was being watched now.

“Twilight… Twiiiiiliiiiight!” The voice called from behind her, causing her to look around quickly. She started to back up slowly.

“If this is a prank Pinkie Pie, you got me.” Twilight said, continuing to see where the voice was coming from. Suddenly, Shadow Rain emerged from a corner that was luckily covered in shadow, making Twilight gasp, but then getting ready to use her magic on him.

“What do you want? Trying to cause trouble?” Twilight asked.

Shadow Rain shook his head immediately and he said “No! Please! Listen to me for a moment Twilight.”

“Why should I? You tried to hurt all of the ponies here!” she recalled, her horn beginning to glow.

Shadow Rain sighed and explained.

“Things have changed for me… Ever since that day where I split apart from Eternal Rain, I felt… warm and regretful for what I did instead of cold and viscious. I don’t know what happened, but I can’t use my powers for darkness anymore on anypony. It wouldn’t… Feel right.” Shadow Rain said, lowering his head and for a moment, Twilight felt sympathetic for him.

“I see… And no matter where you master goes, you are doomed to follow.” Twilight added, which he nodded and looked at her.

“That’s why I’m here. The new pony named Night Shade isn’t all who he says he is. He’s actually my master in disguise. You must get him to reveal himself to everypony. If his plan to steal the Elements fails, he will retreat.” He said.

Twilight tilted her head in suspicion and asked “Why are you telling me all this? Why do you want to foil you master’s plan?”

Shadow Rain averted eye contact and said “Because I already told you. I’m not the same anymore. Please, you have to trust me. Stop him from stealing the Elements and show them what he really is. That is all I can say. I have to go before he senses my presence.”

And with that, Shadow Rain vanished in puff of black smoke. Twilight pondered about what he said and decided to look for Night Shade.

Next Chapter: Chapter 11: Foiled! Estimated time remaining: 24 Minutes