It had been a couple of days since Silver's assault. While Eric had recovered from the wounds inflicted upon him, Pinkie Pie was still recovering, and the others were constantly checking on both of them.

Which left them ill-prepared for the choice that Luna was given.

It was a quiet night. Luna had just finished monitoring the dreams of Equestria, and had wandered down to the kitchen for a midnight snack. The servants usually had a bowl of fruit waiting for her. But when Luna arrived at the kitchen, she noticed a strange new fruit waiting in her bowl:

Round as one of Pinkie’s party bombs, with odd swirling patterns around its dark skin.

Luna took the fruit in hand, and she could feel the power churning inside. This had to be one of the Devil Fruits Eric had spoken about. Just waiting to bestow its magic upon its lucky founder.

But… what was Luna to do? On one hand, she could hand the fruit over to her sister. They could improve the might of the Royal and Naval Guards, and ensure a far better defense for Equestria.

But, on the other hand, Eric had been dead-set on gathering the fruits. And not without good reason; Silver, Ashen, Toxic, and even Lightning Dust were all – formerly – living proof of what happened when the Devil Fruits fell into the wrong hands. What if Celestia couldn’t stop this fruit from going to someone like the villains they had fought.

Luna held the fruit in her hands, quietly contemplating it. Suddenly, she heard the soft rhythm of piano keys. The mournful cry of a violin.

Drawn by their soothing melody, Luna found herself following it. It drew her like a lure draws a fish to the Gala Ballroom.

She wasn’t the only one. Gathered at the doorway were Applejack, Rarity, and Twilight, all peeking inside curiously.

Joining them at the entrance, Luna peeked into the Ballroom. On the stage sat Eric, wearing only his pants and a sleeveless t-shirt showing off his back and arms. It might have been a fine sight if not for the bandages and scars marring his visage.

A black wood violin was nestled under his chin, glistening in the moonlight as he played with his eyes closed. A short distance away, a shadow in his shape played the gala piano.

Both played with passion, and yet also grace. The music sounded of sorrow, yet also enthusiasm and joy. As the ponies watched, the various animals that inhabited the garden were drawn to his music. The critters stared at the man in awe, stars glittering across their eyes.

Then the Man of Shadows opened his eyes and saw the crowd he had gained. He froze, his shadow fading away. And with the cessation of music, the animals moped before scurrying back to their garden homes. Eric just shut his eyes with a sigh before lowering his violin.

"Heh,” he chuckled. “You always said I lose myself when I play." But when he turned, he saw the ponies watching him.

“Jesus Christ!” he yelped, tripping over the pedestal and falling to the ground.

Immediately Luna rushed to help him but stopped short, his fury from the prior days flashing across her mind. Pushing himself up, Eric checked on his violin. Turning the instrument over Luna caught sight of an engraving carving on the backside.

Always play from the heart my...

The engraving was unfinished but it was clear who it was for. Luna felt her heart break even more. No matter how hard she wanted his love, it would only be a dream at best. Eric would never have room in his heart for anyone other than his wife.

"Wow,” Applejack mumbled. “Ah'm shocked. Ah didn't know someone who commands the shadows themselves knew how to play an instrument like that.”

Eric chuckled, but before he could say anything, a light blue aura snatched the violin from his grasp.

“The craftsmanship is absolutely stunning,” Rarity gushed, unaware of the Shadow Man’s eyes turning red. “What’s this engraving?” She peered at the inscription on the side. “Was this for some…?”

Before she could continue, Eric snatched the violin away. Rarity backed up, fear entering her eyes at the sight of his furious black and red pupils.

"Don't EVER touch this Violin,” he snarled.

Yelping in fright, Rarity fled behind Twilight, who summoned a shield with a spell.

“Eric, calm down,” Twilight begged as the shadow man glowered at them. “She didn’t know.”

For a moment, Eric seethed, looking more than ready to bash through her shield. However, he regained control of himself at the last minute, and his eyes returned to normal. He carefully stored the violin in his shadows.

Twilight hesitantly put her shield down, but her horn still stayed alight as Eric turned his gaze back to the white mare.

"I'm sorry, Rarity,” he said. “But I tend to get a little touchy on things I hold dear to me."

She nodded, not daring to say anything more, and Eric turned to leave.

“Now hold on just a sec, shadow man,” Applejack said before he could walk out. “Yer forgetting something.”

Eric looked back, his eyes widening as she lifted a familiar fruit.

“The Dice-Dice Fruit,” he whispered, taking it from her hand. “Where did you get this?”

“Ah saw one of the guards sneaking away from his post,” she replied. “And when I followed him, I found the varmint trying to eat it.”

For a moment, Eric turned the fruit over in his hand, contemplating the possibilities. Just as Twilight started to pull out her own Devil Fruit… he handed it back to Applejack.

“Eat it,” he said, turning to Twilight and Luna, spotting the fruits in their hands. “You too, Twilight. We start training tomorrow.”

“Training?” Twilight asked.

“Training fer what?” Applejack asked.

"Silver Tongue said that his master wanted an army of Devil Fruit users,” Eric replied, taking the fruits from Luna and Twilight. “Key word there is army." He peered at the fruits as he spoke. "Whoever brought Silver back has a Devil Fruit and is making an army of the Undead."

“You mean… zombies?” Twilight asked.

Eric didn’t reply at first, grinning as he recognized the fruits. “Bomb-Bomb and Flower-Flower,” he muttered, turning to the others. “Where’d you find these?”

"I found the bomb shaped one in a bowl of fruit in the kitchen,” Luna replied.

“Spike found the Flower-Flower and gave it to me,” Twilight added. “I’ve been studying it for the past week.”

Eric grinned and handed the Flower-Flower back to her.

"In my opinion,” he said. “That one is the perfect Devil Fruit for you." He stored the Bomb-Bomb fruit in his shadow.

Luna blinked at him. “Eric!” she stammered.

"Sorry Luna, but Devil Fruits are basically trouble magnets," he explained. "Those who seek power will try and kill you for it."

Twilight paled, suddenly handling the Flower-Flower Fruit like it was a bomb. “Then… why give them to us?” Twilight asked, her magic stopping Applejack from downing her own fruit.

"Because I’ll need your help in the Frozen North,” he replied. “And if you don’t want to die a painful death, you’ll need the Devil Fruits.”

Applejack and Twilight shared a look, before mutually downing their Fruits. Disgusted shudders ran through their bodies, but Eric could see the power of the fruits already coursing through their bodies.

"What about the Royal and Navel Guards?" Luna asked. "Are they not joining you in this venture to the Frozen North?"

“No, they are not,” Eric replied grimly. “Without Sea Prism Stone or Haki your guard will only be living meat shields.”

"Eric!” Rarity gasped, scandalized. “Surely you don't mean…” She stammered into a squeak of horror at his grin. “Oh, you do. You truly do!”

“Don’t worry; it’s not going to be now,” he said, adopting the same tone he had used as Captain of the Crystal Royal Guard. “An ill-prepared army going against a prepared army isn’t even a fight.” His grin faded. “It’s a massacre.”

“I… assume you speak from experience?” Luna asked.

Eric’s head lowered. “One time, we went to exterminate a hive of Changelings that were abducting crystal ponies. We thought it would be a simple bug hunt.” His eyes closed. “But we didn’t anticipate a Yak ambush. While we were trying to fend the brutes off, the changelings attacked us at full force."

Twilight gasped and covered her mouth, while Applejack took off her hat. Eric barely noticed, almost trapped in the memory.

“Two hundred soldiers went to fight for their Empire,” he whispered, a shadow casting over him. “Only one returned.”

Luna’s eyes widened. She recalled the first scene she had observed in his dreams. The War Zone. The bodies. Pony, changeling and yak alike. The pain and guilt of telling the loved ones of the fallen that their brothers, husbands and fathers were never returning. The pain must have been truly great on the Shadow Man’s heart and mind.

Wearied by the memory, Eric left the four behind. However, Luna continued after him. It didn’t take long for him to notice her.

“Tell me, Luna,” he said, causing the Lunar Princess to back up. “How many times are you going to follow me down the hall this week.”

"Eric…” Luna began. “I just wanted to say… I’m sorry. For…”

“No,” he said, turning around. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. You were trying to gather information on a possible threat; you were trying to protect your kingdom.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “So… sorry for… not understanding that.”

Luna smiled slightly as Eric turned and returned to his room.

Once inside Eric ran a hand through his hair before placing the other hand over his face. He exhaled in frustration.

I can’t go through that again, he thought. It can't happen again. I will not know the pain of telling their families that they won't return. I will NEVER know that pain again!

The next day, I sent summons to Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Applejack. Telling them to meet me at the training grounds. I sat shrouded in shadows, as the five stood side by side with each other.

"So…” Rainbow asked. “Did Eric mention why we’re here?”

"Oh! Maybe he’s throwing me a 'Congratulations-on-Recovering' party!” Pinkie suggested happily. Applejack grinned.

“Twi ‘n ah have another idea,” she replied.

Before she could explain, I surfaced from the shadows. Right in front of them. I chuckled at the way most of them yelped and backed up from me. They reminded me of when I was training the Royal Guards. Not a single one had ever managed to avoid yelping when I just rose out of darkness like that.

Ah, I thought in relief. It’s good to be a Captain again.

“I’ve asked you all here for one reason and one reason alone,” I said, my hands behind my back. "To train."

Rainbow and AJ looked at each other with wide grins of excitement. Pinkie and Fluttershy, however, looked at each other with nervous confusion. Twilight, on the other hand, just peered at me, her fingers itching for parchment and quills to write notes on. Noticing the look on the others, Rainbow’s look of excitement vanished.

“Okay,” Rainbow said. “I get me, and Pinkie. Maybe even AJ. But… why Twilight and Fluttershy? No offense, girls,” she added, giving them a sad look.

"Because each of you have taken a Devil Fruit,” I explained brusquely. “And that makes you the best we’ve got for taking on whatever’s waiting for us in the Frozen North.” Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened, and she glanced at AJ and Twilight with shock. “Before you ask, Rainbow Dash,” I added. “Applejack’s taken the Dice-Dice, and Twilight has the Flower-Flower Fruit.”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes glittered, and she struggled to hold back a massive laugh.

“Something funny, Rainbow?” Twilight asked irritably.

“You got… the what?” Rainbow asked, her chuckles escaping as she asked. “The Flower-Flower Fruit?” she laughed. “I’m almost not surprised. An egg-head like you gets flowers and petals, while the awesome one gets flames.” With a laugh, she demonstrated her Devil Fruit, lightning up like a living torch.

Twilight glowered at Rainbow’s show-boating, but I merely grinned.

“Alright, Rainbow,” I said, pointing to the end of the training field. “Stand over there.”

Rainbow Dash’s grin faded. “W-Wait, what…?”

“When I tell you to,” I continued. “Rush Twilight. And go as fast as possible.”

"WHAT!?" Twilight exclaimed, as even Rainbow Dash gave her a worried look.

“Trust me,” I said, taking Twilight under my arm and leading her to the other end of the training field. “Think of this as a lesson to teach Rainbow,” I whispered to her.

Twilight gasped in realization, before grinning. Rainbow tilted her head at our quiet exchange, but obeyed, flying to the end of the training field and waiting for my order.

“Now,” I explained to Twilight. “The name may sound like one thing, but the only thing involving flowers are the petals that appear from its use.” I pointed at her arms. “Your Devil fruit allows you to grow any body part on any – and I do mean any – surface.”

Twilight blinked. “And I… can control these…” my grin answered her before she could even finish her question. “Oh!” she gasped in awe.

I held out my hand.

“Cross your arms over your chest,” I instructed. “And imagine your arm coming from my hand.”

Twilight did as she was told. And within seconds, petals flew from my hand, followed by a purple arm.

“Good,” I said, clenching my fist and dissipating the arm with a flash of petals. I turned her to Rainbow Dash, kneeling next to her. “Now, face Rainbow Dash,” I instructed. “And tell me; how would you stop a speeding pegasus?”

“Well,” Twilight began, her horn already sparking. “I could try and blind them with a…”

I touched her horn. “No magic,” I reminded her. “Devil Fruit only.”

“Oh! R-Right,” she stammered. “Well then, I’d… probably keep her wings from moving.”

“Then do it,” I replied, standing up from her, and lifting my gun. “Rainbow!” I boomed, before firing my gun into the air.

Rainbow took off charging at Twilight with a grin on her face, Closing her eyes to concentrate Twilight crossed her arms before her. I could see her imagining where she wanted the arms to surface from.

With a flurry of petals, two arms sprout from Rainbow's back and took a firm grip on her wings.

“What the…?!” Rainbow Dash yelped, before screaming as she crashed into the ground. Skidding past Twilight, she hit the other side of the training ground with a THUD, the arms vanishing from her back with another flurry of petals.

Flashing a smile at Twilight, I made my way towards the downed pegasus. Lowering myself to the pony, I tapped her forehead.

"Has the arrogant little pony learned her lesson?" I asked.

Rainbow Dash groaned, before rolling to her back. I helped her up, and turned to the others as she dusted herself off.

"Let this be a lesson to you all." I said. "Underestimate a Devil Fruit User and you pay with your life!"

Fluttershy whimpered. Her face was pure fear. She turned to try and sneak away, but I was faster on the draw. She barely got the chance to turn away from me before she found herself facing my shadow clone.

“Sorry,” I said through the clone. “But you’re coming with us to the Frozen North.”

"B-But I..." Fluttershy almost started to cry as she turned back to me. By that point, I had walked up right behind her, and she yelped at my sudden approach, leaping back into my shadow clone.

“Your fruit gives you the only chance we have of staying safe from Tundra Dragons,” I explained.

"But I'm not strong like Rainbow and Applejack,” Fluttershy whimpered. “I'm not smart like Twilight! I'm certainly not as agile as Pinkie!

I knelt down and placed my hands on her shoulders.

“You are the only one who can speak to animals,” I replied. She smiled softly at the thought. “But you also need to know how to fight back when you’re in danger.”

Turning to the others, I lifted a piece of their shadows. Turning back to my own, I mixed the two sources of darkness together, creating five perfect copies of the Devil Fruit Users.

"Rainbow! Pinkie!" I barked, bringing them to my sides. "The best way to know victory is to know yourselves. Strengths and weaknesses."

"Ha!” Rainbow Dash began, only to falter under my glare.

"Before you even say it; everyone has weaknesses,” I warned her. “Even the mighty Rainbow Dash!”

Her eyes narrowed in defiance… only to widen in confusion when I dropped into my shadow. Emerging from the shadow behind her, I caught her with a shadow tendril around the neck.

“Yours?” I told the cyan mare. “Are water and magma.”

“G-Got it,” she stammered, gripping at the tendril around her neck. I released her and turned to the others.

"I'm aware of how you all act as a team,” I said, as the shadow clones drifted to different parts of the training field. “So, today, each of you will be trained separately!"

The ponies walked after their shadow counterparts – some like Fluttershy reluctantly, others like Applejack with more determination – and I walked after Applejack, ready to help the others throughout the rest of the day.

“So how do ah use this fruit thing?" Applejack asked as I followed after her.

“Well to start, relax,” I told her. “And trust your instincts.”

Applejack nodded, and took a breath, facing her shadow clone. But as she stared the clone down… she slowly turned back to her hands.

“I… still got nothing,” she admitted.

I glanced at the others. Rainbow Dash was screaming in frustration at her double.

Pinkie Pie was cackling with glee as she dodged around her own clone like a game of keep-away.

Twilight had her double pinned, her eyes shut in concentration.

And… Fluttershy was cowering as her double just stared blankly at her.

I let out a breath of frustration, rubbing the back of my head.

This is going to take even longer than I thought, I muttered in my head.

The War of Shadows Arc Ch. 2

if you want your Oc in this fanfic just put this in the comments or meesage me
Name:
Race:
Description:
Devil Fruit:(optional)
Backstory:(Their backstory will determine whether or not if I can use them)

Also Looking to do a crossover chapter with other displaced writers. Any are welcome. Perferably a Vegeta or a Rimuru Tempest Displaced