Thanks to the help given by Thanos, Rainbow Dash finally admitted her weakness and Pinkie was finally taken the threat of this upcoming war seriously. It gave me the adequate time to properly train the main 6.

I helped Fluttershy improve her Armament Haki, as well as help her master the Shave Technique. I barely had to help Applejack; she trained herself with heavy wieghts attached to her legs. At this point she could almost cut a dummy in half.

Twilight, like Applejack, choose to train her Devil Fruit by herself, and I have to say she made phenomenal progress. When she first got her Devil Fruit she could only spawn ten arms at any given time. Now she could summon hundreds of any body part.

Her progress allowed me to direct my full attention on Rainbow Dash, mercilessly training her in the six powers. However I mostly focused on the Shave Technique and the Iron Body Technique. Her progress was good, but she was still visible when using the Shve Technique and her Iron Body wasn't perfect, as she felt pain with enough force.

During this time I choose to impart a bit of One Piece onto Pinkie and Rainbow Dash by teaching them the moves of their Fruits predecessors: "Fire Fist" Ace and "Straw Hat" Luffy. And I managed to train Pinkie Pie on how to use the Paper Art. Given how natually flexible she was, and from what I've seen, I have a very strong belief that the party mare had a extremely stong aptitude for Observation Haki

Now since Rarity refused to stay behind with the others fought, I had little choice but to train her in swordsmanship. I kinda had to surpress a chuckle when she chose her weapon: a rather elegant looking Rapier.

Though deep down it wouldn't be uncommon for her. Training her in swordplay was so much easier than training Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy.

Unfortunately, reports began to come in from all over Equestria. Ponies were disappearing; from nobility to commoner, with no rhyme or reason to the disappearances. With their disappearances came an increase of attacks from the Army of the Frozen North.

The most recent attack consisted of twelve stitched up ponies, all carrying weapons made from sea-prism, riding on top of a stitched up Tundra Dragon. However, like the other attacks, the ponies attacked during Luna's night.

Idiots.

Had the pony with the Clear-Clear Fruit gone into detail about what I did to Silver Tongue, then he would have had them attack during day.

Fortunately, Rainbow Dash made short work of them using the moves I taught her while I took out the Dragon binding the beast in shadow chains before removing its head by using the move I dubbed Shadow Guillotine.

Yet, as the bodies went still, I knew it was time to act before it was too late.

I awoke Celestia as well as the other royals in the castle, such as Echo Silhouette, Sombra, and Luna. After explaining the situation we all agreed to put an end to this before it got out of hand and ruined Equestria's long riegn of peace.

The following morning, Celestia had the guards gather the Main 6, Sombra, and the Changeling King within the princesses' throne room.

"All are present, Princess Celestia" the guard said, leaving once Celestia dismissed him.

"My little ponies," Celestia began. "Eric Von Shadow, Sombra, and King Silhouette. I have gathered you all here to discuss of this impending war."

"We know next to nothing about the master mind," Luna continued. "What we do know is that he has a vast army at his command. He has been sending ponies to acquire any and all Devil Fruits to strengthen his army. Now as of recent attacks, we have been recieving a rather large pile of reports of these stitched ponies taking ponies at night and from their homes, noble and commoners alike."

"What do you mean Princess?" Pinkie asked.

"We don't know why they are taking ponies from their homes, but what we do know is this," I said. "We're going to the Frozen North. And we're going to put a stop to this war before it begins."

Celestia breathed, keeping her cool. "Precisely," she agreed with the Shadow Man. "Do not fear, my little ponies; you will be accompanied by Luna and myself. As well as a thousand of our best trained guards from both Equestria and the Crystal Empire." She began to rise from her throne.

"No," I said. My tone made Celestia blink in shock. "Celestia, please understand," I continued. "Your army is ill prepared to face off against the Tundra Dragons of the Frozen North."

Privately, my mind went to the ambush my group had faced in the past.

"While the men I've trained learned the in's and out's of the Frozen North and it's threats" I continued. "I will not send them into a battle they can't win."

"Mr. Von Shadow, with all due respect," Celestia scoffed, crossing her arms. "The soldiers of the Crystal Empire no longer follow you. You have been stripped of your rank."

I just chuckled.

"You may have stripped me of my rank as the Empire's Captain," I admitted. "But between me and the Prince, my men will choose me without a moment of hesitation." I turned and returned to my room, not even giving her the chance to retort.

On the way back to my room, I lifted a silver chain from beneath my shirt, gazing at the gold ring attached, with the emerald embedded in its gold surface.

"Well, Amber," I said, holding the ring gently. "We're going home."

Three days later, we were heading to the Crystal Empire via the Sea Train.

However, while the Mane Six rode together with the Princesses, I was currently in a car with three particular fillies.

"So can ya explained why the royal guard picked up from school the other day," Apple Bloom asked.

"Not that we mind," Scootaloo added. "We did get to rub it in Diamond's and Silver Spoon's faces."

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom giggled in response. I allowed myself a small smile.

"The three of you are joining us to the Crystal Empire because you are all targets to somepony who's going after Devil Fruit users like yourselves," I replied.

Their smiles completely faded.

"You didn't... tell our sisters, did you?" Sweetie Belle asked, her voice cracking in slight fear.

"I didn't," I assured them. "But you'd be wise to tell them yourselves." I glanced outside, seeing the snow of the Frozen North beginning to ice over the water outside. We were getting close.

"But won't they get mad at us," Scootaloo insisted. "For not telling them about the Devil Fruits?"

"The longer you hold it off, the worse it will be" I replied, my eyes on the snow covered island coming into view. "Personally, I believe it would be best if you rip the band-aid now rather than later."

Before any of the fillies could argue, the train slowed to a stop. I got up from my seat.

"You three packed warm clothing, right?" I asked.

"Oh yeah," Apple Bloom replied, pulling out a pair of long pants and a thick winter coat. "The royal guard that picked us up told us all about where we were going."

Sweetie Belle pulled out a white and pink coat trimmed in pure white fur, while Scootaloo pulled out a thick blue and yellow Wonderbolts hoodie. I nodded in approval.

"Good. Come on then," I said, crossing over to the door.

Despite bundling up the three fillies still shrieked as the cold breeze cut right through their winter gear. I chuckled at their discomfort.

"W..w..why are...y..you..laughing?" Scootaloo asked, her anger undone by her chattering teeth. "Ar..Aren't you..c..c..cold?"

"Nope," I replied, stretching and letting the cold run across my chest. "I've lived here for ten years. My body's honed to handle the harsh enviroment." I grinned, though my grin faded as I glanced down at my ring. "And honestly, the cold's nothing at this point in my life."

Seeking to get my mind off my darker thoughts, I knelt down and scooped up some snow, popping it into my mouth.

'The snow around here is soft, and lacks the taste of iron, I noted before spitting it out. Good. That means the dragons are nowhere close to the station.'

"Apple Bloom?" Applejack cried, marching over with Rainbow and Rarity. "What in tarnation are you and yer friends doing here?"

Briefly, the fillies glanced at me, and I nodded, glancing at their older sisters significantly. However...

"Well we've... been helping out Mrs. Cake and Big Mac," Apple Bloom lied. Applejack raised an eyebrow at her.

"Seriously," Sweetie Belle agreed. "We earned enough bits to see the Empire you mentioned in your letter!"

Rarity and Applejack both looked at me. I sighed.

"They're here on my request," I replied neutrally, gaining the attention of the others as the princesses, Sombra, and the disguised Echo left the train. "I figured it would be safer for these three if they were under the protection of King Armor."

"Do you truly think they'll be safe with my brother?" Twilight asked, zipping her purple coat up

"The Crystal Empire has hundreds of trained soldiers and guards" I explained, walking through the snow and towards the empire. "And all of them trained by yours truly." I jabbed a thumb at myself.

The group followed behind me to the Crystal Empire. The wind roared like dragons, chilling the ponies to the bone. Sombra and myself however, marched on with barely a shudder, both of us used to the cold. To my surprise, King Echo strode right along with us as well, having shifted into something with thick, warm fur.

But before I could worry about what his disguise was specifically, I noticed a figure marching towards us. Hidden by the heavy snowfall.

"Wait," I ordered. Everyone formed ranks around me.

"Is it a Tundra Dragon?" Rainbow asked, partially excited, and partially nervous.

"No," I said. "Too small."

Indeed, the figure was the size of a pony. A... very familiar pony.

A pegasus pony. With a crystal blue coat and light brown hair. I froze.

'No it...it can't be'

"A-Amber?" I whispered.

"Amber?" Sombra, Echo, the princesses and the Main 6 said in unison, however I was only focused on the pegasus before me.

My legs moved, almost like I was dreaming. But before I could catch her, she pitched to the side.

"NO!" I screamed, seizing the body of my wife. "Amber? Amber! Amber, please wake up!" I pleaded, shaking her body.

"Eric that isn't Amber!" Sombra yelled. But my powers ran with my emotions, and a wall of shadows stopped him from pulling me away.

The downed pegasus slowly opened her eyes. I smiled in relief: they were the same garnet color that I fell in love with.

"Eric?" Amber asked.

"It's me, my love," I whispered.

Her eyes lit up, and her arms wrapped around my neck. "Oh, Eric," she whispered. "My love..."

I lifted her from the snowy ground, my heart aching in both joy and sorrow.

"I'm sorry Amber," I whispered. "I failed to protect you."

"It's okay my love," She whispered, as her arms released me. I, however, refused to release her. "I know how you can make it up to me."

"Anything just to keep you with me," I replied.

Then my eyes shot open. Pain tore through my chest. I stepped back, unable to fathom the knife in my chest. Or that Amber's hands held the blade. I gazed up at her, as she smiled sadistically at me.

"You can die," she said, before forcing the knife deeper into my chest. But in my conflicted emotions, my powers fluctated, and the wall of shadows fell, letting the others see my predictament.

"Eric!!" Luna voice screamed.

A blast of night-blue magic threw my wife from me. I staggered backward, clutching the knife as blood caught in my throat.

I watched, unable to believe, as Amber pointed behind me - no doubt where Luna had been - and her arm tore and morphed into the barrel of a musket.

With no time to think - barely any time to breath - I leaped in the way of her shot, and yelled as the bullet found my back.

"How pathetic," Amber's voice mocked as I struggled to my knees. "You'd take a bullet for these so-called 'friends?' You really care that much about them?"

I turned to her, betrayal turning my vision red, only to find both her arms shifting into gatling barrels.

"Well," she said. "Let's see how much you really care." Then she turned them on the others.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack lunged to defend their friends, followed closely by the princesses. But I was even faster with the aid of the Shave Technique. I tackled Amber to the ground, hoping against hope that the mare I loved was still in there.

"Amber stop! this isn't..." I began.

But she shoved her gatlings into my stomach. And fired.

The pain was a continuous stream of agony as bullet after bullet punched through my gut. I wasn't even able to scream. My vision shot through with white and red flashes. The only thing I was able to make out was Amber smirking up at me.

Then everything went dark as my shadows.

Amber kicked Eric's bleeding body off, laughing as she stood.

"Men," Amber noted to the stunned mares, her arms shifting back to normal. "So predictable... so pathetic."

Applejack roared and charged, her leg turning into a razor sharp blade. She kicked, aiming to take the sadistic mare's head off. Instead, sparks flew as Amber's arms shifted into a pair of large swords, deflecting Applejack's strike.

"Consarnit!" Applejack growled, turning to the others. "She's a Devil Fruit User!"

Rainbow Dash punched her palm, flames spiraling around her. "That's our avenue, Pinkie," she growled, turning to the Princesses and the non-Devil Fruit Users. "Get Eric to the Empire. He'll need some serious medical care."

"Yeah, heal him up," Pinkie agreed. "We got this."

Applejack didn't reply, focused more on trying to cut Amber to ribbons. Their blades hacked, slashed and parried, but nothing but sparks flew into the air. Yet, despite Applejack's efforts, Amber almost looked bored as she saw Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie running at her.

"Three versus one? hardly seem fair," Amber noted, before her leg morphed into another gatling gun. Once she pointed at where Eric had fallen. And where everyone else was gathering. "Then again... it'll take much more than the three of you to stop me."

However, as she fired at the others, King Echo glowered up at her, and put himself between her bullets and the group. A cloud of gas enveloped his body, dissolving the bullets to dust. His forehead lit up with magic.

"If my magic wasn't needed on the Shadow Man," he snarled at the mare. "I'd kill you myself for taking the form of his wife." Then he disappeared with the others in a bright flash.

Huffing in disappointment, Amber sent the Applejack back with a slash of her sword. However, as Applejack fell back, only Pinkie showed up to catch her.

"Hm?" Amber mused, before glancing up. "A fire user..." Her arms shifted to normal, and she grabbed the handle of her sea prism dagger. "Back of the head..." she muttered. "Left fist."

Right as Rainbow Dash shot out of the sky like a comet, the crystal pegasus ducked away. Rainbow Dash hit the ground hard, her target briefly bouncing away before ricocheting back towards the cyan and red mare.

"How'd..." was all Rainbow got to say before Amber plunged her dagger into the pegasus' arm.

Rainbow howled in pain, clutching her injured arm. As she backed up, Applejack rushed forward. However, Amber grinned at her, her arm shifting into another gun barrel.

"Right kick to my left side?" Amber asked before firing.

Applejack couldn't dodge in time, and screamed as the bullet dug into her thigh and sent her into the snow.

Amber glanced towards Pinkie, trying to predict her move. But the pink mare hadn't moved yet. She stared at the patch of red snow where Eric had stood. As her eyes turned to her friends, bleeding and shivering with pain, her blue eyes suddenly... changed. They turned ice blue, like the snow on a glacier. Her mane deflated, hanging over her head like a curtain. Her fur darkened, turning almost maroon. And when she struck, it wasn't at Amber. Her limbs stretched, seizing Rainbow Dash and Applejack and throwing them behind her.

"Pinkie!"Applejack demanded, only to go quiet as she stared at Pinkie's transformed state. "Oh, no... Or... is it...?"

"Pinkamena" Rainbow finished, holding Applejack back as Pinkamena glared at Amber. The crystal pegasus' grin faltered at the utter blood lust in the mare's eyes. The blank expression as she cracked her knuckles.

"Stand... back," Pinkamena growled.

"Put Pinkie...." Rainbow said only to stop when Pinkimena sent a death glare at the pegasus. Rainbow backed up, wondering how Amber hadn't devolved into sobs at the sight of the crazed light in those eyes.

"Stay. Back." Pinkamena growled, turning back to the crystal pegasus.

The crystal pegasus forced her sadistic grin to stay in place. Drawing her gun barrel arm, she tried to fire at the pink mare.

But the pink mare dodged with a simple crane of her head.

"But..." Amber stammered, her grin fading. "How'd you dodge that?"

"My other half would've wasted her time with you," Pinkamena growled. "I'm not that patient."

Three lumps formed on her legs, the lumps pumping back into her body. Her fur took on a brighter sheen as steam curled from her body. The snow around her melted as Pinkamena planted her fist on the ground.

"What in tarnation is she doing?" Applejack whispered.

Pinkamena grinned for the first time since she had made her appearance. And the crystal pony backed up at the murderous hatred in her grin.

"2nd Gear," Pinkamena replied.

The War of Shadows Arc Ch. 4

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

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