Celestia narrowed her eyes at me.

“You?” Celestia asked. “How can you have been responsible? Sombra was the one who forced the earth ponies to work in his mines, brainwashed the unicorns turning them into his soldiers and killed every pegasus with in his empire.”

“Are you so blind in your service to this Tyrant,” Luna asked. “That you are trying to protect him by sacrificing yourself?” I laughed.

"I don't think we've personally met, your majesty," I admitted, bowing before the Princess of the Night. "I am Eric Von Shadow. I am a Shade born of the lingering magic of Umbra the Dark."

That certainly got a reaction. I grinned as I noticed both of them flare their magic.

"Ladies, please,” I asked. “Let's just calm ourselves and think for a second, If I wanted to kill you…" I suddenly dropped into my shadow. I barely gave them a second to gape in alarm before I reappeared from their own shadows, my blades at their necks. "I would have done so already."

Dropping back into shadow I return to the side of my idiotic king. Both Celestia and Luna slowly relaxed, understanding that I meant them no harm

"Explain," Celestia ordered.

"Of course, your majesty" I reply.

I was out in the snowy tundra. 30 new recruits stumbled and struggled to march behind me. They were brand new. Unproven. Ready only for the weak and pitiful to be weeded out. Initiated.

"Um sir?” one of the bolder guards asked. “What exactly are we doing here?”

"Quite simple Rookie,” I replied. “How many of you are familiar with Tundra Dragons?" I ask the rookies.

“I am, sir,” one bookish looking rookie complete with glasses and red hair noted. “Tundra Dragons, while having a brain the size of a crystal berry seed, are severely deadly to any who crosses their path.”

"Correct!” I praised the aspiring guard. “Now, while Tundra Dragons are extremely territorial and large even at a young age, what many don't know is that the younger they are, the better for us. It takes at least five guards to kill a one year old.”

“So, then…” a pegasus guard asked. “If a Tundra Dragon is three years of age… it would take fifteen of us to bring it down.”

"Precisely," I agreed, stopping in my tracks, and turning to the group of trainees.

"Now Ponies,” I declared. “Let’s see who among you is truly worthy of protecting the Empire. Who is really the strongest, and who is a weakling that would die in the first wave?”

Before any of them could try any sort of bravado or excuse, I stomped my foot. The snow shifted as a low growl rumbled across the tundra.

Looks of fear gripped every guard as the snow rose from the ground around me. I was lifted up, perched on the head of a monster covered in white scales and snowy quartz crystals.

“Stallions and gentle-mares,” I said with a laugh. “Welcome to Initiation!”

My rookies weren’t supposed to be in danger. The Tundra Dragon was barely two years old, and there were thirty of them. More than enough to take it on. But, I watched in disappointment as twelve immediately screamed in fear and ran back to the Empire. Three more followed when the dragon took one swipe at them.

Luckily, not all of them were cowards. I watched with a grin as two of the remaining fifteen snapped out of their fear and attacked, jabbing their spears at its underbelly. The beast jumped, knocking me off. But I formed a bird of shadow, and watched from above as the rest of the squad lunged in to protect their brethren.

I nodded in approval; these guys were fighting smart, not hard. Covering for each other, and going for weak points rather than trying to bowl it over with numbers. I was ready to tell them to fall back, when I noticed something wrong. The beast’s eyes were turning a vicious blood red. Its roars were angrier. A call for blood.

"Fall Back!!" I ordered. “Fall back!”

Thankfully, the guards obeyed. Maybe they heard the panic in my voice. Maybe they noticed the dragon’s attacks were growing more aggressive. Either way, they got the message and retreated, seconds before the dragon could catch them with its claws.

Jumping from my shadow bird, I landed between my guards and the Tundra Dragon, and separated myself from the rookies with a wall of hardened shadow.

"Okay beast,” I growled, shadowy mist emanating from my body. “Lets see what wrong with you.”

The Tundra Dragon charged at me but I rolled to the left and caught its jaw with shadow restrains. Raising my fist, I formed twin pillars connected by a large blade. Dropping my fist into my palm I dropped the blade onto the creatures’ neck.

Shadow Guillotine

The monsters head rolled, staining the snow black with corrupted blood. Without warning, it melted into a puddle of goo, leaving behind a pointed red crystal.

"Hm…” I muttered. “What kind of gem are you?" I turned the red crystal over in my hands. The crystal was pointed like a dagger or a horn, and glistened like a ruby stained with blood. I also swore I could hear… something. Whispering? Chanting?

Before I could lean in for a closer listen… ask the gem dropping the shadow wall

"Captain?" called from behind my wall of shadow.

My rookies! I quickly dropped the barrier, finding them watching me with looks ranging from confusion to concern.

"We're returning to the empire,” I declared. “You lot have passed initiation. The ones who have fled have failed and will be removed from the ranks of Royal Guard!"

The guards nodded in acceptance, and we returned to the empire. As we walked, I placed the stone into my pocket.

You know more about this stuff than I do Sombra,” I thought. “Maybe you can figure out what this gem is."

"...After that I handed the gem over to Sombra,” I told the Princesses. “It wasn't until it was too late that I realized what I had done.”

I pulled the gem horn from my body, and held it out to the Princesses. Celestia gasped in horror.

“That is no gem!” Celestia declared in a haunted voice. “That’s the Horn of Umbra the Dark!”

“It holds Umbra’s dark essence and magic,” Luna declared in an equally haunted voice.

“Yes,” I mused, pulling the gem back and glaring at it. “As I learned after I broke out of my cell, and got to the Royal Archives.” I clenched the gem, wanting to crush it, before looking up at the Princesses. “My king wasn’t in control,” I declared passionately. “Umbra was. Punish Umbra however you see fit – and punish me for letting him get into the Empire - but leave my King out of it.”

Celestia and Luna turned to look at each other. A silent conversation flashed between them before they looked back to us.

"We will need to deliberate about what to do," Celestia decided. "Until then, you and your King will be held under arrest.” She gave me a sad look. “And you will have to face justice for your aid in Umbra’s rise to power.”

With that, Celestia’s guards herded us out of the throne room. On our way to wherever they were holding us, a servant walked by with a tray of food. Reaching out past the guards, I snatched an apple from the tray and took a bite. The tart juiciness of the fruit exploded across my tongue.

"Hey!" one of the guards protested, but my glare silenced him.

"Hey yourself,” I shot back. “This is the first real food I've had in years. So, piss off!"

The cage they gave us was a gilded one, I’ll admit; nice feather beds, pristine blue walls, and a nice view of the city of Canterlot. But a cage is still a cage, as the bars on said window proved, along with the ominous click of a lock as the guards shut the doors and bolted them fast.

Without the guards there to watch us, I used my powers to strike the chains from Sombra’s wrists. He rubbed his sore wrists, not meeting my eyes at first.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked.

"Doing what?"

"You lied to the princesses,” he insisted. “You know very well I was there as well and it was I who found the gem.” He gazed at me with fear. "They’re going to sentence you to death!"

"If I'm lucky," I replied with a shrug. Sombra’s gaze grew broken and sad.

“Do you truly wish for death, Eric?”

I sighed heavily.

“A man can have everything," I recited morosely. "And yet have nothing... if he doesn't have love."

After speaking I set myself on one of the beds with my legs crossed and both hands behind my head.

"You're trying to kill yourself just so you can join Amber?!" Sombra asked, his eyes widening in horror. "Eric, you can't! I-I won't allow it!"

“Sombra, what do you honestly think you can do to stop me?” I replied with a sideways glance. “Even without that ring on, that horn of yours still needs healing.” I jabbed a finger at his horn nub. “Until then, the only thing you’ll be doing is levitating an apple a few feet off the ground.”

But Sombra was undeterred. He sat by my bed, propping his hands on the bed like it was my death bed.

"Eric,” he argued. “There's so much to live for"

"Like what?" I growled, rising from the bed. “My home is destroyed. My wife is dead!” I almost yelled the last part, but the weight of what happened hit me, lowering my voice. “And I’ll never be a father.”

Sombra didn’t get it at first. But, like a rising sun, it dawned on him soon enough.

“Wait…” Sombra muttered. “Was she…?”

My glare was the only answer he needed. Gagging on the guilt of his own sins, Sombra rushed to the nearest toilet. As the sound of him losing whatever his stomach managed to hold since the last thousand years emanated, I lay back down and drifted off to sleep.

Standing out on the balcony with my sister, I raised the moon with my magic, as Celestia lowered the sun with hers.

"Luna?” Celestia asked, “Something troubling you?"

"It’s… that Shade." I gazed up at my beloved moon. My source of power, and my former prison. "It… Something isn't right about it. It's hiding something."

"You felt it as well?" Celestia mused, as we entered the palace. "It can hide things from us. But nothing is hidden in dreams.”

I saw her meaning in her eyes.

"But Sister,” I protested. “Shades don't sleep!"

"True,” Celestia admitted. “But Shades don't speak unless ordered to either. Let alone threaten to kill." Celestia shook her head, standing outside her bedroom. "Whatever it is, it isn't a shade." Shooting me a knowing grin, Celestia entered her room with a yawn. “Goodnight, Luna.”

As Celestia went to bed for the night, I headed to my own room. Curiosity had seized me, and nearly kept me from sleep. But I was eager to gaze into this so-called shades’ dream.

Once I got into my bed I placed both hands over my stomach and closed my eyes, charging up my magic. The darkness around me was slowly replaced with a light blue plane; littered with stars and doors.
Looking around, I saw two doors that were new to me. One a gray color with a gem cluster on it. The other pitch black, wrapped in chains and stained with what looked like bloodied hand prints, mounted with some triple headed skull and crossbones. Steeling my nerves, I used my magic and opened the door.

What was inside sent a chill of horror through me: the shade was wielding a large bladed weapon as he was cutting down Yaks and Changeling alike, killing them without a second thought. Yet, before I could consider turning away, the scene changed to a calming night at the Crystal Empire. The Shade was leaving a restaurant with a Crystal pony pegasus with amber hair. The Shade had changed; he was dressed nicely. And he was sweating. I could practically smell the pheromones from him. They walked to a house that had the name "Amber Blossom" on the mail box. As the pony was walking away, the shade took ahold of her hand and reached into his pocket.

"Amber we've been going out for a few years now," he said, nervousness etching his voice. "And I was wondering..." He dropped to one knee. From his pocket, he pulled a little black box, and inside the black box, he revealed a ring with a pure emerald on it.

"Will you marry me?" the Shade started to say. But he stopped short, as his body turned black with menacing red eyes.

Yet… his bride to be did not react. She did not move. Not even to breathe. It all came together for me just as the Shade stood and turned right towards me. His skin melted into puddles on the ground. His fancy garb was replaced with shadow-black armor, horns and with bat wings fit for a dragon.

"You don't belong here," the Shade snarled.
I didn’t have time to defend myself. With a flash of night-black shadow, the creature appeared in front of me. His hand closed around my neck.

With a chill, I realized it wasn’t the Shade that held me. This new creature had thin leathery skin, jagged fangs and sharp serrated claws and talons. It wasn't a pony. It wasn't even a shade! It was...A Devil!

"Get out of Eric's mind, before I snap your neck like twig," the devil growled, it’s grip tightening like a vice.

I did not hesitate. With a flash of my magic, I lunged from unconsciousness. Even in the waking world, I could feel that demon’s claws on my throat.

"What… was that creature?" I whispered.

I didn't dare return to the dreamscape. The mere thought of that thing returning for me left me shaking in absolute fear. Shaking my head, I left my room and into the kitchen.
Yet, even in the waking world, the demon had to vex me. For as I entered the kitchen, I found the Shade – Eric, he had called himself, coming out of the fridge with a platter of food.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

"I was hungry," he replied, taking a bite of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "Had a weird dream; first time I've had something that wasn't a nightmare."

I blinked. So, that memory with the pegasus was a rarity? Interesting. Before he could notice my pondering, I tried to switch the subject.

“How’d you get past the guards?” I asked.

"Teleportation,” he replied brusquely, finishing his sandwich and moving on to an apple. "At least, to get out of the room."

"But your room nullifies all magic!" I argued.

He merely shrugged. "Didn't use magic."

"And the guards outside?" I persisted, worried thoughts clouding my anger.

He grinned. "Knocked their heads together," he replied coyly. "They should wake up sometime after I get back."

I was left speechless. Shades needed magic to live. It's what gives them their immortality. How could he not use magic?

"Actually,” he noted. “I think I remember you now that I get a good look at you.” He placed his hand on his chin as his face got close to mine. "You and your sister came to the Empire once. To broker peace between your kingdom and Sombra’s'."

"Yes, we did" I said with a nod.

“Yeah…” the shade said with a nod. “Sombra told me you and him hit it off rather quick.” He noticed my saddened look. “Didn't work out, though, did it?”

"We… aren't the same,” I admitted. “I'm an immortal princess… and Sombra was a mortal king. I would have to watch him grow old and gray while I still look the same."

"Well then," the shade noted, putting his plate away before looking in the cabinets. "We're both train wrecks when it comes to dealing with love.” I could hear the grin in his voice as he rummaged through the cabinets. “So, how's about we drink to our similarities?"

"This castle doesn't hold any alcohol" I admitted, glancing away with a blush.
The shade moaned out a curse.

"Then I'm going to find a bar. I have been gone for a thousand years and I haven't had a drop since Sombra was taken over my Umbra. This Shade needs liquor!"

Eric began to leave when I grabbed the back of his coat. It was against my better judgement, but I had an idea on how to find out more about this so-called Shade.

"Follow me,” I said with a grin.

I lead the shade to the Royal Canterlot Library. I took him to the farthest corner and pulled back five books involving plant life. Behind the books was an emblem in the shape of my beloved moon. With magic flaring around my hand I pressed the emblem, causing it to slide open. Inside, several glass bottles were revealed. The shade’s eyes grew wide. He snatched the first of the bottles from my hand.

"Jack Daniels!” he exclaimed in disbelief.

"Actually, it's Applejack Daniels," I corrected.
He apparently didn’t care. With a quick twist he opened the bottle, and inhaled it’s aroma.

"Goddamn, it smells just the same" he sighed, seizing two more bottles. For a split second, he turned to leave. I lunged forward and grabbed him, forgetting for a moment his vast collection of powers.

"Hey!!" I chastised, only for him to spin around to me with a smile.

“Oh, were you going to join me?” he asked coyly, lifting a bottle.

With a grin of my own, I teleported away to grab the cups.

A bottle and a half later, Luna and I were laughing our asses off as we regaled each other with stories of my king and her sister.

"So, wait; Sombra acted just like my idiotic nephew Blueblood?" Luna asked, nearly spilling her drink over herself from giggling.

"No Idea who that is, but I'm just saying… yes." I laughed pouring myself and the princess another glass.

The princess sighed in contentment as she took another sip of her drink.

"I haven't felt like this in a long time" Luna admitted, gazing up at the ceiling.

"Same here Princess," I said, before an idea formed in my head. "Hey. You want to see something cool?"

"What is it?"

"Is there a place in this castle that gets direct moon light?" Luna’s eyes beamed with joy.

"In Twilight's old study." She stood, swaying to keep her balance. Trying to spare her the worry, I lifted myself up, finding myself wobbling as well.

"Lead the way, your majesty," I invited.

I follow her as she used the walls for support. Eventually, we reached the study, a simple looking room with an admittedly impressive collection of shelves. Pulling a lever, Luna opened up a part of the roof, and moonlight bathed the room in silver and white. Reaching into my body, I pulled out a closed ocean blue potted plant.

"This is a Crystal Orchid," I explained, showing her the plant. "They are extremely rare and grow in the frozen north. When I found this one, I had one of the palace unicorns cast a spell to prevent it from dying.”

I placed the plant in the moon light. Together, we watched as, one by one, the petals came into bloom. Once the flower bloomed it began to let off glowing wisps of magic.

"They are rare,” I went on, “Because they only bloom in direct moonlight. Which is a problem because they mostly grow in caves." I sighed, downing the rest of my cup.

"It's beautiful," Luna whispered, her fingers softly stroking the petals.

"Almost as beautiful as your night," I noted.
The princess turned to me, her cheeks red. From the alcohol, I wondered. Or from something else.

"You think..."

"Absolutely,” I couldn’t help saying. “There is nothing more beautiful than a full moon’s night.” I quickly grabbed the last bottle. “But that might be the Daniels taking,” I added with a grin.

Yet, tears of joy began to well in Luna’s eyes.
"No one has ever... thought that my night was beautiful,” she whispered, leaning towards me.

"Well… I do," I said, leaning towards her.
For a small second, our lips brushed against each other. But before they could come together in a full on kiss…

BAM! The bottle in my hand exploded. Alcohol and glass went flying. As did the two of us. We might’ve flown higher, what with the voice that followed the shattering glass.

"LUNA!"

We spun. Princess Celestia stood a few feet from us. A magic aura formed around her hand, seizing Luna and dragging her to her sister’s grip.

"You're a princess, Luna!” Celestia chastised. “You should be acting like one. Not drinking with the creature that brought Umbra back into existence. Go to bed!"

Luna shot a sad look at me, but Celestia’s magic pushed her along, and she slunk from the room. For a moment, there was a stillness, like a calm before the storm. Then Celestia’s dark pink eyes found mine.

"And you…" Celestia started to growl, but I lifted my hands in surrender.

"I know, I know" I said, turning away. "Back to my cell." I went to grab the plant, before a golden aura formed between me and the plant.

"Leave it!" she ordered.

I spun to her with a growl.

“When Hell freezes over!” I snarled.

She fired a spell at the plant. But I lunged to protect it, letting the spell scorch my back.

“It’s one of the few things I have left of home,” I half-snarled, half-whimpered.

I prepared for more spells, but all I got was the sound of footsteps. Turning around I saw Celestia walking away. With the assault on my last trinket over for now, I sighed, placed the plant back in my shadow before returning to my cell.

As I collapsed on the bed, realization at what had nearly happened hit me, followed shortly by a wave of guilt.

"You must hate me now Amber," I whispered under my breath. "Turns out I'm not as faithful as I thought."

Well I hope you enjoyed the third chapter so please leave a comment on what you think of it down below.

oh and another thing, The devil is the soul of the Shade-Shade fruit

Also I want to know who to get featured

Leave a comment to request what devil fruit the captain will use

No Logia's. Paramecia and Zoan types only