Another long sigh came from Fluttershy as she sat there on the edge of her bed. It had been hours since Devan had ran off into the night, and in those hours she had all the time in the world to wordlessly curse herself for not running after him. She wanted him back, this much she knew. She wanted to know that he was safe, and with him herein her modest home; she knew she would be safe as well. It had been so long since she had these feelings for anypony, but she knew they were feelings she wanted to explore, and she couldn't do that if he wasn't here with her. Once again a saddened sigh escaped her lips as she let the scene earlier run through her mind. All the things she could have said differently; all the ways she could have made him not disappear into that foreboding scary darkness. She just wasn't used to having to do such things, but at least there in the mass of shadows, she would have been with him, and that meant she would have been protected, and safe.

   The little mare sat there for just a few more minutes before she decided that she should at least lay down; try to get some sleep. However, it was when she was about to place her head on the pillow, did she hear the sound of her front door opening; then coming to a silent close. In a flash she bounced from the bed, and onto the floor, where her hooves could not carry her fast enough to the front room. A joy induced wave of relief came over her as she saw Devan trying to sneak into the house; doing so by the way of a tip toe across the hard wood floor, and placing himself on the couch. "Devan!" she said as the Pegasus came trotting into the room. "You're back. I'm so happy you're alright!"

   "Oh hey Shy," Devan said as he continued to settle himself into the couch. "Sorry I ran off like that. I just had a lot on my mind. Guess I let it get to me huh?" He gave her a long smile after saying this, then leaned forward, and started taking off his coat, revealing his sleeveless, long and muscular arms.

   "It's fine, really." The little Pegasus said with a smile as she jumped up onto the couch with Devan, expressing the same smile he was giving her. "It's just that I, umm, you know. I guess I have gotten used to you being here, with me that is." She had to stop for a moment, and lift a hoof up to her muzzle to clear her throat, as it started to feel very dry all of the sudden. "It's just sometimes I forget that you haven't been here that long at all. I don't know if I would be able to adjust to a whole new world like you have here."

   "Well trust me," he said after placing his coat over the arm of the couch. "I have had to adjust to places a whole lot worse than this place is. You can believe me on that." After this, the Human, and the yellow Pony just gave each other a long look. Each one of them caught in each others wordless stare, and for a moment, each of them lost track of time. "So yeah," Devan said, breaking the silence that the two were trapped in. "I didn't mean to wake you. You probably are wanting to get back to sleep."

   "No!" Fluttershy shouted in a volume of voice that even took her by surprise. "Besides, I wasn't even tired." Devan had to let out a small chuckle, because as she was saying this, she was letting out a long yawn.

   "You sure you don't want to hit the hay?" he said, trying to give a subtle hint that he had indeed picked up on her obvious show of needing sleep.

   "Mmm Hmm," she sighed out. "Well, maybe I could lay down for just a few minutes." To Devan this meant that she was going back to her room; what happened however, caught him completely off guard. Instead of jumping down from the couch, Fluttershy proceeded to place her hooves over Devan's lap, then gently nestle herself down, using her own hooves as a place to rest her chin on. After getting settled on her hooves, she let her head fall ever so slightly to the side, where it came to rest on Devan's stomach.

   Devan pushed himself as far as he could go to the back of the couch he was now trapped on. Of all the things that had happened tonight; this event was the furthest from his mind. He really didn't think Fluttershy would take such a bold move as this. This thought kinda of made him feel a little guilty though. He had really no idea that this was a bold move at all. He was just putting everything into a context he could understand. Back on Earth, if a woman placed her head in his lap; especially the women he knew, it was for a completely different reason than sleeping. Here on this world though, it might be just a simple gesture of friendship. Ponies all over the place might be doing the exact same thing right now, with absolutely no other intentions other than just being comfortable friends.

   Along with the anxiety of the current situation; Devan couldn't help but feel a little frustrated as well. He couldn't explain to himself why he was acting like some high school freshman who was at his very first kissing party. Long ago he had lost the ability to count the number of times he had been intimate with a woman on all his fingers, and toes; so much so, that he just stopped counting altogether. Yet there was something about this little yellow mare that was making him regress to a person he never was to begin with, and Devan wasn't even sure that was possible. It was the phrase: fortune favors the bold that started to shake Devan out of his current mindset. The more and more he looked down at that long, and smooth mane that rested gently upon the head that was snuggling onto his lap, the more, and more he decided it was time to be bold.

   Ever so slowly, Devan placed his hand atop Fluttershy's mane. He waited a few torpid moments to see if his initial touch would bring a reaction from her; though nothing more than a shallow sigh came from her unseen face. Then, with easy strokes, he began to drag his hand down the length of the flowing soft sea of hair that was spread out before him. Still no sign of over familiarity came from the Pegasus as he brought his hand back up to where it started. Once more he performed the petting act, save this time it was a little quicker; with more intention in his movements. It wasn't long before his hand was acting like that of a brush; digging his tensed fingers into Fluttershy's thick pink locks, all the while becoming more, and more entranced at the feel, and texture of it. Never once did Fluttershy show wonder for his actions, only breathing heavy into her hooves that she lay upon.

   Bolder still Devan became, and more infatuated with the over all form of the mare that lay beneath him. His hand now trailed lower, to her neck, just where the mane grew outwards, the entirety of his palm had been replaced by just one finger, as it traced lower, and lower, until it met where her shoulders began. It was here that he decided to strengthen his resolve, as he started to drag the very tip of his index finger in a slow trail in a gradual decline along her spine. Further he went, taking notice of every shortened breath that came from the little Pony as he reached the very base of her tail, only to bring his finger back up, correcting the long mark of risen hairs in her coat, back to their relaxed placing.

   Fluttershy had placed part of her hoof in her mouth, hoping that Devan would not have noticed. She had absolutely no idea what had prompted him to start doing what he was doing to her, and she felt that if she let out any kind of vocal sound, he might stop. The heavy mane petting was almost bad enough, but the second he started running his finger down her spine, she knew she had to do something to contain herself from letting out an embarrassing moan. She thought to herself that it would be fine, a few short heaves of her chest; a hard swallow. These were things that were normal for a Pony just getting some rest. They were also normal for a mare who hadn't been touched in such a way for so long, to make a complete fool of herself if she wasn't careful. It was fine however, just as long as he didn't touch her in that one spot, a very particular spot that in her current state, would it to be stimulated by his torturous attentions, she feared she would lose all control.

   Once more Devan pulled his finger down the middle small yellow mare's back. Except this time, he made a detour by the means of ever so lightly brushing up against the base of her folded wing before continuing his previous path. This action gained a response that was more than he thought would happen, as soon as his finger tip made contact, he could feel her whole body subtly tense on him, then as soon as it left  by the means of a lagging flick, her wing gave off a faint shudder. This small tremor betrayed her intentions, he knew now that she was awake, and only feigning rest. The whole devious intentions of both his touches, and her subterfuge made him get a long grin on his face, as he decided to further the gambit he had been playing with her. Quickly he finished his second pass, down to her tail, and starting back up again. This time however, he did not return to the bottom of her neck as he had done before. Now his finger made contact with the long feathers of her wing, gliding it up the very edge, where he pressed tiny half circles where the base met her shoulder blade.

   "Oh!" the Pegasus moaned out in a soft breathy whispered tone. She could no longer keep her voice in her throat, as he had found that one spot that she truly dreaded, and wanted him to touch. Whether it was of her own volition; or her body acting out on it's own accord, her wing now started to spread itself away from her body. Every moment that passed seemed to her to take forever as she waited to see what he would do. She worried that maybe her sudden moan had scared him; that maybe he was just truly petting her. A deep fear began to come over her as she began to let the thoughts of what she had just done come to her mind, that he would think of her as some Pony deviant. However, her fears were over taken by the warm feeling of her now outstretched wing being slowly taken a hold of, and rubbed ever so gently by Devan's hand, and fingers.

   She had no choice in the matter now as his hand started to become more, and more firm with his strokes, and squeezes. She let out the tiniest of little gasps as his hand trailed from the tips of her feathers, down to the base of her wing. She had to see him, she had to know if this heavy petting was having the same effect on him as it was on her. That's when she pulled her wing back to her side, while shifting her weight, and rolling over. Her back was now laying on his thighs, she brought her front legs up to her chest as she looked up at him with her glossy, half lidded eyes. She was happy to see that he was looking down at her with the most charming of smiles; warm, and soft, making her give him the same response.

   "Hi Shy," he said while being so bold as to reach out, and place his hand that had been working pure magic on her wing, and placing it on her still heaving chest, between her front hooves. There, he started small massage motions with the palm of his hand, and all it's digits.

   "H-hey, Crey." she answered back, remembering the fun little rhyme they did with each other's names. She was also taking full notice of what his hand was now doing, and loving the feeling of being touched in such a way. She was at a loss for words however, she just didn't know what to say to him. All the words were being scrambled in her mind, as if they were getting lost in the pleasures of what his attentions were doing to her. What happened next, made her glad that she hadn't said anything though; as they might have spoiled the moment. Devan removed his hand, placing it under her back to lift her slightly. He then leaned down, and with the most simple of pressure, placed his lips to hers.

   The feeling of his full, warm lips pressed to hers sent a wanten shiver through Fluttershy's whole body; making her gasp into his mouth, and give an ever so subtle wing flick. She thought for a moment that he would retreat from his ever growing passionate kiss, and this was something that she would not allow. Before he could move, the mare reached up quickly with her front leg, and placed her hoof on the back of his head; pulling it downwards to strengthen their lip's caress. She couldn't help but let out a ardent giggle as she heard him let out a surprised moan on how she was pulling him down, not once thinking of letting go as their lips began to become more, and more bounden to one another. Deeper their kiss became, more did she press up to him, and him down to her. Her tail began to lash from side to side as she felt his hand once more place itself on her body. This time though, he did not massage her wing.

   Devan placed his hand right on her side, just under her folded wing, and resting on her heaving rib cage. Slowly, and in a kind of time with their kissing, he moved his hand down wards, until it reached her flank. He started his petting there by giving the tensed space of her hind quarters a firm squeeze, right on the cutie mark. After doing so, he got to savor once more hearing the Pegasus moan into his mouth, and breathe heavy from her dainty nose. He didn't stay there for long however, further still his hand began to roam. He traced the outer most line of her form, leading down to her outer thigh. He caressed into her powerful leg very deeply, so much so that the short fine hairs of her coat poked, and over came the tops of his fingers. Trailing down even more, he came to the first bend in her reverse jointed knee, where he delicately pressed into, and played with the small muscles there.

   Fluttershy broke free of the pleasurably suffocating kiss as she felt him hit that spot on her leg, rearing her head back, and letting out a long sharp gasp. She didn't know how he knew to touch her there; she knew that she, or any of her friends hadn't told him about it. He found it all the same, and it was the last end of her rope to become frayed, and let all the thoughts of what she wanted to be done to her, and do to him flood into her mind. She didn't return to start kissing him like she so wanted to, instead, she rolled back onto her stomach, then lifted herself to where she was sitting next to him. She noticed that his expression had changed a small amount. While maintaining a smile as he looked at her; he had a glance of concern mixed in with it. She was quickly able to diffuse this look however, as she leaned in, and gave him another kiss before returning to sitting on her haunches.

   "Umm, Devan?" she said in a breathless whisper as her head lowered towards the ground, keeping one eye on him, while the front of her mane to drop partially in front of her face.

   "Yes?" he answered back as he reached his hand under her mane, and started to gently caress the side of her cheek.

   Closing her eyes, she pressed her head into the palm of his hand for a moment, before opening them again, and looking directly into his. "Make love to me?" As soon as the question came from her mouth, she darted her gaze down to the cushions of the couch, as a full body blush tore over her like a wild fire. The blush only intensified as she felt him place a finger under her chin, making her turn her head upwards to see him grinning back, before he leaned in, and kissed her deeper than any of the previous ones prior. She was all to happy to give into his kiss with earnest, but she wanted more, she wanted him. Breaking the pressure of their lips, Fluttershy slowly slid off of the the couch, and ever so gingerly took Devan's first two fingers into her mouth. She clamped down in the most gentle way possible, and started pulling at him.

   With an excited chuckle, Devan took the hint of how she wanted him to get up from where their intense foreplay was occurring. He stood to his feet, while still allowing her to keep his fingers in her hot little mouth as the Pegasus mare started walking backwards. It was all to apparent where she was leading the two of them; her bedroom door was wide open, and to him looking all to inviting indeed. As soon as the pair entered the room, Fluttershy let go of her soon to be lover's fingers, then jumped up on to the edge of the bed, and looked to him with her soft seemingly glowing sea blue eyes.

*****

   Minutes past after the mated pair brought each other to the throws of passion. Yet neither one wanted to move from the spot where they sat. Him holding her; she holding him, it was something that they both had wanted, and now neither of them wanted to end. Fluttershy then softly pulled his face away from her heaving chest, planting a deep, and loving kiss to his lips.

   "Mmm," Devan moaned with a smile while returning the kiss. He took in a deep breath as he broke away from her soft lips, then letting it out in a long sigh. "I'm really glad I found you Shy. You saved me you know,"

he said, breaking the silence the two were sharing.

   This made Fluttershy get a curious look on her muzzle. "I saved you? From who?" she asked as the lover's eyes met.

   "Me," he said with a smile that almost seemed to have a tinge of sadness hidden with in it. With out saying a word, Fluttershy just leaned in, and pressed Devan's lips to her own. Then, she begrudgingly climbed off of him, and laid herself on the bed, with her back towards him.

   "Hold me?" she said as she looked over her shoulder with a welcoming smile while making a faint beckoning motion with her wing.

   All Devan could do after hearing her cute request was climb into the bed while returning the smile he was being given. ever so softly he placed an arm under her neck, then pressing his body as close to hers as he could while draping his other arm over her upper body. Fluttershy's eyes closed as she felt the spooning embrace of her new mate begin to envelop her. She laid her head down on the arm that had reached under her, and released a happy breath as she felt the other arm encase her, and take one of her hooves into his hands. There, the two enjoyed the lovely aftershocks of their coupling, as they held one another in the others presence.

*****

      Moon Burn slowly took Chaotica's hooves into the lower most bends of his; slowly pulling her up from her resting position. "There you go. Very slow now," he said in a voice that was more like one he would have used on his own child if he had fallen down at a young age. He was worried still however, in just the span of a few hours, Chaotica had started to babble nonsense about how she couldn't feel her sister anymore.

   "Is there any word yet?" Chaotica groaned out as she used all of her strength to place herself in a slumped sitting position on the edge of the bed. "Has anypony found Chaosia, or Shannon?" She then looked up at the large black stallion, her eyes wide with a pleading sadness for an answer she knew that he more than likely did not have.

   "You shouldn't worry about matters that are beyond you child," Moon Burn said, mustering as much of his authority in his tone; coupled with a kind of compassion for her worries. There was something that troubled him however, a kind of nagging that would not go away as he looked over to the empty bed where Chaosia once rested. "It is a mystery though." He began as he let go of the mare's hooves, and returned to all four of his. "Chaosia was just in a bad a shape as you; maybe even worse. Still she was able to leave this place without alarm or detection." This made him place a smile on his face before he continued talking. "Now while in my line of work I have ended up in this hospital more than once, and I assure you I wanted to leave as quickly as I could. Though, I doubt  I could have done so in such a manner as your sister."

   "I don't know," Chaotica sighed out as she tried to straighten her back out, and ignore the pain that followed. "It's all wrong Moon Burn. I can't feel her anymore, I don't know where she is. We've always been able to know where each other were! But now, I just just don't know. Something feels cold. Like something else is there." This series of words, and thoughts made her start to tear up, making her eyes shine with a glossy finish. Moon Burn's parental instinct took hold once more as he stood up again, and started to slowly stroke Chaotica's short, spiked back mane.

   "Shh, It's alright. I am sure she is fine. She is just missing is all, and she will more than likely be back very soon. It's just odd how she seemed to have just turned into a." Finally the resolve to the problem at hand came smashing into the Dark Guardsman like a runaway train. "A puff of smoke. I am such an old fool." He quickly grabbed Chaotica by the shoulders, giving her a rather stern look. "Your mist form! Have you ever tried to heal yourself with it? I mean, you can deconstruct yourselves, and reform. Who's to say that when you reform, you can take the shape of a healthy mare that was never in an accident?"

   "I-I don't know," Chaotica mumbled to herself for a moment. "I have never thought of doing it. I, well, we have never been hurt bad enough to try it."

   Moon Burn let go of Chaotica, and clapped his hooves together, followed by a loud celebratory laugh. "Yes! That's how she got out of here without being seen. She was in her cloud form, the sneaky little filly! Now all we have to do now is use a spell that would." For a moment, Moon Burn's train of thought was halted as two rushed guardsman flew past the door. "That would umm." He tried to say again, this time seeing even more armored Ponies run past the door. "Excuse me a moment," He said as he walked over towards the door, and stuck his head out to see what the panic was about.

   "Moon Burn!" A voice came to him from down the hallway. As soon as he turned to acknowledge it, another Dark Pony came rushing up to him. "We have been trying to find you! There is something wrong, in the throne room!"

   "Well do not let me try to guess! What happened?" Moon Burn scolded as he thought the Guardsman was trying to be overly dramatic.

   "We don't know. The two guards outside the doors just heard them slam behind them, then some dark magical shroud encased the entire wall. We can't get in, the windows have the same magic around them! Please, hurry!" With that, the Pony darted off again to join his fellow guards.

   "What's happening Moon Burn?" Chaotica asked from inside the room. This causing Moon Burn to turn only his head towards her as he started a fast walk in the same direction as the guards.

   "I don't know. I will be back soon, and I'll tell you all about it. Okay?" Before his final words had left his mouth, the stallion was already in a dead run towards the throne room of his Goddesses.

   "Hey wait!" Chaotica yelled as she tried to wave her front legs at him, only to recoil them back to her sides as a shiver of pain made from her shoulders; all the way to her hooves.

*****

      Luna looked on in complete shock, and horror as the scene before her began to unfold. The Dark Pony stallion stood there in the middle of the throne room as his living shadows began to ooze down the walls. They covered the windows; took hold of the door, and ensured that nothing could enter or escape without his say so. The Moon Princess's eyes grew wider still as the ghastly vision of her sister, and her Human mate being lowered from the ceiling. Each of them encased in the thin wrappings of Shadow Vein's silent minions. "Shadow Vein! What have you done?" she cried out as she started in a fast trot over to her sibling. Her progress impeded quickly as several of the oil slick lashes whipped from Celestia's cocoon. She jumped back, then suddenly changed her movements towards Shannon, only to have the same thing happen, making her stop dead in her tracks.

   "I have only done what you have asked me to Princess," Shadow Vein said as he gave a small bow of the head as he addressed her. "I have retrieved your dear lost Shannon, and brought him back to you. And as for your sister? Well I am afraid she is responsible for the death of our lovely Chaosia. I brought her here to answer for her crimes against the Dark Guard."

   "What?" Luna cried out as the thought of Chaosia being dead refused to settle in her mind at this particular moment. "She, she's dead? When? How?" While her questions were directed at anypony in the room, she was looking directly at Celestia as she spoke.

   "It's a lie sister!" Celestia shouted in her very much unused Canterlot voice. "I have no idea what this mislead fool is speaking of!"

   "Shadow Vein!" Shannon interrupted as he began to struggle from with in his trappings. "You will release me now! Or I swear to everything held in the Night I will bring you suffering unmatched!" Before Shannon could finish issuing his threat, one of the long tendrils slapped it's self across his lower face; effectively muzzling the irate Human.

   "Oh do be silent you long winded, flank kissing, drama queen," Shadow Vein said with a malicious laugh as he saw Shannon continue to try and talk, even with his mouth covered. "I am not afraid of you any more Shannon!" he shouted as his one eye flared red in time with his shouts.

   Luna's heart sank to new depths as she saw the one red eye begin to glow. "Shadow Vein. Why is your eye like that? How did it happen?"

   "You like it? It has increased my magic by one hundred fold," The Dark Stallion said with a hidden grin under his masked muzzle. "It was a gift. One given to me by our fallen Chaosia as she lay dead on the ground. Not long after this one ended her," pointing at Shannon with one of his front hooves as he told the story. The look on Luna's face was one of bewilderment, and utter disbelief. "Don't believe me eh? I was there; I saw it with my own eyes. Shannon rested in a small patch of trees, then Chaosia attacked him without warning, or reason. And it was all brought on by the hatred, and jealousy of our poor little Sun Goddess!" His eye once more ignited with his temper, as he shouted the accusation towards Celestia.

   "Why you indignant heathen!" shouted Celestia, as she would let the Sun burn out before she was accused of such crimes by a lowly castle guard; one that had apparently lost his mind. She, like Shannon was about to let loose a verbal beating of the likes the little dark stallion had never seen. However, several whip like shades flew from the walls, and wrapped themselves around her muzzle.

   "I have grown oh so tired of you Celestia," Shadow Vein chuckled out, getting a rather large kick from calling the Sun Pony by her first name; lacking the formalities.

   "Stop this!" Luna demanded as she took several intimidating steps towards her maddened guard. "Release them, now!" she continued as the volume of her voice, rose along side her coming rage.

   "And what if I don't?" Shadow Vein asked, as he too took steps towards the Moon Goddess. "What if I like them where they are? Perhaps I will keep them there, as a set of trophies. Prizes to commemorate my coming to power." After speaking, Shadow Vein put his full attention towards Luna, who still had her unblinking, and ire filled eyes checked completely against him. "Perhaps another trophy hmm? One of an ungrateful Alicorn upstart that took the gifts I bestowed upon her, as a threat; then pushed them away with angry demands."

   "I am not going to warn you again Shadow Vein," Luna growled out in a cold voice that seemed not to be her own. Her coat then began to darken, her over all size started to grow. Even her mane, and tail started to become more violent, as they whipped back, and forth in unfelt winds. However, as her vision became tunneled towards the growing menace in front of her, she did not take notice of both Celestia, and Shannon struggling to gain her notice. She also did not see what was behind her; an extending outcropping of Shadow Vein's spectre vines; slowly reaching for the Night Princess.

   "Are you not?" the Stallion mocked as he stepped closer to Luna, wanting to encourage her fury towards him. "Well then, I must ask. What do you plan to do about it, false God?" After giving his taunt, Luna let out a gasp of disbelief at the pure level of arrogant insolence. Then, with a gritted teeth grunt, she lunged forth as her horn began to glow; full of magics to used to take down her new enemy. She did not get far into her attack however, for just as she propelled herself forward, the black tendrils behind her did the same, but with much greater speed.

   The first one wrapped itself around her horn, immediately choking off her ability to channel magic in anyway shape or form, at the same time, yanking her head back to the point where a very loud crack of her spine could be heard. The next series brought themselves around each of her legs, which she desperately tried to relieve herself of, failing horribly as they tripped her to the point of losing all balance, and bringing her down to the floor with a solid crash. Luna only had enough time to scream out in pain before she too was muzzled by several more shades. Then the last simply clutched themselves around her body, to lift her up to the air where she was placed hanging by her sister.  

   Shannon thrashed, and tossed himself inside the crushing vines. Letting out muffled screams of fury as he was forced to watch helpless as his Goddess was easily brought to the same fate as he. This caught Shadow Vein's attention, and the Dark Pony slowly stepped over to him. "Careful now Shannon," said Shadow Vein as he stood up on his hind legs, and pushed Shannon with enough force to make him start swinging back and forth. "We don't want you to hurt yourself now." Shadow Vein pushed again, save for this time, it was as if Shannon had been tossed by a gale force wind, as he flew across the room, smashing into the wall. Luna let out a fear, and tear filled deluded scream of her own as she saw her mate get thrown like a rag doll. All she her self could do was look on in dismay as she saw Shannon fall limp, still encased with in the shades that bound him.

   Turning his head from side to side, Shadow Vein cracked his neck, then rolled his shoulders several times as he emitted a soft malign laugh at the Human's current state. "Now, let me see here." The instant he muttered these words to himself, both Celestia, and Luna slid through the air, and were placed on either side of the tall, shared throne. "Ah yes! That is very nice I think. You both look wonderful as living trophies to my supreme power." He then walked up the few steps, turned around, then slowly sat himself on to the cushioned throne seat. "Well, I can see why you both enjoy sitting here. This is just lovely," he said as he quickly bounced himself up and down.

   A long content sigh came from the Dark Pony as he sat there in the usurped throne. He felt just so alive at this point, never before in his life had he known such unchallenged success in any of the undertakings he had tried to perform before this. He was about to just start thinking of ways he would reform Canterlot, and even the whole of Equestria into his image, once he had amused himself enough with the now defeated Princesses. Something caught his ear however, the sound of glass cracking. It was to quiet to catch where the sound came from at first, then it came again, and Shadow Vein whipped his head towards the massive covered doors his shades were holding tight. The sound came once more, and Shadow Vein could swear he saw an ever so miniscule pin point of light coming through the oil like tapestry. Now he was sure of it as he slid off the throne, and on to his hooves, looking on with an air of rejection as he saw a light gleaming crack start to form in his living void.

   Then as if somepony had applied just the right amount of pressure, Shadow Vein's wall became a spider web of cracks. With a thunderous sound as if a thousand windows had just been shattered all at once, the black flowing wall of shadow came crashing down, and pushed forwards to the ground as a brilliant flash of light filled the room. Shadow Vein, and both Princesses had no choice but to avert their eyes, the little Stallion quickly lifting his hoof to his eyes to shield himself from the heat filled white flash. He then lowered his hoof back to the floor, and simply could not believe what he saw standing where the doors of this hall used to be.

   Moon Burn stood very still in the arches of the shattered door. His horn glowed with a white so pure, it was as if somepony had placed it in the most scorching of furnaces. His eyes gave off a similar shimmer as well; his irises, and pupils replaced by a spectral white glow. "Shadow Vein," the elder Pony snarled out as tinges of smoke came from his mouth while he spoke. For just a moment, Shadow Vein had to swallow a small lump of fear. He had never seen Moon Burn use his magic before, and he now knew very well why the old Guardsman was called Moon Burn. The younger of the two snapped his attention back to the present however, as he saw the large Dark Stallion start to step into the room.

         Now as well as Moon Burn, dozens of Guardsmen; both Royal and Dark came rushing to Luna's advisor. However, before they could plunge themselves into battle with the masked Dark Pony that had both their Princesses wrapped in dark trappings, Moon Burn let out a loud command to halt them. "Traitorous little fool," he snarled out as he alone started to approach Shadow Vein. "I hear that our very halls are under siege. I saw the black magic used to keep us from entering. Then, just as I prepare my eyes to witness some horror from times past. All I see, is a lowly upstart, placing his flank in a position he knows he does not belong. How dare you!"

   "How dare I?" Shadow Vein shouted as he took mirrored steps towards his accuser. "In but the small span of a few days I have become more powerful than both the Moon, and the Sun combined. I have been gifted with the very soul of a fallen friend. And just look what has become of Luna's great terror, her pathetic mortal champion!" As he said this, all eyes followed Shadow Vein's hoof to where Shannon still lay; breathing shallow, and wrapped in the tightened strips of living shadow. "All this I have done in just the fraction of the time it would have taken an entire legion of Ponies to do." A loud, and unnatural laugh emanated from the mask wearing Pony as his one Abyssal eye began to glow. He then stepped back, and once again to his seat on the throne of Canterlot. "I am more than the Moon, I am greater than the Sun. No Alicorn here or beyond us can stand against me. I am, Oblivion incarnate." Once more the high pitched whinny of laughter came from his covered lips, and save for Moon Burn, even some of the most stalwart of Guards began to slowly remove themselves from the scene they beheld.

   "You are nothing more than a spoiled child with to many toys to play with," Moon Burn said with a hint of disgust in his tone; a tone that brought Shadow Vein's laughter to a sudden halt.

   "Am I now?" Shadow Vein said as he tried to stave off the anger that Moon Burn's insolence had started to give rise to. "I am not selfish my old friend. Here, allow me to let you play with some of my toys!" With those words spoken, a single lash from Shadow Vein's voice came lunging forth. Moon Burn took no measure of stopping it, he simply stood his ground as the tendril wrapped itself around his neck. Some of the more braver Pony guards did try to take action however. They all jumped forth, tried to make it to where they could defend their comrade. Their valorous approach was cut short quickly though. For just as they were about to close the distance, dozens of the oil like vines came from all directions, creating a wall of sharpened tips, that not even the Pegasi could traverse. "All to easy," the masked Pony gloated with a hidden grin. His expression changed quickly however, as he looked down and saw that Moon Burn had a grin of his own.

   With a brilliant white flash from both his horn and his eyes, Moon Burn let out a clenched toothed growl as his magic enveloped him in a field of white flames; creating an aura so bright, that those behind the make shift wall had to avert their gaze, and even take steps back. The strangling whip that had Moon Burn bound was all too quickly disintegrated as the flicking, and wild white flames around Moon Burn's body quelled, and returned to his horn. "Consider me, unimpressed," the old stallion taunted as he took in a quick nonchalant sniff through his nose.

   Underneath the mask that Shadow Vein bore, he ground his teeth in frustration. He couldn't believe that this old Pony could act so casual in the face of a true living God such as himself. He knew that the elder Guardsman was not blind; he knew he could see both the Alicorn Princesses bound, and defeated at his side. It infuriated him to see such arrogance in the face of true unfiltered power. "You insolent mortal!" Shadow Vein shouted as he dashed off of the throne in a fast run towards Moon Burn. "That was just a sample of my power! You will be a crippled gelding by the time I am done with you!" As he finished shouting, and his speed increased, Shadow Vein's red eye flared with rage, and the braids of his mane and tail tore loose as the Abyssal force within him took hold, turning his hair both back, and front into dense smoke torrents that lashed, and waved, while crackling with streaks of electrical energies.

   Closer did Shadow Vein come, and ever still did Moon Burn remain; simply watching as the mad Dark Pony rushed towards him. He let out a small sigh, and had to contain a laugh at Shadow Vein's tactics. He actually thought that there would be more to him than this. He did indeed in fact capture the two most powerful of Ponies, but now, he realized it must have been through clandestine, and shadowed ways. His horn then flashed a blinding white, as he took in a deep inhale, and then let out a powerful roar that was accompanied by a plume of pure alabaster flame that spewed from his mouth in a wave that headed directly towards the charging Pony.

   Shadow Vein was quick however, while he may not have anticipated the uncanny attack his elder set loose, his new powers granted him an agility most supernatural in it's design. With a sudden stop, and full blown dodging roll, the Abyssal possessed Pony removed him self from what could have easily been his destruction. Though not a complete escape as he felt a searing pain on his side. He looked only for a moment, and his eyes widened as he saw that a large portion of his coat had been burned away; only leaving a raw and smoking exposure of skin.

   "At one point, shortly after I was born," Moon Burn began as he walked calmly to one of the walls of the great hall; still keeping a considerable distance between himself, and Shadow Vein. "My parents had named me Still Lake. However, after I accidently burned down our first home, they decided to change it. I hope you see why." Now a simple chuckle did come form the old stallion, causing an effect of puffs of smoke to flee from the corners of his mouth, and from his nostrils. Now the tactic of the more experienced Pony was coming to pass, as he had placed himself against a wall, where he was directly in front of Shadow Vein who was looking at him, and had not noticed that Shannon was now moving, and while still encased in the wrappings of shades, he had pushed himself up the wall where he stood on his feet.

   Shadow Vein let out a scoff, it was used in a way to defend against the awe of his opponents power as he fought off the pain of being burned, and even looking down to see that even the solid stone floor of the throne room now had a large smoldering divot in it from where the flames had hit. "I don't care what your name is. The only thing I am going to remember about you is the screams of pain as I tear you apart!"

   The only way Moon Burn reacted to this threat was by slowly shaking his head, and letting out a soft laugh. "Oh, I would imagine you will have to try to get your hooves on me first. And that is something you are failing at very well I might add."

   "I'll make you suffer!" Shadow Vein screamed as he once again took off in a lowered head run at Moon Burn. Dozens of void born tendrils came lashing out from all directions; thrusting themselves at the unmoving stallion who simply let the flames of his magic turn them to ash as they tried to encase him. Shadow Vein smiled as he knew that his Lovelies were enough of a distraction to allow him to get in close. Just before he was a few feet away however, Moon Burn let out a short exhale, sending a lobbing white fireball in Shadow Vein's direction. This made the young Abyssal grin as he didn't even have to move to dodge the attack, and it sailed over him in a wide ark.

   Now within striking distance, Shadow Vein took a step to the side, then reared up on his hide legs as he struck hard, and fast with his front hooves. The first in the volley was avoided by Moon Burn twisting his head to the side, the second however, came into full contact with the old stallion cheek bone; causing his head to snap back the way it had came. Coming back down on all fours, Shadow Vein lunged forth, driving his shoulder into the chest of his now stunned adversary. The force of the blow knocked Moon burn back several feet, and gave Shadow Vein enough time to spin on his front legs, while cocking his back ones into a deep chamber. Once at full tension, Shadow Vein released the stored power in his thick back legs, and connected his kick directly into the same area of Moon Burn's chest where he just been shoulder slammed.

   A loud gasp came from Moon Burn as the masked stallion's attack struck. The force behind it was enough to make his eyes water, and push him backwards where he smashed into the wall that was behind him; making him come up onto his hind legs. He then felt the sensation of Shadow Vein once more unleashing a flurry of blows to his now exposed ribs, stomach and undefended face. Getting into a hoof brawl was something he was all to familiar with, and he took in deep breaths each time Shadow Vein bashed into him.

   Shadow Vein came up to his rear legs, while at the same time crossing his front ones as he drove them up into Moon Burn's throat pinning him to the wall with a hard choke. "Old wretch!" Shadow Vein shouted as his masked face was now muzzle to muzzle with Moon Burn's. "You weren't even a problem for me. You even missed with a simple spell."

   A cough came from Moon Burn as he stood higher on his back hooves to relieve some of the tension of Shadow Vein's hold, giving him at least enough air to speak. "Well, first off: I am afraid I didn't miss," he said as a smile came over his now bloodied lips. "And secondly: however much of a problem I was before. I do think you have a bigger one now." After saying this, Moon Burn began to let out a slow laugh, that increased in volume as he could notice at this range the expression on Shadow Vein's face change under the mask as he realized what he had down with that fireball that seemingly missed him.

   For just a moment Shadow Vein relived the seconds before he had Moon Burn up against this wall. The way he was taunting him, the way the fireball easily flew over his head. That's when the mad Pony snapped back to reality as he came to see that the firey attack was not meant for him. It was meant for somepony else across the room; directly behind him. This was all the time Shadow Vein had to construct the scene in his head. For just as he came to realize what Moon Burn had done, he felt the iron clad strength of Shannon wrapping his arm around his neck from behind.

         With a fury filled yell, fueled by all the pent up anger, frustration and feelings of betrayal, Shannon placed all that he was as he tore Shadow Vein away from Moon Burn. This caused Shadow Vein to let out a gurgled gasp as he felt his air way become clamped, and feel himself being pulled as Shannon set his leg as he jerked, the Dark Pony tripped easily and was swiftly put onto his back with a solid, pain inducing thud. In less than a second after his former troop mate had come to rest, Shannon had pulled his one remaining axe from his side, and with another malice teeming scream, drove the weapon directly towards the Ponies exposed head.

   With a pain filled gasp of shock, Shadow Vein looked up to his hooded, and masked aggressor, and once more the Abyssal power that was now with in him gave him speed that was not his own, and because of it, he was barely able to remove himself from the path of the black steel blade that made a loud twang sound as it struck, and even chipped away a the floor where his head once lay. It was here that he was able to catch a small amount of his bearings as he rolled onto his hooves, and saw that Moon Burn was now off the wall, and running across the room to where Luna, and Celestia were. He tried to concentrate, on both situations at hand. Vine, after vine flew from the shadows to try to grasp a hold of Moon Burn, only to be struck down by his ivory magic. He could not keep up with him, and even had to leap out of the way as Shannon's axe came flying towards him one more time. The axe he evaded, however, he was not able to remove himself from the path of the Human's closed fist as it came in directly after the blade, crushing him so hard in the jaw that he could actually feel some of his teeth loosen.

   Once more Shadow Vein tried to halt Moon Burn's progress. This time though he had his Lovelies form a completely solid wall of darkness that encompassed the throne area. This high level of concentration cost him however, as he felt not one, but two kicks from Shannon being placed on him. The first one came directly to push itself into his neck, and the other found a higher target in the form of the other side of his face; opposite of where he was just punched. The third attack was something he could not allow however, as the sharp blade of the axe came streaking through the air, aimed directly at the bridge of his nose. This forced Shadow Vein to make a risky move in the way of actually moving forward, and twisting his head in such a way that the axe blade came into brutal contact with his horn. The deadly blow was deflected, but Shannon was quick to improvise as he quickly flicked his wrist, bringing the axe blade to rest just barely on Shadow Vein's long face. He then, with a solid downward pull, drug the weapon's cutting edge down the length of the Ponies masked face.

   Leaping back to avoid yet another relentless set of attacks. Shadow Vein grimaced in pain as he felt the wound on his face now open, and begin to pour blood down his broken mask. He saw quickly that Moon Burn had started to melt away at the void constructed wall to get to the Princesses. He also had to make even more evasive movements to keep form getting struck once more with either the death dealing weapon, or the trained appendages of his Human opponent. Now an uncountable amount of the shadow whips came from all sides of the room, above, and below. They raced towards Shannon with the intentions of not capturing, but spearing, then gutting him like a fish as they took on sharp piercing tips.

   Shannon was all to aware of this attack, and he knew the perfect defence for it. In a fluid dance of ducks, spins and weaves, Shannon got as close as he could to the Pony he intended to slay. He reached out with his free hand, and took a vice like grip on the Dark Ponies masked face while at the same time, pushing downward, and putting as much power into his legs as he could. This caused the Human to vault over Shadow Vein, and place himself behind, and to the side of him. He had no choice but to drop his axe as he spun around, wrapping now both his arms around the Ponies neck, and pulling him up with all his might, effectively turning him into a meat shield for the tracking shadow weapons that raced towards him.

   Shadow vein had to hold his breath as he felt himself get stuck ever so slightly by the few of his Lovelies he was not able to hold at bay. His teeth crushed onto each other as the pain of his skin being pierced by his own attack. Just as soon as they had come however, the mass of tendrils retreated back to the black puddles of shade from where they had come from, as Shadow Vein lifted his hind leg, and brought it down onto Shannon's foot. "I have had enough!" The Abyssal cried out as he felt Shannon's grasp on him weaken due to the bone shattering strength of his small kick. The only thing saving Shannon from losing his foot completely was the thick plating that covered the top of his boot. This did give Shadow Vein an opportunity to spin around, and catch Shannon slightly on the side of the head with the side of his hoof. "Let's see how motivated you are when I strip everything you hold dear away from you," he said as the wall of shade Moon Burn was trying to bring down came crashing to the floor in a deluge of liquid shadow.

   Much to Shannon's horror, what he heard was his Worship let out a muzzled scream of pain, and saw Shadow Vein's tendrils began to slowly crush her to the point even he could hear the creaking of her bones. Shannon's vision became tunneled as he completely lost all attention on Shadow Vein, and started to run in a mad dash towards Luna who was still writhing in pain as the bonds that held her slowly tightened to the point of breaking everything with in her, he did not get far however. For as soon as he had his back turned, Shadow Vein lunged forward with as much power as he could bring, and drove his horn directly into Shannon's back. A familiar sensation washed over Shannon's body. That horrid burn of skin being torn open, as he felt the horn of his enemy place itself into his insides. It wasn't the pain from his wound, it wasn't even the fact that he had lost all composure to try to aid his Goddess. It was her literally trying to tear her own body apart to try to free herself from her captors to try to get to him as tears ran down her face, and sadness filled screams of his name came to his ears.

   With a hard pull Shadow Vein relieved his now completely blood soaked horn from Shannon, who in turn fell to his knees. All to quickly he saw Moon Burn start to rush him, and let out another fireball from his screaming mouth, this one with full intentions of hitting him. Now filled with the pride of oncoming victory, Shadow Vein felt more relaxed, and was able to once again place a solid wall up just in time to absorb the gleaming fire of Moon Burn's attack. Magic then surrounded Shannon's body as he was lifted into the air by Shadow Vein, then flung like an old doll up against the wall. The demented Ponie's magic then took hold of Shannon's axe that had been dropped to the ground. "Oh don't worry my friend. I wouldn't send you on your way with out this," he said as he had his horn's ability to hurl the weapon threw the air, aimed directly at Shannon's chest.

   Time slowed as Shannon watched his own weapon fly through the air towards him. He took notice of every detail: the spin of the blade, the glow of the Dark Unicorn's magic as it fluttered, and danced around before dissipating, and letting the blade fly on it's own accord. It would be over soon, he would be cast into Darkness, where he would dwell in eternal Night, forever in the bliss of his Worship's Moonlight. He knew that Shadow vein's attention was now solely on him, he was taking to much joy in the kill, and did not see Moon Burn getting ready to unleash his own attack on the Abyssal who all to much wanted to see the final blow come to pass. Something new came into his sight now however. A dark wisping cloud of dark smoke raced into the room, darting itself through the bladed wall of shadows that held back all the other Guards. It moved with speed uncharacteristic for just a puff of smoke though, and Shannon dreaded as he came to realize what it was.

   "Shannon!" Chaotica cried out as she began to retake her form in mid air, throwing herself towards him with her front legs outstretched as if to embrace him. Her timing was precise as she completely covered her object of love just as she solidified. However, she only had a fleeting moment to gaze into Shannon's eyes, and he into hers before the magic propelled axe struck her in the back, embedding itself inches deep into her spine. She refused herself to scream out in pain right there in Shannon's face, the only thing that came from her was a wide, open mouthed gasp telling him what had happened. This caused Shannon to use any strength he had left, and leap himself forwards to catch her in his arms as she fell into to him.

      "What? No!" Shadow Vein cried out as he bared witness to Chaotica's sacrifice. "What have you done?" he screamed again as he started to take quick steps to move towards the Human, and Pony pair as Shannon cradled her heavy breathing body in his arms.

   "Shadow Vein!" Moon Burn screamed, taking the Abyssal's attention off of Shannon, and quickly turning to see the fire breathing stallion launch himself up in to the air. "You're mine!" As Moon Burn called Shadow Vein out, his horn became a blaze of blinding light, and it seemed as if a pure beam of light came rushing from his horn, his mouth, and his eyes all with the intention of turning the blood covered masked Pony into smouldering ash.

   Completely caught off guard, Shadow Vein had only a mere second to try and raise his defenses against the fury powered assault brought down by his former friend, and teacher. However, the rage that came with the attack was much more now than Shadow Vein's small amount of tendrils could deflect, and absorb. The beams from Moon Burn tore through the vines of shade like they weren't even there, and completely consumed Shadow Vein in a sudden conflagration of scorching white flame. unbridled screams of agony came from Shadow Vein as he instinctively dropped to the ground, and began writhing back and forth with futile attempts to extinguish the all encompassing flames. Whether it was self preservation, or simply his will, the patches of shadows that covered the walls, floor and ceiling all rushed to where their master burned to death. They formed a massive dark pool under him, where he quickly sank, still screaming as he was taken into his Void.

   Moon Burn made a desperate leap at the sinking Dark Pony as he saw the effects of his Void start to take hold of the flames that tore his body asunder. It was to late however, all that he did was land hooves first onto solid floor as the shadows that pulled their master into them, faded away. This became a cascading effect now, as the wall that blocked the entrance fell to the floor, and crawled away. Even the bindings that held Luna, and Celestia let their prey go, dropping them to the ground in a crumpling mass, as they too slid up into the ceiling, and faded like all the rest. "Shadow Vein!" Moon Burn called out to the walls, turning to each of them, even looking up to the ceiling. "You coward! Come and face your death!" However much rage the old Pony held with in him, it all started to bury itself back into his being, replaced by shocking sadness as he saw the scene of Shannon holding Chaotica in his arms.

   "You fool, you stupid fool!" Shannon hissed threw his teeth as he pulled down his hood, and removed his mask. He then painstakingly brought himself to his knees, while at the same time, leaning Chaotica back so that she rested on his thighs. "What were you thinking?" he commanded as he looked down into her now glossy, tear filled eyes.

   "Shannon," Chaotica whimpered with fleeting breaths. "It hurts. Please, my, my back." As her request finished, Shannon knew all to well what he must do. With one arm, he placed her head up to his chest, then with the other he reached back, and took hold of the axe handle. He could feel her tense up, placing her front hoof onto his shoulder, and pulling herself as close to him as she could. With that sign of readiness, Shannon clenched his teeth, and pulled as hard as he could, ripping the blood stained blade from her back, causing her to screech out as the pain surged through her body like a lightning bolt.

   "There. Now let's get you to the hospital. You will be fine," Shannon said as he tried to muster the strength to lift her, and himself from the ground.

   "Shannon wait please," Chaotica protested as she pulled even harder to prevent him from coming to his feet. "It's alright. I, I just want to tell you something before I go. I need to."

   "You're not going anywhere, now be quiet." After saying this to her, Shannon snapped his head up to give all the onlookers a menacing glare. "Don't just stand there! Get the Doctor!" Several Ponies jumped at his barked command, others still stood there looking down at the pair as a dark red pool of both their blood began to mingle onto the floor beneath them.

   "Shannon please," Chaotica pleaded, drawing his attention back down to her as she reached her hoof to his cheek, stroking it gently.

   "You are an idiot Chaotica," Shannon scolded as he brought his hand to take her stroking hoof. "Someone like you isn't supposed to sacrifice themselves for someone like me."

   As much pain as she was in, she loved finally being able to be held in his arms. The feeling of finally being able to press her ear to his chest; hear his heart beat, and even feel his hand tenderly grip her hoof. His last comment also made her laugh just a bit, though she couldn't stop letting out a blood filled cough. "It's alright," she whispered as she felt her body start to go numb, and she put everything into keeping her hoof wrapped in his clasping hand. "You see. You can exist in a world without me. But I would never be able to exist in one without you. Now please, do one thing for me before I go. It, it is all I ask."

   "What is it you want?" Shannon asked as he slowly began to rock back and forth, hating the feeling of her heart coming to a slow crawl.

   "Kiss me," she whispered as she forced a smile over her lips, looking up at him as lovingly as she could. Shannon said nothing to this. He only turned his head to where Luna lay on the ground, now surrounded by Ponies to give her aid. He could only see her eyes, glowing in a gloss brought on by the constant stream of tears as she lay silently, watching another one of her Royal Guard slip away. "Shannon," Chaotica said, pulling his gaze back down to her. "Please, It is all I ask. Let me take your breath with me into my Forever, where I can cherish it, always."

   Shannon nodded slowly at her request, and with that, he leaned down, and softly place his lips to hers. He felt her become tense once more, and her hoof left his hand so she could place it on the back of his head, pulling him down to even more deepen their first, and final embrace. He then felt her take in a deep breath, and while their kiss began to come to an end, he felt her release a long hard exhale. So strong in fact that he could feel the hard pushing air flow down his throat, and into his lungs. Then, her chest fell flat, and her hoof that held his head to her lips fell limp, and hit the floor. Her head slowly rolled back, her eyes were closed, and a small smile of happiness was on her lips, then, she was gone.

   Moon Burn dared not to try to stop the flow of tears that washed down his face as he watched his friend die there in Shannon's arms. He witnessed as Shannon ever so gently placed her body on the ground where he sat on his legs before with his head hung low, to where his long, now matted black hair covered his face completely. Something happened then, it was faint at first, but just for a moment, Moon Burn could have sworn he saw something glow from underneath the long straight locks that covered Shannon's face. "Shannon?" he asked, taking a step forward. Once more he saw a glow start to brighten the area underneath Shannon's hair. It was a dull light, red in it's color, and that is when Shannon clenched his fists to the point Moon Burn could hear his knuckles cracking. In a swift motion Shannon lifted his head, and Moon Burn saw that the glow was coming from his left eye.

  Slowly the Human came to his feet, scooping up his mask, and axe that lay on the ground. He felt just so very wonderful, as if a new source of power had been directly injected into his blood.  Every muscle in his entire body burned with energy that he felt there was no end to. He felt so very alive as he looked around the former battlefield, to see that all eyes were on him. He could feel their breaths, he could sense the awe, and fear that leaked from their very souls. Even their thoughts seemed to be his to pick at, and collect as he deemed fit. More than that however, he could feel him, he could actually feel where the cause of his pain, and sorrow was. That's when he placed his mask over his face once more, revealing that the power of the Abyssal that now coursed through his being shown perfectly through the left eye of his face covering.

   "Come to me." A small whispered voice entered his ear. All in the room turned, to see that Princess Luna had done all she could to bring her head to a raised position.

   Shannon took several quick steps as he heard the command of his Goddess, and any that were in his way felt more than compelled to remove themselves from his path. Falling to his knees before her, Shannon spoke in a voice that had now a rasping distortion. "Speak to me your will my Worship. Tell me your desires, so that I may make them my goals, my obsessions. I am yours to command."

   "Am I still that Shannon?" the Alicorn asked while giving her Guardsman, her lover a very serious look. "Am I still your Worship?"

   "You are that my Goddess. Now more than ever. What will you have of me?" he said, keeping his head bowed in a deep reverence.

   "Track him, find him, and then, I want you to destroy him." As Luna growled out her request, she could almost feel the ear to ear grin that appeared under his mask. "Make sure there are no other Ponies near you when he dies. The creature that has taken you both cannot live without a host." She let out a pain filled grunt as she pulled herself into a higher sitting position. "Now place your weapon before me." Without question, or hesitation, Shannon quickly laid his blood covered axe on the ground at her hooves. Luna looked down at the black axe, then took in a deep sigh as her horn began to glow. "You, mundane tool of destruction and death." She began as the whole of the axe started to glow with her magic. "You will hear my words, and take them to heart. I release you from the bindings of soulless existence, I give part of what I am to you." The weapon now started to reshape itself as the Moon Goddess started to imbue it with her magic. It lengthened it's handle, it's blade grew, and extended to form a sheer single blade that curved to such an extent, that it reached back onto it self. "Before this day, you had no reason, you had no name. Now I give you purpose, and I shall give you a name. Your reason for being is to bring down my Nothingness, and know now that you are called: Dream Reaver!"

   Shannon felt an overwhelming flow of absolute power crash into him as he looked down and saw what his Goddess had turned his axe into. A flowing staff of darkness that held on it's head the very blade of her rage, and vengeance. He could feel the dread that filled that room from all those in attendance as they too watched their Goddess of the Night exact her powers to see the down fall of the one that betrayed her. As soon as she finished her spell, and the newly forged Dream Reaver had stopped glowing, Shannon reached down, and took it into his hands. It felt as if it was made of nothing but air in his grip. There was no weight to it, but it was as if no matter where he grabbed it, it was perfectly balanced. Standing to his feet, he could not help but perform a fast flourish with it, and as he finished it, the blade struck the floor, and caused the very ground beneath all in the room to rumble, and quake.

   "Now go," Luna started. "Find the betrayer Shadow Vein. Bring him to Darkness!" Without even saying one word, Shannon turned around, and stepped past all the Ponies that had now made a clear path for him. However, he did not step out of the room, or even head towards the door. Instead, he walked over to the window of the throne room, and there, he looked back at all those watching him with wide eyes. His left eye flashed red, as several electrical currents now pulsed through his hair. Then he, and his weapon, Dream Reaver turned into a large, swirling cloud of lightning pulsing smoke, and soared outward to the sky.

Next Chapter:

A Reason for Malice

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