The Return of the Shadow Cult
This is sort of an experimental work, the idea of MLP merged with a sort of Sith like aspect to it. I started it early on fanfiction and later decided to write a prequel series below. I hope you enjoy it.
Twilight, Flutter-shy and Apple Jack stood at a picnic table at Sweet Apple Acres enjoying some well earned apple sauce after a hard day's work.
"You know this is just the perfect way to end the day," Apple Jack sighed, as she finished her bowl, "Thank you so much for your help getting all those apples pressed and mashed."
"Anytime Apple Jack," Twilight replied graciously, "I honestly had a lot of fun doing it. Besides, I love Apple sauce so it was well worth it."
"It was my pleasure," Flutter shy commented.
Just then Spike rushed over with panic in his eyes, "Twlight!" The Baby Dragon said tumbling on to the ground in front of them, "Something terrible has happened!"
"Spike," Twilight said standing up, "Calm down whatever it is, it can't be that bad." Wordlessly he handed her a small letter and Twilight's eyes widened as a horrified expression appeared on her face, "This is terrible! This is the worst possible thing that could have happened!"
"I know!" Spike said hugging her, "Of all the things that could have happened.
"What is it?" Apple Jack asked, "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Umm," Flutter-Shy began timidly, "What's wrong?"
"My Brother is coming to Pony-ville!" Twilight said dramatically, "I can't believe Celestia is asking me to actually consider seeing him!"
"You're kidding me right!?" Spike exclaimed angrily, "After what he tried to do to you!"
"No," Twilight said, fuming with rage, "I'm not!"
"Is this Shining armor you're going on about, Twi?" Apple Jack asked confused, "Because I thought he was your Big brother best friend forever and all that?"
"No, my other Brother," She explained using the word Brother said begrudgingly.
"You have another brother?" Flutter-shy asked surprised.
"A twin brother actually," Spike added.
"Fraternal twins," Twilight said quickly, "Shadow Specter and I are nothing alike whatsoever! I am a student of magic who believes in the greater good, he's a vicious psychopath who only cares about gaining more power."
"Oh come on, from what I can tell your family is all decent ponies, your brother can't be that bad." Apple Jack argued gently, "Why not give him a chance? I mean ponies can change."
"He's not my brother!" Twilight said in a sharp acidic tone, "My real brother Wishful Wind died five years ago when Shadow Specter consumed him! So just stay out of it, okay!?" and with that she spread her wings and raced off into the sky.
Spike hung his head low with a sad expression as Apple Jack and Flutter Shy watched her fly away dumbfounded. After a few moments had passed, Apple Jack was the one to break the silence, "I've never seen Twilight so angry."
"I know, I'm so worried about her." Flutter-shy commented, and then asked, "Spike, what did her brother do to make her so angry and why does she say he was consumed by Shadow Specter?"
Spike looked down at his feet, "It's really Twilight's business."
"I understand that Spike, but can you give us anything to go on here?" Apple Jack pleaded, "I wouldn't pry but I have never seen TwiI like that before."
"Okay, but only if you promise not to tell Twilight I said anything." Spike offered reluctantly.
"Our lips are sealed." Flutter sky said reassuringly, "Besides, I never betray a confidence."
"Shadow Specter, err Wishful Wind, was just released from the Canterlot dungeons." Spike whispered.
"What!?" Apple Jack and Flutter-shy exclaimed together.
"Shh!" Spike hissed, looking around quickly, "Twilight would kill me if she knew I had even told you."
"What in tar nation did he do get himself thrown in there?" Apple Jack asked.
"Okay, but you can't tell Twilight I told you any of this." Spike said desperately, "He went in a few months before we came to Ponyville and he wasn't supposed to be getting out until he was older than Granny Smith. However, in light of discord reformation, Celestia decided to offer the followers of Shadow Doom and his cult a full pardon for their attempt to over throw her conditional upon their genuine repentance and if they were willing to be rehabilitated and swore an oath to use magic for good and in the service of Equestria."
"So Shadow Specter is really Twilight's twin brother Wishful Wind?" Flutter shy asked, seeking confirmation.
"More or less," Spike replied, "All though I would say a lot less."
"And what did he do to Twilight, now?" Apple Jack asked confused.
Spike raised his claw, "I've said too much all ready."
"Its okay sugar cube, you've told us enough so we can help her, "Apple Jack smiled, "It's Twilight's business anyway and if she wants to tell us she will."
"That's just awful," Flutter sky commented, "To lose her brother like that, I feel so bad for her."
"I wonder why Twilight never told us, I mean we are her best friends." Apple Jack asked.
"Twilight doesn't talk about it or what happened to her with anyone." Spike explained, "She more or less pretends like it never happened or Wishful Wind ever existed, burying herself in her studies when it was all over, pretty much ignoring everyone. I know Shining armor tried to get her to open up about it but she never did. She really didn't do much of anything but study until we got to Pony-ville. "
"Maybe that's why Celestia sent her out here in the first place," Apple Jack said mulling it over, "After something like that I would need a change of scene."
"Gosh," Flutter Shy said with genuine sympathy in her eyes, "Seeing him again is going to be hard for her."
"That's putting it mildly." Apple Jack said in agreement, "I can't imagine what she is going through."
"You have to promise you won't say anything." Spike pleaded, "Twilight would hit the roof if she knew I told you."
"Trust us Spike, we won't say a word." Apple Jack promised.
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Twilight arrived back at the library fuming over Celestia's and Shinning Armor's request that she meet with Shadow Specter. How dare he even think about coming anywhere near her after what he had done! How dare Celestia release him in the first place! He wasn't her brother anymore; he was the dangerous evil thing that had destroyed him and he belonged in the dungeons for the rest of his life. She wasn't going to meet with now or ever! He could come here if he wanted but all he would get was a door slammed in his face, assuming she didn't put up a magic field to keep him out.
Walking over to her podium, her horn glowed purple as a quill rose into the air plummeting hard into the ink well knocking it on the floor. Ignoring the mess, she angrily began scratching out a letter to Celestia and Shining Armor informing them that if they were willing to let that monster back into their lives that was their business but she wanted nothing to do with him! She was finished with him forever so he should just avoid her, in fact it would be better if he didn't come at all! Who knew what she might do if she saw him again!
The fiercely scribbling quill snapped and throwing it across the library with a loud groan, Twilight slowly lowered herself on the floor and began to cry. Old memories surfacing came to mind of the worst days of her life. Wishful Wind slowly changing in Shadow Specter and all the horror that had come with the attempt on Celestia's life by the cult. The humiliation in her father's eyes as his son boasted of his service to that monster in court. The way her mother had wept when they had led him away to the dungeons with the rest of Shadow Doom's cult. The heavy gazes of the other ponies as she walked to class every day afterwards. Every moment of pain and terror from that time, returning to her like sharp stabs to her heart opening wounds that had closed but never healed completely.
Shinning Armor had always argued she should forgive him and begged her to come and visit him in the dungeons for a while, until finally giving up shortly before she had left Canterlot. She could almost hear him now, saying give him chance, no matter what he has done he is still out brother. He's not evil he just sick. He would even argue that the Princess saw that. Everyone kept saying she needed to forgive him for what he had done, but how could she?! What Shadow Specter had done had left a wound, a wound that had never healed. Part of her feared it never would.
There was a gentle knock on the library door, and wiping her eyes Twilight said, "Come in."
"Hey Sugar cube," Apple Jack greeted gently, "We don't mean to intrude, just me and Flutter shy were worried about you."
Twilight looked up, "That's very sweet of you. I am sorry about what I said before I left. I was just upset."
"That's okay Twilight," Flutter Shy said softly, "We were just worried I mean we've never seen you that riled up before."
"Is there anything we can do?" Apple Jack added, "I mean if you need to talk, we're here for you."
"I appreciate that," Twilight replied with a sad smile, "But I just can't talk about it right now, I want to but, I can't. It's just too painful."
"It's okay Twi," Apple Jack, "When you're ready, we'll be here."
Wordlessly, Spike wandered in, his green eyes full of tears as he gave his long time friend a knowing look, sharing her pain. Without saying anything he walked over and wrapped his arms around her as she leaned into his embrace sobbing hysterically. How could Celestia and Shinning armor ask her to do this? She thought, hadn't she suffered enough?
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The next morning, Wishful Wind sat on the train anxious to arrive in pony-ville. Like his twin sister, he had a violet body with dark purple mane and tail with the same pink stripe running through it. He had a cutie mark of a gust of wind blow stars on his flank. However; his eyes were swirls of red and yellow around a cat like iris, a condition he had acquired when he had fully become Shadow Specter. He wore a purple cloak and hood, a gift from his brother to hide this on his travels. While many reacted to him with suspicion and anger and even his own parents were uneasy around him. Shinning Armor and his new wife had been so kind to him, even helping him in securing his release when he was finally ready. They had offered to come with him when, when Celestia had suggested he face Twilight as part of his recovery, but he knew this was something he had to do alone.
During the trip from Canterlot, he had gone over many things he could say and had anticipated many reactions from Twilight, none of which ending well. Unlike his brother and parents, she had, had no contact with him since his arrest and incarceration. Even Celestia, the main target of the Shadow Cult, in time had decided to try to help those Corrupted by its leader Shadow Doom, but from his twin sister, nothing but stone cold angry silence. Given what he had done to her understood perfectly and would understand if she never spoke to him again. While he knew this trip was likely a fool's errand he had to try. He had to believe he was Wishful Wind again, not the fiend Shadow Specter, a vicious and cruel pony who had almost consumed him, costing him years of his life, and everything he had. Shadow Specter was a monster that had hurt so many ponies and had done terrible things and had revealed in it. A part of him, which after years of struggle and help from good people like his brother and his wife and the Princess was now under control.
He had to believe that awful pony he had been was gone and he was himself again. He had to believe beneath the red and yellow, the purple eyes, the ones that mirrored his sisters' still remained beneath the darkness and one day they would appear again. He had to believe he could heal things with Twilight and his family could be a family like they were before. While nothing was certain, he held on to that hope with every fiber of his being, trying to be cautiously optimistic as the Princess as recommended.
When he had been Shadow Specter he had hurt his twin sister the worst, something that no matter what happened would torture him for the rest of his life. They had shared their mother's womb for nine months; she was almost a part of him, a part he hoped Shadow Specter hadn't lost him forever. That evil creature had all ready cost him enough. He needed to tell her how sorry he was, how much of a fool he had been and beg her forgiveness. If it wasn't given, while it would be hard, he could accept that, but he had to at least try. He had to try to put right such a terrible crime committed against someone he loved very much.
His heart raced in his chest as the train pulled up to the platform, signaling his arrival in Pony-ville. Getting up, he grabbed the small bag of belongings he had and left the train. Now he only needed directions on where to go. Still cautious around crowds for fear someone would see his eyes and know what he was, he pulled his hood over a bit lower over his face and quickly left the train station. Wandering the streets for a bit, he looked for anyone who may be able to tell him where Twilight was. While he was anxious to find her and part of him dreaded it, leaving him lost in some sort of confused haze, to the point he just found himself meandering about the streets. He considered getting back on the train and heading back to Canterlot, but he had come this far and he wasn't going to turn back now. He just felt so lost, scared and alone; he didn't know what to do.
"Hi there!" A cheerful voice greeted him, bringing him out of his thoughts, "You must be new to Ponyville!"
Turning he saw the Pinkie Pie smiling at him. Smiled in reply and said, "I am as a matter of fact, maybe you can help me?"
"I love to help people!" Pinkie replied enthusiastically, as she began hopping around him, "Love it! Love it," She paused and her mouth opened, "Whoa! You have the coolest eyes I have ever seen!"
"Umm thanks," He said awkwardly, lowering his head, "Anyway, I am looking for a unicorn by the name of Twilight Sparkle."
"I know Twilight! She is one of my best friends" Pinkie Pie exclaimed cheerfully, "She lives at the library with Spike!"
Wishful Wind smiled a bit, "So she is still paling around with that little dragon, is she?"
"You know her?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"You might say that," he replied, "Anyway, if you could direct me to the library that would be wonderful."
"Sure," Pinkie Pie said cheerfully, "Or I could take you there?"
At the realization he had found Twilight, he suddenly felt very afraid, standing there unable to say anything, he realized he just wasn't ready. "Maybe I should freshen up first." He replied in a shaky voice, making an excuse to postpone things..
"Hey are you okay?" Pinkie asked.
"I'm fine," he replied, "Just tired and hungry I guess."
"Well why didn't you just say so, Silly? Tired and hungry is something I can fix!" Pinkie said energetically, "And since you are newly arrived in ponyville it is my sacred duty to make sure you feel welcome! And on that note I am here by inviting you to dinner at my house!"
"Are you sure?" he asked, "I mean you barely know me."
"You seem like a nice enough pony and you have the coolest eyes ever.," She replied, "Besides, I can tell right now you really need a friend and I am not taking no for an answer. "
He chuckled, "Okay, you win."
"Yeah!" She exclaimed, jumping around, "I love winning!"
He found himself laughing again, and then tears formed in his eyes.
Pinkie gave him a concerned look, "Are you okay?"
"Sorry," he wiped his eyes, "It's just been a long time since I've laughed like this."
Pinkie gasped with horror, "That's just awful," he nearly fainted when she gave him a hug, "You stick with me buddy and you'll be laughing all the time."
He smiled at her, "Here's hoping."
"Anyway, I am going to make you the best meal ever!" The Earth Pony exclaimed, "Just follow me, ummm?"
He smiled, "Wishful Wind."
"Wishful wind," She smiled, "What a nice name. My name is Pinkie Pie, but everyone calls me Pinkie."
"Okay then Pinkie," he smiled.
"Did you want me to send a message to Twilight letting her know you're here?" The Earth Pony offered.
"No," he said more harshly than he had meant to, he winced, "Sorry."
"No problem," She replied and then asked, "Did you want to make it a surprise?"
"Kind of," He said awkwardly, "I mean she knows I am coming but I want to wait till the time was right, if you understand what I am saying?"
"Of course I do!" Pink beamed, "I love surprises! No worries Wishful Wind, you're secret is safe with me!"
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That night in the Everfree forest, the great and powerful Trixie walked out, dressed in her starry wizard's hat and cape, "The Great and Powerful Trixie is here as requested to work the wonders you desire!" She announced with bravado in her voice, "Now prepare to be amazed and astounded! Providing of course you have the necessary funds."
Two unicorns, a male and a female, in black hoods with red and yellow eyes stood regarding her contempt.
"This one hardly has any magic all," The female said unimpressed, "Hardly worth the effort of bringing her here."
"A little magic is better than none at." The male argued, "Besides, she will add something to our power all be it a small increase.
"True," The first one replied, "and given the state of things we need as much as we can get."
"Umm Excuse me," The blue unicorn began in an offended tone, "But the Great and Powerful Trixie has better things to do than stand here and be insulted. You're organization would be honored to be graced with me its ranks. While your rudeness has put me off of doing so," She raised her head proudly, " I am still willing to listen to your offer, provided of course…" Her mouth continued to move but no sound came out.
Male unicorn's horn was glowing red as he said with a sinister laugh, "There, that's better."
"Indeed," The Female replied, "Well then shall we?"
"Ladies first Shadow Dancer," He said cheerfully.
Shadow Dancer grinned, "You're such a gentle pony Shadow Storm."
Trixie opened her mouth in a silent scream and tried to run, but her body was engulfed in a red light. Shadow Dancer walked towards her with a gleeful expression on her white face, the forelock of her light blue mane hanging down between her hideous eyes, "Now don't worry, while this will be excruciating, I promise I'll make it quick." With a malevolent cackle as a twisting black inky light came from her horn wrapping around Trixie's horn.
As the black shadowy connection began bulge like a hose sucking water Trixie struggled, writhing in agony, As she realized it was futile, a single tear rolled down blue unicorn's cheek.