The Return of the Shadow Cult

Chapter 2

Wishful Wind awoke on the down stairs couch of Pinkie's residence in sugar cube corner. Looking up at the ceiling for a moment, he wondered why the gray stone roof of his cell had been replaced by such a colorful display or why he felt so warm and comfortable on the hay covered stone slab that was his bed. Suddenly, he felt very uneasy as he remembered where he was. Rolling over, he silently made a plan to slip out the front door quietly.

"Good morning!" Pinkie Pie greeted suddenly, nearly causing him to leap through the ceiling "I hope you're ready for breakfast because I'm going to whip up something super awesome!"

Twilight's brother smiled, "That's very kind of you, but you don't have to go to all that trouble." He said getting up and gathering his things, "I'll just be on my way."

Pinkie Pie cocked her head at him confused, "Why? Have some place to be?" Her eyes widened with excitement, "Is it fun? Can I come?"

"I just didn't want to impose on you further," he replied.

"You're not imposing at all," She said looking him over, "I haven't done anything to bother you have I? I mean sometimes I get carried away. Well sometimes is more like all the time, but if I have, I'm sorry." She said apologetically.

"No, nothing like that," He smiled, "You've been a wonderful host. It's just…"

"It's just what?" She asked, "You can tell me, I am a great listener, I never judge and I make the best blue berry muffins ever!"

He thought about it for a moment, considering telling her everything, but how to explain it? He didn't have many friends these days and the thought of losing the first one he had made since he left the dungeons was unbearable. Still, whether he told her now or she found out eventually it was evitable what she would do. Better to leave now while they were still friends. Looking down with sorrowful expression whispered weakly, "I can't, I just can't." He started walking towards the door, "I won't trouble you any further."

"Wait!" Pinkie said rushing over to stop him. As he looked at her, she said, "I don't know what's wrong or what has happened but I know someone who needs a friend when I see them and I'd like to be yours. Please don't go." She said, hugging him, "Please, I want to help, if I can."

"You wouldn't say that if you knew me." He replied grimly, "You'd be better off just letting me walk out the door."

"How do you know?" Pinkie countered cheerfully, "You don't know me very well either, so how do you know that you wouldn't be better off if you stayed? Isn't it silly to jump to conclusions? Besides, no matter what you did before, you've never done anything to me. And I can tell no matter what it is, you're a good person, so what makes you think I wouldn't want to be your friend or make you tasty muffins?"

"You just wouldn't." he replied.

Pinkie gave him a pouty look, "Please stay for breakfast," She flashed him her big blue eyes and a quivering lower lip, "Pretty, pretty please!"

Unable to resist he said, "Okay, you've talked me into it."

"Yeah!" She cheered, "A good breakfast always puts me in a better mood and afterwards maybe I can find some way of cheering you up. After all, whatever is wrong, it can't be that bad can it?"

"Oh believe me it can." He replied ominously.

"That's just silly." She replied, "I am sure there is something I can do to perk you right up and put a smile on that glum face."

Touched he smiled warmly and said, "You are just too good to be true, you know that right?"

Pinkie giggled, blushing slightly, "And you are awesome no matter what you think about yourself." She then gave him a serious look, "and I am your friend whether you like it or not," She poked him in the chest with her hoof,"got it buster?"

He chuckled, "Yes Ma'am."

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The Cutie Mark Crusaders gathered at the edge of the Everfree Forest, wearing Safaria hats and carrying large saddle bags on their backs. Apple Bloom looked at a compass in her hoof as Sweetie Bell looked through a pair of Binoculars at Scootaloo who was loading supplies on her scooter.

"Okay, are we ready to get our cutie marks in exploration!" Apple Bloom asked enthusiastically.

"I don't see how this is going to work," Sweetie bell said critically, "I mean, we've all ready been inside the Everfree forest dozens of times."

"But never to explore it, fully" Apple Bloom retorted.

"I don't know, the Everfree Forest is kind of dangerous," Scootaloo said warily, "Maybe we should have one of the grownups, like Rainbow Dash, go with us."

"If we tell them they'll try to stop us," Apple Bloom argued.

"And that's a bad thing?" Scootaloo asked.

"Come on," Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, "Let's get started, if we're lucky we can we can cross the forest by lunch."

"Excuse me," A beautiful female unicorn with a white body, a light blue mane and a soft voice began as she walked out of the trees. She was wearing a black hooded cape with the hood drawn to cover most of her face, on her flank was a cutie mark of two musical notes coming from a bell, "I am sorry to bother, you but I was wondering if you could help me."

The three young ponies exchanged looks and Apple Bloom said, "I'm sorry Ma'am, but we're not really supposed to talk to strangers."

She gave them a beautiful smile putting them at ease, "Oh where are my manners? My name is Harmonic Bell; may I have the pleasure of yours?"

The young unicorn stepped forward, "My name is Sweetie Bell, and these are my friends Scootaloo and Apple Bloom."

"I am so very pleased to make your acquaintances little ones," Harmonic Bell replied graciously, "Now then, since we know each other I wonder if perhaps you would be willing to assist me?"

"What can we do for you?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Well, I am looking for an old friend of mine who I think may have recently come to Pony-ville, a unicorn with a purple mane with a pink stripe and funny eyes." She replied, "He is a very dear, dear friend of mine but we fell out of touch a little while back," She said sadly, "I miss him so, and it would mean the world to me to see him again."

"What's his name?" Scootaloo asked.

"Wishful Wind," She replied. "He may be visiting his sister, the new Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"We know Twilight." Scootaloo announced proudly, "She's a friend of ours as a matter of fact."

"That's wonderful," Harmonic Bell said cheerfully with a hint of anger in her voice, "That means this task should be no trouble for you whatsoever. And to make it worth your while, if you could help me find him, I'd be willing to reward you for your efforts."

Apple Bloom's interest peeked, she asked, "What kind of reward?"

"Well I hope you don't mind but I couldn't help but overhear that you are in search of your cutie marks. I have a gift for seeing talent in other ponies and if you were willing to help me I would certainly be willing to help you." She replied, "Why, if things go well, you could have your cutie marks by the end of the day."

Sweetie Bell's eyes brightened, "Really!"

"But of course, I like you little dears and I want to help you," She smiled down at the little pony, "and I especially look forward to getting to know you and you're family, Sweetie Bell. We unicorns have to stick together."

The little unicorn giggled, "You're so pretty and nice, I know Rarity will love you."

"I hope she will." Harmonic Bell replied cheerfully.

"So you want us to find and tell him you're looking for him?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Oh no, I want our reunion to be a complete surprise." She replied with a peculiar sort of smile, as three small bracelets floated out from under her cape, each holding a blue gem. "These have special whisper stones which will allow you to communicate with me. " A bracelet attached to the leg of each Cutie mark Crusaders, "Once you find him, just whisper my name into the stone and I'll know where you are and in turn where he is."

"Is it really that simple?" Scootaloo asked.

Harmonic Bell flashed her gorgeous smile and nodded.

The cutie mark crusaders exchanged looks and Apple Bloom said, "Okay, we can do that."

"Oh and one more thing little ones," Harmonic Bell began with all seriousness in her voice, "Don't tell anyone about this or it might ruin the surprise."

"Not a problem," Scootaloo replied confidently, "If anyone can keep secrets it's the Cutie Nark Crusaders."

She nodded, "I am sure you can,"

"All right Cutie Mark Crusaders, let's get to it!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

The three little ponies put their hooves together, "Cutie Mark Crusaders, pony finders, go!"

The Harmonic Bell smiled as the three little ponies ran off back to pony ville.

"You take too many chances Shadow Dancer," A deep male voice said behind her with displeasure, "Trusting them with this task was unwise and dangerous."

Turning, Shadow Dancer faced her companion, a tall Unicorn with a green body and black mane and tail, wearing an identical black hood and cape.

"You worry too much, Shadow Storm," She replied, pulling back her hood, to reveal her cat like red and yellow eyes, "Those children will find Shadow Specter without arousing the suspicion of anyone. Including and most importantly, Princess Twilight."

"If you say so," He said sounding unconvinced, "But what if they do talk to some pony?"

"That would be unfortunate," She replied, with a sinister smile, "For them."

"What if we learn the Princess and Shadow Specter have reconciled?" Shadow Storm asked.

Shadow Dancer laughed hard at that, "I think there is more of chance of Celesta marrying Discord."

"It could happen." Shadow Storm argued, "And together, with their combined power, they could pose a serious threat to us."

"You worry too much, my old friend." She replied reassuringly, "From what I remember of their parting I have serious doubts the princess will want anything to do with him."

"You're so sure?" Shadow Storm asked with all seriousness.

A wicked half smile appeared Shadow Dancer's face, "I'm counting on it." Changing subjects, she then asked, "What of the others, any word?"

He nodded, "There are a quite a few traitors who fell for Celestia's love and power of friendship dribble, but there are many like us who merely played the part to escape the dungeons or never ended up in them in the first place. I've sent messages to those who are still loyal to meet us at the old palace. I've all ready heard from Shadow Star and Shadow Frost, they should be with us when the sun sets tonight."

"Excellent," Shadow Dancer replied, "And once Shadow Specter's power is with us, we will crush Celestia and her sister, and rule Equestria forever as Shadow Doom foretold."

"You speak as if your former lover joining with us is as certain as the moon rising," Shadow Storm protested with annoyance, "What if he bought into all of Celestia's nonsense like so many others and tries to use his considerable power against us? You are aware that he was our master's greatest student!"

"Well if that should happen we will merely take his power from him." She replied casually, "Nothing shall stand in the way of the destiny of the Shadow Cult, not even him."

Shadow Storm said nothing; he merely smiled at the thought.

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Wishful Wind walked down the streets of Ponyville, like a Stallion going to his execution. His heart thudded in his chest as waves of anxiety came down on him with crushing force. He half expected Twilight to attack him when he knocked on the library door, and what pony could blame her. Pinkie had offered to go with him but he knew this was something he had to do alone. Besides, given she was a close friend of Twilight, better to protect that friendship and leave her out of it. Following Pinkie's directions perfectly, he was soon standing in front of the large tree that was the Ponyville Library. He stood there for a while, staring at it in silent contemplation, thinking about what to do, tempted to turn around and head back the way he had come. Still, he had been told by Celestia and Shinning armor that he needed to face his sister so they both could heal and so far their advice had not steered him wrong.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" A familiar voice greeted. Looking down he saw a small purple baby dragon looking up at him.

He smiled, "Spike, it's good to see you again."

Spike's green eyes widened with anger and recognition, "You! You have a lot of nerve showing up here after what you tried to do to Twilight!"

"I know, Spike," He replied in a cool and remorseful manner, "I am here to set it right if I can."

"Set it right?" Spike shouted with disbelief, "You should be 'setting' in the dungeons, why the princess chose to let you out I'll never know! Stay away from Twilight!" Spike rushed forward and made a futile effort to push him away, "I said get out of here!"

Watching him, it was clear that the little dragon had no idea how ridiculous he looked. Wishful Wind knew he could crush the little dragon with ease and most likely before he knew what had happened. Instead, the Unicorn merely stood firm and said, "Spike, I know you're mad at me but this is really between me and Twilight. If she asks me to leave, I'll do so without causing a single problem, I promise."

"Uh huh," Spike began sarcastically, "You're such a good pony deep down!"

"Spike, get away from him." Twilight said calmly from the door, "Come to me now."

After giving Wishful Wind one last glare, the little dragon walked over to Twilight as she stared down her twin brother. Standing next to her was Apple Jack, who matched her expression.

"I wouldn't have hurt him. I don't want to hurt anyone," Wishful Wind said sincerely, "I just want to talk."

"Will you two give us a minute?" Twilight asked gently.

"Are you sure about that Twii?" Apple Jack asked warily.

"Please," Twilight said, "I'll be all right."

"I'm not leaving you alone with him." Spike announced angrily.

Twilight smiled down at him, "Spike, please just do what I ask, okay?" He opened his mouth to say more and she put her hoof to his mouth, "I'll call you if I need you, I promise."

"Come on Spike," Apple Jack said, muzzling him forward, "Let's do as she asks."

Once the door was closed Twilight turned her attention back to Wishful Wind and said civilly, "Well, I'm listening."

"Thanks for meeting with me," He began.

"Let's get one thing straight, Shadow Specter" Twilight said sharply, cutting him off, "I am meeting with you because Princess Celestia and Shinning Armor have asked me to. If it were up to me, I would never speak to you again. In fact, if I had my way, you'd still be in the dungeons, which is where a dangerous psychopath like you belongs. So, on that note, say what you've come to say and then leave."

"I came to say, I'm sorry," He said.

"You're sorry?" She asked angrily, "You try to take my magic and nearly kill me and you're sorry? You betray and hurt everyone who loved you, me, our parents, our brother, Princess Celestia, and you're sorry?"

"What else can I say?" He replied, "What I did was unspeakably selfish and cruel and hurt you greatly. You're right, I deserve to be punished for it. Not a day has gone by since I realized what I had become that I don't wish I could go back in time and stop myself. I've spent almost four years regretting what I did and hoping for the chance to tell you how sorry I am and how I'll never forgive myself for I hurt someone whom I love very much. "

"Is that it?" Twilight asked coldly.

He nodded.

"Then leave Shadow Specter, you're not welcome here." She felt a surge of anger, as she opened the door and stepped into Library, "As far as I am concerned you killed my brother Wishful Wind five years ago. I never want to see you again, ever!" She shook with rage as years of pain and anger bubbled to the surface. She screeched words she never thought she'd say and no pony had ever heard her utter before, " I hate you!" and she slammed the door so hard it shook some branches loose.

Twilight started to cry as Spike and Apple Jack rushed over to her. Without really knowing why, she found herself peering out the window watching her brother as he walked away. She felt angry, but sad at the same time and very confused. She felt lost, almost like she had an invisible blanket over her, muffling every sound and blurring her vision, suffocating her.

"You okay, Sugar Cube?" Apple Jack asked gently.

Twilight shook her head silently, to overwhelmed with the pain of it all to speak.

"Well I am glad you told that jerk never wanted to see him again." Spike said proudly, "Good bye and good riddance!"

Apple Jack silenced him with a look, and then said "Twii, I've never seen you this upset, is there anything I can do?"

Twilight turned and looked them with profound sadness in her eyes,"Spike," She said softly, "Take a letter to Princess Celestia."