(Note: Hey there, thanks for coming back :) ! This chapter may just be my favorite yet. It's certainly long, which is good. It was so much fun writing this chapter, and OMG Cardkeeper cracks me up. As any (most) authors will tell you, we may have the end result in mind, but it's the characters that write the story. Keeping that in mind, I'm not gonna spoil anything for ya XD But I do need to put a warning so nopony (nobody, haha) gets offended. There will be male in drag, but that's half the fun! Also, the mild violence starts towards the end of the chapter. Anyway, enjoy, love ya, and on to the story!)

Chapter 2 I'll Be The Light

It was only an hour until we needed to be at Canterlot Castle, and we'd been walking around since lunch. In all honesty, I'd just been following Cardkeeper. Well, at least he was calming down.

I couldn't keep my mind off that newspaper. I'd actually folded it up and put it in my saddle bag, and my mind kept wandering back to it. I was forming a strong opinion that I wanted to be on the front lines fighting Lord Tirek. I wanted to protect Equestria and keep this monster from destroying us. He was draining magic for crying out loud! First he kidnaps one of our ponies? Now this? I thought it was too far. I wanted to stop him, wanted to fight.

I was being encouraged too. I always had my "faithful companions" to back me up…He'll bring death and destruction…

You need to stop him…

Think about it…What if you're the only pony willing to fight? It said it right in the article. The military is opposed to this. Even Celestia's skeptical…

It takes one to start the ripple. Convince Sarge. We believe in you Shadow. It would all start with this.

I was broke from the internal struggle when Card saw a certain shop. I'd seen him going for it, it was inevitable. I knew Card too well. Yet, I didn't try to stop him. What was I thinking? I guess I was too distracted by my own personal battles, but I was such an idiot not to snap out of it and divert my friend's attention to something other than the—

"Dress shop!" Card smiled, barely able to contain his glee.

I began shaking my head, "Nonononono!" Card didn't even respond to my protest. He grabbed my arm, and began dragging me to the shop. I dug in my back feet, "This is going too far!" I yelled, but I didn't expect my friend to listen. He brought me all the way to the door, shoving it open. I resigned myself to the fate once we crossed the threshold, but that didn't mean I wouldn't stop struggling.

I saw a couple mares at the back of the shop, presumably employees, giggling behind their hooves. Fanmaring no doubt.

"Hi!" The pink one on the left giggled uncontrollably between her words, "What…what can we help you…with?"

"Get my friend here the dress that suits him best."

The yellow mare laughed, "I don't think you're in the right store, we don't sell tuxes boys."

Card leaned forward, "I said a dress."

"Yeah, JC," the pink mare nudged her coworker. Then she turned to me and I stared at her, making no movements. "Come on," she smiled, "we've got something absolutely perfect for you!"

"To die for, right Penny?" said JC.

As I followed the girls to my death, I said, "Do your worst," in a strong voice.

Yes, they put a dress on me.

I didn't even struggle and yet it was still a difficult process. They yanked and pulled lots, and sometimes it got too tight in certain areas… The fitting was the worst part, especially when it came to the zipper. It was uncomfortable as they forced me into it, but eventually they got it on and it wasn't too bad. Comfort wise. The two mares giggled the whole time despite all the difficulties.

They brought me to the mirror to let me see. They did their best to hide their amusement as I stared in wide eyed horror at my reflection, but they failed. They'd put me in a midnight blue flowing dress that matched my eyes. There were glittery streaks of—oh what was it called?—embroidering that led up to and really made the chest stand out. It made me look…beautiful? Disgusting! Out of place more like.

Usually I did well at containing and controlling my emotions. But as they brought me out from behind the curtains to show Cardkeeper, I was so flustered and humiliated that I blushed furiously, my cheeks flame hot.

Card fawned when he saw me, sighing, "Shadethrower…" I couldn't tell if his act was a joke, or if he was actually admiring me. I really hoped the former.

"How much is it?" Card asked. I wasn't really paying attention. I tried to hide my face as another pony, (a mare of course), entered the shop and stared at me.

Penny moved toward the counter, looking through a clipboard of papers, "Oh, just about 100 bits," she chewed it over.

"Done!" Card exclaimed, running to the counter and slamming a bag of coins down. Then he made eye contact with me, giving me a shy smile, so toned down from how he'd been acting all day that I found myself blushing again even harder.

Canterlot Castle was a lot bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. As soon as we'd gotten there, Card and I immediately went to our guest room, where I hid the dress in the farthest reaches of the wardrobe, (of course, I had taken it off before leaving the shop). I lingered on it for a second, but shook my head to snap myself out of it, closing the door and sighing.

I turned to Card, watching the pegasus. He was sitting on his bed, laying out his luggage he'd brought from home. He'd really calmed down, thankfully. He didn't see me watching. Some part of me wanted him to turn and look, but another part was too scared.

It was nearly time for the briefing, and I couldn't stop thinking about Lord Tirek. I knew my argument. I just didn't know if Sarge would take it. It wouldn't stop me from trying, I knew that for sure.

"Time to go," I tapped Card on the shoulder.

"Alright, thanks Shade."

He followed me to the hall and we walked together. "Do you think we'll be posted in the castle?" Card asked.

"I don't know," I answered.

"I hope not," Card said, almost to himself.

We stopped in front of the meeting chamber, and I pushed open one of the doors. Just as expected, there were ten or so new hoofponies sitting around, and there was hushed talking. I saw Sarge but he looked very serious. He wasn't even looking our way.

I took a deep breath as I sat down, thinking over what I wanted to say to Sarge. I knew this wasn't really a full briefing. We were new recruits, we were only getting assignments handed to us. But I knew what I wanted, and I was determined to get it.

So when Sarge came to the table I was sitting at with Card, I cleared my throat to get his attention. Sarge turned and gave me a skeptical look.

"Yes, Shadethrower?"

"Sir!" I barked, an automatic response training had pounded into me, "I have something I need to speak with you about."

Sarge nodded, "Okay, meet me in the hall in a few minutes, Private."

Cardkeeper gave me a look as Sarge walked away. When I didn't say anything he shrugged and glanced away at the file Sarge had given him.

I took a moment to look at mine. I knew from the note Sarge gave to us when he gave us our armor that Cardkeeper and I's files were the same. We'd be deployed to the same place.

I was reading over the statement when Card groaned, "Oh no! I knew it, I knew we'd be put on castle duty." he sighed.

"Hey," I chuckled, "It's not Canterlot." it wasn't. We were posted in the Crystal Empire's castle. And if I got my way, that wouldn't last. I knew I'd get what I wanted. We know, Shadow, my shadows reminded me.

"I know."

"Don't worry Card, I'm going to talk to Sarge."

"What did you need Shadethrower?" Sarge asked me, a disinterested look on his face.

"Sarge, I wanted to talk about our post." I jumped on the bullet, so to say.

"Shadow, you can't tell me you don't like it." Sarge was shaking his head.

"No, it's fine," my tone didn't sound very believable. "It's just, I had something better in mind."

Sarge sighed, taking off his sunglasses and folding them. "Go ahead, but I wanna warn you, it probably doesn't matter."

"It does," I said matter-of-factly, my voice cold. "Sir, have you put any thought into the situation with Lord Tirek?"

"I have." he gave me a laconic answer.

"And?"

"And, I don't like it."

"So why don't we do something about it? Bring us down south, post us near his homeland, that way if he attempts to enter Equestria, we'll be there to stop him."

"You see, it's a lot more complicated than that, Shade. Queen Celestia doesn't even know if the threat is real."

"But that's the problem!" I protested, "No one does. But if we don't do something about it, Tirek and his brother will make the first move, and Equestria will be at the brunt of it."

"I hear what you're saying, but it doesn't work like that. I also have ponies to answer to." Sarge was giving me a hard stare.

I shook my head, getting irritated, "Sir, at least think about Card. I've never seen him more distressed about anything before than being posted in a castle."

"I'll take that under consideration." Sarge began putting his sunglasses back on, closing the case.

I was pissed! My shadows flared up around me like fire, egging me on. They were my only comfort and only torment. "Take this under consideration! If Tirek gets into Equestria, a stupid castle won't be the worst of our problems. We'll have a war!" I spun around and stormed off angrily at a gallop.

"SHADOW BRIGHT!" I heard an angry sergeant behind me, but I didn't care. My shadows were whispering harshly in my ears, making me even more furious as I ran.

I laid on the bed in our room, shuddering and trying not to cry. I'd exploded, and I couldn't stop myself. You must have more control. "But you goaded me!" I closed my eyes at oblivion but it still got through. Stupid! Your fault! I bit my lip and tasted blood, but I was trying to find some way to block the noise.

Of course they changed their tune, they always did. They swarmed me, gently caressing me and whispering soft sweet words, We're still here for you. We're always here for you. Don't cry. That only made me want to cry more.

"Shade?" came a weak voice. It was Card. "I heard you yelled at Sarge."

My eyes snapped open and light came rushing in. My heart skipped a beat as a took a shaky breath. Then with a calm tone I asked my friend, "You heard that I yelled at Sarge or you actually heard it?"

Cardkeeper blushed, "Uh, yeah. You were pretty loud. Nopony could make out what you were saying though. Sarge is very angry by the way."

I shook my head, "I…really don't care right now." I rolled over, my back to my friend.

Card touched me softly, "I care," he cleared his throat, "I wanna know if you're okay." Strong reassuring Spade, that was him.

"Cardkeeper, we're getting put on palace duty, Sarge has a new command yet nothing to show for it." Plus, look how you failed your friend. My shadows snickered. "I couldn't even help you!" I groaned. "Worst of all, Tirek—" I choked on words, close to tears.

"Oh, Shadow…" Card didn't know what to say.

We were packing up to head north, when Cardkeeper said something totally unexpected.

"You're a light Shadethrower."

Pausing in my packing, I turned to him, "Excuse me?"

Card smiled, "Well, you know. A natural leader. It's in you, just trying to get out."

"A light?" I was quizzical.

"Yep," he beamed, "You show the way better than anypony I know. You're the light, shining in the dark. Maybe you don't see it." Card looked down at his suitcase, that dumb smile still there.

"Possibly." I said. But all I knew was darkness and shadows. How could I be a light?

There came a knock at the door, "Knock knock," Sarge poked his face in, "Just checking in. We head out in an hour." he met my eye, "I'm still disappointed about yesterday, but I wanted to tell you, I understand. I contacted my superiors and left them with the suggestion. Anyway, saddle up. Time to get a move on." Sarge left without another word.

Cardkeeper stood just gawking, and I could feel the tension he must be feeling too. I was glad Sarge had done something, but what about my discipline? I felt I deserved something other than disappointment. You do. Agreed my shadows. Somehow, Sarge's disappointment in me was worse.

He kept opening his mouth to say something all the way to the train station, but he never said a word. I was preoccupied myself. I'd never felt so uncomfortable in a uniform. Ever.

Card snuggled up to me in our compartment, as I took the window seat. I didn't tell him to move. It was actually rather comforting. The warmth of the pegasus quieted my nerves, at least for the moment. I let out a breath, wishing I could sleep like him. But I just stared out the window.

I watched as a couple raindrops splattered on the glass, then one or two more. After that it was a full on storm. Oh Celestia, I thought, why do I get a bad feeling from this?

It'd only been three hours into our trip, but suddenly the train stopped. "Attention passengers, we've received an urgent communication informing us of a situation in Dodge Junction, an attack by Lord Tirek. More on situation as we're updated, but for now, we've been told to stop the train so the power from the electric tracks can be diverted."

Cardkeeper awoke, lifting his head and looking around. He glanced up at me and smiled, but it turned into a yawn. He sat up and stretched his wings.

I stood, feeling restless. My shadows were buzzing too. I didn't want to stay here and do nothing. I needed to show Sarge that I meant what I said. Court martial me, but somepony had to take the first step. So I opened the door of our compartment, looking into the corridor. Nopony was in sight.

"What're you doing Shade?" Card was confused.

"Something about it." and Card new exactly what I meant. But instead of trying to stop me he said,

"I'm coming with you."

He followed me to the exit of this car, and I was shaking my head, "Card, what'll that accomplish?"

"I don't know. How about something, as you put it." We were outside now. "Besides," Card smirked and gave his wings a couple quick flaps, lifting himself into the air. "How else you gonna get there fast enough?" I was finally grinning like a fool at him.

"A bit of magic, trust and horsepower, huh?" I winked, my horn beginning to glow. He was offering to lift me, but he couldn't carry my weight and we both knew it. But with a little magic, I'd lighten the load.

He wrapped his hooves around me, "You got that right," his voice faltered, both of us realizing the intimacy of his gesture. "Uh…"

I cast my spell quick and he lifted me into the air with a jolt, not ready for the weight to be taken off so quickly, "Here we go!" I called.

Now I'd need to stay focused on my magic. It'd take a lot of concentration for such an extended period of time. I could handle it though.

Dodge Junction was not a pretty sight when Card and I arrived. Even the sky was bleak and gray. I saw emergency workers and first responders everywhere from up here, but they were all idle. It seemed like nopony knew what do exactly.

I pointed a hoof, "Card, there's a good spot, out of sight of the other ponies." It was a spot situated between two buildings at the south end of town, probably a couple of pubs. There was a small back alley formed by the backs of more buildings.

Everything was wild west styled, and as I looked around to get my bearings I noticed the difference in the landscape from anything I was used to. It was so dusty and dry. I got up and stared at Cardkeeper, who was moving toward the back of the buildings.

"Shade, there's something back here," Cardkeeper sounded nervous, the stallion's voice wavering.

"What is it?" I followed him, turning the corner into the shadows of the alley. Laying in the furthest, darkest corner was an earth pony, his cowboy hat had fallen off. He was staring at it with wide afraid eyes, unmoving, unseeing. He was still breathing, and I knew he wasn't dead. There are things worse than death… "Not helping," I grumbled to myself.

"Huh," Card looked at me with frightful eyes. "Is he d-dead?"

"No…" I approached, poking at the brown stallion, "He's breathing. Hey!" I began calling to the pony, "Are you alright?" there was no response.

"We need to find somepony," Card glanced around in a fret.

"Card!" I laughed, turning to face him and not really feeling afraid or nervous at all, "We're Royal Guard, we went through intensive training, we can take on anything! We don't need anypony to help us." Card's eyes widened. That's when my shadows laughed maliciously at me. Are you sure you don't need help, dearest Shadow?

I got a really cold feeling, but I only frowned as I moved back, standing beside Card. The pony who was just a second ago lying uselessly on the ground like a sack of potatoes was now getting up. He looked like a zombie, his eyes glazed over and not focused on anything in particular.

"Shadethrower, that's really freaky." Card whispered. The brown stallion's eyes snapped to the pegasus, and I tensed. Card reached toward me, wanting to grab my hoof, and I would've let him. But the other stallion suddenly lunged on Card, attacking him with imprecise punches and kicks.

I yelled, grabbing the pony and trying to tear him off my friend. Card had his arms up in a big X across his face, protecting himself from the blows. The brown pony was clumsy, not really trying to hit for any specific spot. Something seemed to be controlling him, like hypnosis, but it wasn't a very strong hold, that was certain. A well placed kick to his side did the trick, sending him crashing into the wall of the building next to us.

Card was breathing heavily, staring at the sky like it was all he saw. He shook his head, lowering his arms. "Is it over?" Card glanced at his attacker, who once again lie motionless. But this time the pony was unconscious.

Suddenly there was the sound of loud gunfire, three sharp reports. Next came yelling. Card jumped up and shook off his wings. "We better go see what's up," he told me.

I gave the unconscious stallion one last glance before moving off. Puppet pony, I remembered…

(Chapter 3 set for 1/15/17 12:00am CT

Whoo, that was a doozy XD Hope it was a fun ride. Now we just gotta tough it out and wait for the next one :P I hope my time marks are helpful for you guys, that's what they're there for. Also, reviews really help me and they are so much fun to read, so please do that! I may even respond at some points, kuz yea, if you read my profile description, I love ya, and it wont be the last you hear it from me :D okay, byeeeee!)