(Note: Hello everypony! Sorry it took so long to update. During spring break I just needed a break, you know? But I'm back now :3 Time to make more connections with Scorpan and see where this all goes, huh? I hope you're as excited as I am!)

Chapter 23 Time to Make Amends

Rapidag led me by the chain through the dungeon and toward the exit. He acted angry and rough, but he was just putting on an act for any other gargoyle we passed. He was taking me to see Tirek afterall, right? That's what the others thought. But he'd told me he was going to help me, and I believed him.

You shouldn't believe him. This is another mistake you're going to make. Just like you always do.

I hung my head, keeping a low profile. I wouldn't mess up, I couldn't. It was time to get out of here. It was slow going though. I still hurt everywhere, and every step was painful.

"Get moving!" Rapidag shouted.

"I can't go any faster," I complained. Such a whiner.

We had a plan. I knew what we needed to do and when it was supposed to happen. Rapidag had told me what to expect, and I even as I stared at the floor, I watched out of the corner of my eye. We passed through a metal gateway, and headed for some stairs. It wouldn't be long now.

Under my hooves, the staircase was grimy. Did they ever clean? Rapidag wouldn't have a problem since he was floating on his wings. But I lifted a hoof and shook it off, crinkling my face at the nasty mold, or whatever the black stuff was that I had stepped in. Rapidag jerked my chain again and I nearly fell up the stairs, to the snickers of a couple guards behind us. I rolled my eyes, but gasped at the soreness in my sides as I regained my balance.

"Careful," I told Rapidag as we made our way unchallenged up the stairs.

"Sorry," he said. "We're a tough race, it's expected of me."

"Do you always do what's expected?"

He looked down at the chain in his hand, "Apparently not." he was silent for a minute. Then he heaved a sigh, "I guess I stand out like a sore thumb," he glanced over his shoulder, "er, sore hoof. Most of things I do I have to do on dares or bets because I'm too afraid to do them. I honestly didn't wanna hurt you. Even though from everything I'd ever heard, ponies were bad."

"What do you think of us now?"

"I still don't know. I have mixed feelings. Helping you goes against everything Tirek ever taught us."

I perked my ears up, "That right there should be an indication…"

"What should?"

I'd noticed for awhile now that ponies only said Tirek and those loyal used his title. "You didn't say 'Lord Tirek'. You ever notice how the ones against him don't respect his title?"

"Oh, yeah…"

"He doesn't deserve that title you know. He rules with an iron hoof—uh, iron fist—of fear. It's not how one should lead. You can't force ponies to love you." I rolled my eyes again, "Or gargoyles in Tirek's case since he obviously doesn't care about ponies."

"I guess," Rapidag didn't sound too sure.

That got me thinking, "You know, he doesn't care about us, but for some reason he has an interest in me. You know why?"

"I mean, you're the one who turned Scorpan against him. The last pony to do that was a powerful wizard. It only makes sense." Rapidag replied.

"Best guess?" I rose an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Okay, be ready," he waved a hand at me, shushing me. I grumbled but shut up.

We were approaching an intersection that Rapidag had described to me earlier. From the decorations and style of the castle I realized we were in the Crystal Empire's castle. My heart flipped. Tirek had taken the castle? "Rapid, is Tirek here?"

"Er, um, no…he's somewhere else." He looked at me nervously as we approached a rotunda with a group of gargoyles waiting. This is what we had planned for and I was ready. I pulled back on my chains, the loose bracket on the collar snapping. Rapidag shouted out like he hadn't been expecting it. I called on my magic, trying to bring forth as much light as I could. I was thinking of Card, that though I may have let him down, I would make sure he did not die for nothing. Don't forget how you hurt Scorpan. You gonna let him down too?

"I wish you guys would shut up," I muttered through gritted teeth.

Insecure wreck. one whispered.

Of course I thought of Scorpan too. I loved him too much to ever forget him. I hoped I got the chance to tell him that. Tell him how much I love him. My shadows' voices were slowly fading as my horn glowed a powerful light. I was crying, tears streamed freely down my face. But this time it wasn't out of my torment or pain, it was through the power of my love. I was crying from the powerful memory of Card, the love I had for both he and Scorpan. I felt that power course through me.

Taking off his helmet and staring at me with wide eyes, a gargoyle I thought I recognized, but couldn't be sure through the blinding white light, breathing in awe he said, "Shadow Bright." Scorpan was here, he was here to rescue me.

He moved out of the way as I whipped a train of magic around and smashed it into the enemy gargoyles. The three of them went flying and smashing hard into the far wall. The wall cracked and bits of rubble fell off as they slid unconscious to the ground. My horn still glowed, but my first spell had dimmed. Rapidag and Scorpan hovered nearby, awestruck looks on each of their faces.

"That was the most amazing, most beautiful thing I've ever seen," said Scorpan.

"Concurred," Rapidag nodded.

"Rapidag, you should hurry back and report this so you don't get in trouble." Scorpan nodded at the other gargoyle. Rapidag shot off. Then Scorpan turned to me. "We have to hurry. This wing of the castle will be filling with guards soon."

"I have so much to say to you Score." I smiled shyly at him.

He nodded, "Okay."

We were being chased, and we had to get out of here. The closest exit was the worst one: the main entrance. We made it downstairs to the Entrance Hall, but the gate was closing and I didn't know how much time we had. I saw the courtyard outside, the giant crystal heart spinning away, the pulse of the Empire. It was what Scorpan and I reached for as we ran for the fast disappearing exit. Our escape was in sight.

Behind us, gargoyles yelled and I even heard hooves beating the floor as they gave chase. Puppets and Tirek's guards were after us. Almost there…

Walking so calmly into my line of view, was somepony I'd thought I'd never see again. A stag pony, his mistletoe green eyes blank and dead. Riggs Bailey. I'd seen him turn into a puppet right before my eyes. Now here he was, blocking the way out. He wasn't my friend right now, no matter how much I wanted him to be. But I wouldn't be like Heartless, I wouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past.

I skidded to a halt. Scorpan was right next me, looking to see what I would do. "Know this pony, Shadow?"

"Yeah…" I was having a stare off with the buck. Maybe it's not so easy as you thought. My shadows were coming back.

"Shade, your light is dimming." Scorpan sounded concerned.

"I shouldn't hesitate, Score. He's a puppet, he's standing in our way."

"It's okay. He was once your friend. I get it." Scorpan put his hand on my head, trying to be consoling.

I let my magic flare up, "Just move Riggs! I'm not gonna hurt you!" using it like a whip again, I shoved the buck aside. "Come on Score!" I shouted. We barely slipped through the gate in time. It closed with a loud bang behind us.

You didn't kill him Shadow Bright.

You hesitated, just like Heartless.

He was a coward. What does that make you?

I had a hoof on my head, muttering to them, "Stop, stop, please shut up." I couldn't do this right now. They needed to shut the buck up!

A hand touched my shoulder. "Let's go," said Scorpan in a soft voice, a kind smile on his face.

Why was everypony looking at us as we made our way through the fortifications built around the southeast side of the city? As soon as Scorpan brought me to the building that Sarge and my team were waiting in, the shitstorm started. Leave it to Mag to cause problems when all I needed was to lay down and get some rest.

Mag was in Scorpan's face as soon as we walked in. "Thought I'd never see your face again, rat!"

Scorpan went wide eyed, veering backward as Mag basically shoved him against the wall, "W-what are you talking about?"

"You can't tell me this isn't your fault. Not when we had the castle, we were going to make it. But you led us into an ambush didn't you. Next thing we all know, we're forced behind our makeshift wall and Shade's missing for a week!" Mag jostled Scorpan, who whimpered pitifully.

"Mag! Saddle down," Sarge shouted, putting his hooves on the stallion's shoulders and pulling him away from Scorpan. Mag heaved and shot heated glares Scorpan's way.

"Sorry, Cap'n, but I kinda agree with Magazine on this," Starbuck had joined them. "Scorpan's always in the center of everything when shit hits the fan."

"Scorpan saved my life." I stamped my hoof hard on the floor, making everypony stop and stare at me. "Scorpan saved my life and I love him, so everypony shut the buck up because you're giving me a headache."

They were all staring at me like they were staring at a ghost. Sarge slowly slid his hooves off Mag. "What?" I snapped.

Rainbow came into view from around the group, "Shadethrower, what happened to you?"

"Faust, why does it matter?" I sighed. Shoving past them, I made my way into the lobby, where a big circular table waited. Next to it against the wall was a counter with a coffee maker, cups and different coffee supplies. I thought a cup of joe would be a good idea right about now, but I sank into a chair before I could make it to the counter. Scorpan trailed behind me.

"Do you want a cup, Shadow?"

"That would be appreciated."

Across the table from me was Grayscale. "You have been better." he was blunt, as usual.

"Okay, can we move past me? I have something I need to say," I told them. I wanted to put my head in my hooves and pass out right there. It wouldn't be the most comfortable spot, but suddenly my head was dizzy.

"Sure go ahead, Shade." Sarge came and sat at the table, as did the rest of the group.

"First off, before I start, I want to know if my son is safe." I stared at each of my team members in turn.

"Yeah, he's upstairs sleeping." Rainbow smiled at me, giving me a nod of reassurance.

"Good. Okay. One of the gargoyles in the castle mentioned that Tirek has a secret base near the Empire. He indicated that's where Tirek is hiding. Maybe if we found it, we could find Tirek. We could put an end to this."

Mag slammed a hoof down on the table, sending a jolt of pain through my head. "This true, rat?" he eyed Scorpan, who was just coming to the table with a cup of coffee for me.

I rubbed my temples, "Just shut up," I murmured, but I don't think anypony heard me.

It was like everything was coming to me through a tunnel. I heard Scorpan's response, but it sounded far away. "Yeah. I know where it is. But it's dangerous."

"Why the hay haven't you mentioned this before?!" Mag yelled. To me it sounded like it was under water. My head was spinning.

"Because it's dangerous. I didn't want to be responsible for putting any more ponies in harm's way. I'm here to help end this because I care about ponies. Not cause more problems."

Sarge spoke up, "That's my job, Scorpan. You shouldn't worry about responsibility. I choose who I deploy, when and where. Don't put that on your shoulders."

"I just feel guilt is all…"

I moaned at the pain in my head. The pain all over my body. The adrenaline from the chase gone, it was all coming back. That's why they were looking at me like I'd risen from the dead. I probably looked exactly like a movie zombie. My head swam, and I stared off into the dimming light. My head slammed into the table's surface and I was out.

Scorpan was hiding in the darkness again. This was nothing new. But now he was smiling. He looked happy to see me, which made me happy.

"Score, what's up?"

"You'll be okay. A medic is attending your wounds. You took a lot of crap Shade."

"Yeah, but I'm asking why you look so happy."

"I'm happy to see you. I'm happy to have you back. I'm happy you're safe."

I went to him and nuzzled him. "I'm glad to be back. We need a plan though. You said you know where Tirek's base is."

"Nevermind that for now, Shade." Score caressed my cheeks in his hands. He laughed, "Didn't you say you wanted to tell me something back in the castle?"

"Oh yeah…" I looked away. Scorpan frowned. "I wanted to apologize. I hurt you bad back in that shack out there. I told you I couldn't be happy. But I realized back in the castle, I love you so much, I can't lose you. Card wanted me to go to you. Here I am."

Scorpan's eyes were getting watery. "I'm here for you okay, don't ever forget it Shadethrower. As soon as you wake up. That's where I'll be, right by your side." we found ourselves locking in a kiss. I knew what I had right now. What I didn't know was how long it would last.

"Goodnight, Shadow Bright."

(Chapter 24 set for 3/24/17 1:00pm CT

I don't know about you, but that felt a bit ominous there. Their relationship is interesting to say the least XD Please leave comments andfeel free to tell me what you think. Thanks, love ya! See ya soon.)