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The Shadow of Equestria

Chapter 27

The End

I awoke towards the middle of the day. Rubbing my eyes, I slowly got ready for the upcoming fight. I put on my clothes, gathered my sword, and sat on my bed. It was silent until Umbra decided to break the silence.

"You don't have to do this Zhane." he said. "You can still run and live to fight another day."

"What use would that do me?" I asked. "You heard Agliss, they'll continue to hunt me down until they kill me. I don't want to live the rest of my life on the run so I might as well give it my all today."

I smiled.

"Who knows, I might even kill those too and finally be free of their constant pursuing."

There was another pause.

"About that conversation with Agliss."

"Think nothing of it Umbra. To be honest, I think he really is scared of my power, that he'll keep slinging empty threats until I kill him."

Umbra laughed in joy.

"Good luck Zhane and if you ever need assistance, you can count on me."

I nodded with a small frown. What Agliss said had really gotten through to me and writing about my past didn't help. I knew I forgot about my purpose and who's fault was that? I believe I have a certain entity to thank for that. Who persuaded me to harness my magic and shape myself into an efficient user? Who had me absorb those relic and aim for something that I know will be unreachable? Now that I think about all of it, I realize that Umbra has been pushing to make me stronger and what Agliss said didn't really help. Oh, I was going to end it all right, in more than one way.

I approached the castle the same way the changelings did during the wedding. Surprisingly, the unblocked path to the gardens from the outside was never patched and I easily hopped over the stone wall and right into the garden.

"He's here." whispered Agliss as Celestia sat at a table surrounded by Twilight Sparkle and her friends.

"I honestly thought that he wouldn't show up." she whispered back as she stood up from the table.

"Is... something wrong Princess?" asked Twilight Sparkle as she saw the frown on her teacher's face.

"Yes, I need you and your friends to gather the Elements." Celestia replied.

"Why Princess, what's going on?"

"Remember that human I told you about, the one that you said arrived in The Crystal Kingdom. He's here on castle grounds and I want you six armed with your Elements now."

I continued to wonder the castle grounds until I found my way to the entrance of the castle.

"I had a feeling that you wouldn't show up. That I would have to hunt you down." called a voice as the entrance to the castle opened revealing both Princesses, Agliss, Yamato, Phoenix, and Twilight Sparkle and her six friends along with the Element's of Harmony hanging from their necks.

"I see you brought a crowd to watch you die Agliss." I said. "This is where everything will end, where all of these troubles will end."

I slowly began to charge magic into my hand, causing the aura to become visible. In response, Agliss and Yamato sprung into action, surrounding me. Agliss was the first to rush in and I easily blocked his strike with a barrier I had put up. This gave me enough time to draw my sword before the barrier shattered under the pressure of Agliss' sword. I back stepped to dodge the swing only to notice that Yamato started to rush in as well. I twisted to my right to dodge a slash from his sword and fired a shadow bolt from close range, hoping to hit him.

Yamato disappeared and reappeared in front of me, dodging the bolt and throwing me off balance. I threw myself backwards and quickly got up. I began build up more magic for more advanced spells. With an excess of magic, I decided to use a spell I have yet to try. I simply placed my palm on the flat of my blade and ran it down the length of the sword causing it to glow with dark magic. With my sword ready, it was my turn to rush in.

I began with a forward thrust, trying my best to pin Agliss to one of the nearby walls. I was stopped when Yamato appeared to my side and slammed his knee into my stomach, sending me flying away from my target. I hit the ground, recovered, and made another attempt, this time, keeping my eyes on Yamato as well. The moment I saw him disappear, I slammed my hand onto the ground and caused large spikes to erupt. I looked to my left to see Yamato backing up in an attempt to dodge the spikes. To distract the man, I sent some more spikes his way and rushed towards Agliss. I tried to run him through but he was able to parry my blow and send me stumbling. I recovered and attempted to slice him but was easily blocked. I swung again and again, each time being blocked by Agliss. I swung once more and was blocked again, this time Agliss and I were face-to-face.

I stared into his eyes, my muscles straining from holding my sword against Agliss'. He stared into mine with a determined look, like he knew that he was already going to win. I frowned and swept at his feet, catching him off guard and sending him falling on his back. With Agliss vulnerable, I pulled my sword up and plunged for the kill but I intentionally missed just so I could get a few words in. The funny thing was that I could already hear Umbra yelling at me.

"Hold this for me." I said with a smile as I backed away from Agliss and the rest of the ponies.

'Hey Umbra.' I said. 'Is there any way to make it to where I can reach inside of something and grab its magic?'

"That's oddly specific." replied Umbra. "But yes, there is a way. Just coat your hand in magic and hit the lower section of their stomach. That's were magic usually gathers. Do you plan on using this on Agliss?."

'You know it.' I said as I began to build up magic in my magic. At this time, Agliss and Yamato had regrouped with each other and the other ponies had advanced closer to my position. The magic finally finished building up and I smiled at the group before me.

"You gave me that ultimatum and on the spot I decided what I was going to do." I said looking at Agliss. "I decided that I was going to be the one that finished it. Not you, not Yamato, not Celestia, just me and me alone."

"What are you talking about?!" demeaned Celestia. She turned to Agliss. "What is he talking about?"

Agliss just smiled and looked on as the aura continued to surround my hand.

"I guess this is the end." I said.

"What are you going on about?" asked Umbra.

Without warning, I plunged my magic covered hand into my stomach and watched as it passed right through me.

"No, stop, what are you doing!" yelled Umbra in a fit of anger. "I give you power, if you remove me you'll become powerless."

Despite his constant yelling, I continued to reach until I knew that I had hit where he resided.

"Agliss, what's he doing?" asked Celestia.

"He's ending it." replied Agliss. "Just get the Elements ready."

Celestia nodded and positioned Twilight and her friends at the front of the group along with Phoenix, who was standing beside them.

I grabbed a hold of the parasite that had been living in my body for far too long and began to pull. I could feel him trying to fight it.

"I will make you go through Hell if you do this. I will make you wish you had never existed. I will do things to you that you never thought possible."

"Your threats are as empty as your words, Avalan." I replied as I gave one final pull and watched as my hand reemerged with a handful of black energy. With one good toss, I threw the energy to the ground and looked to Agliss. He looked back, know what I was going to be and tossed me my sword. I caught it easily and approached the mass of black energy still on the ground. I raised up my sword and gave the black mass of final look as I brought the sword down. I successfully pierced the mass with my sword and looked down in triumph.

"I will not be defeated by the likes of you!" yelled the mass as a large shock-wave emerged sending me flying towards the back wall of the garden.

"Yamato, Phoenix." called Agliss. "Keep the Princesses and the Elements safe. I'm going to get Zhane."

The Captain broke away from the group as the other two entered battle. Phoenix's wings ignited immediately and began to launch blue flames at the mass. The mass began to counter the flames with its own black flames. Yamato, using his magic in conjuration with Phoenix, began accelerating the flames at higher speeds than being originally launched. Away from the battle, Agliss quickly approached me.

"Zhane." he said as he gave me a good shake. "You need to get up." he said as he handed me my sword.

I shook my head and looked at the man. With my sword in hand, I could easily murder him right there but for some reason, I placed Avalan in a higher priority over Agliss. I pushed myself off the wall and looked at the ongoing battle.

"Get them ready to fire those things." I told Agliss as I ran off towards the mass ready to strike. The mass turned and formed a hand which easily caught my sword.

"How does it feel to be powerless, Zhane?" asked Avalan. "You could have been so much more, it really disappoints me. I have to thank you though because without you, I would have never recovered such powerful artifacts."

The mass began to slowly take shape around the hand holding my sword until a man, about my size with long brown hair stood before.

"Now you finally get to see my true form, the face of your killer." he claimed as his free hand morphed into a large spike that was about to strike. Before he was able to deliver the killing blow, a large mass of blue flame hit him dead on causing him to recoil in pain.

"I will make sure you burn for that one." yelled Avalan as he set his sights on Phoenix. He started to make his way over to him but I stopped him by delivering a large slash to his back. He turned with eyes ablaze.

"You are really starting to get on my nerves." he said. "I think I'll kill you first."

Avalan's arm reformed into a spike and he proceeded to thrust it at me. I tried my best to prepare myself for the attack but was grabbed from behind and suddenly I was behind him. I looked beside me to see that Yamato had teleported me away from the attack and next to him and Agliss. In anger, I broke away from the group and ran straight at the man.

"You really are stupid." said Avalan who arm reformed back into a spike. I dodged the attack and managed to get a good slash in on his stomach before having to back away. I looked at the man to see a large cut beginning to heal.

"You will never be able to kill me! I am the dark, the shadows! I am death!" yelled the demented human as he began to laugh. I frowned and rushed back in.

"We need to help him!" yelled Agliss as he looked over to the other two fighters remaining idle. Yamato nodded and disappeared in a flash while Phoenix ran in right behind Zhane. Yamato arrived first aiming towards the lower part of Avalan's body. His blow was deflected by a well timed parry and was sent back a few feet. I was the closest so I was targeted next. Avalan's attempted to grab me with his hand but recoiled several blue fireballs struck all over his body.

"Now's your chance!" yelled Phoenix. "Get some blows in!"

I ran after the retreating Avalan and got about three slashes in before he was able to shock wave the surrounding area, both extinguishing the flames on him body and sending me back with Yamato. As we regained our footing, Avalan was already on us with another spike arm. I attempted to put my sword up to block the attack except the attack never reached me. Agliss intercepted the attack with a large slab of stone he had conjured from the ground.

"I should have killed you and that other excuse for a Captain a long time ago!" yelled Agliss.

"But you didn't." said Agliss as he launched the stone slab forward taking Avalan with it. Agliss landed beside me and frowned.

"The Elements are ready." he said. "The only problem is that they need a still target."

"A still target?" I said to myself as an insane idea worked its way into my head. One that appeased both sides of my thought process at the moment. A way to end it and a way to get satisfaction from doing so. I smiled as I watched Avalan remove the rubble covering and begin his charge towards the group.

Before he was anywhere near, I began my charge as well. As we meet, he launched his attack straight at he, aiming for my heart. I dropped my sword and ducked as low as I could, easily dodging the attack. In retaliation, I ran the length of the spike and grabbed him firmly where his real arm began. I pulled it around to his back and did the same with the other arm. To finish it off, I placed my foot on him back and began to pull.

"You learn things when you start to murder people." I said with a smile. "Like how to keep them down."

"You don't have the power to kill me." he said looking back at me. "I'll just keep coming back."

"Except this time you don't have anything to protect you against those." I said motioning over to where Celestia and the Elements stood.

Once Avalan saw this, he began to pull against my hold, trying everything to get out. He extended a shadowy spike from his back that was able to cut my cheek. I gritted my teeth and tightened my hold on the man. Avalan growled and began to cover his whole back in small short spike causing one to go through my foot. I grunted in pain as Avalan laughed.

"You'll let go eventually." he said through his laughs. I frowned and tightened my grip on the Avalan.

"Let go off me you pathetic worm!" he yelled as a series of small spikes ran down his arm, piercing my hand .

"Celestia!" I yelled through the pain. "Get off your ass and fire those fucking things!"

Without any hesitation, Celestia gave Twilight and her friends the go ahead to use the Elements. As they were powering up, Avalan looked back towards me.

"You do know that you won't survive this either. Not after I've inhabited your body for so long."

"I honestly could care less." I replied. "I should have died a long time ago but it was you that saved me. I guess that was a bad mistake on your part. As for me, I'm happy to take something as powerful as you down with me. It'll give me something to brag about in Hell."

As the Elements fired at Avalan and myself, I couldn't help but think of all that I had done in Equestria, the way I blindly entered this world and now leaving it smarter than I ever was. The rainbow colored beam hit the both us and an intense heat encompassed my entire body. I looked down to see that Avalan being destroyed, piece by piece, until he was no more. With him gone, I let go and did my best to endure the blast.

It felt like hours before the blast stopped and everything calmed down. At my feet lay the horn that I found near the Crystal Kingdom and the Crystal Heart. I could feel the stream rising off of him body but also another strange sensation in my hands and feet. I looked down to see that they began to turn a sickly gray color. I rubbed one of my now grey fingers on my arm to feel a rough cold feeling, like stone. Unable to move them, I quickly realized what was happening. I decided against panicking and knew what Avalan meant by being taken with him. I accepted my fate and looked at the group of now approaching ponies and humans.

"When I look back on my time here." I began. "I realize how blindly I followed him. You would think I would have realized what was going on before it was too late but I guess not."

Celestia and Luna looked on in sadness knowing what was happening. Because of the taint of Avalan in Zhane's body still being present, he was being trapped in stone.

"I still don't understand what was going through my head when I agreed to share my body with him. I must have been scared of being caged in the castle for a long time. If I would have just said no, things might have been different. Things would have changed, events wouldn't have happened."

I looked up into the noon sky and sighed, the stone already at my chest. It was getting pretty hard to breathe, it almost felt like the first time I died, when I was in that void. I felt a sudden ping of fear but was calmed when I realized my purpose was complete. I spread my name, my actions will not be forgotten. The Shadow will live on in some of these ponies life and that was good enough for me. The stone had at that point passed my neck.

"Celestia, one more thing." as said as the stone started to fill in my face. "Disregard that letter, I realize that the contents of that letter are not as accurate as I thought they were.

I didn't get to see Celestia's expression because the stone finally went over my eyes, blinding me and covering me in darkness. I had one last funny thought before everything went blank. I found it funny had everything had ended the way it began, in the dark.

Epilogue

Celestia sat in her private study, papers strewn about. It was clear that she has gone sometime without sleep because of the dark bags under her eyes. With a sigh, she placed the piece of paper that she was reading down on the floor with the rest and gathered them up. He may have been a murderer but she couldn't help but feel sorry for Zhane. His family, his friends, and his life were all taken from him at a young age. She couldn't say that he met a well deserved end several days ago. All she could think about was what he must have been thinking off during his last few moments before being turned to stone.

She turned her attention from the stack of papers to a small letter that was addressed to her. She opened it and read the contents, smiling as she remembered Zhane's last word. Asking her to disregard the contents of this letter. It was a good thing that Twilight Sparkle sent the two items to her straight away. It was hard enough having to explain Zhane to Twilight. It would have been a nightmare trying explain the papers to her.

With one final look at the letter, Celestia crumpled it and tossed it into the nearby fire heating her room. It warmed her knowing that he had a sudden change of heart, even if it was at the last minute. Once the letter was completely burned, Celestia grabbed the papers, bound them in some thick twine, and carried them out the room.

She carried them across the castle to a small room that was light by several candles. To the left were swords and shields, each in their own glass case and labeled. To the right were numerous amulets and staffs which again, were labeled and in glass cases. At the other end of the room stood two glass cases. In one, the faint gleam of the candles outlined a sanguine helmet that belonged to Nightmare Moon, which laid on a nice velvet pillow. Celestia like to keep it to remind her what has happened and to always remember to never let it happen again.

In the other glass case laid a large coat, a set of weird looking knifes, and a large silver sword. Looking at the case, Celestia slowly opened it up and placed the bound papers in. She closed the case and took a step back, remembering every little event that had happened since Zhane had arrived. The coat, knifes, sword, and now biography were all there to remind Celestia of how something little could go a long way and to never underestimate her opponents. Something she should have learned during her long life.

The Princess turned and exited the room. She steeled herself for the rest of the day and tapped the door with her horn. As the door slowly began to fade away, a small tear ran down Celestia's face as she began to let her emotions over take her.

"What's wrong Tia?" asked a familiar voice.

Celestia turned to see Agliss without his armor, standing behind her.

"I was just thinking about Zhane. About how we could have done something for him, to help him."

Agliss frowned.

"It was unfortunate that he didn't see the light until the very end but that much should put you at ease." said Agliss.

"What do you mean?" asked Celestia.

"At least he saw the errors of his ways. Even to the point where he held Avalan in place so that the Elements of Harmony hit him. In my books, he went out the hero's way, by manning up and taking responsibly for his own actions. He dealt with the problem by himself and for that he has my respect."

"I guess you're right." replied Celestia.

There was a pause.

"I do want to know one thing Agliss." said Celestia.

"What would that be?" replied Agliss.

"I want to know why you lied to me and Luna when we went to Oasis? Why did you tell us that you were caught in a bloody war? That Avalan was the one that sealed you two in those statues not you?"

"I didn't want you to worry Tia." said Agliss. "Knowing you, you would have marched your army right into Avalan's hand and then Equestria would have been next on his list. I lied with you in mind Tia, I didn't want you to worry nor did I want you to take any action against Avalan. it was for your own good."

There was another pause.

"What now Agliss? Where do we go from here?"

"Yamato and I are going to head back to Oasis. I guess I was wrong about our souls being released once our job was done. We'll do our best to recover what we have left from our old society. Knowledge, inventions, anything that would be of value."

"What about Phoenix?" asked Celestia.

"He left early this morning. He said something about finding his next jobs and about how he'll always be available if you need help or wish to go on a date. He also said that goes double for Luna."

Celestia smiled and walked with Agliss to one of the nearby stain glass windows over looking the garden. Zhane was placed under a shaded spot were Celestia could see from here balcony. It was easily accessible and somewhat hidden from the public. The two looked at the statue for a few moments before Agliss broke the silence.

"If you ever need us, Celestia." began Agliss. "You know where to find us."

Celestia smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind Agliss. I'll visit as soon as possible."

With a smile as a reply, Agliss walked away, leaving the Princess to her thoughts, which he knew were good ones. He couldn't help but get one last look at the statue before he walked out of sight.

"I hope one day, you and I can be friends Zhane." he said to himself as he walked off through the castle with a large smile plastered on his face.

Here's Chapter 27 for everypony. Enjoy!

Azure Phoenix is Neo Masamune's OC and I am so thankful for him letting me use it throughout the story. Thanks again Neo!

It's been fun guys, this story was so much fun to write. Now, I'm going to take some time and answer some questions you guys have asked me.

Are you going to write of sequel?

Of course! I am definitely writing a follow up to this story in the future. The only thing that the sequel depends on is wither you guys want that or the sequel of The Royal Protector next. There is a poll on my profile that will help decide that and the one that wins will be the next one I write.

When will the next story start?

I'll start writing over the summer and will post the first chapter around the beginning of August.

Will there be any bonus chapters for The Shadow of Equestria?

Probably not.

So this is the second story that I've finished and I feel like the only way to go is up. The more I write the more I improve and more quality will start to stick out in my work. thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story from start to finish and I can't wait to begin the next story with you guys.

Until then

See everyone next time.