WARNING: If you're allergic or prone to rage at: Oc's, black ponies, overused memes, pairing, funny jokes, the color red, fourth wall breaking, minor violence, filler, and cake, read at your own discretion… enjoy the fanfic.

(Author's notes: Hi everypony, I hope you like the story so far. Anyways new chapters will be posted every Saturday unless something happens "Which I will try to inform you of." So yeah here you go.)

Chapter 2: Old Feelings Return

Six days before the incident…

Night Shadow awoke after having a pleasant dream of nothing only to find that it was freezing in his room. He sat on the bed, blinked a few times, and fell back on the pillow with a thud.

"Why me, I hate the cold." He groaned as he slowly got out of his bed.

Making his way to the dark living room, he made a list of things that he was going to do today. It mainly consisted of: getting up, surviving, and finding a place to sleep.

"Oh yeah, I promised to help Applejack today." He looked at a clock through the darkness of the room. "Five o'clock in the morning? It must be broken." He concluded as he approached the door. "I hope Twilight doesn't try to turn the town over just to find me again," he opened the door with his hoof, "She does look a bit…what the!" He yelled, staring straight into a wall of white.

"Is… is this a portal?" He wondered as he slowly touched the wall with his hoof. "It's so cold, what are you made of!" He yelled at the wall, causing it to fall on him with a thud. "No please, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, I know how it feels just let me go!" He pleaded to the now collapsed wall.

"What's all the yelling about?" Twilight asked as she walked down the stairs.

"Oh, I don't know Twilight." Night Shadow said sarcastically. "It's just that this thing is eating me!"

Twilight examined what this "Thing" was that had buried Night Shadow up to his neck.

"So this was the surprise Luna wrote about in the message." She said.

"What are you talking about?" Night Shadow asked abruptly.

"The stuff you're in, it's just vapor composed primarily of water exposed to-"

"You mean snow, right Twilight?" Night shadow asked, cutting her off and leaving her confused.

Night Shadow's horn glowed faintly as the snow around him melted into water. Not wanting to leave a mess, he converted the water into an ice cube and placed it next to the door.

"But, but, how could you possibly know what snow is and still be afraid of it. You even said you could tolerate blizzards." Twilight said dumbfounded.

"Two things: one, I knew what snow was, not what it looked or felt like. And second, do you know you're really cute when you're confused." Night Shadow said bluntly.

Twilight was instantly reminded of what the future Night Shadow said during his short time with her, overlooking the compliment completely.

"Anyways, I'm going to borrow a coat from your closet; I hope you don't mind, Twi." Night Shadow said as he walked to her closet in the back of the living room.

"You won't find anything in there but dresses, it would be better to buy one." Twilight said.

"That's a good idea Twilight, except I don't have… any money." Night Shadow exaggerated to her as he threw clothing one by one behind him in all directions.

"Hey, do you expect me to clean up after you mister?" Twilight said as her frustration level skyrocketed.

"Well, you are a mare, isn't that your job?" Night Shadow asked innocently.

"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you!" Twilight said as her face turned red.

"Ooo, what is this?!" Night Shadow shouted, taking out a black furry object from the closet.

"You better… what, I never bought that!" Twilight yelled as she watched him put it on like a colt getting a new toy for his birthday.

As she examined the object, she discovered that it was a huge, black, trench coat. Night Shadow then ran towards the convenient mirror in the room to see himself.

"I… look… amazing!" Night Shadow shouted as he did a pose in the mirror. Even on his hind legs, the coat was still long enough to touch the ground.

"What is it about you that makes me laugh?" Twilight asked herself.

"It's the coat Twilight… mares love the buckin' coat! Well, I am off to help Applejack, see you later." He said as he charged out the door.

"You still need to clean this up!" Twilight shouted out the door, but he was long gone. "UH, at least he keeps his promise. Spike, come down here and help me with this mess."

Applejack was already awake when there was a knock on her door. Unsure of who it was that could be at her door so early, she cautiously looked through the peep hole.

"Hey, it's me, Night Shadow, open up." He said as he put his dark violet eye into the peep hole, startling Applejack for a moment.

"I'm surprised that a complete stranger would go out of his way to help me." Applejack said as she opened the door for him to come inside.

"Just want to help out a friend, so is there anything you need done?" He asked.

"Well… there are some barrels-"

"BARRELS!" Night Shadow shouted randomly at Applejack, who in turn stood worried.

"Sorry, I have a random hatred against barrels..." He said rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Anyways, they are very heavy and worth a lot, so only carry one or two." She said before she pointed over a hill.

"Easy enough, this shouldn't take long." Night Shadow said walking out of the door.

"There are about one-hundred barrels, so Big Macintosh will accompany you, y'all be careful now." She said.

Night Shadow proceeded to move through a snowy trail that went around a big hill in search for the barrels, what he found was a red stallion as tall as he was resting by a tree.

"Uh hi, do you know where the BARRELS are?" Night Shadow asked him, twitching.

"Eeyup." He responded.

"Uhh... did I just wake you up?" Night Shadow asked apologetically.

"Nope."

"Are you, Big Macintosh?"

"Eeyup."

"Can you say anything else besides that?"

"Nope." The red stallion said with a smile. "And please, call me Big Mac."

"Well Big Mac, you don't seem that big to me." Night Shadow said almost disappointed.

"You're the same height as I am." Big Mac said with a straight face.

Night Shadow then walked up to Big Mac and positioned himself next to him. Big Mac was right, they were the same height.

"I have more hair though… so about these things we're suppose to move move." Night Shadow said nervously, looking at the barrels.

"You mean barrels." Big Mac said in his usual calm tone.

"Yes those things… those evil wooden abominations... Applejack said to move them to the barn." Night Shadow said pointing at the dirt trail he traveled on.

"Okay, so, shall we get started?" Big Mac asked, spitting out the straw of hay from his mouth.

"Hold on there, Big Rush, I was thinking we could make this more interesting, a game perhaps." Night Shadow said putting his hoof on his chest. "The first one that gets the most barrels to the barn wins, and to make it fair I will not use my magic, deal?" He asked.

"Eeyup." Big Mac said bluntly.

"You need to get out some more." Night Shadow said before teleporting next to the barrels and jumping onto one. "Umm... that doesn't count."

Big Mac, on the other hoof, just walked casually next to him, uncaring.

"So Big Mac, are you ready to become a big wimp!" Night Shadow said in hopes of firing him up.

"Nope." Big Mac said normally.

Night Shadow let out a sigh at his reaction.

"Fine, be that way." Night Shadow said as he lifted a barrel to his back. Big Mac quickly followed.

"This will be our starting line. On the count of three, we go." Night Shadow stated as he assumed a sprinting position.

"One…" He said as he cracked his neck left and right.

"Two…" Big Mac took a deep breath as he took a sprinting position.

"Three!" Night Shadow shouted as he rocketed forward leaving a trail of dust behind.

It took him thirty seconds to reach the barn to put the package where it belonged. He then looked over his shoulder.

"Ha, he might have strength, but at a cost of speed. He probably hasn't even made it half-way yet." Night Shadow said out loud before hearing the sound of a cough behind him.

"Soooo, what took ya so long?" Big Mac asked as he leaned on the barn door with a grin. "Not so talkative as before are ya."

Night Shadow didn't turn around or make any gestures, however the shiver down his spine and beads of sweat that formed on his muzzle were enough to prove to Big Mac that he had made his point. There are two things Night Shadow hates, losing and being out-bested at his own game, not to mention both at the same time. The only thing going through Night Shadow's head was the word "run." He then took off at top speed to get a head start from his opponent.

"It's a trick, it has to be! What is he using, magic, worm holes, hax's?" Night Shadow thought until a red blur appeared next to him at equal speed.

"Hi, how ya doin'?" Big Mac said running next to him.

"That's… not… possible!" Night Shadow yelled horrified as he increased his speed, being followed quickly by Big Mac.

The two reached the barrels at the same time, quickly picking up a barrel and dashing back from where they came. Both competitors went back and forth, out-doing the other with speed and maneuverability. Taking it even further, they began taking two barrels, then three, four, and at max, five at the same time. It ended when both reached the barn and set down the last barrel.

"It's… a… tie." Night Shadow said panting.

"Eeyup." Big Mac said sweating while Night Shadow stared at him frustrated.

He then heard a loud yawn from a nearby tree; looking up, he saw a blue pony sleeping on a branch above him. Without thinking, he cast a spell on the rainbow tail of the pony to pull the pony down on her face.

"Hey I was busy doing something." The Pegasus said rubbing her head.

"Rainbow Dash what are you-"

"Busy… busy doing what?" Night Shadow said mockingly and cutting off Big Mac.

"Well clearly I was busy... napping." She said, pointing to a tree branch with a pillow and blanket.

"You call that busy?" Big Mac said in a mono-tone.

"I'm sure he thinks that's busy in his own little world." Night Shadow said aside to Big Mac.

"Hey, I'm a mare you know." Rainbow Dash said annoyed.

"Oh I'm sorry, it's hard to tell with the short mane and all." Night Shadow said pointing out her hair.

Rainbow chuckled at his comment.

"And how about your mane, it's too long, and don't get me started on how it looks!" She countered back.

"What about my awesome hair?" Night Shadow asked as he stood there proudly and dramatically, flipping his hair with his hoof. Rainbow simply stood there with a deadpan face.

"Anyways, while you were preoccupied with your "busy" work, me and Big Mac were actually working our flanks off." Night Shadow said, informing her.

"Well what took you so long? If I was doing this, it would have taken only half the time to complete." She said avoiding eye contact from Night Shadow.

"You're kidding right? We were carrying heavy barrels to and from in less than thirty seconds, not to mention carrying them five-by-five and in the cold weather." Night Shadow said frustrated.

"You're talking to the fastest flyer in all of Equestria, it would be filly's play." Rainbow Dash said pridefully.

"Oh that's it!" Night Shadow said as he looked at one of the barrels he had just carried to the barn, conjured an exact replica, and dropped it in front of Rainbow Dash with a loud thud causing some snow to hit her face.

"Carry this over that hill and back in less than twenty seconds and if you do this well, you might convince me." Night Shadow said doubtfully.

"Is that all I have to do? Pfft, too easy." She said as she picked up the barrel with a faint purple glow. She then looked at Night Shadow as he chuckled to himself.

"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you." She said giving him a glare.

"Oh… but I will." Night Shadow looked at her with a smirk.

Rainbow dash rolled her eyes at him and picked up the conjured barrel. Little did she know was that the barrel itself, was rigged by Night Shadow. She started to wobble as she picked it up.

"Not as light as you thought, is it Dashie?" Night Shadow asked.

"Don't call me that." Rainbow dash said annoyed as she lifted off the ground.

She made it about half way over the hill before Night Shadow's horn began to glow brightly, dropping the full weight of the barrel on Rainbow dash causing her to fall on her face and the barrel to bust.

"Have a nice fall, Rainbow Crash." Night Shadow said laughing on the ground.

"Shut up." Rainbow dash said as her voice was muffled in the snow.

"That wasn't very nice, Night Shadow." Big Mac said to him.

"I know, but sometimes humiliation is the only way to reach somepony." Night Shadow said lifting Rainbow Dash to her hooves. "Somepony very stubborn with snow in her mane."

"You cheated Night Shadow, you did something to the barrel while I wasn't looking!" Rainbow dash shouted at him.

"Whoa whoa whoa… hold up, how did I cheat? One, I was standing here the entire time. And two, how can you see the barrel if it's on your back?" Night Shadow lied.

"I don't care, I challenge you to an iron pony competition, I hope you're ready to lose." She stated arrogantly.

"Why does it have to be iron, that's too weak for me, why can't it be steel, titanium, or adamantium?" Night Shadow asked to no one in particular.

"Don't be stupid and be ready tomorrow. Get some rest, you're going to need it." Rainbow dash said as she angrily took off.

"Ummm, Big Mac?" Night Shadow said looking back at him confused.

"Yeah?" Big Mac said.

"What's an iron pony competition?"Night Shadow asked.

Twilight Sparkle had just finished cleaning the mess that Night Shadow left behind, with a little help from Spike of course. The room was also heated and lighted with candles just for him.

"Well that should fix the problem for him." She said checking off the list she was holding before there was a knock at the door.

"Spike, will you get that for me!" She shouted.

"You're closer, Twilight, why don't you do it!?" Spike shouted back from upstairs.

"Just do as I say, Spike, I'm very busy!" Twilight yelled while she dusted off a table.

"Okay." Spike said going towards the door. As he opened the door, a blue blur forced the door open sending him into the wall.

"Rainbow Dash, what did I tell you about kicking doors open?" Twilight asked, quickly pulling Spike off the wall.

"Yeah, yeah, I didn't fly all the way here for a lecture Twilight. I came here to talk about your coltfriend." Rainbow Dash said.

"He's not my coltfriend, Rainbow. How many times must I tell you?!" Twilight shouted.

"Fine, fine, he's not your colt friend." Rainbow Dash said rubbing her ears. "Do you want him to be?" She asked.

Twilight glared fiercely into rainbow's eyes for a good five seconds before another voice, accompanied by a knock, came from the door.

"Hey, Twilight, it's Night Shadow and this is crazy, but I'm back from work, so open up maybe. Wow that sounded stupid." He said behind the door.

"Well I will just ask him then." Rainbow said before dashing towards the door.

"Oh no you don't." Twilight said before she yanked Dash's tail back with her magic. "You can't just ask him that."

"Why not Twilight, are you scared he would say no?" Rainbow Dash asked, struggling against the magical grip.

"No… I mean I'm very busy with the celebration coming up soon and I just don't have time for that right now." Twilight said trying to convince her.

"Ah ha, so you are interested in him!" Rainbow Dash said as if she won the Ponyville jackpot.

"No, that's not what I meant." Twilight said as her face turned red.

The arguments continued on until spike opened the door for Night Shadow.

"Are you two play fighting, because I want in on this." Night Shadow declared boldly. "And Dashy, come to admit defeat already?"

"No, I came here to umm, ask… stuff, ask about stuff." Rainbow Dash said struggling to find an excuse.

"Like what do you mean by… 'stuff'?" Night Shadow asked.

"Like none of your business stuff… I'm leaving now." Rainbow Dash said walking out the door. "By the way Night Shadow… do you live here by any chance?"

Night Shadow looked at her dumbfounded before answering.

"Uhh, yeah I guess, if she hasn't gotten bored of me that is, or if I decide to stay here." He said.

"Oh, how convenient for the two of you." Rainbow Dash chuckled before flying off.

"What was that about?" Twilight said to herself a bit loudly.

"She's just mad about me proving her wrong by blowing up the barrel on her back, so she challenged me to some competition about iron ponies." Night Shadow said walking to the kitchen.

"What! She challenged you to that, you need to prepare yourself! She's one of the best athletes in all of Equestria and you… are going to the kitchen why?!"

Night Shadow walked out with a piece of chocolate cake.

"I was hungry and you had this in that cold box thing of yours." Night Shadow said stuffing his face in the cake. "You also need more food, because you ran out.

"How? I just went to the store, there should be plenty of food." Twilight said before screaming at the sight before her. The fridge was completely empty of anything edible, even the ice was gone.

"You… you ate all my food!" She yelled at Night Shadow. "Now I have to buy more because you don't have money."

"I… I don't know what to say besides, that food was delicious!" Night Shadow said as he finished the cake, licking his lips.

"GO TO YOUR ROOM!" Twilight yelled at him angrily. Night Shadow's ears flopped down and he whimpered sadly as he walked to his room closing the door behind him.

The rest of Twilight's day consisted of grocery shopping and a stress relieving walk in the park, accomplishing nothing for the upcoming event that is the Winter Moon Celebration.

(I know what your thinking... Night Shadow's a #$%^&%# isn't he.)