A series of wars were fought against the Shadows with the Vorlons recruiting several younger races and even some of the last remaining First Ones.

However, as time went on, one or both of them decided that their way was the only correct way to help the younger races. Initially the two guardian races agreed to honor the each others positions, respect their boundaries and agreed on rules of engagement. A diametrically opposite view to the Vorlon's ideology of order and obedience. The Shadows believed that races could only grow stronger through chaos and conflict and that driving the younger races to war with one another. Like the Vorlons, the Shadows opted to stay in the galaxy to guide the younger races when most of the other First Ones went out beyond the Rim, into the void between galaxies. When they were a young race they were found by Lorien and the First Born, who taught and guided them until they were ready to stand on their own. Despite not being in the fifth and final season, their dark legacy, through the actions of their former dark servants and left over Shadow-Technology, was strongly felt for a long time. Up until the middle of the fourth season, they were the main antagonists of the entire series.

They were also known as 'The Ancient Enemy' by a warrior alien race, the Narn. Their true name is actually ten thousand letters long and is hard for anyone outside of their race to pronounce. The name 'Shadows' is not their true name. The Shadows are a malevolent alien race from the TV series Babylon 5.

Babylon 5 a view from the gallery