//------------------------------// // A Shadow of the past // Story: Canterlot University // by Akiteko //------------------------------// The Grand Hotel, Earth So I've finally met my mysterious rescuer from all those years ago...and to be honest he is more than I expected. Not much to look at as far as heroes go thou, Shadow Sun is a small frail guy that smokes like a chimney, at the drop of a hat he can go into combat mode and its a site to behold as he swings Kio and fires Slash at targets and never...ever misses. I found it cute that he named his weapons...hehe what a klutz. “You okay Aria?” Sonata lays next to me as we both rest after a night on patrol, I have missed my sister very much since me and Adagio left due to...erm romantic reasons gone wrong I guess...Adagio hasn’t been the same since, but that’s her business and I tend not to pry into it too much. “Yeah looser I’m good...you’re the one that keeps sighing.” I look at my light blue sister who’s laid on her stomach with both feet in the air over her back. “We get that you miss Light, she is supposed to be back later...might be a good idea to start figuring how to introduce Shadow Sun to them.” She just looks at me with shrew eyes...my sister can read me like a book, always has...she is the “dumb” one...but not when it comes to figuring me out. “That’ll be easy...Light will like Shadow...and Sunset...well trust me it’s gonna be more than fine.” She reassured me confidently. I take a second to analyze her comment then go back to my own thoughts. For the first time I’m stuck for words, my digs and mocking doesn’t work on him...and my banter just brushes of him so fast, as a matter of fact he has riposted many a times now and left me defeated with no comeback. He is perfect in many ways compared to the grand hero I created in my fantasies, then why can’t I tell him how much that night meant to me! I find words to express myself hard when it comes to feelings...I’m so pathetic! What is wrong with me! “Nothing’s wrong with you silly.” Sonata’s voice snaps me out of my daze...how did she know to this extent. “Sonata? What?” I frown. “You like Shadow...he’s the guy you fantasize about all the time...like...all the time.” She bluntly says as my jaw drops and doesn’t return. “Sonata you freak!” My comebacks are weak and generic...and I know it...and I know she knows I’m vulnerable now. “Even if so...he’s like...dying you know...don’t do this to yourself...it can only lead to pain...” For the first time Sonata is the words of wisdom, I know she is right but it’s too late for me...I was his the minute he rescued me...I hate my sense of damsel in distress, but as simple as it is...this is where I’ve been since it happened...and then again last night. “Sonnie...It’s...too late for that...” I answer in defeat as Sonata lets out a long breath that make her fringe dance. “Well he isn’t going to make a move...and time isn’t a luxury...maybe if you talk to him about it...” She drifted. “Maybe...yeah...I should call him.” I can hear my voice is like a teen with a crush as I take my mobile phone from the mantle piece next to me. “Calm down Aria...not so needy.” Sonata smiles at me...I’m a lost cause...Sonata is giving me romantic advice...SONATA of all people...the new one to all this out of the three of us. I calm myself and look for his number in my contacts, find it and press dial...god knows what he's doing at this time in the afternoon, the phone only rings for a couple of tones before his voice answered slightly surprised. "Aria!?" Came my rescuer's rugged tone. "Is everything okay?" I was taken aback, he either had an incredible memory or already had my number in his phone... "Yes...yes Shadow all is okay...sorry to interrupt your day...erm..." I was trying too hard to sound my regular self but it wasn't working...I was suddenly a fumbling teenage girl with a crush. "Okay...this is you right Aria...you sound so out of character I'm kinda worried...you sure everything is fine..." A cough interrupted his speculation. "excuse me...I mean...you sound kinda cute...and sweet...something isn't right." A crap...I sound a stupid as I think I do...but there is something there...he likes it. "Is this about me telling you about that moment a few years back?" And he reads minds. "Erm...no!...oh what hell...yeah it is...please don't be a douche about it..." There we go...that's me. "Ah much better...you've not been kidnapped...whatyawant anyways?" He is back to his deadpan self...and I find it sexy as hell...something is wrong with my tastes. "Well...erm...I'd like to talk to you about it in private and well...you know...I just wanna say thank you...so erm...thanks for saving my life back then." I look up and see Sonata glowing with happiness at me and then I turn to my reflection in the wall mirror...I'm smiling...like a lot...ah yes my face hurts a bit...I had forgotten what smiling felt like. "Hehe, don't worry about it Aria...like I said before It was part of my job and my nature...I've always been like that..." He replies with a slight more interest in continuing his conversation. "You know...we could meet for a drink...just...us...without my two looser sisters." YES! I came out and said it...and I sound much more like me. Wait...there is silence...he is gonna say no...he is gonna say no.... "Erm...Aria...where are you going with this...the white knight effect should have long left you..." He replied a little confused. "And...I told you last night about my condition..." he deadpanned. "Wait...what? yeah but...that's not it...I mean...it's just a drink, c'mon don't be a douche, I've wanted to meet you for like ever...you can even explain to me why you vanished after you saved me too...I mean I had to deal with the police all alone!" I'm on a roll now...use it Aria use it. "You kinda own me at least a drink for having to sit at the police station alone all night." I can hear him slightly smile as he speaks. "Sly Aria...very sly...fine...i'll be free in about half an hour...meet at the cafe your friends use so much?" He replies but I can hear it in his voice...he want's to meet me...why does his voice sound so familiar...I don't get it... "Okay Shadow...I'm sure you're busy so...I promise not to take much of your valuable time." I mock him. "If you only knew." He coughs a little before chuckling. "Bye then." I hang up before a response...Ha I won...nope not immature at all. "So...like?...good news then..." I can sense Sonata already knows the answer but I feel my face crack into a smile that I hope is not too out of practice to charm Shadow Sun. "Well yeah...I always get what I want...pft like you'd have to ask." I brush my hair to the side feeling a little bit more myself and less vulnerable. "Well...I'm sure you'll have fun, I'm sure about that..." Sonata giggles...but there is something she ins't telling me, so I jump on her and pin her to the bed by her wrists and she is instantly my prey. "Okay 'Nata spill it...what the hell is it you know about this guy." She looks back at me and this isn't my sister I always get information out of...Light Shimmer has made her strong...like really strong. "Nope not a chance sis...you're on your own on this one." She smirks. "I'll lick your cheek!" I decide to play the thing she hates the most...but there is no reaction...instead she instantly licks my forehead and uses incredible strength to over turn my pin...for the first time EVER!...and Oh my god face lick is horrible!!! "Serves you right hehe." Sonata is giggling really hard as for the first time I notice I'm actually really petite compared to my strong younger sister. "Now...let's get you all pretty to see Shadow." she offers her hand to me and I take it feeling our bond grow for the first time in decades... "What has Light done to you?" I gasp slightly as with one motion she drags me to my feet. Sonata smiles and directs me to the mirror as she picked up a brush. "Hopefully...like... something similar to what Shadow is gonna do to you." Touche sis...Touche. Canterlot High, Portal Statue. Okay so now I've gone and done it...I'm gonna be alone with her...well shit Shadow...way to go...the one thing you're not supposed to do. I place my mobile phone back in my pocket and I see Applejack out of the corner of my eye as she approaches the statue...she isn't alone...hmm of course it's Flash Sentry...Mr and Mrs Prom Royals...who woulda thought it hehe. Damn this cough...silently controlling it on stake out's is becoming agonizing...but I'm gonna work till I drop...hopefully not before I kick some Titan ass. They are sitting around the statue with a small picnic basket...as I suspected the Shimmers are coming back...hmm Light woulda had her first Equestrian visit...need to see what information Princess Twilight has uncovered...hope it all went well...I shoulda gone with em...what was I thinking letting Light...no wait...Sunset is there...she can handle anything in Equestria...getting of topic again...damn omnipotent beings and their plans we don't understand. Again my lungs feel on fire...goddamn cancer...all the things I've done and seen and now this is gonna do me in...ugh...oh well might as well have another...not like they can smell it from here. I inhale the sweet smoke of the murder weapon of my murderer and feel the fire inside me ease off. Now to the next step...Aria...myself, alone at the Everfree Cafe...damn Nightingale syndrome that has never left me...I can't give her any signs of it...she obviously is interested in me...why now of all times I have no idea...did't she look at me and see how broken I am...no one wants to ever know me...I'm reclusive, work driven, loner, rude...and of course a picture of perfect health....hehe yeah...that must be it... "The girls won't be back for another twenty or so minutes..." Flash's voice come's through my left earpiece that is feeding me the signal from my hidden mic in the statue. "Soo...." And suddenly I just hear ruffling and look up to see them making out. Seriously these two are so in love i'm sure it's gotta make the rest kinda sick...then again Light and Sunset have gotten pretty bad themselves with their partners...Pinkie Pie and Sunset...that wasn't a shock to anyone I guess. Back to Aria...she's perfect. Her bad ass attitude...her eyes...hair...skin...damn! getting distracted, I thought I had this under control...but I guess her interest in me is making my feelings resurface...but there is no future in this...I will end up hurting her...leaving her behind. Thank god my phone is bringing me back to earth. "Shadow Sun here...go." I answer my superior on the other line. "The Shimmer sisters have been delayed...abort surveillance and make prep for tonight's patrol...make sure you're involved with the rest of the targets by the end of the night. I wan't you in their group and with as much information as you can gather by tomorrow...the time for action is close." His voice is lifeless as always. "Affirmative...targets where engaged last night and my infiltration has began... piece of cake boss..." I hear the line go dead and know he is as happy as his character can be. I pick up my art tube that houses Kio and head out of my stake-out location without anyone noticing me and head towards the cafe to meet Aria. As I walk I feel something I haven't since I can remember...I'm excited...and happy...what's THE DEAL! This meeting can't lead into anything...I'm a professional...I got this under control. The cafe is full as always and Rarity is at the bar engaged in her usual gossip with her sister-in-arms Gloriosa...the Gossip Two...Gloriosa nods at me and smiles...I am a regular here...I've always been here...with these girls...a backdrop no one cares to look at...same duster coat...same messy hair...same model Nike's and hat. You'd think the horrific scar across my eye would attract attention to me...but I guess if seen it must be a repellent to most. "Hey sweaty...the usual?" Gloriosa approaches me as I look up from behind my glasses and nod then steal a glance at Rarity then back at the door. Gloriosa mistakes my glance at Rarity instantly. "The usual gossip meeting?" I smile and she instantly engages me in conversation...damn that was a rookie mistake...dammit Aria you've thrown me completely off my game. "Yes darling...I'm sure you know my friend Rarity..." She turns to Rar and beckons the fashionista over, Rarity strides elegantly towards us. "No...wait, I didn't mean..." Too late I'm in a three way conversation now that is happening before I want it too...I have no exit strategy and I can see I have to stick around for Aria. "Rarity this is one of the regulars here...I'm not sure you've met before...this is Rarity sweaty...I can't recall your name sorry..." Seems Gloriosa is planning something I'm not too keen on. "Shadow Sun." I fill the gap to the conversation. "Rarity was it...nice to meet you." I get into my distant character again. "Hello darling...I'm guessing you call me over for fashion advice Glory darling...because Shadow you're a picture of originality and classic movies influence...simply magnifique!" She offers as I look at my clothes slightly amused. "You've got this whole Kyle Reese in a modern age look going." She adds. "Sure." I'm stumped, but while she is talking about fashion and Gloriosa is helping out I see Aria walk into the cafe and look straight at me and smirk...my feelings crash against two simple thoughts...Damn you Aria Blaze and thank god my savior is here. "Excuse me ladies...It was nice to meet you Rarity but my date is here..." I signal Aria over as she strolls towards me looking beautiful as ever except this time my hormones are on overdrive due to her been my rescuer instead. "Hey losers." Aria smiles as she reaches a slack jawed Rarity and a smiling Gloriosa. "I see you met Shadow...I'm guessing that's expected since..." And with that I'm on my feet and interrupting Aria's break of my cover. "So shall we head out to the park?" And in one swift motion i'm at Aria's side and heading out the door. "Thanks Gloriosa bye." "That was strange." Aria deadpans as she stands looking at me with those massive purple pools that she calls eyes as her pigtails catch the wind and finishes her magnificent look...perfection...wait i'm an undisclosed agent to the most important agency in the world...I'm a professional...this is just a mission...keep it clean and formal...I am a rock...and this can't go nowhere. Nope this is easy to keep a level head on. Done. Let's talk like two adults who are preparing to work together on an important project. All business and no fun....sorry doll nothing personal.