//------------------------------//
// Episode 17: The One That Got Away 
// Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 5 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Shadow groaned as he woke up. True, nightmares about Starlight no longer plagued him while he slept. However, the pleasant dreams he'd have of Starlight only made things worse. Namely because he knew that once he woke up they would end. Both Ace and Ice grew quickly concerned as they easily saw through the empty smile Shadow put on every morning.

"Shadow. We need to talk. Now." Ice said sternly as he motioned for Shadow to sit down. "Look. We know some part of you is still pretty broken up about Starlight Glimmer." Ice then put a hand on Shadow's shoulder. "But there's gotta be more to it than you just not convincing her she's wrong."

Ace nodded. "Ice is right Shadow. There's something deeper to it than you're letting on. We promise not to think any differently of you because of why. But please. Tell us. We're your family. That means we're here for you when you need us. And I'd say that's right now."

Shadow sighed. "Guess there's no getting around it is there?" Shadow took a deep breath. "You're right. It's also got to do with my dreams about Starlight. They're...well...."

"Yeah?" Ace and Ice said in unison.

"MY DREAMS HAVE BEEN ABOUT US TOGETHER!" Shadow blurted out! Panting heavily as the pressure. "There! I said it! Happy now?!"

Both Ace and Ice blinked. "So what?"

"....Excuse me?" Shadow asked with a puzzled look on his face. "Why are you two so chill about me dating a former enemy?!"

Ace chuckled. "Shadow. My girlfriend, Sonata, tried to take over a whole high school just to get energy. Nightmare Moon tried to bring eternal night before she and Burst got together. You falling for Starlight is probably par for the course."

"I-I'm not falling for her!" Shadow stammered as his face turned dark red!

"Heh! Suuure you are Shadow. We believe you." Ice said with a smirk.

Shadow groaned and stormed out! "Great. One chance encounter, and my brothers think I've got a crush on a villain." Shadow then blushed. "No way I'm falling for her adora-AGH!" Shadow slapped himself. "It's like some invisible force is making me think of her!"

Back in the Crystal Empire, Cadence hummed to herself as she wrote down her latest ship. "Shadow...x....Starlight. Done!"