//------------------------------// // Me and my Shadow // Story: Tale of a Comet: White Light // by Ashfur //------------------------------// "So, you're trying to tell me that Extrema Units is somepony you know?" "Not exactly. He's... well, I might as well show you. Come on over here into the sunlight with me, I need to check something. Maybe I'm just paranoid." Flurry Heart got up and followed her friend. He seemed worried, after all. As she stood in the rays of the setting sun, Comet walked over to join her. However, as Flurry looked towards the sunset, Comet looked in the other direction. "Feathers. Look this way, and tell me what is wrong with this scene." The snow-white princess looked around. Guards milled about, cooking and running drills. Clouds peppered the land beyond the border, with a strong blizzard beginning further in. But it all looked normal. "What, is somepony not doing a drill right?" She looked over at her friend. Perhaps it was something with him? He seemed normal. "You don't look like you have anything wrong with you." Comet shook his head. "There's a lot wrong with me, but that's just my self-doubt talking. No, the issue isn't with me. It's with what I should be making, but am not. For what it's worth, you are making one yourself." Flurry took a long look at Comet. He had no way of making magic, but that couldn't be it. His wings seemed fine... "Need another hint?" She nodded. "Once the sun sets, you won't be making one, either." Suddenly, she realized. Looking at hers, and Comet's lack of one, she began to worry. "Your shadow, it's..." "Gone. I know." "How? Why? And how long has it been like this? You had one a few days ago!" "Come on, Feathers. I'll explain on the way, unless you wanna stay here..." "Not a chance, bestie," Flurry stomped her hoof on the ground. "And that's final." "I figured," Comet replied. "Grab your scarf, it's gonna get cold. We have to reach the crater, and the others. Sooner versus later." "But it's getting dark. We could survive the cold for the hour hike, but how do you know we won't get lost?" Comet held up a gleaming pendant. "I came prepared." As soon as he saw the pendant, she realized that they had a better guide than anypony could ask for: a line drawn straight to the prize. She nodded, and hurried to grab her scarf from her tent, while Comet had kept his outfit on. After she quickly rejoined her friend, they hid behind a rock formation until the next patrol of guards passed by, then booked it into the frozen tundra beyond. So why exactly is your shadow missing? "This crevice is where the star fell, according to the map you provided, princess. If we make camp in that small cave just a few yards below us, it should provide a comfortable amount of heat for us to rest before continuing." Extrema Units helped the ponies get a good base camp set up rather quickly, Twilight's portable instruments buzzing away as raw data poured in. Well, it's not missing. I know that something took it, and I know who. "There. I will stay behind and watch the instruments. Extrema, you take the others and head to the crash site." Twilight turned back to the various devices and stared intently at their readouts. You mean Extrema, right? "Go on ahead, I need to ask Miss Sparkle a few things. I can travel harsh terrain much faster than you. So please, don't hesitate. I'll catch up." The stallion watched as the group left. "I need to ask you some questions about this... energy source. If it's dangerous, I need to know. Now." He's not the real Extrema Units. I doubt that the stallion he's taken the form of has a name even remotely close to that. "Well, this energy source is new but seems t be linked to Comet, the colt that fell from the sky a few weeks ago. It doesn't seem inherently dangerous, but I suppose if handled improperly it could cause a magical backlash. But if we study it properly, that won't happen!" Twilight beamed. "That's why I brought Starlight and Sunburst along. They are good with odd magic." So is he a rogue changeling or something? King Thorax has been working hard to deal with all of those. "I see. Well, if you are sure, I suppose I should go catch up with the others. Ta-ta." Extrema trotted out of the cave and his hoofsteps could be heard heading to meet the others. Twilight sighed, and turned back to her instruments. A few fluctuations from the background magic here, a blip there, all within margin of error. She was going to handle this new magic carefully, and unlock it's power, she was sure of it! If only it were that simple. No, he... it... whatever it is, is a monster. A monster from my nightmares that I never thought I'd see in the real world. A monster that can and will grow in power if we don't do something. "Miss Twilight! Miss Twilight!" Comet came galloping in at top speed into the cave. Twilight was stunned. She made several noises of shock at the sudden entrance of her young friend. Comet seemed pleased with himself that he made it as far as he had. "Comet? What are you doing here? I told you to stay at the camp! How did you even find us? Wait, that pendant! That was very irresponsible, young colt. Is Flurry with you as well? I know you two tend to stick together." "Yeah, but I need a pick-me-up after coming this far." He reared up, opening his front legs to accept a hug. How does it gain power then? And more importantly, how does it turn into somepony else? "Sure, Comet. but then we need to talk about trusting us to handle things, okay? I don't want you getting hurt." Twilight walked over and wrapped her front leg around the pegasus. Comet's grip on Twilight tightened without warning, and his usual warm and welcoming smile became a viciously grinning maw of sharp teeth. t spoke in a vicious, distorted snarl. "Trust me Twilight, I won't be the one hurting by the end of this." It sneaks up on you... and steals your shadow. Now run faster, Miss Twilight and the others might be in danger! Double time!