//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Adventures of Shadow Chaser: The Shimmer in the Desert // by RangerBeef //------------------------------// As I crossed through the edge of town, I noticed the moon beginning to rise on the horizon. I did so enjoy the nights. Most other ponies had gone home for the night, and the few that roamed the streets at this hour did so in relative silence. Not because they didn’t want to speak to one another but because no pony wanted to break the serene harmony of all night time elements working together. I listened to the crickets playing their sad song. I could feel the gentle but cool breeze sweep past me, fall was coming. I gazed up at the stars as I walked, watching them all twinkle, but a shadowy figure sweeping through them caught my attention. I squinted hard but couldn’t make out the shape, suffice that it was a pegasus. I watched it loop and whirl as if dancing with all the stars before it turned and headed right at me. In a moment, I was face to face with Rainbow Dash. She smiled softly at me as she landed and I returned it. Despite our break up, we had remained good friends. She was still interested in all my detective stories and I was happy to oblige her. We caught up when we could, which wasn’t often enough, and tonight our being together had been simply luck. “Where ya headed, Detective?” She asked through her smile. She’d taken to calling me that shortly after we had split up. For a while it had felt like she was using it to hurt my feelings, but she’d let it slip during a conversation that she did it because she felt awkward about us. “To the library. Twilight asked me to come by. What’re you doing out flying this late? Don’t you have work in the morning?” I asked, as I slowed my pace to lengthen our time together. “Nah. Tomorrow’s supposed to be a cloudy one, so I get to sleep in.” She beamed at the idea of extra sleep. Same old Dash. “So what does Twilight want? She got a case for you?” “I’m not sure. She caught me at Rarity’s place today and, well, she came on a little strong.” I felt awkward discussing one of Rainbow’s close friends but I’d made a habit to stop lying to her. “What do you mean?” “Well, she asked to speak to me privately but it was the way she asked.” I leaned in close to Rainbow’s face. “She wasn’t any farther from me than I am from you right now.” Dash’s eyes roamed mine for a moment before she took a step back and shook her head at the closeness. “That’s weird. Especially for Twilight.” “Yea, you’re telling me.” “Who knows? Maybe she wants to make you her special somepony. Or practice love on you.” “Practice love?” I chuckled at the idea. “Yea, she hasn’t experienced a lot of that stuff so she has to study it. Maybe she just trusts you enough as a colt to be the one she studies.” I scratched my head in confusion. “She really is too smart for her own good sometimes.” Rainbow pushed me playfully. “Just take it easy on her. Last time we went on a date, I almost drowned.” She laughed as we both remembered our brush with the changeling pirates. I chuckled softly. “I’ll be sure to keep her here in town,” I joked back. Rainbow had decided she’d had enough walking and took off slowly. “Alright, detective, I’m out of here. Enjoy your romantic evening with Twilight.” She winked at me in jest. “I’ll certainly try. Good night, Rainbow.” She had already disappeared into the sky before I’d said my goodbye. I picked up my pace a little as I continued on to the library. When I arrived, I noticed that only one light was on in the library. The one at the very top. I assumed it was Twilight’s room and wondered if she’d forgotten I was coming. I knocked gently on the door and heard some muffled movement from inside. My senses were on edge as I leaned into the door with my ear. I heard someone inside fiddling with the lock and leaned back. Suddenly, the door flew open and I was grabbed and pulled inside. The door slammed shut behind me and I was pushed against it. There, in the dark, I could barely make out the outline of Twilight Sparkle’s face. “Twilight?” I asked, softly. She quickly put her hoof over my mouth and just stared into my eyes. For a long moment I didn’t know whether to expect a kiss or a knife in my side. She finally removed her hoof from my mouth and spoke softly but with force. “What did you get me for my birthday last year?” “A magnifying glass.” “Besides today, when was the last time we spoke?” “When you saved my flank in Canterlot.” “What dress did you suggest to Rarity that I wear to next year’s Gala?” “A small black dress.” Twilight held me against the door for another long moment before finally relenting and letting me stand on all fours. “What was all that about, Twilight?” “I had to make sure you were you. Did anyone see you on your way here?” I hesitated. “Rainbow Dash but she just asked how things were. Not where I was going.” “Good. Come upstairs.” She turned from me and headed up the stairs. “Twilight, wait, are you really trying to study me?” I received no answer and could only see the light from her doorway coming from the top of the stairs. I stood in the dark library contemplating leaving. I didn’t want to be Twilight’s “object of study” but, at the same time, if she trusted me enough to want this then maybe it would be okay. Then why ask all the questions to make sure you were you? I was unable to answer that as I moved toward the stairs slowly. Taking each step one at a time, I let my mind wander to how I ended up in situations like these. I stopped outside Twilight’s half closed bedroom door. Could I really do this? I took a deep breath and pushed my way inside. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness downstairs and I squinted but I noticed Twilight sitting on a pillow with a larger pony next to her. As my eyes adjusted I realized who I was looking at. It wasn’t just a pony, it was a unicorn, and it wasn’t just a unicorn, but an alicorn. Princess Luna sat next to Twilight Sparkle and I stood dumbfounded in front of both of them. Twilight spoke first, “I apologize for the questions downstairs and the flirtatious nature of my getting you here. I had to make sure you arrived and that you came of your own free will.” I blushed slightly as she knew the connection my brain had made and now, here I was, standing in her bedroom because of it. “Why was it necessary that I came of my own free will? And that no one followed me?” “Because the job I have for you is unlike any you’ve undertaken before,” Luna’s voice was pleasant to my ears, but her words set me on edge. “We could not take a chance that someone know I had hired you. There are too many eyes and ears that work against us.” “What do you mean?” “I mean, the world is filled with spies and evil beings that wish us all harm. Before I was cast to the moon, I ran an underground operation used for rooting out those evils and dealing with them. We kept Equestria safe without anyone ever knowing the organization existed, even Celestia was unaware of it for some time. “After I was banished, the group was broken up and the ponies they monitored went unattended to. Now that I’ve returned our agency operates on an uninvolved scale. We don’t directly intervene, we simply inform local authorities. But we’ve gotten reports that one of the more notorious groups has taken up residence in Las Pegasus and is planning something that will require us to take action. We’ve got a contact in Las Pegasus but we haven’t heard from her in a few weeks. We’re assuming the worst.” I nodded along as she explained, following as best I could and pushing questions to the back of my mind. “I won’t lie to you, Shadow. This mission is beyond the scope of what you’re normally asked to do but Twilight assured me that your bravery and heroism rival even her own. It won’t be easy. You may die. What I’m asking you, is will you be an agent in our rebuilding of the Code Star program?” “Code Star?” “The Covert Operations in Defense of Equestria: Special Tactics and Reconnaissance program. You will be the first agent of your kind. You will operate outside the law but not above it. Your actions will be the sword and shield of the crown of this nation. You will answer only to Celestia and myself.” I nodded as my head took in all the information and organized it. “I understand, Princess. What’s the informants name in Las Pegasus?” “She answers to the name Shimmer. She is a pegasus with a silver coat and nearly white mane. Your first objective will be to locate her and gather any information you can on her whereabouts. When you’ve made contact you’ll report to Twilight Sparkle and we’ll proceed from there.” My mind stopped. “Princess, I’ve played shadow games before but how will I report to Twilight if I’m in Las Pegasus and she’s here?” “Like this.” Princess Luna lowered her head and I watched her horn glow softly as the magic field slowly enveloped me and then Twilight. I felt a strange twitch in my ear and for a moment there was a tremendous pain. I closed my eyes, trying my best to cope as the pain slowly faded away. I opened my eyes thinking the worst was over when the pain returned, this time in my neck. It felt like I was being choked and a small amount of panic set in but just as quickly the pain faded away and I was able to breath normally. When Luna stood up she immediately began to explain, “That was a spell that allows you to communicate with Twilight directly at all times. It is permanent. To speak to her, simply press into that spot on your neck where the pain was located and she will hear you. You should hear her clearly respond in your ear.” I coughed a bit, still regaining my composure but I nodded. “There is one last thing, Shadow Chaser.” Luna’s pause gave me cause for concern. She was never one to mince words, which is one reason I liked her. If it needed to be said, she said it. “What is it, Princess?” “For you to work for me, your life here in Ponyville must be forfeited. You cannot return to your home. You cannot see your friends. They must all believe you dead or they could be placed in great danger. Knowledge of agents like yourself is invaluable to our enemies and the fewer that know of you, the safer everyone is. If you do not wish to give that up, I will reverse the spell I just placed on you and you will be free to go as you please.” “No,” I searched my heart for words, “This is.. alright. I’ve always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I will not turn away the opportunity to be the right hand of the Princesses.” “Very well. Welcome to the team, Agent Chaser. You have one day to get your affairs in order. After that, we will fake your death and you will no longer exist, officially. Aside from Twilight Sparkle and myself only one other pony will know your true status.” “Who’s the other pony?” I asked, expecting to hear Princess Celestia’s name. “You will have to tell me, Agent. Since you have no family, you must choose a confidant to be informed, in the case of your capture or death. They will be the only pony to ever know you still live.” I let my eyes wander to the floor as I thought of the only pony I would ever tell. She would be furious with me. “Alright, Princess. I can do this.” “You will be staying here with Twilight Sparkle after your death tomorrow. Make sure you have everything you need by then. For now, I will bid you both a good night. We will speak in a few days when you are ready to begin your mission.” In a flash, she was gone and I was left staring at Twilight Sparkle. The butterflies in my stomach noticeably calm now. “I’m sorry this is all so rushed, Shadow.” I sighed heavily and put on a smile. “Don’t worry. The mission won’t be what kills me. It’ll be telling Rainbow.” Twilight smiled nervously. “If you want to go home to get some of your things, I’ll leave the door downstairs unlocked.” I nodded slowly as I head for her bedroom door. “Yea, I guess I should. I’ll be back before dawn.” Twilight nodded again and I was outside the library before I knew it. As I walked slowly toward my home, I noticed the moon was nearly at its peak in the sky. I stopped for a moment, breathing in the cool night air, letting it relax my every muscle. As I saw the distant clouds rolling in, I gave the library one final look before I decided to move on. I had only been walking for a moment when I heard a crackling in my ear and then Twilight Sparkle’s voice very clearly said, “I’m sorry.” ---------- I walked aimlessly around my home, gathering the few essential belongings I had into my saddle bags. It was mostly pictures, of my parents, of me graduating from the police academy, of Skip graduating from boating school. The smiles we all shared in those pictures stuck with me. They had all left me long ago and I was about to leave as well, but not to meet them. I was to begin life anew. If only they had been so lucky. I sat on the floor in my living room, looking for anything else I wanted or needed. When I decided I had everything I headed for my front door and stopped just before opening it. There, staring me in the face, was the only picture of Rainbow Dash and myself. I forgot I’d left it by the door so I could see it every day. Our smiles brought memories of happier times. I slipped the picture into my saddle bag and left my home for the last time. I looked to the sky and saw the moon on a downward path to the horizon. I picked up my pace so I could make it to the library without anyone being awake to notice me. As I slipped inside the front door and locked it behind me, I saw a cup of coffee sitting at the table in the center of the room. I smiled at Twilight’s thoughtfulness as I approached and noticed a note waiting for me under the cup. Here’s a cup of coffee to warm your bones. It’s not much but the basement is all yours. Make whatever changes you need to and I won’t move a thing. I’m sorry this was forced upon you, Shadow, but I think you will be perfect for this work. I took the note and the cup of coffee downstairs with me. I sipped lightly as I went, it really did warm my bones. I noticed a small cot in the corner of the basement and took that as my bed. On a small shelf above it, I placed the pictures of my parents, myself, and Skip and the note Twilight had left me beside those. I left the one of Rainbow and I in my saddle bag as I leaned it against the leg of the cot. I found a small blanket and curled up on the cot, hoping to sleep through the next day. My mind wandered to how I would ever tell Rainbow Dash what I was doing, then to Rarity. How would she take the news of my death? If what Sweetie Belle told me was really true, then she would be devastated. I sighed heavily, pushing them from my mind and welcoming a dreamless sleep.