//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: The Adventures of Shadow Chaser: The Shimmer in the Desert // by RangerBeef //------------------------------// When I was happy that no police colts would be following me this far, I slowed my pace and pressed my neck again. “Twilight, I need some directions.” “Directions to where?” The voice that answered was not Twilight’s. It wasn’t even female. “Spike?” “Hey Shadow. Twilight said she needed some sleep so I’m taking over helping you for a while. You said you needed directions?” I smiled to myself. We’re going to need a real control eventually. “Yea, Spike. I’m looking for a set of docks. Something near water that would have warehouses.” “Hang on a sec, let me grab the map.” My ear went silent for a few moments as I reached into my saddle bag and donned the cloak Twilight had given me. “Okay, let’s see. According to this map you’re just north west of the mayor’s house.” “Wait, how did you know that?” “It’s part of the spell that Princess Luna cast on you. You can talk to us but it also marks your location on all the maps in the library so we can always know where you are.” “Huh. Cool.” “That’s what I said! Anyway, according to this thing the only water in Las Pegasus is in the south west portion of the city. It’s a small port but there looks to be some warehouses there.” “Then that’s where I’m headed. Thanks Spike.” I turned to head south and picked up my pace. The moon was on a downward arc and I would need all the shadows I could to help me rescue the mayor’s son. “Hey, Shadow. Can I ask you something?” “What is it, buddy?” “Well.. I was talking to Rarity today and she’s still pretty sad about what happened to you.” “What did I tell you about giving her some space?” “I have been! But she’s so sad that she’s not doing any work and I know her orders are piling up. I just want to know if there’s anything I can do to cheer her up.” I thought for a moment. Rarity isn’t the type of lady to just suck it up and move on. She needs some kind of closure. “Okay, Spike. I’ve got something that might help. In the morning go talk to Ms. Cheerilee.” “The school teacher?” “Yes. Tell her I told you about a drawing that she took from me when I was just a colt and that you were wondering if you could have it.” “But how can you be sure she’d have it after all these years?” “Because Ms. Cheerilee doesn’t throw away doodles from students, even ones she confiscates because they’re not paying attention in class. She always spurred our creativity and she figured drawing was a good outlet for that. So she always kept the drawings. Just ask her for it and say it’s for making someone feel better.” “Uh.. Okay. Thanks, Shadow.” My ear fell silent and I moved faster through the city, trying to make it to the warehouse with all the time to spare that I could. ---------- I’ve asked Spike to recount the events in Ponyville with Rarity so readers will have a full understanding of the situation. So the next portion will be Spike writing his experiences with Rarity. I know I’m not the best at writing but Shadow asked me to do this so I’m going to give it my best shot. Twilight said it would help me be able to read better but I’m not sure how that works. I suppose I should just start from the beginning. Shadow’s death was faked to make sure no pony would know that he was alive so he could work for Princess Luna without fear of anypony here in Ponyville being threatened to get to him. But his death brought about some unforeseen consequences with a few ponies, most notably, Rarity. Shadow had taken off for the night to go find Rainbow Dash since she hadn’t shown up at the funeral. Twilight was worried somepony would spot him and ruin his cover. I remember having to remind her that his job was to remain undetected so I think he could handle not being noticed in Ponyville. “I guess you’re right, Spike. I just hope he makes it back before sunrise.” “He’ll be fine, Twilight.” “I sure hope so. Come on. Let’s get some sleep. We’ve got to prepare for this mission tomorrow.” “What do we have to do?” “Well, we have to make sure we have all the information on Las Pegasus laid out, just in case Shadow needs it. So we’ll have to find maps and books on the history of Pegas.” I sighed heavily. “So we have to tear apart the library so I can clean it up.” “Precisely.” Sleep passed too quickly that night and before I knew it we were up and rifling through all our books and old maps looking for any and all information on Las Pegasus. When we had finally gathered it all and I was nearly finished shelving all the books there was a soft knock at the front door. I replaced the last book and hustled to the door, finding Fluttershy on the other side. “Oh. Hello, Spike. Is Twilight home?” She was but she was upstairs with Luna discussing the upcoming mission. “Uh.. Nope. What do you need Fluttershy?” “Well, it’s Rarity. She’s been really depressed since Shadow’s funeral and I’ve been staying with her to keep her company but I have to attend to the animals at my home and I don’t want to leave her alone for too long. I was wondering if Twilight would go sit with her.” My heart panged. Twilight would want to go sit with Rarity but she had other duties to attend to. “I’ll go, Fluttershy. I just finished up the last of my chores anyway.” “I think Rarity would like that. She just needs a friend to lean on right now.” “Okay, let me write Twilight a note about where I am and grab something and I’ll be on my way.” “Okay. I’ll wait out here.” Fluttershy’s smile was always so warm but today there was something lost in it. She was sad for Rarity. I hurriedly scribbled a note for Twilight and grabbed my small backpack with my gift for Rarity inside. When Fluttershy and I arrived at Rarity’s home Fluttershy didn’t hesitate to walk inside and upstairs. She knew Rarity hadn’t moved. “Rarity?” Fluttershy walked slowly up to Rarity lying in her bed. “I brought Spike with me. He’s going to sit with you for a while.” Rarity squeaked softly in response. Fluttershy stroked Rarity’s mane for a moment. “Don’t worry. Spike won’t leave you until I get back.” Fluttershy leaned in and hugged her friend gently. I had been standing at the door to Rarity’s bedroom and Fluttershy spoke softly as she came to me. “Just sit with her and keep her company. I’ll be back as soon as all the animals are taken care of.” “Okay, Fluttershy.” With that, she left and I was left alone with Rarity. I walked slowly up to Rarity’s bed and sat lightly on the side. “Rarity?” I heard another squeak but this time she rolled over to face me. She hadn’t put on makeup or even showered yet today. Her mane was a mess and her eyes were puffy and red from crying. She reached a hoof out for me and I took it gently. “It’s okay, Rarity. Shadow’s not really gone.” Her eyes widened a little but her brow furrowed like she didn’t believe me. “He’s in here.” I pointed to her heart. “And he’ll never ever leave as long as we keep him there.” Rarity moved her hoof around me and pulled me to her in a hug. “Oh, Spike. Sometimes you’re wise beyond your years.” I smiled at her compliment and melted into her, letting myself be hugged. “Oh, I brought you something.” She relinquished her grasp for a moment and I reach to the floor grabbing my small backpack. As I sat it in my lap I unzipped the top and pulled out the jewel I’d been saving as a snack for a special occasion. I turned to Rarity and saw her eyes light for a moment. Despite her sadness she did still appreciate the beauty of jewels. “This is a really rare jewel I found a long time ago. It’s called a shadow jewel.” I held it up to her, showing her the faint purple color deep inside it. “Spike, I can’t take another jewel from you,” Rarity said softly. “It’s okay, Rarity. This one would look better on one of your outfits anyway. If you wear it outside on a clear moonlit night that little purple color that you see inside it glows very bright.” I held it out to her and she took it gently, looking closely at the purple color. “Thank you, Spike.” She set the jewel down gently on the table beside her bed. “But would you please just lay with me for a while? I don’t feel like making anything today.” I nodded slowly. “Sure Rarity.” I laid down next to her and she hugged me into her. I could hear her sobbing softly into my back and shoulder. Eventually her crying stopped and I could feel her slow and even breath on my neck. She had fallen asleep and before long I did as well. I awoke a few hours later to Fluttershy tapping me gently. “Oh, I’m sorry for waking you, Spike, but Twilight ran into me on my way over here and said she needs you back at the library.” I sighed softly, enjoying Rarity’s warmth on my back, wanting nothing more than to roll over and stay with her forever. I slipped slowly from Rarity’s grasp and onto the floor. Fluttershy thanked me for my help and I told her I would be back as soon as I could and that we should work out a system for taking shifts. Fluttershy agreed and said she’d ask Applejack and Pinkie Pie if they’d be willing to help. We both knew they would. I bid her goodbye and headed to the library, wondering what Twilight would need. As I arrived, it became apparent Twilight was once again in a full blown panic about Shadow. “I can’t find him, Spike! How is he going to get back to the library in the middle of the day? Oh, I should’ve never let him go last night!” “Whoa. Calm down, Twilight. Have you tried talking to him?” “Talking to him!? How am I supposed to talk to him if he’s not here?” I walked over to her and poked her gently in her neck. “Now say his name.” Realization washed over Twilight and she spoke clearly, “Shadow, if you’re somewhere safe let me know, but don’t come back to the library during the day. Just meet Luna at the train station tonight at midnight.” It must have worked because she sighed heavily. “Glad to know you’re okay. Don’t scare me like that.” I removed my finger from Twilight and smiled at her. She made a funny face and me and laughed. “What would I do without you, Spike?” “Certainly panic a lot more.” She giggled again in concession. “Alright, Mr. Dragon, let’s make sure we have everything ready to go. It should be able a week before Shadow arrives in Las Pegasus.” I worked for a few hours double and triple checking everything. We would be plenty ready. When finally we had a moment Twilight asked me why I had gone to Rarity’s. “You’re note was a little vague. Just that you were going over there for a while.” “Fluttershy asked me to. Rarity’s pretty upset about Shadow and ‘Shy didn’t want her to be alone.” Twilight nodded slowly before smiling at me. “Well, that’s very noble of you, Spike. Is Fluttershy there now?” “I guess so. She said she was going to talk to AJ and Pinkie about starting a shift rotation so she’s not alone. Heck, even Opal seems to feel bad for her.” “Wow. That’s pretty serious. Would you mind making us some dinner while I go over there and talk to ‘Shy?” “Sure.” I made my way to the kitchen as Twilight left, cooking slowly. Before long, there was another knock at the door. I was greeted once again by Fluttershy. “Hi, Spike. Twilight sent me to tell you that she’s going to stay with Rarity tonight. Pinkie Pie will relieve her in the morning and Applejack will take tomorrow night. We’ll have to work out a rotation around all our schedules but I can tell Rarity appreciates it.” “Okay. Thanks for the info ‘Shy. Hey, do you want some dinner? I cooked for two thinking Twilight would be back but if she’s at Rarity’s then somepony has to eat it.” “Oh I don’t want to impose.” A grumble in her stomach cut her off and brought a blush to her face. I chuckled. “No trouble at all, madam!” I led her to our table and we ate in relative silence because Fluttershy and I don’t have much in common beyond Rarity. Eventually, we discussed how we were going to bring Rarity out of her funk, neither of us having any good ideas. As we finished out meal and I walked her out I assured her that we would think of something and Rarity would be right as rain before too long. I think my optimism gave her a bit more confidence but you never can tell with Fluttershy. Despite my confidence Rarity remained in a lousy mood regarding Shadow for the next week. We had gotten her out of bed and to shower but she was still only moping about her home. Finally one night I told Twilight I would monitor Shadow in Las Pegasus. She was reluctant but I showed her all of the things I had learned about Pegas with all the books we’d had laying around and decided I would be just as helpful as she had been, if not more so. So I sat and waited patiently for Shadow to contact me. “Twilight, I need some directions,” Shadow said, finally. “Directions to where?” I asked. “Spike?” We spoke of what he needed and I asked him how to help Rarity. He assured me that Ms. Cheerilee would have the answer. Skeptical as I was, I was willing to try anything at this point. I told him thank you and let him get back to work as I searched for a piece of paper to write down his instructions for talking to Ms. Cheerilee. I planned to go there first thing in the morning but I had to finish my shift helping Shadow first.