Shadow hung on the unsuccessful attempt to meet the Princess for a while. He took it as another reason why he should continue with his idea, so that he could show her the error of her ways. He looked at the crude plans that he had made with disgust. How am I ever going to do this on my own? Shadow thought. It was one big task for a pony to handle on his own, but Shadow would do whatever it took to make his dream come to light.
He went about his day like he would any other, with catching something for breakfast, taking a bath in the nearby river, and re-reading the books he had until lunch. He really wished that he could go into town and buy more books, but he was an outcast from the world, and that had its drawbacks.
Right around lunchtime, however, Shadow saw a Pegasus fly awfully close to the cave that Shadow was staying in. He hurried back, hoping that he wasn't spotted. But alas, the Pegasus spied him and flew to the mouth of the cave.
He towered over Shadow Blade, with large muscles and an intense scowl on his face. Sky Strike saw the weaker blue Earth Pony and almost cracked a smile. But he didn't smile anymore.
"Thanks for setting up this home for me. Now get out before I have to force you out," Sky said to Shadow.
Shadow put on a steely glare of his own. He would not give up his refuge to any pony that just happened to find it, especially a Pegasus who though that he owned everything. "Hey, I worked hard to make this my home, and have been living here for quite some time. Why don't you find some other place to live?"
Sky felt the rage beginning in his heart. He didn't want to hurt the poor guy, but he wasn't in the mood to keep flying when there was a perfectly good home right here. "And what if I don't go?" he challenged.
Shadow thought for a bit. "Hold on, maybe we can work out an agreement."
Sky scowled. "I don't trust any pony! Not anymore, not after what happened. You have no idea what I've been through, buddy, so I suggest you get out of my way. Now."
Shadow paused at something the grey Pegasus had said. "What have you been through?", Shadow asked.
It was Sky's turn to pause. "Why do you care, anyways? It doesn't even really matter…"
Shadow slowly walked toward Sky. "I care because I have had my share of troubles too. I may be able to help you deal with yours."
Sky squinted. "Why should I trust you?"
Shadow smiled. "You can't be sure, but I bet I could help you."
Sky stared the Earth Pony down. He didn't want to be betrayed again, especially so soon after he had his trust broken. But he did seem well meaning, and Sky had been holding his feelings in for a couple of days. He thought it might be beneficial to vent to this unknown Pony. So he leaned against the cave wall and began to tell Shadow his story.
Shadow stayed and listened intently to the whole thing. Sky was still able to keep his menacing composure while telling the story. When Sky was finished, Shadow smiled and realized he could solve two problems at once. "I think I know just how to help you."
Sky was skeptical. "I don't want your help. I just needed to tell my story to someone."
"Just listen for a second. I have had some tough times too. My point is, I am forming a plan to take down the Equestrian government so that ponies like us reach equality and no one has to go through what we did. I'm having some trouble on my own. I could really use a military mind and fighting skills like yours. Together we'll be able to do a lot more. What do you say?"
Sky was still unsure. "I don't know… I'm not sure if I'm ready to trust any pony yet."
Shadow nodded. "I could share my cave with you. We could recruit others that have the same ideals as us. What do you have to lose? Where else would you go?"
Sky thought. The blue pony had a point, he really didn't have anything to do. And revenge would end up being very sweet. Sky gave a small smile and stuck out his hoof. "It sounds like you have got yourself a deal. The name is Sky Strike."
Shadow returned the smile and the hoof shake. "I'm Shadow Blade. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Sky quickly removed his hoof. "But don't get any smart ideas about betraying me, Shadow. You'll regret it."
Shadow gave a knowing smile. "I wouldn't dare to think about it."
˜˜˜
The two ponies spent the rest of the day getting to know each other, and they had a strong bond by the time Shadow decided it was dinner. But as they were walking out of the cave, they bumped into a crazy-looking Unicorn. He got up quickly and assumed a fighting stance. "Come on, get at me!" he shouted. "I can take you all down with nothing but my mind! And my horn, and my body, to move around and stuff…"
Sky got angry, but Shadow stuck out a hoof and approached the tan-colored pony. For some reason, he felt an immediate sympathy for him. "It's okay, buddy. How about we go inside where we can talk?"
Thunder Sword calmed down at Shadow's words. "Yeah, talk. That sounds good." Shadow led him in as Sky showed a puzzled look on his face.
The two sat and listened to Thunder's story, which was surprisingly clear, even to Thunder. Shadow somehow made him feel safe, and he was able to think and speak clearer when he was around. Shadow made the same offer to join him and Sky Strike, which he accepted. Shadow told Thunder to stay in the cave as he and Sky looked for dinner.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Sky talked to Shadow. "I don't like that Thunder character. He seems a bit too crazy for us. What will he do for us?"
"Use your head, Sky," Shadow stated. "We now have access to magic. We also have another mind looking at the problem, and from a much different angle. I'm sure he will provide a valuable asset to our operations."
Sky scoffed. "If you say so…"
They returned to find Shadow's plans scattered about the floor, and Thunder frantically jumping around. "I know how to help you!" he screamed. "You need an army. One that is like us, that thinks like us, that have been through problems like ours. Then we'll be strong enough, no one will be able to stand in our way! Hahahaha!" he laughed maniacally.
Shadow took another look at his plans. He turned to Sky. "He makes a point, you know. We could have a lot more of us, and we would be strong."
His thought was interrupted by Thunder's frantic ravings. "A conspiracy! That's what we are! The conspiracy of Equestria! Working in the shadows, waiting for our perfect chance to strike in order to bring equality to the land! Conspiracy, Equestrian conspiracy!"
Sky turned to Shadow. "You know, that's actually not a bad name. The Equestrian Conspiracy. Sounds… dangerous."
Shadow nodded. "Sounds good enough to me."
And that night, the Equestrian Conspiracy was born. The leader and brain in Shadow Blade, the brawn in Sky Strike, and the magical ability in Thunder Sword. Together, they would lead a villain group like no other, one fighting for a cause that they believed in. All three of them knew that they were destined for great things; but no one truly saw what they would end up accomplishing.