A Shadow Brought to Light

by k12314


Chapter 48: Home Again

CHAPTER 48

After saying our goodbyes, Pinks and I decided to head back to Ponyville. We promised we'd come and visit every once in a while, of course. The trip back went on mostly in silence, but Pinks had something to say.


"You know, Shadow, I'm surprised you used a favor like that just to help my family. You really didn't need to do that, I mean, I could have made the money to help them."


I shrugged. "I just wanted to help. It's not like I needed that favor anyways."


Pinks accepted that, but then her eyes widened. "Wait, couldn't you have used that favor to pay off you debts?"


A sly grin made it's way onto my face. "I was saving that favor for something important." My smile faded into a frown. "And I can't pay off those debts now. They'd take my money, and cut my throat."


Pinks cringed, and I saw tears begin to brim on the corners of her eyes. "Please don't say things like that. You know it scares me."


"Sorry... You know, I was actually worried something was going to go wrong back there. Like..." I paused, considering if it would be a good idea to go on. "Like if your parents wouldn't have accepted you back, or the other way around. I'm just glad everything worked out the way it did. It's just... Everything seems to go wrong around me. But hey, it always works out in the end, right?"


"Yep. Even though it's usually not how we expected it."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sugarcube Corner. Home. We'd only been gone for a day or so, yet it felt wonderful to be back. But something was bugging me: It was pitch black inside. I couldn't see anypony just by looking through the window.


"Where the hay are Mr. and Mrs. Cake? Shouldn't they be tending the shop?" I scratched the side of my head. "Or did they take the day off or something?"


"I dunno!" Pinks didn't seem very worried, and that made my wonder just why I was worried too. They were probably just out shopping, or maybe they went out to spend some time together, alone. But that raises the question to who was watching the twins.


"I dunno either." I gave the door a little push, only to find that it was unlocked.


"This can't mean anything good..."


Scenarios started playing through my head. Ponynapping, burglary... My past coming back to haunt me once again. I felt all my blood drain from my face, and my first instinct was to dart inside and look for clues-


"SURPRISE!" The lights came on, and everypony in town was there, along with the Cakes, grinning ear to ear.


"Welcome back, you two!" Mr. Cake nudged me on the shoulder. "So, how'd it go? Did she make up with her folks?"


I gave him a small nod. "Yeah. Everything's alright with them now."


Mrs. Cake pulled me into a hug. "You just keep getting better and better, Shadow. I honestly don't know how or why we doubted you at all when we first met you."


"There are so many answers to that, Mrs. Cake, I doubt you even want to know." I gently pushed her away, and looked at the scene. Everypony was happily chatting away, eating, or doing something else. It was a pretty common sight in Ponyville, since Pinks throws at least three parties a week. No, seriously, she has a little black book in her nightstand with every single party she's ever thrown, complete with dates, times, addresses... Of course, said black book has hundreds of pages. But this party was thrown by the Cakes. For Pinks. Who was jumping up and down with joy.


"OhmygoshyouthrewmeapartyIcan'tbelievethisI'msohappyI-" I bit her tail, and yanked her down to the floor.


"Easy there!" I spit out her tail. Much to my surprise, it didn't taste like cotton candy. It tasted like a chimicherry... Or was it cherrychonga? Chimicherrychonga? OK, getting off topic. "Don't wanna end up getting too hyper, do you?"


"Aww... But being hyper is so much fun!" She gave me that same toothy smile that I knew and loved.


"Fine. But only because you're cute when you're hyper." This got me a small blush and giggle from her. She darted off into the crowd, leaving me with the Cakes.


"You know, I've met some good ponies in my life, but you're way up there in the list." Carrot wrapped his hoof over my shoulders and gave me a friendly jostle. "You really need to think better of yourself. Sure, you did some bad things. Doesn't everypony? You need to look at all the good you've done. Look how happy you've made Pinkie. And not to mention just being friendly with everypony."


I shrugged, trying to hide the grin I felt growing on my face. "I guess."


"I see that smile." He chuckled, and let out a sigh. "You know I'm right. Now, are you gonna admit it, or keep up this 'oh I'm just a bad guy doing good things' act?"


I rolled my eyes, and shook myself loose of his grip. "Ugh. Fine. I guess I'm an OK stallion. There are worse, that much I know."


"Wonderful." Mrs. Cake pointed to the kitchen. "I actually baked you some snacks to welcome you back. Go ahead and help yourself. Don't forget to tell Pinkie."


"Can do!" I did a little mock-salute, and went off to find Pinks in the crowd.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The party raged on for a few more hours. Pinks and I enjoyed ourselves, and I even got to dance, embarassing as it was. I'm no show pony, that's for sure. Eventually, the party ended, and everypony went home. It felt good knowing I was friends with the entire town.


"Hey, Shadow." Pinks nudged my side.


"Hm?"


"Why does it seem like everything's working out the way it should for once?"


I shrugged. "I dunno. Honestly, I thought that on our way home. I regretted it, and thought fate or something would throw that back in my face. I guess we got lucky! And everypony thinks if you test fate, it'll make everything go wrong. Sure shows them, huh?"


She let out a small giggle, and headed for the stairs. "Hey, how about we go to bed? It's late."


"Oh, maybe she- NO. BAD SHADOW. Curse me and my male mind..."


I shook my head to get away from those steamy thoughts. "Sure. I'm pretty tired. Oh, and take a note: If I ever try to dance again, slap me."


"OK!" Pinks started skipping up the stairs.


"I really hope she knows I'm just kidding. Cheeks, prepare to meet Ms. Pinks' hoof. I'm staying away from dancefloors from now on..."



OH MY GOD. IT'S FINALLY DONE. I am SO sorry this took so long. Jesus Christ- I've really gotta stop getting so LAZY! But hey, at least you guys had the collaboration to read while I was... Well, dicking around like the irresponsible ponce that I am. So, I'm gonna TRY to get back into my routine now. HUZZAH!