> Pinkie Promise > by ShootingRainbowStar13 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Constant Shadow > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pinkie Promise by ShootingRainbowStar13 ========================================================================= Pinkie peered out from the house she was hiding behind. Out there in the grassy meadows beyond Ponyville, she could see it. She could see him. The figure was sitting at the base of an oak tree, leaning against the trunk. It was a cool and lazy afternoon, and it was obvious he was relaxing. His humanoid figure was black and red. His head was tipped forward slightly, onto his furry chest. His legs were stretched out in front of him. His arms were crossed. Even from this distance, Pinkie could see his half-closed red eyes gleaming. He was alone, as he usually was. Pinkie's heart ached, seeing him like that. Lonely and distant from everyone else. Shut off from the world. No-one should be like that. Even if they wanted to be like that. Pinkie pulled her head back behind the wall. A shiver of excitement ran through her. She adjusted the cream-colored box of chocolates hidden in her poofy, pocket-like tail and smiled. It was almost time. As she composed herself, she recalled first meeting the strange being. From the moment she saw him, she knew he wasn't like the others from... his world. While the others were at least friendly and sociable people, he was unsmiling and closed off from everyone else. He didn't accept anyone's friendship. And being Pinkie Pie, she had to put a stop to that. It was the day before Hearts and Hooves Day. Pinkie had planned a small surprise, to try and help him out of his constant misery. In one bound, she was out from behind the building. She began to prance sprightly towards the figure, a brilliant beam on her face. Her mane bounced about as she closed in on him. He could see her coming. Pinkie knew he could. She watched as his relaxed shoulders tensed and his familiar scowl deepened. He eyed her maliciously as she approached. "Hey there, Shadow!" she shouted. "Pinkie Pie." Shadow the Hedghog sighed. "What do you want?" Pinkie stopped in front of him, breathlessly looking down at him. She ran through the rehearsed lines in her head. "You know which holiday is coming up, riiiiight?" she said in a sing-song voice. He stiffened slightly. "The pony Valentine's Day?" "Hearts and Hooves day, silly!" "Whatever." "Well, I hereby declare that you do NOT spend this holiday of good will and good cheer and goodness as a lone lonely loner!" Shadow sat up, and uncrossed his arms. His eyes narrowed. "Says who?" "I do, of course!" Pinkie tossed her mane. As rehearsed, she reached back and pulled out the box of chocolate from her tail. This was what she had done to conceal other things before they were needed, seeming like she had pulled it out of of midair. She held it up in front of him. Her smile faltered slightly when she saw him stare coldly at it. She shook it off, and continued on. "This is to start you off!" she said. Shadow studied the white box. "A box of assorted chocolates from Sugar Cube Corner. How wonderful." he said sarcastically. "Go find yourself a Very Special Somebody, or at least someone to share this with!" Pinkie told him. Shadow looked at her, bitter and irritated. "C'mon! I just want you to have a good day with your friends!" As the words left her mouth, Pinkie wanted to grab them back out of the air. She cringed as she watched Shadow's expression turn as black as thunderclouds. That was the wrong thing to say. Shadow stood smoothly. He was slightly taller than Pinkie, so he could loom dangerously over her and glare down at her. "They're not my friends. I don't need friends." He turned away from her and walked towards Ponyville. Pinkie watched him go. Her smile drooped and her ears flopped. She had failed her task utterly and miserably. She felt like Shadow had stabbed a hole in her heart. She had already worked out that he didn't like the topic of friendship. But telling to her face that he didn't need friends... was... Pinkie stared down at her rejected box of chocolates. She turned and put it carefully back into her tail. Then she walked defeatedly back towards Sugar Cube Corner, trying to hold back tears. Shadow was angry, to say the least. Ever since he and the others - Sonic, Tails, Amy and Rouge - had been trapped here, on this pony paradise, he had become increasingly bored and irritated. While the others saw it as a mere unplanned visit, Shadow felt like he was imprisoned. While the others befriended the pony folk, he had sat alone on the sidelines, enjoying only the night, where he could sit apart from the world and be lost in the stars. So he was already annoyed with Pinkie Pie. The pink pony seemed to have vowed to make him smile. Everywhere he went, she was there, grinning and bouncing and generally being a nuisance. She was like... like a shadow. He couldn't get rid of her. Shadow had tried to tolerate Pinkie. He really did. But she was pushing him towards the deep end with her increasingly annoying antics. She had to learn that Shadow needed his own space. Shadow walked through town. He looked at the multicolored horses in distaste. Some were watering their flowers. Some were talking in the streets. All of them were carefree, peaceful smiles on their little pony faces. They were always happy, always smiley. It was just... sickening. There shouldn't be such a beautiful place, such a peaceful realm. Not after the pain and darkness of his unforgiving world. No. You're above these feelings. Shadow took a deep breath. He removed the thoughts from his mind, willing them to drain away, along with his emotions. He exhaled. He wasn't a weakling. His mind tried to say more, but he blocked it out. He walked towards the Golden Oaks Library. Now that Pinkie had chased him out of the meadows outside town, his closest-to-favorite spot to relax, he decided to go to Twilight's dwelling. It was the next best place to be. But he was hopefully going home soon. He could ask Twilight about it. He opened the door and stepped inside. It was cool, dark and quiet. The atmosphere was calming and peaceful, with the slightly musty smell of books. Shadow's frown lessened slightly. Then there were hoofsteps on the stairway. Twilight appeared, smiling welcomingly. Twilight was one of the only ponies he didn't really mind being around. She understood his need for privacy and usually only greeted him before just leaving him alone when he entered the library. She was less babyish than the others, perhaps because she was royalty. "Hello, Shadow." She said with a nod of her head. She walked past and began arranging books with her magic. "I'll just tell you that I'm much closer to finding a way home for you." "Really?" Shadow's spirits lifted. Could he finally get out of this place? "It might take a while, though. I have no idea how you got here, and sending you back will be possible... but tricky." Shadow's spirits sank. Twilight finished arranging the books, and turned to a separate part of the library and gathered some thick volumes. "Here because of Pinkie Pie?" she asked casually. Shadow grimaced. "You have no idea." Twilight began to say something, then thought the better of it. It would only annoy the hedgehog. She turned, carrying several books in her magic, and left him to muse on his own. "Call me if you need me." she said, slightly lamely. Shadow sniffed, sitting down in the corner of the room - where Twilight had arranged a chair for Shadow's usual visits - and made himself comfortable. He called after her. "I don't need anyone." Pinkie was absentmindedly baking muffins in Sugar Cube Corner. She had gotten over her earlier failure, but her lingering curiosity filled up the space instead. It always came back to her, whenever she was dissed by Shadow. 'Why? Why does he push me away? What happened to him to make him like that?' Thoughtfully, she poured sugar into the bowl. A little too much sugar. She remembered the Cranky Doodle incident. The grumpy mule had treated her much like Shadow had. He hadn't wanted her company, he didn't want to be her friend. But it was only because he had loved someone he thought he had lost. When he found her again he became much nicer, although he was still introverted and quiet. Pinkie had learnt from that lesson. Some people needed their privacy. She dumped butter and some candy into the bowl without measuring them, and stirred, deep in thought. But Cranky Doodle had gotten his happy ever after. He was with his Matilda. All he wanted now was to be with her, undisturbed. Shadow was still living his story. He must be alone and distant because something bad must had happened to him, like it had happened to Cranky. Leaving him alone to wallow in his sorrows was the worst thing Pinkie could do. It would only make him worse. Pinkie poured the half-stirred batter untidily into little cups, opened the oven and put the finished muffins inside. 'So I'm not going to try and just make Shadow happy. I have to try and find out what happened to him, and what I could do to make it better.' She wondered what she could do to achieve that. The box of chocolates wasn't good enough. It had to be something bigger, better. Something that would draw him out of his shell. And right then, the most perfect solution struck. Pinkie's face split into a grin as the plan unfolded in her head. She began bouncing with excitement, a squeal rising in her throat. Of course! What was she best at? PARTIES!!!! She could throw Shadow a surprise party! He couldn't say no to something like that, something that Pinkie had put so much effort into! Then while he was stunned by Pinkie's thoughtfulness, she could try to get the truth out of him! And even better! ON HEARTS AND HOOVES DAY!! Pinkie was already eager to start the planning. She bounced on her hooves, squealing with excitement, going round in circles as her mind was momentarily scrambled. Then she shot from the room, sending the bar doors flapping madly. She forgot the muffins. > Hearts and Hooves Surprise > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shadow awoke, up in a hammock on the highest branches of a tree. He was out in the meadow again, and had spent the previous night watching the star-spangled sky. He didn't want to sleep in a spare house when he could be out here. At first, he was almost enjoying the morning, the colorful sunrise, the calls of the morning birds. And then he remembered. It was that day. The lingering, constant pain, usually deep inside himself, rose up overwhelmingly in his chest. Suddenly, the beautiful world around him was twisted and horrible. How could there be such peace on this day of all days? No. Don't think like that. Shadow closed his eyes against the multicolored sky above, and willed his weak feelings away. When he opened his eyes, all he saw was bleakness. Gone was the beauty that made it colorful in one's eyes. He yawned, and shifted himself so he could get up. He felt something in the crook of his arm, uncomfortably digging into his flesh. He groped clumsily. His fingers curled around a piece of paper. An envelope. He abruptly sat up, wide awake. Why did he have an envelope? Shadow lifted it up to his face, and was hit by the sickening smell of sugary treats. The paper was pale pink, sealed with a balloon sticker. Shadow groaned. He knew who it was from. Reluctantly, he opened the envelope. At once, he received a faceful of confetti. A piercing squeal of a party pooper impossibly followed it out of the envelope. After staring stunned at it for a couple of seconds, he hurriedly brushed off the confetti, muttering angrily about wrangling Pinkie's annoying neck. Then he carefully extracted the letter inside with two fingers, half expecting it to blow up in his face. This is what it read: Dear Shadow, I beg of you, from the bottom of my heart and soul and hoovsies, that you may come to the town hall at 9 pm tonight. A suprise will be awaiting you. Lots of Sincerely, Pinkie Pie. P.S: Twilight helped me write this. Shadow read it again a couple of times. A surprise? Nothing PINKIE prepared for him could be good. Yet he had the natural curiosity to what it might be. 'Another box of chocolates?' he thought sarcastically. And another thing. Twilight helped her write this? Twilight, the one Shadow trusted above all the other ponies? Shadow frowned. He crumpled up the letter half heartedly and stuffed it back into the envelope. Then he swung himself down and took the hammock apart in a matter of seconds. He jumped down from the tree, the hammock bundled up under his arm, the envelope in hand, and began to walk towards town. His mind was still on that letter. He would probably just throw it away when he found an opportunity. And that last sentence. He hoped that Twilight was the only one who knew what this mysterious surprise was. Then a jarring thought occoured, causing Shadow to falter. Surely not all of his companions were in on this surprise? All of his companions were in on the suprise. With increasing irritation, he carefully watched the others from his world throughout the day. Each of them averted his gaze, and even worse - suppressed smiles. Now, in the afternoon, he met Sonic's eyes as he passed him in the street on the way to the library. He held it until the blue hedgehog cracked a huge grin and sped off down the road, leaving fading laughter behind him. Shadow sighed as he continued to walk on. Pinkie's surprise was definitely a prissy, silly one. He was not looking forward to that evening. He tried to take his mind off it by looking around. There were couples everywhere, dreamily sharing drinks and staring into each other's eyes. It was all pointless and disgusting. Especially today. 'Should I go tonight at all?' He wondered. It would certainly put a damper on that annoying smile. Maybe it would teach Pinkie to just leave him alone. But he realized that the others wouldn't forgive him. Amy would most likely pound his head in with her enormous hammer. She seemed to have become Pinkie's best friend and guardian. And Twilight would be disappointed in him. He wouldn't really care if that happened, but it meant that visiting the library would be awkward, and that would rule out his back-up hideout. And Pinkie herself. Yes she would be upset, maybe upset enough to just leave him be. But would he be able to stand seeing her sad face, those big blue eyes? NO. Shadow stopped on the very doorstep of Twilight's library. He physically shook his head to rid himself of that thought. Was he going soft? He was SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG, the ultimate lifeform. He had no feelings of the weak, he had no patience for sappy things. He had stood by, watching, as thousands died, families and cities falling lifelessly at his feet. He had no time for one mare's feelings. He had no time for things like care and compassion and love. He opened the door of the library, a little bit shaky. Unexpectedly, he heard a stifled cry, the zing of magic, and the loud poof of something teleporting. As Shadow fully opened the door and looked inside, he saw Twilight grinning guiltily at him, a violet aura fading from her horn. "What did you just do?" Shadow asked matter-of-factly. "I... uh...." Twilight continued to maintain her wide smile, her gaze moving shiftly about. "...I..." "Never mind." Shadow stalked inside, resisting the urge to huff in exasperation. If there was one fault in Twilight, it was that she was terrible at lying and finding excuses. She had obviously teleported something for Pinkie's surprise tonight. Something big, too, otherwise she would have just stuffed it under somewhere in the library. What it was, or where it went was unknown to Shadow. But he knew he could expect it at the surprise tonight. Shadow realized what he had just thought, and let out a small groan. He sat huffily down in his usual spot. Argh! Whatever he tried to do, his mind always came back to that stupid surprise! He didn't care about it! Or Pinkie Pie! Or did he? Shadow's mind was suddenly in agony, being torn between two sides of him like never before. Now he realized he had only delayed this battle. One part of him was his stubbornly emotionless side. It was the part of him that refused to accept the discomfort he felt when he was in this world, discomfort, dislike, even jealousy, and kept himself rid of weak feelings. It was the dominant side of him, and he had always believed it was the only side of him. But he had only been trying to ignore the slow increase in those very rebellious feelings. Now he faced it full on, and realized there was a whole lot more to him than even he knew. It was the side... that wanted to reach out to the ones trying to get to him. The one that wanted to reach out to Pinkie Pie. Now those two sides were conflicting against each other. The abrupt rebellion caused Shadow to let out a small gasp, and clutch his head. Twilight sharply turned her head. "Shadow? What's wrong?" The black hedgehog took a while to answer. His eyes were slightly wild. Twilight dropped her books and rushed over, a little concerned. She stopped in front of him, hesitant. "Shadow?" she asked carefully. "I'm fine." The husky reply came. Shadow lowered his hands. He was fine, but he seemed angry and more sensitive than usual. His eyes were dark and stormy, and when he caught Twilight's gaze, the look in them made her step back nervously. Shadow stood. "I need to go." He strode across the room. Twilight looked at him in confusion. "But... you just got here!" "I need to be alone." The door swung shut, and Shadow was gone. Twilight sighed in defeat. She went back over to her abandoned books. Using her magic, she picked them off the floor and dusted them off. She knew that leaving Shadow to himself was what he would appreciate the most. But... Twilight could see he wasn't like the others from his world. Sonic, Amy and Rouge were all completely different to one another, but they all were open people. Shadow was closed off and private, unable to put his trust into anyone else. Twilight knew that she should just leave him alone. But she also knew enough about friendship to acend to an alicorn and become a princess. She knew that something had changed him, turning him weak and causing him to build a wall around himself. Leaving him alone would be the worst thing to do. But... nopony could get close enough to him to learn what had done this to him. No-one, not one of his companions knew. If only... Shadow's stubborness had won the battle. But as he blocked out all the feelings and convinced himself it was nothing, just a minor incident, he dwelled too long on the fading thought. He couldn't help it. Ever since he had arrived in Equestria, the number of incidents like these had been growing. On Earth, there was too much destruction and terror for him to think these thoughts. But in this world, this utopia... there was so much perfection. So much happiness. So much peace. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair to her. Shadow hastily blocked out that final thought. 'Alright.' Shadow told himself. 'I'm going to go tonight. I'll see whatever lame thing Pinkie's put together. I don't care. Then I'll leave, and this horrible day will finally be over.' 'I am the Ultimate Life Form. I have no care or compassion or love.' Shadow stood on the bridge, the one over the river circling Ponyville. He watched his reflection shimmer in the crystal clear water, his dark colors contrasting with the night sky above him. He was waiting, slightly apprehensive. Bong. Bong. Bong. Bong. Bong. Bong. Bong. Bong. Bong. He allowed himself a moan. It was already time. He took his hands off the side of the bridge. He turned towards Town Hall, and took a deep breath. He began to walk unhurriedly towards the center of town. He was in no rush. The village was small and unmodernized, and he would reach the hall in no time. But as he neared the tall, pale yellow building, he noticed that all the lights were off. There was no sound. That was unusual, especially for Pinkie Pie. Had he come at the wrong time? He pulled out his envelope. Despite having no pockets or places to store things, he still had the annoying letter. It was the only other possession he had in this world. The other, he had been holding it when he was sent here. He only had that one now for courage. He was already shaking that thought off the moment it formed in his mind. He had already won that battle. He reluctantly opened up the crumpled paper and read it. Yes, it said 9 pm. But then why was it so quiet and dark? Shadow walked up to the doorstep. He carefully opened the door, and peered inside. All was dark. He stepped inside, overeading the note again. He was confused now, and a little angry. He had bothered to come, but no-one showed up? Then he stopped. He had spent enough time in stealth and combat to sense he wasn't alone. Suddenly the lights snapped on, dazzling Shadow. At the same time, the scream of party poopers and cheers pierced the air. Shadow's nerves overloaded at the unexpected light and sound. When the spots finally cleared out of his eyes... ...what he saw stopped his heart. All around him were bright, fancy decorations. Streamers, banners and balloons hung from the walls. There was a refreshment table, loaded with unhealthy but delicious treats (except for some burnt muffins) complete with a three tier cake. Maybe that was what Twilight had hastily teleported away. Around him stood ponies, beaming brightly. There weren't many, but they were all wearing ridiculous wigs and accessories. There were the couple that ran Sugar Cube Corner, and their young twin brats, each wearing a party hat. In front of him was the largest group of people and ponies. There was Sonic, Amy and Rouge, as well as Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and of course... Pinkie Pie. Shadow jumped as the group in front of him let out a cheer. His breath refused to come as he stumbled back. No. No no no. He stared around. He didn't expect something like this. He was a fool; of course it would be a party. It was what Pinkie did the best. But... The streamers. The cake. The lights. It was... No no no no no. Shadow's irises shrank, and he began to quiver. This was what he should have gotten. This was what she should have gotten. It wasn't... it wasn't... ...fair. "Shadow?" Pinkie's smile faded. Shadow abruptly let out an unearthly roar of sheer emotion, anger and horror and even pain. Unleashed with it was a wave of power, one that swept violently through the room, destroying everything. All the balloons popped, all the streamers and banners tore themselves to shreds, the refreshment table crashed over and the cake exploded, sending icing everywhere and onto everyone. Then it stopped. Shadow closed his mouth. He still shook, with something beyond fury. Almost like sorrow. He turned, leaving ponies and people alike gobsmacked, and rushed haphazardly out, leaving total chaos behind him. > Pinkie Promise > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pinkie Pie sat in the center of that chaos. She stared around blankly at the destroyed room. The decor was ruined, the carefully baked cake was splattered all over the place. All her preparation was obliterated. Ponies stood around, shocked at what had occoured. Their manes were messy from the blast, and most of them were spattered with cake frosting. Their expressions were dumbfounded. The Cake twins were crying pitifully, alone sounding mourn into the silence. Pinkie's friends and Shadow's companions were just as stunned at everypony else. The non-pony guests looked guilty and regretful as well as surprised. They had expected Shadow to be embarrased, maybe even angry. But none of them expected this. There was a moment of complete disbelief. Then Twilight took charge. She shook herself out of shock, and returned to the organized pony she was. She told the others to clean up the destroyed decor and mop up the cake, while she went around fixing everything that could be fixed with her alicorn magic. But Pinkie still sat motionless. She had never felt so empty-hearted. She had never felt so much pain. 'How could Shadow have done this?' Finally, a thought registered in her distraught mind. 'All my hard work, all for him?' This set off the first hot prickling in her eyes. Tears began to run down her cheeks. She had been so certain Shadow would at least tolerate it. How could she have been so wrong? How could he do something like this to her? This was worse than the chocolates. This was far worse. He had broken her heart and spirit. Pinkie sniffled, and lowered her head so the others wouldn't see her cry. She suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up, and saw Twilight looking down at her. She was holding a broken chair in her magic, half fixed. Her eyes were filled with pity and sadness. "I'm so sorry, Pinkie." She said. "I'm so sorry this happened." Pinkie sniffled, wiping a hoof across her snout. "It wasn't your fault. It was Shadow who did it." She looked at the door, still swinging. Something broke through her misery. Shadow wouldn't have destroyed the party, wouldn't have that look in his eyes, unless something had made him. That something was almost certainly related to the mysterious incident in Shadow's past. Now, more than ever, she had to find out what it was. Pinkie stood abruptly, startling Twilight. She ran towards the entrance, hooves pounding on the wooden floor. "Pinkie?! Where are you going?" "I need to find Shadow!" Pinkie yelled back. Twilight reeled in surprise, and so replied too late. "No, Pinkie! Not now! Not while he's like that!" But the Element of Laughter was already gone, sending the door swinging madly a second time. "Shadow! Shadow?" Pinkie called Shadow's name for what seemed like hours. Like a fool, she checked the library first. The ebony hedgehog wasn't there. Of course he wouldn't be. So Pinkie cantered out of the town, thundering across the bridge. She ran across the meadow, still calling Shadow's name. And then she found him, sitting in a hunched position, knees under his chin. Her steps slowed, and she abruptly stopped calling him. She suddenly felt self-consious and foolish, and wished she hadn't gone after him so readily. After his startling outburst in Town Hall, Pinkie wasn't sure what he'd do. What if he wanted to be left alone? What if he got angry at her for following him? What if he attacked her? She tentatively trotted nearer. He still didn't turn his head; he didn't know Pinkie was there. As Pinkie came closer, she noticed something strange. Shadow seemed to be still shaking, but now it was less stable and stronger, his back heaving oddly. Then Pinkie heard something that stopped her in her tracks. Deep, pitiful sobbing. Shadow the Hedgehog was crying. The concept that this was even possible stunned Pinkie. He was such an emotionless individual... how could he do something like cry? Then she noticed something else. Shadow had something in his hand. While Pinkie's invite - which for some reason he still had - was clenched carelessly in the other hand, this object was held carefully, as if Shadow didn't want to harm it. It was a piece of paper. No, wait... not just a piece of paper. A photograph, weathered and old. And in it was the answer, the secret Pinkie had been seeking... the key to Shadow's past. In the picture was a slightly younger Shadow. His eyes were carefree and bright, empty of the darkness and sorrow that they now contained. He was grinning all over his face, leaning into the embrace of... a human. It was a girl. A girl with long, wavy yellow hair and big blue eyes. A girl who held Shadow so tenderly, who smiled down at him like he meant the world to her. Pinkie Pie finally knew. Her eyes teared up, seeing this photo and Shadow's sobbing form. "Oh Shadow..." she said, not thinking about what she was doing until it was too late. Shadow's head snapped around. His eyes were wild and bloodshot, glistening with tears. He stared at Pinkie in surprise, which quickly changed to fury. "PINKIE PIE?! What are you doing here?! Haven't I told you to LEAVE ME ALONE?!" He yelled. Yet his voice, while angry, was also filled with pain and sorrow. Pinkie stood there, ears flat against her head. She had no idea how to respond. For a while, the two just stared at each other. Then Pinkie took a leap of faith, and carefully asked a question. "Shadow... who is that girl?" The hedgehog was taken aback by the unexpectedly personal question. Then he roared at her, lifting a fist. "WHY YOU - " Pinkie scrambled backwards, afraid that he would actually punch her. But instead, he did something very different. He paused. Then he dropped the fist with a sigh. He turned back, away from Pinkie. "Her name was Maria." After that sentence, it all flowed out. All the bottled up memories. They all came spilling from his mouth. "I wasn't born, like everyone else. I was created in a place in my world, called Space Colony ARK, which hovers in outer space. Maria had an illness, something called NIDS - Neuro-Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. Because of this disease, Her grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik, created me as a means to study immortality. He was going to use the results of the project to attempt to cure his grand daughter. I... I became close friends with Maria. She was the only one I could talk to, spend time with. She was my guardian angel. And I... I loved her." Shadow hugged his legs tighter. He stared at the moon. "And then... it happened. The Guardian Unit of Nations. They found out what was happening. They realized what a danger I could be. So they attacked the ARK. Maria... she tried to protect me. She knew they would do horrible things to me if they caught me. So she put me in a capsule against my will. She was going to send me off into deep space, in the hope that I would reach the earth. I can still remember her face. I can still remember the last words she said to me. I can still remember the desperation in those pale blue eyes. Then that gunman came. He told her not to pull that lever. He told her not to let me go." Shadow's voice became hoarse. He continued to stare blankly ahead. "I wanted to do something. I wanted to do something, anything. I wanted to scream at her not to, not to give her precious life up to save mine. But she didn't listen. She pulled the lever." Shadow's voice was barely a whisper. "I heard that gunshot. I watched that light fade from those beautiful blue eyes." Only silence was in the air after that. The wind stopped blowing. The moon gazed serenely down on both hedgehog and pony, bathing them in silver light. Pinkie Pie was stunned. She had expected a lost friend, a childhood pain, or even a failed romance. But this story... this story was beyond anything she had known. Equestria was a place of peace and harmony. Discord's attack on the princesses, Sombra's rule over the Crystal Empire and Nightmare Moon's rebellion were, of course, hugely chaotic incidents. But now Discord was reformed, Sombra had been banished, and Luna was back. Now that Pinkie thought about it... she realized something. No-one had ever been killed in Equestria. Finally, Pinkie licked her dry lips and spoke. "Shadow, I - " "Don't bother saying you're sorry. There was nothing anyone could do." Shadow still didn't turn to face her. Pinkie couldn't tell if he was still silently crying, mourning his friend. Pinkie carefully continued. "Fine then... I won't say it. But I need to ask you a question." Shadow turned his head, just slightly. "I've already told you something I've never told anyone before." He said, a tone of aggression in his voice. "And that's because I was being weak. Don't push your luck." Pinkie swallowed. "I... I understand that you feel terrible heartbreak for your loss. But... why then, did you wreck my party?" Shadow was quiet for a moment, considering if he should answer the question. Finally, he sighed in defeat and pain. "Because... because today was her birthday." Pinkie was struck by the mental blow. He destroyed her party because it had been Maria's birthday? He must have done it because it might have resembled a birthday party... one that his beloved wasn't receiving, and would never receive. Suddenly, Pinkie felt terrible for doing such a thing, even though she hadn't known about Shadow's secret. Instead of making him happy, she just wounded him deeper. "Shadow... I'm - " "I said, don't tell me you're sorry!" He snapped, whipping his head around. He had stopped crying, but now a new wave of angry tears began to stream down his cheeks. "You didn't know! No-one knows! But I feel a constant pain and hate just by being here in this... this UTOPIA!!" "It's too perfect, too perfect after the things I've been through! You'll never know who I really am, you'll never know what it feels like to live my life! It's - It's not fair! All you've ever known is happiness, smiles, glitter and butterflies! All I've ever known is PAIN!!!" Shadow stopped yelling. He was breathing raggedly. His eyes were like fire, flames that even he didn't know how to put out. Pinkie was still scared, sad, and taken aback by the history and suffering the creature in front of her had been through. But now, she felt something else. Pity... and compassion. "You're right Shadow." She said. Now it was Shadow's turn to be taken aback. "I am?" "Yes. It's true I'll never know what it feels like to be you, live your life, go through the things you've been through. It's true I live in a world with no hate, no fear, no pain. It's true that it's not fair. It's true I know nothing compared to you." "But I know this much." Pinkie looked Shadow right in his eyes, crystal blue to fiery red. She put a careful but firm hoof on Shadow's hand. It stiffened at her touch, but didn't shake it off. "You shouldn't be running from the past. You shouldn't be keeping your feelings trapped inside you. It's made you build a - a castle around yourself, an invincible stone wall... but inside that castle is the real you. Reproachful and defenceless." "But somehow, you let me in. You've told me about your past. Has... has anyone ever heard it before?" "No-one has ever." "So for some reason, you told me the secret that's been chipping away at you - like parasprites to a basket of apples." Pinkie smiled weakly at her own joke. "That's the first step you've taken into the light. You've gotta heal the wound you've taken, not just leave it open and uncared for. You've gotta mourn for her, mourn for Maria... and then move on." Shadow stared at Pinkie Pie. He had never heard her so serious, so smart... so caring. He realized that not only were her eyes beautiful, but... familiar. It was like turning back the clock, and seeing... Maria before him. There seemed to be another presence in the air right at that moment. As if Maria's spirit was trying to speak through this pink pony, and tell him to give life... a second chance. Slowly, slowly, the fire died from his eyes. "But... but how?" He asked the pink mare. "I've never done this before, I've never quite fitted in! How can I start now?" Pinkie paused, just looking at Shadow. Then she began to smile. She squeezed his hand with her hoof. "I'll help you." Shadow continued staring at her. "But... I've only known you for a few days, and all through that time I despised you! How can.. how can I put my trust in you?" Pinkie didn't even falter at this slightly hurtful sentence. She just took her hoof off Shadow's hand, and put it to her own chest. She slowly drew a line diagonally across where her heart should be. Then she crossed it in the opposite direction. An X. "Cross my heart..." She lifted both hooves and fluttered them cheesily in the air. "... Hope to fly..." She mimed splatting something into her right eye. "... Stick a cupcake in my eye." Shadow looked at her in confusion. "What was that for?" Pinkie lowered her hooves and smiled. "It's called a Pinkie Promise." Shadow sighed, but smiled. "Of course." Pinkie cleared her throat, and sat up straight and buisness-like. She licked her hoof and combed back her messy hair. "I, Pinkamena Diane Pie, promise to help Shadow the Hedgehog to come out of the castle he's locked himself in. Metaphorically. I will guide him through the darkness towards the light, and heal his broken heart. Also metaphorically. And I Pinkie Promise to never let down this duty." She broke off as her hair poofed back into shape. She giggled. Then humor turned to surprise. She felt arms wrap around her shoulders, warm and caring. She was stunned to find Shadow giving her a hug. "Thank you, Pinkamena Diane Pie." Pinkie gave a wobbly smile. Her eyes started watering with dramatic emotion. She hugged him back, and felt the first bonds of friendship form between them. "Aww, Shadow... Once you come out of your shell, you're a real sweet softie!" Shadow broke away from her. He was annoyed, but he was smiling all the same. "Never say that to the others." Pinkie giggled. "Oh, I won't. I promise." Twilight paced the floor of the library. She was worried about Pinkie. Had Shadow pushed her away? Had he yelled at her? Had he even... dared to hurt her? She was torn between going out to find them and Shadow's need for privacy. Her pacing became more and more desperate. Finally, she let out a groan of exasperation and cantered after Pinkie. She threw open the door. She was surprised to find Shadow and Pinkie Pie on the doorstep. Shadow... with Pinkie Pie. And even weirder... they were laughing together. "What are you two doing?" She asked in bafflement. Shadow noticed Twilight. He smiled at her, which was a first. He put an arm around his pink companion. "Finally... Finally... getting along."