> The Adventures of Shadow Chaser: The Shimmer in the Desert
>  by RangerBeef
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Remind me again how I got roped into this?" I asked, standing as still as I could on Rarity's pedestal.

"Oh come now, Shadow, it's not that bad," Rarity said, as she gave me a once over, inspecting my outfit.  "Besides, if I didn't have you, then I'd have no other colt to model them for me."

I cringed at the word 'model.' "It's not that I mind helping you out, Rarity, but there are other stallions in this town.  Stallions that are far less busy than me."

"And none of them look nearly as handsome in a tuxedo as you.  Now stop complaining and let me work my magic."  She whisked the layers of fabric she'd had laying on me over to a sewing machine and worked faster than I thought possible.  I remained on the pedestal and scratched an itch on my nose that only seemed to occur when Rarity made me stand still.

"So, you think I'm handsome?" I said in a half mocking voice.

"Oh, don't be such a playcolt, Shadow.  I know you and Rainbow only broke up a few months ago," she said without turning from the sewing machine.

My heart pained at the mention of Rainbow's name.  We'd decided at the end of our last case to no longer be partners, which had seemed fine for the both of us, but it soon became apparent our time together as detectives was all we really had in common.  The break had been mutual but had hurt both of us when it finally ended.

"She misses you, Shadow," Rarity said softly, pausing for a moment in her work to glance over her shoulder at me.

There was a long silence before I asked, "How do you know that?"

"Because we talk, of course!  To quote Rainbow, 'Who better to talk about drama with than the drama queen?'"

I smiled at Rainbow's rough way of seeking out sympathy from even her own friends.  "I miss her too."

Rarity returned to her work, "Well, you two should find time to talk about your feelings.  You really were a cute couple."

I smiled at Rarity's subtle compliment but brushed off the idea of talking to Rainbow.  We had both known that we didn't quite fit.  No matter how much it hurt we were just too different for one another.

As I thought of something to change the subject, Rarity did it for me, holding up an outfit with her magic.  "Here, put this on.  I'll leave you so you can have some privacy."

"Rarity, I'm standing naked on a pedestal in your bedroom.  We're way past privacy."  I watched as her white face turned slightly pink.  Teasing her was still very fun, even after all these years.

"Yes.  Well, I suppose you're right.  But please put this on."  She spoke purposefully, trying to overcome her embarrassment.

As I took the clothes, there was a knock at the front door.  Rarity looked more than grateful at a chance to slip away for a moment.

I paid her and the door no attention as I slipped into the well-tailored tuxedo Rarity had been working on.  As I admired myself in the mirror, I had to admit, I looked pretty darn good, and it fit like a glove.  Though with as many measurements as Rarity had taken it better fit like a glove.

As I turned this way and that getting a better look, I was startled by a small voice behind me, "Wow.  Is that what you're wearing to the wedding?"

I turned to see Sweetie Belle standing in the doorway. I smiled at her but asked the relevant question, "What wedding?"

"The one for you and my sister," Sweetie answered proudly.

My jaw nearly hit the floor.  "Where did you hear that we were getting married?"

"In Rarity's diary!  She has dreams about you all the time.  And she's got a plan for when you guys get married.  The wedding will be really pretty."

I can only imagine how my face looked at that moment.  This certainly was a news flash.  As Rarity walked back in leading Twilight, I quickly collected myself and smiled at both of them.

"Wow, Shadow, Rarity wasn't kidding when she said you look handsome in a tuxedo," Twilight said, giving me an approving smile.

I looked down at myself suddenly very aware that Rarity had literally dreamed of seeing me in this tuxedo.  "Uh.. Yea, Rarity really did a heck of a job, didn't she?  I mean, if it can make me look good imagine what it could do for someone actually handsome," I said, chuckling nervously.

"Come now, Shadow, you mustn't put yourself down like that.  You look very fetching, if I do say so myself."  Twilight nodded in agreement.  Rarity spoke sincerely, even if I was now aware of her dreams.  She noticed Sweetie Belle standing just inside the door.  "Oh Sweetie, you're finally home.  Were you keeping Shadow company?"

Sweetie nodded happily.  "Yep!  I was just telling him about your dreams..."

"Dreams of opening a second boutique in Canterlot," I interrupted quickly.

"Oh, that is a long way off.  I'm still the only one working here.  I'd need to hire a full staff for a boutique in Canterlot."  She sighed heavily.  "A mare can dream, can't she?"

I nodded slowly.  "Yep.  You sure can."

"Sweetie, I'm surprised you even remembered that."  Rarity pulled out a few bits as she spoke, "As a reward for showing you really do listen to all my ramblings, run down to Sugarcube Corner and get yourself something sweet."  She smiled sweetly as she handed her sister the bits.  Sweetie didn't question the act and took the bits, yelling a thank you as she raced out of the house.

"Now, where were we?" Rarity asked turning back around to Twilight and I.

"Well, actually, I was here to ask about a dress for next year's Gala but since the most elusive stallion in Ponyville is here, I was wondering if I could talk to him in private for a moment," Twilight said.  Her tone implied she saw speaking to me as a bit more important than the next Gala.

Rarity and I were equally surprised by the request.  I gave her a look and a shrug before she said, "Not a problem.  I'll go put on some tea so we can discuss your dress, Twilight."

Rarity left quickly and we heard some tea cups rattling in the kitchen.  I stared at Twilight for a long moment, expecting her to tell me what was on her mind.  When she only stared back, I took it upon myself to break the silence.

"So, what's up, Twilight?"  I tried to be casual.  I liked Twilight Sparkle, as both a talented unicorn and as a mare.  Her kindness and dedication to her friends always warmed my heart.  Even if sometimes she was a little too smart for her own good.  But the fact was, Twilight intimidated me.  I didn't fear her, but something about her presence and confidence left butterflies nervously fluttering in my stomach.

She glanced around nervously before walking slowly toward me as she spoke, "It's nothing I really want to discuss here but I was wondering if you could stop by the library tonight so we could talk.. Privately."

By the time she finished the last word she was standing nose to nose with me, and the butterflies in my stomach were starting to panic.  I swallowed hard and nodded slowly, leaning back a little.

"Oh, and Shadow," she leaned in and whispered into my ear, "Come alone."  She turned from me and slowly walked out of the room, giving me a look as she went.

I stood frozen in place as Rarity returned to me.  "Alright, Shadow, Twilight and I are going to discuss her dress.  I would like to thank you for being my handsome model today."  She kissed me lightly on the cheek.  "You're free to go.  Just don't take that tux with you."  She chuckled as she left me alone once again.

I slowly took off the tux, being extra careful to avoid wrinkles or tears.  I hung it up neatly and took a deep breath, clearing my head and trying to focus on what had just happened in the last 20 minutes of my life.

I sighed and chuckled inwardly as I made for the door.  As I passed the living room, Twilight and Rarity gave me a wave and I stopped.

"Just a random idea for Twilight's dress.  Try something minimalist.  A small black dress or something."

Rarity raved at the idea as I left the Boutique and headed home.  Tonight would be interesting to say the least.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	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.
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As luck would have it, Twilight did let me sleep through my own death.  I never once inquired as to how I was killed but I awoke very early the next day and made breakfast for her and Spike.  Spike was also privy to the info that I was alive and he was more than happy to have another male around.

“So what’re you going to do when you get to Las Pegasus?” Spike asked through a mouthful of pancakes.

I sipped at my coffee.  “I’m not sure.  I suppose I’ll have to find my contact to start with.  I just hope there’s nothing too dangerous going on out there.  Las Pegasus has a lot of ponies living there.”

“Spike, don’t talk with your mouth full.”  Twilight said, as she sat down with a small tray of fruit.  “Here you go.  I’ve been growing some of my favorites in a garden behind the library.  I hope you like them.”

We ate and talked lightly.  Spike continued to ask questions about my mission.  I continued to not know the answers to his questions.  Twilight continued to scold him for his bad manners and ask me of my normal detective duties.

Finally, I asked a question that had been on my mind for some time, “So my funeral is today, right?”

Spike and Twilight both stopped mid bite and looked at me.  Twilight nodded in the affirmative.

“Is there any way I could go?”  I looked at Twilight evenly.  If she said no, I would accept that.

“Maybe.  But if you’re serious, then we need to act now.”

“Serious as a heart attack.”

“Wow.  That’s really serious,” Spike said.

I gave him a sly wink, “That was my point, buddy.”

Twilight stood from the table and wiped her mouth.  “Then let’s be on our way.  We’ll have to arrive before everyone else.”

I stood and headed for the front door before Twilight jumped in front of me.

“Hold on, you’re not just walking out there.  Put these on.”  She handed me a cloak and a pair of dark sunglasses.

I chuckled as I threw on the cloak and glasses.  “Well, I’m a master of disguise now.”

Twilight looked peeved at my humor.  “Hush.  We’ll work on the real plan when we get there.  Spike, you’re on breakfast clean up duty.”

“Oh man!”

“Don’t worry, Spike.  You do dishes now, I’ll do ‘em tonight,” I said.

“You got it!”

Twilight and I hurried to the cemetery, where Twilight explained her full plan to me.

“Okay, you know that spell you do to appear invisible?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m going to boost your power so you can cast a more powerful version of it on yourself.  With the boost, you should be able to move around freely and the spell should last for a few hours.  Just be cautious when other ponies start to arrive, they’ll still be able to bump into you, obviously.”

I smiled and nodded.  “I have to hand it to you, Twilight.  Sometimes you’re pretty genius when it comes to spell crafting.”

With that, she leaned down, powering her horn and I watched as another magical aura glowed around me.  When she told me to, I concentrated hard and cast my own spell.  I could instantly tell this would work as I stood up straight and saw Twilight no longer looking directly at me but where she thought I was.

“Thanks, Twilight.”

“It’s the least I can do.  Now wait here.  I’m going to go home to prepare, you just make sure no one notices you.”

“Not a problem.”

I had waited for about an hour when the first ponies began to show up.  Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Pinkie all sat up front.  Most of the back rows were made up of policecolts that had known or worked with me.  The amount of ponies that turned out really surprised me.  I spotted Vinyl Scratch and Octavia, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and Zecora as well, but I noticed one rainbow colored absence that stung more than anything.

The police chief said a few words about my time on the force and how he’d been sad to see me move on to private work.  Officer Berry, now long retired, made a small speech about the day she’d watched me graduate the academy and how proud she knew my parents would have been of my accomplishments.

Much to my surprise, Applejack asked to say a few words.

“Ah know ah’m not much of a public speaker but, ah had the chance to get to know Shadow and his friend, Skip, real well a few months back.  We attended another funeral and Shadow said that he didn’t like the idea of a traditional funeral.  Ponies bein’ sad and cryin’ their eyes out didn’t do no good now, is what he said.  He said instead of mournin’ the death you should celebrate the life.

“So, ah know this may not sit well with some of you folks, but after this here service, we’re having a small party back at the farm to celebrate Shadow’s life.  Y’all are all welcome to come.  Ah know if he could, Shadow would be right there with us.”

Throughout the service I fought back my own tears at the kindness of their words.  When everyone got up to leave I noticed a large portion heading toward Applejack’s farm.  I was glad for that.  I just hoped no pony told some of the stories of me in the academy.  I’d been a wild stallion for a while.

I thought for a moment about following them but I figured I’d pushed my luck with this spell far enough.  When the crowd had dispersed enough, I slipped away and headed back to the library.

As I closed the door behind me, I saw Spike heading for the door, he was wondering who had just come in.

“Don’t worry, Spike, it’s just me.”

He froze in place.  “Just who?”

I had forgotten he couldn’t see me.  “It’s Shadow, Spike.  I’m under a spell to be invisible so I could watch my funeral.”

I could see him loosen up, “Oh.  Cool!  Any chance you could teach me that spell?  I’d love to get into Rarity’s shop some time.”

I chuckled softly at his boyish nature.  He had a lot of growing up to do.  “If you could do magic, I’d be happy to teach it to you, Spike.  But lay off for Rarity for a few days.  She looked pretty upset at the service.”

He nodded slowly and looked at me.  “There you are.  Yea, I saw a lot of people headed there.  You were a pretty popular guy, Shadow.”

I sat down across the room in a big comfy chair.  “I don’t know if it’s that I was popular, really.  My work helped me touch a lot of lives.  Ponies like to show respect for someone who’s helped them.”

He nodded happily and we discussed death and the influence we have on others for a while.  We turned our discussion to mares and he swooned over Rarity.  I repeated my warning of giving her some space, but he said he would probably bring her a gem to cheer her up.  I conceded this as a good plan.  He asked me if Rainbow Dash had been crying at the service and I was forced to tell him the she wasn’t even there.

“What?  Why wouldn’t she show up?  Didn’t you guys date for a while?”

“Yea, but there’s a lot of reasons she could’ve missed it.  She might’ve had work with the weather team or something.  Some ponies just aren’t fond of public displays of affection like that.”

“Still seems weird is all.  When are you going to tell her that you’re not dead?”

That was a question I could not answer.  I had hoped Twilight would be able to intercept Rainbow and ask her to come by the library but she hadn’t been at the service for Twilight to speak to.  I lamented that fact to Spike, and told him I would come up with something.

Noting the clock, I told him it was his turn to cook and he hopped to it, while I hung up the cloak Twilight had given me.  I decided to keep the glasses.

When Twilight returned without Rainbow Dash, I was forced to ask why.

“She never showed up at the party.  No one’s seen her all day.”

“I’ll find her tonight.  How long does your cloud walking spell last?”

“Two days.”

“Then let’s get it cast on me and I’ll find her tonight.  Luna’s meeting us tomorrow night, right?”

Twilight nodded as she led the way to her bedroom to retrieve the correct spell book.  “But how’re you going to find her?”

“Easy.  I know where she lives.”

Twilight didn’t question me further and cast her spell on me.  We ate dinner in relative quiet while I thought of how to break the news to Rainbow.  Spike and I washed the dishes together; despite my saying I would do them all.

When nighttime finally came, I donned the cloak again, grabbed my saddle bag and whisked away into the night, headed for the edge of town and Rainbow’s cloud home in the sky.  When I had finally spotted it drifting overhead, I moved directly underneath it and pictured what the flat space in front of the house looked like.  I concentrated hard and felt an old familiar weightless feeling grip me before it faded away.

I opened my eyes as I felt the breeze on my face.  Puffy white clouds surrounded me and I smiled as I saw Rainbow’s front door.  I was happy that I’d been able to make the teleport just right and happier to be somewhere familiar and safe.  I moved and knocked on the cloud door.  Surprisingly, it made a sound not unlike wood.

I heard some grumbling from inside and the shuffling of a pony walking to the door.  I put on a casual smile, hoping for an easy way to explain what was going on.  When Rainbow Dash opened the door, my smile faded.  Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her hair was a complete mess, and she looked like she’d been up since yesterday.

I’d hoped for an easy time explaining the situation but she slapped me the moment she recognized me for me.  Just once, but as hard as she could.  My eyes watered from the sting but she didn’t slam the door in my face.

I opened my mouth to explain but I was halted as she kissed me passionately, wrapping her hooves around me tightly.  I kissed her back and picked her up.  Walking into her home with her in my arms, I made my way to her bedroom.  We made love for what seemed like an eternity.  When finally we were cooled down she looked into my eyes with tears on her face.

“I thought you were dead.”

“That’s what I came here to tell you.  I’m not dead.  But I’m dead.”

Her face twisted to one of confusion.  I explained everything Luna had told me and how I was only allowed to tell one person I was still alive and that she could never tell anyone else that I was still alive.  I explained that Twilight was the only other pony who knew and that she would be talking to me for this mission.

“But why would you agree to something like that?  You could die.  For real this time.”

I thought carefully about my response, “I once read a book about warriors from a long time ago, who only dreamed of dying what they called, “a good death.”  All things considered, this life would be a good death.”

She frowned at my answer but she brought a hoof to my face and stroked my cheek.  “Don’t die on me.  Promise me.”

“Rainbow, I can’t..”

She pressed her hoof into my cheek, “Promise me.”

I smiled through my slightly smushed face, “I promise.”

“That’s better.”  She wrapper her hooves around me again and we drifted off to sleep like that.

I awoke the next day holding Rainbow in my arms but I could hear another voice in my ear.  Twilight Sparkle’s voice rang 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.”

I pressed my throat and spoke softly, “Okay, Twilight.”

She pinged in my ear again, sounding quite relieved, “Glad to know you’re okay.  Don’t scare me like that.”

I smiled at her comment as Rainbow stirred in front of me.

“Who’re you talking to?” she asked groggily.

“No one.  Go back to sleep.”

More than happy to oblige, she rolled back over and pushed her back deeper into me as I embraced her.  We awoke again a few hours later and spoke of the events of last night.

“I don’t think that was a one time thing, Shadow.  It didn’t feel like the end of anything.”

“Yea, but Dash, we can’t do this.  The whole point of me being dead is so no one is attached to me anymore, and so I’m not attached to anyone else.”

“You wouldn’t have come here last night if that was true.  You know, we both made a mistake when we broke it off.  We were opposites but it was fun.”

I looked at the floor and laughed a little.  She was absolutely right.  “Okay, Dash, we’re in this.  But what happens when I’m gone for a long time?  Or if I die?  I hate to think how that would make you feel.”

She lifted my head with her hoof, to look in my eyes, “I can handle it.  I know I looked like a mess when you got here last night but that’s just how I deal.  You know I’m not open with my feelings.  And like you said, if you do die, this would be a good death.  A death that means something.  I could live happy knowing you died doing something you were proud of.”

I leaned forward and kissed her softly, wondering how someone so closed off from her feelings was so easily able to read mine.

“Besides, you promised me you wouldn’t die.  And you haven’t lied to me in months.  So I think it’ll stick.”

I chuckled again.  “Oh!  I have something for you.  It makes a little more sense now too.”  I found my saddlebag and from it I produced the picture of the two of us and handed it to her.

She smiled at it as she walked into her bedroom with it, returning empty hoofed.

“Right next to the one of my parents.  I think my mom would approve of my choice in stallions.”  She winked playfully at me and we shared a laugh.

We enjoyed our day together.  I told her I couldn’t leave so she stayed to keep me company on the last of our time together for a while.  We talked of the future and how my new career would play out with our renewed relationship.  We both conceded that likely we would never survive it but promised to never give up on the other as long as our company was bearable.

As the night came, we made love one last time before I was forced to leave for the train station.  We shared a long embrace on the ground below her home before I was forced to pull away from her and send her back.  I told her to check with Twilight if she ever got worried about me.

As I arrived at the train station, I spotted Luna waiting on the platform for me.  As I approached she handed me a small notepad with a few notes already scribbled on it.  I dropped it in my saddlebag as she gave me my final instructions.

“Shadow, you’re authorized to do whatever is necessary to stop these ponies.  Try not to make too many waves with the local authorities and fly under the radar as much as possible.  Find Shimmer and report to Twilight Sparkle as soon as you can.  The quicker we can put these ponies under wraps, the quicker we can work on expanding the Code Star program.”

I nodded along.  “Expand?  I thought you had a whole network of people.”

“Not anymore.  When Celestia broke up my networks after my banishment, the ponies that worked for me all disappeared.  They’re long dead now anyway, but you are the only agent we currently have, Shadow.  Shimmer is our only informant.  You two are the final test for Celestia to authorize my program fully.  Your performance could directly affect the survival of Equestria’s entire espionage community.”

I scoffed softly.  “Well, no pressure there.”

“I admit, it’s not fair to you, or to Shimmer, but someone has to do it, and I’ve collected two of the best to kick start our entire program.”

“Thank you, Princess.”  I boarded the train without another word between us and settled into the sleeping area.  Las Pegasus was four or five days away.  I would have plenty of time to contemplate my next move along the way.
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I spent the days on the train practicing my essential spells.  I found that this particular train was one the Princesses used to travel long distances so I was alone, save for the few crewmen on board.  I quickly befriended them and joined them in their labors.  I hated feeling like a burden to ponies who worked for a living.

We would eat breakfast and speak of the days chores before going our separate ways to make sure everything was in order.  They said having me aboard really cut down their work and we were usually done by midday.  At which time we would lounge around, play cards and anything else to keep us occupied.

One night after the other workers had gone to bed, I headed up to talk to the conductor.  He was a kind old stallion and we spoke idly as we watched the scenery pass us by.  Finally he asked the one question the others had avoided.

“So what brings you all the way to Las Pegasus, and on the Princesses’ personal train no less?”

I mulled my answer for a moment and decided a half-truth would be good enough.  “Princess Luna’s asked me to do her a favor.  Just some quick detective work to find someone then I’ll be headed home.”

“Detective work, eh,” He removed his hat and looked at me squarely, “Code Star program?”

My eyes went wide, “How did you.. ?”

“I’ve been working on this train for most of my life, son.  Princess Luna had to trust one of us on board with the sensitive intel.  I take it you’re looking for Shimmer?”

I nodded.  “Luna said she hasn’t made contact in a few weeks so I’m being sent to find her.”

“Well, she shouldn’t be too hard to find.  She stands out in Pegas, like a hillpony and the Gala.”

“How’s that?”

“I ain’t never seen a more attractive mare.  She’s the jewel of the desert out there.  I told her she needs to change her mane color to blend in out there but she said she’d be perfectly fine.  I hope no one’s done anything to her.”

“Luna assumes the worst but I’m not so certain.  There are plenty of reasons she could’ve dropped out of contact.”

“Well, let’s hope it’s one of them rather than her getting grabbed by the wrong kind of folks.”

I nodded slowly and we spent the next few minutes in silence before I bid him good night and returned to my quarters.  I pulled the notepad Luna had provided me from my saddlebag and sat reading the address a few times, making sure I knew it by heart.

The only thing that had been written on the pad was the name Shimmer and an address underneath it.  For having run an operation like this before, Luna was a bit lax when it came to perfect secrecy.  I gave the note one last look before I levitated it over to a candle and let it burn up.

I arrived late the next day in Las Pegasus.  The sun was on its way down and the heat of the day was beginning to wain.  I bid the crew a farewell, grabbed my saddlebag and ventured outside the train station, looking around for landmarks and street signs.

“Lost, mister?"

I turned to my right to see where the voice had come from and saw a young colt.

"Maybe just a bit."  I gave him the address I was looking for and his face lit up.

"I know right where that is!  I'll show you the way, but it'll cost you ten bits.”

"That's a lofty price but I suppose you have me at a disadvantage.  How about five now and five when we arrive?"

The colt nodded happily as I paid him and we began to head to my destination.  I began to think that being a super spy wouldn't be that hard, after all, as I followed the colt down an alleyway.

"This way's a shortcut," he said.

I followed unquestioningly but felt eyes on my back as we made our way down the alley.  Halfway through the colt took off ahead of me.  I sped to catch up but was caught by a sucker punch.  I rolled on the ground and sprung back to my hooves as three more stallions joined the one who had struck me.

"Give us all your money and I won't have to do that again," said the rather large stallion that had landed the first blow.

I smiled.  "Ya know, when I was growing up, the only thing I hated more than a bully, was a thief."

"Did I ask for your life story?  Gimme your money or take a beating, and lose it anyway.  Your choice."

I backed up from the group of them, "Alright, let me grab it."  I reached into my saddlebag with my magic and pulled from it a collapsible baton, a gift from the train conductor that he'd given to me before I departed.

"Okay, who's first?"  I extended the baton with a quick whip, holding it in the air with my magic just beside me.

The stallion who had sucker punched me lunged forward, not afraid at all.  I dodge his punch by jumping to my right and struck him in the side of the head with the baton.  He collapsed in a nearby pile of garbage.

The next two stallions charged together.  I blocked some of their punches with the baton and dodged the rest.  I rushed past them turning quickly and striking one in the back of the head, the other turned to catch the baton to his face.  Both fell into heaps.

I turned to the final stallion and whirled the baton beside me.  His eyes told me he no longer wanted my money.  He turned quickly, heading for the opposite end of the alley in a dead run.

As he neared the end of the alley, a silver colored pegasus descended on him, smashing his face into the ground.  I cringed slightly as I approached the two of them, the silver pegasus standing over the now unconscious stallion.

"Was that necessary?" I asked, putting my baton away.

"Never let a potential threat escape," she said.

For the first time, I looked her over, silver coat, nearly ghost white hair that seemed to shift between that and silver.  "Shimmer?"

She suddenly turned on me, pressing me against the wall of the alley.  "How do you know that name?"

"Whoa, take it easy.  I've been sent to help you."

She scoffed.  "Help?  I don't need help.  Besides," she leaned back and I watched her purple eyes scan my body, "How's a scrawny stallion like you gonna help me?"

"I find ways to make myself useful."  I motioned to the three unconscious stallions farther down the alley.

She squinted her eyes at me, "I suppose so."  She let me down off the wall.

"So why haven't you contacted.."

"Stop.  Not here.  There are eyes and ears everywhere.  Come with me."  We walked in silence as she led the way to her home, which I noticed was the opposite direction the young colt had been leading me.

Little punk.

When we'd arrived at Shimmer's humble home, which was more easily described as a hole in the wall apartment, she spent a few minutes filling me in on exactly what she had learned in her time in Pegas.

"We're dealing with a well-organized group.  They may as well be the mafia with how impossible they are to track.  I haven't yet learned what they're planning but I know it involves hostages and trains.  I overheard one of them talking about how easy it would be to install the mechanism on the trains."

"What mechanism?"

"Right now, your guess is as good as mine on that.  These guys have been recruiting for a long time, though.  I got a hold of a list of their contacts and it seems like they've tapped everyone who has even the slightest distaste for Celestia.  You can't trust anyone in the city."

"So if they have this small army at their disposal, why not just make their move?"

"They could never dream to stand up to Celestia's magic and forces.  Especially now that she is reunited with Luna.  The crown is powerful and well protected. To force Celestia from power would take putting nearly the whole country at risk."

"Then how do the trains factor in?"

My question was left unanswered as I heard a mechanical voice speak up from the corner.  I ducked at the voice but what it said brought me back to my days as a police colt.

"We've got a code two-oh-seven at the mayor's residence.  I say again, two-oh-seven with suspected D-I-T-R involvement."

"You've got a police scanner?"

"Actually, it's just a modified radio.  Wonder what a 207 is."

"It's a kidnapping.  I don't know D-I-T-R, though."

"Diamond in the rough.  That's what this mafia style group has taken to calling themselves.  They think that from the desert they will rise as the shining star of Equestria."

"They're going to be disappointed then, aren't they?"

"Hubris, agent.  You should head for the mayor's place.  The police in this town are deplorable at any kind of investigation.  I think a few of them might've been paid off."

"What about you?"

"I'm going to continue my recon of The Diamond."  We walked outside and she pointed down the road.  "The mayor's home is about two miles that way.  Go learn what you can and meet me back here when you're done."

I nodded.  "Stay safe out there."

Without answering, she took off and left me staring up the street.  I started walking and pressed my neck gently with my hoof.

"Are you there, Twilight?"

There was a moment of silence before I heard Twilight's slightly groggy voice in my ear.  "What's up, Shadow?"

"I'm in Las Pegasus and I've found Shimmer.  She said Luna stopped contacting her."

"That doesn't sound like something Luna would do.  Maybe the spell wore off or something."

"That's what I was thinking.  Something seems off with her though."

"What do you mean?"  Her voice had finally perked up, she was awake now.

"Well, she seems almost paranoid.  Like her work out here has made her cynical."

"Hmm... What's her cutie mark?"

"Dragonflies, I think.  They looked smaller though."

"They're probably damselflies.  Similar to dragon flies but smaller, with a few differences.  Lots of cultures have differing views of dragonflies and damselflies.  The Xiao ponies believe they signify happiness, strength, and courage.  But there are old foals tales that say they represent ponies that were possessed by the devil in a previous life, that the dragonfly weighs on the soul of those marked with it."

"Sounds like she could be a potential danger."

"It's possible but I wouldn't assume that.  Luna wouldn't have tapped her if she didn't think she was one of the best.  Just try to play things her way for a while.  If things get too questionable we'll pull her from the mission."

"How would you do that?"

"Magic."

I rolled my eyes.  Duh.

"I've found out a little more about the group we're dealing with as well.  They're planning something with trains and hostages.  I don't know anything past that but it looks like they're pretty dug in.  Ponies are being coerced into working with them and they may have kidnapped the mayor.  I'm heading there now to check it out."

"Wow.  Be careful, Shadow."

"I will.  I'll let you know when I know more.  Oh, and Twilight, could you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Tell Dash I'm okay."

I could almost hear the smile on her.  "Will do."

I picked up my pace and made it to the mayor’s home before long.  The home was well lit on the outside, and completely white.  It looked like an old fashioned mansion built years ago.

I noticed a lot of police colts standing around outside, mostly sharing information that had come up on the situation.  I was moving up to a pony that looked to be in charge but was stopped short by a young police mare.

“Excuse me, sir, but you can’t just waltz in there.  This is a crime scene.”  She didn’t have the usual authority that came with police colts and her silvery coat and similarly colored mane did not help her look intimidating.

Rookie.

“It’s okay.  I’m a detective visiting Las Pegasus from Ponyville, I might be able to help out.”  I produced my ID badge and showed it to her.

She looked over my badge for a moment before giving it back.  “We appreciate that, sir, but we’ve got the situation under control,” her voice was more forceful this time.

Learning quickly, isn’t she?

“Listen, if I could just speak to your sergeant…”

Her brow furrowed and she gently nudged me backward, interrupting me.  “No, sir.  You do not need to speak to my sergeant.  Now step back while I tape off the scene.”

I felt my anger flare for a moment before I quelled it and put on a face of shock.  “Alright, just trying to help out.  Geez..”

I turned and walked down the street and around the block.  When I was sufficiently sure that she could no longer see me, I sped up and walked quickly down the block looking for a gap in fencing or shrubberies.  When I spotted a small gap in a fence I casually adjusted my course, walking around behind the house and through the gap.  I could see the mayor’s home clearly as it seemed to sit on a higher plane than the rest of the homes on the block.

Moving quickly, but sticking to the shadows, I climbed over two fences before I found the fence I’d been looking for.  Large grown bushes served as a makeshift wall, it was the ‘fence’ into the mayor’s yard.

I moved through the bushes slowly and into the wide open and well lit back yard of the mayor.  Sticking close to the bushes for as much concealment as they offered, I made my way directly behind the house, stopping when I spotted a balcony with open doors and a pony inside shouting.  I listened as well as I could but couldn’t discern anything he was saying.

Needing something beyond indiscernible shouting I looked back and forth across the yard for any sign of police or guards, spotting none I kept low and moved quickly to the back of the house and began casting my walk walking spell.  Being dark colored on a pure white house, I would shine like a neon light in a dark room but my options were limited.

I stepped onto the wall and walked up quickly, trying not to think about the spell and what I was doing.  Doubt for a spell like this was easy to summon but not easy to dismiss and for it to work I had to have complete faith in its ability to keep me up.  I moved up to the bottom of the balcony, hoping to get away with not having to move any closer but the shouting had stopped.

I moved gingerly up the wall beside the balcony and stepped lightly onto the landing when I heard, presumably, the mayor’s voice.

“You told me it wouldn’t come to this.”

“We said if you cooperated it wouldn’t come to this.  You’ve been lying to us, Mr. Mayor.”  His voice was deep and gravely.

“I have cooperated fully!  But your demands are becoming impossible to meet without raising suspicions in the capital.  I can’t just misplace all that money at once.  It takes time.”

“And until that time, we’ve got some insurance.  It’s simply business, Mr. Mayor.”

“It’s my son!  He’s not a bargaining chip!  I was doing what you ask, I just needed more time.”  His voice was beginning to waver.

“And you’ve been given some.  Just don’t take too long.  Your son might not have that much time left.  That warehouse he’s in is on the verge of collapse.  I’m not sure it’ll survive the week with how much the waves have been hitting it lately.”  His voice was fading, he was walking away.

The mayor’s voice was shaking now.  “How did you ever become the police chief?”

I heard a door open.  “It’s all about knowing the right ponies, Mr. Mayor, and knowing exactly how to take out your competition.”  He laughed for a moment and spoke to a colt outside the door.  “Stay here with the mayor.  If he gives you any trouble, let me know.  His son will pay for any of his indiscretions.”

I heard a different set of steps inside and the door closed.  I had hoped the mayor would be alone but that was out of the question now.  I turned around on the balcony to begin my descent but bumped a potted plant as I did so.

I reached out with hoof and magic but the pot fell to the ground, and shattered.  I froze for a moment, wondering who would have heard.  I heard hoofsteps from inside the room and decided now was the best time as any to make my exit.

I leapt over the banister of the balcony, catching myself as I heard the hoofsteps getting closer.  I looked at the ground and wondered if my spell was still working.

Only one way to find out.

I closed my eyes and cleared my mind and fell over the side of the balcony just as the police colt stepped outside.  I felt myself curl around the side and my hooves landed on the underside of the balcony and I shuffled forward slowly and quietly, trying to make sure I couldn’t be seen from above.

I could hear the police colt moving around the balcony slowly.  Finally I heard him stop where I had been standing.  A moment of silence before he spoke into his radio, “Keep your eyes peeled.  We might have somepony on the premises.  Move an officer to the back yard.”

I swore internally.  I needed to move quickly but with the colt above me, my options were limited.  Magic was pretty much out of the question.  The wall walking spell takes about everything I have and it takes almost an hour before I can cast anything.  Staying still was just as out of the question.  If I remained I would undoubtedly be spotted.

I inched forward on the underside of the balcony, listening for any movement above me.  I leaned over the edge and looked up, catching a glimpse of the police colt to my left, looking out over the yard.

Now or never.

I looked up at the ground and jumped, twisting in the air to land with a thud.  Certain the colt above had heard me, I channeled my inner Rainbow Dash and bolted for all I was worth toward the shrub fence at the edge of the property.

I heard shouting from directly behind me and from behind me and to my right, the backup that had been requested.  I paid them no heed and dashed forward, aiming for the weakest looking gap in the bushes.  As I neared, I could make out something on the other side of the bushes.  My mind clicked and I looked back seeing two colts chasing me from my 5 o’clock.

I focused on the gap in the bushes and barreled forward, as I entered the gap I jumped as far as I could, landing in stride on top of another house.  The mayor’s home had risen on slightly above the homes from where I had entered the yard, but directly behind his home the rise was quite a bit more significant.

I heard the two police colts clamber through the bushes and each yelp quickly as they fell what had to be at least 25 feet to the ground.  I shifted left, following the lean in the house’s roof, jumping to another shorter roof before jumping to the ground and racing off into the night, knowing where I needed to head.
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	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.
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I made my way to the roof of the warehouse slowly.  The building was old and well past its usefulness.  I stopped and held my breath as a breeze and a wave rocked the whole structure.

The warehouse sat on a dock that was not anchored to the bay floor below so it was left to rock with each wave that hit the dock.  How something like that had been built without anyone mentioning the obvious safety risk was beyond me.  As the rocking stopped I continued my walk up the warehouse wall to the roof.

I hurried across the roof to a skylight, looking through its foggy glass for anything I could see.  I needed to move swiftly.  The two guards I left unconscious in the shipping container would be discovered eventually and time was not on my side.  The night was waning and I could already begin to see sunlight licking at the horizon.

“Slow it down, Celestia.”

I pushed open the skylight with some effort but managed to keep it from slamming into the roof.  From below I could see four ponies; three were standing around the fourth, who was tied to a chair.

Three on one is good odds.

I slipped inside onto some scaffolding moving gingerly to avoid any creaks or squeaks.  To my good fortune the lights in the warehouse were mostly out.  This high up they would not be able to see me clearly.  I shuffled along the scaffolding and dropped to a catwalk that extended around the entire warehouse.  To my left was an office that hung over the main floor, where my target was being held.  I slipped inside and decided this would be a good place to set a trap.

It took all my might to lift the desk in the room over by the door and prop it up so the length was vertical.  I made a similar motion with a file cabinet that remained.  It was lighter but would do the trick.  I sat the file cabinet on the edge of the desk and on top of the door that was opened inward only slightly.  The door groaned silently under the weight but held solid.

I slipped from the office through the second entrance and made my way around the catwalk giving myself a good view of the main floor below me.  I found an errant screw lying on the catwalk and prayed that my schoolyard days of playing keep away from Rarity had kept my aim true.

I launched the screw with all I was worth and heard a satisfying but loud shatter as it pierced the window of the office across the way.  Immediately the stallions below took notice.

“Go check it out.”

I watched the pony look for the ladder and begin to ascend into the shadows.  I ducked low opposite him and moved around to watch him from behind as he ventured toward the office door.  I watched him push on it, but nothing happened.

“The door’s stuck,” he yelled down.

“Well, just give it a hard push!”

I saw the pony back up and put his weight into shouldering open the door.  The satisfying clang and thud of the file cabinet landing on him was my cue.  I moved forward to the ladder as one of the other stallions began to ascend to check on his friend.  I waited patiently as he climbed with my baton at the ready.  As soon he reached the proper level I struck him in the back of his head and caught him by his collar to prevent him from falling.

I dragged him away from the ladder and laid his body down gently before returning to the opposite side of the catwalk and making my way down the ladder on that side.  The colt left on the warehouse floor was getting nervous.

“Where are you guys!?  What’s going on up there?”  His voice showed his panic.  Finally he swore and began to move toward the ladder the other two had climbed.

As he walked to that ladder I walked from my ladder into the light of the warehouse floor.  I put my hoof on the kidnapped colt’s should and spoke softly, thankful that he had been gagged.

“I’m here to get you out.  Don’t make any noise and we’ll be just fine.”  I quickly untied his bonds and he looked at me quizzically, like he couldn’t believe someone would risk their life for him.  I mouthed “Follow me” and he nodded.

I led the way back toward the edge of the warehouse but before we’d made it safely to the darkness I heard a shout from above.  The colt had climbed the ladder faster than I anticipated and he was now shouting down at us.

“Run!” I shouted at my companion.

We rushed for the nearest door and out into the pre-dawn air.  The sun was just beginning to rise.  I looked around not knowing exactly which way led to safety when I heard the hoof beat from beyond the warehouse.

“He’s in here!  Move!  Move!”

The mayor’s son looked at me, “What now?”

“We keep running.”  We took off down the docks running for all we were worth.  I wasn’t quite sure where we were headed but running was better than getting captured, but it quickly became apparent that the docks didn’t go on forever.

“We’re running out of room!” shouted the mayor’s son.

As he spoke I caught a boat speeding past in the bay, and it looked somehow familiar.  I watched it hook around and pull up to the last dock seeing a familiar stallion waving at me on board.

“Take a right.  Down the dock.”

“But that’s a dead end!”  He stopped short of a wall, not turning.

“No, it’s not!”  I turned down the dock and sprinted for all I was worth to the end, before once again channeling my inner Rainbow Dash and jumping as far as I could.  I could swear for a moment it felt like I had wings.  My jump wasn’t enough however as my back hooves caught the edge and I toppled over onto the deck of the boat.

I righted myself slowly, seeing the mayor’s son running down the dock now with a few stallions in pursuit.  As he reached the end of the dock, I watched him jump and land on the boat far more gracefully than myself.

“Get us out of here!” I shouted.

With that the boat lurched and began to chug forward.  A few of the stallions tried to make the jump, one missing completely and splashing into the water, another grabbed the edge of the boat.  I watched the mayor’s son walk to him and slug him in the face as he hung off the boat.

“Tell your boss he’s got no leverage now.”  He punched the stallion again and he toppled into the water.

I limped back to the wheel of the ship, my back hooves both in pain over my failed jump.

“Where’d you learn how to drive a boat?”

“You didn’t think I just drove the train, did you?”  The train conductor smiled at me, wickedly.  We shared a laugh and I thanked him for his help.

“Do you have a place for this kid while I get back to work?”

“Sure.  We can keep him on the train until it’s safe.  That thing has more security features than Celestia’s Castle.”

“Good.  Find a place along here to drop me off.  I need to get back into town.”

“You got it, son.”

He slowed the boat at a public dock and I bid them both good luck before heading back into town and pressing my neck.

“Still with me, Spike?”

“You betcha, Shadow.  How did you get up the river so fast?”

“Turns out Luna recruits the proper ponies to support her operatives.”

“Cool.  What do you need?”

“Directions.  I need to get back to the safe house.  It should be about two miles south of the mayor’s home.”

My ear was silent as I limped onward slowly.  My hooves were killing me.

“Okay, I got it.  Just keep heading the direction you are.  Just a couple miles up that road and you should be there.”

“Alright.  Thanks, buddy.  When are you and Twilight switching shifts?”

“A couple hours.”

“Alright.  Your mission for the day is to get that drawing and make Rarity feel better, okay?”  I spoke purposefully, but a little ragged.  I was still out of breath and fast approaching my exhaustion point.

“You got it.  But Shadow, are you okay?”

“Yea.  Just a little worse for the wear.  I’ll be fine.  Oh, and Spike, tell Luna I’m going to need some help out here.  The police chief is in on the plan of attack.  I can’t trust the police at all.”

“Alright.  Stay safe out there.”

My ear went silent and I ventured back to the safe house, feeling the, now few hours old, sun begin to warm my back as I entered slowly.  What I was found inside was disconcerting at best.

The house had been ransacked.  Papers were strewn everywhere.  Anything that wasn’t bolted down had been smashed.  I looked around slowly for any sign of Shimmer but she was not present.

Thank Celestia for small miracles.

That doesn’t mean she wasn’t here.  They might have her.

I rifled through the papers on the floor, looking for any sign of Shimmer.  Finally I found a note with a few scribbles on it.  It mentioned the old prison and something about a necessary train part that was set to be installed on all trains in Equestria.

I sighed and looked at the clock, it had been a few hours since I last contacted Spike so Twilight should be on.

“Twilight, we’ve got a problem.”

“What is it?”  Her voice was pleasant in my ears.

“I figured out how they’re going to use the trains.  It’s some part that has to be installed on all the trains.  I don’t know what it will do but it’s something that every train in Equestria will be outfitted with.”

“I’ll pass that on to Luna.  Anything else?”

“Yea, I don’t know where Shimmer is.  She told me to meet her here but the house has been torn apart.  I think she might have been grabbed.  I’m heading to the old prison to check it out.”

“Are you sure, Shadow?  You sound awfully tired.”

I looked outside at the rising sun and decided against my own plan.  “No, I’ll head back to the train and catch some sleep there.  It’s the only safe place I know of.”

“Wait, don’t head back there.  If the house has been torn up they might have someone watching you.”

I pulled back the curtains on the window in the living room spotting two stallions trying very hard to look inconspicuous.  “Yea, they do.  Any suggestions?”

“Just a simple one.  Go down the hall to the last room on the right.”  I followed her instructions as she gave them.  “In that room in the closet there should be a chain hanging down from a light.  Pull the chain.”

I gave the chain a yank and jumped back as the back wall of the closet rotated to reveal a small panic room.

“Twilight, how do you know this stuff?  Have you done this kind of work before?”  I said laughing slightly.

“No, but I have.”  Luna’s voice was unmistakable in my ear and made me smile.

“Thanks, Princess.  I’ll catch a few hours of sleep and then head out to the prison.”

“Very well, Shadow.  I’m gathering up a task force to support you when you call for them.  You’ve done fantastic work so far.”

“Thank you, Princess.  Hopefully Celestia will back our operations after this.”

“She already has.  Where do you think I’m getting the task force?”

I smiled again.  “Good.  I’ll contact Twilight when I’m on the move.  Thanks again, Princess.”

My ear was silent and I pushed a button inside the panic room and watched the door close.  I laid down on the small mattress on the floor and quickly drifted off to sleep. 
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Spike)

I was happy when Twilight relieved me early from monitoring Shadow.  I'd been watching the glowing dot that represented him creep along the map as he made his way to the safe house and I'd been nodding off while watching it.  Twilight says I'm still a little dragon so late nights are harder for me.  I guess she's kinda right.

When she relieved me I went and made her a quick breakfast, while munching a few bites down myself, before telling her I was headed out for the day.

"I thought you didn't have to go to Rarity's today."

"I don't.  I'm going to get something that Shadow said could cheer her up."

"What is it?"

"I dunno.  He said Cheerilee would know when I asked her."  I was moving around the room searching for my backpack through piles of books on Las Pegasus.

"Cheerilee?  Why would she..?  Ya know what, never mind.  Shadow has a way of knowing the right things to do so I'm just gonna trust him.  Just don't slip up and tell Rarity what he's doing."  Twilight levitated my bag over to me and I watched her drop an apple inside.  I wasn't sure if she meant it for me or Cheerilee.

"I'll be careful."

I slipped out the front door of the library and into the cool morning air.  The birds were just beginning to chirp and the sun felt warm on my face.  For whatever reason, it  filled me with the hope that today would be a good day and I walked with a skip in my step toward the school.

I was passed a few times by colts and fillies headed to school.  I got a few hellos from the ones I knew but most just looked like they hadn't fully awoken yet.  As I enjoyed the scenery on the route I kept my eyes off the trail too long and eventually fell over somepony.

"Ouch!  Hey!"

I jumped up quickly dusting myself off.  "Oh! Sorry Sweetie Belle.  Guess I wasn't watching where I was going."

"It's okay.  I guess I should've been walking a bit faster anyway.  I'm almost late."  Her voice was uncharacteristically low.  She was missing her usual joy.

"What's wrong?  You sound like you're sick or something."  We continued our walk toward the school, slowly.

"I'm okay.  I'm just worried about my sister."

"Oh.  Yea, me too.  But I got some advice on something that may cheer her up."

Sweetie Belle's face lit up.  "Really!?  What is it?"

"Well, I don't know really.  But I'm told Cheerilee will know what it is."

"Yay!  Let's hurry then!"  Before I could respond she took off running.  We weren't far from the schoolhouse but she covered the distance in a time I don't think even Rainbow Dash could beat.

I jogged up and heard the bell ring, indicating it was time to start the day.  I approached as Cheerilee ushered the ponies inside.

"Hello, Spike!  Are you here to enjoy class with us today?"  She chuckled softly at her own joke.

"Not exactly.  I came here to get some help."

"Help with what?"

"Well, Rarity has been down in the dumps since Shadow died and I heard you had a drawing Shadow did that might cheer her up."

"Hmm," Cheerilee thought for a moment, "I think I only ever took one drawing from Shadow.  I might know where it is, but I have to get class started.  Would you mind sitting in the back until I can get the kids to work on something?"

"No problem."

"Great!  Come on in!"  Cheerilee closed the door behind us and I walked to the back of the class catching a few weird looks and some snickers.

I sat at a large table with some paper and crayons at it and decided to occupy myself with doodling.  I heard Cheerilee begin her lesson as I thought of what to draw.  After drawing a few squiggles and some shapes, I did my best to draw Rarity and then Twilight.  Celestia once told me that ponies close to your heart are easier to draw because you've paid them closer attention than most.  Neither of my drawings looked anything like my desired result.

As I thought about how to improve my design I felt a tap on my shoulder.  The children were working on writing something at their desks and Cheerilee motioned for me to follow her.  I grabbed my doodles and hopped off my chair, waving at Sweetie Belle as I followed Cheerilee up the aisle.

We entered a small room in the corner of the classroom and I saw several large file cabinets covered in dust along with scattered essentials for any school teacher.

"May I have that?"

I was startled at the question but I realized Cheerilee was asking for my drawings.

"Doesn't feel right pulling out a drawing without having one to replace it."

I handed her the drawing with a smile and watched her place it in the top drawer of the nearest file cabinet before moving to the next file cabinet over and begin searching through drawings.

"Cheerilee, how will you know which one is Shadow's?"

She pulled up another drawing looking at it closely, "Oh, I never forget an artist.  Why, this one," she held up a drawing of some apple trees and a green pony standing under them, "this was drawn by Big Macintosh.  He wasn't quite so big back then though."

She went back to work searching several more drawers before finally coming up with our desired doodle.

"Yep, this is it.  One of the best drawings of another student I've got in here.  Looks a lot like Rarity, don't you think?"  She handed me the picture and the resemblance was unmistakeable.  Purple mane, diamonds on the flank, it was definitely Rarity.

"I hated taking that one away.  I think he was drawing it for Hearts and Hooves Day."
I stared at the picture in a muted disbelief, wondering how this simple image would pull Rarity from her depression.

"Are you sure this is Shadow's drawing?"

Cheerilee nodded.  "Uh huh.  Pretty sure.  There used to be more on it but I guess it faded away with time."

"Alright.  Thanks Cheerilee."

I left the schoolhouse and stared at the drawing as I walked.  There was no way this simple little drawing would bring Rarity back to her old self.  I wondered what must have been on it when Shadow originally drew it.

I made my way to Rarity's house in hopes I'd be able to cheer her up myself.  I was met with disparaging news upon my arrival.  Fluttershy met me at the door and informed me that Rarity was back to refusing to get out of bed.  I told her I would take her shift for today.  After a bit of reassuring Fluttershy that it was okay to leave I went to Rarity's room.

"Rarity?"

I could see the covers move as she sat up in her bed and leaned back against the headboard.

"Oh Spike," she pulled her sheet over her face.  "You must be so disappointed with me.  Wallowing in sadness and being a drama queen."

"No, Rarity!  I would never think that."  I rushed to her bed and sat on the edge.  "I just want to help you get past all this sadness and move on."

She reached out and placed her hoof on my hand.  "I'm lucky to have you.  Oh, what's that?"

She pointed to my other hand that had the drawing in it.

"Oh, it's a drawing that Shadow did.  Someone told me about it and said it could help make you feel better."  I offered her the page and her magic did the rest of the work, levitating it over in front of her.

She smiled softly and, for a moment, I thought the simple picture would work after all, but then Rarity's face changed.  Her smiled faded and I saw her jaw drop slightly as her eyes danced across the page as if it had come to life.

"Spike, this is incredible!"

Rightfully confused about her reaction to such a simple drawing, I moved up next to her and my jaw dropped as well.

On the page was Rarity, but there was now a dress on her and standing next to her, looking quite familiar and happy, Shadow stood in a tuxedo.  On the bottom right corner of the page stood the word "Over."  As Rarity flipped the page over she read the words she found aloud.

"Roses are red.  Diamonds are blue.  I like your cutie mark.  And I like you too."  I looked at Rarity seeing the tears begin to form.  "Oh my goodness.  All those years ago.  He wasn't lying after all."

"Who wasn't lying?"

"Shadow."  Rarity sniffled softly before continuing.  "Many years ago Shadow and I attended school together.  He was a bit more of a brute back then and took to bullying me rather quickly.  I was not fond of him but my mother always said that was how boys his age showed they liked someone.  One year, though, he told me he was going to stop bothering me and that he had a surprise for me for Hearts and Hooves Day.  The prospect of him not bothering me and us actually becoming friends excited me.  And I anxiously awaited Hearts and Hooves Day.  But when the day came, I received nothing.  I never even saw Shadow that day.  He had told me to meet him after school and I had waited as long as I could before it had started raining.  I figured it was all a cheap ploy to find a way to get me all wet in the rain.  This must've been his surprise.  He really did like me."

"But I don't understand.  When I got it, it was only a picture of you standing there.  Where did all this other stuff come from?"

Rarity giggled softly.  "Magic ink.  It was a trick Shadow's father had taught him.  A way for messages to be hidden from Earth and Pegasus ponies.  When it's left to sit the words or images fade away but as long as the page is held by magic the entirety of the image can be seen.  He must've drawn my character in regular ink and the rest with the magic ink."

Rarity flipped the page back over and studied the images, looking closely at the tuxedo and the dress.

"My word, Spike, this is almost the exact tuxedo that I made for Shadow before he..."  Her words trailed off but I followed her meaning.  "I wonder if I could make this dress."

I leaned in closer to the page and noticed a bright purple jewel coming from a necklace on Rarity's character.

"Hey, that looks like the shadow jewel I gave you."

Rarity squinted and leaned in next to me.  The closeness of her face to mine made my knees a little weak.

"Yes it does.  Spike, I am going to make this dress.  I've always wanted to break into the bridal gown world, and what better way to honor our friend's memories than by making the dress he designed?"

"I can think of no better way, m'lady!"  I said, mostly just excited that Rarity was up and about and in a dress making mood.  Maybe the drawing really was the key.

I worked with Rarity for the rest of the day and as I left for the evening Rarity told Pinkie Pie that she would alright by herself for the evening.  Pinkie beamed at the news.  Not because she didn't want to be with her friend but happy because things seemed to be getting back to normal.  And I couldn't wait to tell Shadow.
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Shadow)

I awoke to the smell of smoke.  More literally I coughed myself awake.  I could see a thin haze of smoke curling inside the panic room as I rose from my bed.

"Twilight, I've got a problem."

"What is it?"

"I think they set the house on fire."

"You think?"

"Well, there's smoke and the door," I touched it gently before recoiling my hoof.  "The door is really hot.  Is there an exit in here?"

"Hold on.  Let me look."

I waited patiently for Twilight to get back to me as I stuffed a rolled up blanket into the crevice where the smoke was leaking in, but I noticed the room getting significantly hotter.

"Well, this would not be a good death," I said to myself, looking around the tiny room for any inclination of a hidden button or anything else I had ever read in cheap spy novels.

"Shadow, I can't find anything.  I don't think there's another way out of there.  Are you sure the house is on fire?"

I watched as the blanket I had stuffed into the door started smoking before catching fire itself.  I stomped it out quickly.

"Pretty sure, Twilight.  Don't suppose you know any quickie spells for not catching on fire, do you?"  I didn't receive a response and I'm sure she did not appreciate a joke at a time like this.

I coughed a few times as I felt myself beginning to sweat.  Lowering myself to the floor to remain under the invading smoke I took a few deep breaths of cleaner air.

"Find anything, Twilight?"

"I'm looking!  I'm looking!"  Her voice was getting panicked now.

"Alright, calm down.  Deep breaths.  Did Luna mention anything about a layout for this house?"  I spoke evenly, trying my best to not sound nervous.  Though the thought of impending death was making that a bit difficult.

"I've got a blueprint of the house right here but according to this, that room you're in doesn't even exist!"  I could tell she was trying to stay calm but her voice was shaking.  She was afraid of losing me.

"Okay.  Let's think then.  How do you get out of a room that doesn't exist?"  I coughed before I removed my hoof from my throat, certain she had it.

"Oh sweet Celestia, I was always terrible at riddles."

"Well, that's not reassuring."  I made sure to keep that comment to myself, rather than upset her further and kept thinking about the riddle I'd laid in front of myself.

I could see flames licking at the bottom of the door and I could feel a small panic begin to set in.  I really was going to die in this place.  Far from home.  On my very first mission.

I closed my eyes and shut out the world around me.  Partly from not wanting to face my impending death and partly because I couldn't concentrate while staring at the fire.

"How do you get out of a room that doesn't exist?"  The voice belonged to my father.  He had asked me this once before.  He was always telling me riddles to keep my mind thinking outside the box.  He always said it could save my life some day.

"I don't know, Dad.  How do you get out of a room that doesn't exist?"

"You take the stairs."

My eyes shot open as I realized the answer to my riddle.  I sprang to my hooves and turned to the bed I'd been sleeping on.  I heaved it up against the door that was now beginning to pour smoke and stared at the trap door that had been revealed.

"Good thing dad loved bad riddles."

I flung open the trap door and moved down the stairwell closing the door behind me.

I pressed my neck gently as I moved though the dimly lit tunnel.

"Twilight, I'm okay.  But I'm in some sort of tunnel."

My ear was silent.

"Twilight?  Can you hear me?  I say again, I'm alright."

My ear remained silent.

"Pfft..  Magic."

I moved through the tunnels, not quite sure if this would lead to another trap but unable to return the way I had come.

After wandering for what felt like an hour I spotted a light coming from above me.  The grating reminded me of what you normally see on sewer pipes.

"Huh.  Guess I'm in the sewer.  Now how do I get out of..."  My voice trailed off as I spotted a familiar colt up ahead of me in the tunnel.  He had seen me as well.

I squinted in the dim light, trying to place where I'd seen him before.  Finally, it clicked.

"I remember you!"  My statement rang rather loud in the sewer and the colt took it as the indicator to run as he turned tail and scurried off into the darkness.

"Hey, wait!"  I pursued him as best I could, only ever catching glances of him as he rounded corners.  If this continued much longer I would lose him.

As I rounded the last corner I had seen him pass I stopped short, he was standing with his back to a rusted gate.  Clearly, he had made a wrong turn.

"I don't have your money!"  His voice echoed through the tunnels.

"That's fine.  I don't want it."

He swallowed hard.  "Then what do you want?"

"Directions."  I smiled simply as his head cocked to the side in clear confusion.  "Look, I get that you have to do what you have to do to get by on the street but do you want to make that other 5 bits I owe you?"

He eyed me suspiciously, like he'd heard this before but he nodded slowly.

"Great.  I need to get to the old prison.  Can I do that from down here?"

"Yea, but it's not worth risking my neck for five bits.  Make it fifty."

"Ten."

"Forty."

"Fifteen."

"Twenty."

"Fine but I'm keeping it all until we get there.  Now where are we headed?"

"This way."  He pushed past me and head down the tunnels at a brisk pace.  I stayed on his heels and tried calling Twilight a few more time but to no avail.

"Do you have to talk so loud?  They'll hear us from a mile out.  Who're you talking to anyway?"

"Just a friend.  Who's going to hear us?"

"The guards at the old prison, duh."

"If they don't use it anymore, why do they still guard it?"

"They still use it.  Just not for prisoners.  Couple years ago they started fixing it up out of the blue.  I figured they were gonna try to reopen it but they never fixed anything inside.  They just started clearing it out.  All the bars and stuff.  I mean, how're you gonna have a jail with no bars?

"I made it inside one day.  They had a big crane set up right in the middle of the place and this green goop bubbling in these big drums.  It smelled really nasty.  They caught me pretty quick and kicked me out.  That silver lady sure was mean about it too."

"Silver lady?"

"Yea, this silver mare caught me and roughed me up pretty good.  She asked me a bunch of questions about how I got in before she had some guards escort me out and now anytime I get close they yell at me.  Not like I'm going there anyway but they get super nervous.  I don't have the heart to tell 'em I know the back way that prisoners used to escape."  He laughed as he led on.

"So we're going in the way prisoners used to escape?"

"Yep!  Pretty genius, huh?"

I rolled my eyes.  This had bad idea written all over it.  "Tell me about the silver mare.  Did you see her cutie mark?"

"Yea, it was some kind of bug.  Looking like a dragonfly mixed with a butterfly.  But I think she was faking it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, some of the super rich ponies can afford this spell that changes their cutie mark for a while.  It's crazy expensive and doesn't last forever but ponies still do it."

"How did you know she was faking it?"

"Because halfway through her little interrogation of me I could see it start to fade a little.  I think that's why she told the guards to throw me out.  She didn't want anyone to know."

I mulled all this over in my head.  "Interesting."

"Interesting?  I think it's just plain weird.  I'd rather spend that kind of money on food."
I chuckled and we continued the rest of our journey in silence at my guide's request.  The tunnels criss-crossed a few times and I'm sure I would've been quite lost without this colt.  When finally we stopped I could see two guards from our position but it seemed they couldn't see us.

The colt turned to me and whispered, "Stay right on my heels and stay low.  We're moving to a pipe right next to that light."

He pointed a little farther ahead of us and I nodded my understanding.

I ducked as low as I could and crept slowly behind my counterpart.  As he reached the pipe I watched him lean away from the light and slip inside.  I followed his lead, and my dark coat and mane helped in my avoiding detection.

He was a little father up the pipe and had stopped to wait for me.

"This is as far as I go.  I'm not risking my neck by going back in there," he whispered.

I nodded and threw my coin pouch at him.  "Go buy yourself a big dinner."

He smiled wide and pointed up the pipe ahead of me. "There's a room farther up with a bed in it.  Sometimes the guards use it for naps.  In that room is a ladder that leads into the ventilation system for the prison.  Be careful in there.  It's old and could break easy, but it wraps all the way around the prison.  You can get to any room from there."

I nodded.  "Thanks.  Now get outta here before I get you in trouble."

He smiled and left from the direction we had come, not worried about the light this time.

"What're you doing down there!?"  I heard a guard shout.

"Just taking a nap.  Chill out."  The colt moved back down the tunnels and off into the darkness.

I turned up the pipe and walked as quickly and quietly as I could.  After a short distance, I found the room with the bed and looked around for the ladder.

The room was actually quite a bit bigger than the colt had let on.  There was plenty of space to get lost and a lot of piping to get in the way.

I looked down several rows of pipes trying to decide which to search first when I heard a noise from behind me and I jumped into the shadows.

"Punk kid, coming in here like he owns the freakin' place.  Gonna set him straight on of these days."  The guard stopped just short of the bed and I saw him remove a small earbud from his ear before flopping down with his back to me.

Please tell me he's really that dumb.

I waited about ten minute to give the guard time to drift off before I slinked my way over to the bed and, quiet as a mouse, levitated the earbud off the table and toward myself.

Unfortunately, the guard was not quite asleep yet and he rolled over to face me in the middle of my magic trick to deprive him of communication with his friends.

"Hey, what the..?"

I pounced up and landed a solid blow to his nose.  This time he fell unconsciousness immediately.

"Gotta move fast," I muttered to myself as I placed the earbud in my ear and moved down the first set of pipes, finding the ladder at the far end.

I climbed slowly.  The ladder was old and rusty and I didn't place much confidence in its ability to hold me, but I made it to the top without incident.

I wondered for a moment how long the guard would be out as I ducked into the vent and began crawling my way through.

I stopped at the first big vertical crossroad and cast my wall walking spell, knowing full well how valuable it was to me in here as I began to climb.

Without Twilight in my ear to tell me where to go, I had to guess.  I took a few blind turns but when I spotted the large central room the colt had talked about I started making educated guesses.  I wound my way down to a low point just off the main room just above a hallway and began to plan how I would drop down when a familiar voice rose from below me.

"Listen, we've got to pick up the pace.  The princesses are onto us and if we don't put a rush on this then we'll never have a chance at power."  I squinted through the grating of the vent to recognize Shimmer standing with a large, and rather fat, stallion.

"I understand but this process is delicate and cannot be rushed.  Each wheel must be soaked for an exact amount of time.  Any more and the gas releases on its own.  Any less and it never releases at all."

"But if the princesses figure us out.."

"They will not.  The first agent they sent disappeared rather quickly, didn't she?  And you were successful in intercepting the second.  My men assure me that he's been dealt with.  The princesses will not mobilize troops unless there is overwhelming evidence to support the decision.  You must concern yourself with making sure no one has a chance to spy on our operation.  Understood?"

"Understood."

The stallion strode off confidently, leaving Shimmer looking angry.  She muttered something to herself and turned to look at her cutie mark.

"At least that's finally changing back."  She put a hoof to her ear, "All teams report in.  Anyone having any trouble?"
She spoke from below me but I heard her clearly in my ear.  The earbud was working and I was staring at the head of security for this entire operation.  I heard a couple reports answer back and waited, hoping the guards in the sewer just checked in with an all clear.

"Clear in the sewer.  Pete's checking out the steam room."  I breathed a sigh of relief.

"How many times have I told you colts?  I cracked that stupid code.  Go wake him up and tell him to get back to his post."  Shimmer's voice sounded equally angry from below and in my ear.  She grumbled again as she moved off below me.

I knew I didn't have long before the guard called back in with unfortunate news.  I shifted uncomfortably in the vent and pulled the grating free with a little effort, dropping down to the floor below.  I was aware I had made a little noise and moved in a direction opposite of Shimmer just in case she decided to come back.  I stepped into the shadows and watched for anyone that happened along.

After a few moments I relaxed and turned to move down the hall when I was caught under the chin by a hard punch that knocked me to the ground.  Shimmer stood over me.

"Ya know, you make an awful lot of noise for a super spy.  Don't worry.  When I get through with you, you won't be making any noise at all."  With that, she swiftly kicked me in the face and all I saw was stars and blackness.
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Spike)

"I'm looking!  I'm looking!" Twilight shouted as I entered the library.  I hurried up to the makeshift control room we'd been using to monitor Shadow.

"What's going on, Twilight?" I asked as I saw her tossing books around.

"Spike!  Find The blueprints of the house Shadow is in!"

I hurried over to a stack of books and swiped them off as I eliminated them.  Finally finding my desired book at the bottom of the stack.  It was one I'd made sure to bring out.  Supposedly, it contained every blueprint for ever building in Las Pegasus.  If the house Shadow was in had been built before this book was made his indicator would light the desired page.

I flipped through the book, following a glow in the pages.  Finding the correct blueprint, I handed the book to Twilight, who scanned it quickly.

"I've got a blueprint of the house right here but according to this, that room you're in doesn't even exist!"  I could tell Twilight was desperately close to full blown panic but she stopped for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Oh sweet Celestia, I was always terrible at riddles."

Twilight closed her eyes in deep thought as I grabbed a quill and paper, scribbling a hurried note before sending it to Luna.

I waited for a moment, hoping for an immediate response.  When it didn't come I was forced to ask Twilight, "What's the riddle?"

"How do you get out of a room that doesn't exist?"

I stopped and scratched my head for a second.

"Oh!  The same way you got in!"

Twilight shook her head.  "The way he went in is blocked by fire."

I looked at the blueprint on the desk to Twilight, whose face was becoming more and more distraught.

We both watched in a stunned silence as Shadow's blip on the blueprint faded and disappeared.  Twilight buried her face in her hooves and I just stared at the page.  I couldn't believe that he would die in his first mission.  Shadow had always appeared untouchable in terms of danger.

Princess Luna flashed into the room.

"Got the distress, Spike.  What's wrong?"  She looked at Twilight crying softly and the stunned look on my face and put two and two together.

She patted Twilight gently on the back and looked at me.  "Spike, a letter."

I quickly grabbed the essentials and looked at her.

"Deploy the Shadowbolts.  Destination: old Las Pegasus prison.  Objective: Secure facility.  Prevent VIPs from escaping.  Send it to Celestia.  She'll forward to the appropriate level."

I finished writing and sent the letter.

"What happened?" Luna asked.

Twilight sniffled and spoke up.  "They set fire to the safe house.  There was no way out for him."  She broke down into more tears.

"Princess, is there any way the spell on Shadow just wore off at the perfect time and he made it out?"

"Not likely.  I made certain to perfect the permanency spell before I cast it on him.  The only places it doesn't track is underground and through concrete too thick to penetrate."

"Oh..."  I looked back down at the page where Shadow's indicator had been.

"I'm afraid I must ask, who was the other pony Shadow told of his mission?"

"Oh no, Rainbow.."  Twilight looked up.  "Princess, we can't tell her without having this finished.  She'd be in Las Pegasus right now and tearing that place apart if she knew."

"Very well.  I leave the news to you, Twilight Sparkle.  I'm going to return to the castle to finalize troop transport."  She stepped back and her horn lit up before fading out.  "I'm sorry."

And then she disappeared and Twilight and I were left in silence.  Unsure of what we should do now.

After a few minutes of silently staring at each other Twilight took a deep breath.  "Okay.  Let's clean this up a little."

We worked in relative silence.  Twilight sniffled occasionally but for the most part we were silent.

I found it ironic that we were just now dealing with feelings that every other pony had dealt with in the past week.  It had never been real to us.  We had always known Shadow was alive.  We never had deal with the heartbreak everyone else had.

Now here we were.  Witness to his real final moments.  Powerless to help him.

I stopped as I set down a book and glanced at Twilight who had like likewise stopped working.

"Can we go somewhere?" I asked.

Twilight seemed ready to go as soon as I asked.  "Where?"

"Anywhere that's not here.  I just.. I don't want to be in here right now."

"Agreed.  Let's go."

We exited together and walked aimlessly until we found ourselves at the Ponyville cemetery.  We glanced worriedly at each other but we walked onto the grounds and made our way to Shadow's gravestone.

Upon our arrival there, we noticed an orange pony already sitting between two stones.

"Hi, Applejack."  I spoke softly but my voice had clearly startled her.

She turned quickly, wiping her face as she did so.

"Hey Spike.  Twilight."

We all sat back down and stared at Shadow's grave.  Applejack intermittently looked at the gravestone to our right.

"Who's that one for, AJ?"

"Huh?"  She glanced at the second tombstone.  "Oh, that's Skip.  Ah met him because of Shadow.  He was a good stallion.  Ah miss 'em both something awful."

She shared part of her adventure with Shadow and Rainbow Dash to Marelantis with us.  Telling us she'd been rather smitten with Skip and what he had done to save them.

A strong cold breeze told us all it was time to head home.  We said our goodbyes and Twilight and I headed back to the library.  We'd been gone a few hours and it was now fully night time.

We made our way inside and I moved to finish cleaning up the books when I noticed a radiant dot shining from a few pages past the last blueprint we'd used.  I turned the pages to see the blip coming from the roof of the old prison.

I rushed over to Twilight and pressed her neck a bit more roughly than I'd meant to.

"Hey!  What're you doing?"  She looked at me sternly for a moment, then her ear twitched and her face lit up.


----------


I awoke sitting in a chair in a small dimly lit room with my head pounding.  I tried to move my hooves but they were secured behind me by, what felt like, hoofcuffs.

I moved left and right, testing my limits.  Wondering how long I would be alone and if I would have time to pick my cuffs.

My question was quickly answered as the door opened and Shimmer walked in smiling.

"Hello, agent."  She smiled as if we were old friends about to catch up over a mug of cider.  "I'm not sure how you got in here but that's no matter.  We're going to play a little game, you and I."

She walked behind me and I heard her pick something up.

"I'm going to ask you questions.  And if I think you're lying to me I'm going to give you a little shock.  Like this."

As part of my policecolt training I had to take a taser before so when she applied it to my shoulder I grimaced in pain but did not moan.

"But if you just tell me the truth, we can get through this quick and easy, and I might even let you go."  She walked in front of me as she spoke, laughing loudly as she finished.  "Nope, couldn't keep a straight face on that one.  First question.  What is your name?"

"I am a shadow."  I groaned this time as she zapped me again in the shoulder.

"I suppose it's rude of me to ask you your name without introducing myself.  My name is Anna.  Ponies in your position usually call me Grim, though.  Second question.  Why are you here?"

"I'm not here.  And neither are you."  She tased me again, holding it a bit longer this time.

"Choosing the hard way, are you?  Well, let me just turn this up a little bit to make your experience that much more enjoyable."  She rolled the voltage meter up slightly.

"We know you're working for the princesses but what have you reported back to them?"

I smiled.  "Nothing."

She jammed the taser into my side and I clenched my jaw against the pain.

"Oh, you must think us so stupid..."

She was interrupted by a knock at the door.  She whirled and opened it quickly.

A similar colored silver mare stood in the hallway.  "The boss wants to talk to him."

Anna stepped back to allow her boss to enter the room.

The large stallion's coat was as black as my mane, and his own mane was nearly as dark.  His physique reminded me of Big Mac, if he'd never worked a day in his life and had spent every meal at Sugarcube Corner.

"My name is Francis Zips.  My friends call me Tiny Franco."  I gave him an incredulous look.  There was no way anyone called him 'Tiny.'

"I won't insult you by asking your name, but is there something I might call you for now?"

I looked up at him.  "My friends call me Skip."

"Very well, Skip.  I know you're here under the princesses direction.  How much do they know of our operation?"

"Only what she told us," I said, motioning to Anna.

He gave a curious glance at her.  "Interesting.  Next question.  How did you know about the mayor's son?"

"The help on that again falls to this lovely mare.  Wouldn't have even known about the mayor without her help."

Anna charged forward but two other stallions held her back.  "You son of a ..."  She stopped herself and took a step back, after a glance from Tiny.

"Very interesting.  So tell me, Skip.  Now that you're sitting in here, what are your plans to stop us?"

I sat in silence.  I had no viable answer.

"Exactly my point.  So here's the offer I make to you.  Forget you ever worked for the princesses and come work for me.  I can guarantee you a seat of power in our new government.  What do you say, Skip?"

"I once read a story that said pride is the most dangerous emotion a pony can have.  Because it will drive you to incredibly stupid lengths.  Make you do things you never would do otherwise.  And once upon a time, I told someone I was proud of my country and of my leaders.  So, maybe it's just the pride talking her but, you can take your new government and all your power and shove it.  Because you'll never even come close to power."

"That is a shame.  I kinda liked you.  You gave Anna here a hard time and even infiltrated the place mostly undetected.  That's commendable.  However, with that attitude, I'm afraid we have to kill you.  It's not personal, I assure you."  Tiny turned and motioned everyone out of the room.

Before Anna stepped out she gave me a swift kick to the side of my head and I fell over in the chair, landing hard on my left front foreleg.  I grimaced at the pain that shot through my arm.

I was left alone on the floor for a moment and I heard some muffled talking outside the door.  When finally it reopened I was met with a silver pony but not with Anna.

"Let me guess, you're the evil twin?"  I laughed softly but was cut short as the pain in my foreleg flared.

"Yea, if she had an evil twin, we'd all be in trouble."  She spoke purposefully as she righted the chair with me in it.  I caught something in her voice.  Something oddly familiar.

"So are you I here to be my killer?"

"Something like that but, boy, will they be surprised."

"Surprised by what?"  As I spoke I felt the hoofcuffs loosen and fall off.  I sprang to my hooves and faced her quickly.

"Easy.  I'm on you're side.  My name's Shimmer.  When I lost contact with the princess I infiltrated the police force which was obviously corrupted and worked my way into a position of trust with Tiny.  He doesn't suspect me at all.  And after what you said, Anna will be under a microscope now."

As she explained it I remembered where I had seen her.

"So you were the one I met outside the mayor's house."

"Yes.  Sorry about being so rude.  If I'd known you were coming I would've obviously set up an information drop for you.  But we don't have time to catch up.  We need to get a move on.  Their almost complete with the wheels and it's only a matter of time before they start shipping them to be installed."

"What wheels?  What're they even doing?"

"No time.  Take this and this."  She handed me the taser and a bottle of bleach.  "Just follow me.  And if you see anything glowing faintly green, dab it with the bleach, it'll neutralize the nerve agent."

We exited the small room and tasered the guards standing outside, dragging them inside before closing the door and racing down the hallway toward the central room.

As we reached the large room, Shimmer flew up and dumped some bleach into several large drums that seemed to contain a green liquid.  I found some on my level and did the same.

"Not too much," Shimmer warned from above.  "This mixture is pretty volatile.  Too much bleach and you could cause an explosion."

"Good to know."

We worked quickly, dabbing any wheels we found and making sure to neutralize the barrels.

As I made my way up onto the catwalks overlooking the area, I waved Shimmer down to me.  "Hey, where are all the guards?  I figured there would be tons in here."

"Tiny promoted me to security after your episode back there.  I told the guards that they needed to make sure the sewers were secured so they all headed down to secure those, leaving us free to work."

"Not quite."

The voice came from below us and we turned to see Anna and Tiny along with a few guards staring up at us.

"I always knew you were up to something," Anna spoke to Shimmer.  "I just couldn't prove it.  Get them!"

The guards and Anna charged us.  Anna flew directly at Shimmer, who dropped her bleach onto the catwalk and braced for the fight ahead.

I fired a few magic shots at the guards, hitting one but I still had two to go and I was completely exposed on the catwalk with nowhere to go.

I dodged a few more shots, returning fire when I could while Shimmer and Anna traded blows in the air.  It was hard to tell who was who while looking at them but Shimmer proved to be far tougher than Anna anticipated.

I admired their fight for a moment too long and a shot passed just in front of me causing me to jump back, knocking a bottle of bleach into a large vat of bubbling green goo.

The guards below saw the bottle fall and immediately took off running, Tiny took off running as well, but toward the stairs in the corner of the room.

I turned to Shimmer and Anna who were both in mid swing of their next punch.

"If you both don't want to die, I'd suggest taking it outside!"

They both looked down at the green bat that was now turning a bright shade of yellow.  They separated quickly, Anna flew out the nearest exit while Shimmer flew to me.

"Follow her!  I'm going after Tiny!"

Shimmer gave me a nod then swooped and followed Anna out the same exit she had flown, while I proceeded to the stairs and followed Tiny's path upward.

As I reached the top of the stairs, I saw the door to the roof swaying as if someone had just passed through it.

I walked cautiously through the door, wary of sneak attacks but I saw Tiny standing on the edge of the roof, a strong breeze blowing his mane back and forth.

"You have no idea what you're doing out here, do you?"

I shook my head and shrugged at him.  "Not a clue."

Tiny chuckled to himself.  "Bested by a green agent and his pegasus sidekick.  But you won't have the last laugh at my expense."

He pulled out a small vial of dark green liquid.

"This is the test tube from which all of the liquid you saw in there spawned.  This is the control.  The most potent.  Tell me, do you even know how my weapon works?"

"Again, not a clue."

"What a great fool you are.  When my liquid is exposed to heat.  Any kind of extreme heat for a period of time, it shifts properties and becomes a gas. But not just any gas, a deadly neurotoxin.  However, it has varying effects.  When we tested it on one of the guards, he had a rather.. Explosive, reaction."

The building rumbled under us.

"And there is another reaction!  Bleach!  The world's foremost cleanser.  Just a drop renders my concoction completely inert.  But add too much and you get a time bomb with a fuse no one can predict.  So tell me, agent.  When did you knock that bleach into the vat?  Has it been three whole minutes yet?  Think you can push your luck any farther and try to survive the explosion?  If I were you, I'd go ahead and take a flying leap off this building right now.  Like this!"

Without further grandstanding, he kept off the side of the building.  I raced to where he had been standing, hoping to do anything I could to stop his fall, but when I leaned over the edge I did not see him.  He was falling, he wasn't on the ground, he was just gone.

I looked around as the roof rumbled again.  My time was indeed running out.  I searched for a ladder or any way down from the roof that wouldn't kill me.  Too far to teleport, no ladder in sight, not enough time to cut through the building.

Resigning myself to my fate I sat down on the roof as my ear crackled to life.

"Hey!  What're you doing?"

I pressed my neck softly.  "Oh, ya know.  Just killing time."

All at once I felt the roof explode but at the same time I felt weightless.  Like I had teleported.  But I could still see the world.  I looked up to see the purple and yellow outlines of a wind suit as we whipped through the sky faster than I thought possible.

The shadowbolt flier set me down on a cliff edge.

"Wait here.  Luna's on her way."  Like a flash he was gone again into the night.  I looked around and noticed Shimmer and Anna both in restraints and chuckled softly.

"Why did they restrain you?" I asked as I made my way to Shimmer.

"They said we looked too much alike so they did it to be safe."

I laughed and undid her bonds, helping her to her hooves.

"Name's Shadow, by the way."  I extended a hoof.

"Friends call me Dot," she replied, shaking my hoof gently.  "Guess we're waiting here for a debrief?"

"Guess so."  The Shadowbolts dropped off Tiny Franco right next to Anna, leaving them both in full restraints.

I sat on the edge of the cliff and pressed my neck gently, "How're we doing, Twilight?"

"We're doing just fine.  Just do me a favor."

"Anything."

"Don't die on us anymore."

I chuckled as Luna landed behind me and I rose to greet her.

"Princess," I said, with a slight bow.  "How did I do for my first mission?"

"Not too bad.  Certainly not the worst I've seen.  I'm happy to say you'll be getting some more practice though."

"Happy to be of service.  Also, nice to know I warrant enough to have talent fliers come after me."

"Oh, the Shadowbolts aren't talent fliers.  They're simply the fastest we have.  With the speeds they reach, you're lucky to see them fly past you at all."

The princess, Shimmer and I soon boarded the train back to Ponyville and spoke of the mission at length, compiling everything we'd all learned and suggestions for bettering our new organization.

I suggested a more solid control.  Not that I didn't appreciate Twilight and Spike, but I noted that if I was expected to do this all the time, I needed one contact to speak to, not several.

As soon as I finished the suggestion, Shimmer volunteered to fill it.  In her own words, she'd had enough of hiding in plain sight and preferred to just sit back and let someone else do the leg work.

We shared a few jokes but were mostly serious along the ride home.  We all knew it was nice to win one but there were plenty of other threats to keep an eye on.

When the train arrived in Ponyville, I disembarked and was welcomed by Twilight, Spike and Rainbow Dash.  I hugged Twilight and Spike and gave Rainbow a few extra kisses.  After I had recounted to Twilight just how I was still alive, Rainbow and I left to retire to her home until the next time I was called for a mission.
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As I lay in bed with Rainbow, listening to her tiny snores, my ear came to life and Spike's voice caught my attention quickly.

"Shadow, we've got a problem with Rarity.  She made that dress that you had drawn in that picture but now she's wearing it and won't take it off.  She says she's waiting for her handsome groom."

I grumbled softly, as I scooted away from the warmth of Rainbow Dash and slipped from the house and down to the earth below.

"Spike, get everyone out of the house.  Tell Rarity to wait on her bed and that her groom will be along shortly."

"But Shadow, how're you going to do that if no one can know..."

"Just do it, Spike.  This will work."

I wrapped my cloak tighter against the cold of the night, praying this would go quickly so I could return to my warm bed with Rainbow Dash.

I approached the library and found Twilight working on something magically inclined ponies work on.  The complexities of which are over my head.

"Twilight, if you used that spell to boost my power, how long would it last?"

"Umm..  You'd have maybe an hour to use the extra energy before is dissipated."

"Great.  Do you think you could teleport us to Rarity's house and then cast it on me?"

"I suppose."  Her skeptical look didn't surprise me at all.

"I'm trying to help Rarity through the aftermath of my fake death.  She's going through the normal stages seemingly backwards, though.

"Alright, then I'll definitely help."  Without delay, Twilight transported us to Rarity's living room and began charging the power boost.

After she had cast it, I asked her to wait in the living room for a moment while I went into Rarity's workshop and retrieved my wardrobe for this scene.  I returned wearing the tuxedo Rarity had made for me on the day this whole mess had started.

I walked up to Twilight and whispered, "Well, how do I look?"

Twilight leaned forward and adjusted my tie a little bit.  "Perfect."

"Thanks."

I left Twilight in the living room and made my way up to Rarity's bedroom, where I found Spike waiting at the door.

"She said she's tired of waiting but I assured her that her groom was coming."

"Okay.  Go in there and start the music player."

Spike did as instructed and I strolled in to like orchestral music.  I watched Rarity's face light up as she stood and rushed to me.

I stopped her at arms distance and said, "Rarity.  This is only for tonight.  I cashed in a lot of afterlife favors for this."

She smiled awkwardly.  "Same old Shadow."

I held my hoof out to her, "Would you like to dance?"

She took my hoof and we danced for a while.  She seemed elated to have just one more night with an old friend of sorts.

When finally we stopped dancing, she brought up my drawing and how much it had meant to her.  I conceded that I hadn't wished to stand her up that day but that way the day after the news of my parents' deaths and I lost track of everything else.  She understood and was not mad at me for it.

"Shadow, I have one request of this evening."

"I'll do what I can to see it fulfilled."

She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip, before saying, "I know you were in a relationship with Rainbow Dash when you...  And I understand you'd want to remain faithful to her, but I was wondering if I could kiss you."

Needless to say, this thought had not occurred to me.  I sat hesitant for a moment and Rarity continued on.

"It's just that, on that Hearts and Hooves Day.  The day we never had together.  If you had shown up, I was going to make you my first kiss.  Even despite all your bullying I found you rather," she paused, searching for the word, "desirable."

With my mind on Rainbow Dash, I nodded Rarity the confirmation and she kissed me gently on the lips for a few seconds.  When we parted I looked into her eyes and knew, in the moment, she would be alright.

"Alright, Rarity.  My time is up.  Please, live your life without me.  The last thing I want to see you do is wither in bed.  You're a very talented mare, Rarity.  Use your dresses to make the world a brighter place."  I stepped away from her and charged my horn, trying my best to make my invisibility spell, fade over me as if I was fading out, like a real ghost would.

When I was finally invisible, I could see the tears on Rarity's face, but she smiled despite them.

"Thank you, Shadow."

I backed slowly from the room, making sure to remain quiet as I sneaked back downstairs and replaced the tuxedo in it's proper place.

Twilight was kind enough to teleport me home and I sneaked back into Rainbow's home and crawled gently in behind her, regaining the warmth I had lost to the night.

Rainbow Dash rolled over to face me as I settled in.

"So, is Rarity, okay?"

"How'd you know I was there?"

"A spell I asked Twilight to cast on us.  Let's me know every time you think of me and what you're doing when it happens.  So, is she a good kisser?"

I smiled and scooted closer to Rainbow, kissing her on the nose.  "Not as good as you.  Good night."