Author's Notes
Hi there,
My name is William Sable. If you're reading this and have yet to read the first to installments, I'd suggest doing so. You won't have any idea what is going on unless you read the first two (and please, do give them a try).
For those returning to Shadow's grim tale, this novel will be equally as dark as the last two (possibly darker?) and full of suspenseful espionage action. So sort of like a mash up of Jason Bourne and Ponies (not that I could ever write anything as good as the former).
Also, feel free to send me any OCs or character ideas you have. I've already had a few from you guys that are awesome, and even if I don't use them, it's great to know that someone actually notices my existence. If you're sending in an OC, just include their name, gender, type (Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth), and any details they have. I do reserve the right to edit them, and I doubt I will use any alicorns. Sorry alicorn lovers.
If you found the story at least somewhat amusing, please do leave a review. Or if you hated it, tell me why so I can try to fix it. In all honesty, reviews are what keep me going. They remind me that someone is watching and that I need to get my flank in gear and get writing. So anyway, enough from me. Onto the story!
Thanks,
William Sable
Chapter 1: Heist
'Thirty seconds…' he thought, 'Thirty seconds is all I need.'
He'd trained for this. Basic training had strengthened his muscles and his Wonderbolt training had prepared him for operations just like this.
'Move like you've got a purpose…'
Shadow Storm repeated this in his mind. His muscles were strained, but he knew that the slightest slip would hurt like hay, and probably kill him.
Creeping slowly, Shadow began to pull his way towards the edge. Hanging upside down under a speeding train was one thing, but doing it at night with no light or safety cables was a whole new ball game.
'Left, right… left… righttt…'
Shadow could feel every fibre of his muscles crying out in protest.
'Left… Light...'
Light! Light flooded Shadow's eyes. The moon seemed to shine as brightly as the sun from his position. Throwing his hoof upward, Shadow slowly began to pull himself up onto the car above. Quiet as a mouse, Storm pulled each limb over the edge of caboose. As he finally struggled onto the floor, Shadow dared to let out a sigh.
As he lay there, still as a frightened rabbit, Shadow observed the inside of the caboose to the best of his ability. He spotted what he wanted on the left side of the car.
Slinking up to his feet silently, the dark Pegasus moved quickly, taking a stand beside the doorway. Trying the handle, Storm cringed.
'Locked.'
With a quick decision, Storm moved away from the door and turned around, smashing it with all his force. An explosion of woodchips entered the car. A candle above the opposite door danced as a gust of wind blasted through the door. Acting as fast as possible, Shadow moved to the shelves that lined both walls.
The click-clack of the wheels below his hooves acted as a countdown. Storm grabbed anything that he could wear or that he could strap to himself. As the sound of thudding hooves became apparent, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the one piece of kit he had brought. With a click and fizzle, he dropped it on the ground.
The sound of hooves was now deafening. Storm sprinted out the way he came, leaping and grabbing the roof with his hoof. Whipping around and landing with a smash, Storm bolted forward, leaping two cars ahead of the caboose. As he landed, he rolled and covered his head, waiting.
'Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick,'
BOOM!
Shadow could feel the entire train rock with shock. The heat of flaming debris was unmistakable as Storm slowly lifted his neck up. He waited a few seconds before glancing behind himself.
An orange cloud of flame cascading across his view, as the caboose's structure slowly crumbled apart. Not wasting any more time, Shadow began racing across the top of the train, leaping over the gaps between cars.
'There it is!'
Shadow could now see they were rapidly approaching a bridge that led across a large ravine. Flaring his wings out, Shadow took a step toward the edge of the train.
'Fifteen seconds… maybe twenty…'
Leaning back, he began to tighten all the straps that were now tangled around him. With a final tug on the largest strap, he glanced to his right and the back of the train. Three unicorns in battle dress were approaching quickly. Shadow grinned sinisterly as they crouched down in preparation to fire at Storm.
With one slick movement, Storm catapulted himself off the train, beating his wings as fast as possible. His timing was a little too late for his own comfort. Storm finally came to a stop after sliding a few feet, right at the edge of the ravine.
A rain of fireballs landed about Shadow. Turning around, he bolted off into the desert like a spooked deer, leaping between the various desert plants and cacti that dominated the landscape. The hail of fire stopped as the train and Shadow gained distance in opposite directions.
Shadow kept up his pace, slowing down only a bit. The desert was far too dangerous at night. Normally he could fly, but with all this loot he would have to hoof it. Moving as quickly as possible, Storm skulked across the desert, eventually finding his way to a familiar cave. He could see a dim orange light being emitted from the cave opening.
As he made it to the entrance, Storm slowed down and took one last look behind him, before diving into the small cave. After crawling through a dim lit passage for a few seconds, Storm found himself in a large room-like structure. His campfire was still burning hot as Storm yanked all his gear off.
Tossing a piece of desert bush into the fire, Storm flopped down next to it. Dragging the pile of newfound gear closer, Storm settled in with a cough. The night was particularly cold.
Pulling a large piece of kit out of the pile of gadgets, Shadow began examining it in the light of the fire.
"Crossbow," he stated to himself, "17 inch bolt, and high tension string. Enhanced optics, nice touch."
Setting the metal contraption aside on his right, Shadow grasped the next piece of kit with a sigh. He placed it in front of himself with a grin, sniffing as the cold desert air filled his lungs.
"Night vision optics of some sort…"
Pulling the contraption over his head, Shadow pulled the strap away from his head, and then let it snap back. As he pushed the button on the side, he heard a quiet squeal as the mechanics warmed up.
"Interesting… three lenses… one smaller one for amplification of light. Unique design feature."
After looking around through the goggles, Shadow quickly tore them off and dumped them beside the crossbow. Standing up, Storm moved to the nearby sleeping bag that lay on the ground. With a heavy sigh, Storm flopped down onto the sleeping bag, staring blankly at the campfire.
"What I wouldn't give for one more moment… one last look…"
As Storm lay there he could feel his fatigue slowly taking hold.
"One last glorious breath… one last touch…"
Shadow felt his eyelids closing quickly.
"One last kiss…"