Hi, guys, this is Alex again, and I finally finished work on a new chapter. Alas, but this time I worked alone for the most part since NSH was busy and didn't have time to help me, but he still managed to make a few remarks and editorial in this chapter. And so, in the last chapter, we stopped when Shadow arrived in Canterlot by train and got into a taxi. And I think it would make sense if we continue in the same place where we finished last time ...


Chapter # 2: No harm in trying.

-/-/-/-

The small yellow car drove through the cozy and narrow Canterlot streets. The driver kept a low speed, despite the request of his client, as the streets were full of ponies and mobians, who came to the city for the competition finals. For this reason, white stone and the incredibly green city looked much more lively than before. Mobians communicated with ponies, and vice versa. This picture does not surprise anyone for many years. Five minutes later, a taxi pulled up to the castle and stopped near the main entrance.

Inside the cab, dark hedgehog, who arrived in Equestria on special assignment, paid with the taxi driver one gold ring. The driver took the ring in his hands as a puzzled look appeared on his face, but his eyes sparkled with happiness since it was a very good prize for a short ride. He then glanced at his client still confused, but only to see the dark mobian frowning back at him as his eyes were still hidden behind the sunglasses.

"Leave the change to yourself!" he said coldly before opening the door and getting out of the car. Finding himself outside, he looked at the castle from top to bottom. It was an ordinary castle, fully made of white stone and has numerous pink inserts and patterns. Looking down at the main entrance, he noticed the two guards, who were clad in steel armor and helmets, and had spears in their hands. They both stood at attention and carried out their duty. This caused a smirk on dark hedgehog's lips because these two have seemed familiar to him. He then shut the taxi door and headed to the main entrance to enter the castle, and the driver started the engine and immediately disappeared behind the nearest house. The Dark Mobian did not pay attention to it, as he had already climbed the stairs, and have walked right up to the guards. However, they have closed their spears in front of his face, preventing him from entering. Much for the dark hedgehog appeared little bit puzzled. He then lowered his glasses, showing off his red eyes and a stern look, as if trying to read their thoughts. The guards, however, was only frowned in response.

"Excuse me, sir, but I'm afraid that you can not pass." one of the guards said.

"Oh, what a shame ..." dark mobian spoke with his trademark dark tone, forcing the guards nervous, although they tried not to show it. Then he pulled out of the inside pocket of his jacket his wallet, opened it in a place where there was a certificate, and showed it to the guards. The guards looked at identification card and GUN icon in his wallet, and then the severity of their faces gave the way to nervousness. They both made their eyes wide and looked back into the dark hedgehog's eyes who's now scowled back at them, as he put the wallet back into his jacket.

"And now?" He asked again, but this time his voice was more severe and demanding than before. Guardians sweat dropped on their foreheads, and then they quickly removed spears and opened the entrance to it.

"Welcome, agent Shadow." One of the guards said, "Their Highnesses are waiting for you."

"Thank you." Shadow coldly said as he walked past them and entered inside, heading for a meeting with the princesses. The guards remained standing in the same place, knowing whom they had just met, and being in slight shock. For some time they couldn't move at all.

Inside the castle, in the room with mosaics, where were stained glass windows with the most important events of Equestria portrayed on it, Princess Celestia herself staring at windows, while on her face was a worried look. Princess Celestia was an alicorn, a thousand years of age, she was tall, with a gorgeous body figure and wise women's magenta eyes. She was wearing a business suit, including a white jacket and white skirt, which was up to knees. On her incredibly long legs, she wore white shoes. Under the jacket, she was wearing a white T-shirt. Her incredibly long mane and tail seemed fluttered in the wind, but in this room, there was no wind. Princess Celestia was the most respected woman in the world and was a leader in Equestria for many hundreds of years. Since the early morning, she was nervous, as the night the incident her younger sister spoke about, is still not clear. What could it be, it's not clear either. According to her advisers and scientists, no breaks and failures happen that night. She hated it. She hated when the reasons for such events remain unclear. She wanted to send her best warriors to find out the cause but changed her mind when she found out that the neighboring Mobius also touched upon the incident. Sighing, she was ready to go back to the throne room, to return to her duties. Whatever worried she was, she must to carry out her work.

"Princess." Cold and dark male voice called out behind her, prompting her to gasp in surprise, and stop as her eyes grew wide. She then sighed and frowned, knowing the owner of that voice. She looked over her shoulder to the opposite corner of the room to see her guest. Shadow stood in the doorway, looking at the sun princess with his trademark stern look on his face and his arms crossed in the chest area.

"I'm glad to see you again, princess." He said coldly and without the slightest tremor in his voice. Celestia turned to him completely as her right eyebrow raised in puzzlement. She put her hands on his belt, "Agent Shadow. You need to get rid of the habit of appearing out of nowhere." She said, her voice confident and moderately severe.

Shadow didn't answer her, and only headed to her side, continuing to frown, "The appearance from nowhere is a part of my job." he said, approaching her closer and closer, "If I worked in a different way, I would never have become who I am." as soon as he came close, the difference in growth between the two became clear. Celestia has had nearly six feet tall and was a very tall woman. Shadow was about to 5.5 feet in growth and was slightly above her shoulder, but he didn't felt uncomfortable because of such a difference in height, and he didn't look at her from the bottom to up, as you might think, "Let's move to what I'm here." he said, "Where did it all start? Are your advisors identified the cause?"

"Unfortunately no." Celestia said with regret, "They are trying hard, but for now without results. Is it true that the Empire City also affected by this incident?"

"Yes." Shadow replied calmly and neutrally, "Empire City is not the only city that lost the electricity. There are reports from small coastal towns. And also some major cities has power surges as well. As well as yours, our experts know nothing the reasons for this phenomenon either. Some people are pointing out to the strange phenomena in the night sky, although I assume that it was a meteor or your pegasus ponies who lives on Mobius decided to make night flights."

"Do you have a reason to believe it?" Celestia asked.

"Yes." Shadow said simply, "Some of them are made videos and posted on the Internet."

Celestia sighed in disappointment, "Night hooligans could not cause a mass failure in the power grid, Mr. Shadow." She noticed, prompting Shadow to nod in agreement, "I agree. And that's why I'm here. I need to check all the power stations in your country, Princess. And for that I need your permission." he stated.

"You'll get it." Celestia said confidently, "But only after the World Cup final."

That was enough to Shadow raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, waiting for a slightly different answer, "Why?" he asked. Celestia crossed her arms in the area of her breasts, making it clear in her gestures that her decision is final, "Because now there's no need for it. The systems are stable and if something goes wrong, my people quickly knows about it." she said, "Besides, you'll be more useful to me at the stadium, to ensure the safety of the crowd."

"To ensure the safety of the crowd at the stadium?" he repeated her words, "But why do you need me for it? You have your soldiers, who can do it without my help."

Meanwhile, behind Shadow, another woman peered around the doorway. It was another alicorn but dark blue in color, with her mane and tail sparkling as the night sky. She was dressed in a more simplified clothes comparing to Celestia's, including a black leather jacket, a red shirt under it, black skinny jeans, and black boots. She smirked devilishly noticing how Celestia spoke with Shadow, and then she stood on tiptoe and walked toward them by working in the ninja mode. She still had that devilish grin on her face. Celestia and Shadow didn't notice her in the beginning and continued their conversation.

"I have one suggestion about what could it be, and I'd like to see such excellent fighter like you were present at the stadium as an additional power." Celestia said with her voice slightly trembling, but her face kept her grandeur. Shadow still caught the trembling in her voice, "Can you tell me about your guesses?" he asked, raising his left eyebrow, "What's bothering you?", His words prompted Celestia to take a deep breath before preparing a response. But suddenly, her eye caught her younger sister, who tiptoed to the dark hedgehog from behind like a ninja. Luna stopped and met with her sister's eyes, and then put the left-hand index finger to her lips, asking her to be quiet. She then continued her progress and opened her wings to move quieter. Celestia was about only to blink twice and then glancing in Shadow's eyes. She didn't say a word, simply not knowing what to do. The Dark Hedgehog, however, felt that there is something wrong and found himself confused by the fact that she broke off. He didn't even know that Luna was now a few steps behind him.

"Princess?" he said, "Are you all right?", but before he got the answer, he shivered easily, sensing someone's arms around his torso, and someone's soft body cuddled to him from behind. He made his eyes wide and then turned to his left to see Luna's turquoise eyes, and her devilish grin, "Gotcha!" she teased him, by provoking Celestia to lose her control. The Sun Princess could no longer hold herself back and started giggling loudly over her sister's antics since she knew what was between those two. Luna, in turn, smiled gently, and then she rested her head on his left shoulder, continuing to look into his eyes. She playfully fluttered her eyes, seeing his shocked gaze and trying to cheer him with anything. Shadow couldn't help, but smirked back at her, as he raised his left eyebrow, and then he took her arms.

"And hello to you too, Luna." he said with a sarcastic tone in his voice.

"Hello." Luna playfully greeted him, smiling, "A lot of time has passed."

"Two years, to be exact." Shadow noticed, "You changed a lot."

Luna giggled, as she always found it slightly amusing words, "You always eyed for small details, Shadow." she said before closing her eyes and nuzzling her head against his as she glad to see her friend again, "I missed you." She then opened her eyes again, and looked into his, "But, as far as I remember, you never come without a cause." She then unwrapped his waist and placed her hands on both of his shoulders with her expression now changed from happy to curious, "You're here because of the night incident?" Shadow nodded, his face still has that smirk. Luna then frowned before looking into her sister's eyes, "And you didn't tell me anything about it?" she asked with a hint of irritation. Celestia, however, grinned devilishly at her sister and then winked instead of words, by frankly teasing her, "There's nothing to complain, Luna." she teased, "You never questioned me about it." She then looked at Shadow, still smiling, as her sister's behavior raised her own mood, "Mr. Shadow, I ask you to follow me." she said before she went to the side of the throne room. After she left the hall with stained-glass windows, Shadow and Luna were left alone. The dark hedgehog, who also felt his own mood up, turned his eyes to his former lover, whose irritated eyes looked to where her sister was gone. He then raised his left hand in front of her face, and snapped his fingers in front of her, to return her to the ground. Luna flinched at the suddenness and made her eyes wide before she looked at him, to meet with his disapproving smirk.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"Nothing." Shadow said, his voice still dark, but at the same time very warm, "It's your face. You look like a schoolgirl whose parents forbade you from walking late."

Luna wrinkled sourly in response, "He, he, he... While that was amusing Shadow that was a little over the top." she then took his arm and walked with him to the throne room, "Do not forget who you're talking to."

"Well, not with my mother, that's for sure." Shadow replied sarcastically, "In fact, I am talking to my ex-girlfriend, if in the details and you should know this more than anyone else. So Mrs. Princess of the Night, explain to me please why it's so hard to understand that."

"Well, listen here Mr. Ultimate LifeForm." Luna jokingly moaned, "Maybe you think you're Ultimate in everything, even when you're speaking with an elite, but..." she then smirked, "But you're doing it way too serious at times. Remember ..." She put her left-hand index finger to his nose, "Whatever Ultimate you were, I'll always calm you down.", she said playfully, prompting Shadow to shake his head from side to side as he knew that she can do it. He then was simply to wink at her as they continued their way to the throne room.

In Ponyville.

Meanwhile, at the station, the company of good friends composed of one guy, three girls, and two teenage girls, were standing on the platform waiting for a train. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Silver, carefully looked at the railroad train as they rolled their eyes in boredom waiting for the train, which must soon come and take our heroes to Canterlot on the World Cup finals. Applejack, wore her denim shorts, white tubular corset on her body, and her trademark Stenson on her head. A pair of high cowboy boots on her feet only complements its spectacular, albeit stereotypical southern look. Pinkie Pie was dressed in a blue T-shirt, blue jeans and pink sneakers and pink sunglasses hiding her eyes. Silver continued to wear his brown uniform, and dark brown ankle boots. To his appearance were added black sunglasses on his eyes. Much to Rarity's disapproval. The white mare frowned on her beloved's look as she herself was dressed in a tight-fitting knee-length dark blue dress, and dark blue shoes on her feet, she always wears for a trip to the capital. On her head, she wore her beautiful white hat. She stood beside him and held his arm in the elbow, while he looked for the train. In the end, she sighed, and then shook him to get his attention. Silver raised his left eyebrow questioningly, feeling his girl shakes it, and then he looked at her to see how she frowns at him.

"Darling ..." Rarity spoke, her trademark lady-tone, "I can't look at you. Let's return to the Boutique quickly, and I will do something extravagant for you."

"Rarity." Silver said with a sigh, "We have no time for that. Besides ..." he frowned before he spread his hands to the sides, "What's wrong with this uniform. It was very stylish in its time."

"Ten years ago, maybe, but not now." Rarity strictly noticed, without changing the tone, as she released his arm and crossed her arms on the chest area, "Now you look like ... like ..."

Silver frowned deeper and crossed his arms as well, "Like who?" he asked as his voice sounded slightly irritated. Their dispute has attracted the attention of the others. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom turned to the couple, a curious look. Rarity meanwhile frowned and crossed her arms, too, standing in the position feedback.

"Like a ragamuffin." Rarity strictly noticed, prompting Silver to sigh irritably, and turning away from her by fixing his gaze at the railroad, "Well, thanks, Rarity!" he said, a little growling. The others shared Silver's feelings, and sighed as their eyes narrowed, "Oh dear..."

"I'm sorry, Silvy. But it's true." Rarity spoke again, a little softer but still demanding, "If you put these clothes on the other place, it would be fine, but for Canterlot, no." She then took his arm again, "Honey, please. Let's now fly there quickly, I'll make you a new suit, and then we'll come back here." Silver then looked at her and raised his glasses by showing his annoyed look, "And after you make me a new suit, you forbid me to fly at all." he said with his voice expressed dissatisfaction.

"This time, I'll make an exception." Rarity continued to insist, "Honey, please, while we have time."

Silver could no longer resist. Either that or Rarity gets offense on him. He then sighed in defeat, and was ready to say "Yes!".

"Hold on, sugarcube." Applejack said angrily before Silver could reply, prompting the couple to make their eyes wide and look at her, to meet with her frowning look, "This is a very bad idea. The train can come at any moment. Both of you will be late."

Rarity lowered her left eyebrow, looking into her friend's eyes as she doesn't want to give up, "Even if we'll get late, Mr. Superman could reach the train in a few minutes." she said, insisting Applejack.

"Rarity, calm down, nobody cares about this. I think it looks good." Applejack then looked at Silver and smirked, "I would even say courageously."

That was enough to make Rarity gasped and made her eyes wide, while Silver grinned back at the orange farm pony, "Thanks, Applejack." he said smugly, prompting Applejack to wink at him.

However, Rarity did not share their similar viewpoints and frowned again, glancing at her boyfriend, "Silver the Hedgehog, you will not get rid of me so easily. You should be dressed appropriately if you do not want to be ridiculed." She said in a ladylike tone, prompting Silver to sigh again and narrowing his eyes still having an eye contact with his girl.

Applejack growled as she rolled her eyes, "Rarity... Why are you nitpicking to his clothes?" she asked irritably.

Rarity looked at her, "You'll know when you will find yourself a boyfriend." she said, and then she returned her eyes at Silver, "Silvy, honey. We're wasting time. Let's fly."

"Wait, wait. Guys." Pinkie Pie stopped them, "Seriously, it's already too much. Rarity, please do not torture him, I like this uniform too." She then smiled happily, "Because of this we skip in any sector in the stadium for free."

"We can go in any sector for free Pinkie Pie." Rarity commented. But Pinkie did not give up and smiled even more, "But only after checking. And now we have an IP officer."

"I am no longer an IP, Pinkie." Silver jokingly remarked, prompting Pinkie to look at him, "But no one knows about this." she said happier.

"Rarity, seriously." Sweetie Belle spoke, "This is the stadium, and I don't think anyone will pay attention to his appearance. Relax."

"She's right, Rarity." Applejack has agreed to, "Don't be nervous." She then heard the engine of a train coming. Friends made their eyes wide and looked in the direction of the train. Applejack then smirked, "And here's the train."

Silver laughed awkwardly, and then he looked at his girlfriend and smiled playfully as he wiggled his eyebrows, "It seems that we have no choice. What can you say Rarity?" He spoke to her playing. But Rarity didn't accept the rules and sighed in disappointment. She then released his arm as her eyes were narrowed in irritation. "Fine then." she said in her lady-tone, much to Silver made his eyes wide, "But don't come close to me, and do not complain that Canterlot residents ridicule your appearance.", After she finished her thought, Silver raised his right eyebrow, before looking at Sweetie Belle. The younger sister of his girlfriend just shrugged indifferently, not knowing what to say. As soon as the train stopped, the friends entered the railway carriage.

Rarity was still offended, so she walked in with her head held high and eyes closed as if not noticing anything. She then sat on a bench in the middle of the railway carriage and crossed her legs, without opening her eyes. Silver sighed, thinking himself guilty, and then he looked back at his friends, "Take a seat, girls." he said, "I'll talk to her."

"Good luck." Apple Bloom said before they took their seats close to the exit from the car. Silver then took a deep breath, and then he headed to his girlfriend, his eyes sad because he didn't want to offend her. Rarity was still sitting in her place, with her head still raised up, and her eyes still closed, when Silver went to her and sat down beside her. But Rarity just moved away from him closer to the window, and humphed, by turning her back to him and crossing her arms. She still was offended. Silver then sighed deeply and sat closer to her, before he firmly and gently hugged her around the waist with his left arm. He put his right hand on her shoulder, and then he kissed her on the cheek.

"Rarity." he fondly called her, looking at her face, what prompted her to open her eyes and look out the window, "Please don't be offended.", Silver then smiled, "Hey, we can always come to your Canterlot Carousel." Rarity gasped and made her eyes wide, as he recalled it, and then she looked into his eyes, "You don't need to arrange a drama because of this. As soon as we arrive, we will say Twilight to take us ..." He didn't finish his sentence because Rarity hugged him around the neck and clung to him as her eyes closed again, but this time, she had a sad and apologetic look. Silver then smiled warmly and hugged her back, realizing that she apologizes that way. He then kissed her on the cheek and ran his fingers through her mane, "Silvy, I'm sorry." Rarity whispered, "I don't know what came over me."

"It's fine Rare." he whispered as he caressed her back with his hands, "I see that you're concerned about something."

They then separated, as Rarity looked into his yellow eyes, with her face had a worried look, "This Shadow of GUN." she said anxiously, "I have a feeling that he'll be at the stadium. If he sees your uniform, what if he'll recruit you to work with him?"

"Rarity, please don't panic. I know him very well." Silver told her with a smile, "He may be an asshole, but I don't think he's going to waste his precious time on me." He then pulled her to him, with his arms around her, "Come here.", Rarity closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, hugging him around the neck and pressing her body against his. Her face was still sad, "Baby, please forgive me." she whispered, causing Silver to smile kindly, "It's fine." he whispered back, "You're absolutely right." They then separated and their eyes met again, as Silver smiled mockingly to his girlfriend, "I really look like a ragamuffin in this uniform." Rarity giggled over his comment, glad that he wants to raise her mood as her beautiful smile again flashed on her lips. Silver sighed with relief as he was happy that his girlfriend was now in the mood, and then he hugged her around the waist, "When we get, we will go to Canterlot Carousel, and you'll do for me something extravagant." he suddenly narrowed, "Besides, I will be your personal male model for your fashion design experiments anyway."

Rarity giggled, and rested her head on his shoulder again, "As you wish." she whispered, as she closed her eyes.

"Awwwwww…" girlish moans of approval sounded nearby. Much for the two to opening their eyes wide, and then glancing at the bench in front of them. They saw Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Applejack and Pinkie Pie was looking at them, grinning and wiggling their eyebrows.

"You two are so lovely." Applebloom stated an obvious fact. Rarity and Silver, however, didn't accept the compliment as it should, and only blinked once, before speaking with them, "How long have you been sitting here?" Silver asked confused.

"Since Rarity said this "I don't know what came over me." phrase." Applejack said jokingly, "So now you're not going anywhere."

"Yes, so now confess." Pinkie Pie began to speak, as a detective, "Who is this Shadow of GUN?"

Silver and Rarity sighed, before they straightened their backs, to sit more comfortably. Rarity, then crossed her legs, by looking at Pinkie, and raised her left eyebrow, "You've never heard of him?" she asked, "This is the guy who ended the war on Mobius."

"What do you mean ended?" Applejack asked.

Before Silver or Rarity managed to answer her question, the ticket inspector came up to them, "Tickets, please." he asked, prompting the others to start to dig into their pockets for tickets. They quickly found the tickets and gave it to the inspector, who quickly holed it. He then returned the tickets to their respective owners before he looked at Silver, to ask for his ticket. But a white-gray hedgehog continued to search for it in his uniform pockets while frowning and muttering. However, the ticket inspector gasped when she saw the brown uniform and smiled awkwardly, "Oh, forgive me, officer. I didn't see you there." he said, prompting Silver to make his eyes wide and look in the inspector's eyes, by portraying surprise, "Wait, but I ..." Silver was started to speak, but the inspector stopped him, "Oh, there's no need for it sir. The IP officers are entitled to free travel twice a day." He then looked at Rarity, "Lady, and you..."

"I'm with him." Rarity jokingly said as she grinned and cuddled to her boyfriend around from behind by wrapping her both arms around his chest. The ticket inspector laughed again before he nodded at them and went to check the other passengers.

Silver locked his shocked eyes on the ticket inspector, still surprised by this sudden privilege, and then he looked at Rarity, who just smiled at him playfully in return, "You know? I think I starting to like your uniform." She teased him, scratching his chest, but her boyfriend didn't get the humor and frowned at her. Silver never likes when people defer to him only because he's a police officer. He then returned his gaze at the ticket inspector and sighed in annoyance by taking his girl's arms gently, "That's not right." He grumbled, prompting the girls to giggle, "I worked in the agency, not for these silly privileges. Besides this is a direct violation of the law."

"Oh, stop talking nonsense, Mr. Justice." Applejack said as she stopped laughing, "Relax and enjoy the chance for free travel. This is just a small part of what you deserve." she then frowned, "Okay, guys. Let's get back to our conversation. What did you mean, Rarity, when you said that he ended the war?"

Rarity frowned as well, before glancing at her friend, "He killed Dr. Eggman." She said coldly.

Meanwhile, in the throne room.

"You must be kidding me." Shadow said to Celestia as he stood in the throne room now, and right in front of her. The throne room was empty at this time, and besides Shadow, Celestia, Luna and the two guards, who were standing on both sides of the throne stairs there was no one here. Celestia was sitting on her throne, and looked inside GUN agent eyes as her eyebrows furrowed.

"It's the only logical explanation, agent." she said with her trademark royal tone, insisting therefore on its point of view, "If he came back, then we all need to be at the ready. You know him much better than anyone else on Mobius and Equestria. In this case, you're our only hope."

Shadow sighed sarcastically, not believing those guesses, "Eggman's back." he remarked sarcastically, "That's impossible. With none of the existing methods." He raised his left eyebrow and crossed his arms in front of his chest, "Even with resurrect spells you will need to collect his head and brains by bits at first, to successfully perform a ritual." Then he grinned mockingly, "Otherwise, we will have the first zombie in the history of our planet."

"By careful with your jokes, agent." Celestia quietly demanded, prompting Shadow to take a deep breath, because he knew that he was wrong when he spoke in such a tone. He then cleared his throat and looked back to Celestia's eyes, and nodded to her, "Forgive me my words, Princess, but admit that it sounds at least ridiculous." he said confidently, "I have repeatedly heard similar things from paranoid conspiracy theorists, but I never thought I'd hear it from you."

Luna was on the left of the throne. She frowned, too, by looking at her mobian guest, with her arms crossed in the chest area, "Shadow, don't get us wrong, but there was no one but you next to him at this moment." she said as her voice sounded solemn and majestic, "No one knows what happened exactly that day, as well as what you did."

Shadow made his eyes wide, after Luna's words as he was shocked with it, "You know." he said as he frowned, "You were there Luna." Shadow spoke with a slightly angry tone in his voice, "You saw it all!" Luna made her look sad, hearing his words, as really she saw everything from the moon, "You saw what I did. There is no need make assumptions about what has been done."

Luna took a deep breath when Shadow recalled it and closed her eyes with her head dropped, "Shadow, I was possessed." she said sadly, "My own eyes might fool me."

"Maybe you were possessed. But you still saw what I did." Shadow insisted, and then he looked back into Celestia's eyes, by gritting his teeth and frowning deeper, "Princess Celestia, I swear to you in front of all the gods of Chaos, I finished with this motherfucker as well as seventeen years ago when I killed Black Doom." He took out his gun, "This is a gun which I aimed at his head." He showed her index finger of his left hand, "Here's the finger that pulled the trigger." He then put the gun back under his jacket, and took out a bullet, "And here is the bullet that smashed his head off." He then threw a bullet to Celestia. Sun Princess caught it, by using her magic, and then she levitated it closer to her eyes for better viewing. Her face was shocked as she noticed multiple blood stains that weren't washed off from the bullet even after fifteen years. Glancing back on Shadow, she saw him frowning fiercely as if she had just insulted him by putting his actions questioned. His crimson eyes, however, expressed some peace of mind as well as his voice, with which he spoke a moment later.

"I saw his head were scattered around the room, and how the worms began to eat his brain ..."

One of the guards cringed in disgust and clamped his mouth with his right hand, "I'm going to vomit!" he whimpered, holding his retching back. But no one paid any attention to his complaints, and Shadow just continued his speech, "Nothing can survive this! Including the most powerful beings in the world. Including me and you and your sister!" Shadow said with his anger growing. Celestia though immediately noticed this and decided enough is enough.

"Agent Shadow!" she interrupted him with her voice still calm and balanced and without even raising the tone. It was magic that Shadow could not resist. Besides, he arrived here to help, not to argue with her, or prove something. He then closed his eyes and crossed his arms in the chest area, slightly bowed head. He knew he was too harsh with her.

"I'm sorry, Princess." he said with a cold tone in his voice, through which you could hear the tone of apology, "I lost my temper."

"It's all right." Celestia replied as a smile flashed across her face. She was not mad at him because she knew his condition, "I know what weight you are carrying on your heart, Mr. Shadow, and I have never in my life did take such a controversial decision, but still, try to be discreet."

Before answering, Shadow took a deep breath. He then opened his eyes and looked again at the sun princess, "Always!" he said confidently, causing Luna to smile gently as she pleased to see him polite. Princess of the night then frowned and decided to return to the conversation, "If it's, what do you think is the cause of these failures?" she asked anxiously, "Only Dr. Eggman had sufficient resources for creating such a thing."

"I told you already, Luna. I don't know." Shadow said his voice more calm and peaceful, "We have no any assumptions. The last robo-squad was destroyed for fifteen years ago. The Space near our planet is clean and there are no foreign objects."

"I still need to send this bullet for examination." Celestia spoke, "If this is indeed the bullet that killed Eggman, the experts will confirm this."

Shadow nodded in agreement, as he has nothing against her decision, "This will be the right decision." He said, with his voice calm. Celestia nodded at him and then at she rose from her throne and began to walk toward him. The guards bowed to her as she descended the stairs. Celestia then stopped next to Shadow, looking in his eyes and still smiling kindly.

"But it will be later." she said, "Now we need to go to the stadium. The competition will start soon, and I don't want to be late."

Shadow nodded back at her again, "I'm right behind you." he said, not wanting to argue with her anymore. Celestia nodded before she left the throne room. The guards followed her. Shadow has left with Luna again. He looked at her, to see her standing next to him, and smiling at him amiably. But Shadow only frowned in response.

"Luna, why?" he asked, "You've seen it with your own eyes."

"Shadow, I told you." she said, placing both hands on his shoulders, "I was possessed. Someone else was in my body and controlled my mind. It looked like a dream."

The Dark hedgehog was only to exhale the air in frustration because Luna was the only witness. He then raised his left eyebrow, looking back to her turquoise eyes and grinned at her, "It does not matter to me." He said, "You're still a princess, and you have a bunch of privileges. For example to deny your possession. You can safely say that this was the moment when the Nightmarish Moon did not possess you, and you see it through the eyes clean." His words prompted Luna to giggle before they began to leave the throne room. Luna again took his arm again, "Do you think anyone is going to believe that?" she said, "No, Mr. Shadow. You, my friend, know nothing about all the subtleties of our people." She then grinned devilishly, "Try not to get caught the journalists eyes. You know how they and most of our people relate to you."

"I'll try." was what Shadow said as he smiled at her. Luna winked, when they left the throne room, "By the way. Nightmarish Moon? " she suddenly asked, her voice filled with surprise, "No one has called me that before?"

"They just don't know what you're in a bed." Shadow said with a devilish tone in his voice and grinning, respectively. Much to Luna gasped, and then glared at him, "Shadow!" she growled, feeling a slight offense, enough to Shadow laughed, "It's a joke." he replied. Luna pouted, "It was a bad joke." she suddenly grinned, "You grumbler.", she teased him. The grin disappeared from Shadow's face, because he didn't like that nickname, and he knew that Luna is not going to stop. He then narrowed his eyes in exasperation, "Luna, don't call me that." he grumbled, trying to stop her, but he failed.

"Grumbler." Luna continued teasing him with a smirk on her face, "Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler. Grumbler ...", Shadow couldn't do anything with it. He loved her too much to shut her up. All he could do was rolling his eyes and sighing in annoyance, knowing that Luna will tease him for the rest of the day.

"Oh, gods ..."

Meanwhile, in Miles Electronics office.

Near the entrance to the Office of Tails, Nicole nervously wandered from corner to corner, to calm the nerves, meanwhile muttering something under her breath.

"She's here, but no Tails." Nicole murmured, "Why all these problems dumped on my head is today. Tails, why are you screwed up so badly?" , her murmur was only part of her worries that haunted her since this morning, when Tails late for work. For fifteen years, when Nicole and Tails have worked together under the leadership of "Electronics Miles" Tails never late, but today something unexpected happened. His delay may adversely affect the company's reputation. Fifteen years ago, when Shadow ended the war, Tails decided to start his own business and offered Nicole to help him in this. She agreed, and at first, she was engaged in paper works when Tails worked on technique, as the inventor and mechanical engineer. But then, when their company has grown to become the first company to Mobius, he began to take part in the leadership, and he soon caught up with Nicole in this regard. Nicole herself was surprised that her young companion has grown so quickly. When Tails was fifteen years old, his company became the first company in the world and has become the most expensive in the world. They had only five factories and one office, but they were able to kick ass all the rivals.

Nicole and Tails had become great leaders and the closest to each other. She knew that when Tails began to look at her not only as a friend and partner but also began to experience romantic feelings for her. When he told her that, she could not return his feelings, because she was already married at that time. But, to her surprise, Tails wasn't angry, and don't even worried, he just shrugged and said that phrase, which she remembered for a lifetime, "Worth a try." Then their relationship remained solely as a relationship between a brother and sister and was purely business nature. They have always been good friends, and that Nicole had an idea to open an office in Equestria, which was never touched by Eggman. Tails initially didn't want to agree to this step, since flight vehicles were never popular in Equestria, and he believed that this step will bring a financial loss. But she convinced him to decide when it is in contact with the Princess Twilight Sparkle, which for some unknown reason was very much interested in Miles opened his business in Equestria. She did not even know why but decided that this would be a chance to bring Tails with a girl who will share his interests.

She then stopped in front of her desk, and with a sad face she locked her gaze on the photo, standing on her desk, where she and Tails were hugging and smiling at the meeting was not simple. Nicole felt guilty when she refused to Tails, and when he reacted to it neutrally, she decided that he just hid his disappointment, and shut his heart. She wanted to fix it, and this she decided that in Equestria he will have a chance because here an overwhelming majority of the population is women. The more that Twilight Sparkle girl reminded Tails in some ways. She thought that this would be an excellent move, because they are both rich and successful, which means that they would see each other as individuals and not as a money bag.

She then smiled sadly, looking at the photo, and then sighed wearily, still unable to believe that fifteen years have passed since then when they started the business. Nicole then heard footsteps as she went to where the stairs were and saw Big come in carrying Twilight and Spike. She could see how Twilight awkwardly smiles and blushes, and waving back at her with a right hand. Much to Nicole grinned mockingly, and snorted, in an attempt to hold back laughter.

Big opened the door, and then he went inside and returned Twilight back to the floor. A shiver ran through Twilight's body when she returned to the ground, continuing to have on her sweet face that silly awkward grin. She then looked back at the huge cat and saw Spike still sitting on his shoulders, but decided not to give it much importance.

"Thank you, Mr. Big." she said with a nervous tone in her voice, prompting Big to grin smugly, "It was nothing, Princess." he said with his voice having a brutal growl. Twilight giggled awkwardly, before taking a deep breath and turning to Nicole. She smiled amiably, and then she went to her, "Miss Nicole." she greeted her. Nicole opened her arms when the gap between them has disappeared, and they hugged each other "Princess Twilight." she welcomed, "It's so nice to see you again."

They then finished hugging when they looked at each other and Twilight smiled nervously again, "Miss Nicole, I really appreciate your bodyguard for his gentleman's act, but I would like that it remains between you and me." she asked nervously, "If anyone finds out about this, it will be very awkward. You won't tell anyone?"

"Well, of course ..." Nicole said nervously, and through her giggles, "I'll take care of it." she then frowned and looked at the Big, "Big. Bring Spike back to the ground, immediately."

"Miss Nicole." Spike protested, not wanting to get off from the back of this huge guy, as he grinned smugly, "Do not worry. It does not bother me."

Twilight then frowned and looked at Spike, "Spike, come down immediately." she demanded, "Let Mr. Big have a little rest."

"But Twilight." Spike again protested, "Look how huge he is. I don't think that he got tired of carrying me and you."

"Spike!" Twilight growled, "Immediately!"

Reluctantly, but Spike gave up when he did not want to be the "sister" scolded him. Big then took the young dragon from his shoulders and returned him back to the ground, "Sorry, kid." Big said, prompting Spike to sigh, "It's fine." He groaned as he stood next to Twilight. Twilight and Nicole then smiled and looked at each other, "So ... I'm here ..." she said kindly, "Forgive me my tardiness."

"It's okay princess." Nicole said, "My boss is late, too. So, this is me who must ask for your forgiveness."

"So you want to say that Mr. Prower has not arrived yet?" Twilight asked with a suspicious tone in her voice.

"No, princess." Nicole said, "He came in Canterlot last night, and didn't have time to change the time on his watch."

Twilight sighed in disappointment, knowing this bad news, but then she just shrugged it off by and smiled again, "All right." she said, "I am not in a hurry. I'll wait for him." She then looked at the table and made her eyes wide as she noticed a box of books, "Hey ... wait ..." she said, when her smile faded away, and raised her left eyebrow in suspicion, "This ... "she looked at Nicole, who looked confused, "This is for me?" she then frowned, "Do you think that if I was a bookworm, it means you can reassure me by showing me some books?"

Nicole blinked as her eyes were wide, "You ... I ..." She glanced at the box of books as she realized that Tails' plan failed, and grinned nervously, "No ..." she giggled, " No." She looked at Twilight, "It's just Tails keeps the box under his desk for a long time. I decided that it is time get rid of it."

Twilight gasped, "Get rid of the books?" she moaned in surprise, thus confusing Nicole, and then she ran to the box and looked inside, "How can you? It's not fair to those who published it." she then smiled and looked at Nicole, "Mr. Prower won't be mind if I take this box to myself? In my library, there's a lack of books about aviation, engineering, and computer technology."

Nicole looked at her with a puzzled look, as Twilight's mood changed from negative to positive for just a second, and then she looked at Spike as if trying to find out the answer. But dragon-kid sighed response, by narrowing his eyes. This was before everyone heard the footsteps and the sound of the opening glass door. They have their eyes wide, before turning to the nervously smiling Tails, "Hello Everybody. Big. Nicole. Princess Twilight..." he said as he walked over to Twilight, and looked into her eyes apologetic look on his face, "Forgive me for my tardiness, I totally forgot to change the time, and…"

"Mr. Prower." Twilight interrupted him, by smiling kindly, and letting him know that she wasn't offended, "It's fine, I arrived just a minute ago. Your late arrival does not take away my precious time from me."

"Phew ..." Tails sighed in relief and smiled in response, "I'm glad I still had time. Well, then let's not waste it." He then went to the door to his office and opened it wide, thus inviting Twilight inside, "Princess, I ask you to my office." he said smiling and with his voice having this polite tone, what prompted Twilight to smile gently and nodding. She then entered the office along with Spike. After she entered inside, Tails and Nicole glanced at each other and then they exchanged a tight hug.

"Tails, I'm so glad that you're here." Nicole whispered before she broke a hug and glanced into his eyes with her face having a happy smile, "I've thought that our business plan in Canterlot will fail, but ..."

"But I'm here, Nicole. And that means that we're still in the game." Tails interrupted her with a grin, "Come into my office and prepare the materials for the presentation." Nicole nodded, and then she went into the office. Tails then frowned and looked at Big.

"Big, go to the roof and wait for me near my helicopter. Nicole and I will arrive in an hour." he ordered, prompting Big nod.

"Got it boss." Big said, before he left the reception room, and went to the roof. Tails realized that he had a little time if he wants to catch the environmentalists, so he went into the office and closed the door tightly.


Hmm, that's interesting, do not you think? Shadow and Luna were lovers once. Celestia's Intuition felt any danger, which must happen soon. Rarity, Silver, Applejack and Pinkie Pie finally go to Canterlot at the World Cup finals. And Tails finally arrived at the office to meet with Twilight. Where does this story moving? You will know about this in the following chapters.

RFF if you liked the story, and now Alex Circus signing off. See ya in the next chapter.