Hi, guys. I'm back after a long absence, for which I apologize.
The point is that I had a long time to think about the next chapter and to paint the text so that it made sense ... hehe ... And I was helping Nintendosegahasbrofan and Thatoneguy753 with their micro adventures stories, so I almost never had a time in concentrating the LTBC. But now I finally found the time and managed to finish this chapter.
And so, in the last chapter we Twilight picked up her friends from the station, Sonic was preparing for the final race of the championship, and Tails arrived at his factory to meet the environmental commitment where he met Fluttershy. In this chapter, we'll go back to the Shadow and princesses of the Sun and the Moon.
Chapter #4: Deep Dive
-/-/-/-
Through the narrow streets of Canterlot.
White limousine with a royal license plate drove through the streets. The townspeople cheered after their rulers, seeing this huge and magnificent car, inside which Luna and Celestia proceeding their journey from the castle to the stadium. Inside the car, Shadow was watching the happy citizens, by still retaining his trademark stern look on his face. His crimson eyes were looking for any danger among these innocent people because he knew that innocence is only a mask.
"Shadow." Luna called him. Shadow turned to her to meet with her smile, "It's an unusual feeling, isn't it?" Luna said, "Being a universal favorite."
Shadow frowned in response, and without saying a word he looked out the window to watch over the citizens, "I don't like them!" He murmured his voice cold and dark. Luna sighed, and then she moved closer, before squeezing his arm again, "Shadow." She spoke softly, "They're totally harmless. They'll never hurt us." She then smiled, "Look at them. It's not like they're planning something against us, they're just happy to see us."
"I know. And that's why I don't like them." Shadow's voice replied, still cold and dark, but this time he sounded a noticeable hint of sarcasm in his voice. Luna, who knew his sarcasm good enough, giggled over it before resting her head on his shoulder, "Oh, how I missed it all." she said softly, "All these thy gloomy talks, seriousness, terseness, concentration, and inability to relax."
Much for Shadow raised his left eyebrow before he glanced at his ex-girlfriend's eyes, "I can relax." He said with a bewildered tone in his voice. Luna giggled, "No you can't." She teased. Shadow's eyes narrowed, "Yes, I can." He insisted. Luna giggled again, "Alright, you won." She said playfully, before closing her eyes. She sighed again, thus sending Shadow in puzzlement. The dark hedgehog again found himself confused when she stopped teasing him because she could do it all the time before, but now she gave up so easily and without even starting.
"Luna, are you feeling fine?" he asked with concern in his voice.
"Yes." Luna replied without changing her position, "And why did you ask? Are you still worried about me?"
"Well, of course, I'm worried." Shadow replied sternly, "Two years ago you could do it all the time, and now you stopped doing it without even starting. What's wrong with you?"
"I'm fine, Shadow." Luna said, "I just don't want to do it. You'll leave Equestria soon as you always do, and I want to enjoy the fact that you're here as long as it's possible… *sigh*... I mean in a friendly way."
Shadow sighed in response because he knew what all these games. They haven't seen each other for two years, and even after their separation they still miss each other because they have managed to do one thing that very few couples could do. They managed to stay friends. Shadow was very proud of this friendship and didn't want to ruin it. He then hugged her around the waist with his right hand and shook her gently, trying to cheer her up. Luna opened her lovely eyes before she looked into his eyes, and saw his famous half smile he gave to her, "What?" she asked, thinking that he wanted to say something, "Nothing." Shadow answered, "I just missed you, too."
Luna smiled happily, "Really?" she asked, "I thought the opposite. In all that time, you almost never wrote to me."
"Sorry about that." Shadow said, "I wanted to write to you more, but every time I was going to do it, something distracted me, and I just forgot ... *sigh* ... It's difficult for you to understand because you are the boss itself."
"Yeah ... *giggles* ... But I can still imagine what it's like though." Luna suddenly caught the idea, "Hey, I know." she said with a happy voice, "You've got to take the place of command." Shadow made his eyes wide when Luna raised her head to be at the same eye level with him, "And you don't have to go for all kinds of missions or to fulfilling somebody's orders. You yourself will give orders."
Shadow found himself puzzled because it was what he had secretly dreamed of for a long time. But more than this he was struck by the ability of the Moon Princess to read his mind, though he knew that she's just suggested the obvious solution to his problem. He then put his hand to his chin and squinted thoughtfully as he looked up at the ceiling, "Hmm... It sounds like a crazy idea as for me." he said, and then looked back into her eyes, "Do you really think that I could take the GUN commander's place? I'm not really a big fan of my ass to sit out in a chair, while the guys are doing their duty somewhere on the planet. I just turn into some royal geek who knows nothing except its castle."
Luna frowned, "Shadow, stop clowning around." she said, slightly annoyed, "Do you have exactly the same opinion about me?"
"Of course not, Lulu!" Shadow said, by using Luna's nickname, with his face still neutral, "You're a miracle."
Luna smiled again, "Then what's your problem?" she said, "I believe that you come to this post better than any person I know." She then turned to her sister, "That's right, Tia?" Celestia said nothing in response. She just sat on the couch and looked out the window, with her legs crossed, and her head nodding in a steady rhythm. Luna and Shadow find themselves puzzled when they saw Celestia in this state, and then they exchanged glances in hope to find the answer in each other's eyes. Without waiting for an answer, Luna looked at her sister again, and then she took her left shoulder and shook her to get her back to them. Feeling someone's shaking her, Celestia cringe slightly, before she looked at her sister. She then pulled the earphones out of her ears, before she spoke.
"Yes?" Celestia asked.
Luna sighed and narrowed her eyes after realizing that her sister was just listening to music by using the headphones, "What are you listening to?" she asked.
"Oh, this is a new band that I heard yesterday on the radio." Celestia replied with a smile, "They play a very energetic Rock-n-Roll, sis. You want to hear?"
"No, I'll pass." Luna said with a smile before she glanced out of the window. But only to made her eyes wide, when she accidentally and groaning in annoyance when he saw a crowd of reporters outside. Pony journalists ran right up to the limo and began photographing them through the windows. Shadow frowned sternly, noticing them, but he didn't hide because the glass of the limo was reflecting. But even so, he knew that he couldn't get out of the limo if he wanted unnoticed.
"Hell!" He swore, "If they see me they won't leave me alone!"
"I know Mr. Shadow." Celestia said as the limo stopped and the guard made a live corridor to the princess could pass to the stadium, "What shall we do?" Luna asked helplessly. Celestia thought for a few moments before the idea first came into her head, and she turned to Shadow and smiled, "You can go through the service entrance. It's located a few dozens of meters to the right of the main entrance. I know this because I used it sometimes when I wanted to avoid that attention."
Luna smiled, "Sounds like a plan." She said, and then looked at Shadow, "We distract them to ourselves, and you can safely walk in through the service entrance. But don't mess things up. It is a matter of a few seconds."
Shadow smirked at her, "You always get me out of troubles." he said before the guard opened the door for the Princesses could get out, "Go. I'll meet you inside." Shadow said, and then he sat down on the left sofa closer to the driver. Princesses nodded to him with smiles on their faces before they got out of the car. As soon as they got out of the car, the crowd of journalists starts cheering joyfully seeing their favorite goddesses. Luna and Celestia smiled at them and leisurely walked toward the entrance, shaking hands to all comers in the process. The guard then closed the door of the limousine.
Inside the car, Shadow with a grin on his face looks at how they distract the attention of the crowd, with his head shaking. He then looked at the driver, and frowned, "Let's go." He said, and the driver started the engine to drive the limousine away from the madding crowd.
He then stopped twenty meters away from the journalist's crowd, and near the service entrance about which Celestia spoke recently. Shadow grinned and then moved himself to the door and opened it slowly. He carefully looked at the journalists to make sure they were busy, and then he got out and closed the door. The car drove off immediately. Shadow quickly ran up to the cherished doors, and then tried to open it. However, the door was locked. It caught Shadow in surprise and anger as he growled furiously when he realized that he was now in the shit if anyone will see him.
"Oh, fuck me!" He swore, and then he looked at the journalists anxiously. But they were too busy in interviewing with Luna and Celestia and didn't see him yet. He took it as a chance, and then he looked back at the door and grabbed the handle. He started to pull the door to open it, or to break it at least. He was willing to do anything to avoid bad contacts, "Open up, you bitch!" He swore again.
Meanwhile, near the main entrance, Celestia and Luna answered to some journalists questions, by wearing smiles on their faces.
"Your Highnesses. Who do you think will win tonight?" One journalist said, "Almost all bets converge on the main favorite of the competition, Sonic the Hedgehog. Do you believe in the many predictions, because in the pre-starts, he looked far from his ideal form?"
"I believe that only in the final race we can see the full potential of the participants 10 km race." Celestia replied with a smile, "Sonic the Hedgehog is a twenty-three-time world champion and eight-time winner of Ten. It should happen a miracle, for him to lost."
"Among the participants of the final race, there's no Equestrian. Do you feel disappointment about this?" The other said, prompting Celestia to giggle.
"Well, this is our first World Cup. We have previously dealt only in our local competition like the Equestrian Games. I believe that we can show better results in the future." She replied, still quietly and wisely.
"Princess Luna. To us, there were reports that Shadow the Hedgehog is now in Equestria. Do you know anything about this?" The third journalist asked, prompting the moon princess to make her eyes wide in surprise. She knew that Shadow prefers to remain incognito and decided to pretend that she knows nothing.
"No." She replied, "I didn't hear anything about it. Where did you get this information?"
"A few ponies saw him today at the central train station. They saw him getting into a taxi." The journalist said.
Celestia sighed before answering her question, "I think it was not the someone they thought about." She replied, "Shadow the Hedgehog is a GUN agent, and if he went to Equestria, then Commander would inform us about this. Otherwise, I see no reason for him to go here."
One of the journalists, who were standing behind the crowd, looked around casually, and gasped, noticing the dark hedgehog who tried to open the emergency door.
"Hey, look! There he is!" She screamed, "It's true!"
Shadow heard her perfectly, and snarled fiercely, he realized that he was now in deep shit, "Shit!" he snarled, "Not this time!" He then raised his eyes and looked at the crowd of journalists who are now looking at him in awe by finally seeing the man who stopped the war. It was a real treasure for them as Shadow never responded to questions from journalists and stay away from the public. Hell, he even refused the award, and the title of Sir, even in spite of all his achievements. Shadow, meanwhile, froze, realizing that now they will tear him apart, and he can not escape. On the other hand, he did not want to run, because he always believed that only weaklings escaping. But even so, he simply fell into a stupor, not knowing what to do and where to go Now.
Celestia and Luna both became nervous while realizing that their plan has failed. They were ready to stop the mob, but Shadow shook his head as he saw them, thus motioning for them not to do anything. Before he could react, journalists rushed to him with smiles on their faces, taking it to the camera, made exclusive photos, and shouted questions that troubled him most. Luna gasps seeing this, but then she got the idea how to help him and ran into the building to help him go inside. Celestia in the meantime glanced at her guards, as she knew that they need to act quickly, "Help him. And take them to order, please." she ordered, and her guards nodded. They then ran to the journalists, to soothe their morals. They managed to overtake them and to stand before Shadow, thus shielding him from reporters.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Calm down, please." One of the guards shouted, "Mr. Shadow is not ready to answer questions. Please, calm down." They tried hard but held back the crowd with difficulty. Journalists, meanwhile, shouted out their questions.
"Mr. Shadow." One of them shouted, "You almost never appeared in public. Is it because of your work, or is it your lifestyle?"
"Have you heard about the night incident, and whether it affected on Mobius?" The second one said.
"Have you visited our sights?" The third one said.
"Do you like in Equestria?" Fourth asked.
"Please tell us about what happened fifteen years ago." Fifth asked.
"Do you feel remorse?" Sixth asked.
"Have you seen the new movie?" Seventh asked.
Shadow came to his senses when he heard about the 'new movie', and growled in disgust, with a deep frown appeared on his face, "This movie sucks!" He said with a stern tone in his voice. But then his attention was drawn to open the door emergency exit. He looked at the door with wide eyes and saw the door was surrounded by a dark blue aura, and he found at once that it was the antics of the Moon Princess. Without wasting time in vain, he rushed inside. After he disappeared behind the emergency entrance, the door is firmly closed and the aura has disappeared.
Journalists felt disappointment and 'awwed in chorus after Shadow managed to escape. After that, a bunch of reporters immediately subsided and began to diverge around. Having missed the most mysterious mobian they fell off the desire to work at all. Celestia had a disapproving smirk on her face, watching her subjects, and then she giggled softly, "Poor things." She muttered, and then walked into the stadium, "Oh, I think I just saw the following headlines of newspapers."
The following headline of newspapers: The photo of the first page of the newspaper; Shadow is frowning deeply at the camera with his arms crossed in the chest area.
"This movie sucks!" Shadow the Hedgehog gave the negative comment to the box office failed blockbuster movie.
Meanwhile, Shadow stood inside the stadium and looked shocked at the door through which he could escape from the intrusive reporters. He knew that keeping the status incognito, it attracts only more attention, but never thought that the Internet is not limited. Of course, he should have foreseen this turn of events, but he didn't know that Equestria has such a strong focus on his person. Growling in annoyance, Shadow's eyes narrowed, and then he turned to Luna, who was standing a few meters away from him, and covered her mouth with her hands, barely held back her laughter. Realizing what was about to coming, Shadow frowned deeply and gave her a warning gesture.
"Don't... laugh!" He said slowly.
"Pfft ..." Luna huffed out, holding back her laughter with his last strength.
Shadow then sighed and began to shake off the dust, "Thanks, for helping me out ... again ..." He said with his voice having a strong tone of irritation. Luna took a deep breath to calm her nerves, and then she smiled playfully as she walked up to him. She put her left arm around his shoulders as she spoke again.
"Look at you, Mr. Secret Agent." She spoke jokingly, "You're always so serious, moody, gloomy. And even you are not safe from ridiculous situations."
Shadow squinted as he looked into her eyes and sighed, annoyed that she teases him again.
"Lulu." He pleaded, "I beg you. Not now."
"Okay, okay." Luna jokingly replied, "I'll think about it ... *grins* ... It's been a while since the last time when you called me Lulu." She said as they walked together toward the VIP section with Luna holding Shadow's arm. Shadow smirked at her, by looking into her eyes.
"Just like you, I would like to enjoy the fact that we are together again. Lulubelle." He said with a sneer, causing Luna to blush embarrassed, and frowning, "Shadow, stop!" She muttered, "Of all nicknames that you gave to me, it was the only one I didn't like. Don't you dare to use it, or I take offense upon thee. Lulu is fine, but Lulubelle… no!"
"Only if you stop calling me grumbler." Shadow proposed a profitable exchange. Reluctantly, but Luna surrendered. She then shook his hand, "Deal!" She said finally.
Meanwhile, on the VIP section of the stadium.
"The rumors were true." The reporter said in a news release, by being on a wide plasma screen, around which gathered several ponies, dressed in expensive clothes, "Dr. Eggman's murder, Shadow the Hedgehog really arrived in Equestria. Just a few minutes ago, reporters spotted him near the western entrance to the stadium.", ponies gasped in fright, "And now he is on the stadium premises. It's still unknown on what purpose he arrived in Equestria, but our experts attribute this to the night incident. Princess Celestia and Luna saying that they have no idea of his arrival here."
"Oh, holy Celestia." A white stallion wearing an expensive black tuxedo, with bright blue hair, tail, and mustache, said, "What will happen to us?" He then turned to the others, "And what if he comes here ... *gasp* ... He will interrogate us."
The rest of the elite ponies gasped in fright again and began to exchange worried looks with each other while sharing alarming words. White unicorn-woman with a long bright pink mane and tail by wearing a tight red dress, and red shoes, went to the stallion who raised panic and took his arm firmly.
"Oh, Fancypants. Don't panic please." She spoke with an alarming tone, "Perhaps he visited Canterlot for the championship."
Fancypants turned to his wife, and looked into her eyes a disturbing gaze as he took her hand, "No, my beloved Fleur." He said, "He's from GUN. And if GUN are interested in such an event only if they need something."
"Alright, stop panicking, my friends." Another voice said, prompting Fancy and Fleur turning to its source after their eyes grew wide. It was another white stallion, with a dark blue mane and tail, and wearing a red coat with an orange ribbon stretched along the diagonal, black pants and shoes. He frowned sternly at the panicked elite, by crossing his arms in the chest area.
"We don't know if he comes to VIP section or not." Shining Armor said with a certainty in his voice, "Besides, I'm sure that their Highnesses Celestia and Luna will take it under control." He then approached closer to Fancypants and Fleur Dis Lee, "Think better. Do you really believe that Shadow the Hedgehog arrived here without warning princesses? Probably it was they who invited him here."
"But why?" Fancypants replied with a surprised tone in his voice, "Why princesses need to invite this GUN bastard?" He then frowned, "This makes no sense, young colt."
"How do you decide that he is a bastard?" Shining Armor asked with his eyes have become wide, "Have you seen it at least once in your life? You can't be judged by someone you've never seen, if in fact." He frowned in response, "You're thinking too biased, Mr. Fancypants."
"So as you, Prince Shining. And even more than that, you don't remember the war on Mobius at all, because you were at school at the time. So respect the opinion of the one who is older than you." Fancypants said as his voice became quieter. Shining sighed in disappointment as he realized that his opponent was right. He then placed his hand on his shoulder and patted it softly.
"Just calm down, okay?" He asked him once he calmed down himself. Fancypants nodded before he headed to the comfortable couch along with his wife Fleur. Shining then sighed again before he went toward his own couch, where women of his life await him. His wife Princess Mi Amore Cadenza (Bright pink tight dress and shoes with purple patterns), and a little girl named Flurry Heart (Typical clothing for teenagers) was sitting at their sits by staring at. As soon as he sat on the couch, his daughter jumped on his shoulders with a grin.
"Daddy." She snorted playfully, prompting Shining to laugh as he felt cheered up. He then hugged his daughter, "Hey there, little splinter." He teased her, prompting the girl to gasp in shock, "Splinter?" She said before she grinned devilishly, "I'll show you a splinter!" She then again pounced at her father, knocking him to the couch. Shining pretended that he was in trouble and began to moan helplessly.
"Ahhhh ... Save me ... A little pink monster wants to kill me ..." He pleaded for help. Cadence, who sat on the opposite sofa, couldn't keep her emotions inside and giggled by covering her mouth with her hands and, watching her family's behavior. Shining looked at her, barely able to keep himself from laughing as his face was a sneer.
"Cadence ... Save me, I beg you ..." he begged again. Cadence smirked before she used her magic, and levitated the little princess to herself. Flurry Heart gasped, and then she frowned and pouted by turning her eyes to her mother.
"Mom!" She moaned in annoyance, but Cadence was adamant. She then levitated her daughter on her lap and patted her on the head, "No so fast, my little pony. We need your father alive. Besides, to behave like that in a public place is not nice." She said softly but at the same time demanding tone in her voice. Flurry sighed in disappointment as she crossed her arms in the chest area.
"Okay." She said in disappointment. Cadence then sighed before her face became sad, "Look, maybe you want to listen to music?" She said, "I have to talk to your father." Flurry Heart pondered for a short moment, but after a short moment she took her smartphone out of the jeans pocket and put the headphones in her ears. She then turned to her music on loud volume and started to listen to her favorite songs with a happy smile on her face. Cadence then sighed and looked into the eyes of her husband with a sad look on her face. Shining looked at her with surprise, but still nodded signaling that he is ready to talk.
"Shining." Cadence spoke calmly in her voice, "You did the right thing when you calmed them, but why do you have to argue with them? I know that he is your idol, but it's … just… ugh..."
"Cadence, please ..." said Shining, "Do you believe in all of these theories that our people write on the Internet? Shadow the Hedgehog couldn't leave him alive."
"How do you know that?" Cadence asked again.
"From Silver." Shining replied, "He told us, remember? He was there. And Sonic too never spoke well about Eggman… *sigh* Cadence honey, I know that you prefer a peaceful solution for any single danger problem, but that is not a reason to hate this man for what he did. Hundreds of millions of lives were saved that day, and it cannot be denied."
"I know, Shining. But he was still unarmed in front of him, he was ready to surrender." Cadence protested, "And this Shadow the Hedgehog, instead of showing mercy, shoot him right in the place where he stands on… or laid on ..." She frowned, "One killer just shot another."
Shining sighed sadly, "Cadence." He spoke, his tone subdued and sad, "No matter how controversial was his act, he still was able to stop the war, which Mobius could not stop for twenty years. And thanks to him hundreds of millions of lives have been saved. Moreover, let's remember about Sombra. He was unarmed as well, but we still killed him without leaving him a chance for having a fair trial, and mercy. From your point of view, we are murderers as well."
"This is different. Sombra was a dangerous magician, Shining." Cadence said, "And Eggman was a defenseless man who had no... *sigh*... Listen, I don't want to argue with you on about this... *smiles*... Let's just forget about it."
"Of course." Shining smiled at her as he took her hand. That's was before they heard a loud phone call. Cadence made her eyes wide as she glanced on her purse and took her smartphone out of it. She then glanced at the screen and a bright smile shone on her face as it was Twilight's phone number. She then placed her phone to her left ear as she spoke.
"Twilight, hello." Cadence said a happy tone in her voice.
"Cadence." Happy Twilight's tone sounded from the speaker, "I'm glad soon to hear your voice, sis. Me, girls and boys are already near the stadium. You can meet us if you want."
"Well, of course, we will meet you." Cadence happily replied, "I'll see you soon. Cadence hangs out." She then turned off the call and looked at Shining happily, "Shining, it was..."
"I got you." Shining replied happily as well, and then he looked at his daughter and shook her by the shoulder, "Hey, Splinter." he called. Flurry Heart made her eyes wide as she glanced at her father and then she put one headphone out of her ears and nodded.
"Your aunt and uncle have arrived." Shining snidely said, "We have to go and meet them."
Flurry Heart nodded as a happy smile shone on her face before she stood up from the couch and ran toward the exit door. Shining and Cadence followed her after a short moment.
Meanwhile, near the north entrance.
Twilight's black limousine stopped near the northern entrance to the stadium and the huge crowd gathered around it by blocking the way for any retreat. Inside, Silver angrily stared at the huge crowd that surrounded the car from all sides. Besides the crowd of happy ponies who greeted their heroines, he didn't see anything, not even a treasured entrance door. He then snapped in exasperation, "Damn!" He said, "I thought that everything would be modest." Rarity then placed her hand on his shoulder as she looked at him with a smile, "Have you ever met with applause back in your homeland?" She asked. Silver smiled and looked at her, "Well, of course, I have." He said, and then he looked back at the crowd, "But here I've never met with this." Rarity then looked at the crowd, and sighed, "Now what shall we do? I don't think we can pass by them." She said in mild sadness.
"Let me see." Twilight began to speak, and then grinned, and looked at the Silver, "Silver. You think we can create a corridor by using our powers?"
"I got your thoughts Twilight." Silver said, "But I don't think we can hold them for long." He then glanced at Rarity, "You have to run as fast as possible."
"Oh, don't worry." Rarity calmed him, "We won't let you down." She then glanced at the others, "Right guys?" She asked them. Pinkie, Applejack, Sweetie Belle, Spike, and Applebloom nodded to her in agreement. Rarity then turned back to Silver and winked at him by smiling softly. Silver smiled at her before he glanced back at the crowd. He then focused on his powers as his hands glowed bright blue, as well as his eyes, and Twilight charged her magic through her horn to create a barrier between them and their fans so they could get through. Silver then formed a psychokinetic wall by pushing the crowd to the right side and Twilight formed a magic wall by pushing them to the left. Silver then opened the door and turned to the girls and Spike.
"GO!" He commanded, prompting them to smile and move their way fast toward the main entrance. They ran out of the car one by one and ran through the crowd until they disappeared behind the door. Silver and Twilight then glanced at Starlight, who sat on a driver seat to call her out.
"Starlight!" Twilight called her.
"You guys go." Starlight answered with a smile, "I'll better use a service entrance." Twilight smiled at her and nodded before she and Silver left the limo and closed the car door from the outside. They ran through the cheering crowd, by laughing themselves as they found it like a child's game. After they reached the main entrance, they shut the door tightly and stopped on focusing their powers thus freeing a happy crowd. The crowd rushed to the door, continuing to shout words of joy against their heroes, but Twilight and Silver just grinned and waved their arms, standing already on the other side of the door. They then looked at each other and exchanged a high-five, while Twilight had to jump because Silver was much taller that her, with his height of 5.4 inches, when Twilight was only 4,9. After that, they crossed their arms in the chest area and turned to their friends by grinning smugly and showing a good mood. Even Twilight, who for personal reasons were rarely in a good mood have a smile flashed across her face.
"Who's the best in the world?" Silver asked with his voice sounded like an alpha. The girls giggled over him by finding it funny, and then Rarity approached him closer and wrapped her arms around his neck by smiling lovingly at him, "You are." She said with a loving tone in her voice after Silver wrapped his own arms around her waist. They then shared a loving kiss even though they knew their friends was watching them, but they really didn't care. Among friends, meanwhile, stared at the kissing couple with aww-smiles. Twilight even slightly fell into tears by watching them. However, that moment was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"I would advise you to leave the hugs and kisses for later." Sonic's voice sounded from the left. Hearing his voice, Silver and Rarity stopped kissing, and then together with the rest they turned to the source of the voice, to see Sonic, Dash, and Scootaloo who looked at them with smiles. Silver and Rarity finished their hug and then the girls certainly rushed into group hugs, happy that they met again. Silver and Sonic exchanged a tight handshake, by grinning at each other.
"Well, hello there, Sonic." Silver greeted him.
"Hello to you too, man." Sonic greeted him in response, and then he crossed his arms over his chest, "Can I ask why are you put your uniform on? You left the service after all."
"I want to enjoy it while I have it." Silver said, "Tomorrow I'll have to return it to the office, according to the order. This is the last day, when I go in this form, so ..." He then shrugged and changed the subject of conversation, "By the way, Tails already here?"
"No." Sonic said with a sad smile, "He's very busy with his EQ business plan, and he will come later... *sigh*... He didn't even call me today but called you… it's kinda surprising, to be honest..." He said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
"He didn't call me, Sonic." Silver said, "Rarity called him this morning. He told her that he'll be at the stadium today, but as I can see, he's late again."
"But some seventeen years ago, he would give everything to come here." Sonic said with disappointment in his voice because of the fact, that his best friend again is unable to get here, "Now he has a job, his own company, his own plans. It had to happen sooner or later ... * sigh * ... Alright, let's not talk about sad things."
Silver nodded to him with a grin, and then they both looked at the girls, who have already finished hugging, "Oh, girls, how great that we are together again." Pinkie Pie said as she was happy.
"Just like in the good old times." Applejack agreed.
"You mean this morning?" Twilight said with a malicious tone and a smirk on her charming attractive face. Applejack frowned at her back, "Oh, come on Twilight. I was joking." She said, offended. Twilight let out a chuckle in response, by letting her know that she joked as well, and Applejack was only about to rolling her eyes to the ceiling, and growling in annoyance. Rainbow Dash found that one member of their friendly company is still not here. She then made her eyes wide and looked around the hallways in an attempt to find a certain yellow pony, "Hey, wait a minute." She said before glancing at her friends, "And where's Fluttershy?"
"She's still working, Rainbow darling." Rarity said, calming Dash, "She said that she will come to the stadium a little later."
Rainbow Dash then sighed and squinted in annoyance, "Oh ... Not again." She moaned, "Alright. I hope that she will arrive at the beginning of the race."
"She will, Dashie." Sonic told her when he places his hand on her shoulder, "Don't doubt it. You know how fast she is." He then smiled and looked at the other members of the company, "How was your trip? I see that it went well." He asked as they all went toward the entrance to the stands.
"It is not bad, Sonic." Applejack was the first who said, "The seats were soft. The limo was awesome. So everything went just wonderful."
"Yes, and we know that your old friend came to Equestria." Pinkie Pie recalled, smiling happily, "Now we can make the best party in his life."
"Pinkie Pie. Do you remember what I said?" Silver asked her, frowning. Sonic, though, was taken aback by Pinkie's words about a friend who arrived in Equestria. He then looked at her, by lifting his eyebrow, "What kind of friend are you talking about, Pinkie?" He asked her in question. Silver then glanced at him by squinting in annoyance, since he doesn't really wish to talk about it anymore, "Its Shadow, Sonic." He said with an inexpressive tone in his voice. Much to the blue hedgehog narrowed his eyes annoyingly before he turned his eyes forward and sighed deeply.
"Oh great." He said sarcastically, "Now the important thing is not to fall into his eyes. Otherwise, it will be bad."
Twilight then frowned when she realized that both Silver and Sonic not really glad to meet their old fighting partner after years of separation. She then came close to Sonic, and put her hand on his shoulder, frowning at him, "Sonic, I don't understand." She spoke a little surprised, "After all Shadow is your fighting partner, and you haven't seen him for ten years. He saved our world."
"Twilight, no need to remind me of what I saw with my own eyes." Sonic interrupted her thoughts when he looked at her and smiled, "I like him. He did what I'd never did." He then blinked as a smirk vanished from his face, "It's just Shadow the one who doesn't really likes me and Silver."
The girls then made their eyes wide when they heard his remark, and then they turned on him as a curiosity flashed on their faces, "May I ask why?" Rarity asked, holding Silver's arm. Silver and Sonic looked at each other and then Silver turned to Rarity and spoke.
"It's a very long story." He said with his voice sounded tired and monotonous.
Meanwhile, in a VIP section.
Shadow, accompanied by Princess of the Moon finally caught up with the ladder that leads to the VIP box where all the high society members gathered in one place. They then stopped near the entrance and fixed his eyes on it. There was no door. Only the rope that separated the entrance from the corridor. The guard, dressed in armor and holding a spear in his hand, stood at attention and looked around carefully, guarding the entrance. Luna and Shadow exchanged nods, before heading for the stairs. The guard noticed his princess and saluted her, before opening the entrance for her.
"Your Highness." He greeted her. Luna frowned at him and nodded.
"At ease." She said, prompting the soldier to relax, "This mobian is Shadow the Hedgehog. He's my personal guest. My and my sister. Skip him without a queue! Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am!" The guard replied confidently, "It will be done according to your order." Luna grinned proudly, and then she looked at Shadow by nudging her eyebrows up and down. But Shadow was only about to roll his eyes to the ceiling in annoyance and sigh deeply. He then looked into her eyes lifting his left eyebrow and spoke.
"Yeah, I got you." He said as they started to walk up the stairs, "Being boss is cool, and blah blah blah ..." Luna sighed as they began to overcome a flight of stairs and began to climb higher. She again took his arm before speaking.
"Shadow, stop be sarcastic!" She demanded, "Your evil sarcasm won't help you to build relationships with those with whom you need to meet."
"I'll try." Shadow said, "By the way, could you remind me, why do you want to introduce me to your elite?" He then frowned and turned to her, "Getting to know your sister, and even more so to you, enough for me to feel comfortable here."
Luna looked at him, "You have to get to know them anyway." She said, "While you patrol the stadium, you have to go up there. It will be better if those who are there beside me and Celestia will meet with you personally, for not asking too many questions about your arrival." She then narrowed her eyes, "Shadow believe me. Our words won't be enough for them. Your presence will convince them."
"Yes, that makes sense." he said before they went to the VIP section. They stopped for a moment and looked around this section, which is more like some kind of expensive restaurant, but certainly not tribunes of stadium. There were soft chairs and sofas, luxurious tables and waiters who tray expensive food and drinks on their trays. The visitors were dressed in expensive clothes, consisting of tuxedos worn by males, and expensive dresses or business suits worn by females. The women wore expensive jewelry around their necks or arms. They also saw how Celestia was already in its place and talked about it with several people. Two of her guards were beside her, on either side of her chair. Shadow sighed in annoyance when he finished with scanning all VIPs. He knew everyone present in this place, and he knew what they were doing. Luna nudged him, hearing his sigh, and frowned when she looked into his eyes. Shadow narrowed his eyes as soon as they met with Luna's, and then he explained his behavior.
"Yes, yes, I remember." He said irritably, "I'll be nice."
Luna smiled proudly, "Let's go." She said quietly, before they headed to Celestia, for Luna took her place. They had reached the middle of the hall, where the Princess of the Night suddenly stopped. Much for Shadow become confused when he raised his eyebrow.
"Luna, what are you doing?" He asked. Luna grinned devilishly back and Shadow squinted, and closed his eyes before slapping himself in the face with his hand, "Oh, gods, no!" He groaned in annoyance as he realized that she was going to do. Luna giggled quietly and then looked up again.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." She announced, thus immediately attracting everyone's attention. Ponies turned to the Night Princess and made their eyes wide, by seeing her holding Shadow's arm and standing beside him. Luna, though, continued her speech, as her smile turned wider, "Let me introduce you to our guest, Shadow the Hedgehog." She spoke aloud. Celestia meanwhile, smiled at her sister's behavior, before she glanced back at the ponies who talked to her.
"See?" She asked by drawing their attention, "He's not as scary as long as he is not angry." She then looked back to Luna and Shadow, "He even had the honor to accompany my sister. You can feel relaxed, my ponies."
Ponies sighed in relief, and then they looked at Shadow with awkward smiles on their faces.
"Well, if you do not worry, it means that we, too, have nothing to worry about." Fancypants said nervously, straightening the collar of his tuxedo. Fleur, who stood next to him, giggled at his behavior, and then took his arm. "What did I tell you?" She said, "Nothing wrong here." She then looked at the Sun Princess, "Your Highness. And can you say what task he had come?"
"He came here on my personal invitation to help ensure the safety at the World Cup finals." Celestia said wisely and with a smile, "You can be calm Mrs. Fleur."
Fleur nodded to her, before looking at her husband, "Honey. Maybe you want to say hello to our new friend?" She asked. Fancypants smiled, "You're right, darling." He said, and then looked at Shadow, before heading to him along with his wife.
Meanwhile, Shadow was already surrounded by several dozens of prying eyes, who examined it carefully and approached as close as possible.
"Wow!" One said, "You look exactly as I imagined."
"Welcome to Equestria, sir." Another said, "I hope you enjoy your visit."
"I've been here before." Shadow said, "And yes, I enjoyed in being here." He then smirked and glanced at Luna, "Very much enjoyed." Lune blushed at his comment, and then she tried to hide her face by turning away. Shadow then became serious again, before he glanced at the curious ponies, "Excuse me." He said, "It was a pleasure to meet you, but I have to work."
"Sir!" Another voice called out to him, prompting Shadow to turn to its source to see how Fancypants in the company of his wife goes to him. Dark Hedgehog then raised his left eyebrow and crossed his arms. When Fancypants came close to him, he smiled amiably and held out his hand.
"Agent Shadow, welcome. We welcome you here." Stallion greeted him with a friendly smile on her face. Shadow was staring into his eyes with a questioning look on his face, and then he looked at his hand, staying in an easy bafflement, and pretending that he doesn't know what he should do. But then he frowned and firmly shook his hand. His grip was so strong that Fancypants flinched because of pain and growled softly, and his face twisted. Shadow then let go of his hand, and again folded his own hands in the chest area, continuing to look at him, his trademark stern look on his face.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Fancypants." Shadow said simply.
"Yeah ... me too, Agent." Fancypants said nervously, as he was rubbing his hand, "However. Have we met before? I see you for the first time. I don't think you know my name." He laughed awkwardly, "It's one of your G.U.N. tricks?"
Shadow raised his left eyebrow, and then he began to look around at the sides to find a good excuse. Of course, he, as an agent, knew his name, because he has stallion's personal dossier in GUN. But he didn't want to talk about it openly, for to not to sow a panic among the rest. He then looked at Luna, who looked at him with wide eyes, as if to warn that she would give him a slap if he will say that he knows Fancypants, and the others, because he was collecting a material on all known people of Mobius and Equestria. Shadow made his eyes wide and gulped because he knew Luna too well, and he didn't want her to take offense. He then looked back at the stallion, quiet outside, but awkward inside.
"Princess Luna told me about you." He simply replied, "She loves to talk about the people who surround her."
"Aaaaahhhh… ha-ha-ha…" Fancypants laughed awkwardly, as he sweats dropped, by being worried somehow, "I see…" He chuckles again, "All right. Maybe you join us? Not every day we have the opportunity to talk with a war hero. Especially with the one who stopped the war."
"Mr. Shadow, I really like your suit." Fleur Dis Lee spoke suddenly, "It is a very good contrast to your natural color. Maybe you can tell us where did you get it? Do you have a personal tailor?"
"No, Madame Fleur." Shadow said with a grin, "This suit I bought at some sort of sale. I thought it was interesting." He then frowned, "I'd be glad to talk with you, but I'm afraid that I have to get to work. Ladies. Gentlemen." He looked at Luna, "Your Highness."
Luna nodded at him with a grin, "Get to work, agent Shadow." She said to him. Shadow bowed to her before he left the VIP section. Elite ponies watched him as he went, with smiles on their faces.
"Real professional." One of them said. Fancypants nodded in agreement, "Good point, my friend." He said and then he narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "But I have a feeling that he's hiding something." Fleur sighed in annoyance when she heard how her husband turned on the paranoia mode, and then she frowned and nudged him in the shoulder. Fancypants made his eyes wide, before taking a look at his wife. He then smiled nervously and waved to her.
"Oh, hi Fleur." He said nervously. Fleur then grinned at him disapprovingly, "Let's go to our place, my love." She suggested, "The competition will start soon." Fancypants nodded before turning to Luna, "Your Highness." He said, and then together with his company went to their seats.
Meanwhile, Luna sighed wearily, and then she headed for her place next to her sister. As she reached her place, she sat on her throne, and her eyes fixed on the stadium fills. She smiled beautifully, feeling her spirits rose up to heaven. Celestia saw her sister in a good mood, and grinned maliciously, in her mind struck some idea.
"I see that someone feel the same, that she felt seven years ago." She teased her sister. But Luna only sighs sadly, and the smile disappeared from her face. She then looked at Celestia, with her face became sad and began to explain her behavior.
"I know what you're talking about, Tia." She spoke sadly, "The answer is no. Shadow forever have a special place in my heart, but not in that sense ... * sigh * ... I'm just trying to let him know that I'm sorry." She then looked forward, "He disappeared for two years, he almost never wrote to me and not call on the phone, just to say hello. He's still mad at me."
"What makes you think so?" Celestia said as her eyes grew wide.
"I don't know." Luna said, "I just feel it."
Celestia then sighed in annoyance, and grimaced before starting to teach her little sister mind to reason, "Listen here, you emo princess." She spoke in a comic manner, "You both came to a mutual agreement when you said that you broke up, and you want to remain friends." Luna turned to her, "Your anxiety is groundless, sister. Didn't you notice how happy he is that he saw you again? Of course, he does not show it, but it's obvious. Aren't you happy to see your friend again after years?"
"Well, of course, I'm happy." Luna said with a smile.
"Then I am sure. He is happy exactly the same like you." Celestia said wisely, and then took her little sister by the hand, "And his presence here is no coincidence. Maybe you've got a second chance."
"Tia." Luna said, "We have already decided everything. I can't feel the same as I felt then, seven years ago." Luna then turned away from her older sister once again and gave her a sign she didn't want to hear another word. Celestia found herself at lost ends with her sister.
"I feel like I deal with a teenager instead of an adult. Sigh deep breaths Tia you know you're pushing it. I'll try another time. For now, though." She thought as she had a deep breath in and out. She then smiled playfully and looked at her sister again.
"Look, Luna." She called, "Today is the World Cup final." Luna then turned to her, still working in emo mode, "People are happy, and you must be happy, too. Now, take away this sad facial expression from your face, less I cast a laughter spell on you." She said jokingly. Luna couldn't help but giggle. She was pleased that her sister, trying to raise her spirits. She then sat at the more royal manner and nodded. The two sisters then glanced at the stadium, waiting for the start.
Wow, it seems Luna still has feelings for her ex. Or is it just a delusion?
And so, if you liked my story, then be free to leave your own review. And Favorite and Follow of course. I give you my word that the next chapter will not make you wait so long, because, in the next chapter, we will have an unexpected twist.
In the end, I'd like to thanks Nintendosegahasbrofan for helping me to finish this chapter.
Until then, it's Alex Circus, also known as Blockheadgreen1189 says you bye for now and see you in the next time.
Stay in POWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!