Chapter 4: A Shadow Returns
'I could get used to this,' Shadow thought to himself, as he disembarked, 'the air, the birds, it's quite lovely.'
The shadowy Pegasus realized something as he began to walk. For the first time in a very long time, he was at peace; he wasn't constantly observing his surroundings, he wasn't making plans and over thinking everything. He was calm, cool, and at home.
'At home? This certainly isn't Cloudsdale,' Shadow pondered, 'but its feels more… homely, and safe.'
He had only left Ponyville a week ago. A town he had never known even existed, and he had spent more time in it than his last trip back home to Cloudsdale. It was his home for now, at least for the next three months. Ahead he saw Pinkie Pie, chatting with Rarity at a nearby restaurant. Passing right on by them, Shadow noted how easy it was to go unnoticed. All it required was a change of outfit.
During his stay at Canterlot, his uniform and some of his items had been transferred, to allow his leave of absence to start smoothly. He now wore his favourite uniform he had; a bright blue uniform, with his dark navy beret and trademark aviator glasses.
Noting Rarity and Pinkie Pie's presence, Shadow continued on.
'It'll be more fun to surprise them,' Shadow surmised with a grin.
As he exited town, Shadow decided to attempt to fly. His leg no longer hurt, and worked quite well, it was time to see if his wing was in better condition as well. Slowly, Shadow unfurled his wings, and beat them up and down. There was no pain, so slowly but surely he increased the rate of wing beats. Very soon he was lifting off the ground. A feeling of happiness spread through Shadow.
Excited, Shadow disregarded all sense and safety, and immediately went into a speedy flight upwards, quickly gaining altitude. After leveling out, Shadow banked left and began a series of corkscrews and barrel rolls. After completing those he returned to the ground, laughing. It had seemed so long since he had flown. He continued walking, as Sweet Apple Acres came into view. He quickly spied a familiar face pulling a wagon filled with apples.
Trotting up to the mare, Shadow hollered, "Howdy there AJ!"
Confused, Applejack stopped in her tracks, and turned to see the Pegasus approaching.
"Uh…" Applejack stuttered, not yet recognizing the smoky Pegasus, "Can I help you Mister?"
Storm laughed as he walked up to Applejack, in disbelief at the effectiveness of his disguise. After setting down a small brown bag, beside the mare he laughed once more, and pulled off his glasses.
"I'm here to repay the 'Courtesy of Sweet Apple Acres'," Shadow exclaimed, still chuckling.
"Well I'll be… wasn't expectin' to see you again Shadow Storm, you scared me mighty well," Applejack replied, beginning to laugh herself.
The two talked a bit, and Shadow indicated to the sack he left as a gift. After Storm's departure, Applejack opened it up to find twenty bits in the sack, as repayment for the ticket purchased for his journey to Canterlot. Meanwhile, Shadow carried on, still euphoric from his regained ability to fly, and his sudden change of circumstances.
Shadow returned to town, with a new objective in mind; find accommodations. After some consideration, Shadow decided to ask the smartest pony he knew, or at least the smartest pony in Ponyville. After asking around, Shadow was directed to the last known position of Twilight Sparkle.
'Sugarcube Corner?' thought Shadow as he arrived at his destination, an eyebrow raising out of curiosity.
As Shadow pushed the door open, his nostrils were flooded with the sweet smell of various baked goods. A quick glance inside showed a large room filled with chairs and tables, and a single counter. At the counter stood Twilight, apparently engaged in a deep conversation with Pinkie Pie.
Shadow walked in slowly, the two mares apparently taking no notice of him. Removing his sunglasses, he headed directly for the counter.
"I hope your reward was acceptable," Shadow said, as he walked toward the two mares.
A gasp from Pinkie made Shadow cringe a little, as he stood beside the two ponies. A grin appeared on both their faces
"You're back! So how was Canterlot and your daring mission?" Twilight asked cheerily.
"It was… interesting," Shadow stated, his grin slowly disintegrating.
Pinkie Pie hopped up and down in excitement, crying, "Interesting? Well, tell us about it already!"
Shadow explained the many goings on at Canterlot, and his encounter with the Princess and her guard contingent. After finishing this brief interlude, Shadow got straight to the point.
"Twilight," Shadow said, as he turned to address the unicorn, "who do I speak to about buying some property in Ponyville?"
"Why? Are you planning on moving here?" Twilight questioned back to Shadow.
Shadow replied, "Yes, I want to buy some land toward the edge of town."
Twilight look at the floor, and pondered for a few seconds. A slight gasp erupted from Twilight, and she whipped her head back horizontal.
"Talk to Filthy Rich, last I heard, he was selling a plot of land he bought from somepony," Twilight told Shadow, her face serious as she racked her brain.
"Thanks Twi," Shadow said as he headed for the exit.
As Shadow was opening the door, he heard Pinkie Pie say his name in an attempt to get his attention. He quickly turned around, half-way out the door, to listen to her.
"Have you seen Rainbow Dash yet?" Pinkie asked from afar.
Shadow shook his head and indicated that he hadn't.
"Well you should probably do that," Pinkie stated, "She might think you're avoiding her, and her feelings might get hurt."
Shadow nodded and exited the store. As he took several steps into the street, he replaced his sunglasses over his eyes and sighed. He knew Pinkie was right. It would be easier find her now, than it would as evening began.
After some questioning of the locals, he was pointed to a low lying cloud on the outside of Ponyville. Approaching the cloud, he saw it was no ordinary cloud. It had been shaped and molded with great care, with several columns, windows and doors dotting its surface. Between the cloud's Cloudsdalean appearance, and the various rainbows that trickled across his surface, Shadow knew it was the place.
Once again, Shadow beat his wings, and flew up to the main door of the cloud. It was still exhilarating to fly again, especially after being bed ridden for so long. Shadow landed softly on the cloudy surface, noting it was much softer than the clouds near Appaloosa. Shadow knocked on the harder cloud that comprised the door, making a tapping noise. A crash from inside confirmed the presence of someone (or something) inside. He could hear hooves clopping along tile floor above him.
As the footsteps became closer, he heard a voice yell in an annoyed manor, "What is it this time Fluttershy?"
The door opened, revealing Rainbow Dash. Her mane was slightly but noticeably disheveled. She looked surprised to see another Pegasus at her door step, let alone one dressed in a military uniform. After a brief moment of surprise and confusion, the mare recognized the stallion, and smiled.
"Well if it isn't Hotshot himself!" cried Rainbow happily.
'Why does she always use that?' thought Shadow, as he grinned awkwardly in an attempt to hide his frustration.
"Um… Dash, ixnay on the hotsay," Shadow muttered.
Rainbow Dash confusedly asked, "What? I don't…"
"It's not important," Shadow said, finishing Dash before she could continue, "How've you been?"
Dash frowned at the obvious change of subject, but replied, "Fine, fine."
A short, awkward silence followed, as Shadow fidgeted about.
"Wanna come inside?" Dash asked finally, stepping to the side and indicating to walk in.
Shadow accepted, and walked inside slowly. The front hall was a large room, with equally large columns adorning either side. A staircase ahead led upstairs and banked left part way up. All things considered, Shadow was surprised. He didn't take Dash for a clean freak, especially with her rather unique personality. The room was spotless, aside from a pile of books and various oddities that lay at the bottom of the stairs.
"Sorry, it's a little messy," Rainbow remarked, with a slight giggle as she flew over to the pile of books, "I was carrying these when you knocked, it start-… was unexpected."
Shadow again was surprised, as he watched Dash gingerly scoop up the books and replace them on various shelves. He would not have pegged her as an avid reader, let alone an occasional reader.
"No worries. You should see my bunk back at November," chuckled Shadow, "it's the definition of messy."
As Dash placed the final few books on the shelves, she took great care to straighten her mane.
"November?" she said, as she looked back at Shadow.
"Oh," Shadow said, in a sudden realization, "November Air Force base. It's where I've been station for the past eight months."
Dash landed with a slight flourish in front of Shadow, peering about to check for further misplaced items or books. She indicated for Shadow to follow, and the two entered a small living room, with several pillows about the room. Storm noted that Rainbow Dash was much less excited than his previous encounters with her. On the other hand, she seemed tense, which could indicate her restraining her excitement.
As they sat down, Dash asked Shadow, "So how did it go with Canterlot?"
Shadow sighed slightly, and began to tell the happenings in Canterlot, again. After concluding the story, Storm glanced out the window, and noticed it was mid-late afternoon.
Before he could say anything, Rainbow Dash fired off another question, "So what are you doing in Ponyville?"
"I'm on temporary leave," Shadow answered, "and I thought, where better to spend it than here. I have nowhere to go home to."
"What about Cloudsdale? I'm surprised you didn't head home…" Dash quickly asked again.
"I don't really have a home, per say," Shadow replied slowly, beginning to get uncomfortable.
Dash pried once more, "What about your family? Friends?"
"Well I don't really know any friends that live in Cloudsdale, and my family… it's a long story... the short story is no."
More awkward silence followed. The semi-melancholy tone that lied underneath Shadow's answer was quite obvious. Shadow lowered his head, and stared down at the tile in front of him.
"Wanna talk about it?" Dash questioned, lowering her head so it could be seen within his field of view.
"It's nothing. I…" Storm trailed off.
"Its fine, your secret is safe with me," reassured Dash, puffing her chest out slightly.
'Don't I know…' thought Shadow.
"Fine, it all started about five years ago."