(Note: This time's gonna be a little different. Chapter 9 is being split into two different parts. It's time to see what happens next, after Card ran off last chapter. I thought naming this first part after the P!nk song was fitting. So here we go :P )

Chapter 9 Just Give Me a Reason

I turned around to shoot an accusation at Scorpan, but he was gone. Like he'd never been there. I shook my head, then took off in the direction Card had gone. I didn't have to think about what I was doing. I got up and chased after the stallion I loved, not giving a second glance to the two pegasi, the broken queen, or her confused hive. I ran fast, until I was panting and sweat dripped off my forehead, but I didn't care. I wouldn't lose my coltfriend to this dangerous forest. I couldn't lose him to a mistake either.

But was it really a mistake? I had kissed the gargoyle prince back. My shadows pummeled me with angry words, telling me how much this was my fault. And I agreed. But I gritted my teeth, bit my lip, and held it all in. Just as I'd always done. My only mission was to find Card.

I felt rain on my back while I ran, and I knew it was about to storm. The water fell off the trees, making slush of the ground. Mud coated my hooves. But this could help me. Card couldn't have gone far, and I'd find tracks soon. I hadn't been wrong. There were freshly pressed hoofprints in the mud, and I followed them. I didn't stop running until I saw Card. He was plopped down in a clearing, looking tired and worn out. He was also…crying.

You did that to him.

"Card!" I shouted.

"Why are you following me?" Card sniffled as he looked up and saw me approaching. "I just want to be alone."

I shook my head, "You don't deserve to be alone."

"I thought you loved me, Shadow. But how can you love me when you love that—that thing? That gargoyle prince? You can't have two special someponies." Card wiped a hoof across his face to dry his tears, but he only smeared mud across his cheek. The rain only fell harder.

"I d-don't love him!" I didn't need my shadows to tell me just how false that was. "He kissed me Card. I had no idea it was coming."

"You promise?"

I hugged him, trying to be comforting, "I promise I love you, Card." That statement was true at least.

I rubbed his back for a few minutes, and we stayed in that embrace for awhile. He was calming down, and I was glad. But only for him, because I still felt wrong. My heart couldn't possibly be split in two. Also, I couldn't stop dwelling on what I had done to Midnight. I hadn't known that side of me, and I didn't want to know him.

"Come on," I nudged him. "We should head back to Ponyville. It's getting late."

We got up to make the hike back to the village, and back to the cottage. On our way, Card couldn't keep his silence. "I'm sorry I ran away."

"You were upset." I dismissed it.

"It wasn't just Scorpan, Shadethrower. You did something. You weren't you. You were…different."

"Did I scare you?" I knew I had. I didn't need to ask. I scared myself.

"N-no!"

I gave him a sidelong glance, "It's okay to tell me, Card. You don't have to lie."

"Okay….Yes, you scared me a little. I've never seen you like that."

"I know." my head, and my heart dropped, but I kept a stern expression. I didn't want him to think I was upset. I'd told him he could tell me the truth.

"You're always so strong, it's like you don't have emotion. But when Midnight—" he choked up on the name, it brought back the memory of what had happened.

"It's okay," I whispered, nuzzling him, "We're not broken just yet. We'll get past this."

"I know we will." he smiled at me.

(You know Card could never hate Shadow, hehe. Scared ya last chapter didn't I? Well, no worries! Kk, love ya! Next part in just a sec...)