Author's Note

This chapter contains some borrowed dialogue. A cookie to you if you can identify it's source.

Thanks,

William Sable

Chapter 9: Weather Patrol

"Alright, today Shadow will be flying with me. Any objections?"

A group wide silence was the answer. Shadow hoped that this would be a better match, but had his worries. As the day began he noticed a great difference in the two groups. Dash's group consisted of herself and two other mares, Crystal Wing and Moonslither. The two mares were both white, the former having a purple mane, the later with a fiery orange mane.

This group was much more of Shadow's speed, literally and figuratively. They raced about all day with an air of importance. Dash chose her wingmares well, as they were able to follow her formations and manoeuvres perfectly. At the end of the day, Shadow was admittedly a bit tired, but satisfied from the exciting flight. As he walked home again, Dash once again joined him and they talked for the entirety of the journey home.

This walking and talking became a regular occurrence (if one could call it that), and for the next four days it seemed as if nothing could go wrong. A feeling of safety in Ponyville took root in Shadow's heart.

On the fifth day, after a rapid patrol, the Weather Patrollers were dismissed early. As Shadow headed home, as per usual, Rainbow joined him.

"Hey, want to hit up Sugarcube Corner?"

The offer was a bit surprising, but Shadow shrugged and replied, "Why not?"

"Great!"

Rainbow seemed in an oddly giddy mood. As the two arrived at the café, noted the place was fairly busy. After waiting in line for a while, Dash and Storm eventually made their way to the counter. Ordering two ice cream floats, Shadow guided Dash out of the crowded café, taking a seat at the outdoor seating arrangement.

Taking her position opposite Storm, Dash questioned, "So when are you gonna give it up?"

"Give what up?"

"Why you're here? Most ponies wouldn't just come to a place they just found out about for no reason…"

Shadow laughed, shaking his head slowly. He didn't respond. Taking a sip from his beverage, he chuckled again.

"What?" Dash questioned, looking at Storm questioningly with a frown.

"Nothing. I've asked myself that same question; why in the bloody hay am I here?"

"Well, why?"

Shadow leaned forward, sipping from his drink, before responding, "Same answer as last time. I don't have a home to go to. And I certainly don't want to stay in Appaloosa or Cloudsdale."

"Ugh! Stop being so secretive!" Dash blurted out, groaning loudly.

Shadow grinned and shook his head, replying, "Look Dash, I don't like talking about my past for a reason; it's in the past. I've done some things that I regret and that's that."

"Regret? Did you kill somepony?" Dash interrogated, flailing a hoof in the air.

"What? Celestia no!" Storm answered quickly, leaning backwards in surprise.

"Look Shadow, I'm your friend. I gave you a place to stay. I gave you a job. You at least owe me an answer!"

Placing his hoof over his eyes, Storm froze. It had been a long time since anyone had cared enough to ask him about his past, and since then he had always avoided any questions about it.

"Fine."

With a grin, Rainbow inched closer to Shadow.

"I swear to Celestia if you ever leak this to any press…"

"Trust me, I won't. Cross my heart," Dash said, smirking.

Setting both hooves on the table, Shadow eyed the mare suspiciously.

"Well. It uh… it started a while ago, back when I was in Cloudsdale…"

"Dude, check it out."

A young Shadow Storm turned to see his friend, Gallant Gallop, staring at a poster. Shadow walked over, and stood behind Gallop, joining him in looking at the poster.

The poster was for the Royal Equestrian Air Force. It read 'Join the best, be the best'.

"Catchy slogan," Shadow chuckled, shaking his head.

"Can you imagine how cool it would be? Flying at top speed, dodging enemy spells. And the mares man… the mares."

Shadow angrily stared at Gallant. Feeling the hot gaze on the side of his head, Gallop turned to meet Shadow.

"What?" Gallop asked, shrugging.

"You make it sound so glamorous. It's not."

Storm continued staring at Gallant. Gallop frowned back at Shadow.

"Oh since you have firsthand experience eh?"

"No, I don't," Shadow stated, quickly adding, "But I can see past all the PR and recruiters bullshit. War is hell. To be a soldier you have to be willing to give up your life at any moment. You have to be willing to remain courageous and stalwart in the face of adversity. You have to have honour, valour. Vengeance and betrayal are not in the vocabulary of a soldier. To be a soldier, you must be the utmost paragon of virtue."

Gallop stared at his friend in silence. Shadow's rant was slightly out of character, but his situation wasn't one that would cause him to remain in his comfort zone. Continuing on his way, Shadow marched off. Gallop followed, lagging behind slightly.

"Sorry Shadow… I…"

"You what?" Storm questioned, whipping around, "You have no idea what kind of stress I'm under right now. Years of planning, lies and deceit, all based around this one act. Now, I have to rip out the pillar supporting this web of deception, and let the truth come flowing the buck back in!"

Gallop remained emotionless. He knew Storm was right. It was one thing for Gallant to join the military, his parents didn't care. For Shadow, it was another ballgame.

Arriving back at Shadow's house, Storm indicated for Gallant to wait outside.

As he entered he felt a wave of mixed emotion flow over him. He knew the place so well; the long hallway that led into the kitchen, dining room and parlour, the stairs that led up to the office and bedrooms.

Ascending the stairs with his usual sense of urgency and swiftness, Shadow entered his room. Autonomously, he began digging through his closet, eventually finding the bag he had set aside. Opening the zipper, he glanced inside. Everything was there.

Clomping out of his room with his bag over his back, Shadow began searching for his parents. His dad was in the office, as per usual. His mother was downstairs in the living room, as per usual. They both sat on opposite sides of the house.

'How mature,' thought Shadow, as he raced down the stairs and into the parlour.

With his loud, monotone dark voice, he called for both of them. Reluctantly, they answered his call. As they entered, they took seats on opposite sides of the room. Shaking his head with a sigh, Shadow swallowed. This was the moment of truth.

"Mom, Dad, I have something to say. I want you to be reasonable, and to acknowledge that I made this choice, and that you'll not be angry with me."

"Of course," was their answer.

"I've joined the RAF."

Silence.

Shadow had expected it. He knew them well enough. It wasn't overly shocking to his father, and he could tell he wasn't particularly angry. His mother, however, looked beyond horrified. She left within minutes, not making eye contact with Shadow.

"You've done it now, you realize?"

Storm nodded at his father. Swallowing his emotions, he stared at the floor for a few minutes.

"You're sure about his?" his father questioned quietly.

"Dad… life is a story. I'm trying to live a good one," Shadow answered, turning to leave the room, "of course I'm sure."

He left the house without any further words. It was the last time he spoke to his parents.

Shadow felt an odd feeling of freedom and sadness mixing together in his mind. Nonetheless, he continued, heading for the rendezvous point the recruiter had directed them to. With Gallant still lagging behind in silence, Shadow watched as the recruiter and about twenty other ponies came into sight, all gathered on one cloud.

Landing next to them, he marched up to the recruiter.

"Sir! Permission to fall in!" he shouted, stomping his hoof as he turned toward the recruiter.

"Fall in," the sergeant returned.

Shadow had no idea the next thought in his mind would be the last he would have as a civilian. They seemed so trivial to him.

Snap, two three, up down.