Author's Note

OH LOOK I FINALLY HAVE FOUND TIME TO WRITE AND THIS IS REALLY CRAZY SO HERE'S ANOTHER CHAPTER.

Oh and big ol update on this story: I am taking a temporary hiatus on all my FanFics for the time being while I get out of my creative block and rut. So in order to catch up with my amazingly behind scheduleness, you can read the OLD version of A Shadow Rising here on FanFiction!

So yeah.

Thanks,

William Sable

Chapter 20: Letters from a Lieutenant

Dear Rainbow Dash,

I know you probably don't want to hear a damn word from me; I don't think I'd be any different in your shoes, believe me. Nonetheless, I'm writing to you in the hopes that you haven't completely written me off, and so I can explain my actions just prior to me leaving:

Dash, you know best of all that I'm not normal. I'm not some confident, easy going colt that is ready for anything. I'm more of the quiet, nervous, uptight wreck that is passed off as a pegasus. For reasons that are my own, I have some major commitment issues. That's why I couldn't answer you at the station. Entanglements with others has always seemed foreign and awkward at best, and something that serious between us just seemed… wrong. I'll get over it eventually, but if you'll still have me, just give me a bit more time and I'll come around.

I'm sorry, I truly am. While I do feel as if a part of me has been lost leaving Ponyville, particularly leaving you behind, it does feel good to be out in the field again. It's been too long since I was on the frontlines, I've been stuck with 'morale duty' for far too long. With my healed wing, and unique talents I think I may be able to help these ponies, and those inside Fillydelphia.

It's not looking good however. We outnumber the Chrysalids, yes, but siege warfare is imminent and almost unavoidable. It'll be a long and bloody battle if we don't play our cards right. I still don't understand why I'm here. I've seen many RAF officers who outrank me just in passing, and even more Legionnaires who outrank me as well.

Please, at least write back. Even if you continue to hate me and wish never to speak to me again, at least let me know. The suspense will kill me otherwise.

Signed,

Shadow Storm

"What should I do?"

Rainbow rested her head in her hooves with a sigh. Her rainbow mane cascaded over her eyes, creating a blanket-like shield for her face. Leaning against the desk, she waited for an answer.

"Well? Twilight, come on! Help me out here!"

As the unicorn sorted books on the shelf of her library, she sighed, and responded, "You're not gonna like it…"

"Just spit it out! I'm asking you for help, isn't that say I'm kind of in need here? You, Twi, of all people!"

The purple unicorn halted, levitating a book in mid air. Slowly, she turned, returning Dash's glare with triple the intensity. The comment had obviously offended her, and rage was now rapidly welling within her eyes.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

With that statement, she went back to silently sorting, though each movement now had an extra snap to it, and books were now being slapped into place.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Just come on!"

With a loud growl, Twilight shivered. With a burst of pink light, books exploded in every direction, smacking against the wall. Ducking narrowly under a literary projectile, the pegasus cringed. Turning slowly around to face her friend, the now angry Twilight stomped her hooves on the ground as she moved.

"Fine! You were way to harsh on him. You know he's unstable, you know he's different, and you darn well know he's got a lot of psychological tension. You should have seen this coming! Write back to him and apologize for your transgressions or you might lose the only stallion that genuinely likes you for who you are! Happy?"

"No… that wasn't what I wanted to hear…"

"I told you! It's the truth!"

Dash remained silent, staring at the floor. Frowning, she stared at Twilight. The two locked eyes, with Twilight's angry expression negating Dash's.

"I… I guess you're right."

"I'm always right," Twilight added, lifting her head up in a self-righteous manner.

"Well… I guess I better get to writing him. I really, really don't want to do this but..."

"It's necessary, now go. I have important things to do and I can't be bothered with your colt troubles all day," Twilight snapped, beginning to sweep up books.

Exiting the library, Dash took flight. Soaring high above Ponyville, she completed a few circuits around the country side to clear her head. This was all so confusing and new to her…

As she landed on her front porch with an elated sigh, she raced inside. Gathering a bunch of loose papers, an inkwell and quill, the Pegasus made her way upstairs and placed them on her bed. With a leap, she flopped down on her bed, her body sinking into the sheets for a moment, causing the ink in the inkwell to slosh around.

"Okay…"

Sighing, she stared at the paper. This was much more intimidating now than before. She liked writing, but the idea of writing to Shadow was not particularly refreshing. If there was one thing she hated, it was conceding defeat or guilt, and that was exactly what she had to do.

"No, you need to get it done, and you need to make it up to him," she murmured to herself, furrowing her brow, "Think about what Twi said…"

"Dear Hotshot…"