Chapter 25: Notes and Secrets

'Three on the right, two on the left. Easy.'

Shadow surveyed the courtyard. Five guards blocked his advance. Stationary as they may be, he checked their sightlines before moving. With a silent leap, the pegasus glided across the darkness, landing behind another wooden lattice. Sunlight peeked through, illuminating the dark creature ever so slightly. His black combat jacket hung loosely around his body, obscuring all but his head.

The courtyard was open. A single planter held a dead, withering tree in the centre. Determining his attack path, Shadow readied himself. In a flash of a second, he burst forth like an arrow. Flying through the air gracefully, he corrected his flight path, and struck each of the guards in succession with a heavy hit. His execution was textbook.

"An easy test for a person of your stature," a voice commented from above.

Skidding to a halt, Shadow replied, "Baby steps. I didn't expect to see you here… Something's happened or changed I presume?"

With an assist from his wings, Storm leapt up onto the low auburn rooftop above the courtyard. A vibrant, orange sun burnt with fury as it slowly ascended above the horizon. The changeling smirked slightly at Storm's agility.

"You're getting much better, and yes. I have a message for you," Razortooth stated, remaining stiff and unmoving.

A jagged hoof extended. In it lay a note:

I can't do this any longer. I need you. Come to 290 Washbay Avenue, 2000hrs.

"This is Dash's handwriting, isn't it…"

"It is," Razortooth confirmed with a nod and a sigh, "You two are on dangerous ground here… be careful."

"Thanks for the advice. I'll try," Shadow responded as he turned to walk away.

Producing his sunglasses from his pocket, Storm flew off. Moving about the city was difficult: patrols had doubled, the RAF and ESS had lookout crews scanning the skies, and there were constant troop movements. The date was November 28th, and the Winter Solstice Lunar Festival was coming soon. Very soon indeed.

"This time last year I'd have been worrying about what I'd get… the days when life was simpler…"

Landing on top of another, taller roof, Shadow paused. Bringing himself to the very edge of the roof, he crouched down and waited. A column of soldiers marched below.

Examining them from above, Storm felt his heart pound. They could easily look up and see him. They would recognize his vibrant mane. His dark fur.

But they wouldn't.

His training had taught him otherwise. Instead, he focused on them. They were wearing the dark grey armour that the ESS had adopted. On their backs were massive sacks that appeared as if they were carrying crates or barrels.

"What are you up to…" Storm whispered, narrowing his gaze.

As the column marched out of sight, Shadow took flight once again. Across the orange skyline he flew, until he landed back at his new hideaway: the apartment where he had been revived. Entering from the balcony, he found himself alone in the light of day.

"What are you…" he murmured aloud, turning his emerald eyes to a familiar file.

Walking to a table opposite the wide open doors to the balcony, Storm stared intently at the file he had stolen from the ESS.

Placing one hoof on the divider of the file, and slipping his other underneath, he tried to pry it open. Try as he might, it would not budge. Some other worldly force refused to grant him access.

"What are you?" he asked once again, and strained against the force.

It wouldn't move.

"What are you!" he shouted, as he gave one last, burst of strength.

Under his hooves he felt the file budge ever so slightly: maybe a milimetre of movement.

BOOM!

A blast of purple light sent Shadow reeling backwards in the orange light of the rising sun. With a heavy sigh, he stared angrily at his paper enemy. It was so tantalizingly close: the knowledge of his enemy's plans, and yet, he couldn't read it…

"I've tried myself. Nothing."

Turning toward the voice, Shadow relaxed slightly. Clear Skies strode in up the stairs, with a nervous smirk on her face.

"I used to be somewhat of a spellsmith in the day, when I was a kid. Most of us were..." she stated. A look of sadness gleamed in her eye, and Shadow thought he saw a tear roll down her cheek. "Whoever enchanted that DID NOT want ANYONE looking inside without permission. I'm assuming you got that from ESS top brass. You'll need to find a damn good spellsmith to crack that…"

"Well look at you, Miss Experienced here," Shadow chuckled, "Any ideas where to start?"

"No clue, sorry sir."

"It's okay, Warrant. I'm going to rest a bit, and lay low until night. Alright?"

"Yes sir. I hear you have a date?"

"Indeed," Storm grinned, "Someone I haven't been able to see in far too long…"

Shadow walked toward the room that he had been given. His hooves thudded across the floor.

"Sir…"

Storm turned and raised an eyebrow, looking quizzically at the changeling.

"I…" Skies stammered slightly, unable to express herself at first, "Be careful. You're our last hope sir, and if anything happens…"

"I appreciate your concern Warrant, but I've got this. I'm fine."

"Of course sir."

With a reassuring nod, Storm continued into his room and laid back on the cot he had been given. As the sun poured through the window, sleep began to turn his eyes to concrete. Darkness then shrouded the world, and Storm drifted off, dreaming of Rainbow hair and love lost.