Chapter 28: The Trap

Shadow galloped through Ponyville. He knew the streets fairly well enough but it seemed so odd to be back here once again. As he galloped past the train yard he stopped for a moment.

'Is that...?' Storm asked himself.

Slowly, he walked toward the train station. On the platform, he swore he spied Rainbow Dash. He kept a wary distance, and stared at the figure. He couldn't get a good look, especially through the shroud of night. He knew that mane all too well, but couldn't tell for sure if it was her. He watched the figure retreat toward the train. He shook his head, and slowly backed away.

'She wouldn't be leaving, she has no reason,' Storm concluded.

His mind remained full of doubt, and soon he found himself on the way to Dash's house. He had been there so many times; it felt like a second home almost. He quickly found his way up to the front door, and found it locked. After knocking quietly, he waited. There was no answer. He frowned, his fears growing in his heart. He took flight and landed on the balcony above him. It was attached to Dash's bedroom, and if there was anywhere she might be, it would be there.

Shadow landed gently, his hooves making a slight sound that would go unnoticed to those who were unsuspecting or watchful. He crept quietly in, the sound of the wind and glow of the moon casting eerie shadows across everything. He found himself in the middle of Rainbow's room, with no apparent occupants. It was simple, with various pieces of furniture, some of them decorated with a Rainbow pattern. He glanced to his side and saw a bookshelf. He slowly walked over to the shelf, and glanced at the extensive collection of Daring Do novels.

A sudden crunch from behind caught his attention. He whipped around and saw a dark figure lounged on a pile of pillows.

"Hello Mr. Storm," the figure greeted in a dark voice.

Shadow frowned and stood ready for combat.

Another crunch sounded out. Storm's eyes adjusted quickly to the lighting environment of the room and he soon made out the figure of a unicorn, eating an apple.

"Care to join me?" the voice called again.

Whoever it was, Shadow knew it wasn't Gallant. The voice was distinctively feminine, and seductive in its tones.

"We both know that's not going to happen," Shadow stated with a snort, his breath creating a mist.

"Oh, on the contrary my dear Shadow Storm, you will do everything I tell you to," the unicorn retorted sinisterly.

A bright green bolt emerged from the shadows. Shadow recoiled for a moment, but soon found his legs too weak to move, and collapsed on the floor. The figure advanced from the shadows. Shadow was partially paralyzed, but recognized the figure immediately.

"Crystal, you son of a-"

Shadow felt a surge of pain strike his head, causing him to cry out and close his eyes. He opened them again, and saw Crystal's horn fully illuminated with a magical glow, casting an eerie light across the room.

Shadow stubbornly demanded, "Where is Dash? What have you done with her!?"

Another surge of pain spiked through Storm's head. It felt like he was being slowly stabbed by a million knives.

"Oh, do not worry my dear Shadow Storm," Crystal answered, her voice dark, "She's at the Grand Galloping Gala, having a wonderful time with a rather gallant Colonel."

Crystal laughed and paced back and forth. Shadow felt his heart sink.

"She wouldn't... she couldn't!" he cried out.

More maniacal laughter was the only answer to Shadow's cries. Storm felt utterly helpless, alone, and depressed. He had survived hay and high water, to come and find that she had moved on? He sat on the floor thinking for a few minutes, before deciding that he would not let it stand.

"No. She wouldn't," he muttered quietly.

Crystal laughed again, and responded, "You lose. This isn't a fairy tale or a storybook my dear Shadow Storm."

"No, it isn't," Shadow responded, his heart beating fast, "But I know one thing. I know that I gave it my all. I've been beaten, stabbed, bitten and crushed. I've only survived for one reason; love. You can kill me, but I'll die satisfied."

"Satisifed? How! You have failed!" exclaimed Crystal, her anger boiling within her.

"I die knowing I found her; the one. The one who cares for me, as much as I care for her. The one who would be by my side until the end. You can't break that kind of love, it's undying and immortal. You can kill me but my love will live on."

Shadow felt his muscles strengthening, and his heart rising within him.

"Love is the strongest power in the universe. All the armies of the world could not destroy my love. Celestia herself could not break the tie that binds us together, and only a fool could think they could."

Shadow felt himself standing up, pain rising throughout him as Crystal's horn glowed even brighter. The pain was excruciating but he powered through it, his renewed vigour fueling his drive for life. Slowly, Shadow staggered to his feet, and turned around. He gathered his strength and forced his legs to kick out with all his might. They collided with Crystal, catapulting her across the room, and causing her spell to break.

She hit the wall with a loud thud and crashed down against the floor. Shadow slumped over for a moment, recoiling from the pain, but soon made his way to the balcony. Another green spell blast flew by his head as he reached the edge of the balcony. Crystal was standing only a few metres away, advancing toward him. She closed her eyes and focused for a moment, her horn brightening. It suddenly stopped, and she collapsed, exhausted from magic overuse.

Shadow walked over and leaned down to Crystal, "Pray I don't see you ever again."

With that, Storm flew off. His former strength regained, he set his sights on the library. His heart felt like a flaming ball of fire, his painful epiphany causing a sudden spike of happiness and fervour within Storm.


Shadow burst through the library door, startling the ponies inside. A loud crash from upstairs signalled Spike had also been rudely awakened by Storm's entrance. The three original ponies had recently been joined by Fluttershy and Rarity, whom also reacted (with mixed results) to Storm. Spitfire and Soarin' stared at their comrade with confusion, the odd grin on his face confusing them.

"Gallop is in Canterlot with Dash," stated Storm, his breath loud from his rapid flight, "I get the feeling that something is going to go down tomorrow at the Gala."

Soarin' stared for a moment, before asking, "And how is this good?"

Shadow matched Soarin's look of confusion, and returned, "What gave you that idea?"

"Your grin," Soarin' stated.

"Oh," Shadow responded, "It's something else, it's not important. The important thing is we need to be in Canterlot by tomorrow evening, and we need the proper attire."

"I believe I may be of service Lieutenant," Rarity remarked, blinking her long eyelashes, "This is my forte as it were."

Shadow nodded and smirked. Gallop wouldn't even see it coming.