Chapter 34: A Deal Broken
"We fulfilled our end of the bargain, now it's your turn."
Razortooth felt himself tensing. He never really had an issue dealing with Equestrians, but there was something slightly off putting about Silverhoof.
"About that..." Silverhoof replied, grinning evilly.
Was it the surroundings? This storehouse had very little lighting, and the few candles cast odd shadows around the entire room. He had met Silverhoof here many times, but there was something oppressive about the atmosphere.
"You'll have to find another traitor for your little operation," Silverhoof stated, clearing his throat, "Did you really think I'd just surrender the empire?"
It took a moment for Silverhoof's words to sink in. When they did, Razortooth quickly felt his blood beginning to boil.
"You promised!" Razortooth hissed, "You said you would give us an opening t-"
"Aww, the poor serpent is angry," Silverhoof interrupted, nodding to a shadow on his right, "Now I'd suggest you leave. My mercy and patience is wearing thin."
Out of the darkness, five menacing looking ponies in black suits stepped forward. With one last hiss, Silverhoof backed into the darkness. He couldn't believe this. He had deceived everyone, but was too blind himself to see deception when it was right before him.
"I don't want to set the world... huh... hmm..."
The hours were blurring together as Shadow sat alone in his cell. He had no visitation rights, no pen and paper, and no contact with the outside world. Bored out of his mind, Storm had now taken to half humming, half singing various songs.
It had been two days since the first hearing, and the judge had quickly decided that a trial would be necessary. Shadow had expected this, but the verdict was still a bit surprising and unnerving. Armor was out, most likely scouring for evidence or performing his duties. Spitfire and Soarin' had been called away for an air show. Now it was just Storm and the ceiling.
Or so Shadow thought. A loud clang at the end of the hall caught Storm's attention. He was the only prisoner in this cell block, so whoever it was must be for him. Marching to the bars, Shadow watched the jailor move down the hallway, escorting a dark blue Pegasus. With a grunt, he unlocked the cell door, and let in the odd looking Pegasus. Standing there awkwardly, the pony stared at Shadow until the door down the hall clanged once more.
In a whirlwind of green fire, the figure shifted forms. It was Razortooth.
Shadow didn't think. He didn't plan his attack. He didn't consider all the options or routes. He was acting on primal instinct.
Razortooth found himself (poorly) dodging blows, running about the cell in a panicked manner. Although he managed to evade the first few blows, by the time he had made it to the opposite corner of the room he had taken more than a few hits. Finally, Shadow lowered himself close to the ground in a predatory stance. Backing into a corner, he growled, flaring his wings.
"I'll kill you," he stated with unparalleled anger, his emerald eyes aglow with a fire of rage.
"I'm not your enemy Captain," Razortooth responded, swallowing nervously, "In fact, I'm now your greatest ally."
Circling around to his left, Shadow questioned, "And why's that? You tricked me, made me betray my own country, and took away my life! And you're my ally?"
"I am now Shadow. Do you really think I'd risk getting locked in an enclosed space with you unless it was absolutely necessary?"
Shadow released his muscles slightly, assuming a more comfortable position. He thought for a moment.
"I don't know what I think…"
Sighing, Razortooth straightened himself, "Good, you had me scared for a moment, captain. Now I've come to offer my services."
"Why?" Shadow asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.
"In short, we had a deal with Silverhoof, and the coward never fulfilled his end," Razortooth responded, moving away from the sunlight trickling through the single window at the back of the cell, "But I still have plenty of contacts. I can gather intel."
"No."
Razortooth's face flashed a look of surprise.
"Why?" he asked slowly, narrowing his eyes.
"I don't need your intel," Shadow responded, moving toward Razortooth, his anger welling again, "You've already caused me enough trouble. I don't want to deal with Chrysalid scum like you ever again. I've had enough of your double talk and cowardly lies. I've had enough of you and your whole damn empire!"
Now it was Razortooth's turn to be enraged.
"Fine then. Goodday, Mister Storm. Enjoy Prison."
Morphing once again into his forming disguise, Razortooth moved to the door and tapped his hoof against the bars loudly. The door at the end of the hall opened once more.
Moving to the middle of the room, Shadow watched Razortooth.
"You know Colonel, I thought you were going to prove me wrong," Shadow stated, frowning, "I thought you were different. I thought you weren't going to be like the rest of your kind. I thought you were going to be an honourable creature. Turns out, I was wrong."
Finally, the jailor showed up and opened the door, letting Razortooth out. As it clanged shut behind the changeling, Razortooth turned to Storm once more.
"Frankly, Mr. Storm, I don't give a damn what you think."