Hello, fellow readers! And welcome back to Shadow of Harmony! What's on the menu today:
JeaSonDash: Knew it! As far as I've seen, her relation to Applejack was enough to help me create a backstory for her. Now you got me curious about your questions, but I can only hope to have the proper answers by then. I would, but I live in a location that is close to places that do firework shows. Sorry to hear about that, though.
Marilia Helena: Helps to get a refresher every now and then.
Guest: I already said my reasons in the previous chapter.
Thanks for the feedback! With that said, let's continue!
Chapter 9: Aiming High
Equestria (Ponyville)
Shadow finds himself unable to sleep for some strange reason as he stares up at the ceiling of his bedroom. Turning his head towards the window, he sees that the sun has yet to even rise as the moon lit the sky in full. Thinking of what to do to pass the time, one idea came to mind as he sat up and sees the shield leaning against the bed frame.
"I can get some practice in..." He mutters to himself.
That makes sense as while he obtained it after the battle against Nightmare Moon, there hasn't been anything recently that required it. Getting out of bed, he takes said shield with him and leaves the library as quiet as he could. If he recalls correctly, there is a clear plain past Sweet Apple Acres that can work for training. The starry sky shines clearly without a cloud in sight as he skates towards his destination and makes it without much effort.
Though upon reaching the plain, his eyes find themselves looking at the stars above. He's glad to say that they remain the same no matter the dimension, calming and beautiful. He stares at them for a good minute before getting back to his intended task.
Pulling out his shield strapped to his back, he equips it on his left arm and does a few defense stances. While it covers a good range of his body, the speed of being able to adjust positioning makes up for it. Plus while it can handle a physical attack, its properties is able to channel magical energy into it like a conduit. Or in his case, Chaos energy.
He recalls using it like a makeshift sword during the battle and it actually proved to be quite capable. Flipping it around, he adjusts the shield to have its sharp end face upwards instead and swings it a couple of times. Forming an idea in his head, he channels a bit of his energy into the shield and performs a spinning slash attack.
What follows was something pretty cool. Upon delivering the attack at full force, a thin wave of energy shot out briefly around him before dissipating. A smirk appears on his face as he sees some serious work ahead of him for the night.
The next morning...
Applejack wakes up at the crack of dawn as she usually does, doing her morning routine up until she exits her house with Apple Bloom in tow and hears a strange noise in her area.
"What in tarnation is that racket?" A good question to ask, Applejack.
The sisters went over to the barn as the noise sounded like it was in its direction. Looking over the apple orchard, there was nothing disturbing the trees and not an apple missing from sight. That is, until a sudden rush of wind made the leaves ruffle quite a bit.
"Where's the wind coming from?" Apple Bloom looks around frantically for the source before Applejack points towards the answer, "There!"
The two saw it, a familiar figure in the distance moving around across the plain radiating some sort of magical energy. They wasted no time in investigating the disturbance, feeling the gusts of wind become stronger the closer they got. AJ even had to grab her hat from flying away as AB was almost knocked off her hooves upon reaching the source.
"What the!?" The older sister was surprised to see Shadow was the cause of the disturbance.
The black blur then readies another swing unknowingly in their direction, spinning around for the windup when he finally notices the two and stops his action completely. The gusts cease as the energy fades away during their little staring contest before Shadow straps his shield onto his back.
"Sorry. Are you hurt?" Straight to the point, there's actually genuine concern in his voice for the two.
"N-No, thankfully." AJ answers for the two as AB was still processing what had occurred, "The better question is, what are ya doing out here making all that noise!?"
"Training. I just got this shield, might as well know how to use it." Shadow gestures to said shield to support his answer.
"OK, then why the wind blowing and what not?" AJ adds to said question.
Shadow realizes what she meant after hearing that, "Oh... guess I got a bit too intense."
"That was cool!" Apple Bloom suddenly blurts out with a smile on her face.
The two were put off by that as she continues, "The way ya swing your shield like a sword, you're really strong!"
Shadow wasn't sure how to respond to that as Applejack steps in, "Easy there, sugarcube. In fact, don't ya need to get to school soon?"
Apple Bloom would complain, but her sister is right. "Oh, right."
"School?" Shadow has heard of it, but never seen it for obvious reasons.
"Yeah. Didn't ya have it?" AJ asks him.
Shadow hesitates a second before answering, "I was... what was it again? Homeschooled?"
"Really? What's that like?" AB wonders about that.
"A lot of reading, for one thing." The black blur recalls from almost all his 'school sessions' on the ARK, "I remember specifically-"
Applejack steps in again, "I'm sure that's a great story to tell, but my sister NEEDS to get going."
"OK, OK. I'm going." Apple Bloom relents.
As she got going, AJ was about to continue her conversation with Shadow when he walks past her. "Hey, we're not done!"
"Not done with..." He wasn't sure what she means as he continues walking.
"Your training session! If ya need a place for it, at least ask us about it! We can't have ya damaging our land!"
She isn't wrong, the plain is close to her property and the orchards surrounding them. And considering the idea of having more unintended sleepless nights in the future, he should plan ahead for it. Actually, a new thought pops into his head that he just realized...
"You're right. I need to keep my skills sharp and a job to obtain currency."
"Exactly! Now-" Applejack had processed that last part before speaking again, "Wait, a job?"
"Yes. I know Twilight can pay for me, but I can't rely on her forever. Considering the physical activity bucking trees has-" Shadow then remembers the last time he tried that, "Or rather shaking trees, it'll keep my strength up."
Applejack remembered said event at the same time he did, "Y-Yeah, that makes sense. Well, I'll discuss that with my family and get back to ya on that."
"I'd appreciate it." He said before she notices something in the sky.
"Uh, am I seeing things or is that smoke?"
Shadow looks to where she's gazing and sees just that, a thick cloud of smoke hovering high over the town. Wanting to know what's going on, the two sprung into action as they left Sweet Apple Acres.
"Is there a fire somewhere?" A sensible question Shadow asks her, as strong fire creates smoke like this.
"Could be, but smoke this thick couldn't have gone unnoticed for too long." Applejack answers, "Go on ahead and see. You're faster, aren't you?"
He simply nods before skating off, leaving a black blur behind as his trail heading towards the town.
Town Hall
The citizens around the town hall are also seeing the smoke above, understandably concerned and even frightened at what it means. Mayor Mare is currently trying her best to keep the situation under control, however little effect it had.
"Just stay calm, everypony! There's a reasonable explanation for this!"
Fluttershy arrives to see the citizens in a panic, having seen the smoke from where she was earlier, and talks to the mayor who was ahead of the crowd.
"Mayor Mare, do you know if there's a fire going on?" She asks her.
"That's the thing. We aren't entirely sure if it's even here in town." The mayor answers.
"It isn't. I saw it coming from a nearby mountaintop from my cottage." Fluttershy clarifies right as Rainbow flies over.
"Smoke from a mountain? There aren't any volcanoes this close to us." The speedy pegasus points out.
Rarity and Pinkie show up soon after as Mayor Mare spoke, "Whether it is or not, this smoke is getting too thick for the pegasi to clear away fast enough."
The proof is there as the weather pegasi working that day are trying their best to clear it, only to back off to get fresh air.
"Maybe Twilight has an idea on the situation." Rarity suggests.
As if on cue, Twilight arrives with Spike in tow with an announcement. "Listen up, everypony!"
The entire crowd listen in as Shadow arrives nearby, slowing to a halt as Twilight continues:
"I've been informed by Princess Celestia that the smoke hovering over Ponyville is not from a fire, but from a sleeping dragon!"
Said crowd is now in fear at the aspect of a dragon being so close to them, but Twilight goes on to clarify:
"No need to panic! Me and my friends are given the mission to move the dragon away as soon as possible! And I can assure you, we will not fail!"
The crowd now feel at least a bit more at ease as her friends group up with her away from them.
"Kinda sad that we have to move him away so soon. I'm sure Spike would like a friend who's also a dragon!" Pinkie did have a point, if it wasn't for the situation.
"I appreciate the thought, Pinkie." Spike didn't mind the idea though before seeing Applejack show up, "There you are, AJ."
"Howdy." Applejack greets back upon stopping. "What's going on with the smoke?"
"A dragon is sleeping." Shadow gives her the short answer, which was clear enough for Applejack to understand and question it. "A dragon? In Equestria?"
"Yes. And right now, I need all of you to get ready for the trip. Pack what supplies you need and meet back at the library in less than an hour." Twilight orders, which the others understood.
Well most as unbeknownst to them, Fluttershy was rather fearful of this and hopes to find some way to get out of it.
Meanwhile, in Manehattan
Sonic is currently running through the city with Stylite flying up above as his ears detect a voice up ahead, seeing a masked pony run into a nearby alley as the owner of a jewelry store tries to give chase. Not one to turn a blind eye, he springs into action.
"I got him!" He quickly reassures the owner, who was understandably stunned at his sudden appearance, before giving chase.
Stylite saw what was happening from his perspective and is already on it, flying into the alley to see the robber running into a smaller one to lose any pursuers. He flew into said small alley, only to realize it barely fits his own wingspan and was about to shapeshift before glancing down to see Sonic.
The blue blur was swift in his movements as he uses the blue gem to boost, running up along the wall to get ahead of the robber a good distance and launches himself into a ball form to slam against said robber in mere seconds. The result made the robber hit a dumpster on impact and fall onto the ground, knocked out cold.
"Just took out the trash." Sonic quips with a chuckle as Sty lands next to him, the latter rolling his eyes at the obvious joke.
By the time the two return to the jewelry store, the owner was already with two police officers when the three saw them coming over. Sonic held the robber under his arm before holding him out towards them.
"One robber, free to arrest." The hedgehog points out.
One of the officers simply shrug and puts the cuff on the hooves of the robber, taking him off Sonic's hands before the owner comes over.
"Thank you very much!" She is grateful for the help.
"No problem." Sonic casually said in response.
"We're just helping out." Sty adds to it.
Soon after saying that, one of the police officers came over to talk with the duo as the owner took her leave shortly after.
"Much appreciated, you two. Though I must ask, where are you from?" Understandable, considering the obvious hedgehog in the conversation.
"We're not from Equestria, for one thing." Which the blue blur points out before gesturing to who's who, "Name's Sonic the Hedgehog, and this is Stylite Stream."
"Hiya." Sty greets the officer with a simple wave.
"I can see that. I'm Chief Stablemaker of the Manehattan Police." The officer introduces himself in exchange, "You just caught one of those copycats for us."
"Copycat?" Sty repeats out of curiosity.
"Sadly, yes. We've recently been having problems with a jewel thief for almost a month. If you two see anything suspicious, be sure to notify us." The police chief informs them about.
"Hard to catch, huh?" Sonic has his fair share of those who can either compete with his speed or even outsmart him, but he has yet to face a clever thief. "Actually, I wouldn't mind having my hand at this chase."
"Really now?" The police chief questions, "I'll tell ya, this isn't simple. This thief is rather notorious for slippery escapes and is one of many faces."
"I've dealt with my own fair share of danger many times." Sonic retorts, due to his experiences. "No doubt this would be an interesting encounter."
Stylite was now curious on what adventures the blue blur has had, but kept that in the back of his mind before speaking. "Let me help too. I'm not one to stand on the sidelines."
Chief Stablemaker sees that they are rather insistent on helping out, which he eventually agrees. "I suppose we need all the help we can get. Come with us down to the station to get a debriefing."
Sonic and Sty nod in acknowledgement before the three head for the police station.
Back in Ponyville
Shadow was currently sitting down as he was waiting for Twilight to pack up her supplies, listening to Spike talk about what he will be doing while they're gone.
"You're watching the town, huh? That's quite the task." He comments.
"You're not wrong, but Owlicious will be helping me out." Spike gestures to said owl who was currently sitting on his head.
"Hoo." The owl simply said.
"Honestly, I'm worried about you guys." Spike admits, getting Shadow's attention. "I've heard that dragons are very ferocious and... well, scary."
Shadow was rather touched by his young friend's concern, but only smirks back at him before hearing a knock at the door. As the young dragon goes to see who it was, Shadow hears Twilight coming downstairs with supplies in tow.
"I hope I have everything." She said out loud before seeing her hedgehog friend, "Do you have what you need, Shadow?"
"Yes." Considering all he has in terms of supplies is his shield, he's good. As he got up to his feet, Spike comes back with the rest of the Mane Six in tow who have their supplies packed up before getting into the briefing:
"Great to see you all so soon! I've been told from Princess Celestia that the sleeping dragon's smoke can last for months and even years if it's left unattended. We have to reach the top as soon as possible to prevent us from having to live under such conditions."
"Why is there a dragon in Equestria in the first place? Don't they live in their own homeland?" Applejack brings up a good point.
"Maybe a rogue dragon? They are known to be very independent." Twilight guesses before shifting the topic as she pulls out a map she made herself, "Now, I've planned out the fastest route we can take in order to reach the peak before nightfall, if we're lucky enough."
"The sooner the better. The last thing we need is our town up in smoke because of someone's beauty sleep." Rarity agrees with the idea.
"I can't even live in Cloudsdale because of it!" Rainbow also agrees, "That dragon has got to go!"
"Then let's get this party started!" Pinkie exclaims as she hops on out the library with the group following behind.
Well, except for Fluttershy who is still frozen in place as she tries to find a suitable excuse to skip the trip, which Shadow notices and stops to talk to her.
"Something wrong?" His question got her attention.
"O-Oh, I'm fine. J-Just uh... maybe a bit scared?" She eventually admits.
Understandable. From the stories he read, dragons are usually depicted as evil beasts.
"Y-You think I can... sit this one out?" He was actually surprised to hear that from her.
"This is a mission given to us by the princess. And if we fail, you won't see the sun again. You're willing to live with your creatures in conditions like that?" Shadow didn't hold back with his words as he gave her the blunt truth.
That was enough to snap her out of her frozen state, her eyes closed as those thoughts ran through her head before opening again. Her legs may still be shaking, but that didn't show in her eyes.
"R-Right. Let's not keep them waiting."
Shadow simply nods as he sees Fluttershy do a rather silly marching walk out the library with him following behind her.
Meanwhile, back on Mobius
"Eureka!" Dr. Eggman exclaims in victory, his stubbornness paying off as he finally found a frequency that didn't provide static at all.
"Finally..." Tails exasperates, exhausted from all their work up to this point as he laid on the grass nearby.
"Got something?" Knuckles overheard this and came over to see what's up.
"Of course. Now, to test it." Dr. Eggman then presses a button before speaking, "Sonic, can you hear me?"
Silence was the response to the three as they had blank stares, only to change as they hear a familiar voice:
"The fire's finally lit! Where are the campers?"
"Sonic!" Tails springs up to his feet and zooms over to the system, "Where are you!?"
"The emerald took me to a completely different world called Equestria. I'm currently in Manehattan, which is basically the 'Station Square' of the place." The blue blur explains through his earpiece.
A lot of questions were raised in their heads, which Knuckles actually asks one of them. "What are the inhabitants like?"
"Well, there are other places outside of it, but the land I'm in has mainly ponies." Sonic answers, making the three raise an eyebrow.
"The land of horses, huh?" Dr. Eggman wasn't really impressed by this.
"Who are just as smart as humans and can use magic." Sonic casually mentions, getting the Doctor's attention.
Tails suddenly spoke up with his own question, "Magic? Like Chaos energy?"
"Similar, yeah. Actually, this world shares some similarities to our own." Sonic realizes from what he has seen, "Unfortunately, I haven't found Shadow yet. I'll get back to you guys when that updates."
"Be sure you do. We cannot afford to lose him after coming this far." Dr. Eggman demands, though understandably so due to his reasons.
"Don't worry, I'll find him." Sonic reassures them, determination in his voice before the transmission ends.
"OK. Now that we have contact with Sonic, we should tell Amy and Rouge what's happening." Tails suggests before sighing, "Amy would be difficult to tell, though."
"Yes. Good luck with that." Dr. Eggman simply said as he makes sure the frequency is saved for later.
And done! I know it's been a bit since we had some action in this story, but I wanted to avoid having action in every chapter this time. I'd rather explore characters and build their dynamics, which would make the action more engaging later on.
On Shadow's side, he tests his new shield and realizes that he needs currency of his own eventually. Though before getting the latter, a new mission has been issued as a dragon is discovered near his new home. It's up to him and the Mane Six to face the new threat.
On Sonic's side, he and Stylite are still exploring Manehattan when they see a robbery and stop it immediately. From there, the two meet the chief of police who explains that there has been copycats of a notorious jewel thief who has many faces to hide behind. After hearing about this, the two are willing to help out. Can they catch the thief or will they be given the slip?
And finally back on Mobius, Dr. Eggman has finally made the communications system work in order to reach Sonic with the assistance of Tails. The two and Knuckles got the basic idea of where Sonic and possibly Shadow might be, but a different world is gonna take awhile to process as the blue blur's resolve is still unwavering.
With all that said, thanks for reading and I'll see you all next chapter!