Chapter 11: Contact

Instinctively Storm shouted, "In the name of the RAF and Princess Celestia, release her!"

The shadowy figures were none other than changelings. They merely laughed at Shadow's order, their voices shrill and insect like. Shadow knew it wouldn't work, and kept his body low to the ground, ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Storm's tactical mind kicked in, assessing the situation at lightning speed. The standoff drew on for only a few seconds, but to Shadow, it seemed like hours.

One of the changelings turned and hissed something to the other. Shadow saw his chance. He acted quickly, and immediately attacked the talking changeling by charging into him using his wings. The changeling flew backwards, dazed, while the others attempted a counter attack. One attempted to bite Shadow, but was stopped by a swift kick from Rainbow Dash, knocking him into the bushes. The other slashed a black dagger at Shadow, grazing his face right above his left eye and down his cheek. Shadow stumbled backward from this close call, but quickly reacted and hit his attacker with a swift uppercut, forcing him backward. Dash took this opportunity and charged the changeling, slamming him into a tree and knocking him out.

The first changeling, recovered from his initial surprise hit, flew towards Rainbow, jaws open and ready to bite. Seeing this, Storm intercepted the changeling in mid flight, head butting him in the stomach. The changeling wrapped his legs around the pegasus and quickly sank his teeth into his shoulder. Shadow cried out in pain, but quickly shoved the changeling away. Landing on the ground with a thud, Storm rolled back onto his feet, staring at the changeling that now flopped about, apparently entangled in a bush.

"We need to get out of here, NOW!" Shadow ordered, his chest heaving to and fro as he breathed heavily.

Glancing back at Rainbow Dash, Shadow watched her bolt off towards Ponyville. Waiting a split second, he followed her, making sure to remain behind her and watch their six.

Galloping out of the small wooded area and into Ponyville, Shadow headed immediately for one of the few places with lights still shining through the windows.

Bursting through the front door of Twilight's library, Storm and Dash both turned and slammed the door shut behind them. A confused Twilight stared at them from across the room.

"You're bleeding!" Rainbow worriedly stated.

Glancing down at the painful open wound on his shoulder, Storm cringed. It was bleeding badly. The cut on his face was too, but to a lesser degree.

"Its fine, I'll patch it up later," Shadow responded, wincing slightly.

Galloping over to them, Twilight asked the two pegasi, "What happened?"

Rainbow rapidly explained their encounter with the changelings. Twilight became obviously worried, pacing back and forth. Spike, hearing the commotion, awoke from sleep and journeyed down to the group. Shadow greeted the dragon, noting they had yet to meet.

"It's nice to finally meet you Spike," Storm commented with a wink to Twilight, attempting to ignore the growing pain in his shoulder.

Spike couldn't answer. His fatigue and shock were a bad mix, and all he could do was stare in silence at the injured stallion.

"Twi, do you have any spare cloth or anything?" Shadow asked finally, standing awkwardly to attempt to mitigate the pain, "I uh… yeah I kind of need to… stop these… wounds…"

"Yeah," Twilight replied, "Yeah… Grab anything."

Shadow dashed off and grabbed several purple curtains from the windows. He ripped one of them up into strands and quickly made a makeshift field dressing for his wounds, groaning while he tightened them. The extra support and pressure made it easier and less painful to walk and stand. He didn't dare to think of the possible infection that might come from this shoddy bandage, however.

Returning to the main lobby of the library, Shadow found his comrades standing around in a circle discussing the situation.

Joining them, Shadow said, "Alright, so we need to contact RAF or Legion high command. Any ideas?"

"I've got a better one," Twilight stated, "Spike can send letters directly to Princess Celestia."

"Really?" Shadow questioned, glancing at the little dragon with disbelief.

"Yes. He's the greatest assistant a pony could ask for," Twilight said with a grin, "So what should I say?"

"Uh…" Shadow paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts, "Write: Show to Nearest Officer. Emergency Code 0232, Incursion Confirmation, Ponyville. With luck, she'll show it to somepony in the military, and they'll understand."

The little dragon quickly fetched a pen and paper, and wrote the letter. He tossed it into the air and belched fire loudly on it. Within a few minutes, a response arrived.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle and presumably Lieutenant Storm,

This is grave news. Military forces are marshaling and should arrive within the next two days. Stay safe until then.

Your teacher,

Princess Celestia"

"Well that's settled," Shadow stated, "You realize what this means now?"

Storm's three companions turned, and shook their heads at him.

"You three are the only ones I can trust, and vice versa. Half of Ponyville may already have been captured and had an impersonator planted. None of us can trust anyone outside the four of us. Even A.J., Rarity, they're all unknown. Are we clear on this?"

The rest of the group indicated they understood.

"Good. Another thing; watch your back. All of us, Rainbow and I in particular, are now top targets. They're going to try and capture us... or worse. I'd suggest staying together as much as possible."

"Alright..." Twilight responded nervously.

Blood began to seep through Shadow's makeshift shoulder bandage. He glanced down and noticed this, and quickly set about putting a second layer on the wound.

As the dark pegasus returned, he glanced at Rainbow, and said, "I need to get to the hospital to get this properly treated. Dash, you mind coming with me? I don't want to get jumped again..."

"Sure thing Hotshot," answered Dash with a salute.

"Twilight, you stay here. Keep the door shut, and don't open it for anyone except me or Dash," Shadow stated as he opened the door, stopping and adding, "And even then, be cautious."

The two pegasi left in a hurry, and headed directly to Ponyville General Hospital. They met no more resistance, but were on their guard the entire way over. As they entered, Shadow was immediately admitted, and Dash was left to wait in the lobby. After about an hour, Storm returned, with a proper dressing on his wound, and several stitches on his face.

He grinned slightly and told Dash, "The cover story is a tree fell on me and dug two, large, fang shaped branches into my shoulder, cool?"

Dash nodded, and remained silent. She was in an oddly introspective mood from the encounter.

"You alright?" Shadow asked, lowering his head slightly.

Dash nodded again, "I... it's just that... everything happened so quickly... what's the deal with you?"

"Well," Shadow sighed, "They want to keep me overnight. My arm will heal up eventually, and the scarring shouldn't be noticeable. The slash on my cheek is permanent, unless I get it fixed with magic, and I certainly don't have the money to waste on that…"

"Well... it makes you look cooler actually," noted Dash with a gradually growing smile.

"Really? Cooler? In that case I'll keep it," Shadow chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood.

'Why is she so... depressed?' thought Storm.

"Good," Dash said, "It suits you."

Silence ensued.

Pointing with a hoof behind him, Shadow finally stated, "Well I better be going back before they notice I left... you head home and get some rest."

Dash nodded, but asked, "You gonna be fine here?"

"I've already spent a few days here, I'll be good for a single night," replied Shadow with an awkward grin, "And remember; I was going to sleep in a lean-to when I first got here. I can handle a hospital bed."

He watched the blue pegasus walk away in a solemn, melancholy way. It was not natural for Rainbow to act like this, at least as long as Shadow had known her. He shook the thoughts away and scurried back to his room.

The next day, Shadow awoke, and was released. He found Twilight, Spike, and Dash waiting faithfully in the lobby for him. They greeted him with smiles and a bit of excitement, but were visibly tense and worried.

Noticing this, Shadow told them, "You guys are tense. Calm down. For one, it makes you more obvious. Two, the legion will be here soon."

"The legion is here already," Twilight stated, "They arrived late last night. Apparently they're already scouring the Everfree Forest."

"Damn, that was quick," Shadow remarked with a chuckle, "Armor really has them working like clockwork these days…"

"Well if it isn't my favourite bolt!"

Storm turned to the source of the comment, unable to believe his ears. About five feet away, was Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts. Her fiery mane and yellow muzzle were unmistakable, even under her navy Wonderbolts flight suit. She came toward the group and stood beside Shadow. Snapping to attention with a salute, Shadow stifled a smirk.

"At ease, relax," Spitfire murmured, patting Shadow on his injured shoulder without forethought.

Ignoring the pain to the best of his abilities, Shadow remarked, "So I guess you're here to lead the operation ma'am?"

"Yeah," Spitfire said, waving her fiery hair to and fro, "Should be done within the week. And stop calling me ma'am; you know it makes me feel weird."

Nodding, Shadow continued, "How's Soarin' and the rest of the Bolts? I heard Fleetfoot got downed recently."

"Yeah, he took a huge fall. He's back up and flying though. And Soarin's still a hay gnashing dumbo, but hey, what's new there I guess," replied Spitfire angrily.

'Oh here we go again,' thought Shadow.

"Ah, good to hear. Is the town secure?" Storm quizzed once more.

"Yep, we've got an eye everywhere."

With a weak smile and a nod to his companions, Shadow said, "Perfect. Now with your permission ma'am I'm gonna go get some food."

"No arguments here," was the response.

The breakfast at the hospital's cafeteria had quickly become awkward. Between drove after drove of fans wanting pictures and autographs from Spitfire, whilst taking no notice of Storm, and her lack of friendliness toward Shadow's friends, awkward silences plagued the breakfast.

"So, Hotshot, feel like stretching your wings?" Spitfire asked, excited at the proposition.

"No thanks," Shadow answered, "I'm tired, and I'm not supposed to be doing any 'strenuous' activities. Thanks everypony anyway. I'm gonna head back home."

"Ooo!" cried Spitfire, "I heard you were on sick leave. Can I see your place?"

"I guess..." Shadow answered slowly, raising his eyebrow.

As soon as he had finished, Spitfire grabbed his good hoof and pulled him to his feet and halfway out the door. Storm frowned at Spitfire, making her shrug as she flew off. Spitfire flew ahead for the majority of the slow plod to Storm's residence. Twilight and Spike headed back home as they passed the library, leaving the three pegasi to themselves.

They finally made it to Shadow's house, and Spitfire let herself in before Shadow or Dash.

"Ugh..." groaned Storm as he watched her race inside.

Just as he was about to fly up to his house, Rainbow poked him in the side with her hoof. He turned to see her with a confused look.

"Is she usually this... obnoxious?" Dash asked, "She didn't seem like this last time we met…"

Storm replied with a sigh, "No, but she and Soarin' are on the outs. She gets reaaaally weird... I'm talking crazy."

He rolled his eyes and lifted off toward his house. He sighed once again, seeing Spitfire walking about his apartment, observing the various items that Shadow had placed on bookshelves and tables.

"Coffee?" Shadow asked aloud, walking towards the kitchen.

Storm didn't wait for an answer. He needed some at least, he knew that much. Soon, the other two pegasi had joined him, sitting around the counter. Silence governed the air.

After about ten minutes, Spitfire finally said, "Well I better get going. The legate is going to be giving me report soon. Later Hotshot."

"Ma'am," Shadow acknowledge, quickly correcting, "I mean, later."

Dash and Shadow grumbled in response as the pony left the room. As the door closed, Shadow let out a loud groan, placing his elbow on the counter and resting his head in his hoof.

"Well at least that's over," Storm stated.

Dash laughed a little, and said, "She's quite the charmer."

"No kidding."

The two pegasi talked much more freely now, and less tensely. After a little while, Rainbow decided to head home herself. Storm showed her to the door, as she began to exit, she stopped and turned to the dark pegasus.

"I've been... thinking. About the thing... on the path," Dash said slowly, "with the changelings."

Shadow raised an eyebrow in curiosity, "And?"

"Well... I know you watched my back... and I saw what you did, when that one charged from behind. That was brave Shadow."

Shadow looked at the floor uneasily, and responded, "It's my duty as a RAF serviceman to protect civilians... and when they're as awesome of friends as you, it's not that hard to do."

Dash looked at the stitches on Storm's face, and the dressings on his shoulder wound.

"I feel terrible. I should have had that bite..."

"But you didn't," Shadow said, straightening up and frowning, "You're my friend, and I would do anything to save you from harm."

Dash blushed and smiled. She felt her face getting warm under Shadow's intense gaze.

"I... I don't know how to thank you, I really don't," Dash remarked guiltily.

Shadow slightly eased, and placed a calming hoof on Dash's shoulder, "It's fine. If I did it over again, I wouldn't do anything different."

Dash looked at Storm, still melancholy. Without a word, she kissed Shadow softly on the cheek opposite his wound, and left. Shadow, shocked by this action, stood at the door for the next few minutes, pondering the implications.

'I didn't anticipate this,' he thought, pacing back and forth, 'She isn't? She couldn't be? I mean... me? Oh Celestia, I'm over thinking this…"