Chapter 16: Victory and Sadness

Dash was released early in the morning. She sighed as she took one last glance at the off white hospital room she had stayed in. A familiar hoof tapped her on the shoulder reassuringly. As she exited the hospital, Shadow was by her side. The two had become inseparable, at least noticed by Twilight. Seeing them walk by her window sent her into a bit of thought.

'It's a bit ironic really,' Twilight pondered, 'He's not really all too similar to her... he's quiet, he's smart, and he's kind of introspective... he's more like me than her. I guess opposites attract."

"Spike! Hurry up!" Twilight yelled.

The dragon rushed towards her in his tuxedo, responding, "I'm coming, geez!"

Twilight and Spike were bound for the same event as Shadow and Rainbow. It had been nearly a week since the battle and the majority of the ponies whom were injured were released. A memorial service was being held in the middle of the field of battle, in memory of the brave ponies lost. The memorial was to be presided over by none other than Princess Luna. Twilight and Spike arrived slightly early, and managed to get 'seating' in the front row beside Dash and Shadow, as did the majority of the officers from the military camp.

The air was quiet and somber. The memorial consisted of a vast gathering of photos of the deceased. Behind the photos, the graves of those retrieved sat. Rows of spears and stakes, each with helmets, wedges and flight goggles draped over them, now dotted what was once a normal field. A firing squad of unicorns stood nearby, ready for the service to begin. All of Ponyville was in attendance. As the time came, Luna took a stand in front of the gathering crowd.

"Friends, ponies, Equestrians," Luna started, her voice echoing almost unnaturally, "We are gathered here today to commemorate the sacrifice of these great ponies. They fought for freedom, equality, and liberty, and died valiantly defending these values. Let us take a moment of silence to remember the fallen."

Twilight felt tears surging to her eyes as she stared at the various pictures in front of her. She knew the militia ponies, and came to know several of the deceased soldiers during their brief time in Ponyville. She glanced down to see that Spike too was teary eyed. A quick glance around confirmed that most were feeling this emotion. A few tears rolled down Dash's face, however she did not cry like many of the others. Shadow stood stone faced, and cold.

A trumpeter began to play "Remorse in A Minor." Shadow felt his heart sink, and focused on maintaining his cool. Twilight found herself in despair. She had never been to a military memorial or funeral, and rapidly realized the importance of this event; the last time a war was this bad was the civil war between Luna and Celestia. The trumpeter played until the end of the song. As the song came to a close, the firing squad of Unicorns gave a twenty two horn salute, casting a spell three times into the air. After a brief silence, Luna continued.

"Although sadness is rampant at a time such as this, it is also a time for happiness. The twenty two ponies that gave their lives averted tragedy, and the loss of many more at the hands of the enemy. We will now have several officers and friends of the deceased share their memories of them."

After several tear jerking eulogies, Shadow was called up to perform a eulogy for his squadron's losses. He shivered as he stood up, moving to take his stand at the front of the memorial. She was stationed at Appaloosa for a few months to train under Shadow's watch, and during that time the two became fast friends. Now, she was gone.

Shadow spoke slowly, and softly, as he began, "I uh… I'm not really prepared for this. Nothing prepares you for this. I was flying at ten thousand feet. Everypony was behind me… then they just… weren't."

Staring down at the ground, he sighed, attempting to keep calm. Looking back up at the audience, he continued.

"We lost several good colts and mares today. I knew all of them. One of them, Lieutenant Water Wings, was actually from my home base back in Appaloosa. She was a funny one… I knew so many of them…"

Shadow swallowed, suppressing his emotions.

"I can't think of anything to say at this moment… it's all too shocking for me. Nothing prepares you for this job. These brave souls died for their monarch and for their nation. They gave their lives thoughtlessly and courageously. We won a major victory, but still, the war goes on and I find myself doubting everything."

Shadow stopped. He lowered his shoulders, his chest heaving up and down from his heavy breathing.

"The only thing I can think to say… is what the CO told my class back at the academy; only the dead have seen the end of the war."

Saluting, Shadow's jaw quivered, as he diverted all his might to maintaining his emotional calm. With a right turn, he marched back to his seat, still breathing heavily in an attempt to keep his cool. In all the service lasted three hours, and ended with silence, as the observers all filed out.

As Twilight left, she turned to Shadow and remarked, "That was a beautiful eulogy Shadow."

Dash nodded in agreement, but Storm remained silent. Several other aircolts approached Storm and his friends, notably Captain Spitfire.

"Hotshot, I need to speak with you ASAP."

Shadow nodded slightly, but still remained silent. With a glance, he indicated for Dash and Twilight to go on without him. Straightening himself, Shadow came to attention and saluted, as a familiar Colonel joined the group of officers.

"At ease, relax," Gallant murmured, adding, "Sorry I'm late."

Relaxing his tense muscles, Shadow questioned Spitfire, "Well, what do you need ma'am?"

"Just got word from RAF command. I mentioned your bravery in my report…" Spitfire quietly murmured.

"I did too," added Gallop, nodding solemnly.

"They've seen fit to give you a field promotion, due to your bravery and heroism on the field of battle," Spitfire finished, noting, "They also probably want a bit of good news for the papers."

"Congratulations, 1st lieutenant."

Looking down, Shadow saw Spitfire's hoof extended towards him. Two epaulets were in her hoof, along with a rank pin. All Storm could do was stare at them. Snapping out of it, Shadow nodded and saluted the two. Grabbing his new rank, he headed on home.

Shadow couldn't help but feel terrible. The secluded area on the outskirts of town that lay around his house seemed particularly lonesome. He loitered beneath his house, unable to bring himself to return to his house.

After half an hour, he finally worked up the courage to fly, and made it to his front door. Opening it slowly, he entered the main tower. It seemed dark inside, as if it stood there solemnly watching Shadow.

'The lone survivor…' he thought as he ascended his stairs.

The next day, Shadow was awoken early by another knock at the door. This time it was Rainbow Dash, who dragged him all the way to her house for breakfast. Storm was still in a somber mood, and found it hard to think straight, let alone function correctly.

As the two sat in Dash's living room, Shadow remained distant, often staring at the floor. Storm even neglected to drink his coffee, which was beyond odd for him.

"You seem really... affected by all this," Dash noted.

Staring at the floor, Shadow responded quietly, "It's all too real for me. I could have been anyone of those ponies. You... you could have..."

"That's not it, I can tell," Rainbow remarked, leaning in closer to Shadow.

Shadow caved under her gaze, and answered, "I uh… there's two things, which are both tearing at me. I was promoted Dash. It means I'll most likely be called back to the front."

Shadow stopped, staring at the floor. After a few seconds, he tore his eyes away, looking softly at Dash.

"I don't want to lose what I've found here. I don't want to lose you…"

Rainbow seemed moved by this statement, and gently nuzzled Shadow's neck. Storm smiled slightly, but was still tense and serious looking.

"And the other thing?" she questioned, still smirking.

"I uh… I don't want to talk about it."

Patting the colt on the shoulder, Dash moved away, grabbing herself another cup of coffee. Shadow looked out of place in her kitchen, his vibrant green mane and shadowy coat heavily contrastive to the white-blue cloudy room.

"Dash," Storm addressed slowly, turning to look directly into her sparkly magenta eyes.

Rainbow nodded, gazing back at Shadow from across the room.

"I... promise me something," Shadow asked, "Promise me you'll wait for me."

Dash nodded but added, "You don't even know you're leaving."

"Dash, I know how the system works. I'm going to be deployed."

Dash nodded once again, and looked at the floor. Nervously, she traced the patterns in the tiling with her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at Shadow, biting her lip.

"I'll be here when you get back, I promise."

Shadow's heart lightened and he attempted to talk about something else. It was in vain, and he left in the next ten minutes and headed home. He knew that Gallop would be calling on him soon, and he prepared himself to leave his new home that he loved so much.