Chapter 18: Arrivederci Ponyville

As he stood at the station, waiting for the train, Shadow looked around. The sun was setting, casting a gloomy orange glow across everything in his sight. Storm stood straight and stiff, his mane blowing in the cool evening breeze. His wedge almost flew off, but he managed to counter for the wind, and use his hoof to straighten it.

He heard the clopping of hooves behind him, and turned to see Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie behind him. He remained solemn and silent, his face cold and unreadable beneath his aviators.

"Applejack and Rarity send their regards," Twilight started in a sad voice.

Shadow nodded and took a few gentle steps toward them.

"I'm sorry, about everything. I've come to grips with leaving, and my life, for now at least. I just hope you remember me as the idiot who trashed Sugarcube Corner partying, not the idiot who blathered on about war and violence and other depressing stuff," Shadow said, ending his sentence with a grin.

Twilight smiled weakly, and Pinkie bounced up and down. Rainbow still looked a little melancholy as the whistle of the incoming train sounded in the distance. Shadow looked and saw a trail of smoke quickly approaching. As he looked back, Rainbow took a few steps closer to him.

"I didn't see myself getting… emotional like them," Rainbow stated brashly, using her head to point at the two mares behind her, "But…"

Dash suddenly wrapped her hooves around Storm, resting her head on his shoulder. For a moment he hesitated, before reciprocating the embrace. She seemed nervous, as she trembled slightly, her fur warm. Storm gently nuzzled her colourful mane as the whistle of the train blasted again, this time much closer. As they stood there, he heard a whisper come from Rainbow.

"Hotshot, do you love me?"

Storm hesitated. Sure, he liked her, a lot. He willingly took injuries and wounds for her but love was such a strong word. He cared for her deeply, but couldn't bring himself to respond.

His lack of response was noticed by Dash, whom took her head off his shoulder and looked deeply into his eyes.

"Shadow?" she asked, her gaze intense.

"I uh… err… I…" stuttered Shadow.

Rainbow's face slowly melted into sadness, which then rapidly turned into rage. Taking a several loud steps away from the stallion, she came to a stop with a stomp.

"It's a simple yes or no answer," she stated angrily, turning to address Shadow.

"Yes…?" Shadow said, still unable to answer the question.

Rainbow frowned even harder, took a few more steps and turned her back to Shadow. Shadow felt his heart plummet so hard, he felt his chest would burst.

'Great one Hotshot,' he derided himself silently, 'Should have just bucking answered immediately.'

The train was now bearing down on the station. Shadow walked over to Rainbow and attempted to calm her by placing his hoof on her shoulder, but she coldly shrugged it off and stepped away. Shadow lowered his head and slowly walked over to Twilight. He gingerly took his hoof and removed his aviator sunglasses. He grabbed Twilight's leg and placed the glasses in her hoof.

"Give her them when she's less angry," Shadow stated, his head still low, "and take good care of them, I've been wearing them since flight school. Goodbye Twilight."

The unicorn nodded and responded, "See you around, Wonderbolt."

A deafening roar filled the station, as the train steamed into the station. With a squeal and hiss, it came to a stop. Bidding Twilight and Pinkie farewell, Shadow steady his wedge as he moved back towards Dash. He remained distant, staring at the back of her head, hoping she would turn around.

The hiss of the engine ticked on and off like a clock. Storm finally took a deep breath, and a single step closer to the blue pegasus before him. The train whistled shrilly, as the conductor hopped off and began ushering passengers aboard. Over the sound of the train, a single, dark voice rang out. His words were simple:

"Goodbye, Dashie."

Swallowing nervously, Shadow turned about and grabbed his kit, boarding the train with a metallic clang of hooves. As he entered the car and gave his ticket to the conductor, he sighed.

'You idiot Shadow…'

With a hole punch and a grin, the Conductor let the colt board. Stowing his gear above his seat, Shadow sat down as the engine gave a loud puff and whistle. Dash was now staring blankly at the car; not at him, nor anypony else. She stared merely at the wall of the train car.

'She hates me…'