The Shadow Pony

II: Shadow Heart

Twilight sprinted down the market square. Thoughts swam around her mind as she tried to piece them together. It was a difficult job at best. This has to mean something about my dream, she thought. I don't know why, but I just believe it does. Whatever it was, Twilight had to find out anyways, fearing for her friend's safety.

Twilight arrived at the town hall, with many ponies crowded at the center. Mayor Mare stood behind a podium, displaying a nervous look. Twilight tried to get a better look, but many ponies were there at the same time, which made it extremely difficult to get a view behind the mass of curious and worried ponies.

Mayor Mare finally started to speak, with a dash of worry audible in her voice.

"Greetings, citizens of Ponyville. As many of you may know, a recent foalnapping has just taken place. Fluttershy, who is a Element of Harmony, was taken from her home during the middle of night and taken to an unknown location. As of now, no progress has been made."

Twilight gulped. She wondered how the foalnapper was able to grab Fluttershy and get away with it. Then again, Fluttershy was never really skilled in defending herself anyways.

Mayor Mare continued. "So now, we have decided to send in one of the best detectives. He resides in Canterlot, and he is a very smart and trustworthy colt. May I please ask Detective Shadow Heart to the stage and introduce yourself?"

A red colt walked to the podium from the side, and pushed Mayor Mare away. Mayor Mare gasped in disgust. The colt gave a threatening stare at the Mayor. She backed away slowly, cowering against him. Twilight stared at the red colt. He had black messy hair and a black pointed goatee on his chin. Why does he look so familiar?

Everypony whispered to each other, obviously noting the brute action made. Shadow Heart raised a hand, signalling for silence. Everypony stopped their discussion and stared at the detective. Shadow Heart started to speak.

"Thank you, miss. My name is Shadow Heart. I am well known in the crime district, receiving several awards for my many accomplishments. I solved many high-profile cases, many of which would've taken several months to solve with mediocre detectives. I solve them in a matter of weeks.

"I was recently called to solve this case by the Princesses orders. However, Princess Celestia has recommended someone else to 'aid' me with the case as well."

So far, Twilight was dubious about this character. He seemed snobby and self-centered. She could not possibly imagine the pain and suffering that his partner would have to go through. Although, something still seemed familiar about this colt. Twilight pondered for a moment, then suddenly made a breaking realization.

"By the Princesses order, she has recommended her faithful student, a mare that goes by the name of Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight's heart skipped a beat as she heard her name being called. She stood completely still, eyes wide-open. Shadow Heart scanned the audience. He rested his eyes directly at Twilight. Shadow Heart grinned, then slowly broke into a laugh. He pounded the podium and laughed hysterically. Everypony glanced at each other, while some stared at Twilight. Twilight turned green, and almost felt like vomiting. Even Mayor Mare stared at Shadow with a confused look.

After a good minute, Shadow Heart giggled a little more then stopped, while still grinning. He took out his hoof at Twilight.

"Twilight! It's been such a long time. Come up! Come on!" Shadow Heart yelled enthusiastically, not aware of the confused looks transmitted to him. Twilight lowered her head, and made her way to the podium. Upon her arrival, she looked up at the colt. It has been a long time.

Shadow Heart put his arm around Twilight. Twilight tried to escape, but his grip was far more superior.

"Everybody, this is Twilight Sparkle! She is going to help me with this case. We used to go out as fillys, Didn't we, Twilight?" Shadow Heart explained. Many ponies oohed at the two. Twilight blushed, then finally escaped from Shadow Heart's arm. Twilight turned her back, while forcing Shadow Heart to do the same. Twilight gave him a face of anger.

"Why are you talking about our past relationship at a time like this?! You know we agreed to never talk about it again!" Twilight hissed at Shadow Heart.

"I know. It's just that it's been such a very long time since I seen you. You know what happens when ponies don't see each other for a while."

"I hate you! You never cared about me! You were always talking about how you were going to be a detective one day, then you left me for your studies! What kind of coltfriend does that to his marefriend?" At this point, Twilight was breathing heavily. Shadow Heart stared at Twilight. He sighed.

"Twilight, I left because I needed to fulfill my dream. I always wanted to be a detective, and you should've understood the circumstances. Everypony has a dream. You didn't seem to really want to hear about it."

Twilight gave a blank expression. She looked out at the audience, then at Shadow Heart. She sighed.

"I didn't want you to be a detective because I knew you were going to be gone. You would have to everywhere in Equestria, and I would never have time to actually see you. I wanted to have a family, but it's difficult when the father isn't there to be with his foals."

Shadow Heart winced. That last sentence burned into Shadow Heart's mind. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. Shadow Heart then looked at Twilight. He took a few steps closer, and pressed his lips into hers.

Twilight didn't know how to react at the time. She would regret it later, but at the time, punching Shadow Heart square in the jaw seemed like the most reasonable solution. Everybody gasped as Shadow Heart pounded to the ground and layed there, blood slowly receding from his mouth. Mayor Mare quickly shuffled to the podium and made closing statements. Everybody left the town hall, still unsure about the situation. As everybody left, Twilight stared at Shadow Heart. His chin started to bruise, and blood littered on to the wood of the gazebo.

"Tell me when we'll meet later." And with that, Twilight walked away.

Shadow Heart slowly and painfully smiled. What a mare!, he thought.