A Newly Hooded Road to Walk

A train whistled in the raining distance as Fluttershy and Silvershade stood separately on the station platform, awaiting the arrival of Fluttershy's friends to say their goodbyes' to the shy little Pegasus. A few other soaking ponies stood on the platform as well, but not many, for the destination of this next train was remotely placed in the countryside, and on the far side of the vast Evergreen forest. The smoke stack of the train slowly grew closer and visible as five mares stepped onto the platform, eyes stuck to the wet ground in sorrow. They did not understand why they would only be able to visit periodically and not as often as preferred, but they understood Fluttershy and her nature of few words to send her message, so they respectfully did not pursue an answer. Silvershade stood ideally by with a trench coat over his robes and hand in pocket, waiting for the train to come, and the rain to leave.

"I got you all some presents before I leave," stated Fluttershy, tearing up with a smile. She handed each of them a necklace accordingly to their mane color, which each had a crystal clear orb shaped gem at the center, Fluttershy placed her own around her neck.

"Oh dear they're beautiful! but a little plain don't you believe so?"

"W-well yes Rarity I know they're not as fashionable as you prefer, but these are special. put them on." said Fluttershy with a warm smile. At that they placed the necklaces around their necks, which then decided to glow brightly in the center. "They are presence gems, so when one is near another it will glow, but I had Zeckora tune yours a little bit to only act when mine is near, so when you come to visit you can find me."

"That's sick! I'll have to get one for tank, he been wandering recently, it's kind of annoying."

"I also think it's ah wonderful idier there sugarcube, now we can find ya too!"

Slivershade felt disappointed that he would be changing the life of such an innocent mare to something far less so, he thought it was cute to see Fluttershy act so nice with her friends, it was definitely an odd sight fore his eyes. He wondered if she knew what she was getting herself into, completely. She would not be able to meet her friends as often as she expected, and continue to live a life of secrecy and danger, so for such a sweet little mare he saw it odd.

Silvershade watched the ponies across the platform cry, hug, and mourn Fluttershy's departure, but they understood well and said their goodbyes. Silvershade only saw this from a distance but it seemed serious; Man, whatever excuse Fluttershy made must have been a convincing one, they don't look skeptical at all. I'd expect Fluttershy to start shuddering suspiciously, since she does that in any situation; thought the stallion, catching himself in a stare and regaining his posture.

Air hissed onto the platform as the train slowed to a stop, making Silvershades apprentice realize the time. She hugged her friends again, saying some heart-felt words that were out of Silvershade's radar, all he heard was "I'll write to all of you!" as Fluttershy handed her bags to the conductor and boarded the train. Silvershade walked aboard with his single handbag containing only and extra robe, money, and supplies, and looked for the small Pegasus, who seemed to have seated herself in the row to Silvershade's left. She chose a spot where the few other passengers were out of regular listening distance, and viewed the green rolling fields of the land across from the station. Silvershade sat himself across from Fluttershy, placing his bag under the small table that separated the two ponies.

"So, I never asked what that excuse of yours was for your sudden leaving," said the black stallion, unfolding the week's newspaper from his bag.

Fluttershy looked up from her purse, in which she was focused on, "O-oh, it was... I said that my father was really sick, and I had to go help out my mother with him in Bostallion."

"ah, very good."

"good how? I thought you would say your usual 'oh, you should have done this and this, not this and this, but it's ok, it doesn't matter' thing," replied the mare, trying to mock his voice in a deeper tone.

"Well good being that you will probably be able to get visits from your friends, since you won't endanger revealing the creed 40 miles away, and there is a shit-ton more stuff to do there than where were going... and I don't sound like that by the way missy."

...

Twilight stood in her library, walking aimlessly around trying to think of something else; it was three days since fluttershy had left and she couldn't believe that one of her best friends would be gone for who knows how long. Thankfully she heard a firm knock on the door to jog her brain as she quickly answered it. Standing there was a stocky royal guard with an exasperate look on his face.

"Yes? what is it?" asked Twilight curiously

"Ma'am, I'm the guard from crime investigation, remember?"

"Oh oh oh yeah yep, I remember, any news on that symbol?"

"Yes ma'am, I went into the old library as you suggested, and though it took weeks to find something, we well, found something."

"Yes and and?"

"we blew the whole case wide open, and it is far, far, far bigger than what we had anticipated, and I don't think we can do anything to stop or solve it completely."

"Really? and what do you exactly mean by that soldier?" questioned twilight, who was now very much intrigued.

"Princess, we're about to get into a secret war over equestria."