Once a Shadow

I opened my eyes to something I wasn't exactly used to. I was still in Vinyl's apartment. No offence to her, but I wish it was Rainbow's home. I groggily got up from the couch. I noticed that Vinyl was still asleep as I trotted passed the couch she was sleeping on. I went into the kitchen to grab some breakfast. I made my almost usual breakfast of hay bacon strips(this is your weekly hay bacon moment :P), biscuits, and coffee. I also made some extra for Vinyl in case she woke up.

I took my breakfast and set it on the table in front of the couch I slept on. The smell must have gotten to Vinyl because she started to stir. She opened her eyes and looked around.

"Morning. I made breakfast." I said before taking a bite of a biscuit.

"Thanks." She said, half talking, half yawning.

"No problem."

She got up and trotted over to the kitchen to get her a plate of food. When she finished she trotted over and sat down beside me to eat.

"So how'd your day go yesterday?" She asked.

"It was okay, I guess. The short story is that I met a new friend, we got ambushed by some not-so-smart ponies. We kicked their asses, I went to Wonderbolt practice, then flew back here."

"Why'd you get attacked?" She asked with a touch of concern.

"They didn't like the appearance of my new friend, so they attacked me when they thought he was gone because I was associating with him."

"That's so stupid."

"Tell that to them."

"So who's this new friend of your's, and why would they not like his appearance?"

"Well you see, it's because-"

I was cut off by a knock at the door.

"I got it." Vinyl said as she got up.

She trotted over to the door and opened it. I couldn't see who it was from where I was at.

"Hey Shadow, I think I just met your new friend." Vinyl called out

"That's cool, wait, what?"

"You're friend is the one with the really cool wings right?"

I got up. "Yeah, that's him."

I trotted over to the door where Ni was standing outside of. "What's up Ni? Why are you here?"

"We need to discuss a few things."

"Can't it wait until after breakfast dude? I'm pretty hungry."

"Actually, it-" Ni was cut off by his stomach growling. He gave a small blush.

"It looks like you could use some breakfast to. Come on in." Vinyl said.

Ni smiled and nodded. He trotted in and Vinyl closed the door behind him.

"There's some extra food left, help yourself. Have a seat on the couch over there when you get your plate." Vinyl said.

"Thank you, I will."

Me and Vinyl trotted back over to our couch and continued eating until Ni arrived with his food.

"Does this have something to do about yesterday?"

"No, nothing like that. This is about your first Wonderbolts performance."

"Oh okay, what about it?"

"It's in two days at Fillydelphia, and Spitfire wants you to bring the costume you used for the Grand Galloping Gala there."

"What for?"

He shrugged. "Dunno, I'm just relaying the message."

"I still can't get why anypony would attack you just because of the way you look." Vinyl blurted.

"I've never figured that out myself. It doesn't phase me as much anymore. What does phase me would be ponies like you and Shadow that could care less how a pony looks."

"You shouldn't be judged just on how you look. That's just messed up."

Ni smiled and rose. "Well that's all I had to tell you." He turned to Vinyl. "And thank you for the food, it was the first time in a long time anypony has ever invited me in their home."

"Eh, don't mention it. Nice meeting you Ni."

"The pleasure was all mine. I'll see you later Shadow." Ni said as he trotted to the door.

"Yeah, later."

Ni trotted out and closed the door.

"So is he with the Wonderbolts?" Vinyl asked.

"Yeah. He helps set up some of our events."

"That's cool. So what are you about to go do?"

"I'm just going to go to work I guess. Since I'm a Wonderbolt now, I'll be paid very nicely. I'm going to quit my job after today." And sever my ties with Ponyville... "What about you?"

"I don't really have any plans for today. I was just going to just chill here."

"Alright. I'm going to Ponyville now, I'll see you when I get back."

"Later."

"Bye." I replied before trotting out the door.

I went outside and took flight towards Ponyville. I landed in the center of town and looked around. This was it, my last day in Ponyville. I started trotting over to the Silver Thunder Bar. After work, I guess I'll say my goodbyes. When I arrived at the bar, I went right to work. The day went on without interruption, Barry stuck to himself and his playing, Thunder was in his office, and Silver just served drinks.

When my shift was finally over, I trotted to Thunder's office.

"What can I do for you Shadow?"

"I'm here to turn in a resignition."

He raised an eyebrow. "Giving up already?"

"Don't give me that. I fucked up beyond all recognition, and now I'm paying the price."

"Maybe, or maybe you just didn't try hard enough to get her back."

"And what the fuck would you know?!"

"Shadow, take it from an old buck who lost his shot at love. Don't give up."

"What?"

"You heard me. I used to be in love too. I loved her more than anything, even life itself. And you know what I did? I messed up, just like you did. I also did what you are about to do, and gave up. I could have at least had a shot at redeeming our relationship, but I waited too long. When I finally worked up the nerve to try again after three years, she was dead. She had died from an illness that she'd had since birth."

He continued. "Listen Shadow, don't screw up like I did. Do everything in your power to get her back. That's all."

"There's the resignition, take it easy Thunder." I said before trotting out.

I heard a sigh behind me as I closed the door to his office. I trotted over to Barry.

"I'll see you later man. I'm leaving."

"Whatever."

"Take care bro."

I trotted passed Silver and nodded. He nodded back and that was it. I trotted out of the door. I started to head towards Rarity's to say bye to her next. Along the way I passed Applebloom.

She looked up at me. "Hey there Mister Shadow! Do ya wanna come with me to the next club meetin'?"

"Sorry Applebloom, but I'm leaving Ponyville."

Her ears drooped. "Oh, okay."

"I'm sorry, but it's time for me to leave this town. Take care Applebloom."

I continued on my to Rarity's. When I arrived I went inside.

Rarity was surprisingly at the front desk instead of being in the back.

"Ah, hello Shadow. What can I do for you?"

"I just came to say my goodbyes. I'm leaving Ponyville. Thanks again for the costume."

"I see...goodbye Shadow."

I nodded and trotted out of the door. The closest place from here is the library. I started heading over there. Along the way there though, I saw Fluttershy buying some animal feed from a stand. I trotted over to her.

"Uh, Fluttershy?"

"Eep!" She squeaked.

"It's just me, Shadow."

"Oh, I'm sorry Shadow."

"It's okay. I just wanted to let you know I'm leaving Ponyville."

"Why would you leave?"

"Since separating from Rainbow, there's nothing for me here anymore."

"Oh..."

"Goodbye Fluttershy."

She gave me a hug. "Goodbye Shadow. Stay safe."

"No promises..."

I trotted off to the library and knocked on the door.

Spike answered it. "Hey Shadow. What are you doing here?"

"I'm just here to say goodbye to you and Twilight."

"Oh, okay. Come on in."

Spike moved and let me in. I sat down on the couch I woke up on when I first got here. Twilight trotted downstairs.

"Shadow, what did you need?"

"I wanted to say goodbye."

"Oh, you're leaving?"

"Yeah. I don't have anything left in this place."

"If that's the case then, please take this." She said as she levitated a book over to me.

I looked at the book. The title was called Dealing with Guilt. I chuckled a little."I appreciate the gesture Twilight, but I'd rather figure this out on my own." I said as I put the book down.

I rose up. "Goodbye Twilight."

Twilight led me to the door. "Goodbye Shadow."

I turned around after exiting the library. "Oh, and thanks."

"For what?" She asked with a confused look.

"For not throwing me out after wrecking your library."

My next stop was Sugarcube Corner. On my way there, I ran into Lyra and Bon Bon.

Lyra turned to me. "Oh hey Shadow. How have you been?"

"I've been better honestly. Right now I'm just going around saying my goodbyes."

"You're goodbyes?" Bon Bon asked.

"That's right. I'm leaving Ponyville."

"Why would you leave?"

"I lost the pony I love. So now there's nothing left here."

"You shouldn't give up. You of all ponies should know that. After all, you helped get Bon Bon back for me. I thought it was over for us, but then you showed me I can't give up."

"I appreciate it you two, but I really think this is the end. See ya." I finished as I trotted off.

I arrived at Sugarcube Corner and went inside. "Hey Shadow! How ya doin!?" The party pony screamed at me.

"Sigh*, I just came here to say goodbye."

"What?"

"I'm leaving."

"You're...leaving?" Pinkie's mane and tail started to deflate.

"I'm sorry Pinkie, but this is for the best. If I ever come back, you should throw a huge surprise party for me."

She smiled a little. "Don't you worry about that! I'll have the most super duper bestest party ever!"

I nodded with a smile on my face and trotted outside. Applejack is next. I flew over to Sweet Apple Acres and scanned for Applejack. Once again, I found her working the fields. I flew down to meet her.

She turned around. "Oh, howdy Shadow, what can I do for ya?"

"I was going around town to say goodbye to everypony, and you were next on the list."

"I heard from Applebloom. Take care of yerself Shadow."

"You too."

I turned around and took flight. There was just one more pony to say goodbye to. I landed in front of Rainbow's door and knocked. No answer.

I called through the door. "Rainbow, I know you're in there. I just wanted to say goodbye. And I know that you've heard it before, but I'm sorry. I never did deserve you, and I get that now. I was hoping to see you one more time for real before you're forced to see me at a Wonderbolts event, but that's okay." The tears starting building up now. "I'm not going to beg for you to take me back, because I have no right to. I'm going to live in Manehattan now, so I'll only see you when we do an event for the Wonderbolts. Goodbye Rainbow, and I love you."

I spread my wings and prepared to take flight. Right before I did, I heard a door open behind me. I turned around to see Rainbow looking at me through the tears in her eyes.

"Rainbow, I-" I was cut off by a whack on the head.

"Ow! You know not to hit me there Rainbow!"

"You're too hard headed to get hurt there."

I gave a small smile, and she gave one too. She ran over and wrapped me up in a hug.

"I'm sorry Shadow. I should have known how much you were hurting."

"Don't even think about apologizing. The fault is all with me, and I won't let you take any blame for my mistakes."

"You're right, what was I thinking? I'm too awesome to make mistakes."

I laughed. "That's more like it."

We finally broke the hug. Rainbow motioned for me to go inside. I followed her and we went upstairs to the bedroom.

Aren't I just the greatest ball-buster when it comes to cutting these things out? Anywho, it looks like Shadow keeps Rainbow after all! I was never planning on keeping Vinyl even though she is one of my favorite ponies. We'll cross the bridge of separation in the next chapter for Shadow and Vinyl. One more thanks to Dragon'z Wrath(still of fanfiction :D) for the idea. P.S. Sorry for the shorter chapter.

Chuck Norris fact of the Day: Chuck Norris is the only man able to punch you in the back of the face.