Shadowstone skipped and twirled in happiness. The sound of her hoofsteps ricocheted off Canterlot Castle's halls. Making her way to her royal chamber, she smiled and inhaled the sweet spring air blowing from outside the window. It was beginning to warm up outside and ponies were making the most of it, especially her. Most of the windows in the castle were open because of Shadowstone's love for spring. In her mind, nature was a blessing.

She opened the door with her magic and a faint green aura enveloped the handle. Trotting into her room, she slid out of her metal horseshoes and necklace. She rubbed her neck. The metal had pressed into her skin leaving painful marks.

She reached for her journal as she sank into the plush carpet on the floor. Shadowstone had wedged it between her bookshelf and her bed. Reaching for her beloved book, her hoof met nothing.

Where was it? She could have sworn it had been here... Swiveling her head in all directions, it took every fiber of Shadowstone's being to resist screaming. It was right here!she thought. Books don't walk away! Seething, Shadowstone stood. Staring at her bookshelf in anger, she blinked. What? A familiar cover graced the top shelf. My journal!

Snatching her beloved book and hugging it to her chest, she took a deep breath. "Dear Celestia!" she whispered. "I almost had a heart attack!" Setting her journal on the floor, she checked to see if someone had tampered with it. Nothing seemed to have changed. The worn cover didn't have my added nicks or tears than it had before. Not a single page was out of place.'Suspicious,' Shadowstone thought. No one in the castle dared to even think about touching the young heiress' belongings. Maids were the only ponies with permission to enter her castle quarters- and even then- they feared her. Shadowstone's sharp exterior and detached way of showing her emotions scared everybody into submission. It was a trait that. would make her a strong leader one day.

Shadowstone's day as already been aggravating, but now it had become ten times worse. Poor Shadowstone's obsessive habits were taking over and there was no stopping her. There was a mystery, a culprit and a Shadowstone. The perfect recipe or disaster, more so when you add the "secret ingredient"- love. Let me explain. Shadowstone as a crush- no, an obsession- with a colt named Racing Rain. Ever since he hadhad transferred to Twilight's School of Magic, she had been thinking of him. Every time she talked to him, he always had her best interests at heart. He was a dream.

Understandably, this "crush" was the turning point of Shadowstone's life. On the surface, that was true, but without knowing how Shadowstone's life plays out, you would never truly understand just how important this colt was. He was very important. To the story, of course, and to our main character's health. After all, love is stronger than anything, they say.

****

It was silent at the dinner table. Silverware clinked against fine china plates. The royal family hardly looked at each other except Shadowstone's accusational glances towards her "suspects." Twilight's eyes droop as she tries to stay awake. Overworked, she tries in vain to hide her fatigue as her long list of royal duties lengthens with each day. Flash's eyes dart in all directions. Science Spark had skipped dinner to see her friends, so Shadowstone was all alone tonight.

Twilight spoke. "How was your day, Flash?" Flash's darting eyes focus on his wife, shocked that she had the strength to speak. "Well, how was it?" she asked, prodding at the remains of her food with her fork. Frozen, Flash blinks. Realizing that his wife is asking him a question, he forces a smile.

"Oh, the usual. Defending the castle from intruders, guarding stuff, holding down a griffon and electrocuting him and accidently killing him-" Twilight's eyes grow wide. She jumps out of her chair.

"What?! You were holding that in all day, and you didn't tell me?"

He winced. "I had to, okay? It was a special order from your brother to keep quiet. He didn't want news to get out."

Twilight slid back into her seat. Calming herself, she said in a softer voice"How did this happen?"

"It's a long story. Let me just say that I did not intend to actually kill the poor guy. Please forgive me."

Shadowstone looked toward her haggard mother. "Um, I think I'm done. I'll just leave you two alone." Galloping away from her parents, she stared at her father. I can't believe he actually killed a griffon. Gross.Feeling unbearable pity for him, she slunk up to her room and flopped on the carpet.

Opening her journal, she turned to the last entry she had written. A green glow surrounded a pen made of one of Stealth's feathers. Stealth was Shadowstone's snowy owl and best friend. Right now Stealth was asleep, and Shadowstone made sure not to wake her. Stirring for a second in her cage, the owl cooed softly. Shadowstone looked at her companion.

The pen dipped itself into the ink pot and hovered in midair, pausing over the page. It met the paper and started scribbling furiously. "Today was a rough day. It's hard when everypony hates you for being the "edgy goth girl." I don't try to be pessimistic. That's just a part of who I am. I guess nobody likes who I am. Well, maybe except for Racing. He's the only pony who makes me feel like I belong. I can't tell if he likes me back. You know, 'like' likes. It's only a matter of time before he finds out. Something terrible will happen if I don't tell him. I just know it. The only thing that's keeping me from telling him are all of my stupid fears, like: "What if he rejects me?" or "The rest of the ponies at school will find out." Ugh. The only thing I can do about it is wait for the right moment.
Love, Shadowstone"

Shadowstone closed the journal and streched, arching her back. Turning to her winged friend, she asked "Are you okay, Stealth? You don't usually sleep during the day. Something must be wrong." Shadowstone was right. Contrary to most beliefs, snowy wls are diurnal. That said, snowy owls usually live in the Crystal Mountains, but this is a land of magic talking ponies. Anything could happen.

Shadowstone stroked Stealth's feathers. The owl shivered, chills coursing through her body. "This is definitely not good. Let's get you to Mom."

Author's Note

Yay! The first chapter of my first fic is here!
I've kind of surprised myself. I'm usually not the kind of person who's into romance, but here I am.
Shadowstone:

Racing Rain: