The Shallow

Twilight
----------
Chapter 2

Light rushed through the streets of Canterlot. Countless eyes caught the unicorn.

How could I just oversleep? For how long was I still awake yesterday? Confound it!

Completely out of breath, he finally reached the tower. Unlike usual, all lights were already turned on and a wild ado was going on inside the tower. Obviously, everypony had already found its work. In the fast trot, he thundered up the stairs to Paperpens office. The crash on the stairs drew the attention of everypony in the team to Light, although he did not want that. Without further ado, it became quiet.

-

Quietly, the door to the office opened. Other than usual Paperpen wasn't buried behind a mountain of paperwork. In front to her sat another pony. A yellow Pegasus.

"There he is! I already worried about you." Paperpen beckoned Light to her.

With a hanging head he approached to the table. The Pegasus threw a condescending look at him

."Light, if I may introduce to you. This is Skystorm, captain of the Stormguards. I told you of a big order yesterday. Although I did not expect him to arrive already today, but the sooner the better, don't you think?"

Light observed Skystorm critically. There was something he didn't like.

"Yes ... the sooner the better." repeated Light dull.

His eyes fixed on the yellow Pegasus.

"Let's come to the business part." Paperpen flapped with her hooves. One could recognize her anticipation from far distance. "Our dear Skystorm and his Stormguards are ordered to let a storm ravage. And this right here in Canterlot. This is where your role comes in Light. It is absolutely important to avoid any damage to the city itself and I just needed the best. Almost everypony in town would probably recommend you to it."

Lights look changed regularly. First Paperpen, then Skystorm. Skystorms eyes had fixed on Paperpen, but he was absent. Just as the whole meeting here wouldn't interest him in any way.

-

Paperpen rolled out a plan with the surrounding lands of Canterlot. "The storm should include all the fields that surround Canterlot. The mountain ranges are less important."

With increasing duration Light distanced himself from the conversation. Skystorm was a mystery for him. Either he knew already how it works, it does not interest him how it ends ... or something completely different.

"Just as it should work then. I would say, Light, lead him to your office there you can argue the details. This will require a lot of teamwork."

Skystorm held his hoof in Lights direction. "On a good working relationship ..." he paused, "What was your name again?"

He hasn't even listened a single second to the conversation. Something does not fit.

-

The door snapped in the lock. Skystorm strolled to the desk with tired eyes fixed on the timber. Light sat down to his opposite.

"So Skystorm. We should discuss the situation of the storm over the city. I can not let a single flash strike into the city that maybe causes a fire. Countless ponies could be violated.

"Skystorm left his hoof on the table. "Listen ..." he thought for a second, "Light, why don't you just let me and my Stormguards do all the work. We have enough experience and will not damage your estimated city."

A spark flashed in Lights eyes. "Yes, maybe we should do that. I might come over occasionally and check it. If I have to note something you will get to know it first."

A slight smile pulled on both faces. "Looks like we both know how it goes."

Skystorm seemed very satisfied. He rose from his chair and looked briefly to Light.

"We'll start work tomorrow. I guess the storm is available in 3 days."

Light checked a piece of paper lying on his table. "So, perfect on the proposed date. I make sure that all clearing operations are done by the Earthponies and Unicorns until then." Light waited for Skystorms respond.

The silence swelled in the office. Without a word Skystorm moved slowly towards the door.

"Then everything is settled." Whispered light.

-

Minutes passed. The door to Lights office opened again. This time Senity cautiously came in.

"Uhm. Am I disturbing you right now?"

Her voice was so timid. Quite different then Light was used to, but the same applied to him. He crouched on his chair and looked towards the door with an empty look. His thoughts wandered far from the reality. Senity cautiously approached the desk, pushed his chair to the side and looked directly into the eyes of Light. They flickered briefly and met Senity's eyes then.

"Can I help you, Heartshine?"

The atmosphere was uncomfortable. She hesitated, her gaze jumped wildly.

"You ... you seem so different Light. Are you all right?"

Light gave no word any attention. "What do you think of the world?"

The question surprised Senity. "Uhm ... I think there is nothing that is in need of a greater improvement." Her eyes were large and were waiting eagerly for answer Lights.

He was standing still and wandered towards the door. A Deja Vu played in Lights head. As Skystorm, he was leaving the room, only with his documents in his luggage.

"I understand, Senity."

Our world is standing still.

Then the door shut and Senity was left alone in the office.

-

A group of Stormguards marched through the streets. Light watched them from the main entrance of the tower. Presumably, they went straight towards the nearest hotel. Skystorm wasn't seen among them. The unusual sight caught many ponies as they walked through the richly-filled streets. Light looked after them until they disappeared behind the next corner and the usual daily grind of the bright Canterlot came back.

I must be sure. He continued his way through the streets. What is the plan of the Captain of the Stormguards? Was the entire group inaugurated? What is the goal he wants to achieve?

He briefly flew back into reality. He almost was on the other side of the town. The time flew by quickly in his thoughts and just dragged him on through the city.
Maybe he's just strange. Annoyed by the world and avoids any cooperation. As Captain, he probably has enough experience to establish the storm by himself, even in Canterlot, maybe he just didn't want a fussy Unicorn around him.

-

He found himself in front of the palace.

Maybe I just should get sure about it.

Guards secured the building. The sinking sun wrapped the whole place in red light. After some time he walked to the guards. One of them suddenly stared at Light and walked towards him. With a broad grin, he held out his hoof.

"Hey Starglare. Haven't heard something for a long time from you. I thought you'd abandoned your job and already left the town."

Light replied the gesture. "Not yet about your second guess. And please call me Light. The old days are over."

I don't want to think back on it ...

"Okay ... Light. How can I help you then?"

The other guard was holding his position and looked empty at the square.

"Can you let me into the archives? I imperatively have to look up somepony."

The face of the guard darkened. Silently he turned and went back on his post. He waited a moment and then began to talk again.

"Excuse me ... Light, but as you've given up your job you also lost any right to the archives. You know I can't let you in. It would also endanger my job."

"Yes ... I understand. Maybe we'll meet again someday."

Dead end.

The sun has already gone down.

-

Light started his way home.

Starglare ... I hope I don't have to hear that name again.

He forgot the past and focused on the present again. The streets were dark, but there was no danger to expect. Ultimately Canterlot behaves like a quiet and peaceful community. Even the whole world behaves to this ideal.
We live our lives to give life and counter problems. Everything is tuned to a peaceful time, a future led by the timeless existence we call Celestia. Changelings, creatures, and who knows what else is out there that we haven't discovered yet. They all make our lives difficult, but finally they are also organs that are part of our perfect world.

-

Light reached his home. His thoughts literally had eaten him and he was just happy to return to the silence of his lonely home. The door opened with a slight creak.

It's not locked. I've probably forgotten it in the hurry this morning.

He looked carefully into the hallway. After a few steps, he put his caution away.

There won't be a burglar.

With a pounding his ears pricked up again. The knock repeated in a constant cycle. Light noticed that the noise was coming from the living room. Carefully he sneaked to the door and peeked into the room. In fact, the light was turned on and a annoyed Paperpen sat on the sofa with her hoof knocking a beat on the floor. Her view of waiting already revealed the whole situation. Light walked into the room, his gaze on Paperpen.

"There you are!"

Light lowered his head.
The conversation only could go out “cordial”.

"Listen, we need to talk …"

Her voice dropped greatly to Lights surprise.

"Something seems to bother you, right? That you forget to lock your house, the thing with Senity this afternoon ... it does not suit you at all. She couldn't recognize you. And then you haven't even took care of loose branches or other dangers. Could it be that it comes from the order? Is such a big one, connected with so much responsibility, too much for you?"

Another one tried to understand me ... And the thing with Senity got around really quick. But it also could be that Senity and Paperpen are friends.

"I've been thinking about replacing you with Aspire White."

"What!?"

The sudden exclamation frightened Paperpen.

"Not for the life of me! I'll finish the job. And above all ... replaced by this ... I'm much better suited for that!"

"Stop Light. It's nothing personal. I'm just worried about you."

"Just like Senity, but I don't need your care!"

Paperpen looked away and stared at the floor. Light did after her and tried to collect his thoughts.

"Paperpen ... Please."

She remained silent. The silence stood in front of Light. She was uncomfortable and almost crushed him. After some time Light looked up again. Paperpen sat motionless on the sofa. Stains adorned the floor in front of her. Only now Light realized the silent tears that flew down of her cheeks and shattered on the ground. In a fast pace she left the house. The door closed loudly.

-

Still shocked, Light was standing in the living room. His inner tension made him say things which he regretted now. Even if he never wanted to open himself to Paperpen or Senity, hurting their feelings was the last thing he would imagine. Light grabbed himself again and his view tightened.

I'll have to explain something later, but first ... I hope for you that you're not planing anything Skystorm!

With a new goal in mind, he left his house and entered the path to which he has run before, towards the palace.

-

Inside the Building Light still could see some lights when he arrived at the great square. Hidden behind a wall, he watched the palace shortly. Some guards patrolled inside the building. Luna kept her guard on the balcony of Celestia. Lights Horn glowed briefly. Sparks flew in all directions, and dried again. The lights grew fainter and fainter, and at the end Light was again in complete darkness.

Just what I thought. Shielded from the outside. You can't teleport directly into the archive.

Cover was thin and the moonlight lit the room enough to locate a pony. Light was waiting for the perfect moment. A Moment wasn't moving her eyes over and over again, and no guard was to see. After several minutes of observation he sneaked on. A gallop would have only drawn Luna's attention on him. Black shadows wandered behind the windows. There are always guards passing windows, but now he could minimize the risk to get caught if he monitors the windows. Would just one of them come to the idea to watch out of the window Light would be caught.
He reached the cold wall. With luck he might even tell that nopony noticed him.

-

Direct at the wall sneaking became a lot easier. Unlike before, where he had to monitor the whole building Light now just hast to flit past each window. On the backside, he reached a garden. The garden of the bazaar. Light knew the "Royal Palace" only too well. So he knew that at the bazaar is a window which can be opened from the outside.

In his past he often mentioned gaps in the security, the only one that never got fixed was this window. Light looked up in the bazaar, just a few empty tables, the garden, also empty. With some magic he lifted the window out of his holder. The lock opened and the window was in the air. Light got in and carefully put the window back to its position.

-

From inside the room seemed much brighter than from outside in the moon light. Countless windows and doors to the garden. Only one led to the castle. A large double door made of wood. The grain was very gorgeous and gave the bazaar the last cut. It's been a while since he could admire the room. His admiration was interrupted by steps that approached in his direction. Light crawled under the nearest table. Shortly thereafter, two Guardponies came into the bazaar. The footsteps echoed softly through the large room. When it was a bit quieter Light blinked out of the tablecloth for a moment. The Guardponies positioned in the middle of the room and chatted with each other, the passage from which they came was free so far.

I better wait until they're gone. I don't want to pull off a scene here.

Light went back on his look-out and lurked the two Guardponies.

"Every night the same thing. Luckily we work in shifts."

If they feel alone, they are very well able to speak.

The other one touched the speaking one on."Tell me, don't you celebrate your birthday here soon?"

He laughed aloud. "Yeah, I was given the approval. I'm just waiting for the adoption of this organization office in the city. They are organizing a lot of things and their reputation is very good."

Aspire White should feel free to take care of it.

"Over there are still brooms." The guard pointed toward the door.

In fact, 2 brooms stood at the door. Light wasn't even noticed by them.

"I bet that they swept the whole mess here just under the tables."

Who knows what kind of dirt.

"Let me take a quick look. Maybe I can complain to the cleaning crew again!" He laughed hearty.

Damn!

-

The two split up and went to the external tables.

Damn it, damn it!

Light analyzed the environment. He was in the second table from the window. 6 table were dragging the room. When the guard is finished with the first table, he will find Light. Nervousness overcame him.

What do I do now? Think about it!

He disappeared in his thoughts for a moment.

Magic! No, teleportation is too loud. Barriers! No, it won't help me. I might try to knock both of them out, but then new guards will appear in no time. No matter what I do, I'll be detected!

Light tried to grasp himself again.

"Nothing to see down here." said the one from the other side of the room.

If they already have to know that somepony else is here... how do I get the best out of here!

"Here too." The steps grew louder.

From his angle of view Light could see the brooms at the door.

But of course! The Brooms!

One guard reached the table that Light was under. When the guard heighened the tablecloth for a bit a bright light flashed into his eyes. Before he knew what happened, it disappeared. Light appeared at the brooms. Short confused he recovered quickly again.

Teleportation really isn't my specialty.

"Hey, here is somepony!" The shadow figures galloped toward Light.

Light quickly grabbed the broom and the large double door closed behind him. He blocked each handle of the door with the broom.

Had there been no handles, they would've got me now.

The first guard banged on the door. "Intruder," he screamed.

His roar certainly could be heard in the whole castle. Light went on quickly.

That won't stop them for long. Guardponies are trained very well.

This corridor was relatively free until he reached the entrance hall. The entrance hall was simply partitioned. Two corridors, left and right, the main entrance, stairs to the second floor and to the left of the stairs other stairs that led to the basement, where the archives are.
In the hall, the roar of the two Guardponies still was heard. Even very loud. As he crossed the hall steps were heard from the hallway. Light quickly leaned against the wall to the archives. Three more Guardponies stormed out of the hallway Light came from just a second ago.

Again more luck than mind. If they just would've came a second sooner...

Light scurried quickly down into the archives as long as the guards were distracted by the din of the bazaar.

-

Down in the Archives Light faced his next challenge. Two permanently stationed guards kept the archive.

Damn it! Clock is ticking. How do I get them away there?

Light was in a short spacer. A few shelves of books and scrolls decorated the walls. The guards themselves were in a bare anteroom. The anteroom was extra separated by a door, that seemed to be open always, from the spacer. The stamping of countless hooves was heard in the castle. They searched very well through everything to find the "intruder". Light summed up his thoughts again.

I've got it!

He grabbed a couple of books and scrolls, and threw them on the floor, in view of the guards. It did not take long until he could hear the steps. Slowly the both moved towards the door. Light waited. When they reached the door ... a bright light flashed up and Light appeared behind the two at the door to the archive. At the same time a shield wall appeared in front of the two guards. It trembled and blazed, and in the end it exploded. The recoil threw the Guardponies against the wall of the archive where they then sat motionless, confused by the sudden impact.

If you vibrate the inner magic of a shield it becomes unstable. This can go so far that the shield explodes creates a pressure wave, but a shield shouldn't have enough power to hurt somepony. But the worst is that probably everypony in the castle knows now where I am.

-

Light entered the archive. For safety, he built another shield which blocked the entrance. The archive itself is like a gigantic library. Countless shelves which are seperated into a strict order from A to Z. This was used to be Light's favorite place. Here he was able to hide in case of a lot of stress, but he also could prepare for all situations, because each of these books and scrolls contained informations about all ponies from Equestria which have managed to get a high rank or are attracted negative attention in public. There certainly also was a comment about Light.But Light came here for another goal. His path took him to the shelves which are marked with "S". The sounds were loud in front of the shield wall. Meanwhile, probably half the castle gathered in the hall. Again separated from the real world Light found the folder with “Skystorm” on it. He held out the folder and began reading.

His childhood, connection to the Stormguards, his rise ... everything is not relevant!

A picture stood out in Lights eyes. A picture with a group photo from elapsed Stormguards. From the time when Skystorm had his rise. One of the Pegasi looked familiar to him. The situation calmed down in front of the shield wall. A voice of a mare was to be heard.

Luna! That's its end. The shield dome has no chance against her.

He quickly read the list of names from the photo. The shield wall fell and lud surprise was to hear.

Thunderbolt Cloudbearer. Skyseekers father!

Countless hooves trampled in the archive. Light dropped the folder. His horn began to glow.

The chance that this will work is below a minimum. And even if ... I will hate me for doing it.

The steps were approaching to him louder and louder. The bright light of his horn attracted the guards like moths. When the first blinked around the corner ... a blinding light and everything was quiet. Light did not know where he was. Everything went black for him, he staggered. The only thing he could realize was a cool breeze. Then he fainted.