The Shallow

Solstice
----------
Chapter 3

Cool air touched Lights fur. The sun rays of the dawn tortured his closed eyes as his buzzing head. It took a few minutes, but finally he decided to stand up. His eyes opened slowly, his head empty of the memories from yesterday evening. Looking around he saw himself lying in a side alley of Canterlot.

Damn ... What happened yesterday?

Light rubbed his forehead with his hoof. Everything was spinning. Completely weakened he searched his way out of the alley.

-

There where only a few ponies on the streets, mainly guards. The castle was very close and good to see. Celestia was on her balcony. Her mane and her tail danced in the same wind with a wonderful sparkle caused by the light. The sight was simply majestic, how she raised the sun slowly and how the country increasingly looked like her radiant presence. With every minute the streets became crowded more and more. As the sun appeared completely over the horizon Celestia turned and went back into her private chambers. Light returned to reality.

Ah, the evacuation teams! They are still not organized. I gotta go now.

The next moments were to be horrible. Light could hardly stand on his legs, but he had to travel a huge distance from the castle to the outer walls of Canterlot.

-

The tortured walk of Light attracted countless glances at him. They just watched him plod along the road, but then quickly walked away. Light paid no attention for them, their eyes followed him street by street. At the halfway point, about 10 minutes later, Skyseeker ran on his way.

"Light! You look terrible!"

The concern was to hear formally, as if Light were just dying. Well, maybe he really was.

"Skyseeker ... I need to get to the offices of the evacuation teams."

"From here, it's still a huge piece!"The Pegasus thought for a moment.
"I really have no time to explain it. I must finish my work. Time is running out."

The standing did not benefit him. A gradual pain crept up his legs and Lights bearing was getting weaker. When he threatened to fall Skyseeker assisted Light to walk. He just could call this gesture welcome.

"Thank you, Skyseeker."

A wide grin stretched across the face of Skyseeker as they continued their way to the offices. The upcoming pain from before was disappearing again.

-

With hard efforts the two finally reached the coveted office. The evacuation team couldn't look for a better place than the last house of the road at the outer wall. As they entered the office, there was already a surprise waiting for them. A white unicorn pranced out of the office of the evacuation team captain. The snooty walk formally screamed for provocation. When the white unicorn striped his gaze through the room his eyes directly sticked on Light. In the same walk as before, he pranced up to him.

"Light, my dear, you look terrible. Is all this rising over your head?"

"Aspire White."

He competes with me since I work in the organization team. Previously he was the best, but then I suddenly appeared without doing any mistake. For all I care he can have the title, I do not care, but he just does too many mistakes.

"Miss Paperpen already introduced me to the job. Why don't you just lie down? Take a little vacation. It looks like all the stress is getting you."

Some day I'll finish him off, just for his arrogant kind.

"Then we'll work together now. How is it going with the evacuation work?"

"Everything in the works. Just what you haven't done."

"Fine!"

I despise him.

"And the storm?"

"Haven't you looked to the sky yet? Apart from the sunrise or the sunset, we will see nothing from it. The sky is blackening as it was planned."

Aspire shaked his head. As if he would think about what bothers Light all day.

"Then we split up now." stated Light "You take care of the evacuation team. It has to stand until morning. Meanwhile, I'll see after the storm."

Asper White turned slightly away from Light.

"Fine. Don't screw it up. After all also the reputation of our team is depending on that. Otherwise I have to cut it out again."

Light did not react on it. Together with his walk assistant Skyseeker he left the office. Quiet laughter could be heard behind them. Asper probably found a lot of joy in Lights crippling.

-

The fortune gave Light no rest. Outside the office, the yellow Pegasus already walked down the street. Skystorm seemed to want to relax after finished work.

"Skystorm!" said Light.

Skyseeker seemed a bit irritated while Skystorms ears fluttered briefly. At that moment he probably wondered if somepony really called his name. After a few seconds, he decided to look for the sound. The red unicorn was hard to miss. His expression changed significantly as he was coming to Light with heavy steps.

"What is it ...?" Skystorm thought for a moment.

"Light. I wanted to ask what the storm is doing, Captain."

"Light, exactly. I should remember that name. It's just going ahead as anypony in Canterlot can see. I think you should devote yourself to more important tasks."

Skyseeker intervened in the conversation.

"Are you really the captain of the Stormguards?" Skyseeker grew more excited.

His assistance was weakening and leaving Light on more wobbly legs.

"Skystorm, captain of the Stormguards!"

Until now Skystorm probably hasn't noticed Skyseekers presence at all. His face twisted in anger.

"Listen, kid. Don't get on my nerves!"

"Are you really the captain of the Stormguards? Is it hard work? Does it make fun?"

He tolerated the question bombardment just for some moments. He cut into Skyseekers hysteria.

"That's it!" He roared.

Skystorm lifted one of his front hooves and overturned Skyseeker. The good physical training of the Weathererponies made it look easy. The sudden loss of his mate brought Light out of balance. He fell to the ground unprepared and his entire body was covered with horrible pain.

"Ouch ..." whined the little one.

"I really can't stand annoying little ponies like you! Just stay away from me!" Skystorm didn't cared for the two and just left them.

-

No matter what Skyseeker was going through, it was nothing compared to the pain that burned Light at this moment. Out of sheer pain, he lost all sense of reality. Everything was spinning, getting darker. Light was losing control ...

-

As the unicorn awoke the pain was gone. Skyseeker stood by him and watched him with wide eyes.

"Are... are you all right, Light?"

"Yes, I feel much better now."

He stood on his legs. His attitude was much more stable.

"You were lying motionless on the floor for almost an hour now..."

I remember yesterday. Couldn't expect another thing that I am in such a bad condition. Long range teleportations aren't my specialism anyway, and then I try to do it through a magical shield. This could have been much worse...

Light checked his horn. Some sparks sprayed wildly into the environment, but no magic was shown.

"Seems like I can't use my magic at the moment."

He moved around in a circle to look how his body generally is doing. The small Pegasus critically observed Light.

"Skyseeker, your father is Thunderbolt Cloudbearer. Am I right?"

Skyseeker nodded.

"Very good. I need to speak with him."

"My dad wanted to fly to Cloudsdale today. I don't know if he's still there."

"Then bring me quickly to your house. It is extremely important!"

If I couldn't catch him all my efforts would be in vain. Must be fortune that he leaves Canterlot just now after one year.

"Are you sure that you can walk again?"

"Yes, yes. Everything is fine. We now need to go quickly."

Skyseeker ran ahead. With his regained strength it was an easy for Light to keep up with him. He just wondered if he ever had seen Skyseeker using his wings. Even when he fell off the ladder he hadn't used them...

-

The path towards Skyseekers house was relatively quiet. Light just watched the increasing deployment of guards who scoured the streets looking for suspicious persons.

Nothing of what happened yesterday is allowed to come to light.

Light thought about the time, when Thunderbolt wanted to fly away today. The sky was darkened completely, so he had no chance to guess the time.

"We're here!"

Skyseeker became slower and slower until they stopped in front of the big house.

Oh yes. Thunderbolt is a nobleman. His house is therefore also very showy.

The two entered the house. Even the entrance hall was so big that it overtrumped Light's house. In the hall stood a few benches, seats, for the guests to wait.

"Could you please arrange a short interview, Skyseeker? As I said earlier, it is very important."

Skyseeker silently saluted and ran up the stairs that leads up to the second floor. Light sat down on a bench.

I think I had forgotten to give back Skystorms file. Therefore, I am already in sight. After all, there is currently nopony else working with him. Asper White also joined later. And if the father of Skyseeker belongs to the nobleness I can't allow myself any wrong questions.

"Light!"

It really sounded through the hall. Skyseeker was louder then ever. Without much delay Light was on his way up the stairs. Thoughts captivated his mind again. Almost absent, he reached Thunderbolts office.

"Welcome, Light!"

The welcome was much more pleasant than the unicorn had expected it. The office was also very nice. Countless books which adorned the wall in shelves and a decorative wooden desk in the middle of the room. From the desk you only had to turn and you could enjoy all the glory of Canterlot through the window.

"With the party you've done me a great favor, Light. Of course you can stop by at any time if you need something."

Light brooded over the past time. Apart from the ladder he couldn't remember anything accurate.

"Thank you. I have a few questions."

Thunderbolt waved Light to the desk. There were two chairs ready, and the both sat down together.

"It's about Skystorm."

Thunderbolts face darkened slightly.

"The storm outside. I'm tasked to plan it together with Skystorm. But I find his ... kind very curious and would like to find out more about him in order to evaluate him. I heard you had worked together with him?"

The old Pegasus leaned back in his chair.

"Certainly, I once worked with him. I lost my job and was temporarily employed by the Stormguards. Back then when Skystorm became captain."

He didn't asked how I knew about that. Either I'm busted or he trusts me. But I rather guess the former.

"Is there anything specific you want to know?"

Don't rush now.

"I'd like to know something about his kind. Was he always used to be so hateful... "

"The purest night lover. But- Skyseeker? Could you please let us alone?"

Light turned toward the door. In fact, Skyseekers head looked through a crack in the door.

"Yes, Daddy ..."

It was suspiciously quiet if you think how loud Skyseeker usually is. The door closed and both were again only with each other.

"Light," his voice dropped greatly, "take care of yourself in the vicinity of this guy. When I started, he was always the topic, and not just because of his ambitious nature which promoted him to captain. There where rumors that he is a follower of Moon Nightmare. Or now, that he wants to have her back."

He almost talks out of my mind. Is it possible that he has the same concerns as me? And apart from that. The return of Nightmare Moon. Is that his motive? Does he somehow wants to wake up Nightmare Moon from Luna with this storm? This is ridiculous, but something else won't fit.

"So it's really something ... suspicious. That was really all I wanted to know. Thank you."

"No problem. You are always welcome."

Light went back on his hooves

"I wish you a safe journey this evening. Skyseeker had mentioned something."

"I'll certainly have. It goes to Cloudsdale, in my old home. I'll go visit a old friend of mine. One, sometimes, needs to give a break to yourself from the work."

The two passed each other and Light left the office. In the angle he just could see a wide grin on the face of Cloudbearer.

-

Skyseeker already waited eagerly.

"What have you two spoken about?"

His curiosity couldn't bemissed. Light was stretching a bit.

"Nothing interesting."

"It had to do with Skystorm. That was the bad guy from this morning!"

"Really Skyseeker. Nothing interesting."

Light yawned.

"I think I'm going to sleep for now."

"That soon?"

Skyseeker pointed to a large clock that hung above the main entrance. Afternoon. Light hasn't noticed the clock as he waited in the hall.

"You've seen it this morning. I'm a bit finished, I need urgently sleep."

Skyseeker thought for a moment while his hysteria slowly died.

"Okay ...."

-

The way home was unusually short in contrast to the big marches that Light had already behind him. In front of his own house there was waiting a litle surprise. Two guards stopped him before he could disappear into his apartment. The left of the two guards stepped forward.

"Light? Am I right with that? "

Damn!

"Yes. Can I be of any help to you both? "

The two looked at each other briefly.

"I'm pretty sure you've already heard of the Incident at the palace?"

When I say something wrong now it's over with me. There's no denying. Now everypony has probably heard about it. Though, I haven't heard somepony talking about it today. Does that mean they were not giving information to the outside? No, that can't be. Perhaps they have just found no introduction to the topic.

The guard ponies were a little impatient.

"Yes, I've noticed quite a bit."

"Well, we just rattle off every house near the palace. We wanted to know whether you have seen something in the night. Every little detail would be helpful in identifying the perpetrator."

Whew, more luck than brain. If I would've said that I don't know about it, I probably would be more suspicious to them.

"I'm sorry. I've only heard about the incident. But I was sleeping as it happened. In the morning I noticed nothing else."

The both stood brooding in front of Light. He thought for a moment. Like lightning it flashed through his head as he looked towards the two.

Damn, damn, damn! The house is not even close to the palace! They are just at my door because anypony has seen me this morning reeling in the vicinity of the palace! I'm done...

"Well, that's all what we wanted. We wish you a good night."

"Likewise."

What the ...they let me? Or do they just don't have enough evidence? Anyway, I should use the gift of time to make something useful.

-

He opened the front door, looking for the shortest way to the bedroom and just felt into bed.

If I rest now the chances are not so bad that I can use magic again tomorrow. But not just that. Tomorrow is also the last day before the great storm starts. I just hope that the guards do not think to pick me up tomorrow.

He covered himself. Even if he usually abhorred this lonely bed, just now it felt very pleasant. His gaze went back to the window where the tower of Celestia could be seen. The sky was cloudy but Celestia stood guard on her balcony, watching the city. When she looked in the direction of Lights house her gaze froze. Minutes passed in which the both stared each other. The fatigue finally got Light and let him fall asleep.