Chaos Origin

Shadow took off his saddle pouches and put them on the counter. He looked to Zee and said, "Now, the ball has started now, but it's only sun down. I'm going to head out at night. However, one can never prepare to early." Shadow pulled open the largest pouch and pulled out a few flat rocks and a small metal spike.

"What are those?" Sleepy asked, giving a yawn afterwards. He seemed apathetic, though he truly was interested.

"Top secret research. However, They will be revealed soon, so I don't think I'd get in too much trouble if you spilled the beans. I really do not think you will, though."Shadow explained, beginning to carve into them. The rocks felt to be made of clay, but they were a dark gray color. "These are what I call Stones of Chaos. Powerful magic. I'd get into detail, but I don't think you'd understand."

"Fair enough." Sleepy said with a shrug."Call 'em anything?"

"Can't tell you." Shadow replied flat out. As he rustled in the pouches for more of the mysterious stones, he noticed the letter he had stuffed inside them. He pulled it out and opened it. It read:

Dear Shadow Cloak,

Well of course you should share your words with her. Be you hopeless romantic or not words are powerful. Even if you are reserved, she will appreciate your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, in a reserved relationships, heavy words can make people nervous. But just because they can’t articulate their thoughts, doesn’t mean they don't return yours! Though, do be wise about what you say. A poem can melt the heart, but may be overwhelming to some - you know this mare well, think about how she would react, but don’t feel like she’ll be upset with you.

Words are the most powerful thing I know, so choose wisely! (Thanks to the creator of asklovestruck.tumblr )

He closed his eyes and sighed."Not sure I could give her that poem now even if I wanted to." Shadow murmured, continuing to rune the stones. Soon after Shadow had finished, he went outside. The sun had set and he turned, saying through the open door to the inn, "Do not follow me, Zee. I work best alone."

As Shadow made his way to the Everfree forest, Spike the dragon had found his way out of Twilight Sparkle's grasp and had come back to contact him.

"Spike, why aren't you at the party with the rest?" Shadow Cloak asked the baby dragon.

"There's no way I'm going to that girly dance, especially not with that Espio character there." Spike replied, a look of disgust on his face.

"I understand." Shadow replied and trotted past him, continuing toward his objective with no more regard for the dragon.

Spike was surprised to see somepony cut him off so abruptly. "Why are you in such a hurry?" He asked, not receiving a reply from Shadow. Spike kicked at the ground in annoyance. Just as he was about to return to the library where he lived, Spike noticed Sleepy Zee had stopped next to him. "Um...Hello?" Spike said, implying a question that asked why Zee was standing there.

"Well, aren't we going to follow him?" Zee asked. Spike pondered this for a small moment, then nodding and climbing up onto Zee's back. They both began to follow Shadow from a distance.

Shadow had reached the Everfree forest, and was following closely to the perimeter as he stole to Espio's party, which was well on its way by now.  The forrest had heavy, humid air. Many floral sents wafted about, trying to distract Shadow. The plants scratched his coat as he pushed past them, sounding like nothing more than the rustling of the wind. He stopped suddenly and gave an annoyed sigh. "Why don't you two stop trying to be covert and get up here with me. I thought you would get scared and leave after a while, but I misjudged you." Shadow said, voice impatient.

Sleepy Zee and Spike came out from behind a few bushes. "Aw. Were we really that noticeable?" Spike asked in a sort of depressed tone. Sleepy had a tired expression, and said nothing.

"You need to remember that I'm a trained professional at this game."Shadow Cloak said. "Now follow closely, and don't make any more noise."

Zee and Spike followed his command to the best of their ability, and followed quietly.

Shadow had lead them to the edge of the forest, and they were now in proximity of the house. They could hear faint orchestra music and the chatter of conversing ponies. "You two will stay here, or leave. I'm going into the house to eavesdrop. I don't want either of you blowing my cover."  He told Zee and Spike. "Luckily, there is an open window where I can get in. Now, stand back."

Zee and Spike did as Shadow cautioned them. Shadow took one of the rocks he had carved upon out of his pouched belt. It had a zero like symbol etched into it. Shadow closed his eyes, and the rock disintegrated from the grasp of his mouth, and the dust enveloped him. It glowed an eerie green, before he disappeared completely.

"Whoa! Where did you go?" Spike asked surprised. By this time Zee had fallen asleep again.

"I am still here."Shadow said, there was a slight distortion of the light where he stood. "It isn't perfect, but this invisibility spell should be more than enough to get me in there." Shadow quickly trotted to the window, his ghostly form appeared slightly while he moved quickly. Stopping by the window, he faded completely again. Shadow then commenced infiltration of the party.

Summer had changed into a yellow dress bordered with warm colors, and she had put a white flower in her mane. She was at the dance, talking to Rarity and Twilight sparkle as music played in the background. The ballroom was wide, and had a ceiling that was at least five ponies high. The room was furnished with potted shrubberies and many decorative string instruments.

"That Shadow Cloak pony...What's his problem?" Twilight Sparkle asked Summer. Rarity was nodding her head in agreement with Twilight.

"I'm not sure, but we shouldn't be to hard on him."Summer said, dropping the last part of her sentence.

"Too hard on him? He is the toughest, meanest looking earth pony I've ever seen!" Rarity said,"And if he doesn't want us to be hard on him, maybe he shouldn't have been so hard on Espio." She looked over at Espio, who  was mingling with other guests, with a look of concern on her face.

"Please, girls. He usually has a good reason..."Summer whispered, feeling like she could no longer fight for Shadow's honor.

"You said yourself that he abused you trust."Twilight said."If I were you, I wouldn't have gotten involved with him in the first place."

"Maybe you're right...I really liked him though."Summer said, feeling defeated. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

"Sweetie, if he doesn't treat you right, there is no reason to like him."Rarity explained, now directing her concern to Summer.

"But he does. Just today was strange and all the top secret stuff is hard to deal with." Summer said, a small glimmer of hope for defending Shadow returned.

"I'm quite incredulous when it comes to all that stuff he spouted back at the shop."Twilight said "Are you sure any of that is real?"

Summer was about to answer when Espio included himself in their group and asked, "How is everything for these fine young mares?"

Rarity began to reply, "We are just-" but be for she could finish, another mare, a pegasus, interrupted with "Great!"

The party turned their attention to the other mare. It was Derpy Hooves, the gray coated pegasus with blond mane and tail, and the most enthralling eyes.

"Ah, the courier from earlier." Espio said, half explaining to himself and half to the group. "That is very good news."

"Aw, I'm so glad you were concerned." Derpy said, a large, exaggerated smile on her face.

Espio smiled a bit nervously, but cleared his throat to regain his composure. "Anyway, I was wondering of you lovely mares could tell me about yourselves." He looked at the whole bunch, Derpy was the first to answer.

"Me? Lovely? Aw, you're such the charmer." She gave a giggle afterward. Summer listened to her last sentence and was slightly unnerved. "You already know I'm a courier. Oh, I really love muffins. I can cook them well too! Do you have any muffins? I can cook you some if you don't!"

"No, no, that's quite alright,darling. Please do not trouble yourself. Anypony else wish to share?"

Rarity began to speak this time."I run the Carousel Boutique here in Ponyville."

Summer replied next, saying, "I run Summer's Palette. It's an art and art supply store."

Lastly, Twilight answered. "I'm a student under Princess Celestia."

The final statement caught Espio's attention. "Please, elaborate." Espio asked of Twilight. The other mares took notice of this, Rarity and Derpy looked a tad jealous.

"Oh, okay." Twilight said, continuing."Well, I live here in Ponyville to study the magic of friendship! I'm very talented when it comes to magic."

Espio nodded, asking, "That is so, you must know many obscure magics, am I correct?"

"Yes, I do!" Twilight said, a proud look on her face. "I've used a time travel spell once, and I can use powerful artifacts, like the Elements of Harmony."

A sinister grin crept upon Espio's face. "Please, tell me more."

There was a sudden crash coming from another room, followed by the sound of a window slamming open.

"Eek! A ghost!" Somepony screamed from the other room.

Shadow leaped from the window, still slightly invisible. Galloping past where Zee and Spike were still hiding, the two followed swiftly behind.

"Where are you going?" Zee shouted to him, Spike riding on his back.

"I must secure the Elements! Espio is after them!" Shadow yelled back to them in a still stable tone.

The three ran straight to the train station. The train had not arrived yet, so Shadow ran down the side of the tracks toward Canterlot. Zee and Spike were still behind, but slowing.

"Wait a second," Spike said, "Only the Spirits of Harmony can use them! We don't need to worry!"

"That's where you're wrong!" Shadow screamed, leaving them in the dust as Zee stopped galloping, panting and out of breath.

"I'm sorry...I'm not...athletic..."Sleepy said, falling over and asleep, Spike slamming the ground next to him.

It had been about an hour now, Shadow was still galloping beside the tracks. He heard the whistle of the train blowing, and he ducked behind a large rock on the side of the trail. He carefully observed the windows as the train went by. Shadow's jaw dropped, whispering to himself, "I'm too late." Aboard the train were Espio, Twilight, Rarity, Derpy, and Summer. They were headed for the Elements.

Shadow lie on the dirt, eyes wide and with a desperate expression. "No, no, no..."He whispered to himself. "If Espio sees the Elements, he'll be able to make copies!" Shadow said, louder now and standing up. "I need...I don't know what I need!" He shouted, slamming his forehead against the rock he had hid behind. He huffed air from his nostrils, then ran back toward Ponyville