A Helpful Hoof

March 24, Shadow “Dead Eye” Rider’s new home

Temperature: -43 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 8:06 P.M.

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me this earlier!?” Shadow yelled at Dusk.

“I- I didn’t think it was important!” Dusk said, backing up as Shadow walked closer to her.

“Didn’t think it was important? She and I may be broken up, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t... isn’t...” Shadow’s train of thought stopped and he sat down on the floor. He put his hoof up to his head and stared at the rug beneath him, lightly brushing it with his hoof.

“Shadow, I’m sorry, I just-” Dusk started to say.

“It’s fine, Dusk.” Shadow said as he got up. He walked back over to the fire place and Dusk walked up next to him.

“What about the other operatives that were with us?” Shadow asked, staring into the fire.

“They’re dead, Shadow. Two froze in the ice lands, One is missing to the Equestrian Saint’s knowledge, and the blow that Five took to the head was fatal. It’s just us now. You, me, and Clarity.” Dusk said, putting a hoof on Shadow’s shoulder. Shadow sighed and closed his eyes.

“Let’s just get some sleep, Dusk. You can take the bed upstairs, I’ll stay down here.”

“Alright. Good night, Shadow.” Dusk said as she walked upstairs. Shadow laid down on the rug in front of the fire place and looked at the fire. It flickered around lively, the heat from it radiating onto Shadow’s body. Shadow closed his eyes and dosed off into sleep.

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[One year before Operation “Revival”]

December 21, mess hall in Equestrian Spec Ops headquarters

Temperature: -20 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 10:39 P.M.

“Have you noticed the weather lately? It’s a lot colder than it was last year this time around.” Shadow said after swallowing a mouthful of food.

“Yeah, administration sent a large team up to Cloudsdale about two weeks ago to check out what was going on. Administration is waiting for a progress report from them.” Clarity said. The mess hall was packed with Equestrian Spec Ops operatives, the smell of a poorly cooked dinner coming from it. Shadow looked over at the table to his right. A group of mare Equestrian operatives were staring over at Shadow, whispering amongst themselves and giggling. He sighed and turned back to his food.

“That aim of yours is quite the attention attracter, isn’t it?” Clarity asked jokingly, poking at Shadow’s face as he leaned forward to get a bite at his food.

“I’d think you would be upset that I’m getting these kind of looks from other mares.” Shadow said with a slight smile, lightly pushing Clarity’s hoof out of his face.

“Please, if they try anything, you know what’ll happen.” Clarity said, lightly tapping at her back legs.

“No need for violence, Clarity. Just let them be.” Shadow said. The speakers in the mess hall came on and the commotion died down.

“Dead Eye, come to the administration office. Repeat, Dead Eye, come to the administration office.” The stallion said through the speakers. A quiet ‘oo’ came from the operatives in the mess hall.

“Probably another assignment. See you around, Clarity.” Shadow said, lightly kissing Clarity as he got up.

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Shadow Rider walked into the administration office and walked up to the desk.

“Dead Eye, we have another assignment for you.” The stallion said as he took out a folder.

“What now? I just got back from Cervidas, what could you possibly have for me?” Shadow asked as he grabbed the folder. The stallion quickly took it back and set it down on the desk.

“You are heading back to Germaney for another operation. With the success of your assignment of assassinating Germaney General of the Army, you are going back for another mission.”

“Alright. What is the mission objective?”

“You will be leaving tomorrow night to Germaney. Your task is to assassinate the target and get out as quickly as possible. The target will be in the guest room of the Germaney central building, just next to the leader of Germaney’s room.”

“Do I have the right to know who the target is, or is this one of your classified missions again?”

“That is all the information that is to be given. Failure in the-”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Just give me the paperwork and I’ll start getting my things together.” Shadow said as he put his hoof out. The stallion put the folder in Shadow’s hoof and Shadow put in his jacket pocket.

“Why the hell do they always have to be so damn secretive about their operations all the time?” Shadow thought to himself as he walked out of the office.

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“What do you mean tomorrow night? You just got back from Cervidas!” Clarity said as she walked along side Shadow down the hallway.

“Yeah, I know, but if I don’t take the assignment they’re going to kick my ass and throw me out of the Spec Ops. I’ll be back when the mission is over and we can spend more time together, does that sound alright?” Shadow asked as he stopped in front of the door to his room.

“Oh... I just wish they wouldn’t put you to work so much. I miss you when you’re gone.” Clarity said, putting a hoof on Shadow’s cheek.

“I miss you too. I have to get packing, so get some rest. I love you.” Shadow said. He kissed Clarity good night and walked into his room.

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[Three days later]

December 24, entrance of the Equestrian Spec Ops headquarters

Temperature: -20 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 9:46 P.M.

The entrance doors of the Spec Ops headquarters building slammed open as Shadow fell through them. He was beaten badly, spitting blood as he fell on the floor. The operatives in the entrance stopped and stared as two of the Equestrian Spec Ops officers walked up to him.

“Keep moving!” One of them yelled as the other one grabbed Shadow Rider. The operatives quickly dispersed out of the area and the two officers dragged Shadow out of the entrance. They dragged him to the administration office and threw him in. Shadow slid into the middle of the room and came to a stop.

“Well. I see that the mission was a failure. How did this come to be?” The stallion asked as he got up from his desk. Shadow Rider didn’t answer, he only breathed heavily on the floor, occasionally coughing. The stallion walked over to Shadow Rider and knelt down.

“How did the mission fail?” He asked again, a bit more stern than last time.

“Did you really... expect me to... kill a... foal?” Shadow said weakly.

“Your task was to complete the mission, not go in and do what you think is right.” Shadow laid quietly. The stallion sighed and got up.

“Although you failed your mission, you won’t be getting the boot. There is a very high-risk operation that we are thinking that you might be needed. You’ve noticed that the weather is getting out of control, have you not?” The stallion said, turning back to face Shadow. Shadow nodded slightly.

“Well, it’s predicted to not let up. The winter is getting progressively worse and there is no telling when it is going to stop. When the time and conditions are right, we will give the operation details to a small team. Expect to be on it. You are dismissed, go to the medical bay.” The stallion said as he walked back to his desk. Shadow Rider got up slowly and limped out of the administration office.

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The doors to the medical bay swung open and Clarity ran in. Shadow was sitting on the other side of the room and looked up at Clarity. His eye was bruised, his was mouth was bleeding, and his right back leg was slightly bent in the direction it wasn’t supposed to be.

“Shadow! What happened!?” Clarity said as she ran up to him. She looked at his wounds as she got closer.

“The mission didn’t go over. I got my ass handed to me when I came back.” Shadow said, pointing at his hind leg.

“What? What went wrong?” Clarity asked, examining his hind leg. Shadow paused for a second.

“Just leave it be. I should be thankful that they didn’t decide to completely break it.”

“Oh, I’m just glad they didn’t kill you.” Clarity knelt forward and wrapped her front legs around Shadow.

“I’ll be fine.” Shadow said, putting one of his front legs around her.

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March 25, Shadow “Dead Eye” Rider’s home

Temperature: -41 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 7:27 A.M.

Shadow opened his eyes. The fire in the fire place was gone, a slight cold sensation coming over Shadow as he got up. The sun in the distance was rising, the thick cloud layer in the sky turning a vivid pink. The snow was coming down lightly outside, the wind only sending a few gusts across the ice lands from time to time. The torches on the streets of Canterlot were being put out by heavily dressed unicorns. Shadow walked into the kitchen and looked out at the mountains. They were completely covered in snow, a small group of pegasi in the distance flying around above the mountains. He walked back out into the living room and opened the front door, a cold breeze rushing into the house. A newspaper was laying on the front step and Shadow picked it up, closing the door afterwards. He walked over to the couch and sat down, opening the newspaper are starting to read it. There was a knock on the door and Shadow got up. He opened the door to find a young filly standing in front of him, a unicorns’ horn jutting from her head.

“May I help you?” Shadow asked, looking down at the filly.

“A unicorn told me to come here and tell you to meet him at the Canterlot gate in three hours. He said to come alone. He also told me to give you this.” The filly said, taking something out of her jacket pocket. The filly put her hoof out, a necklace laying in her hoof.

“This... is Clarity’s... the necklace I gave her for our anniversary four years ago.” Shadow thought to himself.

“Thank you.” Shadow said, taking the necklace out of the filly’s hoof. The filly nodded and walked away. Shadow closed the door and looked at the necklace.

“Where in the hell did he get this?” Shadow thought to himself.

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March 25, Canterlot entrance

Temperature: -37 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 10:40 A.M.

Shadow’s cloak flowed around in the wind as a strong gust blew over the ice lands. Shadow stepped out onto the draw bridge.

“You’re late.” A grey unicorn said to the right of Shadow. He was leaning against the Canterlot walls, looking over at Shadow. He had a mask and a cloak on with the hood up, his face not visible. Shadow walked over to him and put down his hood.

“I see you managed to survive the blast, along with Clarity.” The unicorn said.

“How do you know about that?” Shadow asked.

“It’s not that hard to not know about it, everypony was talking about it ever since the news got out that there was a failed attempt of an assassination against Luna.” The unicorn said. Shadow took the necklace out of his cloak pocket and held it out in front of the unicorn.

“Where did you get this?” Shadow asked.

“At the bottom of the mountain side. Clarity must have lost it when the explosives went off.” The unicorn said.

“What were you doing at the bottom of the mountains?”

“Just passing by at the same time you happened to set of the explosives.” The unicorn said. Shadow put the necklace back in his cloak pocket.

“Why did you tell me to come here?” Shadow asked.

“You and Dusk are in danger. The Equestrian Saints are sending one of their operatives to eliminate both of you tomorrow. I suggest keeping your guard up, I’m not exactly sure about who they’re sending.” The unicorn said. He turned around and started to walk away.

“Hey, wait a second! Who are you!?” Shadow yelled.

“Just a helpful hoof.” The unicorn said. A light poof came from where the unicorn was standing and he disappeared. Shadow Rider stood in silence, the howl of the wind around him.

“Who the hell...?” Shadow thought to himself as he stared at the ice lands.

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March 25, Shadow “Dead Eye” Rider’s home

Temperature: -34 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 12:03 P.M.

Shadow pushed open the door, a gust of cold air and snow rushing into the living room. Dusk was putting fire wood in the fire place.

“What took you so long? You left two hours ago.” Dusk asked as she dropped a match on the wood. The fire ignited, a burst of fire almost touching Dusk.

“I had to take care of something after I left the store.” Shadow said as he hung his cloak on the hook next to the door.

“Shadow.” Dusk said, turning away from the fire.

“What.” Shadow said briefly.

“I’m... sorry about last night. I really should have told you earli-”

“I said to leave it alone. I’m not going to blame you for your own feelings.” Shadow said as he walked into the kitchen. Shadow walked over to the window and stared out at the mountains again. The weather had picked up, the wind whipping snow around the ice lands. Dusk walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

“Dusk.” Shadow said. Dusk looked up over the fridge door at Shadow.

“...Never mind.” Shadow said. Dusk went back to the fridge. Shadow walked back out into the living room, the warmth of the fire passing by as he walked over to the door. He grabbed his sniper and opened the door, putting on his cloak.

“Where are you going?” Dusk asked, peeking her head out from the kitchen.

“I’m just going out for a walk. I’ll be back later.”

“With your sniper?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Shadow walked out the door and shut it behind him. The cold winds hit Shadow’s face as he walked out into the streets of Canterlot. Shadow put his face mask up and started to walk towards the exit of Canterlot.

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March 25, the mountain range outside of Canterlot

Temperature: -29 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 2:31 P.M.

The sun was blocked out by the thick layer of clouds above the mountains, a heavy snowfall coming down. Canterlot was barely visible in the distance, unicorns walking through the streets from shelter to shelter. Shadow looked around the path he was on. The mountains were quiet, the wind howling and the snow falling on the ground. The area was peaceful, a small over hang on the path protecting against the winds.

“Did you bring it?” A voice said. Shadow looked behind him. The unicorn he had met before was standing there, his face mask and hood covering his face.

“Yeah. Might I ask why?” Shadow said, taking his sniper out from under his cloak.

“To test if your aim is still good.” The unicorn said.

“Are you kidding me? I just shot a former operative of the Equestrian Spec Ops in a minor whiteout, and you want to test if my aim is good?”

“A lucky shot. Your helpful mistake of breathing assisted you.”

“So you’ve been watching me now.”

“It’s been three months since you have even pulled the trigger. If you want to live through the Saint’s operations, I suggest you start practicing. Look out over there.” The unicorn said, pointing out at the mountain range to the right of Canterlot. Shadow shook his head slightly and aim down the scope of his sniper.

“There is a small target sticking out on top of the over hang. Shoot it.” The unicorn said. Shadow scanned the over hang. A small black and red target was sticking out of the snow, swaying back and forth in the wind. Shadow focused on the target and inhaled. He pulled the trigger and the bullet soared through the air. The bullet barely clipped the target, a small bullet hole in the edge of the target.

“There, I hit it, is that good enough for you?” Shadow said, looking back over where the unicorn was. The unicorn was gone. Shadow looked around. There was no sign of the the him anywhere. There was a faint sound of hoof steps behind Shadow. Shadow quickly got up and whipped around, aiming his sniper out in front of him. The tip of the sniper rested in between the unicorn’s eyes, the unicorn standing still.

“What are you trying to do?” Shadow asked. The unicorn stood silent. Shadow lifted his sniper up and the hood of the cloak fell behind the unicorn’s head. The unicorn’s eyes were blank, no pupils or iris. The unicorn disappeared with a poof, a dust fading into the wind and the cloak and face mask falling to the ground. Shadow’s legs were swept from under him, Shadow landing on his side. His sniper was kicked away from him, hitting the side of the mountain.

“Expect the unexpected. It’ll save your life one day.” The unicorn said as he walked away from Shadow. Shadow Rider got up and glared at the unicorn. He walked over to his sniper and picked it up.

“How the hell did you create that replica of yourself?” Shadow asked, slinging the sniper around his body.

“It was a little trick I picked up a few years back. Now, let’s get on with the other tests.” The unicorn said.

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March 25, Shadow “Dead Eye” Rider’s home

Temperature: -37 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 11:10 P.M.

The door opened slowly and Shadow Rider walked in. Dusk was sitting down on the couch reading a book.

“Where were you? I was starting to get worried.” Dusk asked, putting the book down on the table in front of the couch.

“I had a meeting with somepony. Nothing of concern, don’t worry about it.” Shadow said as he set his sniper against the wall. Shadow walked upstairs and opened the glass doors to the balcony. He sat down and stared out at the ice lands, Ponyville barely within visible distance. The orange glow around Ponyville flickered in the wind. Dusk walked upstairs and out onto the balcony next to Shadow. The clouds above had cleared slightly, the moon visible through a small hole in the clouds.

“Kinda Makes you wonder when the winter is going to let up.” Dusk said as she sat down next to Shadow. Dusk set down a cup of hot chocolate next to Shadow, Dusk having one in her hoof. Shadow and Dusk sat in silence for a moment, listening to the snow fall on the ground.

“There’s no telling. It’s just a matter of time.” Shadow said, picking up the cup. Dusk and Shadow sat on the balcony, the wind blowing gently around the winter landscape. Next Chapter: Defiance Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 45 Minutes