It took a second for Shadow to register what he had just heard.

'Did I just hear that?' He asked himself with a wide range of emotions going on.

'YES! JUST SAY YES! GO FOR SILVER!' Other Shadow started to yell with great enthusiasm sounding like he was moving quickly around in a circle.

Shadow himself was only able to make odd vowel sounds in the real world as he tried to wrap his mind around the question.

As he did that he moved his head and eyes slightly to look at Luna. The princess was wearing an impatient smile as she look Shadow over.

'THERE IS NO RIGHT ANSWER!' He yelled inside his head with growing panic. 'No matter how I answer I'm going to be damned!'

'Just say YES!' Other Shadow screamed out again.

'There's only one way to answer this and that's,' Shadow started to say internally before finishing aloud, “RUN AWAY!”

Shadow made to bolt for the door with great hast but was unable to take a single step before he was encased in magic.

Being held firm by blue magic Shadow was turned to face Luna showing an insulted and hurt face.

“We art still waiting for thou answer and thou will not be leaving until we have one.” Luna informed Shadow with a tone that matched her face.

“Dear sweat threatening Harmony take me now!” Shadow screamed out not wanting to deal with the posed question.

“That shall not be happening.”

“There is no right answer! Yes or no I'm doomed!” Shadow stated with a defeated tone with pleading in his eyes and voice as he fought against Luna's magic.

“So what is thou answer?”

Shadow gave one last struggle before he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to prepare himself.

“I'm going to say.”

Before Shadow could finish Luna burst into a loud deep mirthful laugh as she lowered Shadow back to the floor in a state of shock and puzzlement.

“Our wins have been doubled!” She yelled out as she sat on her hunches.

Shadow was again reduced to making odd vowel sounds as he eyes darted around attempting to find an answer.

“We take another round in victory!” Luna declared throwing her fore hooves and wings up with her declaration.

“Wha?” Was all Shadow was able to utter as he gave a small tilt of his head and narrowed his eyes in confusion.

“During our last conversation thou stated we had won the round, just as we did this one.” Luna clarified as she brought her hooves and wings back down. Shadow straightened his head but left his eyes narrowed as he spoke.

“Harmony damn it.” He quipped as he shuffled his wings.

“We enjoy this game Shadow, thou are a worthy opponent. Our sister would never engage in such a game.” Luna stated as she stood back up and started to move to a nearby counter to sit down.

Shadow rolled his eyes before he murmured what Luna had said in a mocking voice.

“Now we shall claim our prize, a sandwich!” Luna declared with a hoof pointing at the fridge the two had recently been standing in front of.

“Fine, guess I can do that. What do you want?” Shadow acknowledged as he looked over his shoulder to Luna as he pull a loaf of bread out.

Luna out on a smug smile as she dictated her order to Shadow as he murmured to himself again.

After completing two sandwiches Shadow gave Luna her prize with a shake of his head.

“Anything else Princess?”

“Nay, we have our prize. We wish thou a good night.” Luna answered as she picked up her snack with magic.

“Thanks, you have one too.” Shadow offered as he started his walk back to his room with his own snack.

Arriving back at the room he had laid claim to Shadow shook the last of the crumbs from his wingtip.

As Shadow made sure he wouldn't have a repeat of getting wrapped up in canvas again he thought aloud.

“Just one night of real sleep, that's all I'm asking for with no interruptions.” He asked the winds before doing his best to get comfortable for the night.

Shadow's eyes snapped open after a thankful dreamless night.

As he stood up he started to rub the his eyes with a wingtip. Seeing that Celestia hadn't raised the sun he gave a groan.

“Stupid Guard brainwashing making me woke up before the orb of bright doom.” He grumbled to himself as he started to walk out of the room to start his day.

Eventuality Shadow found his way to the guard chow hall for breakfast.

Before getting in line to be served he gave the chow on the line a look over. Everything looked like it had been taken from a field kitchen then dressed up to look fancy.

Making a decision Shadow skipped the chow line and walked over to the coffee pots excepting to see the same thing.

He was pleasantly surprised by the rich aroma coming from the pots.

“Must have splurged on it.” Shadow commented to himself as he picked up a cup.

“Yeah, Princess Cadence knew it would be some time before the chow got better.” A mare spoke up in front of Shadow pouring sugar into her cup.

Shadow wanted to take a glance at the mare but knew the second he looked up from pouring he'd make an idiot of himself.

“That doesn't sound right, somepony making more bits then us combined looking out for us? Heresy I say, simply heresy.” Shadow responded with instead in a mocking voice of a noble.

The mare laughed with a good natured tone as Shadow replaced the coffee pot.

“I'm Specialist Crystal Snowflake, 7th Scout Regiment, Solar, sorry, Crystal Guard. You are?” The mare introduced herself holding out a hoof.

Looking at the mare Shadow saw she had a copper colored coat with midnight blue mane and tail styled similar to Rainbow Dash. When Shadow took a glance at her eyes he saw they were desert sand in color. Her armor was for a pegasus of the Solar guard but had the Solar Emblem replaced with the Crystal Empire's.

She raised an eyebrow when she saw the injury on Shadow's face and unconsciously gave a small jerk of her hoof.

“I'm Shadow Walker.” Shadow answered as he shook Crystal's outstretched hoof who now had a questioning look on her face.

“What about the rest? You know those other things I told you.” She responded as she dropped her hoof.

“Yeah, I don't know.” Shadow had to admitted with embarrassment and confusion as he stretched the back of his head with his free wing.

“How can you not know your rank, unit, and guard? Are you even a guard?” The mare asked using an annoyed voice as she narrowed her eyes at Shadow.

“Ah, because I haven't discussed those with my boss yet and uhm, maybe? Not really sure.” Shadow tried to explain as he shrugged his wings and started to walk towards an empty table.

The local guard didn't move for a second as she thought about what to do before decided to press for more answers.

“Wait up!” She spoke up quickly trotting to catch up with Shadow.

“Why would you need to talk to your boss to figure out that stuff?” She asked walking along side Shadow.

“Well it's a new organization and there have been no discussions concerning it. I've just been trying to adjust to all that has happened.” Shadow returned as he sat down at the table and the mare sat down across from him.

“I'm not buying it. I'm starting to think you're a merc working freelance.”

Shadow opened his mouth to answer but stopped himself before he held up a hoof and twisted it side to side.

“Again, not really sure about my current employment status.” Shadow spoke up before taking a slow sip from his cup.

“Okay I might accept that later but not now, so tell me your last confirmed employment status Mr. Walker.” Crystal admitted as she turn her cup with her hooves.

“Sergeant Shadow Walker, 3rd Heavy Wing, Solar Guard.” Shadow rattled off as the mare across him took her own sip.

“Now that wasn't that hard was it?” She commented with a smirk and roll of her hoof.

“You sure you're a real member of the Solar Guard? It's work harder not smarter remember?” Shadow asked with skepticism before drinking again.

Crystal gave a chuckle holding a wingtip to her lips.

“Shh, don't let my Sergeant hear you. It's heresy.” Crystal quipped in a tone similar to one that Shadow used earlier.

The two talk through their first cup by themselves before other guards both Crystal and Solar filled in the empty seats on the second cup.

They talk about their time in the guard including training, unit, and posts not sharing anything too personal.

Shadow sat down his empty cup and looked over to a nearby clock to see it was almost time to meet up with Twilight.

“Been great talking with ya but it's time for me to get to work. You take it easy and take care.” Shadow told Crystal as he stood up to leave.

“Yeah, it was Shadow. When we see each other again you'll have to tell be your employment status.” Crystal replied as she stood up herself to go through the chow line.

“Maybe and maybe Specialist.” Shadow returned with a wave of his wingtip as he walked towards the exit.

Shadow moved towards Twilight's room to start another day of hopefully boring escort duty.

As he rounded walked through the entrance to the hallway with Twilight's room he was rubbing his face and saw Sentry standing near the door to Twilight's room.

Shadow rolled his eyes giving a sigh seeing him as Shadow was hoping the local wouldn't be around again.

He didn't bother to greet him instead he knock on the door before calling out.

“Princess Twilight, are you ready to head out?” Shadow called out leaning his head to hear through the door better.

“I'll be out in a minute Shadow!”

“No rush, it's the government's time.” Shadow replied as he moved to stand on the opposite of the door from Sentry.

While Shadow didn't have a clock he guessed Twilight was walking out of the room exactly sixty seconds later with Spike beside her with bags.

“What up little guy?” Shadow asked with a nod of his head.

“Meh, I think I might be. Not sure.” Spike gave as he rubbed his eyes with his free claw causing Shadow to chuckle.

“I feel ya Spike.”

“Oh, Good morning Flash I wasn't expecting you this morning. How are you doing?” Twilight spoke up with a small blush and some nervousness in her voice.

“Good morning Princess, I'm doing great.” Sentry answered with a smile and Shadow once again rolling his eyes.

“Will we picking up our friends first or meeting them at the train station Princess?” Shadow interjected before he had to deal with what ever was going on between the other two ponies.

“Well it's not really picking them up seeing as they're just down the hall Shadow.” Twilight stated as see looked at Shadow as she pointed down the hall.

Shadow followed her hoof and past it saw the other Element Bearers coming out of their rooms ready to depart.

“Ookay then lets get this day actually started.”

Quickly gathering up the eight ponies and one baby dragon began their walk towards the train station. As they did the girls talked among themselves as Sentry tried to talk with Shadow, key word, tried.

Shadow promptly got his point across that he wasn't going to interact with the local guard but would answer questions that Spike had.

As the group neared the station they all saw the train the two sisters would be using currently at the station.

As they drew nearer the forms of Celestia and Luna standing over their guards and local ponies that had been passing through.

Twilight directed the group towards them to speak with the two sisters while waiting for her own train.

The three alicorns exchanged greetings before Twilight asked for confirmation on the next Summer Sun Celebration.

Luna quickly showed her boredom before a twinkle appeared in her eyes and turned her head to speak to Shadow.

When Shadow saw that twinkle he knew he was screwed, which was confirmed when Luna finished speaking so went with it.

“Tell us Shadow, how did thou enjoy spending time with us in private last night as we spoke of spending time on our moon?”

“Holy Harmony did I! Though you did leave me a little sore. Why did you have to be so rough?”

Author's Notes:

Good (current time of day)! Welcome back to the end of another chapter. Thanks for more then likely losing a few brain cells from reading it. They could have been spent someplace better.