“While aye might not use those words, aye do believe the idea is correct.” Applejack answered as she turned to see the look in Rarity's eyes while Rainbow simply nodded.

Shadow let out a groan as he let his face make contact with the table which he immediately regretted. He smacked his wound directly against the table.

“Ouch.” He deadpanned as he rolled his head to lift the wound off the table.

“Oh, you poor thing are you okay?” Fluttershy asked on instinct as she look at Shadow.

“At the moment yes but I've got the feeling that what's about to happen is going to be worse then the last couple days.” Shadow answered his voice being somewhat muffled as he was speaking directly into the table.

“How can you be complaining? You're going to be spending time with the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria.” Spike added to the conversion with a unique mix of awe, confusion, and worshiping.

Shadow rolled his eyes at the sound of the small dragon's voice as he made a blah noise getting a small chuckle from Rainbow.

“I take some comfort in knowing that Princess Twilight is going to be suffering with me during this ordeal.” Shadow added as he he lifted his head off the table feeling a warm spot growing on his face.

Hearing Shadow's comment Rainbow gave a laugh while Applejack gave a chuckle as he touched a wingtip to his face where he felt the warm spot.

“I don't think it's going to be that bad Shadow and besides it's a major event for the establishment of my guard.” Twilight added as she tapped a hoof on the table to help make her point.

As she spoke Shadow pulled his wingtip away and saw blood on his feathers and gave an annoyed smirk and lift of an eyebrow.

“Also it is part of the reason I brought you on.” Twilight continued as Shadow looked around the table for a napkin or something.

“That's true and I'm not saying I'm not going to do it, I'm just bitching about having to do it. Also, how long is she going to be like that?” Shadow remarked using one hoof to lift the plate on the table to look under it and the other to point at Rarity.

“Aye reckon another five minutes or so partner. Aye think ya don' overloaded her brain.” Applejack answered as she waved a hoof in front of the fashionista's face with a smile on her own.

“Uh, great, she's going to be insufferable and have a mission. Anypony see a napkin or something? I'd rather not get blood everywhere.” Shadow snarked while looking at the other nearby tables.

“Oh, my.” Fluttershy squeaked out as she flew up from her seat and moved to get to her saddlebag.

“Guess, that takes care of that problem.” Shadow quipped as he looked at the still frozen Rarity.

After several seconds Fluttershy returned with a small cloth bag in hoof.

“Now you come over here and sit quietly so I can take care of that mister and don't argue.” Fluttershy spoke in a tone that allowed little room to argue as she pointed to where Shadow had been sitting before moving with a wing.

Shadow wasn't going to argue seeing as the pegasus mare was going to be tending to a facial wound.

'This could be sexy an I approve.' Other Shadow spoke up with glee as Shadow moved to seat down in his previous seat.

After sitting down Fluttershy sat down beside him and took Shadow's head in her hooves to begin her exam.

“Oh, dear! These snitches are horrible! It's like the pony that did them just wanted it to be done and over with! Don't worry, I'll take care of that.” Fluttershy exclaimed as she saw the work of the medical pony that worked on Shadow.

“I don't have anything for the pain though, what can I do?” Fluttershy asked herself as she tried to think of an alternative. Shadow already had one in mind.

“Or we can start without any while I drink to numb up.” Shadow offered up with a small shrug of his wings. Fluttershy bite her lip as she thought it over.

She wasn't happy with the idea but knew she didn't have anything strong enough to do much for Shadow. Before coming to her answer Twilight spoke up with another option.

“Uh, you and your drinking Shadow. I know a simple spell that could be useful for the pain and now that I think about it a few simply healing spells!” Twilight interjected as she ungracefully fly over and landed next to Fluttershy.

“Can I assist Fluttershy?” She asked with a smile and tone that left Shadow a little unsettled at the eagerness.

“Of course Twilight I can also use a hoof.” Came the gentle voice of Fluttershy as smiled at her friend.

“Excellent! Spike please take notes,” Twilight squealed as she clapped her hooves. Spike quickly ducked under the table to retrieve his note taking supplies to fulfill the request.

When the small assistance returned Fluttershy quickly began to explain what was going to be needed.

The four were kept busy longer then it would have normally have since Fluttershy was pointing things out to Twilight.

Applejack and Rainbow were talking about their parts in the upcoming festival while Pinkie was shoveling sweets in her mouth between excited blurts of her plans.

When Rarity snapped out of her daze she hopped of her seat and used her magic to retrieve her sketchpad and began to feverishly put her ideas to paper while talking to herself.

Shadow was quite while his boss and her friend worked on removing and replacing his stitches. The pegasus was curious why the unicorn medics didn't know the numbing spell Twilight had used.

It didn't seem like it was that difficult to cast but Shadow had to admit he knew nothing about magic including his own innate pegasus magic.

He had only paid enough attention to the subject when it popped up in training to get a passing mark.

Before he got into a debate with himself he just closed his eyes and relaxed.

Shadow snapped awake in near panic as a squealing hiss drove into his skull as he gave a series of kicks. He felt his muscles tense and heart start to pound as his eyes darted around looking for the threat.

Several seconds passed before it registered with Shadow that he had heard the train applying its brakes.

During those seconds Shadow had to fight his instincts to either fly or posture as he took deep breaths.

After getting himself together Shadow saw the puzzled looks of Twilight and her friends that where across the aisle.

Eyes still darting and breathing deep Shadow sat up on the bench trying to calm himself down.

“H-how long was I out?” Shadow asked in a shaken voice as he rub his chest with a hoof.

“Ah, 'bout three hours aye reckon.” Applejack provided with a bored tone looking out the window.

Shadow saw Rarity showing her designs to Twilight with delight who was reviewing them.

Suppressing a groan Shadow decided to head over deal with the fallout he knew was bound to happen sooner or later.

Walking to the bench behind the two he stood on it to look over them. For a moment he said nothing as he look over the designs laid out.

This time Shadow didn't suppress the groan as he didn't see anything that would be suitable for a guard.

Rarity cleared her throat before turning her head to address Shadow.

“What seems to be the problem darling?” She asked doing her best to be polite but Shadow picked up on the annoyance in her voice.

“While excellent work none of the designs I've seen would be ah fitting a member of a royal guard for a formal event.” Shadow explained putting effort into making sure he didn't set off Rarity or upsetting Twilight.

“Well I thank you for your option I do believe I'm the resident fashion expert.” Rarity countered as she turned back to her designs.

“Yeah, that's true but, I'm the one with experience with guard uniforms and the like Rarity.” Shadow retorted with boredom an annoyance.

“Well, then why don't you explain to me what would be acceptable for Princess Twilight's guard since you know soo much.” Rarity answered with annoyance in her voice tapping on a design.

With boredom and loathing clear in his voice Shadow started to explain what he knew about guard uniforms and possible combinations.

He told Rarity and Twilight about field, work, dress, formal, physical training, personal guard, honor guard, and several more and how they could be different or the same for enlisted, officer, and Guard Captain and how they could all mix and match.

For the rest of the trip the group all talk about how Twilight should setup the uniforms for her own guard.

While the mares and Spike were enthusiastic and upbeat Shadow was more reserved and discouraging making sure future generation wouldn't hate him, well too much.

As it was announced that the train would soon be arriving in Ponyville Shadow had managed with Twilight to get the options narrowed down.

Shadow was truly surprised when Twilight declared that everypony would share the same uniforms for everything except for honor guards and her Guard Captain.

When asked about it by Shadow Twilight explained she didn't want her guards to feel different from each other and it would help bound them together. Then a smaller weaker embarrassed voice she admitted that she wasn't to concerned how her guard looked, she wanted them to be practical. Plus, she wasn't much for the whole design thing.

Shadow gave a hearty good natured laugh when it heard the last part before he told Twilight the rank and file was going to adore her for her decision.

While individual design hadn't been finalized or colors Shadow remarked he thought the first real meeting about Twilight's guard had gone well.

As the train began to slow down to pull into the Ponyville station Shadow brought up how freaky magic was and how it missed with reality and more importantly his mind.

He knew Twilight was going to start to lecture about the topic in more detail more shut her down when he moved to the door he had gotten on board through.

As he hoof touched the door handle he realized he wasn't going to be able to fly ahead in advance due to his injuries.

With mixed feelings he looked back to his bench and saw Twilight giving him an upset look to which he gave a weak shrug.

Preparing to open the door again Shadow realized that he didn't have his goggles either which would reduce his vision he he popped his head out at the moment.

Not wanting to do so without his goggles Shadow simply wanted until he thought the train was moving slow enough to not cause any issues.

After the trained stopped Shadow made sure to be the first out of the car to inspect the train platform before Twilight got off the train.

Not seeing anything wrong Shadow popped his head back into the car to tell Twilight everything looked clear.

Standing near the entrance Shadow waited for Twilight to disembark while still looking over the small train station and nearby area.

Applejack and Rainbow were the first off the train in a rush. Shadow understood why Rainbow wanted off but not Applejack and didn't react.

Twilight was next off the train with Spike on her back and Shadow quickly fell into step next to her.

Shadow didn't see the rest of Twilight's friends disembark as they weren't his primary concern.

After several steps Twilight stopped and waited for her friends to gather around.

They quickly reviewed what was going to be needed for their trip to Canterlot for the festival.

Shadow rolled his eyes and was glad all he had to do was stand around looking pretty and stay alert.

Shadow thought he heard somepony call his name out but wasn't able to make out the voice or direction so didn't give it any more attention.

A few seconds later he heard it again and this time more clearly and knew the voice was familiar and was coming from outside his field of vision.

Shadow narrowed his eyes in concentration as he tried to place the voice and looked over the area he could see for possible threats.

“SHADOW! You better not me ignoring me!” The voice rang clearly across the train station an allowed Shadow to finally place the voice.

His head snapped to look at the pony that the voice belonged to and was nearly floored at the mare he saw.

“MOM!?”

Author's Notes:

Another week comes to an end and so does another chapter. It's a transition chapter so not much going on inside as you read. Just to give a heads up the next or two are probable going to be the same.

Thanks yet again for giving me the time from your day.