An awkward silence quickly fell over the group as they waited for Twilight's eyes to return to normal and explain what was going on.

Shadow sighed as he sat down and rubbed his eyes with a wing tip while he waited however before he could figure out what to do his ears twitched heard he heard Twilight start to mutter to herself.

Quickly standing back up Shadow moved closer to his boss in an attempt to make out anything she was saying.

Listening for several seconds Shadow couldn't make out any words but was able to see the emotions dance across her face.

Keeping his eyes locked on Twilight Shadow turned his head to speak towards Zecora.

“Did my boss just drink liquid insanity? Because to get these results I'm pretty sure we could have just told her Celestia disapproved of something, that would have done the same thing.” Shadow put out while he waved a wing in front of Twilight's face.

Prior to Zecora speaking Discord spoke up.

“What a marvelous idea! Um, yes, I'll have to remember that wonderful idea.” Discord remarked as he stroked his chin before chuckling to himself.

A silence fell over the square for a second before Zecora opened her mouth to speak only to be cut off by Shadow this time.

“That doesn't answer me question.”

“Your pondering will be answered soon enough Shade.” He said in a dismissive manner with a roll of his eyes and wrist.

“It's Shadow.” Corrected as he turned his back towards Twilight when it sounded like she was crying.

“Um, yes whatever Gloom.” This time Shadow rolled his eyes as he gave a shrug of his wings as Zecora gave a snort of frustration.

“So, is it normal for my boss to drink weird magic infused color changing potions?” Shadow asked as he poked one of Twilight's checks with a wingtip to try and get a response.

“Knowing the egghead I wouldn't be surprised if it was normal.” Rainbow commented as she gave Discord a harsh glare with her forelegs crossed.

Shadow gave a small huff as he stopped poking Twilight and spoke up as she started to cry.

“If that's true then why do I get grief for trying new and old varies spirit elixirs?” He questioned as he took a step back from Twilight to avoid her tears.

“Um, darling those are alcoholic beverages, not magical potions.” Rarity offered as she gave a Twilight a caring look over.

“Well, if used correctly they can have magically results.” Shadow countered turning his head to direct his voice towards Rarity while he watched a guard running up to the group.

Before anypony in the square could speak further about it Twilight started looking around at her friends before she speaking up as Shadow trotted to meet with the approaching guard.

While Twilight spoke with her friends and Discord Shadow was busy talking with one of the guards that he brought to Ponyville.

“Ahh, what's your rank?” The unicorn asked as he saluted Shadow taking deep breaths.

“Yes. Just gave me what you got.” Shadow snapped returning the salute. As the guard dropped the salute he wiped sweat and grim from his forehead.

“Ah, okay. After some searching and asking we've located both the Hospital and Town Hall. The Hospital was quickly cleared out and secured. The Town Hall is still contested and at a stale mate at the moment.” The guard reported as he pointed in the generally direction of both trying to calm his breathing.

“Captain Strikes made the call to fall back and secure the main hall, the room's leading directly to the main hall, along with the primary entrance and a secondary.” The unicorn added as he wiped his brow again as he sat down.

“The Cap'n's requesting reinforcements, he doesn't think he can break the stale mate without'em.” The unicorn finished as he used his hooves to pull out his canteen.

Shadow tightened his jaw as he narrowed his eyes in thought.

There wasn't enough guards brought with them to pull to sent for reinforcements without compromising the hospital. Without the reinforcements the hall couldn't be secured for civilian use but could still be put to use.

“Change of plans, pull the civilians out of the hall and get them to the hospital. Use it as a rally point for them at most before shifting them to the hospital. Set up the command post for the duration at the hall. Tell your Captain to make due with what's on hoof and keep what they've got. No pony is getting reinforcements.” Shadow told the guard as he ran a wing through his mane with a strained voice.

The guard gave a tired grim nod before he shakenly returned his canteen before standing up to salute.

“One last thing, if the lines break at the hall don't stay withdraw to the hospital. Guards are more important then position at the moment.” Shadow tacked on as he returned the Private's salute.

With both dropping their salutes both turned to head to where they needed to be.

Shadow stopped his turn before completing it to watch the guard run off to relay his orders.

For a second Shadow wondered if he'd just ordered more of his now former brother and sisters in arms to report to their deaths.

Quickly pushing the idea aside and steeling himself Shadow moved to return to Twilight's side.

By the time he returned to her side Shadow was lost about why they were talking about some type of tree.

Guessing that asking about what was being discussed would just delay him getting a answer he stood silently by.

After the Elements finished speaking and Discord conjuring up some glasses an empty popcorn box before saying he needed more Shadow decided to speak up.

“So basically, we have to go into the Everfree Forest, a known source of major incidents that is currently attacking Ponyville with no advance intel or recon to find a Tree that no pony has speciously ever heard of or know where it is to do what? Rainbow magic?” Shadow rattled out as he looked over the edge of the forest before turning his head just enough to look a Twilight through the corner of his eyes.

Twilight along with her friend shifted uncomfortable on their hooves as Discord chuckled and snapped his fingers.

After the flash disappeared Shadow felt a cigar in his mouth as he hear a single clap from Discord.

“My you are the observant one that speaks his mine.” Discord remarked as Shadow removed the cigar from his mouth his a hoof and felt his vest with a wing to feel if it was the one from earlier.

Discovery it was a second one Shadow put it next to the one from earlier as he gave Discord a puzzled look and turning to Twilight.

“I recken that 'bout sums it up Shadow.” Applejack interjected as she rubbed the back of her head.

Shadow let a long depressed sigh as he dropped his head to stare directly at the ground and let his wings sag.

“I'm really starting to regret agreeing to take this post.” Shadow snarked to himself as he pinched the inside corners of his eyes with a wing.

With a clearing of his throat Shadow straightened up taking a deep breath.

“Well let's get this misadventure started so we get this place back to like this never happened.” Shadow remarked as he softly flexed his wings and legs as pain started to creep into them.

“Do you have a plan Princess?” Shadow asked in a professional tone.

Twilight felt uneasy about being put in the spotlight of leadership. After a second passed of silence as she thought she laid out her plan.

“Yes, we need to head to the Tree of Harmony but I'm not sure exactly where it's located in the forest. We need to head into the Everfree to start our search.” Twilight laid out with her voice gaining confidence as she spoke and stood up a little straighter.

Shadow suppressed a groan at the vagueness of the plan offered up but did roll his eyes after seeing the tenseness and worry in the Elements.

“Roger that Princess, your guard is standing by.” Shadow say Twilight's eyes look around narrowed an in confusion before she realized Shadow was talking about himself.

“Alright! Let's go and kick these vines' flank!” Rainbow yelled as she kicked and punched the empty air near her.

“Good enthusiasm but lets save the fighting for something that poses an actually danger.” Shadow responded with a confident smirk taking a few steps form the group before turning around to address the Elements and Spike.

“Now lets go over the order of keeping ponies alive. This will be critical to the success of this operation.” Shadow continued with a firm serious tone as he looked at those gathered.

“First and most important that most be keep safe and secure above all else.” Shadow told the girls making sure to look each in their eyes to convey the seriousness of what was happening.

Before finishing the semi order he put on a arrogant and smug smirk.

“Is of course, me.”

Author's Notes:

After being gone far too long for my taste I'm back. I touched on the reason else where so I won't repeat.
Still haven't worked out a new schedule but I'm going to do what I can to keep a weekly update.

Thanks for putting up with the delay and stopping by.