While the other Elements reacted with shock at Shadow's announcement Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash reacted with acceptance.

Rainbow puffed up and stood straighter as she tightened her jaw staring at nothing. Fluttershy whimpered doing her best to stay on her hooves as she shivered with tears in the corner of her eyes.

“Ya can't do that Shadow!” Applejack protested pointing a hoof at him with Pinkie nodding in agreement.

“I can and I did and if you had wings you'd be standing up here with them.” Shadow countered with a flat neutral tone as he scanned his look over the two pegasus in front of him.

“But it ain't right! Ya can't just tell ponies that they're guards!” Applejack continued with her protest as she stomped her hoof hard into the dirt.

“I'm not going to debate the morality of this right now.” Shadow snapped off as his head did the same towards Applejack as he narrowed his eyes.

Applejack opened her mouth to add more but she was cut off by Rainbow Dash.

“It's alright Applejack, Serga.. ah Captain? Captain of the Guard? Just what exactly is your formal rank?” She started to explain before trailing off the topic giving Shadow a confused look.

With a single blink of his eyes Shadow's face changed from stern and professional to pondering and confused as he thought on Rainbow's question before snapping off an answer with another blink of his eyes.

“Yes.”

Rainbow gave a shrug before going back to her explanation.

“You see Applejack all pegasus are never really released from the Guard after our mando service.” She told the apple farmer as she shifted her weight.

“Uhm, she's right. We're just moved to inactive reserve status and can be returned to active duty by either the Princess, her Captain of the Guard, or unanimous vote by the Triumvirate.” Fluttershy added speaking from behind her mane.

Applejack's face clearly showed her disdain as she tried to think of a counter to the three pegasus but before she could Twilight spoke up.

“I'm sorry Applejack but I don't think we have the time to discuss the matter any further, we need to move on.” She stated with regret and some authority in her voice before turning to Shadow and her two pegasus friends.

“I support Shadow in making this decision in regards to the matter an I completely trust Lt. Fluttershy and Specialist Rainbow will fulfill their duties.” Twilight stated in her best I'm a Princess and you will listen me voice, however Shadow wasn't buying it and it didn't look like the other Elements were either but didn't voice any objection.

“Rarity, legally I can't force you, could you use your magic to send up a flare if they need any support?” Shadow requested in his best firm and professional voice as he gave a small tilt of his head to her.

“Of course darling! I would be honored to help anyway I can.” She answered as she held herself in a manner that reminded Shadow of unicorn officers.

“Thank you, and Lt. Fluttershy. If you at anytime come to the conclusion that this mission is to risky to continue I except you to make the call to scrub it but not before. Is that clear?” Shadow flatly informed the newly drafted officer, whom whimpered with a quivering lip as she nodded with tears in her eyes.

“Specialist Dash you will do your best to inform your officer in charge of the situation but will not lead them to a decision that you want and follow the orders you are given regardless of the outcome. Is that clear?” Shadow told Rainbow Dash in the same voice that he used with Fluttershy as he stared at her.

“SIR! Crystal clear, sir!” Rainbow snapped off from the position of attention with a determined voice and face doing her best to hide the disdain she currently felt but fail to keep all of it off her face.

“Outstanding, now your orders are to search for and locate this Tree of Harmony we've received intelligence about from Princess Twilight Sparkle. After you've located it I'm giving you clearance to reveal to whomever maybe near by and request their assistance.” Shadow briefed the two pegasus as he moved his eyes over them.

“After that you are to secure the site and await reinforcements and or relief. Do you understand your orders Lt.?” Shadow said starting to wrap up staring at Fluttershy before waiting for her to reply.

“Yes, sir.” Came her answer after a small sob with a nod of her head.

“Now I'm going to escort a VIP to a nearby secure location then wait for some kind of word from you Lt. Fluttershy. Dismissed.” The senior guard finished with as he gave a nod to the Element of Kindness.

Fluttershy bit her lip as she gave a salute only dropping it after it was returned by Shadow. With that complete the group split into two each heading their own ways after saying their goodbyes.

While Shadow and Twilight with Spike turned to head back to Ponyville the other Elements turned to head deeper into the Everfree with Rainbow taking point.

The three walked in silence as they headed back to Ponyville, each for their own reasons.

Shadow was focusing on ignoring the growing pain from his injuries as he kept his eyes and ears open for threats to Twilight and Spike.

As Ponyville came into view the group was also able to hear some ponies yelling out for help. Soon after they came across Discord seemingly filing his nails with Gummie.

“Well that's something I didn't think was possible.” Shadow remarked to himself as Twilight scolded Discord over his inaction in helping Ponyville.

As Shadow listen to Discord and Twilight talk about her coming back to Ponyville he scanned the nearby area in an attempt to find a guard as he sat down.

“What are your thoughts on this Gloom Creeper?” Discord asked mildly surprising Shadow resulting in him standing back up.

“It wasn't me, wait, what?” The guard responded in confusion looking at Discord and Twilight.

“Discord was asking what you think about me leaving my friends.” Twilight supplied as she gave a worried glance to Discord.

“Who are you asking? Guard me, personal me, or other me?” Shadow asked himself as he moved to stand closer to the two.

“Um, the first two?” Twilight answered confused herself as she rubbed a hoof on the back of her head as Discord gave a playful chuckle.

“Well, professional speaking it's the right move. At the moment you're the only princess in the area left to rule until or if Princess Luna and Celestia return.” He returned in his professional tone an in a lose professional stance.

Neither Discord or his boss were impressed with the answer but Shadow got the impression Twilight at least respected the answer.

“Personally, dick move Twilight.” Shadow bluntly informed the alicorn with disdain and disappointing look on his face an in his voice.

Twilight was clearly taken back by the bluntness as Discord gleefully laughed at the answer.

“Uhm, maybe you're not so bad.” Discord mused as Twilight recovered.

“If they'd been rooks or FNGs, wouldn't have an issue but they're all at least Specialists and have for some reason a fair amount of combat experience making them a lot less replaceable.” Shadow added as he scratched an itch on his jawline.

“Oh, and they're your actually friends, so super dick move.” Was the last bit he added as he pointed at Twilight with the hoof he'd used to scratch which caused Twilight's mouth to hang open again and Discord to laugh.

For a moment no one present spoke as Twilight recovered again as Shadow looked around Ponyville. While doing so he heard several small pops and small flashes of light that he'd come to realize was Discord using his magic.

Suddenly, Twilight started to run back into the Everfree with Spike on her back. This time Shadow had to overcome his surprise before having to catch up with her.

Several minutes had passed before they slowed to a walking speed. While Twilight caught her breath Shadow asked what was going on.

Between breaths Twilight explained that she should never have left her friends behind and that she needed to find and help them solve this problem.

Shadow stated he advised against doing so but would follow whatever choice she made. Twilight gave a small nod before thanking him.

As they moved further into the forest Shadow couldn't stop himself from shuffling and shifting his wings in an unconscious attempt to lessen his pain.

Soon Spike was asking if they were there yet.

“Yes we are.”

“Are you sure?” Spike asked with skepticism looking at Shadow the area behind him.

“Yeah, we were heading to being lost right?” Shadow returned before sighing as he looked up.

He didn't catch the look of disappointment from either Spike or Twilight as he looked at high branch with narrow eyes.

“Hey Spike you think you can reach that branch up there to get a look at the surrounding for some kind of landmark?” The pegasus asked pointing at the branch in question.

“Yeah! Not a problem, I'm on it!” The small dragon answered as he ran off to complete the question posed to him.

Twilight waited several seconds for Spike to work his way up the tree before turning to Shadow.

“Why didn't you fly up there and do it yourself Shadow?” He gave a half shrug as he responded.

“Just wanted the little guy to feel useful. He really hasn't had a chance that I can recall to do so since this whole mess started. Besides I think he can deal with climbing a tree without issue.” Twilight gave him a small approving smile that quickly disappeared from her face.

“That and I'm lazy.” Shadow added with a small smirk before adding more. “Ah, and of course injured.” He added not bothering to remove the smirk from his face.

Twilight rolled her eyes as she have a small shake of her head. As she did both heard a rustle coming from the nearby bushes.

Looking at the nearest source of the noise both saw angry snake bodied face grappy plants raising from the ground.

As Shadow heard Spike pushing branches aside he let out groaning sigh as his wings slide down his side a few inches.

“I'm too sober for this.” He commented just before the plant was joined by more before they all moved towards the ponies.

Narrowing his eyes in surprise and confusing as the plant seemingly hissed at him Shadow moved closer to Twilight taking a defensive stance.

Shadow didn't have a chance to finish taking his stance before one of the plants surged towards the two.

Shadow quickly reacted by slamming the back of his hoof into the head of the plant diverting its path while giving a rally call that had been drilled into him.

“For the Princess!” As he gave the cry he spread his wings to their fullest quickly looking around for the next threat.

Spotting a shadow behind him the guard shifted his weight to his fore hooves as he turned his head to look behind him to get a better look at the source.

The plant was closer the Shadow expected as he kicked back at the head of another plant. This result was that kick didn't deliver as much energy yet it did what was needed to stop the attack.

Shadow had a smug smirk on his face when the next attack came at him but was unable to react in time as his back hooves were still in the air.

The smirk disappeared instantly as a plant head smashed into his chest knocking the wind out of him just before he hit Twilight.

While hitting Twilight knocked her to the ground Shadow was able to use his wings to steady himself as he gave the plant a quick jab to attempt to get it away.

As the plant snapped backwards Shadow got his hooves back under him giving Twilight a look to check on her as she let out a painful grunt when he hit her

As he saw her standing back up the pegasus didn't see the plant he'd just hit snap its jaws at him.

Shadow was made away of the attack when the plant's points snagged on his armor before tearing the fabric near his shoulder causing to be jerked towards the path of the jaws. It was this jerking that saved Shadow for greater injury.

The jaws ripped out a few feathers as they snapped shut and after leaving a gash on his back right leg.

“FUCK!” Shadow shouted as the leg buckled and he used the jerking motion caused by the plant to help get himself in a position to attack back.

Shadow was able to land a hook punch to the side of the plant resulting in the plant retreating several feet.

Setting his hooves back on the ground Shadow heard the popping of magic telling him Twilight had joined the fight.

With his hooves once again back under him Shadow quickly looked around him for a possible attack only to see that the plants were backing away from the two.

“Princess are you injured?!” He yelled to make sure Twilight heard him as he readied himself for the next wave of attacks.

“No, no I'm okay.” Twilight responded nervously looking around at the plants as she took steps backwards to expand the distance further.

“Great, now what's your plan on getting out of here?” He asked scanning the plants for their next attack.

Prior to Twilight speaking the plants moved as a group towards the two only to stop short. The feeling of puzzlement wasn't able to take hold of either before they realized what the plants were doing.

The plants started to seemingly cough resulting in gas being blown at them from a distance that Shadow couldn't strike back. As for Twilight the gas was somehow effecting her ability to complete her magic.

Shadow didn't know if it was some weird anti-magic gas, the gas breaking her focus, the resulting coughing, or anything else before he realized the gas was starting to get to him.

Shadow began to realize his grip on the situation was blurring and distance as he started to feel light headed and sleepy.

Gritting his teeth and shaking his head trying to counter the gas proved useless and simply stirred the gas around him.

With his thoughts slowing down Shadow heard a distance thud and took several seconds to realize it was Twilight falling down onto her side.

Using rage and willpower he was able trot over to Twilight in an attempt to shield her from the plants.

The gas however prevented that from happening as Shadow himself fall landing next to Twilight.
Shadow spoke to himself as he failed at keeping his eyes open.

“Ironic, I'm going to be ate by plants.

Shadow was startled and annoying at the poking feeling in his side. Before he could get his eyes opened her heard a distant muffled voice.

“Come on wake up ya sleepy head!” To which he grumbled out a response with great annoyance.

“Great I'm going to tortured for eons by the pink one, oh joy.”

“Ah, that's not very nice.” The voice replied in a tone of displeasure as Shadow groaned as his eyes opened and focused.

“Even better, I get to be tortured by all six Elements for eons. Harmony most really hate me.” He added with disdain as he rolled over to get his hooves on the ground.

“Ah, it sounds like you think you're dead, fast fact you're still alive.” Rainbow Dash commented as she chuckled to herself standing with the rest of the Elements.

“Oh, great, I get to push that to the right for an undetermined amount of time, oh joy.” Shadow snarked as he stood up an at the end had to pull his back leg up after putting weight on it.

“Oh, yeah that happened.” He stated to no pony as he futility brushed dirt and dust off. After which he extended the leg back and held it for a second.

“Oh my! Your hurt... again. Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked behind her hooves as she sat down.

Shadow looked at the gash made through the fabric on his leg as he moved it around to test its usefulness.

“Yeah, I'm probably acting and treating it worse then it actually is but that a problem for future me. What happened? I thought I was about to literally become plant food.” Shadow answered before asking what happened lowering his leg looking at the Elements.

“Well, after you passed out he showed up and kicked those plants' flank! That's what happened.” Rainbow Dash eagerly responded puffing herself up rubbing a hoof against her chest.

Shadow shrugged and just went with it.

“Good enough for government work, put it in your report.” Shadow returned walking over to the Elements.

“Guessing none of you found this Tree of Harmony.”

“Oh, no. We found it just before we came here to rescue you.” Fluttershy answered kicking at the dirt looking down.

Shadow gave a resigned sigh before speaking.

“Of course, you found a Tree no pony has heard about or seen for thousands of moons in the course of an afternoon. Why am I surprised.”

“Don't be so sassy darling. All this means is that this whole messy affair is almost over.” Rarity contributed with a smile as she flicked her mane back.

Shadow just gave a small sigh through his nose as he shook his head and rolled his eyes and kept his mouth shut.

Sensing Shadow wasn't going to add anything Twilight started a new line of conversation.

“Alright girls lead the way to the Tree, lets end this.” She stated in a tone that she had used in the past with her friends.

With a chorus of agreement the group moved towards the Tree in question with Rainbow taking point.

As the group moved Shadow remained silent as the Elements talked among themselves and continued his silence after they arrived at the Tree of Harmony.

Catching sight of the Tree for the first time let out a 'meh' as he looked over the goal of the outing.

“Thought it would be more impressive given the situation.” He commented looking for a source of the plants wrapping around the tree.

“Why does the Tree have my cutie mark along with Princess Celestia's and Luna's?” Twilight asked as she flew up level with engraving of her cutie mark.

“That's the question you have? Not why didn't Celestia tell you about this Tree after the Elements of Harmony choose you as one of its bearers? Or way she didn't say, 'Oh, by the way Twilight, now that you're a alicorn I need to tell you more about my past.' Or, or, how about, 'Do I need leave some standing orders with the local guard captain if I should suddenly go missing along with my dear sister.' All those would have been better questions.” Shadow rattled off as he hovered next to Twilight as she examined the Tree and blasted some vines that got to close.

“This hurts to much I'm getting dirt under my hooves again.” Shadow stated before gliding back to the ground to stand with Rainbow Dash. On the way there he ignored the looks the rest of the Elements were giving him.

“Specialist Dash if anything goes down above ground level you are to intervene, understood?” Shadow commented in a tone more statement then the question it was posed as.

“Sir, Yes Sir!”

Prior to any pony having an chance to speak on the orders Twilight returned to the group and gave her plan on how to save the Tree.

“Finally, I'm not the only pony to see the stupidity in a plan... but I've got the feeling it's just going to be ignored.” Shadow added to the conversation on giving up the Elements.

The looks he received told him that he was going to be and gave a sigh before sitting down.

“Before returning the Elements I'm going to say that whatever happens no pony is to intervene, is that clear?” Twilight said as she looked between Shadow and Rainbow.

Shadow responded with raising a hoof.

“Question, say or order?”

“Darling, does it make that much of a difference?” Rarity asked as Twilight thought of her answer.

“Well, yeah. I have no problem disobeying a say but I'm iffy on orders.” Shadow returned with half a roll of his eyes as he tilted his hoof back and forth on the end of the statement.

Applejack and Rainbow gave their approval with small nods.

“It's an order then Shadow.” Twilight gave ending the question posed by the pegasus guard.

The guard gave a whatever shrug of his shoulders and wings with a disappointed look on his face and deciding to keep his mouth shut for the moment.

While the Elements watch with apprehension Shadow sat with a detached looked on his face as Twilight returned the Elements to the Tree.

He didn't become interested until he noticed the wave of rainbow colored light expanded from the Tree.

Shadow hopped up to his hooves as his wings flared out in response from the feeling of unease growing inside of him.

'I'm not liking this.' Other Shadow quipped as the wave passed over the pegasus closing his eyes.

'I'm still watching you Shadow Walker.' Shadow heard the voice of Harmony in his head as the wave moved through him.

The statement made him shudder from the mix of emotions the it made him feel.

Opening his eyes Shadow saw the black vines were evaporating as the wave of magic made contact with them.

Turning around he saw the wave moving out of the cave heading out into the Everfree and hopefully beyond.

“Well, looks like the day was saved yet again by rainbow magic.” Shadow commented as he turned his head back towards the tree resulting in a raised eyebrow.

“Why are there still two coils of vines?” He asked looking between the two coils on either side of the Tree.

No pony answered as Twilight flew down to stand with her friends as everypony just stared.

Suddenly the two coils started to evaporate themselves in a display of rainbow light. As the light moved down it started to reveal that each coil had a pony inside.

Seeing this Shadow started to walk over to him them, however before he reached them the two coils exploded in flash of noiseless rainbow light.

Looking at where the coils where through narrowed eyes Shadow soon gave a sighing grunt.

“Of course it's the other princesses.” He observed shuffling his wings.

“Well this saves us the trouble of having to track them down I suppose.” He added rubbing his injured back leg against the other as he watched his boss run up to Celestia and hugged her.

Sensing another talk about friendship on the way he sat down and pulled out a bandage for his leg.

As the two princesses talked Shadow silently applied the bandage on the wound without bothering to move the fabric out of the way.

After securing a knot he stopped and looked up to see the Tree had done something and presented a lock box to the assembled princesses and Elements.

Standing up the pegasus moved to stand close enough to the box to tap it with a hoof ignoring the other ponies nearby.

“I've got a feeling this is going to be the source of problems and pains.” The stallion stated with a resigned acknowledging tone knowing that he would be on the receiving end of them.

He was taken back when he heard several polite laughs at the statement causing him to give a half frown.

“Well, we should head back to Ponyville to see if things have cleared up there. Oh, and send somepony to Canterlot to check it out.” Shadow offered letting the response to his previous statement go and got a series of nods and agreements.

As nearly everypony turned to head out of the cave Shadow stopped.

“Ser..., Cap... what is thou's rank Shadow?” Luna asked as she remained near the box.

“Yes.” Shadow responded as he had earlier to Rainbow Dash as he stopped and turned to face Luna.

“We would like to have a word with you.” She politely stated as she watched the ponies behind Shadow continued.

Shadow narrowed his eyes at the request with a puzzled look, he wasn't use to hearing a request from a princess.

“Ah, okay.” Was the simply answer he gave as he took several steps towards Luna and the box as she stared at it.

“We hath been told that it is polite to ask How thou are before making a request is this true?” Luna asked with some worry in her voice turning her eyes to look at Shadow.

“That sounds right but you may have noticed I'm not big on polite so I'm not really the best pony to ask.” Shadow returned as he stopped next to her.

Luna gave a laugh at the answer with a smile as she gave a single nod.

“So how are thou Guard?” The Princess of the Night asked with awkwardness in her voice not knowing how to address Shadow formally.

“Meh, been better been worse, still going to bitch though.” He told her with a shrug of his wings as he tapped the box again.

Luna was silent for several seconds before she gave a small laugh.

“We enjoy thou's frankness Shadow. It's a welcome change from what we are accustomed. Does thou need a healer?” Luna commented with a warm friendly voice and real concern in her voice.

Shadow paused for a second before answering.

“No thanks, I'll make it back to Ponyville without help. Now to the real reason we're still here, what's your request?” He informed her with a flex of his wings and leg and inquired as he returned his wings back to his side.

“We are in agreement with your statement concerning this, container. We are respectfully requesting that thou keep us informed of anything related to it.” Luna told Shadow as she waved a hoof over the box before turning to look at Shadow.

“Is that a royal we or sister and you we?” Shadow wanted to know before he gave his answer without looking at Luna.

“A royal we Shadow.”

“Well in that case, I'll keep you informed as best I can but I don't have any lines of comms to you Princess.” Shadow agreed with a mischeive smirk on his face before it faded when he made his confession.

“Well then let us confer on how to correct this shortfall.” Luna retorted with a mischeive smirk of her own as she look at Shadow, whom soon had a matching smirk.

The two spent several minutes working out how they would talk with each other without Celestia or Twilight finding out.

After working work a rough outline the two left Tree of Harmony behind. Using her magic Luna teleported Shadow to Ponyville before returning to Canterlot.

Seeing that he was standing back in front of the library Shadow began to head in the direction of the town hall to get a status on the guard.

Arriving at the town hall Shadow found that the guards had withdrawn from the position and more then likely gone to the hospital.

At the hospital Shadow found the guards that had come with Twilight and him, with some forming a perimeter around the hospital.

Slowly they began to break it as they saw Shadow approach figuring that since he was back and the plants gone it was safe to do so.

Shadow gave a small frown at their actions put said nothing as he passed two guards outside the main entrance giving a quick salute as he did so.

In the lobby Shadow found more guards with a makeshift command post setup. Looking quickly around Shadow found the highest rank pony in the room.

Seeing a flight lieutenant walked up an asked for SITREP. For the next fifteen or so minutes talking with the pegasus on what had happened since the guards had arrived in Ponyville.

With the report done Shadow told the flight lieutenant to send word out to stand down and return back to Canterlot when ready and have any reports written up with a copy sent to him.

Acknowledging the request with a report the guard moved to carry it out.

Next on the list was for Shadow to get himself checkout by medical personnel. Walking through the nearby doors that lead further into the hospital Shadow stopped the first nurse he saw to assist him.

“Do you need something Shadow?” The mare asked with a smile brushing a strand of her mane behind a ear.

“Yeah, I need to be looked at for injuries and patched up some.” He replied turning slightly to show his bandages.

“Of course fellow me.”

“Thanks, Red Heart.”

Within twenty minutes nurse Red Heart discharged Shadow with a change of bandages and a prescription for antibiotics and pain meds.

As he stuffed the paper in his vest he gave he thanks and moved to head back to where he thought Twilight would be coming from heading towards the library.

With several steps before the library's door Shadow was surprised to see Twilight approaching with her friends with Discord wearing a maid outfit.

“There you are Shadow, I was wondering where you went. How did you get back before us?” Twilight greeting him mildly confused.

“Well, Luna wanted to know how I was doing and telling her I was fine she offered to magic be back here. Being the energy conversing genius I am I took the offer.” Shadow informed her with a small shrug of his wings.

As Twilight thanked him he saw Applejack narrow her eyes slightly at his answer but did nothing else.

“Now that we're all back we can get ready for the PAR-TY!” Pinkie Pie shouted bouncing around throwing confetti.

“And the social mixer after the ceremony.” Rarity added with a small excited laugh as she clapped her hooves.

Shadow suddenly remembered that he had to be at both events as both a Guard Captain and personal guard of Twilight.

Letting a long defeated groan out he stand down and put his face in his wings.

“Is it to late to be fighting to not be plant food?”

Author's Notes:

Well, took me long enough to get this up an I apologize for that. Took me longer then I thought to get everything back in order then I liked. Thanks for putting up with it if you follow and thanks to all for making it here.