Gut Feeling

"Twilight, I really think you should reconsider going."

"Shining, would you stop it already? I'm going. Princess Celestia tasked me with negotiating new diplomatic ties with the Minotaur Nation. If she trusts me to be able to handle it, why can't you?"

"It's not that, sis. I know you can. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"I... I don't know. But I just have a feeling that you shouldn't go."

"Shining, I know you're worried about me, but I can handle it. Really. Rainbow's coming with me and you know she'd never let anything happen to me. I'll be okay. I'm sure we'll be back before you know it."

"Yeah, but what if-"

"Big bro, really, I'll be fine. I have Rainbow and another Wonderbolt as bodyguards. If something happens one of them can call for help in record time."

"I... just, be careful, okay? I love you, sis."

"I love you too, BBBFF."

Shining Armor banged his fist on his desk in frustration. "How long are these scouts going to keep me waiting?" he exclaimed out loud to his empty office.

Huffing with impatience, he knew deep down that his soldiers were not to blame. There was no question they carried out every order of his with absolute urgency every day, not even stopping for water until after any messages for him were delivered personally to him, no matter the distance. Their latest task wasn't very far; just relaying requests for information between Shining Armor's desk and the Minotaur's embassy in Canterlot. No, the delays were coming from inside the embassy, stretching Shining's patience ever thinner.

Please excuse the delay, Ambassador Steel Back is away on business.

We've misplaced some records on visiting dignitaries to our homeland. Please wait while we try to sort things out.

Your courier didn't have the proper security clearance to take possession of the files you requested. You will have to reapply for those reports you asked for.

Every message from that damned embassy was nothing but wasted time. It was clear that whoever was in charge did not want to communicate with him, and for the past three days everypony he had sent over had been turned away 'due to ongoing security drills and exercises'.

"Those freak of nature bull bastards." Shining Armor griped through clenched teeth.

"Honey, language!" Cadance's voice exclaimed.

With Shining Armor not bothering to look up from his desk, Princess Cadance approached her husband and stood behind him, gently massaging his shoulders.

"I shouldn't have let her go. Why in Tartarus did Celestia ask her to go?"

"I'm sure she's perfectly fine. You of all ponies should know that repairing diplomatic ties with a nation we've neglected for so long can take time. Don't you remember Princess Luna's first visit to the Griffon Empire after her return?" Cadance said, hoping to calm her husband's nerves.

Her words did little to soothe Shining Armor. "I just can't help it. I know something's not right. She hasn't sent over any communications since leaving. It's not like her."

"Oh? What about the two weeks she didn't leave her study when she found a new use for blood from an Ursa Major? You thought somepony foalnapped her."Cadance countered.

Shining huffed in defeat; no, it was not unusual for Twilight to forget about the outside world when her focus was stuck on whatever current project had her attention. But still, his gut feeling screamed that something was amiss. It had been ever since his sister announced she was headed west on her own, and the feeling had never gone away since. Everypony from his wife to some of Twilight's best friends had told him not to worry, that his instincts as her older brother were simply the cause of his concern.

But Twilight was in trouble. He was sure of it.

His shoulders drooping slightly, Shining Armor sighed in defeat once more. "Maybe you're right. Maybe."

Cadance gave him a quick peck on the cheek while wrapping him in her warm embrace. "I promise, you're worrying about nothing." she reassured him.