Once a Shadow

I woke up with a cyan pony holding me. I gave a light chuckle, and did my best to get out of bed without waking her. I crept downstairs and made myself some breakfast that consisted of apples and oranges. I went ahead and made Rainbow some breakfast as well, seeing as I still had 40 minutes until work. I put the breakfast on a trey,(made of cloud...that's it, this place wins, I'm officially confused about how clouds work here.) and brought it up to Rainbow's room. I gave her a little kiss to wake her up.

"Ughh, five more minutes."

"No can do Rainbow, I made you breakfast."

She looked at the food "I don't think cutting up some fruit counts as making breakfast, but thanks." she said as she took the trey

"You're welcome. You enjoy your breakfast, I guess I'll head to work."

"Alright, see you later Shadow."

"Later." I said as I exited.

I took flight and headed towards the bar. After I arrived I went ahead and grabbed a broom, and got to work. After five minutes, I saw Barry walk in.

"Ugh, I stayed up all night with Twilight last night"

"Right, so how much fun was it?" I said, giving my world-famous smirk.

"We were studying genius, not having sex."

"You know something? I believe you."

"I know that's an insult, but I'm too tired to care. I'll be on the stage if you need me." he yawned as he trotted off

Right, work for me as well. I swept around the place, then once more for good measure. I heard some yelling outside the door. I looked up only to see snake flank and apparently some of his goons walk through the door. For some reason, I doubted they were here for a drink. Barry noticed too, and hurried beside me.

"There they are! Get 'em!" snake flank yelled

This was gonna suck. There were five of them total, including snake flank. The two ponies next to him, who were almost as big as him, charged at me and Barry. I flew up to avoid one of them, and crashed down full force on his back. Hopefully I didn't break anything. I know he's trying to hurt me, but I didn't want to paralyze him for it. That seemed to do the trick and he collapsed on the ground. Barry had lifted the other one up with his magic and threw him across the room. I looked at him in surprise.

"What? Math wasn't the only thing I was studying."

Just then, the last three, including snake flank, charged at us. I don't think we can take on three of them at once. Just then, Thunder charged out of his office. "Get the hell out of my bar!" he roared as he charged into snake flank. Did I mention he was the best boss ever? Because he is, not to mention the guy can kick ass! He got behind snake flank, picked him off the ground, and slammed him on his back, instantly knocking him out. He took one look at the other two that weren't knocked out yet, and they looked at each other and ran like hell! He grabbed one of them in a head(hoof?)lock, and held it until the pony passed out. He looked at the last one, who instantly ran like hell."If you ever assault my staff again, I'll make sure your heads are on my bucking wall!" he turned to us. "You boys okay?"

"Uhh, yeah, thanks Thunder." I said

"Don't mention it."

Now that I payed closer attention, Thunder's cutie mark was the silhouette of one pony knocking the hell out of another pony. Seems about right really, seeing as how he just kicked some serious ass.

"Now, go ahead and drag these idiots out, I'll be in my office if you need me again."

"Got it."

I gave Barry a brohoof before dragging the goon squad out. I seriously need to kick ass like that. If I learned how to do the stuff that Thunder did, then he wouldn't need to come to the rescue again. That settles it, I'm going to learn how to do that shit. I finished dragging the last one out, and went back inside. Well, looks like I have more to clean thanks to those jackasses because they caused a mess. I sighed and got to work. By the time I finished, it was lunch. I trotted into Thunder's office.

"Shadow, going to lunch?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you could teach me how to kick ass like you do." I said with a hopeful smile

he laughed "I might as well, seeing as how I won't be around to protect you boys forever."

"By the way, where did you learn to fight like that?"

"It comes from being the Equestrian Royal Guards' top hoof-to-hoof fighter since Buck Norris (yes I did).

"You were on the Royal Guard?" I asked in disbelief.

"Sure was, for about 25 years. I was offered captain rank more than once, but that would have meant less time hanging out with my friends."

"This is giving me even more reason to want to learn from you. But why did you leave?"

"Same thing that happens to all of us, I got old. So I decided to open up this bar with my best friend Silver."

He gave a deep chuckle. "Things have been going well so far, even with the occasional fool trying to start something in here. Anyways, this isn't going to be easy, but I promise, you will know how to defend yourself and more when I finish with you."

I nodded "Got it."

"Okay then, from now on, you bring your lunch with you, and you now get five minutes for lunch, the rest of your break we train, plus one hour after work."

"Yes sir!" This was going to be so friggin epic.

Sorry, but I'm going to have to skip the training scenes, because I myself don't know how to write a training scene for sophisticated hoof-to-hoof combat. Ahem* one training session later...

Owww, when he said he wanted to train me, I didn't think it involved being a punching bag! It also didn't help that I'm still feeling the effects of the CMC's chiropractor attempts. I did my best to shake it off and get back to work. Before I knew it, it was the end of my shift, which meant another hour training with Thunder. I'm excited and terrified at the same time. Oh well, lets do this.

After that training session, I'm way to tired to fly. I guess I'll head to the library then. I dragged myself out of the bar and headed there. In about ten minutes, I was there. I trotted on in since Twilight and Spike knew me.

"Oh hey Shadow, what's up?" Spike asked as I went in.

"Nothing really, just checking in on things."

"Well, Twilight just called the rest of the girls over here, so they'll be here shortly. She wants to tell everypony something. Just take a seat on the couch until she gets back."

"Don't mind if I do." I said as I collapsed on the couch. It wasn't cloud, but it would do.

I guess I dozed off, because when I opened my eyes, I saw that Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity were already here. I gave a yawn and sat up.

"Well glad to see yer awake Shadow." Applejack said

"Sorry, I'm just tired. So Rarity, how's business?" I said, deciding to make small talk while the rest of the mane 6 arrived.

"It's going marvelous, thank you for asking."

I turned to Fluttershy, who seemed to be a little more comfortable around me now. "And how how are you today Fluttershy?"

"I-I'm fine, thank you."

"What about you, Applejack?"

"Ahm doin' fine over at the farm, thank you."

We made small talk for about ten more minutes before everypony else showed up. Twilight walked in with Barry shortly after.

"Thank you for showing up everypony, as you all know, the Grand Galloping Gala is only five days from now. I also just received tickets from the Princess herself."

That made everypony get excited, even me and Barry.

"As I was saying, there are two extra tickets this year, one for the date of Rainbow Dash, Shadow Flash, and the other for my date, Mint Barry." She said, levitating the tickets over to me and Barry. Our faces lit up, and we gave each other a (manly) hug. "Also this year is going to have a costume theme, so be sure to bring a costume."

"Sweet! You can actually come with us to Canterlot for the Gala! I'm pretty sure you've already been there before though, because you said you used to travel a lot, right?" Rainbow said

"Uhh, that's right, although I've never actually been to the Gala before."

Someday I'll tell her, but now isn't the best time.

"This is going to be so awesome!" Rainbow exclaimed

"Right, now that that business is concluded, Rainbow, you said you had something to announce?"

"That's right, I almost forgot! This year, actually, three days from now, or two days before the Gala, is the Young Flier Competition, and I've been asked to be a judge this year along with the Wonderbolts Spifire and Soarin!"

"That's incredible Rainbow!" I yelled as I picked her up in a hug.

"Easy there Shadow. Also, I wanted you to enter this year's competition. If you won, it would give you big points for the Wonderbolts. And before you ask, I can't give you a perfect score just because we're going out."

"Well there goes my cheating idea." I said, rolling my eyes "Nah, I prefer to win a competition fairly."

"Well that's good then. We leave in two days for Cloudsdale, so be sure to tell your boss."

"Got it, I will."

I trotted over to Rarity "Excuse me, Rarity? I was wondering if you could make me a costume for the Gala." I said with a smile on my face.

"Of course, darling, run by my store tomorrow, and I'll do some measurements, and bring a sketch if you want something specifically."

"Thank you." Oh I know exactly what I want

"The same goes to you Mint." She said

"Okay, thank you."

"Alright, me and Shadow are going home, see you girls later." Rainbow said

"Bye guys" they responded

"So do you have any ideas for a costume?" Rainbow asked as we took flight

"I have a few." I said with a smirk.

"Really? Like what?"

"That would ruin the surprise."

"Aww come on, you can tell me. I want tell anypony!"

"Sorry Rainbow. No can do."

She pouted "You're no fun"

I gave her a kiss on the neck that sent shivers down her spine. "Are you sure about that?" I asked, smirking

"Okay, I take it back, but still."

"I know you want to see what it's going to be, but you have to wait like everypony else."

"Fiiiine." she groaned

I chuckled. "So another one of the prizes for winning the Young Flier Competition was getting to be a judge on the next year's panel?"

"Actually, no. It was just that everypony was so impressed with me last year, they asked me to be a judge."

"That's great! It figures though, I mean how would you NOT want the second fastest flier in Equestria on the panel?"

"Second? What are YOU talking about?"

"Second to me, of course." I said, giving a smirk

"I'm pretty sure I won our last race."

"As I recall, you said it was a draw."

"But-that's because- you know I'm getting you back, right?"

"I'm terrified."

"That's it, come here!"

"Uh oh!" I flew away as fast as possible, but I was still sore from training with Thunder! I did my best to keep away, and pretty soon, we arrived back at Rainbow's. I opened the door to run in, only to be tackled by Rainbow, pushing us both inside.

"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!" I yelled

"Oh no, you don't get off easy this time."

"Aw come on! It's been a long day! I was a punching bag for a very large pony!"

" I told you that you wouldn't get off easy the next time."

I braced for a punch or something like that, but was shocked when I felt her kissing me. We pulled each other closer, our kiss getting more passionate. We broke the kiss about a minute later before we stood up.

"I told you, you weren't getting off easy the next time."

My eye twitched. If I had known this would have happened, I would have insulted her a long time ago! Rainbow chuckled. "Come on Shadow, lets go to bed."

All I could do was nod as we went into her room and got comfy on the bed.

"So, if I annoy you at any time, I get punished by making out with you? Because that seems more like a reward to encourage said behavior."

"Nah, just that once. You got off lucky again because you're cute when you're scared."

"That doesn't sound right, but thanks for the compliment."

"Goodnight Shadow."

"Goodnight Rainbow."

And that's a 5:00 AM chapter for you guys, because I love you, and because I woke up early too. It looks like we've got some special events coming up! First the Young Flier Competition, then the Gala. And I have a feeling a lot of people will like the costume I have in mind. Well, that does it for me, I'm going back to sleep.(Yes, I'm a very lazy bastard)

Quote of the day: "I think I just drank piss!" My friend as he drinks from his bottle that my other friend filled with piss while he was in the bathroom.