Once A Shadow - From the other side

This time when I woke up, I felt the strange feeling of someone close by, then I remembered that I was bunking with Soarin, I turned myself around to find him right in my face, hugging me.

"GAAGH! FUCK! What the hell?!" I screamed as I almost literally jumped out of the bed (and out of my skin). At the same time, Soarin responded by screaming and falling out the other end of the bed.

I then finally said "Please tell me we did NOT just..."

"I hope not, but I think we were just drunk, thank goodness."

I raised an eyebrow."How can you tell?"

"Well for one, you smell of alcohol, and two, My liquor cabinet is open."

"Whew, that was close. For a moment there I though we actually..."

"Let's just drop the subject, ok?"

"Ok, shutting up about it. I've gotta go help set up for the Flyer's Competition anyway, Bye."

Well that was, disturbing to say the least. Oh well, no use dwindling on the past. As I headed over to the Cloudisuem, I kept thinking of that kiss Spitfire gave me. Did she really mean it? Was she just playing me on so I would work harder? Or was she just teasing me? That's a first, Spitfire with a sense of humor, Although it might just be me. Ow, brain pain, too much thinking. I reached the Cloudisuem, and the chief of Operations (or the boss, in more simple terms) walks up to me with a grin.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Someone with some actual backbone I hope? Name's, well that's not important right now. Just call me the boss, do your job and we'll get along fine."

"Alright Boss, what do you need me to do??

"To start off with, I want you to set up some barricades, we don't want just anybody walking in. Second, I want you to go over the list of competitors, and then hand copies over to the security guards, so they know who to direct and where. After that, you should be done.You're probably thinking why we're doing these things today, instead of later. Well, I like to make sure we get things over and done with, and make adjustments later on, rather than scrambling to get everything done at the last minute. Understanding me so far?"

"Yes."

"Right, well I have other things to attend to, so just do what you need to do and- HEY! YOU, YEAH YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING JUST STANDING AROUND?! YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO, SO GO DO IT! Ahem, sorry about that. Off you go."

As I went over the list for competitors, I saw Shadow's name. "Hmmph, he'll do well, I know it." I mumbled to myself.As I went further down the list, I couldn't find Rainbow's name anywhere. I doubled checked it and couldn't find it anywhere. That's very much unlike her, she usually always enters, so I thought I'd pay a visit, and see what's going on. I knew she wouldn't be home, because Twilight and that had mentioned about having a chat with everyone about something. When I got there, it looked like everyone else had gotten here already. as I got to the library and moved over to the door, I could hear their conversation:

_"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!"_ -chapter 6-

So that's why her name wasn't on the list. As I walked in everybody stopped and looked at me. "Did I interrupt something?" I said playing somewhat innocent.

Twilight broke the silence and said "No, no, Rainbow Dash, please continue."

"as I was saying, yes Shadow, I'm going to be a judge for the Competition."

_"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."_

"What about you Hornet, Any Ideas for a costume for the Gala?" Rarity asked inquisitively.

"Me? I don't need one, I'm going with the Wonderbolts."

Rainbow squealed "Eeeee! You're with the Wonderbolts? How come you never told me?"

"You never asked, put simply."

She stood there with a dumb look on her face."Oh. I guess I never did. Well, we better go."

"Okay, See you around."

As they walked out, I turned to Twilight. "Do you have those books I wanted Twilight?"

She replied by bringing the book out. "Yes, right here. 'Equestrian Journal to Internal Medicine', 'A History to Healing' and 'How to perform healing without magic'. Why did you want these anyway?"

"I'm planning on studying medicine, so maybe I'll beome the Wonderbolts 'medic' per se. Then, who knows? If I get kicked from the Wondebolts, although I'm not sure how,I might become a doctor."

"Oh, okay. Well if that's what you're planning, why don't you take this one as well. It might not be as helpful as the others, but it will help none the less."

"Thanks Twilight. And if I might ask, how are you and Mint doing?"

She started to blush." I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh come on, It's not that hard to see that you two are bonding, and I must say I approve. Just don't do anything crazy too early, if you get what I mean. Take care Twilight." As I flew off with books in hand (hoof), I could see Rainbow and Shadow having a muck about on their way home. Hah, those two seem to get along so well, and they've only known each other for about a week. After about ten minutes of flying, I reached my home, The Hornets Nest (kinda fitting, dont ya think?). It was a small, decently built shack, at least that's what it looks like on ground level. as I went inside, I headed over to a secret doorway, with an electronic panel. I activated it, and gave it a retinal scan. Like I said, I picked up a few tricks from my parents, namely building, taking apart and repairing things. I aslo studied in mechanics and electronics back when I was human, that helped me become a pilot/mechanic for the USAF. I walked downstairs, and as I did, motion sensors activated lights in the room. "Welcome to the workshop." I said to myself. As I walked over to the main workbench in the room, I picked up a few bits and pieces, and sat down to work, for th rest of the day, I spent tinkering with small weapons, devices and designs.Plus reading. A large amount of reading. The workshop, my sanctuary away from it all.