The next morning was almost completely uneventful. Nothing that concerned the mission and generally nothing. Just a normal day at work on a mission for the Guards, though bearers of Elements of Harmony still had to get used to many new things. The surroundings, the Guards... And, the crucial parts of the missions were on their shoulders. Still, all the silence from the outside didn't mean a thing, as Shining Armor was sure that King Sombra wasn't resting. The scoundrel was most likely trying to figure out how to break the barrier. They had to find a way to stop him before that happens. But how? They weren't familiar with his current power and especially not his weaknesses. Okay, in case that he regains his full power and things get out of hooves, Princess Celestia would undoubtedly react. But, it shouldn't come to that. It was his duty to stop that from happening. And he was going to fulfill that duty, no matter how many times he will be forced to put his life in danger. But, no matter what... he wasn't willing to put anyone else's life on the line and he hoped with his whole heart that it won't happen. Nopony should get killed because of him. It didn't happen on any other mission and it sure as hell won't happen now.
He got out of the room and headed to meet with Twilight and some of the higher ranked Royal Guards. As he was approaching the meeting room, something red flashed before his eyes. Or more specific, somepony. A strong stallion with fiery mane and tail. He turned around, but since he couldn't see again what his eyes saw a moment ago, he made up with the fact that it was just his mind playing tricks on him. The hall next to him was empty. He could hear somepony's hooves hitting the ground on the part of the hall he couldn't see now, but it was surely somepony else. After all... why would Big McIntosh even be there? His heart skipped a beat. And more importantly... why did he want him to be there? True, when they parted, it was on an awkward note, because the letter he recieved insisted on him going to Canterlot. He shook that thought off and continued walking.
He took his place at the table in the meeting room and looked at everypony that was gathered there. Other Royal Guards and even Twilight saluted him with her hoof near her forehead. After he saluted back, they all could sit down. "Now that we are all here, we can start this meeting," he said, his hoof on the papers he needed.. "We have to discuss how to defeat King Sombra. So far, we have gathered some basic information about him and his powers. However, we do not know how strong he is right now and when is he going to try and retake the Empire again. The shield we made yesterday should protect us for now, but we need to be ready for the next strike."
The Guards were to watch the edge of the shield to react if it starts cracking. In the mean time, Twilight was going to try and find out as much as she can about King Sombra. How to stop him and protect the Empire, together with Crystal Ponies that lived there. In his opinion, it was almost like playing with fire. But, he knew that he shouldn't doubt in his Princess. She had faith in Twilight and her abilities, he reminded himself. She believed that Twilight will do this. And, she also had faith in him. That he will make sure that nothing bad happens.
Shining Armor sighed as the meeting was over. He was still feeling uneasy, no matter how much he had repeated those words in his head, while doing his best to hold this meeting at the same time. He really wanted to believe that Twilight will be able to do it and that his fears won't come true. His thoughts continued running in circles. Yes, this was a test for Twilight, given to her by the Princess Celestia herself. If things go out of hoof and Twilight and him fail to succesfully preform their duties, he was sure that the Princess herself was ready to interfere with Sombra's plans. Together with Princess Luna, she would be able to overthrow him just as she did a thousand years ago.
But, that would happen only if they fail. And remembering all that Twilight had done since she came to Ponyville, he was getting more and more sure that she will succeed. Thinking about those nightmares he had won't do him any good. He concluded that he just had them out of worry and that there was no actual meaning to them. In case that things do somehow manage to go wrong for her, he will become Twilight's knight in shining armor once again, just as he had always been when they were foals, and he will do his best to make it all right, together with other loyal guards. They will make sure not to disappoint.
With those thoughts slowly, but strongly and decisively carving themselves into his mind, he was heading to see other Royal Guards, wanting to tell them what to do from now on. Though his step was firm, his head wasn't exactly down on this Earth. The thoughts he was thinking seemed to be far more important to him even than the way his legs moved. Before he knew it, he walked straight into somepony.
"Pardon me," he apologized, his field of vision slightly spinning around in circles from the impact, though he was glad that he didn't accidentally impale the pony with his horn.
"No problem," the other pony said in a deep voice that was calm in contrast to the fact that they had just crashed into each other.
The voice sounded familiar. No. It couldn't be. He was just hallucinating from the hit. He shook his head, trying to regain his bearings. But when he closed and opened his eyes again, it indeed was him. The same stallion that was there for him while Twilight was away. And the same stallion that suddenly tried to kiss him. "Big Mac? Is that really you?" he asked.
"Eeeyup!" That comfirmed everything. He wasn't dreaming nor hallucinating.
"What are you doing here?" Big McIntosh wasn't a Royal Guard nor was he Celestia's student. Nopony important to this mision. Why was he here?
"Supplies," the red stallion answered as if that could explain everything, but seeing Shining Armor's still confused look, that wouldn't even be there if they didn't just crash into each other, he added "you know, food and stuff for the Guards, but mostly food. Ah'm a farm pony after all."
Shining Armor rubbed one of his temples with his hoof. "Right." But, as he completely pulled himself together, he realized that he wasn't sure even what to say now. For some reason, he had been wanting to see Big Mac here. He had to talk to him, no matter how much part of him wanted to avoid that. About everything. And now, when the stallion was actually there, he couldn't even open his mouth anymore. Even if he could, the words still wouldn't come out. Big McIntosh was actually here! It was like the unicorn's tongue had disappeared right out of his mouth though it was here a moment ago. Luckily, the red stallion seemed to still have the power of speaking.
"About what happened..."
Shining Armor bit his lip. His heart had really wanted to see the earth stallion and it was beating so happily right now. He wanted to talk to him, he didn't want to talk to him. He didn't know anymore. All he knew was that his duty and position were forcing him to put his game face on. No matter how much he didn't want to and how much it hurt. He couldn't let everything he worked for get destroyed just like that and because of something so stupid. Love? He wasn't even entirely sure if he loved him. Or that's what he wanted to think. That's what he was trying to make himself think. "Look. It's fine." It's not fine. There was no way it would be fine. That was not what he wanted. "Forget about it and let's just move on. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a work to do to help my little sister destroy more than a thousand years old tyrannical king who is trying to conquer this empire again." He wasn't really supposed to tell other ponies who aren't royal guards about this mission, but he guessed that Applejack had already told her big brother what is happening.
He was about to turn and walk away with his heart getting heavy, not wanting to see Big Mac's expression, but the other stopped him with his hoof on the shoulder. "Wait. Ah know that you are the Royal Guard capt'n and everything, but ah also know that you don't..." He stopped and sighed, not wanting to say anything wrong, especially if there was, by any chance, anypony listening. "Let's talk somewhere more private."
The unicorn frowned and shook his head. "We have nothing to talk about," Shining Armor said in a strict voice that was saying that he is done with this whole conversation.
"We do."
"I SAID we are done here."
"Nope."
He rolled his eyes and headed in the opposite direction, only to have Big McIntosh get in his way again by standing in front of him and staring right in his eyes. "Please." Though the red stallion was asking politely, his own eyes were saying that he won't take "no" for an answer. Shining Armor shook his head in annoyance only to give up and sigh in the end. Maybe he could ask for Big McIntosh to be sent back home or maybe he could at least forbid him from going near him ever again, but he didn't want to. Honestly, he was tired of trying to ignore him. His heart was screaming in his ears and he was getting unable to ignore it. What bad could come out of a simple talk?
"Fine. We'll talk, but then we will both get back to our duties."
The other male nodded. "Ya got yourself a deal."
