Okay, one quick thing before you start this chapter, I just went through hell. I uploaded this chapter around 1:00 PM CST on the July 20th. I went back later, and noticed the chapter wasn't there. As it turns out, the document containing the chapter was corrupted. So I got to re-type the whole damn thing. If you don't like this chapter, I honestly don't give two shits. Because that made me quite upset. If there are any errors, I'm sorry, but I just wanted to get this over with.

I woke up and looked around. I didn't have a headache. I learned from my last experience and only had one drink before going to bed. I looked beside me. Rainbow was still asleep. I got out of bed and trotted to the bar. I was really going to miss this thing when we left. They kept this thing stocked with some quality booze. I made myself a light drink since it was pretty early.

I guess the noise I made woke Rainbow up, because she hovered out of the bedroom rubbing her eyes."Morning Rainbow. Care for a drink?"

"Not this early Shadow."

"Alright, this is the only one I'm having before you say anything."

"I wasn't planning to."

"Okay. By the way, when do we have to leave here?"

Rainbow glanced over at the clock before answering. "It's 9:30 now, and we have to be out of here at 10:30, so an hour from now. Why?"

"Just curious. So what do you want to do until then?"

"Come lie down on the couch with me."

I wasn't about to pass this up, so I followed her over to the couch and got comfortable. Rainbow spoke up."That was really something. What you did at the competition I mean."

"Thanks, but you've already done something like that before. It's nothing new."

"It was though. If all of us didn't know that you caused that explosion of black and crimson, it would have caused mass panic."

"Why is that?"

"Because, if a pony does a sonic rainboom, it fills ponies with joy seeing those colors. If somepony does one of your shadow pulses, it looks scary."

"Gee, thanks."

"I don't mean it that way Shadow. What would you think to yourself if you saw an explosion that looked like a shadow covered in blood was enveloping the land?"

"I would probably fly as far away as possible screaming like a filly. Damn it Rainbow, you are a surprising buzz kill."

"I'm just saying, be careful if you ever decide to use it again."

"Alright, I'll only use it in special circumstances. Although I don't see what would make me have to go several times the speed of sound."

"Good. Now lets go home. We may have about 45 minutes left here, but there's nothing to do now."

"Alright, lets go."

We got off of the couch and went out of the door. We exited the main lobby and went outside. I was really going to miss that bar. We took flight in the direction of Ponyville. Most of the flight we were silent before I spoke up.

"So how do you get into the Wonderbolts? Do they have to personally invite you or something?"

"Something like that. You need to have a recommendation from at least three different Wonderbolts. Then they grant you a tryout. If you do good enough at your tryout, then you're in."

"What does the tryout involve?"

"I don't know, it's a secret. Only ponies invited to the tryout and the Wonderbolts themselves know what it involves."

"That sounds a little strange if you ask me. Why would they need to guard a secret as trivial as that?"

"Because if anypony else found out what it was, then it would be a common practice for ponies wanting to get in. If that happened, the Wonderbolts would have to invent an entirely new tryout."

"Got it."

That was it for the conversation. For the last fifteen minutes we flew back in silence. When we finally arrived home, we went inside and I made myself a sandwich. Rainbow just grabbed an apple.

"So what are you about to do Shadow?" Rainbow asked before she took a bite of her apple.

"I guess I'll go train with Thunder, then I'll go to the Carousel Boutique to see if my costume for the Gala is ready."

"That's cool, and I just thought about this. If you performed a sonic rainboom, or shadow pulse in your case, how come you didn't get a cutie mark?"

I never paid attention to that. "Oh shit, you're right. If I don't get my cutie mark by doing that, what the fuck do I have to do to get one?"

"Maybe speed isn't what you're supposed to be good at."

"Why the hell not? I'm now one of the fastest fliers in Equestria, and I don't get my cutie mark because I shouldn't be that fast?"

"Calm down Shadow, maybe it just means that you have more than just one talent."

"I guess, but I still don't like it. That's pretty messed up though." It does seem my luck though.

"I'll see you later then?"

"Yeah, later." I said as I trotted out.

I flew over to the bar to get in another training session with Thunder. The things this guy puts me through are ridiculous. How do I become a better fighter by doing things that involves a monkey wrench and a magical blowtorch? As long as I can kick ass, it shouldn't matter, but still, a monkey wrench?

I walked inside and noticed there was a band playing some of the music Barry gave this place. This place also had more ponies in it than usual. Most of them were around my age. I trotted over to Thunder's office and went in.

"Here for more training Shadow?"

"You know it."

"I like the attitude. THINK FAST!" he yelled as he threw, you guessed it, a monkey wrench at me.

It hit me directly on my forehead and I went down.

"Ahhh! Fuck!"

"If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a punch."

"You crazy bastard! You just threw a wrench at me!"

"Plenty more where that came from, now get up."

I struggled to get up, holding my head that has been abused over the last couple of days.

"Right, now let's begin for real."

2 hours and many more wrenches to the face (and one to the nuts) later.

"We really need to work on your dodging."

"Fuck. You." I said holding my crotch

"Walk it off."

"Yeah, because I can definitely- you know what? Fuck it, I'll walk it off. Away from you, you crazy asshole." I said as I limped away.

"THINK FAST!" he yelled as he threw one more wrench at the back of my head.

"AH! You fucker!" I yelled as it took me down.

After some crawling, I finally managed to get away from him and outside. I was going to be feeling this for days. My face probably looks like hell, and I hope my gems are still intact. I limped over to the Carousel Boutique and walked in.

"Welcome to the Carousel Bou- Oh my goodness! Shadow, what happened?" Rarity said

"I just had a crazy bastard throw a bunch of wrenches at me, you know, the usual."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"I've had worse...I think. I don't know, I might have brain damage now. And a missing tooth...and a fractured skull...yeah I'm not okay."

"You must let me take you to the doctor then!"

"No, that's alright, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? I don't want you hurting if I can help it."

"It's fine, thanks. I actually came here to check on my costume."

She smiled when I brought that up. "It's done, I finished it only a few hours ago. I really enjoyed working on this piece. The designs were magnificent! I had to make a few alterations though. This costume does have everything you asked, but there were some things I had to change. For safety reasons mostly. I also don't think the guards would allow a pony with actual weapons inside. You still have them, they're just made out of a softer material than actual steel."

"Thank you Rarity. Can I see it?"

"Of course! Right this way!"

We went through the back. There were several other costumes here as well. They were probably for other customers and our friends. We got to the back of the room, and there it was. My costume.

"So what do you think?" Rarity asked

"It's amazing! I love it!"

"You're quite welcome Shadow."

I reached into my saddlebags. "How much do I owe you?"

"Put your money away Shadow, I told you it would be free."

"I can't just accept something this perfect for free."

"You can and will. Come by tomorrow before we leave for the Gala, and I'll let you change into it."

"Thank you, I really appreciate it."

"Once again, you're welcome."

"I guess I'll go back to Rainbow's now. I'll see you tomorrow Rarity."

"Alright darling, and go to the doctor about those injuries!"

"No promises!" I said as I walked out.

"THINK FAST!" was all I heard before a wrench hit me right between the eyes.

I rolled on the ground for a while before recovering. I'm getting him back. I don't care if it's the last thing I ever do, but I WILL get him back. I got up, then spread my wings. I lifted off of the ground and flew back home. I walked in, and Rainbow was on the couch reading a Daring Do novel. She glanced up. My face must be pretty bad to make her scream and charge at me with a conveniently placed wooden bat. That was one sturdy bat.

"Ahh! Fuck Rainbow, it's me! It's Shadow! Fucking knock it out!"

"Shadow? Ohmygosh I'm so sorry! I didn't recognize you!" She said as she put the bat away.

"Why does everypony take every chance they get to assault my head?"

"What happened to you anyways?"

"Wrenches."

"Wrenches?"

"Wrenches."

"Uhh, okay. We should probably get you to the doctor."

"Nah, I'm good, I-" was all I said before tripping and hitting my head on a table, knocking me out.

I woke up in a bright room with a pony in a white coat staring down at me, writing things on his clipboard."Ah, good to see you're awake mister Shadow." he said.

"What the hell happened?"

"You tripped and hit your head. It knocked you unconscious, and your mare friend brought you here."

"So what's wrong with me?"

"You mean besides your concussion?"

"You know what, don't tell me."

"As you wish. I'll go tell everypony you're okay."He trotted out of the room, and a moment later, Rainbow, Barry, and Twilight trotted in.

"Shadow, are you okay?" Rainbow asked.

"I think I'll be okay as long as no more wrenches or baseball bats hit me on the fucking head."

"What's with that anyways dude?" Barry asked

"Our crazy ass boss threw wrenches at me!"

"Really?"

I just glared at him.

"Okay, so you're not lying."

"Why the hell would I lie about that?"

"I don't know, you say some messed up shit. I just figured that this might be another one of those times."

"The doctor said you can go when you're ready." Rainbow said"Good, because I hate doctor's offices and hospitals."

"Why is that?" Twilight asked.

"I hate needles. There's something evil about those things."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say."

I got out of the bed and walked over to Rainbow."Are you ready to go home?"

"Yeah, lets go."

"Thanks for coming you two." I said to Barry and Twilight

"Don't mention it. See you tomorrow." Barry said

"Later."

Me and Rainbow got outside. I saw something in the corner of my eye and ducked. The wrench bounced off of the building behind me and fell to the ground.

"Take that you old asshole!" I shouted in the direction the wrench came from.

Just then, another wrench hit me on the side of the head from a different direction.

"I am going to fucking kill him." I said, holding my head.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. After holding my head for a minute, we flew back home. We trotted upstairs and got in bed.

"Are you sure you'll be okay Shadow?"

"Not really."

"Sleep it off, you'll feel better."

"Right. Goodnight Rainbow."

"Goodnight Shadow." she said as she snuggled next to me.

I liked writing this chapter. (all things considered.) I've written too few comedy chapters, so this is my way of making it up to you. By the way, I know I promised you guys two more chapters before I go on vacation, but I'm going to give you a choice. If I did write another chapter before I go on vacation, I could only write up to the point where everypony arrives at the Gala, and no further. Would you guys rather have a short chapter before no story for a week, or would you rather I merge that chapter with the long Gala chapter, making it even longer? Respond to me in the comments. Be sure to tell me before Monday, because that's when I leave. If you guys want the much longer chapter, I'll see you in a week. Shadow Brony out.

Quote of the day: "If you don't do it, I'll shoot you, you sorry dickwheel."- My friend to my other friend. He told him that he had to flip off every car that passed by, and every time he didn't, he'd shoot him in the head with a very strong bb gun. (Which he did.)