Shadow and the other Mane Six had went back to Ponyville for supplies and to let Spike know what was going on. They went to Twilight's home first.

Twilight: This is my home, Shadow. Make yourself feel welcome!

Shadow: You live in a library? You must really enjoy books.

Twilight: Of course I do! Don't you?

Shadow: Definately.

Twilight: Wow, that's great! Someone else who likes to read!

Rainbow: Oh boy, another egghead….

Rarity: Rainbow, show some courtesy.

Shadow: Yeah, reading is nice, but I never get the chance to really sit down and enjoy a book. I'm always busy…

Twilight then blinked and thought of something that just might catch Shadows eyes. She lit her horn and used her magic to grab one of her books. She moved it to Shadow and with his eyes he saw a book called Daring Do.

Shadow: Daring Do and the Lost Empire?

Twilight: This is a great adventure story and a pretty quick read. You'll like it. Even Rainbow Dash finds the patience for it.

Rainbow Dash: Well DUH! That's because ALL of the Daring Do books are SO AWESOME! I even MET Daring Do and got put in one of her books!

Rainbow Dash began to fly around the library with excitement. Shadow thought she was taking it a bit too far, but he could tell she was a huge fan of this Daring Do.

Applejack: Here we go again...

Twilight: Okay Rainbow, we get the point.

Twilight returns her attention to Shadow.

Twilight: She never stops talking about it, she thinks she's her number one fan.

Pinkie Pie: And she's always rambling on and on about how awesomely stupendous Daring Do is because she loves her so much!

Shadow: I can see that… Anyhow, I appreciate you letting me borrow this a while Twilight. Do you run this library on your own?

Twilight: No, I have Spike to keep me company.

Shadow: Is that your dog or pet of some kind?

Twilight: No. No. He's more like a brother to me, I hatched him when I was really young.

Shadow got a little confused in understanding what she meant by hatched. It sounded like she was his mother or something.

Shadow: You...hatched him?

Spike: Twilight? When did you girls get back….(noticing Shadow) What the heck is that thing?

Shadow: Who are you calling a thing?

Spike: Twilight what is he?!

Twilight: Spike it's okay, he's a friend.

Fluttershy: His name is Shadow. He's going to help us.

Rainbow Dash: And we're introducing him to the Daring Do fandom!

Shadow: What? No. I'm here to help. You must be the Spike that Twilight was talking about.
Spike: Yes….(moving to other business) So Twilight, looks like you're going on another mission? I guess I should cancel that date you were planning with Flash Sentry then?

Shadow: Who's Flash Sentry?

Spike: Twilight's boyfriend. She's totally obsessed with him.

Twilight: (blushing) Spike!

Spike: What, you talked about me!

Applejack: That may have not been the right way to take things, Spike.

Rarity: Yes, but still, what's so wrong about talking about your boyfriend? After all, we ARE going to see him when we go to the Crystal Empire.

Shadow: Princess Celestia told us that our mission was in the Crystal Empire. What is the place like anyway?

Twilight: The entire kingdom is home to Crystal Ponies. The happiness from the ponies generates a Crystal Heart that ultimately reflects joy and love all over Equestria, so it is very vital to the kingdom. On top of that the whole kingdom is made of crystal. My older brother, Shining Armor, and his wife, my former foalsitter, Cadence, rule the Kingdom.

Shadow: Sounds like something Rouge would love to see.

Applejack: Who's Rouge?

Shadow:A friend of mine back at my world. She has a thing for jewels and crystals.

Rarity: Sounds like someone I'd get along just fine with.

Shadow: Anyways, Twilight, when do we leave for this Empire?

Twilight: The train to the Empire will be arriving in about an hour. We should get ready.

Shadow: Then what are we waiting for, let's get moving.

Rainbow Dash: I'm with him on that one, let's make it happen. I'll be right back!

With the blink of an eye, Rainbow Dash zoomed right out of the library to get ready for the trip to the Crystal Empire.

Rarity: Well I suppose I should dash off to the boutique and grab a few items as well!

Pinkie Pie: MEE TOO! You can't have a trip to the Crystal Empire without BALLOONS AND CUPCAKES!

Rarity and Pinkie both left the Library as well to prepare for whatever awaited them at the Crystal Empire. Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack and Shadow stayed behind for a minute.

Applejack: I better get some supplies back at the farm. Never know what we might need!

Fluttershy: And I should probably tell my animal friends that Angel will watch over them for a while. I better let him know.

Applejack and Fluttershy left as well for the same purpose. Spike, Twilight, and Shadow were the last ones in the library. Shadow started to think she had to do the same thing too.

Twilight: Spike? Get my things ready, we got a long train trip ahead of us.

Spike: You got it Twilight!

While Spike went to get Twilights things, Twilight saw that Shadow had nothing to do and didn't want him to do her work.

Twilight: Why don't you read the Daring Do book I gave you Shadow? You do have some time to read while we get prepared.

Shadow looks closer at the book Twilight had given him.

Shadow: Hmm, if it's good as you say it is, why not?

Twilight was walking away while he was speaking to her.

Twilight: Rainbow Dash sure liked it when she never liked to read. Unlike you, you'll come to enjoy it. Trust me…

After that. Twilight went in the other room leaving Shadow with the first book of Daring Do. He sat down on some bean bag and did what Twilight said. Twilight helped Spike in the other room.

Twilight: There's just something about Shadow that I find interesting….

Spike: What? That he's some weird alien creature?

Twilight: No, not that. I just can't put my hoof on it...

Outside of the library Discord looked through the window watching and observing.

Discord: Hmm.. it would seem that Twilight Sparkle and her pals have made a new friend. I can sense a great chaotic aura around him. Hm, I believe a proper introduction is up for order...