Shadow took several seconds to rub his eyes in frustration and tiredness.

“So, Celestia sent you to drag me back?” Shadow asked as he took his hands away from his face but kept them in the air.

“Wait, the Princess didn't send you here after me?” Paths asked in genuine confusion in his voice.

“Um, no? So you're not here to take me back?” Shadow asked again as he dropped his hands to his sides.

“No, I thought you were here to take me back.” Paths returned.

“So, neither of us are here to take the other back?”

“Yeah, I guess it appears that's the case.” Paths confirmed with some uncertainty in his voice.

“So, why would I'd be sent here to take you back to Equestria?” Shadow asked as he turned around to get a look at Paths.

Shadow saw a man standing his height with gray eyes, bronze hair and marigold skin. He was wearing khaki cargo pants, with a white shirt under a tan collared button up. On the right collar was a silver pin showing two winding paths.

“I thought the Princess sent you here after I followed Sunset Shimmer through the portal.” Paths offered with a shrug.

“No, I followed her through the portal to stop her without Celestia's approval.” Shadow informed Paths with some embarrassment in his voice. Paths gave a quick look of offense when he heard Shadow refer to Celestia without using her title as Shadow gave a sigh.

“I'm going to get chewed out bad when I get back, more then usually since I was disrespectful about it.” Shadow added as he ran a hand over his head.

Paths narrowed his eyes at hearing that before a smirk flashed across his face.

“So you thought I came through the portal to retrieve you because of that?” Paths asked as he pointed a thumb over his shoulder towards the portal.

“Yep.”

“Well since we're established that neither of us are here to take back the other lets go somewhere and have a seat.” Paths stated as he held up a arm to give a general direction to move. Shadow gave a small nod and turned and walked beside the Solar Guard.

“So, just who are you?” Paths asked as the two started to walk.

“Shadow Walker.” Was all given to answer the posed question which left Paths feeling uneasy but didn't push the issue.

Shadow thought Paths might lead him off the campus but the two took a short walk back to a side entrance to the school.

As they two walked through the halls the students gave a wider berth then Shadow had been given the day before.

The two made a quick stop at a machine similar to the one Twilight had tried to use. There Paths took what looked like bits and feed them into the machine. After pressing two different buttons Paths bent down and removed two colored metal cans.

As the two started to walk Shadow was handed a blue can while Paths held on to a red one. Shadow was surprised on how cold the can felt.

After walking in silence the two reach the front steps of the main entrance. Sitting down on the steps Paths opened his can which Shadow mimicked.

As the two sipped from the cans both Paths and Shadow began a cat and mouse game of asking questions concerning the local world and Equestria attempting to gain an advantage over the other.

Shadow was confused on why Paths was asking the questions he was but thought it was simply because he had been out of Equestria for so long because of his pursuit of Sunset.

Paths was taken back at the lack of knowledge Shadow seemed to have given the time spent in this world.

After an hour of failing to make any real headway for either Shadow stated he was going to get back to his search and thanked Paths for the cold soda as he gave the empty can back before promptly walking off.

Shadow told himself he should find his boss first to make sure she hadn't caused any problems or gotten into one.

Walking back to where he had encountered Twisted, however before he reached the spot he saw his boss had indeed gotten into trouble.

As he watched his boss fail at some kind of ball sport he couldn't decide if what he was watching was hilarious or new undiscovered levels of fail.

Shadow waited to approached the group until he saw his boss hugging what he guessed was this world's Rainbow Dash.

'Which just spits in the face of probability after beating its flank to the ground.' The guard thought to himself.

'Yeah, no shit.' The amused voice of Other Shadow concurred.

As Shadow walked towards the group his posture and stride changed from laid back and uncaring to professional and serious.

“I see you've made some friends boss,” Shadow stated with a professional tone, “Good morning ladies, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Shadow Walker Twilight's...,” he added with a polite nod before trailing off allowing Twilight to speak up.

“He's my guard while I settle in.” She finished with some unease in her voice before giving a nervous chuckle.

The others seemed to buy the answer as they gave Shadow a look over.

Rainbow and Applejack were hesitant at the real nature of the armored man and his real propose but figured that Twilight wouldn't allow someone she didn't trust protect her.

Pinkie gave a overenthusiastic wave with a matching smile as she bounced in place causing Shadow to cringe on the inside as her counterpart did.

Fluttershy was trying to hide behind both her hair and Twilight to avoid being seen and possibly addressed to which gave a mental sigh and roll of his eyes.

Rarity seemed to be forming ideas in her head on what she could design for him as she tapped a finger against her lips with crossed arms.

“Did I miss anything important while I was away?” Shadow asked as he folded his hands behind his lower back, which he found confusing.

Before Twilight could answer Pinkie took a loud long deep breath before she recounted the events of the morning and what had lead to them.

Shadow was lost with some of the words being used like cell phone, internet, video, and uploading among others in her rant. He was able to keep a stoic face as the over energized teenager inflicted Shadow with her tale.

“Rrright. So, what's next?” Shadow asked with a single raised eyebrow.

“I don't know about the rest of you girls but I am simply dying for something to drink, I say we head to the Cakes.” Rarity answer as she gave a small jump as she clapped her hands together, which the other girls agreed with.

Soon the gaggle of girls was walking off towards the Cakes with Shadow falling in behind them.

As the girls talk among themselves Shadow found himself debating himself on an old topic but with a new angle.

Him and Other Shadow were debating wither they found the front or back of the locals more appealing and if they should be thinking about that type of thing with Twilight's new friends.

The first part was split but the second was quickly decided on no and jumped back to the Principle sisters.

After arriving at the store without speaking Rainbow turned to face Shadow.

“So big guy what are you thi-.” She started to ask before Twilight slapped a hand over her mouth to stop the question.

“”NO! Don't ask him that!” Twilight spoke loudly snapping Shadow out of his internal discussion and the other girls to look at Twilight with bewilderment. Shadow gave a blank blink before speaking as Twilight gave a nervous chuckle.

“Something I'm guessing is age group inappropriate.” Shadow said as he gave a weak shoulder shrug before he continued.

“So I started thinking about it as it applied to Celestia and Luna.” He tacked on with satisfied smile.

When Twilight heard that she took her hand off Rainbow and double faced palmed with a groan. Four of the other girls looked at each other in confusion giving shakes of their heads and/or shrugs.

Fluttershy gave an eep as a blush spread across her face before she was able to hide behind her hair.

“Okay, lets just get in line.” Rainbow spoke up with an awkward tone pointing to the register.

Nodding in agreement the six moved to do so as Shadow stood back.

Soon Twilight was placing her order when another local walked in, which she promptly walked into spilling her drink over the kid.

The next minute or so was painful for Shadow as he watch Twilight awkwardly try and interact with her victim.

With an internal groan and roll of his eyes Shadow pondered if he was that awkward when he started taking interest in mares.

'Of course not we're badass.' Other Shadow decided to answer to which Shadow an acknowledging half eye roll.

Shadow continued to stand near the door while Twilight and the gaggle thought up a plan.

'I could solve this in like twenty minutes with some b and e, violence, and theft... wait would if be theft since it's Twilight's?' He thought to himself before Rarity let out a yell.

Snapping his head to her he saw her gave a blush and embarrassed smile, which he though was kinda cute before she continued.

Before Shadow could bring up his flawless plan he found himself walking back to the school behind the gaggle groaning to himself.

As a result Shadow most have missed some part of the plan because he was being told to disappear for a couple of minutes, to which he agreed.

Shadow found a water fountain and drank enough to feel like it was about to puke. Afterwards he hit the bathroom and walked around before headed to meet up with Twilight at the cafeteria though a side entrance.

When he walked in he wondered if if had been drinking booze instead of water because of the scene in front of him.

He saw the room being lead in some weird song and dance number being lead by Twilight and friends.

Shadow took a breath to speak with narrowed confused eyes as he held up a hand with a finger extended to speak out and ask what the hell was going on.

However he froze in that position as he wondered how it was possible the girls to have gotten their dancing in sync. By the time he unfroze he saw the room was emptying out in excitement.

Letting lose a defeated sigh he walked towards Twilight head down and shaking his head.

'I can't wait to get back to Equestria where the crazy makes more sense.'

Shadow tried to ignore the ramblings of the girls as they moved through the halls as he used the gnawing hungry in his stomach to do so.

Narrowing his eyes Shadow and stopped walking when he heard Luna speak from no where to have Twilight report to her office.

Looking at Twilight Shadow gave a shrug that she matched as the two walked to the office.

“Vice Principle,” Shadow greeted Luna with a nod, “What brings Twilight to your office?” He asked after arriving with Twilight in tow.

“Shadow I'm afraid Twilight has been involved in an incident that I'm required to talk to her about and unfortunately I can't have you present so I can talk with you about it after.” Luna explained with some regret in her voice.

Shadow gave a quick clench of his jaw before he nodded in understanding before stepping aside to let Twilight walk into the office.

For a few tense minutes Shadow stood looking at the closed nervous and confused about what had happened and was happening.

With a glance to the side he saw the kid Twilight had run into at the Cakes entered the room and knocked on Luna's door.

The blue haired kid presented evidence that Twilight was innocent of what she was being accused of.

Shadow narrowed his eyes in suspicion when the kid asked Twilight to some upcoming dance but before he could ask questions Twilight shot him down before running and screaming out of the office.

Shadow didn't try to hold back his laughter at the sense that unfolded before him while Luna crossed her arms and gave him a disappointed look and the kid looked further crushed.

“Admit it, from an outside perception, that was hilarious.” Shadow stated looking at Luna who was biting her lower lip to stop a smile of agreement.

“I got to go find Twilight before she has a complete mental break, see you later.” Shadow stated as he gave a wave after turning around.

Catching sight of his boss Shadow began to jog after his boss.

After Twilight ran into a shop and disappeared behind a curtain Shadow wanted to know how Twilight knew where Rarity's shop was.

The train of thought crashed when he heard Pinkie started to shout.

Shadow held up a hand and took a step forward to explain that he had a plan to get the crown but was cut off by yet another Pinkie rant.

After that, Spike's revel, and acceptance of the situation the gaggle began giggling and laughing but was cut off by Shadow.

“PROB-A-BIL-I-TY!” He shouted out to the ceiling holding up two balled fist above his head.

After his outburst Shadow felt like he was caught up in a montage of preparing the gymnasium to make sure the dance happened tonight were he ended up doing a lot of heavy lifting; after which he felt like he got wrapped up in dress up montage that was uncomfortable, with both ending up leaving him confused.

Arriving back at the school in some weird driving machine Shadow was the last out of it when he saw another shorter one pull up.

Stepping out of it was the blue hair kid dressed up what Shadow thought was fancy clothes. What followed was more bad awkward teenage interaction to which Shadow rolled his eyes and rewarded with Twilight's admire smashing into a door.

After entering the gymnasium Shadow moved to the walls and hide while keeping an eye on Twilight.

Some time had past before he caught sight of the girls dancing where Shadow's eyes feel on Rarity.

He liked what he saw but had a nagging feeling he shouldn't as he watched her shake her ass. His musing only stopped when he heard Celestia start to speak on stage and her acknowledgment of the preps for the dance.

The announcement that Twilight had won caused Shadow to roll his eyes again as he knew he could have solved this quicker and with less awkward feelings.

He heard Twilight shout out something about Spike before jumping off stage and running out after him. Shadow quickly moved to follow pushing students out of his way as he moved to catch up with Twilight and the girls behind her.

Shadow had little issue catching up with Twilight and burst through the door with her to rescue Spike.

The seven of them quickly stopped when Sunset Shimmer threatened to smash the portal back to Equestria and demanded the crown back.

“Whatever you choose Princess I'll stand by you and your decision.” Shadow spoke in a calm reassuring professional tone as he felt his heartbeat picked up in pace and intensity while standing to her left.

When Twilight declared she wouldn't be giving up the crown Shadow was a bit surprised that she would go that route but didn't show or say anything.

Shadow relaxed some when Sunset dropped the sledgehammer and Twilight's friend began to congratulate her.

However he quickly tensed back up at Sunset's outburst about Twilight being special before jumping at her.

Shadow moved to tackle the girl while she was in the air but without warning something smashed into his back knocking him to the ground.

“Now, now, I can't have you interfering Shadow.” Shadow heard a voice through the pain growing through his back as he pushed himself to his hands and knees to look behind him.

Shadow saw Twisted standing behind him holding the sledgehammer that Sunset had dropped.

“Dude! What the fuck!” Shadow screamed out as he stood back onto his feet.

“Is Celestia that set on having her student win this problem that you've got to assault me?!” He demanded turning around to face his attacking, starting to have difficultly breathing.

“Oh, I'm here to see that Princess Celestia's student wins, but not the one you're thinking.” Paths taunted Showed with a confident smirk on his face.

For several seconds Shadow and all those present were confused on what was happening for their own reasons. Suddenly, Shadow realized what was happening and his pain quickly numbed.

Shadow felt pure rage and hate blossom in him as he shifted himself into a stance to address what was standing in front of him and his voice clearly reflected this.

“TRAITOR! I WILL FUCKING TEAR YOUR SKULL OUT!”

Author's Notes:

DunDunDUN! I'm guessing I spelt that wrong, meh.
Anyway before anyone freaks out about the last bit with Rarity dancing, I pulled that directly from the movie. I triple checked to make sure I saw what I did before I wrote it in.
Now it's time to start the next chapter, so thanks once again for the time spent with the story. Hope to see you back. Take care and take it easy.