After Shadow's face found the door he took a step back to actually open it with a hoof.

Walking through the door stretching his jaw he had to turn his head to put Twilight and friends back into his sight.

Shadow started to walk towards them only to walk into an empty chair causing him to stumble. After righting himself biting his tongue to stop from swearing he saw Rainbow snickering at his misfortune.

Finishing the walk to the table waving a hoof in front of him Shadow was able to take the empty seat at the table without further incident.

“So, what I miss?” He asked trying to look around the table but was only able to do so with half the table.

Before Shadow was able to complain about it Rarity spoke up.

“Darling you look absolutely dreadful! Why are you still wearing that bl..., um stained garment?”

“Because the world can't handle the badass that is my body?” Shadow offered giving a small turn to Rarity whom was sitting next to him.

Rarity opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it before speaking allowing Rainbow to do so.

“Wow, you think really highly of yourself don't you?” She asked from outside of Shadow's field of vision.

“Really Dash? Well, ain't that just the pot callin' the kettle black.” Applejack commented with a tone that told Shadow that she'd raised an eyebrow as she spoke even though he couldn't see it.

Before the two could start bickering Fluttershy spoke up with a small blush.

“Um, Mister Shadow ah Sir, I I couldn't help but notice that you seem have um grown since I um we last saw you.”

Shadow's face clearly showed confusion along with the others at the table at what Fluttershy had said causing her to hide behind her mane.

It took a second for Shadow to figure out what brought the topic up.

“Ah, I technically haven't grown just the last of the Solar Guard enchantments have faded, why I'm not to sure.” Shadow explained as he rubbed the bandages over his eye.

“Ah, what?” Applejack asked.

“You didn't actually think that everypony in the guard were actually the same exact size did you?” Shadow asked as he look around the table again without having to overextend his neck.

“My brother was always his normal size when I saw him.” Twilight brought up as she tapped her chin.

“Ah, did you ever see him before he was made Captain of the Solar Guard?” Shadow asked moving his head as though he didn't have restricted vision as Twilight was sitting to his other side.

Shadow wasn't able to see his boss open and close her mouth several times before she spoke.

“Um, you're right I can't recall actually seeing my brother before he made Captain.” Twilight had to admit with a small sigh of defeat.

“What I don't understand is why it suddenly quit. It's suppose to only be able to be removed by a Guard Enchanter.” Shadow admitted with a small upturn of his wings.

“Well, if it's powered by the residual magic of this world it would have been cut off when you went through the portal resulting in the enchantment failing explaining what has happened.” Twilight explained stopping herself from going into full lecture mode.

“Oh, magic talk, time to change the topic. So any mare here know if there are any good smiths back in Ponyville?” Shadow quickly shifted the topic as he had no need or desire to know about magic.

With the change of topic the group spend the meal taking about why Shadow needed a smith and debating which pony was the best for his needs.

As the group left Shadow pulled Rarity aside to speak with her to make an appointment for measurements and possible order when returning to Ponyville.

Once again Twilight and her friends spent several minutes saying their goodbyes and good nights before heading into their room's.

Before Twilight closed her door for the night Shadow let her know he'd be back around seven to start the day.

With Twilight acknowledging and saying good night Shadow was left alone in the hall.

He started to walk to his room when something dawned on him.

“I still have no idea where my actually room is.” He said to himself as he emptily blinked and stared down the length of the hall.

With a groan he heading back to the room he'd first used when arriving hoping the night was quieter as he pulled the tarp back over himself.

----

Shadow woke up two hours before he was to meet with Twilight and start of the day. He figured he should allot more time then normal seeing as he knew almost nothing about the palace.

The first things he did was remove the bandages around his head and eye to hopefully restore his vision as he started to get ready.

It took several moments to focus an adjust to the light before returning to normal.

He was glad he decided to take the extra time since he showed up outside Twilight's room with just a few minutes to spare.

As he walked up he saw what appeared to be one Cadence's guards standing outside causing an eyebrow to raise.

When the guard got a good look at Shadow he seemed taken back and wasn't able to do anything else before Shadow spoke.

“Go away.” Was the simply command in a flat firm tone.

The guard was hesitant to answer but didn't move.

“Um, let me try again, go, away.” Shadow repeated as he took a step closer to the guard who gave a nervous shuffle.

“I, I'm here on orders from Princess Cadence and as such don't have to follow your orders.” The guard told Shadow with a tone that told him that it was rehearsed.

Shadow gave a small tilt of his head before he spoke.

“Well that does change things,” Shadow stated as he looked over the guard, “You sound and look familiar. Who are you?”

“Well I'm the guard you told to ah um get out of your way shortly after you arrived.” The guard started to explain but was cut before he went on.

“Alright but that doesn't explain why you sound familiar.” Shadow stated as he gave a hard stare and thought.

“I don't know why that is but I'm Private Flash Sentry of the Crystal Guard.” Sentry told Shadow as he rubbed the back of his helmet with a wing.

“Dear threatening Harmony you exist here too.” Shadow answered as he rubbed his face with his own wing. As a result he didn't see the look of bewilderment of Sentry's face.

Shadow gave a sigh as he removed his wing from his face.

“Does probability mean nothing to anypony any more?” He asked to no pony but himself with a shake of his head.

Sentry gave a nervous chuckle as Shadow knocked on the door to Twilight's room.

The two heard muffled speaking from inside the room that approached the door.

When the door opened Twilight and Spike saw Shadow standing in front of them with an annoyed look on his face as he greeted them.

Twilight gave a shocked gasp as a hoof shot to her mouth and wings partial opened.

It was the first she'd seen Shadow without the bandages. Even with the magically healing the area around the wound was still slightly inflamed and had a minor appearance of being pulled because of the stitches.

“Whoa. Scary dude.” Spike spoke up braking Twilight out of her shock.

“So, no change?” Shadow asked looking at Spike with a playful smirk.

“Nah.” Spike replied with a dismissive wave of a claw and half shrug to which Shadow gave a sigh.

“I'll have to try harder next time I guess.” He returned with a small roll of head.

While the two were speaking Twilight was attempting to figure out how to approach the topic and Sentry was confused on how Shadow was treating the topic with disregard.

“Well Princess it seems Princess Cadence has assigned a guard of her own to you. In addition, I can't get rid of'em,” Shadow started to tell Twilight as she dropped her hoof and wings, “This is Private I don't care about.” He finished with a pointed hoof at Sentry with a disregarding tone.

“Um, we've meet and it's Flash Sentry Shadow, please be respectful.” Twilight responded with a small blush as she gave a small frown.

Shadow was silent for a second before he replied.

“Taking it you meet between me getting back through the portal and last night and I'll take it under advisement Princess.”

“That's correct and please do. So are you ready to get the day going?” She responded with a smile and upbeat voice.

“No not really, but I'm going to have to.” Shadow admitted with a painful shrug of his wings before holding one out to let Twilight pass by.

As she started to move Sentry started to walk to ensure he would be in front of her along Shadow, or so he thought.

With a quick glance over his shoulder he saw Shadow walking beside Twilight with Spike on her back.

As he looked back forward they couldn't see the look of confusion he had. Sentry knew Shadow hasn't following standard guard regulations and wasn't being dressed down.

Sentry wondered what was possible going on as he lead them to the royal dinning room.

While Sentry lead them Spike was asking questions about Shadow's fight with Twisted Paths. Shadow did he best to tone the story down not wanting to upset his boss or have to deal with the small dragon if the story caused nightmares.

Twilight was silent as she listen to the two speak thankful for what Shadow was doing and avoiding potential problems. She didn't realize it was to protect Shadow's interest not Spike's or her's.

Arriving at the dinning room Sentry opened the door and waited for the other to enter before he followed.

Sentry then moved to stand near the door expecting to see Shadow on the other side of the door.

He was visible surprised when Shadow walked with Twilight to the table and proceeded to sit down next to her.

Flash wanted to speak up about the breech in procedure but knew he might not be aware of something that allowed this situation to occur.

As he stood by the door he heard Shadow ask Twilight if she knew anything about the local mail system and if it would be quicker to sent out mail here or wait until they got back to Ponyville.

Twilight informed Shadow that she figured that it would be quicker to wait until they got back to the library given the remote location of the Crystal Empire and recent reappearance.

With his answer Shadow shifted the topic to what she had done after the blasting of rainbow lights.

Twilight quickly became flabbergasted and was unable to tell Shadow but did give several glances to Sentry to which he smiled as Shadow shuddered.

Soon another set of doors opened revealing Cadence and Shining Armor. The two gave a look of confusion and surprise at seeing Shadow sitting at the table.

Twilight cleared her throat and greeted the two with a wave as they walked towards the table.

“What do you think you're doing at the table?” Shining borderline demanded from Shadow as he walked.

“Ah, talking with my boss about work related topics.” Shadow explained as he turned to face his former Captain.

Doing so allowed the royal pair to she the blood stains and injuries on Shadow causing Cadence to gasp and bring a wingtip to her mouth while Shining narrowed his eyes.

“You should be standing over by the door with the other guards.” Shining stated as me moved to sit down.

“I know, however I thought Princess Twilight would be more comfortable speaking with me like this as I believe she's still trying to get use to the whole Princess thing.” Shadow said doing to keep his voice neutral and non hostile.

Before anypony could speak Celestia and Luna entered the room with their own guards.

The two didn't display any reaction to seeing Shadow at the table and simply moved to take their own seats.

Celestia asked the same question Shining had but in a more respectful manner to which Shadow gave an identical answer.

Shadow gave a sigh as he widened and rolled his eyes as he stood up to leave the table.

“I'll be heading outside to go get some grub for myself Princess.” He told Twilight as he reached to open one of the pockets before walking away.

As the ex-Solar guard walked away he pulled out a grain bar and as he did the prince spoke up.

“No, you'll take your post where you belong.” Shining flatly stated as he looked at Shadow's back causing him to stop.

“Um, excuse me?” Shadow asked with a mix of confusion and anger as he turned around to look at Shining.

“I'm ordering you to take your proper post Walker.” Shining answered with a annoyed authoritative tone.

Shadow clenched his jaw and paused for a second before replying.

“I'm going to have to disregard that order Sir.”

“No, you will not. You're going to do the one thing you're an absolute failure at doing and that's following orders.” Shining told Shadow with clear hostility and annoyance as he pointed at Shadow.

Shadow took a deep breath through his nose before he did anything which was to silently turn to walk away.

As he did he saw the smirk flash across Shining's face.

“Seems that for once that you've got nothing to say.” Shadow stopped as he wings started to creep up and out as he spoke.

“Oh, I've got something to say but I'm not going to seeing as I don't want to upset or embarrass Princess Twilight.”

“I think it's a little late for that Walker.” Shadow heard as he pulled his wings back in as he turned around to look at Twilight.

As he did he saw the blank looks of the sisters and growing worry and confusion on Cadence's face before looking at an embarrassed Twilight.

Twilight gave a bite of her lower lip before looking directly at Shadow and paused for a second before giving him a small nod to give permission to reply.

“I'll freely admit I absolutely fail at following orders but I get results.” Shadow spoke as he started to move back to the table.

“I seem to recall somepony following orders and getting no results,” he added before pure venom slithered into Shadow's voice, “Oh, wait they did. A ponynapping, an invasion, and assault on royalty were the results.” Shadow added stopping across from Shining.

He then tapped his chin with a hoof before he spoke again.

“Who was that pony? Ah, the Captain of the Solar Guard. Oh, that was you!” Shadow continued finishing with pointed the hoof at Shining Armor.

Shadow finished with a smile that matched the venom that had been in his voice when he spoke.

“So tell me, who's the real failure?”

Author's Notes:

Welcome back and howdy. Hope you had a great New Years with only minor complications.

i thank you once again for stopping by and giving the story your time. Hope you enjoyed yourself and to see you back.