Shining narrowed his eyes at Shadow before giving a sigh as Cadence nudged him.

“Sorry about that. I wanted to see if what Cadence and Twily told me was true.” Shining started to explain to Shadow as he rubbed the back of his head.

“They were right but I wanted to back sure you are taking your position seriously.” Shining added as he gave a weak smile.

Shadow tilted his and narrowed his eyes as he heard Shining as he thought about what the unicorn was saying.

“You know how big brother's get concerning their little sister right?” Shining offered to try to smooth things between the two.

“Eh.” Shadow replied as he rolled his pointed hoof back and forth before dropping it becoming confused which Shining soon mirrored.

“I'll admit personally I don't think there will be any serious issues but professional I've got some serious ones.” Shining clearly stated to change the subject not knowing how to Shadow's admission concerning his sister.

“Well, first time somepony that makes more then me has said that.” Shadow stated with a half smirk and upward glance before giving a single chuckle.

The royalty showed their lack of surprise at it before sharing a quick with each other.

“Well seeing as I'm not familiar with the pony that will be spending so much time with my favorite filly I would like to get to know you better Shadow. Would you be willing to answer some questions for me?” Cadence asked with a warm smile and tone hoping Shadow would agree.

Shadow thought for a second before his eyes glanced at the other guards in the room he could see before speaking.

“Only if all the guards here step outside, I don't like my personal details being know.” Shadow told those at the table as he saw sour looks from some of the guards.

“I think that's a reasonable request.” Cadence agreed as she motioned to her guards to leave with a wing.

Celestia and Luna shared a glance with each other before they followed Cadence's actions to dismiss their own guard.

For several seconds no pony moved or spoke as Shadow looked around the room before looking at his former princess.

“I said all guards, they're still the two unicorns near the entrance and before you protest. I was a candidate for your personal Guard at one time and studied its SOPs.” Shadow leveled at Celestia pointing at the guards with his muzzle and keeping his gaze on the princess.

For a second Celestia held the gaze as she thought before holding up a hoof to dismiss the guards.

Almost instantly the two unicorns invisibility spells dropped and the stared at Shadow with anger and hostility as they walked outside the room and closed the door behind them.

As they closed Celestia asked the first question with confusion.

“When where you a candidate for my personal guard?”

“It was after I completed my basic HA training. I was approached and given prep materials as I transited to my first post in the Badlands, then things started to fall apart.” Shadow explained with a bored detached tone.

“The first couple weeks I didn't have any problems, then my CoC started to have problems with me.” Shadow continued with the same tone as he told his story.

He told them that they didn't take kindly to his amazing observation and orator skills. After a couple weeks LTC. Diamond Drop had Shadow's recommendation pulled.

Soon the royal couple and Twilight started with related questions with the royal couple asking many of the questions the Element bearers had.

When Cadence asked how Shadow dealt with his time in the Badlands Shadow groaned as he rolled his eyes.

“I started writing to pen pals with great vigor and searching for new ones. I spent a good deal of bits on writing material. I'd also built connections with other members of the unit like the clerks, cooks, and supply.” Shadow started his reply with ending with a small warm smile.

“I never had to worry about the squad having any related issues and was able to get some work a rounds to policy to help everypony involved.”

Celestia and Shining weren't to happy hearing that but held their tongues while Cadence, Luna, and Twilight gave a polite laugh.

“I'm still in touch with a lot of'em and was asking about getting some letters have to them before everypony else showed up.” Shadow wrapped the topic up with as he finally sat down after Luna offered a seat.

Shining Armor biggest question was why Shadow hadn't disobeyed orders and acted independently on the other side of the portal like he had on this side.

“Princess Twilight never gave any orders to do anything until the near the end of our time on the other side. One of the things I've learned is never do anything to upset your boss enough to fuck with your pay,” The two oldest alicorns shook their heads while the royal pair dropped their forks at Shadow's use of profanity, “And since I'm still learning Princess Twilight's limits I acted re-actively.”

Shadow finished as he pulled his grain bar from his vest.

Breakfast quickly pasted after Shadow started to eat his grain bar.

After breakfast the Alicorns gathered their guards and set out to continue the last day of the princess summit.

Shadow after a few minutes of standing near Sentry was ready to smash his face against the wall to make things less painful.

He wasn't prepared for the shear dry and boring material the rulers of Equestria were discussing.

Shadow only started to pay attention when lunch arrived and the topic moved to gossip and rumors of Cantorlot and the Crystal Empire.

The alicorns that weren't Shadow's boss discussed what the nobles, business ponies, and prominent ponies were doing to gain the smallest of edges or advantage against others or gain favor with their rulers.

Shadow committed what he thought to be the most potential useful.

'Damn, I can't remember all of this and all of it seems like something I could use to our advantage.” He thought to himself as he looked at Twilight wanting to be able to write.

Before Shadow had to start and decide what to keep or ditch lunch ended and the boring topics returned.

Shadow used the time to repeat had he had heard over and over in his head to prevent forgetting.

A few hours after lunch the actually summit ended and everypony left the conference room.

As Twilight walked with Shadow and Sentry she complained about not having enough material to take more notes.

Sentry offered his support as Shadow shoveled another grain bar in his mouth with one wing. Unlike the other guards standing post Shadow hadn't received a relief for food or watch change.

“Meat shield where's the closest bathroom?” Shadow asked with a mouth still full of grain bar and looking around.

Sentry gave quick directions as Twilight shook her head before telling Shadow to meet her back at the Crystal Heart.

Several minutes later Shadow meet back up with Twilight who still hadn't gotten rid of Sentry and the two where standing with the rest of Twilight's friends.

Twilight must off given them a warning about his appearance since none of them were surprised when he drew close.

“Wow, that must have hurt.” Rainbow stated as she hovered above the rest of the group pointing with a hoof.

“That it did.”

“How are you doing today dear?” Rarity asked with some unease attempting to avoid looking at the injury.

“Been better but it could be worse so I'm not going to complain..., to much.” Shadow replied pausing to gently rub near the stitches with a wingtip.

“Oh, are they starting to itch?” Fluttershy asked in a gently voice glancing out from behind her mane.

“Yeah, I think I'll be taking them out in a day or two to solve that problem.” Shadow told her as he continued to rub the surrounding area.

“Oh no. You can't do that. You'll risk having your injury opening back up! You have to leave them in until you're healed!” The shy pegasus told Shadow with a soft yet firm voice as she fully looked out from behind her mane.

“Well, there is that, but I'm more worried about stopping the itching.” Shadow started his reply with as he moved to stand near Sentry and Twilight.

“I'd listen to her partner. Fluttershy can be pretty assertive when she needs to be and I recken it won't end well for ya.” Applejack interjected as she gave Sentry a questioning look over.

“Alright fine I won't take them out.” Shadow relented with a roll of his eyes wondering why everypony was here.

“So why are we here any way?”

“Shopping party!” Pinkie yelled out somehow having streamers falling from the sky to which Rarity started to happily clap and Shadow's eyebrow to raise along with Applejack's.

“So then why am I here?” Shadow asked dropping the eyebrow.

“To carry all the bags and boxes, duh.” Rainbow answered as she landed.

“HA, joke's on you. I've got a doctor's note saying I can't do that,” Shadow replied with a smile tapping a pocket before turning to look at Sentry, “Sucks to be you.”

Shadow enjoyed the furlong face Sentry put on despite the smile he had.

Shadow thought the shopping was going to be stupid and frivolous as they headed off, however, Shadow was surprised.

All the shopping was actually relevant to everypony's profession attempting to better themselves or livelihood.

The Element Bearers spent nearly two hours looking for anything they thought they could be put to use while Shadow simply stood around looking half heartily at the store's wares.

They weren't completely satisfied and were not able to find all the items they wanted or needed but found enough.

Sentry wasn't overburdened with boxes or bags by the time the group returned to the castle for the evening.

Arriving at Twilight's room Sentry dropped off all the purchases before wishing Twilight a good night with a awkward voice as he back out of the room or tried. Sentry walked into the wall first before he stumbled out to which Twilight gave a smile.

Shadow rolled his eyes as he gave a sigh and turned to Twilight.

“So, what's next Princess?” Which Twilight paused before answering as she tapped her chin.

“Well, I'm going to stay here and start studying my new books and take notes.” She supplied as she picked up her purchase with her magic before moving to the desk.

“Copy that.” Shadow flatly returned before he sat down against the wall near the door.

Twilight gave him a puzzled look after she sat down.

“What are you doing?”

“Guarding.”

“I know that but why?”

“I'm still on the clock.”

Twilight's eyes slightly widened before she used her magic to pick up her saddlebag. Without sitting it on the desk she pulled out a small cloth bag.

“I'm so sorry! I keep forgetting you're only done for the day when I let you know! I'm still trying to get use to this whole Princess thing! Please for forgave me!” Twilight quickly rattled off with embarrassment and animated hoof waving.

“It's what I agreed to do Princess so don't worry about it.”

“Still you haven't had anytime off since we got back through the portal! I want you to go have some fun while we're here in the Crystal Kingdom.” Twilight added as she floated the small bag to Shadow.

“I want you to take this and go have some fun but be back before ten.” Twilight finished with as Shadow took the bag and found it had bits in it.

“Don't have to tell me twice Twilight and I'll stay out off trouble but no promises.” Shadow gave as he stood up and made to leave with a playful smile.

“Please don't get in trouble, I don't need any more to deal with.”

“Alright, but I want you to know one thing before I leave.” Shadow replied as he grabbed the door with a hoof to close it before leaving.

“Oh? What's that?”

“You're not my real mom!” Shadow loudly stated with a playful stupid smile on his face before he closed the door.

Shadow soon started to use his super secret sergeant skills to search for suds. Within fifteen minutes he had found a bar near one of the main streets leading to the castle with an outside sitting area.

The outside looked clean and polished but once he got inside Shadow saw it wasn't as well maintained.

The bar wasn't a dive for certain but the inside was well used. The bar had several years or possible decades of care put into it by ponies that cared for it.

The ponies inside were calm and collected not causing any problems, they did however spare a look at the new comer to register his appearance but didn't stop their conversations.

Shadow gave a polite nod towards were the most ponies sat before moving to the bar.

Taking a seat with no ponies to either side Shadow looked at the crystal bottles on display behind the bar.

Shadow quietly and patiently waited for the bartender to come up and take his order. The mare behind the bar was whispering to a stallion on the other side of the bar.

The stallion gave a nod before walking off and the mare walked towards Shadow.

The mare had a dark blue coat, peach mane and tail with purple eyes and had a smile on her face. Before she had a chance to speak Shadow cut her off.

“Save any act I don't need it to buy booze.” Shadow stated as he looked to pull out the bag with the bits.

“That's rude you know.” The mare replied with annoyance in her voice as she stopped in front of Shadow.

“I know, I just don't care at the moment.” Shadow acknowledged before looking up with the bits causing the mare's face to show surprise getting a good look at Shadow.

“Yeah, work bonus, now I would like a crystal berry liquor. What do you have?” Shadow wanted to know as he gently out the bit bag on the bar.

The mare looked over to the bottles behind her to see what was available before working with Shadow to get him a drink.

After some back and forth Shadow found out the local liquor didn't sound to good but the imported ones were more expensive. With a defeated sigh Shadow decided to go with a liquor from the area.

After getting his drink the bartender left Shadow alone to enjoy his drink.

For the first three drinks Shadow spoke only to order more liquor and ignored attempts from the mare to talk any.

On his forth Shadow began to chat with his server with the normal bar talk. After his fourth drink Shadow switched to local beers to keep his buzz going on the cheap.

Shadow was enjoying the relaxing setting offered by the bar and gave a content sigh as he held his cold bottle against his face to help and deal with the itching.

As the hours past more ponies came into the bar put avoided sitting next to Shadow for their own reasons and Shadow was silently thankful they did.

Finishing the bottle he had Shadow placed it back on the bar and gestured for another which was promptly brought over.

Shadow looked at the new bottle and saw it was another brand so decided to give it a smell.

The pleasant smell put a smile on Shadow's face as he sipped from the bottle.

“You're going to have move that's my seat.” A deep gruff voice came from behind Shadow as he lowered the bottle.

“Well that sucks for you seeing as I'm here.” Shadow answered with a small slur to his voice under annoyance.

“It's going to suck for you if you don't move in the next couple seconds.” The voice replied with more annoyance this time. Shadow gave a sigh before turning around to deal with the idiot.

Shadow saw a large earth stallion grinning at him with another stallion an a mare behind him matching the smile.

'Well, shit.” Other Shadow quipped before sighing.

“Well, well, well look who've we got here. Somepony that owes me several drinks.” The stallion stated without the gruffness in his voice and amusement and joy as he looked over Shadow.

Shadow dropped his head to his chest as he groaned before turning to grab his beer. As he turned around he sipped from the bottle before dropping it, giving a satisfying ah and speaking.

“Fuck you probability, fuck you.”

Author's Notes:

Welcome back to the end of another chapter and glad to see you here. It's great having you read along and hope it wasn't too painful, maybe I'll see you back.