While Shadow was on the floor laughing the others at the table were stupefied at what Fluttershy had asked.

While her friends were recovering Fluttershy finished her drink ensuring she wouldn't lose the current round.

Hearing the glass hit the table snapped the other back to functionality and raced to finish their drinks. Twilight was the last to recovery and finish her drink and as a result lost the game.

While Twilight was setting down her empty glass Shadow was pulling himself back onto his seat and saw the blush on his boss.

While seating down and chuckling smiling at her he reached a wing out to Fluttershy to congratulate her.

Fluttershy had a small blush on her face which Shadow didn't know what the cause was as she reached out and returned the gesture Shadow offered.

“That's brilliant, so what's your answer Princess?” Shadow asked as he pulled his wing back to his side while giving Twilight a playful nudge with an elbow.

Twilight quickly started to speak but wasn't forming any actually sentences as she looked at Shadow for help in near panic.

Shadow took a second to tapped his chin with a hoof as he played with his own empty mug with a wing as he thought.

“I'd take her up on the offer Princess, you'd have a blast I think.” At this point Rainbow started howling in laughter as she banged on the table with a hoof which drove Twilight further into panic.

“Uhm, I've heard the place is the best spa in all of Cloudsdale. Why wouldn't you want to give it a try?”
Fluttershy asked half hiding behind her mane to hide her smile from Twilight

A sour look flashed across Shadow's face when he realized Fluttershy had gone in a completely different direction then he had been going in. The others flashed looks of relief when they figured out their friend hadn't picked up on Shadow's bad habits.

Twilight took a deep breath as she touched a hoof to her chest before pushing it out along the breath and turning to Shadow.

“Why didn't you tell me that when I asked?” She inquired as Rainbow's laughter puttered out.

“Because I was going in a totally different direction with my thoughts, plus I didn't even know it was a real place in my defense.” Shadow answered with a shrug of his wings and shoulders in a dismissive manner.

“Oh.” Twilight remarked she turned away from Shadow with a bit of embarrassment.

Before she could go on Shadow interjected.

“By the way, you lost so the bottles are on you Princess.” He laid out to change the topic as he pointed to her glass.

“With that out of the way we can all relax a bit more.” Shadow added as he slide down and leaned back a little while trying to put his fore hoofs behind his head only to stop when his injuries spook up.

“Now hold up a minute partner. How could ya not know 'bout some fancy foo foo spa in Cloudsdale? I thought all y'all pegasus knew 'bout Cloudsdale?” Applejack asked as she pushed the empty shot glasses near her together.

Shadow almost snapped at the apple farmer in anger but stopped himself when it dawned on him that most non pegasus thought the same thing.

“You got to remember I grow up near on in Los Pegasus. First time I made it there was after Basic and spent the time bar hopping celebrating. After that I'd only be passing through, not having the time to explore.” Shadow started his explanation with a half shrug as he tapped his empty food basket.

“Also, do you really think I'm the type of stallion to go to what you described as a fancy foo foo spa?”

“Ah, I reckon you're not and sorry 'bout makin' guesses 'bout ya.” Applejack accepted before apologizing as she adjusted the brim of her hat.

“Meh, don't worry about it. I made a lot of assumptions concerning pegasus too back in the day.” Shadow gave with a mildly dismissive tone

“Dolling, it most have been abosultly dreadful growing up without any other pegasus and so lonely.” Rarity added jumping into the conversation as she fanned herself with a hoof.

“Not to be rude but is it getting warmer in here?” She tacked on as she looked around the table.

“Now that you mention it, yeah it does feel a bit warmer in here.” Rainbow answered with a small nod.

“It wasn't so bad being the only pegasus around before we moved into Los Pegasus. As for being lonely, I kinda brought that on myself for the most part.” Shadow responded as he reached out and started to move the shot glasses towards the end of the table.

“How could being lonely be mostly your fault?” Twilight asked turning and tilting her head slightly towards Shadow.

“Well, it really didn't help that I would keep pointing out, rather smugly, that I was the only one among my peers that could fly.” Shadow let everypony know with a smug laugh and smile.

After rolling their eyes the elements smiled and laughed along with Shadow.

As the table shared a laugh Amber came back over and collected all the empty containers on the table and left without taking request.

While Rarity talked with Fluttershy about the Cloud Nine spa Shadow looked around the table and saw the group was clearly relaxed and enjoying themselves.

As everypony else was talking Shadow began to wonder when the last time the elements had really relaxed, if at all.

The six seemed to face some kind of threat every couple weeks and recently every couple months a possible world ending event.

Shadow knew from first hoof experience what happened when ponies dealt with near constant high levels of stress without decompressing.

He had to clean up the results too many times and wasn't going to let that happen to his new boss or her friends by extension.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Pinkie talking to him.

“Come on, SMILE! This is your party, you shouldn't be frowning!”

Quickly giving a couple blinks the pegasus cleared his throat before responding with false drama and horror in his voice an on his face.

“Sorry, I just realized I'm going to have to do sooo much paperwork after tonight.”

Groans and laughter spread around the table with heads shaking and eyes rolling.

“Perish the thought! Our strong strapping Captain of the Guard having to do dreaded paperwork! This will surely be his downfall!” Rarity played along with Shadow mimicking his actions.

“I know! Princess Twilight is it too late to head back through the portal? I'm thinking it's going to be safer to deal with Twisted Paths all hopped on magic again.” Shadow stared at Twilight with mock seriousness and hope.

Another round of laughter erupted from the mares with Shadow joining in.

“Amber! We need another round over here!” Rainbow shouted out as she waved a hoof I the air. After which Twilight gave a long sad sigh.

“I had such high hopes for my first Captain. To see him lost to such a vile wicked foe so soon is a catastrophe.”

It was Shadow that groan this time as he let his head fall to the tabletop with a thud.

“Oh my. It's so sad that Shadow left of so soon. I was started to open up to him.” Fluttershy added her own two bits to the conversation.

“OH, OH! We get to have a going away party now! YAY!” Pinkie yelled out in a tone that somehow Shadow found a little scary as he lifted his head off the table.

Before Shadow could reply Amber returned with Rainbow's request for a new round.

She passed the drinks the group had ordered when they first ordered as she smiled at Shadow's mild annoyance.

“Don't know why you're looking like that but I'm sure you've somehow earned it.” Amber voiced with mirth loud enough for the table to hear before turning and walking away to hoots and yells of agreement.

“Huh, I see how it is! Let's all pick on the poor lone wounded stallion at his party.” Shadow proclaimed with an exasperated voice and throwing up of his hooves with a playful smile.

“He's right girls. We shouldn't be talkin' poorly of those pasted on. We need ta honor them.” Applejack mischievously tossed in as she lifted her mug with one hoof and placing her hat over her chest.

“Ahem, to ahh, what's his name. Can't remember, he didn't hang 'round long enough to learn his name.” Applejack put out to honor Shadow with a n oddly lively somber tone of respect.

With that the elements cheered and clinked their drinks together with a smile before sipping from them. Shadow gave a defeated sigh and took a gulp from his with a smile and roll of his eyes.

After everypony put their drinks back on the table another round of loud delighted laughter escaped from the group.

Soon after Shadow started asking about the elements previous adventures and about themselves and family seemingly to better know them.

While that was true it wasn't the only reason Shadow was asking those questions.

By midnight most of the group wasn't in a condition to use magic, fly, or walk a straight line.

Shadow ended up having to ask Amber for help in getting everypony out of the Sour Apple and to the library.

“You do realize that you're going to have to buy me another drink or two for this right?” Amber told Shadow as she carried Rarity on her back and had to made sure Pinkie didn't walk off into the night or Twilight fall asleep.

“I'll add it to the boss's bill.” Shadow retorted through clenched teeth as a result of having to carry Fluttershy and having to keep a wing around both Applejack and Rainbow Dash to keep them mostly upright.

Shadow was shocked to find the door to the library unlocked and hoped Spike had done it on purpose.

Pushing the door open Shadow walked in and stopped when he saw that Spike had set up several spots for the elements to sleep.

After the brief pause Shadow walked towards the furthest bedding to drop off his cargo and let Amber in to do the same.

As gently and quietly as the two could they put down or pointed out to the elements where to sleep.

Almost as soon as heads hit pillows lights were out with content smiles on their faces.

Amber and Shadow walked back outside after to say their good byes.

“Thanks for taking the time to help me out with that. Wasn't expecting them to get that drunk, really appreciate it.” Shadow told Amber without any sarcasm in his voice but couldn't keep out his tiredness.

Amber gave a small chuckle with a roll of her eyes before she gave a quick kiss on Shadow's check which left him confused but not unappreciative.

“Uhm, what was that for?” He asked with a tone to match his current state of mind.

“Figured this might be the last time I see you and didn't want you to end the night without something positive happening to you.” Amber answered with sad sigh and disappointment causing Shadow's confusion to grow and worry to appear.

“What are you talking about?”

“I don't think Princess Luna, or Princess Celestia when she founds out, is going to look positively on you getting all the Elements of Harmony drunk. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if Princess Luna was looking in their dreams right now.” Amber explain her position to Shadow as she walked off into the night over her shoulder.

“Sweet dreams babe!” She called out after disappearing into the night.

For several seconds Shadow stared at the last spot where he saw Amber with narrowed eyes before letting a long sigh out through his nose.

“Fuck. Forget about that.”

Author's Notes:

Well, here's the chapter I was suppose to get up last week but couldn't finish due to being sick.
Thanks for stopping by and giving the story a read. All goes well I hope you come back.