Shadow stood in silence from his own stupidity after he realized what he told the mares around him.

He knew it wasn't going to end well for him and waited for the outrage. 'The yelling, screaming, and possible attacks should be starting in a second.' he thought.

When that second passed then another with awkward silence Shadow looked at the faces of the mares as he drank from his bottle again.

'They can't possibly be that naive,' he thought as he sipped, 'I can't be that lucky, especially today.'

'Just go with it dumb ass! It's a positive thing! Or do you want one of the first things you've told these mares to be that you wank it to one of them!' Other Shadow quickly started yelling.

'Although, it could be a turn on for one or maybe two of'em. That could be real fun, if you're catching what I'm throwing out.' Other Shadow added as Shadow was bringing the bottle away from his lips causing him to smile as he gave a small cough.

Before he could speak the white unicorn spoke up.

“I don't quite understand how a fashion magazine with our dear Fluttershy could relieve stress.” She asked as she gave her chin a tap.

“Well, after a long boring and/or stressful day out in the Badlands I'd find a quite secluded spot to be alone. Once I'd done that I'd lean back and flip through the pages until I felt a calming relaxing blissful state wash over me.” Shadow explained to the group as he walked over to the group with a bored tone.

“Few minutes after that I'd head back to my bunk and call it a day. It's nice to look a something that wasn't Guard related.” Shadow added as he stood next to Twilight.

“Plus it brought a smile my face to see a mare not in uniform. Speaking of mares not in uniform, I don't think I've been formally introduced to you lovely mares. Princess Twilight would you do the honor of introducing?” Shadow asked with a warm playful smile getting off the current topic.

“Oh! You're right I haven't, Shadow these are my friends and bearers of the Elements of Harmony.” Twilight stated as she waved a hoof at her friends.

“First is Applejack, bearer of the Element of Honesty, local apple farmer along with the rest of her family.” Twilight told Shadow as she pointed at the orange mare giving him a look of doubt with narrow eyes.

'Guess that explains why she's looking at me like that.' He though to himself giving a nod that she returned.

'Well, you nether lied or told the truth. You just gave them facts presented with a twist.' Other Shadow offered not getting reply.

“Next, is Fluttershy that you've seen in the past. She's the bearer of the Element of Kindness and local animal care taker.” Twilight continued tilting her head at the pegasus.

Shadow smiled at the mare doing his best to stop it from looking lecherous and just friendly as he waved at her with his free wing. Fluttershy gave an eep as she turned to hide her face into Rarity's shoulder.

Twilight gave a small nervous laugh before she spoke again.

“She's also incredibly shy with new ponies,” she added, “and she's currently using Rarity our local seamstress, fashion designer, and bearer of the Element of Generosity to hide.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you dear and I apologize for calling you uncouth earlier. It wasn't very nice.” The now named unicorn told Shadow.

“Meh, It's one of the nicer things I've been called in my service, so don't worry about.” Shadow told her as he walked over to her.

“And it's a pleasure to meet you.” Shadow added as he took her right hoof in his before giving it a small kiss. At that Rarity gave a playful laugh as she gave a small fan of herself with her left.

“A gentlecolt too it appears.”

“Eh, that's questionable. Just trying to be polite as I vaguely recall my senior NCO etiquette training.” Shadow returned with a playful smile and tone as he rolled a hoof in a mocking dismissive action to much. Both chuckled as Shadow let go off her hoof before he turned to walk back to Twilight.

“It appears that you have a good sense of humor dear.” Rarity added as she stopped with her fanning returning the smile.

“I love laughing!” The pink earth pony yelled as she zipped over and grabbed Shadow.

“That would be Pinkie Pie. Pinkie would you please let Shadow go? He may not appreciated random hugs,” Twilight told Shadow before speaking to Pinkie, “She's the bearer of the Element of Laughter and baker and party planner.” Twilight added as Pinkie gave a gasp letting go of Shadow.

“I'm super sorry! I didn't think about that!” Pinkie offered Shadow still smiling.

“It's okay, we've just been introduced but the Princess is right. My time in the Guard has left me adverse to randomly being grabbed. So give me some warning in the future, okay?” Shadow explained to Pinkie with a disarming smile accepting her apologize.

Pinkie seemed a little let down but knew everypony was different. She quickly perked back up when she realized she just had to let him know a hug was coming.

“Okie dokie loki!” She gave as she started to bounce up and down with a smile on her face.

“Oh! I've got your Welcome to Ponyville party is tomorrow afternoon! It's going to be amazing!” She proclaimed as she now bounced again the room.

“Last, but not least, is Rainbow Dash bearing of the Element of Loyalty, our local weather patrol leader.” Twilight began to tell Shadow with a pointing of a hoof before being cut off.
“And Wonderbolt trainee!” The rainbow maned pegasus blurted out hopping up and floating in the air with pride.

“Pff, Wonderbolts.” Shadow blurted out himself before taking another sip from his bottle. Rainbow gave a gasp as her mouth hung open in shock.

“What's your problem with the Wonderbolts buddy?!” She demanded point a hoof a Shadow who just gave a shrug as he lowered the bottle.

“They act all big and bad then can't hold their own in a fight but still act like they're still the best. All flash and show with no substance. That's the start of my problems with them.” Shadow replied with disdain and loathing.

“None of that's true! You're just jealous of their awesomeness!” Rainbow countered with anger as she flow a little higher. Shadow took a breath to start yelling but was stopped by Twilight putting a hoof on his shoulder.

“Rainbow, Shadow has his own option of the Wonderbolts and I don't think you two yelling at each other is going to be very productive or change options. Isn't that right Shadow?” Twilight calmly lectured the two ponies preparing a verbal spar as she looked between the two.

“Yes, Princess.” Shadow snapped out with a neutral professional tone before giving a sigh.

“So, Shadow dear, would you mind telling us a little about yourself?” Rarity asked to help defuse the situation and genuine curiosity.

Shadow swirled the bottle around for several seconds before answering.

“No not really, but we may want some chairs or pillow or something to relax on since I've got no idea how long will be taking.” Shadow eventually told the group before looking around the room.

“Oh, great idea! I'll be back in a second with some pillows. Spike, would you get some drinks for us please?” Twilight stated as she walked off to get the items in question and ask before disappearing from sight.

“I'm one step ahead of you little dude, I'm good.” Shadow told Spike shaking his bottle still in his wing's grip.

As Twilight was away the girls whispered among themselves as Shadow simply stood still and kept an eye on them. They continued to whisper and talk among themselves after Twilight returned with the pillows and they all got comfortable.

By the time they were all settled Spike had returned with drinks for the sober before sitting with Twilight.

Soon Shadow was answering questions about his past and self, surprisingly from all seven present. Shadow thought Fluttershy would have been mute throughout the evening.

Applejack had asked where he grew up and he told them he was born in a nameless mining town in the hills southeast of Las Pegasus to Earth Ponies, which led Fluttershy to ask who had taught him to fly.

Shadow told them no pony, causing gasps from the girls. He added he had to teach himself the basics since their weren't any other pegasus in the town.

Rainbow commented how difficult it was to learn fly without any help but wasn't unheard for pegasus that grew up like Shadow. He chuckled and said that he still hadn't broken all the bad habits and forms he taught himself even today.

Pinkie soon asked about Shadow's family specifically almost knocking over her drink in excitement.

Shadow told them his parents where now living in Las Pegasus with his younger sister and her two fillies and colt friend, all of which he explained where Earth ponies. He expanded that he'd never meet any of his grandparent before they'd passed due to them living so far away near the hills of Neighagara Falls.

The girls expressed their sympathy but Shadow told them he didn't feel anything bad, sad, or unhappy since he'd never meet them so didn't know what he had lost. All the girls where taken back by the seeming callous and detached reply regrading his grandparents for their own personally reasons they didn't express or till him.

However, he wouldn't give any names for his family explaining he didn't feel comfortable giving them to almost complete strangers which they grudgingly accepted after some light debate.

Rarity asked what Shadow did before he joined the Solar Guard. Shadow explained that since he grow up in an Earth pony community he helped, with great anxiety at times, work the mines with his parents after he was old enough for several years.

Soon after his parents found out they would be having a second child they decided to split their time between the mines and Las Pegasus to help with money.

Shadow explained that on the family's first visit that's when he'd meet another pegasus for the first time giving laugh remembering the experience, but saved that story for another time after.

During the winter the family would go to Las Pegasus for work when they weren't working the mines due to foul weather and temperatures.

Shadow would go to work with his dad at the docks. Shadow explained that's where he worked as a go fore and rigger on ships for bits.

He told them that since most of the ships entering and leaving the port where from Zebra territory he'd spent a lot of time learning from the Zebras. He'd learned their native language from the sailors and traders passing through.

After enough prescient pestering he was able to get some of the sailors that knew the Zebra fighting style they taught him what they could.

Shadow explained that he was incredibly difficult to learn due to lacking the apparent natural balance the Zebra possessed and as a result had to create his own bastardized version that incorporated his own pegasus talents.

Shadow gave a another laugh before telling the Elements and Spike how the Zebras would mock and make fun of his version of their art but grudgingly admitted that he would get the job done.

Rainbow asked he Shadow could show them what he'd made but he had to say he was getting to drunk to be able to show off for the group. She was let down but made him promise that sometime soon he'd show the group or at least her, which he agreed.

As Shadow gave up some details about himself the mares around him also spoke of their past and thoughts. At times they would tell Shadow about the adventures the group had since they became friends.

However, throughout the night they never asked what he had done shortly before or after joining the Solar Guard or how he'd come to work for Twilight, they didn't explain why and he didn't ask.

As they spoke they all sipped their drinks and for the most part enjoyed swapping tales and stories. A few hours passed before Shadow decided to call an end to the night.

He told them he was about to pass out from drinking so much out of his bottle and wanted to call it a night.

Everypony said their good byes and good nights before going their separate ways.

Shadow stumbled downstairs as Twilight spoke with her friends.

He quickly collapsed on top of his bedding and pulled a towel over him. Before closing his eyes he double checked that the box he placed next to his makeshift pillow hadn't moved.

Satisfied it hadn't Shadow quickly fell asleep.

---------------

Shadow woke up when Celestia's damnable sun's light passed through the small window and smashed into his eyes.

With a groan he covered his eyes with a wing and reached out with a hoof to grasp the case he set out the night before.

Opening it he pulled out the aviator sunglasses and placed them over his still closed eyes. Waiting for several seconds before taking a deep breath and opening his eyes.

That resulted in another groan of hate and pain as he rolled onto his hooves mumbling curses to Celestia.

After he has on his hooves he took his first step towards the stairs to find the bathroom. Quietly opening the door that lead to the basement he left it open after walking through.

Stretching his wings and neck he heard merciless pounding coming from the kitchen which Shadow slowly walked towards. There he found Spike apparently making something for breakfast.

Shadow thought he asked Spike where the bathroom was but was mistaken.

“Whoa, dude you sound and look rough. Didn't really understand what you said but I'm guessing you need a reminder for the bathroom?” Spike told Shadow after turning around wearing an apron. Shadow grumbled out more noise in agreement as he reached the sink

Spike gave a small laugh before giving Shadow what he wanted as Shadow was drinking straight from the tap, which he followed after drinking.

Several minutes later and more collected Shadow returned to the kitchen and sat at the table and put his forehead on its top.

“You got any coffee in this place little dude?” Shadow asked after covering his head with his wings to muffle light and noise.

“Ah, sure do. How do you like your coffee?” Spike returned as he moved to start the coffee.

“Black, like the eternal unforgiving void I wish I was staring into right now.” Shadow told the dragon his voice coming out muffled. Spike gave a big bright smile that Shadow couldn't see as he worked.

For several minutes neither spoke for their own reason but that ended when Spike walked over to the table.

“Here's your coffee.” Spike simply spoke setting down the coffee near Shadow.

He didn't move immediately but soon his wings returned to his sides before grabbing the mug with a hoof.

“Dear sweet Harmony this smells divine,” Shadow mumbled out before sipping the dark life giving liquid, “and the taste matches.” Shadow concluded the thought with before sipping again,

“Guessing this is one of the perks of being a Princess because this stuff completely destroys what they gave me in the Solar Guard.” Shadow inquired from the dragon working on breakfast again.

“No, Twilight has been drinking that stuff for what seems like forever. She really loves her coffee in the morning.” Spike told the pegasus as he cook on the stove.

“Perk for me then.” Shadow spoke to himself but Spike still heard. For a minute Shadow simply sipped his coffee before an idea entered his hungover mind as he looked into the mug.

It was a brilliant, epic, genius idea that would be remembered for years to come. Or it was a stupid, lame, dumb ass idea that would quickly be forgotten.

With a narrowing of his eyes Shadow decided it had to be the first.

“Hey Spike, you what to mess with the Princess?” He ask with a stupid grin on his face turning to look at his potential partner.

“Will it hurt her?” Spike asked with concern and worry.

“No, but it will mess with her mind and cause a freak out. You want in?” Shadow replied looking at Spike.

“If that's the case, I'm in dude! What's the plan?” Spike informed the plotting stallion.

“Alright, here's what I got.” Shadow told Spike before going into his plan.

When Twilight came downstairs she saw Shadow sitting next to each other with their backs towards her.

“Good morning you two! How are you doing?” She greeting the two as she walked up to them.

“We're doing great Twilight.” Spike was the first to answer doing acceptable job at keeping himself together.

“That's right Princess, just two dudes sharing some psychoactive drugs.” Shadow added unable to keep a stupid grin off his face but still letting some into his voice.

“That's great! I'm really glad you two are..,” Twilight stated to praise the two but trailed off when see registered what Shadow had said. For a second there was an eerie calm before Twilight spoke, well yelled.

“YOU'RE DOING WHAT!”