//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Among the Shadows 
// by Flutterkiin 
//------------------------------//

“State your name and business sneaking about in the palace, criminal,” The voice said as the prisoner woke up from his daze. The prisoner surveyed his surroundings calmly and settled on the source of a magenta light that was illuminating the small interrogation room.

“I do believe, if I am not mistaken, you have wrongly accused me of criminal activity,” said the prisoner, adjusting his focus on the pair of eyes just below the magenta aura.

“I do not, and nothing you say will pardon you from your crime of trespassing on the Palace grounds, a crime in itself worthy of 6 months in prison, regardless of intent,” The voice said, the magenta light ceasing to illuminate the room as it narrowed its focus to the prisoner. The prisoner let out a small chuckle and looked straight back into the glare that the prisoner knew was there. 

“I should ask that I be brought before Princess Celestia herself, sir, as she will tell you that I am indeed no criminal but one of her employees, just like you,” the prisoner said as his head experienced a sharp pain. He realized quickly what had knocked him out. “However, unlike you, I do not default to brute force when exposed to somepony that I do not recognize. We are in very different departments of the Royal Canterlot Executive Department, but I can assure you, I am in the department none-the-less.”

“As much as I laugh to think that a foal of your sorts would be honored with a career in the R.C.E.D, I’m afraid that your request to see the Princess will have to wait. She is fairly busy with-”

“Is there a problem, Lieutenant?” The familiar voice was music to the prisoner’s ears as the magenta light ceased to exist and the normal candlelight began to take its place. The prisoner smirked as he saw the Lieutenant cringe as the white Alicorn walked into the interrogation room.

“Your highness, this scum was caught sneaking about in the palace. We have brought him down to-”

“Your zeal is admired, Lieutenant. However, this is not a criminal. He is indeed a very important part of the Royal Canterlot Task Force, and my personal eye in the streets,” Celestia said as the Lieutenant stared in disbelief.

“Your highness, I had no idea. I am sorry. However, I must ask one thing.”

“Go ahead, Shining.”

“Why have I never heard of him? More to the point, why has the Captain of the Royal Guard not heard of him either? He came down earlier and could not recognize him,” Shining said as the prisoner scanned the nervous Lieutenant. Sure enough, the unicorn was none other than Shining Armor, the older brother of the pony the prisoner had been sent to observe.

“Because, Shining, you did not allow him to change back into his normal appearance. If I am correct, you placed the magic-block on him as soon as you knocked him out. He has been unable to perform any magic. Release your magic block and you shall see his true colors,” Celestia said, looking sternly down at Shining. 

“Yes, your highness,” Shining said as his horn once again began to glow. Slowly but surely the prisoner could feel his power returning and the throbbing in his head went away as more and more of the magic block was pulled from him. 

“Thank you, Princess, and now…” The prisoner paused as his horn began to glow a light blue and the aura enveloped his body. There was a bright flash, and as the light dimmed, Shining looked in disbelief as the muddy colored stallion he had been interrogating had transformed into a dark blue stallion with a darker blue mane spiked back. His cutie mark was strangely missing and his eyes were a dark green.

“Welcome back, Silent Trail. I assume you have some items to report to me?” Celestia gave a little smile. 

“If it is okay, I would prefer it if you call me Sil, Princess. In answer to your question, yes. As always, I never come back without something to report. However, I see it unfit to reveal my findings in present company.” Sil looked over at Shining, who gave him a quick glare before turning to Celestia.

“Your highness, do you want me to escort you two up to the throne room?” Shining asked with a bit of defeat in his voice.

“No doubt it is from his failed interrogation. However, I don’t blame him for his failure. It takes more than most guards can throw at me to break me. And what’s wrong with a little fun every now and then?” Sil thought as he looked from Shining to Celestia.

“Yes and no. I would like it if you escorted us back up, but not to the throne room. You will escort us up to my personal office. You will also stay for his report, as I believe it has to do with you, as well,” Celestia said, much to the shock of Sil. He looked at Shining as he, surprisingly, nodded officially and confirmed his orders.