Within the Crystal Kingdom, Princess Nightmare Moon now sat within the prior King Sombra's throne room. She wore a playful expression as she was sitting in a fashion quite unlike her. Upon the floor, almost like a child who'd acquired a new toy. She giggled, looking down excitedly. "Now, what shall I call each of you?"
Three knocks suddenly came upon the grand throne room doors.
Princess Nightmare Moon commented absently. "Come in."
Suddenly bearing their presence with respectful bows were two crystal ponies. "M-Ma'am, we've cleaned up the rubble in the main hallway. Shall we get to rebuilding the wall?" They each looked to her in concern.
Princess Nightmare Moon looked to each of them with warmth. "Oh no, worry about that later. Come come, see what I've created. Tell me what you think won't you?" She rose to her hooves with enthusiasm.
The crystal ponies made their way inside hesitantly, before they each made their way to her sides and looked down in the direction she was. They wore puzzled expressions, unsure how to react to what they saw.
Sitting before them were two... filly-like creatures. However, something was off about each of them. One was almost ethereal in a sense, with a flowy mane much like Nightmare Moon's. Her coat and mane were practically attached, her very being, a violet blanket of stars. The other was a filly of pure black, with a flaming black mane. She had a disturbingly odd resemblance to the late King Sombra, matched by a very grumpy expression.
One of the crystal ponies, a mare in particular, couldn't help but inquire. "W-What are they M'lady?"
Princess Nightmare Moon's eyes widened as she appeared legitimately shocked then disappointed as she looked back down at them. "Wha? What do you mean what are they!? Why... they're ponies of course!"
The crystal ponies' nose wrinkled as they looked down at them, somewhat uncomfortable. The one who spoke prior continued, "Y-Yes they appear as such. Yet, they also do not seem to be of this world... or uh, natural."
Princess Nightmare Moon sighed heavily, as she waved them off suddenly. "I see... that will be all then."
The crystal ponies looked to her in concern again, before nodding, and making their way out the doors.
Princess Nightmare Moon leaned down in disappointment, as she looked upon her two creations with a frown. They each seemed quite perplexed as they looked up at her, almost as if they were blank canvases themselves, desiring some sort of purpose. Their eyes were wide and observant of her every move. Princess Nightmare Moon tilted her head to the left in deep thought as she looked at them, "Sombra's essence has truly done wonders for my magical capabilities. To reach into the realm of dreams or nightmares and bear sentience into reality is practically unheard of, yet we must ensure you can attend to your future roles and duties with time."
The violet ethereal filly looked up at Princess Nightmare Moon, her eyes still wide and observant.
Princess Nightmare Moon addressed her specifically. "You... I think I shall call Tantabus. A worker of dreams."
The shadow filly looked up at Princess Nightmare Moon also observantly, yet grumpily annoyed.
Princess Nightmare Moon then looked to her, "You... hmmm. What shall you do?" She leaned down again a long while and just observed this creation of hers with uncertainty. "You possess a lot of magical traits akin to him. Yet, I cannot decipher a purpose for you just yet. You're merely... a shade. Ah, that's perfect. Shade."
The shadow filly continued to eye Princess Nightmare Moon grumpily.
Princess Nightmare Moon rose proudly as she peered down at each of them. "Tantabus and Shade."
In the present day, Tantabus had fully grown into her own independent mare. A renown therapist in actuality.
She strolled the halls of the Castle of Two Sisters with confidence. Often times, being remarked to in greeting. She held files against her chest as she'd wave at those passing by, though it seemed as of right now, her destination was set. She strolled through the long halls, before climbing stairs into seemingly more quiet quarters. This area was practically deserted, yet still glistening with class and decor. She stopped at a door at the far end of the hall, knocking upon it. "Shade, are you in there? Shade!" She groaned, forcing it open.
Sitting in a room playing video games with a hoody and headphones in complete darkness was... Shade.
Tantabus rolled her eyes before proceeding inside and tearing the headphones from the mare's head. "Hey!"
Shade frowned heavily, "W-What? Leave me alone, will you?" She glanced back at Tantabus before grabbing her headphones and placing them around her neck. She seemed somewhat uncomfortable with the mare's presence as she looked to her television. "Princess Nightmare Moon never called for me, per usual... leave."
Tantabus sighed, "Shade, I've got a request for you. Something to keep you busy if you wish."
Shade continued to attempt to ignore her. "Don't you see I've got some games right here?"
Tantabus shook her head, "I know you're kept out of the loop, but there is a pony Princess Nightmare has taken interest in. One whom has left her a bit more vulnerable than expected. So much has happened in the last day, that it's hard to put into words. However, I believe there is a necessity to understand this mare better. One I think you could peek into with your magic. Her mind is... quite something. A massive labyrinth if you will."
Shade paused as she glanced back at Tantabus. "What's so interesting about her?"
Tantabus continued, "She arrived here last night, alongside the Princess's chosen. They're all having a meeting as of right now, and the Princess has important business in Canterlot. So currently, she's simply wandering the castle and pondering her current predicament. I'd hoped you'd speak with her if you could take the time?"
Shade frowned as she glanced down nervously. "Y-You... you know I'm not good at conversation."
Tantabus nodded in affirmation. "Neither is she, which is why I feel you'll have an easier time than us."
Shade sighed heavily, "That doesn't seem to make much sense but fine... what's her name?"
Tantabus continued, looking down at her seriously. "Twilight Sparkle."
Shade's choice of clothes were quite plain, almost purposely so. Her mane still emitting that of flowing black flames, which gave her quite the disheveled look. Her eyes, a bloody crimson. As she passed by multiple guards and guests within the castle, she kept her gaze cast downward. She continued through the castle until she reached a central lobby, to where she saw Twilight Sparkle sitting by herself at a table. "There she is."
Twilight sighed heavily as she sat alone at the table, keeping to herself with a nervous look.
Then out of nowhere, suddenly sitting at the same table was Shade, just as nervous as she also looked down.
Twilight immediately noticed her, then glanced around at the various other empty tables then back at her.
Shade said nothing, only remaining seated as she kept her gaze cast downward still.
Twilight spoke, "Ah... um, apologies. Might there be um, a specified reason you chose to sit with me?"
Shade responded curtly, "A specified reason is definitely the circumstance we find ourselves in."
Twilight blinked a few times and nodded to her. "I see, um, might I divulge you of this information then?"
Shade continued, "Certainly. I am Shade Moon; I'm meant to speak with you Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight cocked a brow, "Ah interesting, um, might there be a particular reason for this task of yours?"
Shade sighed, frowning as she glanced to the lower right. "I presume to understand you better, I guess."
Twilight blinked a few times again and then looked down blankly at the table. "Ah... I see."
Shade nodded as she too looked down blankly at the table. "Yep."
There was a long silence between them in the lobby, as a stallion eating his food nearby coughed.
Twilight broke the silence them, "So, um, how long have you been settled in the Princess' castle?"
Shade responded curtly, "My whole life. Though I held a brief existence in the Crystal Kingdom."
Twilight nodded twice to her, "Oh! I see, mmmm, you must know every detail of this castle then?"
Shade nodded back to her, raising a hoof slightly, "Mhm, even the names of all the rats."
Twilight's brows raised as she inquired in enthusiastic curiosity. "What about all the books?"
Shade shook her head, "I've not read a book my entire life."
Twilight gasped, "T-That's certainly not ideal! We should get you to the library!"
Shade looked to her, "Will the big shots in the meeting know you're there?"
There was another moment of long silence between the two.
Twilight looked down blankly at the table again. "I think um, I can knock out a book before then."
Shade blinked a few times and looked to her with half closed eyes. "Didn't expect her to like nerds."
Twilight raised a brow at her, "Ah, might I inquire who you're referring to?"
Shade looked to her with a tired expression. "Or maybe it's just airheads."