Present Time
In the royal library the sound of shifting pages and book stacking fills the room as the only pony in there is Dusk Shine, a purple unicorn sporting a purple star motif as his cutie mark. His mane and tail are black with a red stripe. His loyal assisstant dragon, Scale, is attending to him by bringing him a new stack of books, scrolls and quills whenever Dusk Shine finishes with any of them.
“Dusk are you sure this is something that you can just study for? The King wasn’t very clear on what He wanted to test you on.” Says Scale.
“He does not have to be clear Scale. The fact of the matter is that the King may finally be acknowledging my potential. This is a big step for us. Now focus the King may call on us at any second!” Dusk Shine commands as he goes from one book to another and takes more notes.
The two continue with their labor for another hour; reading, taking notes and magical exercise. The books around Dusk Shine’s hooves are of various titles; pony biology, unicorn technology, anthropology, etc. Scale, though still a baby, gathers up to ten books and carries them back to their proper shelves. Dusk Shine is now levitating several objects in the air, when suddenly the clopping of hooves can be heard from the nearest staircase. Dusk Shine gently sets down the levitating objects and stands at attention in anticipation of the visitor. From the entrance of the library the guard announces the entrance of Princess Shining Amour an all white alicorn with a shield and stars cutie mark with a periwinkle mane and tail. She enters the library with two royal unicorn guards and they all proudly stride towards Dusk Shine.
“It is time Dusk Shine” says Princess Shining Amour. “There is no need to worry the royal escort is only a formality.”
“Last time I checked anyone who lives in the castle does not need an escort.” Replied Dusk Shine.
“Today is special you know that. Since when do you have such a negative attitude?”
“Since the King thought it best that I study without my tutors.”
Dusk Shine joined the royal escort and stared at the ground all the way to the throne room. The doors were magically opened by the guards outside and the escort was announced in. All in attendance are waiting in earnest for the King to attend from His private office.
The Page cried, “The King now approaches. All kneel before the King. All hail King Blueblood!”
Everypony present bowed in their place as the King approached His throne and then straightened when He sat down. The King is an all white alicorn with a golden flowing mane and his cutie mark is what looks like a compass as what would appear on a map.
“Dusk Shine you may approach, the important matter we have discussed earlier this week will now be addressed. Do you remember what the matter entailed?” King Blueblood announced to the general assembly of ponies. Dusk Shine hesitantly approached the King and dared not look Him in the eyes.
“Yes, Your Majesty, I remember. You said that I must prepare and that I was to be tested here at court. In that same breath you commanded that from then on I study on my own and dismissed my tutors.” Dusk Shine had been looking at the floor the whole time until he said the word “tutors.”
King Blueblood did not waiver. He kept his composure before the court and in a consoling tone said. “It is your intelligence that is most valuable to Me. It will serve us all very well one day. The immediacy of the approaching situation will be one of which the King of Equestria will not be prepared for. Tell me through all of your studies have you learned what is most important in this world? Well, Do you have an answer Prince Dusk Shine?” The King put emphasis to the word Prince.
Dusk Shine did not break eye contact with his Father. No one moved throughout the court as they waited for Dusk Shine to answer. Dusk Shine thought of everything he studied within the week and his life. He recalled everything his tutors had taught him. “The most important thing in this world is knowledge.” After Dusk Shine replied he let out a sigh.
The King did not seem impressed by His son’s answer. The King squinted and pursed His lips. He is now resolute with what He had planned to do. “Prince Dusk Shine that is not the answer I was looking for. Although, it is a good answer knowledge cannot get you everything. I believe you are aware of the story of Dark Horse.”
“Yes I am, but that is just an old mare’s tale. How does that have any relevance to what is going on right now?”
“It has all the relevance in the world! The King of Equestria is not yet aware of the coming tide that will befall his kingdom. Dark Horse will return and that is a matter of fact! It had once happened to the sister Princesses of old and it will happen again. As King of Buckingham I charge you, Prince Dusk Shine, this day to act as an ambassador to Equestria and relieve them the burden of Dark Horse!”
The full impact of the decision hit Dusk Shine all at once. He had read all he could about the history of old Equestria without even thinking about visiting the country. Dusk Shine had always thought that the magic used to banish Dark Horse was permanent, however fictional. The reality and gravity of the matter is hard to accept, but Dusk Shine allowed himself a pause to let it all sink in.
With a sigh and a bow Dusk Shine says, “I humbly accept the task given me by the King my Father.” Straightening Dusk Shine followed with, “When am I to leave for Equestria?”
“Right away, a letter has already been sent to His majesty King Cosmos. He is awaiting your attendance and He will give you further instruction for your success. The same royal attendants that brought you here will escort you all the way to Equestria. I will miss you my son and I know you will succeed.”
“Thank you Father, I will do my best.” Dusk Shine turned away and walked out of the great hall with the royal escort. Shining Amour followed after to further brief Dusk Shine on his task.
“King Cosmos does not fully know what you are being sent to do. We let Him believe that you are going to Equestria to study abroad as a cultural ambassador and get to know new ponies. He has arranged for you to live in the town where the Day of Brotherhood is going to be held, it also happens to be the Summer Sun Celebration.” Shining Amour sounded especially pleased when she mentioned the “Summer Sun Celebration.”
With a groan Dusk Shine replies, “I don’t care about whatever celebration they are having. I care about how I am supposed to fulfill my task and no doubt King Cosmos will give me further responsibilities when I arrive.”
“This is a good opportunity for you brother, I am actually kind of jealous. You get to witness King Cosmos raise the sun! You also get to meet real Equestrians, ponies we’ve only heard of in letters.”
“If you’re so excited why aren’t you going instead of me?”
“The King chose you, and He said that only you can do it. Besides think of it like this, you get to spend time out of the castle and study records that nopony else here has access to.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. You’re right Shining Amour perhaps something in those records can give me clues as to how I can fulfill my task.” Dusk Shine looks a little excited about the prospect of learning new information and the practical application of the information.
Shining Amour smiled approvingly, “That’s the spirit little brother! Don’t forget to remember the significance of the Day of Brotherhood.”
With a louder groan Dusk Shine exclaims, “I don’t need to be reminded of what the day is about! How is the significance supposed to help me? I don’t even know how the lost Princesses or King Cosmos banished Dark Horse in the first place!” Dusk Shine worked himself out of breathe.
In a consoling tone Shining Amour says, “You have nothing to worry about little brother. Everything will happen in its course. Perhaps you can focus on the answer Father is looking for. You know the answer to the question he asked you.”
At this point Dusk Shine and the attending ponies have reached the royal transport that will take them to New Canterlot in Equestria. “Thank you for trying to help Shining Amour. I love you and I hope that you and Father will fare well without me.”
“Have a good time little brother and don’t worry about us. Most importantly make some friends.” The siblings embraced and the attendants had already loaded Dusk Shine’s luggage. As they boarded Dusk Shine gave his sister one last look and took his seat on the transport.
The transport is what is known as a behemoth class land-to-sea ship mark X. This particular transport is named Dusk Amour after the King’s children. It is mostly used for long transportation across continents or for military use (not that there has been any need for a military). It is powered by three dozen unicorns at specific power stations and can be powered by a dozen in emergencies. It is the grandest mode of transportation available in these times.
What once took months now takes a few days and Dusk Shine used that time to study a teleportation spell. Once he got the technique he went on the open deck of the Dusk Amour to practice. The Royal attendants were with him the whole time observing his actions. Dusk Shine practiced most of the day stopping only for water and food. By the end of the day Dusk Shine could teleport from one end of the ship to the other.