//------------------------------//
// The Pride of Canterlot 
// Story: A King of Shadows 
// by Gremlin Grenade 
//------------------------------//

A pair of deep red eyes traced the horizon of Canterlot's rooftops, glazed over as their owner lost himself in thought. His jet black mane flowed in the wind like a grand cloak across his back, his grey coat standing rigid like a statue of dignity. The stallion found himself contemplating as such often lately, lost in grand schemes and excitement for the future. His life was coming to an apex, the peak of his studies, wherein he would realize the full extent of his potential.

This distant train of thought, however, was to be abruptly interrupted. "You! I knew I would find you here... you scoundrel! You fiend!" The grey stallion turned about to the face of another young unicorn, his warm golden coat topped with a gleaming white mane that was slicked back behind his ears. "It is only fitting that the very portrait of conceit would perch himself atop the high towers of Canterlot like a child peering onto an anthill! For what else is there to say of the true nature of Somber Shades than his arrogance, his malice, and his ill-will towards all living creatures! And how necessary it is that I gaze upon such a wretched, contemptible creature," He stepped closer as he spoke, placing a hoof on Somber's shoulder, "for only the worst will do, that I may call my brother."

"Ah, my friend, Starswirl the Bright, the only pony in all of Equestria who could know me so well," Somber Shades replied with a chuckle.

"Indeed! And let it be known that I am Starswirl the Bright no longer! From this day henceforth, I am Starswirl the Bearded!"

"The Bearded? You can hardly earn such a title while you still have but a bit of stubble on your snout!"

Starswirl was taken aback by his friend's comment. "Such biting words! I'll have you know that I'll be the very image of maturity in no time at all! And then even the most chaste mares will be taken in by my charming good looks, and not simply my already overwhelming intellect." Starswirl held his head up triumphantly, stroking the few strands of growing hair from his chin with one hoof.

Somber gave a wry smile as he stepped down from his perch. "Oh, I'm sure they will. After all, what mare in her right mind would be able to resist the allures of a bleating, bearded goat?"

The lighter stallion placed a hoof across his chest in mock pain. "Ah, you wound me, brother. You should know by now that we are not all so naturally fortunate with the opposite sex as yourself. Some of us lowly vermin have to work to maintain our appeal."

Somber's smile lightened a bit, more sincere now than sarcastic. "Oh, you are right. You're undeserving of my poor humor, good friend. Besides, I suppose a respectable beard would bequeath you well. And 'Starswirl the Bearded' does have a certain... sagely ring to it." The two of them began to walk together into the tower behind them as they talked. "So, brother, how went your expedition into Everfree?"

"Quite well, if I do say so myself! It was quite the exciting study, as well! I mean... Azure Skies did suffer from a few, minor... spinal ruptures... and Soul Gem will have to live with one stone leg for at least a few weeks... but, the important thing is that we did in fact learn about magic!" Starswirl did his best to maintain his composure as he went over the events of his study in his head.

"Oh, and what is that?" Somber Shades' tone was half-genuine, half-apathetic.

"That basilisks do in fact have it! A lot, actually. The very... painful kind." He trailed off for a moment, trying to validate his work once more. "But, this is still very important work, my friend! It completely blows the lid off of what were thought to be firmly established facts about magic! If the supernatural tendencies of Everfree's inhabitants are in fact magical in nature, then magic can't be based on intellect, can it? Hm? No, it has to be something more basic, something a mere beast can access! Why, did you know that timberwolves are almost two hundred percent more likely to regenerate if surrounded by living members of their pack when they're broken?"

This certainly wasn't the first time that Starswirl was apt to ramble about his studies like this, and Somber Shades was one of the few ponies who was really at all tolerant of it. Starswirl would go on like this for quite some time, while his friend tuned in and out of the conversation, his thoughts drifting to his own ambitions and goals. This train of thought was broken, however, when Starswirl suddenly changed  the subject.

"So, Somber, how've you been lately? How is dear Crystal?"

A warm glow filled Somber's dim grey cheeks as his thoughts trailed off to that of his beloved. "She is quite well. We both look forward to my meeting her family during my studies in the crystal empire."

"Look forward? Try not to let your usual fortune get to your head, brother! What stallion in his right mind looks forward to meeting his marefriend's parents?"

Somber kept his serious tone in spite of his friend's playfulness, "Her mother must be a wonderful pony to have raised her the way she is today, and the king sounds like a great and honorable stallion. So yes, my friend, I am indeed excited for the occasion." 

Starswirl shook his head as he placed a hoof on his friend's shoulder. "You're a braver pony than I, my friend. That I may one day have such courage as you have displayed here today is but a distant dream of mine in the face of your greatness, once again," his voice carried a hint of smugness as he spoke.

"Ah, you're too hard on yourself. Were I somepony's father, I'd be honored to have such a keen, earnest and honorable stallion such as yourself as my son-in-law. That is, assuming your dates are more lacking in 'minor spinal ruptures' than your other sources for recreation," both ponies threw their heads back in laughter.

The merriment was cut short, however, as the two exited the building and were met by a mob of protesters, forming around the senate hall. Picket signs exclaiming "Dreams are sanct!" and "My mind is my own!" could be seen among the shouting, riled mob. A group of golden-plated royal guards formed a living wall, holding back the protesters despite their most violent efforts to get in.

"I don't understand this," Somber sighed, shaking his head. "How can these ponies be so ungrateful? And over something so trivial, so free as dreams? Is it not a small price to pay to ensure the moon is there to shine our way in the darkness, and to ensure it sets to make way for the sun?"

"It is not so simple, brother. For some, the mind is the only safe haven left in the world. Their dreams are the only place they can find refuge, so to invite some sort of governmental intervention into their slumber is practically unthinkable. I too welcome our fair Princess' visits, but I know all to well the sanctity of the mind." Starswirl's expression was the most grim it had been that day when he turned to face his friend, "Reality is not as kind to all ponies as it has been to you."

Somber Shades felt a small pit in his heart as he looked into his friend's eyes. These days, as members of the College of Magic, both friends did very well, but Somber knew it was not always so. During their youth, Starswirls unusual mannerisms and focus on intellect were very much frowned upon by their peers, and it was often Somber would find him cooped up in his room, buried deep in his books. Even though Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns was a better place than most for him, he was still regarded as an oddity by the other children. Somber himself was not initially welcomed either, having grown up an orphan, but he well practiced at blending in, and his charisma was usually enough to get him well enough by.

"I understand, brother, but I still believe it is unfair to our Princess to protest this. While Celestia rules by day, Luna commands a silent kingdom. The land of dreams is the only domain where her toils can be properly rewarded, and she has even publicly vowed to step lightly and treat the dreams' of others with respect. There must always be consequences for our privileges, brother. Even our most basic fortunes come at a cost, and I fear that if these protests continue, Equestria will realize the consequences of their actions far too late."


***


The tall halls of the College of Magic echoed with the hushed chatter of it's students studying their art, almost giving the impression that the walls themselves were whispering arcane secrets to those passing through.

"So tell me," Somber inquired, "what is all this you discovered about basilisks and magic?" The two were seated at the end of a long table, which was already strewn with various research books drawn from the various shelves around the library.

"Not just basilisks, brother, many of the animals in the natural world are capable of magical production and emmission. It would appear the multiple elements produced in the lungs of a chimera, or a hydra's regeneration abilities aren't the product of natural evolution, but of an innate sort of spellcasting! Magic doesn't come from the mind, brother, it comes from the heart!" Starswirl scratched his chin in contemplation for a moment before amending his statement. "Well, not from the actual heart. I don't mean to say that magic is a cardiovascular function.... though I suppose it could be, now! Anything is possible with this new information!"

Somber nearly jumped in alarm as he suddnely felt the touch of another pony around his shoulders. "I figured I would find you two in here." The soft pink pegasus cooed as she wrapped her hooves around his neck. Somber Skies turned to face his love before the two embraced in a welcoming kiss.

"Buenos noches, mi amore," Somber whispered as their lips parted.

"Wrapped in your studies as always, I see," Crystal giggled in response. She turned to Starswirl with a smile, "Starswirl, it's good to see you back. How have you been?"

Starswirl returned the smile, "Delightful as ever, dear Crystal."

Somber turned back to his books, stroking Crystal's foreleg with a hoof as he returned his attention to his studies. Her skin was soft to the touch, despite appearing to be made of living amethyst, and glowed brightly as it refracted the light from the windows. Her very presence made his heart soften, the world around him growing quieter and calmer. She was his anchor to reality, his gateway to peace. Without her, he would have probably succumbed to fear and anxiety long ago, and lived a life he couldn't even imagine.

Crystal frowned as she looked over his shoulder, inspecting the covers of the closed books around him. "Oh, Somber, why must you study something so depressing?"

Somber Shade's head perked up, almost as if in surprise, though this was far from the first time they had this discussion. "Crystal, the properties of dark magic are something that are so mysterious because ponies throughout history have had that very attitude. I'm not looking to hurt anypony; think of the benefits this could bring! The medicinal qualities of helping traumatized ponies tackle their fears head-on, or the uses for transportation or defense! You should know by now there's no such thing as 'evil' magic, it's all how you use it."

"I know, dearest," she replied with a sigh, "I guess I'm just worried that if you spend so much time in the darkness, eventually you'll be consumed by it."

Somber turned to face his lover, placing a hoof below her chin. "I'll never have to fear the darkness so long as I have my guiding light beside me."

Crystal smiled and blushed before the two kissed again. "I'll leave you two to your studies, then," she said as she began to backpedal. "Goodbye, Starswirl," Crystal gave a smile to their friend before turning away.

"Farewell, Princess," he replied with a wave. Still, Starswirl could see his friend's demeanor was wounded by his fiance's doubts.

"You don't believe this line of study will corrupt me, do you, brother? That they will blacken my soul?"

Starswirl placed a hoof on Somber's shoulder, giving him a sympathetic look. "In the hooves of a lesser pony, such things could lead to a darkness that one could never escape. But never before have I known a gentler, more caring pony than you. No, Somber, I do not think that mere knowledge is  something that could blacken such a bright and genuine soul. In fact," Starswirl leaned back to stand upright, one back hoof raised on the bench and with one forehoof placed on his chest, "let it be known that Somber Shades shall never use his power to bring harm to another pony, not in a thousand years!"

Somber couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's display. "Be seated you buffoon! This a library, not a drinking hall!"

The two laughed together until a pony dressed in stark white dress uniform of the royal guard approached them. "Are you two Somber Skies and Starswirl the Bright?"

Starswirl scrambled back to his seat, now planted firmly on his haunches. "Oh dear, we'll be silent, I swear! You won't hear a peep from the eith-"

"The princesses request your presence in the Hall of Harmony," the pony curtly interrupted. 

"Why yes... yes, of course... heh..."


***


Despite not having the same grand size as the Canterlot library, the Hall of Harmony felt much taller, simply due to the vast amounts of empty space. As the pair trotted down the long red carpet, Somber's eyes traced the various stained glass windows dotting the walls. The most prominent chronicled Luna and Celestia's triumph over the fiendish Discord, the day when this very hall was no longer the Trail of Chaos and instead reformed by the power of the Elements of Harmony. Some windows' tales were more cryptic, while others contained only normal glass, yet to be filled with the exploits of the princesses and their elements. Pictures of epic feats by ponies that were nameless to Somber, and the elements of harmony.

At the end of the hall, the majestic, constantly flowing manes of the two princesses were easily visible even from a distance, and the sight of them set a pit in both stallions' stomachs as they realized the gravity of this moment. Celestia and Luna were very public rulers, taking care to be actively involved with the ponies they ruled, but a private audience with them was still almost unheard of.

As they approached, Princess Celestia greeted them with a smile, and for a moment, both stallions cringed as they braced themselves for the boisterous volume of her formal royal Canterlot voice.

"Ease yourselves, my little ponies," Celestia chuckled, "There is no reason for us to use our royal canterlot voice at this proximity." Both sisters smiled as the two stallions eased their shoulders back slowly. "Now, do you know why we have brought you here?" Both stallions shook their heads before she continued, "Can either of you tell us what tomorrow is?"

Starswirl scratched his growing stubble as he wracked his brain for all the coming events. "The beginning of the summer season? The fifteenth day of the fifth lunar cycle? The rise of the constellatio-"

"The day of harmony," Somber replied sternly.

Princess Luna nodded in response. "Correct. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day we, and our sister, defeated the fiend Discord and brought harmony to Equestria. As such, it is tradition that we each select a protege once a generation, to carry on the tradition of peace and harmony."

"Starswirl the Bright, your exploits in the study of magic have shown that yours is a fertile and capable mind, but more than that, it is your consideration and loyalty that have garnered our attention. You have proven yourself to be a pony of empathy and trust, willing to make sacrifices for the sake of those close to you. This is why you have been chosen to be our personal student," Celestia's tone was warm, but still very formal.

"Somber Shades, your early years were filled with strife and abandonment, but despite this, you have proven yourself to be a pony capable of not only dignity, poise, and prowess, but compassion rarely seen. Where others are cruel, you are caring, where others show apathy, you show love. This is why you have been chosen to be our personal student." Luna's tone was much colder, though the words she spoke were enough to reach Somber's heart.

"You two are the pride of Canterlot, and we have some special tasks for the each of you. Starswirl, please come with us so that we can provide you with the next stage of your training. Somber, you will go with our sister for your instructions." Somber followed Luna up a spiral staircase to their left, leading into a private, but decadent, library.

"Your studies on the properties of dark magic are commendable, Somber Shades. Your approach to them even more so." Luna's horn glowed a dim blue hue as she levitated several books off the shelves, each darkly colored and adorned in foreboding imagery. "Dark magic is much like the night itself; many ponies fail to understand it, and so they treat it with fear. Even the most esteemed tomes in this collection regard it as something to be avoided and mistrusted. Your view, Somber Shades, is wholly unique, and so I want you to continue your studies on dark magic in the Crystal Empire." Somber couldn't help but wonder how  the princesses knew so much about them, and for a moment the thought graced his mind that they were somehow omniscient. "You have our blessing to continue your studies there, and our sanction to access the many tomes and secrets about dark magic without hindrance."

"Thank you, Princess," Somber said with a bow. "I am beyond honored."

"Of course," Luna replied coldly. "Now go. And be wary during your time in the Crystal Empire; though it's shining towers appear translucent, they still manage to hide many lies and secrets."

With another bow, Somber Shades departed, confidence in his chest and pride in his heart.