I was making my rounds about the castle. It was night of course, I’m particularly fond of disappearing into the shadows. Only a sliver of the moon was left to illuminate the dark sky, but I’m very much acquainted with darkness. I had spent most of my life in it. As I made my rounds I felt as if somepony was watching me and thinking to how late it was I simply couldn’t ignore it. Nopony would be out this late, unless… they were going to attack the castle! So, naturally after such a thought occurred to me I made great haste to the chambers of Celestia, to protect the princess. But before I could reach my destination I tripped! This was my second sign that something was indeed amiss for when was the last time you heard of a shadow tripping of all things. So down I fell and hit the ground, Hard! It didn’t hurt and I was fine for now, but the next thing I knew a large pony came rushing out of nowhere and slammed his hooves down on the ground next to me. The force created was enormous, and created a magical surge so powerful it knocked me out of my shadow form and far into the air. He then proceeded to levitate me back to the ground and conjure a force field around me. I was dazed, and confused, and most certainly not ok.
He looked me in the eyes and yelled “Who are you and what are you doing here”!? His voice was harsh and in total control of the situation. I was in no condition to speak, I was still confused by the tripping, let alone the attack. Hundreds of questions filled my mind most of which starting with how and why.
He yelled again “Who are you and wha-“.
“Silence…” I cut him off “You will awaken the princess with all your shouting”. He took a step back and illuminated his horn making it much easier to see him and myself. He was taller than me but not by much his coat was white and both his hair and eyes were blue, but different shades. I couldn’t see his cutie mark. it was covered by his armor which shone bright from the light of his illumination spell. I was wearing an old, grey, tattered, cloak which no doubt made it hard for him to see my cutie mark as well. I was the first to speak after the long, awkward silence.
“Hello Shining Armor” I said.
“How is it you know my name stranger”? His words were quick and had great power and authority,and even though he had not been captain of the royal guard long now, Shining Armor was in no mood for games. “I’ve never seen you before and I like to think anypony with a beard would stick out in my memory”.
“I’d hope you’ve never seen me, I work very hard to remain like a shadow, a whisper, but you seem to have a very keen eye”. I said smiling.
“You still haven’t answered my question stranger” He spoke. His words were softer but still firm.
“Which one”? I said.
“Let’s start with who you are”.
“My name, is Idhrenion Shadowlight”
“Shadowlight”? He said as if trying very hard to remember something he almost forgot. Like a name on the tip of your tongue. “But, history says the last shadowlight died hundreds of years ago”. The words struck me as offensive. I had been labeled dead!
“Can’t be right, I'm still here aren’t I? But, then again that would explain why nopony has called for me in quite some time”.
“Well if you indeed are a shadowlight then the books must be wrong”. He said smiling no doubt trying to lighten the mood.
“Well it’s plain to see nothing gets by the captain of the royal guard”.
“I'm going to pretend you didn’t say that… anyway are you a member of the S.U.R.G.”?
“Surge”? I asked rather confused at the question.
“You know the Shadowlight Unicorns of the Royal Guard”. He said proudly.
“The last time I checked it was just the Shadowlight Royal Guard”.
“Well they added the unicorn part because all of the members were, well, unicorns”.
“How silly of them”.
“Well I think it sounds cool”.
“Cool? Sometimes it’s hard to believe that you are captain of the royal guard, but here you are”!
“And here you are Shadowlight in MY force field”! Shining said with a commanding tone.
I tilted my head to the side and the field vanished as if it were never there.
“What force field”?