It was early on the morning of the ceremony. I put on my old, grey cloak and walked to the throne room. I was no longer required to hide in the shadows so I decided to stretch my legs. It didn’t take me to long to reach my destination. When I arrived the guards let me in. The ceremony had just begun and I almost missed the beginning. However I would not have minded. All it meant was that I would have to leave, and that was the last thing I wanted. When I entered I saw Celestia, Shining Armor and another pony who I thought was the royal tea brewer.
“I'm sorry shadow there had to be some last minute changes, Ms. Stitch wanted to show you in person”. Celestia said with a smile. I smiled back but I'm sure it looked just as fake as it was.
Ms. Stitch was the royal seamstress she was particularly good and capes and cloaks. As for why she was here I’d just have to wait to find out. Then there was the matter of Celestia calling me shadow, but I suppose she was protecting my identity.
“Very well then, that is fine”. I said with little to no emotion whatsoever.
“Good, first order of business I had Ms. Stitch make you a gift…” She paused for a moment.
“Ms. Stitch”
“Yes of course your majesty right away”. She said as she scurried around the room. She was a somewhat short earth-pony , with a tannish coat and light blue hair. Her cutie mark was a ball of yarn. “Here it is”. She proclaimed as she pulled out a huge box that looked like a wardrobe on wheels. Inside was an assortment of capes and robes in all kinds of colors. “So what do you think”? She pulled out a purple cape with silver lining and waved it in front of me.
“Do you perhaps have something a little more simplistic”? I asked.
“Let me see”. She said nervously as she searched through her wardrobe flinging the garments everywhere. One in particular caught my eye. It was just what I was looking for. The silk felt amazing and the pure white fabric shone bright in the light of the sun. The lining was just the opposite. It was almost as if you were staring into a pitch black void of nothingness. I quickly took off my old cloak and put on the new.
“What about this one”? I asked. She turned around to look at me. “It feels and looks great. You did an amazing job”.
“Thanks” she said looking a little disappointed. Then she gathered up here things and left. I was so busy admiring my new cloak I had almost not noticed.
“Thank you” Celestia and I said right before she shut the door.
“Is she going to be okay princess”? I asked.
“She’ll be fine; it’s just that the one you chose was merely a concept so she could get the size and shape right”. Celestia said.
“Well it’s very nice for a concept. It even has this little pocket”
“Oh yes, that is for this” Celestia levitated a small package with a letter attached to it over to me. “The letter will explain everything, but for now put it to the side”
“Okay” I said reluctantly and used my own magic to levitate it back where Celestia had it.
“Celestia”? I asked.
“Yes”?
“How come Ms. Stitch didn’t noticed who I was based on my cutie mark. I know she saw it and it was on all of those capes she made even this one”? I was of course referring to the cape I chose which had my cutie mark-the Shadowlight seal-seamlessly sown into the white back. [1]
“Not many ponies even remember the Shadowlights, let alone who they were” Celestia said. “Shining only knows of their existence because of the royal guard exam he had to take in order to become captain”.
“Oh yeah, that worthless test took forever”. Shining said under his breath.
“What was that Shining”? Celestia said raising an eyebrow.
“Nothing, your majesty” he said with a bow.
“Anyway” she said shaking her head. “Are there any other questions shadow”?
“As a matter of fact yes. Why do you keep calling me shadow”?
“Idhrenion is such an old name and would hardly fit in nowadays, so I improvised a nickname. Do you like it”?
“It’s simple yet very effective; it will work for the time being.” I said with a smile. In all honesty I liked the nicknamed and planned to use it for a while.
“Now I have a question for you shadow”. Shining said.
“I might have an answer”. I said happily.
“Where will you go now, and what will you do”?
I thought about the question for a moment and said. “When I was young, my father told me that he always wanted to go out and build a home for my family here”. I pulled out a map and pointed to the edge of a forest north of galloping gorge. [2] “I figure I might give the place a visit and see why my father was so fond of that particular area. Who knows I might even build a home there. Seeing as I can’t live here anymore”. I said looking straight at the princess. She was however unfazed by my meaningless comment, but I would expect nothing less from the ruler of Equestria.
“Good for you”. Was the only thing shining could say to loosen the mood. It worked and I ceased my attack on the princess.
“Anyway”. I said “As for what I will do, I shall wait”.
“For what, exactly”? Shining asked, but I could tell Celestia was equally curious.
“For your sister to graduate from that school of Celestia’s. We all know she will, and when she does, she is going to accomplish great things. As for what that means we’ll all just have to wait and find out”.
The ceremony was coming to a close and I was readying myself for my departure when I realized I still had one question left for the princess.
“Before I forget, Celestia what school of magic do you plan to teach Twilight after she graduates. Will you teach her you side of the spectrum, of light and love? Or do you dare to teach her the way of the night, of darkness and fear?” Shining was shocked by the nature of my question. Celestia however was unaffected, still though I would not have asked the question if I did not want the answer.
“Friendship… Twilight Sparkle will learn the magic of friendship”. This was her response, one that shocked me. All of my vast knowledge of magic was at this particular point, useless. The only thing I knew about the magic of friendship was the name. I was utterly stumped and at a loss for words. Celestia saw though my confusion and began to explain herself. “The great Starswirl failed to achieve his ultimate goal because he lacked knowledge on the magic of friendship. I intend to correct this mistake with Twilight by teaching it to her first”.
Check mate Celestia. Genius is the only word that could come to mind. She intends for Twilight to become the new Starswirl, a better Starswirl not only am I interested, I don’t think I will be able to wait. But even with all of my excitement I still remained composed (till I got outside at least). “Naturally both of you will keep this information a secret”. Celestia said. Both Shining and I agreed of course.
“Oh my goodness look at the time I'm going to be late for my train” I said rushing out the door to the throne room on my way to Canterlot station. I could hear Celestia’s voice trying to tell me something but I had no time to listen. I was on an adventure!
[1] My cutie mark (The Shadowlight seal) is my profile picture.
[2] On the official map of Equestria.