Flashback...
Black had been laying low at Prairieville for quite some time. Even after his wounds had fully healed, he felt it was best to stay out the radar. Since no members of the Royal Guard had come by Prairieville, Black surmised that they had considered him dead. That suited him just fine. It would allow him time to plan his next move, and that it would be a complete surprise for all concerned. And Prairieville would be as good as a home base as any.
...At least, that was what Black told himself. Truthfully, he had come to enjoy his life there. Even though he remained in hiding most of the time (just in case), he cherished the time he spent with Belle. He had not felt such a connection with anypony for some time; Her kind, sweet nature was so endearing to him. He thought that something such as that would mean nothing to him, but it did, and he couldn't get enough of it.
One morning, he heard her talking about how she loved desert roses, so, donning his face-concealing outfit, he slipped away and picked several of them, his knowledge of desert climates (picked up during his time with the RDL) serving him well.
As he returned, he saw Belle coming back from grocery shopping.
'Perfect.' He thought, hiding the flowers behind his back.
"There you are, Black." Belle smiled. "Where have you been?"
"Oh, nowhere." Black grinned.
"And what's that behind your back?" Belle asked. "Is it more nothing?"
"Maybe..." Black smirked, shifting his body so Belle couldn't see.
"Fine." Belle played along. "I don't really care, anyway."
"Oh, I think you will." Black countered. He revealed the bouquet.
"Desert roses?" Belle gasped.
"Your favorites, right?" Black chuckled, giving the bouquet to her.
"But... you went all the way out into the desert, just for these?" Belle asked.
"No big deal." Black shrugged. "I have... experience with deserts. Besides, I felt like getting you a present."
"You didn't have to go to so much trouble, though." Belle retorted. "Some chocolates, or a new hat, would have been just as nice."
"But it wouldn't have meant as much." Black smiled. "Besides, after what you've done for me, I figured you deserved only the best."
"Oh, you are a darling gentlecolt." Belle grinned.
"I'm not exactly a big flower fan, but these are pretty nice." Black admitted. "Pretty flowers for a pretty mare, right?"
"My word..." Belle blushed. "You really are pouring on the charm today."
"Tell me I'm wrong." Black smirked. "Just try it."
"I don't think I will." Belle admitted.
"But seriously, you saved my life, and I'll never be able to thank you enough." Black admitted. "So you'd better get used to more gestures like these. Either that, or become less of a nice mare..."
"You really think I'm nice?" Belle asked.
"Are you kidding?" Black grinned. "You're the nicest mare I've ever met!"
"Thank you, Black." Belle kissed Black on the cheek, leaving him momentarily stunned. "This was really sweet of you."
"Yeah, no problem..." Black rubbed his cheek.
"I've got a vase they'll look just darling in." Belle rushed inside.
Black smiled for a moment... then frowned. He quickly sat down as he realized what just happened.
'What are you doing, Black?' He thought. 'You're getting in too deep, that's what... what would 'he' say if he found out his best stallion is chasing after mares? Oh, buck, this is starting to get serious...'
The present...
Shine and Shade were still frozen in shock, as Fletcher advances on Shade.
"Shade Paladin, you are under arrest for the robbery of the treasury wagon as well as assault on its royal guards!" He growled.
"Just try it, you-" Shade raised his hooves.
"Captain Fletcher...stand down." Shine stepped in between them.
"Your highness, Shade must be turned in to proper authorities." Fletcher protested.
"And we gotta take him in, too." Caboose nodded.
"No, you don't." Shine countered. "In fact, I order you to do nothing to Shade."
"Excuse me?!" Fletcher spluttered.
"Look, I know how this seems, but Shade isn't as bad as you think. He has a reason for those robberies, but if you arrest him now, he will become that way!" Shine explained.
"Oh, like I won't be responsible for my own actions?" Shade scowled indignantly.
"Your highness, my duty is clear." Fletcher declared. "Shade must be arrested. Right, Caboose?"
"Yeah, I guess..." Caboose faltered. "I mean, Shine supporting him can't account for too much, can it? Shine is good at judging ponies..."
"That's beside the point." Fletcher frowned. "We are Royal Guards. We can't simply ignore a criminal in our midst, even under the orders of the Prince!"
"Trust me, Fletcher. I know what I am doing." Shine declared, "I can help steer him in the right direction...just let Shade be for a couple of days."
"But your highness-" Fletcher frowned.
"Hold up." Caboose pulled Fletcher aside. "Maybe we should let this go."
"What?!" Fletcher gasped. "Have you taken leave of your senses, Lieutenant?"
"Maybe Shine's right." Caboose mused. "Maybe he can turn Shade in the right direction. Shine's a pretty stand up pony."
"But-" Fletcher started.
"Everypony deserves a second chance." Caboose declared. "Heck, you thought I was nothing more than a lucky scumbag criminal and look how I turned out!"
"But unlike you, Shade doesn't have any endearing qualities that I like myself." Fletcher frowned.
"My point still stands." Caboose declared, "Maybe Shade is a scumbag. Maybe he is not. We'll never know unless we give him a fair shake."
"But I still don't think this is a good idea." Fletcher admitted. "I mean, what if anypony finds out we knew about this, and said nothing? If Elite found out, it could cost me my chance at the General position... and it could cost us our jobs."
"Come on." Caboose urged. "It'll all turn out okay. I promise."
"I don't think I can do this." Fletcher frowned. "It goes against everything I believe in."
"Come on, Cap?" Caboose urged. "Can't you just trust Shine's judgment? And mine? Can't you do this as a favor to me?"
"...I suppose you could be right." Fletcher nodded. "After all, your unique way of thinking has done wonders for the Guard..."
"Thanks, pal." Caboose grinned.
"Very well then." Fletcher sighed, turning to Shine. "I'm not happy about it, but I will respect your wishes, sire. I won't arrest Shade."
"Thank you, Captain." Shine smiled. "I know this goes against the grain for you, but I promise, you will not regret your decision."
"I hope so." Fletcher sighed. "For all our sakes... Come along, Caboose."
"Enjoy your stay, Shady." Caboose smiled.
"Yeah, sure." Shade shrugged as the two walked away. "Weirdo..."
"Come on, you." Shine frowned. "Back inside. It's almost time for dinner."
"Guess you were worried for nothing." Shade smirked. "Why'd you even bother with the fake story, when you could just tell your armored goons not to arrest me?"
"And tarnish the royal family's reputation?" Shine asked. "Why don't I just jump into bed with a dozen prostitutes?"
"If you ask me, their rep deserves to be tarnished." Shade scowled.
"Don't start that again." Shine rolled his eyes. "Honestly, it's getting old."
"So's living under a monarchy." Shade shot back.
"Let's just get inside, before you do something else that threatens to ruin everything." Shine scowled.
"Whatever." Shade scoffed.
As they went back inside the castle, they crossed paths with Miracle, who had just returned from a day out with Constell.
"Hi, dad." Miracle smiled. "Who's your friend?"
"Miracle, this is Shade Paladin, my distant cousin." Shine revealed. "I met him over at Prairieville."
"Really?" Miracle frowned. "I thought I knew all our family members."
"So did I..." Shine muttered.
"So, you're Shine's daughter?" Shade asked. "And... Celestia's?"
"Yeah, I am." Miracle nodded. She then glanced at Shade. "Which side of the family are you from, by the way? You look kind of familiar to me."
"I get that a lot." Shade shrugged. "So... you're an Alice-corn, or whatever it is you call it?"
"...Yeah." Miracle nodded. "That's not a problem, is it?"
"Not really." Shade shrugged. "Just seems like over-indulgence, if you ask me. Earth Pony, Pegasus, Unicorn... just pick one, okay?"
"Like I have a choice..." Miracle frowned.
"Of course not." Shade agreed. "You can't help the way you're born. Or the intermingling of royal and common blood in your system..."
"Okay, we're going to get ready for dinner now." Shine declared. "Come on, Shade."
"Yeah, sure." Shade shrugged. "Nice meeting ya, kid."
"Yeah, you too." Miracle said awkwardly. "Nice and weird..."
A short while later, Shine and Shade joined the royal family for dinner. However, to their surprise, Elite had joined them.
"Elite?" Shine frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"Celestia invited me to join you all for dinner." Elite smiled. "It's not my usual thing, eating royal food, but I'm always ready to try new things."
"Great..." Shade snorted.
"So, this is Shine's cousin?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, that's him..." Gothic frowned.
"Good to meet you, Shade." Constell declared.
"Uh-huh, yeah." Shade said listlessly.
"He seems... nice." Dusty declared.
"Remind me to talk you about your character judgment sometime, my dear..." Blueblood said under his breath.
"Pretty nice spread." Shade admitted, looking at the food on the table.
"Our chefs will be happy to hear that." Luna smiled.
"Nice to see you again, by the way." Elite told Shade. "You proved quite the fighter back at the training grounds."
"Thanks." Shade shrugged.
"Have you ever thought of trying out for the Royal Guard?" Elite asked. "I know they could use a tenacious stallion like you."
"Sorry, but it's not really my thing." Shade shrugged. "No offense, but being an armored enforcer just isn't my cup of fancy, imported tea."
"A pity." Elite sighed. "Still, to each his own, I suppose..."
"No offense to Shade, but I don't really think he's Royal Guard material myself." Gothic declared.
"None taken." Shade smirked. "In fact, I'd call that a compliment."
"So... you said you met Shade while you were out in Prairieville?" Celestia asked Shine.
"Oh, yes." Shine nodded. "Blueblood, Gothic and I were out on the trail of the Western Shade. But the guy's a slippery devil. He managed to hide from us completely. So we went back to Prairieville to catch our breath. While there, I bumped into Shade at the local tavern. I didn't think much of our meeting at first, until I realised he had a necklace just like mine. We got to talking about that, and that's when we found out we were cousins."
"Kind of a surprise all around, to be honest." Shade declared. "Didn't really know I had much in the way of family."
"I decided to bring Shade back with me, so he could get to know my side of the family." Shine smiled.
"Which is working out great so far..." Gothic said under his breath.
"So, you're from out in the sticks, like Shine was?" Vito asked Shade.
"Seriously, V?" Pureblood frowned. "Just because Prairieville isn't some big city like Canterlot, doesn't mean it's a hovel or something."
"I didn't mean anything by it, jeez..." Vito scowled. "I'm sure Prairieville's a nice place to live. At least as nice as Dodge Junction."
"Good to know these kids have their heads on straight." Shade admitted. "I was kinda expecting them to be all high-and-mighty and full of themselves."
"In that case, we're happy to disappoint you." Blueblood retorted.
"Yeah, well, considering their lineage, I had good reason to think that way." Shade smirked.
"And what of your lineage, Shade?" Celestia asked, her eyes narrowed. "No bad apples in the family tree, I trust?"
"Well, that depends on what you think 'bad apples' means for ponies like you." Shade growled. "If it means 'regular, hard-working folks that royals walk all over', then yes."
"I didn't mean any offense, Shade." Celestia frowned. "There's just... something your appearance that brings up an odd feeling in me."
"Let me guess, is it nausea?" Shade scowled. "Common ponies make you sick, is that it?"
"I didn't say that." Celestia said coldly.
"Probably thinking it, though." Shade snorted.
"Nice attitude." Constell scowled. "Definitely didn't get that from Shine's side of the family..."
"And just what is it you have against royalty?" Luna asked.
"Oh, not much." Shade shrugged. "Just the fact that you're always lording over the common ponies, trying to tell us how to live our lives, looking down on us from your ivory towers, all while the lower class and the out-of-sorts struggle to survive. You know, that sort of thing."
"What cheek!" Blueblood frowned. "I'll have you know, our towers are made of marble!"
"We're not all like that, you know." Miracle pointed out. "A lot of us help make things better for the poor and hungry, and build new homes for our subjects, and even hold charity balls for the needy..."
"Well, some of you have common pony blood in you, so you're not a total loss." Shade admitted. "But those Alice-corns aren't like you. Think they're so much better, just because they have wings and horns..."
"And you're talking from personal experience, are you?" Celestia asked. "Have you ever actually met a royal before?"
"Well... no." Shade frowned. "But I have heard and seen enough-"
"There you go, then." Celestia smiled triumphantly. "Don't judge ponies before you get to know them."
"Yes, unfounded prejudice can be an awful thing." Elite noted. "A lot of wars have been started over such things."
"Good point, Elite." Shine smiled. "Let's just enjoy our dinner."
"But-" Shade started.
"Unless you have an effective argument to follow up with?" Celestia smirked.
"...Forget it." Shade growled in frustration.
For the next few minutes, everypony dug in to their dinner. Shade had been sufficiently cowed by Celestia's resort, but that didn't affect his appetite.
"Liking the food, are we?" Shine grinned.
"I'll admit, it's pretty good." Shade shrugged. "Better than what we have in Prairieville, anyway..."
"So there's one thing about the royal life you can appreciate?" Shine prodded.
"Guess so. I just hope there's enough dessert to go around." Shade smirked. "I've heard Celestia can be a real cake hog..."
"And where exactly did you hear that from, anyway?" Celestia asked, her cheeks turning pink.
"Funny story." Shade smiled. "This newspaper back home does all kinds of political cartoons, and more than a few are about you. All sorts of little jabs, like your... sweet tooth. Honestly, it's my favorite read. Always good for a chuckle..."
"Well, whoever writes those cartoons is grossly misinformed." Celestia said curtly.
"We'll see." Shade grinned. "You'd better hope we don't have cake for dessert..."
Elite actually sniggered at that remark.
"My, what a wit." He smirked.
"You make it sound like I have a problem." Celestia growled.
"'Sound like'?" Shade snorted. "I'm surprised you've managed to keep that figure all these years. Do you Alice-corns just have a fast metabolism, or do you puke up everything you eat so you stay perfectly thin, like those skinny supermodels?"
"How dare you?!" Celestia roared. "You disrespectful little-!"
"Lauren Faust, lady, take a joke!" Shade scowled.
"Okay, let's try to cool off!" Shine urged. "Shade, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sister, may I have a word?" Luna suddenly stood up.
Shine led Shade away, with Luna doing the same with Celestia.
"What were you thinking?" Shine growled.
"I was thinking her royal highness needed to be taken down a peg." Shade sneered, "That little beyotch think she can get the last word on me... she's sorely mistaken."
"You insulted my wife, Shade." Shine glared at him. "You're lucky I don't give you a piece of my mind... or my hooves."
"She was asking for it." Shade sneered. "Embarrassing me like that..."
"I'm disappointed, Shade." Shine frowned. "I didn't think you'd be so petty."
"Whatever." Shade spat, "I told you this was a bad idea."
"Well, you're not making any effort, now are you?" Shine growled.
"Hey, it's not my fault that all these royals rub me the wrong way." Shade pouted.
"For Faust's sake, these royals as you call them aren't as bad as you think." Shine sighed, exasperated. "And I want you to try and give them a chance. They are my family, and so are you. Start acting like it!"
Shade's pout faltered. Something about the pained expression on Shine's face made him feel guilty. Shine was family after all, and he had vouched for him to Caboose and Fletcher. Few ponies had supported him like that before, and Shade hadn't done much to repay him...
"Okay, I'm sorry." He sighed. "I just... got carried away."
"Look, just try and reign it in, will you?" Shine declared. "We may not be stuck up and unforgiving, but we still have limits. Keep this up, and Celestia might just kick you out of the castle... by force. Do you want that?"
"...No..." Shade frowned, remembering his hidden objective once more.
"Then I suggest you keep quiet during the rest of this dinner." Shine retorted. "Can you do me that service?"
"Of course... cousin." Shade shrugged.
"Good." Shine said firmly. "Now let's get back in there."
Meanwhile, Celestia was still outraged.
"That insolent, mocking-!" Celestia snarled.
"Calm yourself, sister." Luna urged. "Despite his attitude, he is still our guest."
"One of the most ungrateful guests I've ever seen!" Celestia roared. "How dare he call me a... 'cake hog'!"
"Why does it matters so much to you?" Luna asked, "Those political cartoons have always been prattling on about your cake eating habits and even showed you being fat hundred of times, yet you never once bat a eye to it. But now, Shade brings it up, and you lose it."
"It's not the statement or the press, it's the pony who said it." Celestia snarled. "That... Shade."
"Why are you so against him, sister?" Luna asked. "It seems like the moment you met him, you had been rather harsh wit him."
"It's hard to explain... it's just... I can sense something within him." Celestia confessed. "This... darkness..." She then scowled. "A darkness which Shine seems blind to."
"Oh, is that really what this is about? Shade being an abrasive little rat... or about your prolonging bouts with Shine?" Luna frowned.
"I don't want to talk about that right now." Celestia said irritably.
"For Faust's sake, Celestia." Luna frowned. "It's bad enough that we have to see you and Shine fight, but now you are taking it out on everypony associated with him."
"I am not!" Celestia growled. "Shade himself is one of the most callous stallions I have ever met. Blueblood doesn't even come close to making me this exasperated back in the days!"
"That he may be, this still doesn't change the fact that this whole thing about Black between you and Shine is starting to become more serious." Luna said with concern.
"I don't know what to say, Luna." Celestia sighed in frustration, "In spite of all the things 'he' did, Shine is not moving a single inch on the issue. I am beginning to think he doesn't even care what Black had almost done to this family."
"Stop it, Celestia." Luna glared. "You realized that by acting this way, you're hurting Shine. You think he enjoys standing against you?"
"I... I'm really not sure right now." Celestia sighed. "Don't get me wrong, Shine is still the kind, handsome, honorable stallion I fell in love with all those years ago. But something's different between us right now, something that has us at each others' throats. I just don't know what it is..."
"Well, I suggest you figure it out and soon." Luna growled, "It's bad enough for me and Blueblood to see you two fight, but I can't imagine how Miracle will feel seeing her parents like this."
"She wouldn't like it." Celestia admitted guiltily. "Not at all..."
"Look, let's just try and focus on trying to make nice with Shade, okay?" Luna soothed her.
"I can't help how I feel, Luna." Celestia said bluntly. "I just don't like him."
"Like him or not, he is technically family." Luna pointed out. "And for Shine's sake, you should at least try to be civil while he's here."
"You're right, little sister." Celestia sighed.
"I know I am." Luna nodded.
"I'll certainly try to tolerate Shade." Celestia nodded. "But I'm not promising anything."
"That'll have to do." Luna shrugged. "Come on, let's get back for dessert."
"Of course." Celestia nodded. "Though I doubt I'll be able to enjoy as much this evening."
Shine, Shade, Celestia and Luna returned to the dinner table, where rich chocolate eclairs were being served. Neither Celestia nor Shade looked at each other for the rest of the meal. Once Shade had eaten one or two eclairs, he got up.
"I'm full." He said flatly. "All this richie food is really filling... Think I'll turn in for the night."
"I've had my fill, too." Shine stood up also.
Shine followed Shade out of the dinning room.
"Is this how it's going to be?" Shade asked. "You gonna follow me everywhere?"
"No." Shine admitted. "I just want to make sure what I said before has sunk in."
"Like a lead anchor." Shade sighed, as he reached his guest room. "Now, please let me get some shut-eye. It's been a long day, you know."
"Oh, I do." Shine sighed. "Sleep well, cousin."
"Yeah, you too, I guess..." Shade shrugged as he closed the door.
Shine looked around. He saw Caboose and Fletcher.
"Hey, guys." He called them over. "Shade will be staying in this guest room for the duration of his visit. Do me a favor and... keep an eye on the door, okay?"
"With pleasure, sir." Fletcher nodded. "Glad to see you haven't totally taken leave of your senses..."
"You can count on us, your high-up-ness." Caboose saluted.
"Good to know..." Shine nodded.
Unbeknownst to Shine, Shade had overheard the orders from inside the room.
'Great first day, Shade.' He told himself. 'Almost got yourself kicked out... or worse. This has to work. I can't let down the gang. Can't let down mom... I have to pull off this heist.' His face suddenly fell. 'But what about Shine? He actually trusts me. He stepped up for me with those armored clowns. He believed in me. How can I disappoint him after all that?' His face turned stern. 'But I have to do this. For mom, and the gang. No matter the cost...'
A short while later, Shine and Celestia were preparing to go to bed. Shine could tell Celestia was still tense over what happened at dinner.
"Look, I'm sorry about what happened back there." Shine announced.
"Your cousin clearly holds a prejudice against royalty." Celestia frowned. "Not that he's the first pony I've met with such prejudice..."
"He's... just not used to high society." Shine lied. "I'll try to work on that while he's here."
"So you say." Celestia huffed.
"He's family, and I know he can be better than this." Shine urged. "Just let me try, okay?"
"Do what you will." Celestia said flatly, as she climbed into bed, making a point of laying away from him.
"Come on, cherryblossom." Shine urged, as he tried to sidle up next to her. "Can't we at least talk about this?"
Celestia didn't answer, though there was a look of anguish on her face. Despite their differences, it hurt for her to force herself to ignore him like that.
'Again with the cold shoulder?' Shine thought. 'That's really starting to grate on the old nerves...'
Downhearted, Shine slipped into the covers, putting himself a good distance from the edge as he could.
"Good night, Celestia." Shine murmured.
Celestia remained silent. Shine stared bleakly at the darkness, aware that bringing Shade to the castle may have only exacerbated the hostilities between them.
'I had to do it, though...' He thought. 'It was the right thing to do. ...Wasn't it?'
Shine was left with that thought as he slipped uneasily into dreamland.
Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location...
Ominous strings chorused as Sterling walked down a long and dark hallway.
He was not sure why such music always played when he walked down this path, but it certainly did its job in making each step more foreboding than the last. And there was good reason for it.
For this path, dubbed the Hall of Judgement by the many agents, served as the only passageway into the lowest sanctums of the Infinity, accessed by the lowest part of the higher floors. The lowest sanctums in question served only one purpose...
As the abode and resting place of the 'Father', the sole and supreme leader of the Forefathers.
Not much was known about him. In fact, 'Father' was the only title he had given to the first members of the Forefathers when he had founded the organization, or so he heard. Other than that, he was a stallion of complete mystery.
But there were many things he had heard about him. One said that he was stronger than the four Princesses combined. Another said that he himself was a god reincarnated. Others still stated that he was a force of nature made flesh, that he could not be killed. That he was as old as Equestria itself.
Sterling did not know. All he did know was that he was somepony to be feared. And he had to convince himself to not turn around and forget talking to him now. But he knew that there was more at stake if he didn't try. He had to know more about Project: Titanfall, and the only other pony than Solomon that knew of the plan in full extent was 'him'.
'Come on, Sterling.' He told himself. 'You know you have to do this. Solomon's plans contain extreme risks and major losses. Father himself knew better than anypony to condone a plan of this magnitude without proper thinking, from what I remember. So what's going on? What about this plan has gotten Father so completely behind it? I have to know for sure...'
As Sterling neared the chamber's entrance, framed by none other than many silver serpents, the doors open to reveal (to his disgust) Solomon emerging from it...
'Aw, buck.' Sterling scowled.
"Ah, Sterling." Solomon smiled unpleasantly. "May I ask what you're doing down here?"
"I could ask you the same question." Sterling shot back.
"I was simply keeping Father informed of the progress of Project: Titanfall." Solomon declared.
"Funny, that." Sterling frowned. "I was just about to talk to Father about that myself."
"Were you, now?" Solomon smirked.
"Yes, I was." Sterling nodded. "Now, if you'll kindly step aside..."
"And what exactly were you going to say to Father, I wonder?" Solomon asked, intentionally standing in Sterling's way.
"Only that your little project is becoming too far dangerous for the Forefathers' sake!" Sterling tried to sidle past him.
"Oh, not this again." Solomon rolled his eyes.
"Yes, this again." Sterling continued his struggle. "This whole thing is just way too risky."
"Or maybe you're just getting too cautious nowadays." Solomon snorted. "What's the matter? Your little stint in prison break your nerve?"
"Not even close." Sterling retorted.
"Well, it's starting to look like that." Solomon declared. "In fact, I'm starting to think you're becoming far more trouble than you were ever worth."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sterling frowned.
"Nothing." Solomon shrugged. "Just making an observation."
"Oh, yeah?" Sterling scowled. "Well, here's an observation of my own... I think you're up to something."
"Really?" Solomon smirked. "Got any proof?"
"No." Sterling admitted. "But I do know that you are putting the whole organization at risk with this Project. In fact, I think you don't even care what happens to us... it's what you're after that matters in the end."
"Why, Sterling, after all these years..." Solomon falsely gasped in offense. "I thought we were friends. After all, me and Loveless did rescue from your pitiful life of strife and gave you a home..."
"Don't play that card with me, Solomon." Sterling glared. "Now, let me pass so I speak with 'Father'."
"I'm afraid Father isn't interesting in talking to anypony else at the moment." Solomon retorted.
"I'd like to hear that from him." Sterling replied.
"I can't allow that, Sterling." Solomon stood firm.
"Can't or won't?" Sterling growled.
"Does it matter?" Solomon sneered.
"If you don't step aside, I'll make you." Sterling glared.
"Oh, you're sure you want to face me, boy?" Solomon chuckled darkly, as he then held up a hoof, crackling with electricity. "Don't forget who taught you everything you know..."
"I am not afraid of you." Sterling growled, taking battle stance "I can take whatever you throw at me..."
"I don't doubt that..." Solomon scoffed. "...However... do you think Loveless can take whatever I throw at him?"
Sterling's breath hitched as Solomon gave a evil smile.
"...After all, he is getting on in years, and with him being in a wheelchair, he would be an easy target if say, a stray lightning bolt were to find its way into the old fogey's chest. I doubt he can survive cardiac arrest." Solomon smarmed.
"You son of a draft horse..." Sterling snarled.
"You can try and fight me, Sterling, but know that unlike you, I have not loved another thing in a 'long' time..." Solomon sneered.
Sterling felt his hooves shaking... but he knew for a fact that he was right.
"Fine..." He spat. "But this isn't over..."
"I hope so." Solomon snickered. "It wouldn't be fun that way."
Sterling stormed away.
'Now I know he's up to something...' He thought. 'And I won't rest until I find out what...'
As Sterling marched away, Solomon's sneer dropped.
'He's getting too smart for his own good.' He thought angrily. 'He'll need to be disposed of before long... But he will have to wait. It's not like he can stop me and Titanfall. First things first, I have some unfinished business with a certain Shade Paladin... Next stop, Canterlot...'
Solomon marched outside, to one of the Forefathers' carriages.
"Take me to Canterlot." Solomon declared. "I have urgent matters there."
"Yes, sir." The Pegasus pulling the carriage nodded.
The carriage was pulled off into the night sky.
"Your day of reckoning is coming, Shade." Solomon declared. "It is time that you pay for taking what isn't yours..."