Flashback...
It was a quiet sunny afternoon, as Black was in Belle's backyard, chopping logs, humming a little tune to himself.
After that magical first night of sharing a bed, he and Belle had had even more intimate and beautiful moments together. They spent every moment they could side by side, content to share their love for each other. In truth, Black had never felt happier in his entire life.
"Who'd have thought falling off a cliff could lead to all this?" Black chuckled, as he split another log.
After finishing his work in the backyard, Black went inside to take care of some other chores. Usually, he would consider such menial tasks to be beneath him, but he enjoyed helping to keep the home he now shared with Belle clean and tidy. He dusted the shelves, took care of the laundry, and even did a little ironing, all the while whistling a jaunty tune, totally content.
'Look at me.' He smirked. 'I'm a regular house-husband. Now, just gotta take care of the sweeping, and I'll be done...'
Grabbing a broom, Black started sweeping up all the dust on the wooden floors. Suddenly, he heard a door knock.
"Coming!" Black called. After all that time spent with Belle, he was no longer worrying about anypony coming by to bring him in.
After all, as far as the world knew, he was dead, and he was okay with that. It meant no more secrets, no more acting, and no more killing. He was happy where he was, and there was no one that was going to make him leave this life.
Black opened the door.
"Hey, can I help-"
Black immediately paused, as he was faced with a cloaked stallion. Despite his face being covered up, Black could easily recognize him.
"You." Black gaped.
"Hello, Black Knight. It has been a while." The cloaked figure declared.
"Wha... what are you doing here?" Black asked.
"It's simple really." The cloaked stallion declared. "I have come to bring you home."
...On second thought, there was only one stallion that could make him leave this life.
That evening, Belle returned to her home, quite giddy. She had just come back from a doctor's appointment, having received some very wonderful news: She was pregnant.
'Wait until Black hears this!' She thought excitedly. 'We're going to be parents! Sure, it'll be out of wedlock... unless he proposes... that would be nice, if unlikely...'
Belle entered her home.
"Black! I'm home!" She called. "You'll never guess what..."
However, Black wasn't there to greet her, as he had done countless times.
"Black?" She looked around.
Belle looked all around the house, and in the backyard, but saw no sign of him.
"Where could he be?" She asked herself.
As Belle returned to the living room, she saw something she hadn't noticed before: A letter on the table. She picked it up, and began reading.
Dear Belle,
If you are reading this, then you will find that I am gone. I am afraid to tell you that I cannot stay here anymore. Nor can I tell you where I am going or why.
I wish that there had been another way. Truly. These last few months have been the greatest of my life, and it hurts me that I have to leave the one I love more than anything.
I love you, School Belle, but we will probably never see each other again. It breaks my heart to do this, but I must leave you. Just know that I am doing this for your own good.
I'll never forget you... but you should forget me. Find somepony new, live a long, happy life, and know that mine will always be richer for having known you.
Love always, Black
...I'm so sorry.
Belle's tears splashed onto the letter, smearing the ink.
'He... he can't have left, just like that...' Belle thought, shattered. 'Not after everything we've been through...'
Distraught, the mare collapsed on the couch.
"Oh, Black..." She sniffed, stroking her stomach. "It's not going to be that easy to forget you..."
The present...
Luckily for Shade, it was a cloudy morning, so he wasn't awoken by a glaring light.
'Finally, I get to sleep in...' He thought as he awoke later than usual.
But Shade thought too soon, for the sound of some commotion outside kept him from his lie in.
"Typical..." He groaned, getting out of bed.
As Shade went out into the hallway, he saw numerous servants rushing about, carrying decorations and pushing carts full of bowls, plates, and glasses.
"What the buck is going on here?" He wondered.
Shade entered the dining room, noticing that Celestia was there once again. The two barely acknowledged each other.
"Morning, Shade." Shine smiled.
"Morning." Shade said flatly. "What's with all the action going on today? You're sure putting those poor servants of yours through their pacing."
"We are making final preparations for a local celebration." Celestia declared. "One that we will be holding tonight, in fact."
"You don't say..." Shade snorted. 'Probably some fancy cotillion, or something lame like that...'
"Oh, yeah." Shine nodded. "We'll all be pretty busy. In fact, I was hoping you could give me a hoof with things in the ballroom."
Shade was tempted to say 'no', but the hopeful look on Shine's face overrode his desire to refuse.
"Sure, why not?" He sighed.
After breakfast, Shade followed Shine into the ballroom.
"Okay, we just gotta set up some of the decorations, put up the silk curtains, organize the buffet tables..." Shine rounded off.
"Oh, is that all?" Shade joked.
"Hey, the sooner we start, the sooner we finish." Shine chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah..." Shade sighed, as he reluctantly went to work. "So, what is this party for again?"
Shine froze for a second, pondering on just what to say.
"It's... a celebration of a great victory." He said finally. "And not just for Canterlot, but all of Equestria."
"Really?" Shade asked.
"Yes." Shine nodded. "It started at a summit in the Crystal Empire. We were attacked by a would-be despot known as Red Eclipse. He had managed to merge with the horn of the dreaded King Sombra, and used its power to drain the Princesses and Queen Chrysalis of their magic. Using an army of shadow ponies, Red Eclipse attacked all over Equestria, seeking the pieces of an ancient artifact known as the Crystal Sun, which would have granted him infinite power."
"Yeah, I heard a little something about that." Shade mused. "You managed to beat him, didn't ya?"
"It wasn't easy, but... yes." Shine nodded. "Red Eclipse was defeated, and peace returned to Equestria."
"So what happened to him after that?" Shade asked.
"Let's just say he won't be bothering anypony any more." Shine sighed. "Now, that's enough history for today. We still have work to do."
"You got it." Shade nodded. "At least now I know this is for something important, and not just throwing a fancy party for the sake of throwing a fancy party."
"You'd be surprised how little we actually do that." Shine snarked.
The two worked in silence for a few more moments. Then, a nagging thought that had laid in the mind of one for days bubbled to the surface.
"Shine, can I ask you something... personal?" Shade inquired.
"What is it?" Shine asked.
"What do you even see in that wife of yours, anyway?" Shade asked.
"Excuse me?" Shine frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing really..." Shade murmured, "It's just... you act like Celestia is so special, that she's this great pony, but over these past few days, she's been nothing but awful to you. I mean, what's the deal? What's so great about her that you would give up your old life to be with her?"
"It's a long story." Shine declared. "And we need to finish all this."
"I got time." Shade shrugged. "And you can talk while we work."
"Well... it all started about ten years ago." Shine recalled. "I came to Canterlot seeking the Princesses' help. You see, I was a blank flank right through to adulthood."
"Seriously?" Shade snorted.
"Yes." Shine growled. "I was so desperate to get my Cutie Mark, I came all the way to Canterlot for help. But I pushed myself too far, and wound up crashlanding right outside the castle. Celestia had me taken in while I healed. But it turned out not even the Princesses could get me my Cutie Mark. That was a rude awakening, but over time, it started to get less painful. Celestia and I started getting... closer."
"Did you now?" Shade cringed.
"Yeah." Shine nodded. "From the first moment I saw her, I felt this overwhelming emotion. I knew she was a Princess, and I was just a country pony, but there was just... something there. Then came this incident with Blueblood, who was mocking my blank flank..."
"He was?" Shade asked, genuinely surprised. Despite his prejudice against royals, nothing he'd seen of Blueblood so far suggested that he indulged in such mockery.
"Let's just say things were... different back then." Shine shrugged. "But Celestia gave me support in that dark hour. With every passing day, I saw her less as some great ruler, and more as the most wonderful mare I'd ever met. Three months after I arrived at the castle, my wings were finally healed, and I could go home. But, with a little encouragement from Luna, I decided to invite Celestia to a home-cooked dinner, and tell her how I felt."
"And how did that work out?" Shade asked.
"Not as well as you'd think." Shine admitted. "We actually kissed for the first time that night..."
"Bet you were pretty proud of yourself." Shade smirked.
"Actually, I ran off right after." Shine recalled. "I didn't think I was worthy of her, so I just ran into the forest with my tail between my legs. But Celestia followed me, and in the heat of the moment, I spilled my heart out to her, told everything I had been feeling, like how I believed we were too different to be together. But then, we were surrounded by Timberwolves..."
"Ooh, this story's starting to pick up." Shade whistled.
"We were attacked from all sides." Shine declared. "I saw the alpha going for Celestia, so I pushed her out of the way, taking the hit myself. That really made her angry. She blasted the Timberwolves away in seconds. Then she turned her attention to me. She couldn't understand why I was ready to sacrifice myself for her. Well, I just told her what my father told me: That a Paladin defends what he believes in, and I believed in her. I finally plucked up the courage to tell her I loved her, and we kissed again... only that time, I ended up getting my Cutie Mark out of it."
"Seriously?" Shade gaped. "What, is your special talent kissing?!"
"No." Shine chuckled. "My special talent is to defend the ones I love... like Celestia..."
"Okay, while that is kind of nice, it's also unbearably mushy." Shade cringed.
"Mushy or not, that's how it is." Shine smiled. "Celestia and I started dating, then I proposed, and we were married. And we've been together ever since."
"Y'know, technically, you haven't answered my question yet." Shade pointed out. "Why do you put up with that stuck-up, critical mare?"
"Look, Celestia may have been a little harsh lately." Shine admitted. "But that's not who she is most of the time."
"Which is?" Shade prompted.
"She's the most kind, caring, compassionate and loving mare I've ever met." Shine smiled lovingly. "She's my soulmate. Even with our occasional disagreements, I would never want to be apart from her, ever."
Unbeknownst to them, Celestia had entered the far side of the ballroom, and overheard Shine's words. Slipping back into the hallway, she felt a pang of guilt for the way she had been treating her husband in recent weeks.
'Maybe I've been too harsh with Shine lately...' She thought. 'We've been together so long, I've taken him for granted, and forgotten how much he really cares for me... Black may have been an awful pony, but I shouldn't let him get between me and Shine...'
Meanwhile, Call and a number of Guards he had personally brought along made their way to the Fifty Thieves' hideout.
"This is the spot." Call smirked.
"But there's nothing here." One Guard frowned.
"Now." Call nodded. "But watch..." He stood before the rock face. "Open caraway!"
Nothing happened.
"And there's still nothing here." A second Guard snorted.
"When I get a hold of that no-good..." Call seethed, as he turned.
"I thought you said it was 'open sesame'?" The first Guard asked.
There was a loud grinding sound, as the rock face opened. Solomon turned back.
"Oh, yes..." He smirked widely.
Over in the courtyard, Elite addressed the crowd of Guards once.
"In light of tonight's celebration, we're going to take things down a notch today." He announced. "We'll go through some of the basics: Hoof-to-hoof combat, stealth, that sort of thing. Don't want to get all tuckered out before the big party, right?"
The Guards cheered, looking forward to the party like everypony else.
"Fletcher, Caboose, you're with me." Elite added.
"Of course, sir." Fletcher nodded, as he and Caboose split from the other Guards
"Hey, where's doodie?" Caboose asked.
"Yes, I didn't think he'd miss an opportunity to try and show us up." Fletcher frowned. "Perhaps he's ill..."
"Actually, I believe Duty was called away on a raid of some kind." Elite declared.
"Heh, I pity the poor saps that have to deal with him." Caboose smirked.
"Better them than us." Fletcher grinned.
"Speaking of 'us', the two of you have been very impressive these last few days." Elite smiled. "Honestly, I'm having a hard time deciding which one of you I should pick for the position."
"Oh, definitely Fletcher." Caboose urged. "He really deserves it."
"Caboose..." Fletcher chuckled.
"Your loyalty is admirable, Lieutenant." Elite smiled. "No matter which of you I choose, it'll still be a shame to break up such a close partnership."
"Hey, as long as my pal's happy, I'm happy." Caboose shrugged.
"No matter what, I shall respect your decision, sir." Fletcher declared. "I won't hold it against you if you don't choose me."
"That's good to know." Elite smiled. "But I'm not quite there yet. There's still time for one of you to pull ahead."
"Let's hope so." Fletcher nodded.
"Now, how about taking another crack at the obstacle course?" Elite asked. "At double speed this time?"
"With pleasure." Fletcher grinned.
"Bring it on!" Caboose cheered.
"That's the spirit." Elite chuckled.
Meanwhile, sitting not far from outside the Canterlot Castle was a rather ominous carriage, made of silver and ivory, and pulled by two brawny Earth Ponies. Sitting inside the carriage was none other than Solomon, who was simply watching the front gates.
"Enjoy yourselves while you can, my dear royals." Solomon smirked. "Soon, you will finally be toppled from your self-appointed seats of power..."
Suddenly, there was a ringing sound. Solomon at first thought it was his magic mirror... only to remember that the carriage had a built-in phone system (for versatile reasons, Loveless once claimed). Solomon aptly answered it.
"Hello, this is Solomon Thunder speaking." Solomon said coolly.
"SOLOMON! WHAT THE BUCK?!"
Solomon cringed, recognizing the voice of his old 'friend' Scirocco.
"Scirocco, nice to hear from you." Solomon said politely.
"Solomon..." Scirocco snarled, as he was calling from a phone outside a nearby bar. "Mind telling me how a whole bunch of Royal Guards came and found our hideout?"
"Oh, that must had been Call and his men. I sent them there." Solomon admitted.
"What?" Scirocco gaped, "Why would you do that?! Those buckers came in and destroyed everything! They got almost everyone! Only lardo, fortune cookie, the rope dude, the sword guy, the triplets, and I were the only ones who made it out of there in one piece! Everything is ruined!"
"Now, now, Scirocco, calm yourself." Solomon soothed. "It is all a part of my plan."
"Oh? And how you figure that?!" Scirocco snapped.
"Simple. The raid that had happened was simply a means of weeding out all the weak links in 'our' team. I mean, for crying out loud, do we really need fifty thieves?" Solomon reasoned.
"...Well, I admit, there was always so many of us." Scirocco grimaced, before scowling. "But that gave us strength in numbers. Now we have nothing."
"Oh come now." Solomon smiled. "Look on the bright side, for all the spoils you will be getting, you only have to split it eight ways... six ways if you don't count three for the triplets. That's great knowledge, given what we are planning."
"...And what are you planning?" Scirocco frowned.
"Oh, a simple pillaging..." Solomon began. "...On a city I like to call...Canterlot."
"Whoa, Canterlot?!" Scirocco grimaced. "After what just happened to us?"
"What's the matter?" Solomon asked, "I thought you wanted to go back to the days of attacking towns and robbing their riches."
"Yeah, but that was back when we had actual power." Scirocco snarled.
"And you will. Don't think you and the others will be going at this alone." Solomon smiled. "I shall be offering my own brand of help. The help... of the Forefathers."
"The who now?" Scirocco frowned in confusion.
"The Forefathers. It's a organization that I became a part of shortly after..." Solomon felt a twitch in his eye. "...Our parting. I will be bringing with me some of my operatives and a certain 'tool' that will can do what fifty ponies couldn't."
"What happen to splitting it only eight ways?" Scirocco pouted.
"Oh, I have no need for money." Solomon shook his head. "All the riches will be yours for the taking. And we will all get to partake in a little bloodshed."
"...Okay, now you're speaking my language." Scirocco declared. "When do we do this heist?"
"Soon." Solomon answered. "I will let you know when the time is right. Just... hang in there until I come by. Okay?"
"...Okay. Just don't let us down." Scirocco frowned, as he hung up.
Solomon hung up his phone and gave a snide chuckle.
"Oh, trust me, 'friend', by the time we're done, everything will be as it should be." Solomon sneered.
The sounds of carriage wheels turning caught his attention, as a dozen prison wagons came rolling through the castle's gates, each filled to the brim with the recently captured Fifty Thieves.
"And that's my cue to step in once again." Solomon smirked.
After two hours of processing and moving prisoners around, a total of forty one ponies were placed into a few big holding cells, beside themselves with anger and grief at their capture.
"This can't be happening!" One growled. "We're the Fifty Thieves!"
"How did the Guards know where to find us?" Another asked.
"Somepony must have blabbed!" A third snarled.
"But who?" A fourth asked. "We're supposed to be a team!"
"Clearly, somepony didn't feel the same way." The first thief snarled.
"You don't think Shade sold us out, didn't you?" One thief murmured.
'No, he couldn't have! Shade loves us!" Another thief yelled.
"Then why did he leave?" A further thief growled. "And just before that raid, I might add?"
"That's... a coincidence!" A fifth thief insisted.
"Is it?" A sixth thief glared.
"Yes!" The fifth thief growled. "Shade always saw us as family! He'll come to save us, just wait and see!"
"I hope you're right." The first thief frowned.
In the next room, Call was busy congratulating himself.
"Oh, just wait until Elite gets a load of this." Call smirked, "Forty one arrests in one afternoon. Suck on that, Captain and Lieutenant!"
"Well, you look to be in higher spirits."
Call quickly turned to see Solomon standing by the door.
"Ah, you again." Call grinned. "Thanks again for the tip, 'informant'. Now that position is good as mine! Just call me General Duty!"
Solomon had to stifle a laugh from the name Duty.
"Well, while forty one collars indeed adds a lot of points to getting that position..." Solomon began, "Why risk not getting it still and guarantee your shot at the position?"
"How do you mean?" Call frowned.
"Well, in case you hadn't noticed, you don't have the Western Shade." Solomon pointed out.
"Um, yeah, because you said he wasn't there." Call glared, "Nothing I can do about that."
"Not necessarily." Solomon revealed. "What if I were to give you the Western Shade as well?"
"...If you could, why didn't you mention anything before?" Call asked.
"To be blunt, I wasn't sure if you could nab the others first." Solomon shrugged, "Western Shade is as tough as forty-some thieves you know."
"Nice to know you had such faith in me." Call scowled.
"But the Western Shade will be far easier to capture." Solomon declared. "For you see, he's right here, in Canterlot."
"He is?!" Call gaped.
"Oh, yes." Solomon nodded. "He's staying at the castle, under his true name... Shade Paladin."
"Wait... you mean Shine's annoying cousin... is the Western Shade?!" Call gasped.
"The very same." Solomon nodded.
"Well, that would be just dandy!" Call smiled... before it disappeared. "But what proof do you or I have of this? I doubt 'Prince' Shine will just let me arrest Shade. He is royalty you know."
"But that's just it. Shine knows he is the Western Shade. So does the Captain and the Lieutenant." Solomon smirked.
"Wha-what?!" Call gaped, "If that was true, how do you know all this?!"
"Does it matter how I know?" Solomon asked. "I am offering you a chance to capture the Western Shade, disgrace your adversaries, and that coveted position of General you want so bad. Isn't that good enough?"
"It is..." Call murmured. "But... I dunno... how do I know I can trust you?"
"I gave you that wonderful tip about the rest of the Fifty Thieves, didn't I?" Solomon pointed out. "I could have told anypony, but I told you. And do you know why?"
"Enlighten me." Call declared.
"Because I see you for the great stallion you are." Solomon replied. "You have served Equestria for so many years, and received practically nothing in return for all your hard work. Such a miscarriage of justice..."
"Yeah, it is..." Call admitted, his ego swollen by Solomon's compliments. Though he was still hesitant to believe his mysterious benefactor.
"I thought it was time to change all that." Solomon nodded. "After you bring in the Western Shade, nopony will be able to ignore your accomplishments. You will go down in history as the greatest Royal Guard ever, as you were meant to."
"I will, won't I?" Call smiled.
"Yes." Solomon nodded. "I guarantee it."
"Alright then." Call smirked. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go perform my duty..."
Call left the room, leaving Solomon smirking.
"All too easy..." Solomon gloated.
As the sun set, the party at the castle began.
"Thank you all for coming, everypony." Celestia announced to the gathered crowd. "This day marks one of the most victorious moments in Equestrian history, and we are glad you could all be here to celebrate. Now, let's have some fun!"
The crowd cheered, as the party began in earnest. Shine and Shade entered the ballroom, Shade looking quite uncomfortable in a borrowed suit.
"Do I really have to wear this thing?" He griped, tugging at the collar.
"Yes, you do." Shine nodded. "This is a formal event, and you should dress accordingly."
"Like the way I dress would impress these guys." Shade frowned.
"It's not about impressing everypony." Shine countered. "It's about making an effort."
At that point, Elite, Caboose, and Fletcher joined them.
"Good highness, your highness." Elite smiled.
"Hello, Elite." Shine smiled. "Hope you're enjoying the party."
"Indeed I am." Elite nodded. "Marvelous event. And such good company..."
"You know, I expected more guests." Caboose frowned. "Where are the other royals? Twilight, Shining, and the others."
"They couldn't make it." Shine shrugged. "They had... prior commitments in their kingdoms."
"That's a shame." Fletcher sighed.
"Yeah, I was hoping Shade could meet them." Shine noted. "It could help him see the better kind of high society."
"You don't hear me complaining." Shade sneered.
"But that doesn't mean you can't get a taste of it right here and now." Shine smiled. "Why don't you put yourself out there?"
"For these snobs?" Shade spat. "Fat chance."
"Come on, Shade." Shine urged. "Give it a chance. Go and mingle. Talk to those 'snobs'. They just might surprise you."
"Well, I'm not getting my hopes up..." Shade snorted, as he reluctantly made his way over to the crowd.
"Hey, folks." He said without enthusiasm. "How's it going?"
"Good evening, fine sir." Fancypants said pleasantly. "I trust you're enjoying the festivities?"
"Yeah, I guess." Shade shrugged.
"Aren't you that relative of Prince Shine's?" Fleur Dis Lee asked.
"You know about me?" Shade asked. "How?"
"Actually, that would be my fault." Constell admitted, as he and her husband Luxury approached. "I told Luxury about you staying at the castle, and he told his parents a little about you."
"Hope I didn't overstep the mark." Luxury apologised. "My folks are pretty big fans of your cousin."
"As long as you didn't tell them too much." Shade admitted.
"He did mention you were from Prairieville." Fancypants declared. "Marvelous little place, in my opinion."
"You've actually been there?" Shade asked, surprised.
"Oh, yes." Fleur nodded. "We took a trip down there last winter, and stayed at lovely inn on fourth street. They have the best sarspatilla we've ever tasted."
"I know that place." Shade admitted. "And yeah, that stuff is great."
"It's always refreshing to meet a regular pony at these overstuffed events." Fancypants admitted. "There's a sense of honesty and down-to-earth pleasantness you don't get around here usually."
"Yes, such a breath of fresh air." Fleur agreed.
"Oh... thanks." Shade smiled, genuinely appreciative of their compliments.
"If you'll excuse us, we'll be hitting the dance floor." Fancypants smiled.
"It's been far too long since we last cut a rug, Fancy..." Fleur purred.
"Don't cut us out." Luxury grinned.
"Later, Shade." Constell beamed, as Luxury led her over.
"Yeah, later." Shade smiled.
Meanwhile, Shine joined Celestia by the stairs.
"Things are looking... good, aren't they?" Shine asked, trying to make small talk.
"Yes." Celestia said awkwardly. "Rather a nice turnout."
"Nice to see so many ponies enjoying themselves." Shine nodded.
The two stood in silence for a moment.
"...Shine, I'm sorry I've been so hard on you lately." Celestia sighed. "It's just... I know Black is a sensitive subject, for both of us."
"Yeah." Shine nodded. "And I know I've been a little defensive lately."
"And I haven't exactly given your cousin a real chance, either." Celestia sighed. "It was wrong of me to do it. I know how important family is to you."
"Well, Shade isn't the easiest pony to get close to, I'll admit." Shine nodded.
"But I'm willing to at least try." Celestia revealed. "For your sake."
"Thanks... cherryblossom." Shine smiled, using his pet name for her for the first time in days.
Across the ballroom, Shade was talking with Dull Blade and some other Guards.
"Hey, Shade." Dull grinned. "Having fun?"
"Maybe a little." Shade shrugged. "Must be nice to get out of those tin cans you call armor, huh?"
"Except for the part where we gotta wear these monkey suits." One Guard snorted.
"You're preaching to the choir." Shade grinned. "Hey, where's the crabby old jerk? Call something?"
"He said he had to check some old files." Dull revealed. "Not that I'm complaining."
"Me neither." Shade smirked. "The last thing this party needs is that sadsack."
"This party and us." Another Guard sneered. "What we need is more stallions like you."
"This again?" Shade snorted.
"Hey, would it really be so bad?" Dull asked. "Putting those skills of yours to good use, defending innocences, taking down crooks..."
"Plus, you'd get to hang out with us." The second Guard added. "It's win-win."
"It'd be a bright future, that's for sure." Dull added. "I may not be that great a Guard, but I know potential when I see it. A great guy like you would really go far..."
Dull's words only reminded Shade of his original criminal intent, which made him very uncomfortable.
"Would ya excuse me?" Shade asked awkwardly. "I gotta... use the bathroom."
After getting a good way away from the Guards, Shade slouched against a column, conflicted with himself.
"Dammit, Shade, you're getting in too deep." Shade grimaced. "What do I do? I... I can't go through with this... not after what those guys said. They actually admire me... and Shine... he has been nothing but patient with me all this time... but I can't just quit. What will Scirocco and the others say? They admire me...well, maybe not Scirocco, but the others do, and I would be giving them the middle-feather if I let them down. And mom..."
Suddenly, he remembered what Shine said earlier. About asking Celestia for help.
"Oh, geez..." Shade groaned, as he gazed at Celestia, who was busy talking with Shine. "I can't ask her for help. Not after how I acted... then again, if what Shine said was true, maybe she might." He sighed. "Well, other than my pride, it shouldn't hurt too much. If I can at least get her to help me with my mom, maybe I can try and smooth things over with the guys. Maybe quit and give my position over to Scirocco. Better that than having the guy kill me for it..."
He felt a little grumble in his stomach.
"...I shouldn't try to make a life-changing decision on an empty stomach." Shade said simply, as he eyed the buffet table. "Maybe some food will help work up the guts."
Shade made his way to the buffet table, helping himself to cucumber and cress sandwiches.
"Hmm... well, if this trip taught me one thing about rich folks... they do make some nice grub." Shade smirked.
As he continued eating, he couldn't help overhear next to him, none other than than Black Marble, one of Canterlot's worst snobs, complaining about the food.
"Ugh, such pedestrian fare!" He scowled. "Whoever prepared this needs to be fired!"
"Hey, cool it, pal." Shade growled. "Whoever made this stuff worked pretty hard on it."
"Not hard enough." Silver Frames declared, having been right next to them. "This is supposed to be a top-rated event. It deserves better."
"It deserves better guests, that's for sure..." Shade snorted.
"What was that?" Silver Frames growled.
"Aren't you that cousin of Prince Shine's?" Black Marble asked. "From some hick town out in the desert?"
"I wouldn't put it quite like that." Shade growled. "But yeah, that's me. Gotta problem?"
At that moment, a waiter tripped, spilling some sandwiches over Golden Gavel, who also happened to be in the vicnity.
"Watch where you're going, you clumsy idiot!" Golden reprimanded him, shoving him.
"Hey, leave him alone!" Shade growled. "It was an accident."
"You'd expect the quality of help around here to be a little higher." Swan Song joined the group. "What are the royals thinking, hiring an uncoordinated lout like that?"
"Maybe they thought the guy deserved a decent wage." Shade snarled. "Not that you richies would know anything about actually making a living..."
"Well, aren't you full of yourself?" Golden sneered. "Some commoner nopony, talking to us like that?"
"Full of myself?" Shade snorted. "That's rich coming from you, ya walking ego."
"Such atrocious manners." Swan Song declared. "What would your cousin say?"
"Well, I sure as hell know that he wouldn't take your crap!" Shade snarled. "I mean, Faust, this is why I hate rich ponies."
"And what exactly do you got against rich ponies?" Golden growled.
"Oh, let's see..." Shade fake-pondered. "You act like you're Faust's gift to the world, ostracize those who are less fortunate, squander wealth and food that would be best applied elsewhere, abuse your advantages at the cost of others' livelihoods, and I do not want to know about all the abuse you deal onto your kids with that kind of crap."
"How dare you!" Silver Frames snarled. "We do not abuse our children!"
"Yeah... only stuff them into rehab." Black Marbles growled, remembering the dirty secrets Vinny Napoleon had spilt from before.
"Or disown them for mounting other stallions." Silver Frames glared back.
"The point is... you can't fault us for being born the way we were. In the end, all ponies are equal." Golden Gavel sneered, "But some are more equal than others. Wrap your commoner's head around that."
"Oh, don't you dare drop that Animal Farm crap on me! My mom was a teacher, you Faust damn bucker!" Shade snarled.
"You insolent cur!" Swan Song growled, "You think you can insult us? We are the pinnacle of Equestrian high society!"
"Oh, if I want, I could take you out back and feed your nuts and teats to your face." Shade growled. "And you guys wonder why ponies like the Napoleons rob you. You buckers deserve every Faust awful thing dealt upon you!"
"Don't you bring those buckin' rats into this." Golden Gavel was beside himself with anger. "It's bad enough having that Dusty harlot as a royal now. We might not be able to deal with Napoleons, but we won't take crap from you, even if you're a Paladin."
"And I don't have to take crap from you, no matter how much money you have!" Shade growled.
"What is this ghastly cacophany?" Upper Crust sneered, as she and Jet Set joined them.
"Just some common filth with ideas above his station." Black Marble sneered.
"You again." Jet Set glared at Shade.
"Oh, you remember me?" Shade snarled. "I'm honored you'd recall a 'commoner' like me. I was sure we were invisible to you, you snob."
"A pony like you needs to learn his place." Upper Crust sneered. "Canterlot is not a town for your sort."
"'My sort'?" Shade smirked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what you think it means." Jet Set glared. "I happen to know for a fact that I was missing some Bits after you bumped into me."
"That doesn't mean anything." Shade retorted.
"Doesn't it?" Jet Set seethed.
"I'm sure wherever that missing money went, it is in far better hooves than that of yours." Shade declared coldly.
"My, you have a very twisted sense of how the world works, don't you?" Jet Set glared. "You know by giving money to those urchins, you are only encouraging them to be more pathetic and less deserving of life."
"Well, unlike you, I don't act like the world owes me a living." Shade growled. "I got where I am on my merits and skills, not the size of my wallet. And unlike you, I don't treat ponies like garbage!"
"Don't you think that's a little hypocritical?" Upper Crust gave a snide smirk. "You are saying that because 'we' act better than you, 'you' think are you better than us."
"Maybe you're right." Shade shrugged. "But at least I can admit it. You guys just walk around with your heads up your butts all day."
"How vulgar." Silver Swan grimaced.
"It's true, though." Shade smirked. "You richies are nothing but a bunch of walking egos, thinking you're the greatest pones around, strutting around like your farts don't stink."
"Such atrocious manners." Swan Song declared. "What would your cousin say?"
"Then again, it wouldn't be the first time one of the Prince's relatives caused trouble around here." Black Marble muttered. "Take the Crystal Sun incident for example. That Black Knight came roaring in on this town, attacking innocents, and wanting to rule Equestria himself. And to think that Celestia married his nephew."
"You said it." Jet Set grunted.
Immediately, Shade's ears twitched, having heard his father's name. Surely he must have heard wrong.
"You..." Shade chuckled, though a bit awkwardly. "You might want to get your facts straight. This Crystal Sun thing happened because of a guy named 'Red Eclipse'."
"Oh, silly boy, that dumb name was just a pseudonym." Silver Frames scoffed. "Simply put, Red Eclipse and Black Knight Paladin are the same pony: a psychotic brute that nearly destroyed Equestria, and probably, and pardon my coarse language, a crapstain on that commoner's bloodline."
"No..." Shade whispered, unable to accept what he was hearing. "It couldn't be... there must be some mistake. Black couldn't be..."
"Everypony saw him." Jet Set growled. "He came and imprisoned the entire royal family, sicced an army of these awful shadow creatures on Canterlot, Ponyville, and that filthy hive, and not to mention he nearly killed Celestia's daughter."
"Miracle?" Shade gaped. "No... not her..."
"Oddly enough, that's not the worst part." Upper Crust sneered. "The worst part was that we had to accept help from those Napoleons. Because of their 'contributions', they got pardoned, and now, we have to live next door to one of them."
"Black couldn't have done that..." Shade frowned.
"Black was a traitor to his own country, his fellow ponies." Jet Set declared. "I'm just glad Celestia had a hoof in his downfall."
"...What?" Shade froze.
"Yes, she had him arrested after he destroyed this little town in Saddle Arabia, or some other desert country." Upper Crust nodded. "Then he tried to assassinate her, only to be stopped by his own brother, White."
"Black was thought to have died in the confrontation." Jet Set noted. "We all hoped we'd seen the last of that psychopath... then he resurfaced with that ridiculous 'Red Eclipse' persona, and tried to take over Equestria by using that Crystal Sun and stealing the powers from the Alicorns, and even..." He sneered. "Queen Chrysalis."
"Fortunately, Celestia temporarily passed her Alicorn power onto one of her Guards, so Black couldn't steal it like the others." Upper Crust recalled. "That Guard passed that power on to Prince Shine, and even helped raised an army against Black. In fact the Guard actually made the killing blow... right after Shine beat that filth to a bloody pulp."
With every word, Shade grew more distraught.
'No...' He thought, on the verge of tears. 'That can't have happened...'
"You actually look a little like him." Golden noticed. "What side of Prince Shine's family are you from again?"
"None of your damn business!" Shade yelled.
"Watch your tone." Swan Song sneered. "Shine may be a Prince, but you're not. And that uncle of his was far worse. He was evil."
"A monster." Golden nodded.
"A demon." Silver Frames added.
"Absolute scum." Black Marble agreed.
"Let's just be glad that fiend never had a chance to reproduce." Jet Set sneered. "Though anypony who would sleep with him would have to be insane. To say nothing of how degenerate the spawn would be..."
"SHUT UP!" Shade yelled, grabbing Jet Set by the collar and throwing him onto the table. This immediately attracted the others' attentions. Especially Shine, whose blood went cold upon the sight.
"Oh buck." Shine gaped.
"Ugh, you filthy-" Jet Set growled...only to be cut off by Shade's hoof.
"Shut up!" Shade snarled, tears filling his eyes, as he began pummeling him in the face. "Just shut up, shut up, shut up!"
"Good heavens, he has gone mad!" Upper Crust cried, "Somepony, do something!"
The other snobs stood there, horrified by Shade's fury.
"That's enough!" Shine tried to hold Shade back, his cousin beside himself with fury.
"Let... go!" Shade roared.
"Gah..." Jet Set gasped, his glasses broken, his face bruised, and snout bloody, as he glared furiously at Shade. "You damn chicken hick! I will have you arrested!"
"GO AHEAD AND TRY IT, CONEHEAD!" Shade screamed, struggling to break from Shine's hold. "I WILL BLOW YOUR BUCKIN' FACE OFF!"
"Shade, calm down, he's not worth it!" Shine pleaded.
"I will not stand for this!" Jet Set yelled. "Prince Shine, I demand you arrest this filth."
"You're not in a position to demand anything." Shine glared at him. "You would do well to keep your mouth shut in future, or you'll be the one being arrested. Got it?"
Jet Set was so thrown by the venom in Shine's word that he couldn't speak.
"Good." Shine nodded. "Come on, Shade. Let's go."
"Whatever." Shade growled, as Shine led him away from them. "There are other ponies I have to talk to anyway."
"What's going on here?" Celestia intercepted them.
"Speak of the devil." Shade sneered.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Celestia demanded, "Why did you just brutalize one of my guests?!"
"Oh, what do you care?!" Shade snarled at her. "You seem to enjoy revelling in others' demises!"
"What is that supposed to do with anything?" Celestia glared. "Why are you so upset?!"
"Because I know what kind of deathmongerer you really are!" Shade snarled.
"What?" Celestia gaped.
"Yeah." Shade spat. "I know the deaths you're responsible for. Did it never ocurred to you, that there were ponies out there who cared about those you've had killed? No, you don't see ponies. You sees rabid animals that needed to be put down. So much for the kind and compassionate Princess. You just call anypony who gets in your way!"
"I... I..." Celestia spluttered, stupefied by his anger.
"I. BUCKIN'. HATE. YOU!" Shade roared.
"Okay, that's enough." Shine pulled Shade away. "Time to cool down."
"Shine!" Celestia called out to him.
"I'm sorry, Shade." Shine said meaningfully as he pulled Shade out of the ballroom.
"Oh... what have my actions wrought?" Celestia sighed, distraught by what had just happened.
Elite glanced across the room, giving Celestia an odd, sympathetic look. The other Guards were just confused.
"What just happened?" Dull asked.
A good distance from the ballroom, Shine dragged Shade from the ballroom, before Shade had enough.
"Let go of me!" Shade snarled.
"Shade, what is the matter with you?!" Shine glared. "Attacking another pony, screaming at my wife?"
"I know the truth, Shine!" Shade growled.
"Truth? What are you-" Shine immediately stopped, realizing full well what he meant.
"So you did know." Shade snarled, though tears were now streaming down his face. "Black Knight was Red Eclipse... the same pony who nearly killed so many ponies... the same pony that Celestia convicted so many years ago..."
"Shade... I..." Shine stuttered, "I didn't mean for you to find out like this..."
"Oh, you were expecting me to not find out at a party celebrating the death of my father?!" Shade screamed.
"Okay, in hindsight, that was a bad idea." Shine admitted, "But it's not what it seems-"
"Really?! Because it seems cut and dry!" Shade sniffed, "How could you lied to me?!"
"Shade... I didn't want to hurt you." Shine murmured.
"Oh, so instead, you wanted to have me to live my life thinking that my father died a hero, instead of a monstrous warlord?!" Shade snapped.
"Hey, I did not say that he was a hero." Shine frowned. "You made that assumption yourself. Even then, Celestia does not deserve your hate. And in spite of what inconsiderate snob that Jet Set was, he did not deserve a beating."
"Oh, you dense motherbucker." Shade growled, "That damn harlot deserves far worse than my hate! She ruined my father's life!"
"Shade, I know you are angry right now, but you aren't thinking straight!" Shine urged, "Just please calm-"
"Don't tell me to calm down!" Shade roared. "I should had known you would take her side! Never mind the son of a war-monger!"
"It's not like that!" Shine insisted, "Look, I was going to tell you about Black eventually. It's just that I wasn't sure how you would take it!"
"How I would take it?!" Shade's teary eyes twitched. "What? Because my father was evil, you think that I am just like him?!"
"...Shade, I did not say that-"
"No! That actually would make a lot of sense!" Shade shook his head, stifling a sob. "After all, I'm just a no-good dirty rotten thief who robs your precious 'rich' ponies. Who knows what I am capable of? I might just go off and murder a flower patch filled with breezies! Because, lo and behold, my father is motherbuckin' BLACK KNIGHT PALADIN!"
"Shade, please just calm-" Shine tried to put a hoof on his shoulder.
"Don't. Touch. Me." Shade slapped his hoof. "I am buckin' done with this crap. Screw you! Screw your lying face! Screw your wife! Screw all these Faust damn nobles! Screw this city!" He then let out a vicous snarl, "SCREW EVERYPONY!"
Shade simply stormed off, leaving a slightly heartbroken Shine behind.
"Shade... I am so sorry." Shine murmured.
Shade stormed down the corridors for some time, overcome by rage. Eventually, his anger dissipated, replaced by sorrow. He started crying unashamedly.
"AHHH!" He screamed, tearing off his necklace.
He was beside himself with anger, anguish, and the pain of knowing the truth.
"I can't believe it..." Shade sobbed, "My father, a monster... Shine, a liar... My family, nothing but a disappointment..."
As Shade looked up, he recognised the area he was in. The corridor led directly to the vault.
'Of course...' He declared. 'The whole reason I came here...'
Soon, his sorrow, anger, and rage was soon replaced with one emotion: hate.
'Okay, Shade... if you want to defend your wife and these selfish ponies, then buck you.' Shade thought, 'One selfish act deserves a equal. I'll just take all the valuables and make out like a bandit, and return to our own lives... the way it should had been.'
Quickly, Shade went into his room, grabbing his satchel, as he armed himself with his muskets and sword, and a few bags for carrying his loot. With his goal set in his mind, he headed to the vault (having been shown the way the day before by Shine during their 'tour').
'This shouldn't be too hard. I just have to slip in, grab as much as I carry and get out. No one will see a thing.' Shade told himself, as he steathily made his way over to the vault.
"It'll be like taking expensive candy from a bunch of stuck-up babies..." Shade frowned. "It's the least they deserv anyways."
The vault was behind a large set of double doors, held in place by a padlock.
"Please..." Shade sneered, knowing he had lockpicks for a lock like this... but not being in the mood, he pulled out one of his muskets and shot it off. "I have no time for this bullcrap."
Shade entered the vault, amazed by all the gold and jewels within.
"This is it." He sighed. "My biggest score ever..."
"My thoughts exactly."
"Huh?!" Shade turned, to see none other than Call stepping out from behind a pillar, "You."
"Yeah, me." Call smirked, "A little far from where you're supposed to be, aren't you?"
"Um... yeah..." Shade was desperately trying to play it cool, "I was just getting some fresh air."
"I meant, you are an awful long way from your hidey hole." Call declared, "Am I right... Western Shade?"
Immediately, Shade took a defensive stance.
"How did you..." Shade murmured.
"A little bird told me." Call sneered, "And thanks to him, I now get to put you away... you little rat."
"I'd like to see you try." Shade snarled as he pulled out a musket, aiming at him. "I was able to beat both your captain and your lieutenant. An old dumb fart like you will be far too easy."
"True... just one thing." Call growled.
Suddenly, a whole contingency of guards came out of hiding, all wielding crossbows and pointing at him.
"This 'dumb old fart' came prepared." Call Duty smiled, "I hear that you can dodge bolts. But I doubt you can avoid more than twenty at once. Am I right?"
Shade let out a snarl, glaring at all the guards and Call...before simply dropping his musket, and raising his hooves.
"That's a good boy." Call sneered, "Shade Paladin, aka the Western Shade, you are under arrest for numerous accounts of thefts, assaults, and now the attempted theft of the royal treasury."
'Oh, buck.' Shade thought, as he held up his hooves. 'Just when things were looking up...' He frowned in misery. Despite his anger towards Shine, he felt a twinge of guilt. 'What's Shine going to say? I've really messed things up this time...'