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// Confusion in the Keep 
// Story: A tale of Harmony 
// by LonnaKitty 
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Everypony held their breath. No one wanted to move, everypony was confused and didn't know how to react. Excited? Scared? Argante only looked to the council members, who were talking among themselves, her parents, who looked worried, then her brother. His look was a bit hurtful. He had woken up during the bright light of the tree, and when he saw her, he looked hurt, and mad, and upset. That wound was deeper than any sword could inflict upon her. 

Her mother was the first to approach, circling around her daughter slowly, raising her wings to look at the new mark upon her flank. Argante watched her mother nervously, she wasn't sure if she did wrong or not. The conflicting feelings in her heart were heavy. She thought she was doing the right thing. Then with a cry of joy her mother hugged her tightly. Then following that, stomps and applause of approval. Her father rushed and enveloped them both in his wings, shielding them so they could freely cry together for a moment. 

After a quick few tears, a readjust here and there, the three separated and greeted the crowd. They were all cheering and shouting Argante's name. She giggled as she was ushered back to the fairgrounds with everyone else in tow. Except for Solano. He stayed back, defeated, dejected, and lost. He watched as everyone left, looking at the tree that was still glowing, its bright light fading slowly. Why wasn't it him? Why did all these things happen? He was supposed to be the hero! He felt jealousy for the first time ever in his life. He glared at the tree, then a thought passed through his mind and he perked back up.

No, this is good, means she wont have to train too hard, and after all he is still going to be the main decision maker, then he winced at himself. "What on earth am I talking about? I never cared about this before." he spoke quietly. He went and slowly walked back to the festival, thinking about his decisions and thoughts.

There were all kinds of ponies surrounding his family, they moved apart though to let Solano through. Argante was in the middle she looked shaken up, but at the same time, something felt weird. He looked to the ponies that were Empaths, they looked pretty shaken up as well, some looked to be very fidgity. He wondered why. 

He finally made it to the middle. Standing beside his sister, who was standing awkwardly with her new wings. He was about to say something when a hush fell upon the crowd. He then say all the ponies part away, as the graceful Equestrian royalty walked to them. He looked to them then to his sister. He felt something bubble in him, but he quickly stomped it down. He saw his father look at him from the corner of his eye, he offered a smile to him. His father seemed satisfied with that and left him be.

"That was quite the show, Harth." The king spoke, his face held a smile, his eyes twinkling like his mane. "Another Alicorn, she definitely earned those wings. What bravery. You a very wise for your age young filly. May you continue to show kindness and knowledge in the future." He BOWED to the young Argante, his mate followed suit, bowing to the young pony. 

Solano stared in disbelief. He felt something, something deep in his heart pull very hard. He pulled on a mask of calm. They continued the pleasantries, and in the middle of the festival feast. He left to go to his own room. He paced back and forth. How could this happen? Why did she get wings? What was that surge of magical power? Was he magic stronger than his? He recalled to earlier that day the small spark of magic that he felt between them. Was that magical overflow from her? He thought it was his own magic but it was HERS?! How could someone that young have such strong magical power?!

He growled and his back leg kicked his vanity. What was with that power!? He groaned and paced back and forth when he heard a knocking on his door. "What?!" he shouted.

A mare came in, he expression was one of worry. "Your majesty...are you okay?" she asked softly.

Great. An Empath. He can't exactly lie to one, but he can't be fully honest with her either. She would most likely tell his father. He gritted his teeth. Half truths. That was the way to go about this as delicately as possible.

"I'm sorry, " he started, his voice as smooth and as cold as ice, "I am just frustrated at myself, I put the lives of my ponies and my sister at risk for being too brash. I feel as though I let everyone down." he finished he looked away from her, hoping that she bought it.

"Oh your highness, that can't be anything further from the truth, you almost died protecting us, no one can say they are disappointed in you for that! Your bravery helped us all, especially your sister, she saw your bravery and turned it into her own. Please cheer up...it hurts to see you so upset at yourself." she finished and set a tray of deserts down on his table, bowed, and left.

He scoffed. Well she bought it. He walked over to the tray of food and munched on one of the delicacies on it. He had to think about this carefully. Her training was going to start as soon as it can now. There will be no rest. All he had to do was continue to show that he had the most gumption, the most precision with magic, and that he was wiser than she was. He has years of training over her. It won't be hard to stay above her.

Yet why? Why was there this feeling in his stomach, a pit of darkness. He tried to shake it off, but there it stayed. He wasn't going to let it beat him. However, it might just be his drive to be better than his sister.