Shadow in Equestria

by ClankHoof

9. Requests and Royalty

The day of our departure came faster than expected, which was definitely a relief. I hadn't slept well the past few days, waking up multiple times by similar nightmares, so I had spent most of the night before taking a moonlit walk around the town. I intentionally stayed out of sight of the Everfree so that I didn't have to think about the creature within watching me within his haven, but I couldn't help but feel watched anyways.

I had gone back to the hotel to rest the last few hours before we needed to catch the train, so that I wouldn't look quite as deprived of sleep as I felt. Around eight O'clock, I got up and grabbed my saddlebags, certain I had everything I needed. I had developed a headache, and it was only making matters worse.

I hadn't gone far when I heard a voice behind me.

"Hey Shadow, wait up!" It was Pinkie.

I slowed my pace so the pink mare could catch up, but there was no need. She bounced up to me faster than I've seen most ponies gallop.

"Isn't this exciting? You get to meet the rulers of Equestria! I'm excited, and I already know them!" It was hard to keep up with her fast talking and constantly bouncing up and down as we got closer to the station, and my headache got a little bigger.

We met up with Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. There was a very large stack of bags next to the white unicorn.

"Ugh, this happens every time! Why can't we just force her to bring one bag with essential travel gear?" Rainbow mumbled, hovering with her hooves crossed.

Twilight gave the pegasus a small smile. "At least this means we'll get the back two cars of the train again."

The train arrived twenty minutes later, and we helped the baggage boy get all of the excess baggage into one of the luggage cars near the back. Even that almost wasn't enough, as some bags were pushed up tightly against the windows.

As Twilight had guessed, the last two cars of the train were empty, so we had them to ourselves. Actually, most of the train was pretty empty, as no other ponies got on at our stop, except for a young couple who had gotten into a car further up.

The interior of the train was rather well decorated. There were about a dozen red bench-like seats, six on each side, that were quite comfortable to sit on. Even so, I was a bit unsure about riding inside of a large enclosed box on wheels, no matter how homely it looked inside. But I sat down anyways, telling myself to enjoy this new experience.

The first jolt was the worst, when the train first started moving. I thought something was wrong, as I could see things moving past us outside, but we remained in place. There wasn't even a slight breeze. It was as if the world was moving without you, and all you had to do was sit there and wait until you ended up where you wanted to be, then step back out to return to normal.

Applejack noticed my unease.

"You'll be fine, Shadow. Train rides are as smooth as cream on a bagel." She said, smiling reassuringly.

I decided to try to comfort myself by instead thinking about all that had happened so far: Sweetie Belle's rescue, apple bucking, the race, the party, and now a first class trip to the Capital of Equestria to meet the princess herself! How can so much happen to somepony like me, a pegasus who's only trying to find his own way in the world? Will this trip prove fruitful in my search for where I belong, or will the nightmare reign, bringing all I've gotten to know in such a short short time to ruin?

Laughter from the group of mares startles me, and I look over. Pinkie was doing a crazy dance, and I couldn't help but smile a little at her. I happened to stumble into one of the most known heroes this side of the country, and instantly throw them into the front lines, trying to free myself of my own fears, and they agreed to help. Now, they were laughing and enjoying themselves as if they only going to their fancy dinner, not about to rid the land of another evil creature.

I brushed my grey and black mane out of my eyes.

Maybe that's it. Maybe since they have each other's backs, they don't have to worry about what hardships are thrown in their way. They work together, held so by their trust in each other. Is this how powerful friendship can be?

I look down to the wooden floor. I've been too selfish. I haven't given enough trust or compassion to anyone. Maybe that was my problem! I need share friendship with others, and admit they I can't do everything on my own. I remember the Cutie Mark Crusaders, three fillies who were working together to obtain a single goal, but they stopped to help Sweetie Belle when she needed it.

I got up, remembering too late that I was still on the train, and stumbled over to where the girls were. I grabbed the back of one of their seats.

"Hey, got room over here for one more?"

I spent the rest of the trip with them, telling stories and even playing a few games. Before we knew it, we had reach the gates to the city.

~S~

Canterlot could be seen from Ponyville, but being this close was a whole different experience altogether. The city was huge! The buildings were tall and elegant, with white walls and large reflective windows. Extravagant jewelry and other rich merchandise were in every shop window. Even the streets seemed to glimmer in the midday sunlight. I could smell nothing but money and expensive perfumes & colognes. Even the ponies who trotted down the streets acted like they would not only judge you, but make sure everyone else agreed with them before kicking dirt in your face. Or, more likely, pay somepony else to do it for them. I felt out of place. Even though I'd been to places like this, I've never gotten use to these stuck-up pricks and their "high society" living. I knew what was hidden behind the mask; there were probably dozens of poor and homeless that were hidden in back alleyways, so as not to spoil the newly polished sidewalks.

"Here comes our ride!" Twilight said, walking up beside me and motioning toward a white carriage; a smaller pony-drawn cart trailed close behind.

Rainbow smirked. "At least they remembered how much luggage we usually end up bringing. I felt a bit bad for the last bag colt, as he had to make four trips to get all of Rarity's bags from the train to the castle!"

The castle. I had forgotten I was actually going to stay at the castle. I looked toward it, in the center of town. It towered the highest above everything else, though it must've been magic that kept it from casting a shadow over the city below. Rather than hugging the side of the mountain it was built against, it seemed to become part of it. The sheer white towers pierced the sky. As I examined the grandeur of the magnificent building, I caught a flash of light that had reflected off of what might've been a telescope on one of the balconies, meaning that whoever lived up there either enjoyed looking at the stars, or kept watch of the surrounding country through the magnifying lens.

~S~

The trip to the castle took longer than it should have, as Rarity wanted to stop at nearly every shop on the way, no matter how much Rainbow, Pinkie, and I teased and complained. Finally, we reached the gates. The guards stationed there let us through with only a small "welcome back, Twilight and friends", and we were inside.

"C'mon, the throne room is this way," Twilight said, walking down another luxuriously decorated hallway, "That's where she'll usually be this time of day."

I followed the girls further into the castle. But, as I took more steps inside, I became more and more nervous. What does she look like? What would she think of me, and my story? I didn't want to feel like I've wasted the time of a political leader, even if I had Twilight to help put in a good word.

We entered a very spacious room, with a single gold-lined red carpet leading up to a grand throne. Sitting upon the seat was one of the tallest and most elegant pony I've ever laid eyes on. She had white fur, a long, rainbow colored, almost translucent mane, and lovely, dark blue eyes. Her hooves were covered in golden shoes, and a matching gold crown rested lightly on her head around a very long horn. but she couldn't be a unicorn, as she also had wings like a Pegasi!

Then I remembered. Princess Celestia was an alicorn; one of four who were currently alive. Nightmare Moon, or more formally known as Celestia's sister, was also an alicorn, but she had spent the last thousand years one the moon for her cruelty. At least, that's what the legends say.

By the time this had all gone through my head, we were now only a few meters from the princess, and I quickly bowed in respect with the rest of the group.

"Welcome back, my faithful student," Celestia said to Twilight warmly, then gazed at the others with equal pleasure. "Welcome back to you too, Elements." Then she ended her gaze on me, and My stomach leapt into my throat.

"You must be Shadow Darkfeather. Twilight wrote to me a few days before you arrived, so I know at least a brief summary of your situation," she kept her smile, but I could see a glimmer of concern in her eyes, "I'd like to hear the whole story from you sometime in the next few days."

"Y-Yes, your Highness," I said, my nervousness replaced briefly by relief.

The princess addressed all of us. "Let's try not to think about this danger until after the banquet, as I don't want my other guests to get a sense of unease. However, that doesn't mean it isn't considered important. I have your normal rooms set up in the West wing, girls. Shadow, yours is in the East wing, near the North tower staircase.This was not my choice," now her whole face showed some unease. "It appears my sister, Luna, has taken a particular interest in you, and wishes to speak with you once you are accommodated."

My jaw was so wide open, I thought it would pop out of my mouth. Luna had returned to Equestria? And she's interested in my story?

Twilight must have realized what I was thinking of. "Relax, Lina is her normal self again, not Nightmare Moon," then she asked Celestia what I was too dumbfounded to ask, "Why does Luna want to talk to Shadow personally?"

"Luna has been trying to regain some of the duties and responsibilities of ruling Equestria, so as to make it easier for me. Why she wishes to speak with him is beyond me. Nonetheless, I trust her, and I think you should too. She may have heard - or seen - something that could shed some light on your search." I noticed she had looked at my blank flank, though rather briefly. "Hopefully I have enough free time from my duties to help in any way I can. Meanwhile, as always, you have full access to the library and any other sources her in the castle that will provide you with the answers you seek. Now you must excuse me, but I have other matters to attend to, in order to get ready for tomorrow.”

With that, the girls and I headed off to our rooms to unpack, and for me to prepare myself for a visit with Luna, the Princess of the Night.

Author's Note:

Ok, I'm sorry this chapter took so long to come out. I had written about half of it shortly after the last one, but it ended up being deleted from my mobile device I was writing on. I'll try to get the next few out with less of a delay.