A shadow in the light

Weeks later, Shadow was glad to have such a long break between his assignments. His sleeping habits even began to pull him out of a nocturnal lifestyle as he began to see the glistening sun more often. He usually woke in the morning just before lunch, this was considered quite late for the rest of Canterlot had already awoken and were busy with each of their chores for the day. Every time he rose from his bed he took not at how spectacularly the sun shone and reflected off every surface, however the moon in it's pool of darkness would always fascinate, how it glowed and produced a calmness no other being could replicate. Although on occasion he would stare up to the sky, his time on assignments was limiting itself to once a week and in some cases he could go a week without having to take another life.

His time during the day was spent either reading his magic books or training his body to be sure not to slacken off. He was looked up to by many and he wouldn't let them down by taking in their glory. In fact he almost despised ponies that looked up to him, sure he had great physical strength and hadn't lost a fight for months, but what he saw in them scared him. In some he saw hope that they may be able to be the student of Luna herself, others he saw that they wanted his job, the exhilaration and blood lust called to them like a fledgling does to it's parents. It sickened him to no end that somepony not only wanted his job, but saw it as a justification for killing.

He brushed these thoughts from his mind as he headed down to the food court that all the guards would use during their double shifts. The room was long and the ceiling tall, there were many tables organized around the room each able to seat around 8 ponies. The food wasn't jaw dropping but it wasn't slush that would make you puke everything in your stomach out onto the table in front of you. He collected a tray and picked whatever took his fancy from the display like shelves. A few apples and cereal would suffice his hunger, he didn't need to eat as much anymore, his missions were fast and few. Shadow sat away from the other guards who were on their break, he wasn't one for socializing with others mainly due to his busy lifestyle, he couldn't hold down a friendship. He would meet them one day and then then not see them for a few weeks only to give them an awkward nod down the hallway. He finished breakfast quickly wanting to leave and meet Luna for his magic lessons.

His skills with dark magic had improved substantially since he was young but Luna always had worries about him casting spells while she wasn't around to help him in case something went unpredictably wrong. He was fine with that, after his first incident which happened to be his cutie mark story, the guilt that built up inside him was too much, it ripped at his heart that he had disappointed somepony that meant so much to him.  He vowed not to use the dark magic unless it was a necessary within the circumstance. Most dark magic was banned mainly because it could pollute minds and make them have a lust for power, to rule and not BE ruled. Shadow on the other hoof never gave in to these desires, since he was young the thought of power, responsibility and being unjustifiably narcissistic as the most cruel and evil intents in Equestria. The only other pony that he knew of that could retaliate against such thoughts was his teacher, Luna, whom used this magic on a nightly basis to help little foals within the dream world.

He knocked upon Luna's door and, after a reply, entered to greet Luna during one of their rarer day lessons. Luna was wearing her bright golden necklace along with her crown and hoof gauntlets. She stood up from her writing desk (which had piles of contracts and paper work) and motioned Shadow in, shutting the doors behind him.

"Good morning Shade!" Luna said with a bright and excited smile as she see seemed to have a 'spring' in her step today. "I hope you're ready for something special today!"

Shadow looked at here with a puzzled look. "Are we trying a new spell today? And why are you so energetic?"

Luna calmed herself before moving closer her bright blue eyes never leaving him. She sat next to him wrapping one foreleg around his neck before she told him the 'special' news. "Today I will be sending you on a mission out of the city, to Ponyville to be exact,"

It took Shadow a few moments to realize what she said before a light illuminated in his head. "Your sending me out of Canterlot!? On my own!? But don't you need me here? Couldn't you send another guard to take care of a changeling!? I don't want to leave!" He began to panic as thoughts arose, almost consuming him in fear of what may lay beyond the City walls.

"Calm down silly, I think you misunderstand me Shade, I am not sending you for another one of your 'assignments'," She irked. "I am sending you to socialize with the rest of the world. You spend too much time reading books, training or completing a job; that you never seem to talk to anyone other than me! I just want you to be happy and to get out of this routine of staying in the castle,"

Shadow looked up to Luna, not with tears but with pleading eyes trying to find a hole in her logic. "I am happy right here in the castle, with you! Don't you need me to protect you at night? What will you do?"

"I understand that you don't want to leave and that you feel content being here," Luna replied with a stern voice. "but you don't realize how great it is to get out until you actually get out there to experience it. I remember my first night out in a strange town, nopony seemed to warm up to me and it was difficult becoming a part of the world again, but there was one pony who saw beyond my past and looked at me as I was," She turned to him as she continued to speak. "You need to be a part of the world once more, you travel at night through the streets but nopony ever sees you. As for my protection I will be hiring two guards to make up for your absence, no single pony could live up to your expertise." He snickered at the last comment which had brought a smile to both their faces. They sat there for a moment, just contemplating, only letting the cool day breeze interrupt the silence.

Shadow walked up to the balcony doors, letting the sun light warm his body and clear his head as he stared up to the sky. Without turning around he gave her a final answer. "You know this isn't easy for me, but I know that you understand me better than anypony else, I thank you for noticing that much about me at least," Shadow turned around, eyes closed. "If it makes you feel better I will give this mission a go,"

"Thank you" She walked over and gave Shadow a Motherly hug. They stood there in an embrace that felt like hours and seemed to lift all the despair the world contained.

"Umm.... What is this mission anyway?" Asked Shadow. Luna left the hug and looked at him with a smile.

"It's something my sister had done with her student, I am sending you to Ponyville to make some friends and to be more social around ponies in general. Don't worry about it too much, the smaller towns that can be seen from the towers are much friendlier than ponies in Canterlot so you shouldn't have much of a problem meeting them. I have already taken the liberty of renting out a small cottage during your stay."

"When will I be leaving?" Shadow questioned with less worry now that he thought he was in good hooves.

"Later today"

"Well this was unexpected, may I arrive at night Luna? I don't really want to be noticed immediately as i arrive, I hope to blend in a little more before i meet and greet,"

"If that is how you want to to present yourself then I have no right to stop you, you live your own lifestyle from now on. As long as you make friends along the way" She added.

Shadow left Luna and moved to his room to begin packing. He looked at his simple room containing only a desk, a large cupboard for fashion, a single sized bed, and a  large carpet that hid most of the plain grey floor underneath. The carpet was the only item in the room that he had chosen for himself, the rest was there before he moved in. The carpet was a simple design. It was a large black square with the moon centered as the main feature, stars around the moon seemed to glisten. He had added some glitter to the stars to make it look more realistic.

'Only the simple life essentials' he thought as he began to pack his saddlebags: toothbrush, mane brush, money, books, cape.... He glanced over to his cupboard where he kept his equipment. He contemplated whether it was a good idea or even if he would need such an item upon his trip. 'I'll take my daggers just in case, no need to be under prepared,' he thought to himself.

As the sun fell he arrived at the front of the castle to be greeted with two of Luna's personal carriage stallions. He boarded and they flew off into the lands below. Towards Ponyville.