Chapters I was making my rounds about the castle. It was night of course, I’m particularly fond of disappearing into the shadows. Only a sliver of the moon was left to illuminate the dark sky, but I’m very much acquainted with darkness. I had spent most of my life in it. As I made my rounds I felt as if somepony was watching me and thinking to how late it was I simply couldn’t ignore it. Nopony would be out this late, unless… they were going to attack the castle! So, naturally after such a thought occurred to me I made great haste to the chambers of Celestia, to protect the princess. But before I could reach my destination I tripped! This was my second sign that something was indeed amiss for when was the last time you heard of a shadow tripping of all things. So down I fell and hit the ground, Hard! It didn’t hurt and I was fine for now, but the next thing I knew a large pony came rushing out of nowhere and slammed his hooves down on the ground next to me. The force created was enormous, and created a magical surge so powerful it knocked me out of my shadow form and far into the air. He then proceeded to levitate me back to the ground and conjure a force field around me. I was dazed, and confused, and most certainly not ok.
“What do you mean you can’t go see the princess”!? Shining yelled, his words piercing the darkness.
Story of my ancestors (optional read)
“It was the dawn of a new age, Discord, god of chaos and temporary ruthless ruler of all of Equestria, was finally defeated. It was a long cruel time in which Discord ruled over Equestria. There were many brave ponies that tried to challenge him. Some lived, others were not so lucky. In the end they all failed, even them. Now, some may have never heard the story but I will never forget it. It was wet that faithful day. Chocolate milk covered Discords playground and soaked those who dared to enter, down to the bone. It was a sticky, bittersweet wetness. This was the heart of the chaos storm and it was cold. A cold that could freeze your very soul, but not to them, their hearts burned with the flames of vengeance. Long had they suffered under discords rule but no longer.
64 magically gifted unicorns faced the harsh, cold, and heavy rain, but above they all faced their oppressor, their self-proclaimed ruler. Oh how it would please this old pony to speak of their brave and courageous victory over that monster, but alas, no such victory came and none would come, not for a long time at least. Discord won that fight with such ease that all hope seemed lost. Only 10 survived and he barely lifted a finger. That single defeat obliterated all hope for Ponydom. Then, years later, the single two most important ponies in Equestria arrived ready for battle. They called up arms, but nopony would listen. Nopony wanted to die. So the sisters named Luna and Celestia went alone. They took with them only a collection of peculiar gems now known as the elements of harmony. This time was a little different.
I suppose Discord underestimated them, for he had let his guard down. No rain or cold, just him in an open field of broken reality. In the end, as everypony is well aware, the sisters won. Trapping Discord in a stone prison.
Years went by and the sisters were crowned as princesses and made to be the new rulers of Equestria. In their old age the 10 unicorns that survived that fight with Discord returned to the sisters and said, “Oh great princesses long has there been peace in Equestria because of you, long have we prospered because of you, as a token of our eternal gratitude we give you our lives and the lives of our descendants. We will long serve to protect you and all further rulers of Equestria with our very souls. Luna, Celestia, I present to you the Shadowlight Royal Guards First Generation”. From out of the shadows manifested 8 young unicorns. The tallest and oldest of the group then spoke out. “We are your hidden guard, we will silently protect you unless otherwise necessary. We will always obey your every command and put your lives far ahead of our own. We wish to forever serve you until the day our heritage is lost. Do you accept?” Luna looked at Celestia and then back at the guard. Celestia smiled and nodded.
That was all they needed to fulfill their self-established destinies, they smiled and bowed. The encounter was over and as quickly as they arrived, they vanished, only reappearing when called or in times of danger”. That Shining Armor is the story of my ancestors and the creation of the Shadowlight guard.
I awoke to the sound of Celestia’s voice calling to me. She kept telling me to wake up. I stood up, my body feeling very strange. This had never happened to me before, but then, this was the first time I had rested at all since then.
It was early on the morning of the ceremony. I put on my old, grey cloak and walked to the throne room. I was no longer required to hide in the shadows so I decided to stretch my legs. It didn’t take me to long to reach my destination. When I arrived the guards let me in. The ceremony had just begun and I almost missed the beginning. However I would not have minded. All it meant was that I would have to leave, and that was the last thing I wanted. When I entered I saw Celestia, Shining Armor and another pony who I thought was the royal tea brewer.
“Money, what uses have I for money”? I yelled, frustrated at the ticket salespony. Whom I'm sure was equally as frustrated with me.
Dear, Old friend
I paused my reading for a moment confused, happy, nervous, and curious all at the same time. I almost opened the box to see if it was real or not. However in the end I decided reading on was the best course of action.
The badge was created by Luna and I to honor any outstanding Shadowlights, but since they remained in the shadows and were rarely seen, none were ever received. (This sentence was slightly smudged no doubt due to the mention of Celestia’s sister) Until now, Shadow by doing what you have done to protect me and your kingdom I believe you deserve this award. I am fully confident that you will use its power for nothing but the betterment of pony kind. Enclosed are the Badge itself and are rulebook explaining its many uses and restrictions.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
Opening the badge was accomplished with a simple flip and the casing flipped over and folded behind. The badge was made entirely out of silver and looked Macedonian in nature; it was quite stunning to say the least. Its shape was similar to Celestia’s cutie mark but instead of a full circle in the center it had a crescent moon.
Shortly after opening the package I remembered that the pocket in my cloak was made for my new badge. It fit perfectly into the pocket, but I would expect nothing less from a master tailor such as Mrs. Stitch. The weight from the badge was just enough to remind me that I had it, but not too much so that I wished I didn’t. Next up on my list of thing to do was to read the rules [1] and so I did.
After about one-thirds the way done the scroll, a group of ponies entered through the door behind me. They walked over to the stage, picked up their instruments, and sat down. They then proceeded to tune them, and at that point I went back to reading my scroll. I finished reading right before they began to play. I did not recognize the song, or tune, or genre but perhaps that was because I had not been out much before now.
The more I listened the catchier the song became. From what I could gather the song was about a train called the “Friendship Express” which I think I recall somepony calling this train that. Anyway by the time the song was over we had arrived at my stop and I was eager to get off and scope the land. I step off the car with that catchy song still stuck in my head. It was so catchy that I started singing it. (Out loud!)
“Listen to the jingle the rumble and the roar
“um sir”. Said a worried looking pony, rudely interrupting my singing.
[1] Rules (optional read)
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay”? At first I expected the guide to vanhoover to move on to some other tourist when I explained to him that my arrival there was a mistake. However, he seemed genuinely upset that I wouldn’t be staying.
The doors opened inward as if expecting my presence. I walked inside and looked around, Shining Armor was speaking with a few of his guards, but Celestia was nowhere to be found.
We arrived back at the castle in search for the princess. After shining and I searched for some time he decided to tell me that the princess had left Equestria in a hurry and wasn’t due back any time soon.
Sparks flew from twilight’s horn as she prepared to shield herself. Her light purple magic enveloped her in a sturdy bubble of magic energy.
As I made my way back inside the castle I noticed something rather strange. None of the guards were at their posts. All throughout the castle as well. Of course I wasn’t studying any of the other guards. Foolishly, I made my way to the throne room. I knew it would be empty, but a part of me expected Shining Armor to be waiting for me there. With Ice-cream, sweet Celestia I wanted Ice-cream. But alas, Shining armor had left with the other guards. And with nothing to dissuade my attention I began to wonder where they had all gone.
Secrets
As we ponder the complexity of arcane constructs, a familiar voice fills the air.
Someplace old, someplace new
We crossed into the thick brush of the untamed forest and the wind died down to a complete halt. The air inside the prison bars of trees was trapped in, and the outside wind, locked out. We were isolated from the world beyond the wild woods. But, we certainly were not alone.
Silly filly, trees don't talk
“Yes, yes, yes” Celestia answered. “This is my old castle. But…”
Rules of the Shadowlight Badge
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[1] This is obviously my way of saying I'm too lazy to continue writing rules. I will eventually update this rule book but for now this will do. Also a note to anyone reading this if you would like to help me with suggestions that would be much appreciated.
