A tale of Harmony

Chapters

A Peaceful Day
A surprise meeting
The beginning of the end
Awakening
Confusion in the Keep

A Peaceful Day

Some time before, before the Tree of Harmony existed.
"Harth, we are trusting this with you this, you and your family are to forever protect this secret, not even my students know of this, though I left some clues, if they ever need it..." an old stallion looked to the young black stallion with such seriousness.

All he could do was nod, and then with the old stallions magic, a blessing was placed, and the black stallion, after swearing this, not only became the first protector of the tree, but became what is known as an Alicorn that day.

The old pony left in a hurry, with others following him quickly. The black stallion looked at his small village and smiled. He had a lot of work cut out for him, but it was something he was going to do with pride.

-----Many years later-----

"Come on Solano! It's Tree Day!!!" an excited and bubbly young voice shouted. The little filly was bouncing up and down on her brother's bed, her white mane bouncing along with her as she tried to rouse the young stallion.

"Argante please.....It is barely morn, let me sleeeeeeep..." he groaned trying to pull the covers above his head. He was as excited as she was but, the festival would not start till the afternoon, and from what he saw from his window the sun had not been lifted yet. He moaned as she jumped onto his flank. Thankfully she was not heavy enough to harm, but he knew he would definitely have a nice bruise later on.

"Come on brother! I am too excited to sleep! I want to see the preparations and and and.." she was caught short by a hoof to her mouth. She looked to its owner with glittery hopefully eyes, a small giggle coming from her hoof covered mouth. The stallion looked at her with a playful glare, launching into a counter attack and tickling her.

"You little devil, I cant believe you woke me before the rising of the sun." he snickered as his younger sibling squealed with laughter and kicked around. "You are such an eager beaver you silly filly!" He chuckled and let her go, leaping off the bed. She sat up and giggled her mane a mess from thrashing around. He sighed and grabbed a brush, brushing her mane out, back into its more presentable way. He nodded at his hoofwork, then shifted to holding the brush with magic. Brushing his own long mane free of tangles and putting it into a braid. He took the brush back into his mouth and brushed his tail out to make sure he was presentable to be seen outside. After all, if his mother saw her children look disheveled on such an important day she would have their hides.

He looked to his sister who was running around and motioned her to stand still, brushing out her tail as quickly as possible so she wouldn't have to sit still for very long. He smiled with the brush in his mouth, quickly placing it back on the dresser. He stood beside his sister, playfully nudging her towards the door, she took off, he was close behind, the giggling down the stone hallway his indicator to find and follow her.

They arrived outside where a few of the staff were working on putting the festival together, Solano quickly grabbed his sister by the tail, quickly moving her out of the way of passing workers. She looked distressed as she was pulled, quickly realizing she could have tripped the passing ponies. She looked towards her brother as he sighed.

"Now listen Argante, if you wish to watch you have to stand by me do you understand? We have to stay out of the way as much as possible so they can do their jobs and maybe help out where we can." he motioned to the hard working ponies doing their jobs. His sister looked up at him and nodded in silence, rubbing her forehooves in embarrassment for being so quick to go outside. She might have gotten somepony hurt. He smiled softly and nuzzled his sister, "It's okay, just try to calm down the excitement,". She nodded and they started to walk along the courtyard grounds.

Everypony was hard at work, building stalls, setting up banners and poles. Every once in awhile a pony would notice the siblings and bow at them and get right back to work. The siblings nodded back to anyone who did so, giving them the same respect and regard.

"Your majesties!" someone yelled from across the courtyard and ran up to them, it caught the siblings by surprise and they looked to the pony running towards them. She was a old mare, her eyes kind and wise with age, her body a bit portly, her once red coat was now dappled with grey bits here and there. She panted a bit and then looked to the two as she came to a stop in front of them, her grey and orange mane was starting to come out of its bun from the running so some of the hair covered a bit of her face. "What are you doing out here this early? We are still prepping." she looked to the two of them with slight worry.

Solano chuckled at her and offered a reassuring smile. "Oh trust me Orange Blossom I would love to be in bed asleep but this one," he nudged his sister with his back hoof and smirked down at her, "refused to let me sleep cause she wanted to she the prepping for her favorite festival." he looked down to his sister who was blushing from embarrassment, the small bit of red creeping on her grey muzzle made her look adorable. The older mare laughed, her laugh was haughty and warm. The young filly turned away in more embarrassment.

"I see I see, well who am I to stop you two from your adventures, just please make sure to eat soon, you will need your energy for the festival" Mrs.Blossom smiled at the two with utter kindness, like a mother would her own children. The two nodded, as they were leaving Argante turned and gave the old mare a quick hug before joining back to her brothers side. The old mare looked softly to the two she cared for, watching them walk away teasing each other. She nodded, satisfied they would stay out of trouble and went quickly back to her own work.

"Brother, do you think this year I might get my mark?" Argante asked as they walked. Her brother looked at her and then to the rising sun, thinking about his answer carefully before he spoke. He was unsure on how to answer the young fillies question. He then stopped and turned towards her.

"Is the reason you want yours today because I got mine on this day?" he asked carefully, looking closely to her, judging her reaction. She looked towards the ground, taking a hoof and drawing in the dirt a bit as she nodded slowly. He sighed a wistful sort of sigh and then looked up to the dawning sky. "I don't know, but what I do know is that you should not get your mark just cause you want it on the same day as me. You should get it for doing something wonderful." He looked towards his own grey flank as he recalled how he got his own mark.

It happened only a couple years ago but the incident was clear in his mind like it happened yesterday. The festival was well underway when a pack of Timber Wolves appeared out of nowhere. These creatures were foreign to the ponies and no one knew what to do, that's when the attack started. Soldiers fought as well as they could, swinging their blades and throwing spears at them, but when it started to look like they were winning the wolves combined. The fear was apparent and no one knew what to do. That's when the king and the young prince stepped in, even though the prince was told to let the king handle it, he refused. The want to help his people and father greater than the need to be safe. With their combined magic as well as the helpful magic from the Great Tree. They were able to blast away the wolves. His mark then appeared upon his flank. Just like his father, it was that of a crystal, it was square in its shape and what looked like a light shot from it. His father, and his people beamed with pride, their prince was strong and had also gained a pair of wings to go along with his new mark. Making it even more apparent that he was going to be the future protector of the Great Tree.

Solano shook his head free of the memory and smiled at his sister who was looking at him with a confused look upon her face, not really getting what her brother was talking about. "Come on, let us go and get something yummy to eat, I am sure mother and father are awake now and wondering where we are." he pushed her towards the castle, he knew in his heart she wouldn't quite understand what he meant, maybe one day she will though.

Author's Note

The first chapter is now done~

I will try to upload a chapter a day or once a week, it will depend on the work week honestly.

I hope you will enjoy this tale into the lives of these ponies as much as I will enjoy writing them.

I will answer any questions about anything unless its a possible spoiler~

A surprise meeting

The two siblings entered into the large dinning area, the stone walls making the voices bounce and echo across the large hall. The two stuck close together, trying to avoid getting in ponies ways. They only gave them passing glances and quick hellos as the wait staff took food to the tables and took back empty plates. They went about looking toward the raised dais at the end of the room.

The two regal looking ponies were talking to the others animatedly. The tall stallion, his large chest and powerful aura surround the area as he spoke to the maid beside him. On the other side of him was a beautiful mare, her eyes sparkled with joy of the upcoming celebration as she talked to the steward and cook.They were the opposites of each other. The stallion was a brilliant black, his eyes as yellow as gold, his mark was that of a circular crystal with a swirl behind it. The mare was of brightest white, her eyes were shining amethysts, her mark was of a crystal flower that always looked like it was sparkling. The yin and yang of the house. They were perfect compliments of each other. They looked down as they spotted their children and waved who they were talking to away. They rose up and floated to the siblings and gave them each a hug.

"Welcome children, I am glad you made it, today we are having some oat porridge with a sweet pudding for an extra boost of energy for today's festival." the stallion said as he nuzzled his daughter, taking her under his wing and guiding her towards the table. Solano and his mother laughed at them and followed, sitting down at the table on the dais.

"Are you excited for today Argante?" her mother asked, looking to their daughter. Argante nodded, her face full of the porridge and a smile on her face. Her mother laughed at the adorable scene that she presented. "Solano, are you also ready to help your father and I in today's ceremony?" she turned to her son and cocked her head to the side, her white braid falling over her shoulder.

Solano nodded, sitting up with pride he smiled. "Yes Queen Monalla, I am fully ready for my duty." he took a breath and stared at his mother, hoping his answer would be good enough for her, he was all nerves after all. Then he heard a throaty and loud laugh from his father. He became flustered and fiddled with his pudding.

"Harth! Don't tease your son like that!!" Monalla shoved her husband playfully, the stallion barely moved as he tried to contain his laughter. "Solano, please, you do NOT need to be formal with us you know that." she continued and took a bite of pudding in between her talking. "The only time you will need to be formal is at the ceremony alright young one?" she looked at him not really expecting an answer, but she smiled to him all the same.

He nodded and quickly finished his meal, watching his sister talk with the staff from afar, she had already finished her meal and was bouncing around as per the norm. "When will Argante begin training to be my Shard of Protection?" he asked solemnly, looking to his parents. The path to become a Shard was difficult filled with trials and tribulations. Argante would lose a lot of her pep during this time. Solano had already begun his training to become a Shard, though he will have higher hierarchy than his sister. He honestly didn't want her to go through with it, he wanted her to remain the sweet girl he knew now.

"She will begin her training a week from today." another pony answered, the three turned around to see a very old stallion come up towards the dais. He bowed to the family and then stood back up on shaky legs. "I know your fears young prince, but she is strong, and I have seen even with the hard training she will stay a loving a kind girl."

"But Raindew..." Solano was stopped short by the raising of his fathers hoof, all discussions of the matter were over and there was to be no more arguments. He looked back down towards the table, he didn't feel that it was right for this to happen to his sister, even if it was a fate she wanted to bear. The sounds of trumpets brought him back from his thoughts, the signal that the festival was starting in the courtyard. The king and queen stood and nodded to the old stallion, then to their son. They left to go open up the festival, patting their daughters head as they left.

Argante came and pulled on her brother and he smiled at her. She was put in a soft blue dress that really complimented her grey coat and white mane. A maid came up and smiled at the prince, holding a shirt that matched his sisters dress. He shrugged into it quickly, the soft cloth giving a sense of calm over him. He looked shocked at the maid who he then saw was a unicorn and he smiled and nodded knowingly, thankful for the small gesture. Empaths, though not in the hierarchy of magic, and sometimes regarded as monsters, were welcome and revered in their kingdom. The prince followed his sister out of the castle, walking past so many ponies who were leaving the main hall just to go out into the courtyard.

The courtyard had completely transformed, what was just partial built stands now stood fully decorated food stalls, games, wares from all around. In the middle was a large circular stage that had the king and queen standing atop and waving at the passersby. The front gate was opened and ponies from other lands were pouring in, talking to the residents with joy and animation. It was a truly wonderful site to see.

"Prince Solano!" someone cried and approached. It was Orange Blossom again and she smiled as she wore a plain but nice dress and her hair was done in a neat and tight bun. "I will take the princess for now so you can fulfill your duties." she finished and bowed to him awaiting his response.

"O-oh...right...y-yes, sure.." he stuttered over his words, suddenly being all nerves thinking about standing on the same stage as his parents, being the foreface for this festival made him extremely nervous. "Argante, go with her for now, I will meet with you later to walk around before we go onto the ceremony." he nuzzled his sister, hoping it would calm his nerves. She nodded slowly and nuzzled back. As their horns touched a spark of magic happened between them. He sat up and looked to his sister with a curious look. She didn't seem to notice the jolt of magic that passed between them. Maybe it was his imagination? Nerves? He shook it off and waved the two off and slowly headed towards the stage slowly, trying to prolong the inevitable.

His parents were greeting some of the farmers as they saw their son approach and they waved, stepping down off the stage to give him a quick hug. "We want you to meet some ponies that are very important Solano." King Harth spoke and moved to the side, another stallion of impressive stature standing beside a equally as tall mare.

He didn't think anyone could be more impressive than his own parents, yet here they stood. The stallion was a dark shade of purple, looking like night itself, his eyes were as pale as the moon, his mane twinkled like stars. The mare, a brilliant white with a mane of sunshine gold, her eyes were that of the sun. Solano could only stand there and stare. Unaware that he was gaping a bit. "This is the King and Queen of Equestria. They help us protect the Great Tree. Soon their daughters will take their mantel. For now though their daughters remain unaware." King Harth continued and pat his son to make him come to.

Solano shook off the shock and bowed gracefully. The king and queen laughed a bit and bowed back. He stood up and blushed in embarrassment and his mother leaned into to whisper to him. "If you want go enjoy the festival with your sister, meet us at the Great Tree later." she whispered softly and shooed him off. He walked away and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't think he could stand around those two for very long, their power they radiated washed over and took him by surprise after all.

Now all he needed to do for awhile is find his sister and enjoy the festival.

Author's Note

Holy crap life has been kicking my butt so this is out later than I wanted it to D:

But wow King and Queen of Equestria huh? Such prestigious ponies coming to visit this small royal family.

What things await for this festival? We will find out in the next chapter :D

The beginning of the end

The hunt for his sister was a bit long but he found her at the apple bobbing stall, playing with other foals her age. She was laughing along with them as she tried her best to get the apple. He smiled fondly and stayed back to watch her. This is what he always wanted for her, to be happy and play with others her age. Not what his family had in store for her. He bit his lower lip and frowned. The two knew they would become Shards, however at the time they didn't understand what that truly meant. However when Solano got his cutie mark and showed his power he was thrust into training almost immediately. The training is hard, ruthless really. His high spirit was pretty much shattered by it, only a little of it clung to him thanks to his sister. He paced a bit away from the crowd. How on earth could he get his sister out of this fate?

Then a cry from the crowd caught the young prince by surprise. Solano ran quickly through the crowd thinking it was his sister. Instead, a young colt held his cheek as he sat on the ground and glared at his assailant, the young princess. Orange Blossom held the princess at bay as Argante shouted at the boy.

"Don't you dare say that! My brother is the best magic wielder ever!!!" she screamed and thrashed against the old mare holding her back, her purple eyes filled with pure fury. Her brother looked at this young filly, he had never seen his sister angry, let alone to actually go out of her way to hurt someone. "He will be the best protector ever! Just you wait, and once I get my cutie mark you will see!!!" tears started to stream down her face as she continued. Onlookers looked to and fro at each other, they didn't know how to react, their princess had never shown this side of her ever before. Solano sighed and stepped forward, a hush had fallen over the crowd as he walked to his little sister. The moment she saw him she stopped, her breathing labored as she looked away ashamed. He turned from her motioning for her to follow him with his tail. She nodded, her head hung low as she followed obediently.

They made their way to the main castle and into its main hall. Solano thought that it might be best to hash it out in a private room and not where onlookers and gossipers could see. He walked up staircases, wound around halls and finally came to stop at the small parlor that his father used to write documents and other such things. He knocked on the door, just in case. When he waited long enough with no answer he opened the door and let his sister in first, her sour mood was apparent all across her body and he shook his head. At this very important time he had to steel himself. He had to be firm and a big brother. He stepped in behind her and closed the door. He looked to his sister who looked like she was about to cry all over again. Well at least she understood that she definitely was in the wrong. He sighed and sat in front of her.

"Alright then, lets start off with how did this happen to begin with hm?" he quirked an eyebrow at his sister waiting for her response.

She looked up at him and forced her tears back as she answered him. "T-that boy said that y-you were a fraud and weren't strong at all. That his b-brother could do better magic than you could any day, w-when I called him out on it he said..." she paused and bit her lip, the tears she was keeping in check spilling over, and she swallowed hard. "H-he called me a blank flank!" she cried and crumpled to the floor crying into her hooves.

He sighed and gritted his teeth. He should have known that was what made her snap. As much as Argante never wanted to admit it, she hated that she was a blank flank, always trying new magic all the time to get her cutie mark so she could start her training as a Shard. He ran a hoof over the back of his head and tugged at his braid softly, thinking about what he could say to his sister.

"Listen, Argante...I know what that boy said was mean, and you didn't wish to hear it, but hoofing him in the face was not something a princess should do." he spoke softly to her and as she rose her head to protest to him, he rose a hoof and cut her off. "I don't want excuses this time sister. You did something bad to somepony. No matter what that pony did you should never do something bad to get even. If you wanted to prove him wrong you should get better, train, everything you can to prove that colt wrong." he stomped his hoof and she jumped a little at the loud bang. He sighed and then looked up at the ceiling. His mother and father were most likely going to hear about the incident, they might push whatever punishment they would plan for his sister till later after the ceremony. 'Wait...ceremony?' Solano thought and then jumped around frantic. "Oh no its almost time for the ceremony!!" he shouted and bust the door open. "Come on we have to go, NOW!"

The two booked it through the halls. His sister couldn't quite keep up though, her small body quite the disadvantage. He groaned and threw her onto his back. "Hold on Argante!" he yelled as he opened his wings and started to fly through the hallways. As he flew outside he flew as fast as he could to the Great Tree. They had to be adorned before the ceremony started, and it was quite a process to do so. As he approached the cavern he skidded to a halt, his father and mother looking at the siblings with thoughtful eyes.

"You were almost late children." Harth solemnly said, he walked to his children and towered over them, he then quickly grabbed his son and put him in a headlock, giving him a noogie for the ages. "Do you know how close you have cut your time!! I know we said enjoy the festival but you know you should never EVER be late!!" he yelled to his children. His mate dressing up Argante.

Argante was now in a new pale blue dress that shimmered like the Great Tree itself, her mane had small gems woven into it much like their mothers, the only difference was that their mother had her hair in the traditional braid where as Argante's was down. She gave a small circle around and giggled. Harth took his son quickly, putting him in a similar outfit to his own. White blouse and armor along his forarms, gems also woven into his own braid of mane. The parents looked over their children and nodded, proud of their handy work. The walked to the stage that was in front of the cavern and stood on it motioning their children to follow.

"Now then when will start the ceremony, you will have to be quite until it is your turn, Argante, you will say the following when we get to you, 'With the element of magic I give you my power.' Then you will put a little bit of magic into the crystal okay?" Monalla continued to mess with Argante's mane trying to get it to behave as she nodded to her mother.

"And when we go to you Solano you will take the Crystal to the tree and say.." Harth was about to finish when his son cut him off.

"With this crystal we offer a prayer that we continue to live in the Harmony you give us o' Great Tree. Then I will place it onto one of the branches." Solano beamed with pride and puffed his chest out a bit, hoping he impressed his father. He only nodded at his son and then turned. Solano was a bit taken aback by the cold shoulder, his ears going down with the dejection.

He didnt have much time to think about it as ponies started to file in to watch the ceremony, he stood tall and looked around, looking at the familiar and not so familiar faces blend together. His nerves were starting to get to him a bit but he held still that was till he saw the Equestria royalty take seat near the back on a raised dais. Welp that was it, his nerves got to him, he started to shake, the armor on him making a small bit of noise. Argante, the kind soul she is, stepped over and nudged his back leg, when he looked toward him she offered the biggest smile she could muster. He smiled weakly back, his thoughts brought back at the sound of drums. The ceremony was starting.

Awakening

Queen Monalla stepped forward. Her body shimmered from the gems in her mane and along her body, her movements matched the beat as she twirled around and danced. The siblings could only stare at their mother in awe. Her dance was beautiful and she neared middle of the dance, King Harth stepped forward with a small box. Monalla twirled and swayed to him opening the box slowly there were five crystal shards. She tapped each one with her horn softly, there was no reaction till the second to last crystal. It had the faintest of glows and she smiled, lifting it up with magic and showing the crowd. The ponies who lived here and knew of its importance cheered at the sight, stomping their hooves in approval.

Monalla started to pour a bit of her magic into the small crystal. The magic looked like water was inside it, the color was of a light blue, like the sky above. "With the Element of Joy, I give my power to you." She then handed it to a very strong looking stallion who took it with his own magic.

"With the Element of Honesty, I give my power to you!" his words were strong and powerful, his own liquid magic poured into the crystal, the yellow mixing in with the light blue. He then handed it to another stallion who smiled softly. This one was smaller but still had a strong presence about him.

He closed his eyes and then opened them back up slowly. "With the Element of Kindness, I give you my power." his voice at almost a whisper as a light pink liquid entered the crystal, the colors swirled and shimmered together. He then faced a beautiful mare with a mane of gold, a lot of ponies were staring at her, her beauty almost matching that of the queens.

She took the crystal and looked upon it, giving it a small kiss before placing her horn on it. "With the Element of Generosity, I give you my power." her voice sounded like liquid silk as a red liquid entered into it, joining the other colors in the swirling dance in the crystal. She the walked to the king and bowed as he took it from her magical grasp.

Harth walked and matched his wife's dancing with a bit of his own, "With the Element of Loyalty, I give you my power." his voice was husky as he watched his wife, the feeling of love poured from him. A couple of ponies shifted in their seats, the obvious empaths becoming slightly embarrassed. A bright yellow liquid poured into the crystal. As he twirled away from his wife he then traveled to his daughter and smiled.

Her eyes were alight with excitement and she was shifting a bit side to side. Excited for her turn, the last Element. He bowed to her and she bowed back, taking the crystal gently with her magic. "With the Element of Magic, I give you my power." Argante spoke as loud as she could so that others could hear her. There were several stomps of approval and she touched her horn to the crystal. The crystal shone as bright as the sun when she touched it, a purple liquid pouring in and making the light even brighter. The other ponies of the ceremony looked at each other. Monalla and Solano looked in shock as well. Never before had the crystals shone this bright when the Elements came together. Harth kept a straight face and walked with his daughter to his son. They bowed before him.

Solano shook his head and took the crystal, walking to the tree he bowed to it and spoke in a loud and clear voice. "With this crystal we offer a prayer, that we continue to live in the Harmony you give us o' Great Tree." he stood up and was about to put the crystal among it fellows in the branches when a loud roar was heard. Everyone stopped and stood still, looking around for the source of the noise.

Then from the forest it arose, a manticore. Somepony shrieked and panic was let loose. Solano grit his teeth and placed the crystal back in the box. It would have to wait, the town needed protection. He started to run, ignoring the cry of his parents. Unaware of another pony following his tail.

He approached the beast and unfolded his wings to look bigger. "Get back beast!" he yelled. The manticore looked very unimpressed with the young prince.

"Brotherrrrrrr"

"Argante!? What do you thin-" his sentence could not be finished as he was hit with the manticores large paw. His vision went blurry as he tried to struggle to his feet. "A.....Argante..r-runnn" he could barely speak and he heard a shriek and then saw black. His body collapsed as he passed out.

Argante shrieked in terror at the sight. She didn't know what to do, her mind raced. The manticore slowly closing in on the young filly. She started to cry a bit and screamed. "Great Tree help me!"

Those simple words, change her world forever. The burning started, it went from her legs to her flank, then traveled her spine, her head was last, a large headache that made her feel like she was going to puke. When it started to fade that's when she felt it. Power. Raw power. She felt like she could take on the world. And that's what she would do.

She faced the manticore with steel in her eyes. She gritted her teeth and charged, her body moving almost all on its own. The manticore swiped at her but she dodged just in time, jumping up on his arm. She then took one of her offensive spells and tweaked it ever so slightly. She pointed it at the beast and screamed as the power shot from her horn. The recoil from the shot made it miss her original target, but, she had hit. Its right forearm had been blasted off. The manticore screamed in pain. Running away from the crazy power that caused it to lose its arm.

Argante snapped out of it when it screamed. She felt bad, but it was gone before she could fix the damage. She sighed and looked down. From the corner of her eye though she noticed her mane. It was no longer its usual white, but now a dull purple. She looked at it in shock as the color then faded back to its usual color. She wished to ponder over this more but not till her brother was safe.

She walked to the passed out stallion and tried to nudge him up, only to fail and be trapped beneath his body. She got frustrated and wished his body was lighter. Getting a bright idea though she cast the levitation spell she used on the crystal earlier. She hadn't lifted anything heavier than a small box before. However with this surge she lifted him with ease. She stood up and wondered, her thoughts all over the place as she walked back to the ceremony stage.

Everypony stared in awe as Argante walked back with her brother in tow. She set him down neatly. Then the strangest compulsion come upon her. As graceful as her mother she took the crystal from the box and walked to the tree. She bowed low and recited what her brother said before. "With this crystal we offer a prayer, that we continue to live in the Harmony you give us o' Great Tree." she stood up. Though she was only a small filly, she felt like she was wiser than all of the ponies there. No one had stopped her, no one spoke, but everypony held their breath as she placed the crystal on the tree's branches.

The tree started to glow, at first it was dim as it went to accept the crystal and then it shone, like a beacon that had been lit. A small gasp came from the light and then as quickly as it came, it left. Then another gasp came from the crowd. Argante had received her cutie mark. It was in the same shape as the crystal she was just holding. However that was not what everypony was staring at her for. She had a new pair of wings to go along with her new cutie mark.

Confusion in the Keep

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.

Author's Note

Yeah, hi there, its been a long time, but I had to think of ways of how to tweak this story to match up with season 7 ending. So it took a bit, and I overthought it lots, so thats why it took so long. Sorry bout that~