"Here you are. A brand new suite, big enough for both of you and all of your hobbies. It's the largest in the palace now." Solaris smiled as he ushered Artemis and Dusk in through the huge double doors. "This room used to be a small reception room, in fact. It happened to share a wall with one of the visiting dignitary suites that was currently empty, so it was a matter of only a few days' work to connect the two. This will make for a perfect studio, workroom, and library. You can see I've already furnished it with shelves."

The other two alicorns stared around the huge room. It was small for a reception room, perhaps, but it was gigantic for a studio, or a magic workroom, or even a library. It was certainly bigger than the Golden Oaks library. Dusk wouldn't have to worry about running out of shelf space for a long time either, with all the shelving that covered the walls. Not even given the size of Artemis' book collection, which was at least as large as his own.

"I've left the rest of the furnishings to you two, simply pick out whatever you'd like. I did, however, take the liberty of moving most of Artemis' things down to the bedroom. Especially the bed." Solaris winked.

Dusk laughed. The three of them had some rather fond memories of that particular bed.

"How is it?" asked Solaris as Dusk and Artemis peered into the bedroom. "Is it to your liking?" He seemed very eager to have Dusk and Artemis approve. Dusk knew that it wasn't out of any sort of insecurity though, it was merely because he cared for them both, and wanted to make them happy.

"It is, brother. It definitely is." Artemis smiled warmly.

"It's perfect!" said Dusk. He already knew just where he wanted to put his worktables, and the tile floor was ideal for chalking magical diagrams.

"Then the only thing left is the official announcement," said Solaris.

Dusk wilted a bit at that. "Do we have to?"

"I'm afraid so. If we don't say what's going on, ponies will make assumptions. And some of those will get much more... creative than the truth."

"What exactly are we to say?" asked Artemis. "I am... reluctant to declare a betrothal. That would exclude you rather more than I like."

"I appreciate that," said Solaris, giving Artemis a gentle nuzzle. "I suggest you merely announce that you are courting. The usual term these days is 'very special someponies.' Or 'coltfriends' if you prefer."

"When should we announce it?"

"I suggest tomorrow's open court. Dusk will be there in any case, as he is to begin taking up certain royal duties at last."

Dusk flushed slightly, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry I've put it off for so long. I just don't really like making decisions about other ponies' lives."

"I understand," said Solaris. "But although you've done much for the kingdom, making these decisions is part of the role of prince. It's time you took up that role in full. And," he added with a grin, "between the two of you, I might actually have enough free time now to take a vacation, or indulge in a real hobby!"

Dusk and Artemis exchanged amused looks. "I'll believe that when I see it," said Artemis.

"You shall see it soon enough, then." Solaris smiled. "But come. With a little effort we can have all your things moved in tonight, brother. I've sent for Dusk's things from Ponyville too, they should be here in a couple of days. Meanwhile he can get his luggage out of his old room and move it here."

"All right." Dusk turned and headed back to his former room. It was the room he'd stayed at whenever he stayed overnight at the palace since he'd been a little colt. He looked around the room as he packed up the clutter of books and papers that followed him wherever he went.

He'd spent as much time here as at his parents' home, once he'd reached his teenage years. It had been his home, more or less. Then he'd left it to move to Ponyville, only visiting on rare occasion. Now he was going to leave it permanently, to share a room with Artemis.

He would be leaving Ponyville permanently too.

He heaved a sigh at the thought. It had been inevitable for a long time, but it was still sad, finally arriving at the moment when Ponyville would cease to be home.

It had ceased to be home for several of his friends already. Bubble Berry was sun knew where, touring with his vaudeville revival band. He always came back to Ponyville during the off season, but for more than half the year he was gone. Rainbow Blitz was here in Canterlot, since it was the headquarters of the Wonderbolts and he'd finally become a full member. Elusive was currently splitting his time between his old boutique in Ponyville and the newer one here in Canterlot, but Dusk knew that it wouldn't be long before the Canterlot boutique became a full time job and the far less profitable Ponyville venture was closed or turned over to one of his apprentices full time.

Only Applejack and Butterscotch remained in Ponyville all year round, and both of them were now married. Applejack already had a foal, even, and Butterscotch's wife Red Gala was expecting. The two families had become incredibly close, since Red Gala was Applejack's sister. Dusk would miss them, but they had each other, and they had an animal hospital and a huge farm to run between them. With little ones underfoot taking even more of their time, he almost never saw either of them anymore. Moving wouldn't change that very much.

He heaved another sigh and finished stacking books in his saddlebags. Well, at least this time when he unpacked them he could expect that they would stay where he put them for a while.

Perhaps for centuries. That was an almost frightening thought. He tried not to think about it too often. He knew he wasn't like Solaris and Artemis. They were not just alicorns, they were gods. True gods. Ancient powers that were genuinely immortal; as deathless as the moon and sun. He was not like that. But he was also no longer an ordinary pony. He had stopped aging on the day he had ascended. That had been only a few years past, so it didn't really show yet. Still, if nothing happened to him, he had centuries of life to look forward to. Would he truly spend all that time here, ruling Canterlot beside Artemis and Solaris? It seemed impossible, but he couldn't picture anything else.

He shoved those thoughts aside and hefted the saddlebags. He picked up another dozen books with his magic, then looked around the room to see if he'd missed anything. He hadn't brought much. Some books. A few research materials. The crown that he pretty much never wore. That was it. So little to take with him into this terrifyingly uncertain future.

He put that thought aside too. Artemis would be there by his side. So would Solaris. He trusted Solaris more than any other pony in the world. Everything would be all right.

"Good afternoon," said Solaris cheerfully to Dusk. "Ready for your first open court petitions?"

"Probably not."

"You'll do fine," said Artemis, coming up beside Dusk and nuzzling him. "We'll both be there to advise you."

"Indeed. And really you don't even need to worry about that yet. First you have to get over the announcement that you and Artemis are very special someponies." Solaris grinned wickedly.

Dusk squeaked. Artemis rolled his eyes and put a wing on Dusk's shoulder. "Don't listen to him, he's a terrible pony."

Dusk snickered at that, feeling a little better. "All right. Let's do this."

The trio of alicorns filed into the throne room. Where years ago only a single throne had stood, now there were three. Solaris' elaborate golden throne was in the center. Artemis' less imposing but more ornate throne sat to his right, and a new throne, which Dusk had never seen before, sat to his left. It seemed to be made of steel, and it gleamed with an elegant simplicity. He found himself wondering if Elusive had had a hoof in designing it.

He sat on the throne's purple cushion gingerly. Burly guards-ponies took up their places flanking the dais. Another set were stationed by the doors at the far end of the room. At Solaris' nod they swung the doors open. A herald banged a hoof on the marble floor and shouted, "Their royal highnesses, Prince Solaris, Envoy of the Sun, Prince Artemis, Herald of the moon, and Prince Dusk Shine, Arbiter of Twilight, do open their court for petitions great and small. May all abide in their eternal wisdom!"

"Arbiter of Twilight?" whispered Dusk to Solaris with a raised eyebrow, as ponies began to quietly file into the room.

"Indeed. Be glad that I have simplified my title over the years and that Artemis was happy to drop most of his as well. Otherwise I'd have needed to come up with at least half a dozen more silly things to call you in order to make it clear that I consider you my equal here."

The room was full of softly murmured conversations now. Easily a hundred ponies were here, perhaps more. Dusk felt his ears going down as he looked at the crowd. The room was far from packed, but that was still a great many ponies.

"Are these all here with petitions?" he whispered, trying desperately not to squeak with panic. He hated the way his voice did that.

"No. At least half of them are noble hangers on, who show up to gather gossip from the petitions and to see and be seen. Another quarter at least are accompanying petitioners, while several of the petitions are disputes with more than one party, which whittles down the number of petitions even more. There are probably no more than twenty-five to thirty actual petitions here. A few of which often give up when they see petitions ahead of theirs resolved in a manner they disapprove of."

"Oh. Thats good. I guess."

Solaris chuckled. "Don't worry. But first, while everypony is here, the fun part!"

He stood, his mane and tail flowing about him with regal power. "Lords and Ladies of Equestria. Before court begins it is my privilege and honor to present Prince Dusk Shine, who will be judging all the cases today. However, he and Prince Artemis first have some marvelous news to announce to all of Equestria." Solaris nodded once to his left, once to his right, then seated himself gracefully on his throne.

Artemis rose. Dusk rose too, feeling anything but graceful as he scrambled to his hooves. He felt his cheeks heating with a very unprincely blush. He looked over at Artemis, trying to figure out if he should speak, or if Artemis would. Artemis looked just a bit flushed as well, but he gave Dusk a small nod and turned to the gathered crowd.

"I am delighted and honored to make official the news that a few astute observers may have already guessed at, judging from certain rumors that have reached my ears." He smiled. "Prince Dusk Shine and I are courting. While I do not anticipate another royal wedding any time soon, I am quite proud to have Dusk as my very special somepony." A low rustling of startled whispers and shuffling hooves filled the room.

Artemis turned his head and gave Dusk a warm smile, and an encouraging nod. Dusk straightened a bit and nodded. "I am also quite proud to have Artemis as my very special somepony. It is an honor to be such a part of his life."

Solaris stood again. "I would like to add that Artemis and Dusk both have my full support and blessing." He directed a smile at each of them in turn. Then cleared his throat and continued. "With that news out of the way it is now time for the presentation of petitions."

The herald stomped his hoof on the floor again, the sound ringing out through the room. "Lord Brightsky and Lord Delight will now step forward."

Dusk felt a whole colony of butterflies suddenly emerge from their chrysalises in his stomach. Two unicorn lords who he recognized vaguely as being among the movers and shakers in Canterlot were here, with a dispute, that he would be expected to solve. He swallowed hard.

He listened, the butterflies still flitting, as the pair laid out the details of their argument. It was a dispute over property lines, a common enough occurrence, but this one was complicated by the course of a small stream.

"The stream has always been the boundary between our lands," explained Lord Delight. "But now it has dried up. Obviously the only fair course is the establish an officially surveyed boundary along the most recent course of the stream."

"That is total poppycock! The stream bed moves. It has moved every year. Last year it ran far too close to my side of the property line. Using the most recent bed ignores the ancient bed that the stream was following when the boundary was first established! I would lose nearly two acres of land! How can that possibly be considered fair?"

Dusk felt the butterflies fluttering away. It was very hard not to roll his eyes at the petty absurdity of two of Canterlot's wealthiest stallions bothering the princes over two acres of wilderness. He was rather tempted to declare the disputed area a crown possession, just to spite them both.

But the urge to roll his eyes wasn't the reason the butterflies had left, it was a result of their departure. The reason they had left was that a case just like this had been in a book he'd read. He knew exactly what to do.

"Here is how you will settle this. Have a surveyor mark the most recent course of the stream, as you suggested, Lord Delight." Lord Brightsky opened his mouth to sputter some objection, but Dusk held up a hoof. "The surveyor will also mark the ancient bed, as you desire, Lord Delight. Then he will mark a point that falls exactly between them. Then," he continued firmly, this time in the face of both stallions moving as if to interrupt, "I will send an archer from the royal guard who has never met either of you to stand on that spot. You will make certain that it is a clear, calm day and that no pegasi are in the sky. The archer will shoot an arrow directly up. The permanent boundary will be drawn in a straight line from wherever that arrow falls, leaving the result in the hooves of fate. Is that acceptable to you both?"

There was a long silence. Both stallions seemed to be trying to think of some way to take advantage of this method. There really wasn't one, though. Which meant, of course, that they both knew that the other couldn't take any advantage either. Both could also hope that fate would favor them. As anyone who had watched ponies gamble knew, most ponies hope that fate will favor them, even when it flies in the face of reason to think it might.

"I suppose I could accept that," said Lord Brightsky eventually.

"Yes, it will do," said Lord Delight, still frowning faintly.

"Very well," said Dusk.

"Next petition!" bellowed the herald. "The Lady Fancy Pants!"

"Good job," whispered Solaris to him as the elegant mare stepped forward.

Dusk pricked his ears up to hear the next request, feeling much better about his ability to deal with petitions.

He made it through the entire afternoon with no disasters. He did occasionally have to consult with Solaris or Artemis, and for one case he actually sent for a particular book which he just knew would have a solution in it. He saw the other two princes exchange amused glances at that one, but neither of them said a word about it.

At last the final petition was presented. "Lady Vendington and Patricia Pierce." A pair of mares stepped forward, one deep blue with a wavy mane and tail, the other tan with a golden mane and tail.

After they explained their petition, Dusk found himself smiling. They were a couple, and wanted magical assistance in having foals that were truly their own. After the many disputes and petty attempts to gain royal favor that he'd seen over the last few hours, theirs was a petition he was delighted to grant.

"Your petition is granted. In fact, if you would permit, I would be honored to cast the necessary spells myself."

"Thank you, Your Highness," said Lady Vendington, bowing deeply.

"Yes, thank you so much!" Patricia bowed as well.

"You are more than welcome," said Dusk with a smile.

Solaris whispered, "Have them see Dot, she can make an appointment for you to do the spellwork. I'll need to get you your own secretary soon, but that should do for now."

Dusk nodded. "Please speak with Dot, the royal secretary, to make the necessary arrangements," he said to the mares.

They both bowed again and turned to go.

"Court is now closed!" shouted the herald, with another bang of hooves on stone.

"You did very well today," said Artemis.

Dusk smiled, looking up from his notes. "I did, didn't I? I was so worried! But it wasn't that bad. Although," he added as he quill scratched across the paper, "I'd still rather just do the bookkeeping."

Artemis chuckled. "I once felt much the same way. But I think Solaris is wise to push your boundaries a bit, my friend. Perhaps if he'd pushed me to leave my books and my art a little more often, all those years ago, things might have been different." His smile faded a bit and he heaved a sigh.

Dusk walked over to him and nuzzled him, offering wordless comfort. For a long moment they merely stood together, enjoying one another's company. Finally Dusk stepped back. "I should get back to work."

"What are you working on now?" asked Artemis.

"I've been putting down some ideas about harmony lately. I finished my book on the magic of friendship, you know, so I thought that harmony would be a good subject for my next major project." Overseeing the final details of the book's publication was what had brought him back to Canterlot, in fact. That had lead to a certain slightly inebriated evening, which had in turn resulted in his current rather changed relationship with his fellow princes.

"So you're going to be studying the Elements then?"

"Eventually, yes. Thus far I've merely been researching their history and past uses."

"I'd be happy to help you with that."

Dusk smiled. "Thank you. I know you can tell me much about them. I'll need to ask Solaris as well, of course. But I'd also like to consult as many sources as possible. There are so few records from before the founding of Canterlot! It's so frustrating sometimes."

"I was not there for those years, but I'm told there was a great deal of chaos between the fall of Coltstantinople and the founding of Canterlot."

"Yeah. They call it 'the dark ages' for a reason." Dusk heaved a sigh. "I have searched the whole library from top to bottom, and have only found a handful of references to harmony or the Elements."

"Have you looked in the Deep Vault?"

"The Deep Vault?" Dusk looked confused.

"The storage area for dangerous, valuable, and fragile artifacts? It's under the mountain because a few of the things there need a lot of shielding, and a hundred feet or so of rock makes a terrific magical insulator."

"I... uh... didn't even know that existed until just now," said Dusk, feeling puzzled.

"Ah. I suppose that's hardly surprising. I've only been down there once since my return. There isn't much call to meddle with the things stored there. But there are some records there; scrolls that have become contaminated with magical energy, books that are too fragile to be handled, things of that nature."

"Books that I haven't read," said Dusk, his expression brightening.

Artemis laughed. "Indeed. Shall I take you there?"

"Yes!"

"I take it you'd prefer to go now, rather than wait?" Artemis grinned.

Dusk grinned back. "It's not like I'm doing anything else right now."

What Might Have Been

In the deep vault the pair find many wonders, but they happen across a strange object (meant to be the original Heart of Darkness from the G1 Tirek) that's pulsing with black magic. It also has Solaris' magic all over, both containing it...and drawing from it. Both Dusk and Artemis explain this away readily, Solaris must have a good reason to be mucking around with black magic, but it lurks in the back of their minds.

They go on with day to day life, Dusk trying to keep in touch with his friends, Artemis trying to get fully back in the groove of the modern world, and both finding plenty of time to be together. They soon officially announce their relationship, to much public celebration.

Not long after, Solaris begins to be strangely distant and reticent. He shows odd flashes of anger at both Dusk and Artemis, sometimes over very small things.

Gradually, as time passes, they begin to fear (and share their fears) that black magic is tainting Solaris somehow, that he's turning dark, and that his irrational anger is a sign of this, which he's trying to hide. Wild emotion can be a side effect of the use of black magic.

They both attempt to reach out to him, one at a time, and Solaris rebuffs them. He begins to act distant and withdrawn, doing only the bare minimum for his duties. Artemis worries more, this reminds him far too much of the way he was, just before giving in to darkness and embracing the nightmare.

Dusk and Artemis agree that there needs to be an intervention, and they corner Solaris, saying they have to talk about what he's doing to himself. He cracks for just a minute, pulls pure sunpower, then flees. Worried that they have a Daybreaker type situation on their hooves, they chase, but the chase is shockingly short, for when he realizes they're not letting him go, Solaris just gives up. They find him curled up and miserable, having sealed himself off so completely from the sun's power that he seems almost like an ordinary pony.

Then the truth comes out. He was never using black magic, his power was drawing the black magic out to send it to the sun, to be purified and scattered there, because the Heart of Darkness by its nature draws in a pool of black power constantly, and if allowed to accumulate it would eventually warp and break even the strongest wards, and Solaris can't find a way to destroy it. He was just keeping it safe. His anger and his odd behavior wasn't black magic, it was jealousy.

He has always won. Sol Invictus, the unconquered sun. Always, even when he fought Artemis back in the day, he won eventually. Being unable to rescue Artemis from his lunar imprisonment was the closest he's ever come to failure, and even then he set up the situation that allowed Dusk to do it, so he won in the end. Now, though, he sees Dusk and Artemis as an open couple, when he can't have that, and it feels like failure. He's losing both the ones he loves to each other.

In the end they all agree to say "fuck it" and make a public threesome. I think? Alternate ending idea has them making specific plans to keep Solaris quietly included in private, but I didn't like that idea as well, even if it's maybe more practical.

Author's Note

I had a few more ideas for this AU world, but I never pursued any of them, since other stories grabbed my attention, especially after Honey Pie was such a hit. But I do have a great fondness for Prince-cest stallion threesomes all the same.