Dusk Shine's Fatal Flaw

Celestia watched as the stallion vehemently rejected the position of Prince, claiming that he was unworthy of such responsibility and perhaps holding onto hope that Amore would return. It was almost comedic seeing how hard he was fighting to refuse such power considering what he would one day become.

She wouldn't see just how the lobby managed to convince him as the memory faded. Sombra had let go of the orb and was looking up at the now dozens floating around. He reached out a hoof and a particular one broke its course to float into his grasp.

"Did you ever find her?"

"I did." He breathed.

"And, she wished not to return?"

Celestia could tell that Sombra picked up on what she was implying. He swirled his hoof and a collection of memories rotated around him. He touched one and the scene changed.

"To explain it to you. I need you to understand the state of her citizens."

They stood in front of a large white tent and the princess' heart dropped a bit when she saw the red cross emblazoned on it. She was familiar with the setup of a field hospital, but nearly 1500 years of peace had left her defenses lowered. Celestia looked one way to see another tent, then craned her neck to see another and yet another beyond that. The tents stretched on and on, each one easily capable of holding a dozen ponies. She looked the other way to see....

"The Crystal Empire." Sombra had finished her thought. "Shortly after the war began, ponies began falling ill. It's unknown whether the cause was intentional." He gestured to the ring of harsh mountain ranges that could be seen in any direction. "Or, if our isolation just left us unadapted to some strange strain. Either way, it did not help in our fight against the gryphons. It carried a number of symptoms that varied from pony to pony, but across them all it left them lethargic, regardless of how much rest they had and it even stripped a pony of their magic."

Celestia's could barely contain her shock as he continued.

"On the frontlines, we were losing more to sickness than any attack. We'd quarantine those who showed signs of infection, but the spread was rampant. Until my hasty return, I hadn't expected things to be worst all the way back home." He looked all around. "I could only thank the heavens that it was not fatal, but the pressure it put on our hearts...."

Celestia felt a fraction of the relief he must've gone through. How come she'd never heard of such a virus?

"That was until one week after I was crowned." He tapped into the memory.

Her heart fell as soon as she heard that. She looked at the tents around her as the memory came to life. She prepared herself for the worse, but was greeted with... cheers and laughter?

Everypony around her seemed jubilant. Tents were filled with families hugging loved ones, weary looking staff had tears of joy. Some ponies ran every which way, some let out hoots and hollers just because they could.

Celestia heard a snicker. Sombra was giving her a coy look.

"You did that on purpose."

"Possibly. We shall never know. Though, I can't be held responsible if you chose to assume the worst."

She was about to reply when she noticed the parting crowd. Without a guard or escort of any kind, the stallion, now the Prince waded his way through the gathering ponies. Most were happy, some gave respects, others watched on in confusion until given an explanation. He was moving rather slowly, whatever destination he was meaning to reach, he probably would've gotten there sooner if it weren't for the torrent of foals running around his legs.

The Prince would raise a hoof and wait for the perfect moment to take a step that wouldn't harm a squirming youth. Celestia was filled with mirth when she saw the Prince throw away his serious demeanor and let out a few laughs.

"Ah, children. The Warrior Prince's one weakness."

Sombra rolled his eyes. He still had that smile on his muzzle. Good.

An orange pegasus flew in from the sky. He made a move to create some space between the Prince and his new subjects, but was signaled to stop.

"Uh, your majesty, this is a security risk."

"Come now, Blaze. If I were to be killed, it would not come at the little hooves of a tiny tyrant." Sombra looked up at the new captain. "Besides, this is cause for celebration."

"Do you think the guys and gals back out there are feeling the same way?"

The Prince became serious for a moment and began to concentrate. "I checked before and I can feel it now. The magical signatures of all my little ponies have returned. Their might is renewed and focused. I can feel those of the griffon's growing more and more distant."

Blaze Sentry had a look of restrained hope. "Do you mean that? Are you saying that you feel the end to this war?"

"I'll have you be the judge of that, Captain. Give Iron Valiant my regards and my apologies."

The pegasus saluted and sailed off. It was quite an impressive speed for an armored pony.

Sombra cut the memory, his expression turned somber. "Under the effects of that disease, ponies would lose their magic. Earth ponies would wither and our crops would suffer. Pegasi would become flightless and the Winter claimed our skies. Unicorns...."

He looked at her meaningfully. Celestia understood.

"It's my thought that Amore felt the onset. Whether it was a spell that took too much effort or some weakness in her step. If Amore could be defined in any way, it would be the love she held for her ponies. If she could manifest that love into something tangible, something that could ward off whatever dark influence this illness had, something that would cost her everything she was capable of giving, she'd do it in a heartbeat."

The scene changed to a cavern. Celestia recognized it as a battle site, the last known sighting of the now extinct Rhinestone Rattler. Except now it shown with a bright light, a bright light the Prince gazed into without flinching. He stood strong, he always tried to show strength. Even when tears flowed from his eyes, he tried to be strong.

Celestia looked through the light to witness the Crystal Heart, a myth no more, at the peak of its power. She remembered her first time encountering the Elements of Harmony and could only assume the pressure one would feel being in its direct presence.

But that had nothing to do with why the Prince was crying.

"I found her." Sombra waved and image changed to now show the Heart within his secret study. The Prince was poring over a desk full of books. "I even returned her, but...."

"...She had already given all she could." Celestia shook her head, piecing things together. "Whatever process she underwent was completely undetectable. The Crystal Heart doesn't radiate power that can be sensed, it drains it. It draws in dark energies and purges it with the pure light of its creator."

"Its creator, and in a sense, its mother." He looked at Celestia knowingly. "I'm not sure if Amore knew she was carrying, but the child would arrive eventually."

She laughed softly. "I knew you'd figure it out."

"It's already common knowledge that Mi Amore Cadenza is related to Amore." Sombra chuckled. "Her resemblance to my Princess is uncanny."

"Also, her cutie mark is that of the Crystal Heart, long after it faded into legend and before she rediscovered it." She chuckled. "And, she appeared through a glyph portal that hadn't worked in two millennia." Celestia's smile disappeared when she saw that Sombra's had.

"Cadance appeared in your room. It was all over the papers." He was gathering knowledge from two different minds. "You moved the portal to your room?"

'Oh.' Celestia suddenly found various points of the void interesting to look at while lightly tapping her hoof. It would've been bizarre to most to see the oldest, wisest, and most powerful pony to exist look so bashful.

The Crystal Empire had long been landlocked from the rest of Equestria since the time of her mother's rule. Harsh weather and daunting mountains kept all but the most foolish from even attempting. It's what allowed the empire to have its own monarchy separate from the Princess of the Sun. It would take a combination of earth pony skill, unicorn ingenuity, pegasus strength and her very own control over the Sun to fashion a wing chariot capable of surviving the journey.

The first of only two flights to successfully make the trip throughout her rule.

"Well, I couldn't allow the portal to simply be destroyed, nor could I allow just any of my little ponies to watch over it. It had to be the keen eye of a pony who wouldn't ask questions."

Sombra started laughing. He let out more than a chuckle or puff of air, he truly and genuinely lost himself to the whims of his laughter. Celestia watched in mild confusion before she was infected with the same bug.

They both laughed together. It grew like a wave before crashing down.

"Heavens, I was dense. And, I had the gall to tease Scout about that." He took deep breaths. "You literally called me your love not a day ago and I still didn't get it. Yet, somehow, the mention of you moving the one link between my empire and your kingdom to your very bedchambers is enough to finally ring a bell." An ear perked up suddenly as he heard a strange noise, like a mouse or some other rodent. He looked over at the princess to see her staring wide eyed at him, absolutely frozen. "You... hadn't meant to say that had you?"

Her face took on a crimson hue, which stood out against her alabaster coat like no other. "It was in the heat of the moment." As he continued to look at her, as he started to adopt a teasing grin, that red blush just spread until it started encroaching onto her neck.

With a wave, they were in another memory. It was a hill side, the Everfree Forest within view. Just above the trees, she could see the structure that would be rebuilt, renovated, and renamed several times over until it fell into disrepair as the Castle of the Two Sisters.

Within walking distance of Outer Everfree, the city that would one day become the town of Ponyville, the Prince rested in the shade of a tree. The warmer climate of Equestria meant that he was without the cape that helped his large frame stave off the cold. He was also without any of his regalia, only his neck armor remained, leaving him mostly bare.

'Oh, be still my beating heart.'

The serene peace was broken up by a cry. The Prince was immediately aware of three foals chasing a colt with a light-yellow coat up the hill, each carrying wooden sticks. When they caught up, each took turns playing out parts of a great battle, making all the appropriate sounds effects as they went.

"Avast, ye!" Said a filly as she slowly spun around to hit her stick against Light Yellow's.

"Avast, yourself, you scurvy swine!" The colt rolled out of the way as a smaller colt with red coat did a jumping attack. He then counter attacked with a soft poke to the side.

"Oof, ow, ouchies, mommy, oooohhhhh!" Red, dramatically threw his stick away and laid on the ground. He started throwing red streamers around while holding his barrel. "I'm dying, Captain! Tell my father his sweet potato pie is mediocre at best!" He rapidly panted for a few seconds too long until abruptly stopping and going limp. "I'm... dead... ugh." He let his tongue out of his muzzle.

And scene.

The three remaining foals stared for a moment before Light Yellow raised his stick. "Huzzah! Your first mate has been slain! Now how do you and Dr. Blankflank plead?"

"Hey, Ma, said you can't call me a blank flank no more!" The last colt, one with a dark yellow coat whined.

The filly gasped dramatically. "My loyal doctor, related to my greatest adversary?!?!?!? I cannot... believe it!"

"He is no brother of mine. Not since the dreaded Blankflank killed, and I mean absolutely..." Light Yellow glanced at something written on his foreleg. "...e- vis- er- ate- ted... yeah, the love of my life. All because she made fun of his blank flank!"

"I'm telling Ma!" Dark Yellow started to run off.

Light Yellow groaned and dropped his act. "If you don't want me callin' you somethin' then stop bein' somethin'!" He skidded to a stop when he saw his brother standing stiffly near the hilltop. His eyes then followed the younger colt's until he too saw the bemused Prince lying there.

Red and the filly followed behind and stopped just as suddenly.

"It's Sombrero!" Red pointed.

The filly hit him on the back of the head. "Sombra."

"Ain't that a girl's name?"

She hit him, again. Harder this time.

"Now what's so wrong with being a blank flank?" The Prince said with an amused look.

"Well, um, he, uh." Light Yellow scratched the back of his head. "Nothing?"

"That is the correct answer."

"Oh, nice. Good for me." Light Yellow looked around, before raising a hoof to cover his mouth. He then spoke in a shrill voice. "Red Velvet! You and you friends need to be heading home soon!" The colt returned to his normal voice. "Ah, shucks, looks like Mama Cake's calling us. You'll have to excuse me, your majesty, sir." He stood there for a moment. "Bye." Then ran off, the other two older foals following along.

The Prince watched him go and turned his attention to the younger brother. Dark Yellow wasn't meeting his gaze, but instead looking at the stallion's side.

"Mister, I mean, Prince Sombra? Can I ask you a question?"

"Ask away little one."

"How do I get my Cutie Mark?"

The Prince shrugged. "I'd say you just need to follow your passions and see where they lead you. What interests you? What things do you like doing?"

"I...." The colt pondered for a bit. "I like writing." He became excited. "We were gonna put an ad in the paper for our farm. I wrote this whole-" He held his forelegs out wide "-story about how a delicious basket of pears brought two friends together!"

The Prince smiled wide. "Well, it looks like you've already found your passion. Find joy in your writing and I'm sure you'll be a blank flank no more."

"But-" The colt hesitated. "There's a lot of work to do on the farm."

"Enough work, that you can't find time to create?"

"Yeah. Sunup to Sundown." He looked up at the stallion. "My family needs me, you see. Not enough hooves and too much work now that uncle's gone."

The Prince opened his mouth, then closed it. Opened, then closed. About a minute passed when they heard Light Yellow calling for his brother. Dark Yellow gave him a sad smile and waved. The Prince's mouth opened one last time, but no words escaped until the colt was long gone.

With a series of grumbles, he turned his head to look at is own side, where the lack of a Cutie Mark was readily apparent against his black coat.

"Ah, the Prince hides amongst the shadows."

He jumped then let out a sigh. "Not in the mood, Celestia."

A younger Princess of the Sun, mane and tail as pink as sunset, sauntered up to the Prince. "Oooh, noooo. He's all grumpy. Like a grumpy wumperson."

"Celly, please."

She laid beside him and lightly prodded her hoof against his stomach. "Grumpy wumpy wumpus woo."

Despite himself, the Prince found himself trying to stifle a laugh, which failed spectacularly when he saw the face the Princess put on.

"Ah, there's that smile! Now scoot." She turned over and slid herself back into his chest, mindful of her wings of course. She let out a sigh of relief. "I am so glad to be out of all those meetings."

He hummed in agreement. "A troublesome effort, but worth it in the end." He hugged her close. "From both myself and those under my care, thank you. Thank you so much."

"The greatest thanks you can give is this right here." She pressed back a bit further and felt her head hit his neck armor. She reached over her shoulder and tapped it with a hoof, she missed how he flinched. "Can this go?"

"I'm sorry, but it stays."

"So, it stays on during? Oh, I can work with that."

He frowned in confusion. "Stays on during what?"

The Princess didn't answer and the Prince couldn't see her face, but the on lookers could see mild irritation mixed with amusement. Time passed and the two stayed close and content, neither one of the two seemed willing to break the embrace. It wasn't until it was time for one to set the Sun and for the other to return home did, they part and return to business.

Celestia let out a groan of frustration. "All of that and you're saying you didn't get it?"

"Yup." Sombra's said popping the P, which seemed weirdly out of character for him.

"We cuddled for hours. I was without my garb. I had asked you to remove your last piece of clothing as I pressed myself against you."

"I know, I know. Tease away." He smirked. "But, be careful, I might find the need to mention those stained windows, again."

Celestia huffed. "To be fair, I was in my pink phase back then." She brushed a hoof through her mane. "The Celestia of today would have just confessed her feelings."

"Did you ever?"

"Ever what?"

"Did you ever confess your love for another?" Sombra waited, but Celestia didn't answer. "I'm sorry."

"My choice to stay away from romance didn't involve you." Celestia took a breath. "I'll admit that your betrayal stung. It broke my heart and made me distant. Yet, with time and dedication, I recovered and learned to love, again." Her lips upturned. "I have a sister, Sombra. A niece, a stu-" She cleared her throat. "A plethora of ponies who I love dearly."

She did it, again. She refused to acknowledge that Dusk Shine wasn't gone. He found that it irritated him, but he couldn't find himself willing to bring it up. It was a slight against him he deserved.

"Do you remember the point of those meetings you mentioned? What they were for?"

Celestia grew serious. "How could I forget? Your crops were failing, each year brought less and less of a harvest. Nopony of the time could figure out why."

"We thought it was a curse from the griffins, meant to soften us up for a second war. But looking back at it now, it was obvious."

"It was a mystery to me as well, but I think I understand now." Celestia's eyes narrowed in thought. "Earth ponies' attachment to the very ground they walk makes them the most efficient and skillful farmers one may have. Their magic energizes the ground they sow, ensuring that it would grow a full harvest year after year. The Apple family has farmed the same land for generations now and it shows no signs of stopping."

"Nevertheless, there's a slow process underway with any plot of land." Sombra continued. "While magic can restore the nutrients needed for plants to grow, we ponies will always take more than we give. Modern practices have long since gotten rid of this issue, but given the Crystal Empire's isolation and our lack of knowledge, we were in decline. Throw in a war, which limited our earth pony population and a certain illness that kneecapped the remaining population's magic-"

He didn't need to continue, she understood. Another memory started to play.

Fully prim and proper, the Princess and Prince walked a forested path. Surround by their respective guards, they were the height of nobility.

"This train, as you call it, is powered by the same magic as your portal?"

"Yes. It isn't as instant, but it will allow the transportation of ponies and supplies between our kingdoms at a mere fraction of the cost."

"Once all the infrastructure is in place."

The Princess nodded. "To me it will be a small price to pay to ensure that the Crystal Empire isn't lost to us, and that her ponies may be relieved from their woes."

"I would be honored to do my part." The Prince smiled. "I prayed for a miracle and the heavens delivered unto me."

She giggled at that.

They entered a stone structure, a sizable temple that was all but empty. The Prince and his guards stood on a raised platform, one etched with various symbols. Pleasantries were exchanged and the portal was activated.

Sombra waved the memory away and brought forth another.

They were in a valley surrounded by snow and harsh winds. Celestia had chills just looking at it all, but she also recognized this path. In the present, the Friendship Express ran through this valley as least once a week. Concentrated pegasus magic would ensure that the weather was never as brutal as this, yet in front of her now were scores of workers pushing through it.

They wore heavy garments, wielded heavy tools. They worked in unison, planting spikes, driving them in, and moving on. A foreman, an orange earth pony, barked orders and pointed in different directions, she heard a muffled explosion just behind her.

Two unicorns were flanking the Prince, their horns lit up with Sound Magic, a dampening spell. The large stallion readied his own horn, a brilliant green surged forth and carved a path through the snow. An absolute clean cut. Celestia hadn't seen such a mixture of power and precision, such a control over Combat Magic, before or since.

The Prince let out a breath and signaled the foreman, who in turn began ushering ponies forward. He took a step and stumbled just slightly, barely enough for any pony to notice. He stamped his hoof against the ground and pushed forward.

The memory shifted, again. This time they were in a tent. She could still hear the beating winds, but it was much more bearable. The Prince sat at a table, sunken eyes gazing listlessly at a letter.

Celestia's heart tightened. She knew that contents by just looking at it, she was the one who penned it.

"Sir!" A gaurdspony, armor replaced with cloth and wool but still recognizable, entered the tent and saluted. "May I have some words, sir?"

"Drop the formalities, Ironhide."

The pony seemed taken aback, not by his words but his tone. She hesitated before clearing her throat. "Sentry's wondering when you'll be getting your flank back out there. We're running out of ground."

The Prince let out a groan and messaged his temples. He waited a full minute before droning out something.

"Come, again?"

"Equestria's ceased development."

"Wh- one more time, sir?"

"Development has ceased, Iron. The project is cancelled until further notice." He slid the letter towards her.

The mare was in shock. She moved over to the table and began to read. "An accident?! They ceased all construction because of one accident?! They couldn't go a few miles in the snow before causing an avalanche?!"

"Ten ponies won't be returning to their families, Captain."

Ironhide whipped toward him. "And, I have a stallion back at home who has collapsed powering that Tartarus sent portal of hers. I haven't seen Pinpoint in five years, now my foal's father is in the hospital and still hasn't woken up."

The Prince pulled his captain close. Sobs were heard over the beating winds. He looked up to see the foreman standing there, his entrance having almost gone unnoticed. The orange earth pony had a far-off look to him.

"Ten years down the bucket. We don't have what it takes to go all the way. Shoot, I was doubting we'd meet those Equestrians in the middle until you joined the effort."

"It's not in vain, Sent-"

"We're through, Princy. I'm calling the folks in." The foreman turned to leave. "I'll spout some malarky about inclement weather until you're ready to break the news."

There was nothing but the empty beating from the wind. The Prince and the Captain stared blankly at the letter before them.

"Iron, have my chariot readied and send a missive. We'll be home on the 'morrow."

The scene changed, again. To the Crystal Empire's throne room. The Moon's light shone through the windows as the Prince and Princess argued. Celestia felt a stab through her heart.

She hated this memory.

"I can't keep doing this, Celestia! My people can't keep doing this!" The Prince pleaded.

"I know!" The Princess' voice cracked. "The portal drains my strength just a fervently as it does yours. Have you not looked upon the sky and wondered why the Sun hangs so low? Or questioned why the Moon remains for a few extra hours before setting?"

"The fact that you find the strength to power that magic on top of your responsibilities should be commended. How many ponies have you had to sacrifice? How many loved ones have you had to see crumble at the news that their father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter have pushed themselves into a coma?

"I've seen so many brave souls volunteer. I've seen them volunteer out of a sense of duty. I've seen them volunteer so that their friends and family wouldn't go hungry. I've seen them volunteer so that no pony else would have to.

"That portal is our lifeline as much as it is a beast. It was manageable at first. A well-trained mage could go a week before they felt any effects. However, as each year ticks by, as our need for supplies becomes more vital to our survival, the beast's hunger grows and grows.

"Even I can't keep the portal running on my own. I've been trying to ever since I returned. In the end, the explanation is clear: I am but an unicorn. I can slow the process, but I'll age and wither like any mere mortal. As an unicorn, I cannot secure the safety of my people., but if you co-"

"We've spoken about this topic before. It's just not possible." The Princess lowered her head. "From my childhood, I've researched and tried to find an answer to my mother's ascension. Even after I became an alicorn, I still cannot give you answer. There's no spell or rune or process that can be followed. One cannot choose to become an alicorn, it is merely an act of... of...."

Celestia scrunched her eyes, wanting to delete the next words that would come from her previous self's mouth.

The Prince looked sullen, resigned. "Of what, Celestia?"

The Princess looked up and met his gaze. "It's an act of desperation."

Celestia could feel the memory shift, but their location did not. They were still within the throne room albeit during the day this time.

The Prince rested upon the throne. Her eyes widened.

He looked awful.

Mane grayed, face wrinkled, armor hanging loose off his body, a black coat spotted with white patches. It looked like he had aged a hundred years.

Because he likely had, she realized.

A knock at the door stirred the Prince. "Enter." His voice still carried that deep timbre, even when it came with a heavy rasp.

"Sargent Scout Sentry repor- what the buck?" An orange unicorn arrived and saluted, but just as quickly lost his composure and dashed across the room. He skidded to the Prince's side and looked him over. "Tartarus below. What in blazes happened to you?"

The Prince let out a laugh, one that quickly reduced to a small cough. "My apologies, young Sentry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about." He lifted the stallion's head. "Just tell me what happened to you, Princy."

His response was a good-natured chuckle. "This is what a month of running that portal does to a unicorn who relies on magic to cease his aging."

"You've- All by yourself?" Scout frowned in thought. "Of course, you have. The captain should've stopped you."

"Ironhide's been discharged with honors." He gradually stood, causing several bones to creak and pop. "As of right now, I'm naming you Captain Sentry."

"The captain was-? Wait, me?! But, why? Why me?" Scout stumbled back a full length at the news.

"Your father slaved away with me in those mountains. His father was right alongside me when we first made contact with Equestria." The Prince adopted a small smile. "His father before him made the best lemon tart I ever tasted. His grandmother had an... unique artistic taste." He looked at his new captain, there was a distinct fondness in that gaze. "And her grandfather served as my very first captain."

He stood tall and lit his horn. It flickered green at first until it shifted to a purplish, yellow. Celestia narrowed her eyes in recognition.

A staircase leading down appeared in the middle of the room and the Prince made his way. Scout looked on confused before descending behind him.

"I'm not sure, I completely follow you, sir."

"I'm sorry to drop all of this on you so suddenly." The Prince took a breath. "I'm not long for this world."

The orange pony nearly found himself rolling down the stairs. He opened his mouth but no words escaped, just strangled noise.

"You're not the first to be informed, nor the last. I've already set in place individuals who will take over in my stead. You'll be briefed when need be."

They reached the private library. Scout tore his eyes away from the Prince to look around the room until its centerpiece caught his attention. He looked upon the Crystal Heart with awe.

"However, there is one chance for me, for all of us really. A chance that'll save us from feeding our friends and family to that glyph." The Prince stood beside the Crystal Heart. "This relic draws in and eradicates dark energies. It has protected this kingdom for centuries."

"It's incredible."

"I'm going to damage it."

If Scout Sentry was in his right mind, he would've exclaimed at the mere suggestion, but the poor pony was already so far out of his depths to react beyond an expression.

"I'm going to create a hairline fracture, just thin enough that some of that energy will escape. Once it does, I'll supplant a bit of my own magic into the Crystal Heart. Instead of internalizing that energy, it'll flow into my reserves instead."

Celestia's jaw dropped. "That's foolish. No, it is downright insane."

"It's desperate." Sombra mumbled.

"But, sir, it's dark energy. Every grade school unicorn could tell you that messing with such mana isn't safe."

"Of course, Captain." The Prince fixed him with jovial look that felt wildly out of place. "It's a stupid, foolish, downright insane idea. If successful, it'll both taint my soul and sabotage the one relic capable of restoring it."

Scout's eyes widened. He shook his head and jumped in front of the larger stallion. "No, I won't let you. Endangering yourself is one thing, but you speak as if you're sure this is going to harm you! Are you even hearing yourself, Sombra!?"

"The number of ponies I've seen throw their lives away for their greater good outmatches the stars. I could assign each to a year of my life thrice over before I start recounting those I never knew the name of. Even if I fail, I'm already dying. Even if I last only a month, that's 30 families who won't have to say goodbye to a loved one, that's 30 days where not a single soul in my empire has to go hungry." The Prince leaned down, his eyes staring directly into the other unicorn's. "Do you think all those lives are worth mine?"

They shared eye contact for an uncomfortable amount of time. To Scout Sentry's credit, he didn't yield to the stare down. He was not a pony who would fold on his morals that easily. However, it was those very morals that convinced him to stand aside.