"Who are you?!" Luna shouted in confusion.

All the princesses began to look at each other. At this time, Erzit turned his head back and nodded to the two shadow unicorns, who used their magic and closed the open gates of the throne room. After that, they stood on both sides of the doors.
At the sound of the doors closing, all the princesses and Spike turned and stared at the closing door.

"What are you doing?" Twilight asked, staring intently at Erzit.

"This is in case someone decides to interfere. And also this…" After saying the last words, Erzit waved his horn, which glowed a light gray color and created a small flash that momentarily blinded everyone.

"What did you do?" Luna exclaimed.

"Don't worry. It's just a small sound barrier so that no one hears anything unnecessary." Erzit said, grinning.

With a sigh, Erzit took away his smirk and stared at the magic dome that Celestia had set up earlier. "Princess Celestia, could you remove your defenses so that we can have a normal conversation?" Erzit said calmly and questioningly.

"Why would I do that?!" With a threatening tone, Celestia said.

Sighing again, Erzit looked closely at all the princesses and Spike present. "Princess Celestia, I assure you that none of you are in any danger. Because if I wanted to hurt you in any way, I would have already done it." And in confirmation of his words, Erzit took a few steps forward, stopping at the borders of Celestia's barrier. Raising his right hoof and touching the barrier, a small magic circle of runes appeared, which destroyed the barrier in the blink of an eye. At this turn of events, Celestia trembled, almost falling on her ass. Also, after this action, Luna took a couple of steps back, finding herself next to Twilight and Spike.

"What are you…" Celestia didn't have time to finish when Erzit interrupted her. "Calm down, please. I told you, I'm not here to hurt you." Erzit said, shaking his head.

"Then what did you do to our guards?" Luna was indignant.

"My shadow guards just put them to sleep for a while. They'll wake up in a couple of hours and they'll be fine." Erzit replied calmly.

"Good. Then what do you want from us." Celestia was still speaking in a threatening tone.

"As I said earlier. I just want to talk." Erzit said it simply and quickly.

Princess Luna turned off her horn, and looked back at Celestia. After the princesses exchanged glances, they stared at Erzit, indicating with this gesture that they were ready to listen to him.
At this time, four shadow guards stood and carefully turned their heads in different directions, looking around the room of the throne room with admiration. When Thane noticed that his shadow guards had relaxed and were examining the room, completely forgetting that they should look unperturbed, and not like admiring foals, he turned his head in their direction and looked threateningly first at the two guards on the left, and then at the two guards on the right, telling them to get together and not relax. Taking the hint, one of the shadow guards, namely Pegasus, who was standing on the left, casually swallowed.

"As I said earlier, my name is Erzit. And I'm the first Alicorn. I stayed in the shadows for many centuries and secretly helped some Alicorns and ordinary ponies. You may have heard the legend of a strange pony that appeared in various places and disappeared in an unusual way. Also, I think you've noticed my companions. These are the shadow guards. They were my students once, until General Thane decided that I needed guards or someone who could protect our common home in my absence." After saying the last words, Erzith nodded towards Thane before continuing.

"So, my guards, referred to as Shadow Guards or Shadow Ponies. In your legends, they are known as Umbrums. For centuries, I secretly helped Equestria and some of the ponies who later became my students. But for the last thousand years, I have not left my house for personal reasons, so my subordinates have done it for me. A couple of months ago, I became interested in the rumors that the shadow Guards were spreading about recent events. That's when I sent some of my subordinates to tell me what's going on in Equestria right now. And then they came across another ordinary unicorn, Twilight Sparkle. In the end, the events taking place recently brought me out of my depression, so to speak, and I decided to finally reveal my existence. At least to reveal it to you." After the last words, Erzit looked back at all the princesses, assessing their reactions.

All the princesses were shocked by this turn of events, especially Celestia, who was looking at Erzit with her eyes wide open. Princess Luna just sat down, thinking about what she had heard, until she noticed Twilight's flushed cheeks. The realization that Twilight could have been secretly watched all this time made her cheeks flush pink. Noticing this, Twilight lowered her head, staring at the floor so as not to show her embarrassment.

Taking her thoughts and putting them in order, Celestia assumed a straight face and took a couple of steps forward. “And what do you want from us, Mr. Erzit?” Celestia asked calmly.

"Just to make friends." Erzit said, still smiling.

Sighing, Celestia nodded, accepting his offer. The other processes and Spike were too shocked to object or ask a question in any way.

"Great!" Erzit exclaimed.

Sighing and rolling her eyes, Celestia took a couple of steps towards Twilight to put her hoof on her shoulder. Turning to face Celestia, she saw that famous motherly smile that could calm anyone down in a matter of seconds, including Twilight herself. After coming to her senses, Luna took a couple of steps to the side to continue thinking about all of the above. At this time, Spike was standing next to Twilight, waiting for her to say something. However, Twilight just remained silent.
Leaving Twilight and Spike. Celestia approached her sister, placing her hoof on her shoulder, thus finally calming her younger sister.

While Celestia went around and comforted the other princesses. Erzit turned to Thane and made a gesture with his eyes that meant turning into a shadow and hiding. Obeying his master, Thane turned to the four guards and nodded to them, pointing to his shadow, which meant an order to turn into a shadow and hide. When the four shadow guards disappeared into the shadows, Thane turned to the unicorn guards at the gate and nodded, they also disappeared into the shadows. Turning to Erzit, General Thane, like the others, disappeared into the shadows.

Erzit just stood there, waiting to see what Celestia or the other princesses present would do. However, they were in no hurry to do or say anything. Turning to Celestia and her younger sister. Erzit's eyes flashed with a yellow glow for a second. “Oh. And that could be interesting.” Erzit spoke in his mind, looking at Celestia and her sister.

Turning to Twilight and Spike, he flashed the yellow glow in his eyes again. Erzit involuntarily widened his eyes in surprise. “That's even more interesting.” Erzit spoke again, in his thoughts.

Celestia pulled away from her sister and stood between her and Twilight and Spike. “If it comes to that...” Celestia began.

“...Let's sit down at the tea table and discuss all this.” Looking from her sister to Twilight and then to Erzith, Celestia asked.

Luna nodded in agreement. Twilight and Spike also nodded. Turning to Erzit, Celestia waited for his reply, which was not long in coming. After all, Erzit, following the example of the others, also nodded. Nodding in agreement, Erzit mentally chuckled, remembering the words of Shands, who turned out to be right that such a thing could happen.

***

Emily walked through the corridors of Erzita Castle in search of Shands. She was heading to Erzit's private office now, because Shands might be there. Tidying up the books after the master, as he had done before.

When Emily reached Erzit's office, she saw Shands coming out of the room.

"Mr. Shands." Emily called out to him.

"Have you finished cleaning the bathroom and Erzit's rooms yet?" Shands asked immediately, closing the door behind him.

Emily just nodded.

"Good. Then let's go, we still have a lot to do." Shands declared, starting to walk down the corridor.

Emily nodded again and followed Shands.

"Listen to Emily." Suddenly, Shands said, breaking the silence. The one they were walking down the hall with.

"What is it?" Emily asked.

"As far as I remember, tomorrow is your birthday after rebirth. You'll be a hundred years old from the moment you're here." Shands spoke casually and calmly.

Emily kept walking, wondering what Shands was leading up to by reminding her of this. “Wh-what do you mean?” Emily asked hesitantly.

"I want to ask Erzit to set aside a day tomorrow to celebrate this event. You are the youngest among the castle's inhabitants, and the first in a thousand years to be accepted as an apprentice by Erzit. Even though he did it at my request, it doesn't matter." Shands was talking to Emily, looking behind him.

"M-Mr. Shands, you don't have to do this. I-I don't think it's worth it. I mean, w-yes, this is an important event for me and all of you. B-but I don't want to draw so much attention to myself by disturbing everyone, including m-Master Erzit." Blushing and stammering, Emily spoke, lowering her gaze to the floor.

"Nonsense! It's been a long time since the castle residents had fun together because of Erzit's depression. So I think it will be fun." Smiling, Shands continued walking.

Emily looked up at Shands and nodded hesitantly.

"Great. Then let's go finish everything before Erzit returns." Shands said enthusiastically.

First of all, Shands and Emily visited the castle's servants' and maids' room to inform them about tomorrow's party and hurry them to do everything today. After that, they went to the chefs to warn them about the party. Of course, the chefs were happy about this and began to think about what to cook for the holiday. After the cooks, Shands and Emily went to the barracks, where they alerted all the shadow guards and asked them to help. Mostly, of course, Shands talked to everyone, since Emily was too shy even after a hundred years of being here. After the barracks, Shands sent Emily to gardeners and farmers. And Shands himself went to the blacksmiths, alchemists and other inhabitants of the castle. Erzit's castle was quite large and spacious, capable of accommodating an army of ponies. Of course, if you gather all the inhabitants of the castle, then you really get a small army. However, Erzit was against armies, even though he gave permission for the creation of the shadow guard.

“There's no point in an army if every shadow pony has been trained so that they can stand up for themselves in any battle.” Always, said Erzit. Of course, he was right. He also trained his students well enough so that they could single-handedly defeat a pack of tree wolves or a larger enemy.

Shands was one of the first students. That is why he became his personal assistant and organized the duties for most of the first inhabitants of the castle, depending on their skills and preferences. After that, the first servants and maids appeared in the castle. However, you should not look at them as ordinary servants, because appearances can be deceptive. And if you take a good look at them, it becomes clear that they are a much more terrible enemy than a manticore or a small dragon. A single servant or maid assigned by Shands is capable of defeating a small swarm of changelings or a manticore. It could be said that the servants and maids were highly respected among the ordinary residents of the castle or the shadow guards.

All the inhabitants of the castle were students of Erzit, and after the shadow initiation, they stayed in the castle, doing the things they preferred the most. Thanks to this, there were ponies of most professions in Erzit's castle: from blacksmiths, cooks, jewelers to alchemists, warriors, and thieves (after shadow initiation, thieves became Erzit's scouts who provided him with any information).

Definitely. After hearing about the party, all the residents of the castle were happy and began to do their work intensively and help prepare everything for tomorrow. Shands informed everyone about the holiday, except the owner of the castle himself. However, Shands expected that Erzit would not refuse his request, but on the contrary, would participate.

After going through the entire castle to warn everyone about tomorrow's party, Shands and Emily met in the main hall, where the fun would take place.

The main hall was a large room with many tables, chairs, and piles of decorative objects, such as ceiling-high columns, large flower pots, chandeliers, crystal statues, and more. This room could hold many hundreds of ponies. That's why Shands is throwing a party here.

"I've warned everyone, Mr. Shands." Emily declared, approaching Shands.

"Great. Then I'll wait for Erzit, and you can go rest for the rest of the day." Declared Shands.

"That is?" Emily exclaimed questioningly.

"What's not clear here? I'm giving you the rest of the day off." Shands said with a smile.

"B-but there's something else I could do." Emily tried to fend it off.

"No. This is an order. Go rest for the rest of the day." And with that, Shands abruptly disappeared into the shadows.

Sighing, Emily whispered to herself. ”H-okay, Mr. Shands...”

Emily didn't like rest days. She didn't like to stay in one place doing nothing. She had no hobbies, no other activities, she didn't even really like reading a book, although she was quite well-read, thanks to the teachings of Erzit, who often forced her to read and memorize various textbooks.

Maybe it was the fear of being alone or something like that. But Shands and Erzit made it clear to Emily that she was now a resident of this castle, and now she was one of them, so no one would leave her alone. All of Erzit's students were important to him, and he would not leave or expel any of them, even if there were conflicts between the castle residents. However, Erzit always found a solution to such conflicts between his shadow ponies.

Emily often reminisced about her past, sometimes crying in her crib at night. And when one of the castle residents or Shands himself tried to find out why this was happening, she just kept quiet. Later, everyone began to realize that it was most likely because of Emily's death. After all, everyone knew the circumstances under which she became one of them. Someday Emily will tell you everything. But that day has not come yet.

Sighing again, Emily, as before, and Shands disappeared into the shadows, appearing in her private room…

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. :)

Don't forget to leave your feedback so that I understand that you like this story and I need to continue it. Thank you in advance.