The Dark Heart of Canterlot

Chapter 1: New Arrivals

"But I don't need protecting!"

The grand vaulted entrance hall to the prestigious and majestic Royal Palace of Canterlot was silent save for the hiss of the wind outside and the soft, yet echoing, hoofsteps of an old wizened unicorn stallion who teetered unsteadily across the polished marble floor. High up above, beams of bright sunlight streamed through a circle of arched windows and criss-crossed the air. The old pony waddled up the vast staircase that led up into the main structure of the Princesses' royal abode. Rich stained glass windows stood before him, silently watching as he managed to make it to the first landing.

The unicorn paused for a moment at the foot of the next sweeping staircase and looked up. His horn was lit up with a soft yellow light, the sunlight glinting on the crystal goblet and oval shaped platter of rich fruits and vegetables on the white gold tray clutched in the pony's magical hold. The unicorn listened intently.

"Where are you, your highness? Where are you?" he murmured to himself. He cocked his wrinkled head to one side, his tufted ears twitching as he picked up the soft murmur of voices throughout the Palace. Though many things had passed with his age, his hearing had most certainly not. He could hear the inconsequential chatter of the old Court Physician, the frantic shrieks of the Palace Chef, and the moans of pleasure coming from an amorous guard and maid somewhere in the upper corridors. And there, unmistakable, from up at the top of the Tower of the Sun, the soft humming of a young mare.

"Ah, there you are", the stallion muttered. "I'm sure you could use a little pick-me-up to go with the news I bring" he said cheerily to himself. And with the goblet clinking against the platter, he began to long climb up the staircase.

The unicorn's name was Comet Catcher, once the personal astronomer to the venerable Princess Celestia. Ever since that fateful day a thousand years ago, the sun goddess had been forced to treat the night with the same care as the day. But being inexperienced in these matters, had needed the knowledge of one who had studied the night sky. The monarch had needed somepony to categorise and organise every single star, comet, constellation and meteor. And that's where a young, fresh faced and eager stargazer had offered up his services.

Comet smirked to himself as he remembered his first few years working for the great ruler of Equestria. Even after a thousand years, stars and celestial bodies of the night sky seemed to be beyond the reach of Celestia's mind. Not that he would ever say such a thing to her face. The Princess was an extraordinary pony, the most powerful magic wielder in all of Equestria, the Sun-Bringer. But the night was something she always had difficulty with. Must be the same as some ponies are with words or numbers, the old stallion mused to himself.

His green eyes scanned the beautifully sewn tapestries hanging from the walls of the great flight of stairs. It was a staircase that Comet Catcher knew well - but then he knew every single nook and cranny of the sprawling Royal Palace: its well hidden chambers, the medieval murder holes, the corridors that led to nowhere, and the great balcony which, for centuries, the Princess had stood to address her adoring subjects. What was more, the old unicorn knew all of the Palace's secrets, his incredibly sharp hearing picking up whispers, the gossip, the rumours and the cries.

He stopped at the next landing, wheezing heavily. He was breathlessly aware that he wasn't getting any younger. Indeed, even for a unicorn he was old. Eighty-eight years had passed since he was born in Canterlot City Hospital. Comet smiled again as he strolled down memory lane. He had a happy foalhood, two loving parents and two loving sisters. Aurora and Dawn Dancer.

Then came the fire.

It had been when he was no older than ten years old when those drunken stallions had waddled past his house, so intoxicated they couldn't tell a tree from a lamppost. One of them thought it would be funny to light a small bundle of rubbish from one of the nearby bins. Their laughing had almost woken up Comet's parents. He wish it had.

The stallions had shoved the burning pile of trash through his house's letterbox, the flaming ball landing on the welcome mat. It didn't take long to spread.

They had destroyed his precious home, his refuge from the world. They had destroyed all of his memories as entire rooms were consumed by the blaze in a matter of minutes. They had destroyed his family. The one painful memory Comet bore from that terrible night was the painful sight of his family huddled together underneath the roaring inferno that had once been the staircase. Comet, being a quick young colt, had managed to leap under the flames and billowing smoke into the street beyond, where a great crowd of panicked ponies had watched in horror.

There they were, the ones he loved most. His father had conjured up a magical barrier to protect his mother and sisters from the wicked flames, but it could do not to protect against the smoke. Aurora was crying, so was Dawn Dancer. His mother held them both in her forehooves, wrapping them in a protective embrace as his father's horn had blazed almost as bright was the flames around him as he struggled to keep the shield stable. But the black tendrils of smoke creeped through the blue barrier, and soon into the lungs of his family.

Comet remembered weeping uncontrollably as he watched his sisters fall unconscious together, swiftly followed by his loving mother, the one who had carried him into the world. But his father- the brave selfless pony who loved his family with every fibre of his being- had turned to look his son in the eyes. Through the fiery whirlwind, Comet remembered as his father smiled at him comfortingly. He remembered his horn lighting up further as he spoke to his son telepathically for the final time.

"Don't worry son, everything will be fine, you'll see. We have to go now, we all do. We wish so much that it didn't have to end like this, but life is unpredictable, ya know? Just remember always...we love you, I love you. Never forget that, my dear Comet Catcher...my son"

The telepathic link had abruptly ceased as the young foal tried the run back to his father, only to be stopped by a blast of searing fire. Through the hellish haze, Comet had watched as his father wrapped his foreleg around his sleeping wife and children, closing his eyes as he kissed his lover for the final time on the head.

The staircase collapsed.

Comet Catcher shook his head from the painful memory. His father had been right. Things did get better from then on.

Comet arrived at the third landing and smiled. It was here that he had first set his eyes upon his new mistress, Princess Celestia- the most beautiful and regal pony he had ever seen- and somepony else. Gods, who was she? What was her name...

Comet cursed his senile mind. She was beautiful, that was certain, almost like the sun goddess. But there was something special about her. Her coat was the colour of golden autumn leaves, and her mane billowed like gentle clouds lit by sunlight. She was only one of three alicorns that Comet had ever gazed on. But her cutie mark, that had been clear. Comet remembered gazing upon the rich golden leaf as it glinted off the sunlight streaming in through the windows.

But one distinct thing about this other Princess was the fact she was heavy with child. The old unicorn remembered as she giggled at the sight of Celestia's new ill fitting crown and great reforged breastplate. So pretty and full of life, she had seemed out of place in the harsh world of Canterlot Politics. As Comet moved forward to walk down the next corridor, he stopped.

But soon after that had come that terrible night, when her cries of joy became cries of pain. He didn't like to think about it: the Court Physician running back and forth, the terrible screams coming from the birthing stable, the sobs of Celestia. Pitiful sounds. Terrible sounds. And then, silence.

Comet shook his head and climbed to the fourth landing. He still remembered how long the silence had seemed to last and how impenetrable it had been. Despite his sensitive hearing and magic, he had had no idea what had happened. The seconds had ticked past, one after the other...And then all at once, shattering the deathly silence, had come the most wonderful sound of all- the sound of a young filly crying. The sound of the young Princess.

The world had suffered a terrible tragedy. Equestria had lost one of its Princesses in the throes of foalbirth, yet a new life had been brought into the world. It had been, Comet thought, almost like the old days when he'd first come to the magnificent Royal Palace, where it had been a noisy bustling place filled with foreign visitors and laughing foals. Back then, the Palace had been open to all of Canterlot, allowing ponies of all classes to mingle together and to laugh together under the protective embrace of their monarch.

In fact, Comet's astronomy skills were spotted by an old professor of the University of Canterlot right here in the Palace. He had found him teaching a young group of foals about the different constellations and where they could be found in the sky during each time of year. The professor had been so impressed that he had written a letter to Celestia herself recommending Comet's valuable skills and knowledge. Oh, happy, happy memories!

The ancient unicorn reached the fourth landing and paused to catch his breath. But times had changed. The events occurring in the independent pony nation of Germaneigh had been causing unease and uncertainty within the borders of Equestria. A new leader had come to power- Adolf Bitler- a charismatic and powerful earth pony with a vision of creating a Thousand Year Empire, one to rival Celestia's influence. Soon afterwards the Great Purges had begun. Never in the likes of pony history had so many ponies been discriminated against- Settler Ponies especially. However, Equestria was forced the declare war for the first time after forces from Bitler's army invaded neighbouring Prance.

Comet sighed. What followed had been lonely years. The Palace had been shut from the ponies of Equestria, its bright colourful halls now host to military strategy meetings instead of joyful celebrations. Celestia had been away leading the armies of Equestria and freedom personally, leaving poor old Comet Catcher to look after the Palace as best he could. But the Palace had taken care of him, and so he could take care of the Palace. He had stayed, and listened, and waited.

And then- some six years later- Celestia, the majestic sun goddess and Princess of all Ponykind, returned home from the blazing ruins of Marelin. In her absence however, bickering politicians had assumed rule over Canterlot, and were hesitant to relinquish their new found power. But one look at their true ruler brought them to their knees. Celestia had declared joyfully on the grand balcony overlooking the Court of the Sun and Moon that the great war had ended. Comet remembered watching the plotting politicians whisper behind curtains and pillars as she spoke. But what could they do, really? Celestia was the Princess after all.

After a painful final push up the last flight of stairs, Comet Catcher was greeted by a long hallway, decorated with stunning stained glass windows. Deep red curtains hung beside each, matching the gold lined carpet that ran down the corridor's length. At the end stood a pair of grand oaken doors gilded with sparkling white gold leaves. the old unicorn stopped before them and knocked three times with a forehoof.

"Come in, Comet Catcher" came a melodic voice.

"I bring news of Captain Stormswirl, you highness" said Comet, entering the sumptuous and lavishly decorated bed chambers to Celestia. The Princess herself lay laying down on a luxurious sofa, her pristine white form draped over a multitude of plump cushions and pillows. A cosy fire crackled in the hearth in front of her.

"He sends word of his estimated time of arrival" he continued, setting the gold tray down on a small table before the Princess.

"Which is?"

"Three hours, your highness"

"Wherever are you taking me, Cadence?" Celestia giggled as, still blind folded, she found herself being steered across the floor by her niece, her expansive angelic wings brushing against various bits of furniture as she went.

"Stop!" her niece commanded, and Celestia felt her delicate hooves teasing at the knot behind her head. The silken purple scarf fell away. "All right", she said proudly, "you can open your eyes now."

Celestia did as she was told, rubbing her violet eyes as she looked down to see a half finished painting spread out before her. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

A soft beam of muted yellow light swept across the elegant room as the clouds parted to reveal the setting sun. Cadence held her breath. Would she like the painting she had started of herself with her dream stallion, or would she had preferred something more original?

When she'd first started out, making a beautiful picture of herself in her perfect dream, it seemed like such a good idea, and Cadence had spent many hours the previous day looking through her old fairy tale books for images of handsome Princes and beautiful poses for the Princess - which was her, naturally. Getting the facial expressions right had been tricky, especially on her own face. It had taken over two hours in front of a mirror to get the perfect look she wanted, and even then it was still not quite good enough. But it would have to do.

Later, she had turned the figures into a sketch, which she was now using to make the painting accurate and realistic. Celestia picked up the sketch with her magic, glanced at it, laid it beside the canvas, and turned her attention to the incomplete painting.

"Its..." she hesitated, her brow furrowed.

Cadence swallowed anxiously. She should have done something for original. A dragon perhaps. Or a luxury yacht - no, a racing blimp, soaring high over the Canterlot spires. Or maybe the Wonderbolts zooming over the Cloudsdale Cloudesium...

"Its wonderful!" she breathed. The sun goddess leaned across over the paint splattered red oak table and nuzzled her niece's mane. "You're a clever filly Cadence"

The pink alicorn beamed. It was all she could do not to purr out loud and her hoof trembled as she tried to decide where she would dab a spot of bright pink paint on the end of the brush he was levitating.

"What about over there?" Celestia suggested, and pointed her hoof at a gap in one of the highlighted regions of Cadence's painted face. Cadence swept the brush over the area as a bell in the distance tolled six. She looked up and smiled shyly - but Celestia had turned away, her violet gaze now staring out of the tall glass balcony doors, a puzzled frown decorating her delicate face.

"It looks perfect", Cadence chimed, "thanks."

"What? I..." Celestia muttered absent mindedly. Then turning back, she noticed the completed face of her niece.

"Oh, I see." She paused. "Tell me Cadence, why did you decide to paint yourself like this?"

"Like this?" she replied, surprised.

"Yes child", a little harsher than she meant it too. She inclined her head to the open storybook lying open beside the canvas, depicting a handsome young stallion crossing horns with a beautiful Princess, there heads pressed against each other lovingly.

"Oh that" said Cadence. "Yes it does look a bit similar. But my picture is off my dream stallion."

That being said, Cadence had left that half of the picture blank. She hadn't been able to decide what exactly her dream lover should look like. "That's just inspiration. I've looked at other books too on how to draw myself and...him" she said waving her hoof at the blank canvas of her stallion.

"I can vouch for that", a voice piped up from the other side of the great room. "Three hours we spent in the Library yesterday. My word, I felt as if my legs would crack from all the standing and walking we did!"

Celestia turned round and peered into the shadows.

"Professor Shimmer Dew, is that you?"

"No, its the long lost Prince of Gallopfrey" the voice replied sarcastically.

Celestia smiled. How different from the politicians these country ponies were. No airs, no graces, no false compliments that became whispered insults the moment your back was turned. With this wizened old Professor from Baltimare, what you saw was what you got.

"Mind you", Shimmer Dew went on, "far be it from me to complain. If three hours searching through the largest Library in Equestria is what it takes for a niece to get her aunt's attention, then so be it." he cleared his throat quietly. "No offence intended, your highness"

"None taken" said Celestia. She knew there was truth to his words. The time consuming responsibilities of high office had driven a wedge between an aunt and niece who, before, had always enjoyed such a close relationship. The evening clouds once again obscured the sun, sending shadows darting round the vast room. Professor Shimmer Dew was briefly bathed in the dim yellow light. He was seated on a hanging sofa with his academic papers spread before him on a small table. Being private tutor to Cadence had its fair share of paperwork to mark. Cadence's pet tree fox was seated on his shoulder.

"Of course, the painting will look even better when it's finished" he said without looking up from his papers. The shadows swallowed him up once more. "And since Cadence has promised to complete it as soon as possible, it would be nice if you didn't leave it too long before your next visit."

"Quite, quite" said Celestia, who hadn't heard a word. Her horn lit up briefly to readjust her tiara, and she turned her violet gaze over to the balcony doors. the long lace curtains fluttered in the breeze. "Curious" she muttered to herself, "I could have sworn Comet catcher said three..."

At that moment the tree fox on Shimmer Dew's should began jumping about on its leash and shrieking furiously: a high piercing cry followed by a staccato cough which- had it been back in the Everfree Forest rather than in the magnificent Palace- would have alerted others of its kind to imminent danger.

Waa-iiiii- kha-kha-kha-kha-kha

"Calm yourself, Muffins" ordered Shimmer dew, tugging it closer and stroking its trembling neck and shoulders. "Come on now, quieten down."

But the tree fox would not quieten down, and when the old professor tried to hold it in his lap, it scratched at his hind legs and slapped his face with its prehensile tail, so hard that it left an angry white weal on his cheek.

"Aargh!" he cried out in frustration more than pain, and let go of the end of the leash.

The tree fox leapt onto the floor and bounded towards the door, its large eyes narrowed and soft white fur bristling. "Muffins!" called Cadence, dashing after it. "You naughty thing, you. Come back here!"

Waa-iiiii- kha-kha-kha-kha-kha , the tree fox shrieked back.

"Come back!" Cadence demanded again, angry now, "at once!"

Her horn lit up with a calming blue light as she attempted to snare the little creature by the tail. The cyan light darted down towards the tree fox, but hit nothing but the golden carpeted floor as Muffins zoomed away. Cadence looked at her aunt anxiously. She'd never approved of her keeping a pet in the Palace, and the last thing she wanted to do was give her another excuse to get rid of it. But oddly, the sun goddess didn't seem to mind what was going on- in fact, it didn't even look like she notice what was happening.

And then Cadence saw why. Far down below them in the magnificent Court of the Sun and Moon, a gleaming column of armoured Royal Guards galloped towards the main arched gateway to the Palace. And up above, another cadre of the elite protectors soared towards them, pegasi all. At the head of the aerial group, gilded armour blazing brightly in the light of the dying day, glided Captain Stormswirl, leader and commander of the Royal Canterlot Guard. His proud blue streak crest marked him as the order's leader, and sky blue sapphires studded his helmet. As the imposing commander landed gracefully onto the marble balcony outside, Cadence's heart sank.

Not that she had anything against the good captain - in fact out of all the courtiers within the Solaris Court, Stormswirl was perhaps her favourite. Uncle Stormy, she'd once called him when she was a little filly. He was funny, and would sometimes perform magic tricks for her. No, it wasn't Stormswirl she was disappointed with, but Princess Celestia- and herself of course, for being so stupid.

When Celestia had entered the room earlier that day, her beautiful aurora mane flowing before her - unannounced and out of the blue, Cadence had been so happy to see her that she hadn't once questioned her reasons for coming. She'd simply assumed she wanted to spend time with her niece.

She now knew that she'd been wrong, and she remembered how distracted the Sun Princess had been; forever checking the clock and glancing out of the windows. She hadn't come to see her at all. She's simply been waiting to keep an appointment with one of her royal friends.

WAA-iiiii- kha-kha-kha...

"Muffins!" Cadence cried with a sudden fury. "Will you be quiet!"

...kha-kha...

Shimmer Dew lunged forwards and swiped the screeching, scratching creature, knocking it firmly away from the door. Cadence's horn flared as she seized the end of the leash firmly in her magical grip. At the same instant, the door opened to reveal the old unicorn Comet Catcher.

"I've brought the young Princess' dinner" he began, "together with..."

YAAOOOW!, the tree fox howled with a mixture of pain, rage and frustration. Comet paused. "Wh-where is the young Princess' little pet?" he asked breathlessly.

"You're quite safe said Shimmer Dew. The aged unicorn at the door noticed the furious tree fox writhing in Cadence's grasp and winced. Shimmer Dew smiled.

"Shame on you, a great big unicorn frightened by a little tree fox"

"I...that is..." Comet's ears twitched uneasily. "A new message came for the Sun Princess, the Ruler of Cante-"

"Yes, yes, get on with it!" said Shimmer Dew impatiently. The old astronomer could be painfully slow at times.

"The message comes from Captain Stormswirl, commander of the Royal Canterlot Guard". Comet cleared his throat. "He regrets that unforeseen circumstances have delayed him, but hopes to arrive no later than two hours after the time I originally informed her royal highness would be the time of his official appointment..."

Shimmer Dew facehoofed.

"As usual, you're too late" he said, interrupting him for a second time. He nodded towards the now open balcony doors, where Princess Celestia was warmly greeting Stormswirl behind the flapping white curtains. "I dare say the captain will be able to deliver his own message" he added with a slight chuckle.

"This is most irregular" Comet Catcher muttered miserably, "I haven't announced him yet..."

"Oh well, never mind" said Shimmer Dew, who had always found the older unicorn's behavior and mannerisms anything less than bizarre. "But I'd go if I were you" he added, "before Muffins breaks free again." The tree fox screeched, louder than ever. Comet drew back his head and Shimmer Dew closed the door.

"Funny pony" he laughed. "Haven't announced him indeed! Why, Stormswirl is one of the Princess' best friends. Now, Cadence" he said, turning to the young pink alicorn, "hurry up and clear everything away. Your aunt's got work to attend to"

But Cadence wasn't listening. Just after Comet left, the door had been thrust open again. This time, in strode in six golden armoured unicorn guards, the same she had spotted galloping across the entrance courtyard. Idly stroking the purring tree fox under its chin, she was staring at the young stallion who had come in with them, now walking up to Princess Celestia. His mane was two shades of blue, one as dark as a summer storm, the other as cold as ice. His eyes matched the darker shade, and his coat was of a pristine white.

He was a mere colt compared to the guards with him, and he was dressed in a light brown harness which signified his low rank of Cadet. By Cadence's guess, he was little older than fifteen, only a year older than Cadence herself, judging by his height and build. Yet when he caught her gazing at him, those storm blue eyes locked her magenta ones within them - if briefly.

To her horror, Cadence realised she was blushing.