The great city of Canterlot. A beautiful, thrilling place for those who could afford it, but a tough environment for those who could not. You may think that this city, with all it's festivities and holidays, would be one of complete smiles and happiness, wouldn't you dear reader? But you're wrong. It has its issues like any other large city.

There are three rings of class that made up the city. Ponies could travel between rings of course, there are no physical boundaries stopping them. But they would always have to return to that ring which they belong. It's just the way things work in Cantelot.

The outer ring, which one would walk into the moment they stepped through the gates, consists of the lower class. These ponies usually have little or no money for even themselves, let alone to spare. Shops in that ring usually have few items to sell, though no item found within them would be of great value.

The second ring, that of the middle class, contains ordinary shops with ordinary ponies to run them. They aren't poor, but they aren't exactly rich either. The second ring is where the majority of visitors tend to stay, and not just because that's where the train station is.

The third ring, is the upper class world. There, everypony is rich, items are of high quality and high price, and the homes are large and glamorous. It is a rare sight to see one of the third ring ponies away from their section. And the only time a first ring pony would even think about stepping into that world would be for thieving.

But in the center of it all lies the richest building in the city Canterlot Castle, where the royal family rules over its people from above. The only way to enter it is through either royal business, or by being escorted by guards. It is surrounded by a strong magic barrier, from the depths of the dungeons, to the highest towers. This barrier prevents any creature from entering or leaving without permission.

In one of these towers resides our heroine, trapped against her own will, using all her wits in order to escape her prison.

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

My Faithful Subjects!

Shadow Spirit had given up trying to break through the magic barrier that Princess Celestia had created. Wearing out her magic after only three hours, she turned to using brute force to break down the door. However, the door was magicked as well, and her efforts were in vain. Now she simply leaned against the door, exhaustedly thumping it with her head every few seconds. But she grew too weary even to do that, and stopped.

Today is a Joyous Day Indeed!

Silently turning her head to look about the room she was given, she grimaced. In her anger and disgust over what they did to her, she had trashed the once beautiful guest room. Her bed lay in shambles,The fluffy pillows ripped apart, the polished wooden posts completely destroyed until they were no more than splinters. The thick velvet curtains once hanging from the tall ceiling now lay in shreds across the marble floor, which had a few cracks in it from her tantrum. Any furniture that had not been destroyed was scattered about the room on its side. And the dress. Oh that beautiful white dress she was given was no more, only traces of it left. She preferred her ratty old cloak anyway.

For One of Our Kin Has Returned to Us!

After her tantrum, she had cried until she slept amongst the trash. All the emotions just flowed out of her body without her consent. She couldn't help it. She missed her family. They had never been without her, they needed her too much. And she need them. The night passed, and with the morning sun came her strength, which she had used up trying to escape.

It Has Been a Great Many Years,

Standing slowly, she shuffled away from the door and to one of the floor-length windows, her long cloak trailing behind her. She scoffed at the view. Below her she could make out rich and snooty ponies strolling about below her. She turned her gaze to the far Northern edge of the city, and her ruby eyes softened. That was where her family resided. She hoped they were okay without her. She knew the food stash was running a bit low, but she had never liked the idea of one of her little thieves going out without her watchful eye.

And There May be Few Who Remember Her Name.

Shadow Spirit's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. She inhaled sharply, and braced herself as the door opened.

But Let Her In,

Two guards made their way into the room, clearly trying not to notice the damage. Behind them came the two Royal Princesses themselves. Princess Celestia's face was calm, but Princess Luna snorted at the room. It had previously been made clear that the younger sister did not approve of Shadow Spirit's presence in the castle.

Open Your Hearts,

"You really made yourself at home here, didn't you?" The princess mocked, but was hushed by her sister. "Luna, why don't you wait outside with the guards. I want to speak with her alone." Princess Celestia emphasized the last word, and Princess Luna sulked, yet she left the room anyway. The guards followed, and Princess Celestia closed the door gently behind them. Shadow Spirit said nothing.

And Show Her Your Kindness.

"Please forgive my sister's rude behaviour. These last few days have been… stressful for her. Shadow Spirit snorted, but made no reply. The princess sighed and took in the room's damage. Shadow Spirit prepared for a scolding, but was only met with a chuckle. She looked sharply at the princess. Princess Celsetia was… smiling? "Not bad, you clearly have much strength, especially to be able to tear apart that bed. But it's nothing like the damage I have caused to my rooms before, if I do say so myself." Shadow Spirit blinked in surprise. She couldn't imagine the princess upset and throwing a tantrum like a small filly.

Welcome Her Like You Would a Friend.

There was a flash of light, and she had to close her eyes. When she opened them again, the room was back to it's original state, fresh and clean like before. Fresh flowers had even appeared in the vase. "That's better, don't you think?" The princess smiled warmly at Shadow Spirit, and she had to look away. She was ashamed of herself for acting the way she did. However, she refused to apologize or even speak to these mares.

But it May Be Hard For Her,

Shadow Spirit walked to the bed. She climbed on it and settled atop the covers, her back to the princess, who sighed. She wanted to be left alone, and tried to make it apparent. But soon there was a sudden shift in the mattress as more weight was added to it. Instead of leaving, Princess Celestia had climbed on next to Shadow Spirit, and wrapped a wing around the young mare. Shadow Spirit was almost tempted to lean into the body, it had been so long since she had been held like that. Maybe she was wrong about the princesses. Maybe they weren't as bad as she thought.

For She Has Been Alone So Long,

"I'm so sorry, Shadow Spirit," the princess whispered. "We took you from your home, and keep you locked in this room. But please understand. You are a princess now. We're doing this for your own good."

Away From Home.

Any thoughts Shadow Spirit had about the princess being kind vanished as quickly as they came. And it was then that she found her voice.

But Now She Has Returned.

"For my own good? You think that this is for my own good?!" She shrugged off the princess's wing and stumbled away from her. "I don't belong here. I shouldn't be anywhere near here!" Her voice raised its volume as she thrust a hoof out, pointing towards her home. "Those streets are where I belong! I have a family to take care of out there, yet you keep me locked away from them! You think that I should be here, with you stuck up, insensitive royal fools, just because I can use magic, yet I have these?!" She yanked off her cloak, and spread her large grey wings. She felt exposed with them out though, and tucked them away again.

So without further ado,

Taking a deep breath, she sighed. "You have no right to keep me here, no right to pretend I am your kin." Her voice was softer, calmer, but there was a sharp edge to it. She glared at the other princess, who said nothing. She merely sighed and stood from the bed, walking toward the door. Softly, she replied, "I know you miss your family, more than you think. They need you. But we need you here too. You will learn in time." She left the room, and locked the door behind her.

Please welcome, Princess Shadow Spirit!

Shadow Spirit threw herself on the bed, and cried once more.