The next day...

Star Shield awoke as the sun shined through his window and enveloped his room in a yellow glow. He saw a note where cadence and twilight had been asleep last night. He picked up the note and sat up as he read:

Dear Star, me and twilight woke up and went to have some breakfast. We would have woken you up but you looked so cute and peaceful, I chose to let you rest. After all, it's about time you took a good rest. We'll come by later in your room so you don't miss us too much.

Love, Cadence

"I guess she's right about me having a rest. I guess Celestia must've noticed I wasn't awake either and lowered the moon before raising the sun to bring forth the new day." He climbed out of bed and set the note on the desk then walked over to his closet. He opened the door and looked through his clothes before putting on a black hoodie. "Not very formal but it should hide my wings nicely. I can't have too many ponies knowing about me, the lost prince." He laughed as he tried his nervousness of revealing himself at the gala and thought about what to do since during this peaceful period, there wasn't much to do with the royal guard. Then he had an idea of visiting Tia as his horn glowed a light blue and he teleported to the throne room.

Canterlot castle, throne room

He appeared as Celestia stood up and spoke with a bit of surprise and concern. "Star Shield... What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to apologize for falling asleep last night." He said partially honest. There was still more he came for.

"You don't need to apologize. You were very tired and I know you haven't slept in weeks working hard and spending time with my student and niece." She could sense something else was on his mind but didn't want to push him on the matter.

"Thank you for understanding... Though could I ask you something..?"

"Of course, what is it?"

He walked towards her and looked at her sadly. "Why...why did you forgive me? Don't you think I'm a monster like everypony thought I was back then..?" She came down from the throne until they were face to face with one another. She touched his cheek with her hoof as she spoke softly. "I don't think you're a monster at all Star. You just lost control of your anger. I forgave you because I can feel in your heart that you don't want to harm anypony and that you care about everypony in equestria. I can't blame you for losing control, after all...I know how close you and Luna had been before she changed. She was lucky to have you as a friend." He nodded and hugged her as she returned it. "Tia, I am sorry for ever harming you. Its been one of my biggest regrets of my life for it wasn't your fault. And yes, me and Luna were very close but that didn't mean I didn't love you too. You've always been somepony I could go when I need to be comforted and one I could always trust. You'll always be in my heart Tia." He hugged her tighter as he felt tears staining his chest. "And you'll always be in mine Star Shield. You're one of the sweetest,kindest,and most protective ponies I've had the pleasure to have with me. You're everypony's dream come true of a knight in shining armor." He blushed at the compliment and smiled. "I try my best Tia. Though, you're beautiful, smart,wise, kind, and understanding which makes you a good contender for the princess the knight goes through life and death to be with." She stopped crying as her sadness was replaced with a smile and pink cheeks. "You're such a sweet talker star, you'll make all the mares fall for you at this year's gala." He let her go and they stood beside each other.

"Perhaps but I'm still unsure about attending the gala as a prince instead of a guard."

"Come now Star, I know it'll be hard but remember that you'll have me beside you. Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who'd love to dance with their prince charming."

"You'll all get your turn don't worry. I suppose I'm just worried about the reactions of the ponies when they see me. After all, nopony even knows about another royal pony,especially not a prince who's the only male Alicorn."

"Star Shield, you're going to worry and scare yourself thinking like that. Just smile,behave, and show that you're not intimidating..."

He raised his eyebrow as she said this. "Intimidating? What do you mean Celestia? I'm not intimidating at all."

"Oh really? Besides the fact that you're as tall as me and that you're unknown to most ponies outside the castle, I've seen how my guards react when you enter. Not to mention the fact that a week ago,a few of the new guards were sent to the hospital from being traumatized and the rest were all so bruised and tired they could barely walk." She said with a stern voice like a mother scolding her child.

"I already said I was sorry Tia. I didn't mean to hurt or scare them that much... I just wanted to give them a little startle and see how skilled they were." He replied sadly. He had good reasons but he forgot sometimes that he needs to keep his power under control. Celestia knew he felt bad and kissed his cheek. "I know you are but from now on, I think it might be better that you wear something to suppress your power. Otherwise, you may end up causing far more harm than good. I can't have my prince getting in trouble."

He rolled his eyes and smiled. "Fine, but make it a necklace or something else that is small enough that won't get in the way. And to be clear, who ever said I'm your prince Tia?"

"Aww are you saying you don't love me?"

"I-I do..I just...I don't know! Stop putting me in positions like this... You know I don't like it when you or cadence do this. I'm only one stallion." He blushed as he felt embarrassed and confused why he had to suffer being around two beautiful mares who tease him day and night.

"Oh Star, I know you love me and I know Cadence knows it too. We just like to make you blush because you look cute. You just have a certain quality where it's pretty easy for mares to like you."

"Still wish you didn't do it...but I do love you both. Then again, I love and care for everypony. I'd do anything to keep equestria."

"Then don't think about the gala anymore or about what the ponies will think, just relax and spend some time with your friends. Just go have fun for once." She smiled warmly at him. "You work too hard and you deserve to take a break. You've helped and taken care of me and the others. But now, I want you to think about yourself and enjoy a few days in peace."

"Alright, thank you Tia. See ya at the gala and don't even try to eat cake, I'll be watching you." He grinned as Tia blushed lightly and he teleported himself to his bedroom. He noticed that it was already noon.

He took off his hoodie and put it back in the closet. He stopped at the closet door as he sensed somepony was in the room. "What are you doing here?"

The stranger laughed, "I just came to see who's in charge of the bothersome Royal guard that's been chasing me down...I now see why they've gotten so much more tougher."

Star turned and growled as he looked at the dark gray earth pony with black spiked mane with red streaks,blood red slitted eyes, and a dark black hooded cloak covering his body stained with dried up blood. "You have a lot of nerve coming here Crimson shadow after what you've done." Crimson shadow yawned and said casually. "Come now Star, their lives weren't much anyway. At least now they have some value."

"You killed an entire town! You torture them, you kill the children in front of the parents for Celestia's sake. You're wanted in every kingdom because of the destruction, torture, and mass murders you've committed in each of them all throughout equis!"

"I don't believe you're one to lecture me on my crimes Star Shield. After all, you destroyed your entire kingdom, your subjects, your friends,your family... You murdered them all and obliterated your kingdom to nothing. I may be a wanted criminal but I at least draw the line somewhere."

Star's anger rose as he believed that this pony was just lying. "No! You're lying! A monster destroyed my kingdom and killed my parents! It wasn't me!"

Shadow smirked. "You're right, a monster did destroy it but guess where it came from Star Shield... It came from you. Just as you nearly killed princess celestia because she banished her sister to the moon, you also destroyed your own kingdom and your family, all because of you."

Star stood frozen in shock. Could it really be true? Could he really have killed his own family? "No...it can't be true...I couldn't have done it..."

"It's very true commander. You, my dear Alicorn stallion, are the reason your family is no more and had your anger not faded away... You would've been responsible for the celestia's death as well." Crimson shadow knew Star was too shocked to react so he quickly grabbed his dark crystal blade and charged towards the Alicorn. Star Shield had barely enough time to react to see crimson stab him through the chest with his sword. "You see Star, nopony told you either because they don't know or they wanted to hide it from you but you are much more powerful than Celestia or Luna. You can easily be the most powerful living thing in equestria if pushed to your limit. I'll even tell you another secret...just like the princess of the night has her dark side,you do too." Crimson grinned as Star's coat started to change to black,starting from the chest and spreading through his body. He removed the sword from Star's chest and smiled as Star fell onto the ground while the darkness slowly consumed him."If you're lucky enough, you might go into your other form after this or remain yourself but...chances are you're going to become this form first. See you soon...Night Blade.. " With that, Crimson laughed and vanished.