A/N:I'll be working on this story more and hopefully nothing will go wrong so I can get them out as soon as I can. Anyway hope you enjoy it.

'Italics bold' - Nova

'Italics' - Star Shield

~Six days to departure...~

Star Shield showed up to the dining room in his armor and four silver bracelets with a green gem in the center, one on each of his hooves, for breakfast as Tia and Blueblood, seated on her left, waited for him. The two guards by the door briefly saluted to Star and he saluted back before returning to their positions.

"Star, you're usually not this late for breakfast. Is something going on?" Asked the sun princess.

"There must be for this retch to dare to be keep royalty waiting." Replied the obnoxious prince.

'I swear Blueblood...one of these days...I'll make you regret every oppressing statement you've ever said.' Star's energy spiked briefly before returning to normal as he sat a few seats away from the royals.

"No...I just lost track of time, besides I'm only five minutes late so don't worry about it."

The servants came with what could easily be a buffet of fancy,delicious foods. There was enough food that it could feed a small army easily. However, there always seemed to be something wrong with the food for the self-centered prince.

"Ugh, you call this food? It's too salty and this one is too dry..." And on and on he seemed to go on about every piece of food being bad for some reason. It irritated the two alicorns to no end and Star was about to shut that snob's mouth up, however Celestia shook her head at Star knowing what he was thinking then spoke sternly to Blueblood.

"That's enough Blueblood. These ponies have worked hard to make this food now you will be quiet and eat it with no complaints or I will let Star choose a punishment for you." The prince gulped nervously and nodded. They ate in silence the rest of breakfast.

Star and Tia glanced at one another as they also ate in silence but inside, they knew they were both laughing. It was one of the rare moments where they felt more connected and happy.

Star finished quickly while making sure to eat properly. It was tedious but it was etiquette. Tia finished shortly after. They soon left together as the snobby prince finished and left to his room. He didn't leave without giving a scoff and a glare at Star first. Star shook his head and he headed out into the hallway with the princess.

"So Star Shield... Care to tell me why you were late to breakfast? I know it wasn't because you overslept so what is it?" Asked the princess curiously with a hint of worry.

"Nothing...I was just thinking about some things and lost track of time." He replied. Star did in fact think about many things but he didn't want to tell Celestia. As much as she probably deserved to know, he didn't want her to spend the week worried about him or pleading with him about staying. He would tell her...just not now.

"Very well Star...just try to be on time next time. In the meantime, maybe you could pick out a nice suit to wear for the gala."

Star stopped in his tracks causing Tia to turn around and look at him.

"The gala? The grand galloping gala? But I thought I missed it..."

"You did...but I postponed it so you wouldn't miss it. After all, you're going to be revealed as a prince of Equestria there and besides, Cadence and I would love to have a dance with our prince."

"Great...so I still have to do it." He said unenthusiastically.

"Star...stop being like a little foal, you know you'll have to do it sooner or later. It might as well be soon at the gala."

"Fine...when is it?"

"It'll be in six days Star Shield."

'Six days huh? Guess I've got no choice but to attend it...' He thought.

"Alright, I'll make sure to dress for the occasion Celestia. Now can we please talk about something else?"

"Alright Star Shield but don't bring up anything regarding dark magic because I already told you that's dangerous and I don't want you doing anymore experimentations with it."

'After what happened last time, I'm keeping dark magic experiments away from the castle.' He thought back to how a spell he was practicing caused the ponies in the castle had lived their worst nightmares and Celestia had to undo it. In other words, not a good time for everypony's life that day.

"Yes I know, I was just wondering about having a small sleepover with you, Cadence, Twilight, and Spike...and see if you'd be interested."

"Hmm I might, but if I say yes...you'll have to help me do a lot of paperwork." She replied with a slight grin.

He smiled and rolled his eyes, "If it'll get you to join us then it's a deal."

"Alright, we'll see if you really can do it. I'll send over the papers by the afternoon. Oh and about your retirement...have you thought about it?"

"Yes...I have and I will retire from the royal guards. However, I think I'll enjoy it more knowing somepony capable will be in charge."

"Well how about Twilight's brother?"

"Shining armor? I suppose he is a good guard and shows some leadership qualities but I'm not sure if I can talk to him. We haven't really spoken since I took him down with ease in our spar and spent time with Cadence and his sister. However, he is one of the best ponies in the guard. I can't say he can take over my position but he definitely has potential for a position such as lieutenant or captain."

"Is that really the only reason he doesn't talk to you?"

"Not exactly...he has a crush on Cadence and when we sparred...I may have taken him down in eight seconds while all the others,including Cadence, were watching."

Celestia thought about what to do for a few moments before sighing.

"Well...try to talk to him and see if you can get along any better. Maybe not as friends but comrades."

'Comrades? Guess that could work...though how do I even begin when he hates me?'

"I'll see if I talk to him later when I get Spike. Then, I'll send in my papers stating my retirement from the royal guard. If I don't catch Shining at home, I'll talk to him sometime later."

"Alright Star Shield, just make sure to be careful. Now I need to go get ready for a meeting, why don't you go and pick up Spike right now?"

"Sure, it's almost time anyways. I'll see you later Tia." He looks around for anypony but doesn't notice anypony so he wraps his hoof around her neck and gives her a quick kiss on the lips. "For good luck my princess."

Her cheeks blushed a light pink as she gave a kiss in return. "Just stay out of trouble my prince."

"I'll try my best, I love you Tia."

"I love you too Star" As she spoke those words, Star lit up his horn and teleported to his room. He took off his armor and set them down on the floor. He looked through his closet and found a fancy black suit. He put it on,making sure to cover his wings and his bracelets,or suppressors, in case it alarms anypony. The suit covered both nicely as he looked at himself in the mirror.

"I look pretty good if I do say so myself. I look just like a rich unicorn of Canterlot." He smiled and teleported outside of the castle then walked out into the streets of Canterlot.

It was a 10 minute walk before he arrived at a small two-story house on the corner. He came up the steps and knocked on the door then waited patiently. He wasn't quite sure what to do on his day with the little drake so he just hoped Spike would enjoy spending time together at least.

The door opened and revealed a white mare with a white and purple striped mane in a style similar to twilight. She smiled upon seeing the pony and hugged him gently.

"Star, it's such a pleasure to see you again. How are you? Please come in." She let go and stepped aside for him. He thanked her and went inside. She closed the door and they went to the living room.

"I've been doing well miss, I'm back to normal." He said while thinking, 'yeah..if you exclude the fact of a dragon and my dark spirit residing within me as well as leaving to the everfree forest normal...'

"Oh Star, I told you that you can call me Velvet. I heard about what happened to you, but I'm glad to see you're back."

"Thank you Velvet, I know I must have worried a few ponies but I'll be fine and fully recovered eventually. But enough about me, how are you and the family doing?"

"Everything's fine, as you probably know Twilight has stayed on track with her studies, Shining is training hard to become captain of the royal guard. As for me and my husband, we're enjoying the time of peace without the kids running around anymore though I sometimes miss those times."

"Yes, I remember just how much energy they had when they were young." She nodded and smiled as she thought back to the past. "Speaking of which, is Spike here?"

"Oh yes, I almost forgot that you were coming to get Spike. He's upstairs in Twilight's room."

"Ok,thank you Velvet." He walked upstairs to a purple door with Twilight's cutie mark on the door, he opened the door and saw Spike in the middle of organizing the room again.

"Spike...are you ready?"

He dropped a book he was holding to the ground and came running to star. "Yeah, sure let's go."

"Alright, come on then." Spike walked downstairs with Star Shield as he said goodbye to Velvet then they both headed out to spend time together.

They headed to a nearby park where little fillies and colts were playing on the playground enjoying the most of the wonderful sunny day. The two sat on a grassy hill and began talking about events in their lives from funny to dramatic and everything in between. By the time they finished, the sun was beginning to set. Star Shield raised the moon as Celestia lowered the sun.

"...at least you learned not to mess around with the books Spike." Star said in between laughs. Spike had just told him about how he juggling the books before Twilight saw him and had a look on her face like she was gonna burst.

Spike scratched the back of his head nervously as he rode on Star's back on the way home. "Yeah...to not ever do it again."

"Pretty much Spike but in the end, it all works out. Besides, no matter what Twilight loves you and wouldn't hate you...she might get really upset with you and stop giving you gems though."

"True...but Star Shield? How come you haven't said any stories like that? I mean besides the stories of you battling King Talos or Discord or King sombra, I haven't really heard any stories of you, Princess Celestia, and her sister."

Star hung his head low and he sighed. "That's because...I don't really like remembering too much about those times. It just makes me miss those times more and about a mistake I did Spike. Something I still regret to this day."

"What did you do?" Asked the baby dragon. Other than the stories and what he's seen of the stallion, there was little he knew about Star Shield but he wanted to know more.

"I really rather not say Spike and I'd appreciate it if you don't bring it up again with me or anypony else."

"But..."

"Spike! Don't bring it up again, understand?" Star said with a stern and slightly aggravated voice.

"Okay Star...I'm sorry." The duo remained silent as they reached Twilight's house.

'Star...he is not to blame for being curious about you. Don't be so hostile towards him' said Nova in star's mind.

'I know and I don't mean to but I just don't want to remember it anymore. Not to mention the fact that I I can't get around the information Crimson told me or that Night Blade isn't gone. I can still feel him but he remains silent.'

'Just focus on your friends and loved ones for now. I'll help you sort out your problems as best as I can,for the moment just relax a bit and focus on them...'

Star knew Nova was right but it was difficult to just forget. No matter how much time passed, there was always that emptiness and hatred in him from losing Luna. The same hatred that Night Blade thrived on and continues to feed on to grow in power as he remains in Star's darkness.

Star turned his head back to look at the dragon,"I'm sorry Spike but I just don't want to talk about my past. Maybe someday I'll tell you but not now,okay?"

"Okay Star, if you say so." Spike replied with a slight smile.

Spike got off his back and they hugged each other goodbye before he headed inside. Star Shield walked a block from the house before stopping.

"Crimson Shadow...show yourself before I make you."

In a moment, the hooded earthpony showed up in front of Star Shield. Star Shield started walking and Crimson walked alongside him into a dark alley. They stopped once they saw nopony around and faced one another.

"I see I can't get the drop on you anymore, I hope I didn't hurt you too much prince." Crimson smirked as his hoof rose and pointed to Star's chest. "After all, it seemed to sting you when I left."

Star growled, here he was with the one who brought forth something he didn't want again. "Watch your words Crimson, I may have darkness in me but it doesn't mean I'll become your ally. You're still a killer and I still will bring you to justice."

"You say that Star Shield but I know you won't. Not while I still have information about you and your past, your unknown past. You see, you may have captured many ponies throughout the years but...there is a reason I am called Crimson Shadow and you know that very well. Besides, I'm sure you wouldn't want that filly to get hurt now would you?"

"If you lay a hoof on her or anypony else I swear I will make you pay!" Star shouted with anger.

"Watch your tone Star, alicorn or not I'm still as quick as you and I have a bit of tricks up my sleeve. Your anger and hatred will feed your darkness all the more anyways so it might be you who harms them all."

"I'd never hurt them! I protect and love everypony in equestria!"

Crimson laughed darkly and pointed at Star's hooves. "You? Protect them? Please, you have far too much darkness within you. It would have been better if you were banished with Celestia's sister. You have so much power you can't even control it and have to wear suppressors. Even now, you'll probably have to wear even more suppressors until your body is covered and you end up looking like a monster rather than a pony. You can say you'll protect them all you want but the thing they'll need protecting from is you."

"It's because of you I even have this in me again Crimson and I want it out now!"

"I didn't give you darkness, you had it and I just merely unlocked it. It may not have taken over you yet but sooner or later,you will be taken over by your own anger and hatred just like Luna."

"It'll never happen, I will not be corrupted by the darkness. I will win and I will make you pay for your crimes."

"We'll find out just how effective and truthful your words are when you're draining the life out of the ones you love and dooming Equestria while I watch over and see just how perfect of a weapon you are."Crimson smiled as he walked deeper into the alley and disappeared into the darkness.

Star teleported to his room and removed his clothing, staring at his hooves and the suppressors attached to them distressed and in disbelief.

Nova,sensing how Star was feeling said inside Star's mind, 'Do not believe what he says Star Shield. You are a strong pony and you will keep them safe from harm.'

"Maybe...but there's a chance he's right and if he is, then that means I have to stay away from everypony permanently." Star spoke out loud as he walked out and stood on his balcony.

'You won't need to Star,our training in the everfree forest is so you'll have better control of your power and realize that you are the hero of equestria not its villain nor its destructor.'

"I guess...I'll think about it..thank you Nova."

'You're welcome Star Shield, enjoy the night.'

"I will..."

All went silent as Star noticed the pile of paperwork on his desk.

"I suppose I better get it over with already."

He went inside and sat in front of his desk. He grabbed a quill then dipped it in the ink as he started filling out the paperwork. He stopped shortly to look out into the night sky and continued writing as he awaited the next of his last days in Canterlot.