After bidding everyone goodnight, Soarin made his way to his room, the sounds of laughter and friendly banter still echoing down the palace halls. He could feel his heart racing, not just from the excitement of the day, but from the weight of a new realization, something he'd been avoiding telling Rainbow until now.

As he closed the door behind him, the room fell silent, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. He moved to the window and gazed out at the moonlit landscape, taking a deep breath. Tonight had been incredible—watching Rainbow with the others, seeing her so happy and full of life. But in the quiet moments alone, the reality of his duty settled back in. He knew he couldn't keep hiding it forever. He had seen it, after all.

The magic.

A few days ago, while he was training Rainbow, he'd caught a glimpse of something incredible. At first, he thought he was just imagining it, some trick of the light or his own hopes for her success, but the more he thought about it, the more undeniable it became. He had witnessed a spark, a shimmering, ethereal light around Rainbow as she trained—a subtle glow that hinted at the magic she was beginning to harness.

It had been faint, but real. And if he'd seen it, that meant she was truly embracing her role, awakening powers far beyond what they'd ever imagined. Soarin could still remember the feeling in his chest when he'd seen that glow, something like awe mixed with pride... and, if he was honest, a hint of fear.

"What if she's not ready for this?" he murmured, leaning against the windowsill. The whole reason he had been pushing her was to prepare her for the inevitable—to bear the weight of the crown and to rule Aeatria with grace, courage, and wisdom. But even if he believed she could handle it, there was so much she didn't know. So much he hadn't told her.

And then there was that nagging thought that he could almost hear the dark spirit saying, mocking him: Are you sure she's the one for this?

Soarin clenched his fists, silencing the doubts. He'd trained Rainbow himself. He knew her better than anyone else. She was loyal, fearless, determined—a natural-born leader who just needed time to grow. But the magic he'd seen tonight—it was unlike anything he'd ever witnessed. That was the very thing Aeatria needed. And he knew Rainbow was worthy of it, even if she didn't yet.

But telling her was another story. She'd been through so much already, and they were just starting to get closer, opening up about their fears and dreams. If he told her now, would it overwhelm her? Would she start to doubt herself?

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can't keep this from her forever," he muttered. "She deserves to know, and she deserves to know it's real."

He leaned his head back, closing his eyes, the memory of the magical spark lingering in his mind. Tomorrow, he'd tell her. He'd tell her everything he'd seen. He'd show her that she was more powerful than she realized, more than just a strong leader or a potential queen. She was a guardian, someone who could wield magic and protect her kingdom in ways no one else could.

"Rainbow, you have no idea what you're capable of," he whispered to himself. And the thought of her reaction brought a small smile to his face. She'd probably just shrug, laugh it off, and challenge him to another training session, stubborn as ever.

But somewhere deep down, he hoped that seeing the magic would give her the confidence she needed. He couldn't bear the thought of her doubting herself, especially when she was the only one who could bring peace back to Aeatria.

Soarin turned away from the window and looked around his room. Tomorrow, he'd help her see the truth, and he'd be there to support her through every step. After all, he was more than her trainer; he was her friend, her confidant—and maybe, just maybe, something more.

As he climbed into bed, Soarin couldn't shake the feeling that tomorrow would change everything. It wasn't just about training anymore. This was her destiny, and he was determined to help her fulfill it, no matter what stood in their way.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✨ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✨ *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✨

Soarin tossed and turned, each second feeling heavier than the last. He couldn't shake the weight on his chest—the knowledge of what Rainbow was about to face, and the darkness that lurked around her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Finally, he sat up, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. He knew there was no point fighting it; he had to tell her now.

Soarin walked through the dimly lit halls and made his way to Rainbow's room. Gently, he knocked, but there was no answer. Curiosity got the better of him, so he peeked inside and saw her sitting on her bed, her gaze fixed on a book in her hands, yet her eyes were distant, clouded with worry.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked softly, stepping into the room.

Rainbow looked up, startled, and then offered a weak smile. "Yeah... I keep feeling like... something is watching me."

Soarin let out a breath, nodding. "You're not wrong." He moved around the room, closing the windows and drawing the curtains, his movements calm but purposeful. He wanted to ensure their conversation stayed between them. Satisfied, he turned to her, feeling the tension in his own shoulders as he took a seat beside her on the bed, holding the ancient book he'd brought along. The weight of its worn cover seemed to carry the gravity of the story it held.

Rainbow looked at the book, her curiosity piqued. She crawled forward, sitting across from him and eyeing the old tome intently. "What's that?" she asked, her voice a soft murmur, as though she knew something important was about to unfold.

Soarin opened the book, its pages thick and aged, filled with words and illustrations that hinted at a long-forgotten time. He took a steadying breath and began. "A long time ago, when you were born... you were instantly pronounced the princess of Aeatria. You were meant for greatness from that first moment. But little did we know, a dark spirit by the name of Morviana saw it all—and she wanted that very title for herself."

Rainbow's eyes widened slightly, leaning in closer as he continued.

"The day you were born was also the day Morviana was cast out, deemed unworthy of the crown she'd coveted her entire life. She couldn't bear to see anyone else take what she believed was hers. She resented you, Rainbow, with every fiber of her being." Soarin's voice dropped lower. "When you fell into that coma, she took it as an opportunity. Her plan was to take your life and the throne for herself. But when your family sent you to Equestria for protection, her plans were foiled. She's been lying in wait ever since, bitter and fueled by revenge. She doesn't know you have powers and the Elements of Loyalty to guard you. She thinks you're just an ordinary girl, newly arrived to claim a crown you don't deserve. Plus the Pegasai died with you not being there"

Rainbow clenched her fists, her gaze determined but her voice edged with disbelief. "And you think she's... still out there?"

Soarin nodded, closing the book softly. "She is. And she's waiting for the moment you're crowned to strike. Which is why you need to know her story, to be prepared for her tricks and traps. Morviana's power grows with resentment and fear—she'll try to make you doubt yourself, to make you vulnerable."

Rainbow swallowed, her face a mix of anger and determination. "So why didn't you tell me all this before?" She looked at him with frustration. "Didn't I deserve to know?"

Soarin met her gaze, a slight smirk forming on his lips. "Honestly? If I'd told you everything upfront, would you have had the courage to come here?" He raised an eyebrow, watching her wrestle with the answer.

"Well... I mean..." She huffed, folding her arms. "Maybe not."

"Exactly," Soarin said, laughing lightly. He could see the flicker of acceptance in her eyes, her frustration melting into understanding. "I needed you to be here, Rainbow. I needed you to see that Aeatria isn't just some place in a story, that you're part of it. This is your home too."

Rainbow nodded slowly, her mind still racing as she absorbed it all.

Soarin looked at her, his expression softening as the weight of their conversation settled between them. He gave her hand a light squeeze before letting go, standing up from the edge of her bed.

"Alright, I think that's enough history lessons for tonight," he said with a gentle smile, glancing back at her. "You've got a big day tomorrow, Dash. Get some rest."

He paused at the door, looking back at her one last time with a smile. "Goodnight, Dash. Sleep well. Tomorrow's just the beginning."

And with that he closed the door.