Name: Velvet Shade  
Nickname(s): Vel, Velvie  
Age: 25  
Birthday: May 28  
Parents: Celestia and (Mirror) Sombra  
Siblings: N/A  
Future Spouse: Moonstone  
Children: Night Valley (future daughter), Fading Dawn (future son), Starstruck (future son)  
Personality:  
When Velvet Shade puts his mind to something, it’s hard for him to let go. Dedicated to learning about his origins and one day reuniting with his father, Velvet has a can-do attitude which is helpful as he works towards his goals. However, he doesn’t consider the possibilities of things ever going wrong and is thus poorly prepared for failure. He is persistent but naive, fully convinced that even his wildest dreams can come true with enough hope and effort. While a kind and princely stallion, he is so hyper-focused on finding his father that he doesn’t make time for other things like finding love and cultivating relationships. His refusal to give up comes as both a blessing and a curse.  
Relationships:  
Raised by a loving single mother, it is only natural that Velvet is close with her. Celestia worked hard to instill in him all the values that she and Sombra agreed on, but she sees Sombra in her son and Velvet knows that, which creates a bit of a rift. Not that she hasn’t made her peace with it, but clearly Velvet has not. He believes bringing his father back is the key to making Celestia happy, when in reality the only one concerned about it is him.  
Celestia was never really alone in raising Velvet, having her sister Luna by her side. Luna is much like Celestia in raising her nephew to be a morally-upstanding stallion, but unlike her sister she doesn’t let emotions from the past get in the way. She’s practical, emotionally supporting Velvet however she can but trying to help him find things to focus on other than his father. That doesn’t quite work, but she’s prepared to help him with the disappointment she believes is inevitable.  
Velvet’s closest friend and confidant is Moonstone. As Luna’s protégé, she visits the castle a lot, which provides plenty of time for her to help Velvet with his mission to get his father back. She supports Velvet’s dream but helps him break it down into practical, concrete steps, helping him with anything including research and testing methods of interdimensional travel. Moonstone is a great friend to confide in, but Velvet is too caught up in his mission to realize that she sees him as more than a friend.  
Out of the royal family, Velvet is also quite close with Flurry Heart. He has dealt with his fair share of pressure from being the child of a world leader (among other things) much like she has, thus they can confide in each other. In the coming decades, Velvet will find himself needing a friend more than ever and Flurry will be there.  
Aside from his mother and aunt, one pony Velvet really looked up to growing up was his family’s most faithful servant, Cobalt Gust. Cobalt went above and beyond the basic tasks of keeping house and provided comfort and advice to the young prince throughout his colthood troubles when the Queens were not available. He was even willing to stretch the boundaries of his job a little to put in a good word for Velvet before the Queens. Cobalt may be retired now, but Velvet remembers him fondly.  
Cutie Mark:  
In some cultures, two ponies tying their hooves together is a symbol of love and unity. This is exemplified in Velvet’s cutie mark, which represents his dream to bring together his parents—and ultimately, his family—in long-awaited unity. If it’s on his flank, it must be destined to happen, right?