Spyro and The Legend of Friendship

Written By: Cloudline Dasher

Edited By: N/A

Chapter six: Celestia's Shining Armor

It had been a day since she sent that letter. With Spike being as distressed as he was, Celestia knew something must be wrong for him not to respond. Looking up at the large doors to the peace treaty building, she held her head high, her magic straightening her solar luminescent mane and tail, which done nothing, but disrupt its flow for a mere moment. After comfortable with her appearance, she forced her facial features into a stern and serious look, and calmly walked into the building. Immediately her ears tried to flinch from the loud yelling from the Griffons debating with Cadence about why the Crystal Empire can't be moved and whom the land belongs too. Cadence looked over to Celestia, halting the conversation dead in its tracks. The Griffon looked to Celestia annoyed, but that didn't phase her any.

“General Grail.” Celestia acknowledged.

“What do you want? This is a talk for Cadence and the Crystal Empire, not you!” The Griffon hissed.

Celestia stepped forward, flaring out her wings. Making Grail flinch and shrink back into his chair, “Shut that beak, Grail. I have simply come to turn all negotiation power over to Cadence for the time being.”

The white Alicorn princess glanced over to Cadence, and couldn't help but look at her knowingly, seeing the sheer terror on the pink Alicorn's face, “But Celestia!?”

“Hush now Cadence, I trust in your ability, and it is just temporary. Once I return, I will look over anything all of you decide, and I will either decline or accept.” Celestia looked to Grail, expecting him to snap at her, but he just merely nodded, refusing to sit back up in his chair. Celestia grinned as she stated, “Now, I request I speak with Cadence alone.”

Grail opened his beak to say something, but once again Celestia flared her wings, shooting him a death glare and with that the meeting went into an intermission. Cadence fought the urge to lower her head like a pony that had just been sent to the principles office, holding her head high just to put on a show in front of the Griffon counsel. As soon as they were out of the building, Celestia led the way, while Cadence just followed silently. Darting into a hotel, Celestia looked to the attendant at the counter, “I request a room.”

“Absolutely Princess!” The stallion stated, pulling a key from the wall, not even bothering to make her sign in or pay. Which that didn't stop Celestia from pulling bits from seemingly nowhere and paying almost triple for a room she wasn't going to use but for five or so minutes.

Once in the room, Celestia locked the door and turned to Cadence, “I fear I cannot go into full depth, so please hold your questions to the minimum.”

“O-okay, is something wrong?” Cadence shifted her eyes, but they soon focused on Celestia's.

“I believe Spike is in danger, and I cannot in good consciousness let anything happen to him. He might as well be Twilight Sparkle's brother or son. Twilight means far too much to let anything happen to him.” Celestia gazed at Cadence's expression, searching.

Cadence's expression turned into an understanding concern as her entire body relaxed, “I understand, I wouldn't expect anything less. Spike is like family, and we must do anything to protect that, but is it wise to leave me here? Maybe I could go, or even send Shining Armor?”

“I didn't deem it fair to take the Crystal Empire negotiations away from you, and I certainly didn't want to put Shining Armor in danger.” Celestia gently closed her eyes, trying not to let out a sigh.

“I have faith in my husband, Celestia. War is not worth us just rushing off, even for family. Please, send him, I know he will be okay.” It was Cadence's turn to search the others expression, seeing the concern and worry on her face.

Silence befell the room, and Cadence just sat there, giving Celestia a moment to think. Celestia turned away, stepping to the window and gazing out, “Cadence, you have something that my sister and I do not.”

Cadence's ears flickered as her attention peaked. Getting up to join Celestia by her side, “W-what do you mean?”

“I've watched you from birth, and I've seen how you age. My sister and I took a hundred years to become a full adult. You on the other hoof, age as if you are simply a pony, and not an Alicorn. You will be able to live and grow old with Shining Armor, and no matter what, I shall not let anything happen to Shining Armor. He will stay, and I will go, that is final.”

“But...” Cadence started, but paused when she noticed faint tears trickling down Celestia's face. She had never seen her cry before, sure she had seen her become saddened, and even break down and talk about Luna before her sister was freed from the moon. However, this was new and for some reason, felt sorry for her.

“I once had a Shining Armor of my own. He was so dashing and magnificent, even after aging a hundred years. The only thing worse than losing a lover, is losing a lover to time itself. Even going so far as having a way to have him join you in possible immortality, only for it to be stripped away by his own stubbornness and love for you.” Celestia calmly stated, just barely audible enough for Cadence to hear every word. Even though tears continued to fall, her eyes remained glued to the sky out the window.

“Celestia, it's okay, if it's painful you don't have too-” Cadence was cut off as Celestia chuckled.

Cadence couldn't help but look to her in confusion as the white Alicorn spoke, “I still remember the first time he saw me. I was trying dearly to get Unicorns, Earth, and Pegasi all to accept one another. I had returned to Canterlot, back when it was still in construction. I had all my books transferred over from Everfree forest, only to have them misplaced in the public library where anypony could read them. Starswirl was the only pony that noticed and rushed to warn me. He carried every single book in his magic, just to come find me. That was when I knew he was special, what other unicorn could carry that much? He even refused to let me carry them back to the castle and brought them all to my library. After it was all done, I decided to reward him. Back then, it was the ultimate of respect to receive a kiss from a Princess. I kissed him on the cheek, and I could even feel him heat up at my touch.” Celestia let out a chuckle as she finally pulled her gaze from the sky, “He was so adorable.”

Her expression turned sour as she slowly eyed the ground just beyond the windowsill, “I know I'm not immortal, nothing is immortal. Even Discord the supposed god of chaos will die one day. I can feel myself aging, and I can tell I'm forever changing, but... when will it end? When will I get the chance to join my Starswirl?

Tears were now falling from Cadence's eyes, she averted her eyes, only imagining Shining Armor growing old and she just stay young and vibrant. How it would ache to lose somepony in that manner, and to know it was coming. What was worse though, how would Shining Armor feel? Growing old only to leave your wife living without you, “Go save Spike, I will do the negotiations.”

Turning to Cadence, Celestia was about to speak, but paused when she noticed the tears dripping from Cadence's face. Her expression softened, slowly pulling Cadence into a warm embrace, “Protect Shining Armor, never let him go.”

“I wont.” Cadence managed to say, hugging tightly onto her large white mentor and friend.

~~Apparentlythisisaline~~

After the tears were dried, Celestia was off for Ponyville. Cadence finished with todays negotiations, but with the change of leadership over the negotiation on Equestria's part, the meeting was rescheduled to continue off tomorrow. Immediately after leaving, she took to the air, flying to the edge of the city where Shining Armor was patrolling with his troops. While on the way there, she had to force herself from breaking down. Her mind solely on how Celestia must have felt all those years, losing her Startswirl. It somewhat amazed her that even after hundreds and hundred of years, she still felt so strongly for him. She managed to hold back the tears, but all that was for naught as Shining came into view. Tears started to once again stream down her face as she landed, pulling Shining Armor into a tight embrace.

“Cadence?! What happened?! Did something happen at the negotiations?” His words at first was worried and sharp, but when Cadence didn't answer right away, he started to speak in a soft tone, “Cadence, what's the matter?”

The pink princess pulled away only far enough to pull Shining's lips to hers, clenching her eyes tightly closed to kiss him. Any other time that she showed any affection toward him in front of the troops, they would get a few hoots and hollers, but with Cadence in tears, all remained silent. When the kiss finally broke, Cadence finally managed to say, “Shining, I love you.”

“I love you too hun, but what's the matter?” Shining once more spoke softly, using a hoof to place a stray hair behind Cadence's ear.

“Celestia has business elsewhere, so I'm in charge of the negotiations, I'll tell you about it later, but for now I have a command for you.” Cadence stated with a serious look, but her tears just barely stopping to a trickle.

“What is it hun?”

“Have your second in command patrol the borders. You are joining me in the negotiations. I need you... I need you by my side.”

“You know how I am in negotiations...” Shining Armor started to say, but was stopped.

“Then you will be there to protect me, okay? Just... I just need you there...” Cadence wiped her eyes, trying to dry them the best she could.

A small understanding smile formed on Shining's face as he nodded, “Okay, hun. I'll be there.”

“Good, that's all I ask.” Cadence giggled as she nuzzled his cheek, once again pulling him into her arms.

Author's Note

sorry for the mushy chapter, and I have no idea where this chapter came from. It was just all coming too me, and I hope it wasn't too out of character. Everypony breaks down, and it's unfair to think Celestia wouldn't. None of us can predict how someone will act to certain situations, not to mention the loss of a loved one. So I hope this chapter was appropriate for Cadence and Celestia's characters.