Two days later Shining Armour entered the Ponyville barracks with a deliberate step to his gait making his way to the Sergeants office. Sgt. Marine jumped when he first entered but quickly stood to attention.

"Sergeant read this." Shining Armour ordered handing over the royal decree. He watched as M. A. Rine read and gained a predatory gleam to his eye.

"Let's go let our. . . Guest know what his actions have cost him. Plus I know the perfect Rock Farm to ask about sending him to." Looking up to Shining Armour he finished his sentence. "How about the Pie Family Rock Farm. I believe it's run by miss. Pinkies father."

Shining Armour smiled at this, he had heard from his sister how her friends families treated all 6 of them as their own even if only 1 had been born too them. The only ones that were unknowns were Fluttershy and Dash, where their family was nobody knew.

"I believe that will work." Shining Armour said. As they got up and made their way to Hunting Fire’s cell to let him know his fate

The cell door opened and the stallion inside smirked. "So time for my trial huh?" He said with the confidence of somepony who thought they had done nothing wrong.

Shining Armour’s retaliatory smile however seemed to send a flick of fear across Hunting Fire’s face. “No, I’m happy to report with your own testament earlier, and the statements of all involved the princesses were able to send down a Royal Proclamation. This here’s your copy.” He finished passing over a rolled up parchment for the convict to read.

Hunting Fire’s face paled as he read the charges, Shining Armour took a vicious sort of pleasure that was unlike his normal self, but this stallion had had the gall to try to hurt the one mare who wouldn’t have hurt anypony.

“Your gelding will take place at sundown this night.” Shining Armour informed him..
“bu - But what about my trial?” Hunting Fire asked. Shaking his head Shining Armour replied.
“You shouldn’t have attacked a pony that the princesses have come to care for, be grateful that’s all you’re getting, had it been up to me, I would have left you tied up alone in a locked room with Rainbow Dash and Applejack meeting out your punishment.

With that he and the sergeant tuned away from the broken stallion as he went to arrange for a medi-unicorn to come and perform the procedure. With that thought he wondered how his wife was doing having gone with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to help with foalsitting the young Cakes.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy was glad Princess Cadance had come along to help with the young cakes, she couldn’t see how Pinkie kept up with them. However the princess with her calming presence and gentle voice as she sang a sweet lullaby to them helped them settle faster than any of Pinkies antics.

As they left the room quietly a spell left the Princesses horn as they made their way to the sitting room. “Just a monitoring spell, it will let me know if either of them awake.” She explained.
Once they were sat down the Alicorn Princess turned to Fluttershy speaking her thoughts.

“Fluttershy, how are you. Really?” The care in her voice had Fluttershy welling up yet again as she thought back to what had nearly happened. “I. . . I Don’t know!” she said breaking, not noticing when she was once again pulled into the Alicorns arms.

Pinkie Pie slipped into the other seat next to her before speaking.
“Fluttershy, I promise you, even if it didn’t happen, the nightmares you’ve had these past nights and the ones you have the next nights will lessen over time. Again over time you’ll be able to let a strange stallion near you. I promise. Trust me on this, it does get better over time. I know” She finished in a dead monotone so unlike her usual self that it got through to Fluttershy better than any thing anyone else could say.

Fluttershy turned to look at the party pony, eyes wide in shock. “P. . . Pinkie?” She whispered quietly, hoping beyond hope that she hadn’t said the last bit. Those hopes were dashed a moment later. “It Get’s Better. I Know” Pinkie said keeping eye contact.

“Oh Pinkie, why, why didn’t you tell us?” Fluttershy asked quietly of her, noticing the less than poofy mane and tail.

Smiling at Fluttershy she spoke once more. “It was a long time ago, before I came to Ponyville.” Pinkie said quietly. Nodding at what she’d said Fluttershy pulled away from the princesses embrace wishing it had been Rainbows arms she had been in.

Sitting back against the couch she realised that yes what had happened was bad, but the worse hadn’t happened, and she had her friends around her who wouldn’t leave her to face her fears alone.

“Now then, how are you doing otherwise?” Princess Cadance asked Fluttershy.
“I. . . I’m ok.” Fluttershy whispered back. Not wanting to burden the Princess with her problems. Unfortunately she forgot she was talking to the Princess of Love.

“Now Fluttershy, don’t lie to me, you obviously care deeply for someone, and if you’ll pardon me for saying, it’s obvious you haven’t done anything about it. Now please talk to us, I promise you what gets said here won’t be repeated out of these walls

Pinkie looked on with her trademark grin that threatened to split her head in two before she started in her usual bubbly way. “ooooohhh is this where you tell us how you’ve got a crush on somepony but don’t want to lose their friendship so you stay quiet and not say anything, yet also you worry that this somepony won’t like you back either because you don’t know if they like mares? Huh?huh?huh?”

Fluttershy looked on in shock, how on earth had Pinkie said all that without stopping for a breath, then she realised, it’s Pinkie. After that she realised what had been asked and her face lit up.
“How. . . How did. . . you know?” she asked quietly, almost as if being quiet would deny the words out her mouth.

Princess Cadance spoke up at this point.
“Fluttershy, It’s obvious to us who you care about, I think the only one it’s not obvious to would be the mare in question. I would be willing to bet the rest of your friends know too.” She finished as Pinkie sat there nodding.

“Yeppers! Why do you think we keep arranging things with you two then at the last second drop out? We were hoping you would pony up an ask Rainb – the mare I mean – out, or that she would you. Even my super duper midnight party under the stars that ‘fell through’ last month.” Pinkie inserted.

Fluttershy could not believe this, and she hadn’t missed Pinkie’s slip of the tongue either. All her friends already knew. On top of that, not only had they accepted her, but had been trying to help her. This time when the tears came she couldn’t stop them, throwing her forehooves about the pink pony she hugged her tight in thanks.

“Hey thar, whatcha doin’ wi’ my mare thar Fluttershy?” Applejacks laughing voice came from across the room. Fluttershy immediately replied with “Cuddling” as she turned to face Applejack letting Pinkie go in the process.

Applejack smiled at Fluttershy. “Well yeh better have a spare fer me somewhere sugarcube” Applejack shot back walking over to them. “Nah what’s with th’ tears?” Pinkie for a moment looked up and Fluttershy could see the seriousness in her face as she mouthed the word later before her mask of hyperactivity slipped back on.

She had forgot how easy it was to underestimate Pinkie Pie, and came to the startling realisation that Applejack was probably the only pony who had gotten to truly see the real Pinkie Pie, second only to Rainbow Dash who had seen her as she went slightly crazy when they were all trying to throw her a surprise party.

“It’s ok Pinkie I don’t mind you telling her.” Pinkie looked down to the shy mare who had let go and was now looking back to the floor playing with her forehooves. Pinkie managed to catch her eyes and Fluttershy hoped she picked up on the ‘everything’ that went unsaid in her statement. Apparently she did as she turned back to Applejack to talk.

Just before she spoke however Princess Cadance jumped slightly before making a face of resignation. “Fluttershy while these two talk a moment would you help me with the twins please?” She asked as she got up and headed towards the stairs. “oh. . .ok” Fluttershy said quietly getting up and heading for the stairs hearing bits of Pinkies explanation to Applejack.
“Wake me . . .Nightmares . . .Rainbow. . .”

-o.O.O.o-

That evening Rainbow Dash was walking through Ponyville towards Sugarcube Corner to meet up with Fluttershy when she noticed a crowd near the entrance to Ponyville Barracks. Trotting over she spotted a lime green mare with a white mane and tale with a lyre for her cutie-mark. “Hey Lyra!” She called out. “What’s going on?”

Lyra turned around to see the prismatic maned Pegasus and she had a devilish grin upon her face. She pointed to a sign by the gate with her forehoof, it read.

Public Gelding and Branding of Hunting Fire This Evening at 19:00.

By Order of Their Highnesses Princesses Celestia and Luna.

The Convicted Stallion Hunting Fire is to be branded across the Cutie-Marks with the word “RAPIST”
He is then to be Gelded in the old ways, The only magic to be used will to be to stop bleeding after Gelding.

Henceforth know that should any Stallion try to repeat Hunting Fire’s actions the same fate shall befall them.

Finally: After Gelding, Hunting Fire will be taken from this place to serve the remainder of his sentence upon the Rock Farm managed and owned by The Pie Family.

NO FOALS OR FILLIES

After finishing reading this Rainbow had a grin that would have suited Pinkie Pie better as it threatened to split her face. “Wowza, I didn’t know it was gonna be public!” She said standing next to her friend. Not many ponies outside the Elements knew this, but Lyra was one of Rainbows closest friends next to Fluttershy.

As she finished Lyra spoke up. “Yeah, and you’ve met Pinkies family, you tell me honestly, he probably thinks he’s getting off light yet. . .” At this Rainbow interrupted her with a snort.
“Seriously? Gods when the six of us visited last Hearthwarming they practically adopted Fluttershy when they found out she was an orphan. Me too.” Shaking her head at the thought of anypony thinking Hunting Fire would get of easy. “They see me as the “Rebel” next to Pinkie, but Flutters? Any thought of anyone trying to hurt her, well I wouldn’t want to face them that’s for sure.”

As she finished Lyra gave a smile. “Well it seems you have more family than you think then, after all, there’s the family you’re born into – and then there’s the family you choose, I’d say you have chosen well.” She finished. Rainbow nodded trying not to show how much the words had rung true, it wouldn’t do to be seen as weak she told herself, however Lyra could read beyond the surface of her friend and set up a temporary invisibility spell about them. “Hey Dash, it’s ok, nopony can see you now.”

Rainbow looked to see her horn glowing and realised what she had done and smiled her thanks as she let the tears of joy fall before leaning against her friend. “Thanks Ly” She said as she wiped away the tears. Lyra shook her head and did a second quick spell to wipe any traces of crying from Rainbows face. Dropping the spell as the clock started to chime the hour. As the 7th chime struck the barrier was lifted and everypony gathered started to move forwards.

Out the corner of her eyes Rainbow spotted a box moving with the crowd, a box with 12 legs.
4 yellow, 4 white and 4 orange. Quickly she tapped Lyra on the shoulder and motioned towards it. “What do you think? CMC?” as they made their way over to it. Shaking her head in the affirmative Lyra nodded as they stepped behind the box.

Rainbow looked about and spotted Twilight's brother at the gate and waved him over pointing at the box, knowing that words coming from the guard captain would have more of an impact.
Seeing Shining Armour nod and start to make his way towards them he stopped in front of the box blocking the holes that were now obviously cut in for seeing where they were going.

“Evening miss. Dash and Miss . . .” He started, as they all heard a squeak come from the box, a very guilty sounding squeak at that. “Oh sorry, Heartstrings, Lyra Heartstrings.” Lyra answered. “Thank you, Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Guard Captain Shining Armour, Commander of the Equestrian Military Forces, and Prince Consort to Her Highness Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” Rainbow could see the smile and realised how he was laying it on a bit thick, and decided to add a bit to it.

“Hey, you forgot you’re also the Big Brother to Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic and Personal Protégé to Princess Celestia.” She finished with a wink. Lyra managed to hold in her chuckle at this by the simple method of stuffing her own hoof in her mouth.

“Indeed.” Shining Armour replied before continuing. “Now what seems to be the problem?” Rainbow adopted a serious look as the moment for joviality had passed, she only hoped the three fillies under the now shaking box learnt their lesson.
Slipping a hoof to the edge of the box she flipped it over off the three Cutie Mark Crusaders, who now having been caught looked down to the ground all with guilty looks upon their faces.
“I See.” Was all Shining Armour said looking sternly down to the three.

“Might I ask why you are trying to sneak on to a Military Base? A base where the predominate course of action is usually to cast spells first and ask questions later? Are you trying to get yourselves hurt? Do you think this is what your Families would want? What their friends who help take care of you want? If it were not for miss Dash spotting you, and calling me over – had a standard guard seen you his reactions could have seriously hurt you. Point in case. PRIVATE!” he called out.

By now the Crusaders were all looking pretty frightened, but it was obvious to Rainbow Dash he was going to make sure the lesson of sneaking on to a military establishment was drilled in.
A unicorn with Privates stripes made his way over. Saluting the captain. “Private Fair Flair Reporting.”
Nodding he pointed to the three fillies.

“These three were attempting to sneak on base under a box, had you not known there were young in the box and only saw a box acting strangely trying to get in the base what would your response have been?”

Looking to the three fillies the private seemed to understand the question was more, dissuade them from doing it again.
“First I would have raised the alarm getting our spell snipers in the towers, and a squadron of Pegasi in the air, Then I would have banished the box AND its contents against the wall, HARD, then throwing a shield about it as a superior officer came to investigate. The likelihood of injury to these three cannot be underestimated sir. They would have probably needed to spend weeks in hospital after, that is assuming they survived.”

By now all three fillies were looking truly frightened. “Thank you Private, please gather two more men and have one each escort these young fillies home, and explain to their guardians the issue. At this Scootaloo raised a shaken hoof. Looking down on the now pale looking filly Shining Armour nodded. “Yes?”

“I. . .I got no home. Not even in orphanage.” She said quietly trying not to cry at her secret being revealed like this. *THUMP* *THUMP* Rainbow Dash and Lyra had both collapsed onto their rumps at hearing this. Shaking her head Lyra spoke to the private. “Take her to my place here” – she handed over a card out her saddlebag. – “And explain to Bon Bon the situation, and that Scootaloo will need a roof over her head for a while.” The private nodded taking the card and turning to the three fillies.
“Follow me, and don’t try anything.” He said guiding them back to a guard box out of sight of the stand where the punishment of Hunting Fire was to take place.

As they left Rainbow looked up to Shining Armour. “Thanks – If I’d tried to tell them they wouldn’t have listened, or they would at first until they got over being caught again.” Shining Armour nodded his head and motioned them to follow him.

“It’s no problem, I myself will be following up on them to explain to Rarity and Applejack that although my actions may have seemed harsh. . .” He trailed off, obviously uncomfortable that he’d had to use scare tactics upon the fillies, but knew it was necessary for their own safety – after all the Private may have played up the number of responders, however describing his own actions was the truth, and the three fillies could have been seriously hurt.

As they got to the stand Rainbow Dash and Lyra were escorted to a spot where they could see the punishment carried out. Shining Armour took the steps up to the platform where Hunting Fire was already restrained, looking pale as he saw the gelding equipment on a medical table and two branding irons in a fire pit.

Turning to the crowd Shining Armour spoke up using a voice throwing spell to be sure he was heard. “Sorry about the delay – we had a slight CMC Espionage issue to deal with.” At this the crowed all let out a laugh, the ponies of Ponyville being used to the antics of those three.

Turning to Hunting Fire he spoke again. “Your sentence will now be carried out – your only options now are which happens first. Gelding – or Branding.” As he finished Hunting Fire looked towards him with disgust in his eyes before he spotted Rainbow Dash in the crowds.
“You Bitch! You’re the one that stopped me! Just you wait! I’ll have my revenge! You’ll see, and after that I’ll still take that sweet mar-“ *SMACK*

Hunting Fires head snapped to the side as a magical blow hit his head. “ENOUGH!” Shining Armour shouted. Turning to the Medics who were to perform both procedures he ordered. “Brand Him!”
The two unicorns nodded before each levitating a branding iron, hovering the red hot metal over the Cutie-Marks of Hunting Fire. He started screaming at this point. “NO. . .NO! PLEASE NO.” Shining Armour his face impassive nodded once. The branding Irons shot forward against the Cutie-marks.
Hunting Fires scream of pain was heard at least two streets over from the Barracks.

As the branding irons did their work the smell of burning hair and flesh drifted over the crowd, causing some of them to scrunch up their faces in discomfort of it. Once the irons were removed, the unicorn medics then levitated the stallion over to a table where a screen was set up covering his lower half, yet people could still see his face.

“NO! FOR THE LOVE OF. . .PLEASE YOU CAN’T! I’M BEGGING YOU!” Hunting Fire screamed out, yet as he looked over the crowd there wasn’t a single face with sympathy in it, only satisfaction, and maybe slight disgust at him. Shining Armour nodded once more, this time at Hunting Fire’s scream of pain all the stallions in the crowd winced. No stallion should be able to reach that pitch or tone.

As his screaming died down there was a glow behind the screen, obviously one of the medics at work, before he was let down from the table.
“Hunting Fire – You will now be escorted from this place to the place of your incarceration for the next 55 years, there will be two guards watching you at all times, should you try to do anything other than what you’re instructed, try to cause any trouble, you will be dealt with using extreme force. Do you understand?”

As Hunting Fire nodded to Shining Armour's words he was led from the stand and into a secure transport box to be taken to the Pie Rock Farm.

Rainbow Dash turned to Lyra as the crow started to break apart and people left the base.
“So. . . About Scootaloo.” She said following the crowd out as Shining Armour.
“Oh, I’m going to talk to Bon Bon and see if she will agree to take the young filly in until somepony adopts her.” Lyra said. “So you don’t want to adopt her yourself?” Shining Armour questioned from behind them.

“Oh heavens no, can you really see her being happy raised by us? I’d love it if she would be, but we’re too calm and laid back for a pony like her – she needs somepony who’ll help her and encourage her to follow her heart way better than I or Bon Bon could.”

Rainbow hearing this started thinking about what Lyra had implied. She had already taken Scootaloo under her wing as a big sister, but now felt she had let her down not knowing she was an orphan, especially as Rainbow was an orphan herself.

Shining Armour mad his way forward a bit so he was level with both Rainbow and Lyra. “So you’re saying it’s not because you don’t want to, it’s just you don’t feel you’d be the best parent for her?”

Lyra nodded as they drew level with her home. “Yes that’s exactly it, but until the right pony or ponies come along to adopt her I want to be sure she has a roof over her head, even if she ends up going from house to house throughout the month. There’s no way I’m letting her in the awful place that passes for an orphanage here.” At this she shuddered.

-o.O.O.o-

Shining Armour looked at her as they stood by her door. “What do you mean by that miss Heartstrings?” He asked concerned at the way she reacted, and the way Rainbow looked at her he could have swore she was trying to read the mint coloured mares’ thoughts.

“It’s just we hear rumours, I’ve even tried reporting it to the police but nothing’s been investigated. Although colts and filly’s get dropped off there. . .” She looked down seemingly afraid of what she was about to say. “I. . .I have yet to meet anypony . . . Who left there once of age, and their onsite graveyard. . .”

Shining Armour hadn’t made Commander of the Royal Guard by being unable to put his intelligence to good use, and right now there were alarm bells going off in his mind. “Miss Heartstrings – How many times did you try report this?” He asked seriously. Lyra looked up to him and spoke. “At least once a month, but the Police just ignore me, yet it’s too small to bother the guard with. The last time I tried the guard the Corporal on base threatened to have me tried for wasting Guard time.” Hearing this Shining Armour's temper blew. Foals in possible danger was not wasting Guard time.

“Miss Heartstrings, please tend to young Scootaloo, I still need to meet with miss Applejack and miss Rarity, after which, I promise you I will personally investigate this. Rainbow Dash from your body language I can tell what you are about to ask. Meet me by the guard gate tomorrow morning at 10 am.” He finished, already thinking of suitable punishments for the Corporal who had blown off a concerned citizen.

With that Lyra nodded and made her goodbyes before stepping in her home. Shining Armour and Rainbow dash turned to make their way to Sugarcube Corner passing the Carousel Boutique along the way. Rainbow Dash pointed this out to Shining and they made their way over to it, able to hear Rarity’s raised voice from outside.

“Of all the things Sweetie-Belle the GUARD! You got in trouble with the GUARD! How could you do this!” Shining Armour shook his head and took note of the distance from himself to the boutique. “Quite the set of lungs she has.” He commented to Rainbow Dash as they made their way to the door.

Rainbow simply nodded before responding. “Yeah, but believe me there are times when you end up grateful for it.” She finished with a smile. Shining Armour nodded as he made his way over to the door and rapped his hoof on the door.
“Go to your room Sweetie-Belle!” a beat. “NOW!” another beat. The front door was opened and a very flustered looking Rarity opened the door.

“Oh no.” She mumbled seeing Shining Armour’s uniform before realising who was in it, and not even noticing Rainbow Dash at first.
“miss Rarity, please, I just came over to apologise.” Shining Armour said quickly trying to put the alabaster fashionista at ease. Blinking when it seemed she recognised the voice she stepped back. “Oh. Won’t you please step in? You too Rainbow.”

Once everyone was in, Rarity led everyone to the kitchen offering them tea, which they both accepted. Once they were all settled with a mug each at their hoof Shining Armour spoke up.
“I just wanted to apologise to yourself for the high handed treatment of your ward, but we at the guard don’t take things like the possibility of a young foal being hurt lightly.”

He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. “This is in part due to what once happened in Canterlot of all places, a young filly got it in to her head she could sneak up on her father on duty the one day and surprise him – He was one of the Princesses bodyguards.” Shaking his head he continued. “She jumped from behind a tapestry shouting ‘Attack.’”

“Oh dear.” Rarity whispered somehow knowing what was coming. “Indeed. The Princesses other bodyguard threw a shield around the Princess, while the filly’s father threw a high powered banishing spell at her following quickly with a statue thrown in her direction.” Shining Armour looked up and Rarity could see the determination in his face. “She was seriously injured but went on to make a full recovery, even now she is in guard training, but it was a reminder to us all that younglings forget how serious our job is. We nearly had another such reminder today.”

Rarity nodded. “I understand, and I thank you. I can’t accept your apology though, for there is nothing to apologise for.” Rarity finished with a final sip of her tea. She gathered the empty cups and levitated them over to the sink to wash later. “However, I shall be making my way with Sweetie-Belle to the barracks tomorrow to apologise to the Private who would have had her injuries on his conscience had Rainbow not spotted them, for which Rainbow.” She turned to look at the multi-coloured maned mare. “I thank you.”

Rainbow shook her head. “Aw ‘twas nothing. You know me. I couldn’t help being awesome an stopping them getting hurt now, I’m just that good.” She finished with her usual boastful self.
“None the less, I owe you my thanks.” Rarity said as they stood to make their way to the front door. Rainbow shook her head and looked to Rarity. “Seriously Rare, it was nothing. I look at those three as if they were my nieces, I’ll always look out for them.” She finished quietly.

After her brief confession a blush crept across her face causing Shining Armour to have to stifle a chuckle before they made their goodbyes and left heading over to Sugarcube Corner to meet his wife and Fluttershy.

As they stepped in to the bakery he was met with a sight that brought a gentle smile to his face. There was Cadance, with one of the twins in her arms as she sang a lullaby quietly, her magic holding a bottle for the little one to drink from, sat next to her was the yellow coated and pink maned pastel Pegasus that was Fluttershy, who was feeding the other young foal.

He looked around and spotted Applejack sat on the other couch with Pinkie pie lay on the couch head in applejacks lap as the orange mare ran her hoof through the pink puffy mane. The Cakes were looking on with a smile from the kitchen where they were backing a pie from the smell. The sheer domesticity of it brought a tear to his eye and he was hard put to keep his voice steady as he whispered his hello to Cadance, planting a quick kiss on her cheek before going to take a seat by the fire.

As her lullaby ran to its conclusion and she took the bottle away from the sleeping infant she looked towards Shining with a gleam in her eye that all husbands came to recognise at one point or another. She may as well have been shouting with that look. She wanted a foal or two of her own. He smiled and nodded, he too wanted foals but was waiting until she was ready to suggest it.

With that one smile she seemed to glow with happiness for a moment before she levitated the sleeping twins and made her way to the nursery to settle them down for the night. Shining Armour took the brief reprieve to have a quick word with Applejack and explained the situation with her little sister – or tried to, all he had to say was. “Applebloom and the other CMC’s tried to sneak onto the base. . .”

Applejack held her hoof up to stop him. “Did’ya do the ol’ scare ‘em so bad they’ll never try again sugarcube?” The Earth pony asked quietly. “If not, ahl still be havin’ words wi’ her t’nite.” Blinking Shining managed to describe everything which to his surprise Applejack nodded approvingly.
“Well ah think that’ll save me th’ lecture, but she’s a gonna be grounded fer a week.” Shining Armour nodded at her words, glad that he hadn’t gone too far with the fillies.

As Cadance made her way back down he got up to meet her and pulled her into a hug as he saw Fluttershy make her way over to Rainbow Dash and out of the blue drape her wing over the cyan coated Pegasus’ back. Rainbow could be seen to be trying not to look surprised at this while Fluttershy’s blush was full force. ‘Oh to be a fly on the wall later’ Shining Armour thought.

As they made their way out it was to everypony but Applejack's surprise when Pinkie was walking slowly and sedately next to the orange pony as they all made their goodbyes and headed to their respective abodes for the night. Leaving Rainbow and Fluttershy at the door to the library they watched as the two walked off into the night.

“How long?” Shining Armour asked as they turned to enter the library.
“I would say by tomorrow, no later than the day after though.” Cadance whispered back as they made their way into the library. He had to chuckle at the sight, the more things changed, the more some things stayed the same. There at her desk was Twilight passed out over her book, Spike laying a blanket across her shoulders.

“It’s alright Spike, I’ll put her to bed.” Cadance waved the little dragon off. “I’ve had to do it countless times before.” She finished with a smile, gently levitating Twilight up to her bedroom.

Spike followed with Shining Armour coming up last putting the lights downstairs out. He watched from the doorway with a smile as Cadance tucked Twilight in like she used to all those years ago in Canterlot. Then to the little dragons surprise as he was nodding off she did the same for him in his basket, seeing his blanket was securely tucked in.

Closing the door behind her as she made her way to the spare room she and Shining Armour were staying in he felt her tail quickly brush across his nose as she passed him, whispering. “Don’t forget to lock and silence our room love.” Smiling he followed her to the room throwing the spells up faster than a bolt of lightning. He wasn’t going to get any sleep for a while, and that was fine with him.

Author's Note

Well writing this chapter was like pulling teeth -it just didn't want to come together, on top of which I'm still dealing with my health problems at the moment so I apologise for the delay in updates.

Pegasus-skip