My Little Bokurano

"The only thing that's certain is that my brother is dead. We can't escape that singular truth. I'm still not sure how he died, but I know I will find out soon. I also know that everyone in Equestria will find out as well." - Twilight Sparkle

The train ride back to Ponyville was very quiet. The eleven ponies and one dragon rode in complete silence back to their hometown. They still were not sure why Shining Armor died, but the guards located his body the morning they left. They never told Celestia about what really happened, but they suspected it would be a matter of time before she found out.

Twilight Sparkle had her head buried in a book the entire ride home. She couldn't bare to look at anypony after what she did. She wanted nothing else but to talk to Flash Sentry and Princess Cadance, but they were back at the Crystal Empire. Spike provided some comfort, but it was not enough to make her feel better.

"We're back," Spike said quietly.

"Yeah," Twilight Sparkle said. "Let's go home."

The purple pony and her dragon friend stepped off the train. They were followed by Pinkie Pie, who hopped merrily over to Sugarcube Corner. Once there, she was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Cake.

"Why hello, Pinkie Pie!" Carrot Cake greeted. "How was your trip?"

"Oh, it was wonderful!" Pinkie Pie said. "There were so many sights to see and so little time!"

"Pinkie, your cutie mark is different," Cup Cake said. "Did something happen?"

Pinkie Pie looked at her zigzag cutie mark. "Well..." She remembered the Pinkie Promise that she made to her friends. "I wanted to try a new look! Did you know that the Crystal Empire has a Cutie Mark Changing Station? It's the craziest thing!"

"Alright then..." Cup Cake said.

"Anyways, how's the cake for Ponyville's Centennial Celebration coming along?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"It's out back, we'll show you," Carrot Cake said. "Be quiet though, Pound and Pumpkin are sleeping."

Pinkie Pie figuratively zipped her lips and threw away the imaginary key. The Cakes and Pinkie Pie went into Sugarcube Corner and sneaked past the sleeping foals. Carrot Cake opened the back door and revealed the cake to Pinkie Pie.

The cake was almost as big as Sugarcube Corner itself. It had five layers separated by pillars at least five feet tall. The bottom layer was as big as a house, the top as big as a stagecoach. Pink frosting covered the cake, and a golden lining gave it a finishing touch. There was a yellow 100 on the side of the third layer.

"We just finished it this morning," Carrot Cake said.

"This is positively extraordinary!" Pinkie Pie cried, "How could you possibly make this whole cake in just two days?"

"That's easy to explain..." Carrot Cake began. However, as he was explaining the process, Pinkie Pie drifted into her own thoughts.

"That cake is so big!" She thought. "What flavor could it be, chocolate, vanilla, angel food? And how much frosting did he use?"

"And that's how I did it," Carrot Cake concluded. "You got all that?"

"I think so," Pinkie Pie said, looking to one side.

"The celebration is in a few days," Cup Cake said. "It's important that this cake stays intact."

"I Pinkie Promise you," Pinkie Pie said valiantly, raising her right hoof in the air. "That I will protect this cake from any harm!"

"I'm glad to hear that." Cup Cake chuckled.

Meanwhile in Golden Oak Library, Twilight Sparkle was sorting books in silence.

"I'm telling you," Spike said. "Everyone knows you didn't mean to push Shining Armor off the robot!"

"I know, but there has to be some other reason," Twilight Sparkle said. "It's not like him to just fall like that."

Both of them heard the sound of the library door being opened.

"Come in," Twilight Sparkle said. She gasped to see who her guests were.

Twilight Velvet and Night Light stood at the door, both wearing frowns.

"Mom? Dad?" Twilight Sparkle gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"Did you hear the bad news?" Night Light asked somberly.

"I did," Twilight answered. "I was asleep at the time Eque-, the monsters attacked. The guards who found Shining's body said he died by falling."

Tears welled up in Twilight Velvet's eyes. Both Twilight Sparkle and her dad turned to look at her. "It's just... I'm so proud... of my baby boy..." She sobbed. "He gave his life to save the Crystal Empire!" She began sobbing into Night Light's chest.

"It's alright..." Night Light said. "You'll never have to see those monsters again."

Twilight also began to cry, but she composed herself quickly. "Shining Armor was one of the bravest ponies I knew," she said. "I'm sure he couldn't have been prouder to die the way he did."

"He'll be getting a royal funeral in Canterlot tomorrow," Night Light said. "It will be conducted by Princess Celestia herself."

"I can't think of anyone as deserving of an honor," Twilight said. "I know that my friends and I will definitely be there."

Meanwhile, back in Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie was doing some mock fighting in her room.

"Gonna protect the cake..." She said, throwing a few punches. "Gonna protect the cake!"

Pinkie Pie looked out the window, and at witnessing the gigantic cake, let out a big sigh. "I can't wait to eat your frosted goodness!" Pinkie Pie said yearningly.

She turned back around with an intense glare. "But I have to protect you first! HIYA!" Pinkie Pie kicked the air, but she lost balance and fell to the ground.

"Owww..." Pinkie Pie groaned. She looked out the window again and saw that her opponent began to materialize in the center of Ponyville. Gasping, she ran out of her room and down the stairs.

Carrot Cake and Cup Cake gazed out their window in horror as the monster began to appear before them. Pinkie Pie ran up and joined them.

"What is that thing?" Cup Cake asked.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cake, take Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake and get out here!" Pinkie Pie cried.

"But what about you?" Carrot Cake asked.

"I'll stay and protect the cake!" Pinkie Pie answered.

"But there's no way you'll be able to fight that thing!" Carrot Cake pointed out the window towards the monster as big as Sugarcube Corner and growing.

"I'll be fine. After all, I Pinkie Promised you!" Pinkie Pie said. "Just go!"

"Alright," Cup Cake said. The Cakes took their two infants and ran out the door. The last things she saw of them were Pound and Pumpkin's frowning faces.

"Pinkie..." Pound Cake said.

"Pie..." Pumpkin Cake finished.

"Don't worry..." Pinkie Pie said with a smile. "Aunt Pinkie's gonna be alright."

Pinkie Pie disappeared from the bakery in a flash of light.