NOTE: This chapter will be done in three parts due to perspective and plot. First part was of a female perspective and the second part was of a male perspective. This part is the FINAL of the the arc, therefore if you have skipped previous chapters then you will be lost as to everything that has previously transpired. If you missed anything then please feel free to revisit the earlier parts of the arc. Also contains some disturbing imagery. Fringed story shall now conclude with it's final outcome.

Enjoy.

Sparkle's Residence
Canterlot Inner-District
05:12 P.M.

"Rarity???"

"SHINING ARMOOOOOR!"

The filly cried her tears as her knight held her in his hooves. Beyond shocked to see her in his closet, Shining asked the one question that's been on his mind.

"Rarity I'm so glad you're safe. Where is your mom?"

Rarity tried to be strong as she told him the one truth that remained to her.

"Mother... I- I don't know."

Shining stood speechless as Rarity confirmed his worst fear; Pearl had been abducted and his future foal with her. His mind became a typhoon of worry as he thought about the fact that his unborn child was in danger. And the fact that his mother was downstairs unconscious was not making things any better. But Shining knew that there were a lot more things to do then to worry about the circumstances. He knew that there had to be action and that sitting around, blaming himself wasn't going to solve anything.

But at least for the moment, we would console the crying filly that he held in his hooves. Because she was just as important as the others. Rarity continued to cry as she clutched onto her knight, pleading for him to save her mother. And as she pleaded, he made a promise to her that he would do everything in his power to bring her back.

After he took the time to comfort the weeping Rarity, Shining made his way back downstairs as his father managed to summon a few neighbors to see if they could get his wife to the hospital. Many of them were doing what they could as Orion continued to give them instruction. As the time went by, a medical unit was dispatched to the home and they retrieved Violet's unconscious body and placed it inside of the medical carriage that awaited on the side of the street.

They also received the the injured griffon outside in the bushes and took the lifeless body that was formerly known as Southwind. The ambulance brought a body bag and covered the smiling corpse that laid bloodied on the floor in front of the stairs. The medics asked if there were any others, to which Orion and Shining testified that there were none.

As the medical team and the group of neighbors left the scene, only Shining, Orion and a tear-stricken Rarity remained in the once-again silent home.

Fairweather Residence
Keeping District
05:54 P.M.

"Shining's what?"

Azure jaw dropped to the ground as Amora told the three stallions outside of her home the news. Poindexter was left trotting left and right, trying to remain calm. Longshot was sitting in a far off area as he held a hoof to his forehead, trying to process what Shining had gotten himself into.

"Shining's in big trouble. He's been marked for a hit, and so has the rest of his family. He hasn't come to school today because of it. Or rather that he came to the school but haven't been to any of his classes." Amora stated.

"You gotta be joking... Please let this be a joke." Poindexter mumbled as he paced back and forth.

"I wish it was Poindexter... but sadly it isn't. From what information I've gathered, Twilight said that there was something inside of a box that had her parents and Shining in an uproar. And judging from the fact that Shining immediately grabbed her before she could confirm what it was, meant that it wasn't anything remotely close to good."

"And where's little Twi now?" Longshot asked as he brought his attention to the mare that continued to give out information.

"She's taking a nap, I cast a short term sleeping spell on her so that I could speak with all of you." Amora answered as she looked back inside of her home.

"So... judging from Shining's initial reaction, we can safely say that it was something of a grim and dismembered nature that was inside of that box. I can't believe that they would do something like this." Azure said as he began to get angry with the fact that his best friend was being threatened.

"...A little inside information." Amora started as the other crowded around her. "This is something that I had to fork a lot of money for, but from what I heard is that what the sent over there was the head of the referee that Shining tackled in the big game over a month ago."

Well that's gotta be one hell of a morning cup of coffee." Longshot stated.

"Also, there seems to be somepony on the inside giving out this information to the criminals responsible. Goes without saying that they probably know a little something of Shining's more personal life, like his schedule, the errands he would normally run on certain days and everything in between. But the problems is that there seems to be unrestricted access to the information. I can't manage to find the leaks nor can I find out who's giving this information. Whoever it is, cleans up after themselves pretty well."

"So there's a pony doing the inside job. What would be his motive?" Azure asked.

"I don't know. That's the thing... All I know is that they're doing more than what is necessary." Amora answers as she finds herself in doubt.

"...Then let's do what we can to help." Poindexter stated in hopes of pushing everyone out of their disposition of being helpless.

"How? They got the connections." Longshot argues.

"And Amora does too." Azure claims as he points to the downtrodden pink alacorn mare. "If if wasn't for her, we would still be in the dark on what we now know. She provided information that the precinct downtown can only provide. She's got the bits to get us on the right trail. And she has the guts to go where we wouldn't dare leave to. She's a goldmine of intel and we're a well trained group of cadets. Like for example; Poindexter, what is it that you can provide if we manage to find the hideout of these guys?"

"Well if I can get the blueprints of the building, I can find a variety of breaching points, exits, places to set up traps."

"Right, and Longshot, what can you do whenever there's a patrol in the distance?" Azure asks as he points to the colt he's questioning.

"I can pick em off. I can even provide some covering fire if there's enough arrows."

"Right. And being that my specialty is close-quarter combat, we pretty much have our bases loaded. All we need to have is the right information and we can make the scoring run..." Azure, Poindexter, and Longshot look to each other as Amora sighs at the three colts.

"You boys really take after Shining's example."

"Oh please, that guy is really the back seat driver in every operation. But he's a voice that we can relate to... and one we'd rather have than live without. He's always hounding on us to stay out of trouble, now he's in it neck-deep. But since he's always been there to bail us out, we should be able to do the same. Right guys?"

"Man I can't wait to give him one of his own famous 'stay out of trouble' sermons that he's always preaching." Poindexter responds with an optimistic tone.

"Don't forget the slap on the back of the head that he's usually dishing out every time we do." Longshot reminds the others as he shakes his hoof.

Amora smiles once again as she looks at the three teens that stand before her. "...Your hearts are full of pure admiration and care for Shining... And being that he'll be my boyfriend soon enough, I can't let him down."

"So does this mean...?" Azure asked as Amora stepped in to place her hoof into the circle of the three other colts. With a smile of optimism and a spirit of determination, she places her confidence with the cadets that stand on her front porch.

"I'm in."

Location Withheld
Canterlot Slums
07:07 P.M.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!!! OH GOD!!! FAUST ALMIGHTY!!! HEEELP MEEEE!!!!"

The screams of a male griffon pierces the ears of the ponies that stood around him. They ignore his cries as they continue to provide a wide variety of methods to induce pain in order to get him to come clean. After about fifteen minutes of this, they continue to drive stakes into the wings of the griffon in questioning.

"Geez, we haven't even asked any real questions yet. You're the one that's making it hard." Guiltless stated as he took in the cigarrete in his mouth and drew in a long breath.

"ALRIGHT! I'LL TELL YOU! JUST PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!"

"Okay." Guiltless motions to the other two stallions a cease in their activity as they removed the pressure that they applied to the stakes inside of his wings. Guiltless blows the smoke out of his system as he walks to the table that the griffon was restrained to. Finally standing at his side, Guiltless asks his question. "What is your name?"

"GUSTAV! GUSTAV LA GRANDE!" The griffon yells out loud, still feeling the after-sting of the spikes being driven into his wings.

"Wait... La Grande... You're Benedito's boy! How's he's been?" Guiltless asks as he retains most of his excitement.

"He's in prison, remember? You put him in there!" Gustav answers, his voice toning down after the viscous affair of having his wings stabbed into.

"Oh right..." Guiltless said taking another hit of the cigarette in his mouth. "You know he did some pretty illegal shit. Not to mention he actually tried to hijack a carriage with Princess Celestia on board, just so he could ask her for a date. Little did he know that he managed to kidnap some other Princess instead. Killed her guard, and still went for the goods... that is until the boys and I showed up. He got locked away for a loooooong time."

"And my family suffered because of it! My mom is poor and I'm the only thing she has now. I tried to open a shop, but after your so-called taxes bled me dry... I lost my store and the ability to take care of my mom." Gustav griped at the detective, to which he responded with a sarcastic laugh.

"And the world-smallest violin played me a song." He inhaled the tobacco-strummed instrument and blew onto the face of the griffon. Gustav coughed as he smelled the obnoxious fumes of the carbon-monoxide. Guiltless continued onward with his statement. "So you got in this business for what? Revenge? Power? The money? C'mon, I'm tryin' to have a casual conversation over here."

"...I suppose you can say all of the above. The power to take care of my mom. The money to reopen my store. Revenge for the years you put my family through would've been a nice bonus." Gustav replied.

"Well isn't that cute... daddy's little boy wants to show his balls." Guiltless snided.

"I'M NOTHING LIKE MY FATHER!" Gustav yelled in response of his interrogator's sly remark. "I'm not going to leave my family for some sleaze of a mare!"

Many of the other stallions in the room took offense to the statement that Gustav made. Some of the even charging to him before Guiltless signaled to them to hold off for the moment. Done with his cigarette, he spits the bud to the ground before taking out another out of his uniform pocket. The clicks of the lighter resonate in the empty room as he lights another. He inhales a fresh breath of nicotine as he soothes his nerves once more.

"Y'know..." He exhales as the smoke leaves his mouth like a billowing cloud. "You're playing on the wrong side of the field. You've even managed to nearly get yourself killed too... That scar on your neck, Orion's wife did that to you, didn't she?"

Gustav took a moment to think about it before answering. "...Yes."

Guiltless smirked, confirming that he was there at the scene of the invasion. "So what were the two of you, you and Southwind doing there at the time?"

"Two?" Gustav asked before silencing himself.

"...Oh, so there was more than two? Might as well fess up, unless you want one of these stallions to pin your wings to the wall." Guiltless advised as he gestured one of the guys to step forward.

Before the stallion could get any closer, Gustav confessed what all he had remembered. "WAIT! No there were more than two... It was a total of ten of us. Five to the front door and five to the back. It was a simple breach-n-haul job. That's all we were told. Southwind was one of the ones in the front, but he waited outside before flying in later."

"I thought you were unconscious." Guiltless admitted.

"Actually, I wasn't." Gustav admitted to the smoking stallion in front of him. "That mare hit me in the neck with a very powerful stun spell. I was conscious... but couldn't move. But after I got hit, the boys in the back came through the front and confirmed with Southwind that they were going to take the mare that they had in their custody back to the main hideout. But after the four that took the mare with her, I heard some screaming from inside... It sounded horrific."

"You must've been so happy that you were stunned." Guiltless joked.

"Actually, I was." Gustav confessed. "It meant that I didn't have to chase after Southwind when he ran into the house. Shortly after he ran inside, a mysterious wind blew out of the house. A few seconds later, I heard Southwind screaming about the four guys we lost inside of there. About a full two minutes later, two other stallions showed up. The rest you should know up to there."

"See... I like you. You know when to participate. Now don't you see how easy it is when everyone does their fair share?" Guiltless asked with sarcasm. "Now, onto the real questions... Where's the hideout?"

"I-"

"Now before you say 'I don't know', think about your mother. Think about how lonely it would be to see her husband and her son behind bars." Guiltless added as a means to guilt-trip the griffon on the table.

Gustav took his time before he answered. He wanted to get all the details right before he would try to give them the location. "I don't know where it is exactly... But I do remember certain landmarks."

Guiltless took a quick hit from the cigarette before he asked again.

"Okay. Shoot."

Canterlot Detainment Center
Canterlot Central District
08:37 P.M.

"Okay boys, here what we got..."

Guiltless announces as the others in the office, including Magnus, Orion, Shrine and Shining, circle around a black board located in an office inside of the building.

"Based on new developments, It would seem that they are hiding out somewhere in the metro area. For the most part, it would be simple to narrow down our choices if we elected to break down every door and see what each individual residence was hiding. But due to the fact that we would need warrants to do so, it would take us more than a month to do so. Not to mention we have a possible hostage situation developing."

Magnus takes a moment to cut his eyes at the young stallion that sat below his father, feeling that he was somewhat responsible. Guiltless continues his lecture.

"And by the time we would even receive the paperwork necessary in order to file and process these warrants, they would've easily killed their captive and made a clean getaway. This known fact is why this operation will now be a joint operation between the Equestrian Royal Guard and the Canterlot Bureau of Investigation. This will help bypass most of the laws of these searches if we claim the city under a lock-down."

Guiltless draws a diagram of the city on the blackboard. As he finished the illustration, the city was separated into six portions. Three were marked with an x, meaning that their search would exclude the Slums, the Keep and finally the Palace grounds. There were also three areas that were marked with a circle, meaning that their search would include the key areas of suspicious activity. The three areas that they would place under lock-down were the Inner, the Lower and the metro area that was called the Central.

"We will lock down every gate and checkpoint so that they cannot esca-"

"SIR, WE HAVE A NEW DEVELOPMENT!"

All the stallions in the room look to the back of the room. Orion recognizes that the voice was one of his own and pays close attention as the armor-clad stallion entered the briefing room.

"Private First Class Willheim, speak." Orion commands to the younger guard.

"We've confirmed that their current location is inside of the Chevalier Coliseum. Even more so... I think you should see this."

Willheim passes a folded letter to the captain. As Orion opens the letter, the first thing he sees is a picture of Pearl bound and gagged on what appears to be the fifty-yard line. She also seemed injured as she had a small gash in her head, causing some blood to paint her violet mane crimson. As Orion angrily sat the picture behind the unfolded parchment, he proceeded to read the letter.

Dear Shining Armor

If you so wish to see this mare unharmed, then it would be best to arrive at the Chevalier Coliseum at 2100 hours. Come alone. We know that you are speaking with the authorities and that you want to plan a rescue attempt. That would be ill-advised as we do not wish to waste our time cleaning up after the mess that she would make on the field.

Be there or she dies.

P.S.: Doesn't she look lovely? I think the red of her blood accents her baby-blue eyes.

Orion crumbles the letter as grumbles to himself about how cruel the abductors could be. As he attempts to throw away the letter, Guiltless intercepts and reopens the letter to read it for himself. Taking a moment to compose himself, he finally gives out his first order.

"Shining, you have seventeen minutes to get to the stadium. Get your plot moving."

"But dad... why just me?" Shining asked, seeming like his father threw him under the carriage.

"Because they ask for only you. We won't leave you alone. As you enter, we'll be surrounding the area. That way we can storm the arena, seize any who try to make an escape and apprehend the kidnapper at large. Now go. We're losing time." Guiltless stated as he continued to strategize their mode of approach.

Shining nodded his head in approval as he looked to the clock on the wall. He now had fifteen minutes.

"Get going son... We're counting on you." Orion states as he watches his son take off in front of him. "That foal is too."

Trinity Square
One block from Chevalier Coliseum
Canterlot Central District
08:48 P.M.

Three colts stand in a dark alleyway as they look to the stadium in the far distance. As they stare off into the distance, another colt in a uniform with the initials C.S., shortened for custodial staff, engraved onto the front approaches them. Azure, Poindexter and Longshot prepares themselves as they direct their attention to the figure approaching.

"Any news?" Azure asked to the figure.

"There are three patrols located at the front entrance. Same for the rear. The sides have two or less, but the eastern staff entrance is your best option, being that their patrol would make their usual fifteen minute call-in by the time we get there."

"Great... I bet you must really love that transformation spell." Poindexter states.

"It gets me by the guards whenever I need to look into something a bit more confidential. But I'm horrible when it comes to impersonations, so infiltration is not one of my fortes." The figure states before a light-blue flame engulfed the figure to reveal a pink alacorn. "So what's the plan?"

"Well... You're staying here, for safety purposes. And not only that, you can also let us know what's going on from outside of the stadium." Longshot answers to Amora as she pouts a little on not being able to join the guys.

"Also, we don't know whether or not your combat skills is up to snuff. So our best option of seeing that you remain unscathed is to see that you stay as far away from the action." Azure also states, trying to justify their argument.

Amora reluctantly agrees. "Sure. Fine. Whatever. Just make sure that Shining is gonna be okay."

"These walkie-talkies are specifically made to vibrate rather than beep when we make transmissions. Whenever you see something go down, let the others know as quietly as you can." Poindexter says as he distributes the devices to the two other colts standing before him, as well as to the mare that stood beside him.

"Where did you get these?" Azure asks as he analyses the small black box.

"The custodial staff have these on hoof whenever there's a big concert or a game going on. I nabbed these out of the main office on my way out. These guys should have their own, so be extra careful to not get the channels crossed or else it's gonna be a long night." Amora added as she clicked the device on.

"I further modified them so that they would vibrate instead of beep and that the transmissions wouldn't be subject to interception as often." Poindexter claims as Longshot looks at the device in his hooves.

"As often?" Longshot questions with concern, to which Azure interjects his order.

"No time to worry about that. Now ready up... For Shining."

Chevalier Coliseum
Trinity Square
Canterlot Central District
08:59 P.M.

Shining Armor walks up to the main entrance of the stadium. To him it feels so surreal, thanks to the silence that continued to haunt the arena, the lack of ponies that commute in and out of the area as well as the resounding fact that he's not here to watch a hoofball game.

As he made his way inside, he looked at the clock that stood outright in the cobblestone plaza. The time read eight fifty-nine as three figures approached from the shadows of the coliseum. The one to the right was a unicorn stallion, the one to his left was a donkey and the one that took center was a griffon that bore a scar across his left eye. As Shining heard the three approach him from behind, he leapt forward and twisted himself around to face the three on patrol.

"State your business!" The griffon shouted as he brandished his talons for the young colt to see.

"I am Shining Armor..." He answered as he felt a chilling shudder creep over his body, knowing that something wasn't right. As feelings of discomfort continued to eat away at him, he asked the three on patrol. "Now where's Pearl?"

"Yous must be the one that the boss is lookin' for." The donkey confirmed as he walked to the entrance tunnel. As he walked, he turned around and gestured to the other two to guide him inside. The griffon and the unicorn stood on each side of the white stallion. As they got into position, they turned their attention to the donkey that lead them.

"This way." The unicorn spoke as he pushed Shining in the direction that they desired him to go.

As they walked the tunnel, Shining couldn't help but to feel uncomfortable. This was his first time entering the stadium without seeing any other fans around. There was no cheering in the distance to let him know that he was in a hoofball game. There was no music blasting in the P.A. systems. There were no concession stands that had the large lines in front of them. There was not even the occasional drunk pony that would harass some of the fans for some more gambling money. The lights were out for much of the stadium. The banners that hung on the ceilings and walls lied carelessly on the ground. The atmosphere that Shining had come to know of for the past five months has grown to literally nothing. Just a few ambient chuckles in the distance as well as the clopping of his own hooves against the concrete floor.

As they finally exited the tunnel, the hoofball field where the games took place was only lit in one portion. The scenery seemed to darken from end-zone to end-zone. But as his eyes traveled to the center of the field, the lights got brighter, providing a gradient effect. The stands that surrounded the field were nothing like they used to be. The entire place seemed abandoned. More banners hung lazily on a few threads, the stands were all but immaculate, there was the occasional plastic cup and stain on the sideline. Even the field looked empty as the numbers faded from age. But there was still one thing that remained alive in that stadium, and it was Pearl who lied bound and gagged on center field.

As Shining approached the field, a bright light came on to blind him and a booming voice spoke directly to him.

"Whoa there, Casanova! You might wanna slow your approach just a bit."

The lights of the stadium remained off, but the lights for the field suddenly became fully lit as it revealed a pony wearing a familiar shirt to the opposite side of the field. As Shining squinted to the other side of the field, he realized that it was the coach's uniform for the Seaddle Seaponies hoofball team. As he continued to squint, he saw the stallion across the field approach the the field as well, holding up a microphone to his mouth.

"Now... This is my first time meeting you, son. And I already knew that I didn't like you since you made the headlines for tackling my ref. But now I find out that you killed my favorite player, just because he wanted to have a little fun with a mare he just so happened to tenderize a bit... Why don't you take a seat?"

Before Shining could respond, he felt a powerful surge press throughout his body as one of the escorts chops him in the back of the neck. He falls to the ground a little disoriented as the world in his eyes seemed to sparkle along the edge of his vision. A slight ringing tone reverberated through his ears as he felt a strong tug on one of his forelegs. As he started to regain his senses, he realized that he was being pulled to the center of the field by the unicorn that stood beside him earlier. As he drew closer, Pearl finally raised her head as she saw the young colt being dragged in the grass.

"PHMMMNMMMF PFMMPFMMN (Shining Armor)!" Pearl screamed out to the colt as the gag muffled her speech.

"Oh... So you have a little something to say... Gents, remove her gag please."

After throwing Shining Armor before the frantically moaning mare before, the unicorn removed the ball-gag from the mares mouth as she gasped in relief. Pearl continued to scream.

"SHINING ARMOR! RUN!"

Shining only stared at her as the coach approached them both from the sideline. He continued to speak into the microphone. "Well, we can't have that now... Poor Shining here will miss out on the fun... Unless you would rather take his place, miss lady."

"Shining Armor, get out of here. I can take care of myself. Just go!" Pearl tried to persuade him to leave.

Shining did not move.

"Shining... Please leave this place. You have so much to live for."

Shining only looked up to Pearl and smiled.

"Please, I'm begging you... I command you to leave this instant..."

He still smiled, even as the coach walked up to him, driving a hoof to his face. As the former coach, Crimson Reeds, placed blow after blow against Shining's face, he only smiled in taking the abuse.

"...please..."

Crimson joined both of his hooves together and swung into Shining's jaw, causing him to jerk back and fall flat against the grass.

"...just go..."

With a grunt, Crimson stood on his hindlegs and kicked the downed stallion on the side of the head, his body jerked in response.

"...this isn't fair..."

With another kick, Crimson aimed for his face. His blow landed on the muzzle of the teenage stallion. Blood began to pour from his closed wounds that Magnus gave to him earlier, as well as brand new ones that the former coach managed to give him.

"...YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT ME, NOT DIE FOR ME!"

Crimson landed on his forelegs as he turned around to reel his hind legs in. He released them into the ribs of Shining Armor. A sickening crack sounded along with a painful grunt emitted from the young teen. His eyes shot open as his pupils shrank to the size of periods upon receiving the blow. Blood shot from his mouth onto the uniform that Crimson wore, some of it landing on his coat and his face. In seconds Shining flew from the center of the field to the sideline. He tumbled like a inanimate rag doll before he came to a screeching halt.

"...please... get up."

Crimson heard the final words of Pearl as he grinned. He agreed with her statement, but not it's meaning.

"Yeah, you heard her... Get up... Stand up and be a stallion... Stand up so I can stomp you back down like the weeds on this field!"

Shining's vision blurred as he tried to tell his body to stand up. As he struggled to stand up on his own hooves, the unicorn that dragged him to the center of the field picked him up with his magic and flung him before Crimson's hooves. There, Shining remained, coughing up blood and holding his chest as the cracked ribs took a painful toll on his ability to breathe. Crimson was not at all pleased as he slapped him with the microphone, breaking it instantly.

"Fine... I'll make you get up. I'll make you beg. I'll make you regret that you stayed down." He took long breaths when he spoke, trying to regain lost oxygen.

As he spat on the defeated unicorn below him, he pulled out a long blade and started walking slowly. Only this time, his target was not the stallion whom he swore to make him beg, but rather the mare that would cause him to beg.

"...please..." Shining whispered as the pain he felt all over his body became too much to bear.

Crimson ignored his plea as he slowly made his way to Pearl. "No... I gave you a chance to die protecting her... And you gave that up. So now..."

"Please..." Pearl begged as she squirmed as Crimson climbed on top of her, her chest exposed to him.

"NO!" Shining screamed as he ignored the immense amount of pain in his chest. He stood up with the last remnants of his strength and dragged himself to the stallion who sought to endanger Pearl.

"...SHE DIES!" Crimson raises the long blade up in the air and brings it down in a single motion.

Everyone who watched could hear the heartbeat of the teenage colt stop cold as the blade ran red. Crimson remained in suspended animation as Shining could feel the world that surrounded him drift away. His face ran cold, as much of his body did in seeing the blade embedded in the body of Pearl. His breathing shook in tremolo. His jaw quaked as he reached out for her. His hoof shook as the the vision in front of him blurred once more. Tears streamed down his cheeks as his mind failed to rationalize the loss that happened before him. The pain in his body remained, as a new pain came to greet him.

Failure.

Loss.

Pearl lied stiff on the grass before him. Her blood now coated the green of the field.

"NOOOOOOOO!!!"

Shining fell to the grass below him. It was just too much to see. Pearl lying there before him as he was unable to protect her, like he promised he would. He failed to protect the wife of Magnus, who vowed to share the rest of his life with her. He failed to protect Rarity's mother, who will never see her daughter grow before her eyes. He even failed the mother of his own foal... who shall soon join her. His vision of raising a family blew into the winds of the world like the loosened sand, fleeting to an abyss of lost hopes, broken dreams and down the river of his tears.

He failed.

Pearl was dead...

...though not really.
But that dramatic page break though.
"Gluhurk"

Shining looks up long enough to see something that became of a surprise to him. Crimson, who stood over the inanimate body of Pearl, held his own throat. Crimson choked and gagged as he started to stumble away from Pearl. And as he turned, it was revealed to Shining that there was a crossbow bolt embedded into his trachea and his esophagus. As he took another step to the defeated teen, he jolted once more. He reached out to say something to his subordinates but found that everything in his body went black...

...or rather his brain shut down.

A bolt cleared across the stadium and sniped him directly in the back of the head, causing Crimson to finally fall to the ground in silence. His eyes remained open out of confusion as to what hit him. As he laid there, he did not breathe nor did he blink.

Crimson Reeds, the former coach of the Seaddle Seaponies and a prominent figure in the crime circuit, was now dead.

"Tango-Alpha is down."

"Good, now do what you can to protect Shining! I'll alert the authorities outside! *click* "

"Solid copy Chess-Piece."

"Guess they don't call you Cross-hair for no reason... I'm goin' in. Cover me while I get to Shining. Over and out. *click* "

"Be careful down there, Box-Cutter. Providing covering fire."

Longshot, code name Cross-hair, hid in the nosebleeds of the stadium as he continued to provide a cover-fire of crossbow bolts into the bodies of the patrol units down on the field below. As he loaded each one he looked around him to see if he needed to move or if his position had been compromised. Confirming that he was still in the clear, he remounted his weapon and aimed for the field below.

Azure, code name Box-Cutter, ran from one of the tunnels below as he brandished a broadsword. As he ran, three other ponies ran to attack him. As one approached, he ducked below and magically swung his sword at the neck of the earth pony. As he pulled his blade away, blood spewed from the jugular of the earth pony that dared to get close. A pegasus flew into the air and dived in with a crude spear, but was quickly dispatched as Azure stepped left and drove his sword into the pegasus pony's face. Pulling out the blade from the felled assailant, he ran over to Shining's position. But before he could close in, a unicorn holding a crossbow aimed for Azure. As soon as he was ready to fire, Azure sliced into the foreleg of the unicorn, severing it completely. As the pony lost his balance, he misfired the crossbow into the chest of one of his own. As the unicorn fell to the ground, holding his hoof with his magic, Azure slashed into the neck of the pony, not exactly decapitating him but rather enough for his neck to become a second mouth. Flicking his blade to remove some of the blood, he galloped to his downed friend.

Poindexter, code name Chess-Piece, ran out of the stadium and into the horde of ponies that awaited for any confirmation before they would invade. As he approached the joined forces of the Equestria National Guard and the Canterlot Bureau of Investigation, he signaled to them that they could make their way inside to storm the arena.

Orion, clad in his royal armor, stepped forward to give his orders. "One of our own is in there even as we speak. He lies wounded before their hooves and at the mercy of their will. Do NOT let him fall. SPEARS SHARP! LET'S MOVE!"

The entire line of guards charge into the coliseum as they make their cries known to those that hold possession over it. Meanwhile inside, Azure reaches his injured comrade.

"Dumbass, I thought you said to stay out of trouble!"

"Azure??? What are you- Aaagh!" Shining asks before keeling over in pain of the broken ribs in his chest. Azure takes notice and makes the call into his communications device.

"We have obtained precious cargo. Repeat, we have confirmation Jackpot. In need of medical assistance."

"Copy that." Poindexter confirms. "Boarding party is now in effec-"

"AZURE, YOUR SIX!!!" Shining yells out to his friend.

As Azure turns around, he sees a griffon with a scar on his left eye approaching him with a morning star. Raising his sword to defend himself, he prepares for a blow. The griffon drives his morning star into the broadsword, knocking it out of the way for a clean hit. Azure thinks fast and uses the spear of the pegasus he felled earlier and magically launches it into the wing of the griffon. As the griffon screams out in pain, he turns his attention to Azure once more. Shining defends his friend while ignoring his physical condition with a stun bolt aimed directly to the griffon's chest. As the griffon bends over in pain, Shining drops to the ground, exhausted from the simple spell.

As the griffon regains his strength, he makes a second run for the two teenage colts. But before he does, the resounding cry of guards fill the stadium. Many of the other patrol members who stood inside of the stadium, have already surrendered. A few still kept their weapons as they charged into the guards. As one pony foolishly charges at a guard, the guard swings his spear at the pony's legs as a means of immobilizing the attacker. The donkey that once escorted Shining to the field, met a terrible end as he charged into three guards, only to be impaled by all of them. As he tried to drive himself forward, two more guards ran from behind and ran their spears through the donkey's body as he violently shook. Finally accepting his fate, he went limp and died as the five guards simultaneously withdrew their weapons.

The griffon saw that there was nowhere left to run and took to the sky, hoping to see another day of freedom. As he flew, his wing bled out and Longshot took the advantage to aim a well placed bolt into the neck of the griffon, hitting him in his spinal cord. The griffon fell with a mighty thump as the guards surrounded the field. As some of the guards walk onto the field, Orion gallops out of the tunnel to join his son. As he reunites with Shining Armor, he tries to hug him, much to his son's discomfort.

"RIIIBS!"

"Sorry... Guess I got a little carried away." Orion states as he removes his helmet to see his son.

"Not... your fault... Broken ribs." Shining struggles as he clences his father's hoof. "But..."

"HEY CAPTAIN! WE GOT A LIVE ONE OVER HERE! BUT SHE BLEEDING OUT PRETTY BAD!"

Something within Shining lights up as he hears those words coming from the guard in the distance. Orion gives a sigh at knowing that Pearl was still alive. Another sentiment that both the father and his son shared.

"Airlift her to the hospital, be very careful!" Orion orders as four pegasi guards salute and prepare the arrangements.

Shining Armor remembers the faces of his friends and family. He thinks about everything that has happened tonight and was more than relieved that all of it was finally over. Shining sighed as he collapsed to the grass on the field. To him the blades of grass felt heavenly as he finally would receive his fair share of rest. As he looked to the black sky, he could see himself living his life without fear. After all, he really needed to rest. His eyelids began to get heavy as his breathing calmed. The calls of his name seemed to fade into a alternate dimension as their ambiance became his lullaby. Finally shutting his eyes, he let the darkness take him.

Shining Armor Aegnus Sparkle
???
???
???

"Where am I..."

"hello..."

"What's... going on?"

"is this thing on? dumb stallion"

"And who's voice is this?"

"HELOOOOOOOO???"

"GAAH!!! Who are... no. What are you?"

I looked into a seemingly white and endless void. And my company... was a green sprite. Where the hell am I exactly? Doesn't look like anywhere that I'm familiar with. And this sprite... what was it exactly? Guess it didn't hear me. Maybe I should scream at it.

"HELLLOOOOO!!!! ME!!! SHINING ARMOR!!!! WHO!!! YOU!!!?"

"I can hear just fine! And I can tell that you've suffered a lot of brain damage too."

"Oh... My bad.

"And to answer your question, I'm a spiritual manifestation. To be more specific, I am a spirit of a being that hasn't been born yet."

Okay. So she's not yet living... Wait a second... Oh no... No no no no no... NO WAY! I can't be... But if I'm here talking to an unborn spirit, then that could only mean...

"Am I... dead?"

"Nope... just having a dream."

And now I'm self-aware of my dreamscape. Pretty.... boring. Time to go.

"How exactly do I get out of here?"

"Don't go just yet! I haven't even gotten to tell you anything."

Okay... So now the floating gelatinous cream puff is telling me that there is something that it wants to tell me? Okay, if this is a dream, then I don't wanna know what death looks like.

"Okay. So ummm... What was your name aga-"

"Ooh, O-o-o-oh! Can my name be Sweetie Belle?"

So these things can name themselves... Let's roll with that.

"Uhhh sure. Okay. So Sweetie Belle, what do you have to tell me exactly?"

"Um... I forgot."

...Really now? You bring me here... to tell me that you forgot... I wonder if I can scream myself awake. *Ahem*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"What! What's wrong!?"

"Nothing... Just try to remember what you know."

"Hmm... I remember that we were supposed to look down or something."

Oh like that's gonna help. But let's go on ahead and entertain the floati-OH MY FAUST! IT'S MY BODY!!!

"Uhh why am I down there?"

"Oh now I remember. Something about losing something. But oh well."

Did she just dismiss a prophetic message that she was supposed to deliver to me? Oh of all the-

"Okay... So if you're an unborn spirit, then do you know exactly when you'll be born."

"Well, it's been four-hundred eighty-five years since Momma Faust created me. So I guess in my sense of time it would be pretty soon. I can't wait! It's gonna be so exciting!

That is a long time to be a floating ball of cream cheese. And to imagine that I may have endured such an existence. Welp, there's a trip to the psychologist saved. More bits for me.

"Well I guess it's time for me to go. Momma Faust is calling me home."

"Hey wait... what about-"

"Mom's going to be just fine."

Wait a sec. THAT PROVES IT! SHE'S ACTUALLY MY-

Canterlot Royal Hospital
Canterlot Keeping District
04:00 A.M.

Shining Armor opens his eyes to see that he is inside of a hospital room. The sounds he hears is that of a soft humming noise of the lights above him, the beeping of the heart monitor to his left and the unknown sounds of a group outside the door. The unknown sounds seems to be that of a collective group. Either they are laughing or expressing grief. Perhaps even excitement.

"It is a very good thing that you have awoken, my dear guard."

Shining mind was caught off guard at the voice he heard within his room. It sounded different from all the voices that he's come to know of. Far too different. As he surveys the room around him, the voice speaks again.

"Please, I need you to remain calm. Please listen to me, my dear."

As Shining turns his head to the source of the voice, he is in total disbelief of who he's seeing at his bedside.

"P-P-P-P... Princess... Celestia?"

"Yes. And I am more than relieved that you have finally come to terms. I do believe that the dream you had has already prepared you."

"Prepare me... for what exactly ma-"

Shining Armor is brought to silence as he sees the Princess approach him, gently wrapping her hooves around him. Her touch was warm and endearing, like a light to a foal who was in fear of the dark. It was also very calming, like a mother holding it's foal for the first time. But at the same time, warm little droplets fell to his chest. Her mane smelled of the spring breeze and lavender. Beautiful scents adorned his nose as he lied in the bed, still full of surprise that Princess Celestia dared to hug a subject so lowly as he was.

"My dear... I cannot bear this in my heart. No matter how many times I may hear of it."

Shining Armor tried to ask her what she was referring to, but then something finally hit him. It was the sounds that awaited outside. They weren't of laughter nor were they of excitement. They were of mourning. Shining heartbeat increased as he questioned the princess.

"My mom-"

"She is fine." The princess answered the teen colt as she brought herself to eye level.

"No... Pearl-"

"She is also fine..." She grabs the hooves of the teenage guard and rubs them comfortingly as she urges onward, with tears building in her eyes. "...but the foal... I am... so sorry."

"...What?" Shining asked, his voice breaking as he tried to dismiss the reality of the situation. Something that the princess could not allow.

"Shining Armor, my youngest guardspony. It is with terrible regret... that I inform to you that... your unborn foal has passed away."

Author's Note

FEELS! WHY!?

~~I am so sorry for writing this.~~