The next morning, Celestia's sun shone brightly against the winter snow, causing the very streets of Canterlot to glow a blinding white as many homes grew noisy with the sounds of fillies running down to their respective dens, excited over their gifts under the Hearth's Warming tree. Parents watched as their kids hurriedly opened their gifts with zeal. However, there were two ponies that weren't exactly in a rush to wake up for the morning's festivities.

Shining's eyes fluttered open to see the sunlight beaming from his window. With a yawn, he offered to stretch his body. But his hoof had managed to find something interrupting it's free space. He looked beside him and saw the sleeping form of his younger sister, who also stirred awake.

Twilight yawned and turned over to face the stallion that was her older brother. As she looked up to appreciate that he was full of life, she smiled in knowing that her brother was still with her.

"Good morning, B.B.B.F.F."

"Morning Twi." He answered groggily.

The purple mare placed her hoof on the shoulder of her older brother and rubbed him gently. "You know, you always sound like dad when you wake up in the mornings."

"How so?"

"You gain that dark, bass-rich voice that I'm so used to hearing from him."

"I suppose. Though I have a question."

Twilight leaned against her brother as she felt the warmth of his body radiate onto her. "Okay, ask."

"When did you get back in here?" He questioned, remembering that he sent her back to her old room. Twilight looked at the clock to check the time.

"Sometime around two. I couldn't sleep."

"Oh... did you-"

Twilight stifled a laugh as she pushed against her brother. "No, none of that. I promise."

"Good." Shining said as he rolled his neck, creating a loud crackling sound that caused Twilight to wince in response.

"That sounds painful... and a bit disgusting."

"Feels great to me."

As she laid on his back, she could hear the sound of his heart beating within him. The sound soothed her as she wrapped her hooves around him. "Hey, Shining."

"What's up, kiddo?"

"I just want to say how much I love you. I may not get to spend a lot of time with you, but I am very much thankful that you wake up in the mornings. Some ponies don't exactly make it this far, let alone being able to wake up in their beds. To know that I have a big brother who wants to take care of me and protect me, makes me feel special. And that's one of the greatest gifts of all."

"Sounds like another one of your friendship reports."

"Could be. But I prefer to keep this lesson to myself." She said quietly as she held on to her older brother.

"Yeah. I guess some lessons in life aren't always meant to be put on paper."

Shining started to rise, but felt his younger sister pull him back down. She looked back up to him with pleading eyes. "Don't you wanna wait until later to get up?"

*Aooouuuunnnn*

Twilight blushed as her stomach growled loudly in the silence of the room. Shining laughed for a little bit at his sister's expense. "Well from the sounds of your stomach, I guess you can kiss that idea goodbye."

But she was insistent on spending more time with him. "I can wait a little longe-"

"Shining! Violet! Time to come on down, breakfast is ready!"

Hearing their mother's voice announcing breakfast made her reconsider her choice. She couldn't deny that she was hungry and plus the smell of hay bacon started to find it's way into her nostrils. "You know... breakfast sounds great right about now, wouldn't you agree?"

"Who are you telling?" He answered back, equally as excited that breakfast was ready.

Twilight pushed him back onto the bed and started to make a run for the door. "Race ya!"

"Oh no you wo-"

As Shining rose from the bed and ran to the open door, he saw Twilight instantly turn around and run into him. Planting her lips on his, she provided a distraction that would cause him to be the last one to the table. She smirked as she remembered one of the other times she raced him and he threw her Smarty Pants doll to the floor so he would win. And just like Shining's lips, revenge was more than sweet.

"Sorry B.B.B.F.F., but old habits die hard."

Shining was left fuming at his sister's unfair tactic, but he remembered that it was all in good fun, despite her kissing him full on. He brushed it off and chased after her.

"I guess they're slow to break too."

Four months later...
Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville
March 28th, 1 S.R.

The spring air smelled crisp and clear on a sunny day as Applejack continued to buck the apples off of the trees. Thought she was more of an individual worker, she knew that there was way too much for her to do when it came to bucking all the apples in the western fields and carting them all to the barn by the end of the day. Luckily, she had the company of one of her friends; the least likely to do any sort of hard labor.

"Ugh! Ahh! My goodness darling, I never knew that apple bucking could be so exhausting."

"Yeah, a lil sweat an' hard work will do that to ya. But at least the help is greatly appreciated." Applejack said to the white unicorn mare beside her as they finished hauling all of the apples they managed to harvest.

"Not a problem at all, Applejack. Just so long as you keep me out of the muddy affairs."

"Right. But ya know, y'all can take a break when ya wantin' to."

"Well I greatly appreciate the offer." Rarity responded as she looked made her way into the barn. As she entered, Applejack took a moment to think. She closed her eyes and took a breath and cheered herself forward.

"Buck up, Jacqueline. Can't get no other time like this. You can do it."

Inside of the barn, Applejack and Rarity shared a mug of cider and some apple fritters as they took their break from the long day of work. The air was clean and the temperatures were comfortable to work in, but they were in no hurry to get back to work as they discussed various topics.

"So Applejack, how is Big Mac feeling after the fiasco from Hearts and Hooves day?"

"Better than expected. Big Mac an' Cherilee actually started talkin' to each other n'all. They seem really happy when they're together, but Ah can't shake the sense that Fluttershy's been actin' a little... down since those two started talkin'."

Rarity immediately knew what Fluttershy was feeling. Often, she would come out to one of the spa outings that they shared and she would discuss her thoughts on the large, bulky red stallion. Fluttershy wasn't often the one to openly admit her feelings when it came to colts but she was more than willing to share with Rarity her thoughts. But since Big Mac started dating Cherilee, her conversations about him turned from endearing to depressing. There was no doubt that she was heartbroken over the situation.

"Oh dear. I can understand why."

"Why what? Why Fluttershy's bein' so glum? Out with it girl!" Applejack demanded, wanting to know what was wrong with her friend.

"Applejack, you know that I can't disclose that kind of information. After all, a lady doesn't speak of her friends secrets."

"So judgin' from yer reaction, I'd say that she was interested?"

Rarity paused for a moment. She knew that her promise was limited to not telling anypony, but she also knew that she wasn't limited to confirming whether it was true or not. However, she held her tongue out of respect for Fluttershy's privacy. "It's not my place to say."

"I see." Applejack said as she watched Rarity take a swig of the cider. As her lips parted from the wooden mug, the foam from the beverage stuck to the muzzle of the fashionista, creating an amber-colored beard and mustache combo. Applejack giggled as Rarity cleared the froth from her face.

"Well I suppose we need to get back to work. Those apples won't just start falli-"

"Hold that pose, cowgirl." Applejack said as she pointed out a bit of the froth still on her nose. She moved in to clean the mess.

"Applejack, wha-"

What eventually started as a simple gesture, turned into something passionate. Applejack instantly ran in and sank her lips into Rarity's and pressed herself against the white unicorn's body. Rarity cried out as she stared at her friend wide-eyed and tried to back away. But with each step she took back, the farm mare took a step forward, keeping their lips glued together. Though her advances were strong, Rarity's willpower to separate herself was stronger. With a outward thrust of her forehooves, Rarity pushed back the work mare and panted as she stood before her, victimized from the event.

"JACQUELINE SAMANTHA APPLE, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?"

The orange pony walked closer to her with heaving breaths and blushed cheeks. "Ah love ya, Rarity. Ah'm sorry Ah've been so quiet about it, but Ah just didn't like bein' turned down beforen Ah make a move."

Rarity wiped her lips in disgust and scolded her friend. "Applejack, this is now how you confess your feelings to a pony."

"Ah don't care! Ah wanted that since the day we first met."

Rarity stood in confusion as she heard Applejack's confession. Ultimately, she was speechless. "Applejack, that... this... I... What is this?"

Applejack quickly closed the distance between her and the uneasy unicorn mare, placing a hoof beside her head and a hind leg in between hers. "Since that day y'all came and taught those bullies a lesson, Ah've been head over hooves for ya. The days ya been at my side since mah parents left me on up to now, Ah wanted to be with ya. An' Ah couldn't risk hearing ya say no if Ah didn't get to kiss ya."

Applejack leaned in to connect but Rarity held her back with her magic, struggling to keep her away. "Samantha, I can't do this."

The orange mare backed away from Rarity and stomped her hooves in anger. "Why not!? Ya crush turned out ta be a big flop, Spike's too young fer ya, and ya haven't been seekin' out no colts for a date in months."

"Because I chose to be alone. I don't need a stallion at the moment."

"Then maybe a mare could be a better answer! Rarity, let's talk about this!" Applejack urged as she quickly approached the white mare on the wall. Rarity took a side-step to find some freedom in her movements. Now it was her who was in the open space.

"But Rainbow Dash?"

"What about her? We tried once in high school an' it didn't work. Ah know we can make it work if ya can look past dirty, sweaty ol' AJ."

Rarity backed away into the doors, inadvertently closing them both inside. "That's not the point."

"THEN WHAT IS!?" Applejack screamed as she held herself back from pouncing on the mare before her.

"I don't want to ruin our friendship."

"We can become more than friends!" Applejack argued with frustration set in her voice.

"I DON'T WANT TO!" Rarity quickly shot back, causing the other mare to back away in silence. Applejack stumbled a bit as she allowed the words to resonate in her mind. Rarity was not interested in her.

"...o-oh."

"Darling, I'm terribly sorry, but first things first, I am not into mares nor am I mare curious. Secondly, if I was, then I still wouldn't want to ruin our friendship. And lastly, I... just don't see you that way."

"Isn't there some sort of way where y'all can reconsider?" Applejack felt, for the first time in years, the familiar pain of heartbreak.

She didn't want to cry in front of Rarity because it would show that she was still the weak little filly that she was a long time ago. She felt herself revert to the age where she was often bullied and called names. It didn't take much for her to cry in front of ponies then. But over the years, her persistence to not let anyone see her cry made her hardened and stubborn. And it was all because she didn't want to seem like she was weak, but the disappointment in her voice was far more revealing than the poker face she wore.

Rarity walked up the her friend slowly and maintained her distance. "Applejack, you should know better than to force something to go where you want it. Have you learned nothing from the sleepover?"

Applejack looked away in shame over what she and her both took away from the experience. The shame didn't come from her kiss, but rather the forceful nature of her throwing herself at one of her best friends without consent to do so. "Sometimes it's best to give it a little nudge an' not to be over the top."

"Correct."

Applejack clenched her eyes closed as she spoke, holding back her tears. "But... Ah gave you my first kiss. Shouldn't that mean somethin'?"

Rarity felt guilt shower on her. There was nothing she could do to return that milestone, that sacred event, to her. She did, however come up with a solution. "Hmmm... Hold that pose, darling."

Applejack felt a warm glow caress her cheek as the arcane force turned her head to Rarity. "Okay."

Rarity sighed deeply and closed her eyes. With a forward lean, her soft lips touched against the moistened flesh of Applejack's. With a hoof, Rarity held her friend in place as she deepened the kiss, opening her mouth and giving her temporary passage to her tongue. Before Applejack could make a move, she closed her jaw and disallowed her from entering. Pulling back from her friend, Rarity smiled tenderly as she softly drug a hoof up her cheek.

"I'm sorry dear, but that doesn't belong to me. Save that kiss for somepony who would love you as much as you would love them."

Applejack stood in shock over what happened between them. She was not only shocked at the return of her gesture but also the reason to which it was done. "You kissed me."

"I only returned what you gave to me. I don't want you giving out gifts to those who wouldn't return the same sentiment."

Applejack clenched onto the hoof of her friend as it rested against her cheek. "But... you kissed me."

"Yes. I did. But I already explained why I did it."

Applejack felt her cheeks warm and playfully pushed the unicorn. "Ya know, y'all can be as bull-headed as ya wanna be."

"Coming from who now?" Rarity snapped back.

"Heh, got me on that one."

Rarity opened the door behind her and made her way out to the outside air. "Come along. We still have some work to do."

"Okay, I'll be out there in a sec." The orange farm pony said as she walked back over to the table to grab her stetson. Rarity knew what was to come as soon as she took some time to separate herself and grab that hat.

"Take your time dear."

Rarity closed the large doors of the barn and breathed heavily as she recovered from what Applejack did to her. Though it was completely uncalled for, she forgave her. As she started to walk away, she heard a soft squeak come from within the barn. Taking a moment to listen, she stood still to hear more of the high-pitched squeaks. They soon turned into sounds of soft broken wails. Rarity felt sad for her as Applejack stayed inside of the barn and cried.

"I'm terribly sorry dear, but I can only say how much I love you through our friendship for now. But who knows... I may just think about a relationship with a mare."

April 2nd, 1 S.R.
Inner-District, Canterlot

In the Royal Palace of Canterlot, Shining Armor sat at his desk as he filled out a large stack of paperwork. He grumbled as he signed a sheet, placed it in the corresponding tray and moved on to the next page. Being stuck at a desk was his least favorite activity. But thankfully, a group of three stallions busting into his office brightened up his mood a bit.

"Hey, Shining!" Azure called out.

"Yes?" He sighed, relieved that he was finally distracted from all the signatures he had to make and reading all of the fine print.

"Cadie told us that you finally sealed the deal with the ring. Congrats dude." Longshot said as Poindexter walked over and gave the white unicorn stallion a nuggie with his hoof.

"Aw. Thanks guys." He said warmly.

After separating himself from the captain's head, Poindexter sat in a chair on the other side of the room. "So now that you're gonna be out of the running in terms of bachelorhood, what's next for you?"

"Well, I have to sign a large amount of paperwork." Shining answered begrudgingly, looking back at the stack of papers on his desk.

"For what? Marriage license?" Longshot asked as she looked at some of the papers.

"That, plus insurance plans, protection plans, surrender of current power-"

"Woah woah woah, wait a minute. They're signing you out of the guard!?" Azure asked as he stood over the captain's desk.

"No. I just won't be captain anymore."

"Why the hell not!?" Longshot asked as he placed the papers back on the desk.

"Because, from what Cadance was telling me, all the paperwork she filed prior to my giving her the ring will transition Blueblood's old position of power to me. The only thing that won't be mine is the title of Prince of Magic."

The group stared at Shining with jaws that if dropped any lower, they would find themselves in orbit. Azure scratched his head as he summarized what was said. "So... YOU'RE GOING TO BE FUCKING ROYALTY!?"

"Yeah, how's that for a wedding gift?" Shining answered as he continued to sign the papers.

"Can I say how jealous I am of you?" Azure asked, folding his forelegs.

"You're next Azure." Shining said as he continued to sign his paperwork.

"How so?"

"Well, given your performance record and your current standing as the current guardian to Princess Luna, you're placed in the front running for Captain after me. The day before my wedding will be the abdication of my position to you."

Azure stared at the captain in a daze before shaking his head, coming back to reality. "Wait, what?"

"In other words, in the next coming weeks... she's all yours, Captain." Longshot joked as he gave the blue unicorn a slap on the back.

"But why me?"

Shining placed the papers down as he looked at his friend. "Because Luna trusts you and Celestia has already nominated you for the position herself."

Azure didn't think that Princess Celestia would actually nominate him for such a prestigious position so early in his career. The favoritism showed onto him made him uncomfortable. "Can you say 'underqualified'?"

"Have some faith in yourself. You're already up for the position, and as soon as Princess Luna openly declares your relationship with her, then your road to royalty is pretty much waiting for a ribbon cut." Poindexter added as he folded a stray piece of paper into an airplane and tossed it at the soon-to-be Captain of the Royal Guard..

"Me, a prince? I'll pass." He said as he dislodged the air-worthy parchment from his mane.

"I thought you were jealous?" Shining mocked as he took the paper from the stallion and unfolded it.

"Guess he can't handle the pressure of being in a committed relationship, let alone royalty." Poindexter said, causing the others to laugh in response.

"That coming from the only single guy in the group. Can you at least find a date before you start cracking jokes?" Azure shot back.

"I always find dates."

"Anything past third?" Asked Longshot with a coy smile set on his face.

"Go to hell."

April 7th, 1 S.R.
Carousel Boutique, Ponyville

"Where is he?"

Rarity paced back and forth as she held an elaborate red gem in the shape of a heart. She placed her eyes on it and trailed back to the door. Confirming that there was no answer, she resumed her usual trotting back and forth.

"One would think that my summoning him here would drive him to hurry along.

*Knock Knock Knock*

"Just a moment." She yelled to the door cheerfully. With a spring in her step, she made her way over to the door and smiled at who stood on her front porch.

"Hey, Rarity!"

"Spike, it's so good to see you. You must come in."

The purple drake entered into the boutique as Rarity closed the door behind him. She happily made her way to the kitchen. Spike awaited in the foyer as he heard the snowy seamstress rumble about in the kitchen. "So do you need anything done?"

"No dear. It's just us two now."

Spike blushed as he thought about what she said. For the first time since their initial meeting, they would get to spend some time with each other. Needless to say that Spike was beyond anxious. "Well, well..."

"Would you care for any refreshments?" Asked Rarity, levitating a tray of tea and two cups to the dining room table.

"No thanks." He spoke as he walked into the room with her.

Rarity smiled as she offered him a chair. "Spike, sit down."

Sitting at the table, Spike watched as Rarity poured herself a cup of tea and mixing in some honey. Spike took a deep breath as he tried to break the ice. "So I guess you've thought about our time together?"

"I have... and then some." She answered before taking a sip.

Spike nervously played with his claws, unsure of what to say next. So he asked the first thing that came to mind. "So what do you think of me thus far?"

"You're absolutely wonderful. You can do just about anything and that is something rarely seen in many stallions. And yes, I knew that you've had a crush on me. Long before you told me just earlier today. I've called you in to respond to your statement."

The young drake could feel his entire body temperature rise as his heart started to pound rapidly within his chest. "So you feel something too?"

Rarity placed down the tea cup and made her way over to the dragon's side. Holding his claws in her hooves, she rubbed them gently as she finally gave him her answer. "I do. I really do. Spike. It's just that... that..."

"You're not ready." He finished, feeling a crushing blow to his chest.

"Well... yes. How did you know?"

"You called me to the shop after I wreaked havoc on all of Ponyville because of my greed and you summoned me here at sunset. At this time of day, you would either be partying with the girls, and there's no party going on, taking care of some dresses for clients, and you won't have any until sometime next week. And you would be home alone if it weren't for Sweetie Belle, who's out at a sleepovers at Applejack's. What more can I say to verify that you wanted to speak to me about us?"

Rarity knew that he was a young dragon that was far from her age, but the intelligence he had vastly rivaled those of even some grown stallions. "How deductive. You're a very bright one, aren't you Spikey-wikey?"

"I've learned from living with Twilight." He answered in deadpan.

"Also another thing."

She removed the golden necklace, along with the red heart-shaped gem that adorned her neck. Placing it in the drake's small claws, she enclosed his fingers around it with her hooves as she looked down to him.

"But... Rarity."

Placing a hoof on his lips, she quietly explained herself. "I don't want to receive something that I'm not ready for just yet. And I'm sorry that I swept you into giving it to me. It was wrong of me to do that. Can you ever forgive me?"

Spike shook as he shoved the gem back to her. "I will if you can hold on to it for me."

"Spike." She whispered, not sure how to respond to his generosity.

"I already told you how I feel. I want you to keep it, as a memento of me."

"But this isn't for me, not yet." She stressed, wanting him to wait until he was at least of age before receiving it.

"Then think of it as a gift, from one friend to another." He insisted, placing the jewel back on her neck. She looked at the pristine facets of the fire ruby and back to the jade eyes of the dragon before her. She quickly coiled him in her hooves as he hugged her back. She held on to him tightly, upset that he was far too young for her but at the same time, appreciative for his maturity.

"I suppose since you put it like that." She answered, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Sniffling, she held the dragon tightly as he stayed by her side.

"Thanks, Rarity."

"No. Thank you, Spike."

April 9th, 1 S.R.
Central District, Canterlot

"So do you think that you'll be able to do it?"

"Not a chance. The next two weeks, I have to head out to Manehattan for a large fashion show that I'm in charge of the catering. Sorry Captain, but maybe some other time."

The office door to the head chef's office closed behind the frustrated stallion as he cursed his luck. All day, he had to run around town in order to find someone to help him plan the wedding. But just like his previous endeavor, they were to no avail.

"Great, just great. Now I can't find anyone who would be in charge of the catering. I wrote to party planner extraordinaire Cheese Sandwich and he's way out in Las Pegasus, so there's no party planner. I've talked to Hoity Toity to design the dress and he's doing a show in Manehattan, which is the same show that Gustav Le Grande is catering to."

Stepping outside of the restaurant Le Grande, named after the owner, he crossed out yet another name off his list and took to the streets, looking for the next professional on his list.

"I guess my next stop is to speak to Octavia Philharmonica. She and I graduated from the same school, wonder if she could cut me a favor."

As he walked down the street, he bumped into a mare on accident. After making a brief apology, he continued to trek along. But as he walked, he heard a mare call out his name.

"Shining Armor?"

"That's my name. Don't wear... Mrs. Pearl?"

Shining's hooves locked in place as the familiar face smiled excitedly at him. Making her way through the crowd, she gave the stallion a gentle hug as well as a kiss on each cheek. "Dear me, it is you! I haven't seen you in so long. How are you dear?"

In shock over who he managed to run into, he reluctantly answered her. "I'm fine. I just didn't think that I would be running into you."

"Oh this is so exciting! I haven't heard from you in over nine years. Tell me, how's your mother doing?"

Remembering the day that he, his mother and Pearl took a trip to the hospital, he tried to stave off the bitter memory of the news he received shorty after his awakening. He wore a hesitant smile as he answered her question. "She's great. Just great."

Seeing that he was starting to get nervous on her, she pulled on him and tried to usher him to the nearest coffee shop. "Oh, there's no need to be nervous around me. Come now, we must talk."

"With all due resp-"

"Not another word. We need to reconnect. I know that you've been distant from me because of what happened between us but I assure you that this time will be nothing more than a platonic conversation."

He knew that the first time, as well as every other time after, he tried to start a platonic conversation with her which ended in a very physical situation. And the result was a pregnancy. Deep down, he really wanted to run away, but in his eyes, he would be running away from the past. Pressing forward, he accepted her offer. "Well that's good to hear."

As they sat at a table in outside seating area, Shining looked around and surveyed the area for anything suspicious. For all he knows, him being with her could be the second time he would endanger her life, or worse. Pearl noticed his active eyes and remembered that he was a guard when they last met. She decided to start the conversation on that matter.

"So what are you doing wandering around the city? On patrol?"

"Actually no. I'm out looking for a caterer, a party planner, a dress maker and a musician."

"Oh goodness. What's going on?"

"A wedding."

Pearl clopped her hooves with joy as she heard the news. "Oh dear goodness! Who's the lucky couple, a relative of yours?"

"Actually, I'm the groom."

Pearl gasped as she held both of her hooves over her mouth. Nearly tipping the table over, she ran over to give him a tight congratulatory hug. "OH CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm so proud of you! I know that your mother is probably more excited for you than I am at the current moment, but YOU'RE GETTING HITCHED! I swear the time has surely left me behind."

"Yeah, so what are you doing in town?" He asked, struggling to breathe.

Releasing the stallion from her grip, she gave her answer. "Me and my husband are here to celebrate a friend of his being inducted into the Hoofball Hall of Fame. You should come out!"

"Who's all going to be there?" Shining asked curiously, trying to see if he could find someone who could help wind down his list.

"Oh who isn't? We have Fancy Pants coming out, famous fashion model Fleur De Lis, famous cellist Octavia Philharmonica-"

Shining interrupted her as he heard the name of one of his classmates. Octavia was the one he was trying to get a hold of for the wedding. He wanted to know if the even was going to clash with his and Cadance's wedding. "Wait, when is this happening?"

"Sometime next weekend."

"Arrgh!" He groaned as his head came in contact with the tabletop. The silverware clattered as he made the impact.

"What's wrong?"

"That was the musician I was going to ask come out."

"Oh... and when is your..."

"Next weekend."

Feeling pity, she sympathized with the stressed guard. "Oh. How tragic. I wish that I could come."

"It's okay. I'll just have to find someone else."

As his head remained glued to the table, he heard another voice call out to Pearl. He rose as soon as he heard the familiar voice speak out. Looking up, he saw a face that he'd thought to have hated him.

"Hey babe, you ready to..."

"Mr. Magnus Belle?" Shining asked as he rose from his seat. Magnus looked at the stallion suspiciously before he finally realized who it was.

"Shiny? Well hot damn kid, you swollen up, haven't you?"

Shining laughed lightly as the ex-athlete complimented him on his physique. "Well I guess the guard can do that to you."

"Well it's nice to see that you're doing well. How about we go out and share a drink sometime?"

"Magnus, Shining is getting married!" Pearl interrupted, excited over the news of his marriage.

"Really? To who!?"

Shining sat back down at the table, causing the retired hoofball player to do the same. "Well, you all might have known her by the name of Amora a while back. Her real name is Cadance."

Giving the stallion a playful nudge to the shoulder, he complimented the guard further. "Wow. Look at you, you've grown so much from that puny, little teen that we used to know. Now you're like a damn redwood tree. What's your current rank? Corporal? Sergeant? Warrant Officer?"

"Captain." He answered taking a sip of his coffee.

"Captain Shining Armor. That has a nice ring to it. So you're a captain in rank?"

"That and Royal Guard."

Immediately, the couple jumped out of their seats. To hear that he was the current Captain of the Guard caused them to gawk in the fact that he successfully took after his father. "WHAT!?"

"I'm the Captain of the Royal Guard. Not that big of a deal." He said, purposely withholding the fact that he wouldn't be for very long. Revealing that he was going to be a prince would not only be a bad idea, but it would also make him seem like he was gloating over how far he came in life. Though secretly he wanted to.

"Well look at you! You've really gone and hit life right between the eyes. Congratulations!" Magnus cheered jubilantly.

"Thanks. And congratulations on your induction into the hall of fame."

"Oh no problem. I just wish we had more time to talk about what we all missed out on but it seems like we still have a few errands to run before we head back to the hotel."

"Yeah, and I still have to find a variety of ponies to help me and Cadie out with the wedding. I'll see you guys later."

"Sure thing."

As the two made their way off into the crowded streets of Canterlot, Shining applauded himself for facing one of his past demons. Not only did he managed to face his past head-on, but he also learned from it, allowing him to unburden himself with the guilt. His future now seemed brighter than before. As he finished praising himself for passing yet another milestone in his life, he refocused on the one that caused him the most trouble. Summoning his list, he scratched out Octavia's name.

"Now, where was I?"

Later that evening...

Shining sat at the foot of a large pink bed as he reviewed the list one last time. It seemed that a majority of the names were either crossed off or were left in question. And to him, something left in question is far from a confirmation. As of now, he had nowhere to start looking.

"I couldn't seem to find anypony that wasn't already preoccupied with something come next week, Cadance. We might have to reschedule the wedding."

"Buy why?" She asked with concern. "I thought you wanted to do it next week before everypony started prepping for the estrus season."

"I know. But we might have to set it up for later." He said exhaustively, rolling the list into a scroll and sinking his head into his hooves. There was little he could do in terms of setting up a wedding outside of royal aid. Cadance noticed the amount of stress that he was exhibiting and sat alongside him with open hooves.

"Shining, come here."

Feeling himself immersed in the warmth of his fiancee's embrace caused him to relinquish any sadness that filled his heart. Instead, it was replaced with hope, optimism and love. "You know you always had some of the best hugs."

"I'm the princess of love. You know that no pony can give a hug better than I can." She bragged.

"I just wish that we could find a party planner, a musician, a designer and a caterer in time."

She gasped in hearing that her lover was out and about looking for an entire crew to help set up their wedding. "You had to look for all four!?"

"Gustav is going to Manehattan and so is Hoity Toity. Cheese Sandwich is out in Las Pegasus. My classmate is already booked for next weekend."

Cadance sighed as she held her future-husband close to her. "So we need to find all of the above in a short period of time. I never wanted to pull out the power card to help plan this wedding but it looks like I might have to do just that."

"Now what do we do?" He asked her, still worried about how everything was going to come together.

"We talk to auntie, see if she knows anyone who can pull this off. Besides, if she can't find anyone one, then I doubt we would be able to."

"You're a genius, babe." He announced comfortably.

"I know. Now c'mere. My lips aren't going to kiss themselves."

Deciding to be literal for the sake of amusement, Shining question's his fiancee's statement. "Well don't they touch each other when you close your mouth?"

Booping him in the nose, she answered his question. "Shut up, poke your lips out, and press."

Giving her a long peck on the lips, Shining dared to deepen his kiss. Cadance drew back playfully as a means to lure the stallion further in. As he followed her into the pillows of the bed, their session ended as soon as it began.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

"Sir captain, please open the door!"

Shining and Cadance looked at each other, frustrated over the guard knocking on their door.

"I thought I placed a no-disturbance order on this room." Shining said as he made his way out of the bed and to the door.

"Last I checked, I signed that order." Cadance said as she pouted in her bed.

Opening the door, he saw a guard in full dress. Thought it was customary for those on patrol to wear full dress, Shining loathed the sight of armor and chainmail this late in the evening.

"What do you want?"

"Princess Celestia has summoned the guard to the Grand Hall."

Shining looked over to the grandfather clock on the far side of the room, checking the time. "It's nine thirty-two in the evening and our dismissal was over an hour ago. What could possibly be so important?"

"Sir, she asks that you dress in full military attire."

Shining facehoofs as he hated the idea of being in a full set of armor this late at night. "The suit? Okay, what is the matter?"

"Sir... A threat has been made to the city."

Cadance gasped as she ran over to the side of her guardian, clenching on to him. Shining gritted his teeth in anger as he heard the news of a threat being made against the city. It wasn't the first time he had to deal with something like this in his career, but for a threat to be openly made disturbed him greatly. Clearing his throat, he fortified his resolve. Cadance looked at him with eyes filled with fear as she knew that their wedding plans were now placed on indefinite halt.

"You have my attention, sergeant."

Author's Note

This was pretty much a chapter on closure. As you all could tell, I pretty much sealed off many of the other avenues that were placed here in the story from previous chapters.

But now... the real fun begins. You all know what happens in the end, but now it is time you all knew the details. Who's up for another chapter?