Chapter 4 - Commence

On the day Cadence left for Canterlot,

Shining Armor was currently outside with the troops, putting them in drills. “One, two, three, four...” He marched with the recruits through the streets of the kingdom. He made sure to keep all the soldiers ready and prepared.

Shining Armor kept the growing guard duty as he trains them day in and day out. He was proud to be a prince, true, but he felt just as home being the highest military officer. He admits there is an increase in paperwork but he won’t complain about having such authority, only his wife can surpass.

The small squad of ponies follows him through the streets, the many crystal ponies waving at the prince and the troops.His suggestion for some military might was influence by the presence of possible danger.

The recent events he heard while in Canterlot and by his sister’s daily activity was enough to make him consider the possibilities of such things. He had discussed this and many more with Cadence as quickly as he should, even reminding her of their… wedding.

True, what the queen has done to the both of them, was unforgivable but Cadence was willing to forgive her, but Shining Armor was another thing. He is a unicorn male, who will naturally die much earlier than Cadence or even his younger sibling. He is a military stallion which means holding a grudge can be bad, but his pride as both a male and Canterlot’s guard Captain was tarnished with Queen Chrysalis’ invasion plot.

He and Cadence has discussed this on many occasions. At first, both of them agreed on having some sort of ‘return the favor’ on Chrysalis. They have planned many things, from public humiliation to outright imprisonment if they ever caught her.

Shining originally wanted to condemn the whole Changeling race but Cadence argued with him that Chrysalis is the guilty one, not her subjects. With a good reference of Celestia and themselves, Shining was convinced not to be negative about it.

Of course all these thoughts still swam within Shining’s mind as he march along with his troops. As they made the turn on White Diamond avenue towards the Castle and back to the barracks, a Crystal pony stallion gallops to Shining Armor.
“Sir, a letter from the highness.” The Crystalline pony exclaimed as Shining halted the recruits from the march.

“Let me see that, soldier.” Shining Armor called out as he used his magic to grasp the letter that was sticking out of the saddle bags. His pink glow took the letter and quickly read over the content. Then as if with a roll of his eye, he looks back to the recruits and the now arriving soldier.

“Recruits! March back to the barracks. Once you arrive you can all relax. I have paperwork to do.” He announced to the many stallions before him, all of them saluted to him as did Shining as he left them and the messenger to return to the barracks.

___

Shining Armor has just seated back down onto his seat as a small pile of paper and parchments were atop his desk, awaiting his approval or not. He looks over the pile finding it fewer than before, this calmed his nerves a bit. He looks back to the letter with him, noting the specific shade of pink and the Crystal heart stamp on it.

“Great, urgent news from Princess Celestia and Cadence was called forth.” He announced not finding it different yet sighs a bit. “As usual...” He told himself as a frown adorn his face.

Recently, even with his status as the husband of Cadence the ruler of the Crystal Empire, he was still below in status to his wife. His throne was basically created, alongside Cadence’s but hers was well polished and larger than his. Many of the guards were more formal as to bow and salute to her. Any announcements for the Empire and the many Crystal ponies would glance up and cheer for her as he stood a step back and to the side.

True he has his perks, of being recognized as the authority of military preparations, his title of prince being official now and the trust with Cadence in maintaining the kingdom. But as it still stands, pony society was strictly a matriarchal society.

He wanted to prove them wrong but seeing as he was no alicorn and without any feats, other than the barrier, though it failed in the end. He was an average pony who had become lucky as to marry a princess.

“Now I know how Blueblood and his family lineage feels like.” He spoke to himself as he recalls the many ramblings of said Canterlot 'Prince'. The only one complaining that he had only the powers of a Duke, though with good reasons for all the ‘maintenance’ that was focused on him.

Shining Armor sighs, moving all the negative thoughts in the back of his head. “I can’t think of Cadence like that.” He told himself as he went on with the paperwork.

Half-way through the papers the Royal Adviser, Pennyworth came knocking at his door and entering. The same crystal colored pony looks inside and smiles, bowing before Shining Armor. “Excuse me for the intrusion Prince Shining Armor, but can I ask you to take charge of the courts? Her Highness left this early morning today.”

Shining Armor snapped into attention with Pennyworth’s mention. “I can… but were you not informed by my wife about her departure?” He asked finding it strange.

“No sir, I looked everywhere and there is at least a dozen ponies now looking for the court and asking for assistance.” He answered as he moves back.

Shining Armor was making his way out along with the pony. “Well, I might as well fill in for her.” He said with a sigh as he looks inside the throne room to find a line of ponies. “I’m just going to hear them out and decide correct?” He asked the Adviser who nods. Shining nodded back as he sat on to his throne.

“I’m sorry fellow citizens of the Crystal Empire, my wife left for an urgent matter. Sorry for the inconvenience, but in her place, I will preside over to the court for the day.” He announced which made the many ponies look in wonder but shrugged as Shining was of Royalty and is also a ruler.

Quickly as the idea set in did the court continued and Shining preparing himself for taking over Cadence’s job in her absence.

___

Shining Armor groans as he made his way back to his room. His own flank was relatively sore and his hooves were aching for movement. “How does Cadence survive such work? I mean, I’m a trained, conditioned stallion of the guard and I STILL find myself aching.” He said feeling drained as he just plops on top of the bed. His body reeking of sweat and his muscles sore.

“I am going to have to order cushions on our seats and seats for the guests. Those in the back looked just as tired waiting in line with for their turn.” Shining Armor commented as he just rest atop the bed. he moves his head and glancing at the crystal closet he owned beside Cadences, more larger closet.

He chuckles a bit from the idea that Cadence had more clothes in her possession than he does. But his eyes look at his with a warm smile. He hid his anniversary presents for is wife there. Nearly a year of marriage and almost half a year of ruling a kingdom. “I hope she likes them and my moofmade creations.” He told to himself as he drifts away, thinking a week away for the anniversary.

___

The next two days, the day Cadene arrived with Chrysalis…

Shining Armor took both military shifts in the morning and some time for the court by midday yesterday as Cadence was not yet back. Today, however, he chose to finish the court early and reserve his evening in preparing the troops. Looking at the letter he received from his now aunt Celestia yesterday, Cadence and Celestia spoke of land disputes that arose since the north was a vast landscape that is unclaimed at the moment but the issue will be resolved today and will return sometime in the evening.

Shining sighs in relief with the news as he opt to announce that to the ponies that Cadence will arrive later today. He cannot deny the look of frustration on the ponies but he was actually a military pony and cannot be like Cadence and political issues.

Shining Armor took his time in training the troops as the morning light shone high above and he himself happy to be in a familiar setting unaware of the carriage that arrived that morning.

___

Present time, Cadence and Chrysalis...

Cadence escorted Chrysalis with her to the topmost room of the Castle. Once there, they can see it was an open gazebo like room, with thick pillars adorning and supporting the pointed roof. Between each pillar is a gap where anypony can look out to see the horizon and the kingdom down below.

Chrysalis all this time was frowning a bit as she had willingly allowed herself vulnerable and agree upon Cadence’s conditions.

“Well then Chrysalis, I trust you will not harm any of my ponies, you will help Shiny as best you can without manipulating him and finally, you can keep your hive fed, moving to the northern mountains for a while as you survive out there.”

Cadence announced to Chrysalis. The Changeling Queen groaning as she heard the requests. “Yes, I shall do all of your request as best as I can.“ She spoke back irritated with Cadence being demanding now.

“Yes Princess, I have accept your offer of letting my Changelings gather love in your kingdom… while I do the things you have told to me to do.” Chrysalis answered again, irritated about the agreement once more as if trying to annoy Cadence.

“Don’t worry Chrysalis, I have forgiven your actions of invasion, after seeing your kingdom and the condition your kind are in.” Cadence answers with a calm tone while looking back to Chrysalis. She then started to cast her own magic, her blue magical aura starting to shimmer and glow as if slowly encasing Cadence.

Chrysalis, though agreeing thought about backstabbing Cadence. Evident on her eyes as she grins but her thoughts shattered when Cadence spoke fast. “I hope you don’t try to kill me now Chrysalis.” She said softly as the magic continues to surround the pink alicorn.

“This room is re-purposed to slay any Changeling presence that dare moves me or even tries to kill me. I can tell you, it will be a very quick death if that were to happen.” Cadence spoke confidently while looking at the stunned Changeling Queen.

There was a pause as neither party spoke while Cadence continues to cast her magic. The two stared intently as Cadence slowly smiles. “If you do this for me, treating my kingdom and my husband with respect and with love, I am sure you will learn something from this.” Cadence spoke as her body started to be wrapped in crystal, her hooves embedded onto the ground.

Cadence smiles softly as she stares at the Changeling Queen who had a sour look. “I hope you know how sex works.” She teased the monarch in front of her, the crystal now encasing her body her head left to be encased.

Chrysalis was near to barf at the thought but then she panicked. “Wait? What?!” She said as she looks in disbelief at Cadence. “You want me to What?!” Chrysalis stammered a bit as she looks at the now encased Crystal Cadence… whose whole form now stopped from further aging.

Chrysalis wanted to shout venom and anger at the now crystal princess but stopped as a soft and light echo sang out from the room.

“I forgive you for doing this...”

“For me...”

“Thank you...”

Chrysalis was stunned, she did not know Cadence was this desperate herself but she shook her head. “Hah! As if I would follow her request if she’s stuck like that.” Chrysalis spoke with her backstabbing way back to full swing as she let her magical fire pass over her form and again adorn flawlessly Cadence’s image.

“How naive can you get Princess of Love. You should know by now… knowing you have a power source of love right here, I’d gladly take it!”She laughed in her natural voice, her own crackling as she looks back at the encased statue.

“How sad you can’t see me take your Kingdom right from under you and your husband.. oh he’ll make a fine long lasting food source for me.” She smiles evilly as her voice vocalized to sound exactly like Cadence’s. “Good-bye Cadence… I hope never to hear from you again!”

Chrysalis laughed softly, mimicking the princess as she left the chamber, a smile plastered onto her face. But what she did not see is a long string of magical blue essence that snaked out of Cadence’s prison. The string of magic flying through the air until it reached Chrysalis and stick to her head before it slowly seeped into her.

Chrysalis made her way down the steps, slowly gathering her thoughts. “Oh what to do first? What can I possibly do that can make this day any better?” She asked herself as she walked down each step.

‘I should check their library, there might be something I should know about this kingdom first.’ She thought as she smiles. “Ah, just like Canterlot… hm… I wonder what I can see of their defenses...” She said to herself as she made her way to the library to further read on the Crystal ponies…

___

‘What?!’ She mentally screamed as she read through the supposed defense of the Crystal Empire. “The Crystal Heart is the most sacred relic… Can generate a defensive barrier made purely of the Crystal ponies’ love and happiness for their kingdom, themselves and their ruler!” She read through it again and again.

Slowly she was fuming, as she clenches her teeth with the nuisance that was the Crystal Heart. “If my Changelings invade, they would surely panic and the energy source will not work, until their next annual recharge, but if we did opposed them that time, they will lose hope and their love. If we try to kidnap them the less there are the more likely there will be no love for us to feed on!” Chrysalis flared in her temper as she looks to the books around her.

Every thought she had, plans to conquer this Kingdom and seize their love was all in vain. If they attack, they lose a long term source, which boasts a near infinite supply of love. If they substitute them little by little, the artifact will not give off the same intensity as of today. If they leave them be and only enter to gather love, they might stand a chance to forever have a love source but keeps the artifact within pony control.

She wanted to scream to Cadence. She knew all of this was to happen. “Darn you Cadence… you were well aware of me and this artifact...” She spoke out as she calms down, her body quickly moving to the relaxing exercise which she inhale and exhale for a few moments. Chrysalis, with a clear head, sighs once more as she looks at the books around her. She sighs as her magic flared and levitated all the books back in order as if knowing where they belong.

“OH, what am I to do now? The heart is part of this world, for me to take it would mean no more food source. Those ponies…” She hissed as she thought about them and somehow deep in her, the thought of missing her role was evident.
“Oh no! the court sessions!” She shouted in surprise as she made her way quickly to the throne room where the crystal guards stood in attention and a long line of crystal ponies greeted her. ‘Oh buck me...’ Chrysalis thought as she forces a smile, which she hated to do but a slight glow at her lips made her smirk to the side a bit more.

__

The rest of Chrysalis day was wasted upon the ponies who were requesting such things here and there. She wanted to silence them all but a simple thought was embedded into her. ‘Act like her or they will suspect something especially Shining Armor.’

She cannot deny how right that information is as she sat down, her own flank getting sore from sitting too long. She herself did not do such a thing when she was queen of her kingdom. She was bored and she was beyond her limit as she made her way up to her bedroom.

Her mind raced with thoughts but she did not mind that she knew where she slept. Her body ached here and there, her every being drained. True she was well fed right now but her own physical body needed rest.

As she made her way within the bedroom, she nearly gasp at the sight as she made her way to the bed. “Yes! finally!” She announced with glee as she made her way to the plush pink and crystal blue four poster bed. She nearly crawled under the covers as she made herself comfortable and rest her body looking like there was a large lump on the bed.

‘Oh… I can’t believe a bed can be this comfortable...’ Chrysalis thought to herself as she instantly slept. ‘I can’t wait to see Shining Armor… I wonder if he is better looking now?’ Chrysalis’ own thought spurted out as she drift away to dreamland.

She did not notice it but her face glows a kind blue as if something was happening under the covers and on Chrysalis’ face.

The bedroom doors open quietly being surrounded in a faint pink magical aura as a familiar white stallion enters the room, sighing in relief.

“Good, she’s safe.” He whispered to himself as he climbs into the bed to join his beloved.

Author's Note

To all the readers of "Two Minds" progress of this work will be delayed due to my Final examinations. I am a college student and not in where most Fimfiction Users live.

Sorry again with the garble of words, no proofreader or editor. I'm looking for one as the main focus of the story is about to begin.