The Life of a Young Colt

Chapters

A Foalsitter for Shining Armor
The Beginning of a New Life
A Foalsitter Adventure
The Academy Admission
How to Win a Battle
An Unexpected Discovery
Shining Armor's Grandfather's Protege
Love at First Sight, Part One
Love at First Sight, Part Two
Star Shield's Story
Confrontation
The First Date
At the Grand Galloping Gala
Going to the Hoofball Stadium
A Dream Wedding
Chasing in the Forest
The Break Up
Reconciliation
The Final Test
Nomination and Rescue
The Duty of a Royal Guard
Shining Armor's Most Important Question
It's a Colt
First Day in School
An Afternoon with the Friend and the Sister

A Foalsitter for Shining Armor

Nearly three years had passed since the birth of the little Shining Armor, Night Light and Velvet's little baby colt, and he had passed from a baby foal to a very restless colt. He was always ready to play and only stopped to eat or sleep. His father thought he was charming, commenting that he reminded him of himself when he was a colt, but his mother, who had gone to work at home to be able to take care of Shining Armor, said he could be quieter.

One day in the late afternoon, Night Light returned from work and entered in home saying:

"I'm home!"

Then he heard the sound of hoofsteps hurrying to arrive and then the little Shining Armor appeared all happy to drive up to his father at great speed to call:

"Daddy!"

He jumped and Night Light caught him, hugging him and then saying:

"Oh, hello, champ. How is my favorite colt?

"Very good, I played all day" he replied cheerfully.

"Really?" Night Light asked. "And where is mommy?"

Velvet entered into the hall at that time. She was looking completely exhausted with her mane a little misaligned.

"Wow, you look terrible" he commented, putting Shining on the ground, making him head to the living room at full speed.

"No, seriously, Night?" she asked, cynically, sighing after that. "We have to talk."

"Okay" he said.

They then went to the living room where Shining was trying to reach a lot of sheets of paper stacked carefully and placed on top of a cabinet where the young colt could not reach. Frustrated, he concentrated and then his horn began to glow with a light rose glow. Some papers glowed with the same glow and then they levitated toward Shining, falling like rain drops upon him, while he laughed and grabbed in some of them with his small hooves and he began tearing them.

"Shining, no!" Velvet exclaimed, using her own magic to take the papers which are on the ground and the ones which are in Shining's hooves, repairing the ones which are ripped, and put them again in their place. "How many times have I told you to not play with mommy's papers?"

But Shining merely give his baby laughs and then headed toward his blocks to play.

"Have you finished your new book?" Night Light asked, noticing the pile of sheets of paper.

"Yes" Velvet sighed. "Fortunately, the time between the publishing house work, the domestic works and Shining Armor was very productive. The best part is that since I'm the owner of a publishing house, I can always edit my books as soon as possible."

"It's nice the Daring Do books became so famous" Night Light said. "So you can become a famous writer. This has always been your dream, right?"

"Yes, of course, but Night, we have to talk about a serious subject."

"And what is it?"

She sat on the couch with her husband and then said:

"We have to find a foalsitter to Shining."

"What? But where did this came from?"

"Night Light, I can't consiliar the work with the house and our son. Since I returned to work, I barely have time to sleep. We need help."

"And do you think hiring a foalsitter is a good idea?" Night Light asked.

"It's the only one I have" Velvet replied. "Why, don't you think it is a good idea?"

"No, it's not that I don't like it, my love, but..." Night Light began, looking at his son. "Shining only sees me in the early morning and in the evening. If he also stops seeing you, don't you think he can feel himself... I dunno, abandoned?"

"Honey, I won't work as many hours as I used to" she replied. "I'll dvance work there and then I come back home for the afternoon. It's just so I don't get so overwhelmed."

Night Light thought for a while. Indeed, Velvet has been very tired with all the work she has had. Of course he always tried to find time to be able to help her, but with Princess Celestia needing his help, that time had begun to get increasingly smaller. They really needed help to take care of that little colt full of energy that was their son.

They then began searching for a pony that could foalsitter Shining. However, for some reason, they were not able to find somepony up to the task or who wanted to foalsitter the little colt. They had placed an ad in the newspapers and have asked their friends who also had foals. Some candidates appeared, almost all mares: some teenagers, who had the problem of being inexperienced, and others were older who, despite having much experience, when they saw how energetic and tweaked Shining was, resigned on the first day. The two parents started getting desperate.

"It's the fifth foalsitter resigning" Velvet said one night, sitting on the couch with Night Light and with her head lying on his shoulder, at a time when Shining was already asleep. "What are we gonna to do, Nighty? We don't have anypony to stay with Shining."

"There has to be somepony, my love" he said, stroking Velvet's mane.

"Yes, but who? Where will we find somepony with experience, that we can trust and doesn't run after spending an hour with our son?"

Night Light then thought for a moment, despite knowing that question of Velvet was pure rhetoric. Then, suddenly, he had an epiphany. He had discovered the perfect pony. How could he had not thought of her before?

"Honey, I think I know who the ideal pony is" he said.

In the nex day, in the dining room, the family was all together taking breakfast with Velvet and Night Light now ready to go to work. Night Light, while he was reading the paper while eating his bowl of oatmeal and drinking his cup of coffee, Velvet was feeding Shining Armor, who was sitting in his highchair.

"Come on, honey, open that little mouth to mommy" Velvet asked, making a spoonful of green moss levitate.

But Shining simply turned his head and shooked his head, saying:

"Food is bwaaac."

"Come on, Shining Armor, mommy does not have time for this" Velvet said.

She hated when Shining was making a tantrum by the breakfast. She then turned to Night Light and asked:

"Do you think she arrives on time?"

"Don't worry, dear, she always arrives in time" he said, lowering the newspaper.

And at that precise moment, they got to hear the sound of the door being knocked.

"Speaking about her..."

Night Light put down the newspaper, got up and went to the door. He opened it and then he saw an old unicorn mare. She had the same coat as Night Light's and a strong pink mane and her Cutie Mark was an opened book with three golden stars above.

"Mom!" Night Light exclaimed, huggig the mare. "It's so nice to see you."

"Me too, my son" Starlight Sparkle answered, Night Light's mother, Velvet's mother-in-law and Shining Armor's grandmother. "So, where's my little grandson?"

"In the dining room with Velvet" Night Light said, while his mother entered and he closed the door. "You're just in time."

"When you sent me that urgent letter asking me to take care of Shining, you don't know the joy you gave me" Starlight said, as she and Night headed to the dining room. "I couldn't possibly refuse."

They reached the dining room and Shining, when he saw his grandmother, exclaimed with joy:

"Granny!"

"Hello, my darling little grandson" she said, giving him a kiss on the forehead.

"You arrived just in time, Starlight" Velvet said, standing up and using her magic to bring her saddlebag as she positioned herself beside her husband. "But are you sure you can take care for Shining Armor?"

"Oh, my dear, it's obvious that there is no problem" she said, sitting in Velvet's chair, stroking the little colt's mane, while he was sucking his hoof. "I love my little Shining. He looks just like his grandfather. Besides that, I have nothing to do."

"Well, if you say so..." Velvet said, still uncertain.

"Come on, Shining Armor, open your little mouth to Granny" Starlight said, using her magic to levitate the spoon with the moss to the baby.

He, however, continued making tantrum.

"Shining, don't be mean to your granny" Velvet scolded.

"Never mind, my dear" Starlight said. "I dealt with two foals that were much worse."

"Mom!" Night Light exclaimed, blushing embarrassed.

"I'm just saying that you and your brother were not very easy when it came to the food" Starlight said. "But look... Shining, look to granny."

Shining Armor did so and then Starlight made pink sparks come out from her horn, as if she was creating small fireworks. That made Shining laugh, lifting his hooves for those beautiful little lights and Starlight took the chance to shove the moss into his mouth. Shining initially frowned, but then he swallowed it and then began to ask in an enthusiastic way:

"More, more, more!"

Velvet and Night Light got impressd with the ease she gave the food to Shining Armor.

"But how did you manage to do that?" Velvet asked. "I almost have to force him to open his mouth."

"The first scoop is always the hardest" she said, as she gave the moss to Shining. "The secret is to make him open his mouth gently."

Shining's parents exchanged a smile, realizing that they had made a great choice.

"Don't you have to go to work?" Starlight asked.

"Yes, of course we do" Night Light said, kissing his son. "Behave yourself, my son."

"Goodbye, my dear" Velvet said, giving a hug to Shining. "And do what granny tells you."

"Yes" the little foal said.

So Velvet and Night Light left home, now more relaxed.

But Velvet and Night Light were so worried about Shining that once finished their work, they rushed back home, eventually arriving at the same time.

"I see you had the same concern" Night Light remarked.

"Do you think he's okay?" Velvet asked.

"There's only one way to find out" Night Light replied.

They then advanced to the entrance and got in.

"Hello, is anypony home?" Velvet asked.

"We've arrived" Night Light said.

They then noticed that the house was very quiet. Too quiet... and clean.

"Are you sure we entered in the right house?" Velvet asked to Night Light, as he closed the door.

The two went to the living room and found Starlight sitting on the couch knitting.

"Oh, at home now?" she asked. "It's a little early, don't you think?"

"Let's just say we were a little concerned" Night Light replied.

"Where's Shining Armor?" Velvet asked.

"Sleeping" the old mare replied.

"Wait, he's sleeping... now?" Velvet asked, not wanting to believe.

"Yes."

"But how did you do such a miracle?" Velvet asked.

"My dear, Shining Armor just needed to spend that energy that he had" Starlight said, standing up and straightening her needles and wool and putting them in her saddlebags. "So, I let him play a lot in the garden and, after a while, he was so tired in the end that it was much easier to give him the food and put him to sleep. After that, I arranged the house. You were really needing it. Well, I'm going home now. See you tomorrow."

She began to head towards the exit and then Velvet asked:

"But was it hard?"

"Velvet, dear, Shining is an angel compared to some colt I know who spent his life taking down things" Starlight said, making Night Light blush a little. "Well, I'll leave you with your little one. Bye."

And she left.

Night Light and Velvet looked at each other and they gave a laugh. They then climbed the stairs, went to Shining's room, opened the door and peered inside. Lying in his bed, Shining was asleep, snoring lightly and with a smile on his face. His parents smiled tenderly. They really had made a great choice in choosing his foalsitter.

The Beginning of a New Life

One day, after school, Blue went to play with Shining in the latter's grandmother's home. After returning from the backyard after playing hoofball, they entered in the room with the Blue asking:

"But where did you learn that feint? It was amazing."

" My uncle taught to me" Shining answered.

"So you'll have to teach me too. "

"It's a promise."

They then came to the room and Blue then noticed a photograph that was on top of a table. It was old. There was a mare Blue knew to be Shining's grandmother when she was younger next to a stallion that was much like...

"Shining, who is this pony who is here with your grandmother?" Blue asked.

Shining, seeing that, replied:

"Oh, it's my grandfather, Star Shield."

"Well, you're really like him" Blue commented.

"Yeah, apart from the fact that he's bigger and stronger" Shining said.

"And you will be too. And so will I. Have you forgotten that we will be royal guards and the royal guards are big and strong?"

"Yes, you're right."

"So where is your grandfather?" Blue asked, full of curiosity.

"Honestly, I don't know" Shining replied. "Neither my parents nor my grandmother tell me much about him."

Blue looked closely to Shining's grandfather, frowned and then said:

"I don't know why, but I can swear I know him from somewhere."

"Really?" Shining asked. "Where?"

"I don't know, but I know I've seen him somewhere" Blue said.

But then their thoughts were interrupted by Starlight who entered in the room carrying with her magic a tray with homemade hay biscuits and two glasses of juice.

"Who wants a snack?" she asked.

"Me!" the two colts answered at the same time.

She put down the tray on the table and then watched with a smile her grandson and his friend eating their lunch happilly.

"Boys, after eating, you better prepare your saddlebags, because in a moment we will leave" Starlight said. "Your parents will come early today, Shining."

"Really?" he asked, not wanting to believe.

"Yes, they want to tell you some fantastic news" Starlight said, grinning from ear to ear.

"They probably will say that they will work for a longer time" Shining said, discouraged.

"Don't say that, Shining" Blue said, putting his hoof on his friend's shoulder. "It's probably a good thing."

"Yeah, maybe..." he said, still uncertain.

" You can believe it, my dear" Starlight said. "It's a fantastic thing."

"If you know what it is, grandma, you can tell me" Shining said.

"No, your parents have to tell you" she said. "Now, I'll get some ice cream that I have here for you after you eat your snack."

And having said that, she went to the kitchen.

"But what do my parents want to tell me that it's so important that even my grandmother can't tell me?" Shining asked.

"I don't know, but by her smile, it must be something really good" Blue said, while he was eating a cookie.

"Yeah..."

Starlight returned with two glasses of strawberry ice cream with oats shavings. After eating the ice cream, Shining and Blue went to pack their things and, after a few minutes, they came out with Starlight and headed to Shining's home. When they arrived, Blue's parents were already there, chatting animatedly with Shining's. When Blue came to them, they said their goodbyes and went home. Then Starlight went back to her house and Shining and their parents came home.

"So, Did you have fun with Blue Sword?" Night Light asked as they stepped into the living room.

"Yes, a lot" Shining replied. "We are the best friends and we enjoyed our playdates very much."

He then noticed their parents' look and saw that they had a wide smile.

"What's up?" he asked suspiciously. "Grandma said you have something very important to tell me."

"You can believe so, champ" Night Light said.

"Great news" Velvet added.

"What is it?" Shining asked, who was already getting tired of waiting.

Velvet and Night Light exchanged a glance and a smile and then turned to Shining.

"Shining Armor, our family will have a new member" Velvet said.

"What do you mean?" Shining asked.

"Your mother is going to have a foal" Night Light said excitedly.

"What?" Shining asked, completely surprised.

"You're going to have a baby brother or a baby sister" Velvet said. "Isn't it great?"

Shining was digesting the news for a few seconds and then a huge smile appeared on his face. That was the best news he could receive. His dream was coming true. He always wanted a brother or a sister. It was his dream since... ever. He then hugged his parents, saying:

"Oh, that's the best news ever! Thank you, daddy! Thank you, mommy!"

Night Light and Velvet smiled to their son, pleased to know that he had enjoyed the news, and returned his hug. Shining then ended the hug and began to jump with joy and saying:

"I'll have a sibling! I'll have a sibling! I'll be a big brother!

Velvet and Night Light observed their son with great joy, knowing they had given him the best news of all.

In the next day, Shining shared the news with Blue who became very happy for him.

"That is amazing, Shining!" he exclaimed. "This is everything that you have always wanted."

"You bet" Shining said. "I'll finally have somepony to play with, besides you, of course."

"You're going to have a brother or a sister?"

"My mom says it's not yet known."

"But what do you want?"

"Honestly, I don't know. Having a brother would be really cool, because we would be able to play hoofball, but having a sister would also be pretty cool."

"Well, whatever the baby's gender, one thing is certain" Dhalia said, approaching. "The foal will take a lot of work."

"What do you mean?" Shining asked.

"Foals need a lot of attention" she explained. "They have to be fed, they have to be changed... That sort of thing. Not to mention when they cry at night. Only I know the dark circles I got when Blue here was a foal. Even thought he couldn't make another thing but cry."

"Ah, ah, ah, you're very funny" Blue said, sarcastically. "Don't listen her, Shining. I bet the foal will be calm."

"I don't mind at all if it cries" Shining said to Dhalia. "My grandmother says that when a baby cries, it's because they have good lungs."

"But the crying and the care are just the tip of the iceberg" Dhalia continued. "Foals babies also tend to stay with the parents' attention to themselves."

"I think I can live with that" Shining said. "I spend a lot of time alone with my grandmother. What I want is the foal to not feel the same loneliness as I did."

Dhalia then smiled and said :

"I see you're really ready to be big brother. I just hope that you keep the same spirit when the baby is born."

And she turned away.

"Never mind her, Shining" Blue said. "I'm sure everything will be okay."

Shining waved. He couldn't be intimidated by what Dhalia had said.

Time began to pass and Shining, whenever he was with his mother, started asking her questions about the foal, asking things like "What do baby foals eat?", "Do they sleep a lot?", "Do they do much pooping?"... Only after Velvet answer all the questions he asked is that Shining stopped asking questions only to focus his attention on her belly, only to ask her a new question which was "If I touch your belly, can I feel the baby?". When Velvet answered him in the early days it was still too early for that, Shining became sad, but he didn't stop asking the same question every day.

As the months advanced, Velvet's belly was starting to swell gradually. Shining was very happy when he felt his future brother or sister's kick. It looked like he or she knew Shining was there. But the best part of all of it was that his mother stopped to go to work to the publishing house to work home. So she would take him to school and spend the rest of the day with him. His grandmother came to visit them to help with the housework, because Velvet didn't have the same mobility to do everything by herself. Shining strove to help, despite his mother telling him not to worry so much. But he did it not for duty but for pleasure. He loved to help in everything he could to ensure that his mother and the foal were as comfortable as possible, even having to accede to his mother's strange wishes. It was not long until his father also request a few days off to Princess Celestia, when his mother approached the end of pregnancy. Now he could be with both his parents together. Everything seemed perfect.

One day, about eleven months after Shining got to know that he was going to be a big brother, he was returning from school, coming home saying:

"Mom, dad, I'm home."

But no one answered. Frowning, Shining put down his saddlebag and started walking through the house looking for his father and mother, but he found no one. Then he heard the front door open and his grandmother's voice calling him:

"Shining, you're home, dear?"

He then ran to the hallway and found his grandmother.

"Grandma, but where is my father and my mother?" he asked. "I don't find them anywhere."

"But of course" she replied with a smile. "Your mother is currently having the baby."

"What?!" Shining asked enthusiastically. "Really?!"

"Yes, and your father told me to come and get you."

"So what are we waiting for? Come on, grandma!"

And he hurried to get out from home and Starlight smiled and followed her grandson. They didn't take long to arrive at the hospital and sat in the waiting room. Shining was so excited he could barely sit still. At any moment, he would be a big brother. Then Night Light came with a smile and told to Shining:

"Son, come."

Shining rose up and went to his father at a brisk pace. Starlight also stood up and followed them. They walked in an aisle and then Night Light opened the door of a room. Laying on a bed was Velvet holding a foal wrapped in blankets.

"Hello, Shining" Velvet greeted with a smile. "Come, come here to meet your sister."

"I have a little sister?" Shining asked, smiling broadly.

"You bet, and she's very beautiful" Night Light replied.

Shining then advanced towards his mother and then observed his baby sister. She was a beautiful unicorn, sleeping gently in their mother's lap. She had a pale, light grayish mulberry coat and a moderate sapphire blue mane with moderate violet and brilliant rose streaks. Shining was speechless. She was so tiny, so adorable, so helpless... Starlight also approached and said:

"Oh, Celestia, she's so beautiful! You know how to give me such beautiful grandchildren."

"Thanks, mom" Night Light thanked.

"Yes, thank you, Starlight" Velvet thanked.

Night Light then came to the edge of his son and asked him, placing his hooves on his shoulders:

"So, son, what do you think about her?"

"She's so beautiful..." he replied. "What's her name?"

"Well, your father and I have been thinking and..." Velvet began.

"And we think it should be you who should give her a name" Night Light ended.

Shining was taken by surprise. He would have the honor of giving a name to his little sister. Suddenly, he couldn't remember any names that could fit her. It was then that he decided to show his love for the little filly by giving her the names of the two mares he loved the most, besides her, of course: his mother and his grandmother.

"I'll call her... Twilight Sparkle."

Velvet and Starlight were caught by surprise, but then they gave a warm smile to the little colt which he returned.

"Well, so that's it" said Night Light. "Twilight Sparkle is the newest member of our family."

Shining turned to his sister and then she started to wake up from her sleep. She yawned and began to open her eyes. Shining marveled when he saw little moderate violet eyes focusing on him. These had something different from all the eyes that Shining had already seen. They seemed to have more life, more light, more... magic. He smiled at her and then said:

"Hello, Twily, I'm your big brother, Shining Armor. You are the most lovely filly I've ever seen. Don't worry, because you'll always have me by your side in the good and the bad moments, and I will always protect you, whatever the cost."

And Shining Armor had said those words with all his heart. Twilight was now the most precious thing he had and he would do everything to protect her... everything.

A Foalsitter Adventure

Two years had already passed since little Twilight Sparkle had born. Since she went back home with Velvet, Shining did everything he could to help his mother. But he had to give some reason to Dhalia because baby foals gave really a lot of work. However, Shining didn't care about it. Doing all that work gave so much joy to the little white colt. It made him feel like fundamental in her life. His mother also thanked his help, admiring his efforts. She also did everything to not give a lot of work to Shining because he also had to study and he deserved to play with the other ponies of his age.

When night came, Twilight couldn't give rest to anypony. That was the part Shining didn't like. She cried a lot that Shining couldn't sleep, just like Blue's sister had said. He could hear his parents trying to calm her, but it was a bit difficult. Shining then realized that he should have given a lot of work to his parents when he was a baby and then decided to help them. One night, he got up and went to his parents' bedroom where they were trying to calm down the little baby filly, and when she barely saw him, she calmed down and then went back to sleep, smiling. Night Light and Velvet were quite surprised at this and realized that Twilight really liked Shining and vice versa.

One afternoon, Shining returned from school.

"I'm home!" he exclaimed, entering and landing his saddlebag.

"Shining!" a little voice called.

Twilight appeared in the hallway, running toward his older brother, excited.

"Twily!" Shining exclaimed.

The two gave a hug to each other and then Shining asked:

"How are you, little sis? Did you miss your bro?"

"Yes."

"We're so glad you arrived, Shining" Night Light said, coming into the hall with Velvet.

"What's up?" Shining asked.

"Your father and I will go to a dinner tonight and we wanted you foalsitt Twilight while we're out" Velvet replied.

"What?" Shining asked. "Me? Foalsitt Twilight? Alone?"

"It's just for a little time" Night Light said. "Besides, you're already a grown colt, aren't you?"

"And Mrs. Sunset Light will come here occasionally to see how things are going" Velvet said, referring to their neighbour.

"But what about grandma?" Shining asked. "Can she come take care of me and Twilight?"

"We wanted to ask her, son , but have you forgotten that grandma Starlight is passing some days at Neighagra Falls?" Night Light asked.

"Oh, yeah, sure" Shining replied, remembering. "But are you sure I can take care of Twilight?"

"Of course, you can" Night Light said. "She loves you and you love her."

"Yes, but..."

"Dear, if you notice that you can't do it, you can always go to Mrs. Sunset Light's" Velvet said, stroking Shining's face. "Don't worry. Everything is going to be okay."

"But what if Twilight suddenly get sick?" Shining asked. "And what if something goes wrong? I'll never forgive myself if something bad happens to Twily."

Velvet Night and Light exchanged a look, then they smiled and Night Light said to his son:

"Shining, we know how you had always helped us with Twilight .

"Yes, help, but I've never taken care of her by myself" Shining said.

"It's normal you are afraid, but you don't have to worry about that" Velvet said. "Do what you always do and you will see that everything will be fine."

Shining was still uncertain about that. It was too much responsibility for him. What if something went wrong? Then he looked to Twilight. She looked at him with her eyes full of light that seemed to hypnotize anypony and she smiled to him with her sweet smile. It was impossible to resist that cute face. Shining sighed and said:

"Okay. I'll do it."

"That's my boy" Night Light said, ruffling his son's mane.

"You'll see that you'll do well" said Velvet, smiling.

"My big brother is the best!" Twilight exclaimed, jumping up and down lively around Shining. "The best, the best, the best!"

He smiled to his little sister's enthusiasm.

Later, when it was almost twilight, his parents were preparing to leaving.

"Don't forget give to Twilight her diner and eat yours" Velvet said to Shining, who was at the door of the bathroom while she was putting makeup in front of the bathroom mirror, using her magic. "Your dinner is ready and also is Twilight's."

"Yes, mom" Shining said dryly because her mother already told him that often.

"And don't forget Twilight's bath. The water mustn't be...

"Not too cold, not too hot" Shining completed. "I know, mom."

"And don't forget Twilight's bedtime..."

"Is at eight o'clock" Shining completed. "Mom, you've said that a hundred times. I understand at the first time. "

"I know, my dear" said Velvet, after putting lipstick on the lips, fixing her makeup kit and approaching Shining and making a caress on his face. "But I get nervous for being away from my two babies, knowing that you will be alone."

"We'll be fine, mom" Shining said. "At least, I hope so."

"I have said that to your mom lots of times" said Light Night to Shining, appearing with a black tuxedo dressed. "But she's always worrying, despite knowing you are well capable to stay here alone with your sister."

"What do you want?" Velvet asked defensively. "It's mother love talking. A mother doesn't like being away from her children."

She then left the bathroom while magically rearranged Night Light's bow tie. The three went down to the hall where Twilight was playing with her blocks with her pacifier in her mouth.

"Be good, both of you" Velvet said to her children.

"Don't worry, mom" Shining said. "Everything will be fine. Word of a future royal guard."

"Oh, son, don't say that as it still costs me to believe that you will follow the life of a royal guard" Velvet said, who never accepted very well that Shining's dream was becoming a royal guard. "Well, see you later, my loves."

And she kissed Shining's forehead, but he cleaned moments later, just because he knew that she always marked him with lipstick. Velvet did the same with Twilight and she did the same thing than his brother, thinking it was fun what he did when Velvet kissed him.

"Now, be good and don't destroy the house" Night Light said, ruffling his son's mane and giving a hug to baby Twilight.

"Bye, dad" Shining said, while his parents left home. "Bye, mom."

When the door closed behind them, Shining turned to Twilight and said:

"Now, it's just you and me."

There was silence as the two exchanged a look and then asked Shining:

"So what would you like do to?"

Twilight then took her pacifier and asked:

"Shining do a horsieback ride?"

"Oh, I dunno, Twily" he said. "We can still break something. Or worse, hurt ourselves"

But Twilight started making her sad face.

"Please, Twily, don't make that face" Shining asked, trying not to look to that little face, but of course he couldn't do that. "Okay, okay, but only for a short time."

"Yheee!" Twilight exclaimed, all happy, raising her forelegs.

Shining then cuddled up and Twilight climbed up to his back and he started galloping between the living room and the hallway carefully. Twilight laughed and then said:

"Fast! Fast!"

Shining rolled her eyes and hurried the gallop. Then he hit, without wanting to, with his flank in the living room table and the vase which was on top of it started swinging, threatening to fall.

"Oh, no!" Shining exclaimed, putting her sister down and running to catch the vase.

He managed catch it with his hooves when it almost sprawled on the floor. He sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Twilight laughed and said:

"Shining got the vase! Shining got the vase!"

"Yeah, I got it, wasn't it?" he said, placing the vase on its place again. "Twily, what if we stopped playing and we went to get some dinner?

"Food!" Twilight exclaimed happily.

Shining then took Twilight to the kitchen where he placed her on her highchair which had once been his and then brought his food and Twilight's. Shining had his favorite sanduiche and Twilight had her green moss. But before he could start eating his sandwich, Shining had first to give the moss to Twilight.

"Come on, Twily, open your mouth" Shining said, holding a spoonful of moss with the hoof and trying to give it to his sister.

But Twilight simply turned her face to him, refusing to eat.

"Come on, Twilight, you will not do this to your brother, will you?" Shining asked.

It was then that Twilight's horn began to glow with a light brilliant raspberry shine. The spoon shone with the same brightness and then it was taken from Shining's hoof and then it was stuck in Shining's mouth. That made Twilight laugh. Shining felt the sweet taste of the moss and then took the spoon with his hoof. Whenever Twilight accessed to her magic in her surges something unexpected always happened.

"Twilight, that was not funny" Shining scolded.

But then he noticed that Twilight's horn was glowing again. He then noticed the bowl with the moss was missing.

"But where is the..."

He then looked up and saw the bowl just above of his head. Lowering his eyes, frowning, he said:

"Oh no..."

The bowl then turned and Twilight's magic ceased, causing the bowl to fell right on top of Shining's head, messing his mane. The baby filly laughed a lot while Shining took the bowl from his head and took a cloth to clean his mane. He never thought that feeding a baby foal was so complicated. Then somepony knocked at the door and Shining hastened to clean the rest of the moss on his mane.

"Wait a minute!" he exclaimed, running out to take all the visible moss and went to the door. She opened and then faced a earth pony mare with an orange coat and a blonde mane. She was his neighbor, Sunset Light.

"Mrs. Sunset Light" Shining said.

"Hello, Shining, I came to see if things are alright here" she said.

Shining had already forgotten that his parents had asked her to come check things out. But he didn't want his parents to think he was not able to take care of Twilight, so he said:

"Everything's fine, Mrs. Sunset Light. Just perfect."

And he made a nervous smile. Mrs. Sunset Light made a suspicious look and then dilated her nostril, asking:

"Why does your mane smell like moss?"

Shining struggled immensely to find an excuse for it until he had an idea.

"Ah, it must be my new shampoo."

"Your shampoo has a moss aroma?"

"Ah... yes?" he replied, laughing nervously.

Mrs. Sunset Light continued to make her suspicious look. Shining hoped she would believe in that. Then she said:

"Well, if it's okay, I'm going back to my house. If you need anything, I'm at my house."

"Yes, of course, Mrs. Sunset Light" Shining answered.

She then moved away and Shining closed the door, sighing. He returned to the kitchen and then saw that Twilight had used her magic to take his sandwich and bring it to her, starting eat it.

"Twilight, that's my sandwich!"

And he took the sandwich from her and then gave the moss to Twilight. It took a lot of time and gave a lot of work, but he finally managed to do the task, then eating what was left of his sandwich.

After dinner, it was time for Twilight's bath. This was another hard moment for Shining, because her sister didn't want to take a bath. Once he have filled the bathtub with water, neither too hot nor too cold , he tried to put Twilight in the bathtub. But it was easier said than done, because that little filly didn't really want to get into the tub. Shining grabbed her and tried to put her in there, but she always fought with her hooves.

"Come on, Twilight" he said, while trying to put her in the bathtub. "You have to take a bath."

"No!" she said, frustrating at all costs his big brother's attempts to put her in the bathtub.

It was then that her horn began to glow again. It was coming another surge of magic.

"Oh no..." Shining said, preparing for what was coming there.

It was then that he and Twilight were involved by her magic aura and began to rise up in the air and, when Twilight's magic stopped, the two fell into the tub, causing a large splash that soaked almost the entire bathroom.

"Well, at least you entered in the bathtub" Shining said frowning and totally soaked.

Twilight laughed and then she began to sprinkle his brother. He then got out of the bathtub, put the bath salts for foals that their parents always laid in Twilight's bath and then went to get her toys.

" There, now, stay here playing" Shining said. "I think I'll go..."

And then he turned around and saw that the bathroom was wet. He sighed and turned dejectedly:

"...clean the bathroom."

But before he could even started, he heard the door downstairs. He turned to Twilight and said:

"Twilight, stay here. Don't leave the bathtub."

And then he left the bathroom, down the stairs and opened the door. It was Mrs. Sunset Light again.

"Hello, Shining, came here to see if you... Oh, Celestia, my boy, but what happened? You're all soggy."

"It's nothing, Mrs. Sunset Light" he said. "It's that Twily like, but really like, sprinkling other ponies while she is bathing."

"It seems to me that it was you who took a bath" she commented.

"Yes, right... But, Mrs. Sunset Light, you don't need to worry. Everything is going perfectly well."

"Are you sure?" Mrs. Sunset Light asked. "If you want, I can give you a hoof."

"Absolutely" Shining replied with a smile. "Don't worry about it."

"Well, if you say so, I'll trust in you" replied Mrs. Sunset Light. "But only because I know you are a very responsible colt. Remember, if you need anything..."

"You're at your house" Shining completed. "Yes, I know that, Mrs. Sunset Light."

She then moved away and Shining closed the door, leaning against it, sighing. He then looked at the top of the stairs and then saw Twilight advancing and calling:

"Shining..."

"Twily, no!" he exclaimed. "Look out!"

But she then began slipping due to her wet hooves, almost falling down the stairs.

"NO, TWILIGHT!" Shining shouted.

He had to do something, but he wouldn't arrive in time. He had only one option. He had to use magic, though he still didn't have adequately control over it. He focused as much as he could, expressing all his desire to save his sister. It was then that his horn began to glow until the brightness became very intense and then a protective barrier of the same color as his magical aura appeared around Twilight and when she began to fall down the stairs, she pounced as if she was within a bouncy ball. Shining hurried and threw himself to the ground at the end of the stairs, where the barrier burst at the precise moment that Twilight fell upon his back.

"Gotcha!" he exclaimed.

"Shining!" Twilight called overjoyed, hugging his big brother. "Again! Again!"

Shining gave a nervous laugh. That was a close one. If he didn't acted that way, Twilight would have fallen down the stairs and get seriously hurt. Indeed, taking care of a foal was not easy. He really should have asked Mrs. Sunset Light for help when he could, because, if he had done it, that wouldn't happened.

It was then that he remembered the protective barrier that he had created to protect Twilight from the fall. He had never attempted something like that. It was something that came naturally when he felt the fear of losing her sister. It was something that came with his desire to protect his most precious possession.

"Oooooh, pretty image" his sister said.

Shining Armor then looked and saw with great joy that in his flank had the image of a very dark blue shield with a large soft pink six pointed star inside and three smaller ones above.

"My Cutie Mark!" Shining exclaimed, all excited. "I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!"

He turned to his sister, who had her innocent look, and smiled to her. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't have maneged get his Cutie Mark.

"Thank you, Twily" Shining thanked, hugging her sister. "It was all thanks to you."

The two looked to each other and then Twilight gave a big yawn.

"I see that all this action tired my favorite filly" Shining commented with a grin. "And how about a good nap?"

"Shining tell a story?" the little filly asked yawning.

"You bet" he said.

Shining placed Twilight on his back and started up the stairs. He came to her room and laid her gently on her bed, but she was already asleep. Shining smiled when he saw her sleeping. She looked like a little angel. He then grabbed a puff and sat on it, watching his beautiful sister sleeping.

Shortly after, Night Light and Velvet were coming home with the last a little nervous.

"Calm down, Velvet" Night Light asked.

"I can't calm myself, Night Light" Velvet answered anxiously. " You heard what Mrs. Sunset Light said. She said Shining seemed to be struggling to take care of Twilight."

"Yes, you say it, seemed" Night Light said, looking around and noticing everything was quiet. "But, look, everything seems to be fine."

"I'll just get rested when I see my children" Velvet said, starting to climb up the stairs.

Night Light sighed and followed her. Up there, they went to Twilight's room and opened the door and gasped due what they saw, smiling. Twilight was sleeping peacefully in her bed and Shining was there, sleeping on the puff and with his head resting on Twilight's bed. The two held a smile on their face.

"It seems that everything is fine" Velvet said relieved.

"I told you" Night Light said, approaching Shining.

He then noticed the Cutie Mark on Shining's flank.

"And it seems we'll hear a good story tomorrow morning" he remarked, motioning to Shining's Cutie Mark.

"Our son got his Cutie Mark! " Velvet said. "But that's wonderfull!"

"I think it's better put him in his bed" Night Light said.

Using his magic, Night Light levitated Shining and then took him to his room where he laid him in his bed. After snuggle him and give him a good night kiss, Night Light prepared to leave when he heard his son say, while sleeping:

"I love you, Twilight."

Night Light smiled and then left the room, leaving his son living his dreams.

The Academy Admission

Finally the time Shining and Blue had expected came. They finally were fourteen, the perfect age to be able to enroll in the Royal Guard Academy. In the admission day, the two went to the Academy.

The Academy was quite an extensive place, surrounded by lush vegetation and a dense forest. There were only four buildings in the Academy: one for the bedrooms, one for the canteen, one for toilets and showers and the other for the superiors' officers, the hospital wing and the library.

There were lots of colts, all with the same dream to become Royal Guards. There was really there an air of immense competition.

"Well, I never thought there were so many colts like us trying enter in the Academy" Shining said to Blue. "Do you think we can get in?"

"Of course, yes" he replied. "Don't worry. We'll both be companions in the Academy."

"I hope you're right. Now, I'm a little nervous."

"And you may well being so" a voice said. "It's not everypony who enters in the Academy."

Shining and Blue turned and saw a pegasus colt of their age with a dark red coat and a mahogany mane. His Cutie Mark was a sword positioned vertically and with fire surrounding it. This colt had a quite haughty and arrogant look, which didn't inspire any confidence to both Shining and Blue. He was a little bit taller and muscular than Shining and Blue.

"What do you mean with everypony" Blue said, somewhat coldly.

"I mean ponies like you" the colt. "If you are so nervous, so why are you trying to enter in the Academy?"

"You talk as if you had already been admitted" Shining noted.

"It is because I practically already entered in it" he answered. "I'm Fire Punch, son of Lightning Bolt, the first lieutenant of Captain White Light. Obviously, I can get into the Academy."

Having said this he left giggling.

"What a smug!" Blue said. "Can you believe him?"

"Let him be" Shining said. "It's better, for now, we concentrate on the admission tests."

"Yes, you're right."

After some time, when all the candidates seemed to have arrived, all of them positioned themselves in a line, waiting for one of the superiores of the royal guard. Then a pegasus stallion with a sunglow coat and the same mane that Fire Punch's appeared. He was wearing his armor.

"Attention!" he exclaimed.

All the young stallions positioned themselves in an upright and rigid position and with his chin up.

"Welcome to the Royal Guard Academy" the royal guard said, walking down the line of candidates. "My name is Lightning Bolt and I'm the first lieutenant of the Canterlot Royal Guard. I will be the responsible for all your learning to become in royal guards. I'm not gonna lie to you. It'll be a hard way to go, because only the best will be graduated. But, first, you still need to enter in the Academy, through three simple proofs for admission: medical inspection, physical fitness and finally psychotechnical. Let's see who can enter and who will leave long before they can even start.

The young stallions were taken to the hospital wing where they were called one by one for examination.

"This will be easy, no?" Blue said to Shining.

"Yes, if you don't have any hidden diseases that prevents you from being a royal guard" Shining replied.

That made Blue release a chuckle. Then came Blue's turn, and when he left, it was time to Shining do his medical inspection. There, the nurse measured his height and weight, auscultated him, examined his vision and hearing... When she said it was all done and he could wait outside, Shining came out. When all the candidates were examined, only a handful of them were rejected immediately because they didn't have the minimum requisites of medical inspection.

After this, they followed to the physical fitness proofs. They had to cross a long road with a lots of obstacles. It was a proof a little hard to do because Shining faced obstacles that he had never dealt with. But fortunately, he managed to do so due to the strength and the endurance he gained in his trainings with Blue. In the end, he and Blue thought they had done a good job. Of course, many other candidates were eliminated for failing to finish the proof.

Finally, they were only missing one proof: the psychotechnical proof. It was a proof in which candidates were interviewed about why they were there.

When Blue left the room where he was interviewed, Shining came to him and asked:

"So, how was it?"

"It was not so bad" he said. "It was just answering a few questions... quite simple."

"That's it?"

"Yes"

"Well, I expected something more... well, more."

"You and me both, pal, but I think the secret is in what we say" Blue said. "Be careful, okay?"

"Don't worry, I will" Shining replied.

Then came Shining's turn. He entered in the room who was darkened with only a light focusing on a chair where he sat. Ahead of Shining was a mirrored glass. So he couldn't see who was doing the questioning.

"Say your name to be registered" a voice magically changed said.

"Shining Armor" Shining replied.

"Tell me, Shining Armor, why you want to be royal guard?"

"To be able to protect those I love and all the other ponies. I know perfectly well that there are many enemies who are trying to put an end in the millennial peace we have here in Equestria. I just want to make sure nothing happens to Princess Celestia, to the ponies of Equestria, to my family... I just want them to live in peace.

"Even with the cost of your own life?" the voice asked.

Despite any pony hesitate with that question, Shining replied without hesitation:

"Yes, of course. To me, the safety of others is more important than my own life. Which is the meaning of swearing to protect innocent ponies, if, when the time comes, we don't do it?"

"You're quite right" the voice replied. "Tell me, how do this desire to be royal guard appear to you?"

"That's no desire" Shining said. "It's more than that. It's my dream. The truth is that I have always admired the royal guards. I admire how they protect the others. I admire the courage and the determination they put in everything they do. I admire the discipline they have to endure being stopped for hours only to guard the palace. But the idea to become a royal guard came to me when I met with Captain White Light."

"With the captain?"

"Yes, I was five and my father was taken me to school. Was then that I bumped against somepony and then I saw that somepony was Captain White Light. I can say that I was impressed when I saw him. He was big and strong and he could easily protect the entire kingdom of Equestria, at least that's what I thought at the time, and I admit that I still think a bit that way. And when he said I could become a great royal guard, I thought about how amazing it would be. I thought that would be a great pride wearing an armor and protect everything and everypony."

"Did the Captain tell you anything more than that?" the voice asked.

"He said that in addition to enthusiasm, it was needed a lot of training for somepony to become a royal guard, and have a great sense of honor and justice. At first I didn't understand the meaning of it."

"And now, do you?"

Shining nodded and replied:

"This means that a royal guard is much more than a pony who wears an armor, patrol and fight criminals. A royal guard is a warrior who fights for peace and don't impose it and must fight for it without forget his true duty: the safety of all the ponies. It's also somepony who fights the enemy, always treating him with the utmost respect possible and avoid killing him unless necessary, because nothing is worth more than life, even if it belongs to our most hated enemy."

"But what good conclusion" the voice said. " You get it by yourself?"

"Yes, but I had to mature a lot to realize that" Shining replied. "But I think it was when I got my Cutie Mark that I began to realize it."

"So you learn the true meaning of being a royal guard" the voice said. "And knowing this, are you willing to go through with this?"

Shining then nodded and replied:

"Yes, absolutely."

There was a pause and then the voice said:

"Okay, now we're done. You can leave and wait outside."

Shining waved and then got up and headed for the exit. When he left, Blue approched him.

"So, how was it?"

"In fact, it was nice" replied Shining. "I answered in a way that it just natural. I just had to be honest in the words I said."

"Only naive, idealistic foals say stuff like that" said Fire Punch standing nearby.

"Naive?" Shining asked. "Being honest and honorable is not being naive."

"Yeah, yeah" Fire Punch said, indifferently.

Shining really had no sympathy at all for that colt. He was really an obnoxious pony and could even bring up the anger inside Shining and the desire to punch him in the face. Knowing what his best friend was thinking, Blue said to Shining:

"Don't listen to him. He just wants to annoy you. Deep breaths.

Shining did so and calmed down.

Then Lightning Bolt appeared with a scroll underneath his wing. When he arrived, he said to all presents:

"We have now decided the ones who will enter in the Academy. Those I nominate will be the lucky ones to have that chance."

He then took on the roll and unfolded it, preparing to read the names of the chosen ones. Shining felt his heart beating a lot and he knew Blue was felling the same.

In Shining's home, his parents and sister were waiting for him. Night Light and Twilight were sitting on the couch, while Velvet was walking from one side to the other, nervously.

"Why is he taking so long?" she wondered. "This is making me so nervous."

"Yes, mom, we can see that" Twilight said.

"Honey, if you don't calm down, you still do a pit under you" Night Light said to his wife.

"But how do you want me to calm down?" Velvet asked. "My son is about to enter in the Royal Guard Academy and face all sorts of dangers and you want me to sit quietly while that happens?"

"Shining is already grown enough to take care for himself" Night Light said, getting up and going to his wife. "Besides , he will not be alone. He will have Blue Sword with him. You know how those two are when they work together."

Velvet was about to respond, when they heard the front door opening and closing.

"Shining has arrived!" Twilight exclaimed, getting up and running into the hallway where she found her big brother. "Big brother!"

"Twily!" Shining exclaimed, hugging his sister. "So, did you behave well while I was gone?"

"Of course, yes" she replied, looking proud of herself.

"That's my girl" Shining said, giving her a noggie.

"Son, I'm glad you came" Velvet said, coming up with Night Light and giving him a big hug. "I was getting worried."

"Mom, I'm suffocating" he said, releasing himself from his mother's forelegs. "Also I only been out for a few hours."

"Sorry, my dear" said Velvet. "It's the mother concern talking."

"If you got concerned when I was just a few hours away, I don't want to think when I have to go to the Academy and have to stay there and come home only in the week-ends."

"Wait..." Night Light said. "Does that mean what I think it means?"

Shining didn't answer immediately and then made a wide smile and said:

"I was accepted in the Academy!"

"Oh, well done, my boy!" Night Light exclaimed, giving a congratulating hug to his son. "That's my son. I'm proud of you, champ."

"Thanks, dad" Shining thanked.

"Does this mean that I will never see you?" Twilight asked, pouting.

"Twily, of course not" replied Shining, stroking his face to hers. "What would I do without you? I'll return every Friday so we can have our nights of stargazing."

"Do you promise?" Twilight asked.

"I promise you everything you want" he said.

That made Twilight smile and embrace his brother. Shining then looked at his mother and saw that she was avoiding looking at him, with a sad look. He approached her and saw that she had tears gleaming in the corner of her eyes.

"Mom... what 's up?" Shining asked.

"Nothing..." she said, wiping her tears with the hoof. "I'm just happy that you're going to have your dream come true."

But when she saw Shining's gaze, she confessed:

"You know I've never been much in favor of you wanting to be a royal guard. I confess I hoped you were not accepted into the Academy. After all, what mother wants her son to face all kinds of dangers?"

"Mom, don't worry" Shining replied, stroking his mother's face with his hoof. "Everything will be fine. You know that this has always been my dream and I'll be very happy to live it."

Velvet wiped his eyes and then said:

"I know you will, my dear."

"Besides, I will not be alone" Shining said. "Blue was also accepted. You don't have to worry about nothing."

"Blue has also been accepted?" Twilight asked. "That's fantastic! I knew he could do it!"

Everypony looked at her, leaping with joy. She then blushed slightly and said, laughing nervously:

"I mean, I'm very pleased that he will also be a royal guard just like my B.B.B.F.F.."

That made her parents and her brother start laughing and then the four gave a family hug.

Shining could not be happier, because he had taken a big step on the way to live his biggest dream: be a royal guard.

How to Win a Battle

Shining Armor reached the entrance of the Academy, with his saddlebags on his flank. He looked around, where more recruits were entering, some ones freshers (like him), others were veterans. A smile appeared on his face and he said:

"I can't believe I'm finally here."

He started walking, but then there was something that passed him at full speed, making him fall to the ground. When he looked up, he saw that it had been Fire Punch who had passed by him flying at high speed.

"See ya, moron."

Shining gave a grunt of irritation. He liked Fire Punch increasingly less. It seemed that the two were born to be enemies of one another, or at least rivals.

"Shining, are you okay?" Blue asked, reaching Shining's side.

"Yes, I am" Shining replied, getting up and shaking the dirt on his coat.

"I saw what happened" Blue said. "That douchebag is really starting to cross the line. When I put my hooves on him..."

"Let him be" Shining replied. "We will not get into trouble on the first day, are we?"

"You're right" Blue said. "Well, come on. We have to present ourselves to the presentation."

They went and put themselves on the line that was forming with all new recruits. They could see Fire Punch was nearby with a haughty look. Commander Lightning Bolt appeared and all they positioned themselves in the attension position.

"Welcome to the Royal Guard Academy, young colts. I'm glad you have been able to pass all the admission proofs. But now, is when things will get complicated. You will be tested in every way possible. And if you manage to pass, maybe you will have a great future, beyond what already awaits you as royal guards. Now go to your dormitories, put your things things and wear the uniforms that are on each bed. I want you in training camp in ten minutes. Did you understand?

"Yes, sir!" all the young stallions exclaimed in unison.

They then went to the dormitory that would be theirs, where there were several iron bunks. Above each bed was a browned uniform with the Academy's emblem on the left side of the chest.

"Well, tell me, which one do you want?" Shining asked to Blue, when they came to the bunk they chose. "The upper or the lower?"

"The lower" Blue said. "In the way I sleep, I think it's better I stay in the bed closer to the ground."

"Well, whatever."

But when they went to sit in their respective beds, Fire Punch appeared and landed in the bed which would be to Shining's.

"Hey, we had already chosen this bunk" Shining protested.

"You snooze, you lose" he said.

Shining had an immense will to beat him, but Blue stopped him and said:

"Remember that we don't want to cause troubles."

Shining make a deep breath and then said:

"Yes, you're right. Let's go take another bunk. One which stays as far away from him as possible."

And they moved away, while Fire Punch observed them with a evil grin.

"How can he be the son of the Commander Lightning Bolt?" Shining asked as they arrived at their new bunk. "The commander seems to be a stallion so respectful and honorable, but his son is..."

"A great bastard, stressing the word bastard?" Blue asked.

"You took the words right out of my mouth" Shining replied, laughing, as he climbed into his bed.

"Mysteries of genetics" Blue replied. "After all, there is always a black sheep in every family."

"Yes, you're right" Shining said. "Well, it's better we hurry to prepare ourselves and go to the training camp."

So they put down theit saddlebags and put on their uniforms. After this, Shining turned to his things and used his magic to cast a spell on them.

"What are you doing?" Blue asked, full of curiosity.

"I'm casting a spell my father taught me to prevent my things from being touched by other ponies except me" Shining replied. "We never know with Mr. I-am-better-than-anypony sleeping in the same dormitory as us."

"But what a good idea" Blue said. "Can you do the same with mine? Of course you have to do it in order to fit me."

"But of course" Shining replied, performing the same spell on Blue's saddlebags.

After that, they went to the training camp, where all new recruits gathered. Commander Lighning Bolt appeared flying, saying while landing:

"Very well, cadets, this is your first subject: combat lessons. I will be your teacher in this class. I will show you various fighting techniques that I'm sure you will learn easily, as long you give your best and apply yourselves to the fullest. But first, I want to see how are your fighting skills. I need a couple of volunteers. Let me see..."

He looked among the young stallions and then chose :

"Cadet Fire Punch and Cadet Shining Armor, perhaps?"

Both nodded and moved forward, positioning themselves in the middle, looking at each other. Fire Punch was smiling mockingly and Shining was trying to ignore him. Now Shining could unleash his fury on him, to the extent possible, of course.

"Scared?" Fire Punch asked to Shining, so that only him could hear.

"You wish" Shining replied coldly.

The two stared each other for a few seconds and then Lightning Bolt said:

"Begin!"

The two went against each other and began to measure forces. Each one tried to dominate the other, but always without success. This measure of balanced forces continued for a minute until Fire Punch did a low kick which made Shining lose balance and fall on the ground. The pegasus then simply held him so he couldn't escape. Shining tried to free himself, but Fire Punch was stronger than Blue and didn't have the same difficulty in maintaining the firmness of it.

"It seems obvious to me who wins" he said to Shining's ear.

"I... don't... think so!" Shining exclaimed.

Then he turned to Fire Punch and, with his hind legs, he made an impulsion, managing to launch Fire Punch back, freeing himself and standing up. The two launched themselves again one against the other to measure forces yet again. But Fire Punch had more strength than Shining and then he managed to overpower him once again. But this time held him even tighter, making it impossible for Shining even to move.

"See if you can get out of this one again" Fire Punch said to the white unicorn.

Shining tried, but this time, he couldn't even move.

"Enough" Commander Lightning Bolt's voice said. "You can stop fighting."

But Fire Punch continued to hold Shining and the young unicorn felt that the holding was getting increasingly harder.

"Hey, didn't you hear what the commander said?" Blue asked to Fire Punch.

"Fire Punch, release him straight away" Lightning Bolt ordered.

Fire Punch dropped Shining and he hit on the ground. Shining turned to Fire Punch that watched him with a superior look and smiled at him with a triumphant smile. Shining looked at him furious.

"Shining, are you okay?" Blue asked, going to his friend .

"Yes, I am" Shining replied, getting up.

"I must say that, despite what happened just now..." the commander said, making a stern look to Fire Punch who shrugged slightly "both of you fought very well. Good work. Now, about the others, group yourself in pairs. I want to see what you can do."

They did so. Blue partnered with Shining and the two fought against each other. Although Shining already was accustomed fighting with him, he felt difficulties in fighting because he was still resentful for the fight with Fire Punch. Blue realized that and was mild in his movements.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Blue asked while they were fighting.

"Yes, of course I am" Shining replied, defending an attack from Blue. "I'm just tired from that battle."

"Hey, you know you still are the best in combat" Blue said. "I will not forget the times that you defeated me in our trainings."

"Thank you, Blue, but you are also a great fighter" Shining said. "It would not surprise me if you could beat me."

After the combat lessons, it was lunch time and then the new recruits had to be separated for the afternoon classes:
the pegasi had to go to their military flight lessons, the unicorns (like Shining and Blue) went to their defensive and offensive magic lessons, while the earth ponies would make a run through the forest. In the magic lessons, Shining soon proved to be the best in defensive magic, creating his impressive protective barrier, and Blue in offensive magic, shooting magic beams with extreme precision.

After classes, students had free time until dinner time and the curfew. Despite others having gone soon to dinner, Shining was in the training camp, starting to train his fighting techniques since the start of the free time. Blue came to him to call him:

"Shining, come dinner. The food is great."

"No, thanks, Blue" Shining replied, continuing to practice.

"But you must eat something" Blue said.

"I'll eat later."

"Okay, as you wish, but..."

"I'll eat later."

"Okay, but have attention to the curfew."

"Alright"

Blue then walked away.

Shining continued practicing and practicing. He couldn't forgive himself for losing against Fire Punch. Just imagining that mock and cocky smirk, he felt the anger rising in him. Then he gave a big kick in the air, giving a shout out to the air. Then he stopped, panting. All that training left him feel exhausted and it was already almost the curfew. The voice of reason told him to stop, but his pride told him otherwise and it seemed that was the voice which spoke louder inside of him. But when he prepared to continue with his training, he felt a hoof leaning on his shoulder and a familiar voice saying:

"Take it easy, boy. You can get hurt with so much training."

Shining turned and was shocked when he came across with...

"Captain White Light!"

Shining could not believe what was before the Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. As if guessing what he would say, White Light said:

"At ease, soldier. I just wanna talk to you in a... casual talk."

But that only made Shining stay even lesser at ease.

"I see you've been practicing instead of enjoying your free time and go dinner" White Light noted, giving a few steps away and looking around.

"Well, you know, I... I usually train when..."

" When you're worried or upset about something?" the captain asked, turning to him.

"Well... yes" Shining replied, shocked for Captain White Light knowing that. "How did you guess?"

"You're not the only one who does that. Moreover, you remind me of a pony I met a long time ago."

"Who?" Shining asked who, perceiving the inconvenience of his question, added. "If I may ask you."

"Let's say you remind me the pony who turned me in what I'm today" Captain White Light said with a certain tone of longing. "But, anyway, now I ask: what is the reason of your concern or irritation?"

Shining, although didn't feel himself very comfortable in opening up to a superior of his, he knew he could trust him with his thoughts.

"I'm angry at my failure in the combat lesson today" he said.

"Angered by the failure or for having failed against the pony you like the less here?"

"But how..." Shining started.

"It may not seem like it, but I like to watch those who will one day be royal guards and I noticed the little enmity between you and Fire Punch."

"But this has nothing to do with it. I mean, yes, but... it's not just that. The other reason I'm training is to be the best that I can be. That's what I always try to do and that is my goal."

"It's a commendable attitude, I must say" the captain said. "But you know what? To win a fight, it takes much more than strength, technique or speed. It's also necessary acumen, determination and courage, things that you have to spare. The question is to know your opponent."

Shining hated when Captain White Light made so cryptic comments like that.

"What do you mean?" Shining asked.

"You have to turn Fire Punch's weapons against him" White Light said. "Find out what strengthens him and use it to your advantage."

Shining still did not very well what those words meant. But how could he use Fire Punch's weapons against him? White Light put his hoof in Shining's shoulder and said:

"You'll understand what I'm talking about."

And having said this, he began to move away.

"Wait" Shining asked, making him stop. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because I see that you have what it takes to become more than a normal royal guard. You have a great future waiting for you. Furthermore, I believe Fire Punch needs a lesson of humility, if you know what I mean. Now, I think you have a lot to think. I hope you have the same success you had in deciphering the meaning of honor and justice."

And then he walked away.

Shining was thinking in those last words. But how did he know that? How did he know that he had understood the meaning of what he had told him as a child? Then a thought came upon Shining's mind: was Captain White Light who was conducting the interview in the psychotechnical proof?

It was night and, while his colleagues slept, Shining was lying on his bed, fixing the ceiling, thinking about the advice Captain White Light had told him. He thought about what would be Fire Punch's weapons. What made him stronger? It was a question to which he couldn't find the answer.

He closed his eyes, preparing to fall asleep, but Fire Punch's cocky smirk didn't leave his head. He had to defeat that arrogant foul who thought he was better than the others. Then he had an epiphany. How he hadn't realized it soon? It was so obvious. Smiling at his puzzle solved, he let himself be carried away by sleep.

The next day, the young stallions were awakened by the sound of the horn and they dispatched to wake up and to wear the uniforms for the morning inspection. After that, it came a morning jog through the woods and, after the warm-up, they marched to his combat lessons. When they arrived, the Commander Lightning Bolt still hadn't arrived.

"Hey, guys, look who he is" said Fire Punch, referring to Shining. "The loser."

Fire Punch's friends released a laughter.

"That worm..." said Blue. "When I put my hooves on him..."

"Calm down, Blue" said Shining. "I got him."

So he began approaching and Fire Punch took a few steps.

"So you came for a rematch, didn't you?" he asked with a certain tone of cynism.

"Exactly" Shining replied.

That seemed to catch Fire Punch off guard and then he said:

"Why? So I can beat you again? Sorry, but to many followed victories bore me."

"I see, you're afraid of losing to me, aren't you?" Shining provoked.

"Me? Afraid of you? No way!"

There was a pause and then Fire Punch said:

"Okay, let's do it."

Both positioned themselves, while the others were watching. Shining and Fire Punch stared at each other for a few moments and then they moved against each other and began to measure forces. In this fight, it was obvious that they were both pretty evenly matched, but this time, Shining had a good plan. He had to catch him off guard and for that... he had to lose. So he let himself being carried away and then Fire Punch managed to knock him to the ground and hold him.

"No, Shining..." Blue said.

"Looks like I win again" Fire Punch laughed. "As expected of course. Right, guys?"

When Fire Punch turned to his friends, victorious, Shining Armor took advantage of his distraction and managed to free himself from Fire Punch and then overpowered him and held him.

"What do you think of this now?" Shining asked.

"Let me go!" Fire Punch exclaimed, trying to free himself, but without success.

"Not until you admit your defeat" Shining replied.

It seemed that Fire Punch wouldn't want to do that, but seeing that he couldn't free himself, he ended saying:

"You... you defeated me."

"See, it wasn't so hard" Shining said him.

Then he released him and stood up and went to Blue who congratulated him, along with the others.

"Wow, but how did you do that?" Blue asked. "Yesterday you couldn't even overpower him once."

"Let's just say I got a good advice" Shining replied, smiling.

Seeing them from afar were Captain White Light and Commander Lightning Bolt.

"Well, you were right" Lightning Bolt said to White Light. "That kid is really something."

"I told you, didn't I?" White Light said. "Shining Armor will be a true revelation in this new generation of royal guards. We can expect big things from him. And you, do you think your son has learned the lesson?"

"I doubt it, but we can still hope so" Lightning Bolt replied.

"Even so, I believe that this rivalry between him and Shining will still give much to talk about" White Light commented. "I think it's better you go up there and start the lesson before another fight gets started, huh?

"Yes, you're right" Lightning Bolt said, saluting White Light and then advancing to the training camp.

White Light then smiled and then moved toward his office.

An Unexpected Discovery

The first week at the Academy passed quickly. When Shining noticed it, it was already Friday. He couldn't wait for nightfall so he could be with his family again. He couldn't wait to hug his parents and his little sister. Moreover, he had sent a letter to Twilight saying they could have their stargazing night in that night.

As it was custume at the Academy, on Fridays, the cadets only had a marathon through the forest with obstacles, followed by a series of pushups, crunches and extensions. In that week, it was a six miles marathon and a seried of fifty pushups, crunches and extensions, each.

After all this, the colts, exhausted, went to take a shower and then lunch. When Shining and Blue came out from the canteen with a full stomach, Blue said:

"Ah, it feels so good a meal after all that training."

"You're quite right, Blue" Shining replied. "Still hurts me my muscles after that race and all those exercises."

"So it's better we start preparing ourselves because, if this was the first week, wait for the next ones, when the distances of the marathons increase, as well as number of exercises."

"Well, if this doesn't make us the strongest and fastest royal guards of all time, then I don't know what will" Shining joked.

The two laughed as they passed through the wall where there were framed photographs of famous royal guards, like captains or lieutenants. They could see Captain White Light photograph there when he was younger. The colts admired that wall for a while. They liked to imagine how it would be to have their picture on a wall like that.

When they resumed walking, Blue noticed a purple curtain that was there at the end of the wall and saw what seemed to be a corner of a frame coming from behind. Driven by curiosity, Blue approached it, while Shining continued walking and then gave a sneak peek into what was behind the curtain and what he found left him speechless. Shining, noting his friend had fallen behind, turned to him and called him:

"Blue, are you coming or not?"

But seeing that he was astonished, asked, while approaching:

"Blue, what's up?"

"Ah, do you remember when I went to your grandmother's house by the first time and I saw a picture of your grandfather and I commented that I knew him from somewhere?" Blue asked. "It was in the same day that you got to know your mother was pregnant with Twilight."

How Shining could not remember the second happiest day of his life that was knowing that he was going to be a big brother. He remembered every detail of that day and knew that Blue had made that comment.

"Yeah, I remember, but why do you ask?"

"Because I just remembered where I know him" Blue said, motioning to what was behind the curtain.

Shining, frowning, came over and looked at it. When he saw that, he was in shock. First, he judged to be seeing a photograph of himself, but then he realized it could not be him, because it seemed to be a slightly older version of him, wearing a slightly desaturated violet royal guard armor with very light yellow edges. Ahead of armor, over the chest, was an emblem which was a shield with a six-pointed star inside, the same as Shining's Cutie Mark. Underneath the frame, it could see written: Captain Star Shield.

"It's my grandpa" Shining said softly.

"He was the Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard before Captain White Light" Blue said. "However, it's all I know."

Shining was still in shock with what he was seeing. How coulf his grandmother or father or even his uncle didn't tell him that his grandfather was Captain of the Royal Guard? It was something he couldn't understand. He had every right to know that.

Observing the two young stallions from far was Captain White Light who was taken by surprise when he saw Shining had discovered a photograph of his grandfather. Making a fast trot, he went into his office and sat down behind his desk. Using his magic, he brought a scroll, ink and a quill, while he took off his helmet, releasing his mulberry and purple mane, and began to write a letter, starting with "Dear Mrs. Starlight Sparkle...".

In the dormitory, while the other ponies were packing their things to catch the train that would take them back to their houses, Shining was lying back on his bed, staring the ceiling. Using his magic, he made a picture of him with his family, with all of it, appear in front of him. He always felt his family was incomplete when he saw that picture, an empty place that corresponded to his grandfather. He always wanted to know what had happened to him, but when he brought up the issue to his grandmother, his parents or any other member of his family who could have known him, they simply changed the subject. He remembered perfectly well when he asked to his grandmother how he was and she always answered that Shining looked a lot like him, not only physically but also in many other aspects. Now that he knew he had been Captain of the Royal Guard, he had to know exactly what happened to him.

"Shining..." Blue's voice called coming from beneath.

Shining Armor saved his family photo and then looked down to Blue.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I just found out that my grandfather was a royal guard, and to top it a captain, and my family hid it from me and you're asking me if I'm okay?" Shining asked rhetorically in a cold way.

"Ah... yes" Blue replied shyly.

Shining then took a deep breath and then said:

"Sorry, man, I..."

"It's okay " said Blue . " You don't have to excuse yourself. I understand what you're feeling, but, hey, I came here to give you great news."

"What news?"

Blue waited until everypony had gone to answer:

"When we found out that picture of your grandfather, I realized that you would want to find out all about him, so I went to the library and... Well, can you guess what I found?"

"What?" Shining asked, without much enthusiasm.

Using his magic, Blue took from his back a folder and said:

"Your grandfather's file."

It soon caught Shining's attention and he just jumped down and said:

"Let me see it."

Using his magic, he took the file and then opened it, sitting on Blue's bed. He sat down next to him to see also the file. Inside, there were numerous records, among which there were his grandfather's registration form and his grades during his time at the Academy, notes that were excellent. There were also photographs of his graduation day and some of him as royal guard and as captain. Also there was one of his marriage with his grandmother and even with two young colts Shining recognized as being his father and his uncle when they were foals. Shining couldn't help but smile. His grandfather seemed so happy in all of them.

"Blue, you're the best friend that anypony could have" Shining said, continuing seeing more things in the folder.

"I know that" he said, smiling.

But after some searching, Shining's frustrations increased.

"No... there's nothing here about what happened to him. Only his academic profile and information about some missions he did."

"What if ask to your family?" Blue suggested. "They can answer you that."

"If they didn't it until now, do you think he will do it now?" Shining asked. "No, we have to find another source."

Blue looked down and saw a photo that had fallen while they were searching the file. Using his magic, he picked it up and watched it. A look of amazement filled his face.

"What about Captain White Light?" Blue asked.

"Do you think so?" Shining asked in return. "I don't know. Do you think I should?"

"Well, he is your grandfather's successor as Captain of the Royal Guard" Blue said. "Beyond that, there is this."

And he showed the photo to Shining who took it with his hoof and watched it. It was his grandfather, and beside him was a young stallion a few years older than him and Blue. He had a bluish gray coat and a mulberry and purple mane.

"Doesn't he look familiar?" Blue asked.

Shining couldn't believe it. It was really Captain White Light when he was younger. Moreover, he knew his grandfather very well.

"I have to go talk with him" Shining decided, standing up and straightening the file.

"What, now? Shining, we have to embark to go home for the week-end soon. If we don't present ourselves to the train departure, we will stay here until next week-end."

"I know, Blue, but this is too important"Shining said. "And don't worry about anything, okay?"

And with a little magic, he packed his things in his saddlebags and then put them on his flanks.

"See? Ready to go."

"Okay, fine, but be fast" Blue said. "See you on the platform."

"Agreed" Shining replied, saving his grandfather's file in one of his saddlebags. "Bye."

"Bye."

And then Shining left the dormitory and went towards the captain's office, eager to discover the answers to his questions.

Shining Armor's Grandfather's Protege

Shining Armor, determined to find out what had happened to his grandfather, went to Captain White Light's office. When he got there, he took a deep breath, as if gaining courage for what he was about to do, and knocked at the door.

"Come in" White Light's voice said.

Shining opened the door and entered in White Light's office. He was behind his desk reading a book while a vinyl record was playing a classical music.

"Ah, Shining, my boy" White Light greeted, closing the book and setting it on the edge of his helmet. "But what brings you here to my office when you should be preparing yourself to go home?"

"I need to talk to you, Captain" Shining replied.

"Please, take a seat" White Light asked, motioning to the chair in front of his desk.

Shining then used his magic to take out his saddlebags and put them on the floor and then sat on the chair.

"How can I help you?" White Light asked.

Shining took a few seconds to answer and then said:

"I want you to tell me everything you know about my grandfather."

Captain White Light looked away for a moment, breathing deeply, and then said:

"Shining, I know there are things you want to know, but the truth is that there are things that should not be talked about. Now, if there's any subject you want me to help you with..."

"Sir, with all due respect, I need to know what happened to him" Shining said. "It's my grandfather we are talking about. And don't tell me you didn't know him, because I know that very well."

"And how can you be so sure?" White Light asked.

"Because I know he was the Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard before you."

"Sorry to say this, Shining, but just because your grandfather was my superior, it doesn't mean that I know him very well. Indeed, at that time, I was a young royal guard who just finished his studies in the Academy."

As knowing what he would say, Shining, using his magic, took his grandfather's file from the saddlebag where he had kept it and then showed it to the Captain, putting it on the desk.

"So what have you to say about this?" Shining asked.

White Light picked up the file and opened it, starting to see its contents. Shining expected him to be nervous about all that, but Captain White Light just saw it with immense calm and tranquility. It even seemed that he knew Shining would to counter argue with that. When he finished seeing the file, closed it and said:

"This was very well positioned in the library so no cadet could find it. I have to admit that I have to commend Blue Sword's efforts to find it. "

"How do you know it was Blue Sword who got this from the library?" Shining asked.

"You just confirmed it to me right now" Captain White Light replied. "Besides, I presupposed he would help you to find out the truth."

"So it's true, isn't it?" Shining asked. "You knew really my grandfather."

"Yes" Captain White Light replied, taking the photograph where he was with Star Shield. "He was my mentor. He was the one that taught me everything I know. He taught me all about leadership and the meaning of honor and justice. He taught me how to be brave and never give up, even when we are facing the greatest obstacles. He was a great stallion."

He turned then to Shining and smiled at him slightly.

"You know, you look a lot with him" she told him. "Of course you are like him at the outside, but you're a lot like him at the inside. You're honorable and determined and you don't let anypony intimidate you... You have the same dream he had... and the same way to unload anger.

Shining then remembered what Captain White Light had said about Shining reminding him of somepony who had made him what he was now.

"It was my grandfather who you were talking about at that time you found me training in the training camp, wasn't it?" Shining asked.

"Yes" White Light replied. "Of course when I met you when you were little and I saw how you were similar to your grandfather, I suspected that maybe you were like him. Partly I was right."

"What do you mean?" Shining asked.

"Well, in many aspects, you two are very similar. But there is some differences, something that differentiates you from him. I'm not sure how to explain it but it's like a flame that waits to be able to ignite. Believe in me when I say you can make yourself a royal guard as good or better than your grandfather."

Shining thought that was highly improbable, because, for that, maybe he should be a Captain of the Royal Guard and he didn't know if he would ever be prepared for such an honor. However, all that didn't answer the reason which brought him there.

"But what happened to him?" asked. "Why did he just disappeared out of nowhere?"

White Light didn't answer immediately and, when he did, he said:

"It's not my place to tell you that. You have to ask that question to your family. Only your family can answer you that."

"If they didn't tell me until now, I don't think they'll tell me now."

"Look that you can surprise yourself."

But seeing that Shining was not very convinced, White Light said:

"You know, I have exchanged correspondence with your grandmother."

"With my grandmother?" Shining repeated, surprised.

"Before your grandfather disappeared, he made me promise to him that I would look after her and their children and that if any of them or their children wanted to follow his footsteps, I would help them to become honored and faithful royal guards. Of course I had to wait for you, because your father became one of Princess Celestia's advisers and your uncle Shooting Star became a great hoofball player. Anyway. I told to your grandmother you discovered that your grandfather was Captain and advised her to tell you the truth. I just got her answer saying that she also thinks you're ready to know everything."

"That I don't understand" said Shining. "Why did you hide this from me? And my sister, of course. She also doesn't know this."

"It was something agreed not only by me and your grandmother, but also by your parents and your uncle" White Light said. "My reason was merely to develop your spirit and your honor. You may have already noticed the effects of knowing you have a relative in high places in the Royal Guard to a young aspiring royal guard."

Shining knew he was referring to Fire Punch.

"It was also why your grandfather's picture was covered by that curtain. About the others, you have to ask them" White Light continued.

"And I will ask them" Shining said.

He was disappointed he had not managed to get Captain White to tell him what had happened to his grandfather, but now he knew that his grandmother would tell him everything, which made him happy.

"Well, I think I'll go..." he said. "I apologize for having bothered you, Captain."

"Don't say that, my boy. You just did what you felt you should have done. And I understand that perfectly."

Shining rose up, making a salute to White Light, and, using his magic, he put his saddlebags on his flanks. But before leaving, he was called by White Light:

"Shining Armor."

Shining turned and saw White Light using his magic to levitate some photographs.

"I believe you wanna get some memory of your grandfather that you have not yet." he said.

And then he made a duplication spell and doubled the photographs and made the duplicates go toward Shining who caught them with his magic. He then saw that the photos were of his grandfather, the same ones that were in his file. Shining smiled and said:

"Thank you, Captain White Light."

He waved and then Shining went out of his office, then heading towards the train station to catch the train which would take him and Blue back to Canterlot to spend the week-end with their families. White Light then took the photograph where he was with Captain Star Shield and then said:

"Your grandson has become a great young stallion, Captain. You would be proud of him. I won't be surprised if he became a great Captain of the Royal Guard like you."

And having said this, he saluted the pony who was his mentor and then put the photo in the file.

Love at First Sight, Part One

Author's Note

In this chapter, you'll see how Shining Armor met Cadance as told by Shining.

Love at First Sight, Part One

The train from the Royal Guard Academy has arrived to the Canterlot train station when the sun was setting. From there, some colts left, including Shining and Blue. They then began to go to their homes, as they talked. Shining had told Blue everything White Light had told him.

"Wow, so it's true" Blue said. "Your grandfather was really a Captain of the Royal Guard."

"Yes, and Captain White Light was his protege" Shining added.

"Well, that's unbelievable" Blue said. "But I've noticed one thing, Shining. Both of us have royal guard blood."

"But you know that it takes more than blood to be a real royal guard."

"Yes, I know, but the more I think about it, the more I think you're destined to be one of the best royal guards of all" Blue said.

"Are you saying that just because I'm the grandson..." Shining started.

"It has nothing to do with it, man" said Blue. "Well, perhaps. But, look, I'm like Captain White Light. Your grandfather was who made him what he is now, as you are who made me what I am."

"What do you mean?" Shining asked.

Blue was about to answer, when they reached to the intersection where they would go their separate ways.

"I'll answer that another time, now I have to go home" Blue said. "I'm eager to see my parents and, interestingly, my sister. Goodbye, bro."

And he began to follow his path.

"Blue, wait, answer me..." Shining began, pausing to realize that he was not listening. "Ok, it's for later."

He then sighed and went the other way. It was not long until he started to see his house appearing in his vision field. A smile appeared on his face. It was really good to be home. He couldn't have waited to come and be with his family, especially with his little sister. He reached the front door, but when he prepared to open it, it opened and then something, or somepony, collided with Shining, hitting him in the head, followed by the sound of something hitting the ground.

"I'm so sorry" a female voice said.

"It's okay" said Shining, massaging his head. "It was an accident."

He then turned to the pony who he bumped heads with and he became marveled with what he saw.

It was a beautiful young unicorn mare (at least, she seemed to be an unicorn at first glance) with the same age as his, perhaps the most beautiful mare he had ever seen, except maybe Twilight. She had a pale, grayish light cerise coat and a dark violet with moderate mane rose and pale gold streaks. But Shining was more interested in her eyes. They were a fairly deep and beautiful dark purple that could hypnotize anypony. Seeing them, Shining felt himself so calm, but at the same time so nervous. It was a feeling hard to explain. His heart throbbed tremendously. For a moment, Shining feared it climbed up to his neck and stay stuck there.

She also looked into his eyes carefully. They were in that way just a few seconds and then they shifted them, both giving nervous laughters and blushing slightly. They then turned to look at each other again, both smiling, and then Shining extended his hoof to that beautiful unicorn. She then took it and Shining helped her standing up.

"Hello" Shining greeted, unable to say anything more than that.

"Hello" she replied, in the same shy way as Shining.

The two blushed a little more, staying there for a bit and then a cheery voice interrupted the moment saying:

"Shining!"

Twilight appeared coming from inside and went to his brother, hugging him.

"Hey, Twily!" Shining greeted, hugging her back.

"I missed you so much" she said, separating herself from Shining.

"Come on, sis, it has only been five days."

"But to me it seemed like an eternity."

Velvet and Night Light also appeared at the door .

"Son, it's so good to have you back" Night Light said, giving him a noogie.

"It's also good to be home, dad" Shining replied.

"Oh, son, it's good to see you're okay" said Velvet, embracing Shining strongly.

"Mom, look out, you still choke me" Shining said, trying to free himself from his mother's strong hug, not only because he was running out of air, but also to not be embarrassed before the beautiful filly who was there.

"Sorry, son" Velvet apologized, releasing Shining. "But the fact that you're away from me makes me so worried."

"Anyway, Shining, let me introduce you to Cadance" Night Light said, gesturing to the filly.

"Hey" she said softly, smiling.

"Hey" Shining replied, returning her the smile.

"Cadance has been Twilight's new foalsitter since you went to the Academy" Velvet said. "It was a way to give more rest to your grandmother.

"And it's a well deserved rest" Night Light said. "It gives her more time to venture out on her crazy adventures."

That made everypony loose a laugh, but Shining just couldn't take his eyes from Cadance. She had such a pretty name that fit perfectly in her beauty.

"She is the best foalsitter, B.B.B.F.F.!" Twilight said. "No offense, Shining."

"Don't worry, Twily" Shining said, stroking her mane. "Of course I'm not offended. If you say she is, it's because it's true."

He then turned to Cadance and told her:

"I hope my sister didn't gave you too much trouble."

"Oh no, she's a sweetheart" she replied. "It's the best filly I ever foalsitt."

Shining could not believe how wonderful Cadance was. Twilight really liked her, so she should be so sweet and loving as she appeared to be.

"Cadance, I think it's better you get going" Night Light said. "It's getting dark and your aunt may get worried."

"Yes, of course" Cadance nodded, turning to Twilight. "Goodbye again, Twilight."

"Bye, Cadance" Twilight said, hugging her.

"Once again, thank you for taking care of Twilight this afternoon" Velvet thanked.

"It was a pleasure" she replied politely and smilling.

"See you next Monday afternoon" Night Light said.

"Bye" she replied, turning to Shining and smiling at him, making him blush very lightly.

He just hoped nopony had noticed. Cadance then started to walk away. Shining followed her with his eyes for a few seconds before Twilight catch his attention and she asked:

"Do we still have our stargazing night?"

"Of course" Shining replied. "I promised you we would, didn't I?"

"Yheee" Twilight exclaimed, turning inside.

Velvet used his magic to get Shining's saddlebags and told him:

"I'll put them in your room, dear. Go take care of your night with your sister."

"Thanks, mom" Shining thanked with a smile.

He then went to his room and fetched his telescope, beginning to mount it at the backyard. When he finished, Twilight appeared, bringing a blanket and a plate with two sandwiches that Velvet had done for them in the back.

"Oh, this will be the best night ever" Twilight said, while his big brother used his magic to grab the blanket and spread it on the ground and put the plate there. "I waited for this since I received your letter, Shining."

"Yeah, me too, Twilight" Shining said as he and Twilight sat on the blanket. "You don't know how much I missed you in the Academy."

They then began to observe the stars. It was a moment of their own, a moment that the two shared at least twice a week. They watched the stars, admiring their beauty and sometimes joining the points. Shining taught to Twilight the names of constellations that some stars they were finding and he had learned in school, showing them in more detail through his telescope. Twilight was impressed with what his brother knew and taught her and Shining was proud of that. But sometimes, Twilight had questions he couldn't answer.

"Shining, where do stars come from?" she asked.

"Well..." he hesitated, because that was a question he couldn't answer. "You know, Twilight, I really don't know the answer to that question."

"But you know everything, big brother" Twilight said.

"Not everything, little sis. But if you want, I can tell you a story mom told me about the stars."

"Uhh, tell me, please" she asked excitedly.

"She told me the stars were very special seeds that emanate a very strong light that blinds anypony."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that they came from a fantastic kingdom full of light inhabited by bright ponies. It is said they offered their seeds to the alicorn princesses of Equestria to illuminate the dark night and thus ward off fear."

"Wow!" Twilight exclaimed, amazed.

"It's also said that these seeds have an immense power, capable of increasing the magic of any unicorn pony to levels never seen before" Shining said.

"I wish I had one of these seeds and thus be the best in magic" Twilight said. "But all I can do are small sparks."

"Believe me, sis" Shining said reaching to his sister. "What you do with your horn, is much more than I did before having my Cutie Mark. I'm sure you'll be the best in magic."

That made Twilight drop her sweet and gorgeous smile Shining loved so much.

"But, you know, if I could climb up to the sky and bring you one of those seeds, I would" Shining said. "Then you'd shine even brighter."

Twilight laughed and then said:

"You cann't climb up the sky, silly. It's impossible."

"For you, I would do the impossible, Twily" Shining replied, hugging his sister.

"And would you also bring one for Cadance?" Twilight asked.

"But of course" Shining replied, blushing slightly. "Why not?"

"I bet if you brought her one of these seeds, she would want to date you."

That made Shining, who was eating a sandwich, to choke.

"What did you say?" Shining asked nervously after swallowing what had gotten stuck in his throat and blushing a lot. "What do you mean, Twilight?"

"I saw how you got when you met Cadance" Twilight said. "It's clear that you like her."

"I don't like her, Twilight" Shining protested, trying to avoid blushing, because as Twilight had said, blushing, even if mild, was always visible in his white coat. "At least not in the way you think."

But Twilight continued, humming:

"You like Cadance. You like Cadance. You like...

But suddenly she stopped, yawning and then supporting her head against his brother and falling asleep. After all, Shining couldn't stop smiling. Her sister could be a pain sometimes, but he loved her very much like that. Shining laid Twilight cautiously on the blanket and then covered her. She really was a sweet filly.

Shining heard hooves and then he saw his father approaching.

"I see that our little one is already sleeping" he commented, seeing Twilight sleeping.

"Yes" Shining said, looking to his little sister.

"Do you want me take her to her bedroom?" Night Light asked.

"No, I do it, dad" Shining replied, while he was packing his telescope. "Don't worry about it."

Night Light was watching his son and then asked:

"Shining, can I talk to you? Father to Son?"

"Dad, it's not exactly comforting when you ask something like that," Shining replied.

"Son, I noticed how you looked to Cadance. You like her, don't you?"

"Of course not, dad!" he lied, struggling not to blush.

"Shining Armor, you and blushing don't get along very well" Night Light said. "Shining, I'm your father and I've known you since you were born. Not to mention that I've been your age and I already fell in love several times before I met your mother. You can trust me, boy. Or you don't trust in your old man here?"

Shining didn't know if he would or not to reveal his feelings to his father. Yes, he trusted him, but he felt that was something he had to keep it for himself, something he feared losing if he decidesse reveal it. Finally, he gained courage and said:

"Yes, dad, I think... I have a little crush on Cadance."

"I knew it!" Night Light exclaimed.

"Dad, speak lower" Shining said, motioning to Twilight.

"Oh, right" Night Light replied, embarrassed. "But it's just I'm excited because this is your first crush. It's the first, isn't it?"

"Yes" Shining replied. "You know I only have eyes for my dream, dad."

"So, tell me, what did you feel?"

"I can't explain well. it was if everything had vanished from my brain and I could only think about her. My heart was beating strongly, I couldn't take my eyes off her and my body was shaking with nervousness."

"That's exactly what I felt when I fell in love with your mother" Night Light said. "Of course it was not love at first sight, so it wasn't so especial as your moment, but when it happened, it was a magical moment."

"What do I do now, Dad?" Shining asked. "I don't know what to do."

"Son, you only have to do one thing" Night Light replied, placing a hoof on his son's shoulder. "Declare your love for her."

"What, no way! What if she rejects me?"

"I doubt it" Night Light said. "Princess Cadance also seems to like you very much. She is also a pony who can't hide what she feels."

"You really think I should..." Shining began, remembering later what his father had called Cadance. "Wait, did you say Princess Cadance?"

"Ah, yeah, she's an alicorn princess" Night Light. "Just like Princess Celestia. Incidentally, Cadance is her niece. Have not you noticed in her wings?"

Shining really hadn't noticed that. He thought Cadance was a unicorn like him. But it's clear that Shining couldn't take his eyes from Cadance's eyes.

"No, I didn't know" he replied.

"Well, that's really impressive" Night Light said. "Most ponies notice soon enough she has both unicorn horn and pegasus wings. This only proves that your love is really true."

And having said that, he went back into the house.

Shining remained at the same place where he was, still processing what he had just discovered. Cadance was a princess... and he was just an aspiring royal guard. It made him wonder if a relationship between the two of them would be truly possible...

Love at First Sight, Part Two

With Shining's departure to the Academy, Night Light and Velvet had to get a new foalsitter for the little Twilight. Although Starlight volunteered herself to take care of her as she did with Shining, her son and her daughter-in-law thought it was better that she had more time for herself to relax or do what she wanted. When Princess Celestia learned her great adviser needed a foalsitter, she told him that her niece, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, liked to foalsitt and she could take care of Twilight. Although at the beginning Night Light said it was not necessary, Celestia insisted and eventually he accepted. Then she introduced him to Cadance. She was the same age of Shining and she was a beautiful alicorn with a pale, grayish light cerise coat and a dark violet mane with moderate rose and pale gold streaks tied into a ponytail. Despite being young, Cadance had already taken care of many small foals and Night Light knew she was the right pony to take care of Twilight.

Twilight at first didn't like the idea of having a new foalsitter, but when she met Cadance and she showed her how wonderful she was, the little unicorn began to worship her as a best friend, which comforted her parents because their daughter wasn't what their could call a sociable pony. Twilight and Cadance established a bond so strong in those few days and now they seemed inseparable.

Cadance was delighted to be able to take care of a filly like Twilight. With her, she felt very happy. The little unicorn was her biggest challenge as a foalsitter, but at the same time her greatest joy. The little filly's intelligence marveled her at every moment and her love for books was impressive. When she was not playing or reading, Twilight asked Cadance to teach her magic or she talked to her about her BBBFF, or her Big Brother Best Friend Forever, Shining Armor. Twilight spoke so highly of him that it seemed Cadance already knew him. She said he was strong, courageous, loving, funny... everything that made a perfect brother who takes care of his sister as if he depended of her.

When it was Friday evening, Twilight was thrilled. She told to Cadance that Shining Armor was coming for their stargazing night.

"Oh, Cadance, you'll love to meet my brother" Twilight said. "You know, he will be the biggest and the best royal guard of all."

"Yes, Twilight, you already said that a hundred times" Cadance said while brushing Twilight's mane after her bath, in her room.

"He's also very smart and knows many things" she continued. "He also taugh me how to control my magic a little bit."

"He seems to be the best of all brothers" Cadance commented.

"It's because he is the best" Twilight said. "And I'm excited he gets here."

They then heard the front door open and close and a voice saying:

"We're home!"

"Daddy! Mommy! " Twilight called.

She left the room just when Cadance finished brushing her mane, down the stairs and went to the living room, where her parents were, newly arrived. When she saw them, she went give them a hug.

"Hello, my dear" greeted Velvet, stroking her mane.

"Is it everything fine here?" Night Light asked.

"Very well" she said, stopping with the hug. "Cadance is the best foalsitter ever."

"That's good, honey" Night Light said.

Cadance then appeared in the doorway and Velvet said her:

"Thank you for having stayed to take care of her, Cadance. I know you have a lot to study, but..."

"It's okay, Mrs. Velvet" she said. "Taking care of foals is always a pleasure. Especially if they are as sweet as Twilight."

"Well, my dear, you can now go back to the castle" Velvet said.

"What do you say about taking care of Twilight next Monday afternoon?" Night Light asked. "I bet Shining Armor will want to spend the week-end with his sister and enjoy every moment with her, so..."

"For me, it's okay," she replied.

"Well, then it's settled" Night Light said.

Cadance turned to Twilight and said:

"Bye, Twilight."

"Bye, Cadance" she said, waving her hoof.

Cadance then walked to the front door and opened it, but she was so distracted that she collided with her head against something... or somepony. She sat down on the floor to massage the head, realizing that she could only have struck against the head of another pony.

"I'm so sorry" she said.

"It's okay" a male voice asked. "It was an accident."

She then turned to the pony who she had collided with and could see how he looked like. He was a unicorn colt with the same age as her. He had a white coat, as white as the snow, his mane had a perfect combination of moderate sapphire blue, moderate cerulean and dark phthalo blue, besides being combed in a way so natural, but at the same time so elegant, and he had coatless sapphire blue hooves. But what fascinated her the most were his eyes. They had the most beautiful shade of moderate cerulean. Eyes was what she liked admire the most in anypony, because they show exactly how each pony was. They were the mirrors of their souls. She had seen a lots of gazes, but none made her so unsettling as that one. It gave her a sense of security and tranquility. It was such a beautiful gaze that made her heart flutter tremendously and her belly circling. It was the most beautiful and seductive look she had ever seen.

He also was looking into her eyes. They were in that way just a few seconds and then they shifted them, both giving nervous laughters and blushing slightly. They then turned to look at each other again, both smiling, and then the handsome colt extended his hoof to Cadance. She then took it and he helped her standing up.

"Hello" he greeted, unable to say anything more than that.

"Hello" Cadance replied, in the same shy way as him.

The two blushed a little more, staying there for a bit and then a cheery voice interrupted the moment saying:

"Shining!"

Twilight appeared coming from inside and went to the colt, hugging him.

"Hey, Twily!" Shining greeted, hugging her back.

"I missed you so much" she said, separating herself from Shining.

"Come on, sis, it has only been five days."

"But to me it seemed like an eternity."

Cadance gaped. So that's Shining Armor, the pony Twilight talks about the most, Cadance thought. She couldn't believe it. Of course Twilight already told her that Shining was very cute, but Cadance didn't expect he was even cuter than she described. She had never seen a teen colt as handome as him.

Then she noticed the way he interacted with his sister. It looked like that those two had a strong bond, so deep that it reached levels that no other pair of siblings had arrived. Shining really liked his sister, it could be seen clearly.

Velvet and Night Light also appeared at the door .

"Son, it's so good to have you back" Night Light said, giving him a noogie.

"It's also good to be in home, dad" Shining replied.

"Oh, son, but it's good to see you're okay" said Velvet, embracing Shining strongly.

"Mom, look out, you still choke me" said Shining, trying to free himself from his mother's strong hug.

Cadance struggled to not give a little laugh. The way his parents and his sister treated him and loved him, only showed how Shining was really special. It was really something to admire.

"Sorry, son" Velvet apologized, releasing Shining. "But the fact that you're away from me makes me so worried."

"Anyway, Shining, let me introduce you to Cadance" Night Light said, gesturing to her.

"Hey" she said softly, smiling.

"Hey" Shining replied, returning her the smile.

"Cadance has been Twilight's new foalsitter since you went to the Academy" Velvet said. "It was a way to give more rest to your grandmother.

"And it's a well deserved rest" Night Light said. "It gives her more time to venture out on her crazy adventures."

That made everypony loose a laugh.

"She is the best foalsitter, B.B.B.F.F.." Twilight said. "No offense, Shining."

"Don't worry, Twily" Shining said, stroking her mane. "Of course I'm not offended. If you say she is, it's because it's true."

That made Cadance blush a little. He then turned to her and told her:

"I hope my sister didn't give you too much trouble."

"Oh no, she's a sweetheart" she replied. "It's the best filly I ever foalsitt."

Cadance just wanted to spend more time with Shining, only to continue feeling that great feeling she was experiencing, the feeling she spread to other ponies as her special talent.

"Cadance, I think it's better you get going" Night Light said. "It's getting dark and your aunt may get worried."

"Yes, of course" Cadance nodded, turning to Twilight. "Goodbye again, Twilight."

"Bye, Cadance" Twilight said, hugging her.

"Once again, thank you for taking care of Twilight this afternoon" Velvet thanked.

"It was a pleasure" she replied politely and smilling.

"See you next Monday afternoon" Night Light said.

"Bye" she replied, turning to Shining and smiling at him, making him blush very lightly.

She found that blushing extremely adorable. Shining had a pinkish shade that made him even more handsome than he already was. Cadance then started to walk away, towards to the castle. As she walked, she looked up at the sky and saw that his Aunt Celestia had already set the sun and began ascending the moon. It was not long until the stars appear one after other to decorate the sky in a dazzling way. She sighed. The night was even more beautiful than usual. It had a supernatural glow Cadance never noticed until now.

She arrived at the castle entrance and entered, being greeted with bows by the guards. When she entered, she started going to her room. Halfway, she met her Aunt Celestia.

"Good evening, Aunt Celestia" she greeted in a long dreamy sigh.

"Good evening, Cadance" Celestia greeted, noticing immediately in that dreamily air her niece had. "What happened, Cadance? You look so... happy."

"Well, it's a beautiful night" Cadance said, continuing to advance to her room.

"Indeed it is" Celestia agreed, following her. "But I think it's not only the night. Am I right?"

Cadance knew she couldn't hide anything from her Aunt Celestia. After all, she was in that life for centuries. Then she turned to her and said with a huge smile:

"Today I met this beautiful colt, Aunt Celestia."

Celestia smiled and said:

"And by your smile, he stole your heart at first sight, right?"

"I don't know if I'm truly in love, but..." Cadance began, trying to find words to describe what she was feeling. "I don't know, he touched me in a way no other colt ever has. I felt myself safed and happy with him, but at the same time..."

"Nervous and insecured?" Celestia asked.

Cadance nodded. Celestia smiled and said, placing a hoof on her shoulder:

"Honey, that is love. Pure love. Now, answer me one question. Does this colt feel the same for you?"

"Well..." Cadance started, remembering how Shining had the same nervousness and shyness behavior with her that she had with him. "I think so..."

"That's good" Celestia said. "The feeling is true only if it is reciprocated. What is this your special pony's name?"

"His name is... Shining Armor" Cadance replied shyly, blushing slightly.

"Shining Armor?" Celestia asked. "You're talking about Night Light and Twilight Velvet's son?"

Cadance nodded. Celestia then smiled more and said:

"Good choice. He is really the most responsible and honored colt I know. Captain White Light himself says he has a great future in the Royal Guard. I wish you lot of luck with him."

And having said this, she walked away. Cadance was happy for her aunt supporting her. That made her feel more confident with what she was feeling. But she couldn't stop thinking about in what Shining should be thinking about her. It could even be that he liked her as she liked him, but Cadance didn't know if he thought that, because she is a princess, she would be selfish and snob like many other princesses, and she was pretending be good girl to the others. Of course she knew she was exaggerating because Shining, like everypony said, shouldn't care for these stereotypes. Besides, Twilight now should have begun to tell him how Cadance was. However, the fear of being rejected was so much that made her think about meaningless things.

Star Shield's Story

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Confrontation

Shining and Twilight left their grandmother's house and began to go back to their home. Along the way, Twilight saw somepony Shining didn't expect to find.

"Cadance!"

Indeed, Cadance reached their side, as beautiful as ever. Narrowly avoiding her mesmerizing eyes, Shining then noticed her wings and also her Cutie Mark, which was a crystal heart with golden ornaments around the under part.

"Hello, Twilight" she said, hugging her. "How are you?"

"I'm fantastic" she said. "I and my B.B.B.F.F. went to our grandmother's house and she gave me a doll."

"Really?" Cadance asked. "Let me see it."

Twilight then showed Smarty Pants to Cadance who smiled and said:

"She's very beautiful. And you know what I like the most about your doll?"

"What?"

"Despite appearing to look old, that only makes it much more beautiful."

Shining was fascinated with Cadance's words. She really knew how to win a foal's sympathy. Because of that, it was not hard to know how Twilight came to get fascinated with what Cadance had said. Thinking it was the perfect opportunity to make his presence felt, he came over and greeted her:

"Hello, Cadance."

"Oh, hello, Shining Armor" Cadance said.

"Please, just call me Shining" he said, blushing lightly, as he scratched the back of his head.

"Okay, as you like... Shining" Cadance replied, laughing.

"And how do you want me to call you?" Shining asked jokingly. "Cadance or Princess Cadance."

"You can call me anything but my princess name: Mi Amore Cadenza" she said.

Shining laughed slightly, not because of her name, but because she had told him that he could call her whatever he wanted. The two exchanged a few glances and Twilight, tired of being ignored, said:

"Well, can you stop flirting, please? I wanna go home."

When she said the word flirting both Cadance and Shining blushed. The young colt then told Twilight:

"Twily, I already told you to not say that."

"But you do look like a couple of lovebirds" she commented.

That made the two teenagers blush even more and Shining, who didn't want to be embarrassed anymore, said:

"Come on, let's go home."

"Goodbye, Cadance" Twilight said, as she and Shining walked away.

Cadance saw them turn away, smiling sweetly. Shining hastened to walk, so Twilight had to practically run to keep up with him. He never thought that an approach like that could have gone so wrong. They say that foals are the perfect image of sincerity, but he thought Twilight had too much sincerity. And she was not very subtle in her comments. But also what could be expected from a small filly like her?

To Shining's great relief, and at the same time to his chagrin, in the next day, he didn't meet with Cadance. She should have a lot of princess work or studies to do.

Then Monday came and Shining had to get up early to catch the train that would take him and the other recruits back to the Academy. After going to give a goodbye kiss to Twilight, who was still asleep, and say goodbye to his parents, Shining caught in his saddlebags and headed to the train station. When it was almost time for the train to appear, Blue appeared gasping.

"Phew, I got here in time" he said, relieved.

"But what happened?" Shining asked. "There's only some seconds left for the train to arrive. If you had come any later, you would have missed it."

"I know" he replied, trying to catch his breath. "But my family and I went to spent the week-end out and we returned yesterday when it was at almost midnight."

They heard a whistle and the train arrived. They rushed to get in and when the others entered the train began to move. Shining and Blue searched for the train and found a compartment just for them. There, Blue began telling to Shining his week-end with his family. They had gone to pass it in the Neighagra Falls, where they camped. Blue shared with Shining all his experiences and complained about Dhalia and everything she did to annoy him. Shining was amused to hear his best friend's stories, but eventually he finished and then asked him:

"What about you? How was your week-end?

Shining was spared to respond when the train started to slow down at the Royal Guard Academy train station.

"I'll tell you later" he said. "Now, I think it's better we go put our things in the dormitory and prepare ourselves to the combate lessons with Lightning Bolt."

They then left the train, entered in the Academy and went soon enough to his dormitory, where they put their stuff and dressed their uniform quickly. They also crossed with Fire Punch, but quickened their pace, not wanting to cause trouble with him.

During the rest of the day, Shining was with his head in the clouds. He couldn't stop thinking about Cadance and all her beauty and kindness. This thought seemed to give forces to Shining in a way that left all the others really impressed. After an exhausting begining of the week, the recruits took a bath and after they ate. Shining, unlike the others, instead of going to the common room that was next to the canteen, went straight to the dormitory. Blue noticed this and then Fire Punch made one of his malicious comments:

"It seems that our dear friend Shining is already tired of all the fuss. He mustn't be able to stand up, and only had spent a week."

Trying to ignore the anger and the contempt he felt for Fire Punch, Blue went to Shining. He found him in the dormitory, lying on his bed staring dreamily at the ceiling. Blue knew his friend enough to recognize their expressions, but that was a new one. He seemed to be in complete bliss. He approached and asked:

"Do you want to tell me why you're so happy?"

Shining got out from his dreamy state and then turned down and saw Blue.

"Oh, it's you" he said.

"Who were you waiting for?" Blue asked. "Fire Punch."

"Bite your tongue" Shining replied. "He may appear and I don't want him to ruin my mood."

"And I asked again" said Blue. "Why are you so happy all of a sudden?"

Shining sighed. He knew he could trust in Blue to tell something like that. Besides, he could always count with his advice.

"Okay, I'll tell you."

He jumped down and they sat on Blue's bed, where Shining started:

"Something happened this weekend. Something... I can't explain how it happened."

"I think starting at the beginning always is a good start" Blue said. "I know it's a cliché, but it's a good truth."

Shining laughed and then continued:

"Well, all started after I went home. I got there and when I went in, the door opened and I bumped into the most beautiful filly I've ever seen."

"Whoa, wait a second" Blue said. "Are you telling me you felt in love?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that" Shining said. "I would say... Yes, it can be said that I felt in love.

"But... but that is fantastic!" Blue exclaimed, slapping on his friend's back. "And how is she? I mean, you've said that she's pretty, but do I know her?"

"Hardly" Shining replied. "She is my sister's new foalsitter and is well ... Princess Celestia's niece."

Those last words of Shining made Blue stay with an appalled look.

"Wait, you're in love with Princess Cadance?"

"You know her?" Shining asked.

"My father's royal guard, remember? He said that Princess Celestia's niece had come to take magic lessons from her."

"Yes, and the funny thing is that when I met her, I didn't realize she was a princess. I didn't even notice that she had a horn and wings."

"Well, love is blind, after all."

"Well said. It was enough to me just bump against her, look her in the eyes and fell in love."

There was a pause and then Blue said:

"But who'd have thought it? And tell me,have you declared yourself already?"

"Are you crazy?!" asked Shining. "Me?! Declare myself to her? Declare myself to a princess? Most likely she'll reject me."

"And have you tried yet?"

"Well... no. But it's obvious that it will happen. Look at me. I'm a aspiring royal guard who is content only with the most essential things and she is a princess used to getting everything she wants. Do you think she'll want a pony like me? And even if she did want me, what do you think everypony will say about it? No, I think it's better keep what I feel for myself."

"You know, Shining, I never thought you could surprise me so much" Blue said. "I mean, you, the most courageous and determined pony I know, giving up on something without even trying? I never thought to get to the day I would see that happen."

"But, Blue..."

"No ifs, ands or buts. Look at me, Shining Armor, and hear what I'm going to say very carefully. You love Cadance and not because she's a princess. That is what you must show to everypony. Don't give importance to what others say. You don't need a princess to be a great royal guard, because you can do it on your own merit. And if she rejects you, there are more fillies around."

Shining smiled. He had made the right decision in trusting on Blue. He had caused Shining saw with a more optimistic view what he felt for Cadance.

"So?" Blue asked. "What are you gonna do now?"

"You know what, Blue? You are right about what you said. When I see Cadance the next time, I'll go straight to her and ask her to go on a date."

"That's the spirit, bro" Blue said. "And I wish you all the luck of Equestria."

"Thanks, man" Shining said.

The two then bumped their hooves.

During the rest of the week, Shining couldn't wait the weekend to come. When Friday came and he arrived to Canterlot, he returned home and, when he was arriving, he saw Cadance leaving the house. It was his opportunity and he had to take it. It was now or never. He approached her and called:

"Cadance, wait."

She turned and saw Shining approaching.

"Shining, it's so good to see you again" she said. "How was your week? The trainings at the academy have been hard, no?"

"You'r right about that" Shining agreed, already beginning to blush. "Cadance, I wanted to ask you something."

"What?"

"I was wondering if... if you..."

It was hard for Shining to articulate what he want to say, but he had to do it, he had to.

"If I what, Shining?"

"If you... want to... go out with me."

There was a pause in which Cadance blushed a little and said:

"Are you asking me to go on a date with you?"

"I know, it's a silly invitation" Shining said. "As if you ever wanted to go on a date with me. I mean, I bet I don't make your type, but..."

But Cadance silenced him by placing her hoof on his lips and say:

"Shining, it would be an honor to go out with you."

That left Shining perplexed and filled with joy.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes" she replied. "The truth is I hoped you would feel for me what I feel for you."

"And what do you feel for me?" Shining asked with a slight smile.

"A feeling that I hope it can evolve a lot with our date" Cadance said.

The two looked at each other intensely, both blushing, not for being embarrassed but for the happiness they were feeling, and then Shining asked:

"Can we meet tomorrow at ten o'clock at the alicorn sisters fountain? "

"Yes, of course" Cadance replied.

"Well, then... see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, bye"

The two began to follow their own ways, exchanging glances with each other in the first passes. When Shining came home, he was soon greeted by his energetic little sister and his parents. As it was usual, Shining and Twilight had their stargazing night, but in that night, Shining could admire the beauty of stars as he had never admired before. It seemed that they shone even more just for him. It was not long until Twilight fell asleep and he had to take her to her room. When he finally laid down on his bed, Shining smiled, knowing that the next day would surely be one of the best days of his life.

The First Date

Shining woke up early in that Saturday morning. He woke up before his parents, who were the early risers of the house, unlike him who was often the last one to wake up. That was a very important day for him and Shining wanted to be at his best.

He got down to the kitchen where there he prepared a big breakfast, making pancakes with strawberry syrup, preparing the oats and the juice and then barring Twilight's toasts with raspberry jam, as she liked. When his parents woke up and came down, they become speechless when they found the breakfast on the table and Shining had already eaten his.

"You're already awake?" Night Light asked, impressed.

"And you made breakfast?" Velvet asked, openmouthed.

"Yes and yes" Shining replied, finishing his pancakes and drinking his orange juice. "Today I woke up full of energy and in a good mood."

He stood up, going to take the dishes into the sink in the kitchen with their parents observing him, still speechless at what they were just watching. When Shining returned from the kitchen, he asked:

"Do you mind if I spend the day out. I have something very important to do today."

"No, of course not, son" Night Light answered, quietly. "Today, by chance, is our day off."

"Perfect!" he exclaimed, gleefully. "I think I'll take a shower and prepare myself."

And having said this , he climbed up the stairs. His parents, still stunned, sat down at the table and Velvet asked:

"But what's wrong with him?"

"If you ask my opinion, there's nothing wrong with him" Night Light said, wondering what could give such a huge happiness to his son. "But you know what? He reminds me of when I was his age and I had my first date."

"Wait, do you think that's the very important thing he has to do today is a date?"

"It would explain his joy."

"I can't believe it" Velvet said, smiling. "Our son at his first date. And to think that not long ago he was a newborn foal."

"Time passes and kids grow up" Night Light said.

"But who do you think is this filly with whom he will go out with?"

"I'm not sure, but I have a suspicion of who she is."

Shining Armor went to the bathroom and took a long shower. After that, he looked himself in the mirror and began to arrange his coat and mane, washing the teeth with the toothpaste which could give him a great fresh breath and after that he polished his hooves. He took up so much time in the bathroom that, when he finished, he saw that it was half past nine. He left the bathroom, down the stairs, said goodbye to his family, dealing with questions from Twilight (who was already awake) about where he was going, and then left the house.

He went to the alicorn sisters fountain and when he arrived he saw that there was nopony there. He must have been the first to arrive, because, after all, it was not yet ten. When the ten o'clock arrived, she didn't show up, or after a few minutes. When it had passed ten minutes from the appointed time, Shining sighed sadly. Probably, she thought better and decided not to appear. When he was preparing to go away, he heard a voice saying:

"Sorry I'm late."

He turned and then encountered Cadance. She was immensely beautiful, more beautiful than usual. Her mane, before picked up by a ponytail, was loose and wavy, her coat shone with the sunlight and her eyes were more beautiful than ever. She had also brought a dress that, besides looking good in her, also covered her wings. It was probably a way to get overlooked.

"I hope you have not been waiting so much" Cadance said, approaching. "I could have come earlier, but I lost track of time when I was deciding what to wear."

"It's okay" Shining said blushing slightly.

"Wow, you're amazing" Cadance commented, looking to Shining's well-cared look.

"Well, thank you, Cadance" Shining thanked, blushing even more. "But of course it's nothing compared to you. You're more beautiful than usual. In fact, there is no words to describe you right now."

That made Cadance also blush. They stood a moment in complete silence and then Shining cleared his voice and said:

"Shall we?"

"Yes,of course."

They started walking and then Shining asked:

"Do you want to go somewhere in special?"

"Well, I was hoping you could show me Canterlot" Cadance replied. "I have not had much time to get to know the city, and since you grew up here..."

"As you wish" Shining said.

So, Shining began to show Cadance the city. He showed her his favorite places, such as the bookstore where he used to go buy his favorite books and stories to read to Twilight before she fall asleep, besides being the best place for meditation, or places that he knew Cadance would like, like the antique store of the city, where there were several very fascinating and ancient objects. Cadance marveled with that and Shining, spending time with her in that place, also learned to see the beauty and elegance in ancient objects, the value they had and their unique characteristics. When it wasn't pass too much from midday, Shining's stomach grunted.

"Oops, looks like I'm a little hungry" he said, blushing slightly and scratching his neck.

Cadance laughed slightly and then said:

"You know what, I think I would also eat something right now. Do you know some nice place where we can have a good meal?"

Shining didn't need to think twice on that subject.

"I know the perfect place."

Shining then took her to a restaurant near the park. It was a pretty nice place, with a terrace where the ponies could eat and enjoy the fresh air and daylight. At that time, the interior was very crowded due to be lunch time so Shining and Cadance got into one of the terrace tables.

"But what a beautiful place" Cadance commented.

"It belongs to the family of a friend of mine" Shining said. "A great friend. He is the one who persuaded me to... well, to ask you to go out with me."

"So I thing we have to thank him for this date?"

"You can say that."

The two exchanged a laugh and then heard a voice saying:

"Do you want something?"

They looked and then saw Blue, with a big smile.

"Blue, my friend, it's so good to see you" Shining said. "I was just talking about you."

"Good things, I hope" he joked, then turning to Cadance and greeting her with a slight bow. "Welcome, Princess Cadance. My name is Blue Sword. I'm Shining's best friend and colleague."

"Please, call me Cadance" she said, always keeping her friendly smile. "The Princess thing makes everything too formal for me."

"As you wish" Blue said, bowing his head gently.

"Pay no attention to Blue" Shining said to Cadance. "He likes to be very cordial."

"It's the faster and more practical way to establish a relationship of friendship" Blue said. "Well, but let's move on, what will you wish?"

"Wait, you're really taking orders?" Shining asked, surprised. "I thought you hated do it because of that problem of yours with memory."

"And thank you for sharing this information in front of other ponies, Shining" Blue thanked sarcastically, making Cadance laugh. "And, in fact, I shouldn't be taking orders, but Dahlia remembered to go out with her coltfriend and leave all work to me."

"Well, then it's best to facilitate it to you" Shining said. "For me it can be one of those fantastic salad, tomato and daffodils sandwiches your mother knows to do so well."

"Right away" said Blue, taking notes on a pad, using his magic.

"And for you, Cadance?" Shining asked.

"For me can be the same" she said. "You made this sandwich sound so delicious that gave me the will to try it."

"So are two salad, tomato and daffodils sandwiches" Blue said, eventually writing everything down. "And to drink?"

"Apple juice" Shining said.

"For me, a lemonade" Cadance said.

Blue just take notes and then said:

"I'll be right back."

And he turned away, going into the restaurant. While waiting for their lunch, Shining and Cadance talked. They talked about them, about their lives and what they liked to do. Shining found out Cadance came from a land outside of Equestria where she and her family lived, having been blessed with both unicorn horn and pegasus wings at birth. He also discovered she liked walking through beautiful places, reading, music, and especially foalsitting. Cadance also told him how she discovered she could fix the love between two ponies with her magic and that was why she received her Cutie Mark, story that left Shining amazed.

"What fantastic story!" Shining exclaimed. "A good way to get a Cutie Mark."

"Thank you" Cadance thanked. "Of course it's not as fantastic as the way you have obtained yours."

"What do you mean?"

"Twilight told me how you saved her when she fell down the stairs, using your protective magic. It was an act of sheer bravery and love."

Shining blushed when she praised the way how he saved his sister. Then Blue returned, bringing via levitation a tray with Shining and Cadance's food.

"Here you have" he said, placing the plates and the glasses on the table. "And it's on the house."

"Oh, Blue, you and your family don't have to do this" Shining said.

"Shining, you're family" he replied. "Enjoy, okay? Have a nice lunch."

And then he walked away.

"You must be really good friends" Cadance commented.

"We're best friends since our first day of school" Shining said. "We have been supporting each other since then and we share the same dream and tastes. He's a great friend."

The two then ate their respective lunch continuing to know each other better and, after eating, they bade farewell to Blue and his family and left. Shining then decided to take Cadance in a stroll through the park. He knew she already should know it, because Twilight liked to go there, but he could show Cadance places there that she couldn't know. They spent a long and peaceful time together, laughing and talking. With each passing moment, Shining felt increasingly drawn to Cadance and he could feel the feeling was mutual.

Later, they went to a candy store for a snack and then they strolled through the gardens of Canterlot, full of many magnificent and interesting statues (except one of a creature with pony head, deer antler, goat leg, lion pawn, bat wings and a snake tail that gave him chills).

Then the day began to end. It could be seen the sky was starting have orange shades mixed with its usual shade of blue. Cadance turned to Shining and said:

"It seems that our date is finishing. It's a shame. I got a lot of fun with you, Shining."

"And I with you, Cadance" he said. "But you know, this is not over. I've a surprise for you."

"For me? What?"

"Come with me."

Shining took her hoof and began to take her to the where Canterlot was laying. They began to climb. Shining, which was already used to make that climb, no longer got tired, but Cadance tired quickly. Seeing that, Shining crouched down and told her:

"Come on..."

"No, I can't do that" Cadance said. "I would only make you get tired."

"Believe me, I don't care about it" Shining replied. "What matters to me is that you're as comfortable as possible."

Cadance smiled because nopony had never been so kind to her as Shining was being. He approached him and said:

"Look, I'm heavier than I look."

"I can handle it" Shining said confidently.

Cadance then climbed onto the Shining's back and he, using all his strength, stood up. He stumbled a bit, but quickly stabilized. Cadance was worried about him, but Shining, determined, moved forward, slowly but firmly. They eventually arrived where Shining wanted to go and when they arrived, he kneeled down so Cadance could get out of his back. She was astonish for what she was seeing. That part of the mountain had a beautiful field of beautiful flowers of various colors. But the view was the most impressived. They were able to have a perfect perception of the sun setting in the sea to the west. She had no words to describe it.

"This is... wonderful!" she exclaimed. "I never thought there could be a place like this in Canterlot."

"I found it a few years ago when I was doing a hike through the mountain. It's been my hiding place ever since."

"And you wanted to share it with me?" Cadance asked, not wanting to believe. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything" Shining said, approaching her. "I promised myself that I would only bring here a pony that was very special to me, a pony that would make me happy, except my family. And I think this pony... is you, Cadance."

"Oh, Shining..." she said.

He then handed to her a beautiful blue lily, saying:

"Cadance, they say lilies represent eternal love. That's what I want our love be: immortal. I want us to be together forever. So, Cadance, offering you this lily before this sunset in this beautiful place, I ask you: do you want to be my marefriend?"

Cadance got no reaction to Shining's question. It had been the most romantic question she had ever heard. The place, the flowers, the sunset... everything was so perfect. But what was really perfect was Shining's words and the way how he had said them. It only showed the immense love he had for her and Cadance could feel it, not only with her magic, but also with her heart. She had never had a colfriend before, nor kissed anypony, but she knew exactly who would be the first colt to share with her that moment so special.

Taking the lily and then smelling it, smiling, she turned to Shining and then, without warning, gave him a passionate kiss on his lips. At first, he was taken aback, but after two seconds he spent to savor that kiss. He had never kissed truly a filly before, but he never thought it was something so incredible and magical. Cadance's lips were so soft as silk and had a sweet taste of berries. That kiss did more than pleasing Shining. It made his heart flutter at such a speed that he was afraid it would jumped out off his chest and his stomach was jumping out of joy. Cadance felt the same feeling as she was kissing Shining, knowing at the time who was the stallion of her dreams. The two eventually separate themselves and then Cadance replied:

"Yes, Shining, I want to be your marefriend."

Shining was still stunned by the kiss he had just received. He tried to find words to say, but he couldn't get any. So, having nothing else to say, he smiled, with Cadance smiling back, and then the two embraced each other. Feeling the appealing aroma of Cadance's mane, emerged in Shining's mind four words that he said almost immediately:

"I love you, Cadance."

She replied:

"I love you too, Shining Armor."

And then the two were just hugging each other, watching that wonderful sunset that brought them together.

At the Grand Galloping Gala

Shining could not be happier in his life. He had some great parents, a wonderful sister, a truthful friend and the best marefriend anypony could have, and things at the Academy were going very well. Everything was perfect. Well, almost perfect. Fire Punch was the only factor in his life that really irritated him, but Shining quickly learned to ignore him.

Whenever he returned home on weekends, he tryied to get as much time as possible with Cadance, going on dates with her. Of course he sometimes tried to take Twilight with them, so she wouldn't get that much jealous that he spend more time with Cadance and not with her. For other teen fillies, Twilight could be a major annoyance, but Cadance really liked to have Twilight around, even if it was in her dates with Shining, and she liked to see how Shining cared for her. Twilight also seemed like a lot her B.B.B.F.F. was dating her best foalsitter ever.

Despite Shining and Cadance had managed to keep their relationship a secret, only revealing it to ponies of their inner circle, such as family and close friends, the news that Princess Cadance was hanging out with somepony had spread at the speed of light, though nopony knew who her colfriend was. However, whenever Shining and Cadance wanted some privacy for themselves, they had their special place, the place where they started dating, that became the perfect hiding place.

In a weekend, Shining returned home.

"I'm home!" he declared.

He went to the living room where he found his parents and his sister sitting on the couch, concentrated in two envelopes that were in Night Light's hooves.

"What's up?" Shining asked, full of curiosity. "What is that envelopes?"

"Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!" Twilight exclaimed, all happy.

"Ah, yeah, it's coming, right?" Shining said.

"It is in the next weekend and your father and I got the tickets" Velvet said, showing to Shining two golden tickets which were in one of the envelopes.

"So does that means I have to take care of Twilight?" Shining asked.

"Well, we'll see that" Night Light said. "After all, you got a letter from Cadance, too."

And he showed him the other envelope he was holding.

"She wrote me a letter?" Shining asked, approaching and using his magic to bring the letter to him.

"She had to go back to the castle early, and knowing that you'd come today, she gave us this letter to give you."

Shining took the letter in his hooves and put it to his muzzle. He felt the faint scent of Cadance's perfume. It was really hers. He opened the envelope and the first thing he saw was just a golden ticket, the same as their parents'.

"But this is... a ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala" he said in disbelief.

He took the letter, opened it, seeing Cadance's elegant calligraphy, and read it:

My dear Shining Armor,

I hope you forgive me for not being there to tell you, except through this letter, but my royal duties have me busy. Despite being very busy, I can only think of you. For that reason, I want to ask you something.

As you probably already know, the Grand Galloping Gala is coming and, as a princess, I have to make a formal appearance. However, I didn't want to be alone in a big gala. I know you don't like formal parties, but I wonder if you could be my escort. My Aunt Celestia managed to get me an extra ticket and I'm now offering it to you.

Please, send me an answer as soon as you can. If you accept it, come get me at my room at nine o'clock.

With all the love and desperation to see you,

Cadance

He finished reading and then said:

"Cadance want me to be her date in the Grand Galloping Gala."

"That's wonderful, son!" Velvet said.

Shining turned to his parents and asked them:

"You knew this?"

" Well, we had a slight suspicion" Night Light said smiling slightly.

"Does this mean that we'll all to the Grand Galloping Gala?" Twilight asked, excitedly.

"No, my little one" Velvet said, approaching her. "This means I, daddy and Shining will go to the gala. But you'll stay here. The gala is only for grown ponies."

"Oh!" Twilight exclaimed sadly, disappointed.

Shining was not on himself. Cadance wanted him to be her date. Did this mean she wanted to formalize their relationship? If it was, Shining was not sure if he was ready for it.

"I'll go to my room" he said, starting to climb up the stairs.

When he got there, he threw the letter and the ticket on the bed and began to pace back and forth thinking about what he would do. He didn't really like formal parties. The idea of wearing a tuxedo or something like that made him uncomfortable. He liked the freedom of running and moving. But in a formal party, he felt so trapped and shy. He couldn't be himself. But then he thought in Cadance. She had asked him to go because she would feel herself alone. Perhaps the thought that maybe she wanted to formalize their relationship had been a little silly, but when Shining went into emotional nervousness, he could not think how it should be. Now he was calm and thought better, he knew what to do.

He went to his desk, sat down, took a sheet of parchment and then a quill and ink with his magic, and began to write:

My dear Cadance,

I received your letter and invitation and now I send you my answer, as you asked.

You're right, this type of party is not quite my thing, but if it is just to make you company, I don't mind to sacrifice myself just to see you happy. You can count on me. I'll get you to your room at the appointed hour.

With love,

Shining Armor

After finishing the letter, he sealed it and then, in the morning, handed it to his father, before he go to work, so he could deliver it to Cadance, which he gladly accepted.

The next week passed quickly and then came the night of the Grand Galloping Gala. Shining was busy in his room wearing his tuxedo. After tightening his tie bow, he concentrated on his mane, giving it an arrangement with his hoof. When he was satisfied, he smiled and said to his reflection:

"Shining Armor, you're perfect."

He then left the room and went down, finding his parents were ready to leave. His father wore a tuxedo like him and his mother was wearing a beautiful plum color dress and a pearl necklace around her neck. When she saw Shining getting down, she said:

"Wow, dear, you are wonderful!"

"In fact, my boy, you're quite stylish" his father said. "The tuxedo suits you very well."

"Perhaps, but discomfort beats elegance" replied Shining, as he adjusted the collar of his shirt.

Then he looked and saw Twilight nearby, sulking. She had been like that since she got to know she couldn't go to the gala. Shining approached her and said:

"Come on, Twily, don't be grumpy?"

But she just turned her face, still pouting.

"Hey, you will enjoy yourself too" Shining said. "This time, I was the one who got a foalsitter for you."

"I doubt that I'll have any fun" she muttered. "No foalsitter will be as good as grandma, you or Cadance."

"It's funny, that's exactly what you said about Cadance" Velvet said. "Except the part that you didn't mentioned Cadance in that time."

"This is different" Twilight said. "Cadance is the greatest foalsitter in all the history of foalsitters!"

"I don't doubt about it" Shining replied. "But I think you'll like very much of this one."

They heard a knock at the door and Shining opened it. Who appeared was nothing less than Blue Sword. Seeing him, Twilight rose just by looking at him, expectant.

"Wow, man, you look very dapper" Blue said, seeing Shining dressed in his tuxedo, saying it with a certain tone of irony."

"Oh, shut up" Shining said, rolling his eyes as Blue came in, laughing. "I'm glad you came."

"Blue, are you sure you don't mind staying with Twilight?" Night Light asked.

"Of course not, Uncle Night Light" Blue replied. "It will be a pleasure."

"Wait a minute" Twilight said, approaching. "Is Blue the pony who will take care of me?"

"But of course" Shining replied, stroking Twilight's mane. "Did you think I would let anypony else take care of my dear little sister?"

"I hope you're not disappointed" Blue said.

"Are you kidding?" Twilight asked, changing to her state of joy. "I'm very glad it's you who will take care of me."

That made everypony laugh up. After saying goodbye to Twilight, Shining and his parents left, heading to the castle. There were already many ponies approaching there. After they gave their tickets to the guards of the entrance, the family entered. Shining was amazed. He had never really been inside the castle. The foyer was really huge. At the top of the staircase, before it was split in two, was Princess Celestia, receiving the guests.

"Your Majesty, once again, thank you very much for your kindness for inviting us to the Grand Galloping Gala" Night Light thanked, as he, Velvet and Shining made a bow.

"It is a pleasure, Night Light" she said. "Consider it as a thank you gift for all your work."

She then turned to Shining and said, smiling slightly:

"It's a pleasure to see you, Shining Armor. You've grown a lot since the last time I saw you."

"Thank you, princess" Shining thanked, slightly bowing his head, blushing slightly.

"Cadance is waiting for you in her room" Celestia said. "I'll tell you where it is."

"I'm very grateful, Princess Celestia" Shining thanked cordially.

After Princess Celestia have indicated him where was Cadance's room, Shining went to there to get her, because it was almost the time they combined. But when he got there, he faced with nothing less than Fire Punch, who wore a brown tuxedo.

"You?" Fire Punch asked, taken aback. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing" Shining replied also surprised to see Fire Punch.

"I received the invitation through my father" he said. "Although I didn't know that they handed the golden ticket to anypony."

"For your information, my father is one of Princess Celestia's advisors and she managed to get a ticket for me" Shining replied.

Shining could see that Fire Punch had been surprised by that revelation, which gave to the young unicorn some pleasure, seeing his rival's arrogance shrinking.

"I see..." Fire Punch said, recovering his normal arrogance. "But you know the ball is not here, right? Don't tell me you're here to try your luck with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza."

When he said that, Shining felt an immense anger bursting within him, different from the others fits of rage he already felt towards Fire Punch. Was it jealousy?

"And what if I have?" he replied. "What does that have to do with you."

"Nothing" Fire Punch said. "But if she refused to come with me, what chance do you think you have? She will dump you before you can even speak."

And he moved forward, giggling. Shining really hated that pony, but he couldn't resist but smiling in what he said about Cadance refusing to go with him to the ball. He would have loved to have seen that.

He then came to the door of Cadance's room. He took a deep breath and then knocked. Then he heard Cadance's voice coming from inside saying:

"Go away, Fire Punch, I told you I don't wanna go with you!"

"I'm sure he realized that the first time" Shining replied, smiling.

"Shining, is it really you?" Cadance asked.

"You offend me for asking such a thing" he joked.

He heard footsteps approaching the door and then it was opened, revealing Cadance. Shining gaped when he saw her. She was so beautiful, wearing a magnificent baby blue dress with golden adornments at the edges and at the waist and her hooves donning crystal shoes. Her smooth and silky mane had turned into beautiful curls with a crown made of silk lines decorated with flowers, but there was one in particular that caught Shining's attention. It was located just behind Cadance's right ear: a blue lily.

"Wow, you're wonderful!" Shining exclaimed.

"Thank you" Cadance thanked. "You too. That tuxedo really favors you a lot."

Shining blushed with that compliment of Cadance.

"Thanks" he thanked. "Despite I don't feel myself very comfortable with it."

That made Cadance give a slight laugh.

"And that flower..." Shining said, stroking her hair around the lily behind her ear.

"You noticed it" she said, smiling.

"How could I have not noticed? It's the lily I gave you when I asked you to be my marefriend. But how can it still living?"

"I cast a spell on it so it will never wilt or die. This lily is now immortal, like our love."

That made Shining doing one of his loving smiles. The two then exchanged a kiss and the young unicorn extended his hoof to the beautiful princess and asked:

"Shall we?"

Cadance waved and gave her hoof to Shining. The two then headed to the ball. They then entered in the ballroom where there were lots of ponies, many of them from the high society. The most of them was watching Cadance and Shining entering. He felt himself quite uncomfortable. Cadance, noticing that, said in his ear:

"Relax, you'll be fine."

Shining waved, smiling. He then looked around. He could see his parents, who watched with pride along with Princess Celestia by their side. Captain White Light was also there, wearing his armor, accompanied by his wife. But what gave him a lot of pleasure was seeing Fire Punch with his idiotic look seeing his biggest nemesis with the most spoken young princess of all, princess that he tried to court but without success. Cadance led Shining to places where there were fewer ponies for them to stay at ease, but they ended up having to change places almost every two minutes. Tired of all that, they decided they had to find time to themselves, away from that whole crowd. So Cadance whispered into Shining's ear:

"What do you think if we go to a quieter place?"

Shining waved and then the two went to the castle gardens and Cadance led him to a part of the garden surrounded by plants, where there was a gazebo with a bank circling the inside.

"Wow, this is beautiful" Shining commented, looking around, as they climbed to the gazebo and sat on the bench.

"Yeah, I like to come here when I want to have peace and quiet" Cadance replied. "As you shared with me your secret place on the mountain, I thought I could share mine with you."

Shining smiled and said:

"And I feel very honored for you to want to share it with me."

Then they started to kiss each other. They stood for a few minutes, stroking each other. Shining felt himself so good, as he was there with the mare of his dreams. It was then that he began to hear the music coming from the ballroom and had an idea. He separated his lips from Cadance's and then stood up, saying to Cadance with his extended hoof:

"May I have this dance, princess?"

She smiled and then handed her hoof to Shining who lifted her and then they started dancing together. It was the first time they did something like that, but they made the steps with a great harmonious and synchronized way. They let themselves be carried away by the music, with Shining leading and Cadance with her head resting on Shining's shoulder. And they stayed that way for the rest of the night, dancing together.

Going to the Hoofball Stadium

Finally, the time Shining most expected had arrived: summer vacations. It was a very exciting moment, because he could finally take a break from the hustle of the Academy (while he continued always doing his exercises). Apart from that, it was very nice not having to see Fire Punch's face. Since it became known that Shining was dating Cadance, the young unicorn didn't stop listening snide remarks and taunts from Fire Punch and his friends, but, after all, he could always ignore them. Fortunately, Shining had good friends in the Academy like Blue and many other young stallions who supported him. In addition, the summer was the perfect time to spend a lot of time with his sister, his parents... and, of course, Cadance.

Even in summer, Shining's parentes had work to do and therefore, they needed Cadance's services to foalsitt Twilight, but this time she had Shining's help in full time. The three went in great walks and when Twilight was entertained playing or when she fell asleep or when Blue appeared to keep an eye on her, the two took the opportunity to have one of his moments of love. Shining really loved the holidays and these were the main reasons.

In a day in the middle of the summer, Cadance went to Shining to ask him if he wanted to go for a walk with her, but when she reached his house, she saw him leaving home with his father, Twiligh and Blue, both using yellow and black scarves and hoofball hats and with Shining and Blue's faces painted with the same colors of the hats and scarves.

"Oh, hello, Cadance" Shining greeted, giving her a kiss.

"Cadance!" Twilight exclaimed, going to embrace her foalsitter.

"Well, I came to see if you wanted to go sightseeing, Shining, but I see you already have plans" Cadance said, rather disappointed.

"We're going to a hoofball game" Shining said.

"Yeah, it's the last game of the championship and the Bee Strikers have a chance to win for the fifth consecutive year" Blue continued.

"And I'm sure we can do it" Shining said. "Especially with my Uncle Shooting Star playing by the Bee Strikers."

"Well said, my friend" Blue said.

The two then bumped their hooves. Night Light approached Cadance and said to her:

"It's amazing what hoofball can do with two colts of the age of those two, don't you think?"

Cadance laughed and replied:

"Yes, you are quite right, Mr. Light."

"Well, but what they said is true" Night Light said. "My brother's team can win the championship this year in this game and we're going to support him."

"Hey, Cadance, can you come with us?" Twilight asked. "Dad has an extra ticket it was for mom. It'll be fun."

"Oh, Twilight, take it easy" Shining said to his little sister.

"Yeah, for sure Cadance has more to do than go to a hoofball game" Blue said.

"Yeah, I bet she even doesn't like hoofball" Shining said.

"Oh, is that what you think of me, Shining Armor?" Cadance asked, frowning.

"Honey, no offense, but you don't seem the type of pony who likes hoofball" said Shining.

"Why?" she asked. "Just because I'm a princess and princesses don't like sports where ponies go after a ball? You know, I was part of the female team at my old school and I was one of the best players."

That made Shining Armor's jaw dropping in amazement. He never thought that Cadance was a filly so athletic.

"Man, she got you with that!" Blue said, laughing with Twilight.

"Yeah, you should see your face, big brother" Twilight said, between laughs.

Shining did to both one of his stares that stopped them. He later turned to Cadance and said:

"Well, you know perhaps some things, but are you sure you want to come? There will be lots of ponies and they can recognize you."

"Shining, why do you think use these dresses?" Cadance asked, gesturing to her dress that hide her wings. "With a good hat, I'm sure I'll be unrecognizable."

"And I know just the perfect hat!" Twilight exclaimed. "Wait here."

She got back into the house, returning a few minutes later and carrying a hat and a scarf identical to the ones all brought.

"Good idea, Twilight" Night Light said, stroking his daughter's mane. "Since Mom isn't coming with us, Cadance can use her hat and scarf. What do you think, Cadance?"

"To me it sounds perfect" she said, using her magic to put the hat and scarf.

They then advanced until they reach the big hoofball stadium of Canterlot. Several ponies were already getting in, all excited about the game that was about to happen. After submitting the tickets to the security at the entrance, they went to their seats from the bench. They occupied the front row of seats, having a good vision of the whole field.

"Welcome, folks, to Canterlot Stadium, where we will be hosting the final Hoofball Game of the season!" the commentator said, his voice magnified. "Today's competitors: the Bee Strikers vs. the Poison Stings, competing for the Equestrian Hoofball Championship!!!"

After a huge ovation from the audience, the commentador said:

"And the teams are entering right now."

And indeed each team entered: the Bee Strikers (with a yellow and black uniforms) and the Poison Stings (with a purple and blue uniforms).

"Hey, it's Uncle Shooting!" Twilight exclaimed.

She pointed to the Bee Strikers captain, a stallion with a golden coat and a mane that was much like with Shining's.

"Uncle!" She called.

Shooting Star seemed to have heard Twilight, as he looked around and then noticed in his family in the stands, waving them and they responded with nods. After the hoofballers warmed up, they prepared for the start of the game. Then it began.

The Bee Strikers seemed to lead the match, but the Poison Stings didn't intend to give up though. When they went through the first part, the Bee Strikers scored, but it wasn't long until the Poison Stings also score a goal. It was then that the first part ended. In the intermission, all ponies went seeking food and beverages, and, shortly after, the second part began.

In the second part, the game seemed to be very well balanced, which was bad for the Bee Strikers because they needed a win the game in order to win the league. If they lost or tied to lose, then the Poison Stings would win the league. They knew it and began playing a dirtier game in the final moments. Shooting Star had the ball and started running towards the Poison Stings' goal. They tried to stop him, but Shooting could always dodge or pass the ball to any colleague who returned him the ball right away.

"Go, Uncle Shooting!" Twilight encouraged.

"Show to the Poising Stings how to play!" Blue said.

"You can do it, uncle!" Shining said.

"Go, Shooting!" Night Light exclaimed.

Cadance also watched that with a great excitement. She liked hoofball but she had not watched a good game for some time and she had forgotten the feeling it was seeing a game like that.

When Shooting Star was about to reach the Poison Stings' goal, one of the hoofballers from the opposing team appeared out of nowhere and made him such a rough cut that launched him to the ground with strong. Seeing this, Cadance couldn't contain herself, shouting:

"It's a foul! Mr. referee, it's a foul!"

She looked and saw Shining, Twilight, Blue and Night Light looking her, dumbfounded.

"Sorry" she said smiling, blushing.

"For what?" Shining asked. "You're quite right. That was really a foul."

"Yes, it was!" Twilight exclaimed.

The Bee Striker's supporters began to complain that foul maded to their captain. The referee then blew the whistle, signaling foul and showing a yellow card to the Poison Sting hoofballer that made it. How it had been done in the penalty area, it was considered a penalty. Shooting Star has prepared the ball and prepared to shoot, looking to the goal and its goalkeeper. He declined to give balance and everypony was in suspense. Shooting Star began to run towards the ball and then gave it a strong kick. The ball flew into one corner of the goal and the goalkeeper ran back and threw himself to catch the ball, but that was when it described a curve and went to the other side, hitting the inner goal nets. Shooting Star had scored.

"Goooooaaaaaal!" all the Bee Strikers supporters shouted in unison, rising from their seats.

The other hoofballers of the team came to their captain to congratulate him. He turned to his family and made them a compliment they returned.

Then, the game was followed by the delivery of the League Cup to the winners and the delivery of medals to all the players. The Poison Sting were greatly angered by the defeat, but still they showed a sporty behavior and went congratulating the opposing team.

When all the hoofballers left to the locket rooms, ponies began to address themselves to the exit. However, Night Light took his children, Blue and Cadance to the locker area to wait for Shooting Star. They saw several players leaving, some from the Bee Strikers who greet Night Light, then Shooting Star appeared.

"Hey, hey, hey, look who he is" Night Light said, approaching Shooting and giving him a noogie. "My little brother, the greatest hoofballer of all!"

"Hey, Nighty" he greeted, hugging Night Light, turning then to nephew and niece. "No way! Are these my nephew and niece? You are so grown up!"

"Hello, Uncle Shooting" Shining said, going to hug Shooting. "Great game."

"Thank you, Shining" he thanked. "And you're absolutely right. It was a great game. We almost didn't win. But as I say: When more complicated, the better.

"You are the best, Uncle Shooting!" Twilight exclaimed, hugging her uncle tightly.

"Oh, Twilight, you're a dear" he said, stroking his niece.

"Hi, Shooting" Blue greeted. "It's so good to see you."

"Blue, my friend" Shooting said, bumping his hoof on Blue's. "So are you and my nephew getting along well at the Royal Guard Academy?"

"Very well" Blue said.

"I bet you are the best" Shooting said.

"I would not say we are the best, uncle" Shining said, standing next to Blue. "But we do our good work."

"And so it should be" he said, winking them an eye.

He then turned to Cadance.

"And who do we have here?" he asked, looking intently at Cadance. "It could be? Shining, don't tell me she's your marefriend."

"You can believe it" he said, approaching Cadance and putting one of his forelegs on her shoulders.

"It's an honor to meet you, Princess Cadance" Shooting said, making a slight bow to Cadance.

"Please, you can call me Cadance" she said.

"As you wish" he replied, rising up. "I hope you two have much luck."

"Thank you, uncle" Shining thanked.

"So, Shooting, when you sent me the tickets, you said you had something to tell us" Night Light said.

"Well, I expected that Velvet was coming" Shooting said. "Any way, once I tell you, you'll tell her. Remember my girlfriend, Moon Wave?"

"Yes."

"Well... I kinda asked her to marry me" Shooting said.

"You what?" Night Light asked.

"That's right, you heard well, big bro" Shooting said. "I'm getting married."

"But... that's is fantastic!" Night Light exclaimed, giving another noogie to his brother. "Finally my little brother will tie the knot."

"Okay, enough, Night" Shooting said, pulling away and tucking his mane. "Don't ruin my style."

"Congratulations, Uncle Shooting!" Shining exclaimed, going to give a hug to his uncle.

"Thanks, kid" Shooting thanked.

"Great!" Twilight cried excitedly. "I'll have a new aunty!"

"This is somewhat a novelty" Blue said.

"A wedding is always a great joy" Cadance said.

"Yes, it is" Shooting said. "And I want to ask you something, Night Light."

"And what is it?" he asked.

"Would you like to be my colt of honor?"

"Me?"

"But of course" Shooting said. "Who else did you want to be?"

"Well, I... I feel myself honored, Shooting" Night Light said. "It will be an honor to be your colt of honor."

"Good" Shooting said, putting his hoof on his brother's shoulder, smiling. "I'm glad you accepted."

There was a pause and then Blue asked:

"Hey, what if we stop with this and went to celebrate?"

They all waved and then he went take a drink to celebrate the fact that Shooting Star was going to marry.

Author's Note

I know this is not one of my best chapters, but it's an introduction to my next chapter.

A Dream Wedding

Shooting Star and Moon Wave's wedding was approaching. Shining, seeing that moment coming, asked Cadance if she would want to come. She was at first apprehensive because she knew it was a family event, but Shining replied that she almost belonged to the family. Touched by his words, Cadance accepted Shining's invitation with great joy, which also left him quite cheerful.

When his uncle's wedding day arrived, Shining donned his tuxedo and when he was over, he prepared himself to go out and get Cadance.

"Where are you going, Shining?" Twilight asked, when Shining opened the door, already dressed in her purple dress.

"I'm going to get Cadance" Shining replied. "When we get back, we go to the wedding."

"Oooh, you're going to get Cadance" Twilight said in a cynical tone.

"Don't start, okay?" Shining asked.

"Okay, but remember that is Uncle Shooting's wedding" Twilight said, laughing.

Shining rolled his eyes and then left, heading to the castle. He arrived there and got to Cadance's room, knocking at the door. It was opened and Cadance appeared, wearing a sky-blue dress with a white belt, her mane loose and flowing and the blue lily gently placed behind her right ear.

"Well, you look beautiful as always" Shining said.

"You have nothing more to say than that?" Cadance asked with a smile.

"It's a little difficult to find more words to describe you" Shining replied. "I think none of them do you justice."

Cadance laughed and said:

"You're a gentlecolt."

"I'm just saying what I truly think."

He held out a hoof and she accepted it. The two then left the castle and went to Shining's home where Night Light, Velvet and Twilight were awaiting them. Once they arrived, they began to move towards the train station. When they arrived, they found Blue, who had also been invited to the wedding, waiting for them. His family was also invitede, but Dahlia had plans with her coltfriend and his parents have a lot of work to do in the castle and in the restaurant. They boarded the train and then he took off. They headed to a property in Unicorn Range belonging to bride's family.

When they got there, they saw how everything was being prepared. Unicorn employees put up the decorations, set up the rows of chairs and prepared the altar. Coordinating that was Shooting Star, accompanied by his future parents-in-laws and also by Starlight. When he saw his brother, his sister-in-law, his nephew, his niece and their friends, he and his mother ran up to greet them.

"I'm glad you have came" Shooting Star said.

"How could not we come?" Night Light asked. "After all, I'm the colt of honor."

"This is still something I still can not believe" Starlight said, with a small tear in the corner of the eye. "My two sons will soon both be married."

" Oh, mom, you'll continue to be our favorite mare" Shooting said.

"You can believe in that" Night Light said

"Thank you, my sons" she thanked, wiping her eyes.

Shooting then turned to Twilight and said:

"Twilight, you know what? Moon Wave said you could be one of the flower fillies."

"Really?" she asked excitedly.

"You bet" the uncle replied.

"But that is awesome!" she exclaimed, taking a big leap.

"Come with me, my dear" Starlight said. "I'll take you to the other flower fillies."

And Twilight followed her grandmother.

"And you, my nephew, I see you brought Cadance" Shooting noted, turning to Cadance. "It's an honor to have you here, Cadance."

"The honor is all mine" she said. "But it was Shining who invited me."

"But of course" Shining said. "How could I come without you?"

"And, Blue..." Shooting said, turning to him. "And what about your family?"

"They could not come, unfortunately".

"It's okay" Shooting said. "At least you could make it. Well, I guess it's better I get going. Much remains to prepare and we have very few hours left to the wedding."

"I'll give you a hoof, Shooting" Night Light said.

"And me too" Velvet said.

And the three turned away.

"And I'll take a walk around" Blue said to Shining and Cadance. "I may be able to find some lovely filly."

And walked away with Shining and Cadance giving chuckles.

"It seems that only left us" Cadance said.

"What if we go for a walk around the property?" Shining asked.

"It seems perfect to me" his marefriend replied.

The two then took a walk around the neighborhood, courting while doing it.

After that, they returned to where the wedding was to take place and took their seats in the front row of the groom's side. Shining was one place away to his mother and she was in her turn next to Starlight, who took the place of the tip. The vacant place was, of course, Twilight's. Cadance was sitting beside Shining and Blue soon arrived, sitting beside Cadance.

"So how was your search?" Shining asked to Blue.

"Not so bad" he said. "The fillies of this party are very pretty. Your uncle chose very well your future aunt."

That made Shining laugh and then he turned to the front. Night Light was doing his role as colt of honor and was beside Shooting that seemed a little nervous. On the top of the altar, was the justice of the peace who would preside over the ceremony. Shining then looked at the bride's side and saw in the front row her mother, who had prepared the handkerchief already, and sisters.

Then he began to hear the music of the wedding march and everypony turned around, standing up. Then they saw the bride arriving, accompanied by her father. Ahead came the flower fillies, where among them was Twilight, and behind came the bridesmaids. The bride looked beautiful in her white dress. Moon Wave was a unicorn mare with a silver coat and a yale blue mane.

Shining then noticed that when Shooting Star saw Moon Wave approaching, he was filled with joy. The young unicorn noticed his uncle had the same look he had when he met Cadance: the same look of wonder.

Twilight and the other flower fillies arrived at the end of the road and went to their seats. Twilight then sat in the vacant place. Moon Wave reached the altar and his father gave her to Shooting Star and the two turned to the front, while the bridesmaids held their places next to the bride and the guests sat.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Shooting Star with Moon Wave" the justice of the peace said.

As he spoke, Shining couldn't resist of looking at his beautiful marefriend. Cadance also looked at him. The two exchanged intense gazes and smiles for a long moment and then Shining held the Cadance's hoof, what made her rose more her smile, blushing slightly. Then the two turned to the front to continue to attend the wedding.

Then, everypony heard the bride and the groom exchange their vows and then the justice of the peace said:

"Do you, Shooting Star, take Moon Wave to be your lawful wedded wife, in sickness and in health, til death do you part?"

"Yes, I do" he replied, making Moon Wave smile openly.

The justice of the peace turned then to Moon Wave and recited:

"And do you, Moon Wave, take Shooting Star to be your lawful wedded husband, in sickness and in health, til death do you part?"

"I do" she replied.

"Then by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you mare and colt" the justice of the peace proclaimed.

Night Light then used his magic to bring a velvet cushion on which there were two rings of horn. Shooting Star used his magic to get in the ring it would be for Moon Wave and placed it on her horn and she did the same.

"You may kiss the bride" the justice of the peace proclaimed to Shooting.

Shooting Star smiled and then he kissed his new wife and she returned it. Everypony stood up and started clapping. After this, it came the wedding reception, with a table full of the most delicious food and even a dance floor. The bride and the groom, as usual, were those who started the dance, both dancing well together, happy to be married now. Gradually, several other couples joined the newlyweds on the dance floor, including Night Light and Velvet.

"Blue, do you want to dance with me?" Twilight asked to Blue.

"Twilight, honestly, I..." Blue started, because he wanted to dance with the fillies he had known, but then Twilight began to make her sad gaze that made Blue sigh and respond. "Okay, I dance with you. But just one dance."

"Yheee" she exclaimed.

And the two went dancing. Shining, not wanting to be left out, asked to Cadance:

"Do you want to dance with me, princess?"

Cadance smiled and replied:

"But of course, my knight in shining armor."

The two then went to the dance floor and started dancing well together. As they danced, Shining asked:

"So what did you think about the wedding?"

"It was wonderful" she sighed. "Weddings always make me happy. It's a new beginning for the couple, the beginning of a life together."

There was a pause and then Cadance continued:

"But do you know what?"

"What?"

"When I was watching your uncle and your new aunt marrying, I couldn't stop imagining myself in her place, dressed in the most beautiful wedding dress, walking down the aisle in what will surely be the happiest day of my life, where there is a stallion waiting for me, the stallion who will make me happy for life."

"Yeah?" Shining asked, playful. "And may I ask you who will be the lucky stallion that will have such an honor?"

Cadance made a false thoughtfully air and then answered:

"What if I showed you?"

"For me, it's all right."

Cadance then pulled Shining into a deep, passionate kiss, which he returned. The two separated themselves and looked at each other's eyes, smiling. Then, they stayed there, dancing, certain they would be in a marriage soon, but not as spectators, but as the lucky couple.

Chasing in the Forest

Four years had passed since Shining and Cadance started dating. Since then, much has happened.

Twilight, after training a lot with her magic, managed to get in Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. In the process, she managed to discover her talent for magic and get her Cutie Mark. At first, Shining was disappointed for not being with his sister when she got it, as she was with him when he got his, but he was very proud of her, nevertheless, especially because she had become a personal student and protege to Princess Celestia herself. The downside of all this was that Shining now could no longer see Twilight as often as before, as she had moved to the castle, along with her new dragon, Spike, she hatched in the day of her entrance exam, and now was focused on her studies. Despite all this, when Shining was going to visit her, she always paused her studies to go play with him, along with the small dragon.

Cadance, on the other hoof, after finishing her studies with her aunt, had to return to her homeland, to her sorrow and Shining's. But this distance between the two didn't damage what they felt for each other. In fact, it only made their love grow even stronger. The two exchanged letters between them, that both kept fondly and then shared them with each other when they met in the holidays, the only time the two could actually meet and catch up with each other.

Shining felt himself, during the long time that he was not with Cadance, so alone and forsaken. Fortunately for him, there was a pony who was always by his side and in whom he could trust blindly: Blue Sword. He has always been willing to listen his problems and his afflictions, comforting him and giving him advices. Of course, Shining tried his best to repay the favor to Blue, but the issue was that he hardly had any problems. Shining had never met a pony who was so well with his life as Blue was. It was something truly extraordinary.

Shining's academic life was also very good, excepting for Fire Punch and his friends. Shining's capabilities, either physical or magical or intellectuals, improved every time. He was one of the students who could see such improvements. Of course, Shining's enthusiasm increased every moment because his studies at the Academy were near the end and he would soon become a royal guard, as he had always dreamed.

But then a great moment would come. Commander Lightning Bolt had told them he was going to do a test to each team. When the time came, he called each group once a week to take the test . Blue Sword was called and Fire Punch as well and they and their respective groups were able to pass it successfully. Finally, the time came to Shining's group.

When the day came, he and three colleagues (Silverweed, Summer Sun and Dark Knight) were called to the training camp for Lightning Bolt, each carrying a saddlebag with what they might need, because they could spend much time in the test, as has happened with someones. They arrived there and stood in line. Lightning Bolt appeared, accompanied by a unicorn guard, and said:

"Welcome, soldiers. This will be a great test for you. You should already have heard about the tests from your companions, I believe."

"Yes, sir," the four young stallions said in unison.

"So, as you may know, it won't be a very easy task." he says. "Each team faced a challenge and for you it won't be an exception. I have reserved for you a special test: pursuit."

The four recruits looked at each other . They had never done anything like this. Of course they already trained for that, but they never had it put into practice.

"Imagine that you found a bunch of changelings wander around and you managed expose them and defeat them" said Lightning Bolt. "They end up escaping through a forest to return home. You have to track them and capture them before they can do it."

"Yes, sir" the four recruits said.

"But, sir, we'll not face true Changelings, will we?" Summer Sun asked.

"Of course not" Lighning Bolt replied. "Instead of Changelings, we will have veteran guards."

Shining and the others waved.

"So, prepare yourselves" Lightning Bolt. "At three. One..."

The four soon began to prepare themselves.

"Two..." Lighning Bolt said, while the young recruits had just prepare themselves. "Three!"

The unicorn guard carried his horn with magic and then the four young stallions were teleported. Then they found themselves in the middle of an immense forest, which should be one that surrounded the Academy.

"Well, I think it's better we split up and try to find the Changelings" Dark Knight said.

Silverweed and Summer Sun nodded affirmatively, but when they prepared to do that, Shining said:

"Wait, guys, I think it's better think about this. I think separate ourselves is not a good solution. What if any of us fall into a trap?"

"And do you have any idea, Shining?" Silverweed asked.

"I have some ideas" he said. "I think it may work better than split up."

"Oh, and you think we're going to follow them?" asked Dark Knight.

"Dark Knight, I want to pass in this test as much as you" Shining said. "But for that we have to work together and get a good plan or..."

"Look, Shining, with all respect, we know you are one of the best students and all that, but I think we can not waste time with a plan" Summer Sun said.

"Maybe you think there for you are dating Princess Cadance you can boss in us and that and only your opinions matter" said Dark Knight.

That deeply angered Shining and he saw that he had to impose himself not just using words. He advanced to Dark Knight and then gave him a punch that threw him to the ground, picking up the other two by surprise.

"Alright, listen up, all of you. I don't care if you think I'm trying to prove I'm better than any of you, because I'm not. I just want to get this test done and over with. And to do that, we need to put our diferences and conflicts aside and work together as a team. If you think you can do this on your own, I won't stop you. Just don't blame me if we fail. But, of course, if you can put your pride aside and listen, maybe we can get this done quickly and well."

That left the other three speechless and they then waved to him, saying at the same time:

"Yes, Shining."

Shining was surprised at how quickly they had accepted what he had said and responded at the same time. He had truly earned their respect and smiled, beckoning them.

"So what do you have in mind?" Summer Sun asked.

"A way to find the Changelings without requiring split up" Shining replied.

Using his magic, he took from his saddlebag a map he opened it. It was a region map, with the forest where they were.

"I knew that we would need a map" Shining said. "I had the slight impression that our test could be in the forest."

"I don't understand, how can this help us?" Dark Knight asked.

"It's pretty simple. Commander told us we were facing Changelings fleeing to home. Well, where do Changelings live?"

"At some cold and disgusting place" Summer Sun joked, making others laugh.

"Funny, but let's talk serious" Shining said. "Changelings live in the Desolate Zone. A place ruled by darkness and chaos. If we know where we could go and if we hurry, we could get them."

"Yes, and how can we know where we are?" Dark Knight asked.

"That's the problem" Shining said. "I know the forest around the Academy with the palm of my hoof, but they should have sent us to a forbidden part of the forest to recruits, because I don't recognize nothing of this."

"Wait, I could have a solution" Silverweed said. "I can use a location spell. It's my specialty."

"That would be fantastic, Silverweed!" Shining exclaimed. "What are you waiting for? Come on."

Silverweed then concentrated his magic on his horn and his glare intensified and casted a beam to Shining's map where a silver spot appeared.

"Good, now we have our location" Shining said. "Very well, Silverweed."

He smiled, nodding.

"Now, according to our location, the quickest path to the Desolate Zone is... to west" Shining said.

"Are you sure?" Summer Sun asked.

"Of course, yes" Shining replied. "I spent three years studying Changelings and the Desolate Zone."

"But why?" Dark Knight asked, intrigued.

Shining didn't feel comfortable sharing this information. Since he heard his grandfather's story and how he met his end at the hoof of Changelings in the Desolate Zone, he always sought to know as much as he could about these disgusting beings and the place they called home.

"That doesn't matter" Shining replied. "Now we have to move forward. We are early in the morning, then the sun now has just born, so it is pointing east, so we have to go in the opposite direction. Changelings tend to be most active at night, so we have making a good way now."

"Well, then let's do this" Dark Knight said.

They headed for the path indicated by Shining, running as fast as they could, stopping only to look around or look for clues or to eat something. When the day was over, they were walking up when Summer Sun suddenly stop and ask them to stop to.

"What?" the other three asked at the same time.

"Look," he said, pointing to the ground, where there was almost invisible hoofprints. "Hoofprints, and I bet with you they are from our Changelings."

Shining examined them and he saw he was right.

"You are right, and they are fresh. They are around here. Very well, Summer Sun."

"It's the advantage of coming from a family of farmer earth ponies" Summer Sun replied, shrugging. "We spent a lot of time watching what we can to learn to recognize even the faintest movement."

They moved carefully, as night fell. They then saw a light and approached with caution. Then saw a camp where there were two pegasi royal guards. They should be those who were pretending to be Changelings.

"Okay, this is the most important part" Shining said in a low voice to the other three. "We have to catch them by surprise. Dark Knight, you can fly above them to distract them?"

"You bet I can" he replied.

"Good" Shining said, turning then to Summer Sun and Silverweed. "Okay, guys, you two wait for my signal and then we attack."

"You can leave with us."

"Don't worry."

"Okay, guys, let's do it" Shining said, extending his hoof and the others put theirs above his.

They then put Shining's plan into practice. Dark Knight raised loudly flight and then plunged, starting to attack the royal guards who defended themselves and then tried to retaliate. Shining then motioned to the others and the three moved. The guards were caught by surprise when they saw them coming against them and then began to fight, but all ended with the young stallions tieing them.

"Very well, guys" Shining congratulated.

But then a group of four guards appeared around them.

"Oh, no..." Shining said.

"This was an ambush" Silverweed said.

"What do we do now?" asked Summer Sun.

"It's the end" Dark Knight said.

But Shining wouldn't give up so easily and had an idea for that setback.

"No, it's not" he whispered them. "I know what we'll do. Wait for my signal."

Shining waited while the royal guards, acting as Changelings, tightened the circle, and when they rushed to the attack, Shining resorted to his magic and created a protective barrier around him and the others that protected them from that attack from de royal guards who crashed as if it had collided with a hard surface and then drops to the floor.

"NOW!" Shining exclaimed, ceasing his spell.

Each one threw themselves to one of the royal guards and began to fight him. All ended when each of the four managed to dominate his royal guard. They had achieved. They had really succeeded. The four then approached and bumped their hooves while dropping a standing ovation.

It was then that they began to glow and after that they were teleported again, going to show up in the training camp. There, were the Commander Lightning Bolt, Captain White Light and the colleagues of the young recruits, with Blue and Fire Punch among them.

"Congratulations!" Captain White Light exclaimed to the group who positioned themselves in the attension position, saluting. "I must say I was quite impressed with your excellent teamwork."

White Light made his horn glow and then a screen of light appeared and it started to show images from Shining and the other's test, continuing to say:

"You made it through a test that many recruits have failed at first attempt. But I have to give my congratulations to you especially, Shining Armor."

"Me?" he asked.

"But of course. You led your team properly, keeping a cool head at all more complicated moments. And when your team doubted you, you managed to impose yourself and gain their respect."

"But I didn't do anything special" Shining said modestly.

"You're kidding, right?" Summer Sun asked.

"Shining, if wasn't for you, we wouldn't have achieved it" Silverweed said. "It was you who led us through the forest and guided us in the fight against the changelings.

"Yes, but we would also have failed if you, Silverweed, hadn't used your location spell, or if you hadn't found those hoofprints, Summer Sun, or your skills in combat, Dark Knight" Shining said.

"They are right" Dark Knight said to him. "If wasn't for you, we would never have been able to complete this test. Sorry for what I said to you earlier."

"You don't have to apologize yourself, Dark Knight."

"Even so, the whole team is to be congratulated" Captain White Light said.

"You have all passed" Commander Lightning Bolt said. "And with great distinction."

Shining when he found himself, was being lifted into the air by Summer Sun, Silverweed and Dark Knight and congratulated by them and all the other recruits, led by Blue, came to them, also to compliment Shining. Just Fire Punch and his friends stayed behind, with the red pegasys looking to his rival with a look of great anger and envy.

Shining, as he was tossed in the air and caught by his colleagues, could not stop smiling. That had been his first test as leader and he had done it with immense ease. He thought about what his grandfather would think if he saw him in that way. He would probably be proud of his grandson and Shining really expect to continue to respond to that.

The Break Up

Shining and Cadance's relationship was growing in a way never seen before. It really seemed that the two were made for each other, that none could live without the other, that they were as one individual.

Shining, after so much time and work at the Academy, finally managed to graduate himself and receive his armor as royal guard and Blue too. The dream of these two friends had finally came true. On the graduation day, their families prepared them a huge party, but Shining's biggest surprise was the appearance of the his beloved one, Princess Cadance.

When he saw her, Shining went immediately to her and the two exchanged a big hug and a long kiss. But the happiness of the young white unicorn only peaked when Cadance told him she would come to spend some months with his Aunt Celestia to learn how to rule an entire kingdom, which meant they could be seen each other every day. All ponies were happy with the happiness of these two lovers. All ponies except one.

Fire Punch couldn't believe the relationship between Shining and Cadance lasted so long. He hoped that the two would have a great disagreement that would put an end in their relationship. However, those two never seemed to have an argument. Following Fire Punch's words, that was so sickening. The young pegasus couldn't believe how Shining had everything he most coveted: the place as the best of their year at the Academy and also the heart of the most beautiful young princess of all. That unicorn had robbed him of everything he wanted. However, Fire Punch wouldn't give up so easily... and he already knew how he would achieve this feat of separating the wonder couple.

A month after the graduation and all the recruits join the Canterlot Royal Guard, Fire Punch waited until his shift was over to implement his plan. He then saw Shining, with his armor dressed, walking with Cadance, both immensely happy. They then said goodbye to each other and Shining went to Fire Punch to exchange shifts. When they passed for each other, Fire Punch outlined his malevolent smile to Shining, what left him apprehensive about what he was planning.

Fire Punch quickened his pace until reaching Cadance.

"Hey, Cadance" he called.

She turned to him and asked, rolling her eyes:

"What do you want, Fire Punch?"

"I just want to talk to you" he replied.

"I'm afraid to ask what you want to talk about?"

"And you should, taking into account that I want to talk to you about your coltfriend" he said.

"What's wrong with Shining?" Cadance asked.

Fire Punch paused to make sure nopony was around and then replied:

"He's cheating on you."

So Cadance just bursted into laughs, mocking what Fire Punch had just said.

"Shining? Cheating me? Fire Punch, go lie to another pony. If you think your lies will separate me from the Shining, you're very wrong."

"Do you think I'm lying?" Fire Punch asked, making a false offended air.

"What reason do I have to believe in you, knowing you don't like Shining and you did everything to woo me since I can remember we met each other?" Cadance asked back.

"Okay, you have a lot of reasons to doubt me, but this time, you can believe me" Fire Punc said. "He's cheating you. And he can hide it because he has all the help from his friend, Blue Sword. I mean, Blue won't have the guilt, after all he is only doing his role as best friend, but I cannot sit here and see a pony as kind as you being cheated in this way."

"Fire Punch, you can stop with the lies" Cadance told. "It just make yourself even more ridiculous."

Fire Punch nodded slightly and then said:

"I understand you don't believe me. But remember, I will not be mad at you if you come to me to ask me for forgiveness. Incidentally, I'll be ready to support you in everything."

And having said this, he walked away, smiling, when he turned his back so she could not see it.

Cadance couldn't believed Fire Punch had the nerve to even have exposed such a thing about Shining. How could her coltfriend betray her? He was the most honest and correct pony she knew. Besides, he loved her as much as she loved him. It was totally impossible.

Fire Punch wore a smile. He had completed the first part of his plan: to plant uncertainty in Cadance. Now he just had to make Cadance see Shining really betraying her. Of course that unicorn would never betray Cadance, but he din't have to want to do that. Cadance just had to catch him with another mare. Since she was very sensitive, she wouldn't want an explanation from Shining.

Later, Shining was on watch when Blue came to replace him.

"You're just in time" Shining said. "I was starting to get hungry."

"Look, Shining, I found this letter to you near the east wing" Blue said, using his magic to show him the letter.

"For me?" Shining asked, picking up the letter with his magic. "By the parchment, I would say it's from Cadance but... it doesn't have her touch. I'm not smelling her perfume."

"Hey, do you expect all her letters had a fragrant touch?" Blue scoffed.

"Shut up, Blue" said Shining, using his magic to open the letter.

He read it, carrying his brow, and then said:

"She wants to meet me on the porch at the west end of the castle now."

"Well, enjoy, then" Blue said.

Shining was unclear if that letter was from Cadance. It was a feeling he had, but he couldn't risk. After exchanging shifts with Blue, Shining went to the appointed place, but he found nopony there. But he didn't despair, because Cadance liked to be late.

Fire Punch was watching Shining. He had bitten the bait, and he had come first. It was time to consolidate his plan in full. He turned to the mare who was by his side, who was a beautiful mare with brown coat and red mane.

"Okay, you know what you have to do, right?" he asked.

She nodded and began to move towards Shining. As she progressed, Fire Punch looked and saw Cadance approaching, having come after Fire Punch put a message to her pretending to be Shining, as he had done with him. Then he hastened to hide himsef in order to enjoy the spectacle.

Shining was still waiting for Cadance when he saw the mare approaching him.

"Yes, can I help you?" Shining asked.

"You're Shining Armor, aren't you?" she asked.

"Yes, I am" he replied. "Why do you ask?"

Then, without warning, the mare threw herself at him and began to kiss him on the lips. Shining tried to free himself, but he couldn't do it because the mare was making too much pressure for him to free himself.

Cadance drove to his meeting with Shining, but was when she came across with something that left her without reaction. She saw Shining kissing another mare. Seeing that, she felt her blood freezing and her heart significantly slowing down its heartbeat. She could not even thinking. That was something surreal, but it was really happening.

Shining, after much effort, managed to separate himself from the mare. He intended to ask her the reason for that, but then he looked up and saw Cadance, staring him blankly and with tears appearing in her eyes.

"Cadance..." he said.

She then began to run away as fast as he could.

"Cadance, wait, this is not what..." Shining began, advancing to try to reach her. "Cadance!"

When the two moved away, Fire Punch came out from his hiding and went to the mare, saying:

"Good acting. Later I'll deal with your payment. Now, if you don't mind, I have to go comfort my princess."

Shining has managed to reach her, grabbing her hoof.

"Wait, Cadance."

"Let me go!" Cadance ordered, freeing her hoof.

"You got it all wrong" Shining said.

"You know, Shining, I always thought you were different from the other stallions" Cadance said, with tears starting streaming down her face. "I always thought you were the stallion of my dreams. But it seems I was wrong. You say all things about Fire Punch, but you are worse than him."

"But, Cadance..."

"Not... another... word" Cadance said, retreating. "I no longer want to hear anything else from you."

And having said that, she started to walk away. Shining intended to say something to prevent her from leaving, but the pain of hearing Cadance saying all that, and even had heard her comparing him with Fire Punch, with the way how she abandoned him without even trying to hear him made Shining say:

"Fine! You know what, I don't want to know more about you! You're nothing but a spoiled little princess!"

But after having said that, Shining could feel his heart heavy. The remorse for having said that soon began to attack him. He never thought he had the courage to say that. But now the damage was done. Now all was lost. All his utopian romance with cadance was over in worst way possible. Shining had just lost the love of his life.

Reconciliation

It has passed several days since Shining and Cadance's break up and each day was worse than the last with everything that happened. Shining, for example, had asked Captain White Light to stay with the night shift, so he would not have to cross with Cadance. When he asked the reason for that, Shining kept his true motive secret. After that, he just went out to do his shift at the castle, passing the rest of the time in his new home, which he inherited from his great-aunt, refusing to see anypony. Cadance also reacted in the same way, just going to have lessons with her aunt and then locking herself in the room.

Blue was greatly concerned about the situation. His friend was into a deep depression and he didn't know how to help him. After finishing his last shift in the afternoon, Blue went to Shining's house, took a deep breath and then knocked at the door.

"Shining, are you there? It's Blue. Come on, man, open the door."

It took a while, but the door opened slightly, revealing a cerulean eye.

"What do you want?" Shining's voice asked, which was a little rougher than usual.

"I came to see if you wanted to go for a ride with me. I finished my shift and I thought we could go get some fresh air together before yours."

"I don't feel like it" Shining replied dryly. "Now, go away. I have to rest up for my shift."

"I think you have slept enough, no? Don't think you deserve to get out a bit?"

"No, I don't think that. Now, go away."

But when Shining was going to close the door, Blue managed to catch it with the hoof and managed to open it completely. He was taken aback when faced with Shining. He was a complete mess. His coat and mane, once well kept and shiny, were completely disheveled and dirty, huge dark circles rested under his sleepy eyes and his beard was to be done.

"By Celestia, you're awful!" Blue exclaimed, as he entered.

"You came here just to tell me that?" Shining muttered, moving inward.

When Shining spoke, Blue could feel something on his breath. It was a sweet but cloying aroma. He looked at the table of the dining room and noticed that up there was a half-empty bottle of wine and a glass full of the content.

"Have you been drinking?" he asked, not wanting to believe.

"And if I was, what's the problem?" he asked gruffly, sitting back in his chair in front of the bottle and the glass. "Alcohol helps me to forget."

"Maybe, but it only lasts while you're under its influence" Blue said, approaching. "The worst is when the effect wears off and the pain comes back again."

"Blue, do me a favor and go piss off another pony and let me drown in my grief" Shining said, picking up the cup to drink.

"If you think I'll let you stay here drowning in alcohol you're very wrong" Blue said.

He used his magic to take the bottle and the glass out of the Shining's hooves and took them to the kitchen.

"Now, go take a cold shower and fix your coat and mane."

"You don't give me orders, Blue!" Shining exclaimed, standing up, wobbling a bit. "My life just concerns to me. Don't poke your muzzle into it!"

"But I am your friend and I care about you" Blue replied. "Now, go into the bathtub, now!"

"You can't force me" Shining replied, turning him back.

"Do you think so?"

Blue then used his magic and began to pull Shining's tail, causing him to fall on the ground, dragging him toward the stairs.

"Hey, what are you doing?" asked Shining, while he was squirming. "Let me go!"

"This is for your own good" Blue said as he climbed the stairs, dragging Shining behind him, levitating him a little for not hurt him as he climbed.

When they reached the top and Blue went to the bathroom and put Shining in the bathtub and made a jet of cold water fall on him. After a good time giving him that cold water bath, Blue cut the water and then asked:

"Now, are you better?"

Shining pulled out the wet mane from his eyes and replied in a calmer tone:

"I think so."

"Great, now see if you comb your mane and shave yourself. I'll wait for you downstairs."

And having said this, he went out, returning downstairs. Blue waited, sitting on the couch while reading a book. It was then he began to hear hoofsteps coming down the stairs. He put down the book and went to there and was pleased when he saw Shining getting down, shaven and with his coat and mane regaining the same shine they had. The dark circles also had almost completely disappeared.

"That's much better" Blue said. "Are you now ready to go get some fresh air?"

"I think so" Shining replied shyly. "Sorry, Blue, for what I said before."

"Why, you don't have to apologize" Blue said. "Friends are for these occasions."

Shining smiled. He was really lucky to have a friend like Blue.

The two went out and began to stroll by Canterlot. It felt really good get out a bit and feel the afternoon sun.

"You were right, Blue" Shining said. "I needed to get out."

"I told you, didn't I?" he replied. "There's nothing like a little fresh air..."

But he stopped because Blue had just seen something that made him nervous and perplexed.

"It can't be."

"What?" Shining asked, wanting to look at where Blue was looking.

"It's nothing" Blue replied hastily, placing himself in front of Shining. "What if we come back to your home? After all, you have to rest a little more before your shift."

But Shining knew Blue very well to know when he was trying to hide him something. Frowning, Shining used his magic to drag Blue to the side.

"No, Shining!" he warned.

But it was too late. Shining looked to where Blue was looking and got no reaction. In a esplanade, he could see Fire Punch drinking juice with a mare. It seemed that both were having fun and in a climate that was somewhat romantic. But Shining recognize the mare who was with Fire Punch anywhere. Although she was hiding herself with a hat and her wings under a broad dress, Shining knew very well that mare was Cadance.

Seeing that image, Shining felt his anger rising within him. He only wanted him to go there and punch Fire Punch with all the strength he had. He knew it was just his jealousy and his hatred for Fire Punch speaking, but he couldn't control this desire of his.

"Shining, take it easy, buddy. Just calm down. Maybe this is not what it seems."

Then Cadance looked and noticed Shining looking her and Fire Punch. The two exchanged cold stares between them. Fire Punch also noticed Shining and smirked at him and then gave a kiss on Cadance's cheek that startled, turning to Fire Punch, and then they started making out. That has made things even more unbearable for Shining.

"Or maybe not" Blue said, turning then to his friend. "Shining, are you okay?"

"Let's go" Shining said simply.

"But..."

"Come on!"

Blue then nodded, with no alternative, and the two moved away.

Blue, after separating from Shining, went to the only pony who could help him: Twilight. She received him in her room and told her everything, while the small Spike arranged some books. Although being a baby, he could already do very complex tasks.

"But this is unbelievable" Twilight said. "How can Cadance do something like that to my brother? He doesn't deserve it. And top it off with his worst emeny!"

"Don't blame Cadance so easily, Twilight" Blue said. "I have the impression that this has Fire Punch's doing."

"Do you think so?" Twilight asked.

"There can only be" Blue said. "I may be mistaken, but I think Fire Punch planned all this thing of Shining's betrayal."

"Do you think he is behind of this? " Twilight asked . "Do you think he would be so devious?"

"You can believe so" Blue replied. "I've known him long enough to know all he can do."

"So we have to do something."

"Yes, we have to bring them together again. And for that, we have to open their eyes."

Later, Blue went to Shining while he was doing his rounds through the library, creating a light with his horn.

"Shining, we need to talk" Blue said, approaching.

"What are you doing here?" Shining asked, continuing to walk. "Shouldn't you be resting for the morning?"

"You know I could be three days without sleep I stay still full of energy" Blue said.

"So what do you want to say?" Shining asked.

"You know what?" Blue replied.

Shining sighed. He knew Blue wanted to talk about Cadance.

"You can stop right there, Blue. I don't want to talk about Cadance."

"Shining, you can't keep doing this. Obviously you are suffering because of her. Why don't you go to her and strip everything clean?"

"Do you think I have not tried?" asked Shining. "I tried to explain myself, but she didn't even let me. Besides, what can I do now? Now she's dating that rascal Fire Punch."

"Maybe, but you are the one she loves" Blue said. "I can not believe you're falling in Fire Punch's game. You are letting him affect you. I can't believe you're disappointing me so much. First, you get drunk, then you run away from Cadance and now you're resign yourself? Listen carefully what I'll tell you, Shining. React! Don't you understand that the more you delay, the harder will be for you to win her back? Now, answer me. Would you even let that creep steal you the best thing that happened to you since the birth of your sister?"

Shining stopped, thinking about what Blue had just said. He remembered the day he met Cadance and also the day he asked her to be his marefriend at his special place in the mountains and the night of their first Grand Galloping Gala. Those were moments when he felt absolutely happy, completed. Blue was absolutely right, as in many other times he advised him or gave him a sermon.

"You're right" Shining said. "I was so silly. How could I give it up this way? You know what, I'm going to her right now."

"Wait, what about your shift?" Blue asked.

But it was too late as Shining had already gone to Cadance's room. Blue smiled, shaking his head. He then went to the window and then noticed that Fire Punch walked at a brisk and suspect pace.

"But what he's up to?"

In Cadance's room, she was sitting on her bed reading a book when she heard somepony knocking on the door.

"Come in" she said.

The door opened and then Twilight appeared.

"Twilight!" Cadance greeted cheerfully, putting down her book and going to her. "How are you?"

"How could you have done that to my brother?!" she exclaimed.

"What?" Cadance asked.

"How can you be dating with Fire Punch?" Twilight asked gruffly. "I thought you liked my brother."

"Twilight, you wouldn't understand" Cadance sighed, averting her gaze. "Your brother betrayed me."

"He didn't betray you, Cadance" Twilight said. "He is not capable of that, even if he wanted to. He loves you."

"You're still very young, my dear" Cadance said. "You still don't know much about love."

"In that you're wrong" Twilight replied. "I know a little about love, because... I'm in love."

That caught Cadance's attention who looked at her.

"Really?" she asked. "But when did that happen?"

"It's an old passion but... I still feel it deeply. I kept it secret out of shame."

"But, Twilight, you don't have to be ashamed to love another pony. Tell me, who is this lucky colt who stole your heart?"

"Well, he's not really a colt" she said, embarrassed. "Actually, it's... Blue Sword."

"Blue Sword?" Cadance asked, not wanting to believe.

"I know, it's ridiculous, but I like him since I met him when I was six" Twilight said. "I always found him very cute and charming. But I never could express how I felt about him, because he's older... and my big brother's best friend."

Cadance smiled. She couldn't believed that her little Twilight had already been picked up by love still fairly young and she had been able to keep it to herself all that time.

"But, you know..." Twilight began, drawing Cadanc's attention again. "It doesn't matter if Blue is not in love with me, because for me, I'm only interested he's happy. But what gave me hope was seeing how you and Shining were happy together, seeing how you loved each other. Clearly, now I can no longer see that."

"There are things you wouldn't understand Twilight" Cadance said. "Your brother..."

"Shining didn't betray you, Cadance!" Twilight exclaimed. "And I don't need any proof to say this. I say this because I know him. Shining is gentle, caring, courageous, determined and, above all, loyal. He's the best brother a pony can have.
Besides being the best big brother ever, I bet he must be the best coltfriend ever as well. He never would betray you, Cadance, and you know it."

Touched by Twilight's words, Cadance went to her mirror above her desk. Since her break up with Shining, he couldn't look back at her reflection in the eyes. That was the first time she did that and what she found didn't please her. She couldn't recognize herself. Her sorrow and sadness were soon replaced by feelings of remorse, remorse caused by her having started going out with Fire Punch.

She then looked to the table and then looked at the dome where there stood, gently placed, the beautiful blue lily Shining had given to her. Seeing it, it reminded her when Shining gave it to her, confessing all his feelings for her and asking her fto date him and all times she used that lily, like the Grand Galloping Gala and Shooting Star's wedding. Both occasions ended with her having a completely romantic and magical moment with Shining. That flower represented their genuine and everlasting love.

How could Cadance have forgotten that? She let herself go with the emotion of the moment caused by the fact of seeing Shining kissing another mare that she didn't even leave him explain himself. She should have given him the benefit of the doubt after all the love he showed to her, but instead of it, she put her head in the sand and threw herself into a new relationship. She realized, deep down, starting go out with Fire Punch was just to make Shining pay in the same coin, but all that was wrong. She knew now what she had to do, but she could only expect to fix it time.

"Twilight, I'm sorry, but I have to go" Cadance said, starting to head to the exit of her room.

"But where are you going?" Twilight asked.

"Amend a big mistake I made" she said, leaving.

Twilight smiled, pleased to have been able to complete her mission successfully.

After having talked with Blue and Twilight, Shining and Cadance realized their mistakes and went soon to have with one another. Then, half way, they met up and stopped right in front of each other.

"Hello" Shining greeted.

"Hello" Cadance said.

The two looked at each other sheepishly and blushing. It seemed the first time they met.

"Well, I wanted..." both said at the same time. "You first. No, you."

They giggled. It was amazing how they had synchronized their speechs.

"Ok, I start" Shining said finally. "Cadance, I love you. I love you like I've never loved anypony. You're the mare of my dreams, now and forever. I know you got angry with what happened, but I can assure you that that mare means nothing to me. I don't even know her. She just showed up and kissed me. And..."

But Cadance silenced him by placing her hoof on his lips, smiling. She knew Shining tended to say everything he thought when it came to express his feelings. Cadance then said:

"Shining, I know that you wouldn't betray me, but when I saw you kissing that mare, I couldn't control myself, you know. I admit that I am so sensitive that just such a scene makes me doubt my feelings. I felt myself so confused that I decided to hurt you in the same way you hurt me and then I started going out with Fire Punch. Forgive me, Shining."

"Forgive me to, Cadance" he said. "For everything."

It was then that Cadance kissed him and after that said, smiling:

"This is my response to your apology."

It was Shining's turn kissing her and then said, smiling too:

"And this is mine to yous."

They both smiled and gave a new kiss, this time even more passionate. Both could feel the happiness that they felt once when they kissed again. They then heard a hack, stopped and turned, seeing Twilight and Blue watching them with mischievous smiles.

"It seems that you fixed things between you" Blue said.

"Great!" Twilight exclaimed, hopping overjoyed. "That's fantastic!"

"And all thanks to you two" Shining said, putting his foreleg on Cadance's shoulders.

"Yes, you did everything that was possible" Cadance added, stroking his face with Shining's.

"What we did was our duty" Twilight said.

"You know, I thought that the letter you sent me would eventually lead to something bad" Shining said to Cadance.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"From that letter you sent me to arrange a meeting on the porch" replied Shining. "That Blue found."

"The truth is I found a letter addressed to Shining and he recognized your letter" Blue said.

"But I didn't send you any letter" Cadance said. "If I had, I would have put that special touch that I always put on my special letters. Moreover, it was me who received a letter from you to meet you on the porch, Shining."

"Yes, but I also didn't send you anything" he said.

It did not take much to Blue to realize everything.

"I think I know what happened" he said. "Somepony sent you those letters to make sure everything happened to Cadance caught Shining with another mare."

"What?" asked the two lovers.

"You can trust me, for sure" Blue told them. "And I know perfectly well who was the mastermind behind all this."

And having said this, he did some photographs appear, saying:

"There's nothing like a good memorial register spell" he said, handing that photos.

Shining caught them with the hoof, and watched them with Cadance. They showed Fire Punch with the same mare who had kissed Shining and he delivering a bag of gold coins to her.

"But what is this?" Shining asked, not wanting to believe what he saw.

"It seems that my suspicions were right" Blue said. "Our dear friend Fire Punch is worse than we thought."

"I don't believe in this" Shining said. "I'll kill that son of a..."

"Shining, calm down" Cadance said, stocking his face. "There is a little filly here."

"I'm not a little anymore, Cadance" Twilight protested.

Shining took deep breath and thought clearly. Obviously Fire Punch was really obsessed with separating him and cadance and just to be with her. But now they were together again, it will not take long until he attempted another try to separate them. He had to solve that problem.

"You know, they're right" said Shining. "I have to calm down. Incidentally, I think I know how we can dribble Fire Punch."

"And what is your great idea this time?" Blue asked.

"Hide the fact that Cadence and I came back to each other."

"What?" Cadance asked. "Why?"

"Yeah, big bro, why do you want to do that?" Twilight asked.

"Think with me" Shining said. "If he knows Cadence and I are back together, he will do anything to separate us again. If we make him believe that he still has this under control, he will lower his guard."

"I see" Blue said. "Well it's not a bad idea."

"I totally trust you, B.B.B.F.F." Twilight said.

"I don't know, Shining" Cadance said. "I don't want to date that jerk, even if it is pretending."

"Cadance, trust me" Shining said, taking her hoof. "Everything will be fine. We still can date secretly. You gonna see that everything will end quickly."

She was not sure about that, but she nodded.

"But promise me you won't come back to kiss him again" Shining said. "If that happens again, I think I will not be able to control myself."

That made Cadance laugh and she nodded, saying:

"You can rest assured."

And then she kissed him.

Now, Shining and Cadance would have to hide their love at all costs for Fire Punch couldn't try nothing worse to separate them. They only hoped this situation would not last much.

The Final Test

Since Shining and Cadance secretly resumed their courtship, they felt themselves immensely happy. Of course they couldn't publicly express their happiness, but when they were alone, they took advantage of every moment.

Cadance, as she had agreed with Shining, continued to go out with Fire Punch, in order to keep the breakup between her and Shining credible. Fire Punch believed in this scam and Cadance did her best to keep it that way. However, it became difficult when he wanted more. Once, she had almost to push him to prevent him to kiss her. Up wanting to maintain the facade of dating with Fire Punch, she wanted to fulfill the promise she had made to Shining to not kiss any other stallion beyond him.

Shining, in his turn, had to continue with the night shift at the castle. It was a dull but a necessary work for his plan to work. Fortunately, sometimes, Cadance appeared to give him a goodnight kiss. The only thing he hated was to see Cadance with Fire Punch, but he knew it was necessary... At least for now.

But it was still an unexpected event that happened to the younger royal guards. Captain White Light, after many years of service, would soon retire. However, firstly, he would have to choose a new captain and he would choose one of the young guards, where Shining and Blue are included. To disappointment of the two, Fire Punch, unfortunately, was also part of that group. All young guards were called and aligned in the gardens of the castle of Canterlot and everyone awaited Captain's arrival. He then arrived, accompanied by Commander Lightning Bolt.

"Attention!" Commander Lightning Bolt exclaimed.

The young cadets positioned themselves in the upright and rigid position and with his chin up in line and then Captain White Light said:

"Greetings, young cadets. As you may already know, my retirement from the Royal Guard is imminent. So I will need a replacement. I have hereby decided to give this opportunity to the new blood, because I'm sure some of you may raise the Royal Guard to a new level. Don't worry, you'll receive support and instruction from Commander Lightning Bolt and I'll always be available to advise you. however, as you may already know, not everypony has what is necessary to be Captain of the Royal Guard. For this reason, I'll just pick three of you to compete for this place. Only three.

Shining swallowed. Only three? So it gave little chances to any of them of be chosen. And despite knowing that he had for such qualities, it was not up to him to choose.

"After a great deal of meditation, I have selected three who are worthy of this competition" White Light said. "Now, I'll nominate those I chose and those ones must to gave a step forward."

He cleared his voice and then said:

"Fire Punch."

Fire Punch made his so famous smirk and stepped forward, while Shining and Blue gave him gruff looks.

"Blue Sword."

Blue was completely surprised. He turned to Shining that smiled and waved and then Blue stepped forward, getting the contempt look of Fire Punch.

"Finally..."

Have just needed a place and Shining had no hope of being chosen. But it didn't matter, because what he really wanted was to be a royal guard and he has achieved that goal.

"Shining Armor."

Shining quickly raised his head to hear his name. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He was really chosen. Wasting no time, he took a step forward.

"You three have in front of you the chance to show what you are worth" White Light said to the three chosen ones. "I hope that you give your best."

"Yes, sir" the three said in unison.

"The proof will start in a week in the training camp of the Academy of the Royal Guard. I wish to all of you good luck."

"Thank you, sir" the three said.

The captain turned away and then Lightning Bolt released all of their positions.

The guards then undid the line and were soon having with the three chosens to compliment them. Cadance then appeared and realized everything that was happening. She was immensely pleased for Shining who have this opportunity to become Captain of the Royal Guard, like his grandfather. However, she couldn't go there to congratulate him, because there was also Fire Punch. She controlled her desire, knowing she could congratulate him when they were alone.

Unfortunately for her, Fire Punch saw her and was soon to have with her. Although, she tried to escape, but she failed. She had to force her best smile and congratulate him, avoiding kiss him. Shining, in his turn, had to watch that and keep quiet.

Shining's family had been very proud of him for he had been chosen to be a Captain of the Royal Guard. His grandmother was the one who had been most proud, because, in her words, Shining would be soon just like his grandfather. But Twilight was also equally or more happy than her, saying she couldn't wait Shining become a Captain of the Royal Guard. His mother, however, was a little worried, but Night Light soon calm her.

Blue also couldn't believe he was nominated to be the next Captain of the Royal Guard. However, he didn't feel himself as a Captain. However, he would take the risk and try. He had his family to support him and also Shining's, as well as his own.

Then the big day arrived. At the Academy of the Royal Guard, the ponies who would watch the event were beginning to take their places in the stands, while the chosen ones occupied their places in the center. Shining looked around. He could see his family and Blue's ready to support them and some of their friends. However, at the highest and most reserved stands, was the own Princess Celestia and Cadance, among other ponies of the royal court.

Captain White Light and Commander Lightning Bolt appeared in front of the chosen ones and the first said:

"Well, recruits, it's time to see which of you will have the necessary skills and qualities to be a Captain of the Royal Guard. For this, I have prepared a simple test: a race."

That did the three young stallions and lots of ponies in the stands exchanged whispers. White Light laughed a little and continued:

"Don't be like that. This won't be a race like the others. Nevertheless, I must say that the new Captain of the Royal Guard have to show all the qualities of one. I hope none of you disappoint me. Thank you."

He stepped back and it was time for Lightning Bolt forward and say:

"The race will be through the forest. There is markers indicating the right path to follow, which can go cross-country, but you are free to roam outside them, if you like, although I don't advise you to do so. Now, brace yourselves, gentlecolts."

The three put themselves in position, waiting for the start signal.

"In position" Lightning Bolt said. "Ready. Three... two... one... Go!"

The three pulled out immediatly, advancing to the forest, with everypony cheering. They entered in the forest and soon the applause died away. After a while, Fire Punch turned to Blue and Shining and said them:

"See you later, losers" he said.

And then he began to distance himself from the other two.

"What do say you, Blue?" Shining asked. "Let the best one win?"

"You bet" he replied.

"Then see ya" Shining said, starting to gain distance from Blue.

After some time, the three young stallions started to gain distance from each other, with Fire Punch in the front, followed by Shining and Blue a little behind.

Shining was trying to reach for Fire Punch when he saw, a little ahead of Fire Punch, an old mare with an air of someone who is lost. When she saw Fire Punch approaching, she began saying:

"Sorry, my dear..."

But he just went through her at high speed. Fire Punch went with such speed and he passed so close that he shot her to the ground. Seeing this, Shining felt his anger rise by Fire Punch. How could he have done such a thing to that mare? When he reached the edge of her, stopped and asked her, extending his hoof:

"Are you okay, ma'am?"

"Yes, I am" she replied, getting the hoof and lifting up. "Thank you, my boy."

"Do you need anything?" Shining asked.

"Indeed, yes" she replied. "I was walking through the woods, but I lost myself. I really need to find the dirt road again."

"If you want, I can help you" Shining volunteered himself, smiling.

"Are you sure, my dear?" she asked. "You seem to have some haste."

"What I'm doing can wait" Shining replied.

The old mare smiled and said:

"You're a real gentlecolt, young colt."

Helping the old mare walking, Shining started to take her to the nearest dirt road. They then met with Blue. When he saw them, stood by the bank and asked them:

"What's going on?"

"I'm helping this old mare" replied Shining. "She tried to call for help to Fire Punch, but the idiot merely ignore her completely."

"What about the race?" Blue asked.

"I'll come back to it in a moment" he said. "Don't worry about me. Keep going."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I do. Just don't let Fire Punch win."

"Well... if you say so" Blue said, continuing to move forward, uncertain.

After Shining helped the old mare to find the dirt road and told her the quickest way to out of the forest and she thanked him, Shining returned to the race. Knowing he was too far back, Shining decided to use his knowledge about the forest to find the fastest shortcut. It was not long so much to see Fire Punch and Blue Sword passing nearby. Smiling, he gave a sprint and got to catch Blue Sword who was taken by surprise.

"But how did you manage to get here so fast?" Blue asked.

"I have my tricks" he replied, looking and seeing Fire Punch ahead. "Hey, what do you say to outpace Mr. Cocky there?"

Blue smirked and nodded. The two friends then ran like they never run before. Shining, running alongside Blue, could remember the times in which they ran together or by fun or in his training to enter the Academy. In these times, Shining could feel himself happy and fun. But when he entered in the Academy, which made the races more an exercise than anything else, he was unable to withdraw from them the fun he withdrawn when he was a colt. However, at that moment, it was like he was reliving those good times and he was sure that Blue was feeling the same.

They then managed to catch up with Fire Punch. He, seeing them right behind him, tried to further increase his speed, but the two friends were able to put side by side with him and then surpassing him.

"See ya, Fire Punch" Shining said.

"Then tells us how our dust tastes!"

And they moved away, laughing, before the enraged glance of Fire Punch. They moved further and further, climbing the mountain. Then they suddenly heard a huge cry for help. intuitively, they followed the cries and came forward with a cliff where, in the end, there was an earth pony about to fall, holding the tip of the cliff with his hooves with all the strength he had.

"Help!" he shouted.

Shining immediately advanced and threw himself immediately to grab one of the pony's hooves.

"Okay, I got you" he said, starting to pull him.

He tried at all costs, but he couldn't do it. It was then that he felt himself being pulled with the pony. If he kept this up, they would both end up falling. Blue then appeared beside Shining and grabbed the other pony's hoof and started helping his friend pulling him.

"Blue!" Shining exclaimed.

"Don't worry, Shining" he said. "We'll get to save him."

Shining nodded and then they turned to the task at their hooves. Fire Punch was not long until get there.

"Well, but what do we have here" he said.

"Fire Punch" Shining said.

"Come here and help us, please" Blue said.

"No" he replied, smiling. "You two can handle this. But don't worry. I will take advantage of this and finish the race. If you do not mind, of course."

And they walked away, laughing.

"But what a... idiot!" Shining exclaimed as he pulled the pony in danger. "He's really despicable."

"Let him be... Shining" said Blue. "We have more... important things to do."

And then they managed to pull the pony up and he, after being saved, stood up and said:

"Thank you so much. I am indebted to you."

"You don't have... to thank" Shining said as he caught his breath.

"Yeah... we just did... our duty" Blue said.

"Even so, thank you" the pony said, slightly bowing his head in a sign of thanks.

And then he walked away.

"Blue, why did you do that?" asked Shining. "Another pony would have advanced, not wanting to lose the opportunity to be Captain. And look that you deserve the place."

"In my opinion, you deserve the place more than me" Blue confessed. "And you know me. Do you think I would act like a coward like Fire Punch? No, I help my friends when they need it and is not a stupid race that will change that."

Shining smiled. He didn't know how he could repay a friendship like that. He then remembered the race and it was Fire Punch who was in the front.

"You know that we can't let him win, don't you?" he said.

"Yes, if Fire Punch becomes Captain of the Royal Guard, he will make our life a living hell" Blue agreed. "Apart from that, he wouldn't stop bragging himself for having defeated us. Do you think we can get him?"

"Don't worry" Shining replied. "I told you I have a few tricks."

Blue smiled. The two friends rose up and returned to the race.

Fire Punch was downing the mountain running, satisfied with his life. He felt he would finally achieve glory. More glory than his father ever reached. If he could win, and he was sure he would win, he would become Captain of the Royal Guard, his father's superior.

It was then that he began to hear the sounds of hooves approaching. He looked back and saw with great shock Shining and Blue to approach apace. How had they managed to get to him so quickly? But it didn't matter now. He had to get rid of them and he already knew how.

He then took a kick on a stone leaning against the mountain and the rocks it supported begin to crumble. Shining began to hear a strange sound coming from the rocks of the mountain and saw an avalanche of rocks happening and the worst was that the rocks were going to Blue, who was a little more ahead from him.

"Blue, watch out!" Shining bellowed.

Without hesitation, Shining threw himself and casted Blue out of danger. Blue turned and saw the fallen rocks.

"SHINING!" he called, worried, advancing to the rocks.

He then was relieved when he saw Shining safe. However, he wasn't completely unscathed. He had one of the rocks upon one of his hind hooves.

"Shining, are you all right?" Blue asked.

"You mean, apart from the giant rock upon my hoof?" Shining asked cynically. "Yes, I think so."

Blue then used his magic to take the rock above Shining's hoof and then he noticed he had a reddish tint.

"That doesn't look good" Blue said. "Come, I'll help you up. We must go back quickly to the Academy so they can deal with your hoof."

Blue then helped Shining to be on his hooves and began to support him as they started walking with Shining giving a groan every time he rested his hoof on the ground.

"That was a very stupid thing what you did" Blue said to Shining.

"If I hadn't done it, those rocks would have fallen on you" he replied.

"Yes, but they would also have fallen on above both."

Shining laughed, mingled with the pain caused by his hoof, and replied:

"Well, I guess we're even. You also have blocked me from falling from that cliff a little ago."

"Yeah, I guess you're right" Blue replied, smiling. "What I don't understand is how that avalanche happened."

"I only can think in one plausible explanation for this" Shining replied. "And it should already be at this time reaching the finish line."

Nomination and Rescue

Cadance anxiously awaited for the arrival of Shining and others. However, the pony who she most looked forward to arrival was Shining. She was so worried. She had a feeling that something bad had happened to her beloved one. She didn't know why, but she had a a heavy heart. Celestia, repairing the nervous state of her niece, said her:

"You are worried about Shining, aren't you?"

"Yeah..." Cadance said, who, realizing what she had said, she corrected herself. "I mean, no. It's just..."

"My dear niece, you don't have to pretend in front of me" Celestia told her. "I know that you and Shining Armor are dating secretly. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Cadance sighed. She knew she couldn't keep anything secret from her aunt. She had the gift of knowing everything.

"Apart from that Twilight couldn't endure to keep this secret from me" Celestia said. "She's just a filly and she can't keep a secret like these alone. Besides, I noticed the cold and harsh way is your relationship with Fire Punch is."

"We had to keep our relationship secret, Aunt Celestia" Cadance said. "Fire Punch was the one who made us broke up. If he knows that I and Shining went back for each other, he would continue to try to separate ourselves with increasingly worse methods."

"I understand, my dear, but you must understand that you can't keep this charade much longer."

"We know and Shining says it will not be long until we're done with this, but..."

"You are afraid."

"Yes, I'm afraid for us. Afraid that something bad happens. A feeling... I'm feeling right now. Who knows what it's may be happening there."

Celestia smiled and then said:

"You don't have to worry about that, my dear. Believe in me."

Cadance didn't know why, but there was something in her aunt that gave her security. She then smiled, believing in her words.

Then I heard the ponies loose exclamations. It seemed that somepony was out of the forest. She looked to see who was approaching, hoping it was Shining. But then her smile faded when she saw who was approached wasn't neither Shining or Blue, but Fire Punch. He crossed the finish line, all happy, and then raised his forelegs victorious, while the audience applauded. Shining and Blue's families, were disappointed, but they slightly cheered Fire Punch. But something didn't feel right. As much faster Fire Punch was, Cadance knew Shining and Blue wouldn't delay that much but she wasn't seeing them.

"There is something wrong" she said.

She got up and went to Fire Punch which was being congratulated by his friends. When he saw her approaching, said:

"See, honey, I told you I could do it."

When he tried to kiss her, she just pushed him away, but she was direct and firm, rather than subtle and delicate.

"Where are they?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" Fire Punch asked, playing dumb.

"Fire Punch, don't play dumb with me" she replied. "I know perfectly well that you are not good enough to win with this much of a lead over Shining Armor and Blue Sword."

"That's where you're mistaken, my dear" he said, smiling. "Actually, I'm quite capable of it."

But seeing Cadance looking at him in that harshly way, he said:

"Let's just say anything goes in the race to become captain."

Cadance was about to lose her temper and tell all she thought about Fire Punch, when she heard cries and sighs of ponies. She looked and then saw Blue approaching, supporting Shining who was limping. She was relieved to see that Shining was good and Fire Punch was taken by surprise. Night Light and Velvet, seeing their son hurt, they just down from the stands to go to him, immediately followed by Twilight. Blue landed Shining who soon reached the injured hoof. His parents and sister arrived there and Night Light asked:

"But what happened, Shining?"

"Nothing serious, Dad" he replied. "Believe me."

"Nothing serious?" Velvet asked, completely worried. "You have your hoof completely hurt."

"Mom, I'm fine" Shining reassured. "I just need a little ice and rest, that's all."

"But how did you get hurt?" Twilight asked.

"Shining was a hero" Blue said. "He saved me from an avalanche of rocks that happened when we were going down the mountain. If it was not for him, I would buried by rocks."

"I only did my duty" Shining replied. "I couldn't let my best friend get hurt, if I could do something to prevent it."

"An avalanche?" Twilight asked. "That's weird. I though the whole route had been checked before the start of the race."

"And it must have been" Blue said. "That avalanche shouldn't have happened under normal conditions. Which means it must have been provoked. And it turns out there was a pony in front of us when it happened."

And he turned to Fire Punch, followed by the others.

"Wait, are you accusing me?" he asked to Blue.

"If the shoe fits you" Blue answered. "Besides, who else could it have been?"

"What you're doing, Blue, is called libel" Fire Punch said. "You have no evidence."

"Maybe not" Blue said. "But everypony knows you are a cheater who demonstrate a complete disregard of the Royal Guard code."

Fire Punch would respond when Commander Lightning Bolt appeared and said:

"Okay, enough. Enough with these accusations. It's not up to any of you decide anything."

"Well said, dad" Fire Punch said.

"Shining Armor, you have to go deal with this hoof before the appointment of the new Captain of the Royal Guard" Lightning Bolt said.

"I'll take him to the hospital wing" Night Light said, helping his son to get up.

"Actually, Commander, you can continue without me " Shining said, dispensing to see Fire Punch being nominated captain after all he had done to him. "It doesn't matter."

"Sorry, my boy, but everypony has to be present for when Captain White Light announce his successor" Lightning Bolt said. "Go there treat you so we can proceed."

"Yes, sir" he nodded.

He then looked at Cadance who had a worried look and Shining smiled at her, as if he was telling her to not get worried. She smiled and waved.

Shining, after receiving the first aids in his hoof, he returned to the training camp where he put himself in the line, between Blue and Fire Punch.

"Are you okay?" Blue asked.

"Better" he said.

They looked forward, while White Light appeared with Lightning Bolt.

"I have to congratulate all of you for completing the race" White Light said. "I'm glad all of you were able to made it. And I have to congratulate Fire Punch for winning the race."

Fire Punch made his smirk and his prancing air.

"However, while you, Fire Punch, have came first, I didn't say that the winner of the race would be the Captain."

This took Fire Punch from his jubilant state, made Shining and Blue exchanged a glance and everypony started to whisper.

"But..." Fire Punch began. "But you said that the winner would be the Captain."

"I didn't say that" White Light said. "What I said was this race would not be like the others."

"But..." Fire Punch began.

"I didn't used the race to assess your physical qualities" White Light said. "Why would I do it when you had all been evaluated in this aspect when you were studying in the Academy? No, I rated you on other parameters. You wouldn't have noticed, but your whole race was watched by me, thanks to an observation spell that I put into a crystal ball" White Light said. "I saw each of your steps."

Upon hearing this, Fire Punch was completely nervous and Shining and Blue exchanged smiles with each other. If this was true, then Fire Punch was completely in trouble.

"And I must say I was very displeased with what you showed during the race, Fire Punch" White Light said, approaching the young pegasus. "You haven't shown any qualities of a true captain: chivalry, courage and loyalty. Like the old mare that you ignored completely when she asked you for help, not stopping to help Blue Sword and Shining Armor when they were trying to prevent that pony fall from the cliff, not to mention the despicable way that you caused that avalanche just to make sure you would win the race."

When he said that, the ponies began to whisper among themselves, with some looking in a disapproving way to Fire Punch. Shining, in his turn, realized that what he faced in the race, except perhaps the avalanche, would have been done by Captain White Light.

"You're a good royal guard, Fire Punch, but you have no ability to be captain" White Light added.

Fire Punch turned to his father and asked:

"Father, do something."

"Sorry, son, but Captain is absolutely right. You don't serve to be his successor."

Upon hearing that from his own father, Fire Punch simply turned and growled.

"However, there was one that showed all the qualities of a true captain. He showed complete disregard for the race, preferring to lose in order to help those who needed it, even willing to sacrifice his own life" White Light said.

He then turned to Shining and told him, putting a hoof on his shoulder:

"You, my boy, showed all this. Therefore, you would be a good successor."

"Me?" Shining asked, not wanting to believe. "But... I don't know if I deserve such honor. I mean, I know I have potential, but... I don't know if I have the capacity."

"Shining, of course you have" Blue said. "You don't hesitate when it's to help others and you can lead others with vast naturally."

"Indeed, your friend is absolutely right" White Light said, collecting his hoof from Shining's shoulder. "You are a born leader, just like your grandfather was and you show all the other qualities of a true captain. Course, if you don't accept, I understand."

Shining didn't know what to say. He had before him the possibility of living the greatest dream of his life, but he wasn't sure if he should accept. He didn't know if he would be a good captain, like White Light... or like his grandfather. However, he realized that he would not know if he didn't take a risk, and he knew what his grandfather would do, despite never having met him.

"I accept" he said.

White Light smiled and then lifted Shining's hoof before everypony there. Everypony started clapping enthusiastically. Shining could see his whole family congratulating him from the place where they were, along with Blue's. He could see Cadance also applauding, watching her move her lips to say something Shining know to be "Congratulations, my love". He then smiled at her, bowing his head slightly.

After a while, White Light made a podium appear with his magic where Princess Celestia landed.

"Come closer, Shining Armor" she said.

Shining approached and when he came near her, he gave her a bow and Princess Celestia said:

"Shining Armor, for your courage and bravery, and in my name, so I appoint you as the new Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard.

And Celestia touched her horn on each Shining's shoulders and then he rose and said:

"Thank you, Princess Celestia."

"It's not me you have to thank" she replied. "It's to yourself. I just hope you continue to be the great soldier you are."

"Don't worry. I will."

When Shining turned, he saw his sister appearing and hugging him.

"Congratulations, B.B.B.F.F." she said.

"Thank you, Twily" he thanked, hugging her.

His parents and his grandmother approached.

"Congratulations, my son" Night Light said hugging Shining.

"Thanks, Dad" Shining said as they stopped the hug.

"We are so proud of you" Velvet said, also embracing her son with more strength than her husband.

"Yes, I know, mom" Shining replied, trying to break free from his mother's tight embrace. "But could you let me go?"

She released him, somewhat embarrassed.

"Sorry, my dear."

Then Starlight came and embraced his grandson and then said to him:

"Your grandfather would be very proud of you."

"I know" Shining said sadly.

"Come on, don't be sad" Starlight said, lifting his grandson's chin. "This is a great day for you. You should smile."

Shining then flashed a smile that made his grandmother smile too.

"I have a present for you" she said.

"Grandma, you don't need to give me anything" Shining said.

"I'm sure that I must give you this" Starlight said, making a box with a blue ribbon appear.

Shining picked up the box with his magic and brought it to him and with his own hooves, opened the box and saw that within it was an armor that he recognized immediately.

"It's grandpa's armor" he said, not wanting to believe.

"I saved it since White Light gave it to me" Starlight said. "Now, it's yours."

"I... I don't know what to say" Shining said, with a tear appearing in the corner of the eye. "Thank you, grandma. I promise that I'll wear it with all my pride."

"I know you will" Starlight said.

They hugged again and then Starlight kissed Shining's forehead. He later turned to Blue who approached and said:

"Congratulations, bro. You deserved."

The two bumped their hooves and Shining said:

"Thank you, Blue. But I know I wouldn't have come here if was not for you."

"Oh, don't exaggerate."

"I'm serious. Your support was instrumental in making this happen. I wouldn't have gotten here without it. For that reason, I want to make you an invitation."

"An invitation?" Blue asked.

"You know, Commander Lightning Bolt will be responsible for teaching me everything I need to know to be a captain, but after that he will retire" Shining exclaimed. "Therefore, I will need a first lieutenant."

"Wait, are you asking me to be your first lieutenant?"

"Who else could I trust to such position? So, do you accept?"

"Man... of course I accept!" Blue exclaimed, hugging his friend. "Thank you, Shining."

"You deserve more than anypony" Shining said at the end of the hug. "And I know you're gonna do well."

He then looked over Blue's shoulder and saw Cadance. The two exchanged glances and intense smiles. Blue turned, seeing Cadance, and realizing everything, said:

"I think I'll... see if it's raining there."

And then he hurried away. After Cadance gestured with his head to Shining which meant for them to go to a quieter place. Shining looked back and saw his parents and his grandmother were seeing, amused, Twilight using Shining's new helmet. He then followed Cadance to the more hidden place and they found one and, when they were sheltered from view, Cadance embarked on a big hug to Shining.

"Congratulations, my dear" she said.

"Thank you" Shining thanked. "And also thank you for giving me support."

"It's my duty" said Cadance. "After all, you are the stallion that I love."

Then they nuzzled each other and then started with kisses. They were both very happy to be there together. It was a perfect moment.

"Well, well, well, but what have we here?" the voice asked.

The two lovers separated themselves soon and turned. They viewed with horror that was Fira Punch that was there, not happy with what he had just seen.

"Fire Punch" Cadance said.

"This idiot has just received the captaincy and you threw yourself to his forelegs?" Fire Punch asked. "But what a traitor you are, Cadance."

"You are wrong" Cadance said. "I always loved the Shining Armor and he always loved me. Our love is eternal and not you and your pathetic attempts to separate will end with it."

"Oh, so you found out, wasn't it?" Fire Punch asked.

"Yes, and you should know that almost all of our relationship was a farce" Cadance said. "One way to protect our love. I never liked you, Fire Punch. How could I like somepony as low as you?"

That angered Fire Punch immensely.

"You're going to pay for that" he said, starting to move towards Cadance.

Shining put himself forward and said:

"You will not touch her. You're going to have to go through me."

"With pleasure" he replied.

When Shining tried to attack him, Fire Punch dealt a heavy blow on his injured hoof which did him drop a groan of pain and then the pegasus dominated the unicorn, throwing him to the ground, where he lay there, clinging to his hurt hoof.

"Shining!" Cadance called.

But Fire Punch reached the edge of her, grabbed her and held her tightly.

"Now, you'll be a good girl and do whatever I want."

"Stop, you're hurting me!" Cadance exclaimed, starting to cry.

"And I'll make sure I hurt more if you keep to behave like a bad filly" Fire Punch said.

Shining, hearing Cadance suffering, gained strength to stand up and then told to Fire Punch:

"Release... my... marefriend."

And having said this, he punched Fire Punch, making him release Cadance and fall to the ground. Shining threw himself to him and started punching him. For every punch Shining gave him, he let himself be overcome by rage and began beating Fire Punch harder. It was then that Shining, when he prepared to give his final punch, remembered everything that had led him to be a royal guard. His duty was to protect, however, at that time, he was letting himself be carried away by anger. Realizing this, he lower the hoof, wanting to stop. However, Fire Punch took this to dominate Shining and then began to punch him without any mercy.

"You're such a weakling, Shining Armor" Fire Punch said, wiping the blood that trickled down from his nose. "It's what happens when you're the goody-four-shoes of the class."

"At least... I have my honor intact" Shining replied, trying not to choke himself with his own blood.

Fire Punch prepared to give the biggest punch he could to Shining when he was stopped by a magical aura and then a voice said:

"What's going on here?"

Fire Punch was lifted off of Shining by magic that was performed by White Light, who was accompanied by Lightning Bolt and Princess Celestia. When she saw his aunt, Cadance was soon to her, hugging her.

"But are you crazy?" White Light asked, while Shining and Fire Punch stood up. "What gave in you to fight?"

"It was Fire Punch who attacked me and Cadance" Shining replied.

"You are the one who was kissing my marefriend and you're pretending yourself a victim?" asked Fire Punch. "What a nice attitude for a captain."

"Me? And what about you? You were the one who grabbed Cadance tightly and told her you were going to hurt her more if she didn't do what you wanted."

"Fire Punch, is this true?" Lighning Bolt asked his son.

"Of course not, dad" Fire Punch lied. "He is feigning everything."

"Shining is not lying" Cadance said, now calmer, stopping hugging his aunt. "Fire Punch assaulted Shining and threatened me."

"You are lying!" Fire Punch exclaimed, turning to his father. "Father, you believe me, don't you?"

Lightning Bolt has only to look at his son, but then approached him and gave him a snap.

"You think I'm an idiot, Fire Punch?" he asked. "I know you well enough. You disappoint me so much. Worse, you dishonored me."

And having said this, he turned back to his son and walked away. Celestia then approached Fire Punch and said:

"Fire Punch, it is with great regret that I inform you that you have been dishonorably discharged from the Royal Guard. I don't want guards who attack those they should protect."

Not wanting to believe what was happening to him, he turned to Shining and said him:

"You are going to pay for this. You can be sure of that."

And having said this, he walked away. White Light then approached Shining who said:

"I'm sorry, Captain White Light. While I was fighting against Fire Punch, I let myself be carried away by anger. And I..."

"You don't have to say anything" White Light said. "You know, Shining, I had already thought of choosing you to be my successor, but I had to see if it was the right choice. And, after seeing everything I saw, I realize I made a perfect choice."

This made Shining look at him, not wanting to believe.

"Keep up the good work... Captain Shining Armor" White Light said, doing a salute to Shining who returned it, and then walked away.

Princess Celestia followed him, but not before bow her head to Shining, smiling, in a gesture of gratitude for saving her niece. Shining and Cadance stayed alone. The two embraced and then Shining said:

"I was so afraid that he would harm you."

"And I was so afraid that he would harm you" Cadance said. "You're really stupid for involving in the fight with Fire Punch."

"For you I do everything. And you know what, now we can live our love to the fullest."

"Yes, you are right. I guess this is the best part of Fire Punch discovering everything."

That made Shining drop a laugh and he started to kiss Cadance, but she stopped him and said:

"But first you go treat these wounds" she said, gesturing to the blows Fire Punch caused to Shining. "I don't want to get myself dirty with your blood."

That made Shining laugh again and he nodded. Now, in that moment, both were certain that nothing would break the strong bond that united them.

The Duty of a Royal Guard

Shining, who was accustomed to his life as a simple royal guard, was quite uncomfortable with his new routine as Captain of the Royal Guard. It was strange to no longer have to spend hours standing in the same spot, watching everything and everypony who approached. It was strange having all the guards saluting him whenever he passed them. It was strange having to wear the armor that once belonged to his grandfather, because now, when he saw him in the photographs, it seemed that he was seeing himself in the mirror.

Lightning Bolt taught Shining everything he needed to know to be the Captain of the Royal Guard and happened Shining was a fast learner. He didn't take long to learn everything and Lightning Bolt, with great regret to all Royal Guard, decided to stay permanently with his post of teacher at the Academy, saying Shining was ready to take the reins alone. When he said those words, Shining felt a great sadness in his voice and he knew that Fire Punch was the reason for that. Since that incident after Shining's nomination, Fire Punch disappeared and nopony knew anything about him. Despite Fire Punch being a fret, he was, after all, Lightning Bolt's son and he had every right to be concerned with him. After Lightning Bolt's retirement, Shining, as he promised, nominated Blue as his first lieutenant. With his help, Shining could endure perfectly with his new position.

His courtship with Cadance was perfect. Now they could be together without having to hide themselves from anypony, they were overjoyed. Shining's work was the only constraint on their relationship. It occupied the most of his time when he was not asleep, and sometimes even occupied part of his sleep hours. There were times when Shining was two consecutive days or more without seeing Cadance. However, the two had already faced the distance, like when Cadance had to return to her homeland. But of course when they were together, they did everything to not waste any time.

However, the worst of being the Captain of the Royal Guard was still to come. Six months after Shining become Captain of the Royal Guard, he received a message from the Royal Guard stationed in the Griffin Kingdom with serious news. He was in his office reading the missive, when somepony knocked at the door.

"Come in," he said.

Blue entered, wearing his new tyrian purple armor.

"Well, what do you think? The blacksmith delivered it to me right now. It suits me well, don't you think?"

But seeing Shining so distracted, called him:

"Hello, Equestria to Shining. Can you hear me?

Shining turned to him and said:

"Sorry Blue, but it turns out I just received a letter from the Royal Guard in the Griffin Kingdom."

"So, is it something serious?" Blue asked, sitting in one of the two chairs in front of Shining's desk.

"I don't know, but I think it could become serious" Shining said. "Apparently, one of our guards got into a fight with one of the members of the Griffin royal family."

"Wait, what?!" Blue asked. "But the Griffins are too proud. They are well able to declare us war because of this."

"Exactly" Shining said, getting up and going to the exit. "For this reason, I have to inform Princess Celestia of this immediately. She should know what we will do with the Griffins. Can you take care of things?"

"That's why I'm your first lieutenant, right?" Blue replied.

"Thank you, you are the best" Shining said, leaving.

Shining soon had informed Princess Celestia, who then said:

"We need to contain the Griffins' fury immediately, before something really bad happens. Shining, I need you to gather a team to go with you to the Griffin Kingdom as soon as possible. Blue can become responsible for the castle's guard until you return.

"As you wish, princess" Shining replied, bowing. "If I hurry up, I'll have everything ready tonight."

"Great" Celestia said. "Shining Armor, I know this is your first serious mission, but I want you know that I trust in you to fix this content with the Griffons."

"Don't worry, Princess Celestia, you can let it to me" Shining said, making a last bow and leaving.

Shining hastened to cluster a group of royal guards to accompany him and sent them to prepare their saddlebags, informing Blue about what was happening. After treating all there was to treat, Shining went to Cadance to say goodbye to her.

"Are you leaving?" Cadance asked.

"It will be for a little time, I promise" Shining said. "It's just until things settle down with the Griffins. I return later."

"But, Shining, you're not understanding" Cadance said sadly. "I'll have to go back to my homeland. Probably, when you have arrived, I'll be gone."

She let out a tear but Shining wiped it and told to Cadance, lifting her chin:

"Hey, we were already separated in this way, have you forgotten? Do you think, after all we've been through together, our love will be shaken by such a thing? You and I are united forever, my love. There's nothing and nopony that can change that. If necessary, when I arrive and you're no longer here, I'll meet you at your home."

"Are you serious?" Cadance asked, smiling.

"Of course" Shining said. "For you, I would face a whole army of changelings, including their queen. For you, I would face thousands of Fire Punchs. Cadance, you are the love of my life, now and forever."

Cadance smiled and then hugged him, telling him:

"Please promise me you'll think on me every day."

"Every hour, every minute, every second" Shining said.

That made Cadance drop a laugh and then say:

"I love you."

"I love you too."

The two exchanged a kiss.

Shining then went to his sister, who was saddened by the departure of his big brother, but he managed to cheer her up, saying that he would try to get back as fast as he could and she wouldn't give for his absence. Then he went to tell his parents. His father wished him good luck soon, but his mother was completely nervous about the idea of her son being away. Already accustomed to that, Shining managed to calm her down, promising he would take care of himself and he would write every day. Then he went to his grandmother. She, when she heard about Shining's mission, was greatly concerned, given what happened to his grandfather, but she, nevertheless, wished good luck to her grandson, contending that he had immense care.

As soon as he bid farewell to all the ponies that were important to him, Shining went to his house to pack his saddlebags and when they were packed up, he headed to the train station, where a train was being prepared for the Royal Guards.

"Very well, soldiers, remember what is our mission" Shining said, when all the guards that he had chosen arrived. "We must prevent Griffins declare war to Equestria. We must bring peace. Whatever you do, don't anger Griffins any further. It would only make things worse."

"Yes, sir" they all said in unison.

The guards then began boarding the train. While they did it, Shining looked and saw Cadance coming.

"But what are you doing here?" Shining asked, going up to her and nuzzling her.

"I came to see you before embarking" Cadance said. "And I'm not alone."

And then, from behind her, Twilight appeared.

"Shining!" she exclaimed.

"Twily" Shining said, hugging his little sister. "I can't believe you came."

"Of course we came" Cadance said.

"We love you" Twily said.

"And I also love you" Shining said. "You two are my favorite mares. Both will be in my thoughts all the while I'm out."

Then they heard the train whistle.

"I have to go" he said, kissing Twilight's forehead and then kissing Cadance's cheek. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Shining" Cadance said, returning Shining's kiss.

"Goodbye, B.B.B.F.F." Twilight said, giving a hug to Shining.

He then headed to the train and before entering, exchanged a last look with his beloved sister and his beautiful marefriend. He entered and the door closed behind him. The train began to move and Shining hastened to enter a cubicle, staring out the window and seeing his most valuable assets to turn away. Despite feeling sorry for that separation, he knew it was for a short time. It would not delay until things calm down in the Griffin Kingdom and he could return.

Shining Armor's Most Important Question

Years passed. Shining Armor, during that time, became a more confident Captain of the Royal Guard. He couldn't only lead the entire Royal Guard pretty well, as he had all the respect from his soldiers and, of course, he always tried to give back all the respect they gave him.

Cadance, as she had told to Shining before he left to the Griffin Kingdom in his first mission, returned to his homeland, where she stayed there all that time, coming to Equestria when she could, despite their royal duties rarely allow her to do that. Shining, on the other hoof, had more availability to go to her homeland.

What worried him the most was his little sister, Twilight, which stopped of being a small filly in order to be a grown young mare. However, without Cadance around and Shining with his time almost always busy, Twilight had almost no company, beyond her faithful assistant, Spike. Gradually, she was becoming increasingly introverted and sheltered, concentrating solely on her studies. The only ponies she really opened herself were Spike, Princess Celestia and, of course, Shining.

Fortunately, it happened a moment that caused a major shift in Twilight. With the approach of the Summer Sun Celebration of the thousandth year, Princess Celestia sent Twilight to Ponyville for she supervise the preparations. However, it all ended with Twilight and her five new best friends defeating Nightmare Moon and turn her back into Princess Luna. But after that, Twilight decided to stay in Ponyville to study friendship and to become closer to her new friends. Despite not having his little sister now as close as before, Shining supported her like any other older brother would, because he was happy that she had gone out of her lonely state that existed since years ago.

One day, Shining received a letter which filled him with great happiness: Cadance was coming to Canterlot. Shining was with such a happiness that everypony could see perfectly. He was waiting for a moment like that, that only intensified the desire he had since days before. All those years dating Cadance had been very, very good, but he had became tired of being separated from her. He wished to have her by his side and feel his love for her fully realized. And there was only one way to do this: ask Cadance for her hoof in marriage.

On the day Cadance would arrive to Canterlot, Shining was in his office, sitting in his chair with the hooves of the hind legs on the table and the hooves of the forelegs behind his head, fixing the ceiling with his dreamy and passionate look. It was almost time to Cadance's arrive. He picked up a velvet box he had kept in his desk and opened it. Inside, was a magnificent horn ring.

The ring had a silver band and a beautiful pink diamond encrusted. That ring was the one his grandfather Star Shield had given to his grandmother Starlight and the one she gave to his father to give to his mother. When his parents learned of his desire to ask Cadance in marriage, they gave him the ring to give to her.

He then heard a knock on the door that startled him, almost causing him to fall down the chair. He closed the box, concealed it, sat normally and said:

"Come in."

The door opened and he saw with great relief that was Blue. For a moment he thought it was Cadance. Blue was not wearing his armor, but he had his saddlebags already prepared.

"May I come in?" Blue asked.

"You know the answer" Shining replied.

Blue came in.

"So, you're going now?" Shining asked, standing up and exiting from behind his desk.

"Yes, my train leaves in a few minutes" Blue replied.

"I can not believe you're gonna take a year off" Shining said.

"I have to go, Shining" Blue said. "I need to make this trip and you know it."

"Well, you know you'll always continue being my first lieutenant and my best friend" Shining said.

"Yes, I know."

"I'm just sorry that maybe you won't come to my wedding with Cadance. I would liked so much that you were my colt of honor. If you want, I can postpone the wedding until..."

"Don't even think about doing that, Shining Armor" Blue said. "If you do, I swear I will not forgive you. I don't want you defy your happiness for me. I also would have to be your colt of honor, but, in contrast, you have a pony that would be a great best mare. She would be more perfect than me."

Shining gave a slight laugh. He knew Blue was talking about Twilight.

"Yes, you're right."

There was a pause and then Blue asked:

"Are you ready to ask the question of your life?"

Shining sighed and replied:

"Actually, I'm a little nervous. Perhaps more than I expected. Just imagining Cadance accepting my marriage proposal, my legs tremble like jello."

"Everything'll be fine, you'll see" Blue reassured, who then looked at his watch. "Well, I gotta go before I miss the train."

"I'll miss you, my friend."

"And I'll miss you, bro" Blue replied.

The two exchanged a strong hug and then Blue left the office.

Later, Shining was walking through the halls of the castle, when suddenly a pair of hooves covered his eyes.

"But what the..." he started.

Shining took his hooves to those that was covering his eyes. The hooves' coat was soft as silk. Then his nostrils were invaded by an enticing aroma that he knew so well. Then a sweet voice said:

"Guess who?"

Shining smiled and said:

"Uh, I don't know. It's a very difficult question. Is it..."

He then turned and gave a long kiss to Cadance, saying, when they separated themselves:

"... my beautiful marefriend?" he completed.

Cadance laughed and said:

"You got it right."

"And what is my prize for having guessed it?"

Cadance nuzzled him and said:

"This."

"Well, I expected more, but this serves" Shining replied.

"Oh, Shining, I missed you so much!" Cadance exclaimed, hugging him.

"And I missed you too, my love" Shining replied, returning the hug. "How about we take a walk?"

"For me it looks great. But are you sure you should?"

"I have nothing more to deal with today" he said. "I dispatched everything as soon as I could, when I heard you were coming. So we can be together the rest of the day."

"You really think in everything, don't you?" Cadance asked, nuzzling him.

The two then began to walk around for the castle's gardens, while exchanging kisses and caresses. Everything was going in a perfect way. Shining, in every minute that passed, was more nervous as the moment of asking cadance in marriage was approaching. They then sat down on a bench to rest.

"But what a wonderful ride!" Cadance, exclaimed. "And of course the company also helped."

She looked at Shining and noticed that he was quite nervous.

"Shining, what's up?"

"Nothing, honey" he said, unable to hide his nervousness.

"Shining, I know you very well and we are a couple for years. I know how to see when something is wrong with you."

Shining made a deep breath and then said:

"Cadance, there's something I have to tell you, but... I don't know how."

"Is it something bad?"

"Depending on how you interpret things" Shining replied, secretly making the box with the horn ring appear in his hoof behind his back.

"Shining, you're starting to leave me nervous with all this" Cadance say. "What do you want to say to me?"

It was now. It was time to do it.

"What I have to tell you, it's a simple question that could change our entire relationship" Shining said.

He then knelt before Cadance, showed her the velvet box and opened it, revealing the horn ring, asking:

"Cadance, will you marry me?"

Cadance froze before that request. It was something she was not expecting.

"Shining... are you sure?" she asked. "It's a big step."

"Cadance, we've been dating for years" Shining said. "In every moment I spend with you, it becomes much more difficult for me to be away from you. I want to be with you. I want to have you by my side. I want to have foals with you and get old with you. I know it's a big step, but it's one I want to give with you."

"I don't know, Shining."

"And what if I told you that if you marry me, you will not only gain a husband, but also a great sister?"

That made Cadance drop a laugh.

"Are you using your sister to convince me?" she asked.

"It depends" Shining replied, smiling. "Is it working?"

Cadance smiled more openly and then nodded, saying:

"Yes, Shining, I accept to marry you."

Shining smiled, rejoicing with joy. He used his magic to put the horn ring onto Cadance's horn and they then exchanged a long and passionate kiss, hugging themselves after that. That was the first step to the two begin their life together.

However, watching them in the shadows were a pair of glowing, bright green eyes...

The End

It's a Colt

It was a beautiful day in Canterlot, the great city and capital of the kingdom of Equestria and the residence of its sovereign Princess Celestia, the one that began and ended the day and night, raising up and lowing down the king star of the day, the sun, and the pearl of the night, the moon.

The alicorn princess was very powerful and ruled her kingdom with wisdom and kindness. She was highly respected by all her subjects, and she respected them equally. But like all great rulers, Celestia had good advisors to help her make importante decisions and the one she trusted most was Night Light. He was a unicorn with a soft blue coat and a dark violet mane. His Cutie Mark consisted of a large yellow waxing crescent with a small white waxing crescent next inside.

He was a hard worker and very determined in what he was doing. But in those last few weeks, he has been very anxious because his wife, Twilight Velvet, was pregnant with their first foal, in the last weeks of pregnancy. She had already given a few days off to Night Light so he could be with his wife for the rest of the pregnancy, but he always refused.

One morning , he came to the throne room, where Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne. He arrived there in a hurry and said nervously, as he bowed:

"I'm so sorry for the delay, princess, but Velvet needed my help and..."

"You don't need to explain anything to me, Night Light" Celestia replied with a slight smile. "I know that being a father for the first time is always a time of great nervousness and something that only happens once. Therefore, I offer you again my offer for you stay home with your wife and take care of her until the foal is born and then you come back a few days after the birth."

"Your Highness, is a generous offer, but I can't accept it" Night Light said. "I have a commitment to you, plus there's a lot to do and you need my help..."

"I can fend for myself here" Celestia said. "Now, I want you go home and take care of your wife and your unborn foal."

"But..."

"Night Light, don't make me order you. I don't want to force you."

There was a pause in which Night Light tried to get some argument to refuse Princess Celestia's offer, but the truth is he had a strong desire to return home to be with Velvet.

"Well, if you insist, I'll acept the offer, princess" Night Light said, bowing.

"Good" Celestia said. "Now go home... and good luck."

"Yes, princess" Night Light said, bowing again. "Thank you again."

And having said that, he left the throne room at a hurry pace. He left the castle and went running to his house where he lived with his wife. Catching his breath, he advanced and entered, saying:

"Honey, I'm home. Where are you?"

"Here, in the living room" she said.

Night Light just went there and found his wife lying on the couch. Twilight Velvet was a unicorn like her husband. Her coat was in a very soft blue, like Night Light's, but in a much lighter tone, almost light gray, and a slightly desaturated blue mane with very pale blue streaks. Her Cutie Mark was three mostly desaturated dark violet stars. She was at the height of her pregnancy with her huge belly. She, seeing her husband, sat on the couch gently and asked:

"You're already back? But you just left a little while ago."

"Yes, but the princess gave me a few days off" he said, kissing Velvet's forehead, sitting beside her and putting his foreleg over her shoulders, while she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"You accepted the Princess's offer?" Velvet asked, impressed. "Well, I'm amazed."

"She managed to convince me" he said, doing caresses to Velvet's belly. "Now, I have time for you and for our son."

"Or daughter" Velvet said. "It can be a filly."

"You know, personally, I would like our foal was a colt" Night Light confessed. "When I imagine myself as a father, I find myself playing hoofball with a son of mine."

"I think in that aspect, we disagree, Night Light" Velvet said. "I would like that our first foal was a filly."

"Well, how about a friendly bet? The loser is the responsible for changing diapers for a month."

"Agreed."

The two then bumped their hooves to seal the bet and then they gave a laugh and hug each other.

"So what have you been doing during my short absence?" Night Light asked to Velvet, when they finished the hug.

"Well , since I'm on maternity leave, I thought I could give a progress in my book" she said, motioning to the mountain of paper at the table, where there was also a quill and ink jars.

"You're not overworking yourself, are you?" Night Light asked, worried.

"Honey, I'm a unicorn" she said. "I can do magic."

"Oh, yeah, sure" he said, embarrassed.

"Oh, don't be like that" said Velvet, snuggling closer. "I think it's dear the way how you treat me and our little baby."

That made Night Light blush a little. He then asked with a smile:

"What if we take advantage of my vacation for a little fun?"

"It seems great to me" Velvet replied.

Night Light smiled and approached his muzzle at hers, but Velvet put a hoof in front of his lips, stopping him.

"But first, I gotta go to the bathroom" Velvet replied.

"Really?" Night Light asked, helping Velvet to rise. "Now?"

"Hey, try telling that to my body" she said. "This is one of the big disadvantages of being pregnant. I would love to see you, stallions, go to the bathroom every hour."

She walked to the stairs and began to climb them carefully. Night Light sighed and sat again on the couch, leaning against its back and putting his hooves behind his head. On one hoof, it was nice to have all those days off to be with Velvet and their future foal, but Night Light was the kind of pony that got bored very easily. He then looked up and noticed the book Velvet was writing.

She had already spoken about the plot. It was about a treasure hunter pegasus mare called Daring Doo who ventures into all sorts of places in search of ancient relics. Despite knowing Velvet didn't like other ponies read her drafts before she could end it, Night Light didn't resist to his curiosity... and to his boredom. He pushed himself away from the back of the couch, then picked up on the first pages and began to read.

At first, he was not very willing to read, but as the story progressed, his enthusiasm also grew. Velvet really knew how to captivate with writing. The more he read about Daring Do, the more obsessed he became to know what would happen to her.

"NIGHT LIGHT!" Velvet's voice called.

Upon hearing his wife calling him, and with that tone, Night Light startled, making him toss the pages to the air. The blue stallion rushed to use his magic to get the pages and arrange them properly in place where they were and then asked:

"Yes, dear?"

"Please come here" she asked panting .

By the way she had asked that, she seemed to be in trouble. Afraid, Night Light rose at a glance, and hurried to climb up the stairs and get to the bathroom. He opened the door and asked:

"What's up, my love?"

He then found Velvet standing in the middle of the division and with a sort of puddle on the floor.

"Night, my... my water broke" she said.

"What?" he asked.

"My water broke!" she exclaimed. "The foal wants to be born right now."

That news made Night Light start saying:

"Okay, okay, don't panic!" exclaimed Night Light panicky. "Everything will be fine! We only need to stay calm...! What am I saying here?! We have to take you to the hospital RIGHT NOW...

But even before he could finished, Velvet gave him a slap in the face that made him shut up.

"Night, calm down!" Velvet said. "Don't panic. We have a plan, remember?"

"Yes, sure... the plan..." he said.

He then helped his wife down the stairs to the bottom floor and was already preparing his wagon. Using his magic, Night Light placed Velvet carefully in the wagon, then hitched it to himself and he started running toward the hospital of Canterlot, while giving words of comfort to his wife.

After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the hospital and Night Light led Velvet inside, while she tried to breathe like she had learned in her pre-natal classes. They were soon met by the doctor who treated to lead Velvet to the delivery room. There, everything was ready to Velvet give birth. Night Light was beside her, holding her hoof. She has moaned in pain, trying to breathe at all costs.

"Calm down, dear, everything will be fine" Night Light tranquilized.

"This... hurts... a lot!" Velvet said, between breaths.

"Calm down, Mrs. Velvet" the doctor, who was ready to help in childbirth, said. "It will all end in a moment. It's now. At my signal. Three... two... one... push!"

Mrs. Velvet screamed, while she was doing all the strength she could.

"Come on, we're almost there, I'm seeing the head, now" the doctor said.

"Come on, honey, you're almost there" Night Light encouraged. "Our son is about to be born."

"Three... two... one... push!"

Velvet made one more effort and pushed with all the strength she had. It was then that all converged in a single moment: the cry of a foal. Upon hearing that, a smile appeared on the face of the two most recent parents.

"Congratulations" the doctor said. "It's a beautiful colt."

He then wrapped the newborn foal in a blanket and handed him to his mother, now relieved of her deliver pains. Velvet and Night Light then admired their first child. He was a beautiful colt with a white coat like snow and a mane that had a perfect combination of moderate sapphire blue, moderate cerulean and dark phthalo blue. A small horn appeared among his mane and with coatless sapphire blue hooves appearing in the blanket.

"He's so perfect" Night Light commented.

"Looks like you will not have to worry about changing diapers for a month" Velvet said, with a smile.

The two laughed and then they saw their little colt open his eyes and reveal a beautiful shade of moderate cerulean.

"Hey, little guy" Night Light greeted, passing his hoof by his son's mane. "Meet your daddy and your mommy."

"Finally this moment has finally arrived" Velvet said. "Our first son."

"The first of many, I hope" Night Light said.

Velvet made a laugh and then said:

"Maybe, but now everything is perfect."

And then they began to contemplate their baby.

Author's Note

I hope you have enjoyed this beginning. Now everyone will be able to see how Shining Armor's childhood will be. I hope you enjoy my work. Do not forget to comment.

First Day in School

Shining Armor was five years old now and he was immensely excited, because that day was his first day of school. His father was already taking him to school and Shining Armor trotted ahead, all happy with his saddlebag with his school material on his flank.

"Come on, dad, or we will be late" Shining said, stopping and turning back to where his father was, a few feet away.

"Calm down, Shining, we'll get there in time" Night Light answered.

"But I want to make new friends before classes start and play a little..." Shining answered.

But he didn't finish, as he collided with something... or with somepony. He then looked up and saw a pair of eyes looking at him from above. That made the little colt get back and he could see that he collided with a large unicorn stallion with a blueish coat and wearing dark blue Royal Guard armor.

"Oh... hello" Shining Armor greeted, impressed by the stallion's size and armor.

"Hello, young colt" the guard greeted with a slight smile. "What are you doing here alone?"

But Shining didn't answered, still continuing to stare the guard.

"Shining!" a voice called.

Night Light got there.

"I'm glad I caught up with you" he said. "Try not get far from me, son, or you'll get lose."

He then noticed the presence of the royal guard.

"Oh, Captain White Light, it's a pleasure to see you."

"Night Light, so this is your son" Captain White Light said, giving Shining a noogie. "You have here a great colt."

"Yes, I know that" Night Light replied, full of pride.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he became a great royal guard" White Light commented.

"Well, that wasn't quite the future I was thinking for him, but if he wants it... maybe " Night Light replied.

When he heard the Captain White Light saying he would make a great royal guard, Shining began to imagine himself with an armor and helping and protecting the other ponies and Princess Celestia. It was a great dream for him.

"It would be a honor to be a royal guard like you, sir" said Shining promptly.

"Well, you don't lack enthusiasm" White Light commented, laughing. "That's good, kid, but it takes a lot of training and, of course, have a great sense of honor and justice."

What the Captain said confused the young colt who frowned and asked:

"What?"

White Light laughed and said, giving him a noogie again:

"There will be time for you to understand this. Well, It's better you go before you get late to school. I'm waiting for you between my guards."

"Yes, sir" Shining Armor said like a true soldier, saluting.

Captain White Light also made him a salute and then walked away.

"Wow, Captain White Light is soooo cool" Shining admired. "I mean, you're cool too, dad."

"Oh, Shining, you don't have to spare me" Night Light said, placing a hoof on his son's shoulder. "I know you need a model to follow other than your old dad here."

"You're not old, dad" Shining replied. "You don't have wrinkles like grandma."

Night Light laughed and replied:

"It was just a manner of speaking, son. But, you're right, I don't have as many as her, no. But, please, don't tell her I said that. She would get mad with me."

"Don't worry, dad. Your secret is safe with me. Word of a future royal guard."

And he hit his hoof in his chest to seal the promise. Night Light then noticed how Shining was happy to hear those words from White Light. He had even been enthusiastic about the idea of being able to become a royal guard.

"Son, are you really sure you want to be a royal guard?" he asked to Shining. "Look, it's not as easy as you think."

"But, father, beeing a royal guard would be so cool" he said. "I would be able protect you, mother, granny, Princess Celestia... everypony."

Night Light laughed and then said:

"Yes, you're right. But you're still too young to think about it. You can even change your mind."

"I'll never want to be anything else" Shining said, downing his smile.

Night Light sighed. His son was really stubborn. When he put something in his head, it was very difficult to dissuade him from it.

"Well, you know what you want" Night Light said. "The choice is yours and I'll always be by your side to support you."

"Thank you, dad" Shining thanked, smiling again.

"Despite knowing that your mother will not like it that much" he said quietly. "Well, we better get going. You want to get the time to make new friends, don't you?"

"Oh, yes."

They then proceeded to walk to reach the entrance. After giving a hug to Shining, Night Light said:

"After school, grandma comes to take you, okay?"

"Why cannot be you?" Shining asked sadly. "Or mom?"

"Oh, son, we can't" Night Light replied. "I have to go work and mom too."

"Yeah, I understand" replied Shining, going to school, head down and sad.

It was always the same thing. He almost never saw his parents. He just saw them at breakfast and after only at night. During the rest of the day, he stayed with his grandmother. Despite loving his grandmother, that was not the same as having his parents by his side. But he knew it could not be as he wanted. After all, his father was one of Princess Celestia's adviser and her mother owned a great publishing house, besides being a great writer, having created the famous Daring Do books. He felt himself so alone.

It was then that his thoughts were interrupted by a ball that appeared ahead of his hooves. A colt then approached Shining Armor. He was a unicorn and he should be the same age as him with about the same height and build. He had an imperial blue coat, an eletric ultramarine mane with midnight blue streaks, coatless violet-blue hooves and glaucous eyes.

"Sorry, can you pass me the ball?" he asked.

"Sure" Shining replied, giving a kick to the ball and passing it to the colt who stopped it with a hoof.

"Thank you" he thanked, asking later. "Hey, are you new here?"

"Is it that obvious?" Shining asked, worried that everypony had noticed it.

"No, but I am also new here and you seem to be of the same age as me. My name is Blue Sword, but you can call me Blue."

And he extended his hoof to Shining Armor who smiled slightly and replied, bumping his hoof into Blue's:

"I'm Shining Armor, but everyone calls me Shining."

"Well, Shining, it's better you go find a place to put your things or the best places will be occupied. Come with me."

Shining, still uncertain, followed Blue. They saw a list where there were the classes, Shining could see that he was in the same class as Blue Sword and then they went to the classroom, where Shining placed his saddlebag on a table next to Blue's. It was not long until the bell rang and the room begin to fill up with colts and fillies occupying their places and Shining and Blue sat on theirs. Then their teacher entered. She was a young earth pony mare with a friendly look. She had a bright orange coat and a dark moderate lime green mane. Her Cutie Mark was a blackboard with a chalk ready to write.

"Hi, everypony, my name is Sweet Dust and I'll be your teacher" she said. "I hope we become great friends. Because this is our first lesson, I think, just for today, we use the class to know each other better. So, without making too much noise, you can talk to each other and in the afternoon we can talk about what we will learn in this your first year of school. If you need anything, I'm here."

Then there was the noise of chairs dragging and the sound of little voices filled the room. Blue turned to Shining and the two began talking. During the conversation, Shining could see Blue was a very nice and friendly colt. The two seemed to understand perfectly each other and they even had the same preferences: they both loved hoofball, run and do all kinds of mischief. It was then that the peak was reached when he told his dream.

"You know, I'd like to be a royal guard."

"What, really?" Shining asked.

"Yeah, you know, my father is a royal guard and I always wanted to be like him."

"You know, I also want to be royal guard. I mean, I always admired the royal guards, but it just became my dream, since, like, this morning."

"What happened?" Blue asked, full of curiosity.

"My father was bringing me to school, when I collided with Captain White Light" Shining answered.

"Wow, really?!"

"Yes, and you should have seen how he is. He's big, cool and friendly. When I saw him with that armor, I imagined myself as a royal guard to protect those I love."

"Yes, that is the best part of being a royal guard: helping other ponies."

"And have a great sense of honor and justice" Shining Armor said.

"What?" Blue asked, confused.

"I don't know, but it was what the Captain told me."

"Well, if he says so, then it's because it's important."

Shining nodded and the two laughed. Then Blue asked:

"And your father, what does he do?"

Then Shining blocked. He didn't know if he would or not respond to that. If he did it, he knew he would eventually tell Blue about his loneliness and he didn't know if he trusted him enough to tell him something like that. To his great relief, the bell rang for lunch.

"Lunch time!" Blue said. "Finally."

"Well, class, you can go lunch" Miss Heartbeat said. "You have an hour."

Everyone then got their saddlebags and went to the playground to eat outdoors. Blue and Shining found a perfect place under the shade of a tree and sat there. The young white unicorn opened his saddlebag and pulled out a paper bag with his lunch, taking out a daisies and daffodils sandwish. When he prepared to start eating, he heard Blue saying:

"No, it can't be!"

He ooked at him and saw him frantically rummaging in his saddlebag.

"What's up, Blue?" Shining asked.

"I forgot my lunch" Blue replied, giving up search and pouting. "I'm always forgetting of important things."

"If you want, I can share mine with you" Shining offered.

"Thank you, Shining, but I don't want you spoil your lunch."

"Don't worry about it. My mother put an extra sandwich. I can give it to you."

"Well, I don't know what to say" Blue said. "Thank you."

"That's what friends are for" Shining answered.

But, before he could give the sandwich, a voice called:

"Blue Sword!"

They looked and then saw a unicorn filly a few years older than the young colts with a naples yellow coat and a rust and princeton orange mane appeared carrying a paper bag with her magic.

"I glad to find you" the filly said to Blue Sword when she reached him. "You forgot your lunch and mom asked me to deliver it to you."

"Thank you" Blue Sword thanked, receiving the bag.

"You just don't forget your horn because it is attached to you" the filly joked.

"Shut up, Dahlia" he told her, blushing slightly.

"Hey, who's your friend?" Dahlia asked, turning to Shining.

"Oh, my name is Shining Armor and I'm in the same class as Blue Sword" Shining introduced himself.

"I am Dahlia, Blue's older sister" she said, ruffling his brother's mane. "And also the one that reminds him about the things he forgets."

"Could you stop doing that?" Blue asked, removing her sister's hoof from his mane and starting to straighten it out. "You're embarrassing me."

"Okay, kid, I'll leave you with your new friend" Dahlia said. "I have to go have my lunch too. Bye."

And she moved away.

"Your sister is nice" Shining commented.

"Yes, but I think she is more annoying than nice" Blue replied, grabbing a sandwich that was in his lunch bag. "She thinks she can boss me around just because she is older and I am the younger brother."

Shining sighed. He felt a certain envy of Blue. After all, he had a sister, a pony to play with and talk to, despite all their differences. But Shining, being an only child, had no such luck. Blue swallowed some of his sandwich and then noticed the sad look of his friend.

"What's up, Shining?" he asked. "You don't like your food?"

"I just can not stop noticing how you are lucky for having a sister" Shining said.

"Lucky?" Blue repeated. "Having a sister who just annoys you?"

"At least you have one" Shining said. "I always wanted a brother or a sister."

"Well, if you want to, I can give you mine" Blue joked. "You would be making me a favor."

That made Shining to start laughing and Blue joined him. It was amazing how Blue could make him laugh even when he was depressed. He really was a true friend and Shining then decided that he should be the perfect confidante. Adopting his more serious tone, Shining said:

"You know, the truth is my parents spend most of the day working and I have to stay with my grandmother most of the day. Not that I don't like her, but... I feel myself so lonely. That's why I admire the fact that you have a sister. I would love to have a little brother or sister to play with."

Blue remained speechless for what his new friend had said, but then smiled, put a hoof on Shining's shoulder and then said:

"Hey, you're not alone. After all, now you have me to play with, or don't you want to play with me?"

That made Shining smile and answer:

"Of course I do!"

Then both bump their hooves and said:

"Friends forever!"

Shining Armor could not be happier. He may not have a brother or a sister, but at least he had a good friend to talk to and play with.

Author's Note

So that's how Shining Armor and Blue Sword's friendship began. I bet you now want to know how Blue Sword met Twilight Blue, but everything in its time.

An Afternoon with the Friend and the Sister

The young twelve-years-old Shining Armor was currently giving magic lessons to his six-years-old little sister, Twilight Sparkle. Since he discovered his talent to create protective barriers, his magic greatly increased, and now he could use it for things like levitation and other simple things, and, because he was a good brother, he was helping Twilight using her magic too.

"Come on, Twily, you're almost there" Shining encouraged. "Just think you can do it."

Twilight did so, squinting and concentrating as she much as she could. Her horn made out sparks of the color of her magical aura, but she could not turn it into brilliance.

"I can't, Shining" she said. "It's too hard."

"Come on, Twily, I know you can do it" Shining said, putting a hoof on her shoulder.

"But you were older than I am now when you started to control your magic" she said.

"Yes, but I don't have the talent that you have" Shining answered. "Only I know the things you did with your magic surges, when you were a baby. You did amazing things, things that even I couldn't do when I was a baby."

"Really?" Twilight asked, uncertain.

"Don't you trust in your B.B.B.F.F.?" asked Shining.

"Of course I trust you!" Twilight replied. "But I don't trust so much in my abilities."

"But I trust you" Shining said, with his tender smile. "And I know you're capable of doing it. Come on, try again. For me."

After that, Twilight agreed to do so, but only because Shining had asked her to do it. She turned her focus to her magic. She concentrated further and sparks started coming out of her horn, this time with more intensity. Shining looked expectant. It was then that little Twilight's horn began to glow with her magical aura and that aura covered the book in which they were working on. Then it rose a few inches off the ground. Shining grinned as she was getting it. The book was still unstable in the air, but Twilight managed to stabilize it.

"You did it, Twily!" Shining exclaimed, going to his sister who ceased magic, gasping, and hugging her. "You did it!"

"And all thanks to you, B.B.B.F.F." Twilight replied, returning the hug.

"But what's going on here?" Velvet asked, entering in the living room.

"Mom, Shining taught me the levitation spell and I got it!" she exclaimed, all excited, going to her mother.

"That's wonderful, dear" Velvet said, stroking his daughter's mane. "I'm so proud of you. And I'm proud of you too, Shining. It was very sweet you to teach magic to your sister."

"Thanks, mom" he thanked, blushing slightly and scratching his head's back.

"But I think it is better you prepare yourself and get ready all your stuff" Velvet said to her son. "Blue Sword must really be arriving and I want you two study before making your preparation training."

"Don't worry, mom" Shining said.

Velvet nodded and left the room, heading to the kitchen.

"Blue will come here?" Twilight asked, who had heard a lot about her brother's best friend.

"Yes, he will" said Shining, using his magic to put the books they were using to the magic lessons in their respective place. "He and I will study a bit and then we will train for when we go to the admission proof to the royal guard academy."

"I'm eager to meet Blue" Twilight said. "And I could meet him already, if daddy and mommy hadn't agreed I must have private lessons at home. Shining, is he as handsome as you?"

"Twily, I can't answer you that" Shining replied.

"Why?"

"Well, you know, I'm a colt and colts don't care much about how each other looks like as fillies do" Shining said, preparing his study objects in the living room table. "But you already know Blue Sword. He came here to see you."

"Yes, when I was a baby filly" Twilight said. "I don't remember him. I don't even remember how he is."

"Well, you'll remember him in a bit" Shining said.

There was then a knock at the door.

"It must be him" Shining said.

Velvet went to the door and opened it, with Blue Sword coming in. It was amazing how he and Shining remained with an equivalent height and a similar structure, though Shining showed to be slightly slimmer. As Shining had obtained his Cutie Mark, also Blue Sword got his sometime later, a shield with two shades of purple and two crossed swords upon it, when he saved a filly of their class from some bullies, thus discovering his talent for combat.

"Hello, Blue Sword, it's been a while since I saw you for the last time" Velvet said "You grew up a lot, just like my Shining."

"Thank you, Mrs. Velvet" he thanked her. "You're also very charming."

"Oh, you're so sweet" Velvet said, blushing slightly.

Blue Sword had immense talent with words. After all, he and Shining tried to learn everything they could to become Royal Guards and that included being gentlecolts, especially with mares and fillies. The fillies of their school were delighted with them, but the two colts virtually ignored them or were unaware of it, because they only had eyes for their future.

"Where's Shining?" Blue asked.

"In the living room with his sister."

"Thank you, Mrs. Velvet" Blue thanked, entering and advancing to the living room.

He entered there, greeting:

"Hello, pal, ready for the study?"

"You bet" Shining replied, bumping his hoof in Blue.

Twilight was wide-eyed when she saw Blue Sword. She knew he should be really cute, but she never thought he was that much. He then turned to her and said:

"Oh, it can't be. Are you little Twilight? No... The last time I saw you, you barely reached my knees."

He then gave her a noogie, something like how Shining did to her. She normally would not liked much, but, however, she didn't mind at all.

"You have here a pretty sister, Shining" Blue commented.

"Yes, I know" Shining replied with pride. "She's a little annoying, but who can get angry with a little face like that. Well, Twily, it's time for you to left the room for a bit."

"But why?" she asked.

"Blue and I have to study, little sis" Shining said. "And we can not do that, if you're here."

"Oooh!" Twilight exclaimed in dismay, leaving the living room and going to the kitchen, where her mother was.

"You know, I think it's cool the relationship you have with your sister" Blue said. "You seem to be really close to each other. I wish my relationship with Dhalia was like yours."

"Well, I think it could be... if you two collaborate for that."

"Yeah, I think you're right."

"Well, it's better we get started" Shining said to Blue. "The sooner we start, the sooner we're done with it."

"And we want to finish this as quickly as possible" Blue said, doing his horn glow with his magical aura, that was cobalt blue.

He did her saddlebag levitate and put it on the floor, opening it up. Then he made all of his study material to get out and put it on the table. After that, the two colts started doing their homework.

In the kitchen, Twilight kept looking to the living room from the kitchen door. She didn't know why, but she was charmed with Blue Sword. The truth is she never met a colt of the same age of her brother, besides him, of course. Maybe it was her curiousity working.

"Twilight, darling, do you want a slice of berry pie I brought from the pastry?" Velvet asked, taking a pie out of the fridge with her magic.

But she looked at her daughter and saw that she seemed not to be listening her. She put the pie on the banking and then approached her and asked:

"What's up, Twilight?"

"Nothing, mom" she replied, always looking to the room.

It not take long for Velvet to realize just what was happening to her.

"You are very interested in Blue Sword, aren't you?" she asked with a slight smile.

"What, no, mom!" Twilight asked, turning to her, blushing. "Of course not!"

"Oh, honey, you can't trick me" Velvet said. "I can even understand. Blue is a cute colt."

"Do you think if I ask... he becomes my coltfriend?" Twilight asked timidly.

"I don't think so, my love" Velvet replied. "He's a little old for you, Twilight. He must be interested in fillies of his age. Besides you're still too young for this."

Twilight became discouraged. Touched by her dismay, Velvet tried to cheer her daughter.

"But you know what?" she asked. "Falling in love is a very good thing. You can feel immense feelings you never felt. It's also a sign that you are growing quite quickly."

"Really?" Twilight asked, smiling.

"Yes" Velvet said, waving. "You'll see it will not delay until you are a grown up mare and with many young stallions going after you. Who knows, maybe someday, Blue will become your colfriend."

Both gave low laughter and then Twilight said, hugging his mother:

"Thank you, mommy."

"You're welcome, sweety. Now, what do you say about a slice of pie?"

"I say Hmmmm!" Twilight said, smiling.

"Well, then it's decided" Velvet said, using her magic to grab a knife and cut a piece, pick it up and put it on a plate and then put the plate on the kitchen table. "Here you go."

Twilight licked her lips and then began to eat her slice of pie. When she finished, Velvet prepared two other dishes and told to Twilight:

"Twilight, dear, can you take these two slices of pie to your brother and Blue? It's already time for them to eat something."

"Sure, mommy" Twilight replied promptly.

Velvet then carefully placed the two plates on Twilight's back and she went with even more cautiously into the living room. When she arrived, she said:

"Pie time!"

"Oh, good!" Blue exclaimed, putting his quill "I was getting hungry in here. I neither could think on these multiplying and dividing calculations."

"You bet" Shining said, while he and Blue used their magic to pick the plates and then levitate de pieces of pie to their mouths. "Thank you, Twily."

He then looked and saw that his sister was still there, looking expectant to him and Blue. Knowing her, he asked:

"Yes, Twily? What do you want?"

"Please, Shining, can I stay? I promise I won't bother you."

"I don't know, Twilight..." Shining replied, turning then to Blue. "What do you think?"

"For me, she can stay" he said.

Shining then sighed and said:

"Okay, Twily, you can stay, but behave yourself."

"Yuuupi!" she exclaimed, jumping full of joy, but suddenly stopping and said. "Sorry."

The two colts take their quills again and got back to their homework. Twilight watched them, but soon she got bored of sitting there doing nothing. She then began to see more closely what they were doing and when we went to see what Blue was doing, she said:

"Excuse me, Blue, but I think you have there a miscalculation."

"Twilight, you're still a little filly" he said. "I don't think you know..."

But when he checked, he saw that...

"You're right" said Blue. "That's why the result went wrong. But how..."

"My sister loves studying and reading" Shining said. "I'm proud to say that she is the most intelligent of all fillies. Of course I don't need her to see my calculations because I made them quite well."

She then went to see his brother's work and then said:

"Sorry, Shining, but you also have there a miscalculation."

That made Shining look and see, frowning when he saw that she was right. Blue stifled his laughter and Shining said:

"Maybe too smart."

Blue Sword stretched and said:

"I'm tired of so many numbers and letters. How about we stop here? We can continue tomorrow."

"Yes, it's a good idea" Shining agreed.

The two packed up their things and Twilight asked:

"So what do we do now? Oh, what about some reading?"

"Ah, Twilight, I and Blue Sword will train, remember?" Shining said.

"Can I join you?" Twilight asked.

The two colts exchanged a look and Blue said:

"Kid, I don't know if you can endure our pace."

"I can, I promise" Twilight said.

They then went to the backyard, where there the two colts began to do thirty laps around the backyard in continuous running, with Twilight behind. As Shining's house's backyard was medium size, they could do a good workout with that race. But Twilight was still very small and didn't have so much resistance and eventually got tired quickly. But it was clear that the two friends didn't want stop there. They did pushups, crunches, extensions... Twilight, at one point, stopped and merely stayed watching his brother and Blue with their training. Finally, the two colts began training the close combat.

"Looks like I'm giving you a beating, Shining" Blue said, while pinned him against the floor.

"We'll see about that, Blue" Shining said.

He then made a motion with his body given him enough freedom for Shining's forelegs to free themselves a little and the white unicorn used it to break free and then grab onto Blue and press him against the ground, pinning him. He tried to free himself, but he couldn't do it.

"Okay, I give up" Blue said, tapping his hoof on the ground.

Shining smiled and then freed Blue and helped him stand up.

"It's the fifth consecutive time that you won" Blue said. "What's your secret? I mean, I'm stronger, but still you can always bounce back."

"Well, I just tried to move me as much as I could until I found the perfect opportunity to release me" Shining said. "You must train better your firmness. That's why I could release myself."

"Yes, you're right " Blue said, looking to his hooves. "I think I use so much force in the beginning and I forget that I'll need it in the end."

"You know, what we need is to sign up in a gym. It opened here a new one..."

"Sorry, are you done now?" Twilight asked, coming up with a bored look. "Good. If you kept going, I would get more tired than I already am just by watching you."

"But, sis, it was you who wanted to train with us" Shining Armor said.

"We told you" Blue Sword continued. "You're still very tiny to do this kind of stuff with us."

"I don't understand the reason for you wanting to be royal guards" Twilight said.

"You're still too young to understand, Twily" Shining replied.

"Okay, okay" Twilight said. "Now, can we do something of my choice?"

"And let me guess" Shining said sarcastically. "And that would be..."

"Read a book!" Twilight exclaimed, excitedly.

"Why am I not surprised?" Shining asked rhetorically.

They returned to the living room, where there was a closet full of books.

"Wow, you really have many books" Blue said.

"My mother, being publisher, eventually collects a lot of books" Shining explained.

Blue ran through the queue of books and then noticed a thing.

"Wow, you have the complete collection of Daring Do books so far? And all the first edition?"

"Of course, yes" Twilight replied. "Our mommy is..."

But Shining Armor intervened, blocking his sister's mouth and saying:

"Our mom got them all. She's... a good friend of the author.

"She knows the author?" Blue asked. "Cool. It would be great if she could introduce her to me. I'm a big fan. Daring Do is my favorite book series."

It was then that Twilight took Shining's hoof of her mouth and said:

"It's our mommy."

"What?" Blue asked.

"Twily..." Shining exclaimed, in a warning tone.

"But it's true" Twilight replied. "It was mommy who wrote all those books."

"Wait, your mother is the author of the Daring Do books?" Blue asked.

Shining tried to find a way to around the situation. His mother always told him she didn't want anypony know that she was the pony who wrote the Daring Do books, saying she wanted ponies to like her work and only that. However, Shining knew he could trust in Blue. He already knew him well enough... Beyond being his best friend."

"Yes, our mother is the one who wrote the Daring Do books" he admitted. "She published the first shortly after I was born."

"But that is... awesome!" Blue said." It means then that you can read her work in beforehand."

"Not really" Shining replied. "She prefers we read her books after publication. But, Blue, please, you gotta promise not to tell anypony. My mother doesn't want to be recognized in this way."

"Don't worry, I won't" Blue said. "It's a promise."

Shining waved. And then turned to his sister, saying:

"As for you, missy. Mom told us not to tell anypony outside of the family?"

"But Blue Sword is like family" Twilight replied.

That made Blue to blush slightly. Indeed, Twilight had told the truth. Shining considered Blue his brother, the brother he never had.

"Yes, you're right" he replied, smiling.

Then , he made a Daring Do book come up to them and handed it to Twilight to read it because that was what she loved to do, and he and Blue listened very carefully what the little filly read to them.

Author's Note

Here's how Twilight and Blue Sword met. Of course this relationship will still improve, but, in this story, I will mainly focus on Shining Armor.