Shining Armor's Voyage

          The sun drenched doors of Celestia's hall burst open as a pearly white stallion bearing Canterlot guard's armour galloped towards the presence of two alicorns. The guard had an urgent expression written on his weary face, drawing the attention of the princesses.

"Your highnesses I bring newly found information upon the whereabouts of the changeling queen Chrysalis." The guard addressed to the princesses as if they were an equal. Celestia, the princess that rose and lowered the sun, stood upright. Her once calm and happy face now bore a grim and worried expression, being reminded of the only pony with the potential of destroying Equestria.

"Where is she?" her royalty boomed through the hall echoing in everypony's ears, this was no laughing matter. Wherever the queen was she must be vanquished before she inevitably attacked.

"She, and all of her changeling minions, are upon a small island far out in the deep sea." The stallion replied. The princesses turned to each other, they had to act quickly.

Princess Luna stood upright, of all ponies in Equestria, it was her and her sister that knew what to do. It would be irrational and risky but it needed to be done, and soon.

"You are dismissed, Captain Armor, but don't stray too far!" The two celestial ponies needed to discuss what to do and how to do it.

          Shining left Celestia's hall and headed to his old chamber, when he was a captain in Canterlot. Despite him now living in the Crystal Kingdom, the chamber was still kept to be his. Upon entering he took off his helmet and lay it down on the bed-side table. Using his magic, he took the picture he hid in his helmet and brought it in front of him. He looked at it and smiled, being reminded of his home and his wife. Weary and tired, the blue-maned unicorn lay himself upon his bed and slept. As he slept he dreamt of his home, his family, his friends and of his loving alicorn wife.

          He had barely slept an hour before there was a tapping as if somepony gently rapping against his chamber door, awaking Shining. He rose and answered the door, on the other side was another one of Canterlot's guards that beckoned him back into Celestia's hall. Upon entering the hall, Shining felt a wave of anxiety as if the princesses bore bad news.

"Shining Armor, captain of the Canterlot guard, prince of the Crystal Kingdom, you're to be sent on a voyage in an attempt to eliminate the changeling queen Chrysalis. You have but one week before being sent upon the voyage, within that week you must prepare a crew, with rations and say your farewells. Do not worry you have an unlimited budget. We're very sorry but you are the very best we have and we depend on you, there is no other way." Celestia decreed openly to the reasonably young captain.

"You are dismissed." Upon hearing this Shining sub-consciously left the sun drenched hall and headed towards his chambers, with a feast for thought.

          Shining Armor, now alone in his chamber, thought about the titanic task that was only just given to him. Princess Cadence will most likely be informed along with his sister and parents. But he must at least see his wife and little sister before leaving. He also had to form a crew of capable and dependable ponies which meant that he would have to interview them himself, and had to get enough rations for said ponies as well. First things first however and he will see his wife tomorrow and then start with the establishment of his crew.