Shining Armor's Voyage

          Worn out by the amount of interviews there were, Shining left the inn and decided to visit his sister, Twilight in her library. On the way to the library, the white stallion passed by Sugarcube Corner and felt a little peckish. Detouring inside, Shining could smell what seemed like millions of various baked goods. The smell filled his nostrils and caused his stomach to growl in anticipation. Being greeted by the pink mare that organises every party in existence including his wedding reception, he couldn't resist the sense of belonging and neither could he resist a the smile that crept itself upon his muzzle.

"Heya, Pinkie! How are you?"

Pinkie, upon seeing her very best friend Twilight's brother gasped and somehow seemingly teleported herself to greet him.

"ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoooosh! You'remybestfriendTwililght'sbrothersern'tyou? haveyoucometoseeTwilight? IbetyoudidandthenyoubecamehungryandcometohavesomeofthedelicousscrumptioscakesthattheCakes'baked! Theyhavedoughnutsandpiesandfrittersandpastriesan-"

"I am going to see Twilight, I have some news to tell her. But before I go to see her, can I have one of those cupcakes?" Shining pointed towards the displayed cupcakes and placed several bits on the counter. Pinkie talked as she was gathering the cupcake to go, none of which Shining could understand.

          Eventually struggling to leave, Shining sat down on a bench and ate the cupcake savouring every last bite. Finding his way to the Library, the blue-maned unicorn knocked on the door. After a moment of waiting, Twilight answered with an expression of fear and fury on her face. Noticing his sister's expression, Shining felt a little nervous.

"Twilly, what's wrong?"

Being brought inside, Shining felt unwelcome in the room as he saw a near teary eyed Applejack. Twilight's horn glowed, forcing a piece of parchment to fly across the room and shoving itself into Shining's face. It was a letter from Celestia to Twilight informing her of her brother's mission. Shining was overcome with guilt.

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

"An' why did y'all have ta bring mah brother and mah cousin into all this?!"

The two mares crowded the guard captain making him feel more and more claustrophobic. Shining turned his attention to Twilight.

"Twilly, you have to understand that I've been busy preparing for the voyage that this is the earliest that I could've come to see you!"

The orange earth pony pushed the white unicorn into a bookshelf gathering his attention.

"Then why did y'all jus' have ta bring Big Mac an' Braeburn inta all this then?!"

"I didn't force them to do anything, they volunteered!"

Taken aback by the usually calm pony's retaliation, Applejack staggered back, fighting off tears.

"How dare you!"

Twilight exclaimed whilst attempting to comfort the farm pony. Noticing how negative the situation had become, Shining attempted to change the mood.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it."

Seeing her BBBFF trying to lighten the mood, Twilight helped to do the same.

"We should all calm down, before somepony does something they'll regret."

Applejack composed herself and saw the error of her ways.

"Ah'm sorry. Y'all best make sure they both come back as lively as a rattlesnake in a desert."

"I'll try"

Hearing the honesty in his voice, the occupants of the library moved onward to a lighter mood.

"You know what this calls for?"

Out of nowhere, Pinkie Pie appeared starling everypony.

"A goodluckonyourdangerousvoyageandweallhopeyouhavefun PARTY!"

The white stallion, now accustomed to the mare's randomness, couldn't help resist to smile. Knowing how busy he'll have to be, Shining preferred it if the party was later in the week.

"That's a great idea, Pinkie, but how about we have at the end of this week making it even more special and everypony will be ready?"

"Of course we can't leave anypony out or they'll be sad."

The rest of the evening was spent discussing the where, when and who of the party. They eventually decided on having it at the Vanhoover docks the night before departing and that the entire crew and their families will be invited.

          Eventually after Pinkie and Applejack had left it was just Shining Armor and Twilight. The lavender unicorn released her sadness openly to her Big Brother Best Friend Forever. Shining didn't know exactly when she fell asleep but he knew when he noticed she was he moved her upstairs, in her bed and left without a peep. He entered the room he rented in the inn and collapsed on the bed instantly falling asleep.