Shining Armor's Voyage

          Shining Armor woke up fairly late as Celestia rose the sun to its peak. He moved at a casual speed as he cleaned and groomed himself. The pearly white unicorn decided to purchase some long lasting rations. Knowing the main two caterers in Ponyville by name, he thought that they should be the first he should try.

          On his way downstairs to have breakfast, Shining thought he should by Applejack something nice to cheer her up. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, the familiar smell of breakfast filled his nostrils and made his stomach grumble. The blue-maned stallion sat himself down and looked down at what he was served and was welcomed by a small stack of pancakes covered in syrup. Devouring the sweet breakfast, Shining headed outside to Sugarcube Corner where he hopes to find something to cheer Applejack up.

          Heading inside the bakery once again, Shining was relieved to see Mrs. Cake at the counter. Trotting towards the counter in the surprisingly empty establishment, he noticed the shock on the married mare's face when she saw the prince. Shining talked softly as he calmly approached the pink-maned baker.

"Good morning Mrs. Cake! What would you recommend to cheer up a saddened apple farmer?"

Flustered from the reality of a prince asking for her advice, Mrs. Cake was rendered speechless. She spoke to the patient captain after taking a moment of drawing in some courage.

"Do you mean Applejack?"

"Yeah!"

"Well if anything here can cheer her up, an apple tart should do the trick. She's quite fond of those."

"Sounds perfect! How much?"

"Three bits please."

Shining handed over the three golden coins used as Equestrian currency.

"Thank you for coming!"

Mrs. Cake handed over an apple tart in a bag to the captain.

"Thanks!"

Shining headed for the door of the brightly coloured bakery.

"Bye!"

He left and trotted gently towards Sweet Apple Acres, after withdrawing a large amount of bits carried in sacks.

          Trotting down the dirt road right in front of the Apples' barn, the stallion wondered on what he should say to the farm pony. He didn't take long wondering before he found himself at the door of their house. Cautiously, he knocked on the old wooden door, echoing through the old wooden house. Hearing the sound of hoof on wood, the stallion took a polite step back from the door. It creaked open revealing a very upset and disappointed Applejack.

"What're y'all doin' 'round 'ere?"

"I wanted to personally order some apples and to help cheer you up."

The blue-maned unicorn magically took the apple tart out of its bag and let it gently float over to the yellow-maned earth pony. He saw her eyes light up as she took the tart in hoof.

"Thank y'all kindly, but y'all mentioned somethin' 'bout an order?"

Shining grinned slightly as he moved the heavy sacks.

"May I come in?"

"As long as y'all don't 'volunteer' Granny Smith or Apple Bloom."

The orange farm pony stepped back and gestured towards the sofa. Once inside, Shining dropped the massive sacks on the floor, spilling the bits all over.

"What in the hay is all that for?"

The Element of Honesty exclaimed as if in a living daydream, lost in the lure of gold.

"Its to pay for the order I'm placing and to help cheer you up a bit."

Snapping back into reality, Applejack became serious.

"How large an order exactly?"

"Large enough to keep around thirty ponies' bellies full for around three months."

Applejacks eyes widened as her hooves cursed her. It would take the majority of the orchard to fill that order and she'd barely done a quarter of that from the entire week.

"How fast do y'all need this order for?"

"In about two days maybe a little sooner."

"Alright, Sugarcube, jus' be on your way. I've got a lot of work ta do."

Shining left the Apples' and trotted towards, for the final time, to the inn he was staying in. Once he entered his room he slumped down on his bed and fell asleep instantly.

          Shining awoke to the sound of birds chirping and, once again, to the smell of breakfast. He trotted downstairs, after grooming himself, and sat himself down. After eating his breakfast of toast and boiled eggs, Shining paid the innkeeper and left to the train station. He bought a ticket to Vanhoover and waited for his train. Whilst he waited he saw his sister and her friends, excluding Applejack, waiting for the same train. When the train arrived, Shining made sure that he got into a different cabin than them.

          It was noon when they arrived and the Elements of Harmony, without Honesty, hastily headed towards the ship that Shining would go on. The pearly-white unicorn was left alone with his thoughts. Thinking about how tomorrow will be his last day on land, he made himself homesick. Remembering his parents, his sister and his wife, Shining had never felt himself longing to be with them more. Mindlessly wondering around Vanhoover, it wasn't long before Shining started to feel a little peckish. Seeing a conveniently placed café and having a full bit bag, Shining entered the small establishment. When he entered he was overcome with a variety of different smells, all of which from different food. Heading towards the counter he was welcomed by a portly mare.

"Welcome! How may I help you today?"

The portly cashier asked the white stallion.

"What kind of food do you serve here?"

"Any kind of food! Anything you can think of we can serve!"

"In that case, could I get a daffodil salad please?"

"Of course! Are you eating in or taking out?"

"I'd like to eat in please."

"Ok! Just sit down and your food will be with you in just a moment."

Shining sat himself down next to a window. Glancing out of it he saw what would be expected of a city next to the sea. He saw very bland and bored ponies trotting around doing their everyday tasks and he also saw some birds fly by and take an unfortunate's sandwich. Shining couldn't help but to smile, thinking about the city's sheer simplicity and innocence. When his meal finally arrived, Shining saw a small note under the plate. Curios as to what it was Shining read it.

"Meet me here at dusk tonight

                                                 Goldheart the cashier

                                                                                     x x x"

          Flattered at the thought of somepony flirting with him, Shining immediately thought at what his wife would think of the situation. After eating his meal, Shining trotted over to the cashier, who blushed when she saw her note in his mouth. He placed the note down next to her.

"I'm sorry, you seem like a very charming mare, but I'm already married"

He saw the portly cashier swallow, her once bright and cheery face drowned upon a tsunami of sadness.

"If it's not too much trouble, could I please get the cheque?"

Nodding slowly, the portly cashier ducked behind the counter and wept loudly. After a minute of crying, the cashier gave Shining the cheque. He paid the seven bits for the salad and added another five bits for a tip. After paying he hastily left the café in search of a place he could stay the night.

          It was late evening and Shining was still wandering around. Seeing a small tavern and having withdrew more bits, Shining headed inside. He rented a room for the night. Entering the room Shining laid himself down and slept.