Twilight's POV

The divorce papers are being signed. The DIVORCE papers are being signed right in front of my eyes: and I'm LETTING it happen! It's almost like I…want it to happen. I mean, Shining Armor and Cadence are obviously not going to work things out, and he's been awful clingy to Fluttershy now that she's really pregnant. Cadence hasn't wanted to confide anything in me, but I understand that. I mean, I'm his sister and I have to be loyal to him…no matter how hard it's starting to become.

"There. The last signature signed," Celestia sighed, rolling the scroll tightly. "It saddens me to see you two forced into this decision."

"We weren't forced," Cadence scowled. "Shining chose this. He didn't care enough about me-"

"Cadence, stop right there," my brother demanded. "You were the one who didn't listen to me when I told you I had NO control over what happened with Fluttershy! You're the one that won't respect that I want to care for a foal that I created!"

"With another mare, while you were married to ME!" Cadence snapped.

"It's official, so you are both allowed to move as soon as you'd like. You're also welcome to stay," Celestia suggested.

"Cadence is moving in with Rarity," I sighed. "She's been moving things since Monday and it's Sunday now…"

"I'm staying here, Princess," Shining added. "I'm a guard before anything else."

"I appreciate that Shining Armor…but I have to inform you that you are being demoted. Due to this entire brouhaha, you've had a severe decline in trust." I looked at my brother, and could instantly see his world shattering.

"Celestia-"

"Before you state your case, I'm willing to allow you your right to work your way back up. However, I want you to know this." Celestia walked to my brother, silence covering the room. "If you were not the brother of Princess Twilight, and you did not have my trust far before your marriage: you would be ousted to the farthest outskirts of Equestria along with the loathsome criminals. Shadow Strings, Heavy Blade, Nigel Thornberry: you name it. THAT is where I feel you belong. Now, go and turn in your badges. They're currently moving Fluttershy into the castle."

"They're moving that witch in here!?"

"Cadence!" I gasped. "Please, don't blame Fluttershy for Zecora's mistakes!"

"Zecora gave them the love poison and THEY did the deeds Twilight! SHE got pregnant. HE got her pregnant. THEY BROKE MY HEART!" It was true…to an extent. The mechanics behind love poisons were very complex and confused even me. I just wish I could make Cadence understand this isn't what ANYPONY wanted.

"Princesses, behave yourselves." Celestia had had more than enough of this entire situation, and her solution was final. Cadence was out, Fluttershy was in, and Shining was demoted. That was the end of that. "You're all dismissed. For the final time." From the sound of her usual booming and strong voice being so small, she was very displeased. I know she wanted them to work through things. I know they probably wanted to work through it…I know I did too. Clearly, this wasn't the way things should have been or the ideal situation for my brother to bring my niece into the world. All that being said, this is what was happening now. Right now, I can stare out the window and watch guards carry Fluttershy's belongings into my brother's room. It made me sick with nerves. I didn't want a good friend of mine to be targeted by enemies of Shining, or friends of Cadence.

Rarity's POV

"Girls, you must be on your best behavior while Cadence moves in today, do you understand?" I warned my nieces. Minnie flapped her wings to get the remaining syrup off of them. Pearl then tried to pull it from her mane with her tiny hooves. I sighed, wondering what the girls were thinking, and if they even understood there was a new mare coming in. I know Cadence isn't a live-in nanny, but it is going to be SO amazing to have a couple hours here and there to go to the spa, or have a nice meal, DATE: perhaps! Oh how I've LONGED to find an embrace of a stallion. All those marvelous late night fantasies of-…I'm starting to sound a bit pathetic. No matter, I'm sure with: a few strips to the spa, a nice long bath, a trip to the salon, and a beautiful lash extension: I will find a date.

"Rarity?" a small voice asked. She sounded so broken…so sad…probably scared. I opened the door with my magic, due to Pearl talking my hooves.

"Cadence darling, would you like help with your bags?"

"That's alright…I only brought a toothbrush, and…and…well I didn't want to take anything."

"Oh, Cadence, darling, you look miserable…" I never expected her to be this depressed. "Come, lay on the couch next to Minnie. I'll draw you a bath."

"That's very kind Rarity…but I really…I can't…Not now." I've been in her position before. Too upset to bathe. The last time I truly remember that was…when Sweetie Belle had passed. I hadn't done anything for a week after that. My friends had to care for the twins, and try to care for me too. After being hospitalized from dehydration, I finally realized I had to do something. I didn't want to die as well, or maybe at that time I did, but they needed me.

"Darling, it's not going to fix anything if you don't bathe…"

"But bathing won't fix anything either," she sobbed, sniffling uncontrollably. "I want my old life back!" This was blunt and sudden, but I should have expected it. This poor mare was literally thrown from her palace, and shamed by the stallion she loved: because of my BEST friend. I sat beside the young mare, stroking her mane while she cried. "Rarity…you have no idea…" she whimpered.

"No…no I don't. However, I do know what it feels like to be hurt…what it's like to lose someone you love…How it feels to be abandoned…"

"You do?" she asked, very interested to hear what I was going to tell her. "Rarity, were you married once?" I couldn't help but to give a mild chuckle.

"No, I've never married," I explained. "I just had a sister…a beautiful sister…"

"Oh, Rarity, I didn't mean to remind you of Sweetie Belle," she frowned.

"No, no, it's good to remember," I insisted. "It's important to have memories of her…for them." I looked once again at my beautiful twin foals. These girls are my life. They are, and as long as that fact is true I will adore my life.

"So, what are we supposed to do now?"

"Well, with what I've learned, we must do."

"Do? Do what, Rarity?"

"We must create, move on, take care of ourselves, and take care of others. Doing is the one and only thing to make situations better."

"What do we start with, then?" Cadence looked at me, desperate for leadership. What a perfect decision to choose me.

"I suggest we start with a nice big dinner. I like to accommodate the foals with items they can manage on their own. My specialties have become mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, creamed corn, creamed spinach, a delectable beet salad, cheese encrusted ravioli and a small chocolate soufflé for dessert. I love to give the girls a good meal like this at least once every two days."

"Wow….a lot of food."

"I sympathize with you if you're not interested in eating, darling," I assured. "It is very difficult to eat when you're depressed, however, I think you may be interested to remember you're a free mare now. Now it's your turn to run Equestria, while Shining is stuck with the most draining responsibility anypony could face! ...And rewarding…of course," I nervously laughed, just in case my nieces understood.

"You know Rarity…you're right…and," the princess began to laugh, very excited about the entire situation. "I've got my sets sight on a VERY strong stallion."

"Oh, do tell!" I gasped. It was so nice to see Cadence's woeful depression transform into an angered vengeance.

"His name is Big Macintosh."

Fluttershy's POV

"Are you comfortable?" Shining prodded, for the third time in the past hour.

"Yes, Shining," I sighed. "I'm perfectly fine…I just miss my animals."

"Fluttershy, they're all in the royal garden."

"Yes, I know, but that's three stories down from our room!" I reminded. "I'm used to my cottage. I'm used to animals flowing through my windows and doors…All I have is a stuff castle room."

"Fluttershy, you're going to be too busy taking care of our foal to take care of a million animals," he told me. How dare he?

"I can take care of both…" I defended. "Why would you say I couldn't?"

"I never said you "couldn't," he defended. "I just said you are going to be busy and I don't WANT you to take care of our foal while you're distracted." I didn't respond. I didn't know how, and I didn't know why I would. He obviously was controlling my life now. I laid my head on my hooves, shutting my eyes. "Tired?" he asked.

"Yes…I'm tired of change." Shining looked at me, I didn't have to open my eyes to know. He must have thought I was angry, because he'd left the room when I opened my eyes. I guess I understand…This isn't going to be an easy living situation for anyone. It's definitely not what I wanted, but Shining had already kicked out Cadence and I wasn't in a position to offer any other suggestions. From now on: I'm Shining's foal's mother, and I don't know what else…

Author's Note

:D Short! Just wanted to bridge the gap to let everyone what's going on before jumping into the main story! Also a little Auntie Rarity references for the fans XD