A Royal Loss

by LaceySurprise

Rating: everyone
Tags: Tragedy, Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Spike, Other, Romance
Length: 5576

This is a story of love lost, love gained, and EPIC FIGHT SCENE!!!

This story starts with a battle in which Shining Armor dies. Cadance must learn to survive as well as keep the kingdom in one piece. Will she be able to do that? Or will depression bring the Empire into ruins and dismay. Luckily Spike is there to help her out. Let's see how The Crystal Empire will stand the test of a tragety of this magnitude.

Published 2013-12-14 01:10:03 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-20 06:27:13 UTC

A Tragic Loss

Today started out as such a beautiful day. Sigh...who knew it would so badly though!! It all started when Shining and I was  sitting down to have breakfast while looking over the Crystal Empire.

All of a sudden, dark rumbling cloud came rolling in over the horizon. These weren't normal looking clouds either. These clouds had a deep dark red hue to them with lightning bolt shooting off within the cloud. Shining's ears perked up as he went on full red alert.

He yelled. "I love you Cadance!" as he ran off to gather the troops.  I quickly went to order my subjects to the underground caverns for safety. I stopped one Pegasus in mid flight and told him to get a message to Princess Celestia and the elements of Harmony. He nodded and shot of in the direction of Canterlot.

Moments later the clouds had invaded the kingdom. I had tried every kind of magical barrier spell that I knew but nothing seemed to stop the incoming clouds. Shining and the troops shot their most powerful beams of magic at it but as soon as the beam was about to hit the cloud, a hole opened up allowing the shots to dissipate into thin air. The Pegasus ponies in the royal air force tried to get rid of the clouds just like any other cloud but as soon as they hit the red area of the clouds, they fell down dead. Some even tried to wear masks and protective suits to try to clear the clouds but they met the same fate. I even gave some of the Pegasi protective orbs so they could fly up to fight but a lightning bold would strike the orb causing it to disappear in one shot and then the Pegasi would meet the same fate as the others....Death.

Finally the Princesses of Canterlot and the elements of Harmony arrived. They met me in a secluded area of the castle as I updated them on the battle.

"I have never hear of such things as these clouds!" Celestia said. Luna nodded in agreement.

"Neither have I my dear Sister".

"Twilight, has any of your studies brought you across such things?" I asked.

   "I have never read anything about these either"

"How about I just do a sonic rainboom to blast them away?" Rainbow Dash flatly stated.

"I don't know if that would work, but I guess you could try, as long as you don't touch them.

"And I could add my own Twilight Sparkle bang that I did for the Summer Solstice to add more impart to it!" Said Twilight excitedly.

"Then it's settled, Twilight and Rainbow dash do your best and be careful!" Celestia said.

Before the ponies had a chance to take off to try their daring mission, and royal guard came running in panting.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Shining Armor has been killed!" he said out of breath.

     "HOW?!" I shouted.

      "He was struck down by a red lightning bolt! He never even saw it coming. All that's left of him is his gold badge, piping hot and smoking. The rest of the troops have scattered, well, what's left of us anyways, all the Pegasi have died, and only a few earth ponies are left."

    "What of the unicorn troops?" I asked.

      "None were left, the met the same fate as Shining Armor. The lightning bolts seem attracted to their horn and hit every one of them at the same time.

        "I want you and the troops to hid in the Caverns for now" I ordered. "Yes Princess!" He said as he galloped off. My mind was reeling. Shining Armor, DEAD! No one spoke a word for what seemed like an eternity.

          Until Princess Celestia spoke up, "This has been a most horrible tragedy that we must not let go unpunished!"

       "AGREED!" Everypony shouted in unison.

       "I shall fight as hard as I ever fought before! FOR my beloved brother's revenge!" Shouted Twilight.

      "I will too!" Shouted Rainbow Dash. "Nopony messes with my friends! Even if it is just a stupid cloud!"

     They took off like a shot. Flying faster than they had ever fought before. The Princesses tried to comfort me but I was still in shock.

          Suddenly the sky burst into blinding colors of all sorts. I couldn't see anything. I hope it worked I thought.

The News and Healing

"Twilight...I'm going to have a baby."

       Twilight's jaw dropped. "WHAT?! WHEN DID YOU FIND THIS OUT AND WHY DIDN"T YOU TELL MY BROTHER!"

         "I had just found out this morning. I was going to tell him over breakfast but the cloud kind of interrupted us."

       "WOW! So I'm going to be an aunt huh?"

      "Yeah, but don't tell anypony else. I don't know how I will be able to keep the baby and try to put the kingdom together."

    "Why don't you get somepony to help you? You know, and assistant."

"Because You'd be the only pony I'd trust with such a job but I know you're royal duties should come first."

          "An Assistant... I'VE GOT IT!! How about if Spike stay here with you?"

           "Won't you need him to help you out?"

"I think you would need his help more than I do. Plus, I have my ponyville friends who could help me."

     "Ok, but only if Spike is willing to do it."

      "Could you bring him up here?"

      "Sure." Twilight left to go get Spike.

     I waited on my bed. wondering if I should even keep the baby. Of course I should keep it! I reprimanded myself for such horrid thoughts. Shining would want me to keep it.

      Twilight returned and told Spike all that I told her and swore him to secrecy. "Of course I'll help you out Princess! I just love babies!"

       "Then it's settled. Spike, you stay with Cadance as long as she needs you then when you're both ready, you can come back to be my number 1 assistant again.

       "Ok, but can I say goodbye to everypony first?"

                 "Of course!' We all went back to see how everypony was doing.

          When we got down there, the place was already mostly clean. "I regret that my sister and I must return to Canterlot, for our royal duties don't permit us to be away for long." Celestia said.

        Later that evening, after dinner, Twilight said that her and her friends must be going as well. Everypony joined in a tearful hug as they said goodbye to Spike.

      Twilight headed to Canterlot to tell her parents about Shining and the rest returned to ponyville.

       I showed Spike to what would be his room, and made sure he was comfy. "I've never had a whole room to myself before! Nor a bed this big!" He exclaimed. "I would always share with Twilight....sigh I hope she doesn't forget me."

        "If I know Twilight, she would never forget you." "Goodnight Spike and thank you for helping me out.

        "No Problem."

         I turned out the lights as I slowly made my way to my room. Hours past. I couldn't sleep. Just looking at the empty spot on the bed made me tear up. Why did it have to be him who died? Why not me? I started to cry.. I buried my face in my pillow and just cried. I don't know how long I cried, I must have dozed off a few times and woke up crying again.

           Suddenly, there was a light knock on the door. "Who is it?" I called, hoping I didn't sound as pathetic as I felt.

            "It's Spike, may I come in?"

                    "Of course" I said.

           He came in, "Did I wake you?" I asked?

              "No, I couldn't sleep. I miss Twilight too much."

               "Well, I think I could use the company if you want to sleep in here"

              "Ok! I'll go get my pillow and blanket!" He dashed off.

         I looked around for a basket or something for him to sleep in. I found nothing. I looked over at the large bed I was sitting on. I guess I could ask him if he wants the bed I thought. I could use the company.

       He came back in with his pillow and blanket. "If you want, you can sleep in the bed with me. There's plenty of room."

             "OK, if you don't mind." He climbed up on the bed. "Goodnight Princess"

                "Goodnight spike." He rolled over and went fast to sleep. I knew I needed my rest too. So, slowly my eyelids drooped until I was fast asleep.

                                                                            THE NEXT DAY....

I woke up expecting to open my eyes to see my love snoring next to me. But I didn't. I just saw Spike.

I remembered the previous day.. And sunk into sadness.

                 I slid out of bed so I wouldn't wake Spike. I proceeded to the kitchen and started to make pancakes. I made two platefuls because it felt right. Plus, Spike was here so that help.

           Spike appeared in the kitchen, groggily wiping his eyes.  "What smells so good?"

                 "I made pancakes! I even put some fresh Crystals in yours. I hope you like them"

          "CRYSTAL PANCAKES!!! OF COURSE I WILL!" I smiled weakly. and put his plate in front of him as he gobbled them down. "That was delicious!" "Here, let me clean the dishes for you."

                 "You don't have to!" I protested.

              "I insist! I am here to help."

               "OK, I guess I should address my subjects anyways." I looked back at the little dragon who was humming as he cleared the dishes.

                    I went to the balcony and saw the ponies of the empire. So many lives were lost yesterday. Now, only a few stallions remained. The only unicorns left were mares, colts, and fillies.

                "My Subjects! Due to the terrible things that happened yesterday, from now on, every year on the day of yesterday, there will be a remembrance holiday to remember those that died in the great cloud battle! Now, today, and every year after will be a day of mourning!" "Please, gather what family you have left and put your dead to rest."

               The ponies then left, their heads down low as they went about mourning the deaths. One pony remained. I recognized him as the one who brought the sand news.

                   "Princess! If I may be so bold, I have all that remains of Shining Armor!"

                  "Please bring it here!" I shouted back.

           He went inside the castle. "I am so sorry for your loss Princess, we also miss Shining Armor. Here" He handed me a burnt badge. The same badge that he worn on our wedding day.

                "Thank you. Thank you so much for bringing this to me."

             "You're welcome Princess. Now if you'll excuse me, I also had relatives that died yesterday that I must attend to."

         "You are excused." He trotted away. I looked and the badge and held it against my chest. I then went to my room, found some ribbon and made the badge a necklace that I could wear next to my hear.     I remembered that the pony never brought back Shining's weeding band and I rushed to the balcony.

        "IF ANYPONY HAS FOUND SHINING ARMOR'S WEDDING BAND, PLEASE BRING IT TOO ME!"

       Not long after that a little Pegasus flew onto the balcony and dropped the ring at my hooves. He looked up at me and then took off before I could ask any questions.

          I put the ring on the necklace I was wearing.

            "The dishes are done!" Spike said as he came into the room. "Is there anything else I could do to help you Princess?"

             "No Spike, there is nothing else you could do. We both just stood there, looking at the Crystal Empire as ponies busied themselves with preparations of their loved ones.

The Baby.

Many months passed by. My belly growing as the baby inside me did.

"The baby is doing great Princess!" The doctor told me and my regular appointment. "Would you like to see the baby?" he asked.

"Could I?!"

"Sure, there's this new machine that lets us see images of babies before they're born to make sure they're healthy."

"THAT'S AMAZING!" said Spike. He had come with me just in case I needed him

  The doctor put some clear jelly on my belly and used a weird wand looking thing that was hooked to a monitor. A black and white triangle appeared on the screen and a crude outline of a foal was shown in the middle of the triangle. I could see a tiny horn and little wings on it. I couldn't believe that the image on that screen was of the foal inside me.

"That's it? Said Spike. "That just looks like a blob in a triangle."

"Look at it closer" said the doctor. He pointed out different aspects of the baby so Spike could see it.

"OH! I see it now!" "It looks kind of cute now that it doesn't look as much like a blob anymore."

"Thank you doctor for showing us this!" I said.

"No problem." "Would you like to know if the baby is a girl or boy?" The doctor asked.

"Now how is he supposed to know that!" Spike exclaimed.

The Doctor and I exchanged a look. "I think I'd rather not know." I said.

"OK, some parents like to be surprised."

After the appointment, we went back to the castle.

"Princess, how could the doctor know if the baby is a boy or girl?" Spike asked.

"Well, the same way you know a boy pony from a girl pony."

"By their voice?"

I giggled, "No, not that." I whispered how you could tell in his ear.

"EW! GROSS!" Spike exclaimed.

"Well, that's how they can tell."

Later on I picked out the room that would be my baby's room. I thought about how I should paint it since I didn't know if it would be for a colt or Filly. I decided to paint it to look like the Crystal Empire backdrop. With Shining Armor's cutie mark on all the furniture. I also knew I had to come up with a name for it too.

  "Spike, what name should I call the baby?" I asked. Spike had become my closest friend since the tragedy.

"Well Princess, since you don't know if it's a colt or filly, why not name it whenever you see it?"

"That sounds like a good idea Spike."

Time passed on. We waited and waited for to baby to come.  Finally the day had come!

"SPIKE! IT'S TIME!"

"REALLY?! I'LL GET EVERYTHING!" He ran around gathering stuff to stay in the hospital then ran out the door.

I sighed as I hobbled towards the door. "Spike! I think you left someone behind !" I shouted.

"Sorry Princess!" Spike said as he rushed back in.

        Time passed...Then the doctor was holding my beautiful baby.

"It's a girl! He said as the nurse handed her?

Spike recovering from his faint, looked at her, "She's so cute!" he exclaimed.

She opened her eyes and Spike was the first thing she saw. She blinked then looked at me, then Spike, then went to sleep.

"Aww!" Everypony said in unison.

"Her name?" Asked the nurse. " I need it to fill out the rest of her birth certificate."

I thought for a minute. "Skyla. Her name shall be Skyla."

"Princess Skyla." The nurse said as she wrote down her name on the birth certificate.

After a short stay in the hospital, Skyla and I came home. When we got there,  the whole kingdom, the Princesses of Canterlot, Twilight and her friends from ponyville, and of course, Shining and Twilight's parents.

"WELCOME HOME!" Everypony shouted. They all tried to crowd in at once to see her.

Spike took on the offence and yelled "Get back! You're crowding her!" He had become very protective of her since her birth at the hospital and hadn't left either of our sides since then.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna came to look at the foul.

"She is so precious!" Celestia said.

"Indeed sister! I wish her well." Luna said.

One by one everypony came to see her.

"Look at my little niece! She's so cute!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Wow, I'm a grand dad! Said Twilight's dad.

"And I a grand mom!" said Twilight's mother.

"We'll come visit as often as we can to spoil our little grand foal!" Twilights mom said.

"Spike, did you want to come home with me after the celebration?" Twilight asked.

"Are you kidding me Twilight? Now that the baby is here, Cadance will need me more than ever!"

"OK, you're right Spike. You sure do like that baby huh?"

"Of course I do! I was the first thing she saw when she was born!" Spike beamed.

"Well I think it's about time to go." "Take good care of Cadance and my niece!"

"Well, duh! Of course I'll take good care of them!"

Once it was evening, Celestia, Luna, Twilight and I, presented Skyla before the whole Empire to introduce her to the world.

"I declare that this foal will be the next ruler of the Crystal Empire!" Celestia sated before all.

"I, as current ruler of the Crystal Empire agree that my daughter will be the next in line for the throne!"

The ceremony finished off with dancing and general celebration until the wee hours of the morning.

Spike and I said our goodbyes to everypony as they went their separate ways. It was just me, Spike, and baby Skyla.

Years had passed. Skyla was now a  young Filly. She was at the age that every filly wants to know what their cutie mark could be.

"Momma! When will I get my cutie mark?"

"Someday sweetie!"

"Hey Skyla! I know of some young fillies back in ponyville who once wanted to know what their cutie marks would be, so they went on adventures to find out!" Spike said.

   Spike by this point had grown as well. No longer was he the baby dragon that came to help me out all those years ago. Now, he was a young adult dragon. He had decided that he still wanted to live here even though he didn't need to. With Skyla growing older I told him that he didn't need to stay bet he insisted. Even Twilight or Rarity couldn't get him to leave. I could see he treated Skyla like his own young and thus didn't want to leave.

"Tell me about the ponies that wanted to find their cutie marks!" Skyla said with the excitement that only a filly could muster.

"Ok, ok." "They were called the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They'd do everything they could think of to get their cutie marks."

"And did they? Did they get their cutie marks?"

" I'm sure they did. I lost track of them years ago."

"Do you at least know what they did to get them?"

"Sorry Skyla, I don't know."

"How come you don't have a cutie mark?"

"Because I'm a dragon and dragons don't get cutie marks, Only ponies."

"Oh! OK.  I'm going to go off to be a Cutie Mark Crusader!" Then she galloped off.

"I hope she doesn't get in to too much trouble" I said.

"She'll be fine" Spike said.

Moments later, we heard a piercing scream.

"SKYLA!" Spike and I shouted.

We ran to where we heard the screams, yelling out her name.

All we found was a note.

The Kidnapping

Cadance and Spike hurriedly read the letter.

"If you want to see your daughter one last time, come to the dark cave in the forest region of the badlands.

                  Sign Samro"

  "Samro? Who is Samro?" Spike asked.

"I have no idea. but we better hurry if we want to save Skyla!" I yelled.

  Spike wrapped his arms around my neck as I took to the skies.

All I could think about was saving my daughter. My poor baby needed me!

"Can't you go any faster?! We have to save Skyla!"

"I'll try!"

I flapped my wings harder than ever before as we shot off towards the badlands.

"I see them! I see the cave!" Yelled spike.

I swooped down to wear he was pointing. We landed with a thud as these dark ponies started to spill out of the mouth of the cave.

I had never seen creatures like these! They weren't exactly changelings nor like How King Sombra had looked. But they were some sort of cross between the two.

"I'll take the ones on this side, you take the others!" I shouted as I charged at the dark ponies.

"OK!" As Spike dashed for the group he was assigned to take down.

I bit, scratched, kicked and punched as many ponies as I could. Shooting off magic left and right. They'd come at me with blood thirst in their eyes, and I'd do whatever it took for me to drive them back and mow them down.

I glanced over quickly at Spike as I fought my own battle. He was clawing, biting, and burning each one he came across, making more progress then I had.

No matter how many I fought, more seemed to be pouring out of the cave.

Suddenly I notice the size of the ponies flooding out were shrinking little by little. We were winning! We were actually beating them!!

I gave all my effort to kill off the last of the troops.

Suddenly, Spike was by my side helping me.

"I finished off the ones on my side so now I can help you Princess!"

"Thanks!"

We stood back to back fighting off everypony that came our way. The I blasted the last one.

There were no more left so we went inside the cave. It was quiet. Too quiet.

Suddenly we heard a soft clapping noise. As we went deeper into the cave, we heard a voice overhead.

"Glad you could finally make it! My name is Samro, son of King Sombra!"

"SON?! King Sombra didn't have any children!" I yelled into the darkness.

"Oh, but he did. ME! When we were banished from the Crystal Kingdom, he had brought me with him. I was born during the banishment and my mother killed in the process."

"What do you want then!" "Where's my daughter!!"

"Your Daughter? Ah, yes, I think she's in the back. But it's a dark maze in here. You'll have to find her before time runs out."

I used a light spell and Spike grabbed some wood and made a torch. We wandered around, listening for clues but didn't find any.

Suddenly we saw small hoof scrape marks near where a bolder stood. I used all my strength to move it. It was only when Spike joined in to help that we were able to move it.

What we saw shocked us at the horror we saw.

Little Skyla was collapsed on the floor. I ran to her. When I got to her, I saw she dead. I started Crying When Spike saw her, he cried too.

Then a voice behind us said, "HA! You're too late! I poisoned her with a red death cloud! She fell dead as soon as she breathed it in!"

"YOU MONSTER!!!" We screamed.

Then a dark hoof was suddenly as my neck. Holding it tightly, I couldn't breathe!

"Now you shall meet a similar fate!"

Quicker than he could react, Spike sent a fireball in my direction.

It hit a dark area right behind me as the hoof loosened its grip and I was able to breathe again.

I whirled around to see a pile of ash. All that was left of Samro.

"Are you alright Princess?" Spike asked.

"I'll be ok" I said once I had caught my breath. "Thank you for saving me."

We walked over to Skyla's lifeless body and just stood there. She didn't even get a chance to find out her cutie mark.

I lifted her onto my back and Spike got onto me to hold her steady as I slowly flew home.

We arrived home with the limp, lifeless,  little princess as the crystal ponies crowded around me asking what happened. Through tears, Spike told them the whole horrid ordeal.

Weeks had passed.

I now left my room only to attend Skyla's funeral and that was it. Spike would bring me anything I needed. When there was nothing to bring me, e would just sit by my side as we stared off into space together. Neither of us saying a word.

"Princess? I miss Skyla. So much. Can I tell you something secret?" Spike said after awhile of staring into nothingness.

"Sure." I said flatly.

"I know Skyla wasn't my daughter, but I FELT like she WAS my daughter. Is that weird?"

"Not at all Spike. You were the first one she saw and you spent so much time with her, at times, it did feel like you were her dad. Even thought Shining Armor was her real father, you were there for her when he couldn't be."

Spike's eyes started fill up with tears. Then he hugged me so tight and started to cry on my shoulder.

"I miss her! I miss her so much!" He cried.

I wrapped my wings around him and whispered "I miss her so much too." Then I burst into tears as we cried in each other's arms.

Overcome by sheer emotion we both looked into each other's tear filled eyes. I saw Spike as something else. More than just the baby Dragon who would assist me in raising Skyla. Something I had only seen in one other pony. Something I had only seen in Shining Armor's eyes.

Spike had the same look that I felt I must have had. Our head coming closer together, our lips almost touching.

I then quickly turned my head and got up. "I must be going to bed." I said.

Spike had a half confused, half ashamed look on his face.

"I guess I must be going too."

He left me to my thoughts.

This can't be happening! He's Spike for crying out loud! I would watch him grow up with Twilight! I watched over BOTH of them at the same time! I even changed his diaper once! How in all of Equestria could I feel this way! HOW?!

Meanwhile back in Spike's room.

Whoa dude, not cool! I can't believe that almost happened! She's the Princess! I'm just her assistant! I've only felt this way towards my beloved Rarity!  Would this be cheating on her?! I mean I know we were never an official item and it has been years since I lived in Ponyville. But for some reason, all of a sudden, I feel like Cadance is the most beautiful pony in the world! I can't stop thinking about her! Why do I have to feel this way? WHY?

Both Cadance and Spike wandered about their feelings but eventually, they had to go to sleep.

                                                                          THE NEXT DAY

Cadance peeked outside her bedroom. Nopony was there. She sneaked to the kitchen to fix herself some breakfast.

When she got there, when found Spike cooking Pancakes. The same thing she had made him when he first stayed with her.

"I made Pancakes. I know they're your favorite." "Uh, Princess, About last night.."

"No need to explain, we were both just very emotionally about missing Skyla." "That's all, no harm done."

"OK, then." Spike said.

We ate in silence. Sometimes catching each other's eye then quickly blushing and looking away.

Afterwards, I went back to my room, and Spike tended to everything else. All was quiet. Except my mind and heart.

The End of the Battle.

The skies cleared and my vision adjusted to the normal sunlight. The sky was clear again! Crystal clear! THEY DID IT! THE DESTROYED THE CLOUD!! Everypony cheered that the terror was over. I was so happy that it was gone.

       Twilight and Rainbow Dash returned, exhausted from the huge display of sheer power. Their friends hugged them so tight.

      Rainbow Dash was beaming ear to ear. "Did you see how I flew!! It was the biggest rainboom that I have ever done!"

     Twilight on the other hoof had only a weak slight smile. Her head still hung a bit low. I knew why too. Her friends asked how she could be so sad after showing off more power she had ever shown and defeating the cloud.

      "What's the point of celebrating if my brother is no longer here to cheer with me?" she said.

      Everything and everyone stopped their cheer as the dark realization took a hold of everypony. For a brief instant, many ponies had forgotten the tragedy that had happened just moments ago.

      "Well Twilight, I recon' that there's not much anypony could've done. But we're all here fer ya and we want to help as best as we can." Applejack said.

      "Yes, I cannot even know how you feel but I'm here to listen...If you want to talk that is...You don't have to of course..but I'm here." Fluttershy said.

      "Why yes darling, we all are here for you! There's no need to be alone right now." Rarity Stated.

          "LET'S HAVE A CHEERING UP AND SAVING THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE AGAIN PARTY!" Shouted Pinkie Pie. Everypony glared at her. "What? Parties always cheer me up when I'm feeling down."

    "I don't think now is the time for a party Pinkie Pie." Celestia said Sternly.

     "Well, fine.." Pinkie just sat there. Her normally puffy hair deflated as she sat there in silence.

      I went to get the rest of the ponies from the cavern and told them of all that had happened. They went on frantic searches to find their beloveds that had fallen.

     "Twilight, may I speak with you alone in my chamber?" I asked.

    "Of course."

      Princess Celestia said that she, Luna and the rest of the elements of Harmony would help clean up the kingdom while I went to talk to Twilight.

Once we reached my room, I knew what I had to say would be very hard but knew I had to tell her. "Twilight,  I know you'll have your royal duties to get back to and of course you have to tell your parents about Shining Armor, but I have something to tell you. I never even got the chance to tell Shining this...but I have to tell someone.

        "What is it Cadance?" Twilight asked.

The Beginning...or The End?

The Castle has been quite since the death of Skyla. But now my mind and heart was so loud, that I wanted to scream for it to just shut up! Why was I feeling like this towards Spike? Was I THAT lonely? I must be... I haven't even seen my own kingdom since the funeral. I became so depressed that it physically hurt to wake up in the mornings. Why was it my sweet daughter who died? She didn't even get a chance to LIVE! Why wasn't it me who died?! WHY?! I just don't know how I can go on much longer?! WHY COULDN'T I BE THE ONE WHO DIED?!?!?!?!!!!!

*Cadance throws herself on the bed with her face buried into the pillow. Sobbing.*

I wonder what would happen if I were to die? I've been an absent leader for some time now so I bet my kingdom could use a change of command. Yes. I think I should just go join my husband and child. There's nothing here for me anymore. But how? How should I join them? I am an Alicorn after all. I know not what could kill me. Maybe I could find out? But how?

*While Cadance was considering these horrid thoughts, we'll go to Spike, who also has similar thoughts but he handles things differently.

*In the forest on the outskirts of the kingdom. There are many trees clawed into shapes of Samros. Day after day, Spike came to destroy these images and make new ones to destroy so he could relieve stress and be left to his thoughts.

WHY DID YOU TAKE HER FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY DID YOU TAKE SKYLA!!!!!!!!!!!

*A fire blast into an image explodes it into tiny splinters*

And now...and now these THOUGHTS?! WHY?!  I know she misses Skyla more than me but....Why do I feel like THIS?!

*Another fire blast to an image that explodes*

Sigh... I guess it must be worse for her since her husband died too?

*A sudden thought popped into Spike's head. A thought of what Cadance must be going through*

Oh no! I think I know what she may be thinking! Whatever happened between us doesn't matter.... But I HAVE to get to her before it's too late. Before she joins THEM! Before she joins Skyla and Shining Armor!

*Spike took off, heading straight for the castle. *

Cadance looked at the sword that was hidden under the castle. It was the only sword recorded to have killed an Alicorn. It had killed one over a thousand millennia ago. She was now in her bedroom with a note that she had just finished writing. She was poised over the sword, it's point aimed at her heart.