Spellbound for the Royal Guard

Spellbound for the Royal Guard

Written By: Luminous Daze

Edited By: N/A

Chapter Three: Tailing the Princesses

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Thanks to Zecora's training, and my special gift telling me where to be, I just knew I had to investigate. A ponies aura stays the same their entire lives, or so I'm told. The only exception is that it slightly changes with the experiences throughout our lives, unless we have a life altering event. Cadence was either not who she claimed to be, or something happened to cripple the very pony she had been. Either way, I felt the need to investigate and at the very least, check on the princess.

After dinner, I tailed my superior's wife, not to mention my new faction leader; Shining Armor...

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“So, where are you headed? I assume you have been assigned your room?” Shining raised his brow, waiting patiently for my reply.

Nodding, I hesitantly chuckle, “I'm with the other patrol cadets in the commoners motel.”

“For the night you can return there, but from tomorrow forth, you will be assigned a new room. Report to me at high noon, tomorrow for your orders, as well as your first day; understood?” Suddenly Shining took an air of authority, just as he normally had with any of his troops. I knew since I had accepted the job, this was most likely a direct order, “Also, you will no longer be training with your troop.”

“Sir, yes sir!” I called out, standing at attention.

A small chuckle escaped the unicorn. He turned away from me before smiling, “At ease soldier! oh and good night!”

Several moments passed and I just merely watched my new boss vanish in the distance, on his way somewhere around the castle. Made me wonder where he was staying since he wasn't married yet. Once he was gone, that was when I saw a flash of pink fly from a high above balcony.

“Princess Cadenza?” I question myself in slight disbelief, but after recollecting myself, I took to the air after her. Surely this was my chance to tail her and hopefully uncover what was up with her.

After a moment, I notice her turn tail and head where Shining Armor had. Soon enough, we landed at a house that out-skirted the castle. Only the living room was lit, and the chimney was eagerly puffing smoke from the top. Once Cadence landed, she didn't even bother knocking as she pushed her way inside. For a brief moment I could hear Shining Armor, “Hey, hun! Here, help me out of my--”

I didn't hear any more as the door shut with a click. I was about to land and glance into the window, but was halted as I heard hoofsteps. I darted into a bush, and steadied my breath, trying to gently gaze through the leaves. At first I couldn't see a thing, but as the figure stepped into the light of the torchlight, my eyes widened, “Lady Sparkle?!”

Twilight Sparkle was indeed known around the castle of being Celestia's pupil. I had met her quite a hoof full on different occasions. Never actually held a full conversation with the mare, but it was enough to know her personality and that she was a book worm. From rumor I had heard that she had really opened up since leaving for Ponyville, but that was another story.

“Why are you here, Lady Sparkle?” I whispered to myself, muttering low enough that not even I could hear.

It wasn't long before Twilight was inside and I made my way to the window. Shining Armor was getting dressed for his wedding, most likely to try it on to make sure it still fit. Then Shining acknowledged his sister, “Twily! Your big brother's looking pretty good, don't you think?” As he looked to his sister, he instantly grew concerned of his sisters forlorn expression, “huh. Everything okay?”

Struggling to listen, I took a step closer, barely able to hear everything being said. Twilight's face softened as she looked to her dear brother, “We need to talk. I think you're making a big--”

I flinch and duck under the windowsill as Cadence made her way into the room. I could hear her clear her throat before Shining spoke up, “Oh, uh, hi, sweetie.”

“She sure has a way of sneaking up on people.” Twilight stated, most likely to herself, but since she was standing near the window I was at, I managed to hear it. Seemed like she was sarcastic, and didn't seemed to share in her brother's love for the pink princess.

“Could I speak to you for a moment, dear?” Cadence stated in an apparently irritated voice.

However, Shining just merely smiled as he whispered to Twilight, “Better see what she wants.”

As Shining and Cadence made their way into a nearby room, Twilight glanced into the cracked door of the room they were in. I couldn't see much, but then I heard Twilight mutter to herself, “She isn't just unpleasant and rude. She's downright evil!”

Twilight darted from the door, and I could hear Shining call after her, “Twilight!”

“Let her go.” Cadence sighed as she ran her nose under her soon to be husband.

“Huh...” Shining couldn't help but gaze after his sister, “It seemed like she had something else she wanted to tell me.”

Watching Twilight dash off to the castle, I made a decision to follow her. Making my way through the darkness, I noticed her run up the steps. Making my landing from the air, I was about to make my way up the steps, that was until I heard a voice, followed by a dark figure blocking my path, “Prophet, why, may I ask, are you following Twilight Sparkle this late at night?”

“L-luna!” I stuttered, skidding to a halt. I shuffled my gaze between her and where Twilight had disappeared too. I definitely didn't want her to think I was a stalker, but I suppose, technically I was at the moment.

“Yes, it is I, Luna.” The dark Princess frowned as she made her way closer to me, “Prithee, tell me why you follow my sisters pupil?”

I could have lied to the princess, told her Twilight just seemed upset and I was checking on her. As I gazed into Luna's luminous  cyan eyes, I just couldn't lie to her. Somehow despite her irregular aura, and knowing something was off, I couldn't manage to say anything else, “Well... it's kind of a long story...”

Luna just merely raised her brow, sitting down, “As you see, the sun is set. I have all night before morning.”

Sitting down myself, I began to explain everything. My abilities of aura, my training, how Cadence wasn't herself, and even my spying. The entire time, Luna didn't do much more than the occasional nod or question, but once I was finished, silence befell the both of us. Only after several moments of leaving Luna to her thoughts, I thought it best to speak up, “Luna? Do you even believe me?”

I couldn't see much of Luna, but her eyes were clearly visible, as if I were looking at two moons up in the sky. Especially since the view was accentuated by her mane, making it look as if I were gazing at the night sky. She blinked, hiding her eyes for a brief moment, before nodding, “Yes, Prophet. If you were lying, that would be some outrageous and extensive lie. I would be a fool, if I at least didn't check this out.”

A smile hastily formed, despite my best effort to fight it. Even if I knew something was up with her, I decided to play along to prevent an altercation, “So, what are we going to do?”

“We are not going to do anything.”

“W-what?” I blink at her, my eyes probably going wide and giving away my shock.

“I'm going to confront Cadence, and I will get to the bottom of this. You go to your room, and go along with business as usual. I will inform you to calm any doubts you may have.”

Frowning, I couldn't help plead to her, “But, Princess! If whatever gotten to Cadence is strong enough to replicate an alicorn, wouldn't it be dangerous for you?”

“Do not fret, Prophet. Just go and get some rest, or do I need to make that a direct order?” Luna raised her brow, just daring me to disobey.

My ears splayed back against my head, and I could feel the tug downward on either end of my mouth. I weakly shook my head and replied, “No your highness...”

“Good, now get going, and goodnight.” Luna smiled, followed by a short giggle.

Turning to take my leave, I glanced back to notice Luna still smiling at me. Finally letting out a sigh, I do as I was told and walk back toward Canterlot, and where the new cadets were being housed. However, as soon as I was out of eyesight, I darted over into a bush. I could hear the flapping of wings, followed by a shadow thanks to the moon signify that Luna was headed for Cadence's home.

“Well, technically even if she made it a direct order, she isn't my goddess, now is she?” I mutter to myself as I rounded the corner and straight up the stairs into the castle.

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Luna landed in front of the home that Cadence and Shining Armor had been staying in. Luna smirked as she looked over her shoulder, “I suppose Shining was right, and here I thought the Legacy family would be out of the way...” Luna's smile faded and she frowned, letting out a soft sigh, “At least I can keep him out of the way until I'm finished.”

The dark princess was about to head inside, but she quickly giggled to herself, “Oh, silly me! I almost forgot!” Closing her eyes, green circled her body as her body quickly started to change. Purple hastily transformed to pink, and soon she was Cadence once more, “hmm... either form is... distasteful, but it'll have to do until I overtake Canterlot.”

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Rounding up the halls, I was basically letting my instincts tell me where to go. I hated letting myself go blindly, but it was all I had to go on. I knew from my studies that this particular tower was where guests would house at, but it didn't mean Twilight had gone this way. Just as I reached the first room, the door opened and Twilight stepped through it, muttering, “Looks like I really am on my own.”

Behind her I could hear other mares, which I figured were most likely the other Elements of Harmony. Twilight paused in the hallway, closing the door behind her. She turned her attention to me, which she seemed stressed and a little bit fed up, “Prophet? You're not part of the Royal Guard, at least not yet. Why are you here?”

Deciding to go for broke, my instincts tell me just to come right out with it, “I believe you.”

For a moment, she didn't seem to catch on, but being as witty as she was, it quickly dawned on her, “You know about Cadence?”

“Yes, long story short, I know she isn't whom she says she is. Her aura just isn't right...” I didn't bother hiding my training from her. I didn't know if she believed me, or even trusted me, but it looked as if she was just relieved to find somepony that believed her.

She seemed almost like she was going to cry in relief as she laughed halfheartedly, “Thank Celestia! I've heard of Aura's from Zecora, was that what you were doing with her all that time in Ponyville?”

Nodding to her, I quickly reply, “Yeah, but we can talk about that later. Normally auras don't change unless you go through a life altering event. I know marriage is a huge step, but I highly doubt that is it. Her aura seems like she has turned...” I fall silent, unsure of the right word to use.

“Evil?” Twilight added.

I softly nodded, “Seems a good a word as any. Come to think about it... Luna seemed a little off earlier too... I think whatever got to her, got to Luna.”

“Do you think there are two of them?” Twilight asked with worry in her voice, her brow raised and I could tell she was panicking, “what if they got to Celestia too?!”

“N-no...” I stutter, the thought crossing my mind as well, “Luna's aura seemed to be the same as Cadence's. It may be the same creature. I have the power to dispel magic, thanks to Zecora. I'm going to tail Cadence tonight and try to dispel Shining. If I fail, you need to try and stop Cadence.”

Twilight nodded, her face turning serious, “Just be careful!”

Giving my confirmation, I turned away from her and headed from the castle. On my way out, I glanced up to make sure Luna was nowhere to be seen. Sure enough, stood Luna, but this one seemed to be the real Luna. Her aura was back to normal. Deciding to play it cool, I made my way down the stairs and luckily the princess didn't give me any mind, instantly recognizing me. I let out a sigh of relief and take off to a full gallop toward Shining's home.

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At the home, I stepped up to the windowsill and glanced in. Shining stood there with his eyes swirling green, while Cadence merely circled around him. For the moment I just listened, hoping to gain information from the devil before taking her on. Maybe I could even approach Shining and dispel whatever spell was keeping him in a zombie like state, “He must stay like this so she can re-insure that she is Cadence. A true lover would know if something was up. It must be part of the spell...”

“My dear future husband, who do you love?” The supposed Cadence whispered, nudging the white stallions cheek.

“You, my love...” Shining stated in a robotic voice, never actually looking at her. His eyes swirled green, but his pupils remained pointed slightly toward the ceiling.

“Who are you in love with? Say her name?” Cadence questioned, running her hoof oh so gently up his neck.

“You, you are my love, Cadence.” Shining finally took a glance at the pink Alicorn, but soon his gaze wandered to nothing in particular.

“Good, now stay here while I get your supplement.” The pink mare snickered as she left the room.

This was my chance. Heading in through the front door, I opened it gently to make sure it remained silent. Once inside, I could hear Cadence in the kitchen and headed to the bedroom to Shining. The white stallion simply remained put, while his gaze wandered in the distance, “Shining! Hey... snap out of it!”

Starting to focus my aura, my hooves start to swirl and decide the best point to dispel him would be between his eyes. I barely tap his head, until I flinch when I hear something drop in the next room. I freeze solid, but then Cadence seemed to resume what ever she had been doing. When I glanced back to Shining, I jumped as I noticed the stallion locking eyes with me. My heart beat erratically as I asked him worriedly, “Shining, are you okay?”

The stallions brows turned down in anger, and he opened his mouth wide, “CADENCE! Intruder, arm yourself my beloved!”

Lurching forward, I used my hooves to snap his mouth closed, but it was too late. The door swung open and there stood a rather angry looking Alicorn princess. What surprised me was when her expression suddenly softened, and then she laughed. I could only watch as she locked the door and then circled around me, “I underestimated you... You saw right through my ruse as Luna, am I correct?”

Nodding my head gently, I looked to her, waiting for her to make her move. When that didn't happen, she continued, “Do you happen to know of the crystal catacombs beneath the castle?”

Shaking my head no, I evaluated my chance for escape, but without the information of exactly what she was, I had no idea for my chances, “What are you?!”

“Nothing that concerns you, you little offspring...” Cadence's nose scrunched up with a slightly fowl taste on her tongue. Letting out a sigh, she shook her head, “You spoke with Twilight, didn't you?”

I shook my head once more, desperately not wanted her to know Twilight was in on this, and possibly endangering her.

“Oh don't lie, pet! I am the queen of disguise and lies, you cannot possibly hide from me!” Cadence smiled proudly, a wicked grin on her muzzle. Once her face softened, she frowned, “Now... I expect that once you go missing, Twilight will most likely try to stop the rehearsal tomorrow. I'll just simply make her look like a fool, and have Shiny here, play mister disappointed and when everypony turns against her, I'll strike!”

“I wont let you!” I snarl, stepping away from Shining and flaring my wings out against the pink Princess.

“It's already too late, my little pest!” Cadence grinned sinisterly, and I could see the fire burning in her eyes, the evil.

My attention was soon tugged downward as something engulfed my hooves. I was sinking into the floor, and what seemed to be a black swirling mass of goop. Flapping my wings, I barely gain an inch, only to be slammed against the floor and half my body being engulfed. Glancing over, Shining and I locked eyes, that was until I was overcome by darkness.