Shining Armor Superstar!

Disclosed Location

Preparations for the anniversary festival of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza were well under way by the time Shining Armor left yesterday. Cadence was cantering from her bed chambers to the dining hall when she was approached by one of her servants, clutching a newspaper in her mouth.

"Yer Highneth, yer paypaw ith here."

Cadence gave her kindly servant a warm smile. "Thank you, Beryl Bond, I really appreciate it."

Sitting down at the farthest end of the table, Cadence was promptly served several plates of food: an Appleloosan egg and cheese omelet, crystal hash browns from potatoes grown locally, a bowl of assorted beans and nuts, and an assortment of fruit and vegetable dishes made with imported Equestrian produce. The Crystal Empire was still recovering economically from their one thousand year dormancy, so it became necessary to rely on resources from outside to support its population. Which did not perturb Cadence one bit as she thoroughly enjoyed her meal with a glass of Sweet Apple juice and the morning paper.

"Hmm...'Fancy Pants Begins Plans for New Castle Wing', let's see. Okay, 'First Scheduled Lunar Eclipse in 1,001 Years, Luna Announces Using "The Voice"', 'S.A.R.G. Announces Reunion Concert', 'Filthy Rich Sells Former Small Business Property to Toxic Waste Facility, 'New Cure for'-bah, WHAT?!"

Cadence frantically flipped through the paper, desperate to confirm what she couldn't believe she had read. Mornings were typically uneventful; the Princess skims through the newspaper, finding nothing of note to read except for the occasional blurb on her sister-in-law, Princess Twilight Sparkle. After rifling through the bent-out-of-shape paper, she found it. The article to end all newspaper articles.

"I was right! I can't believe this, AAAH! They're really coming back?! NO WAY!"

Cadence threw her paper into the air, scattering the pages all over the dining hall floor. She sprinted around the table and leapt into the air, gliding and performing numerous flips and rolls; the excitement of what she had just read overwhelmed her heart. Cooks in the kitchen glanced over to their Princess, echoing their mutual excitement through grins and laughter as they continued their work. Eventually, Cadence touched down, picking up the scattered newspaper and re-reading the article to herself.

Equestrian Star, Day 301, A.N. 1003

Page 3

Boy Band-Era Popstars Return, 'S.A.R.G.' Announces Reunion Concert

Not since the years shortly before the return of Princess Luna has S.A.R.G. performed live in front of any audience. The famous boy band from Canterlot last performed in their hometown back in the year 995, where they thrilled the crowd with a torrent of their signature 'dirty' pop steps and struts. Princess Celestia herself was pleased enough with their performance at the Summer Sun Celebration 8 years prior, that she is now personally sponsoring their return. The event will take place this Saturday evening at an undisclosed location.

Later this week, the Princess stated, the location of the venue for the concert would be announced. Her Royal Highness suggested, however, that anyone seeking to purchase tickets to the event should also prepare to travel 'pretty far' in order to attend. More details are forthcoming, as...

Cadence allowed a satisfied sigh escape her lungs, before jerking her body upward and frantically looking every which way.

"Wait a second, that's the same evening of our anniversary festival! Awww, that means...I can't go see them again! That's such a shame, I really really really love those guys..."

She began to crawl her way out of the dining hall with her head hanging down in defeat, when suddenly, an idea. A plan to make her dream come true.

"Hold on. Beryl!"

The crystal servant galloped into the hall. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"Tell my advisors to watch the empire and that I'll be gone overnight. Get my train car ready, 'cause I have a boy band to ambush!"

The photo shoot the night prior lasted well over three hours, with the guards trying several combinations of masks and outfits. Fortunate for Shining Armor, anonymity was preserved; Princess Celestia enchanted them with a spell that allowed them to remain incognito for the duration of their trip.

Brave Lance was the most vocal complainer, having to wear a jet black bodysuit and a white mask shaped like a lightning bolt. His mane was the only 'normal' part of his ensemble, straightened out and dyed yellow to clash with the black suit. His other band mates had their own goofy style, Shining Armor's being the goofiest; last night, he sported a purple mohawk, a cream-colored bodysuit and a navy blue crescent moon mask.

After the exhausting experience of posing in their awkward, hoof-picked attire for the media yesterday, they returned to the studio's changing room. Power Sword snatched the bodysuit he left behind, and tossed it into a waste basket across the room.

Signal Flare pouted at his companion. "Sword, now that was mean! I demand that you apologize to that hideous excuse of a suit this instant."

Power Sword just scoffed. "Listen, I don't understand why we had to wear those ridiculous outfits. Is that what passes for fashion in music today? Never again."

Signal jabbed a hoof into one of the outfits next to him. "Hey, can't be worse than these dragon costumes for the Neighponese New Year coming up next month. Those were humid as Tartarus inside!"

Shining Armor allowed his guards to carry on their grumbling as he sat on the balcony, looking out into Canterlot's bustling midtown plaza. He looked down at his hooves, seeing his own coloration, but to the outside world...

I look like the masked lead singer of S.A.R.G. again. I'm so sorry, Cadence, but I promise this will all be worth it.

Grinning, he stepped back inside to calm down his friends.

"Hey guys, can I say something real quick?"

"THEY WANTED ME TO WEAR THAT, CAN YOU-um, what's up, Shining?" Flash Sentry perked up mid-sentence at his Captain.

"I just wanted to thank you guys for putting up with all of this for me. I really app-"

Flash waved his hooves rapidly in front of Shining Armor. "Whoa whoa whoa there, Shining! Who ever said we were doing this for you, dude?"

"Yeah!" Signal Flare trotted up to Shining, giving him a poke in the ribs. "We aren't doing this for you, this is for the Princess! Besides, you're just not my type. Our passion and love is for her and her alone!"

Shining was taken aback at Signal's declaration. "Say what?! Love? Are you seriously trying to make a play for my wife?!"

Signal continued. "Why else do you think I bother being in a boy band like-OW!" Brave Lance jabbed Signal on the side.

"He's just gettin' your goat, Shining! Um..." Lance turned to their tailor, who was taking more measurements of Power Sword. "No offense."

The goat just shrugged. "None taken."

Shining Armor laughed off the whole exchange while Flash continued. "Shining, we're more than happy to surprise her, but you need to come out with the truth at some point this week. Do you want the wrath of both a Princess AND a Wife to rain down on you? Huh?!"

Shining stopped laughing. "I know more than anypony that I don't want her angry with me. I didn't forget the day we got the bid for the Equestrian Games. When she figured out the wrong filly had been escorted around the city, she threw me off the balcony! The nerve..."

Considering new words of advisement, Shining sat on his haunches and pondered a solution to this covert operation. In the middle of his thoughts, however, the door behind them opened, revealing Princess Celestia accompanied by Supersonic, their vocal coach.

"Good morning, sirs, I trust the photo shoot went well?"

Shining was the first to speak. "It was not pleasant, but we got it done."

Celestia looked perplexed. "You didn't enjoy what Supersonic put together?"

"Not a bit, Your Highness! It was awf-huaah muff hurr-" Power Sword tried to speak, but Brave Lance covered his mouth with his hooves.

Lance spoke for Sword. "Posing for three hours was exhausting, but mission accomplished. Now we can get to singing."

Celestia hummed with contentedness. "Fantastic. That's exactly why I am here with Supersonic. We just received word that a few event planners are arriving by train to observe tonight's recording session."

Shining shot a stare at Celestia. "Who are these event planners? I thought we made it clear this was a one time thing! We haven't even announced the venue yet!"

Supersonic finally chimed into the talk with his Trottingham accent. "Well, Mr. Armor, I'm afraid you can't just expect people to ignore the reunion of a once-popular pop band like yourselves, now, can you? We had to appease their curiousity; it has been eight years, hasn't it?"

Shining Armor looked down at a fascinating strand of carpet poking out of the floor. "I suppose it can't hurt, as long as our identities are preserved. Who exactly are these event planners?"

"Ponies from all across Equestria, Your Highness. They want a taste of what made you all great, since most of them never witnessed a live S.A.R.G. concert before."

A soft rumble began to erupt outside from the plaza below, vibrating on the balcony doors. Lance stepped out to see what the commotion was before jerking his head from over the edge of the railing. Brave Lance sprinted back inside, pointing to the balcony.

"You need to see this! Everypony, come on!"

The whole gang walked to the edge of the balcony and was greeted by a roar of screams from the crowd below. A good six hundred screaming ponies filled their corner of the plaza, most of them holding up albums and posters from back in the day. Shining reluctantly gave a smile and waved to the crowd, causing a wave of cheers to erupt. The others followed suit, embracing within themselves the feelings that adoration and fame conjured up from times past.

All except Flash Sentry, who turned to his Captain with a look of concern. With so many ponies surrounding the building, only one thing was on his mind.

"Shining, just one question. What's for lunch?"

Cool breezes and Luna's cloudless night sky; they accented what could be described as a tense evening for Princess Cadence. She wasn't sure if she should feel excited or nervous; if Shining Armor knew she left the Empire unattended, he would be furious. Her aunt's civil right conference was another checkmark on the list of noble causes her Prince has lent a hoof in since she met him many years ago.

What a fortunate mare I am to have such a gentlecolt as a husband...

Maybe I should visit him at the castle-

**NO. Cadence, he can't know you stopped by overnight, that would be unthinkable. I can't believe I'm breaking his trust like this, but...maybe I can surprise him with an anniversary he'll never forget!

"What's wrong, Your Highness? You look deep in thought." Beryl Bond tagged along with the Princess to make certain she didn't stray too far from her objective.

"No, Beryl, not too deep. I just, I don't want-I..."

Beryl laid a hoof on her shoulder. "It's okay. We will return as soon as possible. The empire can manage itself without you being there. Besides, the Crystal Heart has enough love power to last many months."

Cadence rested her head on Beryl's hoof, accepting the comfort she gave. "Thank you, Beryl, you are too kind to me. I just want our anniversary to be spectacular. As a bonus, my subjects could use a night of unexpected fun. It'll be the Crystal Empire's first modern concert, and first concert in over one thousand years!"

Patches of light shone across the streets of downtown Canterlot, lanterns slowly lighting as Luna's moon rise glowed in the horizon. The pair made their way to a plaza on the north end of the financial district, where S.A.R.G. had been assaulted by throngs of ponies earlier in the day. Cadence had earlier tuned into a broadcast on the radio while in her royal train car, where it described the location of the ambush by fans.

Beryl opened the door for Princess Cadence, walking into the office building described in the radio broadcast. One more sat behind a massive desk, appearing to be completing some bookkeeping for the various companies represented here.

Cadence approached the mare sitting at the desk. "Excuse me ma'am, we are looking for Golden Hoof Records, we would like to meet with S.A.R.G."

Without looking up from her work, the mare responded. "Unless you have an appointment scheduled, all managers and representatives of clients at the record company have asked me to refuse entry for anypony trying to-"

She finally looked up, her expression changing from uninterested monotony to sheer surprise. "Princess CADENCE! This is so...what are you doing here of all places?!"

Cadence simply smiled. "Oh, we are here to see the band that's practicing here, that's all. There is a venue we hope they might be interested in trying out soon."

"Well, let's see-oh, are you with those observers from earlier, the event planners perchance?"

"Oh, well actually-" Cadence. This is it. Take this. "Well, yes! We are, we want to observe the band. Yes."

The mare grinned and stepped out of her booth. "Right this way, Your Highness."

Cadence and Beryl Bond stood in the elevator as the secretary punched in a security code, lighting up the 'Floor 7' button. After a firm push of the button, the trio ascended the skyscraper until they reached the seventh floor. Exiting the elevator, they walked down an empty corridor with doors lining only one side. At the far end were two doors; the left one read "Recording Booth" and the right one read "Private".

The secretary motioned the duo into the recording booth, where they were met with several ponies jumping out of their seats. All the event planners fell prostrate before Cadence.

"Please rise, gentlecolts, mares. I'm here doing the same thing you all are doing."

One of the stallions walked over from the panel of gauges and switches to greet the Crystal Princess.

"Your Highness, I can't believe you are here! What brings you our recording studio? Oh, of course, S.A.R.G.! You are just in time to hear them practice one of their songs. One moment, I'll be right back."

As the stallion charged into the other room, Cadence just stood there, a hoof extended in front of her, left unshook.

Good to meet you, too? What a weird pony...

The group just finished dressing into more casual attire for their vocal training, not needing elaborate dress to impress the planners. No, this was purely an exercise in harmony and rhythm, funk and groove, and in memory. Going through the setlist for the practice together, Signal confirmed for everyone their preparedness; this practice would be simple.

"Guys." Signal gathered everyone in a circle in the middle of the room.

Lance muttered quietly. "What is it, Signal?"

"We are ready for this. Let's do our best. For Her Highness."

Power Sword and Flash Sentry nodded in agreement. Shining Armor was about to speak when the door leading to their part of the studio opened up. Supersonic rushed inside and shut the door behind him, a look of panic on his face.

Shining rushed to his side, immediate concern etched on his face. "Supersonic, what happened? What's wrong?"

Supersonic struggled to find the words. "Cuh-cuh-cuh...she's...observing! She's 'here'!" Sonic began pointing to the door behind him.

"Who is here, Sonic? Who?!"

"...your wife."

The entire dressing room fell silent, and if they had the ability to hear thoughts, a million of them were now zipping down neural pathways in everypony's brain.

Abort. Abort. Abort..