The SOAP

“Iron, dinner is ready!” called a pink crystal princess. She walked closer to her son’s room, “Iron, it’s time to eat.” Silence came in response. “Iron?” Cadence leaned her head into the room. “Iron Heart, stop hiding.” She spoke to the room, but it fell on nonexistent ears. Puzzled, she walked back to the dining room. Rose petal sandwiches had been laid out on the table by the castle’s wait staff. Her husband was already seat, and eagerly waited for her return, clearly ready to begin his meal. “Shiny, have you seen Iron Heart?”

Shining Armor’s look of eager anticipation of the meal ahead quickly changed to that of concern. “He was in his room last I checked.”

“Well, I didn’t see him in there. Maybe he went out for a walk?”

“That’s probably it. Guard?” The prince called to the crystal pony standing nearby.

“Yes, sir?” The guard responded.

“Can you search the grounds for Iron Heart? His dinner is ready.” Shining requested.

“Right away, sir.”

Cadence believed it was impolite to begin a meal until all the people eating had been seated. This, however, did not stop her husband from immediately digging into his sandwich as soon as the guard had closed the door. After the first, he began to shovel down another. Cadence loved how, even after all this time, Shining Armor still ate like he was in the military. So they sat, the princess patiently waiting for the return of her son, the prince filling his seemingly insatiable stomach. Eventually, Cadence gave into temptation and ate her sandwich as well, knowing that if she didn’t, Shining Armor might try to. The fact that the long wait, along with the delicious smell of the flower petals, was making her stomach rumble also helped.

After a good portion of the sandwiches had been eaten, the two parents began to get worried. The staff had returned no sign of the missing prince. It seemed that he was nowhere on the castle grounds. They spread out, looking through the city. No one knew where Iron Heart was, and the news of his absence was enough to send the Crystal Empire into a panic. The entire day was spent searching for the colt, without a single trace being found. Iron Heart, son of Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor, and heir to the Crystal Empire, was gone.

Cadence had never been very good at keeping herself calm in a crisis. The fact that this was her own son missing made it even more upsetting. She began to bawl as they came to the conclusion that her son had disappeared, and that she may never see him again. Her sadness was only steadied by the hoof that fell around her neck. Looking up, she found her husband, Shining Armor, telling her that it would be alright, and that they would find Iron Heart no matter how long it took. It would be alright, she had Shining Armor with her. He was still with her, and they would get through it together. Everything would be fine.

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It was late at night. Cadence was still filled with nervous terror at the thought of her missing son, but had been advised by her staff that it was for the best that she and her husband get some rest. She lay in bed, comforted somewhat by the warm body of Shining Armor lying next to her. Her silent sorrow was interrupted by a loud banging on the bedroom door. She quickly rushed to the door, swinging it open, only to see one of her guards run behind a corner, followed by a green flash. She looked at the door itself, finding a piece of paper nailed to it. It read:

“Dear Princess Cadence,

It really has been quite a while since we have talked, hasn’t it? You are probably wondering where your son, Iron Heart is. You will be glad to know that he is currently safe with me. You may be less pleased to learn that his safety is only a temporary situation. It seems that I cannot guarantee his wellbeing until I have been brought the Crystal Heart. Once the Crystal Heart has been given to me, I may consider returning Iron Heart to you. Make your decision quickly, you only have one month before your child is in jeopardy. Personally, I would much rather know that my offspring is safe than to know that he may very well be dead, all because I was unwilling to give up some silly artifact. I hope you will see it my way.

Queen of the Changelings,

Chrysalis”

Everything would not be fine. Cadence visibly shook as she read the letter over again, making sure that it was even real, that something so terrible could even take place. There was no way that… that monster could have taken her son. She remembered back to her time in the caves below Canterlot Castle. She fought so hard to forget it, but the mental torture had left an implant on her brain. She knew one thing for certain, There was no way she was letting her son go through what she did in those caves. No child- No, no pony should ever have to experience that.

With this anger and ambition in her heart, she woke up Shining in order to show him the horrifying news.He quickly read over it, his expression becoming dreadful. Cadence’s anger faded as she watched fear cover her husband. It appeared that Shining also remembered things about the Changeling Queen that he would rather wish he could forget. After reading it, the prince began to cry. He didn’t sob. No sound came out. But, he cried, and that was enough for Cadence to know just how awful his experience with Chrysalis was. Shining Armor, Prince of the Crystal Empire and Ex-Captain of the Royal Equestrian Guard, almost never cried.

“So what should we do?” Shining Armor asked his wife, slowly regaining his composure.

The Crystal Princess looked up from the awful sheet of parchment. “We should ask Twilight.”