A Lost Connection

It was nightfall. Cadence had taken the pleasure of falling asleep. It appeared her short nap lasted quite a while. She fixed her tiara and went to go look out her window. Almost no pony was around! She could see some action around parts of her empire where night ponies usually go to have fun, but other than that, the area around the castle, and the crystal heart, was mostly empty. Cadence was glad. The spell must work if she is to help others! That is her main focus right now. She needed to have a real purpose! She needed something that actually had to do with her cutie mark and her title. What's the Princess of Love without actually spreading love? She loved all of her citizens dearly, but felt like she rarely ever expressed it. This was her chance to prove she actually does something for a change! The elated princess was suddenly struck with a terrible reminder. Shining Armor wasn't home yet! He usually burst through the door exhausted by now, but today he wasn't there. Cadence galloped out of her room and tried to find a guard.

She was in such a state of hurry, she forgot that there were two guards right near her own room. She galloped past them in a flash. She began to lift her wings and soar over the ground through her palace to find somepony. She spotted a pony wearing a royal uniform. She approached hurriedly.

"Guards!" She cried out. Two or three guard ponies immediately rushed in front of her. She was panting tiredly. The guards looked worried. "Where is Shining Armor?" the princess asked.

"Your highness, we just sent a messenger with a letter from him to go to your room. Did he not reach you?" One of the guards answered her. They all began to escort the princess back to her room. She entered and saw an envelope with the royal Canterlot seal on it.

She immediately tore it open and began to read.

Dear Cadence,

My love, I'm afraid I won't be returning to the empire. Celestia called upon me and I must answer. I'm sorry that I can't tell you personally, but Celestia needs extra guards with a very private negotiation with the Griffon Kingdom. Don't worry, you won't be left out of anything. Luna and Twilight won't be there either. Don't worry about me either. I will be back in three days!

Love,

Shining Armor

Cadence slumped down on the frame of her bed sadly. She was almost in tears. Shining Armor wouldn't be back for three days? How could she bear it? Especially since that was when her break would end. She tried her best to shake off the sad feeling. She needs to get adjusted to these things! It was nightfall, and there were few ponies. She looked out her window once more. No one was around, but guard ponies were standing post all around the castle and the crystal heart. Cadence mustered up her courage. I am the princess here, and things can run my way. I'm doing what's best for the ponies here, as the Princess of Love!

Cadence didn't even bother exiting normally. She was way too hyped to do anything like that. She needed action, adventure, danger! That was what excited her most, and a night-time 'mission' was just the thing to lift her mood. The princess jumped out of the window in one swift motion and expanded her wings. She glided around the palace while the guards watched in amazement below. She landed in front of the guard ponies.

"Princess! Are you alright?" One of them asked. There was small chatter around and some guards were even jumping or flying up in order to see the princess. They were really surprised this time. Cadence rarely ever stepped out at night, and this was her first time doing something truly daring in front of them. She was normally so sheltered and calm.

Cadence raised a hoof to silence them all. "Please. I am fine. I am here to work on the crystal heart," Cadence announced in a loud whisper. The guards were all astonished.

"Work on it?"

"What does she mean by that?"

"Quiet guys!"

Cadence ignored all the comments and approached the heart. The guards crowded around behind her, looking to see what she was going to do. The princess lowered her horn, it was only a few inches away from the heart itself. She closed her eyes and lit up her horn. The guards behind her were completely silent. Soon, her magic blue glow formed all around the heart. She searched deep inside her heart, mind, and spirit to try and find a...connection of some sort. Her magic projected itself inside the heart. It was looking for the bridge between the heart and the royal pony. Finally, she found something.

"Ah!" Cadence was thrown back from the amount of energy and magic coming from the heart. It glowed softly in all sorts of colors, then stopped. It was encased in complete lavender magic, which then proceeded to seep away. Cadence looked up at her horn. It was still glowing. It too had turned into a lavender then went away. She was overcome with dizziness and drowsiness. She stumbled back a few steps and tripped.

Luckily, the guards caught her when she fell. "Your highness! Are you okay? What happened?" The guards immediately ran towards the heart while some stayed back to care for the princess. Cadence felt normal again and got a hold of herself.

"I'm fine, thank you. But I think the connection has been made," Cadence informed everypony. The guards were puzzled. Cadence lit up her horn and tried to sense the heart again. This time, both her horn and the crystal heart lit up in a lavender color. The guards were amazed again. "From now on, I am connected to the heart. I will be able to sense anypony and everypony who is in distress and near the heart. May this marvelous accomplishment be something to inform the public about." With those last words, Cadence flew straight back up to her bedroom window and threw off her tiara. She flopped straight down onto the bed. Magic connections are exhausting.

The guards were sill left baffled. They immediately sent someone to make signs and posters telling the public about the new discovery. Most of them were still confused, so they simply put that Cadence would hold a public speaking conference tomorrow. But for now, everything went back to normal and the night went on without any disruptions. However, a certain pony princess and captain of the royal guard both saw something happen from the empire.....