Her Shield, His Heart

The sun rose over an empire at war. The light began in the east as the night receded. The rosy-fingered dawn spread across the sky, banishing the last remnants of the darkness. The stars vanished and the moon gave way to her sister, the bright sun. The light of the sun streamed over the North, bringing with it warmth and life. The multihued, pastel crystal towers glowed and shimmered as the beams of the sun glinted over them. A blue dome of mystical energy covered the city, protecting it. An endless plain of ice spread out from the shield. Shadow beasts stalked the Arctic for the first time in a millennium. Even as far as the Caribou High Kingship, Caribou on the borderland reported attacks.

The Caribou had mobilized, not setting out just yet. The great-horned soldiers with their long, steel spears spread out over the border. Messengers had been sent to the newly returned Crystal Empire, but it would take days before they would get there. The shadow beasts roamed and wandered, assaulting any creature that got too close. The snows were stained with the blood of Crystal Pony, Ibex, Caribou and Yeti. Only friendship with Equestria and awe for the once-great Crystal Empire kept the last three from attacking the city from whence the shadow beasts seemed to come. Still, great Northern armies continued to surround and mobilize their territories. Wanderers and merchants had been forbidden from going into the Arctic North.

The light of the sun roamed til she found the palace of the Crystal Empress. The rays of the sun streamed through the elaborately decorated violet drapes and danced on the eyelids of Emperor-Consort Shining Armor. He opened his eyes, blinking away sleep. The blankets of the bed were wrapped around him and his wife. They had spent the night holding each other. Cadence had fallen asleep right after eating the tomato soup. Her head laid upon his shoulder and her wings were wrapped around him. His arms were wrapped around her. He nuzzled her neck, burying his muzzle into a lock of her hair. She giggled and tightened her hold around him.

The insistent sun filled the room with her golden light. Shining lifted up the blanket around them, snuggling closer to his wife. Special talent and duty be damned, he just didn't feel like leading any troops this morning. Still, those shadow beasts needed to be cut down. Cadence had already gotten an angry letter from the Duchy of Ibexland strongly implying that if she couldn't secure her own territory, they would be more than happy too.

No one wanted to anger the Duchy of Ibexland. Cadence wanted to keep good relations with her neighbors and that meant the Imperial Army (whose morale was still dangerously low) had to eliminate the shadow beasts.

"C'mon, Shining. For Equestria. For the Empire. For Cadence." His sister would be coming today and a pack of shadow beasts had been reported at the old train station so he softly added, "For Twilight."

Those last thoughts got his morale boosted. He shifted, preparing to leave the warm bed and the softness of his beloved's embrace. She whined and kept her wings around him, opening one bleary eye. "Morning, already?"

"Afraid so. Did you sleep well?"

"Not a wink. I was just in deep meditation. Not the same."

She yawned, let him go and lifted up on the bed, planting a kiss just below his horn. He returned the kiss. Her horn was still glowing with blue, mystical energy as she gave everything she had to keeping the shield intact. He chuckled. "We're going to make great parents. If we're going to such lengths to defend an empire, just imagine how safe our children will be."

She smiled softly. "Something we can talk about later, eh?"

He nuzzled her. "Yeah. We should."

She leaned into him. "Don't really want to leave this bed."

"Nor do I."

Their hooves sought each other, wrapped around each other.

Cadence sighed. "Duty calls."

"So it does."

He rested his head on her shoulder. "Every time I set out, I think of you. I fight for you. I always will."

She nuzzled into him, delighting in his musky scent. "I will make sure you have something to return to."

"I'm sure the Empire will be in the best hooves possible."

"If only I had half the faith in myself as you do in me."

She arose from the bed, Shining following her. They twined their tails together, not yet wanting to completely abandon their intimacy. Shining gave one last longing look at the bed, untwined his tail from his wife's and went over to his armor. He fitted on the golden colored iron plates and then fitted a black scarf around it along with a black face mask.

Meanwhile Cadence dressed in her regalia, fitting on her golden crown, torc and golden shoes. "Good luck, Captain."

"Good luck, Princess of my Heart."

They shared one last kiss before Shining left the room.

                                                                                                                                                 ...

Shining stood before the silver clad Crystal Imperial Guard. They were lined up together in orderly columns, reminiscent of the Equestrian Imperial Legions. A hint of a common military ancestry, or the fact that there wasn't that many ways to line up an army. Shining wasn't sure, but very little was known about Crystal Pony history.

They had been great one. According to Cadence, they had once held back twenty allied armies and soundly defeated them. It was the greatest victory in Pony history and permanently broke the Caribou Empire, once the greatest power on the continent before the rise of the Holy Equestrian Empire. More would be known about it if not for the fact that widespread literacy had only become common in Equestria around seven centuries ago, leaving much Pony history shrouded in myth and obscurity.

Looking at this present incarnation of the Guard, Shining found the idea that they were once a powerful nation hard to believe. Since Sombra's psychic attack, their coats had grown dull. Many had abandoned the army altogether, seeking sanctuary in happier southern lands. The ones that remained struggled to keep their heads held high. Even Lieutenant Sapphire had a dull look in his eyes.

"Stallions!" He shouted and every guard looked up at the tone in his voice. "Stallions! Stomp your hoof if you are a warrior!"

They all stomped, though it was weak. Shining sneared. "Is there a single stallion in this herd of colts? Should I send you home to your mothers?"

A few of the guards faces turned red. "Stomp if you are a stallion!"

This time the ground thundered as they all stomped.

"Lift up your spears! Carry your banner proud! You-we are the Crystal Empire! We conquered the North! Are we going to let a bunch of wimpy shadows take us down? Are we going to shame our ancestors?"

Sappire saluted. "No, sir, we are not! My regiment most certainly will not!"

Shining saluted. "Lieutenant Sapphire and the First Regiment is with me! Who else!"

They stomped and this time they did not stop. The standard bearer lifted up the banner, a snowflake upon a violet field, and waved it. This show of patriotism stirred the hearts of the Guard. Shining, non-Crystal that he was, even felt himself getting caught up in it. "We march!"

He turned. As if they were a single organism, the armored stallions marched behind him. The ground shook with each step they took, with each ironshod hoof that slammed against the frozen ground. Their objective was to clear the border. Shining looked up to the icy hills, preparing for an ambush.

He was right to prepare. The shadow beasts crested the mountains ahead of them, surging towards the Imperial Guard.

The Imperial Guard surged forward to meet them. Shining drove a spear through the neck of a shadow wolf as it lunged towards him, its jaws wide, and slammed it into his comrades. Five shadow bears charged towards him. Sapphire and the First Regiment charged, cutting them down. The shadow beasts broke the ranks, tearing through the Imperial Guard. Shouts and death cries rent the air and soon the snow was soaked in crimson blood. Shining shouted orders as he charged his horn. A multiheaded shadow snake darted out at him, but a blast of his magic cut the beast down.

Shining bombarded the beasts with blast after blast. The Crystal Soldiers drove them back, their spears slicing through the shadows. The third regiment, led by Lieutenant Diamond, cut through a horde of shadow wolves. The shadow wolves were soon retreating. Diamond plunged a spear through one beasts's forehead and sliced the throats of two more.

The living shadows surged around Shining. He spun, his horn shooting out an arc of energy that drove away the menagerie of demonic beasts.

They continued the assault, driving the shadow beasts farther and farther towards the mountains from when they had come. A loud screech shook the air and a giant shadow bird with curved claws soared over them blotting out the sun.

"Retreat!" Diamond shouted and his regiment ran.

"No retreat! No surrender!" Shining cried out, a blast of magic striking the demon's wing. It screeched and lunged towards Shining. Shining quickly summoned shield, repelling the beast's attack. Sapphire shot towards the bird and a swipe of its claws sent him hurtling back.

"Sapphire!"

Another Crystal soldier plunged his spear towards the beast. A swipe of its claws and the Crystal soldier was sent hurtling back, his body still and lifeless.

Shining shouted and lunged towards the beast, preparing his horn with a spell. The spell lashed out in a jet of blue flame. The demon screeched as its feathers burned. Soon it dissipated. Shining fell back down towards the earth. He knelt by the young Crystal Soldier and felt his chest. He was still breathing.

The rail road track was just up ahead. Shining looked around. The medics were collecting the wounded and the dead. He did not know how many souls had been carried to Valhalla, destined to feast forever in Wotan's court with the great warriors of old, but it had been more than last time.

There were no signs of any more shadow beasts. Shining exhaled and lifted the young soldier's head. His coat was of a fiery tone and his mane was golden. He lit up his horn and touched it to the young stallion's chest. Healing waves of energy coursed through him. He coughed and his eyes opened.

"What's your name, Son?"

The colt saluted. "Private Ruby, Sir."

"No, it isn't. You're now Lieutenant Ruby of the Third Regiment."

Ruby's eyes widened. "Sir?"

"You're no coward. It seems Lieutenant Diamond will only fight when the odds are in his favor. My army has no place for cowards and what you did just then? That shows you're no coward."

Ruby struggled to stand. Shining helped him. "But I'm in the Fifth Regiment."

Shining understood. "Loyal too. You'd make a damned good lieutenant. Very well. I'm promoting you to corporal in the Fifth Regiment."

Ruby saluted. "Thank you, Sir!"

Shining looked over the plains surrounding him. Diamond and his regiment were most likely back at the Crystal Empire. More glory for the other regiments, then. Maybe he shouldn't be too hard on him. If his regiment had suffered an extreme amount of casualties, the retreat could have been justifiable.

Still not what I would have done.

And he was still learning what the rules and regulations for the Crystal Guard actually was. The regiments had reorganized and the dead and wounded had been carried off to the medical tents which had been set up on the border between the Empire and the plains.

Ruby looked momentarily embarrassed, hurriedly saluted once more and rushed back to his regiment. Shining took his place at the head and they began their march back home. The train station was secure. After taking off his armor he would go greet his little sister.

                                                                                                                                              ...

The train pulled into the station and six young mares, two unicorns, two pegasii and two unicorns stepped off. They were accompanied by a young dragon who was carrying luggage, despite his s,all stature. Twilight shivered as the wind cut through her fur and flurries of snow floated all around them. A black-scarfed figure approached and cheerfully called out her name.

Twilight looked up as she tried sweeping the snow out of her eyes. "Shining Armor?"

He lifted up his visor. "Twily! You made it!"

They rushed to each other and embraced, sharing a quick nuzzle. Shining broke away. "We'd better get moving. There are things out here you don't want to run into after dark."

His sister's shy pegasus friend trembled. "What kinds of things?"

He turned and they followed him. "Let's just say the Empire isn't the only thing that's returned."

On the way they talked. Twilight had been sent here as a test for Celestia. Shining wondered what kind of test it was. What did Celestia have in store for his younger sister? He explained how Cadence was keeping the shield up. They could see it, the shimmering sapphire dome that covered the city. Shining also felt something else, a now familiar presence.

It was charging the air with an energy that made him feel sick to his stomach. He glanced back at Twilight who briefly had a pained grimace. Shadows had appeared, swirling up from the snow.

"Th-that's one of those things, isn't it?" Fluttershy screeched, looking like she was about to panic. No, she was panicking. Her eyes were wide and her feathers were twitching in fear.

"We have to get out of here! Now!" He ordered and they took off running, the snow being kicked up in their wake. He let the Element Bearers and Spike run ahead, putting himself between them and Sombra.

Two glowing, green eyes appeared within the shadows, then a fang filled mouth and a crooked horn emerged. The thing grinned and hissed. Shining charged him, letting loose a blast of energy which struck the shadows and cut a gaping hole in it. Sombra dodged, reformed and rushed straight towards him. Shining sent another blast which struck just as the shadows consumed him.

It was cold and for the moment the world was filled with darkness. Then, he found himself flying through the air. He landed on a soft carpet of grass, right by Twilight and her friends. He groaned as he stood up.

Twilight looked him over. "Oh no! Shining, your horn..."

Shining reached up and felt strange lumps across it. Trying to activate his magic only led to a few sparks. He grunted. It wouldn't last. It was a brief magic nullifying spell. Eventually, it would fade. They continued their trek towards the imperial city, the Element Bearers being amazed by the grandeur of it. The unicorn, whose name Shining recalled as Rarity, seemed particularly enthused by it as she giggled and pranced around like a school filly.

He would have smiled at her adorable antics , but he didn't feel like smiling at the moment. The aftereffects of Sombra's spell still left him shivering slightly. There was a sickness to Sombra's magic, a perversion. He imagined Twilight and Rarity could feel it as well. They made their way to the Crystal Palace. Cadence, though she was swaying slightly from the pressure of her spell, still jumped over to Twilight. They crouched down, jumped up, clapped hooves and waved their rumps as they did their fillyhood chant.

"Sunshine, Sunshine,

Ladybugs awake!

Clap your hooves and

do a little shake!"

Their greeting ritual complete they giggled. Cadence winced slightly. "One of these days, we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance."

Twilight looked concerned. "Are you okay?"

Shining heavily sighed and moved towards her. "Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light. That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn't slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra."

She swayed. "It's alright Shining Armor. I'm fine."

Shining laid a hoof on her shoulder. "She's not fine. She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade... Well, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen."

Twilight's face was a picture of grim determination. "That's why we're here."

Her friends backed her up, vowing to aid the Empire. Shining Armor searched his mind, trying to think of something for them to do. At last he stumbled on an idea. "Well, with Cadance putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies."

Rarity squealed at the thought of Crystal Ponies. This time Shining wasn't amused and nor were her friends. Dash looked like she was about to give her a good smack. The Pegasus' intensity surprised Shining, but Pegasii were still known for their warrior culture even in this more peaceful age.

Twilight took this as an invitation to do a research paper which she took upon with great enthusiasm. He smiled at her enthusiasm as she assured him that she was really good at this sort of thing and zoomed out of the room followed closely by her friends.

Cadence poked his horn. "What is that? Is your horn alright?"

He rubbed it and they laid down next to each other. She kept her head lifted, refusing to show the strain that was clearly visible on her face.

"I fought Sombra."

She worked her jaw up and down. "And lived to tell the tale?"

"He beat me pretty bad." Shining sighed and shook his head. "Can't win them all, I guess."

"Still. You fought Sombra and survived. I'm barely holding my own against his magic. What happened?"

Shining adjusted his position. "He attacked us at the train station. I held him off and he...did something. Now my magic is busted. It should fade after a while."

She nuzzled him. "That was pretty brave if you ask me."

Shining's lips curved up, Cadence's words making him feel better.

She looked out towards the door. "Do you think Twilight can handle this? I know she's smart, her magic's strong and she's resourceful. But I can't help but see her as a little filly."

"I know what you mean. But we're going to have to trust her. She'll find a way, I know she will."