Heavy Armor

"I'm home, my princess!" Shining Armor gallantly marched through the decorative doors of the couple's beautiful home. He loosened his helmet and chest armor, and hung the attire on the wall.

"You're home early!" Princess Cadence squealed as she ran to the front door.

"Yes, just in time for our little New Years Eve party," smirked Shining Armor. The two gave each other a loving, royal hug.

"Just before we do that, though, you need to take a shower." Cadence smiled as she gave him a friendly shoulder punch.

Shining Armor giggled, "Ok, ok, fine. I'll take a shower. Maybe you could set everything up while I'm away."

"But I already have... what did you think I was doing the whole time when you were gone?"

Shining Armor slightly revealed a bit of confusion in his face before Cadence offered her husband the way to the decorations. Fancy, red banners were hung all over the giant dining hall, with a complex, beautiful chandelier over the table. The table itself was coaxed with a white cover, with two empty glasses and a wine bottle on top of it. Outside, there sits a large balcony, where the couple would watch the brilliant firework shows, from Canterlot and the Crystal Empire, at the strike of the new year. Also, next to the dining area, the royal guards of the Crystal Empire helped set up an enormously large ball room, just for them two, Beauty and the Beast style.

"Cadence! Oh my lord! I thought you weren't inviting people." Shining Armor was in a surprising shock.

"Oh, don't be silly," Cadence laughed, "it's just for us."

"Us? As in us two?" Shining was still perplexed.

"Yes, Shining, just us two. And it's going to be the best party ever." Cadence leaned over to her husband.

"I'm sure it will. Also, I'm going to take a shower now." Shining Armor rushed to the bathroom as Cadence giggled at her husband's eagerness. Although, behind the smile, there had been something that Cadence had been planning for a while now, and something that may take the next year to complete...

Over the the next two hours, Shining Armor and Cadence danced in the ball room, laughed, drank, and talked all night long. The whole party was partly for New Years Eve, but it was also for the ten year anniversary for Shining Armor's service as Royal Guard. (That's why he was excused early from work.) The Royal Council decided to give Shining Armor excused passes during retreats and work hours, and his salary wouldn't decrease if he used it. This was very crucial to Cadence's new plan, since it might cut some slack from work. However, Shining Armor was completely oblivious to the plan, since Princess Cadence kept it to herself. Once it kicks off, it may not be very secret anymore.

"C'mon, Shining, it's almost midnight!" Cadence started dragging her not-so-sober husband to the balcony.

"It's almost midnight already? I thought—hiccup!—we were gonna go dancing again." Shining almost tripped on himself, standing in one place.

They opened the balcony doors to a black, huge sky, standing at the edge.

"Well, you better think of a New Years wish before it's midnight." Cadence warned.

"I guess we have to close our eyes to do that..." Shining smiled as he held on to her hoof.

Immediently, the black, rich sky suddenly blasted with energy and color, as light sparked with amazing fire. The married couple both opened their eyes to the brilliant display, after finishing their new year wishes. They watched in amazement as one side from Canterlot, and another side from The Crystal Empire, launched their fireworks into the sky.

"So, whatcha wish for?" Shining Armor turned towards Cadence.

"I don't think that we are supposed to tell our wishes, or else they won't work."

"I'm still going to tell mine anyways." Shining Armor leaned towards Cadence. "I actually wished to lose some bulk this year, so I can slide into my armor easier." Shining Armor chuckled at his wish, "I know it's stupid, but it'll stop me from having to get a different pair of chest armor."

Cadence could only think to herself at that moment, "Good thing you told me, because that wish isn't coming true this year."