Letters Home

by TheTrueDragoon

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Shining Armor
Length: 4538

A story is told in many ways. For those who heed the call to arms, their story may only live on in the letters they write home. For the family of Shining Armor, the story is not the one they wish to hear.

Even though their bodies have long since turned to dust, their sacrifice still lives on. We must strive to cherish their memory, and never forget.
- Final Narration, Valiant Hearts

A special Veterans Day release.

War has come to Equestria and Shining Armor has heeded the call to defend the land. As he takes up the role of General of the Equestrian Forces, he writes home to his family. Struggle and despair, hope and small joys are what are told in his story that he writes to them. All until the final letter.

Musical inspiration: Valiant Hearts Soundtrack

Published 2015-11-11 23:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-11-11 23:00:02 UTC

Letters Home

Dear Cadence

I know how much you wanted me to stay home or at least stay away from the front lines but I just can’t. I can’t sit back somewhere safe while others put their lives on the line. I don’t see a leader as some pony who sends others out to fight while staying somewhere safe. I’d rather be there for them. Stand by them and fight by their side. Even if it means just giving them the courage to do something they have not been asked to do in so long.

We’ve never really seen war for so long. Not since the founding of Equestria. This is not one of those fights that can be fought by Celestia or Luna or even Twilight and her friends. This time, our love and the power of the Chrystal Heart won’t be enough.

But no matter what happens, I want you to stay safe. I want to be by your side as much as you want to be by mind. But I don’t want you to go through this. It’s hard enough to know this is even real in the first place. But to have you risk everything just to be with me, I can’t do that. We each have our roles. Mine is with the soldiers, yours is with the citizens.

But don’t worry. I’ll be sure to do everything in my power to stay safe and come home. Until peace talks open and Celestia and Luna find a peaceful solution, I’ll fight to keep you safe and do what it takes to stay safe for you. I do all of this for the Empire and Equestria. But more importantly, I do this for you.

Please tell the others I’m okay and will do what I can to stay that way. I’ll probably write to them anyways. But be there for them. I already miss you dearly. Above all, I love you with all of my heart and soul.

Your Love

Dear Mom and Dad,

I miss you so much right now. Probably now more than any other time I’ve ever been away from you. It’s true what they say about not really appreciating something until you don’t have it. I miss being with you right now. Your love and care. I miss you both so much. I probably shouldn’t say something like this now but it’s true. And you know it’s because I love you both so much.

To be honest, I’m scared. I don’t think there’s any pony else I could say this to except you. It may sound a bit childish but I am. But please don’t worry because of that. I may be scared but I’m more scared of what might happen if I don’t do this. Scared more for you and Twilight and Cadence than myself.

Once again, please don’t worry about me. Think about me and send me whatever love you can. Your little colt is grown up now after all. I’ll do my best to stay safe and be home as soon as possible. I will be okay.

I miss you both so much. But more than that, I love you both so much more. You know that. I have always loved you both and always will continue to love you.

Your Son

Dear Twilight,

Have you been to the Chrystal Mountains yet? I don’t remember if I took you to see them yet. I can see them in the distance right now. They’re beautiful. I really should take you to see them sometime. Just you and me. Maybe when all of this is over.

Anyways, I wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m fine so don’t worry about me. Just be sure to look after Mom and Dad while I’m gone. And keep an eye on your friends as well. And help Cadence and the Princesses look after Equestria. I know that’s a lot of responsibility but I know you can handle it.

Just stay strong while I’m gone. For me. I know you may be worried but please don’t worry. I’m fine and I’m going to do everything I can to stay that way. I need you to watch after everyone. Hold down the fort for me won’t you?

You know, I really do miss you right now. But it’s only because I’m your brother and I love you. You know that right? I’ll be home as soon as I can. Then we can go see the mountains. I really do love you.

Your Brother

Dear Cadence,

You know, it’s cold in the mountains. And being away from you and the things going on right now only makes it worse. I miss your warmth. I just want to cuddle close to you right now next to a fire and sit there all night. Dear heavens I miss you right now.

There’s just some small fighting right now but it already seems bad. The sight of the fighting is already getting to some of the soldiers. I don’t really blame them. They’ve never seen anything like this. Some saw fighting when the changelings invaded, but that saw no casualties. This is something else.

It’s the thought of you that keeps me going right now. Your smiling face and soothing voice. Your silk like mane and warm body. Dear heavens I really miss you. But above all still, I love you.

Your Love

Dear Twilight,

Do you remember the bedtime stories Mom and Dad would tell us when we were foals? The ones they told us when we were upset or just had trouble getting to sleep. I can’t remember them very well. I could use one right about now.

Things are starting to get worse. It’s making it difficult for me to sleep. Are you having trouble sleeping? I would guess so with me being off at war. Perhaps we both need one of those stories.

No matter what is going on with me, just be sure to stay positive. I know that has to be hard to do but I need you to do that for me. Please be sure to keep watch over Mom and Dad. I miss you and love you.

Your Brother

Dear Cadence,

I can’t believe it. Is it really true? Are you really pregnant? This is great! Wonderful! Oh heavens above I’m actually going to be a father. This is such wonderful news, I can hardly think straight.

Please tell me all about it and give me as many updates as you can. I can’t wait to find out if it’s a boy or girl. I’m just so happy.

Be sure to take it easy now. Get any help you need. I would love to be home for the delivery or at least just to see the baby. I truly miss you right now. I wish above all that I could be with you now. But, I do have another thing to fight for and keep safe. I will try to be home as soon as possible. I love you so much.

Your Love

Dear Cadence

Sorry about the late letter. Things have really been hectic the past couple of weeks. The fighting is starting to intensify and we recently lost a carrier pony. It’s really starting to get worse. I wish I knew why the other side was fighting. We’re fighting to protect ourselves, but them…

Anyways, I did still manage to get your last letter. It really makes thing a bit easier when I read them. You know I keep each close by. All together and bound with a string. Just the way I keep you in my heart. I wish I could be right by your side again.

I miss everything about you. It’s strange how much you seem to forget the longer you’re away from it. I try to keep you tightly locked in my memories. I don’t want to forget anything about you. I want to hear your lovely voice again.

Keep sending letters as I know you will. Try to send pictures if you can. I want to see your face once more and see how the baby’s doing. Did I mention I miss you? But you know it’s because I love you.

Your Love

Dear Mom and Dad,

Dad told me you were starting to get sick from worry, Mom. Please don’t worry. I’m still fine and I’m going to stay that way. I need you to stay well so I can see you again. Keep her spirits up, Dad.

To both of you, please focus more on the pride for me you wrote about. Knowing you are doing well keeps me doing well. I will try to end this soon but I don’t want to worry about you at home. I want to be able to see you again. You can always stay with Cadence and help her with the coming baby.

I still miss you both so much and love you dearly.

Your Son

Dear Twilight

It’s difficult to write to two ponies at once isn’t it Twily? Yes, I know about the letters between you and Flash Sentry. He kind of revealed the secret. All he seems to talk about is you. It makes your big brother a bit jealous.

I’m kidding about the jealous part. I don’t really mind that you write to him. All of it keeps his morale up. It gives him something to fight for. Something to protect. I’ll have to keep a close eye on him though, won’t I?

Do keep writing to him. And I could use the news from you myself. I’m still your big brother after all. I still miss you and will always love you more.

Your Brother

Dear Cadence

It’s starting to become harder to find the time to write. The fighting is growing worse and more intense. The casualties are starting to climb and the land is being scarred. It feels like standing on the fringes of Tartarus. It’s horrible.

I’m trying to stay strong and keep positive for the soldiers, but I’m worried. Please keep writing. Your letters give me the strength to keep going and give them hope and the courage to keep going as well. The thoughts of you and our coming baby keep me hopeful.

I miss you so much. And, as always, I love you.

Your Love

Dear Twilight,

How are you and your friends doing? And how are things back home in general? I hope things are going better than what I’ve been hearing. The word is that more Equestrian forces are going to be deployed soon.

This has me a bit worried. I just hope everything at home stays well for you. Hopefully, this will all be over before things become too desperate. Keep everyone’s spirits up. I know that’s what you can do for them. Hold down the fort for me. I’m sure this will be over soon.

I miss you still. But I still love you more.

Your Brother

Dear Cadence,

How’s the baby? I hope you’re getting plenty of rest and eating well. Just don’t start spoiling our son or daughter too early. I wish I could go back to laughing and joking with you. I wish things could go back to the way they were. But we can’t, can we?

Things are really going from bad to worse as it has been. The latest word is that the increased mobilization is going to include more of the Royal Guard and the full contingent of Wonderbolts. That includes the Reserve. You know what that means.

I really could use your help to watch over Twilight since her friend Rainbow Dash is part of the Wonderbolt Reserve. I really worry how she’ll take it if one of her friends has to be sent to fight. Or worse. I know there is a chance Rainbow may be excused as she is the Element of Loyalty and part of Twilight’s court. But from what Twilight tells me about her, she’s not likely to sit by and do nothing. I wonder how the others will react.

Please watch out for Twilight. Be there for her when she needs someone. But do take care of yourself with the baby. I really miss you. And I love you as always.

Your Love

Dear Cadence,

The latest news has me more worried than before. The fighting shows no sign of ending and it’s prompted an increase in recruiting. I know many don’t want to see this but I praise those who volunteer. It does mean more will have to see this horror. And that’s going to mean more casualties in the long run.

But it leaves me torn. I don’t like tearing families apart but we need as much help as we can get. We can’t just rely on a few to do all of the fighting and we can’t just sit and wait for peace talks while the other side marches in to destroy and kill. But I really hope this does not grow too desperate. Volunteers are one thing, but the alternative…

All of this is just making me worry about everyone at home more and more. Please stand by Twilight and the Princesses as the watchers. I know Celestia and Luna are probably alright but I worry about Twilight. Give her strength.

I want this to end and I vow to keep going so that our child can grow up in peace. I wish this had never started to begin with, but all we can do is deal with this the best we can now that it has happened. For you, our child, and all of Equestria, I will continue to protect by any means that I am called to.

I miss you as always. And I love you.

Your Love

Dear Twilight,

How are you doing? I know things are looking bad and I understand that you are upset at Rainbow’s deployment. I don’t blame you. But, as I understand, she did make a choice and chose to go. Don’t be upset at her or any pony else for that matter. Keep up the support for her and all of the others who are fighting.

I tell you what. There is something I can do to ease some of your worry. I can put in a word to have Rainbow be assigned to my unit. That way she stays a bit safer around me and you can have regular updates to know how she’s doing. Does that sound alright?

Look, for one reason, we can’t afford to lose the Element of Loyalty. At least, that is what others will see and understand. But for me, I can’t bear to know my little sister is worried for one of her friends. It’s hard enough to know you’re worried about me.

Regardless, I need you to stay strong for your other friends. For their sakes and mine. I miss you and still love you.

Your Brother

Dear Cadence,

I’m tired of talking about how bad things are getting. But once again, things just get worse. I’m sure you may have heard about the recruiting turning to drafting. Now even more familes have to be torn apart and they don’t have much of a choice in the matter. I won’t stop a pony from choosing to stand up and fight to defend others. But this only means we have grown too desperate.

It frustrates me. All I can do is try to end this as fast as possible. I wonder if there is something you can do. Celestia and Luna could use help in their diplomacy and I can only imagine how the Princess of Love could help. Twilight could help as well being the Princess of Friendship. But I worry if she’s ready for something like this. And I don’t want you doing anything too strenuous being pregnant. Although, I think you would be a better judge here in this than me.

Twilight’s latest letter shows how desperate things are. Apparently, Big Macintosh, the older brother of her friend Applejack, has been drafted, much to the disapproval of Applejack. I don’t know what to do about this. Or if there is anything I can do.

I can’t continue to make favors to protect Twilight’s friends or their families. But I hear Applejack is ready to join just to keep her brother out or to be with him. And he already accepted the draft in order to keep her from being drafted. What do I do? Is there anything I can do? Can you talk to them, maybe?

I really miss you at times like this. I just love you so much.

Your Love

Dear Mom and Dad,

I really wish oy would not worry so much about me. It’s starting to make me worry. Things are hard enough knowing that Mom is still sick from worry and the last thing I want to hear from you two is that you both have become sick.

Mom, I do wish you well and want you to get better. Even if just for my sake, or Dad’s. Please continue to think of me, just don’t’ worry about me. I just know that I’ll get to come home sooner if you keep me in your thoughts.

I want to be able to see you both again. I miss you both so much. But it’s only because of how much I love you both. I will see you again soon.

Your Son

Dear Cadence,

I really don’t like sharing bad news with you, even if you say it’s okay. I don’t like you offering to shoulder that burden. But I can’t just keep my thoughts in can I?

So I guess I’ll start again with how things just keep getting worse. The casualties continue to mount as the fighting grows ever more intense. The battle lines are either not moving at all or moving too much. It’s nothing but stalemates and back and forth land gain.

Watching it all, it makes me afraid for you and our baby. And all this fear is keeping me awake. I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to sleep. I’m not sure how much more I can take at this rate.

I could use as much love as you can send my way. I’m so lonely without you. So lost without you. I miss you and just want to be by your side once more.

But no matter what, I won’t quit or run. I can’t. As long as the other side is trying to harm us, I won’t stop trying to stop them and keep you safe.

I miss you. Have I said that at all? But, as always, I love you.

Your Love

Dear Twilight,

I have…news. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. It seems a bit of both so I’m not sure what to call it other than news. But, Flash Sentry will be coming home due to injuries from battle.

In a recent battle, he suffered heavy damage to his back legs and wings and is thus no longer fit for combat. As a result of the injuries, one of his legs was lost as the medics were forced to amputate. And his wings were damaged to the point that he will no longer be able to fly.

He did tell me after he was treated that the thought of you was what kept him alive. And the action that led to his injuries did save my life. I owe him my life and he is a hero for his actions.

When he gets home, take care of him. His actions spoke more than anything I’ve seen and he has my blessing.

You know I still miss you. And I still love you.

Your Brother

To the Family of Big Macintosh Apple

It is with the deepest regret and the most sincere sympathy that I write this letter to you. I regret to inform you that Big Macintosh has been killed in action. In a recent battle, the unit that Big Macintosh was a part of was forced to make a retreat. But he remained to help other soldiers escape and make the retreat.

His actions saved the lives of more than twenty soldiers and possibly more at the cost of his own. And for his actions, he is to be given a full military funeral with full honors as well as three medals for his bravery and courage as well as his sacrifice.

In Sympathy,

Shining Armor, Prince of the Chrystal Empire and Grand General of the Equestrian Army

Dear Applejack,

As a friend of Twilight, I thought it was best if I were the one to inform you of your brother’s death. I write this letter to you now to expound a bit more on that and speak to you personally.

First, you should be exceedingly proud of your brother for what he did. His actions went above and beyond what he was asked to do as a soldier and saved several lives. He was brave beyond measure. I cannot know what you are going through at the moment as we each deal with grief in our own way. But I do ask that you not dwell on what happened to him.

In had the privilege and honor of meeting your brother for a short time and was able to find out what he was like from his comrades. What I saw and heard about was a kind and gentle soul who sought the well-being of others more than himself, even extending to the enemy. In action, he was a guardian. Brave and strong. He fought to protect others even unto death.

Your brother joined to protect you and your family. And I understand that he joined to keep you away from all of this. So I ask that you seek to be like him. A guardian and protector. Be an example to others and demonstrate at home what he demonstrated on the battlefield. Honor his memory and he will never be gone.

In Sympathy

Shining Armor

Dear Twilight,

I know I’ve said this a few times already, but I need you to be strong. Now more than ever. With Rainbow Dash still fighting and Applejack in grief, I would bet your friends are feeling the effects of this war even more than before. You need to be there for them, to hold them together.

I guess every pony else is tired of all of this as well. Be there for them. You need to be the one that holds them together. I know that. You are the Princess of Friendship after all. You need to keep the ties of friendship together and keep the spirit of friendship alive in them. Comfort them. Guide them.

I know it’s a difficult task and a heavy burden, but I know you can do it. Do it for them. For me. That’s what your role is in all of this.

I can feel the end of this coming soon. At least, I hope it’s ending soon. Hold your head high and keep the light on for everyone. Be their light when they see none. Their hope when there is none.

I miss you. And I love you.

Your Brother

Dear Cadence,

The war has grown far worse than I ever imagined. There are too many casualties. Too many families to inform that they will never see their loved ones again. And with Twilight’s friend Applejack suffering a loss, it all seems to hit closer to home.

Every day now, we get closer to the enemy capital. And every day, I grow more worried that things will just get worse despite that. As we close on the capital, victory lies in sight. But it already doesn’t feel like victory. With so much death and destruction, every pony loses.

I know this will be over soon. Please keep thinking about me. I miss you and love you.

Your Love

Dear Cadence,

I don’t believe it. I mean, I do but I’m just so happy right now. A daughter. I’m finally a father. Oh heavens above I’m thrilled.

I wish I could have been there for the birth. And I wish I could be there now. I want to see her and hold her. She probably looks just like you, I know it. She’ll probably end up a mix of us both. Hopefully the good parts.

I needed some good news and what better news than a new daughter? I hope my parents are there. If not, please show them the baby. I know they could use the hope she sure will bring. Hope. A good name if you ask me.

This must be a sign that things will end soon. A sign of good fourturne to come. Can you imagine? Our daughter heralding great fortune for us all. Truly, nothing better could have come out of such horror. This will end soon.

I can’t wait to get home and see her and you. I miss you so much and already miss her. I love you both so dearly.

Your Love

To the Family of Shining Armor, Crown Prince of the Chrystal Empire,

It is with the utmost respect and sympathy that we inform you that your son, brother, and husband, Shining Armor, has been killed in action. In the midst of an enemy ambush, he stood by his soldiers’ sides and fell defending them. He fought with bravery and honor and led by example.

With Great Respect

Golden Shield, Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard

“This…This can’t be true.”

“I’m really sorry for bearing this news Cadence…Princess. But I thought it would be for the best if I was the one who told you instead of some other messenger.”

“No…That’s fine Rainbow Dash. I…I really appreciate it.”

“You know, it’s over now. After the ambush, we rallied and took the capital. Forced them into an unconditional surrender. I wonder how Twilight’s going to take this.”

“I’ll tell her.”

“Alright then. You know, he saved my life. More than once even. I owe him more than a leg. I owe him my life.”

“No. You’ve given more than enough. Even to him.”

“Thank you. And I really am sorry for your loss.”

“Oh! Rainbow! You’re back and…your leg…”

“Don’t worry about it. I…I have to go.”

“Rainbow…? What was that about?”

“Twilight…I have to talk with you.”

“Oh, Cadence! Is that another letter from Shiny? Let me see!”

“Twilight…”

“Oh, I hope he’s still okay. I really hope he can come…home…”

“Twi…”

“No. No it can’t be. C-Cadence, tell me this isn’t true. Tell me this is some kind of sick joke!”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. No! This can’t be true! He can’t be dead! He said he would be okay! He was going to come home safe! He was going to take me to see the mountains! Tell me he’s okay! Tell me-”

“It’s…It’s going to be alright. Everything…Everything is going…to be…fine. There now. I’m here. It’s…It’s alright.”