The Mare Does Well.

by Undyne Devotion

Rating: teen
Tags: Shining Armor, Slice of Life, Flash Sentry, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Princess Cadance, Romance, Princess Luna, Comedy
Length: 9703

The dream of finding happiness, the trouble of knowing you've been living a lie.

Shining Armor has been living a lie.

Many see him as powerful and brave.

Yet deep inside is a soul who is playful wishing for true freedom.

Coming across a ancient tome, how could he pass up the chance to live as how he always saw himself?

A simple carefree night turns his life upside down, Gleaming Shield wants to live her own life and the pull to break free is becoming too strong.

Can Shining Armor balance a life between two parts of himself?

Or will He and She lose everything?

Cover Art belongs to The talented and wonderful Marenlicious.

-------------------
Made Popular on 7/2/16.
Featured on 4/12/17*6/19/18

Published 2016-07-03 00:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2023-07-23 22:30:46 UTC

Mares, Just Like To Have Fun. ( Remastered. )

"So there I stood alone."A pure white mare spoke with a calm and collected manner.

"Face to face with a snarling Yeti!" Her eyes were a soft cerulean hue, that glowed brightly in the dim light of the dark bar.

Quite a large group of ponies had gathered around, hard cider flowed on tap for all. Every creature's attention upon the playful mare, who sat proudly upon a small stool, her chest puffed out in excitement.

"The Sour Apple." A small-time bar on the outskirts of Canterlot.

For those unlucky ponies who could not afford better bars within the city, they would come here for a bitter drink and sweet times. A few of the windows cracked, the whole bar mismatched and out of style, yet the patrons always enjoyed their time here.

"I tried to steady my breathing." She spoke in a chipper tune.

"Only for the vile beast to catch the scent of my fear!" The mare swung a mug of cider to her side, nearly cracking a drunk stallion on the skull.

Mane a wild and tangled mess, light blue offset by bold darker highlights.

She had an attitude of elegance and power, which caught the eye of every pony in the room.

"Lunging towards me, I dodged out of the way!" The mare lifted atop her stool in a swift motion.

"I could barely break an icicle free from the ceiling, plunging it deep into the beast as it tackled me against the wall!" She screamed out proudly, tail swayed in place upon her plump round rump.

"Did you "hic" survive?" A blue stallion questioned seriously from the edge of the bar, the mare quick to cast a quizzical glance.

"Um, yes I slew the beast." She cleared her voice, muzzle scrunched in slight embarrassment.

"Alright, give the filly room!" The gruff bartender spoke in a stern tone, the crowd quick to disperse with a loud moan.

"C'mon, Apple Tree!~ I want to know more about how she slew MIGHTY BEASTS!!" The drunk stallion fell out cold, his muzzle smashed hard onto the counter with a loud crack.

"Double Down, the poor bastard!" Apple Tree sighed.

"Quite the imagination little filly." He flashed a smirk and wiped down the bar.

"Are you certain it's just a story?" She quipped with a sip of cider, face confident and collected.

"You look too delicate, to be a warrior filly." Apple Tree chuckled as he greeted new customers.

The mare left alone to pout, eyes squinted slightly in discomfort.

"Looking for these?" The playful voice of a stallion spoke up from behind.

She spun around to a Gamboge colored stallion, his dark blue mane spiked up in a confident masculine style.

Pastel pink glasses were held in oversized hooves. The mare was quick to snatch them back, allowing them to rest on the bridge of her muzzle cutely. She made a point to avert eye contact, returning attention to her drink.

"Suddenly shy?" The stallion chuckled and took a seat at her side.

"I'm never shy." The mare replied with a snarky snort.

"If you say so." He rolled his eyes.

"I caught the last of your little show." The stallion tapped his hoof on the bar counter, the bartender giving a nod.

"My show?" She pursed pouty lips.

"That wasn't all for show, I'll have you know." The mare gazed upward to her new companion, soft blue gaze locked onto his own.

"Such pretty eyes.~ The name is Flash!- Flash Sentry, off duty Royal guard at your service!" Flash extended a hoof politely, the surprised mare felt her cheeks burn.

"Gleaming Shield, part-time dreamer, and full-time adventurous pony!" Gleaming spoke with a slight giggle, mane curtained over her eyes.

"Lovely name, a traveler huh? ~ Sounds like an exciting job, not like guard duty." Flash groaned with a shake of his head, drink suddenly slid down the bar to his hoof.

"Why so?~ Guard duty should offer tons of excitement?." Gleaming lifted her mug, taking a mighty chug of cider.

"It can get old quick, besides." Flash paused with gritted teeth.

"Mm-hmm?" Gleaming continued to chug.

"My boss, Shining Armor is a huge dick!~ Excuse my language." Flash spoke in utmost seriousness.

Gleaming could feel the drink painfully erupt from her nostrils, eyes widened in pain as lungs burned with cider.

Flash quick to pat her backside a tad worried, his touch firm against her soft coat.

"Gleaming?" He gasped, the mare flashing a hurt gaze.

"Totally fine!~ I must go!!" Gleaming continued to gasp for air, hoof lifted over her muzzle politely.

"I thought we could maybe share a drink?" Flash gulped nervously, the mare quick to refuse.

"Sorry, but not tonight." She bounced off the stool, glasses plummeted to the ground with a delicate clink.

"But..." Flash stuttered.

"Lovely to meet you." Gleaming blurted as she rushed to the door, stumbling past a few entering ponies.

Flash lowered himself to pluck the glasses off the floor.

"Your Glasses? ~ Way to go Flash, another strikeout." He rolled both eyes, defeated by his own lack of confidence.

With a frown, he placed the glasses on the counter, thoughts of the sweet mare on his mind.

Before he returned to his bitter drink.

"I'm not a dick!" Gleaming snorted in absolute anger.

Dressed in a black cloak, she might have borrowed from her wife's wardrobe.

Pulling herself through a private chamber window, she slammed it shut with a loud bang.

"Maybe a bit harsh at times." She pouted and lowered the hood away from her face, mane frazzled beyond repair.

Magic glowed from her horn, removing a tattered book from underneath the large bed to her right.

Flipping through the pages, she scanned the mystic arts for a counterspell to her current one. Finding a page full of ancient unicorn symbols, she allowed her eyes to adjust to the page carefully.

"Ahem, strength return and elegance fade." She began to chant interrupted by a thunderous knock.

"Sir, Is that you!? ~ Jenkins, thought a mare climbed through the window outside?" A stern voice of the night guard echoed, Gleaming felt both ears fold down in fear.

"Yes..." She spoke in a soprano tone, quick to force her pitch lower.

"It's just me Captain Armor!" She spoke in a laughably deep voice that cracked every other word.

"Are you sick, sir?" The guard replied worried.

"I'm perfectly fine, you're dismissed, soldier!" Gleaming spoke in a stern tone, full of confident flair.

"But sir?"

"I said dismissed!!" She yelled, her voice suddenly rose back to a sweet soprano tone.

Her eyes widened in horror.

Yet the door never swung open, instead, the sound of hoofsteps trotted away down the massive hallway.

"Damn you, Jenkins! ~ You're such a dumbass!!" The guard grumbled to his fellow comrades, voice soon fading into the distance.

"Strength return and elegance lost!" She chanted softly.

"Curves cast away at any cost!" Light-filled the room.

"Grant me the power to become a male, to no longer be weak and frail!" Voice deepened to a masculine range.

"I wish to join my brothers I adore, sisterhood I want no more!!" Shining Armor sighed, book clutched in his grasp.

"That was too close." He groaned defeated, falling onto the bed with the book.

His eyes gazed at the open book with a saddened expression. Using his hoof he slammed it shut, tossing it to the floor with a dull thud. Heart still racing from the excitement of the night.

Calming his mind, he decided to just turn in.

He had to be well-rested tomorrow when Cadance returned with his daughter.

He wasn't even sure why he had used the spell tonight, in public for that matter.

Questions to be answered another day.

For the moment, he just wanted some rest.

Know Your Place. ( Remastered. )

( Night before the bar. )

__________

"While you're in Ponyville, I might go grab a drink." Shining chuckled half-heartedly as he stood over a pink cradle, eyes locked protectively upon his sleeping daughter.

"Drinking!?" Cadance questioned with slight annoyance, attention divided between packing her suitcase on the bed.

"Wow, you sound as if I asked to cheat!" Shining blew a raspberry to nopony in particular.

"You're a captain, I feel it's your responsibility to set a proper standard." Cadance sighed in exhaustion, gaze locked on her distant husband tenderly.

"Why not accompany me!? ~ Your whole family will be there!" Cadance giggled as she trotted to her husband's side lovingly.

"Don't remind me." Shining tilted his head upward.

"What happened with your parents?" Cadance asked with curiosity.

Shining shot his wife a broken gaze, Cadance giving a respectful nod in return.

Without a word she leaned closer, her muzzle softly grazing across his cheek. The stallion unable to help himself, a warm goofy grin spread across his face.

"It's complicated." Shining watched his daughter stir, her large blue eyes fluttering open well-rested.

"Mama!?"Flurry yawned with a stretch, those big innocent eyes locked on her shocked father.

"No honey he's Daddy...Dada!"Cadance cooed as she scooped her baby into a loving embrace.

"When you're ready, I'll be here." Cadance smiled, rocking her child in a soothing maternal motion.

"Do you ever feel incomplete?" Shining narrowed his gaze out the bedroom window.

"Like how?" Cadance arched a thin brow.

"I don't know, perhaps seeing things from a new perspective?" His voice cracked nervously.

"Personally, I've seen enough of what the world has to offer.." Eyes locked upon her child.

"I'm happy to be starting this personal chapter of my life, with you." Cadance smiled as her daughter fell back to the world of dreams.

"I'm just feeling…" Shining huffed silently.

"Empty?" Cadance spoke in a soft whisper, yet her voice carried a heavy tone.

"What, no!?" Shining let a loud horse noise escape.

"Well, I sense something missing?" Cadance narrowed her eyes gently.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shining chuckled with a bright blush.

"You never open up, only push me away." Cadance folded back her ears.

"Maybe I just want some space, huh!?" Shining stomped a hoof defensively.

"This is more than just drinks, isn't it?" Cadance held back her worry.

"Maybe it is!" Shining snapped in a deeper tone.

"What?" She winced slightly from the aggressive change in voice.

"I'm never allowed to just relax, I have to always be on!" Shining yelled to his wife with a slam of his hoof atop the marble floor.

"Because I care what we stand for. ~ I'm the villain!?" Cadance narrowed sparkling eyes with confusion.

"No!" Shining groaned.

"Then what?" Cadance placed her hoof on his shoulder.

"Nothing!" He huffed visibly shaken.

"Shining." She cooed.

"Just go, I know my place." Shining slumped over, just as his daughter had begun to stir.

"We all create our own misery." Cadance turned away, as tears rolled down her cheeks.

The room would become deathly silent, his wife quick to finish packing her luggage. Guards soon after entered to retrieve the last few parcels. Shining then left alone with his thoughts, guilt slowly picking away at his soul. Falling back onto the bed with a thud, the world around him soon fading away.

Leaving him completely alone.

( Present.)

"Forgive me, Cadance," Shining whispered with regret.

Shining rolled onto his side in defeat of the moment. He had lived out a long-desired fantasy this night, yet he felt far more empty than before. Thoughts of Cadance heavy on his mind, she deserved far better than what he could offer.

He wasn't able to fulfill her emotionally as if a piece of himself were missing.

This one night not enough, his heart yearned for more.

The feeling of freedom.

The way the world had accepted him.

It felt right.

Yet he knew like a dream, it was a fleeting experience.

He loved the thrill of being alive.

Though, his family deserved that joy.

Far more than himself.

"For them." Shining gave a broken smile.

He would hide his feelings deep.

"For her." Shining closed his eyes.

He would be what they needed.

"I know my place." He reassured himself.

This feeling was far too familiar.

From when it began, he was taught to hide it.

"It's just a fantasy." Shining forced himself to believe the lie.

With a troubled mind, he drifted off to an uneasy slumber.

Catching the attention of a certain princess.

Luna could sense a pony in need.

For her heart cried out in pain, but his soul kept silent.

Nightmares and Dreamscapes.

Author's Note

I have one more Rewritten chapter on the way. I hope the pacing is better.

This is my first story so I tried my best. I hope you all enjoy.

Nightmares and Dreamscapes.

"My Fwist orber as pwincess!- fwee cookies for all!" A tiny purple unicorn clapped her hooves happily, wearing a crudely put together crown atop her tangled mane.

"Wow that's so generous Princess Twily!" Shining Armor smiled to his little sister as she played with her dolls and dresses, his own mane fixed up in small curls and a few flowers placed throughout.

"Heehee! As for you my bestest fwiend. I want you to be my co-pwincess!" Twilight's small frame pounced atop her brother as they both giggled aloud happily.

" Pwincess Gweaming Shell!" The tiny unicorn gave her brother a tight hug, Shining just smiling and returning the gift of affection.

"I'd love to be your Co-Princess!"

"Sisters forever!?" Twilight gasped happily.

"Sisters forever!" Shining replied with a small hoof bump to the small unicorn.

Shining watched the children play from the corner of the room in silence, it had been years since he even allowed these thoughts to creep into his mind. He had many other things to worry about, from his beautiful daughter and to his strong willed wife.

Work as both consultant to his wife and as Head of The Royal Guard, wore him out, not just in body but down to the soul. Being able to see these memories once more, reminded him of better yet darker days.

"You look quite happy," a calm but stern voice echoed behind the stallion.

Shining swung around coming face to face with Princess Luna, her elegant shimmering mane swaying in place as pale blue eyes gazed deep into his soul.

"Princess! Um this isn't anything!!" Shining yelped aloud, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"No need to be ashamed Sir Armor, I am a guardian of dreams not a judge of them," she replied with a cool sense of tranquility.

"Why are you here? If I may ask," his voice cracked a bit, heart still racing wildly within his chest.

"I was called upon by a troubled mind, Your mind."

In a sudden flash of darkness, the mare flowed across the room in a delicate rhythm. Appearing beside the children with a smile across her lips.

"I sense a feeling of chaos, Two sides of the same bit, fighting for control." She spoke her eyes upon the playing ponies and not upon himself.

"Phst. No offense ma'am but that sounds like everypony in all of Equestria," shining spoke his voice sounding more powerful as he tried to regain control of the conversation.

"Perhaps. Yet this time I sense magic at work as well, magic not from here and now, but of days long forgotten."

Shining gazed down to the floor in silence, how was she able to read him so easily? If she were able to do this, would Cadance be able to see through him too?

"This magic isn't malicious. But do be careful, those who choose to hide away the past jeopardize their future." Her eyes glowed pure white, the stallion winced as he lifted a hoof across his eyes.

Everything felt lighter and larger. As if the universe were exspanding, or perhaps he was shrinking? The white light slowly faded away around him, Twily was now gone from his room. Everything seemed slightly different, no longer did the room belong to a child, but to a growing colt.

Shining gazed down to his hooves, seeing they were now slender and petite. Eyes glanced across his body, seeing new curves around his backside and lack of definition around his legs. Bangs softly falling before his eyes, as he knew he were female once more.

"How do you do?" Shining's voice echoed around herself. Eyes looking to a small open closet, seeing a young colt swaying his backside gently as he walked out into his room.

He wore a light pink dress that was a bit oversized, as if the outfit were made for a older mare. His mane was swept to the side, in a slight wave, bouncing sweetly with each step he took.

"How do you do?" He spoke his voice starting to deepen, yet the colt just practiced rising the pitch, while walking in small circles around the room.

"I... remember this day," gleaming shield spoke her voice soft but saddened.

"The day your Mother found out," luna spoke up as she appeared at the mares side.

"Honey have you seen my..." A voice of a mare echoed loudly behind a large closed door.

Young Shining and Gleaming both looked in horror to the door, as it swung open. Their mother walking in with a smile that quickly faded to shock.

"Shining Armor! What? Why?"

"Mom! It's not what it looks like!"

"Yes it was." Gleaming sighed her ears folding back.

"That's my missing dress!" The mare spoke in a shaken tone, quickly darting in the room and slamming the door shut.

"I'm sorry..."

"Why did she have to look at me like that? So.... ashamed." Gleaming bit her lower lip softly, holding back tears from her eyes.

"How long has this been going on?" She spoke in a numb tone of voice, her eyes gazing into a hidden box inside the closet. Filled with a few dresses, make-up and ribbons.

"I'm sorry..." The colt lowered to the ground in silence sobbing.

"Mom, Even now still doesn't look at me the same..." Gleaming trailed off slowly, tears gently rolling down her cheeks to the floor below.

A slow building fire began to grow deep inside her heart. Gleaming narrowed pale blue hues to her side, before suddenly glaring to the calm natured Princess before her.

"Why!? Why show me this!?"

Luna stoically stood there, never answering.

"Answer me! Do you want me to feel ashamed of this?... of me?" The mare tried to sound intimidating, her voice cracking in sorrow as she let the tears fall.

"I can't help I feel this way! I just do, every year I feel colder and numb!" The mare felt her legs give out, collapsing to the floor in sobs, her whole body shivering.

"I just want to be left alone! I just want to feel whole." Her voice echoed around her as Luna faded into the darkness.

"If only for a while." Shining heard his voice return to normal. Lifting up his head to see the world had become darker and more vast then he ever could imagine.

Across from where he stood he could see himself, sitting in a circle of bright light. Beaten and scared as his eyes were filled with a sense of being broken.

Shadows of ponies lifting out from the darkness around him. Hissing and growling aloud.

The vast emptiness shaping into a vague outline of his room, the shadows gazing to the colt and back to the closet which was wide open for all to see.

"It's not right. That you should be taking care of your sister all the time." A large shadow of a female pony towered over Shining darkly.

"I...I don't mind." Shining tried to speak up, his voice so low and timid.

"What your mother means is that, what you do is not right!" A darker male voice boomed from a second shadow pony.

"I showed your father the dresses in your room honey." The mare spoke in a shallow tone as if ashamed.

"You are a colt. Not a filly!" Boomed the stallion once more.

"We've decided to hire a foal sitter to help out with your sister." The mare quickly changed the subject.

"I've set up a few classes with The Royal Cadets at the castle. They'll show you what it means to be a real stallion!" The deep voice hissed aloud.

Shining Armor just sat there in silence, ears folded back as he watched his parents toss away...

His dirty little secrets.

In a sudden flash of light, the shadows vanished from the room. The stallion sitting alone in silence, eyes locked onto the floor sadly. Luna walking out from the light, much like a drifting wave, her eyes upon her subject sadly.

"Know I did not show you this under malice. Two sides of the same bit, each fighting for a place in this world, yet in the end it is balance that will secure everything." Luna shook her head side to side.

"Follow your fear, pain you shall see. Open your heart and you shall be set free." Luna turned away walking into the glowing light around them.

Shining simply lifted his head afterwards, surrounded once more by nothingness.

The setting he had grown accustomed to, over the years.

It was his destiny.

The Mare Does Lunch. Part.1.

"Uhhh. My head is killing me." Shining groaned as he lifted up on the sheets, coming face to face with a white coated Day Guard standing at the side of his bed.

"AHHHH!!!"

"AHHHH!!"

Both stallions quickly pounced away from each other, Shining smashing off the left side of the bed with a loud thud.
The stallion on the right shivering in place, pale blue eyes filled with fear.

"Who are you?!" Shining asked as he gazed to the guard in confusion, using his hoof to rub the back of his head slowly.

"Private Jenkins sir!" The stallion quickly lifted a hoof smacking himself in the forehead by accident. His dark red bangs falling in front of his eyes slightly.

"Aren't you a Night Guard?" Shining groaned as he slowly got back onto his hooves. shaking off the scare.

"Yes and no sir!" Replied the guard in a cracking voice.

"At ease. You know just relax." Shining rolled his eyes as he walked away from the bed towards a small vanity, he sighed at the first glance that his mane was a complete mess.

"Thank you sir. I mean of course sir. I mean...well... I got placed on Day Duty as well for what my superior called "Idiosyncrasy of the Asinine Persuasion.". "The stallion sighed, lowering his head down in shame.

"What? Being a dumbass?" Shining narrowed his eyes to the young guard slightly.

"Yeah..."Jenkins shrugged it off.

"Well in my book, you are alright. So why were you watching me sleep?" Shining asked turning back to the mirror as he fixed his mane.

"I was supposed to inform you. That your Sister, Daughter and Wife will be here within the hour!...but then I thought I remembered a saying, that if you woke a sleeping pony, then you would die or they die...somepony dies..." Jenkins trailed off thinking hard on the matter.

"What! When was this?!" Shining snapped in shock and anger.

"Um. About a hour ago?" Replied the simple pony, who chuckled nervously.

"Jenkins...you..." Shining took a deep breath holding his tongue before quickly dashing out of the room, swift as a bolt of lightning.

"I know." Jenkins folded his ears back in shame, his gaze falling to the ground.

"Standing up your wife is bad. But here I go outdoing myself and standing up my baby sister and kid too!" The stallion gasped aloud, making a sharp turn down the winding hallway of the Royal Canterlot Castle.

A loud smash echoed across the hallway as Shining tackled hard into Flash. Both stallions falling to the floor, as Flash ended up atop Shining in a daze.

"Owww. Sir?" Flash asked his head swimming a bit, looking down to his friend below.

Shining doing his best not to let a slight blush appear over his cheeks, quickly tossed his friend off him. The stallion flopping onto the right side and quickly standing to his hooves.

"Sir! Sorry Sir!"

"Whatever." Shining replied in a harsh and annoyed tone.

"Are you ok? I was sent to check up on you and deliver a message." Flash spoke in a serious manner.

"Which is?"

"You failed to greet your family at the gates. Princess Luna then requested for Cadance and Flurry Heart to visit her chamber for a small chat.-To not be disturbed for a few hours. Lastly Princess Twilight asked if you would meet her uptown for brunch at "Le Magnifique Cafe."

"Damn! I really screwed up my hours this morning." Shining groaned knowing if he really hoofed it. He'd be late to meet his sister at the cafe.

"Hey! We all make mistakes." Flash smirked playfully.

"Phst. Such friendly words, towards such a dick." Shining rolled his eyes slightly, Flash letting his gaze widen in shock.

"What! I...who told you I said that!? Grrr was it that dumbass Jenkins!!" Flash growled aloud in anger, smashing his two front hooves together. Jenkins who slowly walked up from behind, simply turned around and walked back away out of sight.

"Doesn't matter. I need to at least try and catch Twily at the cafe." Shining sighed, allowing his pent up anger to just slide off his shoulders.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just...you've changed a lot over the years is all." Flash bit his lower lip slightly, searching his mind for the right words.

"I got to go." Shining pushed past his friend with a slight shove, breaking into a quick trot down the hall.

"At least hear me out!" Flash growled a bit as his friend vanished from view.

Shining took the turn at the end of the hallway, coming to a quick stop. Taking a few moments to catch his breath, he let his mind wander a bit. Perhaps he should give Flash a chance to explain, no matter how hard he tried, a part of him knew he couldn't just toss a friend like that out, without a thought.

Sighing softly he made his way towards the front door of the castle, mind set on meeting his little sister. Never noticing that his mane had grown a few inches in length, gently reaching past his shoulders.

Alone on the floor of the empty chamber, sat the old worn tome. A soft but elegant blue glow pulsing from it hypnotically. A feminine yet distant voice echoing around the room in a soothing tone.

"Sisterhood I want no more..." The voice echoed, knowing deep inside this was not the truth.

The plaza was booked solid, many a pony were walking through the main pathway, scrunched together each in their own little world none caring about the world around them.

Shining trotted slowly through the crowd his mind running in a thousand various directions, the dream of the past night still fresh on his mind.

Was he really running from himself?

Would telling the truth really set him free?'

Or would it shackle him further in the farce he called a life.

"Oomph!" Shining huffed aloud running into a large stallion coming out of the nearby cafe, his gaze fell upon Shining yet instead of annoyance was a simple smile.

"Excuse me." He spoke politely as he moved out of the way, allowing Shining to pass, his mane now flowing down past his shoulders slightly.

"Um thank you." Shining replied his voice cracking softly before he rushed inside, quickly clearing his throat trying to avoid all eye contact.

Blue hues scanned the cafe, his heart racing as he wished he wasn't too late. Off near the corner of the room was Twily, her eyes filled with a sense of worry for her missing brother.

Shining allowed a soft sigh to escape his lips as he quickly darted over to the lonely table in the room, Twily's ears perking up happily as she watched her brother come into view.

"Big Brother! Thought you might not have gotten my message." The violet colored alicorn squeed aloud, clapping slender hooves together in a giddy pose.

The stallion chuckled as he plopped down to the seat across from his sister, a large weight lifting from his chest.

"Would never miss a chance to see my little sister. Just been busy." Shining sighed as his little sister flashed a small frown quickly replaced by a sweet smile.

"I can see that. Your mane is like super long, guess you haven't been able to get it cut." Twily giggled flaunting a hoof towards him.

“It is?” A soft flash of magic lifted a silver spoon up as he gazed to his reflection in a bit of confusion.

Twily just giggled sweetly and placed a hoof atop the spoon, swiping it to the side with ease. Her soft caring eyes meeting with his own, filling his soul with a sense of calm.

“Reminds me when we were kids. I used to practice braiding your mane.” Twily held back a snort as she shook her head side to side.

“Ha! Yeah and dad would always bitch about my long mane…’ Shining chuckled a smirk across his lips.

“Cut that mane! What are you some kind of nature lover!” Both ponies spoke aloud in unison, quickly falling into a fit of laughter.

Yet to those around. They might have thought they heard two mares giggling aloud at a inside joke.

“I’m just happy, that you are doing well.” Twily sighed as she slumped down in her seat.

“Yeah I am. Why are you so worried?” Shining asked a bit curious as he placed both hooves on the table politely.

“No reason. Just had a odd dream a few nights ago.” The alicorn shifted her gaze away from her brother.

“Dreams can’t hurt you kid.” His hoof placed atop her own gently.

“I know. I just saw a strange mare in my dream, followed by flashes of me losing you.” She bit her lower lip in somber silence.

“Strange mare?” He blinked in confusion.

“I know marriage can be rough brother. But it is a bond between two ponies, just promise me you’ll never stray.” Twily tightened her grasp on his hoof as he snapped back into reality.

“I’d never cheat on my wife Twily!” Shining groaned aloud as his ears fell flat folding back.

“Didn't mean to say you could.” She giggled nervously with a slight blush as she changed the subject.

“Ahem. Now let’s get us some lunch!” His sister quickly flung up her menu before her.

Shining huffed softly under his breath. His wife was growing distant with him. He had a interesting night out as a mare, yet those feelings as a female still were lingering.

And now his sister thought he might be a cheater!

He knew this day was going to be rough.

Just didn’t expect it to be this bad.

Author's Note

Sorry for taking so long.

This story has been stuck in rewrite hell.

But a friend told me, if you write just what others want.

Then you are not telling your own story.

So love it or leave it.

Updates will be coming very quickly as I'm going to just tell my original vision of this story.

At least I'll complete it right? :twilightsheepish:

The Mare Does Lunch. Part.2.

Twilight lifted a large piece of hay burger into the air, dripping with house sauce onto the clean white plate below. Though this was a five star cafe, his sister still had a down to earth appetite.

Shining chuckled a bit to himself watching his little sister eat, she had gotten more on the sides of her muzzle than in her mouth. Just like when they were kids, she had the mind of a genius and the table manners of a pig.

He missed those days. He missed the times he could just open up to his sister and talk about anything. Now he felt as if everypony around him had drifted, not a soul around he could just talk with.

Forced into a habit of routines. To hide away and go out under the cover of darkness, just to feel free.

Why had he let himself fall so far?

The better question was, could he ever find his way back?

“You haven’t touched your food.” Twily softly spoke up as she placed the half eaten burger back on her plate.

“Not really hungry.”

“Is it because of what I said?”

“Don’t give yourself so much credit kid.”

“Big brother, you can tell me anything. You know that right?”

Twily placed her slender hoof atop his own as he smiled back to her lovingly. His own sense of curiosity getting the better of him, she would never judge him or turn away.

“I feel having a great support system goes a long way. Main reason I have Open Heart Night with the girls.” Twily snorted cutely.

“Uhhh?”

“It’s a night where we all just share about anything. It really does wonders brother to just have a pony you can trust to keep a...Moon.”

“Keep a moon?” Shining tilted his head to the side confused.

“No. I mean I see Moon Dancer here.” Her delicate hoof flaunted behind her brother, who felt his ears droop a tiny bit.

“I need to just go talk to her for a minute. I’m hosting a whole discussion on friendship this weekend at her place…” Twily quickly shot up from her seat, cantering over to the far side of the cafe.

Her mind was truly in another place. Maybe he should just let off on telling her anything till another time, his heart returning to a calming beat.

The story of his life.

Always just pushing things off to another time. He sighed and crossed his own slender hooves on the table before him, laying his muzzle atop them in a breath of defeat.

“Ma’am are you ok?” The waitress walked over to his table with a slight look of worry across her face.

Shining slowly raised a brow in confusion. He thought for a moment she had called him by the wrong pronoun.

“Ma’am?”

Shining snapped back into reality in haste. His eyes darted to a large mirror across from his table. Shock and fear hit him like a bolt of lightning, the pony in the mirror was not himself.

It was the face of a mare. Large soulful eyes and a even longer silken mane, she wore oversized armor of the castle that was starting to droop on her delicate frame.

“Ahhh-mmmm ok! I’M OK! “ Her voice cracked in mid sentence becoming soft and melodic in tone.

Shining almost pushed the waitress out of her way as she stood up, trying with all her might to not make a scene. Yet upon lifting to her hooves the armor slipped off her whole frame, clanging to the floor loudly.

Ponies began to look towards the noise. The waitress was confused as the white mare before her was blushing a dark red.

“Igottagogoodbye!” She spat out in horror as she leaped over her own table and darted out the door like a blur.

Twilight pushed through the small crowd whispering aloud. Her eyes locking onto their empty table and pile of royal armor left on the ground.

Her muzzle scrunching up in confusion of what just happened. She stepped over to the pile of metal at her hooves and glanced around in growing worry.

“Did anypony see my brother leave here...naked?”

Gleaming winced in pain as she stumbled side to side in the dark alley. Her body felt as if it were compressing into nothing. Falling into a dirty puddle of water before she groaned aloud, her large waist cracking and pulling in slightly to a narrow shape.

She bit down on her hoof as bones shifted near her hips widening, Her backside gaining more fat as it inflated ever larger than normal, gaining a soft curve. She felt as if she were on fire, shrinking a few inches becoming more of a mare by the second.

The world slowly began to spin around her. This transformation was far more painful than the last.

Gleaming could feel a small whimper escape her lips as a final crunch in her body shifted her bone structure into smaller proportions. A sickly cold feeling of her insides shifting and changing to that of female, causing her to nearly vomit.

Why had this happened?

She had done the reverse spell perfectly.

Something had to have gone wrong. The first change was pleasant and calm, this change felt as if it were tearing her body apart. Taking a deep breath she knew she’d have to make it back to the book.

Using all her power left in this small frame, she forced herself to stand back up. The world still spinning wildly around her, she felt her hooves give out again.

Hitting the ground with a loud thud, she could feel her heart tightening in her chest. The beating growing louder and louder around her, she gazed ahead as her vision was fading.

The world began to go to black.

A soft glow of light appearing before her from the abyss. A slender and elegant figure cantering out of the aurora, those glowing violet hues watching him in worry.

“What is wrong?” It spoke in a calming melodic tone, kneeling down at her side lovingly.

“I’ll be there for you…”

Soon all went silent.

Author's Note

I've ben gone a while, sorry for that.

I ran into some money trouble and got my internet shut down.

I waited till things went back to normal, before I started writing again.

I'll try and start up a more normal writing routine soon, until then please enjoy the new chapter.

Twily And Me. Part.1.

Shining Armor gazed to his father blankly at the kitchen table, an odd silence filling the air around both stallions. The sky outside a swirl of yellows and blues, a light pink hue were the sun should be. The whole room was cast in an odd pastel pinkish orange, the clock on the wall stopped in place on noon sharp.

“Do you want to talk dad?” Shining spoke his voice soft and sweet, that of a young mare looking for something lost in her life.

Only silence would be his reply as the young stallion gave a loud huff aloud, his chest heavy with many questions for his dad. But deep down inside he knew none would be answered, the cold gaze of the male causing him to feel small and out of place.

As if he did not matter at all, a bright lightning strike outside causing the room to flash a pale blue color. The young stallion vanishing from his spot at the table, a saddened mare looking down to the kitchen floor taking his place.

“I can’t be happy...not like this.” She spoke in a cracking tone, a trail of crystalline tears forming around her eyes.

“Does my happiness not count?” She gazed to her side, the kitchen windows now shattered and the floor stained with mud and grime.

The family photo on the wall torn to shreds, cabinets tossed open with cans of food thrown about. The home was torn apart and shredded to pieces, the flash striking outside once more as all returned to normal.

“Or do I enjoy their happiness?” He spoke in his normal voice, tears rolling down each cheek as the family photo was whole again. The home in one complete piece, a smile creeping upon his father’s muzzle.

“Happy...just want to be…” Gleaming slowly creaked open her pale blue eyes, the world around her spinning around quickly while her ears rang aloud.

She felt as if the world was set to fast forward, her head aching so much at the moment. She could be sure that a simple scream would kill her, exploding her skull across the room.

Long lashes batted in confusion as she quickly lifted up dainty hooves, her eyes would widen in pure terror at the sight of her female body. A loud scream escaping her lips followed by a horrible pain from her skull, she simply rolled out of bed and hit the floor with a thud.

“So you are awake ma’am?” Twilight cantered into the room with a look of worry, the mare on the ground weakly as she assumed her sister had found her somehow.

“Uhh, yes just a bit weak I fear.” The mare spoke in a soft voice, flashing a weak smile as she was just happy Twilight didn’t recognize her.

“That is great. NOW WHY WOULD YOU TURN YOURSELF INTO A MARE!” Twilight gave a loud scream at the top of her lungs, her horn flashing to life as a dark curtain in the room was pulled back revealing a old motel room.

“Gahh! Not so loud Twily!” She groaned as the hope that built up quickly faded, she slowly lifted her hooves to her face hiding away on the floor.

“Answer me! How and why!?” The violet mare gave a stern look to her brother, the pale white mare gazing up to her in defeat.

“I found an old book in 'The Royal Archives' it allowed me to...become...a..mere…”

“What!?”

“A mare!” Gleaming gave a soft hiss to her little sister, in return she gave a roll of the eyes.

“You do know old magic can be dangerous! Now that I have the how, what about the why?” Twilight gave a cute pout, walking to her brother on the ground and poking his side with her hoof.

“I don’t know…”

“Curious?”

“Mehh.”

“As a weird joke?”

“Ehhh.”

“For a mission?”

“Would you have bought that?”

“Now I won’t!”

“Brrr.”

“Why!?” The violet mare gave a loud snap, her hooves smashing on the floor firmly.

“TO BE HAPPY! To feel...happy.” Gleaming gave a soft sigh, slowly rolling onto her side and curling up into a tiny ball of fear and regret.

The silence that haunted her dreams, it wafted across the room once more. She knew what would come next, the hoofsteps of her sister darting out the door. Full of disgust and hate for what she just heard, leaving her alone as always.

But instead a violet hoof gently wrapped around her waist, pulling her in close as Gleaming gave a sweet gasp aloud in shock. Her baby sister hugging her fro behind, lying upon the floor much as they would as kids.

“How long have you felt this way?” Twilight spoke in a far sweeter tone, voice full of understanding and comfort.

“Too long.” The mare gave a defeated sigh.

“I’m sorry you’ve felt like this, I should’ve checked in with you more often.”

“Not your fault kid, I’ve gotten used to hiding it away.”

“That’s no way to live?”

“I’m used to it though, I couldn’t bare to tear our family apart.”

“Tear it apart?”

“Look at me!” Gleaming rolled around, her pale blue eyes broken and abused.

“I’m looking…” Twilight slowly brushed her brother’s tangled mane out of her eyes, gazing deeply into her hues sweetly.

“I can’t be a freak! I must be normal for mom,dad and cadance…”

“I don’t see a freak…”

“What do you see? Because it is not me!”

“I see a pony who is scared and confused.”

“Phst. You think me feeling this way, is just me confused...just like dad…” Gleaming bit down her lower lip roughly.

“No not confused over that! Confused as in , if her happiness is not important.” Twilight spoke in a delicate tone of voice, Gleaming could feel her heart shatter into a thousand pieces within her chest.

The mare suddenly latching onto her sister, sobbing aloud into her chest fluff softly. The small frame of the mare quivering in place, as all the built up pain and worry flowed forth into the world.

Twilight gave a saddened look downward before her wings wrapped them both up firmly, holding her brother...sister close to her heart.

What a nightmare it must be…

Living a lie.

Twily And Me. Part.2.

The crying would soon come to a stop, cheeks soaked in a river of tears. Twilight’s sister shivering in place as her breathing soon became calm, the cozy embrace of the hug setting her at ease.

Pale blue hues gazing high as a soft sniffle followed close afterwards, Gleaming suddenly feeling a weight that had been crushing her lifted away. The simple fact that somepony understood her plight, was a welcome change from the normal.

“I’m sorry you had to see that Twily.” a cream colored hoof wiped away the tears from her eyes, soon taking a deep inhale to compose herself feeling so weak at the moment.

“It’s perfectly fine, sometimes we all just need a good cry.” Twilight gave a small smile, leaning in as she nuzzled the mare’s cheek.

“So since when have you felt like…”

“Gleaming Shield? As long as I can remember to be honest.” Gleaming gave a soft shrug of the shoulder.

“Gleaming? That is an adorable name!” Twilight flashed a bright smile to her sister, who simply blushed a light pink in silence.

“Thank you. I came up with it when we pretended to play as princesses.” The mare gave a light snort aloud, Twilight just bursting into a bright smile.

“I so remember that! It was so much fun, we would dress up and pretend to pass new laws!” Twilight stood up excitedly as her tail was swishing side to side.

“You do remember?” Gleaming whispered a bit shocked, her sister had such a good memory of the past.

“Of course I do! We would laugh and smile, pretend to raise the sun! But then suddenly…” Twilight blinked long lashes in deep thought, waves of memories hitting her hard like a tsunami.

“...”

“You stopped smiling.” The violet mare gave a loud sigh and locked eyes with her sister once more.

“Yeah. Dad didn’t want a embarrassment in the family.” Gleaming gave a soft eye roll in place.

“Did you ever think of talking to him again? Maybe as Gleaming?” Twilight slowly slid closer, nudging her sister on the side reassuringly.

“And what!? Tell dad that his strong son he brags on, is just a mare now!” Gleaming gritted her teeth in place with growing anger.

“He’d understand! I’d go with you and…”

“He will never understand! I’ve seen the disappointment in his eyes, I’ve seen the destruction foolish choices make!” Gleaming stood up and gave a wicked snap aloud, her small frame quivering in place.

“You’re happiness is foolish?”

“We all can’t ascend.”

“It’s not the world’s chains holding you back, is it?” Twilight slowly narrowed her eyes to the mare while silence over took the room.

“I need to think of my family first.” She gave a soft spoken reply.

Twilight nodded in place as she wanted to put this argument on ice, if only for a small while. Quickly standing up she gave a sly stare to her sister and gently giggled, flaunting a hoof in place as she gained poise.

“Well then! If you and I are feeling a bit down, but still want to talk I have the perfect solution!” The alicorn mare gave a loud squee.

“Which is?” Gleaming asked with a raised brow, unsure what she had planned.

“Ice Cream!”

“Om..nom..nom. So you’se going to find the book in my room?” Gleaming spoke from atop the bed lazily, sprawled out in a lackluster fashion a large tub of cherry ice cream in her hooves.

“Well, we can’t stay hid away in this room forever.” Twilight gave a soft giggle from the edge of the bed, a bowl of ice cream at her side half eaten.

“Mmm. You think, I might be able to get back to normal?” Gleaming spoke up as a small silver spoon hung out of the side of her mouth adorably.

“That’s the plan! But if I’m able to reverse it, are you sure…” Twilight slowly started to speak up as her older sister gave her a stern gaze.

“Yes I’m sure, just having you for support will be enough.” Gleaming quickly gave a soft smile across her muzzle, the violet unicorn giggling aloud.

“Okay. To be honest I’ve had a wonderful time, just pigging out with my sister all day.” Twilight gave a quick wink, the mare rolling her eyes from across the way.

“Hey! I didn’t order all these junk foods, Ms.Piggy!” Gleaming stuck her tongue out playfully, Twilight finding it so fascinating how much more she seemed to open up in this one night alone.

After the long and good cry, they spent hours just talking about life in general. From dreams of the past to plans of the future, Gleaming was just as confident as she was as Shining except for being way more happier.

But for every time she tried to bring up a future with Gleaming in the picture, it would be shut down in a swift and quick response. Gleaming was set on living her days in secrecy, though giddy over the chance that she and Twilight could plan some Mare’s Night Out in the future.

“You are like so much more hyperactive tonight, I always thought my older sister would be stern.” Twilight flaunted a hoof to the mare who gave a smirk in reply.

“Oh I can be stern little one! Just bring home a stallion who is an arse, I’ll bite into him!” Gleaming gave a playful snort aloud, Twilight just bursting out into a fit of laughter.

Silence slowly filling the room as the clock struck nine on the wall, both young mares gazing to each other in a knowing way. Twilight slowly sliding off the bed and giving a lean stretch in place, her wings expanding out wide and elegantly in place.

“I’ll let Cadance know that you got food poisoning and decided to spend the night here, then I’ll go find this book and give it a look over.” Twilight gave a run down of the plan as her older sister nodded in place.

“Sounds like a wonderful plan, I can always trust in you little…” Gleaming was caught off guard by Twilight pulling her into a firm hug, the mare blinking in place as she felt the warmth of acceptance flow over her.

“Just know, I’ll love you no matter what!” The violet mare whispered into the ear of her sister, Gleaming simply smiling and embracing her back in delight.

“Thank you.” She would reply, voice filled with a new sense of hope.

Twilight slowly breaking the embrace, holding hooves with her sister for a small bit. The pale blue moonlight cascading through the open window, both mares breaking away from each other and heading off.

Twilight would vanish out of the room in silence, eyes full of worry and concern for her family. Gleaming would slowly walk over to the open window, lifting up on her hind legs to watch her little sister vanish into the darkness below.

This had been an eventful day, one she did not see coming but in a way was happy had happened. Closing her eyes she allowed the cool crisp wind to caress her mane, blowing back her coat in a refreshing massage.

“Gleaming?!” A stallion yelled out from below, the mare darting her eyes open wide in horror.

Flash was in full uniform gazing high above to her window in awe, his masculine frame towering proudly in the pale moonlight. Gleaming could only scream aloud in shock, pouncing back into the room with a loud crash.

“Luna strike him down, strike him down please!” Gleaming would speak frantically under her breath in worry,panic forcing its way into her small frame.

As she would wait for a miraculous bolt of lightning to smite him outside, she could feel her heart stop suddenly in her chest. A loud knock coming from her motel door, a creeping shadow forming underneath the frame.

“I have something for you.” Flash would speak through the frail piece of wood that was protecting the mare from the world.

“Buck me sideways…” Was all she could muster in a soft spoken whisper.

Booking It. ( Remastered. )

“Gleaming, please open up,” Flash spoke from beyond the door, his voice that of a missed opportunity.

Gleaming scrunched her muzzle with a silent mouthing of a few choice curses. That bolt of lightning never materializing from above. She ran a hoof through her troubled mane, body quivered as a deep pit formed in her belly.

She swung open the door with a casual manner, the dull orange glow of the room poured out onto the dimly lit hallway. Flash towered over the mare with ease, a confident smirk spread across his muzzle.

“Sup." Gleaming puffed out her chest as she leaned against the doorway.

"I know it's late, but can we chat?" Flash cleared his throat in a swift motion.

Flash noticed the room was covered in empty ice cream tubs, a few boxes of half-eaten pizza scattered across the floor messily. He thought the mare might be a bit more prim and tidy, but the totaled room of trash somehow fit the adventurous pony perfectly.

"Just for a second, I'm like having a really stressful night." Gleaming sighed with a blatant eye-roll towards her late-night guest.

“Well close your eyes.” Flash gave a large goofy grin, his eyes full of a mischievous glint.

"How about no?" Gleaming quirked her brow with a serious gaze.

Flash felt his face droop in a frown of disappointment. Gleaming could tell this might drag on for a bit, with a defeated sigh she closed her eyes. Her ears perked hearing him shuffle closer, in a moment of curiosity she opened them.

Just in time to get poked in the eye, by the temple of pink glasses.

“Ow, my glasses!” Gleaming squinted her hurt eye in pain, quick to snatch them out of his hooves.

“Yeah, you dropped them the other night.” Flash chuckled distraughtly.

“You really didn't have to." Gleaming forced her bright red eye open.

“Well, I could not let a mare walk around Canterlot blind.~ It was my duty to return them home.” Flash lifted his hoof in a proud salute.

"At ease soldier!" Gleaming snorted with a slight giggle of amusement.

Flash chuckled glad that he earned a slight laugh from the mare. He was certain he might have come off as a slight fool, his once calm demeanor replaced by sweaty hooves. Flash wasn't sure why, but this mare felt familiar like a long time friend.

"Do you have a brother in service?" Flash asked in a collected tune.

“You could say that." Gleaming nudged his side, her cerulean eyes shifted towards the door.

"Pie?" Flash felt his voice crack.

"Huh!?" Gleaming scrunched her muzzle confused.

"I know a small place down the street." Flash sighed as his smile weakened by the second, stepping out into the darkness of the hallway.

"It's late and I'm stuffed full of ice cream." Gleaming held back a loud belch.

"It's fine, don't know why I asked." Flash frowned with bright red cheeks, the poor stallion dragging his hooves down the hallway.

"Just one couldn't hurt!" Gleaming yelled after the stallion, she couldn't just crush his soul like a bouncing yak.

"Really!?" Flash screamed in a loud horse noise.

The stallion rushed back towards the mare in pure excitement.

"What's the worst that could happen?" Gleaming lifted a hoof to slap her forehead.

Jenkins stood in front of a cracked marble statue of a mare, guarding Shining's room was a test in isolation.

“How was your day?" Jenkins tried to speak in a soprano tone of a mare, yet it came off horribly off-tune.

“Oh, it was fine! ~ Absolutely fine!!” Jenkins sighed as both ears folded back.

“But?” She quipped curiously.

“How did you know?” Jenkins turned away with a saddened frown.

"I can read you like an open book!" She giggled.

"Have you ever felt as if you don't belong? ~ That you're different from the world, alone?" Jenkins huffed a large bruise over his hoof.

“Why stick around?" She asked in an air of seriousness.

“Where could I go?" Jenkins replied as his hoof tapped the statue gently on the side.

"Everybody deserves to be happy." She replied in an innocent melody.

“Ahem.” Twilight coughed from behind the stallion.

“Princess!” Jenkins screamed out embarrassed.

He lifted his hoof to salute but smacked his forehead hard instead.

“Uh." Twilight pursed her lips.

"It's a training exercise that helps with… I'm sorry… I'm just an idiot." Jenkins slumped over with his head hung low.

"We all have ways of stress relief." Twilight giggled with a friendly wink.

"Yeah." Jenkins groaned.

“Have you been on duty all day?” She spoke with a raised brow, surveying the room with careful eyes.

“Yes, ma’am! I was assigned here for multiple acts of ineptitude!!” Jenkins spoke in an embarrassed yet confident tune.

Twilight kneeled beside the bed, she gazed under it with large violet eyes. No trace of a book anywhere, she gazed to the guard with a thin arched brow. His broad shoulders shifted upward into a confused shrug.

"Have you seen a book here?" Twilight pointed under the majestic bed.

Jenkins felt his eyes dart around the room nervously. "No?" He coughed loudly.

"If you find an old book, please find me post-haste." Twilight frowned in worry, without that book things could only get worse.

"You have my promise as a… she's gone!?" Jenkins huffed as the princess bolted out of the room in search of Cadance.

“Wonder why you're so important?" Jenkins removed a tattered book from inside his oversized armor.

'Hearts Desire' Sparkled over the cover in a magical glow.

Live And Let Pie.

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