It was a new day. Shining Armor had woken up groggily as the previous night had been his to help Flurry Heart sleep and that was no simple task. He looked around and noticed something. Or rather the lack of something. Cadence wasn't here. She's probably just with Flurry. He thought. He rose from his bed and trudged onto the bathroom. Sparing you the details, he walked out with renewed energy. He did have an important appointment today.

Shining Armor travelled through his castle and reached his destination: the kitchen. There he saw his favorite cook. He was a gray stallion with a slightly lighter gray mane and blue eyes. "Hey there, Iron Ladle! What's for breakfast today?" Prince Armor asked.

"Oh! Prince Armor! What do you wish to eat today?" Iron Ladle bowed. Shining Armor frowned at this.

"Ladle, I told you that you can cook whatever you're comfortable with. Also, that you can drop the whole 'Prince Armor' thing. Just call me Shining." Iron Ladle got up while flustered.

"Sorry Pri- Shining!" Iron Ladle said. Iron Ladle was one of Shining Armor's oldest friends and, unlike most of his staff, was a pegasus from Cloudsdale. Shining Armor rolled his eyes at his friend's antics and started to walk away.

"Just suprise me," Shining Armor said. With that he left and noticed the Crystal Empire's main mailmare there in his throneroom. She was clearly sweating and panting.

"Prince Armor, you have urgent news!" The mailmare proceeded to do a quick bow and handed him the letter.

Shining Armor looked over the letter with curiosity. Canterlot PD's commissioner sent me a letter. This must be urgent. Shining Armor looked at the mailmare and said, "You're dismissed." The mailmare nodded and proceeded to run to her next destination. How is it that she is always speeding, but always late?

"He better not be over exaggerating again," Shining Armor grumbled.

"What was that, Shining?" Cadence said as she walked into the throneroom with Flurry Heart in tow.

"Yeah Dad! What was it?" Flurry Heart said. Shining Armor looked towards his little filly. She was roughly as old as when the CMC had gotten their cutie marks. She had yet to get hers.

"Oh, it's nothing my little Heart. It's probably just the commissioner just exaggerating again." Shining Armor said. His wife then walked up to him and she inspected it.

"I don't know, Shining, it could be important." Cadence had a scowl on her face as she said this.

"Yeah, like how last time he was missing a suit of armor, but it was just in his laundry?" Shining retorted.

"You know that that armor was his Grandfather's," Cadence shot back.

"Yes, but this could still be as 'important.'" Shining Armor even accentuated his point with his hooves. It was in this moment that Flurry Heart rose as a voice of reason to her parents.

"Why don't you just read it?" Flurry asked with her still innocent eyes. Her parents faces turned red and Shining ripped the letter.

Shining then read it aloud:

"Dear Prince Armor,

We require your assistance at Canterlot for a recent string of murders, each showing a pension for ferocity, have been taking place here. Right now the body count is at six in three and a half weeks. This is a matter that must be dealt with quickly. Inside I have given you two train tickets for you to take to Canterlot. Please take the most trustworthy pony you know to help you. You'll need them to watch your back.

Signed,

Commissioner Lance."

"What's murder?" Flurry Heart asked.

"It's like forcing someone to sleep-" Cadence said.

"Like you do to me?" Flurry's eyes full of curiosity.

"No. When somepony forces another to sleep permanently." Cadence said while staring at the floor.

"WHAT!? But then their life will pass them by!" Flurry Heart's waving her hooves frantically. "Murder must be evil!"

"It is." Shining said with a somber expression. "I'm going to help stop them. No innocent pony should ever have that happen to them."

Cadence simply nodded and went to prepare Shining Armor's saddlebags. Flurry Heart's face went back to her previously happy tone. "Good luck, daddy! Come back soon, okay?"

"Of course, my little Heart." He gave his daughter a quick peck on the forehead. "Be good while I'm gone." Flurry Heart nodded and smiled as Cadence came back.

"Come back safe, my love." Cadence walked up to Shining Armor and kissed him. Flurry Heart, of course, gagged at this and they had a quick laugh.

Shining Armor walked out of the castle and towards the barracks. He was greeted by many of his subjects slong the way, but never strayed from his goal. Upon arrival he began his search until he found the stallion. He was an orange pegasus with a spiky blue mane. "Flash Sentry!"

The stallion saluted his prince and said, "Your majesty!"

"At ease." The pegasus relaxed his position and Shining Armor continued. "You are to accompany to Canterlot for a secret mission."

"When is the dispatch time?" Flash Sentry asked.

"Now. It is of the utmost importance as speed is of the essence. Prepare your saddlebags."

"At once sir!" Flash Sentry turned around and began to fill his saddlebags with rations and necessities. Shining Armor was still in the room and noticed when Flash Sentry placed a picture of Twilight, Shining Armor's little sister.

"Done?" Shining Armor asked the private.

"Yes!" Flash Sentry exclaimed while he had a beat red face. Shining Armor was laughing internally at his embarrassment, but couldn't show. He had to remain professional.

"Then let's go." Shining Armor turned and the two trotted towards the train station to take the next train to Canterlot.

Author's Note

This chapter was really hard to write. I came to this story with an action paced brain, so I have no idea if I did this well. I wanted this to be lighter than the first chapter as I don't want this story to be continuously dark. Next chapter will be dark I can give you that. As always, tell me what I can fix, what you liked, or just your thoughts. Peace!