"This is crazy. Why am I doing this?" Shining whispered to himself as he made his way down the dark streets of Canterlot.

Earlier...

"Why is there a map inside of a history book?" Shining asked himself, before promptly smacking himself in the face.

It was a history book, of course there was going to be a map of some kind. Shining hated himself for asking such a foolish question, however this map didn't look like it should have been there. It looked...ancient. Way too old to be stuck between the pages of a Guard history book. The strangest thing about it though? It felt...

Compelling

It's as if the map was calling his name. As though it wanted to be found by him. Shining took a deep breath...and made a choice. One he felt he'd probably regret not doing, whilst regretting doing it.

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Present time

The map wasn't really specific, but after cross referencing it with a current map of Canterlot, he realized he'd need to go through the sewers. Since Canterlot was a thriving city with many facilities, including indoor plumbing, it wasn't hard to find a grate in the streets. Finding one that wasn't in the line of sight of Guard patrols, however, was not. Luckily for Shining, he just so happened to ~~trip~~ stumble upon one in an alley way. With the grate moved, and the map secure in his muzzle, he moved down the ladder into the sewers.

It felt like time had become molasses in these sewers for Shining. He wandered the sewers, following the map to to the letter, but saw no end in sight. Every step echoed, and the shadows created by his horn started to move in the corner of his eye. Still, he pressed onward. He wasn't scared. He was a big pony, why would he be?

...At least that's what he told himself. Then it happened. He had reached the end of the map... only to find a drop off, with a bottomless chasm. Shining sighed in frustration. This was where the map leads? A bucking hole in the ground? Shining was fuming, ready to shout... then he heard it. It started low, almost to quiet to hear... but with each passing moment, it grew. A chittering noise. Now, the sewers were a place of many a legend. The old mines that ran under Canterlot had been re purposed to fit the bustling city's needs. Some say it still inhabits the souls lost in those mines. Others say it is a maze with no end, and that travelers before the mines were re purposed, would go mad in its halls. They said the crystals did something to the mind. The was even a rumor about crocodiles living in the sewers! Shining knew these tales were old, and completely untrue, Why would the Princess allow such evils to be under the very city she resides in?

Besides, only vermin would live in the sewers, so it's probably just a rat. Shining though proudly, and turned to face the chittering noise.

He shined his horn to get a better look...only to see the shining eyes in the abyss. He took a double take. Rats don't have eight eyes...do they? Of course they don't. His sister did a school project on the Black plague and why rats weren't responsible. He knew Rats had two eyes each...but he also knew what had eight...

The spider engulfed the tunnel they were in, and moved closer, its fangs glistening in the light of Shining's horn. The chittering, has stopped, but in Shining's mind, a voice spoke...it sounded like velvet, and held the grace of an angel...

My, my, my, a little pony in my home? What art thou doing here? Do you not know that this is not your home?

Shining nodded in fear, paralyzed by the sight before him. The fangs alone were bigger than his body, and he swore he saw them dripping with venom. What really got him was the eyes. The creatures eyes seemed to hypnotize him with their magenta glow. He felt compelled to listen, and stay put, even if his instincts were screaming for him to run.

Now, it has been quite some time since I had a trespasser in my domain. No, no ,no, this will simply not do.

The spider crawled closer, and Shining stepped back, his hoof nearly going off the edge. He turned to look at the drop off, and then the creature in front of him. He could see the dark hairs on its legs,and the mark on its abdomen. A laughter rang out in Shining's mind.

Now, let's not be hasty, colt. You've nowhere to go! A trespasser like you needs to apologize to the master of the house. I have webs that reach all through these sewers, and knew when you stepped in. Now, come to me, so that you may...apologize...

Shining stepped forward, but hesitated. He looked at the spider with defiance, if he was going down, he was going down swinging... if his legs would stop shaking.

Do not play games with me, boy.

Shining steeled his gaze and prayed that he would make it out alive. He had things to live for! Story time with his sister, his mom's home cooking, and his sister's foal sitter's plot!

You know I can hear your thoughts right? Not that it matter's. If you will not come to me, then I shall make you!

The words rang in Shining's head as a snarl, as the spider lifted itself and shot a rope of web at Shining. Quick to react, Shining raised his shield to block it. Don't fail me now shield, this is life or death! Shining thought as he gritted his teeth. The shield held, but something wasn't right... Why was he moving closer to the spider?

I told you before, whelp, that I have webs, everywhere.

Shining looked down in horror as the ground beneath him started to move. A very thin, but strongly weaved web was under his feet. The spider was using it to pull him closer!

That shield wont stay up forever whelp, and when it fails, I will await another trespasser.

"Wait, I know the Princess! She'd be upset if one of her ponies was eaten by you under her very nose!" Shining said, hoping to scare the spider into stopping. Another laugh rang out in his mind.

Oh I know her too, whelp. She and I have an understanding...and she is free to walk my sewers and in exchange I keep it secure from monsters during the night. However, you are not her, and I will not be denied a trespasser. She will understand.

Shining closed his eyes and sent more and more magic into his shield as the spider lunged at him.

CRACKA-THOOM

The shield exploded when the fangs hit, and it sent the spider reeling. Shining, however, wondered how he became a pegasus. Then it hit him. He was falling. He looked down, and saw the endless abyss. He blinked. The last thing he saw in the corner of his eye, was a flash of yellow from where he fell. Then, the darkness swallowed him.

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When he awoke, he was on the bank of a pond. He got up shakily, and took in his surroundings. The walls were made of a pale blue crystal that seemed to never end. The cave itself was rather empty. The only things of note were the multitudes of crystal formations, ,the humongous blob of writhing tentacles in the center of the room, and the pond he washed out of.

Wait..

He froze. He turned around slowly and looked behind him. The blob 'looked' at him, and started moving closer to him. Then it flashed,. When Shining gained his eye sight back, he saw that the blob was no more, but a two legged entity took it's place. It wore a purple robe with runes inscribed on the hems. Shining blinked, and then he realized he wasn't on the ground anymore.

"Holy shit, I'd forgotten how adorable you bastards are!"

What

The bipedal entity had picked up Shining and started petting him like a dog. "Who's a good pony?!" it asked. Shining was, obviously. He knew that. Wait, I'm not a dog! Shining thought as he charged his horn...only for the entity to grasp it.

"Yo, you're a unicorn too?! That's dope as shit! I'm gonna teach you all manners of spells and shit! Oooh it's gonna be so much fun!" The entity said, giving the colt a noogie.

"Who and what are you?1" Shining half shouted as he squirmed in the thing's grasp. He knew it was male by the voice, but this was ridiculous!

"Oh, I'm Alchos! Magic creator extraordinaire. Had an alias about a millennium ago, but nobody cares about that! What about you, kid?! You wanna be my student?" Alchos said, his eyes shining with hope.

"Sir, you don't even know me! All I did was follow a stupid map here!" Shining grumbled, "Also my name's Shining Armor, not 'kid'."

"Details, Shiny, details. I'm giving you a deal here! Your magic will be spectacular! I used to teach Unicorns to defend this land ages ago! C'mon, pal? Please?"

"Wait, you taught Unicorns?"

"Hell yeah I did! Gave em a sick name too. What was it...Horn blades? Axe heads? Spear chuck..."

"Sword horns." Shining said.

"Oh, fritata, that's the spice! Sword horns! Guards among guards! Stallion's stallions. Magical mitochondria!" Alchos shouted with theatrics.

Shining blinked. He knew this 'Alchos' had a lot of magic. It was bleeding off of him. He knew he needed help with his magic, but he couldn't ask his sister. She put it all into mathematics and theory which made his head hurt. This guy, however, probably knew a hooves on approach. Besides, he needed more guy friends anyway, especially since Spike was only a baby. Maybe it'll help him be more popular at school?

"I'll do it." Shining said, hoping that this wont come to bite him later.

"ALRIGHT! NEW FRIEND AND STUDENT!" Alchos bellowed, his voice echoing through the cave, "You and I are gonna be the best of pals Shiny-boy!"

Alchos lifted Shining up and bop'd him on the nose. Alchos grinned at Shining's confused face, and set him back down.

"First things first, however. You need to get back home. Now that I know your magic signature, I can just summon you here at a whim. However, you're a kid, so you've got school and shit. That's dope, stay in it, or join the guard when you're old enough. Structure is good. Anywho, you need to get home before your 'rents realize you're gone. Take this." Alchos rambled, while tossing Shining Armor a quill.

"What's this for?" Shining said, holding the quill up in his magic.

"To let me know when you're out of school and ready to train, kid!" Alchos laughed, the runes on his robe now glowing, "Now, since your signature is close to your parent's, it'll be easy to teleport you there. Just focus on them, and you'll be good. Also, write down the word 'ready' on any sheet of paper when you want to come here. This quill is also enchanted to appear in your hoof when you want it. Don't think about the pink alicorn!"

"Pink alicor- wait! Explain all that again?" Shining started.

"Too late, magic's charged!" Alchos shouted as the teleportation spell took hold with a snap, and sent Shining to his residence...if Shining focused on it that is. "Hopefully there isn't a pink alicorn. I've been down here way too long to know."

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"Shining Armor?"

"Y-y-yes Miss Cadenza?"

"I've told you before, it's Cadence."

"Yes miss Cadenz- I-I-I mean Cadence."

"...You're lucky you're cute, Armor."

"I am?"

Author's Note

SQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAD, HERE COME THAT BULLSHIT

This chapter brought to you by a fever dream and Waka Flocka.