The Hidden Princess of Equestria

The zeppelin that was heading to Equestria was traveling through the skies calmly, flying above the clouds that looked to form a spirolant sea. All the ponies that were aboard were enjoying that moment of tranquility, as they knew that they wouldn’t have any as soon they arrived to South Equestria. Although the faction of the south being peaceful, the threat of North Equestria was something that was always a constant in the lives of the ponies of the south, like a vulture waiting to eat.

However, there was a pony that looked to not be able or want to relax. His name was Shining Armor and was the stallion that had bumped against Twilight earlier. Shining was a young promising royal guard. Although he was twenty years-old, Shining managed to show all his capability, what allowed him to evolved quickly on his career, turning into the youngest first-lieutenant of Canterlot Royal Guard. Now, he was returning to his homeland after making a brief internship at the Royal Guard of Britaly, an allied kingdom of South Equestria.

Getting into his room, Shining placed at one corner his saddlebags, took of his armor (revealing that his Cutie Mark was a Pink six-pointed star on a purple shield with three small light blue stars above), putting it on a chair, and laid down on the bed, while he let the tiredness he had acquired got out of his body. While he did that, Shining found himself thinking about the young mare he had bumped into.

It was strange that a stranger would cause him such fascination, but, now that he thought about it, the idea was not that absurd. That mare, who should be just a little younger than him, was truly beautiful, with an unique but, at the same time, simple charm. She seemed to irradiate a pure light that warmed Shining’s heart, with that warmness spreading through the rest of his body, being a feeling that the young stallion was not able and didn’t want to forget.

At that moment, he felt something vibrating. Knowing what it was, Shining got up and headed to his saddlebags, from where he took off with his magic a hoof mirror enchanted to serve as a way of communication. The image of a unicorn stallion with an imperial blue coat, an electric ultramarine mane with midnight blue streaks and glaucous eyes appeared. His name was Blue Sword, Shining Armor’s twin brother.

“Hi, Blue, how are things at home?” Shining asked.

“They’re good, as you can guess” Blue replied. “Mom and dad are expectant for your return.”

“I also had been out for a few weeks” Shining said.

“Yeah, but you know them” Blue replied. “They don’t like when they have their children out of the same land they are. So, how was things at Britaly?”

“Good” his twin answered. “I learned new techniques to show to Captain Hepheus that may improve our chances.”

“Great, because cap really needs you here.”

“Why? Don’t tell me that there was another attack from the north.”

“Not exactly” Blue replied. “There has been just a few skirmishes at the frontier, but that was all because of refugees from North Equestria. Personally, I don’t blame them. If I had to live under the reign of a tyrant like Sombra, I also would want to escape.”

“And did they make it?” Shining asked.

“Some did, but others ended up being dragged back” Blue told.

Shining gridded his teeth in frustration and said:

“I can’t wait to have that bastard out of our lives permanently.”

“I share your thought, bro, but we can’t forget that we’re talking about one of the most dangerous dark magic users of all time. It will take time for us to take him down, and that if we ever get that chance. If I was you, I would enjoy those moments while you’re not in Equestria to relax and have a little fun.”

The young lieutenant gave a sarcastic laugh and replied:

“As if I would be able to relax knowing what is happening at my home.”

“Maybe this will help” Blue said. “I have a message from a certain mare who is missing you terribly…”

Shining’s stomach made a turn when he realized who his brother was talking about: his marefriend and fiancée, Princess Cadance, Queen Celestia’s niece. She was an alicorn mare with a pale, light grayish cerise coat with a multifaceted light blue crystal heart between gold laces as Cutie Mark, a moderate violet mane with moderate rose and pale gold streaks and light purple eyes.

She had come from Britaly to live with her aunt ten years ago, which was also the time they knew each other. Although he didn’t remember very well how it started, he and Cadance became coltfriend and marefriend a little after they met the first time, a relationship that had lasted to the current day.

The truth was that, although not doubting of Cadance’s feelings for him, Shining realized that now he was with her for pure convenience. After all, they had a stable relationship based on a friendship of a decade. Beyond that, he feared to hurt Cadance if he broke up with her, as she was his sovereign’s niece. But that didn’t stop Shining from trying to find a glimmer of passion and focusing it.

“How is she?” Shining asked.

“You know Cadance, she can barely wait for you to arrive to plan the wedding” Blue replied. “Dude, partly, I can’t wait for your arrival so she can stop tailing me and bombing me with questions about when you'll return or about decorations for the reception.”

“Don’t worry, I must arrive to Equestria tomorrow morning.”

There was a pause and then Blue said:

“You know, I was talking seriously when I told you to enjoy the trip. Mainly when you’re considering marrying Cadance.”

“Wait, are you really trying to encourage me to get a girl for the night?” Shining asked. “Blue, do you really think I…”

“I’m just doing my duty as twin and best friend” Blue replied. “Shining, if you’re really considering marrying with somepony that you don’t really love, then try to have fun while you don’t have duties and an annoying marefriend stopping you.”

“You know that I’m not like that.”

“Yeah, I know, but that’s why you have me, your dear little brother, to dodge you slightly from the path of responsibility for your own good.”

That caused Shining to drop a laugh, telling then:

“Yeah, I’m really lucky… I must hand off, Blue. I don’t want to take the time of your turn.”

And, having said that, he made Blue’s image to disappear and put down the mirror. Laying down on the bed, Shining closed his eyes to rest a little, although he couldn’t stop thinking about the talk he had with Blue.

After dinner, Blue decided to follow part of Blue’s advice and went to take a drink at the bar to relax. Arriving there, he got surprised when he found the same mare he had met at the beginning of the flight. He really wasn’t expecting finding her there of all places existing on the zeppelin. A part of him was telling him to move away, but the other was telling him to aboard her, if only just to apologize for the incident from before. Shining then started to approach her.

Twilight was reading a book, while she was drinking an apple juice. That was for her the best way to relax. It was then that a known voice asked:

“Enjoying the reading?”

The young purple unicorn got a little startled and got really surprised when she saw the stallion from before. A tingling in her stomach appeared as soon she saw him, while feeling her cheeks getting slightly blushed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to scare you.”

“It’s okay” Twilight said. “You just caught me by surprise. When I read, I tend to forget everything around me.”

“It’s just I saw and I thought that I should come and apologize for bumping against you” Shining said. “I was not paying much attention.”

“The same happened with me” Twilight replied.

There was a pause of a few seconds and then Shining said, extending his hoof:

“I’m Shining Armor. And you?”

“Twilight Sparkle” Twilight replied, also extending her hoof.

As soon their hooves touched each other, they collected them as soon their eyes met each other, dodging also their look at the same time, blushing.

“Allow me to compensate you with a drink” Shining said.

“Thank you, but I normally don’t drink alcohol” Twilight replied.

“Once doesn’t hurt” Shining said. “Beyond that, it would be a great way to start a new friendship.”

Twilight thought on that for a while and then replied:

“Well, if it is only one drink, I think there’s no harm.”

But, after the first one, a few more were followed, while Twilight and Shining talked lively, sharing a few things about their respective lives.

“Wow, it must be hard to be a royal guard at Canterlot during a war” Twilight commented.

“Yes, sometimes, there are very hard moments, mainly when we lose companions for the other side… independently how that happens” Shining replied with a certain sadness on his voice. “But that only gives us more reasons to continue to fight. What about you? It must be uncomfortable to live with a family of pegasi.”

“I confess that sometimes it can be a little challenging, but my parents and sister also aren’t the type of pegasi that like to be at the sky” Twilight told. “I believe it’s harder for them than me. After all, they had to deal with my magic surges. They did a lot for me and, for that and for all the love they gave me, I consider them to be my real family, even if we don’t share the same blood.”

“I can see that you’re an amazing mare, Twilight” Shining said, while he placed his hoof over hers.

Feeling Shining’s touch, Twilight managed to feel her own heart racing faster, while feeling her face getting warmer and blusher. Retreating her hoof, she said:

“Well, I think it is best if I go to bed. Tomorrow will be a great day, after all.”

She got up, but, suddenly, she felt herself losing the balance for an instance. Fortunately, Shining got her and said:

“Maybe I should go with you.”

“Yes, I think you’re right… Looks like I drank more than I should.”

With Shining by her side, Twilight made the way to her room and, once there, Twilight turned to Shining and told him:

“Thank you for the talk, Shining. And also for coming with me.”

“It’s the least I could do” Shining replied.

There was a pause, during which the two of them just stayed looking at each other, but then Twilight broke the silence:

“Bye…”

“Bye…” Shining replied.

Twilight turned and tried to open the door of her room, but, because of the alcohol she consumed, she lost her focus and the key fell on the ground. When she got ready to get it with her mouth, Shining got ready to do the same, saying:

“I got it…”

When they found themselves, the two had the tip of their muzzles touching on each other, while their eyes met again. Because of the great chemistry they had and their respective consciousness uninhibited due to the alcohol, it didn’t last for their lips to touch in a passionate kiss.

Twilight had never given a true kiss to a stallion and couldn’t explain the reason to do it with a pony he had just met. However, she couldn’t feel ashamed for that act, as it was something she was enjoying a lot.

Shining shared the same thought as Twilight. He had been dating Cadance for so long, being loyal to her and getting used to their relationship, that he had forgotten the feeling of true passion. He truly desired Twilight and now that he was kissing her soft lips, Cadance’s image evaporated from his mind. He approached Twilight to him and saw that she wasn’t resisting. She was enjoying that moment as much as him.

It was then that the key was levitated and placed on the lock, turning over and opening the door of the room, with them not knowing who did it. They get in the room, kissing, with Shining closing the door with one of his hind hooves. It didn’t take long for them to get to the bed, falling on it with Shining over Twilight. The young purple unicorn had her front hooves around Shining’s neck, while he kissed hers, while holding her body firmly.

Arriving the time, the two naturally went to under the sheets, consummating then that intense passion that was involving them and so they continued…

The next day dawned gloriously and Twilight’s room let itself be illuminated by the star of the day. Shining was already awake, observing Twilight while she slept quietly by his side, smiling. Her smile caused the young lieutenant to smile as well, although all of her caused him to be happy. That had been the most wonderful night he had. He had never have felt so much alive, desired somepony as he desired Twilight and made love with so much passion. Shining passed his hoof gently by Twilight’s face, saying then:

“You’re so beautiful…”

And he gave her another kiss that, although gentle, was charged with all the feelings Shining had for Twilight.

It was then that Shining started to be invaded by the thought that put an end to that feeling of ecstasy. The name of that thought was Cadance. She was the reason why Shining was feeling guilty for what he had just done. Even if his relationship with Cadance didn’t have the same intensity it had once, he still liked her and he owe her respect.

That feeling of guilt was what caused Shining to get up from the bed, doing it in a way to not awake Twilight. After that, using a parchment, pen and ink he had found in Twilight’s desk, he wrote a note and placed it beside Twilight, along with something special. After that, looking a last time to Twilight’s lovely countenance, he gave her a sweet kiss on her forehead and told her:

“I’m sorry… Bye, Twilight.”

And he went to the exit and abandoned the room.

It didn’t last long for Twilight to wake up. Although feeling a slight headache due to the alcohol of last night, she still remembered what happened and hoped to find Shining beside her. However, she saw she was alone. Twilight then noticed a note, along with a beautiful lotus flower made of origami. Taking the note, Twilight read it:

“Dear Twilight, you gave me the best night of my life and made me feel more alive than I ever thought. However, certain circumstances in my life prevent me from feeling what I feel for you. I’m writing you this note, not for cowardice, but for knowing that I wouldn’t be able to execute my duties if I stayed longer with you. I leave with you this remembrance, something that represent not only your beauty, but also the pure feeling that I have for you. If it is really in our fate to be together, then I am certain that we will meet again. Maybe then I will not be prevented from being with you. With all my heart, Shining.”

Although feeling a little hurt for Shining having gone away without saying nothing, Twilight couldn’t help but feeling how truthful those words were. Taking the lotus flower made of origami that Shining gave to her, Twilight looked at it, while asking if she would see again the stallion that made her have the most magical night of her life.