The Hidden Princess of Equestria

As the sun was rising on the sky, the zeppelin was approaching its destination. Shining was at the front, looking its homeland getting closer. Although being happy for returning home, a part of him wished that trip never ended, as in that way he would be able to be with Twilight. However, he knew that was not possible and he couldn’t ignore his duty.

Putting Twilight away on his mind (or, at least, trying), Shining tried to focus on his meeting with his family, like his parents and twin brother, even with Cadance. He then asked himself how they were.

At the castle of Canterlot, Cadance was at her room… but she was not alone. On her bed, there were movements beneath the sheet, along with chuckles. It was then that a stallion appeared from beneath the sheet. He was a unicorn with a brilliant gamboge coat with light apple greenish gray spots at the legs with an orange sun with bursting yellow rays and six blue stars, a vivid and brilliant vermilion mane and eyes with a gradient of dark cornflower blue to moderate cyan. His name was Sunburst.

“I have to say…” he said, breathless. “You let anypony… exhausted… princess.”

And she also appeared beside Sunburst, saying:

“Well, I have that effect on stallions.”

The two shared a kiss and then Sunburst said:

“You’re beautiful…”

“Tell me something I don’t know” Cadance replied.

“I wished so much that we could be with you forever…” Sunburst said, while kissing Cadance’s hoof.

At that moment, Cadance’s face hardened and she said, moving away Sunburst’s hoof:

“Unfortunately, that can happen.”

“But why not?” Sunburst asked. “I love you, Cadance, and I know that I’m not indifferent to you. Our chemistry is so intense… I know that we are perfect for each other.”

“Sunburst… you are dear and all that, but have you forgotten of one little detail? I am engage.”

“Yes, to a ruffian that don’t give you the attention that you deserve and that certainly don’t love more or as much as me.”

Adopting a seductive smile without any warm feeling, she said:

“Sunburst, you’re a dear, but a little naïve. I am a princess and, as such, I must marry according to the expectative everypony has. Shining is Canterlot Royal Guard’s second-in-command and my uncle Hepheus’ right hoof. Just that turns him into the perfect candidate.”

“But I can also be a good candidate” Sunburst replied. “After all, I am an apprentice to Star Swirl.”

“A mere apprentice between other apprentices” Cadance said. “Don’t take me wrong, Sunburst, but everypony is expecting my wedding to be great and unforgettable. But don’t worry, as I’ll never forget you.”

“Then I’m nothing more than a diversion to you?” Sunburst asked.

“My dear…” Cadance said, passing her hoof beneath Sunburst, chin. “Don’t you tell me that you don’t like of these moments that we have.”

“Of course I do…”

“Then why ruin what is already perfect? Now, the zeppelin where Shining is coming from arrives today and I need to be there to receive him. I have to keep the appearances after all.”

“Yes, as you wish… princess.”

Sunburst got up and, using his magic, placed his glasses and his robe, heading to the exit. He still gave a last look t Cadance, who nodded to him and throw him a kiss, and then he got out, moving away from the room carefully so that nopony would see him, while Cadance got up to go to get ready to go meet her fiancé.

The zeppelin arrived to the Canterlot port, where a crowd awaited for their beloved ones that would arrive. Shining, transporting his luggage with magic and wearing his armor, got down the zeppelin, starting to walk through the crowd and looking around.

“Shining!” a voice called.

He turned and saw his brother approaching.

“Blue!” he exclaimed.

When the blue twin headed the white one, the two gave a big hug.

“It’s good to have you back, brother” Blue said, ending the hug.

“It’s good to be back” Shining replied. “Mainly when I’m welcomed by my brother and best friend."

After a few seconds, another voice called him:

“Shiny-dear!”

“Here we go…” Blue replied, rolling his eyes.

And Cadance arrived there, landing, throwing herself to give a hug to Shining (who didn’t have any other choice but to catch her) and giving him a big kiss on the lips.

“I missed you so much!” Cadance said, after finishing the kiss. “I simply had to come to be the first to welcome you.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I think that honor was mine” Blue replied.

Turning to him with a sidelong glance, Cadance answered:

“Oh, I even didn’t notice you were there, Blue… Sorry.”

That made Blue to roll his eyes again, as if there was something that he clearly didn’t like in Cadance was all that arrogance of hers.

“It’s good to see you too, Cadance, but you didn’t have to come” Shining said to his fiancée.

“Nonsense!” she answered. “Of course I had to come. It is my duty as your future wife. Beyond that, I can take this opportunity to invite you to have lunch and dinner with me at the castle. My aunt and my uncle will love have you with us. After all, you’re practically a part of the family.”

It were situations like that one that left Shining uncomfortable with Cadance, as she did everything to have him by her side getting along with the rest of the royal family, being one of them his superior in the Royal Guard. Fortunately, he had a way to dodge that situation.

“I’m sorry, Cadance, but I ended up getting here and, because of that, I would want to pass some time with my family, before resting for a little bit” he replied.

Although that answer didn’t please her, Cadance didn’t undo her smile and said:

“Of course, I understand perfectly. Maybe you can come diner to the castle another day. But you won’t get rid of me that easily. I will come along with you to your parent’s house.”

And she advanced, dragging Shining. Blue sighed and said:

“Awesome… Here I go serving as a third weel.”

Having said that, he followed them.

Twilight got out of the zeppelin, bringing her luggage with magic. A certain disappointment was visible on her face, as she hopped to find Shining, but it looked like that was not fated to happen.

Advancing through the crowd, Twilight tried to pass through, giving the less bumps as possible. It was then that she heard a voice calling:

“Twilight Sparkle! I’m looking for a Twilight Sparle!”

Curious to know who was calling her, Twilight followed the voice and got surprised when she saw that it belonged to a small dragon. He had light mulberry scales with light spring budish gray underbelly and light lime green "ears" along with moderate harlequin spikes and moderate pistachio eyes. He was bringing with him a sign with Twilight’s name.

“Hello…” she said, approaching the dragon. “I’m Twilight Sparkle.”

Listening that, the young dragon released a sigh and said:

“Finally! I was thinking that I would have to be here shouting for nothing.”

He made a brief gracious bow, introducing himself afterwards:

“Greetings, Miss Sparkle. My name is Spike and I’ll be your assistant in Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns.”

“You can just call me Twilight” she replied. “And what do you mean by assistant?”

“Well, it’s just optional, but every student can have an assistant to help you in numerous tasks so you can have a good achievement. For example, as you are new both to the school and here in Canterlot, I was asked to come get you to the zeppelin port.”

“That’s surely a surprise…” Twilight said. “I never had an assistant before. Although I have to admit that it will be good to have some help.”

“Perfect, then follow me” Spike said. “I’ll take you to where you’ll stay and then you can go to the school. Let me carry your bags.”

“Don’t mind that, I can carry it…”

“Nonsense, I am your assistant and it is my duty to help you in everything I can.”

“Well… if you say so…”

And Twilight placed her luggage on Spike’s backs and the young dragon soon realized he had bitten off a bit more than he could chew.

“Are you certain that you don’t want me to help you with that?” Twilight asked.

“No… I can do it” Spike said.

And he started to advance, although doing it slowly because of the weight of Twilight’s luggage, with her following from behind.

And so Twilight and Shining’s paths took different directions. However, despite everything, it was possible that fate wanted their paths to cross over again.