As always, Shining Armor had to lead the way. He galloped a few steps ahead of his little sister, guiding her as they made their way through the tight crowds of the Royal Canterlot Mall. He'd known going to the busiest mall in all of Equestria meant having to navigate through the maze of ponies, zebras, griffons, and other creatures that were in a do or die rush to buy all the items on their oversized shopping lists. But the way he saw it, there was no better shopping center to buy the necessary supplies for little Twilight's party. And for that goal, he was ready--no, he was proud--to deal with all the pushing and shoving.
"Keep up, Twily," Shining Armor said, squeezing his way through a thin opening between two groups of shoppers.
"How about you stop being so fast," Twilight said, breathing heavily as she dashed behind him.
"Mom and Dad expect us home in four hours, and I'm not one to disappoint," her brother said before grabbing her by the hoof. He lifted her filly body in the air and placed her on his back to give her a much needed break. Though he'd be lying if he were to say that was the only reason for giving her this rest, as this was more about protecting his own skin. His father had made it clear before he left for the mall that if anything happened to Twilight he'd be taken out of Royal Guard school, destroying his dreams of becoming head of the Guard. "Hold on tight."
Twilight sighed in sweet relief as she lay on his back. Thank Celestia she was still small enough for him to carry her. "Thanks. And two hours, by the way. Not four."
Shining Armor paused for a moment as her sister's words sunk in. Only two hours? In this mess? Oh well, guess he'd just have to gallop faster. Growing a confident smile, he picked up the pace. "We just need party hats, right?"
"Yep," Twilight said with glee. "Though I don't see the purpose."
"Of party hats? Because I think they're a pretty important part of any party--"
"No. Of the party. I'd rather study some more than go to some celebration with a bunch of crazy ponies."
Shining Armor shook his head and chuckled. "Typical Twilight. You got accepted into Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and aced the entrance exam like no other pony ever has before. I'd say that deserves a party."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "If you say so."
"And if you have any problems making friends at the party just let me know. Being an example is kind of my thing now."
Twilight giggled at her brother's ego. "Is it now?"
"Yep. As the top ranked Royal Guard recruit and future knight of the kingdom it is my sworn duty to help those in need."
And then, as Shining Armor's ego reached its zenith, a mare in his peripheral vision caught his attention. This mare was colored a warm pink that could only be described as the color of love itself, and was blessed with a striking purple, pink and yellow striped mane. Shining Armor grew lost in her wide eyes, content with staring into them for hours. Oh no, it couldn't have been...
"Hey, it's Cadence," Twilight said, jumping to her hooves in joy. "Cadence," she screamed to be heard through the chatter of the crowd.
Shining Armor shoved his hoof into Twilight's mouth to shut her up. Cadence stood on the opposite end of the atrium, laughing with a dozen of her friends. A rosy pink tinted Shining Armor's cheeks the longer he stared at her figure, and within seconds he was frozen from her hypnotic presence.
"So, am I not supposed to say hi to her anymore?" Twilight said, snapping her brother out of the trance.
"No. In fact, we're not getting within eyesight of her." Shining Armor's heart raced as he continued staring at the mare. Cadence was probably gossiping about him now with her friends. Why else would they be giggling like that? Or maybe they'd seen him and Twilight already and were mocking his shyness.
Twilight shot her brother a glare. "And why not?" But instead of waiting for his response, she stared at him as he now jumped to get a better view of Cadence. Confusion overcame her at first, causing her to raise an eyebrow. It took her a moment to understand what force had taken over her brother, but when she realized it, she grew a grin. "You don't need to explain. Whatever you say, boss."
Shining Armor raised an eyebrow at her sister's willingness to move on, though he wasn't one to complain. "That's the attitude. Who knows, maybe you'll be a knight too one day," he said with a wink. "Now let's go."
He led her through the atrium until they reached their destination--Cheesecake's Party Emporium. By Shining Armor's guess they had one and a half hour left until they needed to be home, but based on the way he started sprinting along the aisles one would assume he had five minutes left until the deadline. He zipped across the store, leaving his sister in the dust. "Got to get out of here. Get to get out of here," he kept on repeating to himself. Puddles of sweat followed him wherever he went, as did the thought of a certain mare who refused to leave his mind. The longer Shining Armor stayed in this cursed mall the higher the chance was he'd run into her again. What would he say if that happened--hi? What kind of smooth, suave knight says hi? His chances with Cadence would be over if he met her this unprepared. He continued dashing along the aisles, in search of his sister's party supplies.
"Oh, hi, Cadence," his sister shouted from the other end of the store.
Shining Armor's heart skipped a beat before pounding against his chest. He peeked over the edge of the shelf in front of him, hoping this to be some sort of prank by her sister. Cadence and her friends stood in the store, talking with Twilight, though Shining Armor couldn't hear about what. Shining Armor growled at his sister's betrayal. "You're gonna get it now, Twily," he said louder than he should have.
Cadence caught sight of him and turned his way. "There you are," she said with her trademark smile. "I don't know what you just said, but I'll take it as hello. How are you?"
Shining Armor's heart sunk deep into his chest. He had mere seconds to think of something witty. Maybe he could say he was sore from working out so much during Royal Guard practice? Yeah, Cadence would definitely go for that. But he couldn't come off as too much of a cocky jock either...
Silence overcame the store until Cadence giggled. "I didn't think it was that hard of a question. And, uhm, you can come closer, you know."
Shining Armor's face lit up red. "I can?"
Cadence's friends giggled in unison before whispering to one another. The only mare who remained silent was Cadence, who awaited Shining Armor with a smile.
Shining Armor stumbled toward her, lost in a trance. He'd always watched her from afar. Who knew how breathtaking she'd look up close.
When he reached her he said nothing. It was probably better this way, since he could say nothing stupid. And that's when she said it: "So, Twilight was telling me that you two are having a party tonight for her? Can I come? Unless it's a family-only thing, that is."
And with that, Shining Armor cheeks cramped and he screamed "Yes!" This was just the chance he was waiting for. Sure, it wasn't a date, on the surface at least, but he could turn it into one by spending time with her at the party. Thank you, Twily. Thank you. Thank you.
Shining Armor continued fantasizing about his upcoming date, until he was brought back to reality when Cadence said "Uhm, speaking of which, where is Twilight?"
Shining Armor gazed around the store. Maybe Twilight was searching for the hats? He gazed into every aisle, but she wasn't there. No worries. A true Royal Guard never panics. "Twilight!" he shouted, only to be met with no response. "Twilight!" His heart began racing. "Okay, joke's over, come out!"
"This isn't a joke," Cadence said, shooting him a glare. "She's not here."
Her words sent a chill up Shining Armor's spine. Her sister was indeed gone, and he had less than an hour and a half to find her. And if he couldn't, not only would his parents kick him out of Guard school, Cadence would kick him out of her life, for good.
Author's Note
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