NOIRE POV

"If pain were a four-letter word." Those words spilt from my lips as I stared at the shattered glass that was once a lamp on the floor. I didn't dare look up at the rest of the mess our room had become. I didn't dare look at the pillows and sheets tossed about in our one-sided argument, or the torn curtains or even the tiny, wet tear stains. I could only look at the broken lamp and mutter the words I often heard my father say after arguing with my mother for hours "If pain were a four-letter word."

MOMENTS AGO

The door swung upon to reveal Cadance, looking bright and confident as ever. That was what I would say if her confidence wasn't with a hint of smugness, as if she is expecting my anger and has the perfect counter. Like she was a child who heard something on TV and was just begging for the opportunity to show it off. At that moment, I was tired, stressed and frustrated with a lot of things. I was forced to take on the role of guard captain as no-one was experienced or available enough to fill in the shoes. Cadance had randomly gone off with Ayra to Ponyville for a weekend to 'relax' and didn't even tell me. That made the whole weekend even worse. The memory of having to address a line of ponies like an imposter king scared me more than the nobles. To summarise, there was no happy reunion to reassure either of us that everything was fine. We were not fine.

"So how was your trip?" I asked. I was trying.

"It was just wonderful. Ayra and I had a lovely time bonding." Couldn't she see that I was trying not to be a repeat of Shining?
"We even got some dresses from Rarity. Aren't they just wonderful?" she said, using her magic to show off all of the dresses. I couldn't see them very clearly. They were circling around me so fast that all I could notice was the sparkly, red dress. Just red.

"Please stop."

"I'm sorry. Are the dresses-"

"Please stop ignoring this!" Silence drowned the sounds of the moving world. My plea had trapped us in a still room where we could do nothing but address the lingering feeling we have neglected "I can't take this rejection from you any longer. First, it was prolonging court; you never make court, the worst part of your day, longer. Then it was sleeping in separate rooms again and now you just leave me with all this!"

"It was just a weekend!" Cadance rebuked. I clenched my fists and stood up. The contents of the room rose with me like it was in suspense.

"I need you with me to get through this. I don't know the first thing about politics or paperwork or anything about royalty. I try so hard to not let anyone down, especially you, but all this tension and distancing is too much. I need you back, Cadance. The one I fell in love with." I finished my rant, blazing tears streaming down my face. I look to Cadance, internally pleading for a hug to tell me everything's okay. Let me reiterate: there was no happy reunion to reassure either of us that everything was fine. We were in shambles.

"Why does it have to be you who needs help!? Don't you think I need you as well? Ever since you began taking on all this work nopony asked you to do, you've left me alone and cold just like Shining did. It doesn't have to be sex, cuddling or even kisses on the cheek. I just want you to be here for me!" That last shout was enough for the lamp next to me to tip over and everything in the room fell unceremoniously to the ground. A knock sounded through the silent room as we tensed up. "Did anyone hear us?" I thought. I pray to Faust no-one did. Cadance went to the door to find Ayra standing outside.

"I'm sorry to disturb but Princess Celestia and Luna are here to discuss the way moving forward concerning Grim," she said quite timidly.

"Shit. She heard" I thought.

"Thank you Ayra. I'll be right there. Noire just needs to suit up and he'll be there," she said before following Ayra out the door. Without a loud sound, my greatest fear was confirmed: I wasn't going to be able to fix this with words of comfort this time. With a sigh the very cosmos could hear, I got changed into my armour, ready to start the day.

"Pain is not just a four-letter word. It's way worse."

"Greetings, Noire. Thank you for joining us." Celestia said with her warm smile. Across the dining table was Cadance's cold indifference to my presence. This was not going to be an easy meeting.

"It is no problem, Celestia. Anyway, let's get on with it. What's the next step?" I reluctantly sat next to Cadance "Ever since the attack on Canterlot, Grim has remained silent; no announcements, no activity, nothing. If we let him take action first again, we will lose."

"That is why we have been scouring across Equestria and beyond to find any trace of Grim," Luna chimed in "Our largest lead was when he teleported away. While flash teleporting is an easy way to travel long distances, it requires a lot of magic..."

"And is easily tracible." Cadance finished, still avoiding eye contact with me. She really wanted to leave this meeting. Grim was the least of my problems right now. Even Celestia and Luna could feel the cold barrier keeping us miles apart.

"...Yes. However, Grim's trail hs been found in two places: Manehattan and the Dragonlands,"

"I feel like the Dragonlands would be the most obvious place for him to hide. He hasn't made himself known there and with the landscape, he could easily avoid encounters with anypony. It's the most likely location." Celestia said, "However, there have been rumours and reports of ponies vanishing for the past week which could be tied to those monstrosities."

"Chimaera." I found myself saying "There called chimaera, according to Grim." Another memory from our mind bonding experience. That was the first time that had happened in a month. I needed to find a way to stop that from happening to prevent Grim from discovering something he shouldn't.

"Whatever he calls them, we need to stop their production as well so Manehattan is also am area to watch over." Luna responded, "Which is why I think it best we search both areas."

"Two teams should travel to both locations: one to the meet with the current dragonlord, Torch, to warn them of Grim and another to Manehattan to investigate the current incidences."

I needed time away from Cadance. Cadance needs space from me. We both came to this conclusion when we heard the plan to split up. For the first time during this meeting, we looked at each other with empty looks. Of loneliness, stress, longing. We both decided that we needed a break. Before things got even messier.

"I volunteer to go to the Dragonlands. If Grim is more likely to be there I should be there in case we encounter him." I quickly offer.

"I should stay here; the Crystal Empire still needs a ruler. However, General Tidal Horn can come with Noire to the Dragonlands while General Windy Wing can go to Manehattan." Cadance offers just as fast. Our abnormal behaviour barely slips by the princesses as they go over who they will be sending. I did not pay attention to a word, I could only think of meeting Grim again. The red dress appeared before me again, clouding my vision. The red dress of destruction.

"Noire? Are you listening?" Celestia asked me with a worried tone.

"Oh, sorry. I guess I'm still a little tired," I excused myself. Celestia looked at me, assessing me but I held strong. I assured her I was alright which I silently hoped she believed "So who else is going?"

"Twilight will be going with you. I went over the plan with the elements yesterday and Twilight and Spike seemed adamant about going to the Dragonlands. As for who is going to Manehattan, Rainbow Dash offered to go as well as Fluttershy, oddly enough. I will have a platoon go with them to Manehattan but your team will have to go in as the dragonlord Torch is not exactly fond of ponies so having as little as possible go will be the safer option." That was unsettling, to say the least. Going to violent dragon territory with the chance of encountering the psychopathic mastermind I barely beat a month ago? This was not going to be easy.

"How long will both teams be out for?" said Cadance. It was like she begging for me to leave ASAP.

"For at least a couple weeks. At best a month." Cadance leaned back in her seat. I needed to end this so asked my last question and prayed it would be over.

"What about the guard. Without a captain, the guard would be completely unorganised." I asked.

"We are aware of how the guard has been faring and we have a highly experienced guard to take your place. Silver Knight would have been guard captain over Shining if not for... medical reasons but he has offered to see over the guard here." I breathe a sigh of relief. If I had to come back after 2 weeks of searching scorching hot landscapes for a psychopath to find an even more stressed, emotionally vulnerable princess, I think I would go insane "With that out of the way, may we stay for breakfast before setting out? If it isn't too much trouble?" Celestia smiled innocently, clearly oblivious to the tension between us. Luna looked hesitant to stay but didn't go against the decision.

"Of course you can stay for breakfast!" Cadance said through gritted teeth.

"Stay as long as you need!" I add, mentally screaming.

We enjoyed our breakfast as quickly as possible, only looking at each other to turn beet red. Was this what a 'break' was like?

NIGHT-TIME

The one thing I missed about Earth was the rain. The Crystal Empire didn't have a weather team nor did it ever rain in the frozen north so the rain was absent. I always liked how the rain knew just when to trickle, drizzle and come pouring down on your tragedy like party streamers on a descent. All I could look at from the balcony was the slow flakes outside, patiently waiting for them to reach their destination. "So, what has the princess' consort and bodyguard sulking at this time of night?" I heard Windy say from behind me.

"It's night?" I hear myself say. Windy, for once, looked worried.

"Okay, now I know something's wrong. Come on: tell your Big Bro Windy. Tell your BBW-"

"Never say that again." We stood outside in silence for a few moments taking in the snowy wasteland beyond the city walls. My mind wandered back to Earth, in a specific graveyard where I would find a rock with the words 'Noire Q Amblert. 1963- 2016. Gone but not forgotten.' "Do you ever miss home?" I ask him. The wind around me suddenly blew colder as Windy took a deep sigh.

"Not really. Most of the people in Trottingham used to shame me for being another street rat even when I protected them from greedy nobles. I knew they were only doing it to protect themselves from their wrath and now that I'm going to be travelling to the city nearest to Trottingham, I can just tell that I will meet some people I never want to see again. However, knowing that I left for a good reason, that I am doing good, is one of the ways I keep smiling through this new hell." Is that how I get over this hell? Think that I am doing 'good'? Is what I wanted to say but he continued "However, what I suggest for you is that you stop getting in WAY over your head,"

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

"You're trying to be so many things for so many different people: A knight, a captain, a coltfriend, a politician, a saviour even though you have been here for what? A few months? Shining tried to do the same while battling the influences of Chrysalis and we both know what happened to him." He looked at me like a stern, older brother as he placed his hands on mine shoulders "From a bro to another, don't just treat this mission as a break from all of this but use it as an opportunity to ask yourself 'What one thing do I want to be?' You find that when you find your answer, you'll see everything a lot clearer than you are now," with that, he left with his signature wink and flew around the castle to his duty. I was left alone to ponder on his simple yet effective words. I wondered if Windy had a brother.

CADANCE POV, THE NEXT DAY

Last night was hell. Noire and I slept in separate rooms as ours was a mess and we couldn't stand being in the same room. Aunty Tia and Luna decided to stay for the night so dinner was especially painful. Having to smile and pretend we were a happy couple. I was waiting for this chance: to forget about the love for a spell. As a stand at the train station, where everyone; Celestia, Luna, Twilight, Windy, Tidal, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Noire were going to set off. The Manhattan Team was going to be dropped off first and the Dragonland team were going to get the airship in Canterlot. I couldn't wait for that ship to take off so I could be a princess again and drown out the wailing siren calling for Noire to stay. I drown it in the words proven to true by a long-gone lover.

"You failed at being both!" I didn't fully understand what that meant even after some thought but now that I'm watching my second lover leaving, also seeing this as an opportunity for a much-needed break, I cannot help but feel those words ring with much clearer sound.

"Cadance?" Noire tapped my shoulder, waking me from my trance. I stare into his silent gaze, wondering if this is where he says it: that we are taking a break. I wait for it with bated breath but never came "When I come back, can we talk? About us?" I think I saw some heads turn from his question but I only look at him, staring back at me with a pleading look. I couldn't say no. Not to him, especially not now.

"Okay... I'll wait for you" We shared a long hug and before I knew it, the train had disappeared into the horizon. However, not before leaving me a new addition to my forces.

"Silver Soldier, reporting for duty."

SHINING POV

"Just because I can sustain myself without my queen doesn't mean I now like being away from her," I say while tapping my sword on the metal floor.

"Oh, keep your panties in a fix, you can get your dick wet after we're done with my new experiment. If this works, we can destroy several towns within a day, maybe even take Canterlot." He responds without even meeting my glare. However, he was right: with this weapon, Equestria would be under our control soon enough "How about you make yourself useful and get Chrysalis on the line. I want to know how our operation in Manehattan is doing,"

With a roll of my eyes, I comply and mentally ask Chrysalis how things are progressing "It is slow. People are now beginning to lock themselves in their homes and putting anti-magic charms everywhere they can. I may need Slenda to deal with this."

"She says Manehattan is locking themselves in their homes with anti-magic and is asking for Slenda."

"Fine then. Her recon mission ended a while ago so she is available. I'll send her in today." I message this to Chrysalis and continue watching the weapon from its tube. It opens its eyes and lets out a powerful roar, shaking everything around it.

"Is it done yet?"

"Almost. Almost..."

Author's Note

Now that all my assignments are done, I can now really get started with the new arc so I hope you enjoyed this proper chapter of the arc!

Stay dizzy. Wuzzy out.