Chapters Author's Note
I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic content.
This is my first fic on this site, so please excuse paragraph formatting. This chapter was hard to write because I love MLP a lot and I wasn't sure of how of how to capture this scene into words. You see, I'm not really good at retelling things at already happened in episodes, I like to use my imagination. Next chapter will be better.
Promises
"Hello?" called Twilight in the darkness. " Is anyone there?" She asked the darkness. She walked forward, straight into a wall that had a reflective surface. As she looked into her reflection, she hear a very distant laugh. It wasn't a giggle, nor was it a very joy filled Pinkie Pie laugh. It was a very evil laugh. Twilight tried talking again.
" Where am I? Twilight called one last time.
" The caves beneath Canterlot." Cadence's voice responded, her image appearing on the walls of the cave.
Your Prison!"
Cadence just laughed.
"Its no use. No one can hear you. And no one will ever think to look for you either. Most ponies have forgotten that
these cave even exist. Which is why they are the ideal place to keep the ones who try interfere with my plans." She said
she a smug smile on her face.
"Plans? What plans?" Twilight asked, fearfully. She was worried for the safety of the ones she loves.
Cadence made a innocent looking face.
Twilight became very angry, she could not, no she would not let this monster hurt her BBBFF, even if he kicked her out of his own wedding.
She lunged at her.
" No! Wait! " Cadence cried.
Twilight trapped this Cadence underneath her with her legs. "Please, don't hurt me." Cadence asked fearfully. When Cadence looked up and saw Twilight, her face lit up in hope as she recognized Twilight.
" Twilight, its me! Please, you have to believe me! I've been imprisoned like you! The Cadence who brought you down here was an impostor." Cadence pleaded.
" Likely story." Twilight said with an angry face. She wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. Cadence then did something that Twilight did not expect. Something from Twilight's past that only she and Cadence could possible know. Something that earlier 'Cadence' dismissed.
Sunshine Sunshine Lady bugs awake. Clap your Hooves.
"And do a little shake." Twilight completed, shocked.That has to be the way out. She thought to herself. I have to help my beloved. I have to save my wedding day!
Spike looked at the door of the wedding hall, hoping that a purple mare would walk through them. He still couldn't believe that Shining Armor had thrown his own little sister out of his own wedding, and that everyone else had followed in pursuit. Twilight said that Cadence was evil. He told himself. Everypony saw it. Why would Twilight say something like that? Why would she act so possessive of him? She said that she was happy for him, and she seemed very happy when she found out that he was marrying Cadence, but why would she yell and make a big fuss about Cadence being evil? Twilight doesn't just make claims like that, maybe she really- Spike's train of though was interrupted by the sound of the wedding starting, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong and that Twilight was in terrible danger.
Twilight and Cadence ran and ran toward the small spark of light that was their way out of the caves. After Cadence's song about her love for Shining, Twilight vowed that she would do whatever it took for the two of them to marry each other. Shining may have kicked me out of his wedding. Twilight thought, fighting to keep tears from falling.But I love him either way. He will get married, even if- Twilight's train of thought was interrupted when she noticed something about the column of rock and crystal that Cadence was near. The crystals were shaking and coming lose. Twilight's eyes widen as her realized what was going to happen. "Cadence no!" was all Twilight was able to say before she pushed Cadence to safety and the column of crystals fall on top of her, crushing and cutting her. Cadence let out a cry of shock and sadness as she ran over to Twilight with tears in her eyes.
Something's wrong. Spike told himself. I can feel it. His worried eyes wandered over to Twilight's friends, each of them had a smile on their face. Spike's eyes wandered the room, scanning the faces of all the ponies in the room. They all had smiles on their faces. His eyes eventually drifted over to Shining Armor's blank expression. His eyes seemed to have a greenish tint to them. Spike's eyes widen in realization. Twilight was right.
Cadence was in shock of what Twilight had just done. She stared at a barely conscious Twilight Sparkle. When a small pool of blood started to form, Cadence ran over to Twilight.
"Twilight, what did you do?!" She half screamed half sobbed to Twilight. " What did you do?!'
" It won't be special without you there, right by my side." Cadence cried hysterically. " I'm going to get you out of there." Cadence said, determined.
" You c-can't." Twilight begged " Canterlot i-is b-being i-invaded." Twilight stuttered "Cadence l-look at m-me."
Cadence was torn. Twilight was dying and Canterlot was under attack. She had to make a choice, Canterlot or Twilight. Tears were streaming down her face. She made her choice.
With a choke and a sob she whispered to Twilight:
"I promise."
Cadence was still in shock of what happened. Twilight had given her life so that Cadence could have her special day.Why? Cadence sobbed to herself, hugging Twilight's head. Why did the changelings have to invade? Why couldn't my special-hey does Twilight still have a pulse?
Cadence looked at Twilight with hope in her eyes. Twilight had a pulse. It was weak , yes, and her breathing was shallow yes, but she was alive. Tears of relief streamed down Cadence's face. She quickly realized that there was no way that she could carry Twilight up with her, so she would have to leave Twilight down in the caves and come back for her.
Cadence cast a spell on Twilight that would both lead her back to Twilight and keep Twilight in stasis so that her condition wouldn't get any worse. Unfortunately, the spell took a lot of energy from already tired Cadence. Cadence did her best and turned to the exit. As she left Twilight, she silently vowed that she would come back, no matter what it took, she would come back for Twilight.
Spike looked at Shining Armor with a worried expression on his face. He could see the greenish tint Shining's eyes much clearer now. It was obvious that Shining was being controlled be someone, but who? Its surely not Cadence. Spike assured himselfCadence wouldn't do that. Twilight always described her as a kind and loving spirit who is loved by everypony! The way that Twilight said that-the look of pure love and admiration in Twilight's eyes every time somepony mentions her name-it isn't possible Spike. Annnnnd now your talking to yourself. Greaaaaaat. Spike sighed, he was about to forget these thoughts when a very dirty, very messy, very tear stained Cadence barged into the wedding hall, yelling "Stop!"
The arctic cold wind howls and the snow is unforgiving. In the arctic north, a beast of shadow and crystals awaken, his eyes full of dark magic and hunger. Hunger for power. As he began to wake, he felt that a certain unicorn had fallen for his trap deep beneath Canterlot. "Oh, would you look at that." he thought to himself. "She's still alive, not for much longer. My poison will take hold just as soon as the empire returnsssssssssss.
Rainbow Dash looked in confusion at 'Cadence' on the alter and 'Cadence' at the wedding hall door. What the hay? she thought to herself. The Cadence who was in her wedding dress looked the other Cadence and said " How in Celestia's name did you escape the caves?"
" I had some help from help from some pony very dear to me.” Cadence’s voice broke as she said this sentence. Rainbow wondered about what she meant when she said dear. Then it hit her.
“ Where’s Twilight?” Rainbow asked, with a hint of worry in her voice.
Both Cadences looked at her. The one on top of the alter smirked and said:
“If I remember correctly, you abandoned her in her time of need.”
Rainbow remembered the wedding rehearsal and a look of horror struck across her face. Before she could answer though, Spike asked a very important question, one that everyone in the room was wondering:
“I don’t understand,” his voice was full of worry and fear. “ how can their be two of them?”
“She’s a changeling!” Cadence yelled. “ They take the form of some pony you love and feed off of your love for them!”
Cadence on top of the alter realized that the jig was up and looked at Cadence with an evil glint in her eyes. Green fire surrounded her and she began to transform. Her hooves became charcoal back with holes in them. Her wings became insectiode with holes in them and her coat developed a exoskeleton. Her horn became twisted, sharp, and with more holes in them. Two fangs were visible from her mouth. After her transformation was complete, she laughed an evil laugh and said:
“Right you are princess, and as Queen of the Changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place that I ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it, that we will gain more power than we've ever dreamed of!" Queen Chrysalis told Cadence and every other pony in the room. The only pony that had the same expression on his face was Shining Armor. Rainbow crept over to him as Cadence told Chrysalis that Shining Armor's shield would protect them from her changelings reaching them.
"Hey! Shining Armor!" Rainbow Dash whispered harshly at him. "Snap out of it! We have a situation here!" she hissed.
" Not today. Dashie!" She said, her fangs glinting. Rainbow panicked and did the only thing that came to mind: She slapped Shining Armor hard across on his face. Chrysalis's face shifted from glee to horror. There were two ways to break Chrysalis's mind control. One of them was Chrysalis herself undoing the mind control, either of free will or trickery. In other words, you can trick Chrysalis to undoing the mind control. The alternative was very unpleasant: pain. Rainbow Dash spends hours clearing the sky, even if her strength was no way near Applejack's level, she still packs a punch. The green glow in Shining's eyes were gone, as he winced in pain, he looked up and asked "What happened?"
His head hurt like hell. He couldn't remember much, but he does remember seeing a heartbroken Twilight in front of him.
"Aunty!" Cadence yelled, running to her. Shining Armor and Twilight's friends followed in pursuit.How in Equestria did it come to this?
He looked at Cadence and nodded. She nodded back. They both charged their horns and concentrated. They had to get this right or they would never get another chance. When their spell was ready they touched each other's horns to complete it. Chrysalis looked back and said, " No! Not today!" She fired a beam at them would dissolve their spell when suddenly, a purple figure floated up through the floor. This figure was transparent, but it radiated energy. It protected Shining Armor and Cadence.
" No. No. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Chrysalis screamed as she and her changelings were blasted into the Badlands.
After Chrysalis was gone, everypony in the room looked at the figure. After Shining recovered from the shock, sputtered " T-Twilight?!" Twilight gave him no heed and turned to Cadence. She spoke so quietly that she was barely audible. After a few tries, she spoke loud enough for everyone to hear her.
Cadence, remember your promise! Promises have power! You need to-
She couldn't finish her sentence. The figure disappeared beneath the floor. Everyone looked to Cadence who had tears streaming down her face. Before running out of the room, she whispered:
I promised her...
During all of this, the shadow of the artic cold whispers to himself: “She knows too much...
Author's Note
Thank you for all of the lovely comments! I really enjoyed reading all of them. Anyway, in this chapter, some of you may notice that it was Spike who asked about Queen Chrysalis when in the original episode, it was Applejack who asked the question. At first it was this typo, but I decided to leave it to show how much Spike cares for everypony, mainly because he hardly says anything in this part of the episode.
"She grows weaker by the ssssssecond." The shadow told himself. "When her soul is mine, I will be able to help a friend I betrayed so long ago. I need to do this because...
I promised her...
Cadence ran and ran as fast as she could toward the crystal cave's entrance. She didn't even hear her fiance, friends and family calling her, begging her to slow down and explain what happened to Twilight. Images flashed in her mind of the moments in the cave when Twilight had pushed her out of the way of those falling crystals so that she could be the hero to stop Queen Chrysalis, but she would rather have been defeated than have Twilight's life in danger. She didn't even notice that she was flying now. Part of her talent was the ability to fly really, really fast, so fast that even Rainbow Dash had trouble keeping up. But today, she was too distracted to focus on her power. Rainbow caught up to her easily. She tackled Cadence to the ground. That snapped Cadence out of her trance. She yelled at Rainbow Dash, " Let me go! Get off of me! There is no time!" She screamed. She could feel the spell that she put on Twilight disappearing. In a few minutes, the spell would fade and Twilight would bleed to death.
"We won't let you go until you tell us what the hay happened to Twilight!" Rainbow Dash screamed back. She was obviously worried about her. So were the rest of her family and friends. She could feel their worry, they were scared about what happened to her. After taking some calming breaths, she got up and looked at them. She spoke in a rushed voice. She didn't have a moment to lose.
" Ok, I'll tell you what happened. But, I should warn you, its not pretty."
After Shining heard what happened to Twilight, his panic and worry grew. He could tell that Twilight's friends also felt the urge to go find her. After Cadence was done, everyone there needed a moment for that to set in. Shining was about to ask Cadence to take them to the caves when he felt something he had never felt before. For a moment he felt Twilight done in the caves. He could hear her thoughts. he knew exacted where she was in the cave systemHe could also feel her pain, he could also feel an enchantment that was keeping her alive fading. Before this ended, Shining could feel her breathing and heartbeat. Both of them were shallow and slowing down. Shining stumbled, eyes wide in what he just experienced. Everyone looked at him in surprise.
"Darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked in concern. Cadence also looked at him, both worried and curious.For a moment there, he told himself.I was...connected to her in a way. That-that was crazy! He told himself. I-i never been able to do that before even when me and Twilight were foals! We were and still are pretty close, but we never connected mentally like that. Shining was frustrated. He decided that he would look into it later. Right now, he had to focus on saving his sister.
While all of this was going on, no one noticed the six-pointed star of Shining Armor's flank glow faintly.
Author's Note
Hi! Sorry for the shortness and the cliffhanger, school has been really tough and me being grounded didn't help
PS: I apologize again for both the cliffhanger and the shortness of the chapter. Usually don't do cliffhangers because I know how it feels when a chapter you really like ends on a cliffhanger and you have to wait for the next chapter. The shortness is also due to the fact that I'm currently brainstorming a ideas for a different story. I promise that the next chapter will be longer.
Author's Note
Hi, everyone! To make up for the last chapter’s shortness, I decided to make this chapter extra long. Enjoy!
Six Pointed Stars
Rainbow Dash flew as fast as she could behind Cadence, who was leading the way toward were she left Twilight. Eventually, they arrived at a hole hole in the ground. It was right behind the wedding hall. Rainbow Dash nearly threw herself in the hole before Cadence stopped her and Shinging, who was also frantically trying to get through.
“Wait!” Cadence yelled. “Listen, I know that we all want to get to Twilight, and time is running out, but listen, this cave system in really big and confusing, we need to stay together. Ok?” She asked.
“Alright.” Everyone there yelled in unison.
Cadence nodded then dropped down into the cave followed by Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Spike. Cadence led them to the spot were Twilight was, but it took a while and gave the others time to think about all that happened.
Shining was very worried about his sister, but he was also very confused. Every once in a while, he would “feel” Twilight again. No one noticed because he was able to keep his posture, but one time, as they got closer to Twilight, he felt...sadness and regret. He almost stumbled, but, once again, kept his posture. No. He told himself. No one can know just yet. Twilight is the priority, and maybe this is one of her spells. Yes, I’m sure that what I am experiencing! With that Shining’s face expression turned into hopeful as inspected the cave. Again, no one realized his cutie mark glowing a little more brightly now. No one except Spike, who had moved a little more closer to the front on the group.
Spike looked closely at Shining cutie mark, which seemed to glow faintly. He remembered one in incident when Twilight was young and him even younger.
One day when Twilight and Spike were in the Canterlot Liberty studying for a test, when all of a sudden the lights flickered, then went out completely. Twilight and Spike looked around wildly, his eyes tearing up. He looked up at Twilight, who looked equally scared. Twilight looked at him and something changed in her eyes. They soften, and they looked at Spike with a spark in their eyes. These were the eyes of a mother. “It’s going to be ok, Spike.” She told him. She reached out her hoof and brought him close. “It’s going to be ok.”
After a few minutes, they hear a voice. It was a very loud and scary voice. It came from a unicorn who was wearing a mask.
“Students of Princess Celestia’s School of Gifted Unicorns, I am the Black Unicorn. But I doubt any of you would know me.” Twilight gasped, her pupils shrinking and her ears falling flat. She knew who this person was, and he was a very bad pony.
“Spike.” She whispered urgently. “Run. This pony is a very bad pony.” She looked around and spotted and open window. “ Go.” The seven year old pleaded to the young dragon.
“But-“ Spike started, only to be stopped by Twilight’s hoof being shoved in his face.
“That pony is a foalnapper!” She whispered.”Go Spike! Now!”
Unfortunately, the now was a little too loud because the Black Unicorn turned in her direction and smiled sinsterly. “Well” he said making Twilight jump in fear and hug Spike protectively. “ I guess I know who I’m taking with me.”
Just like that Twilight’s horn lit up and Spike was gone in a flash. He reappeared just outside of the Sparkle Family house, which was on the other side of Canterlot. Shining Armor was walking down the street toward the house with a very surprised look on his face. The ten-year old just got back from school and was going to drop off his stuff to go visit Twilight.
“Spike?” He asked, confused. “What are you doing here? Where’s Twi-“ He never got to finish his sentence because ponies started running toward the Canterlot library, with a worried and shocked look on their faces.
Shining stopped one of the mares and asked what was going on. She told him that the foalnapper who nicknamed himself as Black Unicorn has struck again and taken a unicorn filly from the Canterlot Library.
Shining Armor’s face was unreadable. He walked over to Spike and asked in a strained voice: “Spike, was Twilight in the library?”
“Y-yes.” Spoke answered. He looked like he was about to cry. “T-t scary pony was walking to her a-and she teleported me out.”
Shining Armor’s expression want from unreadable to absolute horror and terror.He levitated Spike with his magic and took off running. He never ran like that before. Half way there, he let out a gasp and stumbled to the ground, the six pointed star on his flank glowing brightly. His eyes were unfocused and his jaw was slack. After a few minutes, his eyes refocused, but his facial expression stayed the way it was when his cutie mark started glowing: shock.
With that he took off in another direction, leaving Spike behind. He came back later that day covered in scratches, the foalnapper in jail, and with Twilight lying limp on his back. Twilight had a concussion and three broken ribs, but she would be fine. When she woke up, Spike immediately ran over to her and hugged her tightly. After that day, Spike saw Twilight as a mother, not a friends.
Shining Armor was ballistic though. When Twilight was unconscious for weeks, Shining wouldn't leave her side, even for school. His parents would drag him, only for him to teleport directly into Twilight's room. When she finally woke up, he squished her, crushing healing ribs, which he apologized. He didn't let her out of his sight for months. Her parents didn't either, and it was a long time before she was allowed to go to the library by herself. Shining seemed to have forgotten all about his cutie mark glowing that day, but Spike never forgot because Shining had saved Twilight's life that day, even if he never spoke about what happened, or were he found Twilight.
Spike's eyes were wide. He never asked about it because he was just as shaken as Twilight and the rest of her family that day. He decided that after they found Twilight, he would ask Shining Armor about it. Suddenly, he ran straight into Shining's left hind leg. Spike was about to yell at Shining for stopping when he looked in front of him and what he saw made all the blood drain from his face. "Twilight..." he whispered, before pushing and shoving his way to the front of the line.
Rainbow Dash kept looking around at her surroundings, ready to attack anything that would pounce at them. She would protect the group until the got to Twilight. Twilight. She though to herself. When I get my hooves on you, you will think twice about scaring me like this. I have always been loyal to her and this is what I get? Her nearly dead. Rainbow Dash nearly pinched the wall, but what stopped her was a blur of purple and red under a column of crystals.
Applejack walked a with Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Applejack was the first to break the awkward silence.
“Ya’ll think that Twilight’s alright, right?” She asked with a worried tone.
“ Of course she is darling.” Rarity responeded as convincingly as she could.
“She is a very strong pony!” Pinkie exclamed. “ She can withstand anything! Don’t you agree Fluttershy?”
“Fluttershy? Sugar cube?” Applejack asked.
“Darling?” Rarity looked at her question.
Fluttershy said nothing. As her eyes began to water, she pointed her hoof toward a column of collapsed crystals.
Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack let out a gasp of horror. They were speechless. The pony who always was stronger than them now was being crushed by a bunch of crystals.
When they arrived, everyone froze in shock expect Cadence, who ran to Twilight and started to pull.
“Help me!” she hissed at them. “ Can’t you see that she is dying?”
Shining Armor was the first one to move. He ran to Twilight and grabbed one of her hooves. Come on Twilight. He pleaded. Stay with us. The rest of Twilight’s friends joined in pleaded along with Shining Armor.
Little did they know that Twilight could hear them, but she wasn’t the only one.
Well, well,well. A sickly disoriented voice echoed the walls off the cave. “Look who it is.”
Cadence yelled and let go of Twilight’s hoof.
What made them let go was the sudden change in crystals’s color. They went from purely clear to sickly black. Worse of all, Twilight’s body turned black and her breathing was raspy. She was in pain. Shining could feel it. He collapsed and started writhing in pain, the star on his cutie mark glowing brightly. He saw Twilight trying to tell him something important.
”Shining! Listen!” She was stuggling, she was being held back by ropes that were black and smokey. They were hurting her a lot. “Shining! I don’t have enough time! Don’t try to save me! Just keep my soul away from Sombra and him! You remember him...” Twilight’s voice became inaudible as one of the ropes slithered up her neck and squeezed her throat. “Twilight!” Shining yelled, trying to run to her, but he began to dissolve. Before he disappeared, she managed to choke out:
Protect...the empire...from...both of...them.
Shining’s eyes snapped open. He looked around widely. His eyes focused on his little sister, he knew what he had to do, no matter what she said. He grabbed her hoof and pulled with all of his might.
I would not do that if I were you. The voice spoke. Shining was throw back by the shock wave that came from the crystals on top of Twilight. Shining could hear her heart beat slowing down from the strain of pumping blood to make up for all of the blood she lost. Shining’s eyes focused. He jumped at Twilight again with determination in his eyes. He pulled and pulled as if his life depended on it. When the shock wave came, he was ready for it. His horn lit up with such an aura that Cadence and the rest of Twilight’s friends were thrown back. Cadence saw what was about to happen and she teleported everypony to safety. Everyone but Shining Armor and Twilight.
Shining concentrated on his magic and he was overwhelmed by all of the magic he was having access to. He created a shield so powerful that the shockwave bouced harmlessly off of it.
Hmm. You and your sister are back. Well two can play at that game! The shadow appeared in a smokey form and fired a beam at Shining’s shield. The beam was very powerful, but Shining’s shield held strong. His cutie mark was glowing very brightly now and so was Twilight’s which could be seen through the crystal. Shining’s spell was fueled by his emotions, which can be a very dangerous thing for unicorns, but this was different. He was using not only his magic and emotions but also Twilight’s this made there spell even more powerful. With one final thought, Shining Armor expanded the shield. The smokey figure screamed in pain and dove into the crystals for protection.
Shining was panting heavily, since Twilight was unconscious, he had to do the heavy lifting, which gave him a headache.
Twilight he thought and went to go check his sister’s state. He was relieved when he heard a heart beat that was a little stronger than before. He pulled her out of the pile of crystals and examined her injuries. He began to panic as her saw many cuts and punctures, only to realize that she wasn’t bleeding anymore. He looked in confusion at his flank and at hers. Both were glowing faintly. “What is happening to us?” He thought quietly as he lay her gently on his back and began carry her out of there. He vowed that he would find out what was going on and what the smokey figure meant by “your back”.
”So the Six Pointed Siblings have returned?” A unicorn with a pitch black coat asked Sombra. “Yes your Excellency.” He responded. “They are quite powerful.” “Hmm.” The cloaked unicorn mused. “ Bring me the mare, and you will have your friend back. Fail, and she will never see the light of day again. Am I clear Sombra?” “Yes your Majesty.” Sombra mumbled. After Sombra left, the unicorn thought to himself: “Even if Sombra’s trap didn’t work, I know that he was going to turn on me as soon as he has what he needs to save Raident Hope. With the mare’s help, I will overpower him, bring back the empire he so foolishy made disappear into thin air, and make Equestria fall to its knees!” He smiled in spite of himself, as he was so sure that he couldn’t fail. What he forgot was that Cadence made a powerful promise. A promise made from the bottom of her heart.
Cadence waited anxiously in the waiting room of the Canterlot Hospital. Shining barged in four hours ago with a limp Twilight lying on his back, covered in scratches and deep cuts, that had stopped bleeding, but severely infected. Even if the crystals were cutting her, they kept her cuts from becoming infected. Cadence bit the end of her hoof in worry, her mind making up endless theories about how she would lose Twilight. Eventually, they arrived that the promise that she and made to Twilight.
”Promise me t-two t-things: you’ll m-marry S-Shiny and that you’ll t-tell him, S-Spike, Princess C-Celestia t-that I f-forgive t-them.”
Cadence’s eyes widen as she realized that she needed to tell them, and something told her at this promise was important. She looked around and saw that everyone that Twilight had asked to tell them she forgave them was hear. She also noticed that Twilight hadn’t asked for her friends to be forgiven. She let out a small gasp that did not unnoticed. Shining’s ears perked up as he turned his head to face Cadence. His eyes seemed unfocused, like he experienced some sort of trauma or new found secret.It must have been that huge power surge that he conjured up. Cadence mused. Now that I think about it, he has been a little off his game ever since he collapsed with no reason to while I was explaining where the cave was and what happened to Twilight. I'm going to ask him about it. She was able to walk over to him when she stopped herself. No, Cadence! she scolded herself. You must keep Twilight's request to you! Even if that means get- She never got to finish her thought because Shining Armor had gone up to her, taken her hoof, and asked her in a very tired tone:
" Are you alright?"
Cadence wanted to scream saying no, that she wasn't. Her soon-to-be sister in law and the filly that she loved sitting for had asked her to get married without her. How was she supposed to explain that to him?
"Let's go somewhere private." she said. "This is about the last thing that Twilight said to me."
Spike bit his claws worriedly. Ever since Shining ran in the hospital with Twilight lying on his back like that...it was too much for the baby dragon to take. He ran out of the hospital as fast as his feet would take him. Before he heard and saw what happened to Twilight, he used to think that she was invincible, that nothing could take her down. Nightmare Moon and Discord, she and her friends may have defeated them together, but it was Twilight who lead them. When Nightmare Moon returned, even if she was against making friends at the time, she was the one who brought them together. When Discord turned them into the opposite of what they represented, it was Twilight who cast the spell to reunite them. But when she needed the help from her family, mentor, friends, and number-one assistant, he and the rest of the group didn't even hesitate to leave her out in the rain to deal with the invasion and to bring the real Cadence to them. Only this time, their safety, the safety of all of Equestria and the lands beyond it and of future generations, might have cost a life. A life that touched and will touch so many more lives. She gave Equestria a different and powerful way to defend itself. She gave five different ponies a purpose, a destiny. She gave Cadence a love for children. She gave Shining a bond that cannot be broken. She gave Princess Celestia a chance a being a mentor. But, she gave Spike something so special, so precious, something that everypony holds very dear and only gets one of. She gave Spike life.
By now, Spike had arrived at where he and Twilight used to live before moving to Ponyville. With heavy tears rolling down his face, he punched the door, over and over again. Thump. He remembered how excited he was when he heard that he not only be going to the wedding, but would be participating in it. Thump. He remembered playing with the cake toppers, ignoring Twilight's suspicions. Thump He remembered the wedding rehearsal. Her brother disowned her, her friends dismissed her, her mentor shunned her, and when she looked at him. What was his verdict? He ignored her. Then what? She went to the crystal mines. She found the real Cadence. She helped her find a way out of the mines. Not once did Twilight question her own safety to save her brother's wedding. Crack. Spike's claw ached as he felt go through something. Tears rolled down his eyes as he looked at his claw, which broken. Spike, turned around and went in the direction of the hospital, with a broken claw and a heart full of worry.
Shining was quiet for a moment. He though about what Cadence just told him. The first thing that came out of mouth was something that Cadence expected him to say. "I'm not getting married without Twilight." Cadence sighed. Shining knew Cadence. She wanted to honor Twilight's wish, but the plain truth was that she wanted Twilight there on her wedding day. Sometimes choosing between the too was a choice that no pony should go through. "Shining, before we have his discussion, what did Twilight mean by she forgives you?"
" I'm not sure. The last time I saw her was at the wedding rehearsal..." Shining's eyes grew wide in horror when he remembered the wedding rehearsal. He didn't remember much, but he did remember that last thing he said to Twilight.
"And you can forget about being my best mare. In fact, if I were you, I wouldn't come to the wedding at all."
Those were the last words he said to her. All of those years that they never fought with one another, and their first fight lead one of them to the hospital in a critical condition. "Shining?" Cadence asked after Shining zoned out for a minute or two. "Are you alright?"
Before he could respond, Spike came in with a broken claw. Fluttershy got up almost instantly and went to go help him. A few minutes later, he came back with a bandaged claw. Before anyone could ask, he sat in the nearest corner, his head in his claws, his back turned against everyone. A few minutes later, the doctor came and asked for the immediate family of Twilight Sparkle. When everyone jumped up at once, he made a shocked face and asked for the blood relatives only. The only blood relative in the room at the moment was Shining Armor. He took a deep breath and stepped forward. The doctor motioned for him to follow. They walked until they arrived at a hallway that was gloomy and dark. The sign above them had three words that shook Shining Armor to bone.
Emergency Care Unit
It was only then when Shining realized that he didn’t ‘feel’ Twilight ever since he brought her to the hospital. Even if it was unusual to him, (and maybe to her. He didn’t know. The last he spoke to her was at the wedding rehearsal.) it served as reassurance that she was alive. Shining began to panic. Resisting the urge to break down every door on that floor, he swallowed and looked at the doctor with fear in his eyes. “Is she alright?” He asked worrily.
“Twilight Sparkle was very injured and you brought her to us.” The doctor spoke in a emotionless voice. “ She had many cuts and punctures. Seven of her ribs were severely broken, but her lungs survived miraculously.” Shining looked up hopefully, then remembered the huge power surge he had when he was protecting Twilight. Even if he wasn’t paying attention at the time, he heard her breathe.
“She is unconscious, you can see her if you’d like.” Shining nodded his head faster than both him and the doctor thought possible. The doctor opened the door to his left and Shining glanced in, afraid of what he would find. What he saw sent his heart aching. Twilight’s torso was covered in bandages and stitches. Her neck also had a long line of stitches starting from the top of her throat all the way to her shoulder. Shining approached her bed. “Twilight?” He asked. Her muzzle had a mask on it, pumping oxygen into her lungs. Something told him that without that mask, she would not survive.
He sat down and touched her hoof with his. He felt her heartbeat, it was steady and strong. Then something he found indescribable happened. His chest felt...warm. His heart was beating so fast, he was sure that it would burst. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and didn’t fight it. He let the feeling take over him with one thought in mind.
Twilight, talk to me.
Shining opened his eyes and let out a gasp. He was in the sky. Literally. He was surrounded by stars. It was like he was floating, no...walking on top of the stars. He was about to scream when he noticed the six pointed star on his flank once again glowing brightly.
“What in Celestia’s name?” Shining started to say until he looked up and say a sight that made his heart leap with joy. Twilight was a few yards away, looking up at a screen with images on a continuous loop. “Twilight!” He cried and galloped as fast as he could toward her. “Twilight! Twily?” He asked worrily. Her eyes were fixated on the screen. She wasn’t moving, but her cutie mark was glowing, signaling that their connection was strong. “Twilight why are-“ He stopped mid-sentence when he looked up at the screen. “Oh no,no,no!” He grabbed her shoulders. “Twily, it was not your fault!” The screen was playing the moment when the changling’s invaded, only with a slight difference. The images made it look like Twilight caused the invasion, starting at the wedding rehearsal.
”Cadence isn’t evil!” Shining yelled at her. “We had a plan to capure the Queen and you ruined it! Look!” The science shifted, showing the what was going on outside. The changelings rained down, hundreds of them poured on the streets of Canterlot, causing a panic. It was chaos.
The science shifted back to ‘Shining’. He had a look of absolute hatred on his face. “I can’t believe that I am related to such an imbecile.”
Tears streamed down Twilight’s face, but she didn’t move. She kept staring at the images in front of her, fixated on them. The more she watched, the more her coat lost color and her cutie mark dimmed.
“No.” Shining felt the connection that was keeping them together weakening. He tried thinking of a solution, but nothing came to mind. He spun around wildly, looking for something, anything, to help him. The only thing there beside themselves, was the screen playing the fake memory.
Fake Memory
He had an idea. It was crazy. He wasn’t even sure it would work, but he was running out of time. Their cutie marks were barely flickering. He focused on all of the good and amazing times he had with Twilight. His horn came to life, glowing magenta. He touched the tip of his horn on Twilight’s forehead. She let out a gasp and jumped back. Shining stumbled, confused, then he saw the reason why. Black crystals were sticking out from her horn. She screaming in pain, which made Shining wince. He focused more and concentrated. His horn glowed brighter and brighter.
I have to time this perfectly. He told himself. One mistake and he would hurt Twilight, and maybe himself. He got into a position that boot camp had taught for situations exactly like this one. Twilight started to move. She jumped closer and closer to Shining Armor, preparing to act him. She jumped up and pounced. Shining moved away one second before she hit the ground. Shining took this as an opportunity and trapped her underneath his legs. He began to lower his head. Twilight struggled, but the stallion had military training and was physically stronger than her. He lowered his head and cast the spell, filling her head with all of the wonderful memories that he had with her. For the spell to be complete, he had to think of a memory that he cherished the most. The day Twilight was born. January 18th.
Shining wait eagerly with his father and grandmother in the waiting room. In a few hours, he would be a big brother. He had waited 11 months, but he could hardly wait now. Time seemed to slow down. After what seemed like forever to the young colt, the nurse stepped into the waiting room.
"Sparkle family." she called. Shining Armor, Night Light, and Grandma Sparkle rushed up to the nurse, they all had an eager expression on there face. "Congratulations!" She said with a kind smile. "The newest member of your family is a little filly! Please follow me." Shining bounced after her, followed by his father and grandmother. They entered a room that was at the end of what seemed like an impossibly long hallway. When they finally reached the right room, Shining stopped and looked worried. "Daddy, do like that she will like me?" Shining asked, scared.
His father chucked and responded, "Yes I think that she will like you very much. And remember, me and your mother owe you a favor. You did win the bet." Shining smiled a cheesy smile and responded in a excited tone. "I told you so!"
Six months before Twilight was born, Shining had a feeling the foal would be a filly. His parents told him that he was being crazy, but he wouldn't change his mind. Eventually, they decided to bet on it. If Shining won, his parents would owe him a favor that they could not say no to. If Shining lost then he would owe his parents is entire allowance of 300 bits that took him 4 years to save up. Shining wasn't worried, he was sure that he would have a little sister. And he was right.
Shining entered the room and trotted over to his mother's side. "Mommy?" he asked. "Can I see her?" "Of course." His mother responded, holding out a bundle of pink that she had in her arms. "Meet your new sister Shining Armor. Her name is Twilight Sparkle."
Shining looked at her and his jaw dropped. He had no words. What he felt that day was hard to explain. What he saw was the most cutest, most beautiful, most innocent, most...magical filly he had ever met. His father had repeatedly told him that his pupils dilated so much that he has about to call a nurse. In that moment, Shining Armor had met the most valuable thing he owned, something that he would do anything to protect.
Shining nearly collapsed from the strain of the spell, but he was able to stay standing. Panting, Shining looked at his sister, hoping, no praying that she was alright. Twilight looked up at him, her violet eyes focusing on his cerulean blue ones. After a tense moment, Shining walked closer to her, whispering. "Twilight?" She smiled. and responded "BBBFF?" Shining let out a ragged gasp. He moved toward her and gave her a big hug. He felt so relieved, one silent tear of pure joy slid down his face.
"Let's get out of here." Twilight whispered. Shining nodded, unable to speak. It was only then when Shining Armor realized just how scared he had been. Ever since he found out about Twilight crushed by a bunch of crystals while trying to save Cadence, his heart never stopped worrying. It kept worrying for the little filly he cherished so dearly. All of that time he had been scared of losing the one pony that made him alive. Now that he knew she was going to be ok, he was at ease, he was able to think about other matters, like the wedding and Twilight as the best mare.
In a flash they were back in the hospital room. Shining opened his eyes and looked around. The doctor didn't seem to had noticed what had happened. He sighed in relief, he wasn't quite ready to tell anyone what had happened between them. He look back at Twilight and smiled. Her eyes were open, looking at him. He never told anyone before, but, to him, Twilight's eyes seemed different than everyone else's. From the moment he saw them for the first time, he knew. They seemed more...alive than anything else. He saw it every time she was determined to get a spell right or proving someone wrong.
And he loved those eyes with all his heart.
"Twily," his voice was barely audible, "Are you alright?"
"Yes." she said. Her voice was muffed because of the mask on her face. " Well, being alive, yes. But the cuts and scratches no. As well as the broken ribs. I can hardly-" She stopped when Shining's hoof shakily moved toward her face. He touched her face, his lip was quivering. She smiled and tried to sit up, but her ribs wouldn't let her. She let out a small cry of pain, Shining also winced. He gently pushed her down and attempted to speak without crying.
"D-Don't try t-to-" His voice broke as Twilight promptly ignored him and her pain, sat up, and hugged him. His eyes let out tears that didn't show signs of stopping. Shining returned the hug and buried his face in her face and hooves. "Your alright." he whispered. "Your alright."
"You didn't actually think that I was going to leave you, did you?" Twilight responded giggling. She let go of Shining." I have to make sure that you get married, with or without me there."
Shining grinned from ear to ear. "You are going to be there! If I have to have the wedding in this hospital room, I will. I'm not losing you ever again!"
When he said that Twilight’s smile became very strained and her eyes had a sad look in them. Shining’s feelings of joy and relief were quickly replaced with concern. “Twilight?” He asked, visibly and audibly worried. “Are you-“
“Yes! Y-Yes, I am." Her response was rushed. She knew that something was wrong, but Shining didn't push her. He would push her later. Besides, the rest of her family and friends were waiting.
"Come on." He told her. "Everyone is waiting."
Her eyes lit up with excitement, but before Shining left to tell everyone that she was awake, Twilight stopped him.
He smiled in return and responded,
I love you too, kid.
"It looks like they found her. They will be overjoyed to see her alive. But-"
He looked over to Sombra and smiled wickedly. "She is not well." Sombra nodded and focused on his magic. Not wanting to hurt the poor pony more than necessary, he caused only a small jolt of pain. Twilight winced, but reassured her family and friends that she was alright.
The cloaked unicorn nodded approvingly, but them frowned. "Stronger." he said. Sombra frowned. "Your Honor, if I cause the poison to attack any faster or stronger then-"
"Sombra," he spoke in a calm, intimating voice that made Sombra shut up and listen. "I want her here as soon as possible. If we wait, she will be back to full strength. That cannot happen. You will make the poison attack stronger to weaken her, to leave her somewhere between life and death. Then bring her to me. Do you understand?" his voice shook Sombra to the core. He sighed and increased the strength of his spell. 'I'm so sorry...' he thought to himself as Twilight screamed in pain, her coat turning black. Her loved ones rushed to find a doctor. 'But I have someone else to save. Someone more important than you.'
Back at the hospital, Shining had tears in his eyes as he watched his sister flat line. For the first time in Shining's life, all that he could feel was hopeless and lost.
Author's Note
Just a quick notice that this story will be put on hiatus until after the holidays.
Happy Holidays!