An Adventurous Affairby OmegathystChaptersPrologue: Princess of LoveHead Over Hooves for HerFinal Day ApartRude AwakeningOut with the OldIn with the NewPrologue: Princess of LoveAuthor's Note Prologue: Princess of Love “Will that be all, Princess Cadance?” “Yes, just switch out with Brighthoof and his guards at midnight.” “Yes, Princess,” the guard bowed before getting up, making a beeline towards his post in the castle. Princess Cadance, after all these decades, hadn’t shown a single grey hair in her tri-colored mane. She watched as her guards bolted out of sight, before looking over her shoulder at the tall pink door. She sighed into the empty air, before turning around and walking towards the door. Every hoofstep echoed through the castle halls, as Cadance approached the door and pushed it open. There, on the rosy pink bed in front of her, was her daughter Flurry Heart. The young mare was sprawled on the bed, reading a book before looking up at her mother. “Mother?” Flurry whispered. “What’re you doing here?” “It’s high time that I tell you a bedtime story, Flurry,” Cadance explained, stepping closer to the bed. “Bedtime story?” Flurry smiled, tilting her head. “You haven’t told me one of those since I was a foal. Why tonight?” “I talked with Twilight, you deserved to hear this one for a long time,” Cadance frowned. “Do you remember your father, Shining Armor?” “I’ve heard the locals around the marketplace, calling him a monster,” Flurry admitted. “They’d say that they’d never treat you like he did.” “That’s nice of them,” Cadance covered her blush with her hoof. “Aunt Twilight mentioned that he’s her brother, but she wouldn’t say more than that,” Flurry added. “Wait, you’re going to tell me-” “Yes,” Cadance nodded. “I’m going to tell you what happened to him, and why you’ve never heard from him. If you’re ready.” “Of course,” Flurry felt her hooves shaking underneath her chest, but she stilled them as she closed her book and moved towards her pillows. “Join me?” Cadance nodded, using her magic to close the door as she gently stepped onto the bed, resting one of her wings on her daughter’s back. “Forgive me, Flurry,” Cadance whispered. “This story couldn’t come out of my lips if I tried any day, or any year, before. I’d freeze up, my eyes would-” “Mother,” Flurry looked into her mother’s eyes. “There’s nothing to forgive, you’re ready now. And so am I.” “Okay,” Cadance sighed, staring at the wall. “I met your father when I started foalsitting Twilight. He’d usually come back home from his frat-colt parties, stumbling over his hooves and his words. I’d levitate him to his bed, use whatever spells and teas I could to soothe him to sleep. Sometimes, I would fall asleep on the couch, and I would wake up to the smell of vegetables on the pan. They were always crispy black at the edges, but the gesture would give me butterflies.” “It wasn’t until Twilight moved to Ponyville that we started seeing each other exclusively,” Cadance explained. “Then came a changeling attack, one we had conquered with the power of love. We got married, and several seasons later, we had you: the first alicorn-born foal.” Flurry’s eyes widened as a hint of a smile graced her lips, Cadance smiled back as she continued. “By then, the Crystal Empire was already in our rule. Years had passed, Equestria defeated the most terrifying trio of villains we had seen in ages. One of them, as you know, was released from her prison and properly reformed,” Cadance said. “Twilight and her wife at the time recommended us a place that enjoyed their company, a town called H-Hope Hollow. By then, me and your father had shared the same bed once every few nights if I was lucky. The guards were ordered to keep an eye on him. Even that in itself was a difficult task.” “Anyways,” Cadance ceased her rambling, taking a deep breath. “Twilight regrets her decision deeply, although I tell her it would have made no difference. Once a stray cat, always a stray cat.” Cadance scowled as she said the last sentence, her muzzle scrunching up as her ears flattened. “Now, the real story begins in the heart of Hope Hollow…” Head Over Hooves for Her“Shiny,” Cadance leaned against her husband, batting her eyelashes. “Your sister thinks this’ll be the perfect hotspot for us to reconnect, you don’t want to disappoint her now, do you?” The two were at the entrance to Hope Hollow, with Flurry Heart giggling and pawing Cadance’s back. Shining felt the tension from the bottom of his hooves to his shoulders as he took in a deep breath. “No, I wouldn’t,” Shining sighed, letting his shoulders drop. “She’s got a point, Flurry deserves to have both of us around. And w-who knows? Maybe a change of scenery could bring the magic back.” Cadance’s eyes lit up, a small smile sparking from her lips. “Wonderful,” Cadance pressed her lips to her husband’s cheek. “I’m going to check us into the hotel, find us a place to eat?” “Sure thing honey,” Shining nodded, breaking away from his wife’s gaze and making a beeline for the bakery. Pies, cakes, salads, sandwiches...Shining Armor gave a short nod at his discovery. Now that his task was done within a matter of seconds, he could peruse his type of selection. He glanced at the mint green unicorn mare talking to a customer over the counter, quickly shaking his head and walking out the door. Too old. Passing by a yellow earth pony with bright red hair, Shining Armor considered it briefly. But the way she carried herself, with her head held high, and her hooves moving forward with such purpose, caused Shining Armor to look away. When he looked in the other direction, he did a double take, landing his eyes on a pegasus with a coat colored like the sky and a rosy pink mane cascading down the side of her face. Her eyes, a deep purple, locked onto Shining Armor’s as she froze. Shining Armor didn’t move, didn’t know if he could move, as the pegasus’ gaze pulled his heart closer and closer… Even though his mind was still checked out, he found his hooves moving on their own accord, closer to the building the mare was in. Eventually, he was close enough that he stood over the pegasus, looking deeply into her eyes. “I love your fur,” she said, trailing a hoof down his leg. “I met a white unicorn once, she was the prettiest pony I’d ever met. It was such a shame she was already coupled up…” The sky blue pegasus was blushing as she glanced away from Shining Armor. Her hoof reached to his chest, and the stallion was still frozen to the touch. He felt as though she could touch every inch of him, and it still wouldn’t break him out of the state he was in. “So rude not to introduce myself,” the mare laughed. “I’m Kerfuffle, and you are?” “You don’t know who I am?” Shining whispered. “No, should I?” Kerfuffle tilted her head. “I suppose a well-built stallion such as yourself is well-known?” “I’m Shining Armor, ruler of the Crystal Empire,” Shining stretched his hoof out, Kerfuffle shaking his hoof slowly as she stared down at it. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Kerfuffle.” Kerfuffle let go of his hoof, grinning from ear to ear as she looked at him, her tail swishing about. “Let me show you around!” Kerfuffle turned around, showing him a different assortment of scarves, shirts, and hats. Kerfuffle grabbed a purple cap, placing it on Shining’s head. Shining felt his horn slip through the cap easily, and he looked at Kerfuffle. “It’s a unicorn cap!” Kerfuffle smiled. “It’s got a special hole in the center for the horn! Do you like it?” Shining felt the heat rising in his body, his heart stirring in a way that he hadn’t remembered feeling in years. Stepping closer, Shining Armor leaned his face closer to Kerfuffle’s. “I love it,” Shining Armor felt Kerfuffle’s fruity breath tickling his nose, and leaned closer- A bell ringing against the door sent Shining Armor stumbling forward and falling to the ground. Kerfuffle looked to the door, seeing a tall pink mare walk in with a foal on her back. “Hey, you two look like Twilight!” Kerfuffle remarked, before glancing back at Shining Armor. “You okay, Shining?” “I’m fine, the bell surprised me. That’s all,” Shining Armor got up, trotting over to his wife. “I see you’ve met my husband already,” Cadance said, narrowing her eyes at the pegasus. “What is your name?” “Kerfuffle!” she replied, smiling at the princess. “Good to meet you, Kerfuffle,” Cadance nodded. “Shining Armor, let’s get going.” “O-Okay,” Shining glanced back at the mare, feeling his heart trying to tug him back. “Bye, Kerfuffle.” Kerfuffle beamed, and waved her hoof as they left. Final Day Apart“Shining,” Cadance tilted her head. “How long did it take you to find a place?” “Like...half an hour?” Shining replied, not meeting her eyes. “I thought I’d get some more foal clothes for Flurry on the way back.” “I don’t suppose you want to go back?” Shining gulped. “I suppose not.” “Good,” Cadance spat, using her magic to swing the hotel door open. Shining looked down at the ground as he trotted inside, moving past Petunia as he ascended up the stairs. After hearing their door slam shut, Cadance approached Petunia’s desk. “Don’t let him leave anywhere without me,” Cadance ordered. “M-Miss, I can’t dictate where he goes or if he-” Unfurling one of her wings, Cadance revealed a pouch of bits and dropped them on the counter. Petunia pushed the bits back towards the princess, shaking her head. “I’m sorry,” Petunia sighed. “If this continues to be a problem, I’d suggest staying somewhere else.” Cadance swept the bag of bits back under her wing, sticking out her middle feather at Petunia before turning around and going up the stairs. In the dead of night, beside his sleeping wife, Shining stared at the ceiling with his front hooves resting over his chest, feeling the thudding beat under them. His mind reflected back on countless mares that came and went from the bed of the Princess of Love. Could she blame him? When the supposed love pony turned away from his needs? Perhaps she was just waiting, biding her immortal time until Shining passed on. Shining imagined Cadance throwing herself at the hooves of mares and stallions, bathing them in the touches and kisses that she’d been holding back. Shining gritted his teeth as he glanced at his wife, feeling his blood boil. Maybe it’s my fault, Shining contemplated. How could anypony expect the Princess of Love to commit to one pony? When Shining Armor attempted to pull up more detailed memories of his recent conquests, everypony came up blurry, or without a name. But this Kerfuffle, had his heart caught in her cage with her big purple eyes and waves of pink mane. The way heat crept up to his cheeks, and the way his chest warmed up around his beating heart, caused him to softly gasp. This Kerfuffle, he realized, felt different than all the other encounters. But why? Shining glanced away from his wife, looking at the small crib a few hooves away. Shining imagined Flurry on his back as he took off with Kerfuffle, and...no, Cadance would...Shining shook his head. If he left her, ran away with the pegasus, nopony would refer to him as the noble former Captain of the Royal Guard, or co-ruler of the Crystal Empire. He would be the scum on the sidewalk, a name not spoken in public. Was it worth it for her? And even if he didn’t take Flurry, would Cadance take this lying down? Shining growled. Of course she’d take it lying down, whilst a stallion bangs her. What reason is there to stay? For her love? Shining’s ears flattened as he finally closed his eyes, sharply exhaling. Zooming past Kerfuffle’s shop, Barley giggled as her brother’s attempts to fly past her failed. Pickle flapped his wings with increased efforts, but still couldn’t catch up to his sister. Feeling a rush inside him, he batted his wings like a hummingbird and caught up to his sister, now if only- “Hey you two!” “Huh?” Barley looked over her shoulder, only for her brother to collide into her and send the both of them tumbling into the bushes. Groaning, Barley felt a hoof prodding at her. “Oh dear,” the voice said. “I didn’t mean to startle you foals, I’ve just noticed the both of ya wearing the same red outfits everyday. Where’s your mother?” “Off napping with her bottle again,” Pickle huffed. “And we’re not foals.” “Of course,” Kerfuffle giggled. “You poor dears come inside, I’ll getcha some water.” Kerfuffle frowned as she looked at the dirt and tears in their clothes, helping both of the twins back onto their hooves and into her shop. Kerfuffle turned away from them, flying to the back and collecting two water bottles before returning to the twins. “You two darlings should try out some of my collection,” Kerfuffle explained as she handed them the bottles. “I know the perfect beanie for you to wear, little lady. And a hoodie for you too...what are your names?” “I’m Pickle, and this is Barley,” the colt gestured his head in his sister’s direction. “Lovely names,” Kerfuffle remarked, flying away from them. “Let’s see here, here’s the beanie. And there’s a few necklaces and hoofwear over here too.” “May I?” Barley closed her bottle shut, walking over to the bigger pegasus. Kerfuffle nodded, gently dropping a lavender beanie in Barley’s hooves. “I always find certain shades of green and purple to compliment each other,” Kerfuffle explained. “It’s subjective though, so if you don’t-” “I love it,” Barley smiled, wiggling the red beanie off her mane and placing the new one on top. “What kind of hoofwear do you have?” “I got a pair of durable socks for landing from flight,” Kerfuffle pulled out the tight and elastic socks from a box. “I have them in ten different colors. I made these back in the day before my incident. Suppose I could use them now, but I haven’t flown the skies in years.” “I’d like to see you fly,” Pickle pointed a hoof to the socks. “Try ‘em?” “Hmmm…..alright,” Kerfuffle nodded as Barley hopped over, assisting her in putting on the socks. “Dear, could you assist me in unhooking this prosthetic right here? Don’t want it damaged on the landing.” “Oh, of course,” Barley worked her hooves over the foreign brown leg, latching it off. “Where did you want this?” “Oh you can hold onto it while I fly,” Kerfuffle stood up, her special socks attached to her three hooves. Managing over to the field outside, Kerfuffle leaned on her hind leg, spreading her wings and taking to the sky. Nearly careening on her side from the wind, Kerfuffle managed her balance in the air and flew past the hotel window nearby. After a few more seconds of flying around Hope Hollow, Kerfuffle landed with the Barrel twins supporting her weight. “Thank you dears,” Kerfuffle hugged Pickle as his sister propped the prosthetic back in its normal place. “I doubt I’ll ever get back to the skills I had as a filly, but the wind was definitely refreshing.” “Maybe Rainbow Dash can help!” Barley suggested, grinning from ear to ear. “Maybe,” Kerfuffle smiled. “I can have the mayor send her another letter sometime.” “Awesome,” Pickle whispered. “Did...you have a hoodie to show me?” “Oh certainly!” Kerfuffle led the two back into the store. The afternoon came and went with Pickle and Barley leaving with several of Kerfuffle’s items. When she’d told the twins that no bits were necessary, her heart warmed up at the sight of their elated expressions. As night began, Kerfuffle started putting different items away and began closing up shop. This day is almost as wonderful as the day my role model came from Ponyville. Oh stars, I miss that pony and her pristine white fur, complimented by her royal purple- “Kerfuffle, was it?” Kerfuffle, who was organizing shirts by color, looked over her shoulder to see a familiar white stallion with a royal blue mane. Her heart quickening even more, Kerfuffle smiled and waved her hoof. “Yes! And you’re Shining, right?” Kerfuffle asked. “What brings ya here?” Shining Armor closed the distance between them in several strides, sneaking his left hoof over Kerfuffle’s silky pink mane and pressing his lips against her own. Kerfuffle’s eyes widened for half a second before she closed them and pressed further into the kiss, the cricket chirps from outside being the only sound in the cold night. Shining pulled away from the kiss, his eyes locked onto Kerfuffle in a way that made her legs shake. “Run away with me,” Shining said. “W-Wha...what about your family?” Kerfuffle whispered. “I’ll be doing them a favor,” Shining sighed, the smile never fading from his lips. “What would I be doing, dragging them down any longer? It was always a relationship meant to fall at the seams, a foal could notice that.” “Does yours?” Kerfuffle asked, to which Shining shrugged. “Time will tell,” Shining answered. “So what do you say?” Kerfuffle glanced at all of her shirts, necklaces, hats, and then at the pegasus-made socks she’d left on her desk. Feeling her heart pulled away from them, Kerfuffle turned to the stallion holding her and nodded. “Yes, I’ll run away with you,” Kerfuffle pressed her lips to his once more, before breaking away. “Just let me put up a sign for my shop.” Kerfuffle grabbed a marker and paper from her desk, writing a few words on the paper before grabbing the paper and her keys. Alongside the stallion, Kerfuffle locked the door to her shop and attached the paper to it with a swipe of tape. “There,” Kerfuffle confirmed. “I trust we won’t be gone too long?” “We won’t,” Shining replied. “After all, I’d like to try any suits you might have in there.” Kerfuffle blushed, covering her smile with her hoof. “Lead the way, my knight in Shining Armor,” Kerfuffle leaned against the stallion, winking at him. Shining Armor wrapped his foreleg around Kerfuffle’s shoulders, and with a spark from his horn, the two ponies disappeared from sight. Rude Awakening“So that’s it?” Flurry’s eyes widened. “He just up and left, and you never saw him again?” “No,” Cadance shook her head. “Maybe that’s what should’ve happened, but you know me by now. When a situation goes sideways-” “You try to fix it,” Flurry nodded, looking at the blankets beneath her. “And I suppose that went sideways too?” Cadance nodded. “But we’re far from finished with the story,” Cadance told her. “Celestia and Luna told me a lot about what happened while I went looking for him.” “Celestia and Luna?” Flurry gasped. “And my Dad still wouldn’t come back for us?” “He was always a stubborn one,” Cadance sighed. “And the morning after he left was one of the hardest days of my life…” Cadance turned over in her bed, her hoof reaching over to brush against...bedsheets. Cadance’s eyes flickered open as she looked at the empty space in front of her. Jumping out of bed, she looked into the crib, seeing Flurry sleeping with her tongue sticking out. Briefly reaching out and brushing her daughter’s mane with her hoof, Cadance took a deep breath before leaving the room. Stomping down the stairs, Cadance gritted her teeth and sharply exhaled through her nostrils as her head swung in the direction of the lobby desk, where a blue unicorn stood in Petunia’s place. “Where in Equestria is she?!” Cadance demanded, stomping her hoof. “Hiding behind a stallion, afraid that she tore apart my marriage?” “Miss, regardless of who you are, I will not have you treat my wife the way you have,” the stallion stared her down. “As mayor, I order you to leave Hope Hollow and never come back.” “And I want you to lay on your back. She caused me to lose my husband, it’s only fair that I repay her in kind. Interested?” Cadance smirked, batting her eyes at the wide-eyed stallion as she bit her lip. The door slammed open as a group of armor-clad stallions stormed in, one of them snapping a ring over the pink alicorn’s horn. Another one trotted up the stairs in the midst of Cadance’s profanity-filled howls, returning to the lobby with Flurry tucked under his hoof. Three of the stallions left with Flurry and a struggling Cadance, while two of them stood outside the hotel door. “Thank you, gentlecolts,” the mayor nodded, using his magic to close the door. “FUCK YOU!” Cadance roared at the closing of the door. Breaking out of the guards’ grip, Cadance stormed over to Kerfuffle’s shop, her eyes widening as she read the sign on the door. “That...that...that bitch!” Cadance screamed, spinning around and colliding her back hooves with the glass next to the door, shattering it. The guards lunged forward, pulling her back as they removed the horn-ring and placed Flurry on her back. Before Cadance could use her magic, a magical bubble enveloped her and her daughter. Punching at the bubble, it suddenly disappeared, and they were surrounded by trees. Cadance felt tears fall down her cheeks as she saw the Canterlot castles in the distance, holding her crying daughter in her hooves. “Shh, everything’s going to be okay,” Cadance whispered, pressing her lips to her daughter’s forehead. “We’re going to see Auntie, she’ll sort this out.” Cadance noticed a tear landing on Flurry before she placed the foal on her back once more, teleporting to the castle in sight. As the Barrel twins returned to the shop, they stopped and gasped as they saw ponies replacing the glass near Kerfuffle’s door. As they galloped over, the dark brown stallion stuck a hoof out to them. “Hey, hey,” the stallion said. “Stand back, you two. There’s still shards in the grass.” “Oh, sorry,” the twins flew off the ground, hovering over the black-maned stallion. “Was there a robbery? Is Kerfuffle okay?” “No thief, just an angry wife,” the stallion shrugged. “The sign says that she’ll be gone for the time-being, but she’ll return soon.” “Did she say where?” Barley asked. The stallion shook his head. “Thank you, Mr…?” Pickle tilted his head. “Fixer Upper,” the stallion rubbed Pickle’s mane before turning back to the shattered window. “You two run along now, stay safe.” The Barrel twins flew off a short distance from their house, when Pickle put his hoof on his sister’s shoulder. “She won’t care if we’re gone,” Pickle glared at the house ahead. “We need to find Kerfuffle. What if that angry wife hurts her?” “You’re right,” Barley nodded. “Should we bring anything?” “I’ll sneak some food and money from the kitchen,” Pickle decided. “If I’m not back in five minutes, go without me.” “Got it,” Barley gave a brief salute as her brother flew into the open window of their house. Feeling her breathing quicken, Barley could only fend away the thoughts of anypony who’d want to cause harm to Kerfuffle. Out with the Old“Now that we got the books reorganized, could you get another letter ready?” Twilight asked her royal adviser as they stood in the library room. “I want to make sure Cadance is adjusting nicely in Hope Hollow.” “No need,” a voice said in the distance. Twilight and Spike both flinched as they turned to see the pink alicorn stepping into the room. “Hey, you’re back early,” Twilight attempted to smile as she wrapped her wing around her sister-in-law. “How was it?” “Given that I lost my husband, and got kicked out of the hotel, it could’ve been a lot better,” Cadance narrowed her eyes, using her magic to gently place Flurry on the carpet. “What...how...what?!” Twilight jumped back, staring at Cadance with wide eyes and an open jaw. Spike leaned over, scooping Flurry into his scaly arms as he walked towards the bookshelves. “He ran away with some fashion designer,” Cadance elaborated. “Her name was Kerfuffle, I’m leaving Flurry with you while I find them.” “And the hotel? I know when I was there, it was a little worse for the wear, but I know they wouldn’t throw you out for no reason,” Twilight’s ears flickered as she stared Cadance down. “Fine!” Cadance muttered, before telling Twilight the events that had transpired, to the point of when she was teleported there. “Cadance!” Twilight snapped. “What? If it wasn’t for that lousy mare, I’d still have my husband!” Cadance protested. “No, Cadance, it’s my fault,” Twilight sighed. “I should never have sent you two to Hope Hollow, maybe events would’ve been better here.” “You couldn’t have known,” Cadance patted Twilight’s shoulder. “Please take care of Flurry. Celestia knows if I’ll make it out of Tartarus alive, and if-” “Tartarus?!” Twilight cried. “Cadance, you can’t...why would you even consider going there?!” “It’s the last place they’d expect me to look,” Cadance shrugged. “But don’t worry, I should make it out in one piece. Goodbye, Twilight.” “Cadance, you can’t just-” A flash of light, and Cadance was gone. “-leave your daughter. Spike, if she’s not back by next week, start setting up the adoption papers.” “Got it,” Spike nodded. “I’ll get her settled in the guest room.” “Why Silver Shoals?” Barley asked, sitting next to her brother on the train. “Well, that wife’s husband might’ve left with Kerfuffle,” Pickle explained. “And Silver Shoals is one of the most populated vacation spots in Equestria, where else would they go?” “I dunno,” Barley tapped her hoof to her chin. “Did you at least bring anything to pass by the time?” “I brought this,” Pickle turned over and stuck his hooves into the backpack, placing a Rubik's cube onto his sister’s lap. “I also brought some of the books from Dash and the others.” “Why didn’t you start with that?” Barley jumped over her brother, knocking the cube out of the way and lifting a book out. “A Wonderbolts’ History! Awesome!” “Give me that one after you’re done,” Pickle told his sister, before finding a book of his own. With the books and occasional snack to keep them occupied, the hours slowly but surely passed by as the train reached its destination. Tucking everything back into the backpack, the Barrel twins galloped off the train without a single word to the staff. They stared at the array of houses resting on the hilltops. “Where do we start?” Barley asked. “I guess we just knock on every door,” Pickle replied with a shrug. The twins did so, with many unfamiliar couples asking the two where their parents were. Couple after couple, and no Kerfuffle or even a lone stallion, was to be found. Eventually, the Barrel twins reached the tallest house in the town, knocking on the door. The door slowly opened, and a tall white pony with both a horn and wings stared down at the two. Her pastel-colored mane floated with a magical shimmer, and a hoof quickly went over her lips. “Where are your parents?” she whispered. “Our mother isn’t looking for us,” Pickle sighed, shaking his head. “We’re looking for a Kerfuffle, we think she ran off with somepony. Have you seen her?” “No, I’m afraid not,” the pony responded. “Are you Celestia?” Barley gasped. “Yes, I am,” Celestia nodded. “Which house do you live in, young ponies?” “Oh, we’re not from here,” Barley said. “We come from a town far away from here, we just got off the train.” “What?” Celestia sharply gasped. “Dear sister, what disturbs the peace now?” a shorter dark blue pony asked, walking to Celestia’s side. “Luna, these foals got here by train…” Celestia leaned forward, whispering in her sister’s ear. “Without their mother.” “Oh! Don’t worry, you two! We’ll get you home right away!” Luna closed her eyes, igniting a magical spell with her horn when the Barrel twins shouted.” “WAIT!” they said in unison. “What is it?” Luna asked, dropping her spell. “We won’t go home until we find Kerfuffle,” Barley insisted. “I suppose another adventure is in order?” Celestia glanced at Luna, a smile growing on her face as she nudged Luna’s shoulder. “Fine,” Luna rolled her eyes. “But once we find her, you return home. Understood?” “About that,” Celestia said. “We can talk about their...living situation along the way.” “Very well, to Canterlot?” Luna asked, to which her sister nodded. Each of the two holding one of the Barrel twins, their horns casted a bolt of magic as the two of them teleported out of sight. “Twilight?” Spike ran back into the library. “Did Cadance come back?” Twilight looked over her shoulder. “No, it’s the sisters. They’re here,” Spike explained. “Oh good stars above,” Twilight groaned, turning around. She froze as she saw two yellow-furred twins walking alongside Celestia and Luna. “Celestia, Luna! Are you looking for their mother?” “No,” Luna growled. “Their mother isn’t even looking for them. We’re looking for a Kerfuffle. She’s a light blue pegasus with a pink mane and a prosthetic, she’s from Hope Hollow.” “Cadance came here earlier, before dumping off Flurry,” Twilight exhaled through her nostrils, glaring at the wall before meeting Celestia’s gaze. “She told me about Shining taking off with her before leaving for Tartarus.” “...do you mean that as an expression of sorts?” Luna asked. “No, she actually teleported to Tartarus,” Twilight repeated. “Oh for my sake,” Celestia hoof-palmed her face, before turning to her sister. “I’ll go get her, you stay with the twins.” “Of course, stay safe sister,” Luna pressed her muzzle to his sister’s shoulder briefly, before the white alicorn teleported away. “Where do you suppose they could’ve gone?” “I might do a search around Canterlot,” Twilight explained. “Otherwise, maybe Las Pegasus? Or Ponyville? Las Pegasus if my brother really is as stupid as he sounds right now.” “We’ll try a quick stop at Ponyville, thank you Princess Twilight. Is there anyway we can repay you?” Luna asked. “Just your help is payment enough,” Twilight smiled, waving a hoof. Luna held the twins close to her with her wings, and the three ponies disappeared from sight. Twilight turned her back to Spike, walking over and returning her position as her desk. “Did he really think he’d get away for long?” Spike muttered. “I don’t know,” Twilight shook her head, staring down at her desk. Spike walked forward, light on his claws, until he could see over Twilight’s shoulder. On her desk was a picture of Twilight and Shining Armor, with Cadance in the middle as she stretched her wings over both of them at the Crystal Empire. “I’ll get you some tea,” Spike sighed, turning away and walking out of the room. Upon reaching Ponyville and asking several others, Luna heard from one of the School of Friendship’s teachers about two figures heading towards the Treehouse of Harmony. With the twins on her back, the dark blue alicorn flew towards the crystal building. Within the Treehouse of Harmony, Kerfuffle had mixed together different plants she had found outside, placing them in crystal bowls. Shining reached the top of the stairsteps, pausing as he noticed her backside for the first time. “Where did you get the prosthetic?” Shining blurted out, covering his mouth with his hoof too late. Kerfuffle paused in her mixing, glancing at Shining Armor out of the corner of her eye. “One of the ponies back at home made it for me,” Kerfuffle told him. “Do you like it?” “It’s lovely,” Shining nodded, walking closer as he wrapped his hoof around Kerfuffle’s shoulders. “Hey, that looks great. How did you know none of the plants were poisonous?” “A few lessons here and there, back when I was a foal,” Kerfuffle waved her hoof around, nudging a bowl in Shining’s direction. “So, why me?” “Why not you,” Shining chuckled, using his horn to take a scoop of the mixed greens into his mouth. Gulping it down, he said “Just look at you, you’re the most beautiful pony I’ve ever laid eyes on. You didn’t shrink away when my wife started talking to you, and your clothes are so creative. Tell me about your family, your dreams, the ponies you loved and lost, start from the beginning.” Kerfuffle turned over and pressed her lips against Shining’s for several seconds longer than the previous kisses, pulling away as she ran a hoof through his mane. “Well, it all sta-” “Kerfuffle!” two voices squealed from the top of the stairs. Kerfuffle broke away from Shining Armor and turned to see the Barrel twins. “Pickle! Barley!” Kerfuffle lowered her fore-hooves and spread her front legs. The twins ran into her embrace as she nuzzled both of them. Shining felt a warm fuzziness as he watched the two, a feeling that jolted out of his body as soon as he locked eyes with… “Luna,” Shining whispered as the alicorn stepped closer. “Please, I don’t love her anymore. She needs to move on for Celestia’s sake.” “If you are to divorce her, you both need to stand before your sister with witnesses,” Luna told him. “Your lover can wait here.” “I’m coming with him,” Kerfuffle walked over, wrapping her fore-hooves around the white unicorn. The twins jumped to their side, looking at Luna with puppy eyes. “Fine,” Luna rolled her eyes, teleporting all five of them out of the Treehouse of Harmony. In with the New“Mom?” Flurry said to her mother. “You left me to go after him?” Cadance froze up for a minute before looking away and frowning. “It was selfish of me, I’m sorry,” Cadance sighed, rubbing her daughter’s mane. “Celestia found me in Tartarus and convinced me to go back. And then Twilight divorced us, with the sisters and the twins as witnesses. And then Shining just threw himself at Kerfuffle and teleported them out of the castle. Right in front of me, and I never saw him again. Maybe if I had just loosened my grip on him, then just maybe he wouldn’t chose to-” “Mom,” Flurry interrupted her. “That won’t help.” “I know sweetie,” Cadance whispered. “Leaving you like that, treating that mare the way I did, flying to Tartarus? I had lost touch with the feeling that I was supposed to be Princess of.” “Well, if you’ve gotten touch with it again, maybe the divorce was good for you,” Flurry explained. “What about these twins you keep mentioning? Did they go back to Hope Hollow?” “Luna tells me that they visit sometimes,” Cadance replied. “But ultimately, Luna decided to adopt them and take them back to Silver Shoals. Like any mother was going to oppose that decision, let alone their own.” “Do you know if Dad and this Kerfuffle are still together?” Flurry asked. “I don’t care to know,” Cadance huffed. “Well, I suppose we’re different after all,” Flurry nodded, glancing at the wall. “I love you, Mom.” “Flurry, what are you-” A flash of light blinded Cadance’s vision for a few aching moments before she regained clarity, not seeing her daughter anywhere in sight. After several more attempts, Flurry Heart finally found herself in a town labeled as Hope Hollow. Ponies of all shapes and sizes were chatting amongst themselves, many of them gravitating towards the bakery. Flurry’s eyes gazed at the town until she saw a shop full of shirts, hats, and other accessories. Walking into the shop, Flurry saw a pastel blue unicorn with a short blonde mane, short tail, and a necklace with a heart with yellow, black, white, and purple colors. “Woah, that’s a lovely necklace,” Flurry gasped as she walked towards the pony. “Thanks, my name is Lake Valor, and you must be Flurry Heart!” the unicorn grinned. “How did you know my name?” Flurry asked. “Oh, my Dad would talk about you all the time, says that you might show up one day,” Valor explained. “C’mon, half-sister, don’t wanna keep him waiting any longer!” Flurry was at a loss for words as her half-sibling galloped out of the shop. Flurry followed them as they opened a door to one of the houses. “Dad!” Valor yelled into the living room. “Guess who’s finally here!” Trudging out into the living room, a white unicorn with a grey-blue mane and slow walk approached them, his eyes shooting wide open as he looked at his daughter. “F-Flurry?” Shining gasped. “You really showed up, you’re here.” “I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Valor patted Flurry’s shoulder before leaving the house. “Where’s Kerfuffle?” Flurry asked. “She passed a few months ago at my bedside,” Shining sighed. “I miss that pink and blue sunshine everyday, but she left us a few foals to keep me company at least.” “What about me?” Flurry growled. “Why the fuck are Kerfuffle and your foals good enough for your time, but not Mom? Or me? Dad, why?” Flurry internally cursed at herself as she caught tears dripping down her face. A tear fell down Shining Armor’s face as well. “Honey, your life was better without me dragging you and your mother down,” Shining explained. “Did you even love me?” Flurry asked. Shining’s face flinched as if he was smacked. Stumbling forward, he embraced his daughter as his sobs came out as shuddering breaths. “More than anything,” he whispered. Flurry couldn’t find it in herself to forgive him that day, but in that moment, she returned his embrace. And together, they wept.
Prologue: Princess of LoveAuthor's Note Prologue: Princess of Love “Will that be all, Princess Cadance?” “Yes, just switch out with Brighthoof and his guards at midnight.” “Yes, Princess,” the guard bowed before getting up, making a beeline towards his post in the castle. Princess Cadance, after all these decades, hadn’t shown a single grey hair in her tri-colored mane. She watched as her guards bolted out of sight, before looking over her shoulder at the tall pink door. She sighed into the empty air, before turning around and walking towards the door. Every hoofstep echoed through the castle halls, as Cadance approached the door and pushed it open. There, on the rosy pink bed in front of her, was her daughter Flurry Heart. The young mare was sprawled on the bed, reading a book before looking up at her mother. “Mother?” Flurry whispered. “What’re you doing here?” “It’s high time that I tell you a bedtime story, Flurry,” Cadance explained, stepping closer to the bed. “Bedtime story?” Flurry smiled, tilting her head. “You haven’t told me one of those since I was a foal. Why tonight?” “I talked with Twilight, you deserved to hear this one for a long time,” Cadance frowned. “Do you remember your father, Shining Armor?” “I’ve heard the locals around the marketplace, calling him a monster,” Flurry admitted. “They’d say that they’d never treat you like he did.” “That’s nice of them,” Cadance covered her blush with her hoof. “Aunt Twilight mentioned that he’s her brother, but she wouldn’t say more than that,” Flurry added. “Wait, you’re going to tell me-” “Yes,” Cadance nodded. “I’m going to tell you what happened to him, and why you’ve never heard from him. If you’re ready.” “Of course,” Flurry felt her hooves shaking underneath her chest, but she stilled them as she closed her book and moved towards her pillows. “Join me?” Cadance nodded, using her magic to close the door as she gently stepped onto the bed, resting one of her wings on her daughter’s back. “Forgive me, Flurry,” Cadance whispered. “This story couldn’t come out of my lips if I tried any day, or any year, before. I’d freeze up, my eyes would-” “Mother,” Flurry looked into her mother’s eyes. “There’s nothing to forgive, you’re ready now. And so am I.” “Okay,” Cadance sighed, staring at the wall. “I met your father when I started foalsitting Twilight. He’d usually come back home from his frat-colt parties, stumbling over his hooves and his words. I’d levitate him to his bed, use whatever spells and teas I could to soothe him to sleep. Sometimes, I would fall asleep on the couch, and I would wake up to the smell of vegetables on the pan. They were always crispy black at the edges, but the gesture would give me butterflies.” “It wasn’t until Twilight moved to Ponyville that we started seeing each other exclusively,” Cadance explained. “Then came a changeling attack, one we had conquered with the power of love. We got married, and several seasons later, we had you: the first alicorn-born foal.” Flurry’s eyes widened as a hint of a smile graced her lips, Cadance smiled back as she continued. “By then, the Crystal Empire was already in our rule. Years had passed, Equestria defeated the most terrifying trio of villains we had seen in ages. One of them, as you know, was released from her prison and properly reformed,” Cadance said. “Twilight and her wife at the time recommended us a place that enjoyed their company, a town called H-Hope Hollow. By then, me and your father had shared the same bed once every few nights if I was lucky. The guards were ordered to keep an eye on him. Even that in itself was a difficult task.” “Anyways,” Cadance ceased her rambling, taking a deep breath. “Twilight regrets her decision deeply, although I tell her it would have made no difference. Once a stray cat, always a stray cat.” Cadance scowled as she said the last sentence, her muzzle scrunching up as her ears flattened. “Now, the real story begins in the heart of Hope Hollow…”
Head Over Hooves for Her“Shiny,” Cadance leaned against her husband, batting her eyelashes. “Your sister thinks this’ll be the perfect hotspot for us to reconnect, you don’t want to disappoint her now, do you?” The two were at the entrance to Hope Hollow, with Flurry Heart giggling and pawing Cadance’s back. Shining felt the tension from the bottom of his hooves to his shoulders as he took in a deep breath. “No, I wouldn’t,” Shining sighed, letting his shoulders drop. “She’s got a point, Flurry deserves to have both of us around. And w-who knows? Maybe a change of scenery could bring the magic back.” Cadance’s eyes lit up, a small smile sparking from her lips. “Wonderful,” Cadance pressed her lips to her husband’s cheek. “I’m going to check us into the hotel, find us a place to eat?” “Sure thing honey,” Shining nodded, breaking away from his wife’s gaze and making a beeline for the bakery. Pies, cakes, salads, sandwiches...Shining Armor gave a short nod at his discovery. Now that his task was done within a matter of seconds, he could peruse his type of selection. He glanced at the mint green unicorn mare talking to a customer over the counter, quickly shaking his head and walking out the door. Too old. Passing by a yellow earth pony with bright red hair, Shining Armor considered it briefly. But the way she carried herself, with her head held high, and her hooves moving forward with such purpose, caused Shining Armor to look away. When he looked in the other direction, he did a double take, landing his eyes on a pegasus with a coat colored like the sky and a rosy pink mane cascading down the side of her face. Her eyes, a deep purple, locked onto Shining Armor’s as she froze. Shining Armor didn’t move, didn’t know if he could move, as the pegasus’ gaze pulled his heart closer and closer… Even though his mind was still checked out, he found his hooves moving on their own accord, closer to the building the mare was in. Eventually, he was close enough that he stood over the pegasus, looking deeply into her eyes. “I love your fur,” she said, trailing a hoof down his leg. “I met a white unicorn once, she was the prettiest pony I’d ever met. It was such a shame she was already coupled up…” The sky blue pegasus was blushing as she glanced away from Shining Armor. Her hoof reached to his chest, and the stallion was still frozen to the touch. He felt as though she could touch every inch of him, and it still wouldn’t break him out of the state he was in. “So rude not to introduce myself,” the mare laughed. “I’m Kerfuffle, and you are?” “You don’t know who I am?” Shining whispered. “No, should I?” Kerfuffle tilted her head. “I suppose a well-built stallion such as yourself is well-known?” “I’m Shining Armor, ruler of the Crystal Empire,” Shining stretched his hoof out, Kerfuffle shaking his hoof slowly as she stared down at it. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Kerfuffle.” Kerfuffle let go of his hoof, grinning from ear to ear as she looked at him, her tail swishing about. “Let me show you around!” Kerfuffle turned around, showing him a different assortment of scarves, shirts, and hats. Kerfuffle grabbed a purple cap, placing it on Shining’s head. Shining felt his horn slip through the cap easily, and he looked at Kerfuffle. “It’s a unicorn cap!” Kerfuffle smiled. “It’s got a special hole in the center for the horn! Do you like it?” Shining felt the heat rising in his body, his heart stirring in a way that he hadn’t remembered feeling in years. Stepping closer, Shining Armor leaned his face closer to Kerfuffle’s. “I love it,” Shining Armor felt Kerfuffle’s fruity breath tickling his nose, and leaned closer- A bell ringing against the door sent Shining Armor stumbling forward and falling to the ground. Kerfuffle looked to the door, seeing a tall pink mare walk in with a foal on her back. “Hey, you two look like Twilight!” Kerfuffle remarked, before glancing back at Shining Armor. “You okay, Shining?” “I’m fine, the bell surprised me. That’s all,” Shining Armor got up, trotting over to his wife. “I see you’ve met my husband already,” Cadance said, narrowing her eyes at the pegasus. “What is your name?” “Kerfuffle!” she replied, smiling at the princess. “Good to meet you, Kerfuffle,” Cadance nodded. “Shining Armor, let’s get going.” “O-Okay,” Shining glanced back at the mare, feeling his heart trying to tug him back. “Bye, Kerfuffle.” Kerfuffle beamed, and waved her hoof as they left.
Final Day Apart“Shining,” Cadance tilted her head. “How long did it take you to find a place?” “Like...half an hour?” Shining replied, not meeting her eyes. “I thought I’d get some more foal clothes for Flurry on the way back.” “I don’t suppose you want to go back?” Shining gulped. “I suppose not.” “Good,” Cadance spat, using her magic to swing the hotel door open. Shining looked down at the ground as he trotted inside, moving past Petunia as he ascended up the stairs. After hearing their door slam shut, Cadance approached Petunia’s desk. “Don’t let him leave anywhere without me,” Cadance ordered. “M-Miss, I can’t dictate where he goes or if he-” Unfurling one of her wings, Cadance revealed a pouch of bits and dropped them on the counter. Petunia pushed the bits back towards the princess, shaking her head. “I’m sorry,” Petunia sighed. “If this continues to be a problem, I’d suggest staying somewhere else.” Cadance swept the bag of bits back under her wing, sticking out her middle feather at Petunia before turning around and going up the stairs. In the dead of night, beside his sleeping wife, Shining stared at the ceiling with his front hooves resting over his chest, feeling the thudding beat under them. His mind reflected back on countless mares that came and went from the bed of the Princess of Love. Could she blame him? When the supposed love pony turned away from his needs? Perhaps she was just waiting, biding her immortal time until Shining passed on. Shining imagined Cadance throwing herself at the hooves of mares and stallions, bathing them in the touches and kisses that she’d been holding back. Shining gritted his teeth as he glanced at his wife, feeling his blood boil. Maybe it’s my fault, Shining contemplated. How could anypony expect the Princess of Love to commit to one pony? When Shining Armor attempted to pull up more detailed memories of his recent conquests, everypony came up blurry, or without a name. But this Kerfuffle, had his heart caught in her cage with her big purple eyes and waves of pink mane. The way heat crept up to his cheeks, and the way his chest warmed up around his beating heart, caused him to softly gasp. This Kerfuffle, he realized, felt different than all the other encounters. But why? Shining glanced away from his wife, looking at the small crib a few hooves away. Shining imagined Flurry on his back as he took off with Kerfuffle, and...no, Cadance would...Shining shook his head. If he left her, ran away with the pegasus, nopony would refer to him as the noble former Captain of the Royal Guard, or co-ruler of the Crystal Empire. He would be the scum on the sidewalk, a name not spoken in public. Was it worth it for her? And even if he didn’t take Flurry, would Cadance take this lying down? Shining growled. Of course she’d take it lying down, whilst a stallion bangs her. What reason is there to stay? For her love? Shining’s ears flattened as he finally closed his eyes, sharply exhaling. Zooming past Kerfuffle’s shop, Barley giggled as her brother’s attempts to fly past her failed. Pickle flapped his wings with increased efforts, but still couldn’t catch up to his sister. Feeling a rush inside him, he batted his wings like a hummingbird and caught up to his sister, now if only- “Hey you two!” “Huh?” Barley looked over her shoulder, only for her brother to collide into her and send the both of them tumbling into the bushes. Groaning, Barley felt a hoof prodding at her. “Oh dear,” the voice said. “I didn’t mean to startle you foals, I’ve just noticed the both of ya wearing the same red outfits everyday. Where’s your mother?” “Off napping with her bottle again,” Pickle huffed. “And we’re not foals.” “Of course,” Kerfuffle giggled. “You poor dears come inside, I’ll getcha some water.” Kerfuffle frowned as she looked at the dirt and tears in their clothes, helping both of the twins back onto their hooves and into her shop. Kerfuffle turned away from them, flying to the back and collecting two water bottles before returning to the twins. “You two darlings should try out some of my collection,” Kerfuffle explained as she handed them the bottles. “I know the perfect beanie for you to wear, little lady. And a hoodie for you too...what are your names?” “I’m Pickle, and this is Barley,” the colt gestured his head in his sister’s direction. “Lovely names,” Kerfuffle remarked, flying away from them. “Let’s see here, here’s the beanie. And there’s a few necklaces and hoofwear over here too.” “May I?” Barley closed her bottle shut, walking over to the bigger pegasus. Kerfuffle nodded, gently dropping a lavender beanie in Barley’s hooves. “I always find certain shades of green and purple to compliment each other,” Kerfuffle explained. “It’s subjective though, so if you don’t-” “I love it,” Barley smiled, wiggling the red beanie off her mane and placing the new one on top. “What kind of hoofwear do you have?” “I got a pair of durable socks for landing from flight,” Kerfuffle pulled out the tight and elastic socks from a box. “I have them in ten different colors. I made these back in the day before my incident. Suppose I could use them now, but I haven’t flown the skies in years.” “I’d like to see you fly,” Pickle pointed a hoof to the socks. “Try ‘em?” “Hmmm…..alright,” Kerfuffle nodded as Barley hopped over, assisting her in putting on the socks. “Dear, could you assist me in unhooking this prosthetic right here? Don’t want it damaged on the landing.” “Oh, of course,” Barley worked her hooves over the foreign brown leg, latching it off. “Where did you want this?” “Oh you can hold onto it while I fly,” Kerfuffle stood up, her special socks attached to her three hooves. Managing over to the field outside, Kerfuffle leaned on her hind leg, spreading her wings and taking to the sky. Nearly careening on her side from the wind, Kerfuffle managed her balance in the air and flew past the hotel window nearby. After a few more seconds of flying around Hope Hollow, Kerfuffle landed with the Barrel twins supporting her weight. “Thank you dears,” Kerfuffle hugged Pickle as his sister propped the prosthetic back in its normal place. “I doubt I’ll ever get back to the skills I had as a filly, but the wind was definitely refreshing.” “Maybe Rainbow Dash can help!” Barley suggested, grinning from ear to ear. “Maybe,” Kerfuffle smiled. “I can have the mayor send her another letter sometime.” “Awesome,” Pickle whispered. “Did...you have a hoodie to show me?” “Oh certainly!” Kerfuffle led the two back into the store. The afternoon came and went with Pickle and Barley leaving with several of Kerfuffle’s items. When she’d told the twins that no bits were necessary, her heart warmed up at the sight of their elated expressions. As night began, Kerfuffle started putting different items away and began closing up shop. This day is almost as wonderful as the day my role model came from Ponyville. Oh stars, I miss that pony and her pristine white fur, complimented by her royal purple- “Kerfuffle, was it?” Kerfuffle, who was organizing shirts by color, looked over her shoulder to see a familiar white stallion with a royal blue mane. Her heart quickening even more, Kerfuffle smiled and waved her hoof. “Yes! And you’re Shining, right?” Kerfuffle asked. “What brings ya here?” Shining Armor closed the distance between them in several strides, sneaking his left hoof over Kerfuffle’s silky pink mane and pressing his lips against her own. Kerfuffle’s eyes widened for half a second before she closed them and pressed further into the kiss, the cricket chirps from outside being the only sound in the cold night. Shining pulled away from the kiss, his eyes locked onto Kerfuffle in a way that made her legs shake. “Run away with me,” Shining said. “W-Wha...what about your family?” Kerfuffle whispered. “I’ll be doing them a favor,” Shining sighed, the smile never fading from his lips. “What would I be doing, dragging them down any longer? It was always a relationship meant to fall at the seams, a foal could notice that.” “Does yours?” Kerfuffle asked, to which Shining shrugged. “Time will tell,” Shining answered. “So what do you say?” Kerfuffle glanced at all of her shirts, necklaces, hats, and then at the pegasus-made socks she’d left on her desk. Feeling her heart pulled away from them, Kerfuffle turned to the stallion holding her and nodded. “Yes, I’ll run away with you,” Kerfuffle pressed her lips to his once more, before breaking away. “Just let me put up a sign for my shop.” Kerfuffle grabbed a marker and paper from her desk, writing a few words on the paper before grabbing the paper and her keys. Alongside the stallion, Kerfuffle locked the door to her shop and attached the paper to it with a swipe of tape. “There,” Kerfuffle confirmed. “I trust we won’t be gone too long?” “We won’t,” Shining replied. “After all, I’d like to try any suits you might have in there.” Kerfuffle blushed, covering her smile with her hoof. “Lead the way, my knight in Shining Armor,” Kerfuffle leaned against the stallion, winking at him. Shining Armor wrapped his foreleg around Kerfuffle’s shoulders, and with a spark from his horn, the two ponies disappeared from sight.
Rude Awakening“So that’s it?” Flurry’s eyes widened. “He just up and left, and you never saw him again?” “No,” Cadance shook her head. “Maybe that’s what should’ve happened, but you know me by now. When a situation goes sideways-” “You try to fix it,” Flurry nodded, looking at the blankets beneath her. “And I suppose that went sideways too?” Cadance nodded. “But we’re far from finished with the story,” Cadance told her. “Celestia and Luna told me a lot about what happened while I went looking for him.” “Celestia and Luna?” Flurry gasped. “And my Dad still wouldn’t come back for us?” “He was always a stubborn one,” Cadance sighed. “And the morning after he left was one of the hardest days of my life…” Cadance turned over in her bed, her hoof reaching over to brush against...bedsheets. Cadance’s eyes flickered open as she looked at the empty space in front of her. Jumping out of bed, she looked into the crib, seeing Flurry sleeping with her tongue sticking out. Briefly reaching out and brushing her daughter’s mane with her hoof, Cadance took a deep breath before leaving the room. Stomping down the stairs, Cadance gritted her teeth and sharply exhaled through her nostrils as her head swung in the direction of the lobby desk, where a blue unicorn stood in Petunia’s place. “Where in Equestria is she?!” Cadance demanded, stomping her hoof. “Hiding behind a stallion, afraid that she tore apart my marriage?” “Miss, regardless of who you are, I will not have you treat my wife the way you have,” the stallion stared her down. “As mayor, I order you to leave Hope Hollow and never come back.” “And I want you to lay on your back. She caused me to lose my husband, it’s only fair that I repay her in kind. Interested?” Cadance smirked, batting her eyes at the wide-eyed stallion as she bit her lip. The door slammed open as a group of armor-clad stallions stormed in, one of them snapping a ring over the pink alicorn’s horn. Another one trotted up the stairs in the midst of Cadance’s profanity-filled howls, returning to the lobby with Flurry tucked under his hoof. Three of the stallions left with Flurry and a struggling Cadance, while two of them stood outside the hotel door. “Thank you, gentlecolts,” the mayor nodded, using his magic to close the door. “FUCK YOU!” Cadance roared at the closing of the door. Breaking out of the guards’ grip, Cadance stormed over to Kerfuffle’s shop, her eyes widening as she read the sign on the door. “That...that...that bitch!” Cadance screamed, spinning around and colliding her back hooves with the glass next to the door, shattering it. The guards lunged forward, pulling her back as they removed the horn-ring and placed Flurry on her back. Before Cadance could use her magic, a magical bubble enveloped her and her daughter. Punching at the bubble, it suddenly disappeared, and they were surrounded by trees. Cadance felt tears fall down her cheeks as she saw the Canterlot castles in the distance, holding her crying daughter in her hooves. “Shh, everything’s going to be okay,” Cadance whispered, pressing her lips to her daughter’s forehead. “We’re going to see Auntie, she’ll sort this out.” Cadance noticed a tear landing on Flurry before she placed the foal on her back once more, teleporting to the castle in sight. As the Barrel twins returned to the shop, they stopped and gasped as they saw ponies replacing the glass near Kerfuffle’s door. As they galloped over, the dark brown stallion stuck a hoof out to them. “Hey, hey,” the stallion said. “Stand back, you two. There’s still shards in the grass.” “Oh, sorry,” the twins flew off the ground, hovering over the black-maned stallion. “Was there a robbery? Is Kerfuffle okay?” “No thief, just an angry wife,” the stallion shrugged. “The sign says that she’ll be gone for the time-being, but she’ll return soon.” “Did she say where?” Barley asked. The stallion shook his head. “Thank you, Mr…?” Pickle tilted his head. “Fixer Upper,” the stallion rubbed Pickle’s mane before turning back to the shattered window. “You two run along now, stay safe.” The Barrel twins flew off a short distance from their house, when Pickle put his hoof on his sister’s shoulder. “She won’t care if we’re gone,” Pickle glared at the house ahead. “We need to find Kerfuffle. What if that angry wife hurts her?” “You’re right,” Barley nodded. “Should we bring anything?” “I’ll sneak some food and money from the kitchen,” Pickle decided. “If I’m not back in five minutes, go without me.” “Got it,” Barley gave a brief salute as her brother flew into the open window of their house. Feeling her breathing quicken, Barley could only fend away the thoughts of anypony who’d want to cause harm to Kerfuffle.
Out with the Old“Now that we got the books reorganized, could you get another letter ready?” Twilight asked her royal adviser as they stood in the library room. “I want to make sure Cadance is adjusting nicely in Hope Hollow.” “No need,” a voice said in the distance. Twilight and Spike both flinched as they turned to see the pink alicorn stepping into the room. “Hey, you’re back early,” Twilight attempted to smile as she wrapped her wing around her sister-in-law. “How was it?” “Given that I lost my husband, and got kicked out of the hotel, it could’ve been a lot better,” Cadance narrowed her eyes, using her magic to gently place Flurry on the carpet. “What...how...what?!” Twilight jumped back, staring at Cadance with wide eyes and an open jaw. Spike leaned over, scooping Flurry into his scaly arms as he walked towards the bookshelves. “He ran away with some fashion designer,” Cadance elaborated. “Her name was Kerfuffle, I’m leaving Flurry with you while I find them.” “And the hotel? I know when I was there, it was a little worse for the wear, but I know they wouldn’t throw you out for no reason,” Twilight’s ears flickered as she stared Cadance down. “Fine!” Cadance muttered, before telling Twilight the events that had transpired, to the point of when she was teleported there. “Cadance!” Twilight snapped. “What? If it wasn’t for that lousy mare, I’d still have my husband!” Cadance protested. “No, Cadance, it’s my fault,” Twilight sighed. “I should never have sent you two to Hope Hollow, maybe events would’ve been better here.” “You couldn’t have known,” Cadance patted Twilight’s shoulder. “Please take care of Flurry. Celestia knows if I’ll make it out of Tartarus alive, and if-” “Tartarus?!” Twilight cried. “Cadance, you can’t...why would you even consider going there?!” “It’s the last place they’d expect me to look,” Cadance shrugged. “But don’t worry, I should make it out in one piece. Goodbye, Twilight.” “Cadance, you can’t just-” A flash of light, and Cadance was gone. “-leave your daughter. Spike, if she’s not back by next week, start setting up the adoption papers.” “Got it,” Spike nodded. “I’ll get her settled in the guest room.” “Why Silver Shoals?” Barley asked, sitting next to her brother on the train. “Well, that wife’s husband might’ve left with Kerfuffle,” Pickle explained. “And Silver Shoals is one of the most populated vacation spots in Equestria, where else would they go?” “I dunno,” Barley tapped her hoof to her chin. “Did you at least bring anything to pass by the time?” “I brought this,” Pickle turned over and stuck his hooves into the backpack, placing a Rubik's cube onto his sister’s lap. “I also brought some of the books from Dash and the others.” “Why didn’t you start with that?” Barley jumped over her brother, knocking the cube out of the way and lifting a book out. “A Wonderbolts’ History! Awesome!” “Give me that one after you’re done,” Pickle told his sister, before finding a book of his own. With the books and occasional snack to keep them occupied, the hours slowly but surely passed by as the train reached its destination. Tucking everything back into the backpack, the Barrel twins galloped off the train without a single word to the staff. They stared at the array of houses resting on the hilltops. “Where do we start?” Barley asked. “I guess we just knock on every door,” Pickle replied with a shrug. The twins did so, with many unfamiliar couples asking the two where their parents were. Couple after couple, and no Kerfuffle or even a lone stallion, was to be found. Eventually, the Barrel twins reached the tallest house in the town, knocking on the door. The door slowly opened, and a tall white pony with both a horn and wings stared down at the two. Her pastel-colored mane floated with a magical shimmer, and a hoof quickly went over her lips. “Where are your parents?” she whispered. “Our mother isn’t looking for us,” Pickle sighed, shaking his head. “We’re looking for a Kerfuffle, we think she ran off with somepony. Have you seen her?” “No, I’m afraid not,” the pony responded. “Are you Celestia?” Barley gasped. “Yes, I am,” Celestia nodded. “Which house do you live in, young ponies?” “Oh, we’re not from here,” Barley said. “We come from a town far away from here, we just got off the train.” “What?” Celestia sharply gasped. “Dear sister, what disturbs the peace now?” a shorter dark blue pony asked, walking to Celestia’s side. “Luna, these foals got here by train…” Celestia leaned forward, whispering in her sister’s ear. “Without their mother.” “Oh! Don’t worry, you two! We’ll get you home right away!” Luna closed her eyes, igniting a magical spell with her horn when the Barrel twins shouted.” “WAIT!” they said in unison. “What is it?” Luna asked, dropping her spell. “We won’t go home until we find Kerfuffle,” Barley insisted. “I suppose another adventure is in order?” Celestia glanced at Luna, a smile growing on her face as she nudged Luna’s shoulder. “Fine,” Luna rolled her eyes. “But once we find her, you return home. Understood?” “About that,” Celestia said. “We can talk about their...living situation along the way.” “Very well, to Canterlot?” Luna asked, to which her sister nodded. Each of the two holding one of the Barrel twins, their horns casted a bolt of magic as the two of them teleported out of sight. “Twilight?” Spike ran back into the library. “Did Cadance come back?” Twilight looked over her shoulder. “No, it’s the sisters. They’re here,” Spike explained. “Oh good stars above,” Twilight groaned, turning around. She froze as she saw two yellow-furred twins walking alongside Celestia and Luna. “Celestia, Luna! Are you looking for their mother?” “No,” Luna growled. “Their mother isn’t even looking for them. We’re looking for a Kerfuffle. She’s a light blue pegasus with a pink mane and a prosthetic, she’s from Hope Hollow.” “Cadance came here earlier, before dumping off Flurry,” Twilight exhaled through her nostrils, glaring at the wall before meeting Celestia’s gaze. “She told me about Shining taking off with her before leaving for Tartarus.” “...do you mean that as an expression of sorts?” Luna asked. “No, she actually teleported to Tartarus,” Twilight repeated. “Oh for my sake,” Celestia hoof-palmed her face, before turning to her sister. “I’ll go get her, you stay with the twins.” “Of course, stay safe sister,” Luna pressed her muzzle to his sister’s shoulder briefly, before the white alicorn teleported away. “Where do you suppose they could’ve gone?” “I might do a search around Canterlot,” Twilight explained. “Otherwise, maybe Las Pegasus? Or Ponyville? Las Pegasus if my brother really is as stupid as he sounds right now.” “We’ll try a quick stop at Ponyville, thank you Princess Twilight. Is there anyway we can repay you?” Luna asked. “Just your help is payment enough,” Twilight smiled, waving a hoof. Luna held the twins close to her with her wings, and the three ponies disappeared from sight. Twilight turned her back to Spike, walking over and returning her position as her desk. “Did he really think he’d get away for long?” Spike muttered. “I don’t know,” Twilight shook her head, staring down at her desk. Spike walked forward, light on his claws, until he could see over Twilight’s shoulder. On her desk was a picture of Twilight and Shining Armor, with Cadance in the middle as she stretched her wings over both of them at the Crystal Empire. “I’ll get you some tea,” Spike sighed, turning away and walking out of the room. Upon reaching Ponyville and asking several others, Luna heard from one of the School of Friendship’s teachers about two figures heading towards the Treehouse of Harmony. With the twins on her back, the dark blue alicorn flew towards the crystal building. Within the Treehouse of Harmony, Kerfuffle had mixed together different plants she had found outside, placing them in crystal bowls. Shining reached the top of the stairsteps, pausing as he noticed her backside for the first time. “Where did you get the prosthetic?” Shining blurted out, covering his mouth with his hoof too late. Kerfuffle paused in her mixing, glancing at Shining Armor out of the corner of her eye. “One of the ponies back at home made it for me,” Kerfuffle told him. “Do you like it?” “It’s lovely,” Shining nodded, walking closer as he wrapped his hoof around Kerfuffle’s shoulders. “Hey, that looks great. How did you know none of the plants were poisonous?” “A few lessons here and there, back when I was a foal,” Kerfuffle waved her hoof around, nudging a bowl in Shining’s direction. “So, why me?” “Why not you,” Shining chuckled, using his horn to take a scoop of the mixed greens into his mouth. Gulping it down, he said “Just look at you, you’re the most beautiful pony I’ve ever laid eyes on. You didn’t shrink away when my wife started talking to you, and your clothes are so creative. Tell me about your family, your dreams, the ponies you loved and lost, start from the beginning.” Kerfuffle turned over and pressed her lips against Shining’s for several seconds longer than the previous kisses, pulling away as she ran a hoof through his mane. “Well, it all sta-” “Kerfuffle!” two voices squealed from the top of the stairs. Kerfuffle broke away from Shining Armor and turned to see the Barrel twins. “Pickle! Barley!” Kerfuffle lowered her fore-hooves and spread her front legs. The twins ran into her embrace as she nuzzled both of them. Shining felt a warm fuzziness as he watched the two, a feeling that jolted out of his body as soon as he locked eyes with… “Luna,” Shining whispered as the alicorn stepped closer. “Please, I don’t love her anymore. She needs to move on for Celestia’s sake.” “If you are to divorce her, you both need to stand before your sister with witnesses,” Luna told him. “Your lover can wait here.” “I’m coming with him,” Kerfuffle walked over, wrapping her fore-hooves around the white unicorn. The twins jumped to their side, looking at Luna with puppy eyes. “Fine,” Luna rolled her eyes, teleporting all five of them out of the Treehouse of Harmony.
In with the New“Mom?” Flurry said to her mother. “You left me to go after him?” Cadance froze up for a minute before looking away and frowning. “It was selfish of me, I’m sorry,” Cadance sighed, rubbing her daughter’s mane. “Celestia found me in Tartarus and convinced me to go back. And then Twilight divorced us, with the sisters and the twins as witnesses. And then Shining just threw himself at Kerfuffle and teleported them out of the castle. Right in front of me, and I never saw him again. Maybe if I had just loosened my grip on him, then just maybe he wouldn’t chose to-” “Mom,” Flurry interrupted her. “That won’t help.” “I know sweetie,” Cadance whispered. “Leaving you like that, treating that mare the way I did, flying to Tartarus? I had lost touch with the feeling that I was supposed to be Princess of.” “Well, if you’ve gotten touch with it again, maybe the divorce was good for you,” Flurry explained. “What about these twins you keep mentioning? Did they go back to Hope Hollow?” “Luna tells me that they visit sometimes,” Cadance replied. “But ultimately, Luna decided to adopt them and take them back to Silver Shoals. Like any mother was going to oppose that decision, let alone their own.” “Do you know if Dad and this Kerfuffle are still together?” Flurry asked. “I don’t care to know,” Cadance huffed. “Well, I suppose we’re different after all,” Flurry nodded, glancing at the wall. “I love you, Mom.” “Flurry, what are you-” A flash of light blinded Cadance’s vision for a few aching moments before she regained clarity, not seeing her daughter anywhere in sight. After several more attempts, Flurry Heart finally found herself in a town labeled as Hope Hollow. Ponies of all shapes and sizes were chatting amongst themselves, many of them gravitating towards the bakery. Flurry’s eyes gazed at the town until she saw a shop full of shirts, hats, and other accessories. Walking into the shop, Flurry saw a pastel blue unicorn with a short blonde mane, short tail, and a necklace with a heart with yellow, black, white, and purple colors. “Woah, that’s a lovely necklace,” Flurry gasped as she walked towards the pony. “Thanks, my name is Lake Valor, and you must be Flurry Heart!” the unicorn grinned. “How did you know my name?” Flurry asked. “Oh, my Dad would talk about you all the time, says that you might show up one day,” Valor explained. “C’mon, half-sister, don’t wanna keep him waiting any longer!” Flurry was at a loss for words as her half-sibling galloped out of the shop. Flurry followed them as they opened a door to one of the houses. “Dad!” Valor yelled into the living room. “Guess who’s finally here!” Trudging out into the living room, a white unicorn with a grey-blue mane and slow walk approached them, his eyes shooting wide open as he looked at his daughter. “F-Flurry?” Shining gasped. “You really showed up, you’re here.” “I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Valor patted Flurry’s shoulder before leaving the house. “Where’s Kerfuffle?” Flurry asked. “She passed a few months ago at my bedside,” Shining sighed. “I miss that pink and blue sunshine everyday, but she left us a few foals to keep me company at least.” “What about me?” Flurry growled. “Why the fuck are Kerfuffle and your foals good enough for your time, but not Mom? Or me? Dad, why?” Flurry internally cursed at herself as she caught tears dripping down her face. A tear fell down Shining Armor’s face as well. “Honey, your life was better without me dragging you and your mother down,” Shining explained. “Did you even love me?” Flurry asked. Shining’s face flinched as if he was smacked. Stumbling forward, he embraced his daughter as his sobs came out as shuddering breaths. “More than anything,” he whispered. Flurry couldn’t find it in herself to forgive him that day, but in that moment, she returned his embrace. And together, they wept.
