The Trials of Love

The sky was black and cold on a dreary, rainy fall day in the city of Minneapolis. The capital city of the great state of Minnesota on a daily basis could only be described as a bustling metropolis. Gigantic buildings, fantastic restaurants, and people crossing the street as far as the eye could see. The one thing that really sucked about Minneapolis, actually Minnesota in general, was the weather could be a real shit show. It could be hot as the seventh layer of hell during the summer to being cold as a mother-in-law’s heart in winter. But today, however, it decided to rain like cats-and-dogs falling onto the city.

*BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!*

The loud blaring of the alarm clock roused a very sleepy, very grumpy individual from the land of dreams. The person in question reached over and pounded his fist on the clock a few times till it either turned off… or broke. Honestly, he didn’t really care which. Sitting up in bed, stretching his aching and tired limbs, a strapping man of about thirty years groaned as he dreaded the day ahead. His name… James Monroe.

James was a rather built man, though most definitely no bodybuilder by any means. He stood about six foot tall, weighed at least 220 pounds. He had pixie-cute black hair that connected down to his chin in a neatly kept goatee. If there’s one thing this man was known for it was maintaining great facial hair.

James grumbled incoherently to himself as he slugged his way to the bathroom of his one bedroom apartment. Flipping on the light, James looked at himself in the mirror with a heavy sigh.

“Another day of back-breaking labor,” He groaned.

James reached into the back pocket of his grey sweatpants, pulling out his iPhone. Pulling up his music list and scrolling through the playlist, he selected a song that perfectly described his life right now.

James proceeded to jump into the shower and began preparations for the day ahead. As the warm water cascaded down his body, it was the only time of day where he could actually relax. Afterwards, it was pretty much pure shit. Finishing up his shower, James quickly jumped out and grabbed his toothbrush to brush his teeth. He walked back into his bedroom, dressing himself in an everyday white t-shirt and old, faded jeans. His usual work outfit for when it came to working in the local factory. Slipping on his old clunky brown work boots, James grabbed his coat and headed out the door. Just before he walked away, he turned back to the door and saw an urgent notice from the landlord of his apartment.

Final Notice

“Spare me…” James groaned to himself.

He’d been struggling the past few months to pay the rent. He’d think living by himself in a small apartment would cost less, but he was beyond wrong. Living in a big city like he did, even smaller apartments cost big money. James feared if he didn’t start finding a way to pay the rent soon, he’d be out in the streets within the week. Turns out living on his own didn’t have all the benefits.

What else could he really do though? He didn’t have friends to stay with or anyone who’d stay with him to help pay the rent. He didn’t even have a girlfriend, thank God in his eyes. Both his parents passed away years ago and he was an only child meaning he didn’t have any siblings or other relatives to help him out either. James Monroe was truly all alone in this crazy world.

“You really pick your favorites, don’t you God?” He asked himself.

In any case, James went forth to his job. Getting out to his car, he quickly climbed in and drove toward the iron factory where he worked. As he drove through the rain-flooded streets of the city, he secretly wished his life were different than what it was. All he wanted, more than anything, was a new life where things could finally go his way.

<>

The radiant celestial body of the sun rose high over the majestic palace of the Crystal Empire. The governing body North of Equestria was in the midst of its most prosperous time ever. After the recent Crystalling, where the Elements of Harmony and three princesses of Equestria stopped the Empire from falling into eternal winter, things were pretty perfect. Speaking of princesses of Equestria, one of them in particular had just woken from a peaceful night’s sleep.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence as she preferred to be called, slowly sat up in her extremely comfortable grand bed in the palace’s royal suite. The Princess of Love yawned cutely, stretching out before turning to look over the other side of the bed. She hoped at least one time this morning to look over and see her husband Shining Armor still snoring away. Those hopes were quickly dashed as she frowned at the sight of an empty space on the bed where Shining Armor should have been.

Cadence loved her husband more than life itself; in fact, she risked her own life to save him and all Equestria from Queen Chrysalis on the eve of their wedding. Lately, however, she noticed a significant change in her relationship with her Shiny. It seemed lately he’d been more focused on his duties as Captain of the Royal Guard more than being with her. She understood that his position as Captain required lots of time and energy. But it seemed that’s all he cared about lately. He’d constantly be out all day training troops, patrolling the border, and when he would return home at night he’d be tired he’d go straight to bed. Nowadays, he’d barely even acknowledge her… let alone touch her.

Cadence pushed those thoughts from head as she got off the bed and trotted her way to the gigantic walk-in-closet along the far corner of the room. Using her magic, she grabbed a brush off the vanity mirror from the other end of the closet and used it to thoroughly brush her bright pink, purple, and yellow mane. Once that was finished, she also brushed her bright pink coat all the way down to her Crystal Heart cutie mark on her flank. Finally, she used her magic to adorn herself with her signature golden horseshoes, regalia, and tiara. Admiring her reflection in the giant mirror, she smiled brightly.

“Perfect!” She declared softly.

A baby crying quickly drew her attention away from the mirror. She giggled to herself as she shook her head. Quickly making her way to the adjacent room to her own, she pushed the gigantic doors open and walked in to see her infant daughter, Princess Flurry Heart, thrashing about in her bed. The little alicorn foal seemed incredibly fussy as Cadence made her way to the bed side and lifted Flurry into her waiting arms with her magic.

“Shh… it’s okay Flurry,” She soothed. “Mommy’s here now. Are you hungry?”

Cadence used her magic to lift a waiting baby bottle from the nearby changing table and brought it toward Flurry’s face. The little foal fussed further and used her own magic to hurl it at the wall shattering it to pieces. Flurry continued to cry as Cadence gently rocked her in her arm to sooth her.

“Okay… maybe you need to be changed?”

She brought Flurry over to the changing table, proceeding to change her diaper and apply a fresh one. But even after that, Flurry continued to cry and fuss for some reason. Now Cadence started to become concerned.

“Perhaps a song could help?”

She quickly trotted over to the nearby rocking chair, sitting herself with Flurry in her arms. She used her magic to give Flurry her favorite stuffed snail, Wammy, and she gently rocked the chair back and forth softly singing…

Hush little Flurry, don’t you cry
Momma’s gonna bake you an apple pie.
And if that apple pie’s too cold
Momma’s gonna give you a ring of gold…

But it didn’t matter how or what she tried; Flurry Heart would not stop crying. Tears ran down her porcelain cheeks from her huge baby blue eyes. Cadence sighing, having no idea what else she could possibly do.

Just then, Flurry instantly stopped crying and instead babbled happily as she reached her tiny hooves for the door. Cadence turned toward the doorway and saw the image of Shining Armor dressed in his Captain’s armor entering their room. Sighing happily to herself, she stood up with Flurry and made her way back to their room where Shining Armor was.

“Good morning Shining!” Cadence said sweetly.

“Morning Cadence!” Shining said quickly.

The stallion was running all around the room as though desperately searching for something. Cadence cocked a curious eyebrow as she watched her husband run rampant all around the room.

“Looking for something, dear?” She asked.

“My chest guard,” Shining responded. “I’ve checked the barracks, the towers, everywhere. I can’t find it anywhere!”

“I think I saw it in the bathroom.”

“Right!!!”

Shining immediately raced to the master bathroom and emerged a moment later as he adjusted his chest guard onto his armor.

“Thanks honey,” He smiled. “You’re a true lifesaver.”

He quickly raced back out of the room, but Cadence stepped in his way, and he halted in place.

“Honey wait!” She spoke desperately. “Before you go, can you please help me with Flurry?”

“I wish I could sweetie,” Shining responded quickly. “But I’ve got lots to do today.”

“Please Shining,” She begged. “I’ve tried everything to calm her down this morning. But she just kept crying until she saw you. Could you maybe spend just a few minutes with her?”

Before Shining could answer, a Pegasus royal guard knocked on the open door to their room causing them to face his direction.

“Captain Armor, your presence is requested in the barracks for training,” He said.

Shining nodded and the guard quickly disappeared from view.

“I’m sorry honey, but I’ve really got to go,” Shining insisted. “I’ll see you and Flurry for dinner.”

“You promise?” Cadence asked, pleading.

“I won’t be late!” Shining Armor smiled. “Love you!”

He quickly kissed Cadence on the cheek, and Flurry on the forehead, before racing away to follow the guard.

“Wait Shining—” Cadence called.

But her words fell on deaf ears as Shining Armor disappeared around the corner. The moment he’s out of view, Flurry Heart once again burst into tears and cried. This left Cadence all alone once more to deal with a fussy Flurry Heart… along with the day-to-day operations of the Crystal Empire. Cadence sighed to herself, as she looked out the giant window of their room toward Celestia’s glowing sun looming overhead. It seemed lately she was all alone, even around her subjects. She just wished she didn’t have to be…

<>

James groaned to himself as he labored through another hard day manufacturing iron products at the factory he was employed at. Currently he was melding on a series of iron chains for a shipping company, and it took him forever. If he were completely honest, he absolutely hated working in the factory. However, what else was there really for him to do?

He couldn’t attend classes in college because, upon graduating high school, he had to get a job to care for his ailing parents. He worked all day and night at the factory for the past few years just to pay for his parents medical bills. Then when they passed away, he was so depressed that he gave up all desire and will to further his own success. Instead, he stayed at the factory to work full time. A decision he was greatly regretting now.

“Attention! Emergency meeting in progress!” The Foreman shouted, over the intercom. “All employees report to the office, pronto.”

Though this meant James had to abandon his current objective, he sighed with relief. At least for the time being he finally took a break. Making his way into the foreman’s office, along with the rest of his co-workers, they stood waiting as the foreman entered.

“Gentlemen, as you all know I’ve called you here for a matter of upmost importance,” He said. “I only wish this meeting had good news instead of bad.”

All his coworkers started to murmur amongst themselves over what this could be about. James just stood with anxious anticipation.

“Unfortunately, due to the lack of business we received, our owner Mr. Edwards has decided to sell the factory,” The foreman continued. “I regret to inform you that as of today, we are officially closing our doors.”

Everyone began to talk amongst themselves, while James stood there completely shocked. He couldn’t believe what he just heard. Selling the factory? This was the only place he had employment for years, since he was a teenager… and now it was going away.

“So what?” James called out. “We’re all out of work? Just like that?”

“Afraid so Mr. Monroe,” The foreman nodded regretfully. “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. It was an honor to work with you all.”

Everyone soon dispersed from the area while James stood completely frozen. What was he going to do now? This was his only job where he just managed to scrape enough pay for five years just to pay for his apartment. There was no way he’d be able to pay for it flipping burgers at McDonalds. A hand upon his shoulder snapped him out of his trance and he turned toward his Human Resources manager, Ron Johnson.

“I’m real sorry James,” Ron apologized. “I know you’ve been through a lot. Here… the last check you’ll ever need.”

Ron handed James his final check and a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving. Ever since James started working at the factory, Ron was the only person James liked at his job. Always understanding and helpful in any situation James has been through. If it weren’t for employee-supervisor relationships, he honestly thought of Ron as a good friend… perhaps even a second father. Before leaving, Ron turned back toward James one last time.

“I really hope things work out for you buddy,” He said.

“Thanks man,” James responded.

Ron then headed for the door and into the cold night. James slowly grabbed his goat, along with the rest of his stuff, before heading out. He ran to his car to escape the still pouring rain. As he drove back home, all he could think about was how much his life sucked right now.

Finally pulling up in front of his apartment building, James quickly ran inside and walked down the hall to his apartment. When he got there, he noticed all his stuff sitting outside the door in bags. Another sign posted over the last.

Eviction Notice

James groaned again as he leaned his head against the wall, banging his fist. Just when he thought the day couldn’t possibly get any worse, somehow it finds a way. Now with no job and nowhere to live, there seemed to be nothing he could do now… except leave. James quickly grabbed all his stuff and carried them back to his car.

Jumping back into the driver’s seat, James grit his teeth and bashed his head repeatedly into the steering wheel in frustration. He had no idea where to go or what to do, but he knew he needed to figure out something. Lifting his head off the wheel, blood dripping from his bruising head, he started the car and drove down the road with nowhere to go except anywhere that’s far from this city. Pulling out his iPhone again, plugging it into the car, James played the saddest song on his playlist:

As he drove down the road, he noticed the visibility quickly became less and less manageable. The rain just poured so hard even his windshield wipers couldn’t give him a clear view of the road. Not to mention the night’s as black as coal, which dropped visibility down to almost zero. James squinted his eyes as possible trying to see where he was going. The sound of a car horn blaring and a blinding light from his left was the last thing James saw as his car was smashed by another.

And then… nothing.