The Trials of Love

Stress was currently at an all-time high for one Princess Cadence, as she sat upon the crystal throne in the grand hall of the palace. The day already took too long for her liking what with having to balance caring for Flurry and handling affairs with the crystal court. Her head ached greatly, as she rubbed her temples with the soft tips of her wings. Currently, she was settling a dispute between two crystal ponies arguing over a land dispute… trying to. One of them, a red Pegasus mare named Ruby Rose, and the other, an emerald-green Unicorn stallion named Spear Mint. Apparently, Miss Rose purchased a piece of property that unknowingly was still under Mr. Mint’s ownership.

“I deserve that land!” Ruby argued. “I worked my hooves to the bone for years to finally pay for it. Why should I be cast out just because he found an old deed?”

“That old deed officiates the property as my birth right!” Spear Mint argued back. “It’s been handed down by my great grandfather and I hope to do the same for my children!”

“If it’s so important, why haven’t you kept up with the mortgage? It’s no wonder the bank repossessed it, ergo allowing me the right to purchase it.”

“The bank has had it in for my family for decades. They’ve hatched countless schemes to cheat us off our land, something you can’t possibly understand the frustration!”

“ENOUGH!!!”

The sudden booming voice caused both ponies to quickly shut up and turn wide-eyed toward a very annoyed Princess Cadence. The alicorn mare slowly stood from her throne and descended the steps till she stands between the two bickering ponies. She looked from one to the other before drawing a deep breath.

“You both make valid claims to the property in question,” She informed. “However, under the matter of legality, I must rule in favor to Miss Ruby Rose!”

“Yes!” Ruby cheered.

“This is outrageous!” Spear Mint argued.

“Mr. Mint, I apologize if you’re unhappy with the decision,” Cadence spoke calmly. “But you didneglect paying the mortgage. By law, the bank reserves every right to repossess it. Seeing as Miss Rose purchased the property in her name, she’s now the legal owner.”

Spear mint growls under his breath as he stares daggers toward both the princess and the Pegasus mare.

“First the bank plots against my family,” He said angrily. “Now the crown turns against us too. I won’t stand for this… you hear me! I’m getting it back whether you permit me or not! Just you wait!”

The agitated stallion turned hoof, storming angrily down the grand hall. Cadence drew another breath before facing Ruby Rose, who was much happier now.

“Thank you princess,” Ruby thanked her. “Had I lost this case, I’d have been homeless and bankrupt.”

“You’re most welcome Miss Rose,” Cadence responded sweetly. “Enjoy it.”

Ruby Rose trotted away from the hall and the two royal guards stood watch as they closed the doors behind her. Cadence released an exasperated sigh, as she made her way back to the throne and slumped down in exhaustion.

“I love my little ponies with all my heart, but they break me down to the core,” She sighed.

The sound of giggling and babbling drew her attention to the side. She saw Flurry Heart in the hooves of her nanny, Mrs. Clean Sweep. The mare served as both nanny and maid in the palace since Cadence and Shining Armor took control of the Crystal Empire. The pearl coated elder unicorn mare, with the feather duster cutie mark, had been such a loyal, wonderful help for Cadence since she had Flurry Heart. It lightened the workload, if only by a little, which is exactly what’s needed.

“Your highness, I’m terribly sorry but I must leave immediately,” Clean Sweep said urgently.

“Is there a problem?” Cadence asked.

“It’s my husband, your highness,” Clean Sweep answered. “He’s been terribly sick as of late and seems to have taken a turn for the worse. I must take him to the hospital before his condition worsens.”

“Oh dear!” Cadence gasped. “Then you must go right away. I can handle Flurry Heart for the rest of the day. Thank you Clean Sweep. I hope you husband gets better soon.”

“As do I my princess,” Clean Sweep nodded. “Thank you for your kind wishes. I’ve just fed the little princess mere moments ago and she’s fully changed. Now if you excuse me, I really must be off.”

Cadence used her magic to lift her daughter from the elderly mare’s hooves, floating her toward her own. Clean Sweep made her down the hall as quickly as she could, leaving Cadence and Flurry to themselves. Candence looked down toward her daughter, who babbled happily as she reached for her mother. Cadence let out a cheerful giggle, as she used one hoof to gently tickle her daughter’s tummy.

“Did you have a good day with Mrs. Sweep?” Cadence asked in a baby voice. “Were you on your best behavior?”

Flurry giggled, nodding her tiny head as Cadence kept tickling her.

“Thankfully, I have a little break from my duties today. What do you say? Want to play?”

Flurry kept giggle, as Cadence proceeded to blow raspberries onto her tummy. Just then, a sudden quake in the Earth caused both to go wide-eyed as a blinding flash of light flowed through the windows. Cadence shielded both their eyes with her wings till the light finally faded. When she unfolded her wings back, a few guards rushed into the hall lead by an Earth pony in golden armor, Sergeant Silver Shield.

“Princess, are you alright?!” He yelled.

“Yes, we’re alright,” Cadence assured him. “What’s happening Sergeant?”

“We’re not certain your highness,” Silver Shield responded. “But whatever it was, seems to emulate from the North mountain.”

“Is it possible we could be under attack?” Cadence asked worriedly.

“We don’t know. Captain Shining Armor is assembling an entourage of guards as we speak to investigate the mountains.”

“WHAT?!” She gasped loudly. “Why would he go when we have absolutely no idea what’s caused this? At least he should’ve told me so I can go with him!”

She made to leave, but Silver Shield and a few other guards stopped her in her tracks.

“My apologies your highness,” He spoke. “But the prince ordered us to keep you here for your own protection.”

“I am your Princess! You will do as I command and let me speak with him!”

“I would my Princess, but it’s too late. Captain Armor and the guards are heading for the city border at this moment.”

Cadence placed Flurry on her back and walked quickly to one of the windows. She looked out below and saw Shining Armor with a squadron of guards approaching the border gates. As much as she wanted to know what’s going on, she also didn’t want her husband risking danger to some unknown force. However, she knows when he has a goal in mind, there’s little to nothing to stop him from protecting the empire. All she could do was lean against the edge of the window, watching them go.

“Be safe…” She whispered.

<>

Pain…

The only feeling James Monroe felt, while sprawled upon the ground. As he laid practically motionless, all he could think of was the blaring car horn and the flashing headlights. He’d just been in a terrible car accident, certain that he was on the brink of death. Perhaps probably for the best anyway. After all, he hadn’t much to live for anymore. No job, no house, no family, not even friends. All that was left for him was death.

Slowly opening his dark green eyes, he was instantly blinded by a bright white light. He quickly shut them again as he tried to move his sore, aching body. All he was truly able to do for a moment was roll himself onto his back and looked up at the blinding light.

“Is this heaven?” He wondered. “Does this explain the white light looming over me?”

He blinked his eyes a few times, trying to adjust to the light, and soon enough it started to fade. When it did, he soon realized he was gazing up at the crystal blue sky with the sun shining brightly onto him.

Attempting to move some more, he struggled through the pain to sit up. He arched upward and looked around seeing everything around him. Rather than seeing wrecked cars, policeman’s cars and paramedics abound, and crowds of worried people (If any at all), he saw nothing but snowy white landscapes as far as the eye can see. From what he could tell, he seemed to be on some kind of mountain surrounded by nothing but snow.

“What the hell?” He asked confused.

A sudden rush of cold air struck hard, and quickly he wrapped his arms around himself.

“If this is heaven, it could really use a heater,” He said. “And if it’s Hell, then clearly they failed to mention this at Sunday Service.”

He rubbed his arms attempting to heat himself. Unfortunately for him, he still wore a t-shirt and jeans so there was hardly anything to protect him from the bitter cold. He realized the longer he stayed where he was, the quicker he’d freeze if he didn’t find warmth. Mustering all his strength, he lifted himself onto his feet and groaned in pain which shot up his entire body. Slowly but surely, he lifted one foot in front of the other as he made his way down the snowy path leading to God knows where. The more he walked, the colder it seemed. His teeth started to chatter from the bitter cold, his skin starting to feel as if it was burning.

*Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!*

Monroe stopped in his tracks, as the sound of crunching snow caught his ears. His eyes circled the area, but with the blistering winds clouding his vision it proved difficult to see. His body tensed slightly, and not just due to the cold coursing against his exposed skin. The crunching sounds continued, drawing closer… coming to him. He stood on guard waiting, his eyes darting around as if the footsteps are surrounding him.

Then all at once, shadowy silhouettes began to form before his eyes. Someone… or somethingwas approaching him, and he had a sinking feeling they had hostile intent. The figure slowly came into view, approaching the man on four legs. But both to the man’s confusion and astonishment it was an equine creature. A shiny, glittery equine with silver armor reminiscent of the roman armor… complete with a red tuff of hairlike material atop. It stood within six feet of the man’s presence and it just… stared at him.

“A sparkling war horse?” Monroe muttered, cringing. “Now I know I’m not in America.”

Monroe looked side to side wondering if anyone else was around. But all that stood on these grounds thus far aside from Monroe was that small, armored horse, who snorted in the air which flowed through the wintry breeze.

“Where’s your rider?” He asked aloud.

The creature’s nostrils flared and it’s eyes went wide. And all at once, a spear hovered over its head as the pony grit its teeth. While wide-eyed over the weapon pointing at his face, what really drew the man’s attention was the unicorn horn sticking through the exposed area of his helmet.

“Now I know I’m in hell…” Monroe muttered.

With a mighty whinny, the guard charged toward the man and lunged it’s spear to pierce him. Remarkably, Monroe acted quickly… swirled past the spear thrust past him and actually elbowed the pony across the jaw. The crystal pony was taken aback, stumbling about as his eyes swirled. Then he fell face-first into the snow… alive but unconscious. And the man stood there with his elbow out, breathing heavily.

“Yeah… that was a bad idea pal,” Monroe spoke.

Suddenly, shouts and jeers drew the man’s attention as an army of the guard ponies raced toward the human. Plenty of them unicorns but to his surprise there were ponies with wings flying toward him. The majority of them wielded spears with intent to bring him down while a pair carried a heavy net and stretched it out to catch him. Monroe stepped back till he bumped into a tree as the two ponies aimed to ensnare him with the net.

Within a few steps close, Monroe ducked to the side and the net caught the tree instead, propelling the two ponies around… and smacked into each other knocking them out cold. A yell made the man quickly turn as an Earth pony swung its spear with his fore hooves. The man swayed side to side, evading the spear until the pony charged with a swing… and Monroe caught the pony and hurled him over his shoulder knocking him flat on his back.

Grabbing the spear, he blocked an incoming assault by another guard. Their blunt sides of the spear collided with each strike for a few seconds. Until eventually Monroe broke his opponent’s spear in half with a powerful swing and raised the blunt end of the spear up the guard’s muzzle. He raised the pony higher and higher and higher… and removed it just before the pony sneezed.

“AHCHOO!!!” The guard sneezed.

“Gesundheit,” Monroe replied.

“Thanks…” The guard sighed.

Monroe performed a double take for a moment before he used the blunt side of his own spear and smacked him on top the guard’s head. His ears rang as his helmet shook and then he fell to the side onto the snow. Monroe looked at the spear, seeing it’s broken and hurled the blade side into the snow. A cry from the sky made him look up as a Pegasus guard lunged to catch him.

Rolling his eyes, Monroe crouched and prepared himself. When the guard was in reach, he grabbed the guard and rolled backward landing on top of the shocked guard. He looked up as another Pegasus descended from above with a mighty shout. Monroe rolled aside just as the guard landed… smashing his colleague right in the stomach knocking the wind out.

“WHY?!?!?!?!” The guard gasped.

“Oh, I’m so sorry—” The other apologized.

“HI-YAH!!!!” Monroe shouted.

With a swift spin kick, he struck the distracted guard up the side of his head and knocked him over. Monroe groaned as he clutched his back, as if all the action were putting a strain on muscles he hadn’t used. But he kept his arms up and looked around, as he could see silhouettes of other guards surrounding him.

“Come on! Come on!” Monroe beckoned, throwing his arms. “I’ll take you on one-by-one! Come on! Gimme your best shot and get it over with!!!*

*WHAM!!!*

A buck struck behind Monroe, sending him fumbling forward…

*BAM!!!*

Monroe’s head struck another tree, he slowly walked backward clutching his now bruised forehead. He stood on his feet for a moment before his eyes started falling back.

“Ow…”

And then at last, James Monroe fell backward onto the snow as Shining Armor looked toward the defensive man, breathing heavily as he lowered his hind legs. After making a successful move, he slowly made his toward James, now lying unconscious on the snow-covered ground. While the Captain helped some of his fallen comrades to their feet, the rest of the pony guards cautiously approached Monroe and stood over him.

At last, Shining Armor approached his entire guard and looked down curiously toward the mysterious creature.

“What in the name of Equestria is this thing?” He asked.

One of the guards prodded the man with the blunt end of his spear. He received no reaction due to the man being knocked out.

“Looks like some form of hairless monkey, captain,” The guard assumed.

“Maybe it’s a yeti,” Another suggested. “But I never heard of any that comes this far.”

Shining Armor stepped forward slowly, kneeling down to examine the creature closely. Gently reaching out a hoof to tap the creature on the side, he observed the milky white flesh covering its body even the strange clothes it wore.

“I’m not sure what this thing is,” Shining Armor broke the silence. “But we can’t leave it here and risk it regaining its strength… probably to come down the mountain and terrorize the empire. I suggest we bring it back to the palace and throw in the dungeon. We’ll decide what to do with it there.”

“Yes Captain,” The guards agreed.

A few unicorn guards conjured their magic to lift the man off the snowy ground and wrapped the net over him. With the man in custody, they levitated him high over their heads and marched forward with Shining Armor taking the lead. The guards strolled down the mountain towards the Crystal Palace, with no idea what this thing was or even how it ended up here. He knew the landscapes of the empire and all the creatures inhabiting it, but this… this beast certainly was a new case if had ever seen one.

One thing was absolutely certain, it was clearly intelligent to dodge their attacks and fight back. Shining Armor would be lying if he did not admit that the creature’s skills are impressive. But, at the same time, such skill makes this creature a dangerous threat to any pony around. Least now it won’t be able to hurt any pony soon as they have it locked in a cell. Then after that… who knows?