The war hero's shadow

in the morning Cecil was about ready, as he took a moment to make sure his school uniform was properly pressed. He opened his door where he was met with two armed guards. Already this looked like a bad start to his day and it seemed to get worse when they ordered him to hold his hands out. The guards cuffed him and lead him away from the barracks and to the local jail. They put him in a cell and Cecil was all the more thankful he had decided to keep his firearms in a lockbox ready for transportation back to Ponyville. He laid on the rock bed closing his eyes trying to get some sleep but his brain kept him awake. He knew this was about the fight last night and he was trying to get prepared to face shining. As predicted maybe half an hour later shining came into the cell with a mad expression on his face.

Instead of going to the interrogation room, they went to an empty office where Shining sat behind a desk rubbing his temples.

"Before I jump to conclusions I want to hear your side."

Cecil leaned back putting both his hands behind his head.

"Me and Baron went to this bar called the chip block, had a few drinks played some pool and went back to the bar just enjoying the night. Then this Aquarius colored stallion walks up to us and asks if we want to put money on the table in a pool game against him and his mare. I jumped the gun and agreed. Baron reluctantly agreed seconds later and we played. We lost and then they say they are pros. So Baron puts 1000 bits on the table and challenges them. They leave and come back with the bits and we beat them. Me and Baron celebrated at the bar for a few hours and when we left the stallion had brought two more to jump us and get his bits back. The stallion threw the first punch and after that me and Baron fought them. We won and went home."

Shining hummed as he leaned on his hooves staring directly at Cecil like his own father would do. He was trying to watch for any signs of Cecil lying like his eyes shifting or a nervous tick but Cecil just sat there like he would normally. Finally shining sighed and stood up.

"Stay here, I need to get Baron."

"Let me guess the stallion left Baron out hoping to use dad's rep against me?"

Shining said nothing as he walked out the door closing it and then locking it. Cecil put his feet up on the desk and crossed his arms. His head dipped forward and in minutes he was asleep. He didn't know how long he was out for but when Shining came back in he smirked seeing the sleeping Cecil and slammed the door closed. Cecil shot up out of his chair.

"I'm up dad I'm up."

Shining chuckled as he made his way over to Cecil. Cecil in return rolled his eyes.

"Well your story checks out. I talked with Baron at the school and he practically told me the same story verbatim. Though as I thought you did most of the fighting."

Cecil went to stand up but Shining waved him to sit back down.

"Once again you were caught in a bad place at a bad time. You went hard on those stallions Cecil. One nearly had his throat crushed in and the pool player suffered a serious concussion. I know you have better control then that. Don't get that out of hoof again are we understood?"

Cecil crossed his arms. He should be happy he was basically getting a warning but Shining was in combat alongside dad. He knows when the fight starts you think about winning.

"Yes sir. We are crystal clear."

Shining didn't believe Cecil truly understood his situation but that was the best he was going to get. He stood up himself and the two walked out. Once outside shining ran a hoof through his mane.

"I swear I don't see how your father hasn't gone balled raising you. Trouble fallows you like a shadow."

"Well, if it's all the same. Thank you for pulling my ass out of the fire again."

Cecil chuckled as he held a hand to shake out. Shining only smirked as a arched an eyebrow at Cecil's hand.

"Put that away. If you're going to be my future son in law one day it's the least I can do. Besides like I told you I genuinely like you I'm not doing any of this because I owe your father."

Shining wrapped a foreleg around Cecil's neck and pulled the young man down in a headlock giving him a nuggie

"But I swear Cecil if you keep causing trouble I'm sending my wife or flurry and let them lecture you or I'll send for your dad."

Cecil smiled brightly as he playfully struggled against Shining Armor's nuggie. When he was let free Cecil laughed at the threat and for a moment was happy he and the king had such a strong relationship.

"Now that threat is something I fear. Between the options I think I would rather have the girls and please put the breaks on that father in law stuff. Me and flurry have talked about marriage but we both agree we are to young to even be considering that. We plan to enjoy the college life and dating aspect for a few years."

Shining nodded as he smiled and started walking to the carriage that pulled up.

"Smart stallion, but don't leave her like that."

Cecil nodded as he walked to the carriage but shining stopped him.

"And just what do you think your doing trouble maker? This isn't for you."

Cecil felt his cheeks blush red as he realized how accustomed he was to Flurry or her parents letting him ride around in their carriages. He stepped back about to apologize but Shining lost his facade and started chuckling.

"You should see your face right now."

When he realized he had been had again by the kings many jokes he grinned shaking his head.

"And you ask me how my dad stands me. How does your wife stand you with all your pranks?"

Shining grinned as he closed the door.

"She acts annoyed but it keeps her on her toes wondering when I'll get her next."

Once again Cecil found himself shaking his head as he leaned back on the comfortable soft seat. This carriage was pulled by crystal earth ponies and he could feel them take off. The two talked some more mostly about how Baron acted under the influence. Over all Shining was eased to hear the elite handled himself well. At the school, Cecil was dropped off right in the middle of class change. Baron and Flurry were walking together when they both spotted Cecil walking in the building. The two immediately rushed to him flooding him with questions about what happened and once he explained then came the lecture from Flurry about how dumb he really was while Baron grinned mischievously glad it wasn't him getting the ear full.

After the exchange, the three carried on with their day. During lunch, Cecil told Flurry more in depth about the pool games between him and Baron. Flurry was interested wishing she had been there but she knew it was a guys night and much like a girls night it was a great time for them to bond and hypothetically let their mane down.

The time passed and finally a few days later winter break had officially begun. Cecil, thankful for his decision to leave home with minimal things had packed his duffle bag again. He made his way to the castle where the guards barely batted an eye at him as they stood like statues on duty 24/7. Making his way through the seemingly maze like halls that he now navigated like he lived there. He arrived on the royal family floor. In the living room shining was double and triple checking that all her bags were packed properly while Candace cantered over to him giving him a strong embrace with her foreleg.

"Has he been like this for long?" Cecil asked as he watched the stallion walk over the bags one more time.

"Ever since yesterday hes been worried about every little detail. He used to say he was nothing like his sister but he's gone into full twilight mode."

"Does she even need all those bags? I mean we have rarity if she truly needs anything special and the weather in Ponyville right now should feel about like fall weather for here."

Cadence let out a soft giggle and smiled lovingly at her husband.

"Shining is just worried. Flurry didn't even want to take more then a small suit case but her father insisted she be prepared."

Speaking of flurry the pink mare with the cotton candy colored hair stepped into the living room with an eye roll seeing the mountain of luggage and her frantic father. She had on a pair of cherry red earmuffs with hearts on the side with a matching scarf. On her back was a saddle bag with her cutie mark sewed into the canvas.

"Papa, calm down it's okay. I'm only going to be gone a week and I'm sure Cecil won't let me go without anything plus auntie is a hop skip and a jump away if I truly need help."

Shining groaned in protest.

"What if the train breaks down, it gets derailed and your stuck in the wild miles from any civilization? What if Cecil gets hurt or, Celestia forbid, you do pumpkin?" He pulled one rolling luggage case around.

"Please take this at least. It's got books on how to survive and packed with everything you may need."

Flurry walked up placing a hoof on her father's shoulder. She leaned in kissing his cheek and that seemed to ease him significantly.

"Papa I love you and as sweet as it is that you thought of all…this. I'm a grown mare and your daughter. I'm more then capable of handling myself. After all my papa didn't raise just a princess."

She giggled a little at the last part and the small joke was enough to make Shining finally relax. He wrapped her in a hug kissing her cheek before nuzzling her cheek and sighing.

"I know pumpkin, papa is just older with a little more experience then you. I forgot what youthful adventure feels like."

Flurry smiled brightly at the affection and slowly pulled him into a hug which he returned. The two let go as Cadence cleared her throat with a warm smile.

"We better hurry or we will miss the train."

Shining perked up and quickly walked over to his wife giving her a kiss and grabbing his own clothes which were a simple grey fedora and red scarf. Cadence put her own winter gear on with a yellow cream beanie and matching scarf. Flurry ran up to Cecil giving him a quick kiss on the lips and a hug nuzzling into his cheek for a second while he returned the affection.

"Ready to head out?"

He asked already knowing her answer as her bright smile seemed to grow bigger. She nodded her head and was the first to the door.

"Come on slow pokes let's go!"

The family and Cecil made their way to the train station in a carriage. When they arrived they still had about twenty minutes to spare and Shining spent most of the time holding flurry sniffling and crying while Cadence has her own tears but was much more restrained as she patted and rubbed Shining's back. Cecil had chosen to sit on a bench next to them and guard the bags while they had a moment.

Cadence finally had to pry her husband off their daughter so she could get her own hugs and kisses in. When they hugged Candace was crying but her tears were more from joy and thus flurry started crying herself. Cecil took the remainder of his time to think back when his dad sent him off. It was certainly less dramatic but the same emotions were there. Cecil and the family were brought out of their thoughts when the whistle blew and the conductor stepped out yelling that all to well know phrase.

"All aboard!"

Cecil stood up grabbing the bags and walked over to the family. Without so much as a warning, Shining pulled Cecil in for the hug. Cecil was a little taken aback seeing the grown stallion this distraught but he understood and hugged back. A second more and they dispersed. Shining looked at Cecil's eyes full of pride, fear, and happiness as tears still streamed down his face.

"Take care of her Cecil. My daughter is in your hooves now."

Cecil gave shining a honest smile and promising eyes.

"I will sir. Your daughter will be my top priority for the entire time we are away."

Shining wanted to say more but his lip started to quiver as more tears streamed down. He walked over to Cadence hugging her as he cried into her shoulder. She wrapped a wing around her husband wiping some of her own tears away while Cecil and Flurry boarded the train. Once they were in the train and their bags put away in luggage.

Flurry's family had bought the tickets for first class and Cecil was rather impressed at the difference. The seats were plump and just looked like they would cradle you like a mother would her foul. The entire floor was polished mahogany while the ceiling was a velvet red. The seats were spacious and as Cecil was about to sit flurry held him back and used her magic to unfold the seat into a bed making more luggage space under the now folded out bed. Flurry crawled in first and then Cecil after she made him take off his boots.

Sitting on the cushion was like sitting on a cloud. If he could be would have bought this and used it as his own personal bed. Flurry snuggled up next to him resting her head on his shoulder and letting one foreleg fall over his chest. Cecil took that hoove in hand leaning his head over to kiss her head which caused her to smile and look up at him with big puppy dog eyes of admiration and love.

She nuzzled her head back into his shoulder closing her eyes when something hit their window. Sitting up she went to look and there at her window on the platform were her parents looking right at them. A small blush appeared on her face but more annoyance then anything as she had just gotten comfortable. She opened the window leaning her head out as the train blew it's whistle and they started moving. Shining and Cadence walked with the train shouting I love you while Flurry did the same abit with an awkward smile. Finally, when they were clear of the platform she closed the window sighing which cause Cecil to chuckle.

"At least they shower you in love. My old man just gave me a hug, fixed the lapel on my duster and told me he loved me then sent me on the train."

She arched an eyebrow at him cuddling back up to him.

"Did he even shed a tear as you left?"

Cecil shook his head as he got into a comfortable spot.

"No, but thats just my dad. He wasn't big on showing emotions. Not that the moment was less. He was proud of me and of course, he was worried it's just….I don't know how to explain it. He's always been stoic and had trouble expressing himself."

Flurry hummed as she thought about this. Cecil could see her biting her lip as the gears in her head started spinning.

"So do you want more affection from him?"

Now it was Cecil's turn to pause and think. From the way he worded it anypony who knew Alex would simply see his statement as Alex being Alex but somepony Looking in from the outside would have a different opinion.

"I…I never thought about it like that…maybe I do want him to show more affection but if I told him that he'd just growl and tell me to man up."

Flurry rolled her eyes at how calloused his father sounded.

"Stallions and their pride. When will you all learn it's not weakness to show emotion. I know my father looked silly but I love how much he cares about me that he's willing to push aside the social norms just for me."

Cecil shrugged he honestly didn't have an answer for her. Alex was Alex and there was no changing it. Flurry had some idea about who Alex was thanks to Cecil and his stories and nearly all of them had caused her to grow a small distaste for the human man. He was cold, cruel even, and to stubborn and prideful for his own good. It was amazing that Cecil was the complete opposite. If they had been ponies flurry would have never believed Cecil was Alex's child until she saw the birth certificate.

"Eh for all his wrongs and rough edges dad always had my back when my back was against the wall or I needed help he was always there. Sure he told me no on a lot of things but as I got older I saw the ponies that went down that path I wanted to go down and was glad I didn't end up like them. Several of my friends are parents now or they moved away and are down on their luck. People see him as a bad guy but deep down he's the one who would be the first one to hold his hand out to a pony in need."

Flurry was still skeptical. Sure she had been told about how when ponies were struggling his father would be the one to lend out some money to help out or if jobless ponies needed work he would put them in the back washing dishes or serving food. Alex was a man of mystery to her but she was more focused on how he treated Cecil and from what she gathered he was hard on him. He expected excellence and dedication from Cecil even from an early age thus why Cecil was probably good at school and fighting.

"Well I'll be honest if I say I'm a little nervous and slightly peeved at him at the same time. I'm nervous because as I've said before he is your father and I want to make a good relationship but I'm still peeved at how he treated you."

Cecil smirked leaning down to kiss her head and boop her nose.

"Eh relax nothing to be nervous about just be yourself and don't let what I tell you about my past rile you up. It's the past and right now me and him have a strong relationship."

She huffed leaning up to kiss his cheek and look at him from eye level.

"I am the princess of the crystal empire. While your father is imposing he the stallion himself and his reputation do not scare me."

She gently cupped Cecil's cheek giving him a warm loving smile.

"I'm nervous because I want to make a relationship with him like you have with my parents and I will not let go what happened to you? Cecil, I know you have accepted it for what your past is but honey I love you, and knowing you went through all that….well it makes my stomach roll."

Cecil mulled her words over and now with a little more understanding he saw her points a little more clearly. If the life's were flipped he would be pissed as hell at shining if he treated flurry like that. While her points were valid it was still hard to accept.

"Just promise me you won't bring it up to him?"

Flurry sucked her lips in and closed her eyes like she was trying to keep herself calm. She opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile as she leaned in to give him a quick kiss.

"Alright, I do not like it but for you I promise I won't bring the subject up."

Cecil gave her a relieved smile and finally relaxed pulling her back to their original position.

"Thanks baby."

Flurry only nodded as she closed her eyes drawing small circles in his chest. While Flurry didn't want to miss a thing on the train ride over Cecil's steady breathing and rhythmic heart beat slowly put her to sleep. Cecil was shortly behind her as the moving car was like a swinging cradle.

When Cecil woke again thanks to a hard bump he rubbed his eyes with a yawn. Looking over the curtain for night time sleeping was pulled over their little section. He looked down and Flurry was still in the same position she had fallen asleep in so it was clear she hadn't pulled the curtain or she could have with her magic but that wasn't likely. She wasn't really one to care about PDA as long as they weren't making to much of a scene. Either way he looked out the window and could see the spiraling white ivory towers topped with golden roofs. The small dots flying in the clear sunny blue skys or the ones moving like ants on the ground was the normal hustle and bustle of the ponies in Canterlot.

The train blew its whistle which stirred a flurry awake. She softly groaned rubbing her eyes with a cute yawn. She to noticed the curtain closed and was about to ask where they were when she looked out the window and her eyes bugged out.

"When did we get to Canterlot!? I wanted to see all the pretty snow covered country side."

Cecil chuckled as he watched her face press against the window like foul traveling for the first time. He poked her ribs causing her to giggle and swat at his hand with her wing.

"I guess we were both more tired then we thought. Either way we still have twenty minutes to go and plus when we leave we can make sure we stay awake."

She pouted but slowly moved so she was sitting against the window. Cecil did have to admit it was nice to see something familiar after being gone for five months. It was different though. He had seen Canterlot a hundred times but after being gone he was noticing little things about it the closer he got. Like watching a movie a second time and seeing all the little details you missed the first time. One thing he noticed was how aesthetic the layout was, which was to be expected but he never noticed how much thought had to go into a massive project like that.

When the train pulled into the station Cecil and Flurry were both lazily watching as the passengers got off and on. One thing he noticed was a carriage parked in the back with the driver standing next to a royal guard. There were several ponies that would require armed escort but what surprised him most was when Baron stepped off the train and walked to the driver. Cecil pulled the window down and leaned out.

"Baron you cheeky devil. Why didn't you tell us you were on the train?"

Baron swished his hair back shooting Cecil and Flurry his signature perfect smug smile.

"You seemed so peaceful sleeping away I would feel dreadful for disturbing you."

Cecil laughed as Flurry rolled her eyes and pushed Cecil out of the way.

"So you're the one who pulled out curtain closed?"

He gave a slight bow.

"Why of course princess, t'was no trouble at all."

She rolled her eyes with a little giggle.

"You should have woken us up. We could have talked and I could have enjoyed the country side."

He chuckled as the driver carried Baron's bags to the carriage.

"Sorry but as I know from personal experience, never wake a princess during her beauty sleep. Especially if she's cuddled up next to her favorite coltfriend."

Cecil took over laughing some more.

"Amen to that brother. That's like poking a manticore with a stick. Nothing but cat claws and hissing."

Flurry lightly punched Cecil in the side sticking her tongue out at him.

"Only certain princesses act like that. I for one like to converse with my beloved and our favorite friend and also like to watch the country side."

Baron just laughed at the adorable sight before him. He had thought about chasing flurry for himself but after the first day the three hung out it was clear she had eyes for him alone and was he ever glad he stepped back and let their love happen naturally. They were perfect for each other.

" Well princess, I will be on the same train back assuming you are both staying for the week."

"Yes sir we're going to stay all week and catch the early train out."

Baron nodded as the train whistle blew and the conductor stepped out yelling for the all aboard.

"Well old chap depending on how my week goes we might be seeing each other again on the train back."

Cecil rolled his eyes as he felt the train lurch.

"We better meet before then you pompous lady killer. First drink is on me at dads."

Baron couldn't help but laugh and stomp a hoof.

"Tally ho then old chap! I'll hold you to that offer for now I shall see you then and princess I bid you farewell. Don't let this hick gentlecolt get you in to much trouble."

Flurry took the window from Cecil smiling brightly at him.

"Don't you worry a bit. He's got an ear full coming if he does try anything that even smells like trouble. Keeping him in line is the least of my worries."

The train pulled out of the station and the three waved goodbye to each other. Back on the tracks again flurry couldn't help but smile knowing she had one more friend on this trip with her. The rest of the train ride was like riding with a toddler for Cecil. Flurry kept her eyes glued to the freshly covered snow on the rolling hills outside of Ponyville. He had to admit the view was beautiful and different considering he left at the end of summer.