The war hero's shadow

The two sat like that for what felt like a eternity for Cecil. His mind raced to pinpoint the exact moment he crossed the king of the Crystal Empire and got on his bad side. Shining broke the silence tense silence with clear anger in his voice.

“What were you really doing with my daughter?”

“W-we were studying….i...I he-helped her with homework. P-please you have to..”

“SHUT UP!” Shining said as he slammed his hoof against the door. Cecil flinched at the loud outburst but his eyes never broke contact with Shining's. “My daughter said you studied but she also said you touched her flank and tried to run your filthy monkey hands over her hind legs!” He leaned forward gritting his teeth as a low growl seeped through the teeth. “I swear to Celestia boy if you don't tell me the damn truth I will kill you here.”

Cecil flicked like a switch as his eyes narrowed and anger slowly filled them. They didn't have that innocent scared boy in them but the steely gaze of his father. While the murderous intent wasn't there the unyielding, never back down spirit blazed through them. His fists clenched as his jaw set back.

“Im a lot of things but ah ain't no lier dad done spanked that outta me.”

Cecil cracked his neck and got his feet ready to kick as his eyes quickly flashed around the room for any weapon. “Dad also taught me never start ah fight but be damn sure ta finish it.”

The two sat across from one another staring each other down. The tension was so thick a feather could cut it and let the chaos begin in the carriage. Just as the moment came when the two knew the tension was going to break Shining Armor laughed but Cecil still looked ready to beat him. He waved a hoof at him as he used the other to rub his snout.

“Celestia you are your father's son. Congratulations you passed.”

Now Cecil was confused and angry “What do you mean passed?” He demanded in an aggravated tone.

“I wanted to see if you had your father's grit and that may have been payback for what you did to Prince Baron.”

It took a second for Cecil to remember but then it clicked, His smile slowly matching the kings cheeky grin “Okay fair on his payback, but was it really necessary to go into that detail about um you know…”

Shining Armor simply smiled as he relaxed into the cushy seats. “If you are anything like your father you would hate to be called a lier and turns out you do. I just wanted to make sure my daughter wasn't walking home with a coward.”

He leaned forward with a hoof and Cecil took it in a shake. Once the hand and hoof shake were done the king leaned back again letting out a soft sigh as he got comfortable.

“ I am thankful you walked my daughter home. She's worth more to me than this entire Empire for that you have my thanks just next time you want a study session keep up with the time or come over to the castle. I will happily give you a ride back to your apartment if it means my daughter is home before dark.”

Cecil let out an exasperated sigh before he chuckled. The small chuckle caught the king's attention and he waited patiently for him the young man to explain.

“Sorry, my day has just been wild. First I meet Flurry in class, then we go to have a late lunch that turned into a study session, I walked for forty five minutes in the freezing cold to the castle, catch a ride and have my life threatened by the king himself, and now i’ve been told I can waltz into the castle for study sessions. Its been a hell of a day and i still have to wake up for work in the morning.”

Shining Armor let a soft chuckle of his own out. Hearing the summed up version of Cecil's story did have a small charm to his bad luck. “The unexpected keeps a stallion active. Dont look at the bad think about the positive. You reconnected with my daughter, earned a funny story to look back on when you get older, and now you and the prince are even. Life is about surprise and living it to the fullest.”

Cecil smiled as he leaned his head back on the soft cushion of the seat. It felt so blissful that he could fall asleep right there. “True, i guess every story has two sides. Dad always said life is what happens when your making plans.”

“That phrase always pissed me off but he was right. I do have one more question before we land.”

Cecil looked up at him a little confused “What do you mean land we never took off.”

Shining armor pulled the curtain covering the window back and Cecil's eyes were treated to the best view of the city. The city looked amazing at night. The different lights glowing dimly around like fireflies in the summer except with pinks, blues, purples, and reds. It all looked so beautiful for Cecil.

“We have been flying ever since you stepped inside the carriage. Now time for a serious question. I know that coat and I know your father. Did he send you with weapons?”

The tone in the kings voice made Cecil tighten up. It wasn't like the angry tone before but a colder menacing one. This was Captain and King Shining Armor coming out. He was a Stallion who stood shoulder to shoulder with Alex during the war and one who had seen his fair share of battle. Cecil knew he wouldn't stand a chance next to him but if it came down to it he would give him all he wanted if he attacked or at least he would try.

“He did,” Cecil was weary. If Shining took them and Alex got word. Cecil couldn't even begin to imagine the hell his father would bring as his boots stomped across the crystal floors.

The look in Shining’s eyes told Cecil he wasn't happy but there was something more. “Cecil I will give you this one warning. If i hear anything about a gun or a strange bipedal causing harm, not even your father will stop me from getting to you. Are we understood?”

“Yes sir. We are transparently clear.”

Shining had his features return to normal as he leaned back with a smile “Good now go get some sleep.”

The door opened and Cecil expected to still be in the sky he caught the towering apartment buildings. Astonished by how smooth the takeoff and landings were he slowly stepped out. Before leaving he stood by the door and looked at the king without a hint of fear in his eyes.

“Sir, I know you're worried about me. My father's reputation follows me around like a bad habit, but i am nothing like him. He tried his damndest to raise me better then he was and I strive to be better then he was. Just remember what Flurry is to you I am to him. Have a pleasant night.”

The last thing Cecil saw before he shut the door on the king was his face souring like he had just eaten a whole lemon. What Cecil spoke was the truth though and the king probably already knew it. If he really came after Cecil and Alex caught wind of it there wouldn't be enough ponies left to bury the dead in this city. Cecil pulled his hat down and went to adjust his bag but realized he left it on the carriage. Looking back he cursed at his stupidity. He could feel the smirk on the pegasi guards as they watched him walk back. When Cecil opened the door he was met with his own heavy backpack slamming into his face.

Looking up he saw the king standing proudly at the doorway. His face was stern but it wasn't angry. Shining stepped out of the Carriage and stared Cecil in his eyes. For what felt like an eternity the two stared into each other's eyes daring the other to blink. Slowly their world faded and all they could focus on was the other until Shining smirked and held his hoof out.

“You have balls to tell a king that. I am not the enemy Cecil and I am not ignorant to your father's wrath. I just want you to understand you have my trust until you break it. If that day ever comes then foust help us all.”

Cecil slowly took his hoof in hand and gave it one firm shake before letting go. “I am aware of the situation. I just want to get my degree and get to work in my field.”

Shining stepped back onto the carriage step with a sad look in his eyes but he tried to cover it with a warm smile “Keep at it and you will succeed.”

After he said that he shut the door and the Carriage took off into the sky. Cecil was left alone with his thoughts. His father's reputation still hindered him from having a peaceful life. He thought coming out here just maybe he had a sliver of hope that it wouldn't interfere. In a fit of anger Cecil threw his backpack across the street. It slammed into a light pole and broke the zipper seam scattering the books and papers he and Flurry worked so hard on. Frantically he chased the papers before a gust of wind could take them away. He had what he could see but he did another inspection and saw a folded up paper on the ground. Stuffing what he had gathered in his bag he picked up the folded paper and flipped it over. In Flurry’s handwriting it read ‘open me’. He about did but a strong wind cut through the air nearly ripping his hat off. Quickly he got inside and turned the lights on.

The small apartment no longer had nothing in it but a large mattress on the floor and a lawn chair in the living room. He had a fold out table near his bed where he would do his homework. It wasn't much but Cecil didn't need much since he knew this was going to be temporary. He sat down in the lawn chair and opened the folded paper. At some point Flurry had the time to write a small paragraph and draw little hearts all around it.

‘Hey, I just wanted to say today was awesome even though my brain is killing me from the workout you gave it. Thank you so much for helping me by the way with my math. Whoever decided the alphabet should be in math problems must have been in a evil cult or something. Anyway I hope the pointers I gave on your English paper help you and if you ever want to send a letter just grab a piece of paper write what's on your mind, fold it, draw the seal then burn it. The important part is you must have a place for my letters to spawn. That's the symbol at the bottom. Xoxox Flurry.’

Cecil had nearly forgotten all about his anger toward his father as he re-read the letter again and again. His heart was beating out of his chest at the kindness and gratitude she was giving him. This lone letter made all the trouble he had worth every second. Happily he looked around his room to find something but when he realized he had literally nothing he shrugged and carved the return symbol in his desk. He ripped a page out of his notebook and wrote 'hi.' Folding the paper he drew the other symbol making sure it was a perfect mirror image to her own. Stepping outside he took a match and lit the paper. The red and orange flames turned to a sickly green as the paper glowed with a golden radiance. When the final ashes vanished from his hand he went back inside and decided to take a shower. Cecil didn't take long showers unless he needed to really unwind and relax. This was the case so when he came out and saw a literal stack of hundreds of papers on his fold-out table he quickly grabbed one and opened it.
‘Hello hello Equestria to Major Cecil, are you there?’

Cecil picked through others until he realized they were all filled with snarky jokes wondering where he was. Quickly he tore another page out and wrote

‘You can stop sending them. I am here.’

He sent the letter and quickly pushed the pile into the floor. No sooner had he done that when a new letter appeared. Opening it he was met with a cartoon version of herself sticking a tongue out at him.

‘ took you long enough I was starting to think you passed out haha. So how did the flight home with dad go? I hope he wasn't to harsh on you.’

‘It was mostly typical father protection. Between you and me he said you mean more to him then the entire empire.’

‘Awwww he’s such a dork but he's sweet. If you're not busy tomorrow I would like to hang out again.’

‘Cant, I have work but I get off at three pm. After that I'm free for a little bit but I do have to study for my chemistry class.’

‘I didn't know you had a job. Well when you get off you can swing by my place and study here. We have cookies, tea, and the best pillows ever.’

‘Sounds like a plan just don't let your guards arrest me for trespassing. The one who talked to me said i was lucky a lenient guard was there.’

‘Don't worry about them. I will take care of the preparations just show up and get ready for flurry’s after school study hall!’

Cecil couldn't help but laugh at her corny joke but regardless he wrote her back

‘Okay I’ll be sure to be there professor Heart. For now I'm going to hit the bed.’

‘Okay! Sleep well and don't work to hard your going to need your energy to study.’

Cecil crawled in bed shaking his head at her antics. Slowly he let the memory of the day play over in his mind. While it had been hectic he didn't have a single regret as he slowly let sleep over take him. Cecil didn't know when sleep took him but he could say one thing, the dreams all had that pink winged alicorn in them.