Shield glanced up at the Prince, still reeling from his daydream, then quickly checking the window to see the night had risen. 'How long was I lost in thought?' he asked himself, before turning back to the Prince. He also made sure to note the two guards now standing at the entry way to his room, both pegasi, before answering his commander.

"Sir" Shield said while lifting himself into a upright position, "I am glad to see you returned safely to the palace" he finished with a salute.

The Prince smiled and raised a hoof,

"Please Sir Shield, you saved my wife. No need to aggravate the wound while you talk to me", the Prince then looked over to his guards and waved them out. Both nodded and walked to the hallway and closed the door to leave the two stallions alone.

"Now then," the Prince started, "I must say I am quite impressed!" looking over to Shield's wounded leg. "The guards said you leapt around Cadance to defend her from the surprise attack in the park, an attack that even the pegasi guards had trouble reacting to" he spoke with a profound surprise in his voice, "I wasn't sure why Cadance had her eye on you but now I must say she was definitely right" he said with a serious tone. Still staring at the bandages the Prince started speaking once more, "If you weren't here she would have been killed..." he closed his eyes and tensed. Then turning to Shield the Prince huffed and asked in a serious tone, "Soldier, you need to tell me. Do you know who or what was behind the attack?" he spoke with an angered voice staring directly into Shields eyes. It almost felt as if Shield could feel the pressure that the Prince was exuding. The anger in his eyes and the determination his expression carried caused Shield to choke on his answer.

"I- Ahem. Sir I did not. Do not... Sir" Shield answered in a shaky tone, realizing he had failed yet another. He wanted to shrink away into the bed but held himself up to not disrespect the Prince.

The Prince stared at him for a moment longer, then eased his body and sighed.
"It is alright soldier, we can figure this out. Whoever did this will be caught. They will be punished for this" he spoke out staring into space. Then glancing up at Shield for a moment the Prince's expression changed ever so slightly, then he asked another question.

"Did you and Cadance do anything behind my back while I was gone Shield?" his eyes locking onto Shield again. This time Shield could barely hold eye contact, a fear sparked up inside him. 'I shouldn't incriminate Cadance at all. Just me' his thoughts attempting to work up a plan. Then before he could answer the Prince cut in,
"Do not attempt to mislead me or lie soldier, I will know" he spoke again with a sharp tone, cutting through Shield's plans. Shield could feel the sweat form on his head, his stomach twisted into a knot as he spoke.

"We told each other that we found one another attractive. That was the extent, Your Highness" Shield whipped into a bow, "I apologize for my irreparable behavior! I accept any punishment" Shield spoke out, readying himself for whatever came down on him.

The room grew silent, Shield sat waiting some sort of pain. Magical in essence, physical, or perhaps a verbal lashing. As he waited though the room remained silent. Shield looked up towards the Prince and seen a look on his face, a cold stoic knowing expression.

"I want to say I didn't see this coming," the Prince spoke up, breaking the fragile silence. "I really do. But when she asked for a specific pony, an earth pony no less, to be her bodyguard... I had already..." the Prince stopped talking and took a deep breath in. Then turning to face the door of the bedroom he opened his mouth again and silently spoke to himself, "Perhaps though... This will make it easier for me..."

Shield stared worried at the Prince before him, "Sir?" he spoke out a deep worrying feeling in his stomach. The Prince looked down over Shield with a cold look, glancing him up and down.

"You are to be stripped of your role as bodyguard starting immediately," the Prince ordered, "You will be sent off to Canterlot, and once your recovery is over, begin training fresh among the recruits" he said with a cold voice. "Do I make myself clear?" the Prince said, his words slamming into Shield like daggers.

"I-"

"These are orders from your commanding officer and Prince! Do I make myself clear?" the Prince said in a raised voice, his form now looming over Shield.

"Sir yes sir" Shield said in a defeated tone. Closing his eyes and lowering his head. The feelings wheeling up inside him were unmistakable, pure and utter anger at himself.

"Chin up soldier, I have all rights to imprison or execute you for this. Knowing that, starting as a recruit is far less than what could have been" the Prince said, the comparison not giving Shield any solace.

Suddenly the doors to the bedroom opened, a breeze flowing in from the hallway chilling Shield as he glanced up towards one of the pegasi that accompanied the Prince into the room prior.

"My Liege, we have found and placed the autobiography of King Maker in Her Majesty's study. The Princess asks for your company to hear your proposition" the guard states in a firm voice.

Shield's eyes shoot up towards the Prince, 'King Maker?', his fur begins to stand on end.

"That book..." Shield spoke aloud unwittingly.

"You know of King Maker soldier?" the Prince looked over towards Shield again, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"I was... raised on the exterior of the Crystal Empire when I was a foal, during the reign of Sombra..." Shield spoke up, his voice crackling from the emotions running through him.

"I see. So you must have heard of the stallion who failed to overthrow him before Cadance and I did successfully" the Prince stared at Shield awaiting an answer.

"Yes sir. Everypony knew his name because of the punishments that Sombra unleashed after the failed attack" Shield spoke with a hushed tone.

"I will not have you remember such a trying time" the Prince said, "times are different now".

Shield looked up as the Prince nodded and walked towards the door, the pegasus turning and walking out with him.

"I do not believe that book is worth your time Sir!" Shield snapped out reflexively before the Prince closed the door. Turning around, the Prince looked at the broken stallion laid out on the bed.

"Why is that?" the Prince asked in a sharp voice with a look of disapproval.

"Because there is nothing to learn from a failure"

The Prince nodded and smiled before speaking again, "Times are different now", and with that the door swung closed.

Shield sat alone on his bed, staring at the door with his body locked, motionless. The only thought carving its way through Shield's mind was not of being a failure, of having to go back through all the years of training, nor was it of the Princess. The singular thought that took full control over Shield's mind and shook him to his core even more so than anything that had transpired since being appointed as royal bodyguard,

'Why does the Prince have my father's autobiography?'

Twenty Years Ago

"You want to steal the crystal heart?" Shield asked in a confused voice, staring up at his father.

"It seems the best course of action to help me rise to power" his father stated in a descending tone, his golden fur shining in the sun. Looking back at his brother Shield could see his legs already trembling at the idea of going anywhere close to the crystal palace.

"Father, don't you want us to train further? The chance of success will only increase if-" Shield's reasoning was cut short as his father's horn began to glow a red color and soon after a rock from alongside the shed whipped into the air and slammed into his cheek, causing him to slump over to the side. He could hear Sword gasp from behind him as his vision blurred.

"Silence! I have been notified that news of the crystal heart may spread outwards from the Crystal Empire's borders. In that case the information will reach others with actual armies," his father's voice rumbling with annoyance, "while all I have is you..." he stresses while gesturing to both of the foals. Shield's vision slowly returning before looking up toward his father again.

Shield's heart dropped, "What happened to Scout?" he asked with fear.

"The fool flew too far out in the open and got caught by Sombra's guards. If he was worth anything as a son he would have killed himself by now to not leak information" Shield's father sneered as he spoke about Shield's older brother.

"Then I am the oldest child left?" Shield asked, looking back towards the shed they came from partially obscured in the shadow of his father's house. 'There had been three others older than me just last year! What is happening?' Shield's thoughts raced through him as the panic filled his body.

Shield watched as his father's face became enraged and stomped onto the ground, looking down at him with a glare.

"Yes Shield. Despite all these years attempting for these mares to birth the alicorn I need to take the Empire, I am left with only a pegasus and you" he shifted his head towards Shield in a frustrated fit, then turned and walked away toward the house. Shield regained his senses and turned back to Sword, who was looking at him with deep fearful look and tears in his eyes.

"Father, Sword is still too young and untrained! Allow me to go with you alone to prevent any mistakes!" Shield cried out to his father, who turned towards them from the shadow of the house.

"You're both going. Neither of you are trained enough for your roles, you will both play as distractions for me" his speech was quick and frustrated. Shield looked at his father's form, 'He is losing it'.

Shifting to the side to act as a barricade between his brother and his father Shield spoke again,
"Father please. If you wait a few more years I can better protect you. I have been recovering from Sword's attacks quicker every day and my reflexes are improving too. I even jumped in front of the arrow you had shot at Scout last week remember?" Shield begged, attempting any sort of persuasion to keep his brother safe here.

Shield's father stopped for a moment in the shade, his darkened form only given away by the golden outline of the sun's rays on his back. Before he turned and trotted over,

"We move tonight. There will be no more food given to either of you if you both don't meet me at the front of the house by sunset" he said in a cold voice, his horn again becoming aglow with the red magical aura. Shield instinctively got ready to brace himself for whatever attack came his way, instead only two bowls were hovered over to the foals and dropped to the ground. Breakfast.

"Eat now. Then do as I say tonight. You both will live, then we will return here after. Once this is done I will have the power to make sure neither of you have to work like this again," his father spoke softer than before. "You know I do this for you both, for your mothers, all the other ponies here on the outskirts of the Empire" his father said in a calming way, his eyes mimicking kindness.

"Yes father" Shield replied, then leaned down and began to eat. He'd need the energy tonight, for Sword's sake.

Present Day

CADANCE

The torn old book Shining talked to her about sat upon her reading stand, the words 'King Maker' embellished on the cover. Cadance cocked an eyebrow at the name, she had heard it before but it was years prior. Using her magic, the book became aglow with a pastel blue, she flipped a few pages in and began to look through it. Mentions of aspirations of creating a perfect protector and warrior for a Empire. Her eyes scanned the page until she landed on some text near the bottom of the page,

'The most skilled pegasi find success as soldiers due to their ability for intelligence gathering, their speed in combat, and their immense reflexes allowing them to defend royalty against the fastest assassination attempts. While unicorns have the ability to harness magic, their options for combat and protection also expand rapidly creating a pathway directly to the top of most military structures. It seems simple then to assume that a soldier with both would be-'

The book suddenly fell limp, her magic flickering and fading from it. Cadance's eyes widened as she stared at the novel curiously. 'That is odd' she thought to herself. Attempting again to flip another page, her horn glowing the pastel blue before once again flickering and dimming back to the pink color it was prior.

Her questioning was cut short as Shining burst through the door with a smile, his presence immediately causing her to relax and smile.

"So did you meet my savior?" She said through the smile. She sat back in her chair as Shining used his magic to close the door behind him and then formed a grin of his own.

"I did, I just had to make sure he was truly an earth pony! He did an amazing job protecting you, a shame he has to leave to recover" he said with a laugh not noticing Cadance's expression falter briefly, before walking over to her and planting a kiss on her lips. One she gladly reciprocated. Before he leaned back and looked over at the book she was just scanning through.

"So Shining. Mind telling me what this is?" she asked with a curious voice nodding towards the biography. Attempting to use her magic to close the book, which glowed alight with her pastel blue magic and shut on her command. Cadance eyeing it questioningly.

"Ah! I seen you were reading through it!" he said excitedly. Then he shifted to lean on her desk and used his magic to pull the novel over to them and read the title aloud, "King Maker, what it takes to protect an Empire. I was told of this individual on the exterior of the Crystal Empire. Out there a lot of the ponies believe him to have been a hero, somepony who was fighting for all of their lively hoods!" Shining spoke out in intrigue.

"He was also a cruel pony who sought to birth an alicorn by forcing himself on weakly mares who needed access to his food Shining" Cadance replied in an angered tone, "Did they tell you that?"

Shining closed his eyes and furrowed his brow at the comment before looking at the book again.

"Yes, I did research him after all. But his morality isn't what I brought this book to discuss, it is about a plan he had" Shining said in a quiet voice, looking over at Cadance with disheartened eyes.

"The plan to steal the Crystal Heart? Shining we know this already"

"No not that one dear! I was referencing the one regarding creating the perfect protector for an empire"

"A perfect protector?" Cadance questioned, then jumping back as the book reopened to the page after the one she was reading previously.

"Yes! You see, he was trying to get hold of a alicorn child in cruel ways yes but what he discussed afterwards is what is interesting!" Shining Armor beamed towards Cadance in fascination.

"Any plan this monster had was undoubtedly grotesque in nature Shining, and should be left alone" Cadance said is a stern tone.

Shining Armor sighed and lowered his head before looking back at Cadance and trotting about the study,

"My love do you know how many different factions want this land?" Shining asked while meandering aimlessly about the room.

"I assume the Diamond dogs. Possibly the dragons but they all wouldn't try anything-"

"I thought so too, the exterior towns though, they tell a different story" Shining Armor announced with a frustrated look.

"What do you mean?" Cadance asked, shifting in her chair uncomfortably.

"On the exterior of the Crystal Empire the towns are a mixed breed of races. Ponies that were exiled from Canterlot, diamond dogs who were sent as scouts, and a plethora of others. There was a mixed bag of many but one thing remained the same among them" Shining Armor cleared his thought and walked towards the balcony doorway, the clear crystalline doors allowing him to look out to the night sky, before continuing.

"They all mention that their respective nations saw the Crystal Empire as potential valuable land to be conquered" His voice echoed through the room as Cadance stared at him. She shifted and wrapped one of her wings around to rub her temple.

"If they attempt to attack then we will protect this place the same way we defeated Sombra. We will be fine Shining"

"What if we aren't!" Shining snaps at her, "Look, Cadance. We fought so hard to get this land, to protect the ponies here. We cannot risk losing it and allowing those with more sinister ambitions to take over, I mean you were just attacked for crying out loud!" Shining finished speaking as Cadance glanced over again at the book on her desk.

"This is why you brought me this book?" Cadance asked, a realization coming over her.

"Cadance my love, King Maker may have been a evil pony for the things he did. I do not agree with it at all, but his plans for making an alicorn into a perfect protector has a strong argument!" Shining stated turning to face her, a look of determination on his face. Cadance glared at the book with a disgusted look and then turned to face him,

"You do not mean to turn Flurry Heart into that very protector using 'his' methods!" Cadance raised the book up with her magic, gesturing to it with a baffled expression.

Shining armor began walking towards Cadance with a frown, "Dear, we already have a beautiful baby. She can be-"

"-Whatever she wants to be! Is that what you were about to say Shining?" Cadance interjected, "Because if it wasn't then this conversation is over!" She said with a huff. Getting up and storming out of the room leaving the Prince alone in the cluttered study.

The Next Morning

CADANCE

Cadance awoke in the morning, looking to the side and seeing her daughter sleeping peacefully alongside her. Looking at the sleeping child resting peacefully Cadance leaned closer and kissed her forehead, exhaling through her nose. 'Shining's first night back home and he had to ruin it..' she thought as she looked about the guest room she had taken Flurry Heart to in worry about what Shining had said. The room was far smaller than Shining and her own, but it gave Cadance a sense of security. A sense of stability with the craziness of the last few days.

Looking towards the window in the room Cadance focused her magic and attempted to shift the curtains open to reveal the morning sun. Once again the oddity occurred, as the curtains flickered her pastel blue and then faded, refusing to open for her. Cadance's expression shifted to one of a deep worry, this was the first time that her magic had failed her like this and she didn't know why.

Sitting up in the bed, moving slowly to ensure Flurry Heart stayed asleep Cadance stared at the sun streaks peaking through the sides of the curtain. 'Today is the day Shield is to be sent off...' she thought to herself. Knowing that she had to send him off didn't quell the raging emotions inside her. She had tried so hard to repress it, she couldn't understand why he had pushed his way into her mind so suddenly. Her heart fluttered as she thought of the stallion again, the determination in him while training to protect her and her daughter. The gentleness he treated Flurry Heart with, the way he looked at her as if there was nothing in this world that could take precedence over her. Not even his own safety and health.

Looking down at Flurry Heart, Cadance sighed and looked towards the doors back into the palace. 'Shining had looked at me with those eyes for so long,' the thought causing her to curl up slightly on the bed, 'but last night... those eyes were gone' finishing the thought with a slam to the bed with her hoof out of frustration. Accidentally awakening Flurry Heart in a jolt, causing the filly to begin to cry.

"Ah! No I am sorry!" Cadance blurt out, as she glanced towards the bottle she had brought in and using her magic quickly hovered it over to her to pop into Flurry Heart's mouth, quickly quieting the disgruntled baby. Relaxing and closing her eyes as she avoided a troublesome morning Cadance sat back towards the crystalline bed frame, as she opened her eyes confused. Turning towards the window again, she commanded the curtains to open, which soon after agreed colored in her pastel blue magical aura, revealing a beautiful spray of color from the morning sun.

Cadance stared at the curtains curiously and then glancing up towards her horn, shaking her head to rid herself of the mystery for now. Standing from the bed and raising Flurry Heart through the air with her magic, she made her way into the palace towards where she told Shining to meet her.

SHIELD

Shield awoke in the morning to the guards ushering him out of bed in a hurry. His bandages hadn't been re-wrapped and they had focused expressions on their face. Shield was sure the Prince wanted to rid himself of a bothersome interloper in his marriage as fast as possible, assuredly this would be the last time he would see the crystal palace. Being lifted up a pegasus wrapped a dark blue wing around him and began to walk him out of the room.

The palace seemed emptier than before, the Prince most likely sent them out to surveil for the assassins. Looking over at the guard helping him walk Shield recognized him.

"Risky Waters?" Shield asked in a meek voice, a shadow of his once commanding tone.

"Aye. Surprised you remembered with so much that happened to you yesterday" he answered in a cold tone.

"You told the Prince about Cadance and I?"

"Nope. He just knew" Waters spoke in a hushed tone, pushing Shield with his wing out into the entrance hall of the palace. Shield felt his stomach drop, something still didn't sit right with him. 'That book', his father, it all didn't feel right. Like he was missing something. As they walked towards the door Shield shifted his weight down to the ground and stopped. Causing a look from Waters.

"Come on now, don't try running. I will catch you and you're leg will be hurt worse" he spoke to Shield in a way that conveyed he really didn't want to hurt the stallion anymore than he was already.

"Risky, please... Let me go see the Prince one last time" Shield spoke with a determined look.

"Can't do that, I got orders" Waters said, beginning to press his weight into Shield to move him. Shield continued to hold himself still. Risky Waters look over at him confused as the earth pony wasn't shifting a single step despite Water's whole strength pressing him.

"Please. I will not do anything aside from reveal a truth I didn't before. I can't leave without doing so, it will haunt me" Shield pleaded as the guard stomped his hooves down and pressed again to no avail.

Risky Waters looked Shield up and down, then puffed out a breath of exhaustion before turning to look at him again.

"Well, looking like I couldn't move you unless I flew into you full speed. And my orders were to move you not kill you," Waters said with a glare, "You promise no shenanigans?"

"Promise"

"Just revealing the truth and then you'll leave?"

"You have my word"

Risky Waters stared at the earth pony, looking into his eyes and reading into the depths of the brown irises. Before finally retracting his wing and exhaling out his nose and rolling his eyes.

"They should be in the throne room, follow me"

CADANCE

Cadance held Flurry Heart up to her face and snuggled into the filly with her cheek causing Flurry Heart to begin to laugh. Smiling at her Cadance sat up from the ground where they were playing. Looking over towards Shining Armor who was staring out an open window over the city. Then he turned to look at her and smiled, trotting over to their position in the room.

Cadance glared towards him and then looked back down at the baby before blowing a raspberry and making a goofy face towards her to make her laugh. Shining Armor walked over to them with a saddened expression on his face and looked down at Flurry Heart. The filly looking over towards him and then mimicking her mother and blowing a raspberry at her father, causing Cadance to burst out laughing at the act.

"Serves you right!" Cadance laughed

"Come on! What have you been teaching her?" Shining asked with a laugh of his own.

"I didn't teach her that, you just deserved it and she knew" Cadance said in between breaths.

Cadance looked down at Flurry Heart and smiled again, then looked up at Shining before pacing over closer to him.

"Look at that killer~" Cadance said mockingly, gesturing down at Flurry Heart who was continuing to blow bubbles of spit out of her mouth.

"Come on now I already apologized, how much more do you want. I already knew you wouldn't agree..." Shining lifted a hoof and pushed her away with a frown.

Cadance smirked and nodded before taking a deep breath, exhaling and staring out the windows of the throne room.

"Is it truly wise to have dismissed my bodyguard so soon after the first attack?" Cadance asked in a curious voice, as Shining Armor waved Flurry Heart to crawl over to him.

"Cadance dear, he was injured. Who knows how long it would've taken for him to be able to perform his duties again. Besides!" Shining shifted into a heroic pose, lifting Flurry Heart with magic to position her as if she was riding on his back, "Your hero in 'Shining Armor' has returned!"

Cadance couldn't hold in her laughter at the absurd image displayed in front of her and let out a snort and began laughing again.

"Yeah my hero~" Cadance mocked again, before trotting over and kissing him. Then Shining Armor lowered Flurry Heart to eye level and smiled at her and bonked his nose to hers. Before turning her to face Cadance.

"Although I do understand a bit what you mean about that bodyguard of yours," Shining started, taking a more lackadaisical tone. "When he jumped in front of that spear to protect you I couldn't believe my eyes!" he said turning Flurry Heart to face himself again.

Cadance knew what he means, the way that earth pony moved seemed supernatural at times, even when exercising he moved with a pace that only a pegasus could match. He truly-

Cadance stopped in her tracks and came to a realization. Turning back towards Shining,

"Don't you mean couldn't believe your 'ears' dear?" Cadance asked curiously smiling at her husband.

Shining Armor looked at her with a saddened expression and began,

"Dear I knew you wouldn't agree. I wish you would, but I know you won't. Not ever..." Shining armor spoke in a monotone cold voice.

Cadance stared confused at him as he raised a hoof into the air. As he did two spears shot through the windows from either side of the throne room, Cadance shifted her weight to move but she couldn't. Looking down at the magic aura on her hooves, shooting her view up she saw Shining Armor facing away his horn aglow with his rose colored magic. She focused on the spears with her magic, attempting to hold them still in the air. Only to feel her magic flicker and fade as it had earlier this morning. Her eyes widening with fear as the spears closed in on her.

CLANG

CRUNCH

Cadance's eyes blurred as a spear pierced her right wing and a hot blistering pain entered her body, but as it past through it missed her hindquarters just by a few inches. The other spear was lodged into the floor of the throne room. 'It missed?" Cadance thought to herself, then looking up she seen why. A bloodied brown and white spotted stallion, his leg bleeding through bandages.

SHIELD

Shield manage to pull the Princess back and break the magic holding her hooves down with pure muscle but now there was a problem, Her Majesty's wing was injured and he didn't know if he could defend against attacks from two separate direction at the speed they were flying towards them. He needed out to get her out.

Shining Armor whipped around where he was standing as he felt his magic break, turning to face the earth pony.

"You again?!" the Prince barked, his face twisting into a rage.

There was no time to wait, Shield turned and dove at the Princess who was in a shocked state. He slid his head under her form and lifted up, pulling her up onto his back in one swift motion. Then he bolted, the extra weight on his legs causing his previous wound to explode into pain. 'The exit!' Shield's thoughts moved slower than his reflexes, already running towards the opened pathway. The doors to the throne room he was running towards slammed shut as rose colored magic enveloped them. Without stopping Shield curved his path to the right and continued running, attempting to predict and avoid any attacks from behind.

Looking to his side Shield could see two pegasi fly in through the windows, 'The two guards he was traveling with! That's why they could get so close without being spotted, it was our own guard!' Shield screamed at himself for not realizing sooner. Then he bolted off, the wounded leg screaming in pain and dripping blood, he dashed towards a closed crystal window of the throne room and leapt as more spears came raining towards them. The first slammed into the flooring below him as he jumped. The second slammed into the window and shattered it, messing up the timing of their arrival. 'We made it!' a smile crawled onto his face realizing he had saved the Princess. Then he felt a sudden slam in his side, the weight pushing him out of the window's path midair. His heightened senses allowing him to look down before he fell, he realized there was a spear embedded in his front shoulder enveloped in rose tinted magic. Time almost slowing as they veered off course from the window.

Suddenly Shield noticed that he was aglow with a pastel blue colored magic, one that pushed them back towards the window's path. The rose tinted spear slammed into the side of the windows and pulled free as they launched out the window and out soaring over the city. With his heightened senses time felt as if it were moving slow, turning back for a brief moment Shield could see the figure of the Prince standing alongside the two guards, young Flurry Heart sitting beside their forms. Then he looked down and realized how high up they truly were, the city streets far below and buildings dwarfed but the palace's size. He felt Cadance wrap her hooves around his neck, he felt his adrenaline fading and time speeding back up.
Then, they fell.

Author's Note

Wow that chapter was a doozy! If you find any typos pls help and let me know ^~^, it was a whole process to get this one done.

ALSO Please don't hesitate to leave a comment and recommend some fics to give me inspiration as I write as angel d ammo did!

also constructive criticism is much appreciated! straight up criticism is also valid!