Shining Armor had been up almost all night, thinking over what was going on. It was just a few angry ponies far and in-between that objected to Equestrian rule, but it was starting to feel like far more than that. His mind didn’t want to let him forget the problem, but thankfully exhaustion let him rest, somewhere around two in the morning. He went out to the balcony and watched the sunrise over the empire. Somehow it still held that wonder of when they first arrived, the light of bright yellow and tangerine orange lighting up the streets and houses. He felt something on his shoulder and looked down to see Cadance leaning against him.

“Good morning” Her wing draped over him in a sort of hug. She looked at least as sleepy as he did. “Sorry I woke you up last night.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He said, giving her neck a nuzzle. “It wasn’t you; there were other things on my mind.” Cadance had a nightmare a few nights ago, waking up in tears but not wanting to talk about it. Last night she seemed restless. Shining didn’t push it; he hated to see her so upset. Well that and he didn’t want to make her mad at him, every now and then it seemed like a harmless comment set her off into a fuming rage. After all was said and done, she would tell him to just forget it and went back to being the loving and patient mare that he knew. He wanted to ask what was going on, but he knew he had to be careful about how he did it.

“Has there been any news?” Cadance asked.

“Not this early in the morning.” Shining shook his head. The Crystal Ponies seemed to love Equestria right after the curse was broken. They hailed them as their heroes and had been giving Shining Armor the utmost respect when they found out that his sister was one of the ponies responsible for finding the Crystal Heart. But recently a few of them suddenly seemed to think that the few rules that had been put in place, for their protection were oppressive. The Princesses had told them to put guards around the perimeters of the Empire, still unsure that Sombra was entirely gone. It wasn’t that they weren’t letting anyone out, just that they were taking precautions. They established a curfew - nobody was allowed outside the Empire after dark- so a team of Patrol Unicorns could run tests to make sure all the black magic was fading. Sombra had been defeated once with the Elements and came back, so it was important to be sure. But it seemed that some ponies were declaring these measures to be oppressive. Rumors were buzzing around suggesting that Equestria wanted control of the Crystal Empire. “Maybe it’s just a few of the really paranoid ones saying all this.”

“They were oppressed by Sombra for at least a thousand years.” Cadance said, “It makes sense that they’re worried. We just have to keep calm. They’ll realize that we don’t mean any harm. “

“I guess.” As Shining looked over the kingdom, lit up with the colors of the sunrise he thought about something else. Soon after he married Cadance, he started thinking about the future. What would happen when one of them grew and the other stayed young? When they started talking about it Cadance told him about a ritual involving very complicated magic that could turn a pony into an alicorn. It required an alicorn to cast sometimes more than one and was reserved for those who married into royalty, like him. It was something he put off thinking about afterward just enjoying the time spent with his beloved. He was still young, he could wait. Soon after that the trouble with the Crystal Empire ponies started, and Cadance had her nightmare. He was starting to get the feeling that the nightmare was only the start of something.

No, it was only stress. She was in a tough situation, being a ruler of a country and having so much to worry over. Everypony had nightmares.

“Shining?” Cadance nudged him. “Are you all right, you’ve been awfully quiet.”

“Yeah…just thinking.” He said.

“Have you been thinking, about …you know…” she lowered her voice, “The ritual?”

“Huh?” He looked at her, “No” He hadn’t talked much about it since she told him. That was something they could worry about later, he told her. He was interested in it, but it wasn’t important right now. Maybe in some small corner of his mind he didn’t want to give Cadance a reason to think that he married her for status. It was stupid he told himself, she already knew that and knew him. But still…it was there. Being in Canterlot , he had seen quite a few ponies-stallion and mare- who married for status. Status was the only reason he could imagine that mares would chase after a whiner like Blueblood. He wanted to make sure that Cadance knew she was more than a title to him. He wasn’t the sort of pony who would chase after power or prestige. The role of being a prince was the only thing that kept him from making his proposal to Cadance the moment he realized his feelings.

When he was young and just learning how to use his magic, after his cutie mark appeared, his father took him aside for private lessons. One of the first things he was taught was the danger if abuse of power. His father told him of many ambitious unicorns who brought themselves or others to sticky ends. The last one, a stallion who sought advanced powers that went into things he could not comprehend, had the deepest affect on Shining -leaving him shivering in bed at night and wishing he wasn’t a unicorn. He got over it but it taught him not to go after power he wasn’t ready for.

When he joined the royal guard, the Captain was a good friend who pulled strings to get him in and a trusted mentor. But as time went on Shining started to see his other side-a stallion that cared more about the perks of the job than the job itself. Shining Armor learned he wasn’t the only ‘friend’ the Captain had-and with his friendship came the expectation to help and cover for him. Shining caught him shirking his duty for a night in the Canterlot Casino. He had paid off someone to cover him for a “personal emergency”. He tried to confront the captain but was told that he ‘owed’ him.

He kept it for a little while, feeling hurt, betrayed and guilty. It caused him to become so withdrawn that his father noticed and talked with him. A few gentle prods later the secret became too much and Shining Armor spilled his guts to his father, both wishing he hadn’t spoken and relieved to be free of the burden.

“I can’t tell you what to do anymore, son it’s your life.” His father said, “But if the captain were truly a friend, he wouldn’t ask this of you. He is not entitled to your servitude because he did you a favor. ” He left Shining with something to think about-“What’s more important to you the respect of a stallion who’s using you or your integrity?” With a dry throat and uneasy stomach he found himself in the castle, right outside the castle staff’s door trying to think of how he was going to say this.

“Hello good citizen!” He jumped when he heard the rather loud voice and when he saw who it was his heart nearly stopped. Princess Luna! He gulped and tried to breathe again.

“p-Princess!” he stammered hastily bowing-and in the process smacking himself with his foreleg, “Ow…” Luna sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Thou beith afraid of us as well, don’t thou” she muttered in a weird mix of old and modern Equestrian Basic.

“uh …of course not !” Shining said hastily, “I mean…not unless you want me to your majesty!”

“No, we do not.” Luna said. “Though we are sorry to say we doubt your sincerity.” The young stallion cringed. He didn’t think he sounded convincing either.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I’m just jumpy this morning. I’m trying to prepare to do something very difficult.” Just thinking about the look the Captains face when he finds out ‘one of his colts’ sold him out. What if this didn’t do anything but make him a pariah amongst the guard stallions. His sister looked up to him so much, how would she feel about him when he was known as “Shining Armor the Snitch”?

“You did appear to have a heavy heart when I saw you. Would you like to talk about it?” Shining Armor blinked taken aback. He didn’t want to turn her down and insult, after all she was a Princess, for the Great Queen’s sake! But he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to spill his guts.

“Sure” He said hesitantly. She invited him to walk with her and he followed, all the way to the royal courtyard.

“What burdens your heart?” he took a deep breath

“We-e-ell someone who helped me and who I thought was a friend is asking me to cover for him doing something wrong, and he says that I owe him.” He started out slow but then quickened to the point where he said most of it in one breathe. Luna just raised a brow.

“Is it the Captain?” He blinked in surprise. “We shall take that as a yes. We have seen him about and wondered if he had other duties. We didn’t say anything because, we weren’t certain. But now….THE KNAVE SHALL PAY FOR HIS ABUSES OF PRIVILEGE-oh we’ve done it again haven’t we?” Shining had without realizing it backed up against the wall and was flinching at the Princess’s show of anger. “We shall take it from here, Shining Armor. “ He was left a little bit stunned, wondering how it could have been that easy. He didn’t even have to give names. It seemed that thinking he had ponies covering him made the Captain careless.

Soon after there was a court martial about it, and Shining was the one member of the guard who served as a witness against the Captain. He wouldn’t lie, the time during the proceedings was tough, the Captain’s few loyalists shunned him, and everyone else wouldn’t talk to him for fear of punishment. The Captain wasn’t allowed to kick Shining Armor out, but Shining wished he could. The days where he came home after being insulted shoved kicked and worked to his limits were some of his darkest. But during the witness hearings, stallions who had quit the Royal Guard over it all came forward to give their accounts. It got easier learning that there was some who agreed with him, and it gave him the strength to go to work every day and face those who didn’t. In the end it paid off, the Captain and those reverently supporting him were given the boot, and at that point several of the stallions that were bullied into silence spoke up, apologizing for not talking to him.

He also got a bit of a surprise soon after when some very important ponies came to him about the matter of the new Captain of the Royal Guard.

“You want me to be Captain?” He had asked bewildered, “B-but I’ve only been in the Guard for a few years!”

“A lot of the high ranked stallions were either part of the Captain’s deceit, or left over it since the supporters of the Captain ostracized them and their attempts to report him came to nothing.” Spitfire, the Captain of the Wonderbolts explained. While separate from the Guard, the Wonderbolts were still considered a branch of the military. The head of the guard, the only authority over the captain had been replaced after the court martial as it was found that she had helped the Captain because of her refusal to penalize “such a hero” for doing something wrong.

“O-oh” Shining said.

“But aside from that, you were the only member of the Royal Guard with the courage and integrity to stand up and do something when you knew your superior was abusing his power.” Shining felt his face burn. “and that takes a special kind of conviction.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it, I…” he didn’t know what to say. Literally. “Though this kind of power seems like a lot and-“

“You don’t think you’re ready?” The Head of the Guard chuckled, “The most deserving never are. I believe that you will wear it responsibly and with honor. “

“Thank you.” He accepted the position –and while it took time to get used to being the Captain, he eventually grew into it. But being a leader was much bigger than being a Captain-being an Alicorn Prince even more so. He didn’t want to take on the great responsibility that being an Alicorn before he knew what he was getting into- and when the time was right. At the moment the time was most certainly not right. He had to think about how his actions looked to the Crystal Ponies, and suddenly becoming a royal Alicorn would most definitely cause fear and possibly revolts. “The right time will come, but now is not it.”

*****

Winter had come and gone again for Twilight Sparkle-now Princess Sparkle –and the wrapping up of winter was fast approaching. It had been a few months since the coronation and Ponyville adored having something to hold to pride that they had a royal princess living in town. One could say that Ponyville was often like the forgotten middle child of Equestria. Since Twilight had shown up and things began happening the once-small backwater town was getting a taste of importance. It had all started, fittingly with the Summer Sun Festival that was graced with the presence of the Princess herself.

Twilight understood this but that didn’t mean she enjoyed the special attention she sometimes got. There were many instances where fillies and colts would come by the library and select a book just to get a glimpse at her and the book would just be returned the next day. She wished the attention would stop shining on her. Being told by the town how excited and proud they were for her was completely flattering and great the first time. Being told the fiftieth time however, was just getting old. But she dared not say this. She would just smile, rather bashfully and thank them. It was starting to cool down; Twilight hoped this meant it was sinking in for them.

She was busy trying to prepare herself for what it meant to be a Princess. She has always been responsible but it still made her nervous. There was a lot of difference between being responsible in regular life, and being a good princess. She had sent a letter to Celestia when worry took over and she started feeling like she wasn’t prepared. That …coincidentally coincided with her reading a history book about a war. Celestia sent a letter back rather promptly and it explained quite a lot. The test in the Crystal Empire had been preparation for her as a ruler.
"I know you may not feel ready, but after all you have done I am confident that you will be a wonderful leader."

Celestia’s words were a comfort to her. If Celestia thought she was capable, surely that had to mean something right? She kept the letter as a reminder for when she felt like she couldn’t do it. She wasn’t going to let her mentor down.

One chilly morning Twilight was called to the Mayor’s office. As she made her way she appreciated the sights. Snow still capped the roofs of the houses and buildings. Aside from a few children playing there weren’t that many ponies out there. Twilight herself preferred to stay inside during the winter cozed up by the fire with a nice blanket and a good book. With these new wings she could also keep Spike cuddled up nearby. The idea just seemed perfect to her that she couldn’t wait for later in the evening or afternoon if time allowed.

“Princess?” she looked up at the sound of the Mayor’s voice. Mayor Mare and her intern were both outside waiting bundled up for the cold.

“Oh…Mayor. “ Twilight said, “You caught me offgaurd. And no need for that…just call me Twilight like always.”

“Well, I did want to discuss some business matters, like this year’s Winter Wrap Up” she said, leading me toward Town Hall. The request was simple but rather surprising, Mayor Mare wanted Twilight to completely organize and manage Winter Wrap up.

“But…don’t I do that already…?” she asked, confused.

“What I mean is...”the Mayor drew a long breath, “I will be out of town meeting with some other town officials in Manehatten. So I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be organizing in my place than you Pr- er Twlight.”

“Well…thank you.” Twilight said. Maybe this was one of her first challenges as a Princess. “You can count on me, Mayor Mare.”

“Thank you and I knew I could.” Twilight walked home thinking about everything that needed to be planned for Winter Wrap Up, muttering them under her breath as she walked. To somepony that didn’t know her, it might have looked strange but most of the ponies that knew her well knew that it meant there was a lot going on in her head. She decided that she would focus on what had to be done rather than how big of a responsibility it was.

“So we have the sky clearing- the pegasi can take care of that, as well as taking care of the birds. Fluttershy can take care of the animals with the help of the system I rigged up last yea-“

“HEY TWILIGHT!” Rainbow Dash spotted her from above and flew down, “You want to do some more flying practice?” Twilight sighed. Not that she didn’t appreciate the offer, but there was a lot to be done.

“Normally I’d love to but I’ve got a big job ahead of me.’ She said, “The mayor’s going to be out of town on Winter Wrap Up and she wants me to organize and lead it.”

“You did it last year didn’t you? It’ll be no sweat!” Dash gave her a little nudge, “and if you feel like helping clear the skies this time around…”

“I’ll think about it.” Twilight said with a chuckle. When she went home she set right to planning, well after making some tea and lighting a warm fire in the fireplace. She and Spike enjoyed a warm drink while she planned out all the duties that needed to be done for Winter Wrap Up.

“Maybe we could ask Zecora if there’s anything she wants to do to help?” Twilight suggested. Zecora hadn’t been invited last time because the town was still unsure of her. It would be nice to at least offer her a chance to join in the town tradition.

“That sounds good. Maybe I can help with making nests.” Twilight chuckled. Any excuse to be close to Rarity. But she wouldn’t discourage him.

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” In time afternoon turned to evening and Spike dozed off. Twilight followed as soon as she had dotted all her I’s and crossed all her T’s. The next day she set to looking over everything she did yesterday. It was interrupted, however when she got a letter.

Dear Twily,

Hey , how’s it been? I bet Ponyville looks nice this time of year, the Crystal Empire looked amazing this winter.

So getting used to those wings yet? I’d be checkin’ ‘em out right away if it were me- see what tricks I could do.

The Crystal Empire is proving a bit of a challenge lately. I can handle it….I just hope Cadence doesn’t get too overstressed about it all. We’ll manage.

Just out of curiosity….you’re sure Sombra’s gone right? Please don’t worry I’m just making sure.

Anyway, stay awesome Princess Twily

Much Love,

Shining Armor

She must have reread it five times. Her heart hadn’t stopped racing after she read it. The Crystal Empire was a challenge and her brother was asking about Sombra. Shining had never been good at hiding when he was concerned. Perhaps Cadence was just stressed. Yeah, maybe Shining was just worried about her. She got out a quill and started writing a letter.
Dear Shining Armor

….and that was it. She couldn’t come up with anything else. She wasn’t sure what blocked her, she desperately wanted to know what he was so worried about, but the words just wouldn’t come. She was also late for meeting her friends. She had to meet Applejack about the crops and Rainbow Dash about the weather ponies. She put the letter aside and went out to meet Applejack. She knew her friend didn’t appreciate lateness. She would understand if Twilight explained but Twilight didn’t want to worry the others.

“Twi! For lands sakes what took ya so long?” Applejack hurried up to meet her.

“Sorry….got uh caught up reading the mail.” It technically wasn’t a lie, but she still felt Applejack’s gaze on her linger. They went on to talk about plans for how to get the crops done faster this year, but Twilight couldn’t seem to remember her plan. All she could think of was Shining’s letter. She nodded and agreed with Applejack’s plan.

“You all right sugarcube, you seem awful distracted.”

“No-I..um I’m just fine, so ….that all sounds good.” Twilight said, “Now I have an appointment with Rainbow Dash....and then I need to swing by the house before I meet Rarity, you know Spike wouldn’t like it if I left him behind. “ She rushed off leaving Applejack a little surprised. She felt bad for not being completely honest but she would tell them later when there wasn’t so much going on. Winter Wrap Up was the most important thing now.

As she went about the preparations the letter was on the back of her mind and she was thinking about what to say. By the time she got home she had more of the letter written.

Dear Shining Armor

Ponyville has been absolutely wonderful this season. It’s always sad to say goodbye to the lovely colors of winter. I missed you this Hearth’s Warming Eve, I hope someday we can have Hearth’s Warming Eve together again like the old days.

I’m trying to get used to sleeping with them first. It’s a bit of a challenge to get used to. Rainbow Dash already called ‘dibs’ on teaching me to fly. I think she’s really looking forward to having someone to fly with. I’m a bit worried I’ll never be able to catch up to her.

I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble. I hope you and Cadence all the best. What’s going on? Did you see a trace of Sombra? Please tell me Shining; I just want to know you’re okay.

All Of My Love,

Twilight Sparkle.

She put it on the mailbox and that night as she tried to sleep the letter was the only thing on her mind. Every possible thing that could happen went through her mind. In the next days that passed she tried to put the matter out of her mind and focus on organizing Winter Wrap up. For a little bit she was successful by telling herself she was probably overreacting.

But when the letter didn’t come after a week she got distracted. Winter Wrap up was coming closer and all she could think about was Shining Armor and Cadance. She became quiet during the town meetings if she could get away with it. Even her friends seemed to notice. She always thought the worst when she saw them talking.

“No..don’t worry…” she told herself, “just wait til Winter Wrap up is over, then I’ll tell them” She reassured herself during the next day. It probably wouldn’t last but it would hold her over.

“Twi….” Applejack cornered her after the meeting. “You don’t seem yourself lately…”

“I’m fine” Twilight said.

“Is it this princess stuff, because you know you can talk ta me about it.”

“I’m fine” Twilight took a deep breath. She was starting to get annoyed. Applejack started saying something again and something in her snapped. “Applejack…I’m fine!” When she realized what she did she gulped and then said, “I’m sorry…I’m fine, don’t worry.” She quickly went home holding back the urge to cry.

The next days she tried to be aware of losing her temper she hadn’t got much sleep. Winter Wrap Up was coming closer. Then it all came crashing down the next day. It started when she looked in her mailbox yet again to get no response from her brother. She watched the clock ticking. At this point Winter Wrap up was nothing but stress she couldn’t wait to get past. She just wanted to put it off. All that mattered was the letter. To know if her brother was safe or not. She kicked herself mentally for not being clear enough in her letter.

She started on another letter throwing away several drafts until Spike came in to remind her that it was almost time to leave. She told him she was busy and he left looking a little surprised.

“Spike…I’m sorry Spike….” She gave up on the letter and started getting ready for the meeting. Spike didn’t talk much. Only a few hours and she could get back, and go to sleep and wait for the next day. She could do this….. Winter Wrap Up was going well enough. She thought.

She managed to make it through half of the meeting, though when she walked in she heard the word ‘Princess’. Were they talking about her? All the possibilities of what they could be saying flew through her head.

“She’s gotten so stuck up since she became Princess”

“She probably thinks she’s better than everyone”

“Did you hear her snapping at her friend the other day, so much for the Princess of Friendship!”

“She can’t handle it….I think Celestia thinks too much of her”

She shook it off and took her seat. It was ridiculous. They wouldn’t say that, and they didn’t know anything. As the meeting went on , it started to feel like everyone was talking too fast. But she couldn’t’ understand or keep up. She only caught little bits.

Fifty weather ponies on duty? That was ridiculous they don’t even have fifty weather ponies. She tried to say something but they kept talking over her. The blood was rushing to her head.

They weren’t following her plans…. She carefully laid out a plan.

Why were they ignoring her…

WHY WEREN’T THEY LISTENING?

“STOP!” she yelled, “I made a plan already. We don’t even have fifty weather ponies. We have twenty four twelve east twelve west! All we need to do is the same thing we did LAST YEAR! IS THAT SO HARD?” Everyone stared.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack exchanged looks while some of the others muttered sheepish apologized.

“That’s what I was saying” “Geez Twi, chill out” Twilight felt her heart sinking as she watched all of them. She had just yelled at her friends and fellow townspeople. Her first test and she already blew it. She noticed Fluttershy sniffling and felt a moist warmth in her eyes.

She was the worst princess ever.

“…I-I’m sorry…I didn’t…” she rushed out of the room before anyone could see her tears. As she rushed home, her entire body was burning with humiliation, so much she couldn’t feel the chill of the snow against her normally sensitive hooves

‘Why me Celestia?’

Why now?

She locked herself in her room and curled up on her bed. The only thing on her mind was the shocked faces of the townspeople.

*****

There was a dull roar of mutterings in the town hall. A few ponies muttered indignantly while most others exchanged worried whispers. Most of them looked concerned, having gotten to know Twilight for two years, and knew that that this wasn’t like her.

“She’s really stressed out” Bon Bon said.

Applejack was shocked, and a little bit angry. Twilight had told her over and over she was fine. That she couldn’t handle it. Why hadn’t she been honest? Twilight had been the one to insist she was okay and everything was fine. She sighed in frustration.

‘That’s it’ Applejack thought. She took off for Twilight’s house to have a talk with the mare about what honesty and friendship meant. She pounded on the library door until Spike opened it.

“Twilight’s upstairs” he said. She made straight for the room upstairs where Twilight sat curled up on her bed crying. Hearing her sobs was enough to make Applejack’s anger melt away. She carefully approached the bed.

“Honey, why didn’t you tell us?” she said quietly. Twilight didn’t answer for a little bit, “I offered to help…”

“I-I didn’t want t-to worry you.” Twilight sniffled and looked up. “I was going to tell you after Winter Wrap Up. Bu-but”

“I know you’re dealin’ with a lot of responsibility, but it’s like ya told me. You can’t be too proud to ask for help” Twilight sniffled.

“b-but….I didn’t want to worry you” She said weakly

“Sugarcube we’ve been worried for the last week since you ain’t been yourself. “ Applejack said, “Your friends know when somethin’s up. And it’s more worryin’ for us when we don’t know what’s goin’ on” Twilight nodded.

“I’m sorry…I ruined Winter Wrap Up” she said.

“Course ya didn’t….it just needs some fixin’ up is all. We’ll all be there to help so you won’t be alone. “Applejack said, “now, why don’t ya tell me everythin’ that’s goin’ on” Finally Twilight started explaining about Shining’s letter and all that happened afterward.

Author's Note

Hello again!

With this story I’m hoping to delve into my own ideas about the mythology type stuff in Equestria. Now I know most people take alicorns to be like gods, but clearly as of now that doesn’t seem to fit with canon as of now though I can see them as a sort that’s relegated to royalty. These are really based on ideas that made sense to me. It gets into alicorns and how they work. However you can be rest assured that the OCs in this story are most certainly NOT alicorns.

Also I ditched my idea of a rotation schedule for updating. Best to work when inspiration strikes. Be warned...next chapter will be rather scary and disturbing