MINIFIC LIGHTNING ROUND

The Princess of Love was angry.

It shouldn't even be possible for her horn to hurt from maintaining this spell, but then few spellcasters were ever required to keep up such extreme feats of magical stamina.  If not for her alicorn physiology, she'd have given out days ago.  Even that was being taxed now Sombra had reached the barrier.

At the same time, she could see, far below the Crystal Palace, a sextet of ponies including her new sister-in-law singing and dancing as they...

"What are they doing?" she grumbled.  Somepony jerked beside her.

"Huhwha?  Cadie, y'okay?"

Cadance turned her head towards her husband, who was trying unsuccessfully to stifle yawning.  Shining gave her a tired smile, stretching.

"Shining, you're supposed to keep me awake."

He winced.  "Sorry, baby, I'm trying.  I have to be honest, it's really boring."

Cadance bit back a retort.  Exhaustion crept in, misdirecting her emotions.  "Could you tell me what your sister's friends are up to?"

Shining Armor trotted to the window, surveying the scene.  His eyes lit up after a moment.

"They're montaging!" He turned to her, smiling.  "Twilie wrote to mom and dad about Winter Wrap-Up one.  It's how they get big tasks done in Ponyville!"

"By singing, dancing and having fun?" Cadance' eyes narrowed.  "Do they understand what a threat King Sombra is, not only to the Crystal Kingdom, but all of Equestria?"

He moved back toward her, putting a hoof on her shoulder.  The touch calmed her boiling rage.

"They know.  They're good ponies, from good lives.  This is how they deal with crises.  They'll get the job done, and you'll see that calling them was a good idea."

His stomach gurgled audibly.

"Whoa!" he laughed.  "Guess I shouldn't've eaten that fifth corndog last night.  Be right back, babe."

She leaned away from his kiss, scowling.  "You can't just leave me!"

"I said I'll be right back." Shining rolled his eyes.  "Just gotta take a quick dump.  And since we're not in a warzone or anything, it's probably better if I go to the little colts' room." He turned to leave.

"But," Cadance's eyes searched him, desperate, as she tried to think around her spell.  "What if I pass out?  Sombra could attack at any minute!"

"Seriously." Shining gave her a look.  "Cade.  Won't be a minute.  Nothing will happen."

She couldn't hold it back any longer.  "And have you ever even been in a war?"

That got his attention.  He stopped, mid-stride, turning to face her with a glower.

"Listen up, soldier!" he barked.  "Do you think this is a war or a fillies' sleepover?  You don't have time to worry about what's happening next, you just do, understand me?"

He walked up, pressing his nose against hers.  "The fate of the Crystal Kingdom, neigh, the entirety of Equestria is on.  Your.  Head!  Are you gonna let a two-minute interruption in your schedule break your concentration?"

"N-no..."

"I can't hear you!"

Cadance drew up straight.  "No, sir!"

"That's better." Shining smirked, taking a step back.  "Now you just sit right there on your pretty little derriere and keep that spell going.  I'm gonna drop the kids off at the pool, and if you so much as bat an eye while I'm gone, I swear to your Aunt I will throw you off a balcony.  Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

Shining relaxed, grinning at her.  "Yeah, I've had my share of field training.  Love ya, Cadie."

And, blowing a kiss to her, he trotted off to the little colts' room.