The train from the Royal Guard Academy has arrived to the Canterlot train station when the sun was setting. From there, some colts left, including Shining and Blue. They then began to go to their homes, as they talked. Shining had told Blue everything White Light had told him.
"Wow, so it's true" Blue said. "Your grandfather was really a Captain of the Royal Guard."
"Yes, and Captain White Light was his protege" Shining added.
"Well, that's unbelievable" Blue said. "But I've noticed one thing, Shining. Both of us have royal guard blood."
"But you know that it takes more than blood to be a real royal guard."
"Yes, I know, but the more I think about it, the more I think you're destined to be one of the best royal guards of all" Blue said.
"Are you saying that just because I'm the grandson..." Shining started.
"It has nothing to do with it, man" said Blue. "Well, perhaps. But, look, I'm like Captain White Light. Your grandfather was who made him what he is now, as you are who made me what I am."
"What do you mean?" Shining asked.
Blue was about to answer, when they reached to the intersection where they would go their separate ways.
"I'll answer that another time, now I have to go home" Blue said. "I'm eager to see my parents and, interestingly, my sister. Goodbye, bro."
And he began to follow his path.
"Blue, wait, answer me..." Shining began, pausing to realize that he was not listening. "Ok, it's for later."
He then sighed and went the other way. It was not long until he started to see his house appearing in his vision field. A smile appeared on his face. It was really good to be home. He couldn't have waited to come and be with his family, especially with his little sister. He reached the front door, but when he prepared to open it, it opened and then something, or somepony, collided with Shining, hitting him in the head, followed by the sound of something hitting the ground.
"I'm so sorry" a female voice said.
"It's okay" said Shining, massaging his head. "It was an accident."
He then turned to the pony who he bumped heads with and he became marveled with what he saw.
It was a beautiful young unicorn mare (at least, she seemed to be an unicorn at first glance) with the same age as his, perhaps the most beautiful mare he had ever seen, except maybe Twilight. She had a pale, grayish light cerise coat and a dark violet with moderate mane rose and pale gold streaks. But Shining was more interested in her eyes. They were a fairly deep and beautiful dark purple that could hypnotize anypony. Seeing them, Shining felt himself so calm, but at the same time so nervous. It was a feeling hard to explain. His heart throbbed tremendously. For a moment, Shining feared it climbed up to his neck and stay stuck there.
She also looked into his eyes carefully. They were in that way just a few seconds and then they shifted them, both giving nervous laughters and blushing slightly. They then turned to look at each other again, both smiling, and then Shining extended his hoof to that beautiful unicorn. She then took it and Shining helped her standing up.
"Hello" Shining greeted, unable to say anything more than that.
"Hello" she replied, in the same shy way as Shining.
The two blushed a little more, staying there for a bit and then a cheery voice interrupted the moment saying:
"Shining!"
Twilight appeared coming from inside and went to his brother, hugging him.
"Hey, Twily!" Shining greeted, hugging her back.
"I missed you so much" she said, separating herself from Shining.
"Come on, sis, it has only been five days."
"But to me it seemed like an eternity."
Velvet and Night Light also appeared at the door .
"Son, it's so good to have you back" Night Light said, giving him a noogie.
"It's also good to be home, dad" Shining replied.
"Oh, son, it's good to see you're okay" said Velvet, embracing Shining strongly.
"Mom, look out, you still choke me" Shining said, trying to free himself from his mother's strong hug, not only because he was running out of air, but also to not be embarrassed before the beautiful filly who was there.
"Sorry, son" Velvet apologized, releasing Shining. "But the fact that you're away from me makes me so worried."
"Anyway, Shining, let me introduce you to Cadance" Night Light said, gesturing to the filly.
"Hey" she said softly, smiling.
"Hey" Shining replied, returning her the smile.
"Cadance has been Twilight's new foalsitter since you went to the Academy" Velvet said. "It was a way to give more rest to your grandmother.
"And it's a well deserved rest" Night Light said. "It gives her more time to venture out on her crazy adventures."
That made everypony loose a laugh, but Shining just couldn't take his eyes from Cadance. She had such a pretty name that fit perfectly in her beauty.
"She is the best foalsitter, B.B.B.F.F.!" Twilight said. "No offense, Shining."
"Don't worry, Twily" Shining said, stroking her mane. "Of course I'm not offended. If you say she is, it's because it's true."
He then turned to Cadance and told her:
"I hope my sister didn't gave you too much trouble."
"Oh no, she's a sweetheart" she replied. "It's the best filly I ever foalsitt."
Shining could not believe how wonderful Cadance was. Twilight really liked her, so she should be so sweet and loving as she appeared to be.
"Cadance, I think it's better you get going" Night Light said. "It's getting dark and your aunt may get worried."
"Yes, of course" Cadance nodded, turning to Twilight. "Goodbye again, Twilight."
"Bye, Cadance" Twilight said, hugging her.
"Once again, thank you for taking care of Twilight this afternoon" Velvet thanked.
"It was a pleasure" she replied politely and smilling.
"See you next Monday afternoon" Night Light said.
"Bye" she replied, turning to Shining and smiling at him, making him blush very lightly.
He just hoped nopony had noticed. Cadance then started to walk away. Shining followed her with his eyes for a few seconds before Twilight catch his attention and she asked:
"Do we still have our stargazing night?"
"Of course" Shining replied. "I promised you we would, didn't I?"
"Yheee" Twilight exclaimed, turning inside.
Velvet used his magic to get Shining's saddlebags and told him:
"I'll put them in your room, dear. Go take care of your night with your sister."
"Thanks, mom" Shining thanked with a smile.
He then went to his room and fetched his telescope, beginning to mount it at the backyard. When he finished, Twilight appeared, bringing a blanket and a plate with two sandwiches that Velvet had done for them in the back.
"Oh, this will be the best night ever" Twilight said, while his big brother used his magic to grab the blanket and spread it on the ground and put the plate there. "I waited for this since I received your letter, Shining."
"Yeah, me too, Twilight" Shining said as he and Twilight sat on the blanket. "You don't know how much I missed you in the Academy."
They then began to observe the stars. It was a moment of their own, a moment that the two shared at least twice a week. They watched the stars, admiring their beauty and sometimes joining the points. Shining taught to Twilight the names of constellations that some stars they were finding and he had learned in school, showing them in more detail through his telescope. Twilight was impressed with what his brother knew and taught her and Shining was proud of that. But sometimes, Twilight had questions he couldn't answer.
"Shining, where do stars come from?" she asked.
"Well..." he hesitated, because that was a question he couldn't answer. "You know, Twilight, I really don't know the answer to that question."
"But you know everything, big brother" Twilight said.
"Not everything, little sis. But if you want, I can tell you a story mom told me about the stars."
"Uhh, tell me, please" she asked excitedly.
"She told me the stars were very special seeds that emanate a very strong light that blinds anypony."
"Really?"
"Yeah, that they came from a fantastic kingdom full of light inhabited by bright ponies. It is said they offered their seeds to the alicorn princesses of Equestria to illuminate the dark night and thus ward off fear."
"Wow!" Twilight exclaimed, amazed.
"It's also said that these seeds have an immense power, capable of increasing the magic of any unicorn pony to levels never seen before" Shining said.
"I wish I had one of these seeds and thus be the best in magic" Twilight said. "But all I can do are small sparks."
"Believe me, sis" Shining said reaching to his sister. "What you do with your horn, is much more than I did before having my Cutie Mark. I'm sure you'll be the best in magic."
That made Twilight drop her sweet and gorgeous smile Shining loved so much.
"But, you know, if I could climb up to the sky and bring you one of those seeds, I would" Shining said. "Then you'd shine even brighter."
Twilight laughed and then said:
"You cann't climb up the sky, silly. It's impossible."
"For you, I would do the impossible, Twily" Shining replied, hugging his sister.
"And would you also bring one for Cadance?" Twilight asked.
"But of course" Shining replied, blushing slightly. "Why not?"
"I bet if you brought her one of these seeds, she would want to date you."
That made Shining, who was eating a sandwich, to choke.
"What did you say?" Shining asked nervously after swallowing what had gotten stuck in his throat and blushing a lot. "What do you mean, Twilight?"
"I saw how you got when you met Cadance" Twilight said. "It's clear that you like her."
"I don't like her, Twilight" Shining protested, trying to avoid blushing, because as Twilight had said, blushing, even if mild, was always visible in his white coat. "At least not in the way you think."
But Twilight continued, humming:
"You like Cadance. You like Cadance. You like...
But suddenly she stopped, yawning and then supporting her head against his brother and falling asleep. After all, Shining couldn't stop smiling. Her sister could be a pain sometimes, but he loved her very much like that. Shining laid Twilight cautiously on the blanket and then covered her. She really was a sweet filly.
Shining heard hooves and then he saw his father approaching.
"I see that our little one is already sleeping" he commented, seeing Twilight sleeping.
"Yes" Shining said, looking to his little sister.
"Do you want me take her to her bedroom?" Night Light asked.
"No, I do it, dad" Shining replied, while he was packing his telescope. "Don't worry about it."
Night Light was watching his son and then asked:
"Shining, can I talk to you? Father to Son?"
"Dad, it's not exactly comforting when you ask something like that," Shining replied.
"Son, I noticed how you looked to Cadance. You like her, don't you?"
"Of course not, dad!" he lied, struggling not to blush.
"Shining Armor, you and blushing don't get along very well" Night Light said. "Shining, I'm your father and I've known you since you were born. Not to mention that I've been your age and I already fell in love several times before I met your mother. You can trust me, boy. Or you don't trust in your old man here?"
Shining didn't know if he would or not to reveal his feelings to his father. Yes, he trusted him, but he felt that was something he had to keep it for himself, something he feared losing if he decidesse reveal it. Finally, he gained courage and said:
"Yes, dad, I think... I have a little crush on Cadance."
"I knew it!" Night Light exclaimed.
"Dad, speak lower" Shining said, motioning to Twilight.
"Oh, right" Night Light replied, embarrassed. "But it's just I'm excited because this is your first crush. It's the first, isn't it?"
"Yes" Shining replied. "You know I only have eyes for my dream, dad."
"So, tell me, what did you feel?"
"I can't explain well. it was if everything had vanished from my brain and I could only think about her. My heart was beating strongly, I couldn't take my eyes off her and my body was shaking with nervousness."
"That's exactly what I felt when I fell in love with your mother" Night Light said. "Of course it was not love at first sight, so it wasn't so especial as your moment, but when it happened, it was a magical moment."
"What do I do now, Dad?" Shining asked. "I don't know what to do."
"Son, you only have to do one thing" Night Light replied, placing a hoof on his son's shoulder. "Declare your love for her."
"What, no way! What if she rejects me?"
"I doubt it" Night Light said. "Princess Cadance also seems to like you very much. She is also a pony who can't hide what she feels."
"You really think I should..." Shining began, remembering later what his father had called Cadance. "Wait, did you say Princess Cadance?"
"Ah, yeah, she's an alicorn princess" Night Light. "Just like Princess Celestia. Incidentally, Cadance is her niece. Have not you noticed in her wings?"
Shining really hadn't noticed that. He thought Cadance was a unicorn like him. But it's clear that Shining couldn't take his eyes from Cadance's eyes.
"No, I didn't know" he replied.
"Well, that's really impressive" Night Light said. "Most ponies notice soon enough she has both unicorn horn and pegasus wings. This only proves that your love is really true."
And having said that, he went back into the house.
Shining remained at the same place where he was, still processing what he had just discovered. Cadance was a princess... and he was just an aspiring royal guard. It made him wonder if a relationship between the two of them would be truly possible...