//------------------------------//
// Confrontation 
// Story: The Life of a Young Colt 
// by Rakoon1 
//------------------------------//

Shining and Twilight left their grandmother's house and began to go back to their home. Along the way, Twilight saw somepony Shining didn't expect to find.

"Cadance!"

Indeed, Cadance reached their side, as beautiful as ever. Narrowly avoiding her mesmerizing eyes, Shining then noticed her wings and also her Cutie Mark, which was a crystal heart with golden ornaments around the under part.

"Hello, Twilight" she said, hugging her. "How are you?"

"I'm fantastic" she said. "I and my B.B.B.F.F. went to our grandmother's house and she gave me a doll."

"Really?" Cadance asked. "Let me see it."

Twilight then showed Smarty Pants to Cadance who smiled and said:

"She's very beautiful. And you know what I like the most about your doll?"

"What?"

"Despite appearing to look old, that only makes it much more beautiful."

Shining was fascinated with Cadance's words. She really knew how to win a foal's sympathy. Because of that, it was not hard to know how Twilight came to get fascinated with what Cadance had said. Thinking it was the perfect opportunity to make his presence felt, he came over and greeted her:

"Hello, Cadance."

"Oh, hello, Shining Armor" Cadance said.

"Please, just call me Shining" he said, blushing lightly, as he scratched the back of his head.

"Okay, as you like... Shining" Cadance replied, laughing.

"And how do you want me to call you?" Shining asked jokingly. "Cadance or Princess Cadance."

"You can call me anything but my princess name: Mi Amore Cadenza" she said.

Shining laughed slightly, not because of her name, but because she had told him that he could call her whatever he wanted. The two exchanged a few glances and Twilight, tired of being ignored, said:

"Well, can you stop flirting, please? I wanna go home."

When she said the word flirting both Cadance and Shining blushed. The young colt then told Twilight:

"Twily, I already told you to not say that."

"But you do look like a couple of lovebirds" she commented.

That made the two teenagers blush even more and Shining, who didn't want to be embarrassed anymore, said:

"Come on, let's go home."

"Goodbye, Cadance" Twilight said, as she and Shining walked away.

Cadance saw them turn away, smiling sweetly. Shining hastened to walk, so Twilight had to practically run to keep up with him. He never thought that an approach like that could have gone so wrong. They say that foals are the perfect image of sincerity, but he thought Twilight had too much sincerity. And she was not very subtle in her comments. But also what could be expected from a small filly like her?

To Shining's great relief, and at the same time to his chagrin, in the next day, he didn't meet with Cadance. She should have a lot of princess work or studies to do.

Then Monday came and Shining had to get up early to catch the train that would take him and the other recruits back to the Academy. After going to give a goodbye kiss to Twilight, who was still asleep, and say goodbye to his parents, Shining caught in his saddlebags and headed to the train station. When it was almost time for the train to appear, Blue appeared gasping.

"Phew, I got here in time" he said, relieved.

"But what happened?" Shining asked. "There's only some seconds left for the train to arrive. If you had come any later, you would have missed it."

"I know" he replied, trying to catch his breath. "But my family and I went to spent the week-end out and we returned yesterday when it was at almost midnight."

They heard a whistle and the train arrived. They rushed to get in and when the others entered the train began to move. Shining and Blue searched for the train and found a compartment just for them. There, Blue began telling to Shining his week-end with his family. They had gone to pass it in the Neighagra Falls, where they camped. Blue shared with Shining all his experiences and complained about Dhalia and everything she did to annoy him. Shining was amused to hear his best friend's stories, but eventually he finished and then asked him:

"What about you? How was your week-end?

Shining was spared to respond when the train started to slow down at the Royal Guard Academy train station.

"I'll tell you later" he said. "Now, I think it's better we go put our things in the dormitory and prepare ourselves to the combate lessons with Lightning Bolt."

They then left the train, entered in the Academy and went soon enough to his dormitory, where they put their stuff and dressed their uniform quickly. They also crossed with Fire Punch, but quickened their pace, not wanting to cause trouble with him.

During the rest of the day, Shining was with his head in the clouds. He couldn't stop thinking about Cadance and all her beauty and kindness. This thought seemed to give forces to Shining in a way that left all the others really impressed. After an exhausting begining of the week, the recruits took a bath and after they ate. Shining, unlike the others, instead of going to the common room that was next to the canteen, went straight to the dormitory. Blue noticed this and then Fire Punch made ​​one of his malicious comments:

"It seems that our dear friend Shining is already tired of all the fuss. He mustn't be able to stand up, and only had spent a week."

Trying to ignore the anger and the contempt he felt for Fire Punch, Blue went to Shining. He found him in the dormitory, lying on his bed staring dreamily at the ceiling. Blue knew his friend enough to recognize their expressions, but that was a new one. He seemed to be in complete bliss. He approached and asked:

"Do you want to tell me why you're so happy?"

Shining got out from his dreamy state and then turned down and saw Blue.

"Oh, it's you" he said.

"Who were you waiting for?" Blue asked. "Fire Punch."

"Bite your tongue" Shining replied. "He may appear and I don't want him to ruin my mood."

"And I asked again" said Blue. "Why are you so happy all of a sudden?"

Shining sighed. He knew he could trust in Blue to tell something like that. Besides, he could always count with his advice.

"Okay, I'll tell you."

He jumped down and they sat on Blue's bed, where Shining started:

"Something happened this weekend. Something... I can't explain how it happened."

"I think starting at the beginning always is a good start" Blue said. "I know it's a cliché, but it's a good truth."

Shining laughed and then continued:

"Well, all started after I went home. I got there and when I went in, the door opened and I bumped into the most beautiful filly I've ever seen."

"Whoa, wait a second" Blue said. "Are you telling me you felt in love?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that" Shining said. "I would say... Yes, it can be said that I felt in love.

"But... but that is fantastic!" Blue exclaimed, slapping on his friend's back. "And how is she? I mean, you've said that she's pretty, but do I know her?"

"Hardly" Shining replied. "She is my sister's new foalsitter and is well ... Princess Celestia's niece."

Those last words of Shining made Blue stay with an appalled look.

"Wait, you're in love with Princess Cadance?"

"You know her?" Shining asked.

"My father's royal guard, remember? He said that Princess Celestia's niece had come to take magic lessons from her."

"Yes, and the funny thing is that when I met her, I didn't realize she was a princess. I didn't even notice that she had a horn and wings."

"Well, love is blind, after all."

"Well said. It was enough to me just bump against her, look her in the eyes and fell in love."

There was a pause and then Blue said:

"But who'd have thought it? And tell me,have you declared yourself already?"

"Are you crazy?!" asked Shining. "Me?! Declare myself to her? Declare myself to a princess? Most likely she'll reject me."

"And have you tried yet?"

"Well... no. But it's obvious that it will happen. Look at me. I'm a aspiring royal guard who is content only with the most essential things and she is a princess used to getting everything she wants. Do you think she'll want a pony like me? And even if she did want me, what do you think everypony will say about it? No, I think it's better keep what I feel for myself."

"You know, Shining, I never thought you could surprise me so much" Blue said. "I mean, you, the most courageous and determined pony I know, giving up on something without even trying? I never thought to get to the day I would see that happen."

"But, Blue..."

"No ifs, ands or buts. Look at me, Shining Armor, and hear what I'm going to say very carefully. You love Cadance and not because she's a princess. That is what you must show to everypony. Don't give importance to what others say. You don't need a princess to be a great royal guard, because you can do it on your own merit. And if she rejects you, there are more fillies around."

Shining smiled. He had made the right decision in trusting on Blue. He had caused Shining saw with a more optimistic view what he felt for Cadance.

"So?" Blue asked. "What are you gonna do now?"

"You know what, Blue? You are right about what you said. When I see Cadance the next time, I'll go straight to her and ask her to go on a date."

"That's the spirit, bro" Blue said. "And I wish you all the luck of Equestria."

"Thanks, man" Shining said.

The two then bumped their hooves.

During the rest of the week, Shining couldn't wait the weekend to come. When Friday came and he arrived to Canterlot, he returned home and, when he was arriving, he saw Cadance leaving the house. It was his opportunity and he had to take it. It was now or never. He approached her and called:

"Cadance, wait."

She turned and saw Shining approaching.

"Shining, it's so good to see you again" she said. "How was your week? The trainings at the academy have been hard, no?"

"You'r right about that" Shining agreed, already beginning to blush. "Cadance, I wanted to ask you something."

"What?"

"I was wondering if... if you..."

It was hard for Shining to articulate what he want to say, but he had to do it, he had to.

"If I what, Shining?"

"If you... want to... go out with me."

There was a pause in which Cadance blushed a little and said:

"Are you asking me to go on a date with you?"

"I know, it's a silly invitation" Shining said. "As if you ever wanted to go on a date with me. I mean, I bet I don't make your type, but..."

But Cadance silenced him by placing her hoof on his lips and say:

"Shining, it would be an honor to go out with you."

That left Shining perplexed and filled with joy.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes" she replied. "The truth is I hoped you would feel for me what I feel for you."

"And what do you feel for me?" Shining asked with a slight smile.

"A feeling that I hope it can evolve a lot with our date" Cadance said.

The two looked at each other intensely, both blushing, not for being embarrassed but for the happiness they were feeling, and then Shining asked:

"Can we meet tomorrow at ten o'clock at the alicorn sisters fountain? "

"Yes, of course" Cadance replied.

"Well, then... see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, bye"

The two began to follow their own ways, exchanging glances with each other in the first passes. When Shining came home, he was soon greeted by his energetic little sister and his parents. As it was usual, Shining and Twilight had their stargazing night, but in that night, Shining could admire the beauty of stars as he had never admired before. It seemed that they shone even more just for him. It was not long until Twilight fell asleep and he had to take her to her room. When he finally laid down on his bed, Shining smiled, knowing that the next day would surely be one of the best days of his life.