Finally, the time Shining most expected had arrived: summer vacations. It was a very exciting moment, because he could finally take a break from the hustle of the Academy (while he continued always doing his exercises). Apart from that, it was very nice not having to see Fire Punch's face. Since it became known that Shining was dating Cadance, the young unicorn didn't stop listening snide remarks and taunts from Fire Punch and his friends, but, after all, he could always ignore them. Fortunately, Shining had good friends in the Academy like Blue and many other young stallions who supported him. In addition, the summer was the perfect time to spend a lot of time with his sister, his parents... and, of course, Cadance.
Even in summer, Shining's parentes had work to do and therefore, they needed Cadance's services to foalsitt Twilight, but this time she had Shining's help in full time. The three went in great walks and when Twilight was entertained playing or when she fell asleep or when Blue appeared to keep an eye on her, the two took the opportunity to have one of his moments of love. Shining really loved the holidays and these were the main reasons.
In a day in the middle of the summer, Cadance went to Shining to ask him if he wanted to go for a walk with her, but when she reached his house, she saw him leaving home with his father, Twiligh and Blue, both using yellow and black scarves and hoofball hats and with Shining and Blue's faces painted with the same colors of the hats and scarves.
"Oh, hello, Cadance" Shining greeted, giving her a kiss.
"Cadance!" Twilight exclaimed, going to embrace her foalsitter.
"Well, I came to see if you wanted to go sightseeing, Shining, but I see you already have plans" Cadance said, rather disappointed.
"We're going to a hoofball game" Shining said.
"Yeah, it's the last game of the championship and the Bee Strikers have a chance to win for the fifth consecutive year" Blue continued.
"And I'm sure we can do it" Shining said. "Especially with my Uncle Shooting Star playing by the Bee Strikers."
"Well said, my friend" Blue said.
The two then bumped their hooves. Night Light approached Cadance and said to her:
"It's amazing what hoofball can do with two colts of the age of those two, don't you think?"
Cadance laughed and replied:
"Yes, you are quite right, Mr. Light."
"Well, but what they said is true" Night Light said. "My brother's team can win the championship this year in this game and we're going to support him."
"Hey, Cadance, can you come with us?" Twilight asked. "Dad has an extra ticket it was for mom. It'll be fun."
"Oh, Twilight, take it easy" Shining said to his little sister.
"Yeah, for sure Cadance has more to do than go to a hoofball game" Blue said.
"Yeah, I bet she even doesn't like hoofball" Shining said.
"Oh, is that what you think of me, Shining Armor?" Cadance asked, frowning.
"Honey, no offense, but you don't seem the type of pony who likes hoofball" said Shining.
"Why?" she asked. "Just because I'm a princess and princesses don't like sports where ponies go after a ball? You know, I was part of the female team at my old school and I was one of the best players."
That made Shining Armor's jaw dropping in amazement. He never thought that Cadance was a filly so athletic.
"Man, she got you with that!" Blue said, laughing with Twilight.
"Yeah, you should see your face, big brother" Twilight said, between laughs.
Shining did to both one of his stares that stopped them. He later turned to Cadance and said:
"Well, you know perhaps some things, but are you sure you want to come? There will be lots of ponies and they can recognize you."
"Shining, why do you think use these dresses?" Cadance asked, gesturing to her dress that hide her wings. "With a good hat, I'm sure I'll be unrecognizable."
"And I know just the perfect hat!" Twilight exclaimed. "Wait here."
She got back into the house, returning a few minutes later and carrying a hat and a scarf identical to the ones all brought.
"Good idea, Twilight" Night Light said, stroking his daughter's mane. "Since Mom isn't coming with us, Cadance can use her hat and scarf. What do you think, Cadance?"
"To me it sounds perfect" she said, using her magic to put the hat and scarf.
They then advanced until they reach the big hoofball stadium of Canterlot. Several ponies were already getting in, all excited about the game that was about to happen. After submitting the tickets to the security at the entrance, they went to their seats from the bench. They occupied the front row of seats, having a good vision of the whole field.
"Welcome, folks, to Canterlot Stadium, where we will be hosting the final Hoofball Game of the season!" the commentator said, his voice magnified. "Today's competitors: the Bee Strikers vs. the Poison Stings, competing for the Equestrian Hoofball Championship!!!"
After a huge ovation from the audience, the commentador said:
"And the teams are entering right now."
And indeed each team entered: the Bee Strikers (with a yellow and black uniforms) and the Poison Stings (with a purple and blue uniforms).
"Hey, it's Uncle Shooting!" Twilight exclaimed.
She pointed to the Bee Strikers captain, a stallion with a golden coat and a mane that was much like with Shining's.
"Uncle!" She called.
Shooting Star seemed to have heard Twilight, as he looked around and then noticed in his family in the stands, waving them and they responded with nods. After the hoofballers warmed up, they prepared for the start of the game. Then it began.
The Bee Strikers seemed to lead the match, but the Poison Stings didn't intend to give up though. When they went through the first part, the Bee Strikers scored, but it wasn't long until the Poison Stings also score a goal. It was then that the first part ended. In the intermission, all ponies went seeking food and beverages, and, shortly after, the second part began.
In the second part, the game seemed to be very well balanced, which was bad for the Bee Strikers because they needed a win the game in order to win the league. If they lost or tied to lose, then the Poison Stings would win the league. They knew it and began playing a dirtier game in the final moments. Shooting Star had the ball and started running towards the Poison Stings' goal. They tried to stop him, but Shooting could always dodge or pass the ball to any colleague who returned him the ball right away.
"Go, Uncle Shooting!" Twilight encouraged.
"Show to the Poising Stings how to play!" Blue said.
"You can do it, uncle!" Shining said.
"Go, Shooting!" Night Light exclaimed.
Cadance also watched that with a great excitement. She liked hoofball but she had not watched a good game for some time and she had forgotten the feeling it was seeing a game like that.
When Shooting Star was about to reach the Poison Stings' goal, one of the hoofballers from the opposing team appeared out of nowhere and made him such a rough cut that launched him to the ground with strong. Seeing this, Cadance couldn't contain herself, shouting:
"It's a foul! Mr. referee, it's a foul!"
She looked and saw Shining, Twilight, Blue and Night Light looking her, dumbfounded.
"Sorry" she said smiling, blushing.
"For what?" Shining asked. "You're quite right. That was really a foul."
"Yes, it was!" Twilight exclaimed.
The Bee Striker's supporters began to complain that foul maded to their captain. The referee then blew the whistle, signaling foul and showing a yellow card to the Poison Sting hoofballer that made it. How it had been done in the penalty area, it was considered a penalty. Shooting Star has prepared the ball and prepared to shoot, looking to the goal and its goalkeeper. He declined to give balance and everypony was in suspense. Shooting Star began to run towards the ball and then gave it a strong kick. The ball flew into one corner of the goal and the goalkeeper ran back and threw himself to catch the ball, but that was when it described a curve and went to the other side, hitting the inner goal nets. Shooting Star had scored.
"Goooooaaaaaal!" all the Bee Strikers supporters shouted in unison, rising from their seats.
The other hoofballers of the team came to their captain to congratulate him. He turned to his family and made them a compliment they returned.
Then, the game was followed by the delivery of the League Cup to the winners and the delivery of medals to all the players. The Poison Sting were greatly angered by the defeat, but still they showed a sporty behavior and went congratulating the opposing team.
When all the hoofballers left to the locket rooms, ponies began to address themselves to the exit. However, Night Light took his children, Blue and Cadance to the locker area to wait for Shooting Star. They saw several players leaving, some from the Bee Strikers who greet Night Light, then Shooting Star appeared.
"Hey, hey, hey, look who he is" Night Light said, approaching Shooting and giving him a noogie. "My little brother, the greatest hoofballer of all!"
"Hey, Nighty" he greeted, hugging Night Light, turning then to nephew and niece. "No way! Are these my nephew and niece? You are so grown up!"
"Hello, Uncle Shooting" Shining said, going to hug Shooting. "Great game."
"Thank you, Shining" he thanked. "And you're absolutely right. It was a great game. We almost didn't win. But as I say: When more complicated, the better.
"You are the best, Uncle Shooting!" Twilight exclaimed, hugging her uncle tightly.
"Oh, Twilight, you're a dear" he said, stroking his niece.
"Hi, Shooting" Blue greeted. "It's so good to see you."
"Blue, my friend" Shooting said, bumping his hoof on Blue's. "So are you and my nephew getting along well at the Royal Guard Academy?"
"Very well" Blue said.
"I bet you are the best" Shooting said.
"I would not say we are the best, uncle" Shining said, standing next to Blue. "But we do our good work."
"And so it should be" he said, winking them an eye.
He then turned to Cadance.
"And who do we have here?" he asked, looking intently at Cadance. "It could be? Shining, don't tell me she's your marefriend."
"You can believe it" he said, approaching Cadance and putting one of his forelegs on her shoulders.
"It's an honor to meet you, Princess Cadance" Shooting said, making a slight bow to Cadance.
"Please, you can call me Cadance" she said.
"As you wish" he replied, rising up. "I hope you two have much luck."
"Thank you, uncle" Shining thanked.
"So, Shooting, when you sent me the tickets, you said you had something to tell us" Night Light said.
"Well, I expected that Velvet was coming" Shooting said. "Any way, once I tell you, you'll tell her. Remember my girlfriend, Moon Wave?"
"Yes."
"Well... I kinda asked her to marry me" Shooting said.
"You what?" Night Light asked.
"That's right, you heard well, big bro" Shooting said. "I'm getting married."
"But... that's is fantastic!" Night Light exclaimed, giving another noogie to his brother. "Finally my little brother will tie the knot."
"Okay, enough, Night" Shooting said, pulling away and tucking his mane. "Don't ruin my style."
"Congratulations, Uncle Shooting!" Shining exclaimed, going to give a hug to his uncle.
"Thanks, kid" Shooting thanked.
"Great!" Twilight cried excitedly. "I'll have a new aunty!"
"This is somewhat a novelty" Blue said.
"A wedding is always a great joy" Cadance said.
"Yes, it is" Shooting said. "And I want to ask you something, Night Light."
"And what is it?" he asked.
"Would you like to be my colt of honor?"
"Me?"
"But of course" Shooting said. "Who else did you want to be?"
"Well, I... I feel myself honored, Shooting" Night Light said. "It will be an honor to be your colt of honor."
"Good" Shooting said, putting his hoof on his brother's shoulder, smiling. "I'm glad you accepted."
There was a pause and then Blue asked:
"Hey, what if we stop with this and went to celebrate?"
They all waved and then he went take a drink to celebrate the fact that Shooting Star was going to marry.