Shining and Cadance's relationship was growing in a way never seen before. It really seemed that the two were made for each other, that none could live without the other, that they were as one individual.
Shining, after so much time and work at the Academy, finally managed to graduate himself and receive his armor as royal guard and Blue too. The dream of these two friends had finally came true. On the graduation day, their families prepared them a huge party, but Shining's biggest surprise was the appearance of the his beloved one, Princess Cadance.
When he saw her, Shining went immediately to her and the two exchanged a big hug and a long kiss. But the happiness of the young white unicorn only peaked when Cadance told him she would come to spend some months with his Aunt Celestia to learn how to rule an entire kingdom, which meant they could be seen each other every day. All ponies were happy with the happiness of these two lovers. All ponies except one.
Fire Punch couldn't believe the relationship between Shining and Cadance lasted so long. He hoped that the two would have a great disagreement that would put an end in their relationship. However, those two never seemed to have an argument. Following Fire Punch's words, that was so sickening. The young pegasus couldn't believe how Shining had everything he most coveted: the place as the best of their year at the Academy and also the heart of the most beautiful young princess of all. That unicorn had robbed him of everything he wanted. However, Fire Punch wouldn't give up so easily... and he already knew how he would achieve this feat of separating the wonder couple.
A month after the graduation and all the recruits join the Canterlot Royal Guard, Fire Punch waited until his shift was over to implement his plan. He then saw Shining, with his armor dressed, walking with Cadance, both immensely happy. They then said goodbye to each other and Shining went to Fire Punch to exchange shifts. When they passed for each other, Fire Punch outlined his malevolent smile to Shining, what left him apprehensive about what he was planning.
Fire Punch quickened his pace until reaching Cadance.
"Hey, Cadance" he called.
She turned to him and asked, rolling her eyes:
"What do you want, Fire Punch?"
"I just want to talk to you" he replied.
"I'm afraid to ask what you want to talk about?"
"And you should, taking into account that I want to talk to you about your coltfriend" he said.
"What's wrong with Shining?" Cadance asked.
Fire Punch paused to make sure nopony was around and then replied:
"He's cheating on you."
So Cadance just bursted into laughs, mocking what Fire Punch had just said.
"Shining? Cheating me? Fire Punch, go lie to another pony. If you think your lies will separate me from the Shining, you're very wrong."
"Do you think I'm lying?" Fire Punch asked, making a false offended air.
"What reason do I have to believe in you, knowing you don't like Shining and you did everything to woo me since I can remember we met each other?" Cadance asked back.
"Okay, you have a lot of reasons to doubt me, but this time, you can believe me" Fire Punc said. "He's cheating you. And he can hide it because he has all the help from his friend, Blue Sword. I mean, Blue won't have the guilt, after all he is only doing his role as best friend, but I cannot sit here and see a pony as kind as you being cheated in this way."
"Fire Punch, you can stop with the lies" Cadance told. "It just make yourself even more ridiculous."
Fire Punch nodded slightly and then said:
"I understand you don't believe me. But remember, I will not be mad at you if you come to me to ask me for forgiveness. Incidentally, I'll be ready to support you in everything."
And having said this, he walked away, smiling, when he turned his back so she could not see it.
Cadance couldn't believed Fire Punch had the nerve to even have exposed such a thing about Shining. How could her coltfriend betray her? He was the most honest and correct pony she knew. Besides, he loved her as much as she loved him. It was totally impossible.
Fire Punch wore a smile. He had completed the first part of his plan: to plant uncertainty in Cadance. Now he just had to make Cadance see Shining really betraying her. Of course that unicorn would never betray Cadance, but he din't have to want to do that. Cadance just had to catch him with another mare. Since she was very sensitive, she wouldn't want an explanation from Shining.
Later, Shining was on watch when Blue came to replace him.
"You're just in time" Shining said. "I was starting to get hungry."
"Look, Shining, I found this letter to you near the east wing" Blue said, using his magic to show him the letter.
"For me?" Shining asked, picking up the letter with his magic. "By the parchment, I would say it's from Cadance but... it doesn't have her touch. I'm not smelling her perfume."
"Hey, do you expect all her letters had a fragrant touch?" Blue scoffed.
"Shut up, Blue" said Shining, using his magic to open the letter.
He read it, carrying his brow, and then said:
"She wants to meet me on the porch at the west end of the castle now."
"Well, enjoy, then" Blue said.
Shining was unclear if that letter was from Cadance. It was a feeling he had, but he couldn't risk. After exchanging shifts with Blue, Shining went to the appointed place, but he found nopony there. But he didn't despair, because Cadance liked to be late.
Fire Punch was watching Shining. He had bitten the bait, and he had come first. It was time to consolidate his plan in full. He turned to the mare who was by his side, who was a beautiful mare with brown coat and red mane.
"Okay, you know what you have to do, right?" he asked.
She nodded and began to move towards Shining. As she progressed, Fire Punch looked and saw Cadance approaching, having come after Fire Punch put a message to her pretending to be Shining, as he had done with him. Then he hastened to hide himsef in order to enjoy the spectacle.
Shining was still waiting for Cadance when he saw the mare approaching him.
"Yes, can I help you?" Shining asked.
"You're Shining Armor, aren't you?" she asked.
"Yes, I am" he replied. "Why do you ask?"
Then, without warning, the mare threw herself at him and began to kiss him on the lips. Shining tried to free himself, but he couldn't do it because the mare was making too much pressure for him to free himself.
Cadance drove to his meeting with Shining, but was when she came across with something that left her without reaction. She saw Shining kissing another mare. Seeing that, she felt her blood freezing and her heart significantly slowing down its heartbeat. She could not even thinking. That was something surreal, but it was really happening.
Shining, after much effort, managed to separate himself from the mare. He intended to ask her the reason for that, but then he looked up and saw Cadance, staring him blankly and with tears appearing in her eyes.
"Cadance..." he said.
She then began to run away as fast as he could.
"Cadance, wait, this is not what..." Shining began, advancing to try to reach her. "Cadance!"
When the two moved away, Fire Punch came out from his hiding and went to the mare, saying:
"Good acting. Later I'll deal with your payment. Now, if you don't mind, I have to go comfort my princess."
Shining has managed to reach her, grabbing her hoof.
"Wait, Cadance."
"Let me go!" Cadance ordered, freeing her hoof.
"You got it all wrong" Shining said.
"You know, Shining, I always thought you were different from the other stallions" Cadance said, with tears starting streaming down her face. "I always thought you were the stallion of my dreams. But it seems I was wrong. You say all things about Fire Punch, but you are worse than him."
"But, Cadance..."
"Not... another... word" Cadance said, retreating. "I no longer want to hear anything else from you."
And having said that, she started to walk away. Shining intended to say something to prevent her from leaving, but the pain of hearing Cadance saying all that, and even had heard her comparing him with Fire Punch, with the way how she abandoned him without even trying to hear him made Shining say:
"Fine! You know what, I don't want to know more about you! You're nothing but a spoiled little princess!"
But after having said that, Shining could feel his heart heavy. The remorse for having said that soon began to attack him. He never thought he had the courage to say that. But now the damage was done. Now all was lost. All his utopian romance with cadance was over in worst way possible. Shining had just lost the love of his life.