-C5-
Sienna smiled as she twirled around in her seat as she stared up at the older mare. “I’m leaving and I’m taking Iris with me. I’m saving her from this place and these people.”
“And what about me?” Chrysalis demanded with eyes like burning coals. “What about the love you promised me? Or were those words empty too?”
“Iris is different.” Sienna shrugged. “She is pure and innocent. Her hooves are clean as snow.
You, my dear Delilah, your heart is too dark and your hooves have been stained with the blood of others.”
“My hooves were stained for you!” Her outrage was heartbreaking. “It was I who made you a prince, I who helped you conquer this city. Not your white Iris, but me... your Black Delilah....” Tears fell from emerald eyes.
“That was good!” Sienna practically bounced from her seat she was so excited. “Can Ah see this one too?”
Chrysalis rose a brow as she chuckled. “You have strange interest for a young filly.”
“Ah think its romantic...”
“I bet. What time does your papa turn in?”
“Tryin’ to get rid of me?” Sienna grinned knowingly. “Or is Shining Armor home from training?”
Chrysalis scowled to which Sienna giggled. “Ah know you're sweet on him... our entire class knows. He told us he might not be our teacher next year ‘cause a friend of his pushed him to take another chance at his dreams.”
The darker mare tried to stop herself from smiling, but failed miserably when her mouth twitched into a soft pull of muscle. “He said that?” Was her absent reply as she attempted to look busy and organize the papers they were reading from.
“Mmhm,” came sienna's smug reply.
Chrysalis glared at the giggling filly who slid from her spot and came to stand next to her. "Papa should be home now, but can we eat something first?"
"What about the stew..."
Sienna blanched as she thought of the other's cooking. "No offense..."
Chrysalis wanted to be mad but she had to admit that her cooking was lacking.
"... and I'm right..." Sienna sang playfully.
Chrysalis frowned. She’d created a monster with the teasing filly. “Touché.” And with that, the duo was on their way out.
It was a beautiful sunny day in the city and the two basked in the warm glow of the sun. “You want to stop at Applejack’s Apple Barn?” Chrysalis asked as they strolled down the street.
Sienna nodded eagerly as she missed home cooked meals since her mother passed. “Heck yeah!” She grinned. Chrysalis shook her head, amused by her smaller companion.
“And just so you know, I have to stop by the office today- so I’ve no time for your beloved teacher.”
Sienna gave her a look out the corner of her eye, before rolling her eyes. “If you say so…” she trailed not convinced.
“Besides,” she emphasized, “he took leave to see his family this weekend.”
*-*-*-*-*
After running Sienna by the City’s freshest market, she’d dropped the young filly off and headed to her office where she sat buried behind a table of scripts. She was starting to really get into one when a loud rapping cut through the story her imagination was raptly creating.
She tried to ignore the person, but whoever wanted to speak with her was annoyingly persistent as the knocking continued.
“Yes!” She groaned not wanting to stop.
“Hey.” Cadance peeked her head in the other’s office.
“Princess…” Chrystal breathed in greeting.
Cadance glanced down with a coy smile. “Shining used to call me that…”
Chrysalis fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Is there a reason you stopped by? I’m actually working on something.” She gestured absently at the scripts that littered her desk. Her manager was working on introducing her to aspiring writers with less conventional story ideas.
Cadance blushed as she looked away. “Actually… there is.” She squared her shoulders and puffed out her chest as she gathered herself.
“Well…” Chrystal prompted with the barest hints of impatience.
“I came to warn you about Shining Armor.” All traces of shyness were gone from the well-to-do mare
*-*-*-*-*
“Big Brother!” Twilight Sparkle stared up at her brother with bright eyes.
The Canterlot station was crowded as usual, but after living in the city for a while, Shining Armor found it didn’t bother him as much as it used to. With a lopsided smile, he returned is sister’s greeting as he pushed through the crowd to meet her.
“Twiley!” The two embraced. While it hadn’t been long since he’d seen his parents, his sister was a different story. Despite living only as far as Ponyville, the gifted unicorn was always busy with her party’s cause. Promoting Friendship was Twilight’s life ever since she graduated about a year and a half ago.
“It’s so good to have you home for a bit.” The activist gushed as she squeezed him before leaning back to really take him in.
He grinned. “How’s work?”
“Exhausting…” She huffed blowing her bangs out of her eyes.
“But you like it that way.” He teased, shoving her playfully as the two began their journey to their parents’ home.
“No…” She corrected genially. “I just like crossing my ‘t’s and dotting all my ‘i’s.”
“Still a teacher’s pet, I see.”
“Seriously…” The younger Sparkle couldn’t help roll her eyes as her features betrayed her annoyance. Her brother was still a good baiter, she found. “Do you not know how prestigious of a position I have? How lucky I am to be working for one of Equestria’s greatest champions of justice?”
“Do enlighten me ‘Oh Superior One…’” Somethings never changed, he supposed looking somewhat amused. Both his sister and the city he’d grown up in were still the same.
“That’s not what I meant jerk…” She punched him in the shoulder, making him snicker despite falling away and wincing. “You know how much of an idol Celestia is to me. She’s one of the greatest peace talkers Equestria has ever seen. I mean it’s been a century since anyone’s come remotely close to being so progressively inclined to undertake, let alone propose-“
The sound of snoring halted her from going any further.
“Are you serious right now?” Twilight could feel her eye twitching as she looked to stallion who’d been her best friend growing up.
“Oh, what’s that?” Shining Armor pretended to rouse from sleep despite never missing a step as they continued down familiar streets. “Did you already pass the ‘progressively inclined’ part?”
“Shining! I’m serious!” She whined making him laugh. Gods, he’d missed her.
“I know little sister,” was his sobering reply as he threw a foreleg around her shoulder pulling her close in an embrace despite her pouting. “You’re proud of your job and you should be. You worked really hard to be where you are promoting the friendship philosophy you believe in. I’m your biggest supporter and the proudest big brother on the planet.”
“I know, I know.” She relented trying her hardest not to smile. Having her brother’s support truly meant a lot to the ambitious unicorn. “It’s just Celestia could’ve picked anyone to be her protégé, but she picked me! Ordinary, run of the mill me. I’m just happy to have a job that I love with a mare I admire.”
“I’m happy for you Twilight. Really I am.” His eyes were honest as he smiled down at her.
“I believe you. So what’s been up with you? How’s Manehattan?” Was her bright change of subject.
“It’s nice. I actually really like it even if it’s a little loud and crowded.” She giggled as he winced at the words ‘little loud and crowded.’
“Only a little?” She stressed teasingly.
“So a lot ‘loud and crowded.’” He conceded wryly. “There’s never a dull moment.”
“Good. I’m glad.” She expressed before broaching her next subject as casually as she could. “Doesn’t Cadanc-“
“Don’t even Twilight!”
“Oh C’mon!” She teased playfully. “You were so in-love with her when you both lived here. Don’t tell me you just forgot all that.”
“Of course I haven’t.” Shining Armor defended. “It’s just things are different now.” He hadn’t really spoken to Cadance since he saw her kissing that other stallion. Chrystal had done a fantastic job of distracting him from his inner turmoil involving his childhood sweetheart.
“Different how?” Twilight weaseled, nudging him in the shoulder.
“Like I don’t want to talk about it different.” He sulked as his ears flattened against his skull.
“Fine. Fine. Testy are we?” She relented only to slyly infer something else. “I think you still love her- BUT! That’s none of my business.” She laughed at the expression on his scarred face.
The elder sparkle rolled his eyes. “You’re impossible…” He groaned in annoyance.
“That’s why you love me, right?” She skipped as she preened hoping to make him smile.
“And who told you that?” Was his cool response as he stared at her from the corner of his eye.
She halted as a look of offense blossomed over her face. Only his laughter and apologetic smile prompted her to catch back up once he waited for her. “So what’s the big news?” It’d been a while since they’d all gotten together for dinner as a family. Only heaven knew what he needed to say that involved the entire family.
The stallion sighed knowing the topic of dinner conversation would be explosive at best.
“Let’s save that for dinner, shall we?”
*-*-*-*-*
For most of his life, Shining Armor had always done what was expected of him. Even though his parents weren’t the happiest about him joining the Guard, he’d always had their blessing. When he first began to notice mares, they dropped him hints that he had unknowingly followed leading him to the beautiful mare next door he still had feelings for. Despite their lack of enthusiasm for his going to Manehattan, it was actually his father’s connections that helped him land his job.
True, his parents had tried to dissuade him from things over the years, but honestly, they’d never had any real qualms about his life decisions. Shining Armor was their first born son, and like most older children, he was reliable and obedient to a fault.
If the stallion was honest, he had never experienced true disappointment until this moment. The silence that engulfed the room after he announced his desire to serve was as harsh as the coldest tundra. The explosion that followed was a spectacle he’d never forget.
“What do you mean you’re trying to be a policepony?” Astral Sparkle narrowed his eyes as he managed to regurgitate his son’s words in a voice as low as it was fierce.
Shining Armor felt a sense of helplessness as his fears were in the process of being confirmed.
Skylight Sparkle was no better as tears sprang from her soft blue eyes. “You swore you’d never put yourself in a position to get hurt like that again! Please tell me you’re joking!”
Twilight took in the scene with wide eyes. Here they all sat at the family’s dinner table as the scent of butternut squash stew stained the air with its warm hints of spice. It truly would’ve been a nice dish if any pony bothered to eat it. But no pony was thinking about stew as Shining Armor had uttered words the family had hoped to never hear again.
“Mom, Dad, this isn’t like being a soldier.” The stallion tried to placate. “I mean its city streets, not a war zone.” He laughed shakily hoping to downplay his announcement with humor. The members of his family continued to stare at him with a multitude of emotions. None of them were pleasant as the stallion realized maybe he should not have said anything at all.
“I can’t believe this,” his mother whispered in a daze. “Is this really happening right now?”
“I can’t be something I’m not!” Shining Armor pleaded with the mare who raised him. “I like teaching, I care about my students… But that’s not where my heart is! That’s not who I am.” His voice was apologetic. “Twiley, remember how happy you said you were working with Celestia? Well police work is like that for me.” He looked to Twilight for backup but his sister simply stared back with the same disbelieving eyes.
“Are you serious right now?! Astral do you hear your son?”
“I hear him! Shining don’t be stupid. Really think about what you’re doing.“ Despite the anger and disappointment etched on his features, his father’s voice was pleading as well.
“For once I am thinking clearly! I love protecting ponies- it’s what I’m good at!”
“That’s rich!” His mother mocked now openly crying as she loomed over the dinner table. “Protecting?! The way you protected that poor boy of August’s?
“Mother don’t!” Finally, Twilight had snapped out of her stupor, jumping out of her seat in defense of her brother. Why, oh why did he have to do this? Their mother would be out to maim and despite her brother’s strength, his heart was fragile right now. There was much he still felt responsible for.
“Skylight!” Their Father hissed offended for his son, despite his own anger.
“No! Look at his face!” His wife screeched pointing her hoof towards her eldest. “Look at his face!
“Mom-“ He whispered as his being filled with hurt.
“Look at your face! Look at it!” Clenching his jaw as he pushed through his distress, he turned to look at the mirror that hung in their dining room. Raw blue eyes stared back at him with a scar that still made his mother wince on occasion.
“Mother! Shining’s an adult now! He can make his own decisions.” He was absently aware of Twilight defending him as he continued to stare at his reflection.
“What about your family?” His mother continued to rage yanking his attention away from his greatest shame. “You want me to bury you the way Spring buried her son?” Her light blue eyes softened. “Is that what you want? To hurt us? Do you want me to beg? Because I’ll beg! Shining, please don’t do this!” She fell to her knees as she pleaded.
“Mom stop that! Please… This isn’t about hurting ponies. It’s about helping them. “ His voice lost some if its strength as he tried to reason with the upset matriarch. “Preventing others from feeling loss.”
“Twilight helps ponies! You’re just wanting to play hero!”
“Daddy, make her stop!” Twilight begged as she shot a pleading look to her father who seemed frozen by the hate her mother spewed.
“And look at what playing ‘hero’ got you?” Skylight continued. “A disfigured face and a guilty conscience! This isn’t a fairy-tale!”
“Skylight, Enough!” Astral roared, but the damage had been done as the air in the house was now deathly still. Every pony in the room had tears in their eyes. Whether from hurt, anger, or despair it was all mixed up at this point.
“Shiny…”
Shining Armor growled as he magically flung the mirror off the wall and stared hatefully at his mother who stared back with a different emotion.
Without another word, he immediately vacated the home leaving a distraught and tearful mess.
“That’s not fair!” Came a low and upset voice.
“Twilight….” Skylight deflated as she sank back into her chair.
“It’s his life and if this is what he wants to do, you have to accept it! I don’t like it either, but what you did was cruel and unforgivable. It would serve you right if he never spoke to you again!” With that the youngest ran after her brother.
“Shining! Shiny wait!” The elder hadn’t made it far at all. He seemed rooted to his spot in the middle of the yard. “Mother was out of line…” She said softly as she carefully approached him. “She didn’t mean those things. You just caught her by surprise is all. Please, don’t leave! Not like this!”
The stallion was shaking as he tried to calm himself. Tired blue eyes found her gaze. “Thanks for having my back.” He managed with a weak smile.
“Yea….” Twilight looked away unable to hold his gaze. “Don’t thank me yet.” She muttered.
“What?”
“Just because I took up for you back there… That doesn’t mean I’m on your side either.” Her expression was serious.
“But-“
“You promised you wouldn’t get hurt anymore. Manehattan is the most dangerous city in Equestria. The most dangerous!” She emphasized with all the emotion she could muster. “What I don’t understand is where this is all coming from?” Tears came to her eyes as she tried to push through her emotions. “What made you think any of us would be thrilled about you putting yourself in the line of duty again?”
“This isn’t about you guys!” He exploded making her jump. “Shit!” Shining Armor took a deep breath before continuing in a much calmer voice. “It’s about me and what I want. There’s this mare named Chrystal who’s absolutely in-love with what she does. A little like you, and if you saw the way her eyes burned in regards to her craft you’d understand. She showed me that it’s not enough to just ‘like’ what you do. You have to love it and sometimes you have to make the jump even if the people around you don’t understand.” His expression softened. “I can’t pretend what happened didn’t happen. It happened. Justyx died… I have to live with that… but… just because I couldn’t help him…” His throat burned as he talked about it. “That doesn’t mean I can’t try and help others. Do you understand that, Twilight?”
“What?!” No she couldn’t process that right now. “Chrystal who? You let some pretty face talk you into making a decision like this?!” What was he thinking? Her mind raged. Was he thinking? Her stubborn mind supplied.
“She didn’t talk me into anything!” Was his angry response. Did she not hear a word he just said? “It’s like you said, I’m an adult capable of making my own decisions.” The two siblings stared at each other for a long time. Both too upset to concede to the other. “Twilight say something.” He sighed after a while.
“Why bother? It’s obvious my opinion doesn’t account for anything.” She was genuinely offended.
“Twiley… Don’t.”
The younger wiped roughly at her eyes before squaring her shoulders and swallowing her emotions. There was nothing else to say in her opinion. “You should wait a bit before coming back inside, Mother’s probably still upset and there’s no telling what she’s willing to say to make you reconsider.” She turned to leave, when his broken words stopped her dead in her tracks.
“Twilight… Just… Do you think it’s my fault too?”
Her heart broke at the words as she spun around to reassure him. “Of course not.” She watched in horror as tears fell from his eyes. “Oh Big Brother!” Twilight rushed to throw her forelegs around the shaking stallion who now openly cried. “Momma didn’t mean it,” She soothed. “We know you moved heaven and earth for him. I know you did.”
As the two hugged it out on the lawn, Mother and Father hesitantly joined embracing their children as they cried into their manes. While Skylight still didn’t accept his decision, no more would be said about it as she begged her firstborn’s forgiveness.
“You did the best you could,” she assured. “More than anyone could’ve asked for.”