After the events of Being A Hero, Princess Cadence must deal with the consequences of her actions
After Shinng Armor saved her life from a special needs colt whom she bullied to the edge, she now has to reflect on her actions durning her indefinite grounding. No longer able to do as she pleased, as well as now being stuck babysitting her hero’s baby sister while he serves detention, will her time allow her to reflect on what a selfish bitch she has been? And what it actually means to be a princess? And why can’t she stop thinking about Shinng Armor? No mater how much she makes it up to him?
This story dose take its own liberties, as the original story was written before I had read the comics.
My contribution to 2017 national writting month. Cover by ParadigmPizza may replace it down the line
I shot up from her seat when my aunt walked in. The door slamming open, her regal presence radiating, leaving ponies out in the hall gawking before she closed the door and glanced at me. It wasn’t long, but it made my skin go numb. She then closed her eyes and walked to the dean's office. Closing the door, so gently, I might not have heard it if there were any other sounds in the room. Then, I heard the muffels of auntie Celestia and the dean talking. I tried my best to listen in, but the most I had gathered from their conversation was recapping what had happen in the Cafeteria, Billy, myself, and something about Shining Armor… Babysitting? Someone, then something about me, then they stopped talking.
A moment of silence, before I heard Celestia lift from her seat. She thanked the dean, and started to make her way out.
I backed up to try and looked like I hadn’t been trying to eavesdrop as quickly as I could. If my aunt had know I was doing so when she left the office, she didn’t react as such. Instead, she simply walked ahead, mouthing to me, “Let’s go, Cadence.”
Somehow, she had picked the worst words to say to me. I’m not sure why I was so nervous. None of this was my fault. Billy had attacked me. And from the way he left looked at me, those demonic eyes that still pierced my soul, I sure he would have killed me if it hadn’t been for Shining Armor stepping in. If anything, I was the victim here. I should be the one who gets the most slack.
So why did I feel so guilty as auntie Celestia, walked me home in silence?
*****
What felt like the longest Chariot ride of my life, we had arrived at Canterlot Castle. The tall towers seemingly looking down at me from their intimidating heights. Then, as if I had no control of my hooves, I obediently followed my aunt into the throne room. Once inside, she instructed the guards to leave us be. They looked to each other, but hurried away when my aunt asked them again to leave. This time, with a bit more bite in her voice. Not enough to be called shouting, but enough to make the room feel must more constricting.
Once they were gone, she sat me in front of the throne, and took her seat. Then, we sat in silence. Long, silence. More because I half expected her to say something first. Something I felt like I needed from the moment she came to pick me up. At this point, I almost could have dealt with being ground if she had just said something. Anything! If I meant I could just put this day behind me and then—
“Well?” she finally spoke.
I blinked. “wh… what?” I muttered back.
Celestia took in a breath. “I was told you had a… rather eventful day. Told from many other ponies, but I suppose it’s time I hear from you what happened now.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of that. But, if she wanted me to tell my side of the story, I would tell her my side of the story. So I did. I told her about Billy bumping me in line. Getting food all over me, and not even having the nerve to apologize, as if he had done so on purpose! I admitted to yelling at him, and then how he charged at me. I put a little extra emphasis on how Shining Armor saved me (if no more out of guilt to get him out of the detention he didn’t deserve) and then ended my story.
“You left out the part where you sprayed him with a soda.” Celestia added as soon as I finished.
Shit! So I did. I chuckled nervously. “Okay,” my ears dropped, “so maybe I did a bit more than yell at him to worked him up.” I shook my head. “but he tried to kill me!”
“I am not saying the colt wasn’t in the wrong, Cadence,” Celestia said coldly, “but how would you justify your own actions?”
I blinked. “My… My actions?!”
“Yes, niece,” Celestia retorted. “somepony knocked over your food, and you felt your best actions were to yell, then assaulted him with your own food afterwards. Tell me, if I was talking to some foreign diplomats, and one of them accidentally spilled some tea on me, only for me to yell and dump a whole teapot on them, would that make my actions right?”
I wanted to answer right away that she’d be in the right to be angry, but held off… “No,” I answered. “It… it wouldn’t—“
“Reflect well on my?” she sat up. “Then there would be consequences. Just like their will be consequences for you.”
My pupils shrank. I was going to get punished? “Wha… But, I!…” I slammed my hoof. “I’m going to get grounded after that retard almost killed me?” I knew what I said was wrong, but I didn’t care. That was, until I looked up at my aunt. Still angry, but now, she looked a bit… broken? Would that be it? She sat forward, face blank, but I felt as if the room had gotten much hotter in those few seconds after I had spoken.
Either way, she looked at me for only a bit, then turned around. “yes. You are grounded, indefinitely, until I say so.” I wished she had yelled that at me. It might have made the pain in my stomach lessen. “I will assign you a proper punishment later.”
My mouth opened and closed, trying to find the right words. How dare she ground me after what I had been through? How dare she just… Just ignore me? Just—
“I really hope you can grow from this into the princess I know you can be.” She added. Cutting off my ramblings with another cold dagger into my side.
Face feeling wet, I stomped off to my room. Past the guards, who parted in waves, and into my room, where I let my magic slam the door shut. Once alone, I took several heavy breaths, before throwing myself onto my bed. Where I either cried, cursed whoever came to my mind, and slammed my hooves into the bed.
Later that evening, there was a knock on the door. I had mostly tired myself up and was just laying on my bed, killing the time with a cheap romance novel. Not caring anymore for it’s paper thin protagonist, I threw it to the side of the room.
“Come in.” I spoke softly.
Expecting Celestia, I found her trusted aid, Raven, step into my room.
Rolling my eyes, I said, “Yes? Can I help you?”
The mare, in all her aged glory, wheeled in a chart. “Your aunt wished to make sure you had a proper meal.”
I clicked my tounge. “So what? I’m confined to my room to my grounding.?”
“She’s informed us it’s only to be to the castle grounds save for school hours, your highness.” She wheeled forward the tray. “we just weren't sure if you wanted to leave the school after today.”
I smiled at the food before me. Which happened to be my favorite. Grilled tomato cheese and cream of celery soup. “Least someone get’s me.”
I noticed raven shuffling her hoof. “That being said,” she levitated up a parchment. “the princess has also decreed the rest of your punishment.” She straightened her glasses. “For now, and until the princess believes you have learned your lesson, you are to be confined to the castle grounds. No visitors or friends without your aunts approval, and nothing more than your required class time at school.”
I nearly brushed that off, until I realized that would also mean, in all likeliness since the punishment was only ‘indefinite’ that it would mean I wasn’t going to the dance next week.
“That all?” I asked sarcastically at my woes.
“Not quite.”
As annoyed as I should have been, I realized what ever additional punishment might ease my guilt a bit. Perhaps whatever chores she assigned me, I could find a way to do a hundred and twenty percent job so I could lift my grounding in time for the dance. Or at the very least make up for my poor behavior back in the throne room. I might have been a brat, shame to say, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed over burdening my aunt.
Raven continued on reading the parchment. “So as to make up to the ‘heroic and kind Shining Armor,” my skin crawled at those words I used, “since your actions had also put him into detention for the next week, I had learned through his father who happens to be in the guard, that they are now in need for a foalsitter for their youngest daughter. As such, in addition to your grounding, you shall be assigned to foalsitting, for free, until one Shining Armor’s detention sentence is complete.”
“Let me see that!” I said, taking the note out of her magical grasp. Before I read, I blinked and sheepishly apologized. “Sorry.”
She smiled and nodded. “It’s alright then, princess.”
Relieved, I looked over the note Raven had just read. “Huh… babysitting?..” ‘I suppose there are worse punishments. How hard could keep an eye on a foal for a week? I’ll be back in auntie’s good grace in a day!’
“Are you alright, Cadence?” I heard Raven ask.
Without Looking away from the note, I answered, “Yes of course.”
“I mean with everything that happened today? You need to talk about it?”
I lowered the note. This was the first time somepony had shown me any empathy today next to Shining Armor. However, as much as I wanted to vent about the whole ordeal, looking to Raven, I found myself not in the mood.
“Not right now.” I sighed. “I think I’d rather just go to bed.”
Raven nodded. “Of course. But if you need me, you know where to find me.”
I gave her a smile as she exited the room. Leaving me all alone as the last rays of sunlight slipped past my blind and my meal. I sighed in content after realizing I hadn’t had any lunch.
*****
I sat at one of the school cafeteria tables, waiting for her friends. I wasn't sure what was taking them so long, they could be so incesiderant. Still, if they wanted to gossip behind—
There was a long, deep, drawn out breath coming from the back of my neck. My wings flared up as she turned around, to see a massive colt looking down at her. His eye’s were a bright red, his teeth sharp. He glared at Cadence, lifted his hoof, brought it down on her—
*****
My eye’s shot open. Once awake, I sprang up from her bed and ran a hoof over my chest. Sure i hadn’t just been attacked again, I started to laugh.
“Nightmares, of course.” my laughter turned a bit more sadistic. Although I did my best not to be too loud and raise any false alarms
Looking to my wall clock, I it was only 2:30 in the morning. Hours before I had to be up for school. Worst of all, I wasn’t in a hurry to go back to sleep. Not that I doubted I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep again. Edventually. However, it wasn’t something I was eager to do after that dream. So instead, I leaned against my headboard, and did what I liked to do when i had nothing better to do but trying to get some sleep; Think about colts.
Cliched, sure, but if it worked when I needed something to think of I wasn’t going to complain. Naturally, my first thoughts drifted to Buck. However, as I started to think about his muscular body, his smooth chin, I also remembered his look of concern as he ran away.
‘No!” I tried to tell myself. ‘There was a crazed colt trying to kill me. He had to make sure he didn’t… hurt himself. Wouldn’t be good for the school if he... broke anything for me...
I blew a bit of mane out of my face. “Some prince charming.” I snorted. As I thought about this, my mind began to rhymed with charming.
Baring, warning, snoring (not that I was the best, but it was my mind drifting) until I reached... shining. Then, she started to think of Shining Armor, and started to smile. The way he came between me and—
I blinked several times and shook my head. Shining Armor, really? Then again… he was the only colt who even bothered to help me.
“Also,” Imused to myself, “for a looser, I suppose he’s not ‘that’ bad looking if I say so myself.” Perhaps could have even fit in with my group of friends if he kept his mane better and wasn’t such a snitch. Of course, once Buck threw himself on his knees to beg for my forgiveness at abaondong me, naturally, my feelings would go back to him as they should be. Still, I thought with a stretch. Until then, what would be the harm at fantasizing just a bit about Shinng Armor? I’m sure any colt would kill to know a princess was dreaming about him.
And so, I did. At first I simply daydreamed about him being my hero, until I feel asleep. To which, I had an actual dream about him dancing with me...
The next morning, I woke to find my aunt absent from the breakfast table. At first, i presumed I was early or something. However, when I asked Raven where she was, all I got was a shrug.
“It’s fine,” I said with a sigh. Lifting a spoon with my magic to work on my oats.
“Would you like comp0any, my lady?” Raven offered.
“No, i’ll…” I protested. Before looking at the long empty table. “Maybe.”
She gave me a soft smile and sat down next to me.
I would later learn Auntie Celestia was out for an emergency in Chicacolt. However, as i ate alone with Raven, neither of us knowing this fact, it felt like my aunt simply couldn’t stand to acknowledge me for what I said last night.
“I’m sure things will get better, your highness.” Raven assured me. “Things may not look great now, but life has a funny way of working out you know.”
I slurped on some juice. “Sure.”
She let out a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Teenagers. Always thinking the world is going to end.”
I groaned. What did she know anyways? Still, it felt nice to have somepony was talking to me.
We ate the rest of our meal, Raven making some attempts at a conversation, but mostly just allowing me to wallow in my pity till it was time to get going. Of course, instead of my aunt escorting me to school, some guard took her place. Who, unlike Raven, was more focused on his job rather than trying to talk to me. Which was fine. I had too much to think about anyway. Namily, what this day was suppose to have in store for me. Where does one go after a day like the one I had yesterday?
I sighed as I made my way to my locker. Mindlessly, I turned my lock for my school books.
“There you are!” my friend Dollar Sign scared me.
I jumped up as she and several other of my ‘friends’ rushed up besides me.
“What happened?” everypony began to ask all at once. “Are you hurt? Did Billy get expelled? Are you grounded? What about the dance?!”
“Alright, alright, chill!” Blueblood said as he pushed past the crowds. Once everyone had calmed down, he asked, “You are alright, cousin?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I just—”
“Need some cheering up?”
My heart flustered at Buck’s words. “Maybe a little?” I blushed.
“Well,” he grinned, putting a hoof over my shoulder, “We just got (friend) to ask that Shining Loser out to the dance so we can get him good.”
My eye’s widened. “What?” Also, he couldn’t at least have thought of a better mock name?
“We though,” Dollar said, kicking at the ground, “after yesterday, we’d go ahead with your plan ourselves. And... ah! Here she comes down.”
My stomach started to twist as one of the popular girls, white coat, pink mane… Fur Lee, was it? In anycase, my heart skipped a beat when i saw her looking distressed.
“What happened?” Blueblood asked. Reaching out a reassuring hoof.
She batted his hoof away and huffed. “Sadly, it seems the nerd lives up to title. I had his friends nose bleeding, but when I asked him out, he seemed to know I was coming. Acted like I had him in my rope, then, he goes and blows me off! Said he’d ‘have plans with chores’ and such that night!” she fumed.
I let out a relieved sigh amidst all the chatter.
Buck raised an eye. “You don’t seem disappointed your plan just failed.”
“Oh, um...” I blinked. “I’m just saying, we should give the guy a break. After all,” I narrowed my eyes, “he was the only one who tried to help me yesterday.”
Each and everyone of them, even my cousin, looked away.
“Well,” Buck said, the first to look back at me. “Yes. We’re sorry about that, my princess.” I almost found myself blushing. “How about, to take your mind off of that,” he placed one of his hoofs on a locker. “I be your escort to the fall formal dance.”
Everyone gasped in delight. The moment had finally come. Butterflies were making a gale in stomach. Then a tiny detail about that came to mind.
“Oh, um... I’d love to, but...” I sighed. “I’m kind of grounded.”
To my surprise, he started to laugh. “Oh stop kidding around, Cadence.”
I stared at him. Stared, until he and everypony else sank in the truth.
“What?!” Dollar Sign gasped. “You got grounded?! What? Because that retard wanted to kill you?”
To be fair, I had assaulted him with soda even if Billy had started it. “Yeah, it’s totally unfair.” I was about to add what else my grounding entitled, before Buck spoke again.
“Gosh, I’m sorry to hear about that, Cadey.” He backed up away and let slip, “now how am I supposed to become the king for the dance?”
Maybe if it wasn’t for feeling abandoned by my aunt that morning, I wouldn’t have done what I did next.
“Oh?” I snapped. “Am I just suppose to be some arm candy for you now?”
He backed up a little. “What?! Whoa! I didn’t mean... well I just...”
Thankfully the bell range.
With ‘humf,’ I put my noise in the air and walked to my next class. My chest deflecting as soon as I was out of his sight.
*****
How could I have been so stupid? I shouldn’t have been that offended by Buck’s comment. High School was one big popularity contest after all… right? Still, I sat in though, chewing my pencil in most classes. If that was true, what did that make me? Just a tool for others to get popular and ahead in life? Pony feather’s, this was going to be a long day for me.
My wings gave a little twitch. Would I even be as popular as i was without my title? I’m sure i would have. So why wasn’t I able to get my mind off of it? What did Buck wanting to be the fall formal king have to do with it anyways?
It was like that for most of the day. Even lunch felt longer than usually. As all I did was sit their, avoiding conversation as everyone else tried to talk about anything that didn’t have to do with me. I respected Dollar Sign and Blueblood for trying to cheer me up with a smile, but it almost did nothing. My only relief came from the end of the day. Everyone packing up for the final bell lifting my spirits. All stress dissipated once class was dismissed.
Having every intention to just go home to do nothing but mope, I was in for a rude awakening when he, of all ponies, came up to me by the doors.
“Ready to go?” Shining Armor asked me.
I blinked a dozen times before asking, “Huh?”
He tilted his head. “Didn’t you... You didn’t get the note in your locker, did you?”
I shook my head. Having not even bothered with the thing since I would have meant facing Buck again. “Sorry, I didn’t check.”
He sighed. “Alright, summed up version; I start detention tomorrow. Today, I help you and make sure you can watch Twily first.”
Oh right, the babysitting thing. ‘Lead the way,’ I said, I lowering my head. Happy to see none of my friends were around to hear.
He gave me a quizzical look, but said no more. He started walking, and I followed behind.
“Hey, um...” he said once we reached the housing district. “Thanks for the warning about your friends. One of them tried to ask me to the dance today. Though one of my friends almost fell for her charms.” He chuckled. “Hey is, um, is everything okay?”
I bit my lip. “Dandy.” I rolled my eyes as I half expected him to say something about me being a spoiled little brat for having to work for a change.
“Alright.” He said simply. “Though, I might be the last pony you’d want to talk to, you want to talk about it?”
I came to a stop to raise my head up. He stopped as well to look back at me.
“It’s just...” I stared, then shook my head. “It’s just stuff you wouldn’t understand.”
“Buck and your friends reaction to your grounding get you down?”
My eyes widened.
“Word travels fast, even to us nerds.”
I felt another knot in my stomach.
“I’m sorry about what happened.” he condoled.
“You do?” I asked with surprise.
“I mean,” he chuckled, “the princesses not getting her prince and all. Isn’t that tragic?
I groaned. There it was.
“I’m sure you can do better than him anyways.”
I was about to scoff him. Until I realized he genuinely meant it. “You do?”
He shrugged. “Why not? I think everyone could do better than that jerk and... Oh look, we're here!”
Twenty bits told me I knew what came after that ‘and’. However, I looked past it that he had the decency not to say so. “Thanks.” I said, looking at his house. An avenger white two story canterlot home. Complete with fall decoration, a tree ready to lose most of it’s leaves, and a miniature playground out front. It’s single slide next to a tree swing gave me an idea that Twily was still rather young. More so when i past the dumpster with a dirty diaper on it’s side “So? Time to enter the wonderful world of babysitting?” I mused, stepping over a raggy looking doll
Shining armor picked up the doll, grinning goofily. “Oh you’ll love Twily. Don’t worry!” ^^
“Uh-huh...” I nodded, and walked forward. But not before his magic grabbed me by the shoulder. Turning me so I would face him, he glared at me. A dark and threatening look on his face the chilled my very soul. “Though just to make one thing perfectly clear, your majesty. If anything happened to my little sister, it will be on your head. Got it?”
I shouldn’t have felt scared. Perhaps it was from the trauma with Billy. Or maybe he was just protective of his sister. Either way, I felt the weight of his words knowing he had every intent to carry out his threat if I screwed up. My title be damned.
“Crystal!” I shrieked. Pulling back and lifting my wings defensively.
He took a deep breath and suddenly realized he had just threatened a princess.
“I.. I... forgive me!” he quivered. “I didn’t mean... it’s just I care for my sister and...”
I found his nervousness cute and giggled. “It’s alright. At ease soldier. I’m sure if I had a baby sisters, I’d be just as protective.”
He chuckled nervously.
I gave him a reassuring smile. Which soon turned into both of us laughing at the situation.
“But i do mean it with Twily.” he coughed.
“Right right!” I nodded quickly. I then turned my back on him so he wouldn’t see my flustered face.
“Shining, is that you?” a male voice shouted. A moment later, a light blue stallion, clad in armor, walked in the hall space Shining and I had just entered. “Ah, good and... Princesses.” He paused, gaped for a moment, till why I assumed was his knowledge about my babysitting duty came back to him. “Well it's a pleasure. Names Nightlight.” He bowed.
“Please,” I said raising a hoof.
“Yes of course.” he said, almost too quickly for my liking. “I need to go, but I’ll leave you both too it. Left some money if you wanted to order out. Twilight’s in the living room, I got to go!” He put on his helmet, smiled at Shining, and was out the door.
I looked to the floor, then back to Shining, who motioned in the direction of the living room. I followed him, but not before I caught sight of an, author of the year plaque. Before I could ask about it, something hard hit my face.
“Oh, Celestia!” Shining cried out. “Twily!”
Rubbing my head, I looked to the floor to see it was a red wooden block with the letter, A, on it. Before I could blink, another, yellow B block, sailed towards my head.
This time, though, Shining Armor caught it in his magic. “Now, Twily, that’s no way to behave towards guest!” he scolded.
Glancing in his direction, I saw said filly. A cute little bundle of lavender surrounded by toys. She looked to be, at most, a year or two old. The whites of her eyes still being developed as she stared at me with her tiny purple pupils.
She turned her head to her Shining and smiled, then turned to me, picked up a green C block, and started to throw it. Shining Armor took it out of her hooves. Twily began to cry.
“Full of energy I see!” I winced, rubbing my noise.
She paused in her wails, furrowed her eyes, pointed at me and said, “Icky Princess, Shiny!”
Both mine, and Shining Armor's eyes widened.
“Now that’s a very rude thing to say, Twi!” he chuckled nervously, leaning down next to her. “What do we say?”
She paused to think on that for a moment. Even rubbing her chins. Finally, she smiled, clapped her hooves together and said, “Smelly Princesses!”
Shining Armor’s smile didn’t leave his face as he stood up. Body shaking. “Foals and their imagination, right?” he awkwardly asked me.
I raised an eyebrow. “I feel like there's a ‘funny story,’ here.” I deadpanned.
Shining Armor rubbed his neck. “Well... if by, funny, you mean, me being in a bad mood one day, at you, Twily asked what was wrong, by chance you were in a magazine on the coffee table, I pointed and said you, and then said a bunch of mean things about you I encouraged... Then yeah, funny story.” His eyes shut as a bead of sweat ran down his neck.
I glared at him for a good minute. That was, until Twilight began to pout again.
“Go way, meanie!” the foal protested.
With that I sighed. “It’s alright.”
Shining Armor frowned. “Looked to the floor.” if it means anything, it was already a rather lousy day. Before…” he shook his head. “In anycase!” he said firmly before i could protest. “Yes, Twilight,” he said looking down at his sister. ‘Yes, she was a… spoiled, princess, but now she’s good and here to help me play with you.”
My heart sank at his words. Not so much that he said them, but from how he said it. At first, i thought he was just stretching the truth to make his sister like me more. On the other hoof, I couldn’t help but feel like he genuinely meant that about me being a good pony now.
‘Now.’
I pushed that thought out of my mind. I needed to focus on getting this filly to like me. So, as Shining Armor sat on the floor, I sat down next to him. Eyes focused on Twilight. The purple filly regarding me as if I was a piece of broccoli. Only interested in me because someone she trusted told her so. However, that didn’t mean she had to like it. So i did the only thing I could think of.
“Hello, Twilight,” I smiled. “I am Princess Mi Amora Cadenza. But you can just call me Cadence.”
She didn’t smile, but she seemed more curious than disgusted at me.
“I am a… friend,” I coughed out, “of your brother’s.” small comfort came from Shining's reaction that I wasn’t alone in cringing. “And i’m hoping we can become friends if you let me.” I reached out a hoof.
Twilight looked at my hoof, then to her brother.
“It’s okay.” Shining Armor assured. “See.” he then, of all things, reached out and touched my hoof. Sending chills up my spine. But not the kind that made my skin crawl as I might have thought if this had happened a week ago. It was more a warm feeling. Matched only by the first time Buck had complimented me.
Fortunately, before I could think more about it, Twilight smiled, took my hoof, letting Shining armor release his grasp, as she shook my hoof.
“Friendly, princess?” she asked.
“Yes.” Shining assured her. ‘Friendly.”
“No bimbo more?” she asked with an innocent smile.
As Shining Armor coughed on thin air, i did the last thing i’d thought i’d do.
“Well,” I laughed. Causing him to gape at me. “I suppose there could have been worse things to call me.”
*****
For the next hour, we spent playing with Twilight. Slowly but surely, gaining her trust as we taught her what to, and not to, call a princess. After the hour, we started to get hungry. So, Shining opted to order the pizza while i bounded alone with Twilight for a sec. She protested, reaching his hooves out and crying when he got up. Only for him to promise to be right back, and it would be story time.
That cheered her up for a bit, until her left the room. Leaving me with the object of my punishment all by ourselves.
“Well,” I said booping her nose. Extracting a giggle from Twilight. “Even if I wouldn't have asked to do this, and if anyone asks i’m miserable!” I whispered in a hiss. “I’m having a good time.” I smiled when i heard shining's voice ordering the pizza.
“And between you and me, your brother is rather cute.” ‘Not that i’d act on it.’ I told myself.
Cute, sure. Good for maybe a colt to fantasize about who wasn’t Buck. However, I wasn’t going to fall for, firstly, a one-sided crush kind of romance. Second, this was only temporary. Shining would serve his detention sentence out next week. The week after, things would go back to normal. Well, if I wasn’t still grounded by then. Maybe by the time my foalsitter duties were done, but I doubted it would happen before.
Speaking of duties. My nose began to wrinkle. I looked down to the smell. Where i had noticed twilight's face going from constipated, to one of joy as she started to giggle.
“Shining!” I screamed, backing away from Twilight.
“What is it!” Shining cried, charging into the room, horn glowing, picking up his sister with his magic and bringing her towards him.
“Sh… She!” I gasped, fighting to get the smell out of my noise.
I took him a minute. Looking from Twilight, to me pulling tissues by the dozen. Once it clicked, he started to laugh. “Well,” he said, smirking to Twilight. “Looks i need to save the princess again. For the horrors of dirty diapers.”
Twilight laughed and clapped.
I stomped a hoof.
“Hey, take it easy,” he said. “You’re going to have to deal with changing her diapers sooner or later.”
“Isn’t…” i said, but stopped to drive heave. “Isn’t there someone else to do it.”
He lowered his eyes.
I weakly chuckled. “Right… and that pony would be me.”
I was sure by the time we were done, I’d have to apply for post traumatic stress consulting. Diaper changing was something i never wanted to do again. However, I would have to for an entire week. Fortunately, instead of continually insulting my inability to handle… whatever came from that filly, he was surprisingly patient with me. Not that he wouldn’t find ways to be funny, but that was mostly after the diaper was gone.
“You get use to it enough to tolerate,” he assured me. The nightmare over, and Twilight playing with her blocks.
“I’ll believe you if I don’t die next time.” I moaned.
He chuckled. “Wasn’t easy for me either at first. I think my dad would say i over-reacted worse than you.”
“I!... I…” I struggled to say. “I wasn’t over-reacting. I’d have thought there was some kind of attack.”
There was a knock on the door.
“Well, at least it will make a great war story.” Shining rose from his hooves to answer the door. Returning a moment later with a large pineapple pizza.
My face turned green. “Not sure if i’m hungry anymore.”
“I understand.” he smiled. Putting the pies to the side. “So, other than your first diaper change, things going well for you?”
“Yeah,” I said. Surprisingly quick. Letting Twilight play on one of my hooves. “I think I’m getting a hang of this.”
“Maybe we should hire you full time for this.” he said sitting next to me.
I frowned.
He looked blankly at me. “I mean, I get this is just a punishment, but—”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Look, don’t take this the wrong way, but I only want to get my grounding over.”
He started to say something. If i had to guess, it might have been something nasty, before he looked to Twilight who circled around my leg’s. She yawned, and leaned her head against me.
Shining Armor then smiled. “Well… Why not?
I blinked.
“I mean,” he said, “you don’t seem have bad. What else you have to do? Being popular.” He coughed. “Sorry I didn’t mean—“
“It’s fine.” I waved off. Looking down. Was being popular all I really do? I mean, I did… I liked… I sighed. Wow, was I shallow. “Hehe, maybe…” I frowned.
Shining tilted his head. “Hey, if it means anything, I think you can be more than you give credit for. Just don’t let anyone tell you who you are, or what to do.”
I rolled my eyes. “That was cliched.”
He laughed, and I found myself laughing with him. “Well, as bad as it was, maybe you should ask what you want to do with your life.”
I playfully raised an eyebrow. “Well, what about you? What’s your life interest and goals?”
“Royal guard.” he said with no hesitation. “Just like my dad.”
My eyes widened. “Ask and receive. Though, you do know it takes years of hard training.”
“I know.” he nodded. “But I’m not all nerd you know. Sure I enjoy a good comic, but I also like protecting ponies.”
“I suppose you are good at it.” I said looking to Twily, then thinking about how he stopped Billy the other day. “Hey, Shining… I never thank you for saving me yesterday.” I said sheepishly. “So… thank you.”
Shining scratched his neck. “Well… Don’t mention it.”
I felt like he literally meant that while he scooted a bit away from me. Still, I didn’t let it bother me for the night. I would keep an eye on his sister for a week, and we could call it even.
Twilight woke up an hour later, and to my relief, all we ended up doing for the rest of the day was read to her from a book, when her mother came home.
“Hello!” she said cheerfully, walking into the living room. “You have a good— Oh my, a mare!” she said. A middled aged violet mare with a (cutie mark) and a light, silver-purplish mane that was in streaks much like Twilight's.
Shining Armor brought a hoof to his face. “Mom, this is Princess Mi Amora Cadenza.” He gave her a wayward look. “You know, the babysitter for Twilight this week.”
“Oh right,” she chuckled. Just now processing the fact i was a princess ahead of being a… WAIT! Did she—”
“Well I think you should be getting home!” Shining said. Hurriedly levitating Twilight into her crib and started pushing me towards the door. “Wouldn’t want Princess Celestia worried and I have homework to do and such!”
His mother stomped her hoof. “Now Shining!” she said. Causing both of our fur’s to shiver. “Why don’t you walk your little marefriend her home. It’s only the gentle-colty thing to do to make sure she’s safe! ” Now she was the one to use her magic to push us out the door. Before either of us could make any protest to her calling me his marefriend, the door was slammed shut.”and i’ll know if you don’t walk her all the way home, young stallion!” The lock bolt gave a click, and I saw her looking through the blinds with a wide eyed look at us as if she were a foal, and we were the largest hearth-warming present she’s ever received.
I blinked at Shining Armor in confusion before he answered, “You’ll have to forgive my, mother.” He glanced her way. And the mare ducked out of sight. Only to appear in a different window. “She’s a bit…”
“Nutty?” I offered.
He narrowed his eyes, then laughed. “Eh, I was going to say a romantic who’s wanted to see me married since I got my cutie mark. Anyways,” he held out a hoof and faced the walkway. “Shall we? I know you could probably get home safely by yourself,” he looked to my wings, “but aside from mom’s orders, i actually would feel better knowing you got home safely.”
“Oh… Um,” I blushed, hesitantly taking his hoof. A childish squee echoing in the house. ‘Lead the way good sir.”
Shining shook his head, and lead me home. Only letting go of my hoof once we were a considerable distance from his house. Once we were a fair distance away, my curiosity getting the better of me, I asked, “So, you never had a marefriend youbefore?”
Shinng griminched. “Yeah, sure, go ahead and make your gay and virgin jokes.” He closed his eyes and held up his chest. “I can take it.”
“No, no!” I said. A little offended by his quick conclusion. “I was actually going to say it was alright, and actually kind of cute.”
He opened an eye. “You do?”
“Well,” i kicked a hoof, “I mean, sure.” i bit my lip. “Well, it’s silly.”
He chuckled. “Oh what? Come on, you got to meet the world’s most embarrassing mom, now it’s your turn to give back.”
My eyes look to and from him. The tight knot in my stomach convulsing. And then i sighed. “Alright… I guess, and i’ll skin you if I find out you told anyone,” I swallowed, “I’ve never kissed a colt before.”
If he was drinking anything, I’m sure he would have spat it out by now. “Wait, wha… really?”
“Yes, really!” I cringed. >.<
‘You?” Shining cocked his head. “Okay, now I know you’re just messing with me. What about all those dates you went on.”
I clicked my tongue. “Well, that’s why i said kissed, not have a coltfriend.” i sighed.
Shining's face lightened up. “Oh… Oh, well—”
“Completely by choice though,” I pointed out. “I’ll date as much as i need to maintain my popularity rating, but if we don’t click, no lip.” I looked to my hooves. “I know I should just get it over with, but,” I groaned, “I guess i’ve just always wanted my first kiss to be with somepony special. The pony I wanted to spend my life with. Not just my first crush.” I looked to Shining. “Cheesy, Iknow, but do me a favor and don’t feel like you need to make it some race to be with a mare.”
He shrugged. “Well, aside from using my own nerd statutes to avoid mares,” he joked, “you’re not alone on that. Though, maybe it is because I don’t just fall for any pretty mare who flicks their tail at me.” He frowned. “Again, don’t be offended, we have our truce, but a lot of it had to do with hearing stories about popular mares like you and your friend’s tricking a stallion like me into a date. Only to set him up for humiliation. I still like mares, but i’m not going to easily fall for one unless I trust them.”
I held back asking how much he trusted me. Mostly by realizing i had thought about asking it. However, i did ask, “are there any mare’s you have an eye on.”
Before he could answer that, he said, “Oh look, we’re here!” Sure enough, the castle lay before us. Time flying like no other. ‘Want me to walk you inside as well, princess?” he asked in a playful tone.”
I chuckled at his humor, then coughed, “No, it’s fine. Not that I wouldn’t be offended or anything. But i wouldn’t want to keep you waiting.”
“Right.” he nodded and smiled at me. Them immediately started away. “Oh, and Cadence…”
“Yeah?” I answered quietly.
“... You’re alright. I’m glad of, if anypony, you’re the one who’s going to keep an eye on my sister.” He turned to face me. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah… Sure thing!” I smiled and waved.
“Great.” he nodded, and was off. Leaving me all alone at the castle’s gates.
I screamed awake. Seeing yellow in my vision as the dream I just had clicked in my mind. I rubbed my head, more annoyed than anything else at this point. Not a moment later, the door flew opened, and Raven raced into the room. Hoof held tightly around a rolled up newspaper.
“What happened?!” she asked defensively. Holding close a silver whistle that could of had every guard and Celestia in my room in less than a second. “Are you hurt? What’s wrong?!
“No, No!” i waved off quickly. “Was just a… Just a dream.” I breathed heavily. “Everything is fine.”
Raven blinked at me. “Oh.” She lowered her whistle. “My apologies, your highness.” she bowed. “You had me worried there.” she slowly rose and offered a gental smile. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Oh, um… no,” I said, looking to the clock. “I’d hate to be a bother at this hou…” I gawked in surprise that it was nearly five thirty. Only thirty minutes before I was suppose to be up anyways. “Huh. I could have sworn it was earlier in the morning.”
Raven nodded. “Yes. I was merely doing some morning rounds when i heard your scream, princess.” she lowered her eyes. “It wasn’t too bad a dream, was it?”
“Eh… it was nothing.” I lied. “Just… Falling off something. You know. The random anxiety's, likely from being grounded thing.”
She gave me a sharp look, before shrugging. “If you say so.” she left without saying anything. However, she did look back at me. As if to test and see if I would change my mind and talk more about my dream. When I didn’t say anything, that was the end of that, and I was left alone.
Of course, with it being this early I had no reason to go back to sleep just to be waken up in another thirty minutes. I wasn’t too tired anyways. Of course, that was after I let out a yawn. Okay, so maybe those two other nightmares I had last night of Billy (with Shinning Armor only coming to save me in one of the three) having woken me up.
I levitated the nearest book my magic could reach. This was the first time any of my sudden wake up’s had resulted in someone hearing me. I rolled my eyes when I realized it was another romance novel. This one i recalled having read last month.. If this was going to be a common enough dream i’d have to find some way to wake up more quietly from it.
*****
Having read said cheap romance novel, and scoffed it for the male lead being a pushover, and made my way to breakfast right on schedule. At first there was nothing to it. Showered, fixed my mane, made my bed, and headed to the dining hall. Yet, I was surprised when I saw Celestia sitting at the head of the table. My heart, however, faltered when her face flattened.
“Oh, good morning, Cadence,” she said averting my gaze.
I nodded. “Morning,” and took my seat, and had some toast. Sitting there, minding my own business as my aunt ate. Today’s breakfast was a half sliced oranges and a bowl of porridge with raisins. Not my favorite, but it filled me up.
“So,” she asked a couple of minutes later, “how did foalsitting go?”
“Oh! Um, wonderful!” I lightly smiled, and went into details about my night. Going on about how cute Twilight was, how patient Shinning was with me, the games we played, how Shining helped with the horrors of diaper changing, to which Celestia chuckled and rolled her eyes.
I had gone on about something, when Celestia interrupted, “Sound’s like this Shinning Armor was a pleasure to be around.”
“Yeah,” I sighed dreamily. I looked up to my aunt who was smirking. My eyes widened. “I mean!... Yeah, he clearly wants to make sure i do a good job caring for his sister.” I sipped on some orange juice.
“Sure,” my aunt chuckled. “Just… Just keep up the good work.”
It wasn’t the good enough kind of progress to get myself ungrounded in time for the dance, but i didn’t care at the moment.
****
I hadn’t even realized it was Friday till half the day was over. Not that I was stupid, but it felt much early in the week. Still, I suppose that at least that would mean a fresh start on Monday. Of course, it be a week of babysitting, but I’d take it as it was. Didn’t cheer me enough to pay any attention to my friend’s at lunch as I idly stirred my peas in my magic.
“Cadence!” Dollar Sign shouted at me.
“Wha?! No!” I jerked up. “I mean,” I said looking sheepishly at my friends. “Sounds fascinating.”
Dollar narrowed her eyes. “You weren't paging attention at all?”
I sighed.
“Hey now,” another girl said, “I bet the whole ordeal is getting to her.”
I smiled.
“Yeah, like, sitting at home in a castle is totally traumatic!”
They all laughed and I lowered my head.
“You know,” my cousin Blueblood said rubbing his chin, “perhaps we should do something to cheer Cady up!”
All eyes were on him, including mine. The last thing I wanted him to suggest was that we find a group of nerds—
“So how about party? my mansion? Tomorrow night?”
Everyone began to chatter enthusiastically. I raised a hoof, only to lower it.
“Thanks, cousin, but I’m ground. Remember?”
“So?” Dollar Sign asked, biting into her sandwich. “Sneak out.”
Now, I had certainly snuck out before for nights of fun. Best of all, I‘ve never been caught before. Well, kind of. I always had a sinking feeling at breakfast auntie knew when I would do so. However, because I had never done anything too stupid, I presumed I was either being paranoid, or she was just letting me live and make my own choices. But now, that I was grounded...
“Come on!” Buck said, wrapping a hoof over me. “Please? A night out, we’ll hire a DJ, nopony will know, you’ll feel better.”
Then again, I could honestly use a little fun after this long week.
I sat down my spoon. “Alright, I’ll... think about it. Won’t help if I get caught.”
“Let me worry about auntie,” Blueblood assure as the others smiled at me. “You just think of all the fun we’ll have.”
“Where you going?” Dollar Sign asked, catching me walking the opposite way I would have if I was heading home to the castle.
“Oh, um...” I said nervously. “I’m, um... I’ve got a few things I have to do for auntie as my punishment.”
“Oh?” she asked with a smirk. “What’s that?”
“Grocery shopping. Now get your nose out of my business!” I snapped.
Dollar Sign stepped back. “Alright! Geez,” she shook her head and trotted off. “Just make sure you’re ready for the party tomorrow. K?”
I nodded with a smile. “Of course. Will be the highlight of my week!”
She nodded. “Well, laters, K!” She blew me a kiss and then was gone.
I rubbed my head. A bit harsh, but the last thing I wanted was for news of who’s sister I had to foal-sit get around. My eyes squinted, thinking, would it really be that bad if anyone knew? All I could do was think about it as I made my way to Shinning's house. Sure, it likely wouldn’t have been the end of the world, but what nopony needed to know wasn’t their business. Then again, how would it look if I was caught lying? Maybe I would at least tell Dollar or Blue on Monday. I had an exciting weekend ahead and could deal with anything else later.
One trot later, I came to the house. Same as I remembered from last time, only out front, was his mother
“Ah, princess!” she exclaimed, a smile that had me stepping back a bit. “You and Shining have a good day?”
I blinked. “Er... yes. It was, alright.”
She continued to grin. “Well, Little Twily’s asleep, so I’ll just leave ya too it if you think you’ll be okay.”
“No! I mean, I’m sure I’ll be okay.” I said, not eager to be alone with this crazy mare longer than I had to be.
“Well then,” she closed her eyes and trotted merrily out of the yard, “you have a good time then sweetheart.”
I nodded sheepishly, not letting my eyes off her until she was out of sight. Then, I hurried up to the house.
Sure enough, I found Twily asleep in her crib in the living room. Cuddling with what i had first took to be a rag, only to find the ugliest looking doll I’d ever seen. Was it suppose to be a mule instead of a pony? Was it even clean.
Disgust aside, her snoring was cute enough to distract from the doll. I’d ask about it later out of curiosity. For now, I could relax at the ease of watching a sleeping filly. A boring amount of free time if I wasn’t to wake her, but I'd take it over something like house painting or volunteering at a rodeo any day. When I went to a bookcase to see if there was anything I would like, I found myself sorely disappointed at the selection. It would seem the household only read Daring Do and other such adventure novels. Namely the former as there seemed to be at least ten copies of every book. While there were a few romances, from how mad that women had to hook me up with her son, i’d figured they’d make up all of her books.
Not finding any of the romance novel’s appealing, I shrugged and took one of the Daring Do books.
My boredom was not to last though. Less than an hour later, I heard Twilight stirring awake. She gave a yawn, followed by some pouting. I raised myself from the couch to see if she needed anything. Praying it would just be to play.
“Hello there, Twily,” I said, gently approaching the crib. “Have a good nap?”
She regarded me solemnly, still holding tight to that rag doll. She then looked all around. Her head sweeping back and forth before asking, “Shinny?”
I half chuckled. “Sorry, he’s not here today. I’ll be watching you for awhile.”
She looked back at me. He eye’s going from innocent, to puzzled as she proceed what I said.
“No Shinny?” she asked. Before I could answer, she wailed, “Bimbo Princess Hurt Shinny!” and cried.
“I didn’t,” I started to lie… wait, lie?! It wasn’t my fault he was in detention or anything. He didn’t have to save my life— Oh, right. I was dodging the blocks she was hurling at me with her magic. One of which, smacked me in the crown. Right between the eyes. Thankfully it wasn’t an edge the struck my face, but it still hurt.
While I winced in pain, Twilight laughed. That was, until she remembered that she was supposed to be mad. However, out of blocks, she simply pouted and turned her back on me.
Sighing, I came up with an idea on the spot before it crossed her mind that magic could probably throw more than wooden blocks.
“No, no!” I protested. “He’s just... gone to learn a special dance for you.”
That caught her attention. She turned her head at me. “Shinny... Dance?”
I giggled at the idea. May as well have some fun out of this. “Yes, a Shiny Dance for his little Twily.” I leaned my head down to her level. “He, um, asked me to keep an eye on you to go learn it. And if you’re a good filly for me, he’ll dance it for you when he gets home.”
She though on it for a moment. I was worried I had either sounded to complicated or if she had bought it at all. Finally, she smiled, and clapped her hooves together. “Shinny dance! Shinny dance!”
I let out a breath. “Yes,” I smiled, “Shinny Dance.” At least now I was eager to see what Shining Armor would do when he got home.
*****
After that, we had a, if not pleasant, engaging time. Sure hanging out with my friends would have been better, but I enjoyed foalsitting for what it was. They were cute when they didn’t poop and Twilight was no exception. What made our time most fun was when I found out I could read a book, and shed happily sit and let me read. Granted it was a Daring Do book, but like Twilight, they grow on you.
Several hours later, the door opened, and in walked Shining Armor. “Twily, I’m home!”
Before I could Great him, Twilight, to my surprise, lifted herself off my lap and levitated herself towards her brother.
“Shinny!” she called out.
“Whoa!” Shining Armor said. “Getting your magic surge in—“
“Shinny Dance!” she giggled.
He blinked. “Huh?”
I was about to explain, before I found myself being lifted into the air. “Hey, wait! What?!” I shrieked.
Still looking a bit confused (if not concerned as well), I start to explain to Shining Armor, “You see, I told her—“ I muffled, as my mouth peeled off my face. For better or worse, it wasn’t as if it was ripped off. Instead, it came off as if they were a pair of toy lips, leaves the spot where I use to have a mouth now nothing more than bare patch of skin. I ran my hoof over the spot, as my lips where levitated towards Twilight in her own magic.
Holding my lips in her magic, she scolded, and point to me, not looking away from her brother. “Shinny, she says learn dance? Dance!”
Shining blinked several times. First to just sister, then to me. When Twilight’s horn began to brighten, he put on a big goofy smile and nodded. “Why yes! Of course. Why don’t you give the princess her mouth back and let me have a word with her?” He briefly scold at me. “I’ll need her help on it and should fill her in.”
Smiling brightly, Twilight return my lips and sat me down.
“Yes!” I nodded vigorously, nervously smiling as Twilight’s horn still lite. Just need to have your brother teach me the dance then we can teach you.” I was pushed into the kitchen before I finished.
“Let me guess,” he asked looking down at me, “funny story?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Well I wasn’t going to say I got you in trouble when she started crying for you?”
“So you think lying was a better idea.”
“Well, I... Well, what would you have—“
There was a loud pop. Followed by Twilight bellowing, “SHINNY DANCE, NOW!”
I pushed Shining Armor back to the living room. “You heard her, dance now, lecture later!” He gave a snort, but after dodging a flying book trotted forward.
While i hadn’t seen many magic surges in my life, I had certainly heard the horror stories. Houses turned inside out, realities altered, missing bodies found months later. Exaggerations I was sure... I hoped.
“Right!” Shining said as Twilight levitated some knives. “My special new dance I spent the day learning for my favorite sister!”
Twilight's magic faded out. As everything feel to the floor.
“Okay... so...” he thought for a moment.
As Twilight’s horn began to glow, I said the first words to come to my mind.
“Sunshine sunshine!”
When Twilight's horn grew brighter Shining Armor followed my lead. “Ladybugs awake!” His front knees bent to doge a book.
Twilight giggled when I imitated her brother.
“Now clap your hooves!” I added, doing just that. “And...”
“Do a little shake.” Shining finished, wagging his rump in the air.
“Seriously?!” I deadpanned.
He shrugged “I might as well get some enjoyment out of this. Now shake!”
I rolled my eyes, turned around, raised my rump in the air, and as i said; “Do a little shake.”
Shining Armor and Twilight giggled as I swayed my hips.
“More!” Twilight clapped.
So we did for several more minutes. The process of Sunshine and ladybugs, to end with my romp in the air while giving it a jiggle. At least wonder boy had to do it to.
Unfortunately, when we tried to stop, Twilight’s mane became a fiery red. Her coat a snow white. “MORE!!”
So we did. For hours, and hours, until at last, their father came home.
“Hey, Shining, did you, eh...” He caught us at another rump shake.
“Help...” Shining coughed, “magic, surge—“
“More!” Twilight demanded, and we got our second wind.
Quick as a flash, their dad raced to a closet, pulled out a ring, and placed it on Twilight’ ring.
We collapsed immediately.
“More!” Twilight demanded, only for nothing to happen.
The last thing I remember before passing out was their dad laughing, saying something about sleep, and then I did so.
