Shining Armor has always been above average in everything; Sports, smarts, popularity, but there's one thing he's not above average in and he's never told anypony, not even his marefriend. Today he happily married his sweetheart, Cadance, but now he has to tell her his secret, and to him, that's scarier than taking on the changeling army.

Editors: Aqu & dartmaul15

Shining Armor plans to introduce his marefriend, Cadance, to his parents for Hearth's Warming dinner. It’s months away, but it never hurt to plan ahead, after all. First, however, Cadance and him have to talk.

Cover art by Evehly. Buy this story! Contribute to the TVTropes page!

After Princess Twilight Sparkle was assassinated yet was revived by Princess Celestia's healing spell 15 years later, she gets caught up in a world where Unicornia's Tyranny became their law. To make matters worse, she learns that all of her friends, her family, and her fellow princesses are either hiding, enslaved, or imprisoned.

Unable to take anymore chances with her political enemies, Twilight Sparkle joins the rebellious Lunar Republic to save her loved ones and fight against the armies of Unicornia for the freedom of Equestria. The battle to win back Equestria and to reclaim the throne has just begun.

(This story is inspired by MachineGames' and Bethesda Softworks' 2014 video game: Wolfenstein The New Order)

*Warning: May contain foul language, strong bloody violence, and gore. Readers' discretion is advised.*

People always say that they want one last chance. One more try to do things. Regret is one of the stronger feelings that a pony can suffer. It is a reminder of something that they could have or should have done. Something that chases after them throughout their lives.

Sometimes it is worse. Sometimes, things change suddenly, and leave no time for anypony to do what they want to do. Things happen so fast that actions are left in stone, and nothing can ever change it.

There is no such thing as a second chance. There is only ever the mending, and that is a blessing for the healing it offers. When it is missing, nothing heals. When something is bad enough, some might contemplate simply lying down and never waking again.

Twilight wakes, and something is wrong. What could it be? She can find out.

But will she want to?

Twilight thought that everything would be fine after she got transferred to Canterlot High, that she would be able to surpass every problem with the help of her friends, that she would be happy. She was wrong, for the new enemy was herself.

Today she woke up in pain, as every single day.

I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Friendship. My duty is to the crown and my subjects. I can't allow my heart to weaken my status in Equestria. I can't allow myself to love him...What will everypony think of us if they found out?
My reputation would be tarnished, but worst...what would happen to my beloved?
My duty must always come before love as sad as it may be. A marriage for me must be to somepony of high status.
I love you Flash...but we can only have Stolen Glances.
This story is inspired by the Song Secret love Song by little mix https://youtu.be/qgy7vEje5-w

Canterlot has been liberated after the changeling invasion, but Twilight cannot let go of the heartache from being disowned by her brother.

Sunset Shimmer is a young mare who strives for power and doesn't care about anyone but herself.
Twilight Sparkle is a little filly with more scars than she lets on.
Now both of them have to make do, stuck in a world where their greatest talents are little more than a pretty mark on their clothes.

Cover art commissioned from GPizano, who draws a pretty awesome Sunset Shimmer.

Top of the Feature Box on 15/06/17, and an incredible 91:0 upvotes. Thank you all for your help in making that possible.

Due to a mix-up in the pantry, the jasmine tea that Princess Celestia orders for consumption with her breakfast turns out to be made out of coca leaf, instead.

A period of overwhelming bureaucratic efficiency, aggressive platonic affection, and mild insanity follows.

EDIT: Featured (briefly) 6/13/17! Thank you all!
EDIT: Featured at #1 6/14/17! WOW! Awesome, thank you all!

Sunset Shimmer is well respected, and has gained a lot of trust over the past year. So when Princess Twilight entrusted her with watching over her one and only niece, she was thrilled.

But one slip of the tongue around the toddler could break that trust.

Now with Reading by Mindlessgonzo