//------------------------------// // Realization // Story: My way back home // by Princess Rainbow-Dashie //------------------------------// Shining Armor It had been a little over a year since I had married Cadence and had my little Flurryheart. She was still small, but had grown quite a bit in her first year of living. Even though she had grown, she was still a handful to take care of considering her powers. Both of us had learnt what type of spells or reactions to expect when something happened or when she wanted to try out something new and couldn’t get it right away. Cadence and I had been living in the Crystal Empire, ruling it the best way we knew to keep love, happiness and peace among the crystal ponies we looked over and cared for. Away from everyone we knew, away from home, and most important, away from my little sister. It had been a year since she visited me and her little niece, as well as her sister-in-law, my wife. It was lonely here, and I missed my sister. I couldn’t explain why the separation was aching so much inside my heart, sure we were BBBFF (Big brother best friend forever) and LSBFF (Little sister best friend forever) and as siblings had a close relationship, but this ache was much different from anything I had felt before. My wife was still asleep, but I was wide awake by now, despite the fact that I had only gotten a couple hours of sleep. I went for a stroll through the hallways, careful not to make too much noise and wake anyone up, as I decided to make it outside instead, hoping maybe that some cold night air and a stroll would help ease the ache I felt inside. I had never been outside of the ice castle at night, usually I was exhausted after caring for Flurryheart all day long or after many nights with little sleep from taking turns with Cadence to go check on her when she woke up crying multiple times during the night. The streets were filled with shimmering lights, almost like fireflies. Soft, melancholic music was echoing through the streets as I passed through them, taking in the beauty of the outside of the castle. I wondered now, if I hadn’t made a huge mistake, as my head was clearing up the farther and longer I walked away from the castle. I could have sworn that I was listening to my sweet little sister singing, but I was sure that she wasn’t here… Still, I listened to her voice, as if she was right next to me. When I was just a filly I found it rather silly To see how many other ponies I could meet I had my books to read, didn't know that I would ever need Other ponies to make my life complete But there was one colt that I cared for I knew he would be there for me My big brother, best friend forever Like two peas in a pod, we did everything together He taught me how to fly a kite We never had a single fight We shared our hopes, we shared our dreams I miss him more than I realized, it seems And though he's oh so far away I hoped that he would stay My big brother best friend Forever Forever As soon as it had begun, it had ended, and I found myself back at the castle in no time. It was still night, so I supposed that not much time had gone by. I needed my sister by my side. I couldn’t bear the absence any longer. I knew that what I was about to do was cruel, and I wish I had realized my true feelings sooner, but now it was too late for that. I spent the rest of the night quietly packing for my things, as well as my daughter’s, in complete silence. As soon as I finished I left a note for Cadence, saying that I hoped to be back in three days and that Flurryheart would be with me. Before leaving, I softly kissed her forehead. It didn’t take me too long to make it to the train station, where I was sure Flurryheart was still asleep, as well as everypony in there. Softly, and quietly, I whispered, in a song. Yes, I, Shining Armor, was singing. The memories hurt and faith has been lost Why must things be this way? The pain is my own, the feelings yours The silence is frail The harmony is gone by now But I did find, that the stillness was gone And my tired eyes, and my lullabies Have never reached you at all… Once did a colt, that was busy so much Look down to her sister and sigh “Twili, I have no time for silly games anymore” Those words fell dark upon the young sister I loved And grew only stronger as days and nights passed Soon did that colt take notice that his sister Was always alone through the days And neither had he loved her as she deserved He watched as his sister’s studies increased And that foolish colt, did nothing to stop The loneliness that took over Twilight Goodnight little Twili, goodnight sister mine Rest now in study’s embrace Receive my lullaby, winds of love Through hearts I hope it will reach you Carry the love and the stillness inside And sleep soundly through the night Twili, you’re loved so much more than you know May troubles be far from your mind… Forgive me for treating you so wrong… I didn’t get to finish the song, for I was at Ponyville sooner than I was expected. I must have fallen asleep during the last hour of it. I was going home. I would be by Twilight’s side soon.