//------------------------------//
// The Crystal Prince's woes 
// Story: A shining Knight and The Dark King 
// by kahnac 
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The next morning, Shining Armor woke up, feeling absolutely dreadful. While true, waking up so early in the morning would make most ponies feel that way, for him it was part of his own routine, which came with training as a soldier. Even now, as a prince, he still made sure he woke up early in order to be fully ready for the day. However, this time he actually DID feel rather tired. More so than usual. 

*yawn*"Oh, boy." he said, in a mildly tired, yet still upbeat tone as he rubbed his hand over his face. "Guess that dream really ran me ragged last night." But then he shrugged his shoulders, and stood up. "Oh, well. Better just get to it, then." He then proceeded to do several different stretches to keep his body loose. Afterwards, he went into the bathroom to do morning business, like taking care of his teeth, and.......other business. He then went over to his still sleeping baby, Flurry Heart, to check up on her. She was still asleep, as expected. Still blissful in her silent slumber. Seeing his daughter so peaceful made shining smile happily, and with affection as he stroked her cheeks as gently as possible so as not to wake her.

"My sweet little Flurry." he said sweetly. But his smile lessened a little as he thought of something. "How did someone like me end up with a daughter as wonderful as you?" He then looked over to his wife, also still asleep. "Or a wife as amazing as her? Cause sometimes i wish I knew." He sighed before shaking his head. He had no time to be thinking such thoughts. Not when there was a special event to prepare for.

And he had a feeling this day was going to be special.

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A while later, after putting on his white shirt, and black jeans, he got on down to the dining hall to have breakfast. As the chefs readied his, and what they knew would be the princess' meal, he was busy reading the newspaper. From what he had read, the Changelings had been officially welcome as part of Equestria, and were now allies of the nation. The front page had a picture of Princess' Celestia and Luna standing next to the changeling leader, Thorax. He seemed quite excited, but also a bit nervous, in the photo he and the royals were in. Seeing this made Shining smile in a sense of satisfaction. Though something in his mind made him think about something that had occurred before. Something involving Thorax, AND the Changelings. Both feelings which were not quite so pleasant. But a yawn, and the sound of cooing drew him out of his thoughts as he turned to see his family coming in. And the sight of them made him very happy.

"Morning, darling." Cadence said, carrying Flurry in her arms.

Shining smiled warmly as he got up, and gave her a quick kiss before saying, "Mornin', honey." Then he went down to flurry heart, and in a silly voice said, "And good morning, my little sweet flurry boo. Daddy loves you lots." This earned giggles from the alicorn baby, which made Shining chuckle himself as he kissed his daughter on the cheek. Cadence also couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of her loving, dorky husband showing their daughter such affection.

"I swear, you are such a goof, shiny."

"Yeah, i know." he replied, giving a knowing smirk. "But that's why you love me."

*giggle* "Well, you're not half wrong." And she then gave him another kiss. Only this one was longer, and more affectionate. And he most certainly didn't resist. Once they parted, she asked, "So what's for breakfast."

"I thought about it for a while, but i think i picked something special: chocolate AND blueberry pancakes."

"Oooh, yum!" Cadence went happily. 

"Because both are sweet, and delicious - like you." Shining said, making Cadence giggle again. "Plus, i figured we'd have something nice to help us get the day started."

Cadence's ears perked as she levitated Flurry's baby-seat over, and set her in. "Oh, that's right! I forget the empire's welcoming the Changelings today. All to celebrate their integration into Equestria as our new friends and allies."

"I heard Thorax was especially looking forward to this." Shining inquired.

"Oh, he is, believe me. Based on what aunty Celestia told me in one of her letters, he was pretty excited when he found out he, and his fellow changelings were being invited to celebrate their reformation." She then chuckled lightly as she thought of something. "Who would have though it would all come to this. It wasn't too long ago we considered Thorax an enemy before we accepted him. And after getting abducted by them again: Thorax, of all others, is the one to help them see the true power of love. I guess he got what he wanted when he first came here: the chance to share his lessons in love, and friendship with the Changelings. It really is amazing."

But while Cadence was quite ecstatic over the whole thing, Shining's mood suddenly felt a bit down. Because Cadence's brief recap of recent events reminded him of things he wasn't feeling too proud of: the changeling's, while still under Chrysalis' command, being able to steal them all away while they least expected it. And without even a fight. Worse yet, his poor treatment of Thorax when he first came to the Empire...........and the secret resentment he still held over him. All because of what the changelings did during his wedding. And now that they were ALL friends to Equestria, especially after Thorax had risked his own life, along with his sisters apprentice, Starlight Glimmer, and even Trixie and Discord: all he could think of was how stupid he was back then. Especially for not believing Spike when he hinted at the possibility of a good changeling existed. Even after his sister, and Cadence accepted him..........shining himself couldn't. Not deep down. He went along with it, and acted like everything was fine with Thorax - but every time he saw him, he was reminded of his greatest near-failure which had almost brought Canterlot itself to ruin. He silently cursed himself for letting such a past experience blind him to other possibilities. A good ruler - a good CAPTAIN - always stays open to ideas, and possibilities, no matter how extreme they seemed to be. True, he was also being protective of his daughter, but that hardly excused anything in his eyes now. Maybe it was all a sign. Maybe he isn't cut out to be a prince, after all. Maybe...........

"Shining? Is everything okay?"

Cadence's voice drew him out of his thoughts, almost startling him. He turned, and saw that she had a somewhat worried expression on her face. Not wanting her to stay that way, he put on a fake smile, and said, "Don't worry, sweety. Everything's fine."

"Are you sure?" Cadence insisted, not completely convinced.

"Cadence, please. Everything's okay. I'm just a bit.........out of it right now. I didn't sleep too well last night."

Her head tilted to the side. "A bad dream?"

"Yeah." Shining nodded. "But nothing serious. It was just-......just one of those nightmares you get once in a while. I barely even remember it." He said. Though it was far from the complete truth, he didn't want to share the details. He knew EXACTLY what his dream last night was. But he wouldn't worry cadence with it: not when they had important things to do today. Either way, Cadence seemed less than satisfied with the answer she got. But she decided to let it go, and not pressure him any further. "If you say so, Shining. Just remember i only ask because i love you. And i don't want anything bad   happening to you."

Shining nodded his head gently as he looked to her with a small, mildly sad smile, on his face. "I really don't deserve someone like you, Cadey."

"Yes, you do, silly. You deserve all the love, and happiness the world has to offer." She smiled warmly. And while her words did seem to help him somewhat, something inside kept him feeling down. Like he was wondering if that was true......given how many times he failed her, already. Was he truly deserving of love, and happiness? Was he really deserving of anything these days? These kind of questions weighed silently over him, as breakfast came to the table. And as they ate, with Cadence trying to feed Flurry Heart her "favorite" mashed peas - which resulted in a bit of the normal mess that comes with it - Shining looked at them. Still unsure of if he was deserving of such a wonderful family.

Little did he suspect that a black marking seemed to begin appearing under his shirt - and up to his wrist. Eventually, he did notice, with some much reasonable concern. Feeling a bit unsure, Shining rolled up his long-sleeve a little - and saw a blackish-grey patch on his arm which he swore wasn't there before. He questioned what it was in his mind at first. But just as Cadence began to set back down in her seat, he pulled his sleeve back up. He then decided that he must've gotten some kind of rash from somewhere, and that it was only now coming on. Either way, he knew he couldn't let it bother him.

He had to be ready, and make sure this day was special.