Disclaimer: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and all associated characters, settings and stories are the rightful subjects of Hasbro, the HUB, Studio B, and Lauren Faust.
Chapter 12
Shining Armor quickly arrived in Canterlot and hastily made his way towards the palace. It just didn't make sense. How could Luna just give up like that? How could she just leave everypony so easily? That wasn't like her. There had to be a deeper reason for it. She loved her sister but was that enough to kill herself to be with her? Shining Armor would not be satisfied until he had a complex and workable answer. Until then, he would have to find it.
Arriving at the palace, Shining Armor wasted no time before going to Magicon. He would have the answers and know exactly what to do. Knocking loudly on Magicon's door, Shining Armor didn't wait for an answer before opening it himself, barging in, and shutting the door behind him.
He saw Magicon pacing rapidly around the room, head moving in all directions, talking loudly to himself.
"Oh, yes, I agree with that completely. It's just that I don't want it to be excessive," said Magicon.
Slightly confused by Magicon Shining Armor asked, "Magicon, who are you talking to?"
Magicon remained oblivious to his presence and continued his monologue. "No, sir. It has been set forth for over a thousand years. I will do it. I will not fail you or anypony of the group before you, including the Great Master."
Now Shining Armor was both suspicious and worried, "M…Magicon?"
No response as Magicon was lost in his own mind, "Master, are you sure this is the correct spell? It seems awfully potent."
Shining Armor had enough and walked up to Magicon and slapped him harshly across the face. Magicon fell to the floor instantly and looked up to see a worried Shining Armor. Magicon's face went into shock and fear, like a child who was caught for troublemaking.
"Sh…Shining…when did you….get here?"
"Not long ago, actually."
"I'm…I'm…so sorry…you had to see that."
"Magicon, I'm really worried about you. This has been the third or forth time I've caught you talking to yourself and this time it wasn't a whisper. I heard every word very clearly."
"Oh, you did?" Magicon jumped into a desperate plea. "Please Shining, you must understand. It's the ghosts of my past. They haunt me. They frighten me. They torture my mind."
Shining's face remained solid and cold, "I know your past yet I'm under the suspicion that you don't want to put your past behind you. You still want it. You like reliving it. It makes you feel motivated and powerful. It makes you feel like a different pony."
Magicon took a step back, an uncomfortable contortion etched on his face. "Sh…Shining…let's discuss why I called you here."
"No! Stop trying to change the subject. You're only digging yourself into a deeper whole. You did something, Magicon. Something bad and I want to know what it is."
"Wh…What? I've done nothing wrong."
"Denial."
"It's the truth."
"You really need to learn how to lie better, Magicon. I'm not letting this go."
"I maintain my innocence."
"Innocence, eh? I never said you were guilty of anything but now I'm thinking you are. If I didn't know better, I would say you were involved with Celestia and Luna's deaths."
Something changed in Magicon with those words. The face of fear and conspiracy disappeared and a new face emerged: a face of resistance, determination, and darkness. It was resolute and unyielding to Shining Armor's intense gaze.
Magicon chuckled before speaking, his voice now deeper and colder. "You know something, Shining, you're right. I am denying something, something that you would be very interested to know about."
"What is it, Magicon?"
"Well, to put it bluntly, Cadance and I talked before she left on her journey. She knew you had come to talk to me that night and she thought the worst."
Shining Armor was taken aback by his wife's secrecy. "What do you mean 'the worst'?"
A smile crept onto Magicon's face. "That we had 'done it', so to speak."
Shining Armor's mouth fell to the floor as his face contorted to a mixed expression of shock and dismay.
"Wh…what…WHAT!"
"You heard me. 'Done it'."
"No. No! NO! Cadance wouldn't think that nor would she say that. You're lying!"
"Oh am I now? You think you know your wife but there are some thing's you will never know. I speak the truth, Shining. She thought we 'did it' that night. Ha! It's really quite amusing, actually, to think that your wife has such low faith in you that you would so easily cheat on her. And with another stallion of all ponies."
Magicon laughed as Shining Armor now tried to understand why Cadance would think such a thing. He never had feelings for Magicon, right? His heart always belonged to Cadance. That's why Queen Chrysalis was able to take so much of it. He was madly in love with Cadance, but a part of his heart said otherwise.
"I…I…"
"Oh come now, Shining. I think we both know where your true feelings lie. You had and possibly still have some romantic feelings for me."
Shining Armor couldn't even make eye contact with Magicon as he tried to understand and fight this internal struggle.
"Oh Shining, you really are such a readable stallion."
"I…uhh…"
"You know, Shining, I won't deny that I still have some feelings toward you. Though they have faded ever since you married Cadance, a part of me still yearns for you. And don't worry about Cadance; she thinks my feelings for you are dead and buried."
"Ma…Magicon…why didn't you…tell me sooner…about everything?"
"Well as for Cadance, I thought it would be better if you and her talked about it in private. As for us, I thought that if I told you it would ruin our friendship since you didn't have many feelings for me."
"But…but you just said-"
"I know and that's where I made my mistake. I see now you have deeper feelings than I first thought."
"I just-"
"Hush, hush, Shining. There's nothing to be afraid or ashamed of. There is nothing wrong with loving another stallion.
Shining Armor was beginning to regain some composure thanks to Magicon's words.
'Dear Celestia, Magicon really does care for me and I care for him. He is such a nice and lovely stallion,' Shining Armor thought as he blushed.
"Magicon…you know me too well. As much as I want to deny it and remove it from me, a part of my heart loves you. I try to ignore it but then it causes me to become tempered and quarrelsome."
Magicon's higher-pitched voice returned as he spoke, "So that's what caused our arguments those times. Well then I would just like to say I'm sorry for-"
Shining Armor put a hoof to Magicon's mouth, a gentle smile on his face. "I do love Cadance, Magicon, but I also like you. We've been good friends and I don't want our friendship to end."
Gently removing his hoof Magicon looked into Shining Armor's deep cerulean eyes. They weren't harsh anymore, they were actually compassionate. Magicon sighed before speaking.
"I don't want to end our friendship either, Shining. But it's already complicated by our feelings and your marriage. There will always be a part of you that will never be truly happy, just like me."
"We could change that," suggested Shining Armor in a sly manner, a small smile creeping on his face.
Magicon blushed and felt his heart flutter but resisted giving in. "No Shining. As much as I want to I respect your marriage and I don't want to be caught in a love triangle."
"It's already a love triangle. What's the worst that could happen if we took it up a notch?"
"Well for one, if anypony found out both of our reputations would be destroyed. Two, how can we just abandon our posts, especially now in this time of crisis? And three, most of your heart belongs to Cadance, it must stay that way. I don't want you to fall out of love with her."
"Magicon, nothing you or I could do would change my love towards Cadance. And I know a spot where we could have fun if only for an hour."
Magicon's heart continued to flutter and his face was turning a bright crimson at the suggestion. His mind screamed duty but his heart yearned for Shining Armor.
"I…uhh…I don't-"
Magicon's words were cut off by a pair of wet lips meeting his own. His heart burst as his eyes stared in shock at the stallion now kissing him. A rush of emotions flooded him. Shock, dismay, surprise, fear, joy, passion, and love all converged on him at once. He couldn't understand it, but he really didn't want to. What he wanted was Shining Armor.
Just when he was about to pull Shining Armor in further, Shining pulled away. A sexy smile etched on his face.
"Just thought I would make your decision a little easier," he said in such a sexy tone and eye-wink that made Magicon weak in the knees.
His heart yearned for more and he would have it. He had given in to madness before and now he would give in to it again. He would give in to Shining Armor.
"You did, thank you."
Magicon pulled Shining Armor close and pressed his lips against his own. His tongue pushed past those moist lips and met Shining Armor's who fully embraced it. They closed their eyes and stroked each others manes and coats as hidden passions finally came to a head. Just for an hour, they would lose themselves. Just for an hour their roles and responsibilities would disappear. Just for an hour they would be one.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Alright, girls, we better get our flanks in gear," said Applejack as the girls finished packing before heading out once again in pursuit of their friend.
"Where are we going this time?" asked Pinkie.
"Just onward," responded Rarity looking at the map.
"Can you be any less specific?" asked Rainbow Dash sarcastically. "Like if we are ever going to get out of this forest?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. The forest should end a few miles up and then we reach the rocky and cliffy regions of the higher mountains."
"Ah assume there are caves up there, right?" asked Applejack.
"There are a few mentioned on the map and probably more. If I were Twilight I'd most likely be staying there."
"So, umm…we're going into dark, dangerous, and…scary caves?" asked Fluttershy nervously.
"I'm afraid so, Fluttershy, but don't worry. We've been living in darkness for the past few days so there won't be any change in the environment."
"Rarity's right, Fluttershy," added Applejack. "In fact we might get more light and more warmth in those caves 'cause they're smaller than these here forests."
Fluttershy felt a little more at ease with the thought but still uneasy about the fact that Twilight was probably hiding in a cold and lonely cave.
The pressed onwards once again, determined to be rid of this forest that had locked them for so many days. The next phase of their journey would be tougher but they all knew that they were nearing the end. Twilight had to be here, if not she was either dead or the five had wasted all this time.
They wasted no time exiting the forest and when they finally reached the cliffs they all took a moment to rest and peer over the side of the cliff. The ledge was steep and dark. One wrong move and your life would end there. Thousands of feet below ran the tops of invisible trees and rivers; eyewitnesses to the countless ponies whose journey's ended right here.
Fortunately there were no trees up here, allowing the five to see the narrow path with more clarity than the forest and they would need it.
"Are we…Are we really going to walk that?" asked Fluttershy who was shaking with fear.
"I am afraid so," said Rarity quietly.
"There ain't no other way?"
Rarity shook her head in slow defiance. "This is the only way. Look, I'm scared just as much as the rest of you but I am determined to find our friend. Who's with me?"
All of them said 'I am' and looked over at the narrow path.
"We'll have to go single file," Rarity stated. "Applejack, you go first. Rainbow Dash, you fly alongside AJ and keep a visual on the ledge and the Cliffside in case of fall rocks."
Rainbow Dash saluted while Applejack looked nervously over at her.
"Ya' sure it's a good idea for me ta go first?"
"You're a brave pony, Applejack, and you have the skills we need to test if the ledge is safe to cross. Besides, you'll have Rainbow Dash right beside you and ahead of you keeping a sharp eye for anything that comes your way."
"I won't leave you, AJ. I'll be right beside you the whole time and I'll keep you safe, I promise," said Rainbow Dash in a reassuring manner.
"Now then, I will be second since I'm reading the map we'll need to know where to go. As for third, Pinkie, you'll be following me. You're Pinkie Sense will be an enormous help for any dangers that might come our way."
Pinkie simply nodded.
"As for you, Fluttershy. You'll be the last of the group. You can fly or walk but keep an eye on the trail behind us. We need to be able to get back to civilization and if a piece of the trail collapses after we pass it, you need to let us know. Okay, darling?"
"Okay," whispered Fluttershy.
"Well that's settled. Now let's get movin'," said Applejack as she slowly began walking along the Cliffside.
They were cautious with their movements, fearful that any wrong move might send any of them to their deaths. They were silent as the focused on their movements and careful hoofing. Applejack and Rainbow Dash stayed close together, carefully making sure that the path was safe for everypony. Rarity followed close behind, one eye on the map and one on the trail. Pinkie trailed her, her attention focused but her head low. Fluttershy finished the rear of the group, making sure to never get more than five feet away from Pinkie.
Their progress was severely hampered by the gustier winds forcing Applejack to keep one hoof on her hat at all times while Rarity often had to ask them to stop so she could look at the map more clearly. The snow was also deeper here and patches of ice were all too common up here. No wonder why nopony braved these mountains until late spring, it was just too dangerous. After a few miles, they were all exhausted and decided to rest for a moment on the path, the night air making them all shiver.
"How much longer until the next cave," asked Applejack.
"What was that, Applejack?" shouted Rarity who strained her ears against the gusty winds to hear Applejack.
"Ah said, how much longer until the next cave?" she shouted back.
"About half a mile, according to the map."
"We really shouldn't be shouting," yelled Pinkie. "We might start an avalanche."
Everypony froze at those words and slowly looked up the face of the cliff. Fortunately the icicles and snow on the side of the cliff remained firm and motionless. They all let out a sigh of relief before agreeing that it would best to get to that next cave as soon as possible.
They began trudging upwards through the snow once again. They were braving some of Equestria's harshest elements and were slowly making their way to safety. Finding Twilight wasn't the main concern right now, finding shelter away from this retched and dangerous weather was.
When the finally rounded a particularly sharp corner they were greeted with the sight of a large cave. The trail continued on, but they were exhausted and none of them knew how much longer until they would find another cave. It was best just to rest and get some food before heading back out again.
They entered the cave slowly, their lanterns giving some light to the otherwise pitch-black cavern.
"I think we'll camp here," said Rarity as she went deeper into the cave checking for any signs of life. "It may not be a five star hotel but it's better than sleeping out in that snow where we'll freeze to death."
"Rarity, there ain't no wood up here fer a fire and Ah didn't bring none when we came up here," said Applejack.
"That's quite alright Applejack, we have the lanterns for a source and I can easily conjure some pieces of wood so we'll be fine."
"Is it safe down there Rainbow Dash?" called Pinkie her voice echoing down the cave. Rainbow Dash had gone further into the cave than the other four who chose to remain near the entrance.
"Yeah, yeah it's safe," echoed Rainbow Dash's voice quickly followed by her speedy appearance before them. "Actually, there's something down there I think you'll want to see."
"Umm…you mean go further down into the darkness of this cave?" asked Fluttershy tentatively.
"Would you rather stay here by yourself in the dark, Fluttershy?" asked Rainbow.
Immediately Fluttershy was hiding behind Rainbow Dash and stayed close to her as they walked down further into the cave. They rounded a corner and they saw a strange site. Bringing the lanterns forward to get a better view the five were surprised to find the remains of a campsite.
A small campfire had been in the center, its wood not more than a few weeks old. A clean and flat patch of dirt and rocks suggested that somepony had slept there and a few scratches on the cave's wall showed that somepony had been sharpening something.
"Well Rainbow Dash, it looks like you've stumbled upon an old campsite," remarked Rarity.
"It's not just that, Rarity. This campsite was used recently."
"She's right, Rarity," added Applejack. "Ah know from my experiences with campin' that this here wood was used no more than a week ago."
"So, somepony was here a week ago," stated Pinkie. "It could be anypony."
"No, it couldn't," said Rainbow Dash. "What kind of sane pony would come up here in the middle of winter just to camp in a cave?"
"I don't know, Rainbow Dash," said Rarity. "But if you think it's our Twilight who was here then I have to disagree with you. Sure, chances are it was her, since no normal pony would be up here in this weather, but we can't work with assumptions. We have to know if it was definitely her otherwise if we go after this pony and it turns about to be a wild goose chase then we would wasted valuable time."
"You're missing the point, Rarity," said Rainbow Dash in an angry manner.
"There was one other thing I found that was here. Go over to that pile of dirt and tell me what you find."
They all did and all were stunned to see two dark purple hairs with one boasting a pink tip.
"Oh my Celestia," exclaimed Fluttershy.
"Rainbow Dash, you are fabulous!" exclaimed Rarity who jumped and hugged Rainbow Dash in a tight embrace. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"She was here alright," stated Applejack with a smile. "Our Twilight was here and not too long ago. She can't be much farther ahead of us. We may find her tomorrow!"
They were all ecstatic at knowing that their friend was alive. Hugging each other, thanking Rainbow Dash, and jumping for joy. Even Pinkie was a little happier with the news.
After the momentary enjoyment died down Rarity said, "Well, we know our friend was here and was alive. Hopefully she still is. But we're not heading back out in that weather until we have food in our stomachs and rested minds and bodies. I know you all want to find her desperately, I want to too, but we have to be practical."
"Rarity's right, ya'll," added Applejack. "There ain't no point in findin' Twilight if we are half-starved and half-insane ourselves. Let's get back ta our camp and get some grub."
"Should we take her hairs?" asked Pinkie.
"You take them Rainbow, you found them," stated Fluttershy.
"Are you sure none of you want them?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"We all want them, Rainbow Dash darling, but you found them. As the saying goes 'finder's keepers'. It's the least you deserve for all you've done so far," said Rarity.
With a small smile at Rarity, Rainbow Dash picked up the two hairs and firmly held on to them. She would not let them go. She would not let Twilight go.
They returned to their camp, set up, ate, and beamed at their renewed hope. Twilight wasn't far off now. They would find her, help her, and save her. Tomorrow was looking to be a bright and wonderful day.
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Magicon awoke to loud knocking on his door. Sitting up in his bed, he looked around. It was still dark and quiet other than the knocking. Nopony was in the room other than him.
"Come in," he spoke in a loud voice making sure that the knocker would be able to hear it.
He climbed out of bed and lit a few candles as the knocker walked in and closed the door behind him.
"Greetings, Magicon," said The Doctor with his eloquent voice.
"Oh hello, Doctor, good to see you." The Doctor looked a little exhausted but retained his composure and elegance before Magicon.
"I have good news for you. I have succeeded."
"With everything?"
"With everything."
"Oh, brilliant, Doctor. Simple brilliant. May I see the information?"
"Certainly," said The Doctor as he pulled out a small parchment and placed it on the floor before Magicon.
Telekinetically bringing a few candles over, a smile grew on Magicon's face as he read through the document.
"Ah, so that's how they did it. Well, that's not too terribly difficult. With modern magic we should be able to raise the sun and moon with half the number of ponies as they did. Thank you so much, Doctor. I am in your debts."
"It was no trouble, Magicon. Now if that'll be all, I will be on my way."
"Yes, that's all. Oh, thank you, Doctor. Thank you so much. You have deepest gratitude and all of Equestria's."
"You give me too much credit, Magicon. Like I said, time is my expertise. So I'll leave you to your information."
He quietly left the chamber as Magicon read over the parchment once again. The process wasn't too difficult and wouldn't take too long to complete. But it needed to be delicate, especially with the sun. Well, Magicon was a delicate, but powerful, unicorn and he knew a few others who would help him. It must be done as soon as possible. Once he raised the sun and moon he could officially announce and mourn Luna and truly restore order and balance to Equestria.
Just then Magicon heard another knock on the door, this one more forceful. His heart fluttered as he knew whose knock that was. Rising from the parchment he opened the door to see a tired and disheveled Shining Armor before him.
"Shining? You look terrible. What happened to you?"
Walking in Shining Armor said, "It was the journey here. I rushed over to the palace as quickly as I could."
"But surely, you were in the palace last night. That's when you arrived."
"Umm…excuse me, Magicon? I didn't arrive last night. I arrived just now."
Magicon's jaw dropped to the floor as he fathomed what was happening. Here stood Shining Armor right before him, just arriving from Northern Equestria. But last night Magicon had been with Shining Armor. He had the happiest night of his life with him.
"Sh…Shining…something is very wrong."
"Yes, I know. Princess Luna has committed suicide and you did the right thing by summoning me."
"No! Not that! Something else. Last night another Shining Armor came and we talked in here."
"Another Shining Armor? But that's impossib-" he stopped himself as he realized what might have happened that night. "Changelings," he mumbled.
Magicon's eyes grew in horror with that word. "You…you don't mean…"
"I do. Hang on just a minute, Magicon."
Shining Armor turned around and brought the two guards from the door into the bedroom.
His voice was fast and cold as he began questioning them, "Did I come by here last night?"
"No, sir."
"Did I talk to Magicon at anytime between my departure and my arrival now?"
"No, sir."
"Did you see me at anytime between my departure and my arrival now?"
"No, sir."
"Are you one hundred perfect confident in your answers?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, you are dismissed."
Once they left Shining Armor turned to Magicon. "I'm sorry, Magicon, but are you certain that you saw me last night?"
"Absolutely. As clear as I see you now."
"Well then something doesn't match. Either a changeling snuck in here and talked with you or you're hallucinating."
"Shining, I swear to you. I was not hallucinating and it wasn't a changeling. It was you. Even the best of changelings would have difficulty impersonating you."
"Then you may have come in contact with a very powerful changeling."
"But…but that's not possible! It was you, I swear! I would know if it was a changeling, I would be able to detect it draining my love from me."
"You underestimate the power of Changelings. I was under Queen Chrysalis's spell for some time and never realized it. The same thing might have happened to you."
"But I didn't reveal any state secrets last night or anything. Surely a Changeling would want them."
"Changelings only want love so they can gain more power. By weakening you they can get the better of you and take Equestria."
"I swear it wasn't a changeling. No changeling would want my love, I have none."
"Then you are having serious hallucinations, Magicon. I suggest you see a doctor. You can't rule in your not 'all there' in your head."
"But…but…Shining-"
"No buts. Get to the doctor immediately."
Reluctantly Magicon did so.
"It just didn't make sense," he said to himself. "How could it be possible? Shining Armor and I were together last night. He had arrived in Canterlot last night and we shared our feelings for each other. There was real passion there and there was real love. No changeling could impersonate what happened last night. Then again, how did I end up in my own bed? Oh yeah, I went back to it after…that. But this just doesn't make any sense. Could have it all been a dream? A really intense dream? No, it was real. I felt it. Shining Armor and I confessed our deep passions to each other last night. It had to be real. It just had to be."