//------------------------------//
// A Whole Year 
// Story: Oh no, they're Goddesses now! 
// by James Pwyll 
//------------------------------//

"Shining, my love?"

The sweet and soft words of Cadance immediately got her husband's attention, as he turned from the horizon to look to her, smiling lovingly to her.
"Yes, my love?"

Walking close to him, the Goddess of Love took him by the arm.
"Pardon me if I read too much into this...but you've seemed a little distracted of late."

Shining chuckled after hearing that, looking back to the beautiful sunset that graced the two of them. It was a gorgeous spot they'd chosen to stand together on, atop a high and lush hill, not a single other person around for miles to interrupt them. Birdsong filled the air, and the divine couple had definitely picked a spot where they could simply be alone together. Shining, for his part, did indeed appear to be deep in thought, though not in a way that he seemed bothered by, and when he looked back to his wife, he patted her on the side of her face.
"Fear not, my beloved. I simply think on all the things I usually do."

Cadance giggled.
"Ah yes, the plight of all those courageous and valiant warriors across the land. Oh Shiny, they have no better champion than you to look over them."

Her eyebrow arched all of a sudden.
"Though I must confess, you haven't really been doing much watching, given our little break."

Shining's eyes darted to her, but only for a moment, as he once more looked to the sunset soon afterwards.
"Well...I figured we both needed some time away from the heavens. You know, get away from it all for a little bit?"

Cadance nodded, never taking her eyes off her husband. 
"Oh, I agree...but a whole year upon the mortal world?"

Shining, though briefly finding it hard to answer, simply put on a smile at the end.
"Oh, you know, it's something different. Who would think to look to interrupt a God and Goddess in the mortal plane after all?"

The two shared a laugh, which ended when Cadance sighed, leaning closer to her husband.
"I truly am grateful. This past year has been so sweet with you."

The God seemed comforted by her embrace, yet there was something in his expression that betrayed a sense of unease for him. He made sure to do his best to hide it when Cadance looked back to him afterwards, and she leaned closer and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before walking a few steps away.
"Well, I hate to bring our little break to an end, but the heavens have been without us for long enough. Time to get back."

Shining hesitated here, looking again to the horizon.
"Oh! Um...you go ahead. I'll be with you shortly."

Cadance looked back to him, confused.
"You're not coming with me?"

Shining smiled to her.
"I will, it's just...I wanted to just appreciate one more moment of this lovely place before getting back to where we belong."

Cadance, though briefly wary of her husband's words, nevertheless smiled, giving a quick bow of her head.
"Of course. Don' be too long though. I'm sure your sister's missing you."

Shining watched as his wife engulfed herself in a near-blinding flash of light, and when it died down, the Goddess of love was gone, returned once more to the realm above. Now he was all alone, and looking far more nervous than the God of Warriors should typically be. He was muttering something under his breath, and it was only after a minute or two that he spoke those words aloud.
"Come on...where are you?!"

His words soon got their response, as there was, not far from him, another flash of light, signalling the arrival of a new deity. Shining turned to face this newcomer, watching as that light died down. Now, at this point, were anyone else to look upon this scene, they would undoubtedly be quite shocked to discover that there was now a second Shining Armor present, looking completely identical to the one who was already there. This new one, however, was looking far more confident than the original, and strode towards him as though he was in complete control of the situation.
"Ah! There you are! Everything go well, I take it?"

The first Shining's shoulders slumped, and he sighed deeply.
"You have no idea how many times I came close to blundering this! I couldn't have taken any more of this act!"

The second Shining chuckled, patting the other on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, it's all taken care of. And I appreciate you doing this for me, boy. Cadance would never have been happy with me going off to slay an entire demon army like that. You know how overprotective she can get when I do my job as I do. Kudos for keeping her at ease all year."

The first Shining grimaced.
"I still think this was an unusual plan, but still, you're very welcome, my Lord. But...you know...?"

The new one snapped his fingers.
"Ah, of course. Silly me."

He snapped his fingers again, but this time, in order to unleash his godly power. Another light, and this one engulfing the first Shining. There was a moment of swirling divine power around him, and eventually, the power subsided. But when it did, the figure within was not Shining Armor, but rather a mortal, Flash Sentry, who promptly collapsed to his knees and gasped, as if having been holding his breath for a long time.
"Oh sweet Celestia! I'd almost forgotten what it was like to be me!"

Shining, the real one, frowned.
"Hey! Don't take the Lady of the Sun's name in vain!"

Getting back to his feet, Flash bowed to the God.
"Oh! Of course! My apologies, Lord Shining!"

But the God was clearly not worried about it, as evidenced by his boisterous laugh.
"Ha! Think nothing of it, my lad! Now go on, get yourself back home. I'm sure your neighbours will have been wondering where you've gotten to all year."

Flash chuckled, but it was a meek and tired-sounding one.
"Yeah...I'm just glad I don't have to pretend to be a God anymore. That stuff is tiring!"

Shining, watching him go, shrugged his shoulders.
"Meh, works out alright for us."

Then, having felt satisfied that all had gone according to plan, he had a quick stretch, then again snapped his fingers, unleashing his power, this time upon himself. Much like Cadance had done not so long ago, he was consumed by that power, transporting himself high above the mortal world. He was of course glad to be back home atop the godly clouds after such an action-heavy year, but his greatest smile was reserved for the sight of his wife, who looked to him lovingly as he approached her.
"Welcome back, Shiny."

Then, without warning, he took her into him arms, planting a passionate kiss upon her lips. Though at first taken aback, Cadance eventually eased into it, creating a mutual moment with the two. When their lips parted, Cadance giggled.
"Oh my! Rather eager, aren't we?"

Shining chortled.
"Oh my love, you have no idea how much I enjoy your lips right now."

Thinking on that, Cadance suddenly gained a somewhat sly look.
"Well then...shall we perhaps try something a bit further than a kiss?"

Shining looked as though he was a man who had just had his greatest prayer answered. Granted, as God, he was used to having prayers answered, but still, the point remained. His smile grew so wide it threatened to burst off his face.
"Oh yes, Cadance, I would very much like that!"

After another quick giggled from his wife, Shining watched as she walked away, but after only a few small steps, she spoke back to him.
"I'm glad to hear it. You haven't exactly been...well...receptive this year. If you'll forgive me for saying so."

Instantly, Shining's smile vanished, and he looked to his wife with both confusion and concern.
"You...you offered, sweetie?"

Cadance, still with her back to him, answered.
"I know it's not something I do that often, but yes. I figured a vacation was an ideal time for it."

She looked back to him, eyebrow raised.
"Do you not remember?"

Suddenly remembering his own plan from the last year, Shining straightened up, clearing his throat.
"Oh! Yes! Certainly! I just...er...needed my memory refreshed, that's all."

Still looking incredulous, Cadance placed one hand upon her hip.
"Well, if I'm being honest, when it's come to you and me being in bed, you haven't even looked at me this year!"

Shining blinked, having been taken by pure shock, and Cadance simply took on some amusement at this.
"I'd have thought you'd remember something like that, honey!"

She turned away again, and as soon as she did, Shining fell to his knees, his eyes welling with tears, as he mumbled under his breath with all the restraint he was capable of.
"Flash Sentry, you pure and wholesome human being, I am so getting you a house made of gold tomorrow!"

Here, Cadance looked back to him, and Shining himself swiftly got back to his feet before she saw him.
"Um...ready, dear?" he asked.

Slowly after looking him over, the Goddess smiled.
"Oh, certainly, my sweet. After all..."

She gave him a sly look.
"...I'm sure you need a suitable reward for having fought so many demons this year."

Shining stood there, color draining from his face, and giving a loud gulp. Cadance, looking more than a little triumphant to this, turned and began to walk away.
"Well, come on. Playfully testing a pretend husband's trustworthiness for a whole year leaves a Goddess with many needs, I can assure you."