The room was silent for approximately three seconds before the room erupted into screams of terror. Every pony started running to find the closest place to hide from the approaching bandits. Even the soldiers who initially protect the town were also running for cover; any training they ever had was immediately forgotten, replaced by their fear.
Except for Blueblood. He stared through the double doors the three fillies ran through, letting the situation sink in. The moment the shock wore off, he started running forward; shoving through ponies as they rushed around him.
Shining Armor, feud momentarily forgotten, saw Blueblood run out the door and moved to follow him.
“Stay here.” He ordered to Cadence as he picked up his sword in his magic.
“Like Celestia I will!” she scoffed as she flew beside him.
Shining Armor didn’t have time argue with her. Even though he was worried about her getting hurt, in the back of his mind, he knew Cadence could take care of herself. Besides, there was no way he would let any of the bandits get near her.
“Mother, lock the doors behind us! Make sure nopony gets through!” She yelled as she and Shining Armor raced out the door.
“Cadence, wait!” Mayor Mare yelled after her daughter, but Shining Armor used his magic to slam the doors shut.
Shining Armor and Cadence surveyed the area. In the far distance they could see the bandits heading towards the town. Around the town they could see the townsponies running for cover, locking their doors and windows. Flash Sentry and Rainbow Dash were ushering the ponies into safe locations, gathering lost children into the arms of their loved ones, and making sure that everyone was safe and secure. As they kept looking they noticed Blue Blood at the edge of the town square, waiting for the bandits to arrive.
Shining Armor and Cadence stopped next to him, watching the bandits approach.
“Shining, can you create a force field around the town?” Blue Blood asked, not taking his eyes off the approaching threat.
“Over the whole town!?” Shining Armor exclaimed, looking at him like he grew an extra head. “It’s difficult to shield a whole building, let alone a whole town!”
“Shields are kinda your thing, Shining. Can’t you at least try?”
Shining Armor took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I can try.”
He stepped in front Blue Blood and Cadence, so the only thing he could see and concentrate on is the bandits.
His horn began to glow as he thought of all the people he was trying to protect. His family, Mayor Mare, the townsponies, Blueblood. Cadence. He could feel the magic flowing through his veins, traveling until they reached his horn; his magic responding to one thing and one thing only:
I will protect them.
A dark pink bubble started to form around his horn and started to grow, soon covering him and his friends as it continued to spread outward. As the bubble grew, so did the amount of magic needed. He was soon covering the whole town square and it continued to get bigger.
Shining Armor has never put a shield around anything bigger than a house, and it was starting to show. He could feel sweat covering is face, his knees threatened to break as he dug his hooves into the ground.
I will protect them. I will protect them. I will protect them. I will-
“It is your turn to continue the tradition.”
His magic shield wavered as his father’s voice invaded his thoughts. He shook his head as he concentrated back on the shield.
“It’s in your blood son, it’s your destiny.”
His bubble wavered again as another intrusive thought broke through Shining Armor’s concentration. All Shining Armor wanted to do was stand by Blueblood’s side and protect the ponies he loved; protect Cadence.
“If you can’t even finish a manticore, how do you think you could protect her from them?”
And just like that, the bubble popped. Shining Armors magic depleted in an instant making him sink to the ground in exhaustion.
“Shining!” Cadence screamed as she and Blueblood ran beside him, checking to make sure he was okay.
Cadence gathered him in his arms as labored breathes were pushed out of him. Blueblood was too concerned with Shining Armors well-being to get jealous over the fact the Cadence was cradled him in her arms……for the most part.
Shining Armor was breathing hard. He felt like he wasn’t taking in enough air as he breathed. He took a moment between breathes to say, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay Shining. I’ll take care of them.” He vowed, getting up from Shining Armor and Cadences side; removing his coat and his sword.
Shining Armor tried to get up to join Blueblood, seeing him not even take his sword with him. “I’m coming too.” But before Shining Armor could get up, he was shoved back down by Blueblood.
“You’ve done what you can. It’s my turn now. I can do this without you.” And with that, Blueblood started heading towards the approaching bandits.
Pain pierced his chest at Bluebloods dismissal of him and his abilities.
The bandits approached the town square. At this point, all of the townsfolk have taken cover and locked themselves in their homes so when they finally arrived, the only ones to greet them were Prince Blueblood, Shining Armor and Cadence.
The bandits consisted of Diamond Dogs of all shape and sizes. Their different shades of grey were decorated in jeweled covered collars and vests. The bigger Diamond Dogs were plated in armor; from their chest pieces to their spiked helmets.
The smallest Diamond Dog stepped forward with a scroll in his hand. Blueblood tensed as he came forward and stopped only a few paces away.
“I’m not surprised. This town is filled with nothing but cowards. But being cowards is what’s keeping these ponies alive.” The little Diamond Dog cackled, earning a few hearty laughs from the remaining bandits. At the end of his cackle, he unfolded the scroll he was carrying. “We have a new list of demands from our boss, King of the Bandits, Tirek! If you cooperate with these demands, the destruction of your little town will be minimal.”
Blueblood could only shake his head in pity. “I am Prince Blueblood, son of The Great Time Turner, Ruler of Canterlot. I’m giving you one chance to turn around and leave peacefully. They’re will not be another one.”
The small dog could only chuckle at the threat. “Boris. Show this stallion who he’s threatening.”
One of the giant armored dogs came forward and stood in front of Blueblood and proceeded to crack its neck.
Blueblood smirked in amusement.
Not liking his reaction, Boris raised his hands in a fist, and slammed them towards him.
Without flinching, Blueblood raised his hooves and blocked his fists; holding them up as Boris struggled against his resistance. Blueblood continued to hold them up until the next second when he suddenly removed his hooves from his fists; the lack of resistant making Boris surge forward. In that moment of distraction, Blueblood jumped in the air, front flipping till his back hooves pounded in the back of his head; knocking Boris out.
When he looked up at the faces of the surprised Diamond Dogs, he grinned; eyes challenging them to try again.
Challenge accepted.
“Get him!” The leader yelled at the remaining bandits.
Not a moment later they were surrounding him, but Blueblood didn’t look impressed. He could feel the warmth of the hidden pendant giving him the strength he needed to protect his friends. He looked back at Cadence and Shining Armor, who seemed to have recovered from his earlier magic drain. He couldn’t help but let out a relieved breath, glad to see Shining Armor okay. No matter what ill will is between them, Blueblood would always wish that his friends were safe.
Weight off his chest at seeing both his colthood friends okay, he couldn’t help but wink at Cadence. In which Cadence couldn’t help but roll her eyes, letting out a small chuckle at his antics.
Not a moment after he put his attention back on the bandits did they decide to come at him at once. Blueblood dodged them all with ease; sending out punches and kicks without breaking a sweat. Any blows the were landed on him he recovered like nothing touched him. The bandits were starting to realize that they were being torn apart one by one. As he watched his men fall, the leader yelled for a retreat. The bandits didn’t hesitate in their retreat; realizing that they didn’t stand a chance.
The leader hesitated in his retreat, eyes narrowing at Blueblood. Blueblood glared back, his posture strong sure. They knew what they happened if they tried again.
With one last growl, the smaller Diamond dog retreated with the others.
The square was silent for a full two seconds before the ponyfolk came out of their hiding places, shouting in praise, happiness and relief. They surrounded the three friends, but mostly gave their praise to Blueblood.
Mayor Mare pushed her way to the trio, running to her daughter to strangle her in a hug.
“Cadence! Are you alright!? Are you hurt!?” she fretted, pulling out of the embrace to check her daughter over.
Cadence couldn’t help but smile gently at her mother’s obvious worry. “I’m okay, Mother. Everything is alright.” She assured. She turned to Blueblood, “Blueblood was amazing in protecting the town.” Shining Armor couldn’t help but agree.
“He really is amazing.” He grinned at Blueblood in support.
Blueblood couldn’t help but smile back at the compliment, knowing that Shining Armor meant it. He couldn’t help but turn to Cadence; courage and adrenaline making himself feel a bit cocky.
“Now that the danger has passed, may I ask for a night stroll through the town to make sure it is okay, Miss Cadenza?”
She was about to answer yes, never wanting to turn down being with her colthood friend after all these years, but in her peripheral, she saw Shining Armor and remembered what they were planning to do before the bandits.
“What about-“she didn’t get to finish her sentence. Shining Armor saw the look in her eyes and knew exactly what she was thinking. He plastered on a smile he didn’t feel.
“I’m okay Cadence. My magic from the shield drained me. I’m going to just go home and rest.” Shining Armor assured.
Cadence didn’t look appeased, but nodded her head in understanding and walked away with Blueblood; asking him about his medals.
After they departed, the ponyfolk started to disperse, heading back to their homes happy that the danger had passed. Soon it was only Shining Armor standing alone in the square; Flash Sentry and Rainbow Dash hung back wanting to comfort their friend but not sure how.
If he was telling the truth, he didn’t know if he COULD be comforted. He messed up. He had the chance to protect the town and everypony he loved, and he failed. The emotional turmoil he has had in the last twelve hours was catching him off guard, constantly banging around his head about a destiny he didn’t want, his doubt and the lack of faith others had in him; yet finding nothing to show that those voices were wrong.
“I can do this without you.”
He wasn’t lying when he told them he was drained, but it wasn’t his magic that was completely drained.
An hour or two away was an underground cave that was the home of the bandits and their King. A small Diamond Dog approached the King’s quarters. He hesitated for a few moments, working up the courage before he knocked on the door.
“Enter.” A deep voice responded on the other side.
The small dog entered after a moment of hesitation. At the center of the room stood a tall creature, dark cloak covered his figure, but his posture and presence radiated power and strength. The dog couldn’t help but quiver in his presence.
“It must be something important to come before me after I learned of your failure at Ponyville.” The creature calmly spoke. “Either that or your too stupid for your own good.”
The Diamond Dog couldn’t help but gulp in fear. It took him a few tries but he finally was able to grab enough courage to tell him what he learned.
“King Tirek, I have found the location of the Medal of Everlasting Life.”