//------------------------------// // Chapter 44: Not The Mare We Knew (S2E25) // Story: The Elemental Manipulation // by GalaxyEmpire //------------------------------// Not The Mare We Knew Hole by hole as the train goes through, as tomorrow turn to today for Leo and Spike. After wake up and quickly head to the train station to get their ride to Canterlot because today is a special day. A day that their life was about to change. Well, actually. Not entirely but for their Big Brother. "...Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Captain Shining Armor." Spike finished it off, rolled back the letter like when he got it in the first place before place it behind him. "I'll say, can't wait to meet Shining again. The last time he came to Ponyville for a visit." "Really? How can I didn't notice his present?" Leo asked, sitting next to him. "That was the time when you went to work with Wave. And let's not forget about yesterday event, we were lucky you can clean up tasks on the street with your Earth power. Consider you been blessed." Spike crossed his arm and do the 'hmph' voice, showing his irritating. Although in his heart, he's felt rejoice. Today is the big day, not only they're we're brought on for the biggest event but we're about to reunite with their big brother. The one who taught Leo and Spike how to fight...without their sister knowing it. "Yeah... Honestly, I want to ask Obsidian if he let me rebuild his house. Then he told me he declined my offer cause he needs to make it bigger and stronger house. Therefore, he needs to reconstruct by himself." Leo reply, the drake put his arms behind his head. "At least he okay to befriended with us after you apologise." Spike simple said. "Yep, glad we can be at peace." As the train continued on its way to Canterlot, which was surrounded by a giant bubble-shaped force field. As the train arrived at the edge of the force field, it slowed down as the ponies standing guard created a way for the train to pass through the field. The boys flinched as the barrier passed through them. "Woah!" Leo said as he felt the barrier pass through him, "Well, that was weird..." "Yeah, you don't feel that every day." The trains arrived at the station, which was surrounded heavily by a large number of guards as the train came to a stop. Leo who the first to step out. "Hello, gentle-colt." The guards smiled and give a slight nod as Spike come out next. "Is a good thing their respects you, Leo. Otherwise, we are walking with a straight face royal guard every time." "Well, we're the non-ponies commonly around in this place. Come on, let's find big bro and congrats him!" And with that, the boys pass by two guards that quickly lifted their spears to let them pass. "Sky Scraper and Wild Star, good day." The unicorn one was surprised and glance at the lion one. "W...what? How did he-?" "I told him your name, dude. So don't give me that look, eyes one front." The pegasus said, maintain the usual guard face and his eyes are not looking at him. Then, he sighs. "And before you say anything, I lose the bet against him." "Oh, and what is it?" Ask the pegasus with a sly smile. "...Smack Princess Celestia flank." Wild Star eyes widen as he moves his pupils up, trying to come up with a word. He only got. "That's rough buddy." Up in a tower, Princess Celestia was using a telescope as she stood on the balcony to survey the area around Canterlot as the boys continued their way towards the hallways. For the moment, their discussion with each other about what to do after this before a white unicorn in full uniform came out from the door. He turns his head and gasped in surprise. "Leo! Spike!" Shining Armor excitedly gallops and hug his brothers, who returned the hug. "Ah, I've missed you, kids. How was the train ride?" "Is good, big bro! So glad to meet you again!" "Yeah! Congratulations you getting married, dude!" Shining let go of them and chuckled before it turns to sigh. "Yeah...at least you two greet me with care at the first meet, unlike Twily..." "What? You guys don't argue, right?" Leo asked concerned. "No! It's just..." He sighs again. "...she mad at me first because I give her the invitation instead of personally. I don't have a choice, I have an important job right now." "Well said." Spike meant as the trio walked outside, across the castle bridge to see the sunsets as plenty of guards roaming around. "Today security is a bit overprotective this day." "That's right, a threat has been made against Canterlot. We don't know who's responsible for it, but Princess Celestia asked that I help provide additional protection. This dome shield I made use of my magic, it gives me such headache in return though." Leo was amazed by the view. "Pretty bold for a threat to openly state their attack. Need any assistance? My Elemental power is stronger than ever now to help you and the rest of your troops!" Shining Armor smiled and rubbed his silver mane. "I'll let you know if we can use the extra help, little buddy. I also hear from Twily that you got a new power as well, Leaf Elemental I presume." He smiles at Leo's eyes for a moment. "Can't wait to see what other power you can get." Leo was nervous but trying to smile back. "Yeah...she was mad at me for not telling her about it." "Well, that's Twily for you. Always want to learn everything she didn't know, next things we had is the next quantum physics pony." The trio chuckled as brothers, just then the unicorn gasped. "Oh yeah! I forget about the role you two will get for the wedding." "Really? What are we get?" Leo asked innocently. "Well, for starters, Spike will be charge holding the ring." "Sweet!" "And you Leo would be my grooms-colt. Or grooms-lion for you." Shining finished heartily as the cub smile. "Pawesome! I'd be honoured!" He jumped around like Pinkie Pie, but not her signature. After the excitement wears off, Leo looks at Shining in puzzled. "So...who is she? You know, this Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?" "Yeah, and she's a princess?" Spike confused. "When was the time you met her? We all know we three have always been together." Shining brotherly chuckled. "Boys, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadance, your and Twily old foal-sitter." This makes them shock by surprise. "Cadence?" Leo started. "As in the Cadance? As the greatest foal-sitter in all the history of foal-sitters?" "You sound like Twilight!" Spike laughs. "Why should I? She's the first foal-sitter to take care of a lion and dragon in ponies history! And Big bro gonna married her!" Leo quickly hugged Shining Armor who chuckling returned it. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." Said a voice. Leo let go of the hug and turned his head to see the very pony they had been talking about standing just a few yards away. Cadance's is taller than Leo and Spike(duh!), she had a gold necklace similar to the one Princess Celestia wore, a small gold crown on her head, and her hair was now fully down and slightly curled to one side of her head. She also had her pair of gold shoes on her hooves. Leo smiled. "Cadance!" Leo excited and run towards her to give the same thing as his big brother, just as he was close... The smile on the lion face turned completely frightened, it was his Energy Senses hitting him like a lightning bolt. After so long he having this feeling back when they find the Elements of Harmony, and it tells Leo to do something. Jump! Follow his instinct he put his first paw quickly followed by the second paw before his body raised, now his back leg on top as he used his paws to push him up over the princess. Cadance gives a surprising look while following the lion moves so does Shining and Spike as Leo landed behind her, giving a straight face of shock. "Woah, bro! I know you have been practising but you don't have to show in front of Cadance!" Spike rushed to his brother, still with the same expression. "Leo? Are you alright?" "H-huh? Y-yeah, guess so..." He said while scratching his head. Leo look back seeing Cadence stood to Shining Armor as he wrapped a fore-hoof around her. "I gotta get back to my station, it's getting late." He notified as the skies are getting dark. "By the way, Twilight told me when I see you two head over to the outdoor cafe at night. She and her friends are probably done with today chores." Spike give them a wave. "Got it, Shining. Come, Leo. I'm starving!" The dragon pulled his brother paw to make him move and it works, but still retain his face. The sight of the boys was gone and the stallion gives a concerned look, the alicorn just nuzzled his side. "I'm hoping Leo was alright, sorry for his sudden action, Cadance." "Don't worry, sweetie. I keep an eye on him." That night, the boys wandered the street of Canterlot. Luna, now guarding the night asking her sister to rest. Ponies decrease during this time so their can has asleep for the big day coming. Guards patrolling the area, and nothing to do much for the duo except follow the Captain ordered. "What's up with back there, Leo?" Spike asked. Leo slowly looks down. "It just...my sense, it unexpectedly happen to me just then." "Wait, your energy sense?" "Yeah. I don't know what's up but it reacts to Cadance when I am almost near her and it makes me jump. Almost like she..." "Leo! Spike!" The boys stare to see the Mane Five outside of the cafe while sitting on a pillow. The girls wave at them to come over. "Finally you hear Spikey-Wikey!" Rarity first talks and use her magic to place Spike on the stack of the pillow. "Yeah Rarity~" Spike chuckle lovely by the unicorn speak with a heart popped up as the lion just shook laugh at the drake and choose to sit next to the empty pillow beside him. "Where, sis?" Just as the lion said, the lavender mare arrived at the table with a soda in her magic grip. She looks upset. "Bet I can guess what you're all thinking. Cadance is the absolute worst bride-to-be ever!" The other just looked at the mare agape. "Who, me?" Pinkie mimicking Cadance as she held her cake topper in his hand. "Pinkie! That goes on the cake!" Applejack retorted, she doesn't question it. Pinkie just laughed nervously as she put the cake topper down. "Twilight, whatever are you talking about?" said Rarity as Twilight quietly sipped her sodas, "Cadance is an absolute gem!" "She was so demanding!" "Well, of course, she is! Why shouldn't she expect the very best on her wedding day?" Twilight sigh at look at the farm pony. "Applejack, did you know that after she told you how much she just "love-love-loved" your adore, she threw them in the trash?" Applejack was quiet for a moment. "Aw, she probably just trying to spare my feelings." "No, she was just being fake and insincere!" Twilight snapped as she crossed her forelegs. Leo trying to find a word to support his sister. "Well... Cadance never used to lie about enjoying something." "See! I--" The purple pony stop and turn to see her the cub. "Oh, Leo. I didn't see you there." "If bro was here then, of course, I'm here!" He snarled. "We ride the train together!" "Right. Apologise." She stated. "If you think about it, she did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal," Fluttershy pointed out. "See! Rude!" "But he was singing off-key," Fluttershy continues as she presented the bird perched at her foreleg. He began to sing off-key, making Rainbow cringe and Twilight covered their ears. "Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadance treated-" As the mare tapped her fore-hoof to get the pink ponies attention, but then saw that she and Spike were busy playing around with the cake topper, making kissing noises with them and laughing. Leo looked at the pink pony with an amused look on his face. "Does that surprise you?" Leo smiling asked. "Never mind," She replied, "Rainbow Dash, you're with me, right?" "Sorry, Twi," Rainbow said as she stretched, "Been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to pay much attention to the bride's bad attitude." Twilight took another sip of their drinks before growling in frustration but manage to calm down when she looking at Leo. "Leo, you and Spike surely meet up with Cadance this afternoon, right? How was she respond to you?" The lion smiled then frowned as he went silent for a moment and looking down, this causes the other to stare at him suspiciously. With a sigh, he's gaze at them. "That's not Cadance." "What?" Everypony said except surprised Twilight. "I...I don't know. But I had a feeling that the Princess of Love is not the one we remember when we were a kid, sis." "Right!" Twilight exclaim. "See, even my other brother know that 'Cadance' is strange." "What makes you say that, darling?" Rarity asked. "You can't just tell us that she, not Cadance, that so inappropriate." "Oh, Leo jump over her," Spike answers, getting the shocking attention of the girls. "He said that his Energy Senses bringing in about the situation." "You mean that went we try to find the Elements of Harmony, Nightmare Moon is onto us back there?" Rainbow asked. "I believe so..." Leo said in half-right half-wrong, but he needs to find the reason he needs. It will be best if he sees face to face. "Everyone, I'm going to check on Cadance to see if I can find anything that odd. Later." He took off rather in a calm manner. This makes the girls feel so weird except the drake, who knows a little bit of why he acting like thanks to yesterday event. "So Spike." Applejack getting his interest. "Ah sent a letter to Applebloom that she and her friend can come here to be a Flower Filly but ah ain't got no reply, do you know why?" "Oh, let say...yesterday is the stunning day I ever see." Leo arrived at the location where Shining Armor had his home. He took a deep breath and lightly rapped on the door before waiting impatiently for an answer. Leo was surprised to see Cadance open the door. "What do you want?" Cadance asked rudely. Leo took a deep breath, that time his senses are acting up again. Telling him she had negative energy but for some reason, it was hidden by positive energy. "Can we talk? Right here, and now." He said calmly. Cadance just glared before snorting, judging by the last sentence means that he wants to talk right in front of the door. "What do you want to talk about?" She asked bluntly. "Yourself." "Excuse me?" "You have been behaving weirdly ever since we arrived, not me and my bro but towards my sister and her friends," Leo spoke rather in a normal tone. "Especially, my sis. Your action makes her started to irritate towards your demands, which come to me next. The Cadance I knew is the Princess of Love." "So?" Cadance asked angrily. "So, with my Energy Senses, I can feel what kind of energy anyone carry inside of them." Leo then put his right paws on his chest. "I had a positive energy while you...positive as well." He smiles looking at it, the alicorn just rolls her eyes. "Can you tell me what's the point of--" "But it was a facade." "What?" Leo expression change as he stared at her irritated. "That positive energy was just a cover from your true self, there's negative energy behind it. It's like..." He then realised as he quickly gazes at the princess's eyes who started to flicker to green, her face that represents 'no you wouldn't' one. "...a disguise!" The lion shouts then leap back far away from her and in a fighting stance. "What are you talking about?" Cadance said, secretly looking at his back for anypony nearby. She finds none. "That's the ridiculous thing I ever heard. More, I can't believe your Shining Armor brother, he told me you're always supporting your family." During that time, she slowly approaches the lion with a sad and sweet voice all of sudden. "But...maybe I shall give you a chance, come here you little cub and give your future sister-in-law a hug, NOW." Even with that act, Leo senses still tingling hard in his head. He needs to find reasonable with everyone about this though they won't believe him, not even the guards can trust him because it is a royal wedding. The lion mind racing for any possible situation to get out as "Cadance" we're always near him, an idea came in. And his big brother will be mad about this. "I'm sorry." He said out loud as he frowned at her. "I'll pass." ELEMENT WIND!!! In a second, Leo transforms into Wind much to shock from Cadance before she got pushed back to the house by a strong gust of wind without a chance to say anything. The blast sending her crash towards a bottom door causing a loud wreck noise, a dust filled the room and stood at the door was the blue mane lion. "And that expression before told me that this is your first seeing this? The real Cadance already know about my power so you an imposter!" Leo then unleash a gust of blue wind before taking off to the skies. Anypony who were inside are definitely heard that lousy noise. "What was that?!" Shining Armor came out from the upstairs as he was horrified to see a quiet mess living room. What's more, he shocks to see his fiancee looking passed out on a ruined door. He soon gets to the spot and holds her like in any heroic movie. "Cadance! Are you okay?! Who did this to you?!" He asked concerned. The alicorn soon opens her eyes to find it filled with rage. "THAT BRAT?!" "Who?" "O-oh?" She realised before stood up and show rudely. "Nothing." Shining doesn't seem convinced. "Are you sure? You just destroy the door and--" "I said I'm fine." She simply said sternly look as she walks upstairs. "If you excuse me, I need some time alone in the room." Cadance walking up to the room makes a stomping sound, showing how mad she is before open and slamming the door making Shining flinched. "What's got into her?" He asked himself worried, then look at the open door leading to the outside. "If I heard correctly, I believed I heard Leo voice...could he be...?" The stallion quickly shook it off from his head. "That's impossible, Leo would never do that to his foal-sitting. Guess it's just a pretty strong wind." Though his lip says that but in his head are not satisfied, the unicorn then approaches a couch with his wedding uniform on it. "Might as well testing this before the wedding." "I'm sorry, big bro." Leo staring at his brother wearing his wedding outfits, his ears folded down as a rush of guilty filled his head. "Now what I'm gonna do? If the imposter told him then I'm be sure blocked from the list! Not only that, he would distrust me and so does the guards!" He shouts but not too high, the cub then glances in sadness at Shining who wearing some kind of sash, he remembers that it's he's uncle favourite. "Show that you are part of the Sparkle family I guess..." Just then it clicks, Leo got another idea. Who else would help him if none other than... "Mom and Dad! They surely will help me! But then again..." He got a second thought, Shining is their firstborn son. What if their... No. He had to stay determined, you never know unless you tried. With that, he sneaks out of the place before flew with his gust. It's time to visit the Sparkle Households.