//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Sure didn't see this one coming // Story: Drill Sergeant Cadance // by ThePinkedWonder //------------------------------// One and a half years later… Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor relaxed on their thrones in their throne room. It was a slow day for them, so they took this time to chillax and spend a little quality husband/wife time. “Well?” Cadance turned her head to Shining. A sly smirk curled onto her lips. “What?” “Do you remember what day this is?” “Uh…” Shining gasped. Was it Cadance’s birthday or their anniversary?! He knew he should have double-checked the calendar in case a don’t-forget-or-else-day was looming! “Uh, I-do. I bet you thought I forgot it’s–” She giggled reassuringly, luckily. “Don’t panic. Our anniversary is still two months away and my birthday is next month." Equestria would not be one less stallion after all. Shining blew a massively stress-freeing sigh. "Cadance, please don't do that again when it's not your birthday or our anniversary." "Hehe, sorry. I was just going to say it was exactly one and a half years ago that I trained our guards. So, say it.” “Say what?” “Say that I was right and you were wrong.” Cadance’s eyes squinted smugly. Her ears ached to receive the words she wanted to hear. “Heh heh, okay, I’ll say it again. You were–” A male guard trotted into the throne room. “Your Highnesses, I should inform you that Sombra has returned and is heading to the castle as we speak,” he said calmly and matter-of-factly. “Oh, he’s back again, huh?” Cadance replied just as matter-of-factly. “He will likely come in here to give some ‘surrender now or else’ speech, so summon all of the guards here at once, but tell them not to engage him until they are all here and together. As you do that, I will write a letter to Princess Twilight and Spike the Brave and Glorious for backup.” “I will, although we shouldn't need their help this time. We got this!” The guard left, steps screaming assurance. Cadance calmly grabbed a scroll with her magic and wrote her “distress” letter. Once written, she sent it to Princess Twilight with a blast of her magic. Who needs mail ponies when you could send mail to others instantly via magic? “Uh, Cadance, are you sure you should risk worrying Twily over this? Our guards are more of a match for Sombra.” “That is true, but it won’t hurt to play it safe just in case miracles work for villains. Besides, Twilight could use this chance to spend some time with Flurry.” “Good call. She hasn’t seen Flurry in a wh–” Faint hoofsteps crept through the air. Bit by bit, they grew louder. “He’s taking his sweet time,” Cadance said in borderline amusement. “Would you expect anything else from him? While we still have time, how long do you think he will last–” The not-at-all feared Sombra sauntered into the throne room, wearing a villainous smirk. “Well, long time no see, Sombra,” Cadance greeted mockingly. “If I had known you were coming, I would have tidied myself up. I must look like a mess right now.” Sombra blinked twice. His smirk weaned into a puzzled frown. “Uh, okay. Not how I thought you would react to the real ruler of the Crystal Empire returning, but–” All of the Crystal Castle guards ran or flew into the room, led by Flash Sentry. They surrounded and pointed their spears at Sombra. “Give it up, Sombra!” Flash ordered. “We won’t let you come any closer to the Princess and Prince!” “Oh, but I won’t,” Sombra said as his previous smirk made a comeback. “What are you up to?” Shining asked. “Perhaps you are just here to reform?” Cadance grabbed another scroll. “In that case, I can ask Princess Twilight if she could find a spot for you in her friendship school. She's always willing to teach friendship.” “Not quite, but I do believe some ponies here are about to…change their ways.” Dark purple magic leaked from Sombra’s horn and seeped into all of the guards’ bodies. Their eyes glowed green. They pulled their spears away from Sombra, run/flew to and surrounded Cadance and Shining Armor, and pointed their spears at the royal couple. “Oh, right,” Shining said in embarrassment as his ears drooped from that same embarrassment. “You can do that.” “Yessss, I can ‘do that’.” Sombra’s smirk grew larger. “So, heh heh heh, what do you have to say now, ex-Princess Cadance and ex-Prince Shining Armor? Will you surrender now or wait until I’ve made myself at home?” Cadance looked at her brainwashed guards, her own ears drooping. Did that alicorn feel silly! “Yes, I have something to say.” Cadance looked toward Sombra and stared him eye-to-eye. “Sombra, you won’t get away with this, but I sure didn’t see this one coming.”