//------------------------------// // Last Day // Story: The Honeymoon // by Spica //------------------------------// Twily Cadence and I have just returned from Baltimare, a little bit early. It happens that during our journey there, we had a small accident. On … enjoying our recent married couple status, we let ourselves get carried away a bit too much... Now we’ve changed minds. I occupy Cadence’s body and she has mine. That wouldn’t be much of a problem in itself, easily solvable in a matter of seconds... Except that we did it in order to … enjoy ourselves in a different way, and... And we managed to get her body pregnant while I’m inside of her...  Any attempt to return our minds to their proper bodies would undoubtedly spell problems for the foal. Until it is born, its better not to mess with it. So, I’m stuck like this.  Princess Celestia wants us to have a family reunion in order to discuss this, so she asked that you come in haste. I will send a copy of this letter to our parents... I will see you soon, Twilight... Your... brother Shining Armor Shining bit his lip as he reread the letter and then he shook his head. Where had that come from? He didn’t have that habit at all...  While I’m inside of her.    I’m lucky it’s Twilight. She’ll find nothing wrong with that phrase, the poor filly. I’ll have to edit the copy to my parents, though... He summoned another piece of parchment over and began rewriting the letter meant for Dusk Shine and White Night. He bit his lip again in the middle of writing, but immersed as he was on it, he didn’t pay any heed to it. After almost an hour had passed he glanced at the finished product. He restrained himself from hitting his wife’s body. “AARGH, this is almost the same letter I prepared for Twilight!  Why did I even bother?” With Cadence’ greenish glow, he sealed the letters and carried them along in search of Celestia.   Both of the Great Princesses were standing in one of the castle’s balconies, with Luna fighting back a yawn as she had just woken up. Celestia didn’t look at him.   The purplish-orange hue of the sky soon gave way to absolute darkness as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. At the same time, the pale shine of a crescent moon lighted the night on a cloud free sky. “Hello, Cadence. How did the journey go?” asked the dark alicorn, walking over to her with a smile on her lips, her previous dreamy state all but gone. “Good night, Shining Armor,” said simply the sun mistress, as she stepped by their side. Luna looked at her sister, and blinked. “What do you mean Shining Armor, sister?  This is Cadence right here.” She gestured towards the third pony in the room, who couldn’t be more uncomfortable. He stepped forward to Celestia and held out the letters; one was sealed with a lavender string and the other had a blue one. “He... here are the letters for my family, Princess...” Luna now looked from one to the other, trying to understand, while Celestia simply nodded, and with the light from her horn, the letters vanished in a puff of green smoke. Luna still stood in there until she found her voice again. “What is happening in here? Explain now!” bellowed the frustrated Night Princess. “Of course, Luna,” said Celestia calmly, turning to look at Shining. “If you were so kind as to explain it to her.”   A current of chilling air washed over him, making Shining tremble with cold. He instantly composed himself and turned to look at the younger sister, telling her the whole story with all the composement of a Royal Guard. Which didn’t help at all when Luna stomped her hoof on the floor of the balcony, which shook as if a tremor had just occurred. Luna’s eyes were blindingly white as she spoke with the might of a rumbling thunder. “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS TRAVESTY? THOU HAST BEEN TRAINED AS A RESPONSIBLE PONY AND SHOULD KNOW BETTER.  AND WHAT OF OUR NIECE? SUCH AN INDECOROUS BEHAVIOR IS UNBECOMING OF SELF-RESPECTING ROYALTY. WE WOULD HAVE WORDS WITH THEE!” “Luna, count down from twenty,” said simply Celestia, undisturbed by her sister’s booming voice. Silence reigned for the next few seconds, only interrupted by Luna’s shallow breaths, as the shine in her eyes slowly receded. Soon her face had come back to normalcy, if not for the hard look her eyes retained towards the presence of her nephew in law inhabiting her niece’s  body. She was silent once again, Shining cowering from the strong aura she expelled; Celestia used those moments to speak. “I’ve already made him send letters to summon his family here . They should be here by tomorrow and then we’ll discuss this properly. Now, if you’d excuse me, I’ll retire for the night. Good night, sister, Shining.” Celestia left the balcony, leaving them both behind. Shining looked at Luna, and then bowed. “If you excuse me, Princess, I shall retreat as well. Have a good night.” She didn’t answer anything as he crossed the door of the balcony, heading towards his room. As he passed through Cadence’s rooms, he looked at the closed doors, and decided to pass by; later would be a better time for talking to her.   He closed his door behind him and reached straight for the bed, laying upon him, looking at the dark ceiling, as only slivers of moonlight entered from a window behind him.  Time passed and as he could not get any sleep, he walked over to his desk, lighting a candle,and just chose one of his books to read. The hours slipped by as he passed the pages until he finally fell asleep on top of the open book. His cheek felt the scratchy sensation of the paper against his skin as he woke with his head upon the desk, and on trying to lift his head he felt how the book tried to stick to his skin. He got free and wiped his eyes, going over to the bathroom to wash. Lavender eyes returned his gaze and he sighed. He opened the door to his room and to his misfortune, a couple of guards were walking around at that time. They stopped, looking to him without saying anything. They simply bowed and followed on their way, but Shining could almost hear their thoughts as their steps echoed on the floor. He sighed and kept on walking. Cadence’s door were still closed. He made it to the royal dining room. Upon entering he came to a halt, as he saw his own body sitting next to the ruler of the Sun, with Luna sitting in front of his wife. He slowly walked towards them and sat next to Cadence. “Good morning... aunt Celestia, aunt Luna. Good morning, honey,” he called out nervously. Cadence turned to look at him with a small smile on her lips that wasn’t shared by her eyes. “Good morning, Cadence,” said she with a flat voice. “Good morning, Cadence. I’m happy that you joined us for breakfast. Did you get enough rest from your exciting journey?” Celestia’s visage was the same affable kindness as always, with her soft, regulated tone betraying no hidden thoughts. Luna, on the other hand, was as silent as when Shining had parted with her the night before. “Shining, I received a letter from Twilight last night. She’ll be here soon today, and I suspect your parents will be as well, later,” continued Celestia, taking a bite from a piece of toast. “Yes, Princess,” said both Shining and Cadence simultaneously. He cursed inwardly, while feeling the pain on his flank from a jab of Cadence’s white hoof. She continued, while he limited himself to a spoonful of oatmeal, savoring it slowly. “I can’t wait to see Twily again, and how’ll she be doing, and my parents as well.” “I’m eager to see them as well. Despite only having been a few days since your wedding, I’m sure they’ll be terrified to see you, dear.”   Luna chose that moment to stand up. “If you excuse me, I shall take my leave now. Have a good day, all of you.” Celestia nodded. “Of course, Luna, sleep well.” “Sweet dreams, aunt Luna,” said Shining without looking at her. “Rest well, Princess,” said Cadence, concentrating on her food. They finished their meal in silence and Celestia rose up first. “If you excuse me, I have to go and revise some documents. Why don’t you both enjoy your last free day? I’m sure you’ll need it.  We will meet later, Cadence, Shining.” They nodded quietly and Celestia slipped out of the room. Cadence rose up from the table. “Cadence, if you’ll excuse me, I have something to check out. I’ll be with you later.” And without waiting for his answer, she left the room as well, leaving him sitting behind, looking at the empty space. One of the royal waiters approached him. “Is there something that you would desire, Princess?” He looked at the uptight stallion looking at him with a blank expression on his face, pure deference towards one of royal blood. He shook his head, rising from his chair. “Thank you, good gentlecolt.” Crossing the door, he looked at both sides of a seemingly deserted corridor. Not knowing what else to do, he went back to his room. Some of the books he kept around helped him pass the long hours; he didn’t even go for lunch. The sun had already disappeared completely from the window, going to the other side. He changed page only for him to hear the heavy knocking at the door. Twilight’s voice came from the other side, loud and harsh. “Shining Armor, come here right now.”