//------------------------------//
// Brother 
// Story: Twilight's Canterlot: RotE Episode 6 
// by Dream Volt 
//------------------------------//

	It was right there.  The door was even open and I could smell the musty scent of old books wafting out.  Not only that but the door was open because two young pegasus stallions were clearly taking packages from a cart marked with a book.  It was delivery day.  I shook my head and walked on.  Maybe after the tour I could come back and browse a little.  Dash laughed.

"Oh man, that was so funny."

"Rainbow, Twilight's obvious generosity is not to be scoffed at."

"Huh, how is not going in there generous?"

"Obviously she is being generous with her time."

"So, how did you like the tour girls?" I asked

"Twas okay I guess Twi.  Sorta interesting to see how it all works, but that training yard was a might more empty than you implied."

"Sorry, there are usually are a lot more ponies there."

"While it was interesting to see such a clean facility, it was in a way too clean.  No dirt, but no style whatsoever.  I really must have words with…"  Rarity paused.  "Somepony."

"I think Celestia might be the only one to able to do anything, but…"

Applejack interrupted me.  "It's the military you silly mare.  It ain't about style, it's about practicality."

"You can do both.  Luna clearly realizes this.  I mean yes if the armor wasn't enchanted adding such detail would be foolish, but it is, so why not decorate to one's content?"

"It was pretty cool, but honestly Twi I've seen the Cloudsdale barracks plenty of times and other than it being more gray than white it isn't that different."

"It was boring."  Pinkie shook her head.  "I mean none the guards laughed at all, and there weren't very many ponies, and they stopped me when I tried to throw a party and…"

"We know Pinkie."  Said AJ  "Now don't fret none.  It's just their duty to act like that as long as they're in that armor o theirs."

"I know, it's just I hate seeing ponies all frowny like that."

"The halberds were nice, but those ponies' form was way off.  They should be ashamed they were performing so badly."

I turned to stare at Fluttershy.  It then clicked into place how she would know.  Fluttershy of course shrunk back, stopping in place.  Dash laughed so hard it made her wobble in the air.  She was flying very low, apparently remembering what I said about Canterlot's flight laws and keeping the upper airways clear if possible.

"Yea, Fluttershy picked up a bunch of stuff cause of her dad.  Thanks to him I bet she knows more about weaponry and ancient wars than you do Twi."

"Warfare is a gap in my education in fact.  Such books aren't too popular.  Also magic has always been my main focus."

"While this is nice enough an' all, why don't we get going again?  Canterlot is a big place and we shouldn’t be lazing about when we got somewhere ta be."

"AJ has a point." I said  "I do have rough schedule planned, though I'm being somewhat spontaneous.  I'm not writing it down and only scheduling to the hour rather 10 or 15 minute increments like usual."

Rainbow groaned.  "Ugh, I should have known."

"So, where are we going next?"

"Nowhere.  Stop right where you are criminal scum."

I got a huge smile on my face.  My friends looked a little surprised before I turned around, but wasn't really playing much attention.  Behind us was a full squad of unicorn ponies in royal guard uniforms.  At the front was of course one in a fancier armor with purple accents.  Rank had privileges, including a certain amount of customization of the armor.  For one thing his armor didn't have the color changing spell because he didn't need it.  Shiny had a really stern look on his face.  I barely managed not to laugh.

"For your crimes you shall be punished severely."

"Oh no."  I then laughed.

"Twilight dear, I know you are close to the Princess but I do not think you are not treating this situation with the proper respect."

"You should listen to you friends.  After all, they are just as guilty as you are.  In fact looking them over…"  Then Shiny smiled.  "I'd say they're even more guilty."

"Hey." I said glaring at him

He now had a smile on his face.  "Yes, you are all terribly guilty of being cute."

"What?" said Dash and AJ at the same time

Then I gave Shinny a great big hug knocking off his helmet.  I heard Rarity gasp.  Shiny and I both giggled like idiots for a minute hugging.  I think it would have gone on longer but one of the stallion behind him cleared his throat.  Shinny then released me and we both focused on my friends.  Rarity was just staring.  I quickly looked away thinking I recognized that stare but not wanting to confirm Rarity was thinking about my brother like that.  Fluttershy was just sitting there contentedly, and Pinkie jumping up and down excitedly, but AJ and Dash were blinking a lot.

"Pinkie, do you know Shiny."

"Uh huh.  Once he really needed a cannon, so I got him one."

"Do I want to know?" I asked

"I doubt it Twilie.  I remember that letter you sent about your frustrations about her and while the situation was very different, well…"

I sighed.  "I get it."

"I don't." said Pinkie, then giggled

Fluttershy gasped.  "Oh.  My sister and he knew each so I met him but I didn't know you were Twilie.  Well I sorta thought you might be but I wasn't really sure he was your brother and…"

"Now hold on just a minute thar.  Yer saying this fellow is Twilight's brother?"

"Cool.  I didn't know you had a brother." Dash then smiled

"Oh my Twilight."  Rarity then shook her head.   "Oh really where are my manners.  Introductions all.  I am Rartity, and you already know Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, so that only leaves two."

"Mah name is Applejack."

Then there was a long pause broken only when Dash's tail was pulled by a blue glow.  "Oh yea, Rainbow Dash, best flyer in Equestria.  Pleased to meet you and stuff."

Rarity rolled her eyes, but said nothing.

"And I am Shinning Armor, captain of the royal guard."

Rarity smiled widely.  "Oh my, so a literal knight in shining armor, how marvelous."  Then Rarity shot me a brief glare before once again focusing on my brother.  "I can't believe she didn't mention you sooner."

"Well it just didn't come up."

"Yes.  I truly, can't believe…"  She grit her teeth a moment before continuing.  "That she would keep such a handsome brother from her friends.  Sure a wonderful, gallant, almost princely knight from us.  Yes I…"

"I have a marefriend already." Said Shiny.  I couldn't help but snicker

Rarity pulled back, eyes wide.  "Why ever would you think that of me?"

Everypony else sighed.  Even Pinkie, but she giggled a little afterward.  It was pretty obvious whatever terrible thing she thought we were accusing her of was in regards to what she was thinking at that moment.  I really didn't want to know.  I sighed again.  Then my brother put his helmet back on and turned to me smiling.

"Well this has been nice but really I shouldn't have even stopped.  There is a lot going on today for some reason.  I had to leave a skeleton crew back at the barracks."

"As in you're on high alert?" I asked arching an eyebrow

"Uh, no."  He smiled

"I do know the way this sort of thing.  Also we're not the sort of ponies to panic."

Shinny laughed.  "Oh really.  What about…"

I shoved a hoof in his mouth.  "Okay, mostly not the type to panic most of the time."

"I am." Added Fluttershy

"Really Twilie, it's…"  he paused.  "Okay, it's not nothing, but when I say a lot I just mean lots of little things going wrong.  Lab subjects escaping, out of control spells, strange accidents.  Only really odd so many of them happening at once."

"Oh.  Sorry.  It's just I thought…"

"We do say about the same thing to the public ot try to avoid panic, but it really is…"

"Geesh, we get it." Said Dash.  "It's also why the barracks were so empty.  You seem like a cool enough guy but this is not interesting."

"More to the point you did say you were busy."  I smiled.  "I suppose I should let you get back to it then.  But I didn't know you had a marefriend."

Suddenly Shiny paled.  It was hard to tell, but I could do it.  Dad never could, but mom could too.  He suddenly wouldn’t quite meet my eyes.  I resisted the urge to sigh.  He could lie far better than Applejack, but his poker face was arguably worse.

"What is it?  Is there something wrong with her?"

"Oh no, nothing like that.  It's, well…"  He then kicked one of the ponies behind him with a back leg so he fell forward and smacked into him.   "Oh, of course you're right soldier.  Sorry Twilie, but we really need to get back to work."

"That hurt."

Then Shiny galloped off and I sighed.  His stallions followed after him soon after.  Even the one that looked like he was going to cry for moment, but he restrained himself and walked off with only the slightest of limps.  Maybe she was a class mate?  Perhaps she looked more like me than he liked?  It could be anything.  Whatever the case the bravest pony in Canterlot is terrified to upset me, and is keeping his mouth shut.  Shiny can be so ridiculous sometimes.

"Uh, Twi, what exactly was that all about."

"It really isn't worth talking about.  I'm sure he'll tell me soon if it's serious.  Come on, lets get going again.  He probably really is very busy.  He usually is."

"I still can't believe you didn't tell me about him.  I mean is a hunk of 100% prime grade stallion.  And did you see the way his muscles moved.  Clearly in this day and age princes are just spoiled brats unlike that tasty…"

"Rarity."  I spun around, glaring at her.  "That's.  My.  Brother."

"Yea, what is it with you Rares?"  Dash then smirked  "You got some sorta family thing or something?" 

"Thing?"

"Ya know, like wanting to kiss your mother or sister.  That sorta thing."

Rarity's mane ignited.  "How dare you say something like that."

Dash shook her head.  "That is still way too cool for you.  I mean you barely use it.  You don't appreciate it at all."

"Anyway, that's enough a Dash saying things she shouldn't.  Ah say we get a move on.  It was nice meeting your kin like that though."

"I totally didn't know you have a brother either though.  How come you don't talk about him?  He seems pretty chill."

"He's great, but it just hasn't come up I guess.  It's not like I knew AJ's parents weren't actually dead, and until Sky showed up I didn't know Commander Steelwing was Fluttershy's father."

"Oh, you probably met him, didn't you?" Fluttershy nearly whispered

I nodded.  "Yes.  Not only did he come to speak to Celestia for one reason or another but obviously my brother would have dealings with him too."

Applejack then smiled.  "Ah course some ponies go right out and try an hide their kin."

"It's not that exactly it's just that…"  Rarity then sighed.  "Fine, it is that exactly.  Can the rest of you really have never been embarrassed my your parents?"

"No way.  My mom is awesome."  Dash had thrown her hooves wide in the air.  Then she sagged.  "Well I guess she embarrasses me sometimes, but not just by being her."

"I, just didn't feel like it was important.  I didn't think anypony would care."

AJ shook her head.  "Now look here sugarcube, ya really gotta try and stop that.  We care about you, and everythin' ya gots to say, so just say it."

"Uh, I'll try."

"I don't talk about my parents too much because they're not that fun and they don't live around here anymore.  I don't really know why Twilight didn't know about my sisters though, I talk about them all the time."

"Yea, but I bet only in the middle of nonsense.  She probably blocked you out."

"Rainbow."  Rarity glared up at her

"What.  It's true."

I looked down.  "It might be.  I have to admit for my sanity I just have to stop really listening sometimes."

Pinkie frowned.  "Why does everypony say stuff like that.  I always make perfect sense."  Then Pinkie blinked.   "Oh, except for the times I don't, I always forget about those."

"So what about you Twi, You ain't really talked about your parents much either."

"I guess.  There isn't a whole lot to tell.  I could probably tell you a few stories, but as I said I plan to introduce you all later.  Come on, lets go."

I'm sure my parents would love meeting them.  They already said they were eager to meet the mares described in my letters.  If we were lucky Shiny might even be able to slip away and they can get to know him better.  I do have to wonder what sort of girl would be able to put up with him though.  I mean he'd always be my BBBFF but when it came to other mares he was completely hopeless.