Disclaimer: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and all associated characters, settings and stories are the rightful subjects of Hasbro, the HUB, Studio B, and Lauren Faust.
Chapter 38
The screams echoed through the halls of the palace. Everypony heard them; nopony investigated. Fear and shock prevented them. The coldest chill permeated throughout the entire building, confiding everypony to their rooms. They didn't know for certain who emitted the screams or what was causing them, but they didn't dare investigate. Some unknown presence told them to stay away. So, they did.
They remained in their rooms or in each others rooms. They spoke in hushed tones and refused to attend to their duties. The rumors about Magicon's changes, both physical and mental, were overwhelming and inescapable.
"Is he really doing that?"
"Why did he change so much?"
"Never mind why. What about what caused those changes?"
"Maybe some emotional thing."
"No, it probably was some bad spell."
"I know bad spells and that was not accidental. It was deliberate."
"But why?"
"I guess we'll only find out in due time. Until then, keep quiet and don't upset him. If he gets upset he's going to hurt us."
"He wouldn't do that."
"Look at what he's doing now."
"What is he doing now?"
"I don't know but I have a suspicion that those screams are involved with him."
The servants couldn't be more wrong. From a large storage room on the second floor, yells and screams emitted from behind a heavy door that nopony approached.
On the inside the royal guard scrambled against the cold walls as a hot whip met their coats, searing the hair off their bodies. Pure, hot fire met pure flesh and skin producing the worst pain imaginable. No exercise had been this painful; no training could've prepared them for Magicon's wrath.
He showed no mercy and no restraint as he continued to whip his guards.
"You are all fools!" he yelled with pure venom in his dark, deep voice. "To be so foolish as to not even think who caused that fire and to not even try to look for him is inexcusable! Did you not notice? Are you all that pathetic to not even think, but just act?"
"But sir-" cried one guard, obviously trying to explain their actions.
"No buts!" Magicon raged. "I don't want nor do I need an explanation from you all! You're failure is inexcusable and you all must suffer! The Night Guard failed me and now you have failed me! You're consequences will be severe!"
He put more energy into his whip and continued to lash it against the bare flanks of the guardsponies. They yelled and screamed from the searing pain that would not cease.
Magicon didn't care if he killed a single or every guardspony in the room. He didn't care if they begged for mercy; he would give none. He wanted every single one of them to suffer like they had never suffered before. Only then would they learn the error of their ways. Only then would the rumors and spilled secrets stop. Only then would the guard obey him without question. Only then would he have total control.
He continued his lashings, never stopping for a moment. They would learn their lesson even if all the hair had to be seared off their flanks and blood trickled down their manes. He would have Equestria under his hoof.
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Their eyes met each other. The number of emotions conveying between both of them was incalculable. The tension was incredibly thick and the girls agreed to leave the couple to their time. They knew it was going to be bad. They knew it had to be now. They knew they couldn't delay it any longer. They could only hope it would end well for all of them. Cadance and Shining Armor was one problem, but there were other problems as well. Magicon demanded their attention. They had escaped the palace but they had no idea how long it would be until they were either found or Magicon would start hurting innocent ponies all over Equestria. He had done so much already and had to be stopped. The question that they pondered, or tried to ponder, was how.
For the former captain and princess, with the departure of the girls their true feelings could emerge.
Cadance made the first move with a harsh tongue.
"How dare you."
Shining didn't respond. He only continued to stare at his wife and stand her accusations as each chipped away at his heart and soul. He only hoped that she would give him the chance to explain himself.
"I can't believe you would do something like this! You promised to stay loyal and devoted to me for our entire lives! Yet you go and pull something like this? Do you know what it feels like? Do you know what it feels like to have your spouse betray you? Do you know what it feels like to have the truth hidden from you for so long? Do you know what it feels like to be punished for knowing the truth? Do you know what it feels like to find out the truth from your friends? I do."
"Cadance please-"
"No! You're going to shut up and listen! You hurt me. You really hurt me. I can love and tolerate many things but I can't love and tolerate this. Look at what you did and where it has ended us. I just can't believe you would stoop so low. It just hurts so much."
"Cadance-"
"I'm not interested in what you have to say. Your actions have already done that. Look at yourself. You're a fragment of your formal self. You allowed yourself to fall and lose your command, your life, and everything you loved. You gave in to your emotions and look where it ended you. You've been in prison for Celestia knows how long, growing weaker and more pathetic each passing day. What happened to the loyal stallion I married? What happened to the stallion that cared about his family? What happened to him?"
"He's still here," Shining mumbled.
"You don't seem very confident by that statement."
"What do you want me to say? You're not going to listen. You're not going to forgive me."
"I never said that. I said I was and still am really hurt. Imagine if I had cheated on you with another mare. How would you feel? What would you do? Tell me, Shining. Tell me."
"I…I…don't know."
"Would you divorce me?"
"No! I love you no matter what!"
"Then tell me, why? Why did you give in? Why did you allow yourself to do it?"
"I…I…don't know. My emotions…just got out of control. I was just so…stressed and I needed release. You weren't there and I needed somepony."
"So you just decided that Magicon would be an acceptable alternative to me?"
"No, no! It's just…I liked him."
"Yes, I can see that."
"Yes, well…I did. I don't anymore. I can never like him after what he's done to you, me, and Twilight."
"Yes, what about your sister? How do you think she feels about all of this? Did you not stop to consider how she might fare by your actions? Whether you know it or not, Shining, your actions affect ponies."
"I know, I know and I'm so ashamed of it."
"I can't help that. It's your fault. It's all your fault."
"I know, I know."
"Then tell me, was Magicon just a sex toy for you? Or was there something more. Was there always a little part of you that wanted him? Even on that altar on our wedding, did a part of you want to say 'no' instead of 'I do'?"
"I…I…yes."
Cadance feel silent as the simple three letter word fell on her. She closed her eyes and took it in slowly, contemplating everything that was conveyed by that one word. She flashbacked to their wedding, how disastrous it had begun and then how glorious it had ended. How she had rescued him and saved him, believing he would be true forever. How foolish she had been at the time. It wasn't Queen Chrysalis that had stolen Shining Armor's true love; it was Magicon.
But he had given in to the Prince. He had said yes to the stallion that fateful night. When he promised to be faithful on the altar, a part of his mind wanted to be faithful to Magicon. She just couldn't understand it. She just couldn't.
"Cadance, I want you to know…that I still love you."
"Somehow I don't think that has any meaning to me anymore."
"But…but…you must understand."
"I do understand. You've been friends with Magicon for a long time. He finds you sexy and handsome and what you find in him is beyond my comprehension. Whatever the reason, you decided to stay in the closet and hide your true feelings. You thought you could put your feelings for him aside when you met me. But the tinniest part of your heart fluttered every time you laid eyes on that stallion.
"You wanted to know what it would be like. You wanted to try it. To see what it would feel like. And when the opportunity presented itself, you took it and enjoyed it. Am I incorrect?"
Shining's mouth was dry and wordless. He didn't know what to say and even if he did he didn't know how to say it. He had always thought it was a small crush; nothing more. He truly never expected it to be true love. No, it wasn't true love. There was nothing there now, but was there something before. Given the choice and knowing the truth about Magicon's sexual orientation before any of this, which side would he have picked?
He didn't know and he didn't want to know. Hypotheticals were useless now. What happened had happened. There was no changing it. There was no reversal switch. He couldn't travel back in time and undo all of this. He had to face reality. He had to accept what had happened. He had to be honest with himself, with Cadance, and his sister.
Building up whatever courage he had left, Shining spoke softly but full of emotion.
"Look, Cadance. You're right. You're completely, 100% right. I didn't realize I liked Magicon until I had met you. I didn't know what love truly was until I met you. And when that happened it showed me two paths: you or Magicon. But I didn't know what Magicon would think of me so I didn't venture down it. Yes, fear of the unknown was part of my decision, but so was love. I saw the love you had for me and for everypony that Magicon did not possess. I saw a truly great and real life with you. I chose you, not by default, but because I could really see spending the rest of my life with you. It was you, Cadance. It was always you.
"Yes, I liked Magicon. Yes, I let my emotions run wild. Yes, I was completely stupid and a terrible husband. I can only beg for your forgiveness and if you don't I completely understand. But please, understand what I'm talking about. I…love you, Cadance with all my heart."
He had lowered his head and body down to a kneel, tears streaming down his face as he spoke. It wasn't an act. It was real. He truly loved her, but the question was would see return his love.
For Cadance, she knew he was being honest. She could see it in his cerulean eyes. Those eyes had won her over from other stallions. She thought he would be strong and loyal. But here he was, half-starved and knelling on a dirty cave floor begging for her forgiveness. She would've never imagined it would come to this.
"Shining…I don't doubt your love for me. I understand what happened and how you felt. I'll never understand what drove you to such a length but that's beside the point. The point is how sorry are you?"
"Cadance…you know…how…sorry I am. You know…there are…no words…to show…how sorry…I am. Please, Cadance, I'm…sorry. So, so…sorry."
He collapsed at her hooves, his face covered in tears. It was a pitiful sight to anypony passing by. But to them, it was the moment for a decision.
Only Cadance could decide it and she looked down at the sobbing stallion at her hooves. She had never seen him like this. Shining rarely had anything to apologize for. He had always been the perfect stallion. Until now, she had always expected the very best from him. Now, she didn't know what to expect.
He clearly saw the error of his ways, but was that enough to convince her of his love for her. Did he really love her? Did he truly want to spend the rest of his life with her and only her?
It was this that would try their marriage and Cadance was the ultimate decider. For better or worse she would have to make her decision.
She took one last gaze at her sobbing husband before making her final decision. For better or worse it was what she had to do. She only hoped that she wouldn't regret it.
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Magicon didn't know how much time he had spent with the guards. He guessed at one to two hours, but who was counting? It didn't matter to him anyway. What mattered was the punishment of the guard. They not only had panicked to douse a simple fire but failed to go after the ponies obviously behind it.
They had failed him and they had to be taught a lesson. Magicon felt satisfied that they learned it well and would never disobey him again. He commanded their respect or forced them to. Either way, it secured his control over them.
Nopony would mess with him now after seeing what he did to the Royal Guard. Most of them had completely exposed flanks, a clear warning to those who upset or disobeyed Magicon.
The servants took heed and attended to their duties without a peep. A sudden silence and chill became a permanent aspect of the palace. The nobles, now shocked by Magicon's actions, but helpless to stop them, all refused to attend the court. His advisors stayed in their offices and as far away from Magicon as possible.
There was no mystery anymore as to what Magicon had become but it seemed impossible to stop him. Constitutionally, he was within his power to rule and punish the guard as he see fit. Everypony realized this and, with a small glimmer of hope, hoped that this was just a phase for Magicon. He would return to his kind and wise self soon. The red hair, the black makeup, and other effects were just a passing phase, nothing more. Yet in the back of their minds they all knew that all these changes were not a simple phase. It was permanent alteration.
They knew this but some refused to admit to themselves, others only hoped for a quiet way out so they or their families wouldn't be hurt by Magicon's wrath.
As for Magicon himself, he knew the mark he was leaving on the palace and he liked it. Ponies were respecting him, even fearing him. But something threw him off: the disappearance of the Elements of Harmony.
That fact burned inside him as he knew that they had fled with the traitors. Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Twilight Sparkle, and Rainbow Dash had somehow managed to find the rest of their group and escape. That fire was a diversion to allow them to get out without being caught. It infuriated him.
Pacing around his room in a rage, he bucked and kicked furniture and objects sending pieces flying through the air only to land with a hard crash against the wall or the floor.
"They are all traitors! How could I've let this happen? They were all under my hoof! They were all under my control! I had them! They didn't talk or even see each other! I kept them busy! How in Celestia's name did they manage to get together and not only talk, but work together to help them? Wait, Twilight Sparkle did it! She's the most powerful and elusive element! She was able to find them, talk to them, explain everything about me and their experiences and now look where it's ended me! Well, the answer is simple: they're all traitors! They have aided escaped convicts and must be captured and punished at all costs! I'll see to that right away!"
He stormed his way through the broken furniture and objects and threw open his bedroom door only to see a frightened Starry Skies before him.
"Ma…Magicon?"
"Not now, Starry. I have important matters to attend to," replied Magicon as he began walking down the hall.
"But, sir I must speak with you!" protested Starry as he followed Magicon.
"I really don't have the time."
"Is it something I did?"
"No, of course not."
"Then what?"
"Please stop questioning me."
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. May I ask just one more though?"
"Fine."
"What has happened to you?"
Magicon stopped right in his tracks causing Starry to bump into his flank and fall backwards. He slowly rose as Magicon turned around and forced him back to the floor, his hoof at his neck. He spoke with no remorse in his voice.
"Now, let's get one thing straight, Starry Skies. That is none of your concern. You have no business; I repeat no business in my personal affairs! I won't have anypony, much less a foolish and stupid astronomer going around parading about my faults! You ask a question like that again and I will not show mercy towards you! Understood?"
Starry Skies simply cringed and nodded as Magicon removed his hoof and stormed off, his cape flowing behind him down the hall. Starry had been caught completely unaware of Magicon's attitude and once he left, he rose and ran down another hallway, terrified of what his former friend had become. He had always considered Magicon a friend, even if it wasn't vice-versa. He had always liked Magicon for his wise and calm demeanor. Now he was angry, uncontrollable, and ready to hurt.
Starry couldn't stand it and ran into his room, locked the door, and hid himself from the now dangerous pony ruling Equestria. He couldn't understand how or why he had changed but he did and it was for the worst.
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The girls were barely able to discuss their plan for Magicon. Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were just too distracting. They did their best to ignore them, but their interest in the two was just too great to ignore. Twilight was especially apprehensive; constantly worrying about both which required the attention of her friends.
"Don't ya' fret 'bout 'em, sugar. They'll be fine," consoled Applejack as she put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder.
"Yeah. If I know anything the two will be back together lickity-split," encouraged Pinkie.
"They're both awesome and will do the right thing," commented Rainbow.
"If I may throw my opinion in, darling, whatever the outcome is you shouldn't hold a grudge against your brother or Cadance. Holding your grudge is unhealthy, both physically and mentally, for you," Rarity added.
"All you have to do is…umm…be nice," suggested Fluttershy.
Twilight was silent for a few moments before speaking.
"Yeah, I guess you're all right in different ways. I'm just so worried about them. I mean I love both of them and can't imagine how life will be different if they separated. Shining Armor and I have always been close and Cadance has been like an older sister to me. I don't see how I could have one without the other."
"Listen, sugar, Ah know it's hard but ya' gotta be strong. You're brother would want that from ya'."
"Whatever the outcome, we'll be here for you," added Rainbow.
"We did our best to hide it and delay it for as long as possible but we knew this moment would come once we realized the truth. They have to do this," Rarity stated.
"I just hope they don't get into a brawl. I would hate to get in and end a fight like that," said Fluttershy.
"I know what a fight sounds like and, trust me, they're not fighting. They're just talking," Rainbow stated.
"Girls, please. I appreciate what you all are trying to do and I'm so glad to see you all again. But this isn't something any of you understand. My brother and my former foalsitter might be separated, forever!"
"Forever!" exclaimed Pinkie unintentionally. Everypony gave her a glare and she blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry. Just got a little too excited."
"Anyway, do you want me to check on them?" Rainbow asked.
"Rainbow Dash! How dare you!" exclaimed Rarity. "To think you would eavesdrop on Shining Armor's and Princess Cadance's private and intimate conversation!"
"I wasn't going to eavesdrop!" retorted Rainbow. "I was just going to check to see if they were alright."
"Well, you're not goin'," stated AJ. "You're stayin' right here. Shinin' and Cadance will tell us when they wanna tell us."
"But, AJ-"
"No, Dashie!"
"Fine," she grumbled and stubbornly planted her flank on the ground, hooves crossed.
"Don't feel too bad, Dashie, it's all going to turn out alright," Pinkie hoped.
"I wouldn't be too sure," said Fluttershy who was quickly running back to the group, a frightened look on her face.
"Fluttershy, what's wrong?" Rarity asked.
"Shining Armor and Cadance are coming."
"Then that means…oh my Celestia!"
The sudden news excited the air around them and they all were suddenly up and pacing the cave. It was time to know how the two made out. They all hoped for the best and feared the worst as the two rounded the corner and approached the girls.
Everypony was silent, only making eye contact. Cadance and Shining were standing next to each other but showed no sign of love. Both of their eyes were wet from tears, Shining's especially. It looked like the worst had happened for them.
Shining cleared his throat and spoke slowly.
"I know you've all been worried. But before we tell you what the future has in store for us I must thank you all for putting your lives at risk for me, Cadance, and Equestria. You all deserve the highest honors for uncovering the truth and seeking justice"
"But now is not the time for medals," Cadance stated, practically finishing where Shining ended. "Now is the time for the truth to be known. I don't know how you'll react but please try to contain it. It wasn't easy for me to make this decision. I could see Shining was fully aware of what he did and how sorry he was for making it. But that doesn't excuse his actions. He made a terrible decision but he has seen the error in his ways. He has promised never to do it again and I will hold him to it. It was hard for me, but I've forgiven him. We'll remain together."
The words sparked the greatest joy in the cave as beaming smiles appeared on everypony's face. It was like a delayed reaction, but all of them suddenly jumped onto Cadance and Shining, embracing both with affectionate hugs. Even Twilight found herself relishing in Cadance's decision.
Finally, when everything had settled down, Applejack said,
"Ah'm so glad to hear ya'll stayin' together."
"We all are," added Rainbow as she put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder.
"So…what now?" Fluttershy asked.
"We get ready to stop Magicon, together," answered Shining.
"I love it! We're having a huge, ginormous party when this is all over!" Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.
"Definitely. But first, we need a plan," said Rarity.
"I think I'll be able to handle that," Twilight stated.
"You're up to handling it?" Rainbow asked.
"I am."
"Well, then let's get cracking."