//------------------------------// // Passing the pages // Story: The Honeymoon // by Spica //------------------------------// Shining Armor locked the door behind him with more force that he intended. A sigh escaped his lips as soon as he had parted ways with Cadence just at the corner down the corridor in front of the room. His violet eyes were drawn towards the window, with the moonlight casting dim gleams over the floor. He trotted over to the bed, throwing himself to it. The room still felt alien to him; even though it was his wife’s room, a room they should be sharing. A single flash of magic was all that it took to bring this all tumbling down...   Since I was young, I’ve only known Canterlot, with the exception of special missions to other parts of Equestria, my life has been spent here. I cannot imagine anything else but protecting this city. And being away from it... Among all the thoughts that were crossing his head in a wild frenzy, a single face came to approach him.  A blurred profile of a pony appeared in front of him, seemingly turning its back to him. With the passing of time, light fell upon it, clearing its appearance for Shining to take in. Twilight Sparkle turned around to look right at him, with a pleading look on her eyes. Her lips moved briefly, and even though no sound came from them at all, Shining knew very well what she was saying to him.  Since she had left Canterlot, the communication  between them both had been very scarce. While in the Castle, they had their constant encounters and dinner at their parents’ house to meet on, but as they were forced apart, the pair of workaholic siblings had grown distant without them realizing it. His eyes opened further, gleaming in the dark room. Twily... The bed creaked under him as he turned around on it. Suddenly his eyes couldn’t stay open any longer and he drifted into sleep, the gleam of Twilight’s eyes being the last thing that saw him off. ------- Shining pushed open the door to the Throne Room, and found that only Cadence was missing from the reunion, with all the others already in place around the breakfast table. He trotted towards it. -Good morning, everypony.- He was met with several greetings, as he reached the table, sitting next to his mother. At his side of the table was sitting his family, while Celestia was at the end of the table, with Luna at the other side, followed by Sharp Scalpel, Iron Shield and Safe Step, who could barely hide his amusement when he saw Shining approaching in his new body. The captain threw a look towards him. “How do you feel, son?” asked his mother, smiling towards him. He let out a small smile as well, before letting it falter from his face. “It’s still too much to take, mother. Last night I was thinking about how difficult it would be for me to leave the life of service that I’m accustomed to so much.” Her smile dimmed, but didn’t disappear as she looked at him. “Oh, sweetheart, I know how disappointed are you, but I assure you some good months of relaxing will do wonders on you. You’ve just gotten out from a pretty perilous situation and gotten married. You’re entitled to enjoy a little, even if it’s somewhat more extended than what you intended. Trust me, you’re going to relish these incoming months and wish back to them once this little one comes out,” said his mother, pointing at his pink belly. He looked towards it. The fact of being pregnant, or even of being a mare was still one that had not yet sank completely into him; that very same morning he still had had problems in the bathroom.   “And besides, you’ll see your sister more. I know you haven’t been the same since she left, and it worried me so much. I’d like to drop by there someday as well,” completed his mother, showcasing her smile again. He nodded and turned to pick up a plate, selecting several of the fruits that had been served. Peeling an orange, he picked a wedge from it, eating slowly.   “Shining Armor?”  Celestia’s voice called to him from across the table, calm but clear. He turned his head and bowed towards her. “Yes, Princess?” “You might want to know that Lieutenant Steps has already made his decision.” Shining turned back to look at his subordinate, who bore a big smile on his lips and waved a hoof towards him.  “Good luck, Captain!”  The unicorn didn’t open his mouth, instead just staring at the pony in front of him. He soon regained his composure though, and nodded towards Safe Step. “Thank you, Lieu... no, Captain.” ------ Twilight shut the curtains of the small room, as Shining Armor, Cadence, Safe Step, and the Sisters entered to it. Celestia shut the door behind her, and only the dim rays of light penetrating through the curtains’ corners gave any -insufficient- lighting to the room.  Both sisters then stood next to each other. “Cadence, come, stand in front of me,” asked Celestia softly. The third princess inhabiting her husband’s body complied, walking up to her aunt, looking straight to her. At Luna’s beckoning, Safe Step stepped next to Cadence, looking towards Luna. The younger princess addressed them both. “From now on, you are going to take each other’s place. By that, of course, it is understood that the lieutenant will replace Prince Shining Armor, currently Princess Cadence.”  Luna sighed and rubbed her temples with her hooves, taking in a couple of breaths before continuing. “The Lieutenant has already said goodbye to his family and is ready to depart. So then, let us get this over with.” The horns on both of the alicorns began to shine, illuminating dimly the darkened rooms.  Cadence and Safe Step were soon covered by a magical cocoon not very different from the one produced by the glitter wings spell, as Twilight noted; its colorful hues filled the room with even more light that reflected itself in the ponies’ pupils. When it disappeared,leaving the room in the same darkness as it had before both ponies were now standing on the opposite side. They looked towards each other, squinting their eyes as they recovered from the sudden change. “Wow, I’m really there...”  Safe Step looked into his own eyes before lowering his gaze and lifting a white hoof. He shook it and looked towards his side, seeing more white fur. “What would you think, I’m the Captain now!” He turned towards Shining Armor, putting on a frown. “It’s so weird. You’ll be still a couple, but you’re using my body. Does that mean that---”  He moved to one side, dodging a hit from a Shining Armor with burning eyes. “Fine, fine, I’ll let it aside. Gee, you’re no fun.”   Meanwhile, Cadence was imitating him. She was confused by the very unfamiliar grey hooves; then she looked towards the pony that was now occupying Shining’s body. “I guess this is it?” she asked, looking towards her aunts, who nodded. “Yes it is. Now, you and Shining’s luggage has already been prepared by palace’s maids, and your departure has been set for the afternoon. I suggest you spend the rest of the morning relaxing and learning about each other a little. A year will be quite a long period, after all.” Celestia, Luna and Twilight left the room, with the unicorn tagging along with her mentor. The three ponies remaining in the room looked towards each other. Safe Step let out a weak laugh that died the very moment it left his lips, smiling to the couple. “What a life, isn’t it?” Shining Armor, in his guise of Cadence, didn’t answer and instead turned towards the door and opened it, being followed by the figure of Safe Step, as the real earth pony was the last one to leave, bearing the unicorn’s appearance. ---- For the first time since they had come back from their journey, Shining and Cadence found the royal dining hall open. Celestia and Luna had already let out word of their departing via discrete means. Cadence followed his husband’s footsteps, as a proper guard would do in such circumstances as they entered the room. Leading the way, Shining felt more uncomfortable with every step he gave. He had always held the role of guard and escort, taking pride in performing his duty at the top of his game, and he was now providing the role of the escorted, something that did not sit well to him at all. He did not turn his head to look back, despite having an overwhelming desire to do so.  Besides, all the gazes had been fixed on them since they entered. The slow trot finally led them to the side of the table. Shining stopped, feeling Cadence coming to a halt behind him. Sweeping the table with his eyes, he felt a small drop of sweat at the attention that was on him; he put a smile on his lips, despite not feeling a little bit like smiling. “Thank you all for coming today...” His mind was blurred as his mouth moved practically of its own free will. Despite coming from an aristocratic family and being constantly in the company and presence of royalty, nevermind being married to one now, the captain of the guard was not accustomed to making speeches. He could feel himself emulating what he had learnt from long years of listening, while all of the eyes were drawn to him. He didn’t even realize when he had been finished; his only clue was a silence that seemed to cover the whole room, spreading through the air. He blinked. A ethereal voice cut through the void. “That was lovely, Cadence.  Wonderful. I’m proud of you, my niece.”  He turned his head to look at Celestia, who was smiling warm and serenely from one side of the table. At her right side, Safe Step himself was sitting down in Shining’s own body, next to two empty places. He began to walk over there, with Cadence following him. They went around the table, with Shining taking a seat next to Safe Step, and Cadence seating next to him.  At the very same time they sat down, Shining’s ears perked up. Whispers were heard around the table, being silenced almost immediately by Celestia clearing her throat. “You have heard well, mares and gentlecolts. My dear niece will be taking an extended leave of absence due to the recent, unforeseen circumstances of her pregnancy. Even though such news have been quite unexpected for our family, we receive Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence’s announcement with joy.” She looked towards them with a radiating smile, while from the background, the sound of hooves hitting the floor could be heard. A very polite hoof stomping celebrated the announcement from the royal couple.  Safe Step and him bowed their heads towards the crowd, smiling. He stole a look towards Cadence, who had joined the rest of the ponies on congratulating them. He very slowly held a hoof towards her, under the table, until he felt her own hoof joining his, and a more pronounced smile coming from her own lips. He didn’t even care about the sight of Safe Step’s face in front of him, feeling the very same warmth his wife produced in him. ---- The moon shaped necklace hung from his neck. Made from polished silver, it gleamed in the sunlight, with a special bright sparkle on its tips. He looked towards Cadence, who stood next to him. A silver chain hung from her neck, going into hiding in the inside of the military uniform she carried.  From the platform came the calling to get on the train that was stopped in front of them. Turning back, he and Twilight waved goodbye to their parents. “Goodbye, mom, dad. I hope to see you in Ponyville soon!” called out the lavender mare, smiling towards their parents. She then turned back, entering the train. Shining waved to his parents once again, and then he and Cadence embarked on the locomotive, following his sister towards their compartment. Once Twilight had located it, she opened the door at the same time a rumble indicated them that the machine was pushing forward. “I’m so happy to have you two coming to Ponyville! I know you’re going to love it.” The purple mare was almost out of herself with excitement. Shining couldn’t help but smile, looking towards Cadence, who had the very same expression towards his face. He reached his hoof towards hers, taking it strongly, lying next to his wife, as his sister provided with plans and endless prospects. He smiled even wider. “Of course, Twily.”