Shining’s Log-Entry: What Now?
It’s been nearly a month since I got my cutie mark. My parents sure were surprised when they saw it, Mom just stood there pointing for over a minute, and Dad wrapped me up in one of the biggest hugs he’s ever given me once he got home. Little Twily though just cooed cutely, although, given she’s still young, I guess that’s expected. I swear, when Uncle Jewel found out he swept me off my hooves and swung me around, completing at least two full rotations, even more exuberant than usual.Of course that brings me to the question of; what does my cutie mark mean for me. I mean, in this world everypony has one, and it always, always has to do with either their personalities or what sort of things their good at. So what does my cutie mark mean for me? I know most ponies don’t actually question their marks, but ordinarily they don’t have minds far older than they should be, so I can’t help but wonder; what does this mark mean to me?
A shield, obviously a symbol of protection. Probably because of my resolution to make sure everypony is safe. But the six pointed star on it… It’s nearly identical to the star in the middle of Twilight’s future cutie mark. Does that mean I put my sister ahead of protecting everypony else? Would that be right? Or does it mean that I want to protect everypony out of love, and it’s simply Twilight’s mark, because it was through my desire to protect her, that my determination to protect everypony grew out of? Arrgh, I’m no good at all this existential stuff. Of course, that’s not even getting to the three stars above the shield, so like Mom’s cutie mark. Does that mean I put love above protection? Or maybe I put happiness above those I love above keeping them safe? I’m fairly certain that I’m overthinking things. Ponies are probably meant to just accept their cutie marks and move on, so I should probably shelf any analysis of my mark.
Moving on to the next topic. I’m going to be the best big brother ever. That is my plan. Although, I guess it’s going to be harder than it probably should be, given who my little sister will be. I guess it would be hard enough to be an older brother to a normal filly, who knows how to have fun and has lots of friends. But being the big brother to an introverted bookworm, who admits she’d rather study than make any friends, like future Twilight, is going to be a challenge.
Although, is it really right for me to think of my little sister, who’s only five weeks old, by what she could grow up to be? I can’t constantly be comparing a young foal, to the Twilight I watched in the show. If I really want to be fair to her, I need to table all thoughts of who she could grow up to be, and instead focus on the her in the here and now. Otherwise I’ll probably be the worst big brother ever.
That doesn’t mean that I should forget about the future threats that she might face. I need to come up with a plan to deal with them. Fortunately, I have plenty of time, since I know that Twilight was at least sixteen (and probably older, although ponies do seem to have a lower age of majority than humans from what I can tell), that gives me at least a decade and a half to work out what I can do. I’m sure that there are many possibilities.
Shining Armor, Signing Off
Strong gusts of wind were rushing through the buildings of Canterlot, a storm was approaching, and many ponies were rushing around trying to batten down the hatches. But for two stallions, Night Light and Shining Armor, they were trotting pleasantly along the relatively empty streets, watching as the small number of ponies around them worked.
“Dad,” Shining inquired, after watching the ponies working around them, “don’t you have things that you have to do to get ready for the storm too?”
“Yes,” Night smiled, “but first I want to get you to your uncle’s house.”
“Aww,” Shining complained, “I want to help!”
Night Light laughed cheerfully at his son. “Don’t worry about it,” he reassured, “We adults can handle it. Little colts and fillies like yourself just need to be indoors, while we take care of things.”
“But,” Shining whined, while the wind mussed up his blue mane, “why do I need to go to Uncle Jewel’s place? What about Twily?”
“Your mother can handle Twilight,” Night said simply, “And your uncle volunteered to take you off our hooves for a day anyway. He said he had a couple of things he wanted to do with you. It’s just coincidence that the storm is coming on the same day.”
Shining looked like he was about to protest some more, but a loud cracking sound drew both stallions’ attention. Turning to the sound, the two of them saw a large tree limb, which had been weakened by the repeated gusts of wind, suddenly give way and begin to fall. Directly underneath the falling branch was a green earth mare, who hadn’t noticed the danger she was in.
“Look out,” Shining called, but his cry wasn’t in time. Fortunately, the limb was suddenly surrounded by a blue glow, and stopped falling. Shining twisted his head, to see his father’s horn was glowing, and he had a look of intense concentration on his face.
The mare, startled by Shining’s yell, looked around before glancing up, and giving a loud shriek. She scrambled to try and get away from the path of the temporarily suspended branch, but Night Light’s magic failed before she could get all the way out of the way.
Suddenly, there was a bright flash of red light, and the tree limb was gone. Or rather, the branch had been reduced to ash, which scattered to the winds.
Turning to the source of the flash, Shining couldn’t help but say, “Cool!”
For there was a unicorn with a red glow around his horn, wearing golden armor, he smiled when he noticed the expression on Shining’s face. Then he walked over to where the two stallions were standing.
“Neat!” nearly shouted Shining, “That was amazing.”
The green mare, having recovered from her shock, trotted over to the three stallions. “Thank you so much!” she said happily, “If it weren’t for you three I would have been in big trouble.”
“Don’t mention it,” Night Light waved off her praise, “I’m only sorry I couldn’t hold it up longer. I’m afraid I’m not the best a levitation magic. If it wasn’t for the guard here, you still would have been in trouble.”
“Just doing my duty,” the guard said in a commanding tone. With a wink at the young colt, he continued, “It’s the job of every member of the Royal Guard to protect anypony in danger.”
“Still,” the mare commented, “Thank you, all three of you. You sir,” she indicated Night, “for keeping the branch long enough for, him,” she gestured to the guard, “to intervene.” She turned to Shining, “And thank you young colt, your shout was just in time.”
Shining blushed. “It wasn’t anything important,” he muttered, scuffing his front hooves along the ground, “Dad and the guard did all the hard work.”
The guardspony shook his head, “Warning ponies of impending danger is just as important, kid,” he said, before glancing at the clouds gathering in the sky, “Now, you should probably move along, we don’t have long before the storm hits, and I’ve got to finish my rounds of this street.”
“Thanks again!” the mare called, and all four moved off, the mare heading inside, the guard moving in one direction, and the father son duo continued on their way.
The duo were silent as they walked. Both of stallions seemed deep in thought as they made their way to their destination.
After a couple of minutes of silence, they arrived at their destination. But, before knocking on the door, the two turned to face each other. Both started speaking at the same time.
“Dad-“
“Son-“
Both halted when they realized the other was speaking. The two stared at each other for a moment, before they broke out laughing.
Night was the first to stop laughing. “Why don’t you go first, son,” he told Shining.
“Uh,” Shining replied, “Ok, I guess.” He paused for a moment. “Dad,” he said, his voice level and as serious as possible, “I think I know what I want to be when I grow up.”
“Oh really?” his father inquired, a smile on his face.
“I want to join the Royal Guard,” Shining declared, with as much authority that a seven year old colt could put into his voice, “I want to keep everypony safe.”
Night Light just grins broadly. “Well then, I guess that ties into what I wanted to say, myself,” he took his son up into a big hug, “I’m proud of you, son.”
Shining’s Log-Entry: The Future
You know, I wonder if it’s this world, or if it’s just me, but sometimes things just seem to click into place. If I want to protect, I have to grow strong. If I want to get strong enough to protect against the threats I know are to come, well, there’s only one place I can grow strong enough. The Royal Guard.Not to mention, the Royal Guard is generally the first on the ground in any emergency. So if I join them, I can help protect, not only during the big crises, but also the little brushfires which could potentially grow beyond their roots. It’s probably the best place in Equestria for a pony who wants to ensure the safety of those he loves.
My family seems to be extremely supportive of my decision. Dad is obviously proud of me, and Mom was beaming when I told her after I returned from uncle’s house. As for Uncle Jewel, he simply told me that I had set a high bar for myself; The Royal Guard only takes the best of the best, and if I want to join them, I’m going to have to work really, really hard. He then offered to help me train, or rather, to help me train when I’m older and the weather is better. He (and my parents) want me to be a normal colt for now, and I guess I can see why. I’m only seven, but mark my words, I’ll be in the Royal Guard, just as soon as I’m old enough!
My future course is clear.
Shining Armor, Signing Off