“I swear they’re just taunting us. None of them have moved.” Spitfire gnashed her teeth in thought about all of the frustrations piling up on her. “Do they intend to let the stress and worries kill us? Just walk over our corpses and take over?”
“If that’s the case, no offense, but I think you’ll end up going first,” Soarin’ laughed. With a stabbing glare from Spitfire though, he halted. “You know what? I take it back. You’ll outlive all of us from sheer will and determination.”
Spitfire ignored the remark. “I swear, Shining better not be leaving us high and dry; it’s his sister that needs him here, he can’t just ignore that.”
As the two of them wandered down the hallway, Spitfire’s ire caught the attention of a passing guard. “Didn’t you hear? The Crystal Prince arrived just a moment ago in the throne room.”
Spitfire’s eyebrow rose as she watched the guard continue on. “He’s not fucking with us, is he?” She looked to Soarin’ who could only shrug. They increased their pace, insistent on seeing if they were having their legs pulled.
Emerging through the large double doors, they saw Twilight on the throne and Spike at her side, both laughing before a blue maned unicorn.
“Well it’s about time, Captain,” Spitfire called out with a grin, grabbing everypony’s attention. Seeing an unamused frown on Shining Armor’s face killed her own smile.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Captain,” Shining countered. “I’ve been taking a bit of time to learn about the threat so I didn’t come in here blind and unprepared.”
Spitfire’s brow crumpled in dissatisfaction. “We could have easily caught you up when you got here.” She was obviously not happy and had no intention to hide it. She had met Shining Armor before, but either something had changed, or something was on his mind to make him so sour.
“Not on what I now know,” Shining countered. “Gallows has his forces on the borders but isn’t showing any intention of invading yet. I wouldn’t be too surprised to hear if you told me he’s insisted that he has no invasion plans.” He looked to Twilight expectantly and she returned with a nod and sigh. “As I thought, he’s waiting.”
“Waiting for Owayix? Or do you not know who that is?” Spitfire insisted, almost competing to prove her irritation justified.
Shining looked confused. “No, I don’t.”
“A big blue wandering the skies in a storm cloud, and trying to trample Rainbow,” she answered.
Shining Armor’s eyes widened. “A blue dragon?” The drought from my vision.
“OUR vision, Shiny. Don’t forget that I LET you see what I originally saw.” Sombra’s voice echoed through Shining Armor’s head.
“It’s true,” Twilight said. “The ‘new guest’ I was talking to you about earlier is a Sand Rat from the desert. He served the dragon until it went berserk after Rainbow was ambushed and got away. We don’t have any proof, but we think he might have some connection to Gallows.”
Shining brought a hoof to his chin in thought. Connection yes, but I doubt it’s what they’re assuming. “Perhaps, but at the moment I think we should assume they’re two separate events.”
“Right,” Spitfire grumbled. “Now, since you’re taking over guard duty here, I request permission to leave and join Rainbow Dash on her assignment.”
“Not happening,” Shining Armor said rather bluntly. “With Gallows on our right and a dragon on our left, I’m going to need somepony I can depend on. I’ve seen what my sister’s friends are capable of, and I think they can get back here at least.”
“I can agree with that. They were all quite nearby before we left,” Sombra added.
Glad to see you didn’t bother telling me that, Shining thought back with obvious irritation.
“We had wasted enough time with your endless questioning and resistance, to have told you or let you know would have only delayed us further.” Sombra let out a noise like a yawn to echo in their joint psyche.
Shining let out a sigh before addressing Spitfire again. “Besides, you command the Wonderbolts, and if the griffons decide to move in we’re gonna need our best pegasi in the air.”
Spitfire groaned. “Yeah yeah, same shit I’ve heard.” She turned around and prepared to walk off in a huff, Soarin’ at her side. Worry had plagued her, and here she was getting lectured like a filly without her mark.
Shining returned his gaze to Twilight, meeting a disappointed look from his sister. “Shining, show a little understanding. What if it was Cadence who was in trouble? I haven’t told her this, but between what Nickel has told us and what Spike and I have studied, Owayix easily ranks as one of the greatest powers that we’ve ever heard of, with magic surpassing even myself and Celestia in power. We have to hope Rainbow’s group never encounters him before returning with the elements, or else…” Twilight couldn’t finish the thought.
“Anyway, I think they should be fine,” Twilight said hopefully. “From what I know, I don’t think he has a way to track them that wouldn’t keep them ahead if they keep moving. Now I haven’t told Spitfire this, because she’s under a lot of stress already, and if Celestia taught me anything, it’s that pure logic won’t solve every problem. Show a bit of empathy.”
Shining Armor felt a light weight lift in his mind as Sombra gave what seemed like a grunt of disgust, feeling a pang of guilt as he looked back to Spitfire. “Hey!” he called out, grabbing her reluctant attention. “Sorry I’m late. I’ll take care of the rest of what we have today. Please, take a bit of personal time tonight and relax, whatever you want is on me… I need my partner at her best.”
Spitfire gave a small grin. “Well since you put it that way, I suppose I’ll take the offer. After all, you’d be completely helpless without me,” she laughed, making her way out the doors.
“How deliciously saccharine,” Sombra gagged.
Perhaps an empathetic touch would have benefited you. Shining returned his attention to his sister.
“It’s good to see you again, big brother. How is Cadence?” Twilight asked. Spike let out a light belch into his claw, producing a small scroll and handing it to her.
“Busy as always,” Shining replied. “She says you have her full support if it’s needed.” He sighed and Twilight looked at him like he had more to say. “She’s… worried. Celestia and Luna have been gone a long time and she feels she should be doing more to find them. I agree with her, but this isn’t the time. We came up short the last time we tried, and we need everypony together right now.”
“Of course,” Twilight replied with a smile. “So she helped you teleport over here? Another boost?” Her eyes drifted to the scroll Spike had given to her, looking it over as Shining Armor replied.
“Yeah. Amazing what she can bring out in me when we work together,” he chuckled with a blush.
“Absolutely. If the griffons knew what you two were capable of, I think that would keep them at bay more than the elements!” She kept her smile wide. “Anyway, you offered to take over Spitfire’s duty, and I hate to cut this off, but work has piled up with you gone and there are orders to give. You remember where your room is I assume?”
“Of course I do, Twily,” Shining replied. “I’ll get right on it.”
Twilight watched her brother leave, a frown settling in on her face. “This is concerning.” Spike nodded in agreement with her. On the scroll, a conversation was written in varied flourishes.
Hey, Cadence, did you assist Shining Armor in his arrival?
-Twilight
No, I didn’t. He told me he was leaving days ago. He should have arrived before now.
I see. Did he happen to mention using teleportation before leaving?
Not really. If he did I guess that could explain him only getting there recently, getting closer and all.
Except he’s still drying from the snow.
Odd. Keep a close eye on him, Twilight. This isn’t like him.
“He’s lying to us,” Spike huffed.
“And Cadence,” Twilight agreed. “Something is off about him. I felt it the moment he appeared.”
“His temper is short; you thinking he’s a replacement, like changeling or such?” asked Spike.
Twilight shook her head. “No, that’s Shining Armor, I recognize my own brother.” With a sigh, she looked to the ceiling. “If something is up, he still seems mostly the same and still with us. I think it’d be best to focus on the current threats for now and simply keep monitoring him.”
Spike scratched his forehead. “Your call, but I’m not letting my guard down so easily. He starts attacking, I won’t take it lightly, family or not.”
“I think she noticed me,” Sombra laughed. “Doesn’t help that you’re such a terrible liar.”
Forgive me if I find it a bit difficult to think for myself with you taking up space where you aren’t wanted, Shining Armor growled. Don’t even bother with your retort, I’m thinking it too. ‘I invited you’, is that correct? Not this much. You’re allowed shelter in here, don’t overstep your bounds.
“Was simply making some leg room, besides, I wasn’t controlling anything… just making myself at home.”
Then why was I so aggressive towards Spitfire?
“Dunno. Why were you, Shiny?” Sombra chuckled to himself. “Perhaps a little cranky? I can say quite honestly that I wasn’t tampering with your emotions. Any reason for you being so upset?”
Sombra then began to mimic Shining Armor’s voice, calling out, “I’ve become scum. I don’t deserve the respect of my peers and I’m ashamed of this choice. I regret taking you, and after all this is done, I’m ridding you from this planet.”
Shining Armor visibly scowled, gritting his teeth.
Sombra continued to laugh as he returned to his own voice. “You think all that, and you know that you need me. Sure it doesn’t make it easier, but it makes you feel like the noble martyr, doesn’t it? The self-sacrificing paladin who puts everypony’s needs before his own, at the cost of his own pride and privacy. Oh but what do you need for such things? You’re going to be the hero! The greatest champion of Equestria! Finally living up to the vast shadow your own little sister has cast since her coronation.”
I don’t—
“Why bother arguing? You know that I know what your thoughts are; we share them now. You envy her, even if it is a tiny little part of you. Captain of the guard is worth little compared to the title of Alicorn Princess of Magic. A hero though, nay, a legend… this is what you strive for.”