“YOU BROKE THE CRYSTAL HEART?!?!?!” Twilight shouted. We were sitting in the throne room. Several days had passed, I was fully healed, and both Twilight and Willow were standing in front of us scolding us like children… again. The Crystal Empire was panicking, the other elements were on their way. Basically all hell had broken loose. It was really annoying because things had been going great the past couple of days. Everyone was being friendly and kind, I was getting on Twilights good side… sort of, the crystal ponies weren’t living in fear of our antics. Life was good.
And then I got out of the infirmary.
“We don’t know what went wrong!” We said.
“Twily, it was a routine check up on the heart. I used to do it with Shiny every month!” I could see Twilights expression falter a bit at the mention of her brother. For a moment she seemed miserable, then in a flash it turned to anger. No, not anger. It was pure, unfiltered RAGE. And it was being directed to both Cadence and I. For a brief second and for some reason unknown to me, she wanted us to HURT, and badly at that. Unfortunately nopony else seemed to notice so I just went along with the conversation already at hand.
“Yeah we weren’t even goofing around this time! All I did was stand there! Nothing else!” It was the truth too. Cadence and I might like screwing around a lot (which honestly we mostly do to help her forget about her husband), but even we’re not dumb enough to go playing with the crystal heart like it’s a toy. I was standing on the sidelines while Cadence held her horn against the stone performing a scan to make sure nopony had messed with it. Everything was going fine until the thing just… shattered. Cadence and I just stood their dumbstruck while numerous crystal guards rushed over. And of course our bad reputation led some to believe that we had been goofing off again. Now the entire city’s covered in snow and Tartarus is starting to look like a nice vacation spot.
All of this before breakfast. Wow my day sucks.
“Somehow I find that very hard to believe.” Twilight said through clenched teeth. She closed her eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. “Look, will the two of you just… go?”
“Um… where to, if I might ask?” I said annnnnd there’s the death glare.
“I don’t know you’re room or… something! Just get out of my sight.”
“Alright, we can handle that. Come on Rade.” Cadence stood up gesturing me to follow her. Under other circumstances I’d probably be more upset about being set to my room like I’m some kind of kid. Still though, I wanted to be on good terms with Twilight. Having her angry at me, for whatever reason, was no doubt hurting Cadence and that was the last thing I wanted. So before leaving I turned around calling out her name.
“Twi- no. Princess Twilight!” Twilight let out an angry huff of air as she turned towards me glaring. Cadence just looked at me worriedly while Willow was just curious.
“What do you want Mr. Radiance?”
“Princess, I know you’re angry at me-”
“Gee really?” I bit back the urge to glare at her in return.
“And while I don’t really understand the reason why, I want you to know that whatever I did, I’m sorry. I’m not sure what I’ve done to hurt you, but if you’re ever able to tell me in a way that I can understand, then please do. I would be more than happy to take responsibility for my actions and work as hard as I possibly can to earn your forgiveness if for no other reason than because it’s the right thing to do.” Twilight continued to give me a death glare before pulling her eyes away and looking at the ground in thought. When she finally faced me again her gaze seemed to soften a bit. Not much, but a little.
“I’ll… think about that. Now go. I have a lot of work to do.”
With that said I bowed my head and turned back to Cadence, who was looking at me with what I could only guess was appreciation, and maybe a bit of pride as well. Although as we walked down the hallway I couldn’t help but grumble and whine a little. “I can’t believe we’re being sent back to our rooms like we’re school children.”
“Well at the moment she holds that kind of authority.” I stared at her wide eyed.
“Wait, seriously?”
“Yeah. Normally the order of power goes Celestia, Luna, me and then Twilight. But whenever a sudden national emergency occurs that’s too big for the guard to handle, Twilight suddenly outranks everypony but Celestia. After she assesses the situation, she sends a report to Celestia and we determine whether or not she needs to remain on the job, or if it needs to go to somepony else.”
“Whoa. I always wondered what she did as a princess. Wait so what would qualify you being put in charge of the problem?”
“It would have to be something domestic related on a wide scale. Such as riots caused by cultural differences, or critically important trade routes being suddenly shut down by another country. If it’s a single big magical threat then Twilight remains in charge such as fighting Sombra or something like that. If it’s a threat to all of Equestria and Twilight and her friends are obviously incapable of taking them on, then Celestia takes charge. Nopony ever wants something that dangerous to happen.”
“So wait, who gets control when a war breaks out?”
“Well if that happens, then Luna fights side by side with the troops as the on field commander. She, however, must take orders from… somepony else.”
“Who on Equus can give Luna orders?”
“You… wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“I’m a pretty open minded guy Candy.”
“Blueblood.”
“Not that open minded. Now seriously, who is it?”
“I AM being serious. You’ve seen Bluebloods cutie mark right?”
“Who hasn’t? It’s on the cover of every magazine in existence, along with the rest of him.” I said irritably.
“Right and what’s it a mark of?”
“A compass rose.”
“Exactly. Now tell me, what must his special talent involve.”
“Well… the most obvious thing would be maps.”
“Well yes, but to be more specific his special talent is strategy. He has a photographic memory and can remember where anything is at any given time. He can look at circumstances and calculate what’s going to happen next. How well equipped is the enemy? Where are they currently positioned? What’s the terrain like? What’s the condition of our own troops? In war he takes all of that, puts a few chess pieces on a map, and carefully plans out the best possible strategy. He’s a MASTER tactician. Celestia even says he’s the best she’s ever had.”
“But that… that’s impossible! This is BLUEBLOOD we’re talking about! There’s no way a pony with that kind of behavior could be a master tactician!”
“Ah but his behavior in and of itself is part of his ruse. With Luna on the battlefield, most would assume it was her calling the shots, and if not her then one of the other princesses. Nopony would EVER expect weak, pitiful, momma’s boy Blueblood to be leading an army.”
“There’s no way that would work!” I said as Cadence and I stopped at the door to her room. She pushed it open slightly before turning her head back to me and giving me a sly smile.
“It worked on you, didn’t it?” All I could do was just stare at her wide eyed as my mouth moved up and down, looking for a way to respond. Suddenly the whole of what she said hit me like a ton of bricks. Blueblood was Equestria’s greatest military tactician… and I was not sure how I felt about that.
While I stood there dumbfounded, she walked over to her bed and laid down looking at me expectantly. Snapping my self back into reality I walked over just sat in front of it, staring mindlessly at the wall as I thought about everything that had happened since I came here.
It wasn’t like I WANTED to keep getting Cadence in trouble, I was only trying to make her happy.
“What’s the matter Rade?” she asked. I tried to force a look of oblivious curiosity as I turned to face her. Cadence looked depressed, but not the end of the world kind of depressed she seemed to be whenever she thought of her husband. No she was definitely the screw-this-crap-I’m-tired-of-this-bull kind of depressed and that was definitely a step up.
“Hm? Nothings the matter, why do you ask?” Now I wouldn’t say I’m the greatest liar in the world, but I’m definitely no amateur. Anyone who plays the political game has to have some efficiency at lying without getting caught. But Cadence can see straight through me.
“Don’t give me that. I know something’s upsetting you. It has been for a while. I haven’t said anything because I figured you would tell me on your own but… well it doesn’t really look like that’s going to happen. Please, tell me what’s wrong.”
I sighed. Can’t hide anything from her I suppose. “I’m sorry Cadence…”
“Sorry? For what?” I sighed again, looking away from her.
“It’s just, ever since I arrived here I’ve caused you nothing but trouble. I’m glad that you’re happy and all. That’s what I want you to be and it’s the reason you made me your consort, but I can’t help feeling that I’m getting a bit too much in your way. Sometimes I wonder if…”
“If what?” I heard her ask, her voice cracking a little.
“If… maybe I should go? I mean, my memories aren’t returning to me at all. If I leave and go see more, then maybe something will trigger and- Umf!” I stopped mid sentence as I felt a pair of hooves suddenly wrap around my torso and pull me into the side of the bed. I turned my head to find a teary eyed Cadence staring back at me.
“Don’t go… please don’t go…” She whimpered. Suddenly I felt very guilty, like I’d just kicked a puppy. A very cute, very adorable puppy with bubblegum pink fur that smelled of honey and cinnamon. “Rade, I… I won’t lie. You HAVE been getting in the way of my royal duties… but that’s what I WANT. I don’t want to rule an empire! Not… not alone anyways. I never wanted any of this! Shining was the one who took care of everything… he’s the one who dealt with the nobles! He’s the one who dealt with the laws! I was never anything more than a figurehead! Now that he’s gone I… I…” Cadence broke down crying, pushing her face into my neck and nuzzling me. I felt my body trembling. Half because of my fondness of her, and the other half due to my anger towards myself. At this point in my life, Cadence was all I had. Leaving her alone to deal with all of this by herself would just be selfish and cruel.
I wrapped my own hooves around her, gently stroking her mane as I closed my eyes and hummed. I didn’t really pay attention to what it was I was humming for a few seconds, until I realized it was the song she and Shining made. “I’m sorry Cadence. It was just a thought, nothing more. I’m not going anywhere I promise.” I could hear her sobbing turn to light sniffles as she looked up at me.
“You Pinkie promise?” I smiled.
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” I whispered softly.
She wrapped me in yet another big hug, nuzzling my neck like she’d done before. “Thank you Rade… when Shining died… he left a big hole in my heart… but you… you’ve really helped to fill it back up.” I smiled, my heart swelling with more than it’s fair share of pride. I don’t think anything can make a pony happier than healing a broken heart.
“You’re welcome Cadence.” We sat like that for a while until the floor got uncomfortable for me. Then I hopped up onto the bed and sat beside her. We talked for a bit, normally about random pointless mumbo jumbo. Occasionally she’d ask for my advice on some piece of legislation or how to deal with some noble who was giving her a problem, but for the most part we just did what we always did. Chilled.
Eventually our conversation died down and we ended up just relaxing on the bed, not really doing anything. Over the course of the next hour or so I found myself drifting in and out of sleep. While my body was healed, I was more than a little exhausted. Magical potion or not, the body isn’t meant to heal that way that quickly and it took a lot out of me. According to Willow I was going to feel like I was ‘recovering after drinking a barrel of Appleoosa’s finest’ every day for a week. Just as I was about to nod off for good, Cadence spoke up.
“Hey Rade?”
“Yuh?” I replied sleepily.
“Can… can I ask you to do something for me?”
“Depends. What is it?”
“It’s ah… it’s a bit… personal…”
“I can’t give you an answer unless you ask, Cadence.” She looked away sheepishly for a few seconds before turning her head quickly back to me. Was she… was she blushing?
“Could… could you preen my wings?” I tilted my head a little to the side at that. Honestly I didn’t have any issues with that. Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the cultural significance but… well it’s one of those things that just doesn’t really affect you unless you’re able to experience it. I don’t have wings, so I personally can’t directly understand what it means to have somepony preen my wings. Now if somepony wanted to touch my horn, or rather what’s LEFT of my horn, then we’d have some issues. But to me, wings are wings and even though I understand it’s a big deal, it just doesn’t seem to click for me.
“Sure I don’t mind.” Cadences eyes grew wide and her blush deepened.
“R-really?”
“Yeah it’s no problem. Though I have no idea whether I’ll be any good at it or not.” She unfurled left wing, letting it sit gently on the bed.
“Don’t worry. If you have any issues I’ll let you know and guide you through it.” I nodded my head, looking down at the wing before me. Suddenly, like many other times over the past month, an instinct took over and I quickly got to work.
As I moved my muzzle around, pulling out damaged feathers and readjusting ones that were just out of place I could hear the occasional soft moan or giggle coming from Cadence. Now for most stallions that might be rather exciting. Listening to her squeak as I moved my head through what was easily one of the most sensitive spots on her body would be enough to make most stallions very very happy in certain very special ways.
I am apparently like most stallions. Damn you majority.
As she shifted onto her back raising her right wing up to me so I could get to it, I fought desperately to hide my blush. Pushing my muzzle as far into her wing as I could without actually harming her or hindering my progress. Unfortunately this did not have the intended effect I desired, as the extra pressure only served to increase the intensity and the frequency of her squeals. Suddenly she opened her eyes and looked at mine, her eyes widening when she must have noticed the blush on my face. Then suddenly her face twisted into a devious smile, her eyes catching that little glint of evil I both loved and loathed. Next thing I knew she had taken her wing out of my mouth and let it fall onto the bed I looked at her confused until her hoof hit the back of my head, causing me to lose my balance and fall across her stomach so that we were shaped like a big ‘+’ on the bed. My blush deepened further as she lifted her wing once more, showing that she wanted me to finish preening it while I was laying on top of her. I glared at her in aggravation.
Fine she wanted to play this game, I could play this game. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s put me in a position like this. I continued with the preening, but now I had ulterior motives. Rather than pulling the crooked feathers back into place with my teeth, I began pushing them with my tongue instead. Whenever I removed a damaged feather, I’d immediately nibble the area where it had been pulled out. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but something in the back of my mind told me that the moment a feather was removed, that area becomes extremely sensitive for just a moment or so.
Now don’t get me wrong. Yes, this would normally be what some would call an incredibly sexually intimate situation, but it’s really not. Cadence and I really don’t have much aside from each other at the moment and as a result we have forged a VERY close bond in a very short amount of time. Being another ponies sole reason for sticking on Fausts green Equus will do that to you.
And besides… she’d never see me that way.
Not after Shining………
Damnit… why does my chest hurt?
Anyways I continued preening her wings like this for sometime. Even continuing to mess with her after I was already done, though I wasn’t being nearly as serious about it as I was before. Eventually the pace at which I had been preening her all but ground to a stop as I went from preening to a soft, gentle but constant nuzzle. I could feel Cadences chest rise and fall ever so slowly and I looked over to sneak a peak at her head, smiling to myself when I saw that she’d drifted to sleep. I continued to lay there, comfortable and content as waves of exhaustion caused by the medication began rolling over me. For a moment or two I fought the urge to go to sleep as I put up a less than real struggle to keep my eyes open. Finally though I just couldn’t fight it any longer, and just like her I drifted into the world of dreams.
***
As I walked down the dark stone hallway, I can easily say I was more than a little bit frustrated.
Master Clover had been teaching me a particularly difficult spell for months, the teleportation spell. One of the greatest spells ever invented by his teacher Starswirl, and I was within mere moments of finally achieving it when my concentration was interrupted by one of princess Platinums guards. As frustrated as I was however, I couldn’t bring myself to actually feel angry towards the princess. Whatever it was she had called me for must have been important as she would never DARE to interrupt my lessons unless it was an absolute emergency.
As I came to the end of the hall, I was met by a large pair of double stone doors upon which was engraved a picture of hundreds of unicorns working together to raise the sun and the moon. I gave the door three sharp rasps and waited for her call.
“Enter.” she said, and I pushed the door inward to find myself in her personal chambers. It was a medium sized room, by palace standards of course. Bookshelves filled with ancient and powerful tomes, as well as the occasional raunchy romance novel, lined the walls. Several tables stood beside them littered with alchemical equipment and all sorts of various ingredients and well documented notes. A bright green curtain flowed gently from the simple night breeze that flew in from the open window.
Princess Platinum sat quietly behind her main desk, reading what seemed to be a recently made tome. I couldn’t discern anything of the books genre from the title, though if the blush on her ladies face was anything to go by, I’d hazard a guess at something of a more adult nature.
She closed her book and set it down before looking at me with her brilliantly blue eyes, her mouth upturned as she caught sight of me. I smiled at the familiar sight, her coat so light a gray it was almost white mixed perfectly with her brilliant golden mane. Her royal purple robe clung to her tightly, as her crown sat slightly lopsided on her head having awkwardly grazed her horn.
“Rade, thou knows there is no need to knock upon mine door. Thou are like a son to me, and are welcome in my presence anytime.”
“And thou is like a mother to me, but no matter the griefs of our hearts we must respect the order of our world. And so I will continue to show proper respect as is due your position.” Platinum sighed. I guess I couldn’t blame her. She really did mean a lot to me, and I cared for her deeply since the day she and master Clover took me in. Of course that would not be the tale you were told if you asked others. Much of the populace believed I was actually Clovers and Platinums secret love child and that they were keeping my true identity a hidden to preserve the princesses right to rule, and if it weren’t for the fact that I was the one the rumors were about, I’d be inclined to believe them as well. Truth be told I looked remarkably like Clover and bore many of the princesses traits as well.
“Hark, Rade, for I need thy assistance. The tribes of earth and sky hath come together with us in unity and we hast thus learn'd much of our differences. Howev'r while thou, I, and the other members of higher order consider our races gentle, the ingraft ponies doth not share in our beliefs. The closely guarded secrets of how our charm is woven hath been laid bare for their eyes. With our limits bewrayed they believe themselves strong enough to compass our downfall.”
She stood up from her seat, a pained expression on her face as she walked over to the window, gazing at the night sky. I smiled as I saw the stars twinkling. They were a new addition, a phenomenon that had been taking place over the past several months that nopony anywhere could understand. It boggled the mind of even the greatest of unicorns scholars… save for myself of course. I knew of their origin… but I would die before I told. Platinum knew as well and like me she kept her mouth sealed as she gazed at the new, but welcome, sight. “In a fortnight thither be a ceremony of sorts, to endue our tribes closer. However, the commoners will see little more than a show of strength. Since they understand how few in number art the unicorns, coupled with only a bawbling level of magical capability and higher technology, simply raising the travelling lamp will mean nothing now. And so, in our hour of need, my hoof hath been forced and I must gamble with a hand I swore never to play and summoned thee.”
She looked down, her expression more pained that I had ever seen it before as she looked at me. “Rade, I apologize for doing this to thee, but I hast nay a single say in the matter. For the safety of our people, I wilt ask thou to perform the action that first caught the attentions of thy master, Clover, and myself. I must ask thou. . . to raise Fausts light on thy own.”
***
My dreams were abruptly interrupted as I woke up to a lot of screaming and shouting. Lifting my head up groggily I tried opening my eyes as I shook the sleep away, and was met with a nice flash of lavender to my face. Flying backwards I slammed into the wall behind Cadences bed, pain wracking my body as I tried to force myself back up. Suddenly I heard a sharp ping, the unmistakable sound of a spell being fired and once again I was hit with a blast of magic. This time though I kept my wits forcing my eyes open.
Twilight was standing in the middle of the room just barely being held back by a crying and screaming Cadence as well as several crystal guards. I watched as she once again began charging up another spell.
“RADE! RUN!” Cadence called, but it was too late. Twilights spell fired, and this one was STRONG. I knew immediately that there was no way I could dodge it so on instinct I tried to summon up a barrier. I closed my eyes, digging deep into my magic reserves and against my better judgment summoned up as much of it as I could in an instant and urging it to take the shape of a barrier.
Before I could attempt to release the built up magic however, I heard the distinct sound of magic being deflected, like a dull sword hitting a well maintained shield. Opening my eyes, I was surprised to find myself incased in a clear blue bubble. I looked ahead and found that Twilight was now being properly subdued by the guards and the glow from Candence’s horn was beginning to recede alongside the barrier.
I gave Cadence a nod as I let my magic simmer back down before it could cause me any pain. I looked back over to Twilight who was still trying her hardest to attack me, tears streaming down her face as she screamed and wailed. Now that my panic was over and my adrenaline wasn’t pumping anymore, I could finally hear what she yelling about.
“DAMN YOU TO TARTARUS YOU BASTARD! YOU WON’T REPLACE HIM! YOU CAN’T! HE’S MY BIG BROTHER! MY ONLY BROTHER! YOU CAN’T JUST WALTZ IN AND STEAL HIS LIFE! I WON’T LET YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME?! I WON’T LET YOU!”
Finally everything clicked into place. I looked at Cadence with sorrow in my eyes and I could see she had come to the same realization I did. Twilight wasn’t angry at me because she thought I was hurting Cadence. She was angry because she felt I was taking her big brothers place.