//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: A Queen's Lament 
// by lollipopchica 
//------------------------------//

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza lay in her California king as her aunt was in the process of pulling up the sun up for the day. The rays of the fiery star streamed in through her windows lighting her room and warming her body. Moaning at the warm sensation violet eyes were slow to open as the young princess began what was to be her morning ritual.

Taking a hoof through her voluminous mane, Cadance set up in bed with a coy smile dancing on her lips. Today was going to be the start of something wonderful- she could feel it. The alicorn of love rolled out of bed and made her way to her private bath as she hummed a light and catchy tune. Her bathroom was as luxurious as it was spacious complete with a full-sized bath, shower, toilet and sink.

With lidded eyes, the cerise colored mare used her magic to turn on her rain shower. Waiting for the water to hit the right temperature, she busied around in the closet in search of soap and a brush. After settling on an amber scented shampoo, Cadance hopped into the shower and allowed the high-pressured stream to rain down on her soaking her skin and encouraging her mood.

Half an hour later, the princess walked out of her bathroom fresh and clean. After taking a seat at her vanity she began styling her hair and running over her plans for the day. When she was done, Cadance stared at her pretty in pink features making sure her tiara was straight and not a hair was out of place. When all was to her satisfaction she made her way out of her room and went downstairs to the dining hall for breakfast.

"Morning everypony!" Sang her saccharine voice as she greeted her aunts, cousin and an official or two.

The dining ponies greeted the young alicorn with the same amount of chirpiness as they watched her take her seat amongst them.

Cadance stared at the breakfast the servants had laid out with a pleasant smile and thoughtful humming. There were a variety of fruits as well as pancake stacks set in the middle of table. Deciding on strawberry stacks and a glass of milk, the cerise colored mare magically served herself and quietly took in the conversation around her.

"This new treaty the griffins have proposed is as ambitious as it is cumbersome," Celestia sighed. "But I must admit it shows much potential and if we could meet halfway I feel Equestria could gain a worthy ally."

The beautiful enigma known as Luna smiled at her sister impishly. "If anyone can persevere, it is you Tia. Griffins are tenacious creatures, but I digress. This is one matter I cannot say I envy you over." The table laughed at her teasing words.

Celestia smiled warmly at her sister as she retorted with her own teasing. "Not interested in politics are you?"

"Oh Tia, I may be an exceptional warrioress, but a miracle worker I am not. Diplomatic policy was never my favored choice of study."

"What about you Prince Blueblood," the table's attention turned towards the male aristocrat whose expression said it all.

"No offense Cousin, but for once I do believe we are all in agreement with you," Cadance quipped with a smile in the stallion's direction. Blueblood was not amused but allowed a tight smile anyway. After the teasing had died down Celestia turned her attention to her giggling niece who had popped a strawberry in her mouth.

"You have plans for today," the sol alicorn vocalized in a way that sounded more like a statement.

Violet eyes brightened. "Me, Lyrica and Basil are volunteering at the Canterlot Home for Girls today. We're making the girls lunch." The table was abuzz with approval as everyone admired the love alicorn's ethic. All except Blueblood who snorted at the idea. Normally Cadance would ignore her cousin, but today was not one of those days. She felt like she could take on the world and Blueblood's bad attitude was only the start.

"Something wrong, Blueblood?" Cadance asked with a tilt of her head. "I'm sure Matron would love to see another face if you're interested." The evil look he shot her made her chuckle.

"I think I'll leave that to you, Cadance."

"No harm in a little honest work. Ultimately as servants of the people it's what we're supposed to do." Despite the pleasantness in her tone, no pony missed the princess' shot at the young prince's vanity.

"I guess when you're born into royalty the need to prove it isn't nearly as strong as it is for those who aren't."

A nervous cough was heard as everypony watched the exchange with curiousness.

Cadance smiled at the open insult after taking a sip of her milk. "I suppose you're right. It's good to know a pony's action has no bearing on their worth or else I would hate to see where our nobles would be. I envy you cousin. Not all of us can be as self-assured as you." Cadance's pretty in pink features were confident as she waited for another slick remark. The Prince glowered at the alicorn as he stuffed a bite of pancake in his mouth.

Luna rose a brow at the conversation amused at Cadance's reaction to the prince's spoiled countenance. It was rare for the Princess to call anypony out on anything. 'Perhaps Cadance is growing up,' she thought as she and her sister traded looks.

"So I take it you'll be buried beneath scrolls and locked in heated debate for quite some time?" The love alicorn smiled when she was sure conversation with her cousin was done.

Celestia exhaled rather sadly after swallowing a bite of pancake, "As Equestria's leading diplomat 'quite some time' is certainly an apt description."

"Good morning ma'am, Princess Luna, Prince Blueblood… Princess Cadance." A new pony entered through the dining room's entryway. The group, with the exception of Cadance, addressed the Captain of the Royal Guard with casual smiles.

"Good morning."

"Shining Armor."

"Morning."

Princess Cadance smiled up at her coltfriend timidly as she greeted him with aloof professionalism. "Captain."

She could feel Celestia's eyes on her as she did so. Even though her Aunt had been happy that she had finally decided to take a beau, she wasn't ecstatic to know that it was a prominent member in the royal military or that she had decided to go public with it. A good princess was objective Celestia had said, and above all selfless in her duty to her people.

The royal guardsman raised a brow at the formal greeting but turned his attention to his country's leading monarch.

"Princess Celestia, the Griffin ambassadors have arrived," he informed the sol alicorn.

She nodded as she took the last bite of her breakfast. "Well, it's off to work for me." The pristine colored alicorn stood tall and made her way out of the dining hall. "Luna, Blueblood, Cadance. Oh and Cadance send the Matron my regards." She turned looking for her Captain to escort her.

"I just need a moment with Princess Cadance." Shining Armor replied to Celestia's expectant gaze.

"Don't tarry too long. There is work to be done." With Celestia's parting everyone else decided to go about his or her daily business as well.

Luna barely stifled a yawn as she got on her hooves and showcased a sleepy grin. "I bid you all good day. The night has a way of creeping up on you."

Everyone else dispersed with a nod and quick word leaving Cadance alone with the guard captain.

"I guess that means me too," Cadance smiled at the white stallion as she got up from her seat and made to leave through the doorway he occupied.

Shining Armor grinned as he used a foreleg to block her path.

Violet eyes widened in surprise as the two locked gazes. "Is… something wrong?" Cadance swallowed with a nervous smile as she was forced to stop her movements. She could have easily gone around the stallion but decided to humor him.

"No… I just wanted to give you this." Shining Armor leaned closer to kiss the cerise colored mare who, at the last second, turned her head forcing his lips to connect with her cheek instead of her mouth.

"Cadie?" His confusion was palpable as he pulled away to stare at his marefriend in question.

"Thanks," she grinned. "But my Aunt's already given me one speech. I think I'll wait till you're not on duty so I can really enjoy whatever it is you want to give me. " With a giggle Cadance gave the snow colored stallion a quick nuzzle and continued on her way. "Bye Shining."

Azure colored eyes stared after her as she continued on her way.


*L*O*V*E*M*E*


"Sooo… how does it feel?"

Cadance, Lyrica and Basil had been in the Canterlot Home for Girls for about an hour now working on a stew for the young fillies they would later be spending time with.

Cadance worked diligently at chopping carrots, celery, red bell peppers and garlic at the prep table in the middle of the kitchen, while Lyrica, a sea green unicorn with hair of a lighter hue, was at the stove in front of the prep table to the right of the kitchen sink stirring the brew and adding herbs as she saw fit. Basil, who was a blue roan colored pony with a dark mane, sat on the counter top to the alicorn's left inspecting her hooves as her friends worked.

"How does what feel?" Cadance asked stilling her knife as she blew a stray lock of hair out of her face. Pretty in pink features regarded the blue roan with admonishment steeped in annoyance. "Working you mean?"

Basil smirked at the princess waving her scowl away. "Work is overrated, Cadance. I'm talking about having a coltfriend." Cadance rolled her eyes at her friend. Basil was a noble's daughter who despite her self-seeking attitude was actually a hardworking shop owner.

"I don't kiss and tell," the cerise colored alicorn stuck her nose up in the air before magically grabbing a bowl full of freshly picked tomatoes by the sink on the counter top nearest to Lyrica. The home had its own vegetable garden and the trio had to go out and pick their ingredients before they could start preparing a meal.

"I didn't know you kissed," came Basil's snide comment as she folded her forelegs across her chest.

Cadance made a face at the glowering mare before taking a tomato from the basket. The royal mare gave her knife a spin before setting out to section the tomato into fourths.

"Nice try, Bazi but you may want to up your tactics before trying that one on me."

Basil huffed as she rolled her bright blue eyes. "Fancy," she muttered annoyed with her friend's fiercely urbane attitude and showy knife skills.

Lyrica's melodic giggle could be heard as she watched over her friends with a wry smile. The sea green pony with golden eyes shook her head as she continued to stir the thick stew she had boiling. "No need to be sour Basil. Cadance likes to take things slow and as her friends we should respect her wishes." Lyrica, an actor's daughter from Manehattan, was an aspiring singer.

"Thank you, Lyra," Cadance over-emphasized with a triumphant smirk at the blue roan. Basil's bossiness was usually curbed by Lyra's kind disposition.

"Come off it, Cadance." Basil breathed as she hopped off the counter top to check the baker's oven that was on the other side of the room. "You're dating one of the city's hottest stallions'- live a little. No offense to your Aunt, but you don't want to be a 1,000 years old and still be a virgin. I know Shining Armor certainly isn't… the virgin part I mean." Basil doubted that the sol alicorn was inexperienced, but then again she had never seen her with anypony. Not that that mattered, but saying anything wayward about Celestia was a sure way to get a response out of the love alicorn. The blue roan opened the oven wide enough to peep in on her four loaves of bread before turning to see a pair of candy colored eyes glaring at her with thinly veiled annoyance.

"First off, I could do without thinking about my Aunt's sleeping arrangements. Secondly, my romantic escapades are not up for your critique." Her tone and expression booked room for no opposition as she magically floated the bowl of now sliced tomatoes to Lyrica who took it and poured it in the stew.

"She has a point Basil… How it happens for her is her business," The singer turned her gaze to Cadance with a kind smile. "But you will tell us if it happens right?"

"Of course," Cadance said as she gathered her chopped ingredients in separate bowls to give to Lyrica. If she was disturbed by the interest her friends showed in her love life it didn't show.

"So I didn't see you drunkenly stumble off with our dear Captain a few weeks ago at that ball your Aunt hosted?" Lyrica asked innocently. Violet eyes widened considerably. Lyrica's eyes were full of mirth at the Princess' expense.

"Seriously?!" Basil shrieked with a giant grin on her muzzle abandoning her intention of taking out the bread. "Details, Cadance, Details!"

It wasn't a secret between the trio that Cadance had a crush on the then guard pony, but after that party Lyrica had noticed the two were more affectionate towards each other despite their shyness. Two weeks later they were an official couple. Coincidence? The singer didn't think so.

Lunch was a little late at the Canterlot home for girls that day.

"Thank you ladies so much! The girls loved the meal and the attention." Matron's weary features were full of appreciation as she hugged the three mares. The trio had just had parting words with the younger girls and the home's staff. The home housed 20 fillies in addition to four house supervisors, Matron included.

"It was our pleasure," came Lyrica's pleasant voice.

"We'll have to volunteer here again soon," Cadance agreed.

"If you ever need a bargain for clothes, feel free to stop by my shop. The girls deserve it," Basil added with a grin. Shockingly, it was Basil who interacted the most with the younger fillies. Cadance and Lyrica had traded looks as they watched their friend; neither would've pegged the female patrician as maternal.

Gratitude flashed in the older mare's eyes as she thanked the girls for their service again. After exchanging farewells for the last time, the three mares were on their way to their favorite coffee shop to unwind before returning to their respective homes.

The Cocoa Bean was located in uptown Canterlot, which was about a 15-minute trot away from the home. But because Cadance and her friend's ran in the upper crust of Canterlot society it turned into a 20-minute journey as the trio was stopped by a few denizens wanting to chat.

The Cocoa Bean was a chic café dressed in light colors with French accents. After entering the privately owned establishment the trio greeted the owner and headed upstairs to take a seat at their regular table that was located on the outside veranda.

A light bay colored pony greeted the mares and quickly took their orders.

"That was good fun," Lyrica smiled after the female waiter left.

"Maybe there's something to that altruistic heart of yours." Basil admitted to the love alicorn who appeared lost in thought.

"Looking for foals of your own, Mama Bazi?" Lyrica teased turning that dreamy smile of hers onto the blue roan.

The other huffed before folding her arms across her chest. "Nothing wrong with foals, but I'm not looking for any anytime soon."

Their waiter had returned with their drinks and snacks. "You ladies need anything else?"

"No thanks," Cadance spoke up. "We'll call if we change our minds." Dismissed, the waiter went about tending to her other patrons.

The love alicorn was thoughtful as she half listened to her friends go on about their plans for the next couple of days. Lyrica would be touring for the next couple of weeks, while Basil would be attending some fashion shows to find some new designers for merchandise to sell in her shop.

The conversation trickled off as the two ponies carefully studied the oddly introspective alicorn.

"Cadance…" Lyrica began, "Is everything alright?"

Violet eyes blinked as she was pulled from her own thoughts to regard the mares in front of her. "What do you-"

"Cadance?" At the sound of a familiar masculine voice, Lyrica and Basil perked up as the love alicorn turned to look over her shoulder.

Canterlot's Captain of the Royal Guard stood there in his official uniform with a grin on his snow white features. Candy colored eyes widened ever so slightly as she took in the visage of Shining Armor. What was he doing here? Thought the Princess as she heard her friends giggling at her reaction. Vocalizing her confusion she placed her hooves on the table as she gave him her full attention. "Shining? What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see how you're day was going and maybe take you out for dinner." The stallion approached the trio's table and took a seat after politely acknowledging Lyrica and Basil.

"But Aunt Celestia…" Cadance protested weakly with an anxious expression shadowing her features.

"Is still stuck in negotiations… She told me to enjoy the rest of my day with my beautiful marefriend." Cadance rose a brow at that one but made no reply.

"Second times the charm, I've heard it said," Basil grinned lecherously at her cerise colored friend.

"We can always catch up later." Lyrica chimed in.

"Nonsense…" Cadance gave a nervous chuckle before sipping daintily at her coffee beverage. "You guys will be leaving tomorrow and I won't see you till much later in the month. What about the plans we made for tonight?" She stressed giving her friends a look that communicated bodily harm if her demands were not met.

Basil and Lyrica traded looks before reluctantly corroborating her excuse.

"Oh yeah… I forgot."

"We were going to that thing."

Shining Armor looked on the whole exchange with a small frown. His marefriend wasn't avoiding him… was she? The disappointment that shined in his blue eyes almost made the love alicorn feel bad. "Oh… well… I guess I'll see you later then?" He asked his tone unsure.

"I'll make it up to you," she promised apologetically lightly tapping the bottom of his chin with a dainty hoof. Leaning forward, the cerise colored princess placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before she whispered sweetly in his ear. "Meet me in the garden tonight." Pulling away, candy colored eyes locked with his curious gaze as a small smile made its way across his muzzle. "Ten o'clock too late for you?"

"Not at all."

Cadance giggled and shot him a wink. "Then I'll see you then, Captain."

"Princess." With that the stallion stood, said goodbye to the other mares and took his exit. Candy colored eyes followed his retreat until he disappeared through the veranda's exit. With a sigh, the love alicorn turned her attention to her friends who both had confused expressions on their faces.

Pushing forward with random conversation, she shrugged away their inquiries with a coy smile and a sip of coffee.


*L*O*V*E*M*E


The forgotten Canterlot caves were eerily beguiling with its incandescent fungi and twinkling gems of emerald and amethyst. The natural structure and earth of the old mining tunnels was a mix of mauve and margarita green. One could say it was an enchantingly dreary place thanks to its vast emptiness and softly lit chambers. It was in this place that Princess Mi Amore Cadenza found herself regaining consciousness from a series of events she could not recall.

Her candy colored eyes took in her bleary surroundings as chills tingled down her spine. Everything was so dim and the poor mare had no idea how she'd woken up in such a place.

The ground was firm and the cold that saturated her body made her teeth chatter ever so slightly. Everything about her current surroundings felt uninhabited, as if it'd been a lifetime since any pony had been to this place. The air was still and yet the smell of earth was strong as it washed over her senses making the large underground chamber seem smaller than it was. Her head ached miserably as she slowly pushed herself up to sit on her haunches.

"Hello?" She winced with foggy thoughts stained by fear and confusion.

Silence.

A cool draft made her shiver as she took a deep breath and forced herself to stand on shaky legs.

"Hello!" She yelled. 'Hello!'

"Is anybody there?" Her echo greeted her again. 'Is anybody there?'

"Please!" She cried as her desperate tone resounded. 'Please!'

Cadance had never been one to be afraid of the dark, but there was something about being completely alone in a dark and unfamiliar place that had her trembling and afraid to move. The mare sniffled as her circumstances began to close in on her. It was an understandable response, but the mare knew she couldn't afford to have such an idea if she wanted out. Swallowing the unpleasant emotions, she forced herself to move around the large cavern squinting as she took in her situation.

There were two entryways in the cavern: one on the far right the other on the far left. The cerise colored alicorn had no idea where she was and picked a tunnel at random. Making way to the tunnel that was far right, she channeled her magic to her horn for some source of light as the glowing fungi wasn't enough for her to see properly.

As she stood at the mouth of the tunnel, she steeled her nerves for whatever it was she might come across. The soft glow of magic bathed the tunnel in warm light and Cadance squinted ahead as the path before her was swallowed by darkness. "You can do this," she muttered half convincingly to herself. "You can get out of here." She started forward cautiously with only the sound of her own hoof falls to keep her company.

"What happened?" she whispered aloud to herself. "How did I get here?" Concerted features melted into an expression of disappointment as another attempt at recalling previous events ended in failure. With a grunt, Cadance pushed harder as the ground seemed to slope upward. It was hard to concentrate as her head still hurt and her thoughts were still jumbled. She could barely concentrate enough to keep the light at the tip of her horn glowing. Black spots swam across her vision and the princess had to stop as she leaned against the tunnel's wall.

She'd only been moving for a couple of minutes when she suddenly felt faint. Pink ears began to twitch as she was faintly aware of hoof falls that were not her own. Blinking away her darkened vision, violet eyes searched the tunnel desperately.

Was that a light ahead of her?

Sure enough white beams of light shone about 20 meters ahead. "Cadance?" A familiar voice sounded faintly, "Cadenza… is that you?"

"Aunt Celestia…" She murmured before a jubilant expression overtook her face. "Aunt Celestia!" She called pushing off the cool tunnel walls and breaking into a gallop.

"Cadance?" The voice repeated.

The hope that filled her body was enough to make her forget her ailments and sprint against the sloping terrain to what she knew was her rescue. "Oh Aunt Celestia!" She could now make out an ethereal figure standing in the light prompting her to move faster.

All she wanted was to be back in her home with her amazing family and wonderful coltfriend. All she needed was a hot bath and a warm meal and she could put this confusion behind her. Celestia was right there as the princess pushed forward. Blinded by hope, she didn't notice that the tunnel ended and that all that would greet her was a steep 20-foot downward slope into another chamber.

There was a short scream as the love alicorn found herself tripping and tumbling towards the ground. She groaned as her slim build slammed into earth over and over before ultimately crashing through a stalagmite, leaving her dazed and bruised. "Aunt Celestia," She moaned shocked and afraid.

When her terror melted the pain set in causing her to squeeze her eyes shut. Was anything broken? Where was her aunt? What had just happened? The Equestrian ruler had been less than six meters in front of her and suddenly she was rolling downhill.

"Cadance… Are you alright?" Celestia's voice sounded again. This time by her ear. Candy colored eyes shot open as they took in the pristine features of the concerned sol alicorn who was gently nuzzling her awake. Her aunt had never looked more majestic than she did now shining brightly in this dimly lit cave.

A sigh of relief was her only response as tears obscured her vision. "Celestia!" She cried as she forced herself onto her belly not caring about the bits of dirt and rock that stuck to her coat and mane. Reaching out, she threw her forelegs around the taller pony's neck. "Thank Maker you found me!" she continued as she held tightly to her savior's neck.

Celestia returned the embrace with her own sigh of relief. "I feared the worst when I couldn't find you earlier. Is anything broken?"

"No," Cadance returned after feeling herself out. "Just bruised."

"Good," breathed the Equestrian monarch as she broke the embrace to stare deeply into violet eyes. "Cause that would be a real shame."

Violet eyes were etched with confusion as the voice that sounded was nothing like her aunt's. "A-aunt… Celes…tia?"

"What's the matter Princess? Aren't you happy to see me?" The voice that sounded through the large cavern was devoid of warmth or familiarity. It was eerie with its multi-tonal effect and dark undertones. The benevolent expression she associated with her aunt twisted into something devious as an ill-omened smirk stretched its way onto pristine features.

"Who are you," she managed without stumbling over her words. The mare in front of her was not her aunt and Cadance found herself shrinking backwards as she wasn't sure what to expect from this pony she found herself alone with. The fear she felt before was nothing compared to the uncertainty she felt now.

Violet eyes widened as she watched the mare in front her become swallowed by green flames only to reemerge as her coltfriend. "Good question," Came the cold voice of Shining Armor. "I can be anypony." The Princess watched in horror as the creature before her shifted again- this time into herself. "But I think I'll keep this form for now." Her tormentor snickered as she spun around showing off her new body. "Aren't I pretty?" She mocked.

"No!" Cadance gasped as she fell back onto her flank. "Why are you doing this?" She whimpered appalled by this mockery in front of her. "Who are you?!"

"Who I am and what I'm doing is of little importance to you," Came her doppelganger in a bored tone as she examined her hooves.

"Answer me!" The Princess demanded finding strength within herself on the cold, hard ground. "What did you do?"

"There's that lively spirit," Laughed the other Cadance in a dark tone. "Unfortunately you aren't in a position to make demands of me."

"To hell I'm not!" Cadance snarled with a determined expression.

"Ah, ah, ah, language… It's impolite for royalty to speak in such a manner." She chastised before a wicked smile blossomed across her features. "Something on your mind? That Shining Stallion of yours perhaps?" The doppelganger laughed at the outrage that flitted across cerise features. "He's waiting for me as we speak…"

"Y- you you won't touch him!" Cadance made to lunge, but her double caught her mid-air in a magical chokehold.

"Is the Princess upset over something I said," The malevolent Cadance teased without a shred of remorse. "Rest assured Cadenza, all is in my capable hooves."

"Who are you…" Cadance gasped struggling against the darker magic. "Where have you taken me?"

Finally, the doppelganger released the choking princess allowing her to fall into a heap on the ground. "All in good time, Princess… All in good in time. But for now, why don't you sleep…" And with a burst of acidic green magic the world went black as Princess Cadance lost consciousness.

Chrysalis under the guise of Cadance, made her way through the castle with a coy smile on her faux cerise features. Staff and officials alike smiled at the disguised changeling queen. Incapacitating the real princess had been easier than she thought. The girl was too trusting for her own good.

"Jun, are you saying you don't…" She couldn't even form the words. "You don't want to marry me anymore?" The apricot eyes of Summer Breeze stared disbelievingly at the stallion she was supposed to marry in less than a week.

The duo stood outside one of the city's clothing boutiques. The cream colored mare with her cherry red mane was looking at last minute items for their wedding. 

Juniper Blaze looked at his now ex-fiancée with a solemn expression on his burnt orange face. His golden mane blew soundlessly as maroon colored eyes belied a smidgen of apology. "Summer… I…" 

"How long?" Her tone was quiet despite the emotion boiling beneath her skin. How could this have happened? Jun had been her best friend, her only coltfriend… He was supposed to be the one.

"What?"

"How long have you felt this way!" Pale eyes snapped up as frustration bled into the reeling pony's tone. "By this time next week we'd have been married, so how long have you known that you didn't want to be with me anymore?"

"Summer, what does it matter-" He sounded so tired, but the cherry haired mare couldn't find it within herself to care. She had to know no matter how badly it would cut her.

"It matters to me!" 

Maroon colored eyes glanced around anxiously, embarrassed by the quiet attention they were receiving. "I don't think this is the time nor place…" Even though the street was rather calm a few ponies were still milling about going about their business. Some were beginning to stare.

"Tell me!" Summer demanded as a hint of desperation slipped into her tone. Pale apricot eyes were beseeching despite the anger that swam in their depths.

"The last two months…" He relented after an internal battle with himself.

"The last two months?! You've known this for two months and you decided to wait…" Summer bit her lip as she struggled not to lose herself to the tumultuous emotions she felt. Just when she thought she had everything under control a horrible thought crossed her mind. Had Jun… found… "Is… Is there someone else?" came her quiet tone.

"Maybe…" 

The cream colored Summer felt her heart shatter in her chest. "I see…"

"Summer, I didn't plan this… I never wanted to hurt you. I still car-"

The sound of a hoof striking flesh sounded loudly across the face of the warm hued pony. "Well you did… and I don't think I can ever forgive you." Juniper preferred her angered shouts to the tears that stained her face or the breathless sound of her crying.

"Summer…" He tried to placate to no avail as the mare took off away from him. "Summer wait!" Juniper was about to give chase when something or somepony halted his intention.

"Let her go…" Came the quiet voice and gentle hoof of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. "I'm sorry I couldn't help but overhear..."

"Princess!" Maroon eyes were wide with shock before softening into something remorseful.

Cadance had just finished talking to her friends as the trio had agreed to meet up at the Canterlot Home for Girl's in the next two days. She was on her way home from the Cocoa Bean when she happened upon the quarreling couple. She had been thinking about using her magic when the mare had slapped her coltfriend.

Juniper sighed before asking a favor of the renowned Princess. "Could you talk to her and make sure she's okay?"

"Of course…"

"Tell her I'm sorry?" came Juniper's timid voice as his shame filled gaze wandered down to cobblestone.

With a nod Cadance took off after the crème colored mare. Violet eyes had watched as the crying mare had shot around a corner and down what she knew to be a back alleyway. "Summer!" Cadance had called as she followed a trailing mane of red. "Summer, wait!"

When she finally caught sight of the distraught pony again, she was at the end of the alleyway sitting down with her head bowed in front of a dead end. There was nowhere else for her to run. Cadance skidded to a halt as she took in the feminine form hunched over in a defeated posture. Her shoulders were trembling as the breathless sound of crying could be heard from the poor creature ahead of her.

'Poor thing…' Thought Cadance as she slowly approached.

"Summer?"

"…"

"Summer…" Cream colored shoulders shook harder as the Princess now stood directly behind her. Reaching out with a cerise colored foreleg, Cadance placed a dainty hoof on the mare's shoulder. "Everything will be okay," She comforted softly before spinning the mare around. The cerise colored princess was greeted with a sight that made her stumble backwards in surprise.

"Sum… mer?" The cream colored mare known as Summer Breeze was not crying as the Alicorn thought. Laughter that had been soft at first, was now boomingly scathing as 

Summer threw her head back allowing the sound to fill the air. 

"Too easy…" She smirked as apricot eyes showcased ill-intent.

"W-what's going on?" Cadance stammered as her skin prickled with fear. 

"Wouldn't you like to know…" Summer replied as she stood on all fours before slowly advancing.

Cadance turned to run but before she could take a step she felt some foreign substance splatter around her back cannon bones binding her back legs. The Equestrian Princess hit the ground with an umpf. She could still hear the mare behind her laughing at her expense. Before she could scream out for help the same sticky substance that bounded her legs was shot over her mouth as Juniper now stood above her with a chiding expression on his orange face. "Sorry Princess, but we can't afford to let you ruin our plans." He spit another blob of goop to bind her forelegs as well.

Summer came up from behind the bound mare shaking her head as she watched the alicorn struggle fruitlessly against her binds. Apricot eyes glowed with an icy hue as Summer informed her Queen of their mission's success. 

Moments later there was a flash of green magic as a smooth skinned creature of onyx was born of green flames before the love alicorn. 

Overwhelmed and afraid, the princess promptly fainted. 

The illusion spell she used to interview the mare was very potent. It'd taken the alicorn a day and a half to regain consciousness. After she'd found the mare looking for an escape, Chrysalis placed her in a changeling cocoon. The magical pod would ensure the mare didn't hurt herself as well as keep her sustained and out of the way. Honestly, Chrysalis had no reason to hurt the mare so she didn't- But the princess didn't need to know that.

With Cadance accounted for, Chrysalis could finally continue her guise without worrying about anypony foiling her plans.





A/N: I imagine Cadance's character to be much like Lila from Hey Arnold or Ella from TDI: Pahkitew Island- just annoyingly pleasant (I actually like Lila and Ella. lol) Also, if you noticed, I made a vague comment about Cadence's origins which are very sketch in my opinion. There's actually a great story called "Precious Soul of Mine" by nioniosbbb [on fimfiction ] that presents a plausible and well thought out explanation for the princess. 

One more thing- I know they're ponies but I imagine their hooves follow the same line of physics that the powerpuff girls' arms/hands do. lol. I so apologize in advance for anything crazy. lolol. Any suggestions for that sort of thing would be appreciated