//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: Sweet Hearts and Princesses // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// "Shining!" Twilight's eyes lit up at the sight of her older brother. School had just let out and the young filly had been expecting her mother. Shining Armor hadn't walked her home in weeks so to see her brother outside the school doors made her tiny heart leap with pleasant surprise. In fact, she hadn't truly spent time with him since the whole behemoth sighting at the old mill. The snow colored stallion smirked at the greeting as he stood outside his sister's school. "Twiley!" He returned with just as much enthusiasm. "Are we going for ice cream?" She gushed with wide eyes after barreling to him in excitement. Shining Armor chuckled at her behavior. "Anything you want." Sometimes he forgot she was still just a filly who liked the normal things other kids liked. The two were trotting to Delia's as Twilight casually talked about her day. "I told Ms. Blossom it was a trap, but she didn't believe me. Loki can be such a jerk sometimes," Twilight breathed with a shake of her head. "And poor Ms. Blossom had to stay stuck like that until Mr. Fixit could be brought down to the school." Shining Armor glanced at his sister out of the corner of his eye. Sometimes he wondered why his parents sent his sister to that school. Not because it was a bad one, but just because his sister's perception of education was so different from ponies her own age. After the duo had arrived and took their usual seat, Twilight ran to the counter and placed her order. With a heavy sigh, the older Sparkle took his seat and waited to tell his sister the news. After the conversation he had with his marefriend he decided maybe it was time for him to move out and find his own place. He'd already spoken with his parents. Now the only pony left to tell was his sister. It went about as well as he expected it to. "You're leaving?!" "You make it sound as if I'm skipping town." He winced at both the hurt and volume in her voice. "I hardly ever see you anymore as it is," Twilight whined. "I know and after this next assignment I promise I'll be around more. Celestia just wants us to be extra careful. Behemoths are no light matter." "But how can you be around if you live some place else?" Was Twilight's incredulous reply. "You've always known eventually I'd have to move out." "But I don't want you to go. You're my best friend." She admitted rather sadly. "I know and you're mine, but it's time for me to branch out and do my own thing. It won't change the fact that you're my go to girl. You're my sister Twilight. I could never forget you." "Does Chrystal know? What am I saying... Of course she does. It was probably her idea." "Twilight-" "So it was her idea." The younger Sparkle sounded bitter and it bothered him. "It came up but ultimately it was my decision." He never thought of tenacity as a character flaw, but as of late he was beginning to. Everything was always a fight and, frankly, he was sick of it. "I don't believe you." Said his sister as she raised her chin in defiance. "You really don't have to, but at this point that's the reality of things." He didn't mean to sound so harsh but it seemed to be the only way of effectively communicating himself. "So you're really moving out?" Shining Armor watched the fight ebb out her as her voice softened and her eyes misted. "Yep." "Do Mom and Dad know?" "Yes." "And they're okay with it?" "More or less." "Can.... Can I come visit?" Twilight asked after a while. Even if she didn't like his choice, Shining Armor was still her brother and she loved him fiercely. "Any time you want." He grinned relieved that his sister was accepting despite her reluctance. "What else do you want to do today?" * 3333 * Life quickly fell into a routine for the couple as they adjusted to being roommates. While Chrysalis worked during the day, Shining Armor mostly worked at night. Twilight's resentment towards her brother's moving out faded as she realized not much had changed and she saw him on an almost daily basis. She even lost some of her animosity towards Chrystal, though she was still wary of the older mare. Whether Chrysalis had realized it or not, being with Shining Armor was making her a more approachable pony. She was one of Delia's best workers and the patrons looked on her with wry acceptance growing used to her personality. "Delia! These are heavenly!" Chrystal moaned as she savored her boss' newest creation. The pink treat was devoured only seconds after the mare had received it. The earth pony wriggled her eyebrows playfully. "Aren't they," she grinned savoring her own work. The two were in the kitchen of Delia's shop working on the month's new featured treat: strawberry margarita cupcakes. They could hear Olaf chatting politely with a customer as he diligently ran the store with the help of another pony named Clara. "The secret," Delia enlightened, "is a healthy squeeze of lime juice in the batter. Makes 'em sparkle on your tongue." Chrysalis stored that tidbit away for later. "Where's that coltfriend of yours?" Asked Delia after she'd moved to start on another batch of cupcakes for tomorrow. Chrysalis, following her boss' lead, started to work on more icing. "He had another assignment. They're making sure nothing dangerous is lingering about the smaller towns." Delia nodded as the conversation took a serious turn. "If you still need time-" "That was a month ago. Everything's fine now." Assured the charcoal colored pony as she forced herself not to react to 'the incident' as she had taken to calling it. "Shining Armor should be back soon." "I thought he was supposed to be back yesterday." Chrysalis shrugged, "Sometimes you never know with Celestia's brand of worry." Delia nodded. She opened her mouth to comment when a commotion from up front reached their ears. "Ma'am, you can't come back here!"Came a frantic Olaf. "Either you get Chrystal out here now, or I'm going back there!" Olaf stared at the obviously older mare with exasperation. Madame Brass was not one to be denied when she really wanted something. Right now, she really needed to see Chrystal. "Olaf?"Came the concerned voice of Delia as she emerged from the kitchen's entryway. "What's going on?" "This lady-" Chrystal came out just as the colt was explaining the situation. "Madame B?" Her face scrunched with uncertainty. "What're you doing?"Her landlord was clearly upset. "Chrystal, honey- Mint colored eyes lost their fire as they stared on the mare who had come into her life. "I'm afraid I have some news-" "Is your son okay?" She knew that the widow had a son in a hospice in Manehattan. Had his health taken a turn for the worst? "No-" Brass shook her head as she thought over how to say what she needed to. "It's Shining Armor, dearest. He's at the hospital..." Chrystal blinked as her mind stuttered in processing the words. "Why is he there?" She laughed unsurely. "Was somepony hurt?" Delia and Olaf traded looks before turning their attention back to their co worker. Madame Brass' expression turned pleading. "Dearest, there were some... complications... he was hurt." * 3333 * "Attention passengers," chimed the train's stewardess over the intercom. "If your destination is Ponyville you have now reached your stop and are free to depart. Thank you for choosing Pocket Pony Express, We hope you've enjoyed your trip. Next departure for Canterlot is in thirty minutes." The reporter disguised changeling exited the train without a backwards glance. It had taken her a week to authenticate her newest lead as well as maneuver her false identity with little to no questioning. Odonata's first thoughts about Ponyville were that the town was quaint and storybook peaceful. The denizens were kind and entirely too trusting, just the kind of conditions a runaway could use to their advantage. When she asked about Coal Ember, ponies would shake their heads and comment that it was such a tragedy. "I couldn't believe it," one mare had said. "I had talked to Ivy only a few weeks before... I didn't want to believe it, but the 'science' spoke for itself. They say that if not treated properly the dead have a way of taking care of their unfinished business. Especially if a grave ain't marked." Odo had blinked at that one. But in a town where the people had lost two of their own in such a senseless way, who was she to point out the paradox of science proving superstition. What she was more interested in was finding and talking to Coal Ember. * 3333 * Chrysalis pushed into the bar, green eyes on full alert as she looked around for Shining Armor. For once, Butterbeard's wasn't packed and the unicorn disguised changeling was able to find her lover with ease. After Madame B's news had finally sunk in, the changeling wasted no time in searching for her colt friend. Delia had completely understood offering her support. Of course Chrysalis turned her down, but the gesture made her prepare herself for the unknown. "Shining Armor?" Her relief was short lived as her concern for the stallion multiplied when she caught sight of his defeated posture. She could feel the distress he held around him and it instantly made her nauseous. Swallowing down the unpleasant feeling, she quietly took a seat beside the obviously upset pony. She watched as he drank one butter rum, and then another... and another... and another. "Don't you think you've had enough?" She asked stopping his hoof from grabbing his sixth or seventh drink. "Chrystal..." He slurred her name a bit as he turned to look at her. The turmoil that dulled his blue eyes, cut at her black heart. "Madame Brass told me you were in the hospital and when I went to find you the nurse said you'd left..." The stallion took a moment to compose himself before answering her question."There was an accident Chryssie...I... Justyx died." Harlequin eyes widened as a hoof went to her mouth in obvious shock. Chrysalis couldn't find the words to express herself as she thought back on the white stallion with jet black hair. While she found him to be obnoxiously arrogant, he was fiercely loyal to the stallion who owned her heart. The two had been best friends. "What happened?" Was her quiet reply. He turned those hurt eyes onto her and Chrysalis didn't know it was possible to hurt like this when it wasn't you experiencing a loss. The intense emotion took her breath away. Rather than ask him to relive the loss of his friend, she decided she needed to get him away from this place. "Let's just go home okay?" "Yea..." She had hoped that he would open up to her on the way, but Shining Armor remained silent the whole trip back to their apartment. She didn't say a word when the stallion continued to the bedroom and quietly shut the door. Staring at the door, the changeling princess sighed as she turned her gaze to the lonely spot by the fireplace. *1111* One week later, his mood still had not improved and it was beginning to take a toll on her changeling senses. She started picking up extra shifts at the bakery so she wouldn't have to feel it. Chrysalis loved Shining Armor, but she couldn't stand this misery he willfully encased himself in. Nothing seemed to help. Not even a visit from Twilight. He didn't even go to the memorial, something she seriously felt he'd regret. It wasn't until after a frustratingly long day at Delia's that she demanded he tell her what happened and come to terms with the situation. Steeling herself for an ugly confrontation, the coal colored mare stared at the door to her apartment before taking a deep breath and going in. And just as she predicted, things had escalated rather quickly. "You don't understand, Chryssie..."Shining Armor could feel a headache coming on as he placed a hoof to his temple. Chrystal had always been demanding, but today he really was in no mood to put up with it. "Then help me!" Was the changeling's fierce reply. "Avoiding the situation is only going to make it worse!" A look of rage flashed upon his features and Chrysalis found herself flinching in surprise as he angrily swiped his forelegs across the bar sending plates and a vase full of flowers crashing to the floor splintering glass and water. "I can't!" He snarled with grey eyes ablaze. "I can't... I couldn't... I wasn't strong enough!" Suddenly, all his anger evaporated and was replaced with angst as he sank to the floor. Tears fell from his eyes as he stared angrily at the floor. Chrysalis stared on with shock as she realized just how much he was holding onto. She slowly approached the shaking stallion, sinking down to his level so she could look him in the face. "Shining... You did all you could..." "You don't know that..."Was his harsh lament. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around him before placing a soft kiss to his forehead as he took rattling breaths. After a few moments he pushed her away and headed to the bedroom leaving Chrysalis in a heap of frustration. After he'd calmed considerably, the changeling disguised pony had an idea and the duo found themselves deep in the White Tail Woods miles and miles away from Canterlot. Ponyville was only a couple miles away. The changeling princess had used a special transportation spell that had taken them to a small rustic home in the forested area. Due to her inexperience and underdeveloped magic, Chrysalis had exhausted much of her magic reserves transporting them to this quiet place. Surrounded by trees and the dark night sky, Chrysalis felt that some time away from the city might help. The sound of the forest was cathartic as it soothed the nerves. Despite the weakness she felt, she pushed forward determined to comfort the devastated stallion watching her from the porch of the forested home. "Before I lived in Canterlot, I lived with an older stallion for about six months." Chrysalis didn't have to see him to know he'd make a face. "He was elderly mind you, but he taught me how to live on my own the way Earth ponies did." Tired blue eyes watched as she went about lining wood beneath a cauldron she had just finished filling with water. He continued to watch as the mare went about kindling the wood she'd just organized. Chrysalis grinned as her efforts were rewarded by a bright and blazing fire. Pa Herbert would be proud. If today were any other day Shining Armor would be impressed with her aptitude as unicorns didn't work themselves the way earth ponies did, but Chrysalis wasn't really expecting a response. She just wanted him with her and not holed up alone festering in guilt. Her voice was low as she continued. "He was blind... and his granddaughter had runoff some time ago. I never corrected him so he thought I was her. Her name was Ivy May... Can you picture me an 'Ivy May?'" She looked to give him a wry smile he didn't return. Turning back to her work, she continued. "The first few months were hard..."She swallowed as she thought about how she'd turned her back on her family and her people. "Really hard. Back home I was something like a princess... and then everything just got so messed up and I.... I.. just left." Just the mention of that time made her lose composure. Why was she telling him this? A set of forelegs wrapped around her and she hadn't even realized he'd moved let alone crossed the yard to wrap her up in a hug. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to." An absent smile crawled across her muzzle. Even now he was concerned for her when he was the one who needed comfort. She turned in his embrace and pressed her forehead against his in a comforting gesture. "I know you Shining Armor... and you... you're nothing like that." "You weren't there," he said tiredly putting distance between the two. "So you ran?" "What?" Did he hear her right? Harlequin eyes shone bright with reproach. "That has to be it... That's the only reason a pony like you could possibly be this upset." "A pony.. Like me? You think..." He couldn't believe that she'd think... "That I left him to die? "Did you?" She shot back accusingly. "You had to! Only a coward would feel so responsible!" "You don't know what you're talking about, Chrystal! You have no fucking clue!" Cerulean eyes hardened with offense as his outrage gave way to anger. "I didn't- I didn't leave him. I did what I thought was best!" He hadn't even realized he'd moved till he was right in her face staring in unwavering pools of green. Shocked by his own intensity and the satisfied look on his marefriend's face, Shining Armor tried to turn away but Chrysalis was having none of that. Roughly cradling his face in her hooves, she pressed on. "Sometimes life can be cruel and hard and unfair just because it can. And yes it's an ugly truth but that's just the way it is sometimes." She was silent before continuing on in a softer tone. "A pony died because of me and I ran, Shining..." Harlequin eyes were filled with such regret that the stallion didn't know what to say. "Like a common coward, I only thought of myself." She pressed on with a determined expression on her face. "That's why I left home... So I do know what you're going through... But you, Shining Armor, are nothing like me... That's how I know that this... this tragedy... wasn't because you weren't enough." "You're wrong," he said as her words sunk in. She opened her mouth to disagree with him, but found she could not vocalize her thoughts as his mouth covered hers effectively shutting her up. She couldn't help but be floored by his rebuttal. Moaning into the action, the changeling princess surrendered herself to the snow white stallion feasting on love as she provided him comfort. It felt like forever since she really touched or kissed him and she blatantly took advantage. "Chryssie..." He panted as he felt the kiss moving towards something that he didn't think he could handle. "I can't..." He broke away from her mouth confused by the mix of emotion he found himself tumbling in. Reining in her own emotions, the dark colored mare nodded understandably before looking up at him with a soft smile. "I don't need sex to make you feel better," she winked with her usual bravado trying to mask her vulnerability. This was for him, not her. "Bath's probably ready anyway." The two looked over to see the water in the giant cauldron steaming. Shining Armor pursed his lips as he allowed the coal colored mare to untangle herself from his grasp and extinguish the flames beneath the cauldron by kicking dirt into the small blaze until only dying embers remained. "Be right back," she said before trotting to the house and disappearing inside the cozy looking dwelling. He wondered what she was doing when she reappeared a few moments later. In her possession was a bottle of what looked like dried petals and herbs. Dumping the contents into the steaming water, he was surprised to find the scent of black currant and vanilla wafting to his nose. "Get in," she instructed. "Chrystal..." "Get. In." He forgot how bossy she could be. With a sigh, he found himself following her instructions and was immediately annoyed with the arrogant smirk on her dark features because he knew that she knew that he did in fact like the way it felt sinking into that hot water. He would ask if she was going to join him, but he already knew the answer as she sunk in after him. The arrogant expression on her features melted into something soft as the hot water relaxed her weary frame and the sensual scent stilled her wearing mind. She knew it was the same for the stallion as he closed his eyes and reached out to pull her against him. The two were quiet as they took a moment to enjoy the simplicity of the moment. "What happened to the old pony you lived with?" His chest rumbled beneath her head as he broke the silence. Harlequin eyes were closed as she held casually to the stallion. "He died... He told me he knew I wasn't really Ivy May, but he thanked me for letting him believe that..." The changeling princess thought of the kind old pony who'd taken her in as she opened her eyes. "He said he knew his Ivy was never coming home and that if I promised to take care of the place, I could have it." The sound of cicadas and crickets were pleasant despite the heavy silence. "Why'd you leave?" "I was lonely... and it was too quiet." She tightened her forelegs around him as she lowered her voice. He returned the gesture as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. "It was supposed to be a simple mission at Rambling Rock Ridge. No pony should've been hurt... We should have waited... But Justyx had a way of painting things the way he wanted them to look... I mean you knew him too... I don't know why I listened to him... Any other time I wouldn't have." Chrysalis stared up at him as she listened to the what he was sharing with her. "There was a golem causing rock slides and the few citizens that lived there were terrified. Some ponies even got hurt. We were supposed to capture and relocate it... and instead of waiting for the rest of our squadron, we engaged. Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered because it saw us anyway." He paused as he was lost in thought. Chrysalis gave him a light squeeze in a silent gesture of comfort prompting Shining Armor to continue. "At first, we were doing fine holding our own, but everything happened so fast... There was a quake and a rockslide and by the time we realized how precarious our position was it was too late. It was either us or him, and I told Justyx that I could protect us. I told him that if we could just take out the ledge above us we could get rid of the thing. He believed me Chryssie..." "Shining..." She whispered. "And we did it... I didn't think our ledge would crumble too but it did and there was too much strain I couldn't hold the spell. The Golem died in the fall... but so did Justyx." His eyes narrowed as his voice hardened. "And me... well I didn't get a scratch. I even got a medal..." The two locked eyes. "My best friend died because I couldn't protect him and I got a medal..." "That's not your fault," she whispered holding onto him. Harlequin eyes stayed locked with azure. "You said yourself that you did everything you could. Both of you would've died if you hadn't done what you did. Justyx wouldn't blame you for this... He wouldn't blame you for anything." "I miss him..." "I know." She murmured reaching up with dripping hooves to place kisses on the corner of his mouth and his cheeks before stilling her lips on his forehead. "I know..." He pulled her down with a light splash and held her tighter. A little while later, the two were tucked away inside the cottage sitting in front of a crackling fire. "Good?" Chrysalis murmured as she continued to brush his mane in a soothing fashion as she was draped across his grounded frame. "Better," he returned somewhat hoarsely. Chrysalis smiled down softly at her stallion. "See, I told you I knew other remedies that didn't involve sex and sweets." Her heart fluttered at the sound of his soft chuckling. He wasn't okay, but he would be. Placing the brush aside, she rested her head on top of his as she wrapped herself around him. "How did I get so lucky," She mused aloud to herself. "What are you talking about?" he asked his voice thick with exhaustion. "I'm talking about you." She smiled squeezing him softly. "The fact that you're this torn up about somepony when you did everything you possibly could and some of the impossible, solidifies my suspicions about you." "What? That I'm not as strong as I should be?" His tone was bitter. Frowning, she thought they'd been over this. She lifted her head up and looked down on him forcing him to turn to look up at her, her gaze firm. "That you really are Equestria's finest knight in shining armor." His cheeks flushed as he rolled his eyes. "Stop it, Chrystal... You're embarrassing me and yourself." She laughed, "But it's true however clichéd it may sound. You really are the strongest pony I know and for you to trust me enough to let me hold you together when you're hurting like this makes me feel like I'm strong too." She knew he wanted to assure her otherwise but she silenced him with a tender kiss and soft words. "Don't deny me this honor, Shining." He reached up and kissed her nose, "I won't." The two settled back down. "Tomorrow we can stop by Delia's and pick up something to give to the family." She felt him tense but continued on in the same quiet tone. "I know you still feel guilty... so maybe asking for their forgiveness will make you feel better. We'll go together if you want. Would you like that, Shining?" He was silent before nodding. "I think I'd like that a lot." She smiled and held him tighter.