//------------------------------// // My Own, My Native Land // Story: Why I Fight // by PeacefulKnightofChrist //------------------------------// Supper that night was a somber affair. Twilight had fallen asleep in Shining’s hooves and was only roused by the smell of roasting hay. She stirred in Shining’s embrace. At some point Spike (though he’d later deny it) had come in and joined the cuddle. Now that the rich scent of supper was wafting up the stairs he had let go of Twilight and bounced down stairs. Twilight lifted up, wiggled away from Shining and hopped off the bed. “Is that roasted hay? Is Mama making roasted hay?” “I think she mentioned something about that.” He sniffed the air. “Sure smells like it.” Twilight took off into a canter. Shining followed after her. When they got downstairs his mother, Twilight Velvet, was holding a pan over the stove with her magic while simultaneously chopping carrots. Twilight ran up and hugged her and she stroked her mane. His dad was sitting in a chair reading the paper. “Your picture’s in here.” Shining’s dad, Night Light, reported. “Really?” He walked over and looked at the picture of several marching guards. It went with an article about the coming confrontation with the Roan. Sure enough, Lieutenant Shining Armour was at the head of his battalion, spear held at his side. “It’s cold in Mustangia. I stitched you a jacket.” Velvet told him. “Mare, the Guard already provides that sort of thing.” “Well, what if he loses his guard armour?” “I’m pretty sure they put you in the stocks for that.” “You’ll receive a reprimand, but nothing more.” “Guard’s gone soft that’s the problem.” 'Here we go again.' Shining thought to himself. “First, they got rid of the stocks. The stocks were not pleasant, but it helped maintain discipline.” “And occasionally led to severe back injuries.” “Don’t talk back to me, Colt.” “I am not a colt.” “No, you’re a grown stallion so don’t act like a colt.” “I’m not acting like a colt. I’m just pointing out-” “Then suddenly enhanced interrogation techniques got reclassified as ‘torture’ and ‘the Princess has a problem with dumping ponies in ice water.’ When was the last time you saw the Princess on a battlefield?” “If the Princesses could fight I’d be out of a job.” “Fair enough. I love and respect Her, but I’m just saying she’s let a bunch of Anti-Equestrian counselors mislead her.” “I say the Princess knows what She’s doing. She’s been in power for three millennia.” “I know, I know. I don’t mean Her any disrespect, but there are several things I disagree on her with. It is okay to disagree with Her on occasion.” “I don’t agree with her on everything either. Like those tax cuts for the nobles-” “Now that I agree with.” Night Light said, cutting Shining off with a raised hoof. “If the Nobles get crushed with taxes they can’t hire anypony now can they?” “Well, no, but then the taxes get shifted to the middle and lower class. Do you want to pay more taxes when we all know the nobles don't?" “They create jobs for the middle class!” “STOP IT!” Both stallions looked to the kitchen. Twilight Velvet stomped her hoof and walked into the living room. “You two argue every night! You are not going to do it this night.” “We weren’t arguing.” Night Light said. “I was just stating my opinion.” “It always starts with you or Shining stating an opinion. Then it ends with a screaming match and you two throwing things at each other! Last week one of you broke my lamp!” “It was me.” Shining admitted. “I threw it at him. He just ticked me off when he said I shouldn’t be a lieutenant at my age.” “Well, you shouldn’t be! You’re only twenty. In some provinces you can’t even legally drink!” “I earned this Lieutenant rank!” “Earned it by sleeping with the-” Shining lunged at him, only being narrowly restrained by his mother’s aura. “I am not a foal! Put me down!” He struggled against the magical restraint and cursed the fact that his mother was the last in a long line of high-level unicorn mages. Twilight couldn’t help but giggle at the sight. “Shiny’s in trouble!” “I’ll put you down if you promise not to attack your father.” “I promise! This is humiliating!” Velvet lowered him down. “Now, we are going to eat supper and we are not going to discuss politics, the economy, religion or any other social issue up to and including the millitary.” “Fine.” Both stallions said. Twilight and Velvet set out the plates and they all sat around the table. Forbidden from their normal conversational topics father and son enjoyed their meal in silence. Twilight, on the other hand, chattered about all of the things she had learned. Oblivious to social cues she didn’t notice the air crackling with tension as the two stallions at the table consciously avoided each other. “And Celestia taught me a new spell! It can change stuff’s funda-fundamenti-fundamential natures.” “Fundamental.” Velvet corrected. “Would you like to show it to us?” Twilight swallowed her roasted oats. Then she closed her eyes and focused. Her horn glowed with the primal powers of the cosmos. A candlestick flickered as it was caught up in her aura then turned blue. Then it turned into a crystal bowl. “Very good, Twily.” Velvet praised, giving her a second helping of the hay that she ravenously gobbled up. “Using all that magic makes you hungry, eh Sis?” “Yeah. Do you get hungry after practice? Wait, don’t guards use magic?” “We sure do. Defensive mostly, but a lot of combat magic.” “Can you show it?” “Not at the table, he can’t.” Velvet said. “I’ll show you later, Sis.” Twilight returned to her meal, a frown on her face. 'I’m leaving tomorrow. There might not be a later.' He realized. “After supper.” A smile tugged at Twilight’s lips. “Thanks, BBBF.” “I think I’m going outside for a bit.” Shining said. “If you must.” Velvet said as Shining stood up and trotted outside. The sun had long ago fallen and the stars were scatted like jewels across the veil of night. The moon hung down, the mysterious face on it looking down over the landscape. Shining’s horn glowed as he levitated a bottle of beer he’d hidden in the branches of a spreading oak. He flipped the cap and gulped it down. “You’re not old enough to drink that, ya know.” Night Light said, coming to stand beside him. “Nineteen is legal outside Canterlot.” “We’re still in Canterlot.” “We live outside city limits. And I need a drink.” Shining said, gulping it down. “I always have a bottle before heading out. Like when I escorted Princess Cadence to Griffonia. I saved her life, ya know. I personally led the defense of Unicornia against that dragon. Nasty bastard let me tell ya.” Shining took more liberal gulps. “I have shed blood for this land. I have shed blood to get where I am today.” He unconsciously pawed at the ground, kicking up dirt and making Night Light back up. “It has nothing to do with my relationship with the Princess!” “I know. I know, Shining. I guess I’m scared.” “Scared of what?” “You not being ready. Getting cocky and going off half-baked and getting skewered on a Roan’s blade. Having to tell your mother and sister that you’re not coming home.” Shining drank from the bottle and to his disappointment found it empty. “Were you ever scared when you went into battle?” “No. I was too high on adrenaline. I took unnecessary risks. I got my horn sliced off once. It grew back, but my magic’s not nearly as strong as it used to be. I nearly died on several occasions. I broke my leg fighting a Changeling.” “I had second degree burns after the Battle of Unicornia. Thank the stars for shielding spells.” “It’s not a competition, Son.” Shining wondered if it was a competition which one of them would win. “Did I ever tell you about Silverwing?” Night Light asked. “No.” “Major Silverwing was a pegasus. A brilliant fighter. He’d mastered wing-blades, a unique pegasus weapon.” “I know what wing-blades for. I’ve never seen anypony use them.” “He was a good soldier, a prodigy at martial arts. One-hundred percent success rate in all his missions. Youngest major in the Guard at only twenty-three. Then one day an assassin came for the Princess. It was a Changeling, could take anypony’s form. It caused a lot of confusion. He took a guard’s form, then began attacking guardsponies. No one knew what to do. Everypony thought a guard had gone insane, but nopony knew which guard. We were all attacking each other. That’s the problem with having everypony dye their coats the same color. Somehow, Silverwing became convinced I was the Changeling and attacked me. While I tried to defend myself the Changeling stabbed him. Silverwing and me weren’t close, but he was a fellow Guard. I stomped that bug’s guts out.” “I’m sorry about that. That he died, I mean.” “Yeah, so was I. In the heat of the moment he panicked and it cost him his life. We all panicked. It’s easy to do that, to let emotions carry you away. It’s especially tempting in the heat of a battle. And the younger you are the more susceptible you are to it. That’s why I don’t think you should be an officer. I don’t think anyone your age should be.” Shining lifted the trash can lid with his magic and threw the bottle. It made a satisfying crashing sound as it hit the bottom of the can. “I understand why you feel that way. But don’t you think I’ve proven myself?” “Silverwing proved himself.” “What do you want me to do? Give up my commission? I can’t.” “I know that. Just be careful. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Don’t let emotion rule you.” “I do. I mean, I meditate every day.” “So did Silverwing.” “I’m not Silverwing.” “You could be.” “I’ll be careful. I promise.” Night Light nuzzled him. Shining at first stiffened at the unexpected display of affection, but then nuzzled him back. “I love you. Don’t forget that.” Night Light said. “I love you to.” The moment was interrupted by Twilight galloping out the door. She ran to the two stallions and began bouncing around them. “Hi! You said you’d show me your new magic after supper! It’s after supper!” Velvet trotted out after her. “I can’t get her to take her bath or go to sleep or help me with the dishes. And you did say that you’d show her some things.” Shining tousled Twilight’s mane eliciting a giggle. “Of course, Sis.” He closed his eyes and focused the flows of magical energy, channeling it into his horn which began to glow. A bubble of energy suddenly expanded with a rush, shielding Velvet, Night Light, Twilight and Shining himself. It continued to expand, bursting out till it reached the edge of their yard. “Mother Epona.” Night Light swore. “How in the world? I’ve never seen a shield spell like this.” He touched the shimmering wall of energy. He punched it and cursed. “It’s strong!” He lowered his head and charged his own horn. “Dad, No! Wait!” The blast of energy hit the wall, reflected and struck him. He was sent flying back several feet. His son, daughter and wife crowded around him. He shakily recovered his feet. “It’s a reflective spell. Are you alright?” Shining asked. “Sure. Of course. How did you lean a spell like this?” “A bit of experimenting.” “I helped him with it!” Twilight chirped. “Yeah, let’s not go spreading that around.” Shining mumbled then yawned. “Anyway, I’m getting tired. I’m gonna hit the hay.” “Can you show me one more trick?” Twilight asked, her eyes watering. Shining almost said no, but one second of looking at his sister’s pouting, tantrum-threatening, face changed that. “Okay. Just one more.” She whooped in glee. Shining sliced up limbs from trees. He showed them a shield spell that covered the body like a suit of armor, an earth type spell he used to create a sword made from rocks and a strengthening spell usually used by Earth Pony warriors. Cracks were left in the ground when he stomped his hooves. Then as the night went on Twilight demanded a piggy-back ride. She hopped on his back, wrapping her hooves around his neck. He reared, cantered and galloped around the yard while she laughed and hung on tight. Then she laid her head on his neck and soon the sound of her snoring could be heard. The family quietly walked inside. Velvet gently took Twilight in her aura. Shining kissed both of them goodnight before Velvet headed towards Twilight’s room. Shining headed towards his own room, but Night Light stopped him. “Hey, Shining?” “Yeah?” “Those spells were incredible. Really, I mean that.” “Thank you. I worked hard on them.” “I guess I see why they made you a lieutenant.” Shining blinked. “Do you really mean that?” “Yes. Yes I do.” Shining hugged him. “Thank you.” Night Light hugged him back. “Come back with your shield or on it. But, hopefully with it.” “I will, Dad. In fact, I’ll come back a captain.” “Heh. Don’t get cocky, Son.” “I mean it. When I come back I’ll be Captain Shining Armour.” “If you don’t there’s one thing I want you to know. I’m proud of you.” Shining nearly teared up. “Well, I did have the best dad ever.” “True.” The two laughed. “Get some sleep, Son.” “Get some yourself, old stallion.” Night Light gave him a good natured swat on his shoulder before trotting off. Shining went to his own room and tried to sleep. He needed to sleep. He couldn’t afford distraction like her strawberry scented mane or the way her hooves felt as they ran over his chest. No, he couldn’t afford such distractions. Not tonight. After several minutes of tossing and turning he gave up and opened a window. He could have trotted out the front door while loudly whistling the Griffon national anthem and his parents couldn’t have stopped him, but there was something fun about sneaking out. It was a habit he’d gotten into when he was younger and he’d never gotten out of it. He strolled through the streets of the city, alabaster mansions shining in the moonlight, ponies going out on their night-time errands. The tallest peaks of the tower rose like a mare standing over her foals. It was there he was headed. The night guards nodded to him. They were used to his coming. Cadence’s windows were opened. He focused his horn and teleported into her chambers. She was sitting up in her canopy bed smiling at him. “How did you know I was coming?” He asked as he slid into bed next to her. She wrapped her hooves around him and they kissed. “I knew you wouldn’t want to spend your last night here alone.” “It’s amazing how well you know me.” He said as he pushed her down on the bed and lost himself in her scent.