//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: Lingering Anger 
// Story: After the Rampage 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

Ever since Discord had deferred to Tirek's side, perhaps nopony was more furious than Shining Armor, the former captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard who was now the Prince of the Crystal Empire. In his mind, he knew that Discord was the true cause for Equestria's near downfall, not Tirek. He had already let his feelings out at him while visiting his little sister's castle and even though Discord had helped to recreate Twilight's Best Mare dress from his wedding, it was not enough.

"Shining Armor," called a melodious, but weak voice as Shining Armor saw the sun set on the Crystal Empire, courteously of his former boss, Princess Celestia. "Is everything all right?"

The stallion turned to see a pink alicorn pony trotting over towards him. Upon seeing this pony, Shining Armor was shocked to see how his wife was looking. She had heavy bags under her eyes and the look on her face was a clear sign that she had been ill for quite some time.

"Cadence, what are you doing out of bed?" cried Shining Armor, rubbing his hoof against Cadence's right cheek. "You should be resting with your stomach illness and all."

"It can wait," she moaned. "But, I've been worried about you, Shining Armor. Ever since you confronted Discord, I have begun to wonder whether what intentions you may have planned to do if you saw him again."

Shining Armor could now see that Cadence was beginning to catch up on him and his feelings. In her mind, Cadence wanted nothing more than to move on. The memories of her terrifying imprisonment in Tartarus with Celestia and Luna would probably never go away, but that didn't matter.

"Look, Cadence," protested Shining Armor, trying not to lose his temper in front of his wife. "I know very well what you think I should do, but I can't. Somepony needs to be punished for allowing all of this to happen and it is certainly not going to be Tirek."

"Tirek is being punished, Shining Armor," replied Cadence, firmly. "I was there when we decided that Tirek should rot in Tartarus for his crimes. But, you make it seem like Discord was responsible solely? He wasn't the one who escaped from Tartarus, you know?"

"He did escape from a prison, Cadence," Shining Armor retorted. "Remember when he was a stone statue in the Canterlot Gardens? Somepony broke him free and Twilight and her friends sealed him away again."

In a huff, Shining Armor retreated back into the palace and Cadence followed, her sickness slowly returning to her. But, she was not going to let her illness slow her down. She had to make Shining Armor see sense and make him realize that Discord was just as much of an innocent victim in all of this as much as they were.

"But, what you are saying is that," cried Cadence. "You think that Discord, a creature who is trying to apologize for his actions deserves to be punished just as much as Tirek? I don't believe that!"

"I'm voicing my concerns, Cadence," replied Shining Armor, stamping his foot on the crystal floor. "Didn't the Changeling Invasion knock any sense into why I am so protective of you and Twily? Ever since then, I vowed to never have something like that ever happen again! And anypony who dares to cross me will suffer the consequences!"

At that moment, Cadence noticed another one of the WANTED posters with Discord's picture on the cover. This made the princess of love feel very uncomfortable at what her husband's methods were in dealing with Discord. She could see at that moment that those methods would involve somepony being killed and it made her blood boil with furry

"Shining Armor, are you trying to tell me that Discord deserves to DIE for his actions?" she gasped in shock and anger, tearing down the poster with her magic and showing it to Shining Armor's face. "We don't kill those who break our laws unless the crime is severe!"

"What are you saying, Cadence?" Shining Armor shot back, snatching the paper away. "Are you telling me that Discord deserves a free pass for what he did? He needs to be destroyed, like what you did when you led the Crystal Ponies in destroying King Sombra."

Mentioning Sombra's name only added fuel to the fire and for Shining Armor to say that Discord needed to be destroyed like Sombra was an understatement. Yes, Tirek threw her into Tartarus with Celestia and Luna because of Sombra's death at her lead, but Sombra was executed because of unspeakable crimes against the Crystal Ponies. Discord was offered a chance at freedom to turn Equestria into his own Chaos playground with Tirek leading the charge. Discord didn't kill anypony and Cadence was going to stand by her decision.

"Look, Shining Armor," she sighed, taking in several deep breaths while using her calming technique. "Sombra and Tirek were creatures that had deadly ambitions against the ponies of Equestria that were never fulfilled. Tirek was not destroyed because all he did was absorb magic and we felt that having him rot in prison was the best decision. Sombra was killed because what he did to the Crystal Ponies was wrong, treating them like slaves and such."

Shining Armor nodded at his wife's remark agreeing with her on the fact that those two were true enemies of Equestria. Still, it didn't change his mind on Discord.

"Now Discord," she continued, gasping in and out between breaths. "Is just a poor, misguided soul who never understood what friendship really was. He is a creature that is centuries old, but never harms anyone and knows when he does something wrong, such as now, thanks to Twilight and her friends."

Suddenly, Cadence felt her legs buckle and she collapsed onto the floor while Shining Armor caught her upper body into his forearms. Their heated conversation had taken a lot out of Cadence and Shining Armor knew that she was right. He had to start letting go of his guilt and his anger against him, but he couldn't. Shining Armor was taught that Discord was an enemy of Equestria and that's all there was to it, remembering all those lessons he learned during his training days in the Canterlot Royal Guard.

But of course, as all ponies know, history changes over time.

A little while later, Shining Armor threw his wife onto his back and took her back up to their bedroom. As he watched Cadence fall asleep, Shining Armor wondered if maybe Cadence was right about him going too far with Discord.

"Sooner or later, I have to face Discord again," he thought, looking down at his sleeping wife. "I would normally say no, but I will meet him and accept him for who he is. I will do this for you, Cadence."

Meanwhile, Discord and Scorpan were making their way over to the edges of Appleloosa…