//------------------------------// // Part 1: Chapter 5: A Sad Goodbye // Story: Warrior, Protector, & Survivor // by TigerSwirl448 //------------------------------// "Windy?" A voice called. Windy jumped lifting her head up from her knees to look around her. She was still sitting in the gardens and the sky was turning dark. She looked up and was surprised to see Princess Twilight climbing up the hill towards her. "Princess," Windy said quickly standing up and almost fell over. Her legs were numb from sitting in one place for too long. Twilight caught her before she fell over. Windy blushed as the feeling returned into her legs. "I'm sorry." Windy whispered sadly. Twilight stroked her hair away from her face as she helped her stand up straight. At Windy’s full height she's just about as tall as the princess. "There is no need to be sorry, Windy Belle." Twilight replied softly with a smile. Windy blushed bowing her head. "Still," She cleared her throat standing at attention with her hands behind her back. "Is there a task you need me to do, Princess?" Twilight blinked with surprise hearing Windy speak like a beaten down servant. "Now stop that," Twilight said flicking Windy's nose causing the girl to blink. "You are no servant, Windy Belle." "But Luna said," Twilight scoffed shaking her head. "Don’t believe in that old cow. She doesn't know how special you really are, Sweetie." She said softly stroking her cheek. Windy blushed by that. "You are strong, courageous, and after what you did today, I believe you still have a chance to be a warrior like your mother." Windy looked to her surprised. "But I'm not allowed to be a knight." Twilight winked at her taking her hand. "Come with me, there’s someone I want you to meet." Windy feebly followed Twilight down the hill and out of the garden. The two walked through the empty training yards behind the castle and approached one of the horse barns closest to the gates. Windy could see two people standing with two horses. Holding the second horse by the reins was who Windy recognized right away as Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. The two turned to see Twilight and Windy approach them. "Wait a second." Windy said pulling her hand away. "What’s going on? I don't understand." Windy said pointing at them. "What’s Princess Cadenza doing here and who’s that?" She asked confused. Twilight indicated the princess in front of them. "Windy, Cadence has something to tell you." She stated. Windy blinked surprised then turned to the second princess to see her frown. "What happened this afternoon in the throne room was a disgrace." Princess Cadence said with disgust. "In all the years I've seen you grow up here, you have dreams and aspirations that everyone has. But you're the only one that stood up and flat out asked when you shouldn't need to." Windy blinked at that. She didn’t need to ask to join the guard or be a knight? Cadence placed her hand on Windy’s shoulder. "I sent word to my husband who is overseeing the Crystal Empire while I'm to rule here with the other princesses. I asked for him to mentor you in the way of being a knight." "What?" Windy asked in shock looking to Twilight to see her nod her head. "And he accepted." The cloaked stranger said pulling back her hood to reveal her yellow and red hair. Windy blinked in surprise seeing her. Twilight smiled. "This is Sunset Shimmer, an old friend of mine." Twilight said smiling at Sunset to see her bow. "A pleasure." Sunset said smiling. "Sunset Shimmer this is Windy Belle." Twilight introduced as Sunset nodded. "I know, I witnessed your … audience with the princesses." Windy bowed her head with shame remembering that moment. Sunset placed her hand on her shoulder causing her to look up at her. "Seeing you like that was a disgrace. Any kingdom will take all the help they can get especially in these troubling times." She said looking to Twilight with a quirked brow. Twilight gulped turning away biting her lip. Windy looked between Sunset Shimmer and Twilight wondering what was wrong between them. Cadence smiled softly. "I told my husband all about you in my letters." Windy blinked turning to her. "He will have you be his squire and train you to be a knight." Windy couldn’t believe her ears. She looked from Cadence, Twilight then to Sunset. "This is ... amazing!" She gasped smiling. The women smiled seeing her excitement. "Thank you, thank you so much!" She said excitedly hugging Twilight feeling her hug her in return. Windy pulled away blushing clearing her throat, Twilight chuckled. "When do I start?" Windy asked looking to Cadence. The women frowned looking at one another. Windy frowned getting worried. "You have to go now." Twilight said hurriedly. "Before Luna's guards begin their watch." "Now? Like right now, right now?" Windy asked with shock. "Right now." Cadence answered. Sunset pulled out a cloak from her saddlebags and placed it over Windy’s shoulders. Windy blinked looking at them confused trying to process what she was told. When she finally got it connected she gasped. "I have to tell Starchaser about this." She said about ready to run to the castle. Twilight gasped and grabbed Windy’s arm to stop her. The girl turned to her with confusion. "There is no time for that.” Twilight said urgently. "You have to leave with Sunset Shimmer now. Or Luna will find out." Windy blinked confused. What does Princess Luna have to do with her prevention on leaving? "But, Star will think I abandoned her." Windy said crushed. Twilight smiled sadly reaching her hand to her cheek to steer her face towards hers. "I'll tell her that you left to be a knight and that you will return when your training is over." Twilight said softly seeing Windy about to cry. "How long will that be?" She whimpered. Twilight blinked remembering the moment when Windy was four asking that same question about Rainbow Dash. Twilight bit her lip trying to think of something to say feeling the stinging tears herself. "It takes a whole life for a knight to be trained." Sunset answered. "Since you are half the age of a squire you will be training twice as hard to make up all the wasted time." Cadence nodded in agreement. "You must leave now before the guards arrive to muster for watch." Cadence urged as she held the horse in place for Windy to mount. Windy turned back to Twilight. "I won't let you down." She stated firmly trying to keep from crying. Twilight smiled, tears leaking out of her eyes. Her heart breaking with the thought of letting Windy go on this journey. But she knew better than that. Windy would be much safer and happier away from Canterlot. She leaned forward to place a motherly kiss on Windy's forehead. "I know you won't." She whispered. Windy nodded backing away from her then leaped up onto her horse, grabbing the reins to steady him. Twilight sniffed and wiped her eyes. She looked up and hugged Sunset tightly. "Promise me you’ll-" Sunset chuckled pulling away from the hug. "I’ll keep an eye on her for you." She stated smiling seeing Twilight nod in return. "Thank you." She whispered. Sunset Shimmer turned to Cadence and bowed to her. "Princess." "Safe journey to you." Cadence said softly looking up at Windy. "Good luck, Windy Belle. We look forward to your return." Windy nodded trying to control her horse as it danced around, feeling her anxiety. Sunset Shimmer mounted her horse moving her horse forward in a trot to wait at the castle drawbridge while Windy said her last goodbyes. Twilight patted Windy’s leg looking up at her to see the girl trying to wipe her tears away. "Pinkie Pie has packed you some food for the journey, the rations should last you until Hoofington." Windy nodded. "I’ll write." Windy said then blinked seeing Twilight horrified gaze. "No, you cannot." She said looking guilty. "Why?" Windy asked spooked. "It’s best to not do such a thing." Twilight answered. Cadence bowed her head avoiding Windy’s confused expression. "But Starchaser," "She’ll be going through training just like you." Twilight said suddenly which caused Cadence to look to her in surprise. Twilight sighed shaking her head. "It’s for your protection and for Star’s. If the wrong people knew about you and where you are … I can’t risk you getting hurt." "I don’t understand. What are you talking about?" Windy asked confused. "Hey Kid!" Windy and the princesses turn to see Sunset waving her hand. "We don’t have any more time to dawdle! We have to go now!" She called. Windy bit her lip looking back at Cadence then at Twilight. "Tell Star that I’m sorry and … I’ll miss her." Twilight nodded. "I will." She whispered stepping back, away from her. "Go, now!" She urged pointing to the gate. Windy pulled her hood up over her head and nodded. With a kick of her heels into the horse’s sides she rode off. Twilight took a couple of steps forward feeling the tears roll down her cheeks. "Be careful and be safe!" She called before succumbing to her emotions. Cadence hugged her tight as she cried, Cadence watched as the two riders crossed the drawbridge and finally into the city. Twilight sniffed pulling away to try and recompose herself, but it was proven harder for her to stop. It felt like she just lost a child and would never see her again. But she knew one thing for certain, Windy will finally be safe. She sniffed wiping her eyes with her hands. "She'll be safer with Shining. For a while." She said sadly. Cadence nodded in agreement. "It'll be hard without her around." She said chuckling even though it was forced. She sniffed wiping her own eyes. “Is it true?” "What is?" Twilight asked sniffing. "If I heard that correctly, you just agreed to give Starchaser the training to be a princess." Twilight shrugged with a sigh. "Yes, I believe it’s time for her to step up." "But didn’t you say that Starchaser doesn’t want to be a princess?" Cadence asked confused and with worry. "I did." She answered softly. "But times have changed. And I should have realized that a long time ago. Sunset Shimmer warned me for years even before I became a princess that some forces are changing. And I know that Starchaser must be prepared if that time does come. Just as Windy will be." Cadence blinked and felt a chill down her spine. "You don’t actually believe in that dark unicorn nonsense do you? The Dark Unicorn, whatever it was, was destroyed when Luna ascended into royalty. You didn’t believe in the creature’s existence." Twilight chuckled sadly. "True, back when I was a palace scribe I didn’t believe in such haunting fairy tales. But the way things are going here in this kingdom, the signs that I read about are starting to happen. And I fear that Windy might be involved." Cadence looked spooked. "So I’m not the only one that senses that?" Twilight shook her head. "If Sunset Shimmer is feeling something amiss then there must be something happening. I don’t know when, but something will happen and happen very soon. The kingdom will crumble under the Dark Unicorn’s power again." Twilight paused then turned to see Cadence’s look of fear. "Please don’t repeat any of this." Cadence shook her head. "I won't tell a soul." She blinked with a thought. "Not even to the children?” "Absolutely not! They cannot know, not until we know for sure it will happen. According to the old texts I read as a scribe, The Dark Unicorn caused chaos. The type of chaos Discord would never use to gain control. I just hope Celestia can feel the change too. Or Luna … Maybe Luna does sense it and that’s why she’s been intolerable with her army lately." After a long moment of silence, Cadence sighed. "Come along, we better get to dinner before Celestia and Luna start asking questions." The two princesses quickly made their way back into the castle and went straight to the dining hall, as they passed, Twilight used her magic to help clear off her face, making sure no one could notice the tears on her face as she entered the dining hall. Twilight and Cadence entered the dining hall to hear the clamor of noise from the delegates of the Peace Council who are either telling stories, laughing, or singing ballads from their homeland. Twilight took her seat at the Canterlot table sitting between to Starchaser and Celestia, Cadence took her seat between Radiance and Lucky. "Where have you two been?" Luna asked agitated as her goblet was refilled with wine. Twilight sniffed unfolding her napkin and placed it neatly in her lap. "We had some important business to take care of." Twilight answered with a sniff. Starchaser looked to her mother worriedly sensing that something was wrong. Twilight’s eyes were bloodshot and she continued to sniffle. "Mother," Star whispered leaning over. "What's wrong?" "It's nothing dear." Twilight lied with a smile. Spike placed her dish before her. She smiled up at him. "Thank you Spike." Spike bowed in return smiling as he moved to place Cadence’s dish before her. Star thought for a moment then turned to see Pan looking to her. The way he looked at her made her think he wanted something. She nodded to let him know she was listening. "Where's Windy?" He mouthed. Starchaser motioned for Agate to come over to her. Agate set walked over to her. She waved her finger for him to come closer and whispered into his ear. After whispering her message, Agate blinked surprised seeing Star nod her head then point to Pan and Radiance. Agate looked concerned and bowed as he moved over to the other side of the table to Pan and Radiance. He leaned between them to whisper what Star said. "What?" Radiance asked softly. Pan growled with agitation. "That's it," He said grabbing Agate’s collar to pull him closer so he could whisper to him. "Tell Star that we are going to visit Windy after supper. Oh and by my order, tell Pinkie to prepare Windy's favorite cupcakes for us to share later." Radiance smiled overhearing his order. "You are too sweet sometimes brother, dear." She whispered seeing his shrug and blush. Agate smiled and winked with Pan then ran over to Star to tell her the news. Twilight over heard the exchange and frowned seeing Star nod. "That's a great idea." Star whispered and turned to Pan to see him wink. She winked in return. "What are you children whispering about now?" Lucky huffed as Radiance glared at her. "It’s none of your business." Radiance snapped. "Windy’s right," Star whispered to herself. "You are a bitch." Twilight choked on her wine hearing Starchaser curse out loud. "Starchaser!" She gasped in surprise. "I heard that, reject." Lucky snapped angrily as Star glared back at her. "Not during dinner, please!" Cadence begged. Luna sighed and patted Lucky's shoulder. "Enough, just eat." The two young princesses glared at one another before returning back to their food.