Dearest Shining Armor,
By the time you read this, I’ll be long gone. I considered telling you that at the end of this letter, but the whole reason I’m writing this is because I’m tired of leading you on. The truth is that I’m a fraud, dear; a liar. My face, my name, everything about me is fake. I never was Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. But I became her.
Shining Armor sat on the edge of his unmade bed, the luxurious crystal and gold and silver and silks little comfort with only the ticks and tocks of the clock to keep him company. His horn softly glowed in the early morning light that seeped through the windows. His magic grip held a ring, floating it before him.
His ring; his wedding ring.
I’m a changeling, Shining. I always was. The Cadence you fell in love with never existed. Though you did once know the real Cadence, but never spoke to her for fear of rejection. You remember those days, don’t you? When you were a young colt in high school with the dreams and body of a soldier but with hobbies and a heart I could only describe as adorably dorky? The truth is that Cadence never spoke to you. I did.
A knock came from his chamber door. He lifted a foreleg and wiped his watering eyes, moving the ring up to slide back on his horn. He paused, and set it beside him instead. “Come in,” he said as loud as he could manage, his voice hoarse.
The doors creaked open. The magic lights from the hall outside were almost blinding, but he didn’t look directly into it. His eyes were straight ahead, towards his wife’s vanity. Its mounted mirror glared back at him with his own reflection, his mane unkempt, his eyes sagging, red, and looking at him with a hollow gaze.
Cadence was silently replaced many years ago. I have no idea where she is. I was never told, in case I was discovered, tortured, and interrogated. The idea was for me to take her place when she was young so that if there were any major differences between me and the real Cadence, those around her would just blame it on the sudden changes of adolescence. And it worked. Everything went according to plan, even our wedding.
“Status report,” he barked.
“The search parties haven’t found anything yet, your Highness,” the guard mare responded. “The blizzard covered her hoof prints, and nobody saw her leave the city. But a local housewife said she spotted a lone figure galloping to the north west when she went to keep her own foal from getting too close to the shield. Permission to pursue?”
“Permission granted,” he said, looking at her silhouette out of the corner of his eye. “I want a search pattern established in that direction out to ten miles from the city limits. Nobody could get very far in this weather.”
“Yes, sir.” The shadow bowed and stepped back, the doors closing once more and leaving him in the dark.
The Queen intentionally botched her impression of me, of the ‘real’ Cadence, though we didn’t expect everyone to be so oblivious. If it wasn’t for Twilight, the plan may have been ruined. Or Plan A, rather. The royals know how to run a country, and you know how to wage a war, but changelings will always be the best when it comes to ruses. Who would suspect the princess in distress, after all, freshly saved from a monster’s dungeon? For added realism, the Queen, my mother, even beat me savagely herself. Mother was simply a decoy, and I the ace up her sleeve. Taking Canterlot would’ve been a quick, short-term gain, a consolation prize, but Twilight figured things out and the real plan continued.
Shining Armor’s horn glowed once more, his ring rising from his side to before his face. A gold band, uninterrupted in its simplicity save for a small gap filled with diamond, something precious completed by something even more so. It glimmered in the dull violet light, the ring and its partner in the mirror staring at him like a pair of glowing eyes, mocking him.
He closed his eyes and bit back a scream, launching his ring like an arrow. The ticking clock was drowned out by shattering glass.
We knew the Crystal Empire would come back soon. We have eyes and ears everywhere. And we knew that its technology ran on the happiness of its citizens the way we feed on love; a perfect symbiotic relationship. Once you died of old age, Mother herself would take my place, and her normal coldness would be blamed on grief. My siblings would then worm their way into the capital city, and Mother would pretend to look into the issue while we took over. All the untapped resources of the frozen north waiting to be harvested with modern technology, all at the hive’s disposal through a puppet empire and with the complete trust of Equestria. Taking them over next would be easy.
The next scream wasn’t so easily held back, nor were the tears, or the blows. The baubles and trinkets and luxuries of royalty and mementos of happy marriage shattered and ripped and cracked under stomped hooves or magic pressure.
He vaguely heard the chamber doors open again. He snapped his head up to see his two personal guards go from battle stances to pitying looks. He whipped his head up to get the strands of mane out of his face, but said nothing as he panted like a wounded animal. They said nothing either. They just bowed their heads in reverence and closed the doors again.
It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known. If Mother was not discovered during our wedding, the invasion would have been successful and Equestria would be our feeding grounds. But she was, and our long-term plan went into motion, far more lucrative in the end. Our people would finally have their own empire after so many centuries in the shadows, and the entire continent would be our home, with you and your kind as our livestock. Either way, we would win. Changelings never make their move until victory is the only possibility.
The distraction was long enough to make him stop and sweep his eyes across the carnage. Portraits, mostly of themselves, gifts from artists across the continent, were scattered across the floor. Their bed was in tatters from thrown shards of glass and mirror, the frame cracked and lopsided. Their wardrobes were reduced to twisted, splintered heaps. Any jewelry that wasn’t made of the strongest metal was bent or in a thousand pieces. The clock was utterly demolished, its gears scattered and shell broken.
His eyes fell on the soft glint of his ring among the wreckage. His own twisted reflection stared back up at him from the shards of mirror that surrounded it, his crying, enraged eyes staring back at him many times over.
But I can’t do it anymore. I can’t keep lying to you anymore. I love you, Shining; I love you and your family and your country too much to let that happen. That’s the one thing I never lied about, not even once. The Cadence you fell in love with never existed, but I did. I love your cute attempts at being traditionally manly, I love your dedication to your family and your country, I love being in your strong embrace; I love you, period. I know you probably hate me right now, but please, don’t ever doubt that.
He took a step forward, but didn’t make a second when he heard the crunch of wood and glass and crumple of paper beneath it. He looked down, and among the remains of the mirror was a small photo, its frame smashed.
It was a picture of a very startled teenage Shining Armor and Cadence on his house’s balcony, blushes on their faces and lips half pulled away. A young Twilight was pointing an accusatory hoof at the pair, with a look on her face like a detective catching a criminal in the act of a diamond heist, and a very noticeable purple claw was over the corner of the shot, haphazardly holding the camera.
At first it was just part of the plan; I’ll admit that. You were the older brother of Celestia’s protégé, after all, a perfect connection to have at our disposal. But I did fall in love with you, and I grew to love Twilight and your parents and Spike and even Celestia, and I began to understand why my kind is hated. Our existence hinges on taking love away when love is the most wondrous feeling in the world. It’s what makes life worth living. I don’t want to be part of that anymore.
Shining Armor’s horn glowed once more, bringing the photo up to his face. He turned it over, and in her elegant writing were the words, “Our first kiss, thankfully caught on camera.” A small chuckle escaped his lips, and a smaller smile tugged at their edges, but it soon faded. He turned it back over and stared at the image for a long time; stared at his own eyes from a time when they were full of life and full of love. Not even the ticking of the clock kept him company anymore.
So, I’m leaving for the wastelands outside the city, where you’ll never find me. I know I’ll die out there in the cold. I know I’ll die alone. But that’s how it should be, isn’t it? A monster like me doesn’t deserve any better.
After so long in silence and stillness, Shining Armor pulled the picture close to his chest and hugged it tight, closing his eyes as the tears flowed anew.
Please, if she’s still alive, find the real Cadence. Give her the life I stole from her, and tell her I’m sorry, for everything.
“I was such a fool…”
Goodbye.
These are words which I have taken to heart, and because of them I have felt much pain. They were words that pierced like iron and burned like cold steel. Few stories have made me feel this much. I have left a like and a favorite. Bravo, sir!
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You're too kind. Though that is very encouraging. As I said in the announcement journal for this story, I may turn it into a full story and add more chapters if there's enough demand; every one shot I've done seems to turn out that way so far for some reason.
Oh damn..... the feels.
Make it a bigger story its too good to just leave it cmon, you should know that its an amazing story!
I read that short title, I honestly hoped it was a story based off of the SNL skit "Dear Sister".
Full story please!!!!!
I want a happy ending!
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I wouldn't mind seeing more for this, if I may say.
If you decide not to, this story stands quite fine as a one-shot.
I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing.
Cool story. Not sad. but a decent read
Maybe it's because my girlfriend just broke up with me, but yeah, the ending is perfect, don't change a thing.
Really hard decision if you should continue this as its perfect as it is right now... But I really want to see there this ends if you decide to make more chapters . A fav and like from me.
Damn, I usually stay away from stories with the tragedy tag. I read this on a whim and it reminded me why... I always want to give them a happy ending.
Kudos, and well done.
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While I would very much like to see this continued, I'm not sure if I'd like it if you started working on more than one continuing story, since you seem to have severe ADHD when it comes to writing.
Still, though, this is an excellent story, and I'm glad to see you writing something.
Saw this in the "New Stories" box, and saw that this didn't have the normal number of likes/dislikes, so I decided to read it, and I have to say... Very good work. As far as whether or not to keep it going or keep it as a one-shot, do what you feel is best. Great job either way.
WHHHHY It's so short and sad.
I haven't have to do this in while. well, It's time to go cry in the shower again.
Give them a happy ending....
I'm gonna DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good story, but it could use some more. It just doesn't feel... complete.
Oh, excellent work! I have to say, though - I'd love to see more. The ending felt incomplete to me, somehow - not quite a resolution.
I think you should continue it. You've shown a situation, but the whole story is dedicated to setting up the scene so it never develops so in its current state it feels very incomplete. You don't need to turn it into an epic, in fact you could probably resolve it in a chapter or two, but you should bring it to a proper resolution.
I love how you made it simple and to the point.
Not paragraphs of useless detail that make me bored. *terribly sorry if I offend anybody*
I like a quick and short read, and this was it.
So sad, though.
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I agree with the above comments. You have an incredible amount of buildup, story wise, and have no real conclusion. All we are left with are questions, like:
1. What was the cause for Changeling Cadence's choice to leave? The way it's written made it seem to come out of nowhere.
2. Does anyone else besides the palace guards and Shining know the truth? Heck, do the guards even know the truth about whom they're searching for?
3. Where does Shining stand on this? All we have is the face that he is grief stricken. Does he want to search for his wife or does he want to search for Cadence?
Honestly, I'm alright with sad endings. A good sad ending leaves the reader feeling empty, yet whole. However, this doesn't really seem like an ending to me. I still enjoyed the crap out of it though. Good job.
Being in a dark mood drew me to this story. I don't normally read tragedy's but I decided to check it out. This idea was pretty unique. Personally I would have had the Changeling be pregnant with Shining's child, but that is just me. One wonders if deep down he still loves her? Also I know the fate of the real Cadance is ambiguous, but I sense a dark implication, a kill and replace scenario.
It was everything i was expecting it to be honestly. I gave it a like.
This story was amazing. Loved the way the letter was written, the way the room was after its destruction, EVERYTHING!! Great job, sad ending.
I'd love to see this continued, even if for a chapter or two more.
I've got to admit, I wouldn't mind seeing some continuation of this. I'm even tempted to write one, if that was considered okay?
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Feels like this:
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Or feels like this:
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In concept this is good, yes, but as of right now I'm not sure where I'd take it. Well, I know where I'd take the next chapter after this, but a long-term plan so far is eluding me. Besides, I have Dear Spike, In the Pale Moonlight, and For Want of a Mask to work on, along with my sole comedy piece, My Little Insano: Madness is Magic. I've got a lot on my plate right now.
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I'm more of a bittersweet ending kind of guy, but I'll consider it?
2876108
Sadly never seen SNL in my life. Wow I need to get out more.
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Well, possibly. I mean, I haven't directly contradicted canon, since there are a lot of blanks concerning Cadence, and we can't label every story that fills in blanks as AU. It's borderline for me, but I'll consider it.
Also, no, that wasn't the best idea.
2876245
You're very welcome! And I think at this point I pretty much have to continue it in the future, but it won't be anytime soon.
2876353
Oi people, no downvoting commenters for having an opinion (besides outrageously stupid ones but still, sheesh).
2876398
Sorry to hear about that. Still... hmr. I don't know how to meet the demand to keep this as it is and to continue it, but I'm sure there's a way to satisfy both somehow. I'm stumped, though.
2876403
See above; running out of unique things to say, sorry.
2876506
Thanks, and I apologize for any shards of your soul you may have lost.
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Yeah, as the crazy Sander Cohen once said, "My muse is a fickle bitch with a short attention span."
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Thanks very much! Kind of surprised it did this well this fast. I mean, I did it in a sudden flurry of inspiration and emotion; not as much planning and effort as my other stories.
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Because God hates you and I am his angel of shattered hearts.
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I want to make a WTFIWWY reference, but... don't think anybody here would get it.
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CLEAR!
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No... no, Pikachu, you were supposed to do the zappy thing.
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I felt it was the most impacting way to end it; best punch to the gut. Though when I continue it, the ending will be more definitive.
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2877446
Fan of the Edgar Allen Poe philsophy of story telling, I take it? And thanks! You can cash your slivers of broken heart in at the reception desk for a free pony blush!
2877478
Once you get to know me as a writer, you'll quickly find out that if there's room for something to be dark, it'll be dark as all hell. Unless I'm intentionally fighting all my instincts as a storyteller. And glad you like the idea! Surprised I haven't seen it before.
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Gotta work on not being predictable, then.
2877622
Thank ye; glad you... well, not enjoyed. Liked? Does that word also apply?
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I plan on continuing this myself somewhere down the line, but if you want to write your own version of what happens next, by all means, go with my blessing! Just be sure to credit the original story, though. *nudge nudge*
Alright, after reading that you now have to expand on this story. The people demand it. You can't just give us this and leave. I mean, you could, but you'd have a riot on your hands.
My feels....This is so touching and so good! Bravo!
-Twilight
2877764 You need some better Gifs. the feels have been hit much harder than that.
Just wow. amazing....
Oh, wait NVM it is featured. Ehehehehe
Well, that was godlike.
2877764
The only punch to the gut was me thinking: what's the point if you're going to set up a good problem only to walk away?
I'm glad to hear you're continuing it. I'll be waiting patiently for the continuation/conclusion.
It's good. But the ending doesn't offer much resolution, not much closure. I think that we don't need a long story, but we want one that at least resolves, to an extent, this dangling plot thread.
Also, I'm a sucker for almost any story that portrays changelings as rational creatures not only with needs, but with wants, and dreams, and aspirations (I wouldn't write them that way, otherwise). We like complex characters, and we want complex changelings.
Complex changelings or GTBO.
Waaait why is it on hiatus after just a couple thousand words. That's twenty minutes of writing, while eating a baguette.
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Please write more! This is a great story, and I especially love the premise!
I'm gonna go sit in a corner and cry now.
While this was rather nice I couldn't help but think of Dear Sister from the description. XD.
please continue this, in the mean time i am going to cry myself to sleep
Sequel... NAOW!!!!!!
I haven't cried that hard since I read the second volume of affliction of the heart.
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I've always wanted to start a riot.
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Thank you, thank you. Give the rest of my work a look, people love it for some ungodly reason!
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Does the gif above work? Also, glad you thought it was good.
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You're too kind.
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2878321
Because sometimes the most effective tool for the job is a lack of closure, the empty feeling of not knowing what happens next in a frankly hopeless situation.
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Quite frankly there's no excuse to write any character flatly, changeling or not. You can write any character well if you have a good enough eye.
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This actually took most of yesterday afternoon and evening in the middle of a borderline suicidal depressive slump. Finding the right words for the right emotions is harder than you might think, especially when writing from a dark place.
I'll be taking that baguette, though; good bludgeoning weapon. *yoink*
2878472
Glad you like! And I will, after I make a bit more progress on my other projects.
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In all seriousness, cry it out; it's healthy for you.
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You're the second person that's said that. Need to look this thing up.
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2878562 NEVER!!!!!!!!1
No comment *gets up and walks away from computer silently crying*
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Not sure how to take that gif
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I think I may be a horrible person; your anguish brings me great satisfaction. In all seriousness, my poking is just in good fun. I'm so glad my work is moving people emotionally like this.
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Comes with being a true son of Tumblr.