Shining Armor sighed as he made his way through the halls of the castle. He had a less than restful night, and now he had to talk to the princess about the matters that had plagued his sleep. Last night he had discovered that a portion of his work to clean the city of changelings had failed, and worse, that Princess Celestia knew that there were changelings among then, and didn't tell him.
I have a right to know! I am the head of her security, and I am married to the princess those things tried to imprison! He fumed slightly then sighed. He gave a small nod to a guard passing by then stopped to rub his neck. Not things... changelings. Rose is one, but she's not going to be like them. Cadence and I will raise her to be a good girl, a kind pony. A smile broke across his face and he felt a sense of pride. My daughter, Rose.
He continued on his way, his thoughts on the tiny filly, and how within the few weeks he has had her, she had gone from thin, and frail, to a healthy form for her age, or at least for a filly her size. His smile faded once he reached the hall of the Princess's office.
This will be interesting to say the least. He reached the door of the goddess's office, and then knocked on it.
"Enter." The voice of Celestia reached him from beyond the door.
Shining took a quick breath then moved into the office. He spotted the alicorn mare sitting at a large oaken desk, a roll of parchment floating before her, and a quill writing quickly.
The alicorn looked up and gave the stallion a warm smile. "Ahh, Shining, please do come in."
A chair moved beside the princess as her quill went to work. The stallion gave a quick salute before walking up to the desk.
"Princess, I have a matter I wish to discuss with you." His voice was clam, but he injected enough firmness into his tone to carry his intention.
"Of course, at ease by the way." The princess levitated a cup of tea that the stallion hadn't noticed and took a sip. “What is the issue you wish to discuss."
Shining removed his helmet and sighed. "The major breach of protocol you made when you failed to inform me of Changelings within our ranks." He placed his helm in the chair, and kept his eyes locked with the princess. "That's information I need to know. It's also a huge security issue, to say the least!"
The captain took a moment to swallow and he chewed on his tongue. He hadn't meant to raise his voice. A moment later he spoke once more, his voice calm.
"As your captain of the guard, I have a right to know when enemies of the state are entering and exiting our capital without detection, and if members of a foreign power are in the same city, and within my own guard."
Celestia's face remained neutral as she placed her tea cup down. She placed the parchment and quill down as well and gave the stallion a small nod.
"You are correct captain. I broke protocol with you, and for that I am sorry." She made a small gesture to his seat. "If I may defend myself, and my actions."
The stallion remained standing. "Princess, you left major holes in your security, and on top of that, you left enemies within our ranks. How do we know they aren't spies their queen?"
"Because I interrogated each of them personally, and the ones that remained are all under a magical oath." She again offered him the seat. "Breaking that oath is not a wise move for them, I can assure you."
Once more Shining didn't take the seat. "Princess, they invaded our kingdom, and almost removed you from power. How can you possibly expect me to take the news of the leader of the invading force, and yourself have been talking, and in private as well!?"
Celestia sighed softly and took a sip of tea. She remained silent until she placed the cup back on its saucer. "Because I believe in second chances, and I think she is trying to do what is best for her people." Her hoof pointed to the chair. "Please do sit down."
The captain let out a long sigh of his own then sat down after moving his helm. "Explain, from the start if you would."
The mare nodded. "Of course. I came into contact with the changelings that avoided your sweep of the castle about a month after the invasion. I interrogated them all, and only the six left took the oath. The rest left on their own accord."
The mare took a sip as the stallion spoke, his voice inquisitive, but still angry. "And at what point did you decided to lie to me?"
"Roughly two days after the last one took the oath." She placed her cup back down and then opened a box of tea biscuits, and held one out to the stallion. "I argued with myself about telling you since I discovered the first, but... your fervor with purging the ranks made me worry you would attempt to retaliate against them." She gave the stallion a smile as he levitated one of the biscuits out. "I was hoping to keep them under the radar until at least a year had passed... that plan seems to have failed."
"No kidding." The stallion sighed and leaned back in the chair. "Princess, I am angry that you wouldn't trust me with this sort of information. The risks on your security and the risk to those six that stayed were, and still are, huge."
The princess nodded. "I have faith that you can now compensate for that information."
Shining took a bite of the baked good, and then sighed. "So... you mentioned a second chance. What is she doing to redeem herself for the invasion?"
"She is helping me by removing as many of her spies as possible, and in due time... she and I hope to integrate her people with our own."
Shining raised an eyebrow. "And you think this will work?"
The princess nodded. "It won't happen overnight, but in due time, it can be done. Years of repairing the bridges she burned with her actions." Celestia sighed deeply. "I wish she had come to me in private and had brought her worries to me in a peaceful way, but instead she invaded."
For a brief moment Shining saw the true age, and weight of her responsibilities on the face of the princess. Her normally regal and perfect features looked tired, worn down. The moment passed as she smiled to the stallion, her voice as kind as her expression.
"I heard from Cadence that you are really connecting with Rose."
The stallion quickly finished his biscuit. "I am." He smiled fondly. "She can say my name, and she is my daughter."
Celestia nodded and took another sip of her drink. "Could you ever imagine that once the invasion was over, you would feel that way about one of the changelings?"
"I..." The stallion rubbed his neck and let out a small chuckle. "If you told me I would have a changeling as a daughter, I would have thought you were insane." He chuckled again and looked to the white mare. "But now... I look forward to seeing her every day. I can't imagine her not being there with a smile and a hug for me."
"In a way, you two are saving each other." Celestia offered the tin of biscuits again. "You are giving her love to live, and a home. While she has cured you of a hatred of her kind, at least, mostly I would say."
Shining nodded. "I guess that is true." He sighed again. "It still wounds me that you didn't trust me. I have done everything I can to keep you and your sister safe."
Celestia's smile fell and she nodded. "I am sorry for not giving you the trust and good faith you deserve. You have been nothing but loyal and brave. I hope you can forgive me of this transgression."
As the stallion nodded, a bright green light lit up the office, and a small scroll landed on the desk. The golden aura of the goddess engulfed the parchment and unrolled it.
"Twilight is writing me earlier than I expected." The mare read the parchment. "She had a friendship lesson on the importance of expressing ones worries. Oh, and she hopes that your talk with her today will go well."
The captain smiled and stood up from his chair. "On that note, I suppose I should head to meet her." The stallion bowed to the princess. "Wish me luck."
"You will not need it."
As the captain reached the door of the office he heard the voice of the goddess reached him.
"And captain... I truly am sorry for not being honest with you."
The stallion looked back to her and nodded. "I can forgive you for it. Thank you for the biscuits."
Twilight shuffled in her seat at a small cafe in Canterlot. Across from her sat her longtime friend Spike, who was very happily devouring a sandwich. She sighed and bit her lip and shuffled more, which caught the attention of the dragon.
"Twilight, calm down. Everything will be fine." He gave her a comforting smile and finished his sandwich. "You and Shining will be fine. A small talk and boom! You are an aunt."
The dragon smiled and leaned back in his chair while Twilight gave a small nod. "I hope so. We both said some mean things to each other."
Spike nodded. "Sometimes you say mean things, but they are said in the heat of the moment. Like that time you yelled at me for spilling the brownie batter everywhere can called me a little nightmare dragon." The purple drake smiled. "You didn't mean it, you were just upset."
Twilight nodded. "I know, but... that was over brownie batter, this is over the fact he adopted a..." She looked around and lowered her voice. "A filly."
Spike nodded. "Rose. We can say her name Twilight. Besides, don't you want to be an aunt? I like the idea of being an uncle... sorta."
"I do... but... Rose is not exactly how I imagined it would happen." She sighed and took a small sip of her water.
The dragon nodded and smiled. "Yeah, and I'm not exactly the little brother you thought would happen either." He got out of his chair and walked over to the mare and hugged her. "Now look at us. Family, even if you have fur and are a major bookworm."
Twilight beamed at her friend and hugged him back tightly. "Thanks Spike."
The dragon smiled and then moved back to his chair. "You're welcome. So, when is Shining supposed to get here?"
The purple mare looked to a clock hanging on the wall of the cafe. "Well we got here almost an hour early. So... in ten minutes or so."
Spike nodded then pointed to the door. "Or right now."
Twilight's ears pinned as she looked behind her and spotted her brother walking in. She shuffled in her seat as Spike called out.
"Shining! Over here!" The small dragon stood on his chair and waved to him.
The stallion smiled and waved back then quickly moved to the table. "Spike it's great to see you again." Shining glanced to Twilight and gave a more cautionary look. "Twilight, I'm glad you came here today."
As the stallion sat down, the purple mare shuffled more and swallowed.
"ShiningIamsorryIdidn'tmeantofreakoutlikethatpleaseforgiveme!"
The stallion and the drake blinked for a moment then Shining chuckled. "Twilight, a little slower. My Twilenese is rusty."
The purple mare blushed and nodded. "Right, um... I'm sorry for what happened. I over reacted and well..." She swallowed and nervously smiled. "I do want to be an aunt."
Shining nodded and smiled back his sister. "I am sorry too. We both said stupid things, but what I said was not okay." The stallion sighed and gently held his sister's hoof. "I'm so sorry, but I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me, and to give Rose a chance."
Twilight smiled then moved from her chair to her brother. "Shiny, I forgive you, if you forgive me."
"I forgive you." Her older brother said as he hugged her. The pair spent a moment simply hugging each other, but then they pulled apart and the mare nuzzled her brother.
"Thank you B.B.B.F.F." She smiled up to him.
"You're welcome my L.S.B.F.F."
"Can we see Rose now?" They turned to see Spike smiling at them. "If the moment is over I mean..."
Shining chuckled and shook his head. "Not right now. Cadence is having a mother daughter day, so we should wait until tomorrow, or maybe later tonight depending on how things go." He smiled and picked up the menu with his magic. "I want to spend a day with my sister, and scaled brother."
The trio smiled as the waiter came over to them. They were all ready to have a pleasant family day.
Cadence looked to the guard she had summoned, and motioned to the chair opposite of her. She was laying on the couch of her living room, the small filly Rose asleep in her grasp, and the guard she has summoned stood near the chair.
"At ease, Echo. I wanted to ask you some questions about my daughter's people." She gave a small smile, and gently nuzzled the filly.
"Of course princess." The stallion responded. "I ask that you not call me that when I am in my pony form. It could risk my concealment."
With a small flash of green the stallion had transformed into the black carapaced creature she had seen in the alley way, but with a striking difference she had thought was just magic. His eyes, and back were of a deep green.
"What do you wish to know, your highness?" He spoke softly as he removed his helm.
Cadence spent another moment inspecting his differences then spoke, her voice full of curiosity. "Your eyes and back... they are not blue... why?"
The changeling sat on the chair and smiled. "Ahh, you noticed. It's a way for changelings to know what class you are in. Green is the color of deep infiltrators. My type stays deep undercover for years without contact with the hive. Blue is the color of the warrior, and general combat service."
Cadence nodded and her brow furrowed. "Class? Like... a caste system?"
The stallion nodded. "In a manner of speaking, yes." He placed his helm on the floor and looked to the door. "You are not confined to that class, but the classes are there to keep the hives organized, and efficient. Also the quick color recognition helps in the hives when domestic matters arise..."
His voice trailed off as he looked back to the mare and spotted her looking at the ruby hued filly. Cadence gently brushed the little changelings frill, and then looked up to the guard.
"And... what is red?" She looked up and watched the stallion shift from the chair to the love seat.
The guard sat down and checked the door, and once he confirmed he couldn't be seen from the door he settled into the chair. "Red is the color of brood mothers. Her future is set to bring many more of her kind into this world, and bring joy to our young. Essentially, either she is making foals, or raising them."
Cadence was taken aback by his casual nature while discussing such a class. "She... is only alive to make children?"
He shook his head. "No, she can change that if she wishes. It's just the class she was born into, so if this was a hive, it would be her job more than likely." He looked to the filly. "She is filling out very well. Your and Captain Shining's love is making her growing well. I'd say she has less than half a year for full growth."
The pink princess nodded. "I see... is there anything I need to know about changelings?"
"Her fangs will hurt." He said and chuckled. "The fangs always hurt."
Cadence tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mea—"
The princess heard the door open and she turned her head to look at it, and out of the corner of her eye she spotted the green flash of the changeling changed back to his pony self. From the doorway walked a mare, and personal maid of the princess.
"Princess Cadence, I am off the clock, but I wanted to..." She spotted Brass Hail and smiled then winked at him. "Hello there stud. You remembered our dinner tonight, right?"
The stallion nodded. "I did. I am off shift in an hour. I will pick you up then."
"Not before a shower." She winked to him again then looked to the princess. "Princess Cadence, can I get you or Rose anything?"
The princess shook her head and giggled. "No, but I can give you something." She turned to the guard with a playful grin. "You are off shift now. Princess's order. Enjoy your night."
Barely a moment passed before Swift grabbed the stallion and began dragging him to the doorway. The stallion smiled and picked up his helm as he looked to the princess.
"Thank you princess..."
The door closed as the maid giggled. Cadence smiled and was certain that no matter what the night entailed, she would hear of it tomorrow. They make a cute couple. I kinda like playing matchmaker.
UPDATE!
Poor little Rose is going to have to deal with Teething, I hear tell I dealt with that with electrical cords. Plugged in electrical cords!
I'd feel sorry for Swift and Brass if it wasn't so funny and they were willing to submit to Caddy's fun
the coverart is cuuuuuuuuute
5904129 I think the proper terminology would be 'Shining, Cadance, Celestia, and everyone else within reasonable reach will have to deal with teething.'
Need more Rose being cute!
5904254 Meh, sounds like personal problems to me
Don't forgive her too easily, for that. It's great that she doesn't mean it but... That's not a non-issue. That's someone who has to learn to control their temper.
This is an adorable story.
5904716
Everyone deals with their issues differently, though. Spike probably, at this point, knows how to let Twilight deal with hers, and outright confronting her about it in that moment probably wouldn't have been a good idea.
Also it would probably have detracted from the story to call her out on it.
Interesting lecture on the carapace colors. Now everyone's gonna hafta deal with the pain that comes with fangs... Maybe there's a use for 'em?
The only bit that puts me off is the part at the beginning between Shining and Celestia. Celestia's faux pas was a lot more severe than is implied. She basically rendered Shining Armor's position null and void, unimportant, and meaningless. You do not appoint someone to a post and then undermine their authority by doing their job for them, unless you're a complete a-hole or a bumbling idiot. To be honest, I think Shining's anger should have been more profound, and his acceptance of Celestia's apology more begrudging. Actually, now that I think of it, it might have been better for him to offer his resignation, seeing as Celestia doesn't think he's necessary (she might not think that, but her actions say something else whether she knows it or not). This could then have a scene where Celestia actually shows genuine chagrin and remorse instead of her usual serene grace facade (in the scene she doesn't seem very remorseful at all), and she refuses his resignation, saying she doesn't want him making a decision like that when angry. Then give him a month off to think about it, which would let him and Cadance have more time for Rose and really get her settled in on a steady track. Or at least, more than they've already done. Maybe take a vacation to Ponyville to visit with Twilight some more.
I just think this was a missed opportunity and a bit of a downplaying of Celestia's faux pas. But it's no deal-breaker, and the rest of the chapter is nice, so still looking good.
Good!!!!!
A pony and a changeling haven't bonded in over three hundred years. So far their working on their second one in so many months.
Wonder if pony/changeling hybrids are a thing.
Update soon!
5906190 A pony and a changeling foal hasn't bonded in that time. The normal feeding on love happens all the time. The form of a pony raising a changeling foal hasn't.
Ah yes, teething. Prepare for sleepless nights Cadence.
After reading through your entire story I can honestly say I'm very much looking forward to seeing more. However, this is far from a perfect story and there are several nagging issues with this story that prevents me from favoriting it,
First and foremost is the almost complete lack of a lasting conflict for the story, the closest thing I can think of for and overarching conflict in this story is the worry over what Rose will do when she grows up. You keep introducing things that should be conflicts lasting for several chapters such as Shining/Cadence having trouble feeding or caring for the foal due to their past experience, Chrysalis, the nobles of Canterlot, the castle staff, and more recently Twilight, but they all almost instantly get brushed off or simply stop being a problem because reasons. I'm willing to overlook Cadence's quick acceptance because otherwise this story is much harder to accept, but especially Shining with his "actions in purging changeling from their ranks" should not have been so quick to accept his changeling daughter, nor should the Canterlot elite be so happy about their little plan especially after it became obvious that they are treating Rose like a child and not a test subject.
Another thing has already been touched on by Rokas and that's Shining/Celestia's relationship in this fic. He covered several points, but the fact that Celestia has lied to him and basically been using his family as a pawn in some long term plan and no matter how much you trust someone, that is not something easily looked past. This should have become a point of contention for the two, manifesting in Shining being much more cold and formal around Celestia, suspicious of her actions, and less willing to go to her should anything comes up, yet this potential conflict is just swept under the rug with everything else.
A third thing you my want to consider is something touched upon by Silver Quill in his video on the Cakes, children disrupt lives. So far the royal pair seems to be handling Rose with almost no interruptions to their daily or busy scheduled. Even when you consider that Cadence is an ex-babysitter and Shining had Twilight, that has been several years and I can speak from experience, caring for a toddler is a very different nine headed fire breathing demon beast from babysitting and having a brainy younger sibling. Even with the help of a good nanny, and Rose's absolutely miraculous poddy training, the pair should still be showing wear from sleepless nights, having to try and keep Rose from accidentally breaking things, keeping her fed and entertained, worrying over her, and working.
Also a quick forth, where is auntie Luna in this fic? I can understand Celestia keeping a professional distance due to her more direct and experienced dealings with the Canterlot elite, but Luna has often been depicted as bucking tradition and enjoying children. The best reason most usually have with not including her is distance, but with her literally in the same castle and having less ruling responsibilities than Celestia, I'm curious why she's not frequenting her niece's place to double check on the couple.
Now again, I like this fic, you have a very solid base for this story already and it is an enjoyable daw fic, you portray the the royal pair in and enjoyable manner and your head canons for the changelings, while shaky, have not been overly disruptive. The reason I pic at your story so much is because, like with a few other stories and series I follow the reason I pick it apart so much is that we are so in love with the item in question that I can't help but see the flaws in it. I want this fic to shine like a gem and be all it can be, though to do that would involve a lot of rewriting I'm not sure you'd be willing to do as it would seriously change the tone of the fic in question from a fluffy daw fic to a complex slice of life about the troubles of raising a child.
I wish you luck with this story and hope it does not fall apart like so many other stores I enjoy.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/7/21/380814__safe_rarity_applejack_shipping_lesbian_princess+cadance_shining+armor_flash+sentry_rarijack_pointy+ponies_flashlight_shipper+on+deck_artist-colon-bitz_shipping+chart.jpg
So it begins...
5909588 Hahahaha so much win with that
"One thousand years moon! "
5909588
Twi's triangle is sorely missing Sunset. :P
i love this story
stayclassy
Rose is absolutely adorable. I can just see her unintentionally winning Equestria lots of conessions in treaties if she wanders into the negotiation room to find Celestia and her sheer adorableness melts ambassadors' brains so they give away all kinds of stuff. I would like to see her interact with Luna a bit, Celestia is having all the Auntie fun so far. I love the idea of Cadence setting nice ponies up in couples, more happy love for Rose to enjoy.
5904934 It's called trimming Blueblood's mane and tail.
6172776 Now picture Blueblood running around screaming while everypony laughs as Rose chases after him for annoying her mommy or insulting her.
My friend made fan art but dosn't have an account :) http://fav.me/d9bsh0i
6487739 Let your friend know I like it and that I say thanks.
6491073 She says: Wow, thanks! So which on is she actually like?
6491355 Since she is pure Changeling, she would be the maneless one, but I enjoy the look of both.
6539890
6539891
Double post.
I'm still amazed how much common sense everyone is exhibiting in this story. And you portray Celestia really well, of course she would give changelings a second chance. And i love how her and Chryssie went to diplomacy.
The d'awwww must flow!
Cya
Raziel-chan
She likes playing matchmaker.....................................WARNING ALARMS!!!!!
6648870
i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/687/970/993.jpg
6649233
My god that is amazing
6649233
but what happens i wonder when the ship doesn't sail? What if one of the shipped beings takes interest in another?
It begins...
So it begins... The Shippocalypse
Oh so both Celestia and Chrysalis try to see if they can make truth with each other especially their own kind so chrysalis having most of her changeling to live among with ponies to see how this will work even though in the future of season 6 finale it will but this is a different alternate universe
Basically she's twilighting again
Lol I kind of figured no matter under the circumstances you always find a way to ship ponies and creatures
Ok so Shining Armor wanted to find out the truth about what Celestia said to Cadence and apparently it was true she was trying to see if her and Chrysalis can make peace with each other to have her changeling live among in the castle and swear their loyalty to Equestria and apparently and then Shining Armor met up with Twilight and Spike and both him and her talk to each other and apologize for what they said to each other and Twilight really want to give a chance to become a family with rose even Spike wants to do this meanwhile Cadence talk to Brass about the changeling culture and he was pretty corroborated then the maid Swift wanted to ask him on a date and of course Princess Cadence let them have their a little date boy things kind of pretty smoothly
Princess of love adopts breeder changeling! City in panic as ponies discover the newest trend in foal toys are actually live nymphs!