Chapter 3: Love's Shadow
Cadance
I could barely contain my excitement, even though the ride to Canterlot was rather boring.
I smiled to myself, thinking: 'it's going to be so good seeing auntie Tia and Luna. I wonder how Twilight and Fluttershy are doing? Why haven't they written to me in six years? Maybe with everything that was happening I just missed her letters.'
I felt the crystal pegasi slow down, as we began to descend. Looking out of the window I saw auntie Tia waiting for my arrival, with a forlorn expression across her muzzle. Why would she look so down? Whatever she needed my help with must be putting her in some kind of bind.
Feeling the chariot land and slow down to a stop, I stepped out and used my magic to retrieve the belongings that I’d brought with me.
I turned around and spoke to the crystal pegasi, "thank you for carrying me here, both of you. You may head on back to the Crystal City, I do not know how long I'll be needed here. When you get back though, take the next few days to recover."
I felt a hoof on my shoulder, and turned around to Celestia embracing me in a hug.
"Thank you for coming so quickly, Cadance. I have no idea what to do. Even Luna is at her wits end," my aunt spoke, bags under her eyes..
I returned her hug and said, "What is this about auntie? I've never seen you this distraught before."
"I'm sorry, I promise I'll explain everything, but first, let's find a place away from prying ears," Celestia said, motioning me to follow.
I went to grab my bags and noticed they were already gone. 'Somepony must have taken them for me while I wasn't looking,' I thought to myself.
I pushed the thought of my bags to the back of my mind and followed my aunt so we could speak in private. Celestia and I walked through the castle, and I soon noticed that we were heading for the royal garden.
“Cadance,” I heard Celestia start speaking. “In these past few years, i’ve been doing what I could to hide something from you, so you could focus your efforts on the uprising,” she said, with clear disappointment in her voice, though not towards me, but towards herself. “I know I probably shouldn’t have, but at the time I thought it was the best thing to do.”
“What did you hide from me?”
“I’d rather show you than tell you, my dear niece. I just hope you can forgive me once I do.”
I was confused about my aunt’s statement. Why wouldn’t I forgive her? What didn’t she tell me that would make her think that?
We continued walking along the Royal Garden until she spoke again. “Do you know where we are heading?”
“From what I can tell auntie, The Meadow of Remembrance. What I don’t understand is why?”
“You’ll soon find out,” she answered me.
Soon after I noticed the archway leading into the meadow, two guards posted outside.
“We wish to pay homage to those that are here,” Celestia said to the guards, as we walked up to them.
“Of course Princess,” they said in unison.
As the guards allowed us passage, me and Celestia walked down the pathway. As we did I noticed my aunt fidgeting, and even biting her lower lip. I could tell she was nervous. 'Is she really that worried about what she hid from me?' I thought to myself.
As we reached the end of the pathway, Celestia stopped.
Looking over her shoulder at me she speaks, shuffling her hooves around, “I am truly sorry I hid this from you Cadance. I just hope you can forgive me." Speaking the last word Celestia turned back and walked into the meadow.
As I follow my aunt, my eyes widen in horror and shock. A fifth gravestone had been added since I was last here. I didn't want to believe it, couldn't believe it. I slowly made my way to the new gravestone, needing to see what it said.
As I reached the gravestone my hind legs gave out, forcing me to the ground, closer to what I saw written. 'Fluttershy, Kindness, Loving Bride, Cared for all creatures none more so than her wife.' My mouth hung open. I couldn't believe it. Fluttershy was gone.
‘Twilight was already cracking from losing her brother and friends. Losing Fluttershy, would have been unbearable for her,” I thought to myself, moisture building in my eyes.
“How long has it been?" I asked my aunt without turning my head, as my voice threatened to crack.
"Six years," she spoke with sorrow in her voice. "She's been gone for six years. When she left us, it was as if Twilight left us as well. At first I thought she would be okay, but I was wrong."
"Why?" I asked as a lone tear ran down my face. "Why did you hide this from me?"
"Why did I hide it? I suppose, I don't truly know myself anymore. I hid it at first so you could focus on the uprising. I thought me and Luna could help Twilight through Shy’s death ourselves," Celestia spoke, the sadness in her voice near unbearable.
I could tell speaking about this was hurting her, but at the moment, my only thoughts were on Twilight. Was she okay?
“Why hasn’t Twilight told me about this?” I asked, as I stood up and turned around to face my aunt.
“I used my magic to stop her letters from getting to you. I didn’t want you distracted from the uprising. At the time I thought it was the right thing to do, but I know now that I was wrong.”
“How could you even think hiding something like this from me would be the right thing to do, Celestia?” I asked, my voice rising in volume.
“Because, I didn’t want the Crystal City to fall, like it did over a thousand years ago,” my aunt said to me calmly.
“Do you truly think I’d let something like this stop me from protecting my little ponies in the Crystal City? Yes, I would have come to try and help Twilight through this. But, I would have never let my ponies be harmed!” I yelled in rage. After taking a deep breath, like I had once taught Twilight, I spoke to Celestia again. “Twilight is one of the most important ponies in my life. You know this. If it wasn’t for her help when Shining Armor passed away, I would have never made it through it,” once again, just as many times before, tears started coming to me as memories of my late husband came forth.
“I’m sorry, Cadance. I know she's important to you, and that’s why I kept this from you. I was worried your concern for her would overrule your concern for the Crystal City. Recently though I’ve found out that I was wrong.” As she spoke the last word, I opened my muzzle to reply, when she brought her hoof up to let her continue. “I know that doesn't excuse me from hiding this from you, but at the moment I don’t care if you hate me or not. I asked you here so you can help, not me, but Twilight.”
“What do you mean?”
"These past six years have not been easy. At fir...."
"Just stop right there and get to the point. At the moment you are not a pony I wish to talk with for a length of time," I said, interrupting Celestia.
"Very well. Twilight has become distant. She does everything she can to avoid, not only myself and Luna, but the entire castle, if she can. She rarely leaves her room."
"Castle? You mean she moved back here?"
"After Fluttershy died, yes. She is back in the tower she stayed in before she moved to ponyville."
I turned my back to the sun goddess and spread out my wings. Since I knew where Twilight was, I wanted to speak with her.
"Where are you going, Cadance?"
"To see Twilight," I said flatly, as I took off into the sky, heading for Twilights room.
Moments later I landed on the balcony connected to Twilight’s old room. Walking up to the doors I pushed them open and looked inside.
"Twilight," I called out, hoping she would answer me. "Twilight, it’s me Cadance." 'Maybe she's not here,' I thought to myself, looking around the room. 'Still organized like always.'
As I looked around the room, I noticed a picture frame turned down on a desk. I walked over to see what picture could be in it.
Before I could see the picture, I heard Twilight call out, "Rose, is that you in there?"
"No, Twilight. It's me, Cadance. I came to see you," I called back to her, forgetting about the picture frame.
"Cadance!" I heard Twilight yell.
When I heard Twilight yell out my name I thought she was happy. I immediately found out that I was wrong. Twilight stepped out of the bathroom soaking wet, with a look of rage in her eyes that I only ever saw one other time in my life.
When I saw Twilight's eyes, I could do nothing but, back away in fear. If looks could kill, the one she gave me would have sent me to my husband.
"Twilight? Are you okay?"
"Am I okay? AM I OKAY?" Twilight screamed at me. "No, I'm not okay. Tell me, Cadance. Do you not know what happened? Apparently you do, seeing how you knew I was back in my old room," she said, while spitting at my hooves. "You don't care about me, you abandoned me, just like everypony else!"
"No, Twilight. That's not true, I care about you very much, just as much as I care about Shining," I told her, as I tried to quell the fear in my hooves.
"Then tell me why... why didn't you come see me when my wife left this world? I came and helped you when my brother passed away. You knew I was having a hard time watching my friends pass away. Why didn't you come when I asked you to? And why haven’t you replied to any of my letters?"
"I haven't received any letters from you in six years, Twilight," I told her, as I teleported the first letter Celestia sent me the other day. "Celestia sent me this letter, asking for my help last night. I figured I could see you while I was here. When I got here though, she told me she needed my help with you, cause you haven't taken Fluttershy’s death well. Which I didn't even know happened till she told me when I was speaking to her just moments ago," I said, the fear in my hooves finally calming down.
"So you came when Princess Celestia asked, but not when I asked? How does that work?"
"Twilight, please listen to me..." I started to speak, before Twilight interrupted me.
"No, Cadance. I don't want to hear what you have to say and I don't need your help either. I just want you to get out of my room," Twilight told me, as she turned around, opening the bedroom door with her magic, a clear sign she wanted me to leave, but I had to try one more time.
"Please Twilight. I know I wasn't here before, but I'm here now."
"Leave. Now. I won't ask a third time," she said, walking back into the bathroom.
I watched as Twilight closed the bathroom door, leaving me alone. I looked over at the open bedroom door and walked out, hanging my head low.
After closing the door, I decided to teleport to my room so other ponies wouldn't see me in my down ridden state.
Appearing in my room, my head hung low, I looked around and noticed my bags on my bed. Walking over to my bed, I opened one of my bags and pulled out a golden diamond horn ring.
"Shining Armor," I said out loud, holding my wedding ring in my magic. "What can I do? All the love I once felt inside of Twilight, is now gone. I wanna do whatever I can to help her, since without her, I would have never been able to continue without you,” I said, pulling the ring close.
After returning my wedding ring into my bag, I laid down on my bed, and slowly drifted off to sleep thinking about the lavender alicorn, whom I once shared a very special friendship with.
Nice chapter, although I really think Cadence should have said that Celestia had blocked all of Twilight's letters from getting to her.
3208237 she was trying to... but Twilight didnt want to hear it... Next chapter will bring more to the story so you understand better... wont be for awhile though sorry... working on another story... after the chapter of that one is done... ill begin work on chapter 4 of this one
TwiDance? Or Twilestiadance?
3208256 TwiDance
3208247 Haha, I understand, it's the same with my stories as well. The first story I ever wrote is on the back burner for now due to me having two WAY more popular stories. I mean, what would be a better use of my time? Write another chapter for my first story (last chapter only got less than 100 views...), OR write the next chapter for my new story that I published last Saturday (which already has nearly 6000 views)?
I think it's pretty obvious that I'd work on the story that is a lot more popular! So what's this new story about?
3208262
Uncommon paring, might be interesting.
3208264 its not really my story... but a Story i took up for another Author when he cancled it... "Life of Chaos" a DiscoLight story by Seven81493 whos letting me write it for him
3208273 there arent very many of them... but i think they would make a great couple
3208275 Are you going to publish it on your account?
3208291 no itll be on his + youll have to read the first 2 storys... of the Series.... its the 3rd part of the story
3208278
Well they do already have a relationship in a way
3208308 yep.. just take that friendship to the next level and boom.... TwiDance incoming
3208311
After Shining dies of course... or before Shining and Cadence are engaged
3208315 or a 3way relationship between Cadance Shining and Twi
3208328
Err.. let's bring incest into this... though to be honest a Twilestiadance wouldn't go amiss...or Celedance
3208334 sorry about the 3way comment :P
Ah, finally. I was starting to fear that this was cancelled or something. Nice chapter though, now commence the shipping!
3208355 I wont Cancel this story... its gonna be my pride and joy^^
3208337
Hey all I said was not to bring incest into this, but a three way between Twilight, Cadence and Celestia would be fine
no offence but i dont think this needs romance. it would be kinda pointless,
but hey w/e
and if this gets downvoted, its just my opinion
3208306 Hang on here, so you are going to continue this other guy's story, and upload it on HIS account? That makes no sense at all. You should REALLY upload your work on your account, not his.
Good job tia. Your attempt at saving crystal city has led to cadence being unable to help twi.
This is a good story, but why does it have to be gay? Seriously? Why do people think gay stories are cool? I'm pretty sure Dash would agree that they aren't co
3208512 hell be giving me all the credit for the story wrote... look up the story and ull see
3208455 I knew somepony would think that one day... but the story is a little more indepth then what is alrdy told... ull soon find out more
3208651 what do you mean gay? as in same sex pairing or what?
3208599 I hope you enjoy what your reading
3208686 Yes, but he'll be getting all of the favorites, likes, views, follows, all that stuff because of YOUR work. I'm sorry, I just can't fathom why you would let someone else publish your work and get all of the spoils.
3208696 we also havnt worked out all the details or anything yet... i havnt even posted "my" first chapter yet im just writting atm for fun
3208700 If I were you, I'd have him post a link at the end of his story saying that you are continuing his story on your account.
3208709 we will find out what happens later... this story for him is being a small pain for me atm... he just started a rewrite of the 1st story... and wants Life of Chaos based off it... not the Origanal... so some of my ideas kinda got thrown out the window
3208651
Tis because there is a lot of important protagonists who are female. If the mane six were male, there will be gay stories too.
3208688
Yeah, that's just gross. Would it really have been that hard to put a stallion in Twilight's life?
3208733 almost 70% of the Romances in MLP is Same Sex couples
3208742
I am having a Fluttershy moment where I am asking you not to take anything I say personally. Same sex pairings simply go against my faith and it disturbs me. I am aware that most romances are same sex. That doesn't mean I have to like it. I won't dislike anyone's story because of a little detail like Twilight + Fluttershy. I will continue to read your story, even if a few details disturb me.
Keep in mind that I am only thirteen, so this whole thought of same sex pairings is pretty alien to me.
3208717 Huh. Well, at this point, if I were you, I'd just work on my own stuff.
3208778 I dont take what you said Personally... and i understand your faith... just saying what is true not anger or anything like that... sorry if it felt that way....
3208782 well... the major problem im having... is I just recent a few weeks ago started work... and i wake up at 3:30 in the morning to get rdy.... I leave at 4:20 and drive till 5:00 to get to work... i start work at 5:30... and dont get off till 2:00... im normally very tired when i get home... so i cant do much work
3208789 So then, why would you write someone else's story for them instead of your own stories? I think I speak for your readers and followers when I say that we'd much rather read your stories.
3208725
I recognize that as a good point. I still say that it wouldn't be that hard to use a background pony. Am I the only person against same sex pairings? Really? For the record, I am having no problem coming up with stallions for my characters (I do only have one partial story on the site, but I have numerous other ideas).
I am sorry if my comments offend any one. That is not my goal. My goal is to simply point out how I feel.
3208800 honestly.... for myself... I enjoyed Sevens story very much... and enjoyed the start of "Life of Chaos" and didnt want to see it end... it was more of a way for me to have closure then really helping him
Edit: also told him id work on it... be4 i even had a job lol i was jobless and bored
3208691 I am. It's very good.
3208824 im glad you are enjoying the story
3208810 As a matter of fact, there are lots of people who have something against same-sex pairings. And I doubt anyone has trouble coming up with characters, male or otherwise, to ship with.
But, as you can see at the side of the screen, this story is in the F/F-shipping group, which shows that not only there are lots and lots of stories with same sex pairings, but some people actually (like me) actually prefer reading them over those with opposite-sex pairings.
Point being, I personally did not stumble in here by accident and thought "Aw, Twilight is shipped with females. But the writing is good, so I'll read it anyway". I am here for Twidance-, F/F-shipping, and I will not be denied!
3208858 thanks for reading my story and saying such things
3208810 Don't worry, everyone have the right to express his opinion. As for coupling characters with background ponies, the problem is, well...they are background ponies ^^'...they don't have a deep characterization in the show since they don't appear as the principals characters and it make them less interesting. Of course, people write fanfictions about them, but that's all. When you watch a show like mlp, you begin to love the characters, and especially the ones who have screen time/characterization! Since you know them, you want to write about them, and of course write about their love interests. If you are a brony, who like any type of coupling you will have the tendency to put together characters you like or think as a good couple. Or, maybe the author likes gay couple. Anyway, I'm sure if one of the mane six, or princesses become a male there will be a lot of female/male shipping! just look at flash sentry and twilight ^^
3208955
What would have been so bad about making Flash Sentry Twilight's spouse?
3214277
Equestria girls is not canon, that's it. Hasbro surely wanted a love interest for Twilight who could fulfill the role of the prince charming! (like Cadance and Shinning, and I don't need to explain you why this kind of couple are popular among little girls) But they couldn't do it on mlp, it's too soon and they don't want to upset the brony community, since we brought them a lot of money. Hasbro is in a difficult position: they have to satisfy two different community without irritating the social rules of the cartoons. If there is to be a couple in mlp, it will never be a gay couple, though. I think we go of the point too much, if you want to continue this discussion mail me.
3208237 She tried but Twilight didnt want to hear it
Sometimes Celestia really sucks. You'd think that she maybe told Twilight that she blocked her letters from Cadance before she comes here so she wouldnt ruin a friendship and have two ponies hating her guts at the same time. You know, for a millenia old ruler.... Celestia is pretty damn stupid