Duty calls
The day had finally come. Shining Armor had been waiting for the day when he would head off to join the royal guard, and now that day was here. As he climbed out of bed, he began to have second thoughts. He was looking forward to going, but wasn't entirely prepared for what would come with his new duty. He wasn't yet ready to really leave his family behind. His whole life was going to change, and it scared him a little as reality finally began to really sink in. Regardless, he headed downstairs with pride to meet his family for the last time until he graduates and becomes a guard.
"Morning big brother," Twilight said as Shining descended the final step.
"Good morning, Twily," Shining Armor said as he walked over.
"Look who's up, bright and early," Twilight Velvet said as she came into view.
"Morning, mom," Shining Armor said, "Where's dad?".
"Bathroom," Twilight Velvet said.
"Ah," Shining Armor said quietly, "So, what's for breakfast?".
"Chocolate waffles," Twilight Velvet said, "Figured you'd like your favorite breakfast the day you head out".
"Where you going?" Twilight asked.
"You forgot?" Shining Armor asked, "Today's the day I head off the join Princess Celestia's royal guard".
"That's today?" Twilight asked.
"Yep, that's today," Shining Armor said proudly.
"Well... um... good luck," Twilight said.
"I'm not leaving just yet," Shining Armor said, "But, thanks".
"So, I hear we've got a guard stationed at this house now," Night Light said as he came into the room.
"Not yet, dad," Shining Armor said, "I've still got three months of training before that happens".
"Three months!?" Twilight yelled.
"Three months of training and then I'll officially be a guard," Shining Armor confirmed.
"But... you'll be gone for three months?" Twilight asked.
"Well... yes," Shining Armor said.
"Then you're not going," Twilight said.
"No, I'm not," Shining Armor said, "For a couple of hours anyway".
"Gotcha," Shining Armor said as he tapped Twilight's shoulder.
Breakfast had been rather uneventful, but now Shining Amor and Twilight were caught up in a game of hide and seek. The game had only lasted about ten minutes, but there had been several rounds already. Twilight wasn't the best at the game, but she kept trying. In the end, Twilight wound up with only three wins while Shining had five. The game was starting to get a little old now, and Twilight was tired of losing.
"You big, cheating meanie," Twilight said, pouting.
"You're just easy to find and hide from," Shining Armor said.
"Big brother?" Twilight asked after a brief pause.
"What's up?" Shining Armor asked.
"I'll see you again, right?" Twilight asked.
"What kind of question is that?" Shining Armor asked, "I know for certain mom and dad will bring you to my graduation ceremony. You'll see then".
"What about after that?" Twilight asked.
"I get a few days leave with my family after I graduate," Shining Armor said, "But after that, duty calls, and I'll be leaving again".
"How long will you be gone then?" Twilight asked.
"However long they keep me stationed where they send me," Shining Armor said.
"Well... I don't want you to go," Twilight said, trying not to cry.
"We'll see each other from time to time, just not every day," Shining Armor said, "And when we can't see each other, we can still send letters back and forth".
"I still don't want you to go," Twilight said.
"I know you don't, but this is just something I have to do," Shining Armor said, pulling Twilight into a hug.
The time had finally arrived. A knock on the front door told everypony that it times to say their good byes for the next three months.
"Well, hello there, sirs," Night Light said as he opened the door.
"Is Shining Armor here at the moment?" One of the guards asked.
"He's coming, just saying good bye to his mother real quick," Night Light said.
"Actually, I'm right here," Shining Armor said as he walked over.
"You ready for this?" Night Light asked.
"Yea, I'm ready," Shining Armor said, "I'll see you again in three months".
"You better write to us, by the way," Night Light said.
"I will, don't worry," Shining Armor said, "Twilight would never forgive me if I didn't".
"She'll be just fine, don't you worry," Night Light said, "Now, go out there and make me proud".
As Shining Armor turned to leave, he was stopped by a tiny purple unicorn standing in front of the door. Twilight wasn't about to give up just yet.
"You're not going," Twilight said, "I won't let you".
"This isn't good bye forever, just for a little while," Shining Armor said.
"You're not going!" Twilight cried out.
"Look, I'll write to you as often as I can and let you know how I'm doing," Shining Armor said, "And my graduation will be here before ya know it, trust me".
"Fine," Twilight said before latching onto Shining's right foreleg, "If you're really gonna go, then you're taking me with you".
"Twilight, get off of him," Twilight Velvet said as she walked over.
"No!" Twilight yelled.
"Do I need to release the tickle beast?" Shining Armor asked.
"You wouldn't," Twilight said.
"Oh yes I would," Shining Armor said.
"Fine, fine," Twilight said, letting go of Shining's leg, "I just...I'm gonna miss you".
"I'll miss you to," Shining Armor said, pulling Twilight into a hug, "And I'll be looking forward to seeing that smile on your face when I graduate".
The two stayed there for what felt like forever, Twilight unable to hold back her sadness any longer. As the two pulled apart, Shining's coat was damp from Twilight's tears.
"And hey, I'll write letters when I can," Shining Armor said, "You gonna write back?".
"Yea, I will," Twilight said between sobs.
"That's something else to look forward to," Shining Armor said.
"I wish you wouldn't go," Twilight said, wiping away tears, "After all, you did say you'd always be there for me".
"And I will be, no matter how far away I am," Shining Armor said, "No matter what happens, no matter where I go, I'll still be there for you if you need me. I may not be there physically, but I'll still be there".
"Promise?" Twilight asked, looking up with tears still in her eyes.
"I promise," Shining Armor said.
After another brief pause, Twilight finally moved out of the way to let Shining through. She kept her back to the door, not wanting to watch him leave. The next three months were going to hard on her, but she'd make it. She'd push through, determined to see her brother on graduation day.
"You're sister sure loves ya," One of the guards said.
"It's never easy for the little ones to say good bye like that," Another guard said.
"That just makes the next meet up that much more special," The first guard said, "She'll be happy to see you again, for sure. If she's anything like my baby sister, she'll probably choke you when she sees you again".
"There's no probably about it," Shining Armor said, "I already know I'm gonna be tackled and choked nearly to death".
"Well, let's hurry it on up," The first guard said, "Captain ain't gonna wait forever".
As the group moved forward, Shining turned his head around slightly to see Twilight standing in the doorway waving at him. He paused for a bit to wave back before turning back and moving forward again... not looking back this time. He had pride in his steps, and a determined look on his face as he moved onward, ready for the challenges ahead.
"Take care of yourself, little sis," Shining Armor whispered to himself.