> Love is Blind
>  by RaijingtheClockworkPony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Homecoming
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	They were home. After fourteen days away after the nightmare turned dream come true that was their wedding day they had returned from a much needed honeymoon. While she had loved spending time alone with Shining Armor, Princess Cadance had longed to return home due to the panic caused by the changeling attack. Her place was in the castle, to help the ponies of Equestria. When she saw the castle loom in the distance her heart had fluttered with excitement and longing.

She walked through the halls she had grown up in to the suite she now shared with her husband. Husband. That word still seemed so strange for her to refer to Shining as but at the same time felt so right. She smiled to herself and Shining noticed. He always seemed to notice when she smiled.

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "What’s got you so happy?"

She felt her lips pull into a smile. As if he didn't already know. She gave him the answer she gave whenever she was caught smiling by him. "I'm in love with the sweetest stallion in all of Equestria." 

She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. They had done this so many times over the past two weeks alone that she had lost count but every time they had it sent a electric surge through her from her lips. They pulled apart and stared into each other’s eyes as they walked along the halls that they had grown to call home over the years they spent with each other.

They reached the door to the suite when a guard approached them. He was same height as Shining and his coat was of a coal black. 

He saluted to his captain and bowed to the princess. "Greetings Captain, I'm here to deliver orders from Princess Celestia. She wishes to see you immediately."

The white stallion sighed and turned to the alicorn. "Duty calls. I'll be back up here as soon as I can." He sealed his promise with a kiss. He turned to the guard. "Very well. Let's get to work."

The black stallion gave Cadance another quick bow and led the captain down the hallway. The princess let out a small sigh of her own and noticed the servant holding her and Shining's bags. She gave the young unicorn a smile and opened the door to the suite for him. 

He placed the bags down with a heavy breath. "Thank you. Will you need anything else Your Majesty?"

She gave him a couple of bits. "No, thank you. I can handle this." 

The unicorn collected the bits and bowed his way out of the room. When the door closed Cadance let out a more irritated sigh. Part of her was angry that Celestia had called her husband away the moment they returned home but a much calmer part of her understood. Shining was Captain of the Guard and as such his duty was to protect not only the princesses but also all of Equestria. She used her magic to open of if the travel bags and began to unpack it.

She looked around the royal suite. It was a spacious and rather well furnished, the kitchen was well stocked, and the grand bathroom was just as nice as the bedroom she was unpacking in. She had never liked the drapes on the veranda window though, the bland and worn out red always seemed out of place. She was opening another bag to unpack when she heard a sudden loud *thump* from off to her left. She stopped for moment and looked around on the floor thinking that maybe she had dropped something. Her search yielded nothing and she wondered for a moment if maybe she thought she heard the noise. She shrugged and turned back to the opened bags to finish her task. 

*Thump!*

This time she knew for a fact that the sound was real. She turned towards her left and looked towards the bathroom. She walked slowly towards the door wondering what it was that had made the noise. Maybe it was a bottle falling into the tub... but two of them falling within moments of each other? She knew for a fact that she and the servant colt hadn't entered the room, so that eliminated the idea of a pony knocking a bottle over. Maybe one of the maids is in there and didn't hear me come in. She reached the door and peered in. 

The room appeared to be empty. She flicked the switch and the light turned on showing the clean and immaculate room to be empty and lacking any maids. She was about to turn away and go back to her unpacking when movement from the shower caught her attention. She looked at the frosted glass and noticed a small hint of black near the bottom of the shower. 

She took a few steps closer. Her horn glowed as her telekinesis gripped the handle of the shower. The small black blot shifted and moved away from the door with a sound nearly the same as hoofs on the aged cast iron. Something about the sound was off and that fact made Cadance uneasy. She opened the door and froze as she looked at the creature crouching in the shower. 

Sitting there looking back at her was a changeling roughly the size of a small filly. Its eyes were bright red and for a moment were wide in shock. The next it let out a shrill screech and bolted through the now open shower door. The screech knocked Cadence out of her shock and her horn glowed as she gathered the energy to cast a stun spell. As the changeling bolted past the alicorn it ran into Cadance's leg, knocking her over. A magical blast shot out from her horn hitting the mirror and reflecting off and hitting the floor in front of the sprinting changeling. The frightened creature let out another cry and moved for the open bathroom door. 

Cadance rose from the floor and chased after the changeling, cursing to herself for letting it get past her. She entered the bedroom and saw it sprinting for the open door to the living room of the suite. She used her magic to slam the door shut which caused the changeling to run into the unforgiving door. The small creature was quick to get back to its hooves and leaped to its rights as another blue bolt of energy impacted the carpet, leaving a small scorched mark. The small changeling's leap had caused it to hit a small table holding a vase, knocking both to the ground. It scrambled and looked desperately around the room for another escape route. It spotted an open door and sprinted towards it as fast as its tiny legs could carry it. It was close to the door when a blast of magic slammed into its back, launching it into the closet.

Cadance felt a surge of satisfaction as the changeling crashed into the closet, the impact causing the hanging rack to be knocked loose from the wall. The clothes fell into a pile that obscured the changeling. 

She approached the closet as her horn glowed with power. "You're not escaping me this time. I've got you, you little monster."

She watched as the pile kept moving until the changeling popped out with a scarf wrapped around its legs and leaped forward. Unfortunately for the changeling forward was into the wall again. It scrambled to its hooves, trying its best to get rid of the scarf that refused to leave it, and turned around. It saw Cadance blocking its only means of escape. It started to back up but felt the wall against its back. With one last look at the alicorn it closed its eyes and braced for the inevitable impact of magic.

Cadance had it right where she wanted it. It was cowering in the corner and had given up all attempts of hiding. She took a step closer and readied herself as she aimed at the small creature. She was about to unleash the magic surrounding her horn however she caught some movement to her right. She turned her head thinking that it was another changeling but discovered it was only her reflection. She was smiling sadistically and had a look of vengeful hatred in her eyes. The expression she saw on her face was one that she knew well and had seen on her own face before. It was on the face of Queen Chrysalis when she had captured her and imprisoned her in the crystal caves under Canterlot. 

Her face fell to a shocked frown. Is that what I look like? Am I any better than her... She looked back to the cowering changeling sitting in the corner of the closet. The look of absolute terror on its tiny face made her chest tighten. I'm the monster here. Its scared of me, just like I was scared of her. She took a step back and looked at herself again in the mirror then back to the changeling that had reopened its eyes. It stared at her and it was at this moment she realized that it was shaking badly.

She took a small step forward and reached out to the changeling. It flinched and tried to back away, regardless of the wall preventing this. Cadance retracted her hoof and spoke gently. "I'm not gonna hurt you." She used her magic to untangle the changeling from the scarf. "Come on out here. Look I'm backing away so you can have plenty of room."

She took a few steps back and gave the small creature the friendliest smile she could muster. The changeling took a small step forward and waited to see if Cadance would react. She stood there smiling and motioned for it to take another step. It took another tentative step into the bedroom and Cadance was able to look at it better in the proper light. Its carapace wasn't the shiny black that she remembered. Instead it looked like a layer of dust had settled on it, giving it a grayed look. The changeling was crouching down in a fear, almost as if it expected her to attack at any moment.

Cadance moved closer to the small changeling. It flinched again and closed its eyes as she gently lifted its body into a proper standing position. It stood there trying its best not to shake but failing as she inspected it. Much to her horror she noticed that it was abnormally skinny. Its limbs looked frail and barely able to hold their own weight and its stomach was sunken in to a point that made Cadance squeamish. It looks like it has been starving.

She gently lifted the small changeling with her magic. It began flailing about but when it realized that she was levitating the changeling towards the large bed. She placed the small creature on the bed and gently touched it shoulders. "Stay right here. I'll be right back with something for you to eat."

She left the room after giving a quick look back at the changeling to make sure it was staying on the bed. She was pleased to see that it had lain down on the bed but part of her was wondering if maybe it had collapsed on the bed. She moved to the kitchen of the suite and started filling a small tray up with whatever food she could. After filling up the tray with some fruit, crackers, and a bowl of lettuce she headed back to the bedroom. She was almost out of the kitchen when the idea to get it something to drink popped into her head. She quickly filled a glass with water and went back to the waiting changeling. 

She walked back into the bedroom and placed the loaded tray down on the edge of the bed. "Here. Eat some of this." She noticed the scared look on the small creatures face as it looked from her to the tray. "It's good for you. See?" She levitates a grape to her mouth and eats it. She swallows and smiles at the changeling. "Yum."

The small changeling inched closer to the food, stopping every few tentative steps to make sure Cadance wasn't going to attack it or yell. It neared the tray and gave the food a cautionary sniff. It picked up a small piece of lettuce and froze. It looked up at Cadance for one last check to make sure she wouldn't do anything. Cadance gave it a smile and it started eating the food.

Cadance studied the creature as it ate. She was looking at the face and head. Her attention was first drawn to the horn which was just like the other changelings she had seen but there was a smaller nub in front of the horn. She wondered if it was another horn or some kind of spine. She looked down to the working muzzle of the eating changeling and discovered something that she failed to noticed the entire time the changeling left the closet. The muzzle was rounded off and she noticed that the curves of the body and head were very gentle. 

"You're a filly..." Her voice caused the changeling to jump. The changeling looked at her for a moment then returned its attention to the food. "And you've been starving for who knows how long." She felt a sudden pang of sympathy to the small creature on the bed with her. 

The changeling stopped eating and looked up at her. Cadance noticed the changeling filly was staring at her in disbelief. It took a few steps towards her and gently nuzzled her hoof. Cadance sat there for a moment wondering why she was suddenly acting this way when she realized that it had felt her sympathy. 

She moved her hoof and hugged the small changeling as gently as she could, fearing that she may harm her in this obviously fragile state. She was the first thing to show it love of any sort and now she was trying to earn more. 

"I don't know if I can give you what you want but I'll try my best." She said as the small changeling filly closed its eyes and nuzzled Cadance.
> Bath Time
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The small changeling didn't really know what to think of this strange pink thing that was now hugging her. Mere moments ago it had chased her around until it had been cornered in the small death trap filled with cloth then it had given her food and water. She had been scared of this creature up until she had felt a strange warmth when the creature spoke. This strange warmth had given her strength and made her feel comfortable. Everything about the strange warmth made her want more but she knew that if creatures like this one were the source then she wasn't going to get much more. This one had reacted like all the others the only difference was she had been able to escape the others. 

Her mind drifted to all the others that she had run from. So many of them had screamed and screamed then tried to hit her with whatever they had. Most of them had been bad, downright violent towards her, but the worst ones were the metal ones. The silver skinned monsters had nearly caught her once but she was saved when another creature like her leaped out at one of them and tackled it to the ground. She had no idea where this other creature had come from but she was thankful for it. Maybe it was also hiding in the alleyway that she had run into in an attempt to hide from the metal things and had sacrificed itself to save her. All she knew that when she looked out from her hiding spot the large metal creatures were dragging the larger creature like her away.

That's what made this one all the more bizarre to her. She had screamed and chased her but when it came to making the capture, or worse the kill, she had backed away and willingly fed her. Not only that but she didn't even look like the others. She had both the horn of the magic wielders and the wings of the flying ones, not to mention she was also taller than most of the other ponies she had seen. 

She laid her head down on the leg on the creature that had fed her and heard it start making noise. "You're filthy. Let’s get you cleaned up." 

After the strange creature finished making the noises from its mouth the small changeling filly felt the magic force lift it once more. She watched as the strange multi-creature used its horn to lift it and bring it towards the room with the strange large white thing and the smaller room she had hid in. 

Its magic placed the young changeling down inside the large white tub. "There, now we can get you cleaned up."

The changeling looked around the tub as pink creature turned the strange silver thing that was on the wall. As it did water began pouring out of another of the silver things into the tub. The small changeling watched the water slowly approach her hooves and splashed water when it came close. She looked up at the pink one and noticed that her splashing of the water had hit it on the face. 

Much to the small changelings surprise the pink creature lips pulled apart and curled up at the edges. "You're an adventurous one aren't you? Just stay right there and play in the water a little."

The changeling wondered what the pink thing was doing but as the level of water built it began to feel the warmth of the water. She lay down and rolled in the water so the warmth was all over its body. She finished her roll and stayed in a sitting position as she noticed that the water had taken on a strange brownish color. She looked around to see where the brown was coming from but every time she moved the brown tinted water followed her. She then realized that the brown was coming off of her carapace.  

She felt a sudden wave of embarrassment at the fact and her ears pinned when the pink creature reappeared by the tub. The large pink thing gave her a strange look and made more noise from its mouth. "Wow. You really needed a shower."

It placed three strange looking objects. All of them were rectangular in shape but each was a different color. One was a light rose, one as white as the shower she was in, and the final one was almost the same shade of purple as the mane of the large pink creature. She seemed insistent to keep making noise from its mouth.

"Here you go. Which scent do you like?"

It set the three bars down on the edge of the tub and motioned for the changeling to smell. The small changeling moved forward and gave the rose colored one. The scent was nice; it reminded her of the small orb things she had eaten earlier. She sat there for a moment as she reveled in the gentle scent when she wondered what the others smelled like. She gave the white one a sniff and found that it was much harsher to her nose than the red one. She wrinkled her noise at it and moved onto the final one. She took a quick sniff and found that it was a smooth scent. She thought it was pleasant but she liked the first one more. 

She returned her nose to the first one and inhaled deeply. She closed her eyes and let the sweet scent wash over her. Her mind became peaceful and she felt her body relax as the scent filled her lungs. Her muscles began to relax as the fragrance filled her entire being. She took in another breathe of the intoxicating smell and her lips pulled up in the same fashion she had seen the large creature nearby had done. 

Her eyes snapped open the moment she realized that the pink one was just a few feet away. She glanced over to see that the pink one was doing that weird lip thing that she herself was doing as well. 

"I guess we have a winner. ’Exotic Fruit' it is. Now let’s just drain the water her and get the shower going."

The changeling watched as the pink one used its powers to move the purple and white bars out of sight. She then reached over to under the silver thing that was spewing forth the water. Under the water maker was a small silver circle with a small knob pointed up towards the water spout. The pink one flicked it into a downward pointing position. 

What happened next terrified the changeling. A monstrous gurgling came from near the front of the tub. The small changeling leaped back to the far back of the tub and tried to make as much distance between herself and the terrifying noise. She looked from the pink one to where she thought the noise might be coming from and began to panic. The pink one was going to kill her with whatever the noise was. She cowered at the far end of the tub hoping that whatever the noise was wouldn't hurt.

Seconds past as she waited for her end to come but nothing happened. Instead she heard some shuffling beside the tub and the sound of hoof meeting the tub. She reopened her eyes when she felt a pair of gentle hooves wrap around her. The pink one had removed the golden parts of her skin and had decided to get into the tub with her. The pink one was lying down next to her and was yet again making the noises from its mouth. 

"You're safe. It's just the drain. Nothing is going to harm you while I'm here."

The small changeling didn't know why the pink one was making so much noise but the way she did made her feel much better and calmed her down. She watched as the pink one's horn glowed. She glanced around to see where it was using its powers and saw that the water spewer was glowing slightly. A small knob on the top moved up and the water stopped flowing. The changeling had only a moment to be confused before the water began falling and her nightmare began anew.
                                                                                                                                                                                       

Cadance had no clue what went wrong. One moment the changeling was sitting next to her in the tub silent and now it was screaming and scrambling in the tub. She didn't know what to do but when the small filly rammed into her side and tried to get underneath her. Cadance's wings flapped open instinctively at the impact and when it opened enough to shelter the changeling filly from the shower water it stopped trying to get underneath her.

She fears water? She was fine a moment ago when it was coming out of the faucet so why is this scaring... Then it hit her. She's scared of rain. She looked at the faucet then to the changeling. She was shivering with its eyes locked on where the 'rain' was falling barely a foot away. The filly was crying and cowering away from the rain and all Cadance was doing was looking at it. 

She brought it close to her body and spoke in a soft voice. "It's okay. It's okay. I'm here. It’s nothing to be afraid of. I'll protect you from anything mean or evil." As she spoke the changeling cuddled closer to her and gave a faint whimper. "Everything will be alright."

A few minutes passed as they sat there in the running shower. As those minutes passed the filly calmed down and stopped crying but when Cadance tried to get her to move closer to the water she refused to move. Cadance used her magic to grab the shower head and detach it from its facet on the wall. Lowering it down so that it was only a few feet above the tub. Now that it was no longer pouring on them the filly poked her head out from underneath Cadances wing to see what had made it stop. 

She looked down at the small filly. "It's harmless. Just warm water." She moved the shower head in a small circle. "It's meant to help you get clean." She gave the filly another gentle smile and placed her head under the stream of water. "Safe, wet but safe." 

She pulled her head back and gave her mane a quick shake as she watched the changeling. The small filly tentatively moved closer to the shower head and stopped when she was within hoofs reach. She stood there for second, closed her eyes then stuck her head under the stream of water. 

A few moments passed before she pulled her head back from the water and looked up at Cadance. Cadance used her magic to place the shower head back onto the wall then grabbed the bar of soap. She got the bar wet and braced herself for the changeling to squirm or fuss, much like another small filly she once took care of, but when she placed the bar of soap on the carapace of the changeling it only jumped slightly and looked at her curiously. Then it looked at the bar for moment and returned its attention to the shower head.

Minutes faded away as she slowly and gently cleaned the small changeling. She scrubbed the black carapace clean, almost to the point of shining, but when she reached the red portion she discovered something she wasn't expecting. When she began lathering the soap the filly let out a deep sigh and her legs began to wobble. Cadance removed the pressure on the changeling in fear that it was about to collapse or faint. 

The changeling looked at her again with a pleading curiosity. Cadance looked at the filly for a moment before it dawned on her. She enjoyed that... She decided to test her thought by resuming the cleaning on the colored carapace. Once more the filly let out a deep sigh and her leg began to wobble as well. She let out a low growl like noise and laid down. 

As Cadance washed the legs of the changeling she noticed that the filly was looking at a portion of her own lathered leg. The changeling then sniffed some of the soap and gave another low growl like noise. Much to Cadance's amusement the changeling then licked some of the soap. The sputtering and small cough that followed was so cute that Cadance couldn't help but giggle at the filly. 

The filly in question spat and opened her mouth letting the water fill her mouth. She gave Cadance a small scowl but also smiled after a few moments when Cadance wrapped her in a warm hug. 

The time passed quickly as both of them finished cleaning and they stepped out of the shower. They toweled off and walked back into the bedroom. Cadance lifted the filly and placed her on the bed. The filly let out a small whine when Cadance started to walk towards the door. Cadance walked back to the bedside and locked eyes with the tiny filly that had suddenly burst into her life.

A filly without a name. "I think you deserve a name." She looked from the large red eyes and the red near its bug like wings. "How about... Rose."  The filly tilted her head to the side and let out a long yawn. Cadance couldn't help but smile as she lifted the small filly up and tucked it into the bed. "Now get some sleep Rose."

The filly nestled into the soft pillow and watched Cadance for a few moments before its eyes slowly closed against her will. Cadance gave Rose's crest a gentle rub and left the bedroom as quietly as she could. She closed the door of the bed room just in time to hear the door to the suite to open.
> 'Daddy's' Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cadance turned around and saw her husband walk into the room. He tossed a scroll onto the love seat and sauntered over to her. 

He gave her the bedazzling smile he always gave her. "Hey there pretty lady. Come here often?"

Cadance couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Shining playing a ladies stallion. "Does that ever work?"

He shrugged and wrapped her up in a loving hug. "No, but this usually does." He began to kiss her up and down her neck stopping only for a moment to nibble at the base of her neck. "You smell wonderful."

Cadance felt herself melting into the wonderful hooves of this stallion she loved deeply. "I took a shower." 

Cadance felt herself become warm for a multiple reasons. She hummed as Shining continued his kissing but her mind started screaming warnings at her. Those warning quickly became muted as Shining began to rub the spot just between Cadance's wings. Her mind became foggy as her muscles began to relax. Oh wow, that feels amazing. 

Shining whispered to her in her ear. "You should have waited. I could have gotten all the hard to reach places."

Shining nibbled on her ear and she let out a small moan. She couldn't believe how good this felt. She was the center of Shining's world right now and she desperately wanted to return the favor. She wanted nothing more than to let the rest of the world wait while she and Shining held each other. 

Rose can't wait. I need to tell him now. Cadance forced her mind out of the wonderful haze as she gently push Shining away. Shining stopped what he was doing instantly and gave her a confused but concerned look. 

"What's the matter? Did I do something you didn't like?"

Cadance felt a pang of love for the stallion. His first concern was that she was upset and now she was going to kill the mood with something important. She hated herself for what she was about to do. 

She gave him a loving smile. "No. You were doing fine it’s just that I need to tell you something."

She sighed as she read the slight disappointment in Shining's eyes. He tried his best to hide it but she had spent so much time with the white stallion that she could see right through him. She move close to him and placed her hoof on his shoulder. 

She looked into his eyes. "I found a filly in our bathroom. She was hiding in the shower and I startled her. She was scared of me and thought I would hurt her."

Shining's eyes widened. "What? Was she one of the maid’s foals?"

Cadance shook her head. "No. I can guarantee that she isn't. She's an orphan."

Shining looked shocked. "That's horrible. How did she get into the castle?"

Cadance stopped for a moment and thought about that question. How did Rose get into the castle? The place was swarming with guards all the time and with all three princesses home they upped the security to the highest she had ever seen it. She forced her curiosity to the back of her mind for the moment. 

"I don't know. She looked starved and dirty so I fed and cleaned her. There's something you need to know about her."

Shining gave her a curious look. "Was she hurt or sick? Starving would make her body weaker."

Cadance shook her head. "No. Nothing like that, well from what I could tell at least. She seemed unharmed from what I can tell and she's resting on our bed right now. She's not exactly a pony."

Shining became confused. "Is she a griffon?"

Cadance took in a breath and took the leap. "She's a changeling."

In an instant Shining's face went through a few rapid changes. First was shock mixed with horror, second was understanding, and finally anger as his eyes became steely and resolved. Cadance knew that look. She had seen it before when Shining had ordered the guard to sweep the city and capture all the changelings they could find.

Shining moved beside her and headed to the bedroom. Cadance tried to stop him by grabbing his shoulders. "Shining wait, please."

Shining made it to the door and threw it open with his magic. "Let go. I'll deal with this."

The door made a loud *bang* as it hit the wall. The sleeping changeling jumped in fright and when she looked to the source she was greeted with the hate filled eyes of Shining. She crouched low to the bed in hope that he would leave her alone. Only a moment later she was lifted into the air roughly by Shining's less than gentle magic.

Cadance and Rose both let out cries. Rose's of fear and Cadance's of protest. 

"Shining put her down!"

The unicorn turned to the mare, ignoring the shrill cries from the filly. "Why? You know exactly what these things did to us and to Equestria. I'm putting it where it belongs, in the dungeons. The I'm shipping her off to the Wastes."

Cadance used her magic to break Shining's hold on Rose and lowered her to the bed gently. She moved in front of her husband and looked into his eyes with her own determination. 

"She's innocent. She had nothing to do with that."

Shining looked at his wife in disbelief and his voice rose in anger. "Innocent? They attacked Cantorlot, threw you into the crystal caves and nearly forced me to marry their queen. Or did that somehow slip your mind?"

Cadance stood her ground. "Look at her. Does she look threatening to you?"

Shining didn't look at Rose. "It doesn't matter if it's threatening. It's a monster and should be dealt with accordingly!"

Cadance took a step closer to the stallion. "Stop calling her it. She's not a monster, just look at her and tell me that she could possibly be dangerous." The unicorn was about to protest but he stopped when he saw Cadance's expression soften. She moved closer to him and placed her hoof on his chest. "Please, just look at her."

Shining looked at the cowering changeling that was using one of the pillows as cover for herself. Only her horn and red eyes were showing. He saw fear in those large red eyes and that she was shaking slightly. He knew that Cadance was right. This small changeling was in no way a threat to him.

Cadance spoke from beside him. "She's terrified of you. She acted the same way after I calmed her down." Cadance walked to the side of the bed and laid the changeling back down on the bed and covered her with the blanket. She turned to her still angry husband. "Living room. Now."

Cadance walked past the white stallion as he cast a hate filled glare at the small changeling. Shining followed his wife out into the living room and heard the door to the bedroom shut behind him. He turned to Cadance.

"I know you're mad right now bu—"

"Mad? I'm a little more than mad right now Cadance. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to keep her here for as long as you have? What if a maid had walked in and seen you tucking her into bed?"

Cadance stood there silent for a moment. She bit her lip as she thought. Shining continued. "I'm under enough fire as it is. Half the royal court want me out of office and Celestia is trying her hardest to protect us both from them and now you want me to let one of those things sleep in our bed and just pretend that it’s okay?" His voice rose as he spoke. "They nearly took you away from me! I don't want that to happen again."

Shining finished and was left panting slightly. Cadance looked into his eyes and saw fear mingling with his rage. She walked up to him and hugged him tightly. "That won't happen."

Shining returned the hug, only slightly calmer than before. "How do you know? If it’s as young as you say she is then she should have a protector somewhere. What if they came here and attacked you?"

Cadance looked into the eyes of the stallion. "It won't. I won't ever let them or anything take me away from you. I just have this feeling that this filly is alone and needs somepony to help her."

Shining sighed. "Cadance... we can't keep her here. The longer she stays the more likely she'll be discovered by one of the guards and if that happens then there is nothing I can do. I should be dragging her to Princess Celestia right now."

Cadance pleaded with the stallion. "She wouldn't survive that. She's weak from starvation and lack of love. Rose just needs some time before that happens."

Shining looked at the door to the bedroom and let out a groan. "You named it? You shouldn't have done that. Now this will be harder on you if Celestia orders me to send it..." He stopped once he saw the look on his wife's face. She gave him a look that both admonished and pleaded. "Her, to the Wastes."

The princess but her lip once more and glanced towards the door. "I couldn't keep calling her 'it' or 'you'. She still deserves a name, even if her species did something wrong. She shouldn't suffer for something she wasn't a part of."

She gently moved her husband’s face so she could look at him. "Just give me one week. You don't have to like her or anything like that. I need that time to strengthen her so she can survive. At least until she's back with her own kind."

Shining sighed and looked at the door his expression unreadable. Cadance leaned forward and nuzzled him softly. "For me?"

He looked at her for a moment. "Fine, but on one condition."

Cadance smiled at him. "Anything."

His gaze was almost icy. "Prove to me that you are Cadance."

He took a small step back from her. "I need to know that this is you talking. Not some changeling trying to feed off of me. I trust you on the fact that the filly can't harm me but a fully grown changeling can and has. Tell me something that only the real Cadance would know."

Cadance stood there for a moment as she searched her mind for some moment only they had shared. She looked at him and smiled. 

"Our first date was a total disaster. Everything went so wrong, from the food to the movie. The only thing that mattered about the whole thing was that night we spent at the lake." She moved closer to him with a warm smile. "As we fell asleep you whispered to me."

She leaned towards him and whispered in his ear. "This night was perfect because of you." 

She leaned back and looked at the now smiling face of the white stallion. She gave him a coy smile. "Then we shared our first moment of... intimacy."

Shining blushed a little as a dreamy look passed over his face. "Yeah... okay. There's no doubt in my mind that you're the Cadance I fell in love with." He moved closer to her and gave her a small kiss. "I'll give you a week. That's all I can promise."

Cadance smiled gratefully at her love. "Thank you. Let's just forget about that for a moment and focus on you and me."

She pushed him back onto the sofa and smiled down at the stallion. He returned the smile lovingly as Cadance got on the sofa and kissed him.

"You have some unfinished business with me that really needs your focus right now."
> Thunder and Lighting. Very, Very Frighting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rose awoke sometime after the large white creature had tossed her into the air. She didn't know how much time had passed but the room was now filled with an orangish light from the large window. She yawned and stretched her legs and stood up on the soft mattress. She walked to the edge of the bed and slid her hind legs off of it until the touched the floor. She walked over to the bathroom door and found that it was open.

She walked inside the room and looked at the white porcelain bowl that sat in the corner of the room. She walked up to it and looked at it for a brief moment and wondered how such a strangely shaped thing could ever have been thought up. She shrugged and jumped up on top of it. She had seen on of the ponies in the funny black clothes use it and it had saved her from being discovered.
                                                                                                                                                                                       

Cadance lay on the couch next to Shining Armor with a smile on her face. She loved Shining with all of her heart but was worried about the anger he had shown. She didn't want him to hurt Rose but she knew that the events of the wedding had really shaken the stallion. She nuzzled his neck and chest as she snuggled closer to him. She closed her eyes as the sound of a flushing toilet reached her ears. 

Wait... Shining is right here and I'm lying next to him. So... who just flushed the... NO! She couldn't have.

Cadance got up from the couch, and Shining's loving embrace, as fast as she could without disturbing his slumber. She placed a quick kiss on Shining's forehead and took a brief moment to adore the goof smile on his face. Cadance walked slowly to the bedroom door and opened it up to see Rose walking out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Rose froze in place when she noticed Cadance standing there. Rose's ears pinned to her head and she lowered herself to the ground. 

Cadance walked over and sat down next to Rose. "Hey, it's okay. Did you just use the toilet?" 

Even as the words left her mouth Cadance felt silly. There was no way that a small changeling filly could know how to use a toilet. Her calm and soothing words helped Rose relax and she stood back up. Cadance pointed to the bathroom for a moment and put on a curious face. "Did you make the *Whooosh*"

Now Cadance really felt silly. She was sitting on the floor making a passable impression to a filly in the hopes that she would get an answer. Rose however looked into the bathroom for a moment then walked inside of it. Cadance watched in surprise as Rose walked up to the toilet bowl, hopped up onto the lid and pulled the silver handle down.

As the toilet flushed again Rose looked back at a rather stunned Cadance and looked at her expectantly. Cadance just smiled for a moment and laughed. She had thought that she might have to, for lack of a better term, potty train Rose but from what she could tell Rose already knew how to. 

"How in the name of Equestira did you learn to use a toilet?"

The changeling smiled at her and walked over to her. Cadance hugged the small filly and lifted her up onto her back. Cadance walked over to the sink and placed Rose on the counter. 

Cadance spoke in a motherly voice. "We must wash our hooves if we want to be a good filly."

The pink alicorn used her magic to turn on the faucet as she reached for the small bar of soap. Cadance glanced over and couldn't help but giggle at Rose. The small changeling was smacking the stream of water with a mystified look on her face. Cadance tapped the filly on her shoulder gently, which caused the filly to look up at her and imitated the smile on Cadance's own face. 

Cadance gently took one of Rose's hooves and got it wet. "First we rinse off anything nasty." She took the bar of soap and lathered it on the changeling's carapace. "Then we use the soap to kill any mean germs." After a few moments of lathering the hoof and foreleg Cadance rinsed it off. "And now it's clean and good."

Rose looked at Cadance for a moment then at her hoof. The filly sniffed her hoof and smiled again. She reached for the stream of water with the unclean hoof and rinsed it for a moment and made some chittering noises.

Cadance was confused by the chittering for a moment before she realized that Rose was trying to imitate her words. "Very good." She moved the soap near over to Rose's hoof and they recounted the small phrase together, Cadance in a motherly voice and Rose in a chittery tone.

"Then we use soap to kill any mean germs."

Rose placed her hoof under the running water as a deeper voice reached the pair. "And now it's clean and good."

Cadance and Rose turned and spotted Shining standing in the door way with a small smile as he looked at both of them. Rose went back to rinsing her hoof as Cadance walked over to him. 

"How long have you been standing there?"

Shining glanced at Rose and the smile grew a little warmer. "Long enough to see you in the same light as the first time we met." He placed a kiss on Cadance's lips and smiled at her. "As a love filled mare that cares for everypony she meets. That's the mare I fell in love with."

Cadance blushed and glanced back to see Rose sitting in the sink, her wings buzzing playfully. Shining nudged her gently and she turned back to see him looking somewhat embarrassed. "I want to apologize to you for the way I reacted. I've just been worried about, well just about everything and I didn't mean to explode like that. I trust you and if you trust it... her then I trust her too."

Cadance kissed the stallion then led him to Rose. "I think she needs the apology more than I do."

Shining stopped in front of the sink as Rose turned and spotted him. She jumped a little and moved as far back in the sink as she could with her head lowered and ears pinned. Shining saw this and felt horrible as he realized that this tiny creature was terrified of him. He took a quick look over at Cadance and saw the reassuring smile and smiled at the small creature trying to hide behind the water coming down from the faucet. 

"Hey there..." He glanced over at Cadance to see her mouthing the name 'Rose' at him. "Rose. I'm sorry for being mean and scary. I didn't mean to be so mad at you. Can we start over?"

Rose looked up at him and saw the warm smile and her ears perked. Shining took a small step closer. "I'm Shining Armor. Can I please see a smile?"

His gentle tone and relaxed posture made Rose move closer to him and nuzzle his chin. Shining was surprised by the feel of the carapace. It was smooth and almost squishy but had a much tougher layer underneath. As Rose nuzzled up to him he got the strong image of a certain purple pony that used to do the same when she wanted to butter him up. 

"That's better. Now let's get something to eat now, okay?" Cadance walked up to the pair and lifted Rose gently onto her back. The three of them made their way into the small kitchen and settled down at the table. Shining went to the cupboards and started looking for food when a small cough from behind him reached his ears. 

"Shining?"

He turned and looked back to see Rose and Cadance sitting at the table. "Yeah?"

"Could you please get some food from the chefs? I don't think we have that much to cook with up here and I'm really hungry." A coy smile came onto her face. "You really took it out of me."

Shining smiled back but quickly stopped when he glanced over at Rose. "Not in front of the filly. You never flirted like that in front of Twilight."

Cadance smiled and turned to Rose. "That's because we weren't dating yet."

Shining shrugged as Cadance began to tickle the changeling. "Fair enough. I'll go get the food then. Make sure she doesn't get spotted."

Cadance waved her hoof at Shining. "Don't worry. Go get food."

Shining sighed as he began to walk towards the door out of the suite. He paused for a moment and looked back to see Rose giggling and Cadance laughing softly. A small smile forced itself on his lips as he walked out of the suite and into the hallways of the castle. 

Shining looked at the random paintings and tables that were in the halls as he made his way to the kitchen. He sighed as his mind went back to Rose and Cadance back in the suite. This could go so wrong real quick. We could be in a load of trouble if even one of the news outlets hear about this, let alone the princess's.

"Never a dull moment."

Shining made it to the kitchens and was given the royal treatment, which he found amusing since he was now a prince, and was carrying a tray laden with hot plates and plenty of food and drinks back up to the suite. He was lost in thought when he reached the top of a flight of stairs when he nearly ran right into the princess of the sun. 

"Captain Armor, I hope that you aren't this out of it when you return to duty."

Shining jumped slightly when he realized who was talking to him. He turned quickly and once he saw the amused face of the Celestia he felt his stomach drop. Crap. 

"N-not at all your majesty. I was just, uhh... thinking about the new security procedures." 

Shining swallowed hard and hoped that she bought it. Celestia nodded. "Yes, I understand that you might have felt some pressure from the nobles but I assure you that most of them see you and Cadance as heroes. No matter what happens in Equestria there is always one noble that complains. I suggest that you not worry about it."

Shining smiled and sighed. "Thank you but shouldn't you remain neutral? I mean you are the princess."

Celestia nodded with a matter of fact look on her face. "Yes but I would be a terrible aunt if I didn't help my newest nephew. Besides at the moment I was about to head up and visit you and Cadance. I hope I wasn't about to interrupt something. You are carrying a lot of food there."

Shining felt every alarm in his head go off. "Wuh... I mean no, er yes! I mean that I and Cadance, Cadance and I, I mean, were about to have a nice dinner and some talking about… uh, painting."

Shining smiled as best he could as he tried to walk down the hall while still facing the alicon princess and not dropping the tray of food. Celestia gave him a suspicious stare for a moment before smiling slyly.

She began walking towards him with the smile growing wider as she approached. "You know your sister smiles the same way when she lies through her teeth. Must be a family thing."

Shining swallowed again and felt sweat begin to form on his forehead. "L-lie? To you? Princess Celestia I'm the captain of the Royal Guard. I would never lie to you like this."

Celestia smile grew wicked. "On duty, yes but at the moment you're not on duty. So tell me what I'm really interrupting up there."

Shining gave a small cough. "Nothing. We were just going to have dinner..."

He stopped talking the moment the smile on Celestia's face began to fade. "Shining Armor I would like to have the truth now before I'm forced to order you to talk. You may not be on duty but your still my captain. If it's something embarrassing then just say so but if it's not then tell me. What are you trying to hide?"

Shining felt like he had been backed into a corner. He knew that no matter what he did he was going to have a princess mad at him and to make matters worse he knew which one it was going to be. 

He lowered his head and his ears fell to the side of his head. "We're hiding a creature we found that was hiding in our suite. If you knew what kind you would probably fire me instantly."

Celestia stood there for a moment looking at the stallion before gently lifting his head up. "I will not fire you. You have saved my kingdom when I couldn't. I think I owe you a little leeway on something like this. What creature could be so bad that you were worried about losing your job?"

Shining's ears remained pinned. He looked around to make sure they were alone in the hallway. "It's a... changeling."

The hallway became much colder in an instant as Celestia spoke. "A WHAT!"

In an instant everything became bright and Shining felt his body get flooded with energy. The same moment his mind registered this it also all faded and he found himself standing in the suite he had left barely half an hour ago. A gasp came from behind him and a small squeal of fright. 

"Celestia what are you doing here?"

The alicorn approached her niece with a look of cold fury. "What is this I hear about you hiding a changeling!"

Cadance looked from the angry princess to the shocked and scared stallion then to the small huddled form of Rose in the kitchen,  that was out of sight of Celestia and Shining. 

"Before you scream and yell at me I want you to at least look at her and meet her. Please."

Celestia was taken aback by the calm tone her niece was using with her. She had never seen her this determined and commanding with her. She found a new respect for her niece. 

Celestia took in a slow breath and let it out slowly to calm herself. "Very well. Where is this changeling?"

Cadance motioned to the kitchen and led the princess and Shining into the kitchen to see Rose sitting on a chair behind the table and crouching low so only her eyes and ears were visible. The moment Celestia came into view Rose moved up from her lower position to look at her in wonder. 

"Aunt Celestia this is Rose."

Celestia stood there for a moment then walked over to the filly with a look of even wonder. Cadance walked next to Shining and lifted the tray of food off of his back and hissed at him. 

"How did she find out? I thought you went for food."

Shining hissed back. "I did but I ran into her and she forced me to tell her. She was heading up here anyways and I have a feeling that this was going to happen but she would have forced both of us to spill the truth instead of just me."

Cadance sighed and looked back at at Celestia and Rose. Rose was now standing on the table and was playing with Celestia's mane with a small smile on her face. The princess was smiling and giggling at the changeling’s curiosity. Rose stood up on her hind legs and tried to get closer to the alicorns mane but stopped after placing her hooves on Celestia's chest and became fascinated with her coat instead.

Celestia looked over at the married couple while Rose looked from her hooves to the white coat while making a chittering noise. "I wasn't expecting her to be so young... or this, well, cute. This doesn't make up for the fact that you intended to keep this from me. Explain yourselves now."

Cadance stepped forward and placed the tray of food down. "I found her in the bathroom earlier today and gave her a bath and fed her. Later Shining came up and I had to tell him of her. To be honest he wasn't thrilled about it either but I convinced him to keep quiet until I had time to take care of her for a week before I brought her to you. I'm sorry for intending to keep her a secret from you but I didn't want her to come to harm before she could stand a chance."

Cadance gently patted the changeling and pointed her to the food on the tray. Rose smiled up at her and moved over to the tray to eat.

"If you need to punish anypony for this, then punish me. This would have been my secret if it had stayed silent for the week."

Celestia watched the filly for a moment before she looked back to her niece and her nephew. "I see... you have put me into a very difficult position. The back lash of this news could be very large, especially from the same nobles that have been complaining about the fact that the invasion happened in the first place."

Shining and Cadance looked at each other for a moment with worried looks. Cadance walked up to the older Alicorn. "Then what about Rose. She can't survive out on her own."

Celestia nodded. "I know but with the current mood there is no way she can stay in the kingdom."

Cadance's ears perked at that. "Wait, what if we come up with a reason to keep her here? So then she could stay here until she’s old enough to take care of herself.”

Celestia shook her head and looked at the changeling that was eating happily. "That could work but what reason could possibly work? 

A small cough came from the stallion behind the mares. They turned and noticed that he was looking between the two of them at Rose. "I think I have the solution. We tell everypony that were keeping her here in the castle for study."

The pair looked at him as if he had sprouted an extra head. Shining took their silence to explain himself. "We tell them that we've taken this one to study the changeling physiology and how they grow and adapt to new environments. We pretend that this is a study rather than us taking care of her. It’s the perfect cover."

Celestia stood there silently as Cadance threw herself at her husband. She kissed him hard on the lips and hugged him tightly. 

She looked up at him with a loving yet playful grin. "I thought you didn't like her? Look at you getting all attached."

Shining hugged her back. "I can see that Rose makes you happy and if you’re happy then I'm happy. Also I figured that if she stayed here for a week she would grow on me."

Rose stopped eating the small salad she had dove into and looked up at the pair hugging. She could feel something like heat radiating from them. She moved to the edge of the paper to absorb as much of the heat as she could. Celestia noticed Rose's movement and followed her gaze. 

Celestia cleared her throat to get the attention of the couple. "I think that this idea of yours may work. However, we will have to make it as convincing as possible. You will need to write reports to me on a monthly basis on how she is developing and growing. I'll make the announcement tomorrow to the council and talk to Luna tonight for her opinion on this matter and if she can think of something to help us keep the nobles and the royal council under control."

Celestia looked back at the changeling and gently patted it on the head. "Hopefully we can learn something about your kind and move past this fear and paranoia."

Celestia gathered her magic about her and in a flash of light was gone. Cadance and Shining shared a look for a moment then moved to the table. Minutes passed in silence before either of them spoke. Shining was the first to break the silence. 

"I'm sorry I forced you into this. I know that writing reports on her wasn't the idea of keeping her secret but that was the only idea I could think of that could seem legitimate."

The princess sighed and moved a small plate of food in front of her as she watched Rose. "If it's the only way to keep her safe then I'll do it. Let’s just eat dinner and enjoy this night before things get really crazy."

Rose glanced between the older ponies and moved next to Cadance. She placed her head on the pink mare’s leg and nuzzled her as she ate; unaware that Cadance was worried about her.
                                                                                                                                                                                       

Rose was under a warm blanket on the large soft thing in the larger room late in the night. Shining and Cadance had placed her here after the sun had gone down. The pair had gone back into the room with the different soft thing that she had slept on earlier in the day. 

Rose slowly opened her eyes as a small pitter patter of sound reached her ears from the large see through thing across the room from her. Rose moved as close to the back of the soft thing as she could and pulled the blanket over herself to drown the sound out. This worked for only a minute when an loud *Kaboom* ripped through the room.

Rose let out a small screech and jumped off of the large soft thing as the room turned a blinding white. She scrambled on the hard wood floor for a moment and ran towards the door of the room where the white and pink creatures were. She failed to stop herself in time as another *Kaboom* reached her ears and she impacted with the door. 

She sat there dazed for a moment then began to scratch and hit the large wooden thing frantically but it wouldn't budge for her. Growing more and more terrified of the loud noises Rose began to make a shrill cry in the hopes that one of the creatures beyond the large wooden thing would help her.

She was about to hit the door again when it suddenly opened. Rose fell on her face then quickly scrambled back to her hooves to see which one had saved her. She felt her chest tighten a little as she looked upon the white one that the pink one kept calling 'Shining'. 

"What's gotten into you?"

Another large *Boom* rent the air and Rose let out another cry. She dove between Shining's legs and cowered. 

Shining let out a slightly annoyed sigh. "You're scared of thunder and rain. Of course you are." Shining picked her up from the ground and walked towards the sofa. "Alright I'll tuck you in again."

Shining placed her on the sofa and placed the blanket over her. He spoke in a soft but tired voice. "It's nothing to worry about. Just some thunder. It can't hurt you in here."

Shining gently patted her on the head and started heading back towards his bedroom when a small whine came from behind him. Shining turned and saw Rose standing on the edge of the couch looking at him. He couldn't see her expression but he could the dim reflections off of her eyes. 

Shining walked back to the sofa and sat down on it. "I'll be here until you fall asleep. After that I'm going back to my bed and my wife."

Rose ignored his speech and cuddled as close to him as was possible. Shining adjusted them both so the blanket covered them and he settled down on the sofa. The pair lay on the soft surface for a while in silence as the rain pattered on the window. 

*BOOOM*

Rose let out a small squeal of fright and tightly hugged Shining. Shining used his magic to close the curtains as he gently brushed her head. The fin like crest on her head folded down to his touch and spring back up like a mane would. 

"It's okay. I'm not going to let some big mean lightning hurt you."

Rose settled down in Shining's legs and slowly fell asleep. Shining shifted a little on the sofa and was about to get up when the filly he was holding made a small chittering nose and nuzzled his chest. He felt a warm pang in his chest as she settled on his chest and started breathing deeply. 

"I guess I could stay right here on the sofa." Shining placed his head on the pillow and fell asleep feeling proud of himself for being here to help Rose through the night.
> Speak Softly
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It had  been a long tiring week for Cadance. She had been summoned to speak before the royal council about taking care of Rose and reporting on her. She was surprised at how many of them were excited about the idea and supportive of her and Celestia's idea. What surprised her even more was almost all of them had told her after the meeting that they were willing to supply whatever she needed to study Rose. 

Even the council members that didn't offer her whatever she needed had given the plan their support on the fact it would give Equestria a better knowledge of the Changelings. So Cadance had left the meeting and felt as if a great weight had been removed from her shoulders and a moment later another fell onto them. She was now responsible for a living creature. A filly that needed tender care all the time. She felt confident she could do it but at the same time she was worried she might fail. She might have taken care of Twilight for a few days one time when her parents had business across Equestria and Shining was away at the Guard Academy at the time, but this wasn't a few days with a filly that had become her friend. This was a changeling filly that couldn't even talk. 

Couldn't talk. Cadance had stopped walking through the halls of the castle for a moment as that thought went through her mind. Rose was smart enough to learn how to use a toilet and had understood the point of washing her hooves. After those thoughts passed through her mind she decided on something she needed to do. She was going to teach Rose how to speak Equestrian. 

Her enthusiasm with this task had faded over the week as she quickly realized that taking care of a changeling and trying to teach it was a tiring task. She was currently enjoying one of the few quiet moments Rose had given her by lying on the bed with the small changeling curled up next to her. 

I've made no progress with her. She understands what I'm saying but she won't make any sounds aside from that growling and chittering. The pink princess lightly nuzzled the tiny changeling and pulled her close to herself. Maybe I need to be a little more patient with this. It's only been a week after all. Cadance sighed and closed her eyes. She needed a good nap.
                                                                                                                                                                                         

Rose jolted awake. She looked around for a moment confused and noticed the sleeping form of Cadance that was beside her. The filly looked at her for a moment and snuggled close to the mare, feeling the warm soft fur against her cheek as she closed her eyes again. She wondered for a moment, on why she had awoken when a noise came from behind the sofa she was resting on. She cowered close to Cadance for a second when she heard the light humming coming from the source of the noise. 

She slowly moved up on the couch and looked over the back of the couch. She spotted a bright blue mare that was moving a small cart into the room. Upon seeing the mare Rose smiled. This was the nice one. All the other maids that had entered the suite always gave her harsh stares and radiated a chill that Rose had felt from other ponies before she had come to the castle but this one was different. She was always smiling and even spoke to Rose. 

"Oh, hey there Rose. Where's Cadance ?"

Rose recognized the word 'Cadance' and looked down at the sleeping mare. The blue earth pony moved around the couch and looked down. She looked back at the changeling with a soft smile. 

"You must have tired the poor filly out." She placed her hoof to her lips and shushed the changeling. "I think we should stay quiet so she can sleep."

The mare walked back to the small cart and wheeled it into the suite. She picked up a few rags and bottles and moved into the kitchen. Rose watched her for a moment then looked over to the door into the castle. It was wide open. The small changeling slowly moved towards the edge of the couch but stopped when Cadance rolled over. Rose watched her for a moment as she got comfortable on the couch. Rose continued along the couch and hoped off the end. 

She walked toward the doorway when she caught the light citrus  smell coming from the kitchen. The blue mare was still humming in the other room as the filly walked out into the hallway. She glanced up and down the hall wondering which way she should go. She had only been out of the chambers once over the last week and that was so she could have been looked at by a group ponies that sat behind a larger version of the strange wooden thing that she ate at with Cadance and Shining. The whole thing had made her frightened due to the cold waves that they emitted towards her. 

She wandered off towards the left and looked at the objects that line the sides of the walls. Paintings of faraway places, tables holding small objects she couldn't see, and even the occasional hutch  filled with small items that Rose couldn't identify. She reached a small crossing between two halls and stopped in the middle. She heard voices coming from the hall to her left and then laughter. The sound grabbed the attention of the young filly and she set off down the hall. She walked down the hall and turned to look inside an open room. 

Inside were two brown mares talking as they worked. Rose poked her head inside and watched them as they cleaned the room. One of them was smiling wide as she spoke. 

"And then he asked me if I had ever flown before. I told him I hadn't and he lowered himself and offered to show me."

The other mare looked at the first with a wide smile. "Aww, what happened after that?"

The first mare blushed a little. "I got onto his back and he flew me up to the clouds. We landed near a small lake and... What is that doing here?"

She glanced over to the doorway as she spoke and spotted Rose standing there. The warmth that was coming from the pair quickly faded and became cold. Rose stood there looking at the pair and her ears fell to the sides of her head. She had no idea why they were looking at her so coldly all of a sudden. 

"Maybe Cadance is taking her somewhere."

The second mare walked towards Rose, which caused her to crouch low and slowly flee from the cold mare. The first mare moved over to the doorway as well. 

"I don't see her. The Princess isn't in the hall."

The mares looked at each other, and then to Rose, who was backing away from the mares into the hallway. They locked eyes on her for a moment then looked at each other. 

"Do you think she might be making a run for it?"

The first mare shrugged and took a menacing step towards the small filly. "I don't really care. We should get her back to the princess. These little monsters are nothing but trouble."

She moved closer to the frightened changeling and reached out to grab her. Rose backed away from the mare as the cold waves crashed through her body. 

"Come here you little..."

The mare lunged forward after Rose but failed to catch her as she dove to the side and sprinted off down the hall. The other mare ran after her a moment later.

"Get back here!"

Rose moved as fast as her legs could carry her, adrenalin pumping through her tiny body, and leaped around the first corner she came to. She nearly ran into a guard that was walking down the hall. She dove between his legs and ran under him as he stopped, confused as to what was happening. 

"What the—"

*WHAM*

The mare chasing Rose crashed into the guard a moment after Rose passed under him. A tangled mess of fur and armor crashed to the floor. Rose looked back for a moment before the other mare came around the corner. She gave a small shriek and sprinted off down the hall. The mare tried to move around the pair that was getting up off the floor, but they ended up falling over and knocking her down as well. Rose moved around another corner and jumped into the first open room she found. 

She looked around the room for a moment. She noticed it looked like the closet, much like the one Cadance had chased her into but much larger. She tried to control her breathing when she heard a surprised voice from her left. A large grey guard was looking at her confused. He walked forward a few steps as Rose shrieked again and scrambled around. The guard lunged to grab her. 

"Whoa there, calm down!"

He missed her as she leaped backwards. This caused him to fall on the ground and collide with a large drawer next to the doorway. The drawer collapsed onto the stallion as Rose sprinted down the hall yet again, her lungs burning and her limbs screaming for rest. She reached another intersection and turned to the right. She ran into another open room and dove under the first thing she could see. It was a low lying table up against the far wall of the room. She could just barely squeeze under it. She curled up into a tiny ball as images flashed into her eyes. 
                                                                                                                                                                                         

She had been alone in the alleyway when a voice rang out behind her. She turned to see a large silver skinned creature  approaching her. It was massive and had small segments of bright white that connected the silver portions of the skin. It had a white muzzle protruding from its silver head. The warm weather evaporated quickly as it approached, the air turning icy cold. Its steely eyes filled with a darkness that she couldn't understand. 

It made noises she couldn't understand and reached for her. She tried to run , but it was too fast. She struggled and cried in its grip as it made dark rumbles. It tightened its grip on her as it moved towards the edge of the alleyway. The tiny changeling could see a pair of the silver skinned creatures waiting for her and the one carrying her. One of them shouted out and pointed behind the one carrying her. The filly had no time to look backwards as something large collided with the silver creature.

Rose hit the wall of the alleyway and gasped in pain. She looked over to see a large black skinned creature attacking the silver skinned one. It took the changeling a moment to realize that the one attacking her assailant was just like her but only larger and had a blue spot on its back. The larger creature sank its fangs into the neck of the silver creature. The silver one let out a scream and tried to pry the black one off. 

Rose sat there for only a moment before she saw the other silver monsters running over to the three of them. Rose scrambled onto her hooves and sprinted down the alley. One of them went to help the one on the ground while the other ran after Rose. The black thing then detached itself from its victim and grabbed the silver creature after the filly. Rose was about to duck into another alley when she looked back. Two of the silver creatures were fighting the black one. One of the silver ones got behind it and grabbed it. Unable to break the grasp the other silver monster helped wrestle it to the ground.  

The creature  just like her looked over at her and for a moment its large blue eyes connected with her own red ones. The creature gave a small cry and Rose ran into the alleyway. She ran as hard and as fast as she could until her legs nearly gave out. She came to a dead end and looked around. The alleyway was dead silent. The small filly moved over to a small box and collapsed inside of it. She curled up into a ball...
                                                                                                                                                                                         

... and began to cry under the table where she sat. Rose sobbed silently as she huddled against the wall, praying that nothing would find her and hurt her.

                                                                                                                                                                                         

Cadance was being shaken. She hated being awoken like that. It always made her feel rushed and meant she was going to miss something important. A worried voice was in her ear as she was being brought out of her slumber. Five more minutes Shiny. I just want to finish this dream.

"Your Majesty please wake up. This is important!"

An alarm sounded in Cadance’s mind. That wasn't Shining. That was a maid. Her eyes snapped open and she sat up. A worried mare was standing near the couch. Cadance looked at the blue mare for a moment as she tried to remember her name. 

"Swift Clean, what's going on?"

The maid shuffled on her hooves for a moment. "I can't find Rose. I've looked everywhere in the suite and she ain’t here. I think she might be loose in the castle."

Cadance leaped up from the couch and ran to the doorway. "You checked everywhere?"

The maid nodded. "Yes but I couldn't find her. I just noticed a few moments ago  and started searching. I don't know how long she's been gone."

Cadance looked up and down the hall for a moment. She took a breath to calm herself so she could think. "Okay... we need to start looking for her. You go and search this floor for her while I alert the guards. She can't have gotten far."

The pair moved off down the hall and made it to the first stairwell when a crowd of maids and a few guards  spewed forth. The small crowd spotted the princess and surrounded her, each of them talking at once, yelling in her ears. 

"That little thing is running around..."

"It's making a run for it! We need to capture it!"

"It should be locked in the dungeon! A monster like that shouldn't be allowed to be—"

"ENOUGH!"

All the ponies in the hall covered their ears as the princess's voice rang out through hall. For a moment they all stood there with their heads down. Slowly they looked at the princess as she placed her hoof on her chest and took in a breath. She slowly exhaled and extended her hoof. 

She looked at the crowd for a moment. "I understand your worries, but at the moment the only thing that matters is finding Rose. I'll take responsibility for any damage she may cause," She looked at a brown maid for a moment, "and I will punish her as I see fit. I want her found."

The few guards in the crowd set off down the halls and back down the staircase. The maids stood there for a moment watching the guards leaving. Cadance cleared her throat and gave every maid from the crowd a stern stare. 

"Now!"

The maids didn't need another word and ran off down the hall and onto the stairs. 

Swift Clean looked at the pink princess for a moment. "I've never heard you use the Royal Canterlot voice  before."

Cadance sighed and looked at the mare. "I don't like using it. I always feel so mean when I do. Now let’s find Rose before she or somepony gets hurt."
                                                                                                                                                                                         

The sound of hooves reached the ears of the small changeling. She looked up from her hiding spot and saw a set of silver hooves moving across the room. They passed by the table and moved across the room with dull metal *thumps *. Rose curled up more and tried to move closer to the wall. She felt her back touch the wall and she stopped. She realized that she couldn't see the hooves so she tried to turn so she could but her hoof bumped the wall making a tiny *thud*. 

She froze and so did the hooves. They slowly turned and moved towards the table and stopped just ahead of Rose. For a moment she thought she might be able to make a break for it but realized that the silver thing would catch her the moment she tried to get out from under the table. A moment later the silver hooves moved back and the face of her capture was visible.

She gave a small cry and pressed herself to the wall in the desperate hope that the wall would fall away and she could escape. 

"No, no, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you."

She looked back and stared at the green eyes looking at her. Rose was surprised at how gentle this voice was. The deep tones were filled with concern. The silver creature lowered himself to the ground and reached for her. Rose let out another cry as the armored hoof came close. She covered her head as the hoof drew away. 

"No... oh, I see. Don't like the armor?"

The silver creature stood up for a moment and Rose looked at him and watched as it removed its skin. The parts of its hooves came off first followed by its chest. The final portion was its face. The creature came back down and Rose could only stare at it. It had transformed into a creature just like Shining, only its fur was black and it has a light green mane. 

"See? I'm friendly. Come on, I'll take you back to Cadance. She's probably looking for you."

He reached for her again and this time she crawled forward. As she reached her hooves she felt a connection form. It was nice and comforting, just like the one the light blue one that brought the nice smelling liquid. She was pulled out from under the table and the creature was going to place her on the ground but she clamped onto him with a tight hug. She needed as much of that connection as she could. 

The creature stood there for a moment holding her as she hugged him. "Um... I guess I could carry you to her. You must be really scared."

The creature made his way through the halls of the castle while holding the filly with one leg. Rose sniffled a few times which prompted the creature to stop and whisper comforting words to her, not that she understood any of it but the tone was all that mattered. The pair moved through the castle stopping only to ask a maid where Cadance was. The pair made their way through the castle.

The stallion spotted the princess down the hall surrounded by the maids helping her search. He cleared his throat to get the princess's attention. The pink mare turned to look at the guard then to the filly he was holding. She was about to speak but Rose turned around to look at her. The moment the filly saw the princess she gave a small cry of joy and leaped out of the stallions grip and latched onto Cadance. 

The princess caught the filly and hugged her gently. She glanced at the small group of maids and saw that they all were looking at the changeling. Many of them were surprised and their expressions soft. 

"I think you all should go tell the guards that we've found Rose. Thank you."

The maids dispersed in a few moments leaving only the guard, Swift Clean, and Rose with her in the hall. She hugged the filly tightly and nuzzled the top of her head. She looked up at the stallion. 

"Where was she?"

The stallion stood at attention. "She was hiding in the fifth floor study. She was under the table crying when I found her. She wouldn't come near me until I removed my armor. I apologize for my appearance."

The princess was about to answer her but Swift spoke before she could. "Nothing wrong with that, baby." 

Both the princess and the guard looked over at the maid. She smiled at the guard and winked at him. The stallion smiled back for a moment then returned to the stone face stance he had a moment ago. Cadance rolled her eyes then looked at the guard. 

"Thank you. I'll talk to Captain Shining so you won't get in trouble. What's your name and rank?"

The stallion gave her a small nod of appreciation. "Sergent Brass Hail."

The princess gave the stallion a small bow to be formal. "Thank you for your service kind Brass Hail."

The stallion bowed to the princess. "An honor and pleasure to serve the royal family."

As the stallion began to leave Swift Clean spoke again. "Pleasures all ours darlin'."

The stallion glanced back to see the maid waving at him. He gave her a grin and walked down the hall. It wasn't until he was out of sight that Swift Clean spoke again. 

"By your aunt he's cute, and that flank!"

Cadance sighed and started walking down the hall. "Next time just smack him. The message would be less blunt."

Swift Clean rolled her eyes. "Hey, some flirting doesn't hurt. Besides it's not like I wouldn't mind spending a night or two with a hunk like that."

Cadance looked down at Rose. "Swift not in front of Rose. She can understand us pretty well. I want to set a good example for her. Talking like that isn't going to help."

The maid sighed exaggeratedly. "You need to lighten up. Let Shining take care of her for a night and let's just relax for a while. You need some you time while you still have a chance."

The princess shook her head as they moved up a staircase. "I can't. I'm still trying to teach her how to talk but I can't get her to make even the smallest sound. I don't know how to get it to work. I'm almost to the point of writing to Twilight for advice."

The mares giggled as they walked along another hall. Swift Clean went silent for a moment. "Maybe you're going about it the wrong way. What kind of words are you trying to teach her?"

Cadance opened the door to her suite and walked in. "Simple words like door, wall, bed, and animals. She won't make a single noise though."

"Maybe you should try words she hears the most. Like your and Shining's name and stuff you say a lot around her."

Cadance placed the filly down on the couch and sat next to her. "Maybe you're right. You don't have to finish cleaning the suite. I think we both need the rest of the evening to rest."

Swift Clean nodded and collected the cleaning supplies. "Thank you. If you need anything else just give us a call."

The maid gave a small bow to Cadance and a wave to Rose and left the suite with the cart. Cadance looked at the changeling for a moment before scooping her up and hugging her. 

"You had me so worried. I thought you might have gotten hurt. Please don't do that again."

Rose hugged the princess back and felt waves of comforting warmth wash over her. The rest of their evening was spent playing around the suite and Cadance trying to teach Rose some words but to no avail. It was late in the evening when Shining came into the main room. He sighed and plopped down on the couch. 

"So... I was told today that Rose was running around the castle."

Cadance moved next to her husband on the couch. She gave him a kiss on the cheek before she spoke. "Yeah, she wandered out into the halls when I was asleep and Swift woke me up when she noticed she was missing."

Shining looked at the filly playing with a small doll on the floor in front of them. "She caused injuries to a guard and made the entire castle panic for close to an hour. You should have been watching her better."

Cadance leaned back from the stallion. "Excuse me? I've been watching her all week and been feeding her. You've not even spent that much time at all. You've been away working the whole time!"

Her tone got angry at the end which made Shining angry as well. "Sorry for trying to keep the whole nation safe! I've been trying to figure out a way to calm the public down. There's mass hysteria  across the nation and you want me to baby sit her? I need to do my sworn duty!"

Rose looked over at them and watched as they both got up from couch and were now yelling at each other at opposite ends of the couch. Rose could feel a different type of energy coming off of the two of them. It was uncomfortable and made her limbs ache. This feeling made her stomach clench and she felt sick.

"Oh so your job is more important than either of us?"

Shining took a step closer to her. "You know that's not what I meant! I'm just trying to make this nation a little safer for everypony!"

Rose lowered her head. The feelings were growing stronger. She felt tears form as the waves of hurtful energy crashed through her tiny body. 

Cadance took a step closer to the stallion with a scowl. "Well it certainly sounds like you care for your job more than you care for me or Rose. Why is it so hard for you to come home early and spend some time with her?"

Rose couldn't take it anymore.

"Zhining, Cadanzze!"

Both of the ponies stopped cold in their argument and stared at each other. They both were confused as to where the tiny buzzing voice had come from. This confusion passed and they looked over at Rose. With tears running down her face she ran over to Shining and tugged at his leg. 

"Zhining—" The changeling made a small buzzing noise then looked at Cadance as she tugged at Shining's leg. "—Cadanze."

She looked up at the stallion for a moment then hugged his leg again. Shining was stunned for a moment and looked at his wife. She was equally stunned by the sudden words and actions. 

"Rose..."

The pink princess picked up the filly and hugged her. "Her first words! This is amazing!"

Shining stared at the changeling for a moment as his brain worked out a simple fact. "Her first word..."

The alicorn looked at the stallion as he trailed off. "What?"

"My name was her first word..."

Cadance watched as his expression softened as he moved closer to the filly. "Her first word was my name." 

He gently took the filly from Cadance and hugged her. Rose hugged him tightly and nuzzled him. "Zhining."

"I'm sorry Rose. I won't argue with Cadance anymore." 

He looked up at Cadance and saw her smiling warmly at them. "I think we should spend a day together."

Shining looked back down at the filly as Rose wiped a tear away.  Shining nuzzled the filly. "I think I could do that."

> Family of Many Colors
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cadance was worried. She placed her hoof on her chest and sighed as she extended her leg straight out in front of her body, an action she had done several times in the past ten minutes as she waited for the train. She was worried about who was getting off the train and every moment made her all the more concerned. 

Relax. Everything will be fine. All I need to do is be patient and be calm.

A loud whistle sounded in the distance and she felt her heart quicken a little. She looked up the railway and spotted the train approaching. She shuffled in her spot for a moment then noticed the way her guard was looking at her. Brass Hail was giving her a small smile. 

"Permission to speak freely."

Cadance chuckled and nodded. "Given. You don't need to ask when guarding me."

The guard nodded with a friendly smile on his face. "Nervous about meeting your in-laws?"

The pink mare shook her head. "Not at all. I'm more worried about how they will react to Rose. It's not exactly common knowledge in the kingdom yet and they have been away on a small vacation over the past week. I really hope that they like her and look past the fact that she..." A slight pause as she looked around to see if any ponies were listening. "... not a pony."

The guard nodded and glanced at the now slowing train. "If the reaction of the nurses to her is anything to gauge ponies’ reactions to her then they will love her. Just be calm and tell them all you can and from there just hope for the best."

The princess gave a small nod of the head to the guard. "Thank you for your kind words. I noticed that you and Swift Clean have been spending some time with each other over the last few days. She talks about you a lot."

The guard blushed a little under the helmet. "We have. She approached me the other day when I was on break and from there we have been spending a lot of time together." The guard took a moment to take a deep breath and shuffled on his hooves for a moment. "Can I ask you something?"

The princess looked up the tracks to check on the train then back to the guard. "Of course. What is it?"

The guard swallowed then spoke. "I... I think I might be in love with her. I know it’s been really quick but... well she just seems like the perfect mare to me." 

Cadance nodded and smiled at the stallion. "I understand perfectly. I fell in love with Shining rather quickly as well and I didn't even get a chance to talk to him until two weeks later. Rose has noticed your connections as well. The other day when Swift came to clean Rose followed her around, and Swift told me the same thing you're telling me right now."

Brass Hail looked up with a surprised look. "Really? She really is in love with me?"

Cadance nodded as the whistle from the train sounded, much closer and much louder. "Yes. I would suggest a dinner date for the two of you. If you need to talk about this again we can talk later this week. For now let’s get to the matter at hoof."

The train pulled into the station slowly then halted with a small screech. Cadance took a deep breath and glanced over to see that Brass Hail had resumed his guard like pose. The princess was glad for the extra height that being an alicorn gave her and she scanned the small crowd getting off the train. For a moment she wondered if she had gotten to the station on the wrong day but as she finished that thought she spotted them. 

A pair of unicorns walked off the train carrying a pair of suitcases between them. The stallion, Night Light, was a light blue with a dark blue mane and tail. The mare, his wife Twilight Velvet, was white with a purple mane with white streaks in it. The mare glanced over and noticed Cadance standing there. 

"Cadance! I must say this is a great surprise."

Cadance walked over to the pair and hugged them both. Brass Hail quickly took the suitcases and followed the trio as they left the train station. They made it all the way to the street before Cadance spoke to them. 

"I wanted to introduce you two to somepony that Shining and I have taken in."

The unicorns following her shared looks of surprise mixed with confusion. It was Velvet that broke the small silence between the trio. "You and Shining adopted a foal? When did this happen? Why didn't you two tell us this before you did it?"

Cadance gave a small cough and looked at the unicorns. "We didn't exactly plan on it. It just sort of happened suddenly. I don't think I should be the one to tell you all the details. Shining knows you both better and will know how to tell you this."

The mare spoke again in a kind voice. "Cadance, we have known you since you were a young teen. You are just as much a daughter to us as Twilight is. You can tell us anything."

The pink princess stopped walking for a moment then hugged the white mare. "That means a lot to me. I'll give you some of the details but I think Shining should be the one to tell you the rest."

The princess used the rest of the trip to explain how Rose had been found in the royal chambers and how they had decided to keep her with them but made sure not to mention that she was a changeling. As the faces of her in-laws grew relaxed and pride began to show Cadance became worried. She was hoping that they would have the same feelings when they discovered the truth. 

"So what exactly is Rose? Is she a unicorn, pegasus, or earth pony?"

The pink mare shook her head. "No. Shining will explain that. Ahh, the castle is just ahead. Sergeant Hail please escort them to Captain Shining please. I need to check on Rose."

The princess took off in flight as the guard motioned for the unicorns to follow him. A few minutes passed in silence as they reached the castle gate and walked into the lush gardens. 

"So mister Hail, have you met this Rose yet?"

The guard turned to look at the blue stallion. "I have. This way please."

He led them into the palace itself and guided them through the halls. Night Light spoke again. "What is she exactly? I think that if we are the adoptive grandparents we have a right to know."

"I've been asked not to tell sir. Shining will answer all your questions."

The older stallion sighed and the mare spoke up. "Can you tell us anything about her then?"

The guard nodded. "She's rather cute but kinda small for a foal. I think the whole hiding in the royal chambers for who knows how long did that to her."

Velvet nodded. "I take it that the whole castle has met her then?"

Hail shook his head. "Not to my knowledge. Only the maids that work up there have seen her and the guards have been briefed but I doubt that many have seen her or met her. None of the night staff have met her so far as I can tell."

"Oh... you seem to know a decent amount. Have you met her yourself?"

Hail nodded. "She got lost in the castle and I was the one to find her. She was scared but fortunately she was unharmed." The guard looked around the corner and pointed. "Ahh, here we are."

The elderly unicorns rounded the corner and spotted their son. "Shining!" Velvet ran past the Sargent and hugged the white stallion tightly that was standing a little down the hallway.  

The Captain returned the hug lovingly. "Mom! It's great to see you again. How was the trip?"

"Oh it was nice. Wonderful weather and such nice ponies. The train ride could have been a little shorter though."

The stallion nodded with a smile then looked at the trio of guards he was talking to before his mother hugged him. He could see them struggling to hide grins and snickers. 

"I think we can finish talking about the duty roster some other time. Dismissed."

The guards nodded and moved down the hallway. Shining turned back to his mother and received a kiss on the cheek.

"My little colt is all grown up, giving orders and being a captain." Velvet began to brush his mane to one side.

"Mom, stop." Shining grabbed her hoofs gently. "I know you’re happy to see me and all but we have something important to deal with right now." The white stallion stopped and looked over to his father and Hail. "Sergeant, take their bags to the suite and then return to your duties."

Hail saluted and left the trio of unicorns alone. Shining looked at his parents for a moment then his smile faded. His mother was wearing a forced smile and his father was giving him a very serious look. 

"So what has Cadance told you so far?"

Night Light was the one to answer in a no nonsense tone. "Not much. Rose is not a pony and you two adopted her. That's all we know."

Shining nodded. "Right, um... I think the best way to tell you is to show you. When I was told what she was I didn't react well. So, let’s head up to the chambers and show you."

The trio moved up through the castle, taking the shortest route. Shining kept looking back to his parents to gauge how to talk to them. His mother looked worried and his father looked... well, he couldn't tell. 

His father spoke again. "So... Hail told us she got lost in the castle. I have a feeling that isn't what happened."

Shining froze for a moment then continued walking. "Yeah... she wasn't supposed to leave the suite. The palace hadn't been briefed fully and um... foal-proofed." 

"Why wasn't she allowed to leave the rooms?"

Shining stopped as they reached the hall to the royal chambers. The white stallion sighed and looked at his parents. Both had mingled looks of concern and curiosity on their faces. 

"She... doesn't look like a normal pony. A lot of ponies would consider her ugly and wouldn't want to see her in public."

The looks on their faces became confused. Velvet gave a small cough. "What do you mean? Is she deformed in some way?"

Shining shook his head. "No, well maybe, she mostly looks like what her race should, except a few little things. Look I think if you meet her it will clear everything up quickly."

The captain held up his hoof to silence their questions. "Please. It's easier to just let you meet her, but before you do I want to let you know this. Cadance and I have grown very fond of her over the time she has spent with us." A smile spread across the captain’s face. "Her first word was my name... and Cadance wants to make sure that she never feels alone or abandoned again."

Shining sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "No matter what you think or say we're not going to abandon Rose, even if it makes you angry and never want to speak to us again. She needs us and we won't let her down."

Velvet walked up to her son and gave him a hug. Shining was surprised at the strength and love put into the hug and returned the emotion. The elderly mare spoke with a soft but wise tone.

"You always knew when to do the right thing. No matter what Rose is, we will both still love you and Cadance."

The captain gave his mother a small kiss on the cheek. "Thanks mom."

Shining turned to open the door to his home when the door opened and Swift Clean walked out. She spotted the trio and gave a quick bow to Shining. 

"Afternoon sir, I was just on my way out, Cadance and Rose are waiting inside."

The maid moved down the hall and gave a small bow to the trio again. Shining nodded and sighed. He walked into the suite followed quickly by his parents. They moved into the living room and Shining moved towards the kitchen. 

"Cadance? Is Rose ready to meet my parents?" 

The pink princess walked out of the kitchen and gave a fond smile to Shining's parents. "Twilight Velvet, Night Light, meet Rose."

The unicorns looked at Cadance for a moment then shifted their gazes lower to the floor. Rose was standing between the pink mares legs and had her ears pinned back in slight fear. As the stunned unicorns looked at her she shuffled back a little and tried to hide behind Cadance’s leg. 

Night Light stared at the filly for a moment then looked at his son. His voice was filled with complete surprise and he couldn't seem to get the words out. "She's a... and you two took her..." 

Velvet took a few steps forward towards Cadance and Rose, her eyes never leaving the filly. She was less than a step away from the filly when she looked up at the princess. 

"May I?"

Cadance nodded and took a step to the side leaving the filly in the open. Rose crouched low to the ground and started shaking a little. The filly couldn't read the energy that the older mare was giving off. It was strange, but familiar at the same time. It was like the warmth Cadance gave off but it wasn't warm but it wasn't cold or harmful like the energy some of the maids gave her. 

Rose looked at the pink mare. "Cadanze?"

The pink mare gave her a smile and nodded. "It's okay."

Rose looked back up at the white mare and moved towards her slowly. She stopped in front of the white mare and slowly looked up at her. She gave the white giant a look of curiosity and fear. 

Velvet picked up the small changeling gently and held her close. Rose noticed that the way this mare held her was somehow gentler than the way Cadance held her, a way that spoke of experience that allowed the white mare to hold her comfortably for both of them. Rose took a chance and nuzzled against the chest of this mare. 

Velvet looked down at the small creature in her hooves and was amazed by the large red eyes looking back up at her. They were filled with curiosity and the simple light of life, the fear from before gone. The changeling gave the mare a shaky smile and her heart melted at the sight. She brought the tiny filly closer to her and nuzzled her in return. 

Rose felt sudden warmth radiate from the mare as she began nuzzling back. She gave a small peek to the side to look at the stallion. The blue stallion was looking at Shining and Cadance. 

"How exactly did a changeling get into the castle?"

Shining was the one to answer after a moment of silence. "No pony knows. We thought that maybe she hatched up here after a few changeling egg sacks were found in some of the buildings in the city but nothing like that was found anywhere near or in the castle. Best guess is that she somehow was smuggled in by a changeling or found a way in by herself." 

"And you’re certain she isn't dangerous?"

Velvet turned to her husband. "Light, does she look dangerous? She is just like any other foal I've held only she has holes in her legs and her eyes are a little different." She looked to Cadance. "Do you know how old she is?"

Cadance shook her head. "No idea. For all we know about changelings she could be anywhere from a few months old to a few years." 

Night Light moved over to his wife and Rose and looked down at her. "Were there any changelings found near the castle during your honeymoon. Maybe that's how she got in."

Shining shook his head. "No, all the changelings that may have been near the castle were caught on the day of the invasion. None have been spotted anywhere near the palace or the royal grounds at all."

"Hmm, I would have said that if there was one found near the castle that could have been how she got in. The guards might have been distracted by having to capture a changeling." 

As Shining nodded Night Light looked over at his wife and Rose. The elder stallion gave the small filly a smile and a moment later Velvet shifted the filly into his forelegs. Night Light held the filly gently and watched as she settled her head onto his chest. He smiled as memories of his own children filled his mind. He watched the eyelids of the filly grow heavy and shut. 

The blue stallion sat down on the sofa and looked to his son. "Have you told Twilight yet? She should know about this."

Both the guard captain and the princess shook their heads. Cadance sat down next to her father-in-law and looked at the now sleeping Rose. 

"We thought you two should know first. We planned on talking to Twilight later this week about her. I'll take her back to bed. I had to wake her up to meet you both." 

A magical aura picked up the sleeping filly and placed her on the pink mares back. Cadance walked over to Shining and gave him a small kiss. 

"I'm going to lie down with her. You okay with talking to your parents alone?"

The white stallion nodded. "Of course." He gave the small changeling a kiss on the forehead. "Have a nice nap Rose."

As the princess walked into the bedroom, Shining looked at his parents sitting on the sofa. He sighed and sat down on the small chair across from them.

"I know this won't be easy to accept, but—"

His mother cut him off. "Darling, it's simple for us to accept it. I think I can say that we are both proud of you. You found a creature, no a filly, in need and did the right thing. You made the right choice and for that we could never be mad at you." 

Night Light nodded and smiled at his son. "We will be happy to help you two however we can. I know that keeping her here in the castle can't have been a popular option, but it is the right one."

The white stallion got up and moved to his parents. He hugged them both tightly. "Thank you both. I want you to know that this means so much to me and Cadance that you accept her." Shining looked at each of his parents and saw the proud smiles they each had. "But I have to know. Why are you so okay with this? I mean I was expecting you two to freak out or scream or something like that." 

The elder unicorns looked at each other then shared a small laugh. Velvet gave her son a small pat on his cheek as she spoke. 

"Honey, we have both raised a pair of unicorn foals and helped raise a baby dragon. We learned quickly that all young creatures are alike in a way. They are all innocent and just... wonderful to hold."

The blue stallion nodded. "I think we both realized that she's far too young to have had anything to do with the invasion and it would be cruel of us to hate her for something she didn't do."

Shining gave his parents a grateful smile and noticed their suitcases sitting near the door to the guest room. He sat down on the couch for a moment then looked at his parents.

"Would you two be willing to spend the night? I think that when Rose wakes up she will be happy to spend some time with you. The guest room is ready and pretty comfortable." 

A chuckle came as a response from his father. "You don't need to sell it to us. I'm to tired to walk back to the house and I would love to see more of our adopted grand-daughter."

The day slowly winded down as the older ponies talked to each other and spent the day playing with Rose. The night settled early for Cadance and Rose as the princess went in to lay Rose down for the night and didn't return. Shining's parents went to bed with content smiles. The captain cleaned up the tea cups and small plates they had used for after dinner tea and headed into the bedroom. 

He was met with a sight that warmed his heart. Nestled under the blankets were Rose and Cadance, cuddled together with smiles on their face. Shining slowly got into bed and cuddled up to the pair, putting Rose between himself and Cadance. He drifted off into one of the most peaceful sleeps of his life cuddled close to his wife and adopted daughter.
> Aunty Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cadance had never seen her husband so nervous before. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He had been a wreck of nerves when he had proposed to her, but that had been rather amusing at the time as well as romantic, whereas at the moment it was starting to make her uncomfortable as well. They were both waiting for Shining to go meet his sister at the Canterlot Royal Library to talk about her adopted niece.

"Shining, dear, stop pacing so much. You will wear a hole in the floor." 

The stallion shook his head. "I can't, I think best when I'm moving. Twilight won't be like my parents. She's got more of a grudge against the changelings than any member of this family. You should have heard her when she suggested some tactics for hunting the rest of the changelings down at our reception. She won't take this well at all; I know that for a fact."

"I don't think it's that bad. She's very understanding. I wouldn't be surprised if she acted like her mother, and ends up cuddling Rose for an hour."

At the mention of her name Rose nuzzled up to Cadance and pulled a nearby blanket over herself and the pink princess. 

"Rose, that's very kind of you." 

The princess cuddled the filly and kissed her lightly on the forehead. She looked back at Shining to see him looking at them with a worried frown.

"Relax. She will understand and will support us both. If she has a problem with it we can talk it out. Don't worry so much." Cadance gave a quick glance at the clock. "You better get going to meet her. You know how she is with being on time."

"Okay. I'll go get her then." Shining walked over to Rose and gently nuzzled her. "Keep Cadance out of trouble." 

"Bye Zhining!" 

Cadance gave the stallion a quick kiss then started tickling the little changeling next to her. Shining walked through the castle hallways wondering how he was going to break the news to Twilight. He knew that she would be harder to convince than his parents, but how much harder was something he didn't know. 

He reached the floor that the Royal Library was housed on and took a deep breath. He knew that his day was only about to get harder from here, and maybe even down right difficult. However he had faith that his sister would understand. Cadance is right. Twilight is very understanding after all, and maybe she will want to study Rose. The white stallion chuckled for a moment at the mental image of Twilight following Rose around with a clipboard writing things down.

The Captain of the Guard walked into the library and settled down at the closest table he could see. Around him was an impressive collection of books that covered nearly every subject know to ponies. Shining spent many a night visiting the library during his early guard days to send students home, or to make sure that everything was put away. A smile came to the stallions face as he recalled one incident where he had found his sister asleep, face resting on a magical tome. 

I had to carry her all the way to her room. And she didn't even wake up until after I placed her in the bed. Kept asking about if the book was put back. 

Shining chuckled for a moment then sighed. He didn't know how to tell Twilight about Rose. Hey Twily, we adopted a changeling... The stallion rolled his eyes. Yeah she'll take that well... The guard rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed again as a small flash happened in front of him.

He looked up to see a purple unicorn smiling at him. "Shiny!" She rushed forward and hugged the stallion tightly. "I'm a little early, I hope that's alright."

"Yeah... it's fine. I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Twilight gave the stallion a small look of concern. "What's going on?" 

Shining looked at his sister for a moment then motioned for her to follow him. "Well... Cadance and I have recently taken it upon ourselves to 'adopt' a creature we found."

A shocked look passed over the lavender pony's face. "You did what!? What, where, why?"

"We found her after we got back from the honeymoon and she was hiding in the bathroom, starved and dirty. She was scared and Cadance fed her and cleaned her. I was... skeptical at first but Cadance convinced me to give the creature a chance. They have been with us for a few weeks now and it looks like they are back to health." 

Shining paused for a moment and took a breath. "The reason we kept her with us was because we both realized that she needed us, and without us she would face a very harsh life. We've grown fond of her."

The lavender unicorn looked at her brother for a moment and gave him an approving smile. "You both took in a creature that needed help. That's really sweet and kind of you both... You didn't answer the ‘what’ part of my question though."

The white guard took a moment to take a breath. He wasn't looking forward to this part of the talk at all. "Well... that's where this whole thing gets very complicated. Her name is Rose, and she's not a pony... in fact she's of a race that ponies have been in conflict with..." 

Twilight looked confused for a moment and a small look of clarity. "A minotaur calf? I know that they have been getting more and more aggressive with us over the last few years."

The elder stallion shook his head. "No. She's not a minotaur."

Confusion covered the mares face for a moment before sudden realization came to her. In a flash she tackled her brother and started channeling a spell. 

"Twilight wha—"

"Stop moving, I'm making sure you aren't under a mind control spell, again."

The guard pushed his sister off of him with a slight scowl. "I'm not under any form of magical control." 

Twilight moved towards him, magic channeling in her horn. "You said that last time and that was when their queen had complete control of you." 

Shining rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'm not under any mind control spell. Test me, without poking around in my head." 

"Fine. Tell me something only Shining would know." 

"When you were six you wanted a doll. Instead of buying you one, mom went out and made you Smarty Pants. You were so happy to have him that you tried to make breakfast for them, pancakes. They had some and got sick because of the "secret ingredient" you put in, which was—"

"Okay, okay! I believe you... You promised to never talk about that again..." 

Shining chuckled and nodded. "Okay, so we got that out of the way..." 

The stallion turned to lead his sister to Rose and Cadance when he heard a relieved sigh behind him. He turned to see Twilight chuckling to herself. 

"Something amusing?" 

The lavender mare nodded and gave him a small smile. "Yes. This little joke of yours." 

"I wasn't joking." 

"Right. I'm supposed to believe that my brother and sister-in-law, both of which were either imprisoned or brainwashed took in a changeling and named her after a flower. Good one Shining, you had me going for a moment."

Twilight let out a laugh for almost a minute before she saw the look on Shining's face. 

"I wasn't joking Twilight."

"Oh come on. Yes you were. You even told that story we promised to... never..." The mare trailed off as she noticed his expression harden a little and remained serious. "You were joking right?" 

"No, I'm serious."

A small twitch came to the lavender mare's mouth. "Ha ha... very funny Shiny... the jokes over now." 

The captain gave her a resolved glare. "Twily, I'm not joking at all. I would never joke about this. Cadance and I found a changeling in our chambers and she needed help. We've taken her in and I would like your support for this."

"My support?! You want me to believe that you, the stallion that was brainwashed, whose wife was imprisoned and almost lost her chance to live her life with you, is now taking care of one of those creatures that nearly ruined not only yours and Cadance's lives, but almost took over the kingdom, and you want me to help you with that!"

Twilight took a moment to catch her breath and failed to notice the angry look on her brother’s face. 

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm asking of you. Cadance found her and I wanted to send her off with the rest of the changelings but Cadance stopped me. We decided to do the right thing and take care of her so she isn't put into a dangerous situation." 

"And did you think for one second that maybe it is putting you in danger!"

Shining gave her a raised eyebrow. "How? She's a filly. Nothing she could do could possibly harm me or Cadance." 

The lavender mare stamped her hoof on the tiled floor in anger. "Not the one you have! What about the others that might be running around the kingdom, and don't say there aren't others, because I know that there are plenty of guards searching the kingdom for any of them that are hiding." 

"What about them?" 

"What if they come looking for it and they aren't looking to put you into a cavern or to just mind control you. By taking it in you have put everypony in the castle in danger!"

The stallion was going to yell back at her but something gave him pause. She was right. If the changelings did come looking for Rose then that means they might attack himself and Cadance to get her back. For the first time in days he felt doubt about being so close to Rose. 

Twilight saw the doubt and pressed her advantage. "The best thing for all three of you is to ship it off with the rest of them." 

Shining only caught a single word of the whole sentence. It, not her. "Her." 

Confusion passed over the lavender unicorns face. "What?" 

"Her name is Rose. She's not an ‘it.’" 

A small groan came from the mare. "It doesn't matter! You've gotten attached to it when you shouldn't have! You need to ship that changeling off and get rid of this mistake!"

"ENOUGH!" 

Twilight's eyes widened in shock as we brother snapped at her. The moment she uttered the word mistake Shining became enraged and then he spoke with barely controlled anger. 

"I asked you here to try to ask you to help us raise a filly that needs a family. I was going to ask you to be part of her life, to be her aunt, but if this is how you will act towards her, then I don't want you in her life or mine anymore!"

Time seemed to stop the moment the words left his mouth. The very instant they left his mouth he knew he had crossed a line, and for a fleeting second Shining hoped that Twilight would yell at him, scream at the top of her lungs, even for her to hit him, but slowly, much to his dismay, Twilight's face slowly turned from offended rage to a shocked expression to a look of emotional hurt. 

Shining spoke much softer and felt horrible as he watched tears form in his sisters eyes. "Twili—"

*BAMF*

A quick flash and an empty hallway was all that Shining had as his sisters hurt expression and tears teleported away. The stallion stood there looking at the empty space and felt a wave of bitter emotion crash over his chest. He wanted to be mad, to rage and scream, but he only felt bitter disappointment in himself. He knew it wasn't going to be an easy conversation but he didn't think he would lose control like that. 

Great... try to give Rose another pony to love her and help her and I end up hurting my L.S.B.F.F. Way to go Shining.

The captain looked around and noticed a guard walking into the library. He recognized him as one of the sergents. 

"I heard some yelling so I came to investigate. Is everything okay sir?" 

"Yes Sergent Hail. Everything is fine... the library is fine..." 

The darker stallion gave him a look for a moment then spoke again in a less formal manner. "Permission to speak freely sir?" 

"Granted." 

The stallion walked up to the captain. "Are you okay sir? I heard the tail end of that and then the sound of a teleportation."

The white unicorn sighed and shook his head. "I don't think I will be. I need to go think of how I'm going to apologize to her. I hope you will be discreet and please not tell anything that you heard to anyone."

The guard nodded. "Of course sir, I think you might need to take the rest of the day off." 

Shining nodded then sighed again. "I think you're right. I want you to close up the library for the day and then take your day off. Dismissed."

The darker guard gave Shining a salute and left him alone. The captain looked around the library one last time before he turned and walked out. His journey through the hall was quicker than he would have thought, but his focus the whole way back to suite was filled with regret at his very poor choice of words.

He walked back into the living room that he had left only an hour before, spotting Cadance and Rose cuddled on the couch. 

"Shining, what's wrong? You look pale... where's Twilight?"

The stallion could only shake his head then look at Rose. "Sorry Rose, Aunty Twilight won't be visiting tonight." Cadance started to rise but Shining just sighed and walked towards the bedroom. "I need to lie down for a while. I'll talk after that."

Shining laid down on the bed and felt a sudden exhaustion. He closed his eyes and saw Twilights tear filled eyes as he tried his best not to think about the things that had been said. He rolled over and looked out the window at the blue skies as tears dropped onto the pillow.
> Girl Talk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A small purple dragon walked around the library, enjoying a rare night to himself. Twilight was away in the Canterlot, visiting her brother and sister-in-law. He had stayed behind, mostly due to his want to make a perfect gem encrusted cake, and he enjoyed the thought of a nice mini-vacation with the library all to himself. At the moment his gaze was focused solely on the cake slowly rising in the oven when he heard an ear popping bang from the upper floor of the tree. 

"Wait... did Twilight tell me to watch one of her experiments?" The drake tapped his chin for a moment, as he racked his mind for anything he might have forgotten, but his thoughts were interrupted when the sounds of shattering glass, and breaking wood came from the stairs, and he saw a picture frame soar through the air and land on the floor a few feet from the kitchen. 

"Well then... looks like Twilight is home..." He shuffled for a moment, nervous of how the rest of the night was going to go. Should I go talk to her? What if she tosses me like the photo... Spike took a few steps, freezing as another crash went through the tree home, and moved to the frame. 

"Why did she... oh crap..." He picked up the frame and saw the contents. It was a picture of Twilight and Shining at the wedding, both of the ponies pictured were smiling, and hugging the other. Something big happened... big and really bad. Did she get in a fight with Shining? The dragon looked up in to dodge a pillow and look up the stairs to see the shadow of his friend throwing items around her room. 

"It must have been a really bad fight..." Spike shuffled for a moment then looked to the stove and back to the bedroom. She needs a friend... but... I don't want her mad at me too... she might make another force field and keep me out of the house like she did the Crusaders...

Spike nearly walked to the kitchen to let Twilight let off her steam, but he noticed that there was another sound coming from the bedroom. A sob and it was one filled with pain. His lifelong friend was crying in the room above and he was thinking about a cake. Spike took the picture of the siblings out of the frame and moved up the stairs slowly, just in case he had to avoid another picture or pillow.

He reached the top of the stairs, and took a tentative look in the room. If a tornado had gone through the room, it would have been much cleaner than what was before him. Books were scattered across the room, pages ripped from their place, the dresser was in shambles, and clothing was spread across the room, and some was hanging from ceiling. 

The bed was moved across the room, and was mostly intact save for one of its legs. The broken leg was lying where the bed once was. Lying on the bed with her back to the door, hugging a pillow close to her, and sobbing heavily was the purple pony. 

Spike gently knocked on the door. "Um... hey Twilight..." 

The mare sniffled for a moment and looked over her shoulder, eyes red and cheeks glistening with fresh tears. "Hey... Spike..."

"I have a Gem Cake in the oven... I could get you a slice if you want."

The mare gave a weak smile and rolled over. "Thanks... but I'm not in the mood for cake..." Her voice was shaky, and she sniffled once more. "Maybe later..." 

The dragon nodded and shuffled. "So... um... I noticed that your trip was cut short..."

Twilight nodded and wiped her eyes. "Yeah..." Her face scrunched up and tears sprung forth again. "Shining and I had a fight!" She hugged the pillow to her face and yelled through the pillow. "And I was so mean to him! I was such a jerk!"

"Well... um... maybe if you told me what happened I could help?"

The mare shook her head on the pillow. "It won't help..." She took a deep breath and looked back to Spike. "I... I think this might not be an easy fix..." 

The dragon nodded.  "Well, this is your first real fight with him... so... it might take time... what happened?" Spike hopped up onto the bed and sat next to the mare.

Twilight shuffled. "Can you cuddle with me, like when you were younger?" She cast her gaze to the pillow, and Spike nodded. She needed the comfort right now, and he was there to give it. The dragon cuddled close to the mare, and she hugged him tightly, and began telling him of her trip. 
                                                                                                                                                                                       

Three weeks had passed since the fight between her husband and her former charge, and neither had contacted the other. Cadance sighed and looked over the Tree Library, noting that it looked as perfect as always. This is either a good sign, or a really bad one... The mare sighed and strode towards the tree with purpose. 

She had been in contact with Spike though, and the fact that he seemed okay with her taking in a changeling showed that he was open minded about it, and perhaps he could help make Twilight open about it as well. She reached the door, and spotted motion from a nearby window, and a moment later the door opened and the drake she was thinking about was at the door. 

"Hey Cadance...” The dragon looked around quickly and whispered. “You didn't bring Rose with you, did you?" 

The elder mare shook her head. "No... she's with Shining today. I wanted to talk to Twilight about her though..." 

The dragon looked disappointed. "Darn... I wanted to meet her.” His disappointment was quickly replaced with a warm smile. “Anyways, come in. Twilight is in her lab downstairs... she's been in there since the fight... more or less..." 

"What do you mean?" The princess closed the door behind her and followed the young dragon. 

"Well... she came home crying, and was really upset, wrecked her room and stuff.” He paused and looked over to the stairs. “She went to work in there after she woke up the next morning..." Spike sighed and they reached a door leading to the basement of the building. "She only comes out for food, or to shower."

"I see..." Cadance swallowed nervously. "Do you know what she is working on?"

The drake only shook his head. "No, but if I did, I probably wouldn't understand it anyways." Spike gave a small chuckle and opened the door. "Good luck, I'll be up here if you need me." The dragon grimaced. "I have to reorganize the biology books by subject and age today..." 

Cadance gave the dragon an apologetic smile and headed down into the basement. The light in the room was dim, given that there were only a few small candles at the far end of the room on top of a desk. The desk was covered in papers, ancient tomes, and a few scattered quills. In front of the desk, or rather, slumped onto the desk was the purple mare that Cadance had traveled to see. 

Twilight was sleeping on the desk, she back rising slowly and falling gently as she slumbered. The pink mare moved over to the desk and gently nudged her young friend. 

"Twily... time to get up." Cadance was suddenly reminded that she had done this a few times when she was Twilight's foalsitter, and like all those times before, the mare let out a small moan and placed her hoofs over her eyes; however she also mumbled in her sleep. 

"Twilight, please. This is important."

The purple mare yawned for a moment and slowly opened her eyes and sat up. She smacked her lips to remove the odd taste of waking up and slowly looked around and spotted her former foalsitter.

"Oh, hey Cadance..." The unicorn looked to the tomes for a moment then looked back to the princess. "You don't live here..."

The pink mare giggled and nodded. "I don't, but I wanted to visit... you and Shining had a really bad fight..."

Twilight's ears fell and she sigh. "Yeah..." Her head slumped back down to the desk. "We also said some mean things... I can't believe it even happened... and well...“ She looked at the princess. “Why? Why a changeling? After all they did, and when they nearly destroyed your life with Shining..." 

The mare nodded. "I know... you both acted very poorly..." Cadance sighed and sat next to the purple mare. "Twi... when I found Rose, I wanted nothing more than to hurt her, the way I was hurt by Chrysalis. But then I saw something in her eyes that made me pause." 

"What was it?" Twilight sat up again and looked her sister-in-law in the eyes. 

"Fear... she was so scared, and I realized that I was the same when I was trapped in the caves beneath the castle... I was alone, afraid, and the only pony that I had seen wanted me to suffer..." Cadance let out another sigh. "I couldn't bring myself to harm her. She is a changeling, but she is also a foal... most likely she was abandoned when the changelings were forced from the city. The guard spent weeks getting all the hiding changelings out, so somehow, she managed to escape notice..."

Twilight sighed. "So... she's staying with you and Shining?"

The pink mare nodded. "She is. Look, I know this is hard for you, and a little odd... but it would mean the world to Shining if you could be her aunt..." 

Silence fell between the mares. Twilight looked back to her books and nodded, her voice heavy with acceptance. 

"Okay... I'll... I'll try to be family for her... but... is Celestia okay with this? Does she even know?"

Cadance nodded and smiled. "She does, and she thinks Rose is cute." The mare hugged her young friend. "Thank you so much for this! You'll love her. She's not a monster; she's not like the others."

The purple mare returned the hug after a moment. "I need to apologize to you and Shining... I shouldn't have yelled at Shining like that... is Shining still mad at me?"

They broke the hug and Cadance shook her head. "He's mad at himself... I've never seen him lose his temper like that... I think he's really taken a liking to Rose... She loves to cuddle him, and smiles so much when she is with him." The mare giggled. "I think he is her favorite. I'm almost jealous." 

Twilight found herself smiling at the sound of her brother being a father. She knew that eventually Cadance and Shining were going to have a foal, but the idea of them adopting a changeling foal seemed so... appropriate. It was a way to show that a race is not guilty for the crimes of others. 

"I... I can't wait to see her... and Shining too." Twilight smiled. "Maybe she'll like me."

Cadance smiled. "I know she will. You just need to be nice to her, and smile now and then."

"Deal." 

The pair hugged again, and Cadance knew that things were going to get better. “So… how about breakfast?”
                                                                                                                                                                                       

The pink alicorn walked along the streets of the Canterlot markets, looking into the window displays of the stores she passed, stopping now and then to better look at the product. She loved the little moments like this, and after the morning trip to Ponyville, she needed a small break to relax and unwind, if only until she got home to Rose and Shining. 

She paused for a moment to admire a dress shop, particularly a deep salmon colored evening gown, when a stallion walked up to her and gave a small cough to get her attention.  Cadance looked to the stallion and spotted the uniform of a Canterlot butler on the deep grey earthpony before her. 

"Sorry to ruin your window shopping madam, but I was sent to collect you."

The princess sighed for the moment then nodded. Even on my own days something happens.

"Who is sending for me?" She asked as they set off down the roads towards the castle.

"Your husband, your majesty." The butler led her through a small crowd. "He said that he wished to see you. He didn't say much else."

Cadance nodded. This must be something about Rose... I hope they didn't get into trouble... If he dyed Rose purple again, he is sleeping on the couch for a year. Cadance was too busy thinking about all the possible reasons that Shining would need her that she failed to notice that they had left the main streets and had entered a small back alley and the butler was now behind her. 

"I think you have gotten us lost... This is not the way to the castle."

Cadance noticed that the butler was now blocking the entrance to the main streets. "Sorry, but a detour was needed. You have a very important visitor that wished to speak to you." 

The alicorn’s eyes widened in horror as the butlers eyes flashed green and a flash of green revealed a chitinous shell and large blue eyes. Cadance took a step back and readied a spell when a small chuckle resounded from the deep alleyway behind her. 

"A little jumpy aren't you, my dear." The voice sent chills down the mares spine. She shifted herself to look at the voice and swallowed hard at the chitinous form of the queen of the Changelings are before her. 

"You! What are you doing here?!" The alicorn focused more power to her horn and was ready to blast the queen through the building behind her, but stopped as the queen spoke. 

"How is your little hatchling? I hope she is faring well." A wicked smile crossed her features. "Rose is a cute name as well."

Cadance felt the blood drain from her face and she stared daggers into Chrysalis. "How do you know about her?" 

The queen strode towards the princess and giggled. "Oh, so naive. You think you could purge my people from your ranks so easily? We have been with you for centuries, and will be for far longer than that." 

As the queen spoke, another figure entered the alley from behind the queen. A figure clad in the armor of the royal guard. She recognized him as the very guard that had found Rose after she had run off in the castle. She nodded to the guard and moved to keep the focus of the queen on herself. 

"So... how many do you have in the castle?"

The princess watched the queen giggle again but she didn't speak. The deep tone of the royal guard spoke up instead.

"My queen, the alley is secured. You will not be interrupted." His deep tan eyes flashed green and for a brief moment, she saw his true form. Like a mirage on a desert road she saw him shift to a large, bulky, and very intimidating looking changeling, then an instant later back to the stallion that had saved Rose from possibly being thrown out of the kingdom. The stallion looked to Cadance and bowed to her.

"Princess." He looked her in the eyes. 

"Thank you.” Chrysalis nodded to the guard and he stood at attention. "I am not here to harm you princess. I have learned the lesson of my failed invasion, and I shall not risk my race again." 

Chrysalis circled Cadance, and the princess kept her eyes locked with the emerald orbs as best she could without moving. 

"I came, because you adopting that hatchling was far to good to miss." The queen chuckled. 

"So, now you've come to steal her from me?"

Much to Cadance's surprise, the queen shook her head and chuckled. "No, she is yours now." Seeing the confusion on the face of the princess the queen continued. 

"When a hatchling is born, they search for a bond, a source of love to feed off of and grow. Normally that bond is with a changeling and they share a source of love, the adult giving a portion of the love they have collected and give some to the hatchling." 

Cadance shuffled as she waited for the other hoof to drop. Why would a mere emotional bond keep this queen from stealing a foal? After all, it didn't stop her from trying to steal her husband. 

"However, when this bond is formed, they form a deep emotional bond with the first source of love, a bond so powerful, that if it is severed, the foal may die, as it is unlikely that they will form another bond like that." She stopped in front of the alicorn. "You have formed that bond, and as such, she is yours. She shall have that bond with you until she is old enough to gather love on her own. Think of it as her earning her cutie mark."

Cadance opened her mouth to speak but found no words. Chrysalis looked the princess of love over and smiled. "I would have had her collected by one of my informants if she hadn't bonded, but now, she is yours to deal with." The queens eyes narrowed. "I shall be keeping a close eye on this situation. Enjoy being a mother." She turned away from the princess and deep green smoke began to gather around her. "I leave you with your guard, Brass. He shall make sure the foal stays safe." She let out a chuckle as she was enveloped in the smoke and faded away. 

The smoke cleared, leaving only Cadance and Brass Hail in the alleyway, and a silence fell between them. The disguised guard was the first to speak. 

"My princess, we should head to the castle now. Your husband has dinner waiting for you."

Cadance could only stare at the guard, as he acted like nothing had even happened. "Pardon me? You have no right to even begin talking to me right now!" 

The guard remained emotionless, a trait that showed how well trained he was. "You're upset at my true identity... I understand... but right now, I think you have more pressing issues than yo yell at me."

"You lied to me, and to everypony you work with!" Her voice was rising and growing much more heated. "You could have stolen Rose away from me and given her to Chrysalis!"

"But I didn't." The guard sighed. "Your highness, I may be a changeling, but that doesn't mean I am heartless. I knew she had the bond with you after I heard about you finding her. I couldn't separate you two after finding that out."

The blunt honesty of the guard took Cadance aback. She was expecting him to dodge the question, or simply not talk, but to be open about it seemed a bizarre move to her. She gave him a stern look. 

"You took an oath to protect your kingdom, or do you not consider Equestria your kingdom?"

The guard took a moment to swallow. "I do. It's been my home for years... I'm as much a pony as I am a changeling." He let out a small sigh and removed his helm, looking into the refection as he spoke in a softer tone. "You and the other goddess are my princess's as much as she is my queen, but... I still honor my oath. I fought to keep them safe in the invasion, and I will do so until I die. I know you don't trust me, and if you want me gone you can have me gone." 

Cadance nodded and knew exactly what he meant. One talk with Celestia and she could have him banished, or worse. He spoke with a sincerity that made her regret being angry with him. 

"You are her mother, and I won't be the one to break a mother from a foal..." 

"Answer my questions and I will consider letting you continue to serve." She voice was dripping with the threat she hoped she didn't have to follow through with. The guard nodded and she took a breath before she spoke, calming herself. 

"When Rose gets older, will you try to steal her from us?"

The guard shook his head. "No, she'll be free to choose what to do with her life. Many changelings serve the queen willingly, but some choose to live their own lives. She shall have that freedom."

The princess moved closer. "Will you reveal your true form to her, or anyone else?"

"No..." He shuffled for a moment. "I won't reveal it to her. Maybe somepony I trust deeply with this secret, but not to her or anypony else."

Cadance nodded and sighed. "Okay... so... there are no drawbacks here? She's not plotting anything behind the scenes?"

"She is not." The guard looked around to make sure they were still in private. "She simply wished to confirm what she was told, and wanted to let you know that Rose is yours." 

The mare sighed. "Very well... so, you can keep your job... but you owe me something." 

The guard’s eyebrow rose as he placed the helmet back on. "I... I can do that for you." 

Cadance flashed her own grin, but made sure it was playful in nature. "You have to go on a date with my personal maid." 

The guard shuffled uncomfortably and gulped. "The one that flirted with me?"

The princess moved to the street and nodded. "Escort me to the castle please. I'm late for dinner."

The guard moved to position and began escorting her through the streets while Cadance felt a wave of worry, and strangely, relief at what had just happened. The queen won't steal Rose from me, but... she might leave me to join the changelings... She bit her lip for a moment. She knew that telling Shining what had happened would be one of the hard conversations that he was going to have over the next few days.

She sighed and looked to the guard in front of her than to the castle. “Well… my day is going very bizarrely…”
> Hard Truth and Big Steps
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The pink alicorn made her way through the halls of Cantorlot castle, not stopping for a moment to greet any of the workers. She weaved her way through the halls, and stairwells, her expression fuming and her mind racing. How could this happen? How could we not find these changelings when they were so close to us?! She glanced over to Brass Hail and gave a small snort of annoyance. The guard gave no sign that he noticed it, and moved along behind her as he was trained to. She reached the office of her aunt, and looked to her guard then back to the door. She knocked on it hard, sending echoes of her impacts down the hall. 

"Aunt Celestia, I have an extremely important matter to talk to you about."

The door opened slowly, and the voice of her aunt reached her. "Come in, and lower your voice please."

Cadence strode into the room, ready to shout, but she froze as she spotted Celestia working at her desk, and Rose sleeping in the middle of the same desk. Cadence stopped mid stride and looked at them both. Celestia turned to her, and smiled. 

"Hello Cadence." She motioned to Rose. "I can explain how she got here if you wish."

"I would like that explanation..." She returned as she moved to the desk and smiled softly at the sleeping changeling. 

"Well, I had small issue with which I required Shinning's aid." She shuffled a few papers with her magic. "He said he couldn't leave her alone, and as such I took it upon myself to watch her as he dealt with my issue."

"What was the issue?" She nuzzled the filly gently and smiled fondly as the foal on the desk smiled in her sleep. 

"I needed a small reorganization of the guard, to consolidate a few unneeded assets, and to reduce costs." She giggled at the confused looks from her niece. "It's pretty much changing a few things to make the guard more efficient and less taxing on the royal treasury."

Cadence nodded and then looked to Brass Hail standing in the doorway. "Speaking of guard, I have a few things to talk to you about them, or rather him."

Celestia nodded and motioned to the stallion, and the guard closed the door. "I see. Anything in particular?"

"He's a changeling." She looked to her aunt and wore a grim expression. "They're still in our ranks."

"I know." 

Cadence blinked a few times and felt her expression slip, along with her anger as the simple phrase filled the air. 

Her rage returned a moment later. "You... you know?!"

Celestia nodded. "Tone dear, Rose is sleeping." She summoned a small blanket and wrapped it around the filly. "I know he is a changeling. I take it you discovered this recently?"

"What do you mean you know?" She voice was lowered but her tone remained upset. "You mean you knew that there were changelings in our ranks after their invasion?"

The goddess nodded. "I only learned about his presence after I caught him trying to extract love from a rather cute student from the College of Stalliongrad." 

"And you did nothing about it?" 

Celestia looked to her niece. "I interrogated him, and I discovered all the others that had remained hidden from your husband’s purge of the castle staff and guard." She placed the papers in her aura down. "I gathered them all and gave them a choice. Stay and take an enchanted oath of loyalty, or leave without being exposed."

Cadence let out a sigh and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Why give them that choice?"

"Because mercy wins hearts and minds more than a sword." She looked to the guard again. "Those that stayed are loyal to the kingdom, and have my trust. They are free to leave when they wish."

Cadence looked to the guard and sighed. "Fine... how many are left?" 

"Six. Echo Carapace, or Brass Hail as he goes when he is a pony is the only one in the guard. Two are kitchen staff, and the rest are maids." She nodded to the stallion then looked to the younger alicorn. "They are of no threat and I have no reason to see them as such."

The younger goddess wanted to scream, but she reminded herself that the young changeling on the desk was asleep. She took a few breaths and sighed. 

"I... okay... so..." She trailed off unable to form any thoughts on what to say. This revelation was a lot for the young goddess to take in. 

"So, tell me Cadence, how did you learn about his true form?"

Cadence bit her lip and shuffled. "Well... I saw him transform after Chrysalis talked to me...” The pink mare explained everything that happened to her in the alleyway, and how she learned of the changelings in the castle. 

Celestia remained silent through her story and occasionally looked over to the guard in the room. Once the pink alicorn finished talking she spoke in a stern tone to the guard. 

"Has your queen been here in the city or castle since the invasion?"

The stallion shook his head. "No. Rose was sole the reason for her visit, as a changeling bonding with a pony hasn't happened in nearly three hundred years."

Celestia nodded and looked to the sleeping changeling. "I see... so we can raise her until she can gather love for herself... can transform I assume."

The guard nodded. "For changelings, the ability to transform is considered adulthood for us. A changeling with a good source of love can live for indefinite amount of time, though typically that means as long as the source lives as well." The guard looked to the younger goddess. "By all rights, your daughter is immortal just like you."

The goddess of love looked to the Rose and then to the guard. "Like earning a cutie mark." She watched the guard nod then looked to the filly again. "How many years do we have before that?"

"It depends on how good the source of love is, and how much they get. Some reach that stage in a year, while others can take five." The stallion looked to the princess of the sun for a moment as she carried the filly to the bed in the room then back to the pink mare. "I would expect her to reach that stage in a year. Physically and mentally she will be the same as a filly that has just earned her mark."

Celestia returned from placing the sleeping changeling on the bed and sat at her desk. "So, we know to prepare for that then." She looked to Cadence. "Is there anything else you wished to talk about?" 

The pink mare shuffled and sighed. "This isn't at all how I imagined this conversation to go..."

"You wanted to yell at me for letting him and the others being allowed to stay?" Celestia spoke in a knowing motherly tone as she placed a pair of reading glasses on her muzzle. 

The younger alicorn nodded. "Yeah..." 

"And now you don't want to?"

A sigh came from the younger mare. "Yes... but..." She looked to Brass Hail for a moment then sighed. "Sorry... it's just a lot to process right now... we're still being watched by them, and it's not a comforting thought... and..." Her voice wavered. 

Celestia looked to her niece to see her lip trembling. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to lose her to the Queen... I don't want to lose my daughter."

The elder goddess rose and walked over to the pink mare and hugged her. The pink mare began softly weeping into the chest of her aunt and hugged her tightly. The pair stood there, simply holding each other. Celestia nuzzled her niece and smiled to her. 

"I know you, and I can safely say this." She wiped away a tear from the young alicorn's eye. "She is lucky to have you as a mother, and she loves you now, and will love you tomorrow, and every day she breathes." She hugged the pink mare. "You won't lose your daughter."

Cadence hugged her aunt tightly and smiled into her fur, her voice muffled. "Thank you..." She looked up from the goddess chest and looked to the sleeping changeling. "Can I borrow your bed to cuddle my daughter?"

"You may." Celestia let the mare go, and watched her walk to the bed for a moment before she looked to the stallion. "Come along. I need a guard on a walk around the garden."

"Of course princess."

The pair left the room in silence, and Cadence moved next to the sleeping changeling. She watched the gentle breathing of the filly for a moment and cuddled up to her, and gently wrapped a wing around her. The alicorn kissed the filly on the head gently and smiled as she closed her eyes and joined her daughter in rest. 
                                                                                                                                                                                       

The captain of the guard walked along the halls with several papers floating around him as he sighed. He had been summoned to work on one of his few days off, and it was boring paper work. 

At least this wasn't the worst thing... Rose got to spend the day having fun with Celestia...

He let out another sigh as he collected the papers into a stack and placed them onto his back as he opened the door to his apartment in the castle. As he walked into the living room, he spotted Cadence's personal maid working in the kitchen. He deposited the papers on the sofa as he walked through the home. 

"Oh, hello Captain Armor." She bowed to him. "I was just doing some tidying up while you and the princess were away." 

The unicorn smiled to the blue pegasus, and nodded to her. "Thank you. Go ahead and finish up then ask the kitchen staff to make a meal for my family."

Swift Clean nodded and smiled to the captain. "Of course." She gave a small bow. "So, Celestia told me to let you know that Rose and Cadence are sleeping on her bed right now."

Shining placed the papers down on the couch and looked to the maid. "Oh... when did Cadence get home?"

"Sometime this afternoon. She went to talk to Princess Celestia and has spent the rest of the time there." The maid replied. "I imagine she'll be back soon."

The stallion nodded. "Thank you." Shining used his magic to get himself a glass of water, and moved back to the sofa. "So, do you know where she went today? She was sorta cryptic about it."

"She didn't say. I think she just went out shopping or something." The maid moved into the main room and began working on picking up a few of the toys that Rose left lying around. "I think she needed a simple day to herself."

The unicorn nodded, and took a sip of his water as he began looking through the papers. "I can understand that." He chuckled. "Rose can wear you out so quickly. She is a little ball of energy when wants to be." 

Both ponies shared a chuckle and Swift finished cleaning the floor of toys. The mare deposited the toys into a small box, and smiled to the stallion then shuffled in her spot. 

"Captain, if I may?" 

He looked up at the mare that spoke softly. He wasn’t quite used to being nobility and having the maids and staff of the castle treat him in a similar manner as the princess’s.

"You may." 

She swallowed for a moment. "If you ever need a nanny for Rose, could I be the first one on your list of ponies to interview?"

The stallion smiled warmly to her and nodded. "I think it'd be safe to say you may already have the job, all we need to do is make it official." He beamed as the mare did a hoof pump and jumped in joy. "Rose loves being near you, and I'd say the only other ponies she is comfortable around is Celestia and Brass Hail."

Swift smirked and chuckled. "Brass Hail is the stallion that found her when she got lost in the castle right?"

Shining nodded and shuffled a few papers. "He is."

"I have to say, you know how to pick the hunks for the guard." She giggled. "I wouldn't mind if he saved me some time."

Shining chuckled and looked at the maid as she chuckled. "I have good news for you then. He's single." He grinned at the mare. "But you didn't hear that from me. Last I talked to him; he's fresh out of a bad break up." 

The mare blinked in surprise. "He is? What happened?"

Shining sat back and took another sip of water. "Well, what I heard from him is that he found out she was cheating on him with two stallions and a mare." He sipped the water once more. "Yeah... he broke up once he found out, and let all the ponies she was seeing know as well." Shining shrugged and looked to Swift. "I have no clue how she or the others are, but he was really broken up about it. I tried to give him a few days off, but he insisted on extra shifts instead."

A surprised look came from the maid. "Why would he do that?"

"He said something along the lines of wanting to think about something other than her."

Swift nodded. "Oh... that makes sense..." 

Silence fell between the pair and Shining took another sip of his water. Swift took a moment to look around the room to see if anything else needed cleaning, and then bowed to the captain. 

"I will inform the kitchen staff for you." 

Shining gave her a friendly smile. "Thank you. Don't be a stranger, I know Rose would love to see you again."

With a final bow the maid left Shining alone in the apartment. He placed the glass of water down and looked through the papers for what felt like the hundredth time to the stallion. He sighed and placed the papers down and laid down on the couch and stared at the ceiling. His mind was plagued with a regret that had settled into the back of his mind for the last week. 

Twily... I need to apologize to her... but she'll never let me get close enough to do it...

No sooner had he finished the thought, a scroll appeared above him in a small gout of green flames and landed on his face a moment later. The stallion scrambled for a moment as he felt the wax seal bounce off his nose, and onto the floor. He stood up and looked around, spotting the scroll under the coffee table. He picked it up with a shaky hoof, and slowly opened it. 

Dear Shining,

I will be in Canterlot in two days’ time. I want to talk to you about your daughter, and to apologize for how I acted. I want to be in your life, and if that means being family to Rose, then I will put aside my prejudice and be there for her, you and Cadence. I hope to see you at Noon of this Thursday at The Cantering Horse Cafe. 

Your L.S.B.F.F. 
Twilight.

Shining read the letter several times, each time uncertain of if the letter was real. It was her writing style, her vocabulary usage, and it even smelled like a new book. The stallion licked his lips and swallowed and felt himself smile.

"She... wants to talk... and be in Rose's life..." He beamed at the letter. "Twily, I knew you were a wonderful mare... I'm a lucky B.B.B.F.F."
                                                                                                                                                                                       

Rose walked along the large pink mare she knew as 'Cadenze' and nuzzled the mares warm fur on her leg. She felt a burst of warmth as the mare looked at her and she giggled as the large mare nuzzled her cheek, and the burst of warmth increased as she spoke.

"You are so cute." Cadence smiled and kissed Rose on the forehead. "We'll see Shining soon. I bet he missed you today." She hugged the changeling and nuzzled her gently. "I know I missed my daughter."

Rose felt herself smile as the warmth washed through her body more intensely than she could ever remember it. She nuzzled the pink pony and hugged her tightly. 

"Cadenze, cuddle."

"I will, but we need to get home." She smiled to the filly in her hooves and nuzzled her one last time and placed her on her back. "Your daddy needs to see you, or he will not be able to go on."

Rose tilted her head then pointed forward and smiled. "Zhining, cuddle!"

Cadence giggled and made her way to the apartment. They reached their home quickly, and the moment Cadence opened the door, the little changeling leaped off her back and sprinted across the room. 

"ZHINING!" The little black carapace bolted to the stallion standing in the kitchen and tackled him. 

"GAH!" 

The stallion fell to the floor and a moment later felt tiny hooves hugging him tightly and a little head nuzzling into his chin. He spotted the chortling form of his wife in the living room, and smiled as he hugged the little filly back. 

"Hey Rose. How's my little filly?"

Rose grinned up to Shining. "Zhining, cuddle nice!"

The unicorn chuckled and nuzzled the changeling. "You cuddle pretty well too." He beamed to Cadence. "So, how was your nap?"

Cadence walked over to the pair and sat next to them. "It was delightful." She kissed Shining and then nuzzled Rose. "One of the best cuddles of my life." 

"Great to hear." The stallion smiled and nuzzled Rose. "Dinner is on the way from the chefs, so we won't have to wait long for that." 

The princess of love nodded and cuddled the pair on the floor. "Sounds nice." 

The trio stayed on the floor for a while, but moved to the couch after a knock came from the door. Dinner had arrived, and was quickly eaten by the small family. Rose yawned and slumped against a pillow and quickly drifted off to sleep. Shining carried her to her bedroom, which was an office that he and Cadence converted quickly so that she could have a place of her own. As he returned to the living room he spotted Cadence laying on the couch, and smiling at him.

"Shining... I want to talk to you about something..." Cadence smiled to him and turned on her side and pat the sofa. "Come join me on the couch please." 

The stallion could only nod and walked over to the goddess on the couch and sat down next to her. Cadence kissed him on the cheek and smiled. 

"Dear... I want to adopt Rose." She laid Shining down and cuddled up to him. "I want to make it official that she is our daughter." 

The stallion cuddled up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll get the paper work." 

The pair shared a kiss, and Shining ran his hooves through the mane of his wife, and relished the giggle she made at his action. He felt her wing wrap around him and her hoof begin circling on his chest. The stallion smiled as they broke the kiss, and he nuzzled her. 

"Is there anything else we need to talk about... or can we move this to the bedroom?"

The alicorn shuffled on the couch and Shining watched her expression shift from the blissful expression to a worrying one as she bit her lip. The goddess swallowed and steeled herself. 

"I... found out something... it's not exactly um..." She bit her lip for a moment. "Pleasant... it was unsettling for me..." She swallowed again. "Still is actually." 

"What is it?" The stallion sat up and watched his wife shuffle again. He rarely saw her like this, and the last time was when they told his parents that they were engaged.

"Well... I found out that Rose isn't the only changeling in the castle."

"Pardon?"

Cadence tapped her hooves together as she watched the stallion's expression slowly morph from confused to upset. 

"Okay, don't get mad and keep your voice low." She points to Rose's room before she continued. She explained everything that had happened to her for the second time that day, and watched with deepening worry as Shining began silently fuming and snorting every few moments. 

"And so... Brass Hail, and a hoof-full of others are in the castle, and Celestia is keeping an eye on them."

The fuming stallion raised an eyebrow. "Celestia knows..." His voice was dripping with a barely contained rage. "And she didn't tell me... the captain of her guard." He stressed his words with stomping a hoof on the couch. "My job is to protect her, and she let this sort of information stay away from me?" 

Cadence shuffled. "She wanted to keep them around to learn about the changelings. You'll need to talk to her about why she didn't tell you... I didn't ask."

The captain of the guard resumed silently fuming and snorted. Cadence shuffled and watched him. She has seen him made before, and every time she found it adorable. Even when they were young she found the way he pursed his lips, flared his nostrils, and stomped funny, in the cute sort of way. 

She fought the urge to smile and was beginning to lose. She shuffled in her spot on the couch and caught the stallions gaze unfortunately. 

"Why are you smiling at me?" He huffed at her. 

She blushed. "Sorry... I know you're mad, but... you always look so hunky when you get mad..." She began playing with her wing and covered the lower half of her face with it. "I'm not trying to be rude or anything... but you do look adorable when you are angry." 

The stallion snorted again and took a few deep breaths before he spoke, his voice much more controlled. "You are to pretty to be mad at…" He sighed again and moved her wing away to see her smiling gently. "I will speak to your aunt tomorrow, and get this all sorted out with her."

"You know, this reminds me of our first argument." She nuzzled Shining and kissed him on the nose. 

The stallion chuckled and smiled back to her. "I remember it." 

"I can't believe we actually got in a yelling match about who ate the last piece of pie from your grandmother." The pair chuckled together and kissed again, gently. Their hooves began wandering across each other’s body as their tongues danced.  

Shining broke the kiss and stared into the violet eyes of his mare. "So... bedroom?"

"Bedroom."
> Of Guards and Princesses
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	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.
> Family Matters
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Spike was bouncing on the heels of his feet as he followed the purple mare beside him down the Canterlot streets, grinning from ear to ear. The pair made their way through the busy streets of the city, the hustle and bustle of daily life going on around them. 

"Do you think she will call me Uncle Spike or Cousin Spike?" 

Twilight chuckled as she looked at the small dragon’s smile. "I think Uncle Spike has a nicer ring to it."

The dragon nodded in agreement and looked up the street to the castle. "This is gonna be so cool! Do you think we can visit often? I'd love to help Cadence and Shining." He gasped and looked at Twilight. "Can I foalsit Rose for them?"

"Only if they agree to pay for the travel fare." The unicorn giggled and smiled. "And you might have to compete with me to sit for them. Shining wouldn't stop talking about how cute she was the other day, so... I'm sorta excited but also really nervous." 

"I know the feeling." Spike grinned. "Maybe we should have brought gifts, you know, to spoil her a little." 

Twilight giggled then shook her head. "I don't think it would be right to spoil her. Besides, Cadence and Shining wouldn't be happy with that." She smirked. “At least, we should wait a little bit before we begin spoiling her.”  

Spike chuckled and rubbed his claws together. "Well... fine, we can spoil her when she is older." 

The pair shared a giggled and continued on the road until they reached the gates of the castle, and after a brief talk with the guards, they were let into the palace grounds. Spike took a moment to look at the gardens they were passing and smiled as the thought of a filly changeling playing in the flowers passed through his mind. 

"Do you think she will be able to go outside?" He looked over to the unicorn next to him. 

Twilight stopped after a moment and bit her lip then sighed with a small frown. "I... honestly don't know. Maybe one day the changelings won't be feared by ponies, but... it's too soon for that." 

Spike nodded and sighed as well. "I hope she will be able to play in the garden someday then." 

The pair fell silent as they both looked at the peaceful garden and then each other. Twilight made a small motion with her hoof for them to continue walking. They entered the castle, and moved through the hallways and up several stairwells until they reached the residential portion of the castle. Twilight smiled and looked to the dragon next to her. 

"You know, she will have a massive library to use." 

Spike nodded. "She could learn a lot from all the books, like a purple mare I know." 

Twilight nodded and nuzzled the dragon. "I hope she learns how to be a perfect friend like a certain dragon I know."

He smiled with pride. "I am pretty awesome at this job." 

The mare giggled and nuzzled him again. "You are. So, one more floor then we get to meet Rose... well, you get to meet her, and I get to meet her again and not yell at her." 

Together they climbed another staircase and made it to the royal level of the tower. Twilight led the way and soon they stood before the door and the mare found herself hesitating. She looked at it for a moment then sighed.

"Spike... do you think she will like me?" 

The dragon stopped walking then turned to see the pinned ears and fallen expression of his friend. He nodded and hugged her tightly. "I know she will. You're smart, kind, and most importantly, you can fix mistakes you make." He smiled up to the deep violet eyes of the mare above. "You can fix the mistake of being a bad aunt, and become a great aunt for Rose."

The unicorn smiled and nodded. "Thank you Spike. Let's go be her family then."

They knocked on the door and after a moment, it opened, revealing the pink form of the goddess of love. The alicorn smiled and looked to the pair. 

"Great to see you two again." She beamed at them and hugged Twilight then Spike. "Thank you so much for giving her another chance."

Twilight nodded. "I'm sorry for what I said and did... but I hope I can be a good aunt."

Cadence nodded and smiled to her friend. "I know you can be a great aunt for Rose. Please come in." 

As the trio began to walk in, the tiny voice of Rose came from behind the goddess. 

"Cadenze... hungry..." Rose walked into view, and her eyes moved from the pink alicorn to the small dragon then settled on the purple unicorn. Her eyes widened in fear and her ears pinned to her head. She crouched low and scuttled behind the goddess and hugged her leg. 

Twilight shuffled and rubbed her neck and looked to the goddess. "So... um... she is learning equestrian pretty quickly."

The goddess nodded as the filly peaked out from behind her leg. "She is. Come inside please."

The duo moved into the apartment and into the living room. Cadence closed the door, and then gently picked up her daughter and placed Rose on her back. She could feel the changeling shaking slightly as the filly looked from Twilight to the goddess. 

"It's okay Rose..." The mare gave a reassuring smile. "Twilight is not going to be mean."

The filly cuddled closer to the mare holding her, and tried her best to hide behind the wing between the unicorn and herself. Cadence sighed and walked over to join the duo and sat down on the chair across the couch from them. She cuddled up to Rose then smiled to her guests. 

"She's quickly learning basic Equestrian. I'm really proud of her." The goddess nuzzled the filly and beamed at her. "She's really coming along well." 

Spike nodded and gave the changeling a small wave. "Her eyes are pretty... but I thought they had blue eyes." 

The goddess nodded. "Apparently eye color and the color of their chitin is a way to tell what their purpose for the hive is."

As the dragon nodded he spotted the little changeling giving him a curious look. "She's cute, which is a huge plus."

The changeling smiled at the word cute, and felt a wave of affection rushing towards her from the dragon as she returned the wave with her hoof. Spike smiled and looked to Twilight. 

"Maybe you should show her you are friendly?"

The unicorn nodded. "I'm starting to think the gift idea should have been a part of this visit..."

She looked over to the red eyed filly then gave her best friendly smile. Rose shuffled closer to Cadence and avoided looking at Twilight for a moment. The unicorn shuffled and rubbed her shoulder as she looked around the room. Spike took advantage of the silence to get up and walk over to Cadence and Rose. The changeling looked out from under the wing of the goddess and gave the small dragon a curious look. 

"Her eyes are really pretty. Is that why you named her Rose?" He asked as he leaned on the chair. He gave a friendly smile to the filly. 

"It is." Cadence smiled and nuzzled the dragon. "She is also like a rose in that she is beautiful, but has her thorns." 

"What's her thorn?" The dragon smiled to the filly as she shuffled closer to him slowly. Her head tilted slightly and she blinked as the dragon moved closer as well.  

"Well Spike, for one, she enjoys splashing in the bath, and sometimes she gets messy when she eats." The goddess giggled and gave a fond smiled to the filly. 

Rose looked at Cadence for a moment. "Cadenze..." She then looked to the dragon and her voice buzzed out. "Zpike." 

The trio around the filly all dropped their jaws as the filly smiled at the dragon and scoot towards him. After a moment, Spike regained composure and smiled.

"She said my name! That's awesome and adorable!"

At the world adorable, the tiny filly felt a rush of the warmth and she gently nuzzled the cheek of the dragon. Spike blushed slightly then returned the nuzzle with a hug. The pair chuckled and the filly’s wings buzzed. 

"Aww..." 

"Aww..." 

The mares in unison giggled at the sight before them, and the dragon gave the filly a hug. Rose smiled as felt warmth rushing her from all three of the creatures around her, and she then looked to the purple mare and tilted her head as she felt a small wash of warmth from the mare. She looked to the alicorn next to her then to the unicorn, and back again. 

Twilight asked. "What is she doing?" 

"I think..." Cadence smiled. "I think she wants your name, so she can say it like Spike's." 

The changeling looked back to the unicorn, and the alicorn spoke softly. "Aunty Twilight." 

Rose glanced over to Cadence and spoke softly. "Auny... Twi... light?" 

The goddess nodded. "Twilight." 

The purple unicorn smiled as Rose looked at her and spoke a little louder. "Auny Twilight."

Twilight smiled and nodded. "Aunty Twilight." 

The filly looked to Spike and nuzzled him again. "Zpike nice!" 

Once more the trio's mouths fell open and the goddess was the first to make noise, and it came in the form of a loud, and proud squee. 

She hugged the filly and smiled. "This is amazing!"

Twilight nodded. "She's learning very quickly... that's really impressive." 

Spike smiled and hopped up on the couch and hugged the filly. "And she knows my name and thinks I'm nice!" 

The trio laughed and the filly smiled at them all. After a few moments she nuzzled the dragon and felt warmth come from him at the action. She smiled and cuddled up to him as the alicorn smiled at her.

"So, I think she likes you Spike. You made a friend." 

Spike chuckled and hugged the filly. "We both did." 

"So, how about lunch? Spike and I haven't eaten much today." Twilight got up from her spot on the couch and motioned for the alicorn to join her. As the unicorn got up the eyes of the filly snapped to her and watched her with a worried gaze. Twilight noticed and did her best not to frown. "I know Spike gets grumpy if he doesn't eat."

"Not that grumpy..." Spike gave a small whine. "Besides, you get grumpy too." 

Twilight giggled and nodded. "I do get grumpy I suppose. Still, we should eat."

The two mares made their way into the kitchen and Cadence moved to the refrigerator and began grabbing ingredients. Twilight moved to the oven and turned it on as sounds of Cadence rummaging through the fridge reached her. 

"So... do you think she will like me?" 

Cadence looked up from the butter and milk she was grabbing with her magic to the mare near her. "What?" 

"Do you think she will like me?" She asked again. 

The alicorn nodded and gave the mare a reassuring smile. "I think so. It won't happen overnight, but eventually she will love you as family." 

Twilight looked over and shuffled. "Even after what I did?" 

Cadence nodded and moved over to the younger mare and hugged her. "I know she will forgive you in time. Just be as nice as you can, and be the friendly filly I foalsat for."

The unicorn smiled and nodded. The pair set about making a meal for the four of them and Cadence took a moment to check in on Rose and Spike, and spotted them cuddling and giggling as the filly attempted to tickle the dragon. She smiled fondly and she knew that Twilight made the right choice coming to visit, and to give the filly a second chance. 

Those two are adorable together. She turned to Twilight and saw her friend getting a tray for cupcakes. Might as well make something sweet for them and Shining.
                                                                                                                                                                                       

Shining walked into his home and sighed in relief as he undid the clasps on his armor. He gently placed the armor on the table and he grinned as he spotted a familiar form walking towards him. 

"Hi Rose." Shining spoke softly as he gently nuzzled the filly. 

"Zhining." Rose nuzzled him back with a big grin on her face. "Zhining... home for night?"

The stallion nodded and picked her up. "I am." He began walking towards the kitchen then stopped after a few steps. "Wait... did you say a full sentence?"

The filly nodded and nuzzled him again. Shining chuckled and gave her a fond smile. Cadence said she would develop quickly, but this... she's talking. They reached the kitchen and Shining spotted a small cupcake sitting on the table with a small note next to it. He picked up the small piece of paper and read it. 

Dear Shiny, your sister will be spending the night here in our guest room, along with Spike. We left you a cupcake and some fruit punch we made earlier. Also some leftovers from dinner are in the fridge for your lunch tomorrow. Love you, Cadence.

The captain smiled fondly at the hoof writing of his wife and placed the note down. He glanced to the filly on his back and gave her a warm grin. 

"Did you and mommy make this for me?"

"Yez!" The filly chimed and nuzzled him.

The stallion nuzzled back and took a bite, and found the sweetness to be a very welcome taste. He took a small piece of it and gave it to the little filly on his back and he smiled as she devoured it happily. He carried her to the couch in the living room, and he settled down with the cupcake and he smiled as she nestled beside him. 

I could get used to this. He nuzzled her and offered another piece of the cupcake. Rose devoured it with a grin then cuddled up to the stallion. She is so cute when she cuddles. He chuckled and watched as she looked from him, to the door to their guest room. 

"Zpike... can cuddle?" She asked quietly and shuffled on the cushion. 

Shining looked to the door then back to his daughter. "You... want to cuddle with Spike?" 

She nodded she smiled. "Pleaze?" 

Shining shuffled and sighed. "Dear, he is asleep; it would be rude to—"

He stopped when he spotted a yawning baby dragon walking by and go into the hallway bathroom, and close the door. A moment later he noticed the light turn on from under the door, and he cracked a small smile. Talk about great timing. Spike you have a nice cuddle coming your way. 

Rose nuzzled him and she looked to the bathroom door with a smile. "Zpike cuddle!" 

They waited in silence until the sound of flushing water reached them, and the sound of a sink being used followed shortly by the dragon walking out of the bathroom with a yawn. He rubbed his eyes then looked over and spotted Rose and Shining smiling at him. 

"Did... I walk in on something?" He yawned. 

"No, but you can help Rose with something." Shining replied as he patted the couch and levitated some pillows and a blanket over. 

The young dragon's eyes lit up slightly as he walked over. "Sure... what can I do?'

The stallion smiled and got up from the couch and motioned for him to take his spot. "Rose needs a cuddle, but I need to go to Cadence and cuddle her." He smiled. "I can only survive so much cuddles in a day, so I need you to take my place with Rose, okay?"

The dragon nodded and smiled as he moved onto the couch. "I can do that for you."

Rose smiled and quickly nuzzled Spike and cuddled up to him. The pair got comfy on the couch and Shining placed a blanket over them and smiled. 

"Have a good night you two." He nuzzled the filly and gave them a smile. He used his magic to turn off the lights and carefully made his way to his room. 

The stallion walked into the bedroom where his wife lay asleep, and silently crept up to his half of the bed and moved under the covers. He got comfortable for a moment then felt a soft hoof wrap around his chest as a silky whisper reached his ear. 

"Did you find the cupcake?" The goddess asked as she pulled the stallion close. 

"I did. Rose met me at the door." He kissed his wife and smiled. "She and Spike are cuddling on the couch now."

Cadence grinned and nuzzled her lover. "That sounds adorable." 

"Extremely."

She placed her head on his chest and let out a content sigh. "I love you... and I love Rose." 

He nodded and nuzzled her back. "I love you both."

Both couples, in the bedroom and on the couch, drifted off to very comfortable sleep.