Strings of Fate

Chapter 16: Discussions

"What happened?" Starlight asked.

"She was...." Princess Luna hesitated, "getting in their head by talking about things they'd done in their past, like she'd known the pony their whole life. While she was taunting them, the pony grew weaker and weaker in their despair and sorrow until they were evidently under her control."

Tempest's eyes widened. She heard small gasps from most of the other ponies in the room.

What in the world?! Tempest thought.

"That's terrible!" Twilight exclaimed.

I have to keep her away from Twilight at all costs.

"She must've sensed I was within the pony's dream because after she had taken them over, she spoke into my head a threat." Princess Luna added to her previous statement, "She's coming after us in the same manner I witnessed."

"So, after talking it over all day, we've decided to take out a large number of troops to the southern border." Celestia decreed, "We were able to track down the pony Luna found in the Dreamscape, and they lived in a small town just inside the border of Equestria. We're going to search for her before she......gets a hold of anypony else."

"Wait..... lived?!" Tempest gasped.

Oh my Celestia....

"Before you got here, they told us that the pony had passed away in their sleep from what Metamorphosis did to them." Twilight's voice broke a little. Tempest stood right next to her.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you, Princess." Tempest whispered.

Cadence was standing in front of her husband with Flurry Heart in one of her forearms. "You're leading it?" Cadence face contorted with worry.

"I volunteered to lead it." Shining Armor tried to assure his wife, "I was once Captain of the Royal Guard here, so the least I can do after failing last time is to take charge in this one."

"Oh, Shining," Cadence murmured, "you couldn't have known that Chrysalis had turned into me. And what about our daughter? If anything were to happen to you-"

The Prince of the Empire wrapped his wife and daughter into a big embrace. Tempest could see tears forming in his eyes.

"I promise, my love," Shining Armor placed a hoof on Princess Cadence's cheek, "I'll be careful. Take care of our daughter for me." Now both the Crystal Princess and Shining Armor were crying from the bittersweet moment. "I love both of you so much."

"I..I love you, too." Cadence managed to say through her tears.

Shining Armor kissed both his wife and daughter on the forehead, then went back in for a kiss with his wife. He then turned away from them and headed to Twilight.

"Do you really have to do this?" Twilight asked, her voice filled with anxiousness for her brother's journey.

"I do, little sis." Shining Armor confirmed. He went in for a hug and Twilight leapt into his arms.

"Be safe, BBBFF." Twilight muttered.

"I will." Shining Armor responded.

Twilight pulled away to look her brother in the eye. "Do Mom and Dad know you're leaving?"

"I sent them a letter already. They know about this."

"They're probably not happy about it, though, aren't they?" Twilight laughed a little.

"You know me. I only told them it was a diplomatic mission. Not how dangerous it was." Shining winked.

Twilight looked bewildered. "Why did you sugarcoat it? They would-"

"Be livid that their oldest was doing something so dangerous. 'You have to set a good example for your little sister.'" Shining Armor mocked the sound of who probably is their dad.

Twilight couldn't help but laugh. "That was when we were younger, and when I haven't been in so many perilous situations." Twilight wiped a tear from her eye.

Shining smiled. "I'll see you when I get back."

Twilight gave him another hug. "Goodbye."

They left the embrace and Shining Armor turned his attention to Tempest.

"I'm sorry to have to leave when we've just started training." The stallion apologized, "I'll replace myself with somepony in one of the higher ranks so your training can continue."

"Hey, don't sweat it." Tempest stuck a hoof out for a hoof bump, and Shining did the same. "Go kick some butt for me."

"Will do..... oh, and one more thing." Shining smirked. "Take care of my little sister."

"I will, your Highness." Tempest bowed to him in respect.

"I can tell there's something special between you two."

Both Twilight and Tempest blushed at the comment. "Really?" Twilight yelled.

"Well, yeah. Can't exactly hide how you look at someone." Shining Armor tried to stop himself from laughing.

Twilight's face turned into a tomato. "Shining!"

Tempest couldn't help but snicker some as well. Twilight heard her laughing. "Don't encourage him!"

Tempest looked away and covered her mouth. "Sorry, Princess."

Twilight rolled her eyes and muttered "Not helping.", which only made Tempest laugh more.

As Shining Armor and his family exited the throne room, Tempest calms down and sees Twilight looking at her brother in worry.

"You okay?"

Twilight sighed, "Yeah. I'm just worried."

Tempest wrapped a hoof around Twilight back, pulling her close.

"Your brother is an amazing fighter." Tempest stated, "I'm sure he'll be fine."

Twilight leaned into Tempest's side for comfort.

"Yeah, I hope so."