More Than Friends-Chapter 10-(Back To Square One)

10

>You groan in the sunlight, and pull up the covers to block the light.
>Wait, sunlight?
>In the barracks?
>Someone must have blown a hole-
>Why are the covers so soft?
>And what is that smell?
>You kick off the blanket, seeing a large, red stain on the bed.
>What on Equestria.
>You hear another groan next to you.
>Oh god.
>You know what happened.
>The bar, the drinks…
>OH GOD YOU DIDN’T END UP WITH A MINOTAUR, RIGHT?
>YOUR ASSHOLE CAN’T BE BROKEN AND-
>You immediately turn to face the creature next to you.
>A pink hoof bats your nose.
>You turn to see Cadance next to you, her mane all ruffled.
>”Good morning, Anon.”
>”Good morning?”
>You turn away.
>What the fuck happened last night?
>Cadance curls up on your arm, and sighs.
>She digs her head in to your chest.
>Did you-
>Yes, you did.
>Fucking alcohol.
>At least you didn’t have your ass ravaged.

>Once you are up, you take a quick shower.
>Cadance gave you this weird look the entire time.
>She tried coming in your shower.
>You did not need this.
>You quickly dress in your own clothes again and exit the bathroom.
>Cadance is back on her bed.
>You really should do something about the stain.
>DO YOU SMELL BLOOD?
>Oh god.
>You quickly remove the stain with magic, and sit by the bed.
>Cadance comes up next to you, and rests her head on your lap.
>”Anon, do you mean what you said yesterday?”
>What did you say?
>You should just ask-
>”Yeah, of course I do.”
>Cadance smiles, and goes up to kiss you.
>You smile back.
>What the fuck have you gotten yourself into this time, Anon.
>Hopefully, it will not involve anything about you spending more bits.

>”That will be fifty bits, sir.”
>Fucking jinx.
>You sigh and hand over your coin purse.
>The jeweler weighs it, before shooting a glance.
>You give a sheepish smile, and shrug.
>He looks down on your purse and back at you.
>He is keeping his poker face.
>He raises a brow.
>”Oh fine.”
>You throw in few more bits from your pocket.
>The stallion nods and smiles, before going off to serve other customers.
>You quickly pocket the item and head out.
>You don’t forget to grab a sandwich on your way.
>Back to your favorite spot.
>Under the tree, a small hill over-looking the park.
>Cadance is already there, sipping on some tea, and finishing her own food.
>You sprint over and sit next to her.
>”It took you that long to grab a sandwich?”
>You glance over to your lunch.
>It wasn’t that great.
>And good god, you hated dandelions.
>”Uhm, yeah- I was looking for something and decided- hey, why don’t I try something stupid today?”
>Cadance smiles to you.
>”I think you already done that yesterday.”
>She gives you the bedroom eyes.
>lolwut
>You can’t say much, you’re enjoying this too.
>You glance over the horizon.
>This is the time.
>”Hey, is that Twilight over there?” You point.
>”Where?” Cadance looks to your direction.
>You slowly lean in closer.
>”Over… there…” You continue your point.
>It was actually at a group of fillies.
>And you are pretty sure Twilight really is in there.
>”I don’t see it.” Cadance squints her eyes, trying to focus.
>”Keep looking for her.” You whisper, reaching into your pa- pocket.
>You quickly pull out a small locket, a gold-chained, heart shaped necklace.
>You gently drape it over her neck.
>She doesn’t know- yet.
>You close its locks, and let it go.
>The small weight on her neck causes Cadance to look down, wondering if it’s a bug or something.
>Instead, it was a heart shaped locket.
>She slowly looked over to her coltfriend, Anon.
>That sounded kinda weird.
>You just smile like an idiot and sit back.
>”Anon?” She straightens herself and looks to you.
>”Yeah?”
>”Is this for me?”
>”For you? Nah.”
>Cadance giggles, before jumping to your arms.
>Of course, you weren’t ready at all.
>The two of you roll down the hill, landing right next to the mud.
>Whew, that was close.
>Cadance, still dazzled after the fall, shakes her head.
>The elastic keeping her mane falls off, letting her mane free.
>”Darn, hair’s all messed up.” Cadance looks around for the elastic.
>You hold her cheek, and stop her there.
>”You look fine to me.”
>Cadance blushes, as you go in for another kiss.
>”EEEWWWWWWW”
>You hear little ponies shout.
>You look up to see several colts and fillies and-
>TWILIGHT?
>YOU JUDAS, YOU.
>”Why are you eating each other’s face?!” Twilight jumps in her position.
>You and Cadance face each other, before facing the children again.
>”We… could-“
>Cadance slips in closer.
>You can feel her breath now.
>”Let them watch.”
>Now it’s your turn to blush.
>”Shure.” You smile, going in for another taste.
>The fillies gag and shriek, before running off, laughing.

>The two of you lay in each other’s company, watching sunset.
>It would be romantic,
>If it weren’t too DAMN SLOW
>Cadance levitates the locket to her face, examining it.
>”It’s beautiful, Anon.” She looks at it more.
>”Maybe, if I…”
>Cadance’s horn glows, and the locket snaps in half.
>CADANCE WHYYYYY
>YOUR BITS
>ALL THE SHIT YOU COULD HAVE DONE
>LIKE A BETTER SANDWICH
>She then surrounds it a bluish red aura, slowly inscribing energy into it.
>She then touches it with one hoof.
>”Go on.”
>”What?”
>”Touch the other one.”
>You do as she says.
>Each piece responds to the touch, and shivers.
>It shakes, before stops glowing.
>”Now,” Cadance brings one half to you. “Both of us can have it.”
>You conjure a simple string and tie it over the heart piece.
>You then place it over your neck.
>”So, what was with all of that magic?”
>Cadance lifts her piece.
>”It will only respond to us, our love.”
>There’s that word again.
>You hold your piece, and it somehow sticks to Cadance’s.
>Huh.
>Guess you really were in love.
>Fuck man, you’re a dude, what do you know.
>But there’s this feeling.
>That comforting feeling when she looks into your eyes, and you do the same.
>That feeling when she smiles, when she caresses you.
>That-
>Goddamit man, don’t go soft on me.
>Fuck you, I do what I want.
>I’m not the only one you fucked.
>Oh, don’t even go there.
>By the time you realized you were probably staring at her for hours, it was already moon-time.
>The locket still stuck to each other, radiating a golden hue.
>Cadance and her trinkets.
>Mares.
>And on the bright side, you weren’t even drooling.
>AND you were thinking deeply.
>So that’s a plus.

>You look over the list, checking out any possible candidates.
>Dammit, Twilight and her friends managed to get themselves in the list again.
>You sigh, and cross the names off.
>One day, Twilight.
>Straight to the military school.
>Sunshine Smiles? Maybe.
>Snips?
>Aw what the hell, not you too.
>And-
>Hello.

>Shining Armor.

>…
>Tick.
>Time for some pay back.

>”Good morning ladies, welcome to the army and- hello.” You walk over to Shining Armor.
>He is trying to keep a straight face.
>”Do I know you from somewhere?” You look down.
>He is already sweating.
>Oh Shining Armor.
>Have to fix that now.
>”What’s your name, private?”
>”Sh-sh-shining Armor sir.”
>”Shining Armor, eh?”
>You crouch in front of him.
>”Let’s test that.”

>Shining ducks, narrowly avoiding the stinger.
>Took you guys a while to catch a manticore, but it’s worth it.
>You chuckle, sipping on some cider.
>”Come on, Shining Armor, live up to your name!”
>Shining jump to the side, and fires out more blasts.
>You have to admit though; he was quite impressive with his magic.
>You jump in, pushing the manticore back to its cage with your magic.
>You look over to the other candidates.
>”Now, who’s next?”

>You write a letter to the princess, detailing about your training regime.
>You were just doing what they taught you with.
>You send it off, and sort your letters.
>Junk, junk- PENIS ENLARGEMENT DEALS?
>You store that away and continue.
>You got a lady to handle, after all.
>You notice a familiar seal on a letter.
>Looks like… The Sparkle residence?
>You tear it open.
>Looks like mom wrote it.
>The usual stuff, asking how you are doing, how’s life, have you eaten your carrots, and so on.
>There is a joke about you and Cadance- apparently, everypony in Canterlot knows.
>And then, a part about Shining.
>He finally decided to become a guard- treat him well and other stuff.
>”Don’t do it because he was your brother,” You read aloud. “Do it out of duty.”
>You pause.
>The candle light flickers.
>Brother, eh?
>You recline in your chair.
>Not any more.
>You neatly fold the letter, and place it in your drawers.
>You needed some time off.
>You also promised you’ll be visiting Twilight tonight.

>You just love the smell of metals in the morning.
>You and your squad proudly passed the gates, on to your first assignment.
>You wanted every single recruit with you, for some real-live training.
>As if the manticore was not enough.
>You reluctantly brought Shining along with you.
>He was silent along the way, as the rest of you excitedly chatted.
>Your first assignment- work out a band of minotaurs along the border of Equestria.
>Apparently, a small group of them were kind enough to set up camp in pony’s soil, and start robbing everyone.
>That’s not happening in your watch.
>”Guys, let me do the talking, alright?”
>The group nods.
>”No blind heroism. No pony gets hurt today.”

>Soon, you find yourself facing the camp.
>And looks like the minotaurs saw you.
>You and your golden, captain’s armor.
>You also proudly wore the Sparkle family insignia on your chest, some sort of a bound.
>You and five guards near the camp.
>The beasts are already brandishing weapons.
>”Looks like the ponies got a human with them now.”
>The largest one points his axe to you, laughing.
>The rest of the pack follows in.
>Must stay strong, must stay strong.
>”Right.” You walk right into the camp, and sit on a freshly cut stump.
>”Look here, gents, we don’t like you messing about, right- so, please-”
>You stare right at the supposed leader.
>”Leave, or we will be forced to make you leave.”
>The minotaur laughs again, thundering.
>Shit.
>You look over to the guards, who are already afraid.
>You need just need to tell the minotaur Celestia is pretty pissed and-
>A single purple beam shoots out to three minotaurs, knocking them out immediately.
>Your eyes go wide and you turn to the squad, and you see Shining, magic out.
>Fuck, Shining.
>The leader jumps a little, and you grab his collar.
>You then force him down to your eye level.
>”Yeah. You saw that.”
>You give some stress to your voice.
>”My rookie just took out three of your guys.”
>You let your hand glow, basking the beast in blue light.
>”Guess what I can do?”
>You clench your fist.
>”I can rip you limb from limb- and keep you alive, then I’m flay you with my mind so HARD your grandma will get a nice dish of you balls over at the country side. Do you want to do that to your grandma? Do you?”
>”N-Not- gran-gran!”
>”That’s right, you little cow. Now run off, before your grandma gets a surprise visit from you.”
>The big one immediately scurries away, and the smaller ones follow.
>You wipe some beads of sweat from your forehead.
>That was too close.
>You walk over to Shining, who is starting to tremble.
>Well, he did kinda fucked it up.
>You tap his shoulder pads.
>”Good job, Shining.”
>Well, that could not have gone any better.

>”So Anonymous, how was your day?”
>The sun princess looks over your report, sipping on some tea.
>”I see you managed to scare away the minotaurs, no conflicts, all’s well.”
>”Anything else?”
>”Well…” You scratch the back of your head.
>Remember, duty first.
>”I would like to praise Shining Armor on his act.”
>”Oh?”
>You look back, seeing your squad.
>Shining stares at you, confused.
>”He was essential in getting the minotaurs to ‘agree’ with us. I commend him for his bravery and his initiative.”
>Shining perks up.
>”I don’t suppose you mind then, if I placed him second in command.” Celestia smiles.
>It’s your time to perk up.
>Shiiiiiiit.
>Celestia dismisses you, and you silently obey.
>”Anonymous.” Shining catches up.
>You remain silent.
>”I just wanted to say… Thanks.”
>Still silent.
>”You know much this means to me and-“
>”I’m not doing this because it means to you, Shining.” You speak up.
>He pauses.
>”I’m doing this because of what you did, the sense of my own duty. Nothing more, nothing less.”
>”I know that, Anon. I just wanted to say sor-“
>You are already leaving.
>You’re not having his shit.
>You turn around one last time.

>”You better live up to your name, Shining Armor.”