My hooves on my table, my pencil lying near the top of the paper before me; I glared down at the paper, filled with math questions, oh how much I hated these questions, with ever fiber of my being! When am I ever going to use the system for Log, in real life anytime soon?! I don’t know, heck…even my teacher said at the very beginning of the second term; that she would be cramming our heads with knowledge we would maybe never use outside of the school’s walls. I gave out a heavy sigh, high school sucked…really sucked, well…the math really, everything else was just dandy. Leaning my head on the table, I lightly knocked my forehead along the edge of the wood before I heard a soft snicker outside my door. “Having problems with math again?” I turned to my left, the side of my head on the table as I turned to look at my mother. My Mother was a Changeling Queen, leading so far only ten, ten that she trusted dearly, so I guess she wasn’t a ‘Queen’ per say, but she looked like a Queen from what I was told by teachers and even my father. I was told, at a young age, that she would be as tall as Princess Celestia herself, and I had seen her a few times when she came in to visit the kingdom I called home, her mane, long and flat near the end, with black lines going through her greenish like mane; her lighter green eyes, looking toward me, a warm smile on her face. She was so tall, she would have to duck a bit to walk into my room, and rather slender too.

I sighed and slowly turned my head back to the paper and glared at the questions. “It isn’t fair!” I muttered out, throwing the paper off to the side. “I mean, when am I ever going to use this stuff in really life?” I asked her waving my hoof to where the paper fell over, with a heavy huff. “I just want to follow in Dad’s hooves you know?” My Dad is the Captain of the Guards here in the Crystal Empire, having been that for nearly twenty years now. I knew of his story, and Mom’s as well. When I was old enough to fully understand, they sat me down and told me. I was confused at first, but it slowly started to sink in, I mean, ponies fearing Changelings? Lots of my friend’s think it’s cool that I could became them, or pretend to be a teacher and mock them. They even told me that I should never make somepony fall in love with me, unless it was for a dire reason. My Mom told me that one reason would be with somepony was hurt. That if the one harmed loved me, my magic could be stronger; but I should break the spell once it was done. Anyway, as I was saying, I wanted to follow the work that my Dad went into, but he kept going on that I have so many other choices to make. But I was dead set on becoming a guard. At one point, I remember him muttering, ‘so this is how Mother felt’. This was before I knew of what happened to him when he was much younger then what I was at the time. Mom explained to me then, that he just wanted me to truly think this through, which he just wanted me to have a teaching chance, which was taken from him. It didn’t matter, one day I would be a Guard.

At times, Dad would take me out back, years ago; he made a section in the backyard into a training area. Many of the guards would come on their days off to spar with him, rarely did my Dad lose, to me; he looked invincible. And the scar over his left eye; made him look more ‘bad ass’ as my Mom would say at times. The other reason I thought of him as invincible…was all the hardships he went through, fighting and defeating a Changeling Queen, was just one of the things he had done. Or the fact that he jumped off an edge to save Mom, not knowing that he could, or would; change. When I was younger, I remember bringing him to my class to ‘bring your Dad to school day. It was when I was in the second grade, and told everypony on how awesome he was. He blushed at my words as he answered questions for my classmates, to which many said how lucky I was to have him for a Dad.

We were close, seeing how we were the only stallions in this house we called home. But I think the other reason as that his Dad was never around after his Mom was killed in that fire back at his home kingdom. When I was still a young colt, I would follow him around, and at time watch him train with the other ponies at the castle. Shining Armor, the co-ruler with his wife Princess Cadence, would allow me to watch him when I came by. I was always amazed by how well he could order the ponies around, or how they always followed his orders. He told me it was because he knew their limits, and would never make them do something he knew they couldn’t do. This didn’t mean he wouldn’t push them when it came to training; as he told me that by pushing yourself in training, the hardest things in life will be easier; and the reward, much greater.

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t notice my Mom lift my sheet back up and place it back on the small table before me as she kissed my head softly. “Well,” she spoke. “It’s not due till the end of the week yes?” I nodded in agreement as she said. “Well, that leaves you with four more days; you can take a break for today, but don’t leave it till the last second like last time,”

“Yes Mom,” I answered as I looked up at her, and see smiled down at me and kissed my brow softly.

“Now, go get washed up, Light is almost done with dinner; alright?”

“Yes Mom,” I answered once more as se chuckled softly and left my room, closing it after her.

I leaned back in my chair, my hooves holding on the table as I rocked it back and forth on its back legs as I closed my eyes. Beside the Math, I was a happy Changeling…well…3/4 Changeling I believe it was, seeing how Dad is a Halfling. I then opened my wings and flew off my chair, as it rocked back on all fours as I landed on the ground. Opening the door and walking across the hall, I opened the door and went to wash my face in the sink. Looking into the mirror I came face to face with; well…myself.

My mother side I was a bit taller then a normal male Changeling, maybe because of my Dad’s pony side I guess. Unlike most Changelings as well, my horn was straight, much like Dad’s as well, but it did have its share of holes in it. When I turned my face, I noticed my green eyes, would change to a blue in the different light, I always found that cool, changeling, without the need to do it myself. I had my mane combed in a way, which it looked almost like Shining Armor’s, Dad thought it was a good look for me, and Shining well, he was flattered that I had copied his look. As I grew older though, some green was seen in my mane and tail, (which also had it shares of holes) I was confused onto why my mane changed colors like that, but I liked it all the same. I twisted my head left and right, to see any dirt I may had on my face, seeing that I didn’t, I dried myself quickly and left the bathroom.

Walking down towards the hallway, and then down the stairs, the smell of cooked pasta filled the air, as well as Dad’s sauce that he always made with said pasta. I closed my eyes, enjoying the smell. Even though I was more of a Changeling, then a pony, I still ate food. It didn’t ‘fill’ me, as the love of my family did, but it was still had a sort of fill to me. Turning into the dinning room, I noticed my Mom helping out Dad, with the last touched, and also, sitting at the table, was one more family member; my little sister.

Much like I took most of my mother side, when it came to the type of Changeling I was, my sister; took after Dad’s side. Her body was still black like any other Changeling out there, but the middle part of her body, mane, tail, and eyes, were all red like that of a Higher Wing Changeling. Where as I was seventeen, she was in fact only seven years old, her mane long and tied into a ponytail, and much like Dad’s mane when a Changeling, her mane had some black in it. Her eyes were much like mine, but blood red as she was busy humming a small tune, her front hooves lightly tapping on the table. As I went over to sit in my spot, on which I always sat in when we ate, my little sister turned to me and smiled. “Hi big Brother!” she smiled at me and made a small wave, as if we hadn’t seen each other in a while. I rolled my eyes and made a small wave back, as I sat on the table. “Daddy’s making pasta!”

“I know,” I answered as she looked at me in confusion. “I can smell you know,” I answered lightly tapping my nose.

“Oh…” she blinked once at me and started to tap her hooves again while humming another tune. “I’m bored,”

“You’re always bored,” I pointed out.

“Not when I’m bugging you,”

“You bug me to say you’re bored,”

“Because I’m so freaking bored!”

“Alright you two,” I heard Dad chuckle as he turned to bring the bowl of pasta and sauce to the table.

The years had done well for him, beside the small bags under his eyes; he looked pretty much the same. He had cut his mane a bit down, but it was still pushed back to what it always was. The white in his mane, still looking like a lighting bolt; his left eye, the line of which he was given when he was younger from Cocoon, was as red as my Sister’s eyes, his right eye, green as grass, he still wore the necklace that belonged to Mom, and rarely took it off. I think he took it off only when it came to showers, bed, and training. “Nina,” he then turned to look at his Daughter. “Why don’t you go get the forks and such, and Shadow?” he turned to me. “Go get the glasses?”

“Sure thing Daddy, do you need anything else?” Nina piped up as she jumped off the chair to go get the things that were needed. I saw Dad smile as he shook his head to her; I also went to the cupboards to get the glasses and bring them toward the table, as Mom went to get the juice, or for them, wine. I watched as Dad poured himself and Mom a glass of the wine, as Mom poured the juice for Nina and me.

We spoke of simple things as we ate our food Dad made, Dad asking me about school work, and me complaining how I didn’t like it, or how math was so hard. “Think outside the box, son,” he told me with a smile. “Don’t think of the easiest way to do it, for what may seem easy, is in fact much harder.” I frowned at his answered as he only smiled and shook his head slightly. “Believe me Shadow…life will never be planned out, things will happen, and you must jump to the change, or fall in failure.”

“I know…” I answered with a soft sigh as Nina spoke up.

“So…you always fall then?”

“Hey!” I yelled as she giggled sticking her tongue out. Before Dad could intervene, a knock came to the door. We all looked over as Dad said he would go and get it, when he did, I heard a bit of what was being said.

“Hey Armor, Cadence,” he spoke; I could hear the edge in his voice. “I thought you were stopping to see if Saki’s little group was still…”

“We are,” it was Shining Armor voice. “We trust both of you, and now, fully of the Changelings under her rule…in fact…we’re here about something else.” Their voices went down to a small whisper of sorts, making it impossible for me to hear, after a while, I watched as Dad came back in, Shining Armor, and Cadence behind. Shining Armor wore a armor much like Dad’s would be, seeing how he was now prince, (not sure why they don’t become king and queen…or are they?) he had to look the part now. The chest plate, and hoof shoes he wore, matched the colors of that of the guards, while Cadence wore the same thing she always did.

“Shadow, Nina,” Dad spoke looking at the two of us. “Go upstairs for a bit,”

“What’s wrong Daddy?” Nina asked walking over. He smiled, though I could see something he was hiding.

“Nothing sweetie,” he answered nuzzling her head. “Just go upstairs, the adults need to speak.”

“Dad…” I was about to say before he looked to me, his eyes told me more then what I needed to know. I just nodded my head slowly, ushering Nina upstairs.

When we were out of ear shot, I whispered to my little sister. “Go to the room alright…I want to hear what’s going on,”

“But Daddy said…”

“I know…I know…but…” I sighed and whispered. “Do this and I’ll get you two cupcakes?”

“Four,” she whispered back.

“Two and a half, plus I’ll play with you with the dolls,”

“Deal,” she nodded her head with a excited squeal in her voice and went toward the room, as I then went back downstairs slowly, and started to listen.

“Are you sure about this?” I heard Dad speak as he sighed. “And I mean very sure…I mean…”

“I know what you’re thinking,” that was Shining Armor now. “But yes…it’s true now…there was a sighting of a large hoard of both Cocoon’s Changelings…and Chrysalis’s Changelings.” I had to hold back a gasp, I had heard stories of both of these Changeling Queens, even Dad told me that Cocoon tried to kill Chrysalis…so why…?

“Where are they going?” Mom asked as I listened more.

“What we think…” the Love Princess spoke as she sighed. “Is that they are making their way here,”

“What reason would that be?” My Dad asked as Mom sighed.

“No doubt…they want you,”

“Then I’ll leave,”

“As humble as that may be,” Armor spoke again. “Do you think it would make a difference if you were here or not? If they plan on an attack, they will no doubt attack this place with, or without you.” I heard my Father make a small angry hum at this.

“Do we have a plan then?”

“You are the Captain of the Guard,” Shining spoke as the sound of paper being unrolled was heard. “We came here to tell you this information…as well as to think of a plan.”

“First things first,” Dad spoke again. “The schools and hospital, they needed to be guarded and if…” he paused himself before starting again. “When the attack comes, need to be escorted to a safe location. Armor, can you bring up that shield again, like you did all those years ago?” I heard nothing, no doubt the unicorn nodding his head or something. “Good, the safe zone should be the castle,” I heard the tapping of hooves on a paper, as well as the sound of something along the line of hooves being dragged along the item. “It’s large enough to house the city yes?”

“And some,” Shining spoke as my Dad hummed again.

“My Aunts will also be sending in some extra guards from Canterlot,” Cadence answered as I listened. “I sent them a letter this morning, and they are already sending a few now.”
“Do you think it may be enough?” I didn’t even hear if she said a number of guards or not.

“You and Shining should know better, they can hold their own.”

“So true…”

“Is something the matter?” I heard Mom asked as Dad sighed.

“Think about this,” he started. “For years now…no, nearly a few decades, both of these Queens had been in hiding…not a mane or a bug wing seen of them…and then all of a sudden, they ARE seen? No…I don’t like this one bit.” Nothing was said for a bit, before I heard my Dad sigh once more. “Well ether way, I believe this is a good idea, we section the guards at these areas here, here, and here,” I head the tapping of his hooves. “Then when the attack comes, the guards in those sections, will escort the ponies to the castle, where you Armor, will bring the shield up around the castle; yes?”

“That’s right,”

“Why can’t you just…I don’t know,” My mom then asked as she went on. “Put the shield all around the kingdom like you did in Canterlot?”

“Well,” Armor spoke. “If I place the shield in a small area, like only just the castle, it will be stronger, bigger the shield, weaker the mass.”

Knowing that the rest of the talk was going to end soon enough anyway, I left my spot and made my way back upstairs. I noticed Nina was not in my room, so I went to her room, seeing her fast asleep on her bed. Making my way back to my own room, as I sat on the bed; thinking deeply on what I heard. Two Changeling Queens, working together, and coming here; for what? It had to be more then Dad, that would be for sure. And really, why would they? Mom and Dad told me themselves that Cocoon tried to kill the other…my Grandmother, so why would they be working together? Two alphas are never a good mix together at all; after hearing the two leave, that being Cadence and Shining Armor. I was left lying on my bed, looking up at nothing really; I heard the soft knock on the head frame of my door.

Looking over, I saw it was Dad standing there, leaning on the frame while looking at me. “So…what was that about?” I asked, pretending that I didn’t hear a word that was said at all, but I saw his look; his eyes, half closed, almost dark. I made a small gulp as I saw this look, it was his ‘caught you’, look.

“I know you were listening,” he simple spoke as I blinked. Looking away, trying at act like I had no idea what he was talking about before answering.

“I don’t…” but he cut me off as he took a few steps in the room, shutting the door behind him.

“Shadow…” There was no anger in his voice, but still…I knew it was coming. And Dad always told me, he never asked a question he knew the answer to.

“Okay I was!” he sighed while rubbing his forehead with a hoof.

“How much did you hear?”

“Up…until Armor said something about shield mass.”

“So, pretty much the whole thing?”

“Pretty much,”

“Damn it Shadow…” he sighed and shook his head. “You want to be a guard, and yet you can’t follow orders when given!”

‘Well, why couldn’t I hear it in the first place?”

“I didn’t want you or Nina to be worried; ugh…” he sighed again and walked in more as he stood before me, still shaking his head softly. “Son, listen to me, I don’t know if those two know of the family I have now…” He was speaking of the Changeling Queens that much I knew of. “If they know of you and Nina, they will use you two to get to me and Saki!”

“W…what if I can help defend this place?” His head jerked back at this, before shaking his head and narrowing his eyes.

“Out of the question,” he answered sharply as I glared.

“Why not?” I demanded standing up. “You even said that I’m a fast learner, that I have skills when it comes to fighting, so why not?!”

“Because,” He forced his words out, raising his voice, which he rarely used on me or Nina. “I don’t want you to become a killer like me!”

I didn’t say anything as he looked away for a moment. As is aid, I knew of his past, I knew that he had to kill as well…but…he seemed so, fine with it, I mean. I had heard stories, in history class about soldiers that came back from war or battle, they were never the same. But from what Mom told me…he was fine with it, like it was second nature or something. “Shadow…listen to me…” he sighed once more, a lot more deeply as he looked back to me, his two color eyes digging right into my own. Even know, much older then the colt I use to be…those eyes still made me want to shrink backwards. “I understand that you want to be a guard like me, I’m flattered really…but you don’t understand what it is to wear the armor. Once you put it on, you are bound by duty to protect the lives of those around you. And even at times…take a life. You don’t know what it likes alright, to watch somepony’s life ebb away at your feet as you cut them down. And I don’t want your life tainted with that, of which I had to do when I was very young; it will haunt you,”

“It doesn’t look like that to you,” he gave me a look, between that of a glare, and a frown as I shirked back.

“It’s hard to explain son,” he answered sitting next to the bed with me. “Look…the reason why I push you into doing all these other sorts of things, or try to, is because this is not the life I want you to have. I don’t want you to have done the things I have done.”

“You know…” I answered. “Ether way…you know I will become a Guard ether way yes? I mean…I am almost at that age, and I’m dead set to become one like you.” Dad made a heavy sigh, shaking his head slowly before chuckling.

“You really are my son,” he answered as he pet the top of my head.

“So…you’ll let me fight?”

“Hell, no,” I frowned as he sighed. “Son, please listen, we have sparred yes, but you have no idea what it’s like on the battle field. The confusion you will see and feel. And I can’t be everywhere at once!” I frowned slightly, I was about to say something when he stopped me. “So how about this…stay out of the fight when it comes, go to the castle when the guards escort you, and when it’s done…” I say him sigh once more. “I’ll see what I can do to get you more training,”

“Really?” I asked in some disbelief at his words.

“Have I lied to you before?”

“Well…there was that fish thing…”

“You were four, what was I to say?” he both shared a laugh for a bit as he then sighed. “But really…deal?” I thought about it for a moment and nodded slightly. “Good…thank you Shadow.” He then turned to me as we shared a small hug. Growing up, I was not the hugging sort of type anymore, but when I or he hugged, it was a different sort of thing. Whenever I was down on my luck, or when the mare I was dating broke up with me, just because her friends were making fun with her. We hugged like this. It was hard to explain how this was different then the hugs I gave him as a colt, it just…was. He then stood up, jumping off my bed before walking off to my door.

I dozed off after the talk me and Dad had, waking up in the middle of the night, always an issue for me. I yawned as I sat up in bed, smacking my lips as I rolled out of bed to go to the restroom. After relieving myself, I was about to go back to my room, when I heard something downstairs. Going toward the noise, I found Mom there, sitting out back. She was just sitting there, looking up at the full moon as it gave off the soft pale light of the night. Beside her was a cup of something, it steamed a bit, leaving me to think of it ether as tea, coffee, or some other sort of hot drink. I went to her, opening the door as she looked down at me, her eyes seemed to glow in the dark. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?” she asked as she always did.

“Shouldn’t you?” I questioned as she smiled.

“Light told me of the talk you two had,” she spoke as I sat beside her. She had always called him Light, never Lighting, or his true name, I asked her one time why, and she said, ‘it just felt right’. “He’s not happy that you still wanted to fight, even after all you heard.”

“It’s my life Mom…” I answered. “I mean…this is what I want to do!”

“Do you know why he wants’ you to do all these other things before you make your choice?” I was about to say what he told me before she spoke anyway. “It’s because he was never given that chance to.” I looked up at her, as she spoke before she looked ahead. “You know of his past Shadow, you know what happened to him and such. He was dragged into a war, much as he likes to say he did it on his own; I have a feeling in a way, he was forced into it.”

“He didn’t say anything like that,” I pointed out as she shook her head.

“Just because someone doesn’t say something, don’t mean it didn’t happen. You know how Light is, he always tries to be the calm one. He always goes along saying that everything he did in his past, was because he wanted it…but I don’t really believe it.” I said nothing as I looked away from her as I thought about this. “I understand Shadow…I really do,” she went on to saying as I looked up at her. “You want to follow in his hooves, and you think that he would be thrilled that you would want to. This is something you really want I see that, and I won’t tell you to stop.” She hen raised a hoof before I could say anything else. “However…at least look into other type of work, you may never know; you might find something that you think is far better!”

I understood where she was going with this, but I truly doubted it, I mean…I don’t know, being a Guard that is what I want, to be able to save the lives of many. Dad wanted me to stay ‘pure’ or something along the lines of that, but still…I would soon be of age, and he did promise me more training if…when I kept my word. “I’ll try Mom,” I told her looking up at the moon with her as she smiled and nuzzle my head softly, before kissing the top of my head.

“Thank you,” she whispered as she then said. “I rather not have another male in this home, who thinks he’s all that because he swings a sword around!” I only rolled my eyes slightly at this as she only cracked a smile, no doubt seeing my reaction. “Oh, and before I forget,” she turned to me. “I was going to tell you and Nina today, but forgot. When the weekend comes, we will be going to Higher Wing, to visit Light’s Father, Shade.”

“Grandfather Shade?” I asked, we visited him as much as we could, mostly it was a weekend trip ever few months or so. “Did something happen?”

“No, no,” she answered. “I mean, for school it is the long weekend yes? And Light was given that time off as well.”

“Do you think it’s wise to go…even after…?”

“Light said the same thing, but it will be fine, even if they do attack while we are away, just because he isn’t here, doesn’t mean that all is lost! He is in fact, one pony Shadow.”

“Eh…” I muttered rocking my head to the side. “Yes, I guess you are right.”

“You’re too much like your Father…you know that right?” she asked before softly pushing me on my side as I laughed and pushed her back as well. When we stopped laughing, we just stood side by side, looking up at the moon, but pretty soon, I felt my eyes grow heavy. I didn’t want to sleep…but right here…it…

My head slowly dropped, before I felt my side lean more on my Mother’s…before blackness took me in.