The next morning:

Arina woke up and slowly opened her eyes. “Shining?” She asked with a small yawn.

“Morning…” Shining said in an almost dismissive tone.

“Wh… what’s wrong?” Arina asked in a concerned tone.

“Why didn’t you tell me.” He said quietly.

“Tell you what?” Arina asked.

“About you and J.” Shining said.

“I didn’t think it mattered…” Arina said quietly.

“It didn’t matter? Or you didn’t want it to matter.” Shining asked, staring at her.

“I… I didn’t want it to come… between us…” She said quietly.

Shining laid back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Arina closed her eyes. “I’ve… screwed up… so… so much…” She said quietly.

Shining looked at her for a moment before staring back up.

Arina sighed and she got out of bed. “F… for what it’s worth… I’m sorry…” She said quietly as she walked towards the bathroom.

Shining stood up and walked to the door. “I need to go talk to someone.” He said.

“You’re leaving for Canterlot today… Will you… Come back before you leave?” Arina asked.

Shining stood silently in the doorway for a moment before walking out of the room.

Arina sniffled a little, “I… didn’t deserve you… anyway…” She said quietly as she went into the bathroom, closing the door behind herself.

------------------------

Arina sobbed weakly into her hands as the warm waters of the shower slid across her body.

There was a banging on the door. “Arina?” Star called.

“You’ve been in there for almost an hour… Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked.

“Go away!” Arina sobbed, “I want to be alone!”

“Please can we just talk?” Fluttershy asked.

“We really care about you… And when you lock yourself in the shower… We can’t do that.” Star said.

“Would you really care if I just went away?” Arina sobbed, “Or are you just saying that?”

“Arina you’re as much my sister as J is my brother. And I wouldn’t ever try to hurt you. You know that right?” Star asked.

“You want him over me… you all do…” Arina said.

“Don’t put words in my mouth. I love you.” Star stated.

“We all do…” Fluttershy said.

There wasn’t a reply.

“If you want us to go away we will… But we’re never leaving.” Star said.

“Well I’m glad J will have some people to return to.” Arina said.

“Arina…” Fluttershy said quietly.

“I’ve screwed up so much…” Arina sobbed, “I just… can’t do it anymore…”

“We’ve all screwed up at some point Arina. But it’s not the end of the world… Things get better, they always do.” Star said.

“Not when you destroy a life…” Arina said quietly. “How… can anything get better…”

“Well when the worst possible thing has happened… It can only get better right?” Star said.

“You think… what will happen… is going to be forgivable?” Arina asked.

“What are you talking about?” Star asked.

“Shining… when I said… I destroyed a life… I meant it…” Arina said quietly, “How… can I ever forgive myself for that? How can ANYONE forgive me?”

“It can’t have been that bad…” Fluttershy said.

“You… don’t know… the half of it…” Arina said.

“And we’re not going to know if you won’t talk about it.” Star said.

“He’s been alone for a long time now…” Arina said. “And… heartbreak doesn’t help with that…”

“I know nothing I say is going to make you feel better… But I would really like to see you.” Star said.

There were a few wet footsteps on the other side of the door followed by the clicking of the door unlocking. “There…” Arina said.

Star opened the door and walked in, closing it behind him.

Arina was sitting on the shower floor against the wall, her face and eyes still red from crying.

Star walked into the shower and sat on the opposite side. “Hey.” He smiled.

“Yes?” Arina asked quietly.

“Nothing.” Star shrugged. The water made his hair droop down and cover his eyes, his smile growing. “Well I guess I don’t need my glasses now.”

Arina remained quiet as she stared at the floor.

“Okay that wasn’t funny… Sorry.” Star said.

“W… what am I supposed to do?” Arina asked quietly.

“Well what we’re going to do… Is most likely stay here for awhile until either the water gets cold, or until my clothes fuze to my flesh.” Star joked. “Then we’re going to go downstairs, I’m going to make you dinner, and get every type of chocolate known to man. And we’re going to watch movies and eat all the junk food in the house.”

“That’s… only temporary…” Arina said quietly.

Star started laughing. “Yeah I suppose the stores will run out eventually.” He said.

Arina remained quiet.

“I know what it’s like to lose someone… And so does J. I guess it’s a requirement living with us…” Star sighed.

“This… just feels… so different…” Arina said.

“I know. But you don’t have to be alone.” Star said, scooting forward and grabbing her hand. “I’m here… And I always will be.”

“At the rate that we’re going… you’ll be at our death bed too…” Arina said quietly.

“Don’t talk like that… Please…” Star said.

“I didn’t mean it anytime soon.” Arina said.

Star scooted to the same wall, sitting beside her now. He wrapped his arms around her. “Good… Because it won't be.” He said.

Arina started crying into Star’s shoulder, “I want him back…” She sobbed. “B… but he deserves…. better then me… he deserves… so much… better than me...”

“If that were possible…” Star said, holding her tighter.

Arina continued to cry.

“Hey… Want to know something funny?” Star asked.

“W… what?” Arina sniffled.

“Applejack, Dash, and Rarity… They’re jealous.” Star smiled.

Arina sniffled again, “Why? I’m not J…” She said.

“That’s not the point. You’re just as much J as J is you. And they wanted you so badly they sent me to get you back from him. And I saw how happy you were… So I came back. I might have gotten my ass kicked by my own daughters buuut It was worth it... to see you smiling.” He said, staring down at her.

Arina remained quiet for a moment, “For… as long as it lasted… I felt… beyond happy…” She said quietly.

Star just stayed silent, keeping her in the tight and caring hug.

“Can… we…” Arina started.

“What?” Star asked.

“G… get out of here?” She asked.

“It is getting a little damp.” Star joked.

-------------------------------

Arina unwrapped another piece of chocolate.

“I bet you I can unwrap this piece of chocolate with my tongue.” Star said, holding it up.

“Sure…” Arina said.

Star threw the chocolate into his mouth and closed it, his jaw moving slightly.

Fluttershy walked in from the kitchen. “I was just se- Um…” Fluttershy mumbled. “Is he okay?” She asked, looking at the strained look on Star’s face.

“He’s trying to unwrap the chocolate with his tongue.” Arina said.

Fluttershy stared at him, then the chocolates. She walked up to the box and took one, tossing it into her mouth. She hummed something for a moment, closing her eyes. A few seconds later she opened her mouth and pulled the wrapped out, tossing it at Star’s face. He stared at her intently. “Son of a bitch…” He mumbled.

Arina took a piece of chocolate and popped it into her mouth. After a few seconds she stuck her tongue out showing the wrapper and unchewed piece of chocolate.

“Nngh… Yours was loosened… It was the packagers. They’re out to get me…” Star said.

Fluttershy started to giggle as she ate the chocolate.

Arina sighed and shook her head, “Sure… it’s a national conspiracy.” She giggled.

There was a click as the front door opened. Twilight walked in shortly after and looked at the three of us. “Hey you guys.” She said.

Arina glanced up momentarily and looked down at the floor.

Star put a hand on her back comfortingly. “It’ll be okay.” He said quietly.

Arina sighed quietly.

“What’s up Twilight?” Star asked.

“Well I have some good news and bad news.” Twilight said.

“What is it?” Star asked, a little concerned.

“How about I let him tell you.” Twilight smiled as Shining Armor walked in wearing Royal Guard’s armor and holding a spear.

Arina looked up for another few moments, her gaze shortly returning to the floor.

“Well the bad news is I won’t be returning to Canterlot anytime soon.” Shining said, approaching Arina.

“And the good news?” Star asked.

Shining put the spear down and kneeled down in front of Arina. “Well the good news is the reason for the bad news. I’ve been promoted to Princess Guard… So that means I’ll be staying in Ponyville… So long as Twilight does.” He smiled, looking up at Arina.

“You… don’t want to be around me… you… do deserve someone better…” Arina said quietly.

Shining grabbed her hand. “Well when I find that person… I’ll tell her to get out of the way.” He said.

Arina remained quiet as she looked at him, a few tears in her eyes.

“Come here…” He said, hugging her tightly. “I’m never going to leave you… So long as I’m still drawing breath… Because Twilight isn’t the real princess I’m guarding.”

Arina giggled a little as she hugged him back.

Fluttershy wiped away a few tears and smiled. “So beautiful…” She sniffled.

A few tears fell down Star’s face.

“Star?” Twilight asked.

“It’s nothing… This stupid… Chocolate.” Star mumbled, wiping the tears away.

Shining took his helmet off and tossed it to the side, kissing Arina shortly after.

Arina melted into the kiss and her eyes shut tightly.

Shining pulled away first and smiled. “So…” He said.

“Um… I feel now is a great time to mention something…” Arina said quietly.

“What?” Shining asked.

“Star… probably already guessed this… but that DNA change… that created me… well… it’s made it so… I’m separate from J but… we can swap… back and forth… sort of like an… um…” Arina started.

“Transformer.” Star said.

“I prefer the term shapeshifter… well in all reality more of a druid…” Arina said, “Animals only… except well… I could change back into J right now…”

The basement door burst open and Sarah peeked out. “Will you?” She asked.

“Nah… we’ve agreed that it can wait a little longer.” Arina said.

Sarah glared at Star.

Star raised his hands up defensively. “Not my fault this time…” He said quickly.

Arina rolled her eyes. “And before you ask… if it’s just you and me. No.” She said as she hugged Shining.

“But… Didn’t we… Already…” Star said hesitantly.

“Not you.” Arina said.

“Oh… So we won’t be… You know… Having…” Star said.

“Maybe.” Arina said.

“Yeah… Maybe.” Shining shrugged.

Arina nuzzled Shining.

Star threw up his arms in defeat before taking the chocolate out of his mouth and throwing it across the room.

Twilight caught it immediately and looked at it. Fluttershy walked up to her and whispered something. Twilight raised an eyebrow and tossed the chocolate into her mouth. A few moments later she spit out the wrapper.

“I… I don’t… M…” Star stammered.

Fluttershy and Twilight started laughing.

“Wow I guess it’s a gift to not be able to do it.” Arina giggled.

“Not all of us can be that unfortunate.” Twilight smirked.

“I hate all of you.” Star said.

Shining reached for a piece of chocolate and the box of chocolate was torn away by Star. “Fuck you.” Star said, standing up and walking up to his room.

Arina handed Shining an unopened piece of chocolate. “There you go.” She smiled.

Shining smiled and put the chocolate in his mouth before kissing her.

Arina held Shining tightly, pushing the kiss a little deeper.

Twilight sighed. “I’m going to go help Star.” She said, walking up the stairs and into his room.

Fluttershy was staring at Shining and Arina intently. A moment later a purple glow surrounded her and dragged her upstairs.

Shining glanced back and pulled away for a moment. “Well now that we’re alone…” He said.

Arina glanced over at Sarah, “I wouldn’t say… alone…” She said.

Arina rolled her eyes. “And before you ask… if it’s just you and me. No.” She said as she hugged Shining.

Shining’s horn lit up and the basement door slammed shut. There was immediately banging on the other side. “GIVE ME MY MAN BACK!” Sarah shouted.

“BITCH HE’S MINE!” Arina shouted.

Shining leaned back slightly.

Arina looked back at Shining, “Oh… that armor must be really uncomfortable…” She said, running a hand slowly up the breastplate.

“M… I… Yes.” Shining stammered.

“Let me help with that…” Arina smiled.

--------------------------------

“That… was amazing…” Arina panted

“Yeah…” Shining said through both heavy breaths and a few laughs.

Arina nuzzled herself against his chest, “You don’t know how much I love you…” She said.

“I think you showed me… With that last move…” Shining chuckled, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her head.

“If you wanted… I could do it again…” Arina said with a little smile.

“No I think I like the one on the left.” Shining said.

“What?” Arina asked.

“I… How’d I get back here?” Xana said.

“Oh god… just give me Shining back… please…” Arina sighed.

“Hey I was having a good time in your head. Now shhh and relax.” Xana said, putting his hand on Arina’s head and closing his eyes.

“Wha-” Arina froze momentarily. She gripped her head a little. “Ow…” She mumbled in a slightly pained tone.

“What’s wrong?” Shining asked.

“A head ache…” Arina said.

“Why don’t you lie down. I’ll get you some water.” Shining said.

“Okay…” Arina said as she laid her head down on his chest, and nuzzled him a little.