"Oh no, Spike." Twilight scolded. "You can't possibly be considering this!"

Shining spoke up in Spike's defense. "He would be taken good care of, sis."

She turned to her brother. "I know that, I just don't want to be here by myself for two months!"

Shining stroked the back of his head. "Uh... Well actually, training for the Special Forces runs for a year." Twilight sharpened her glare.

"That just proves my point further!" She slammed the folder shut and shoved into shining's chest. "Now, we are done discussing this! OUT!"

She picked up Shining and his folder with her magic and stared pushing him to the door.

"WAIT! Twilight, this could really help him!" He yell, trying to change her mind.

"Thank you for coming, Shining." She replied flatly. "Your offer is appreciated, but Spike is not inter-"

She was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. She turned and was met face to face with Spike. He wore a calm smile and pleading eyes.

"Twilight..." He spoke in a low, soothing voice. "I want to do this."

"W-wha-"

"I need to do some growing up. There's a whole world outside of this library that I want to see on my own." She was shocked at his sincerity. "I'm not fit for the kinds of adventures we go on, I'm just too much of a risk to our friends."

Twilight opened her mouth in protest, but was again silenced by Spike speaking up.

"One of these times I'm going to get one of you girls hurt. I need to learn how to defend myself and how to protect you guys. If joining the Special Forces is how I get that experience, then that's what I'll do." Spike kept his cold stare on her.

Twilight lowered her head. "Is this really what you want?" Even though her face was hidden, Spike could tell she was tearing up. "To leave town, to leave us?"

"Yes, Twilight." She slumped her shoulders and released Shining Armor from her magical grip.

"I don't want you to go." She fell to her knees, holding her hands to her face. "I'll be here alone..."

It crushed Spike and Shining to see her like this. Spike bend down and quickly wrapped his arms around her in comfort. She returned the hug and cried into his neck. Spike stood her back up and guided her to the couch. Shining picked up the contents of the folder and followed them. Spike sat Twilight down on the couch.

"Sorry for upsetting you, Twi." Shining apologized, laying down the documents on the table.

Twilight wiped her tears away and took a deep breath. "It's fine, Shining. I guess it is his choice and I'll stick by him on it."

"Alright, let's get started." Shining turned the papers towards Spike. "You guys have a quill and ink nearby?"

"-And here." Spike read through the paper and signed where Shining pointed out.

For forty five minutes Shining Armor walked Spike through the documents one by one. Twilight stood by and listened in on what the Special Forces had to offer, she even began taking notes after a while. Spike was surprised on how well she was coming around to the idea.

"And since you're a minor, I'm gonna need Twilight's signature here." Shining pointed again.

Twilight looked up from her notes and paused. She moved closer to the table and with quill in hand, she hesitated. I'm signing an entire year of his life away... She glanced at Spike with a hint of concern. He nodded, giving her permission to proceed. Her attention went back to the piece of paper before her. She signed in the box given to her and dropped the quill. She was already regretting her decision.

"Well, that's the last one." Shining gathered up all the documents and slipped them back into the folder. He reached his hand out to Spike. Spike took it and shook it. "Welcome to the guards!"

"Thanks for your time, Shining." Spike said warmly. All three of them stood up and exchanged glances.

"So, when do you want to ship out, rookie?" Shining bent down and closed the folder. He then picked it up and tucked it under his arm.

"As soon as possible. The sooner I go in, the sooner I get out." Spike answered, smiling at Twilight. She returned the smile.

"Alright well, the next train to boot camp leaves at twelve fifteen tomorrow."

"I'll take it." Spike replied quickly.

"Okay, I'll turn in this paperwork and schedule you for tomorrow's train." Shining shook Spike's hand again and then hugged Twilight. "It was nice seeing you two again."

"And you too, BBBFF." Twilight jeered.

"Haha! That will never get old." Shining grinned at her. His grin turned sheepish and he rubbed the back of his head again. "Hey, Twilight, mind teleporting me back home?"

"Not at all." she giggled.

"Thanks again, guys. Spike, good luck." Twilight charged up her horn. "You'll need it."

With a bright flash of light, he was gone from the room. Now it was just Spike and Twilight. She looked at him with a smile, but it soon faded.

"I'm proud of you, Spike." She said. "Most ponies don't have the courage to join the Force."

"Thank you, Twi." She turned and started for her room. "Where ya going?"

"I'm going to bed early. We have a long day tomorrow."

"Alright, I've got something to do first." Spike went for the door.

"Okay Spike, be back before sundown."

"Will do." Spike exited the library and closed the door behind him.

Shining Armor slowly opened the door to the master bedroom. He poked his head into the dark room. He slid his body through the doorway and closed the door. He made his way to his side of the bed and started undressing. Man, I'm tired. He looked over at the flat bed and stopped. Wait, where's Cade-

"Ooo, looks like daddy's back early..." Shining turned around to a barely dressed Cadence. "Bed. Now."

"Yes, ma'am." Next Chapter: Chapter 4: Special Kind of Goodbye Estimated time remaining: 15 Minutes