Inside the Canterlot Castle throne room, the air was thickly-laden with the kind of tension that can leave a room of ponies completely silent as the white-furred stallion paced back and forth in front of the round table in front of him, his gaze fixed on the model of the Crystal Empire laid out on top of it. Celestia and Luna could only watch helplessly as Shining Armor positioned little wooden pieces shaped like soldiers at different locations around the model, shaking his head and repositioning the pieces as more strategies popped into his mind. Ever since Twilight Sparkle was taken by Sombra, Shining Armor had done nothing but work out different battle tactics and research the surrounding areas around the Crystal Empire since he and Cadence had first arrived in Canterlot. Hours upon sleepless hours were spent in the royal library, pouring over military history guides, old maps and different offensive incantations, all in the hope of rescuing Twilight from the King of Shadows' clutches. Shining Armor glared at the model castle intensely, his hooves pressing down hard on the tabletop with a soft creak. I don't know how, but I swear I'll get you back, Twiley.

A pale cerise alicorn mare placed a gentle hoof on Shining's shoulder as she held him in a one-armed hug, her face wrinkled with concern. "Shining, why don't you go get some rest? I'm sure Celestia and Luna can take it from here-..."

Shining removed Cadence's foreleg and stepped away from her. "Cadence, I'm fine. I just need to look at it from a new angle or a-a new strategy." While he appreciated his wife's concern with his wellbeing, he didn't need her worrying about him, not when that worry could be best served with somepony that needed it more, namely his sister. "Besides, as Twilight's brother, it falls to me to save her," he stated and then added softly, "I'm her B.B.B.F.F."

A little-known fact about Shining Armor that very few knew was that he and Twilight weren't actually biological siblings. When Shining was six, he was placed into foster care when his birth parents just didn't have the financial means to support him and their selves. Night Light and Twilight Velvet were unable to conceive a foal of their own, so they adopted Shining and gave him all of the love and attention he otherwise couldn't have received from either his parents or at the orphanage. Then the unexpected happened: Twilight Velvet managed to get pregnant and Shining Armor was far from happy, believing that since the couple would be having a child of their own, they wouldn't need or want him anymore. He tried running away though, due to his young age and fear of everything, didn't get very far and was shocked when Night Light and Twilight Velvet came looking for him. They explained that yes, they would be having a baby but that didn't mean he wouldn't still be their son and that they'd love him no matter what. They were a family and nothing would change that.

After Twilight Sparkle was born, Shining Armor took one look at the foal and his heart was instantly hers. From then on out, he spent all of his time playing with and looking out for his sister-not-sister, promising to always be there for her. Even though they weren't related by blood, the two had formed an iron-clad bond, with Twilight even calling him her "Big Brother Best Friend Forever," a term that stuck with and persisted with Shining due to the fraternal love he felt for her and the uniqueness of the title. He knew that Cadence loved Twilight as well but felt as though she wouldn't understand the depths of his love for his adoptive sister. By initially hating her even before being born, Shining felt a deep kind of shame he needed to atone for and saving Twilight would forever free him from this debt and relieve her from being forcibly tied to a horrible monster like the Emperor of Darkness. I won't let my baby sister suffer like that. She deserves better!

"Shining Armor, while your intention is incredibly noble, Cadence is right. You need to take a break," Princess Celestia said, being as sweet and nonaggressive as possible. "Let Luna and I handle this."

"I agree with my sister. Let not this burden be thine only," Luna added. "Thou art looking very tired and undernourished. A trip to the kitchen shall alleviate thy stress, would it not? We shall undertake this endeavor while you take your repast."

Cadence nodded, "Yes, that sounds perfect! And we can eat out in the terrace and watch the birds!"

Shining shook his head. "Look, I appreciate all of your support but I need to do this. Twilight is my family and I swore to always look after her so I can't rest, not until she's safe and sound and that monster is dead." He focused his efforts once more on the map, causing the three princesses to stare at one another with defeated expressions. Despite how Cadence loved Shining with all of her heart, she secretly hated how stubborn he could be. Didn't he realize that they all loved Twilight too and wished for nothing more than her to be home? Shining, please forgive me.

"Cadence, I've already told you that-..." With a gentle prod of her shimmering horn on his temple, Cadence magically caught Shining Armor as his eyes rolled back and he collapsed, deep in an enchanted sleep. She brushed his mane to the side and kissed his cheek, noticing how adorable he looked when he slept and was instantly hit with guilt over her action. He was in serious need of rest and would no doubt keel over from sleep deprivation. Cadence wasn't used to putting others to sleep but her husband needed her. Hopefully, when this was all over, he'd thank her for this but for now, she had a sister-in-law to rescue and time was of the essence.

"Now that he's asleep, let's try to figure this out. Aunt Luna, have you figured out a way to get into Twilight's dreams?"

"Nay. Whatever dark magic King Sombra is using is still negating my dream-walking abilities. He hast thought of everything: blocking my powers, placing a protective barrier around the Crystal Empire and corrupted the Crystal Heart's magic. Unfortunately, we art at that braggart's mercy methinks."

Princess Celestia patted Cadence's back reassuringly. "We'll figure something out. We always do." While Cadence levitating a snoring Shining Armor away, she sighed and stared down at the Crystal Empire model sorrowfully. She knew Sombra was fiendishly clever but never before had she felt so powerless. I only hope that for Twilight's sake that it won't be too late. Should anything happen to her, I'd never be able to forgive myself.

Author's Notes:

I don't think that the two are really siblings since Shining Armor looks nothing like Twilight nor their parents but that's just me.

Writing Luna's dialogue was a pain in the hindquarters but kind of fun.

I swear, the next chapter is the last one dealing with Twilight's circle of friends. We'll get back to her and Sombra very soon.