Shining Armor walked out of the mess hall. He had had to put up with Spitfire a full day so far and he was ready to pull every hair of his tail out. How would he survive a northern excursion?

"Hey! Wait up!"

Shining groaned inwardly as he stopped, allowing Spitfire to catch up. She trotted up to his side and they began walking towards the castle.

Spitfire smiled as she admired the spires of the castle. "Nice place isn't it? But it can't compare to a nice comfy cloud."

Shining glanced at her. "A comfy cloud?"

Spitfire chuckled. "Right. Unicorn. Trust me on this one. Whatever four poster bed Celestia sleeps in can't be nearly as comfortable as a fresh, white cloud. If you ever get the chance, take a nap on one. You won't regret it."

Shining smiled. This was the first time that Spitfire had something that wasn't annoying. He pictured himself lying on a cloud, napping. Could it really be that good?

A crash jolted Shining back to reality. The two ponies were stopped in front of the main office of the Guard. Shining turned towards the building. "What the hay?"

The office door opened as a pegasus backed out. "Sorry about that. I'll go find my bunk." The pegasus took off running and didn't look back.

Shining and Spitfire stared after the stallion. Shining shook his head. "Rookies."

Spitfire continued watching the pegasus. "He sure is cute though."

Shining rolled his eyes. "Do you have to hit on every stallion you see?"

Shining led the way into the office to see what had happened. What they found was a flood of paper covering the floor. An officer was slowly gathering the papers, sorting them as he went.

He looked up at Shining and Spitfire. "You can start by picking up that half of the-" The stallion paused as he spotted the insignia on Shining's uniform. "Oh...sorry lieutenant."

Shining smiled. "It's okay. What happened in here?"

The officer motioned around the room. "That clumsy pegasus. He's a new recruit and came in for his assignment. Next thing I know, the file cabinets have toppled over and my alphabetic system is in shambles."

Shining looked to Spitfire and nodded to the floor. They both began to pick up papers and hand them to the other officer for sorting. Shining was picking up around the desk when he noticed a folder sitting open. The picture clipped to the front of the file told him it was the same pegasus he had seen only minutes ago. He paused in his cleanup and read the front page.

NAME: Soarin

GENDER: Stallion (Pegasus)

NOTES: Third Application for Basic. Average intelligence. WP: 13.4

Shining didn't bother with the rest as it went into medical history and other nonsense that he could care less about. He looked over to Spitfire. "Hey. Come look at this." Spitfire put her pile of papers down and walked over to the desk. Shining pointed down at the file and she looked it over.

She let out a low whistle. "Third time trying for Basic? This stallion's crazy. Cute, but crazy."

Shining pointed to the notes. "13.4 wing power. He must be pretty fast." Spitfire nodded in agreement. At this point, shining had a thought. It was insane, but he had a good feeling about it. "Come on." They exited the office, paying no mind to the remaining officer. The officer hadn't even noticed them as he was so engulfed in his special system.

Shining led Spitfire back across the post. Spitfire sighed. "Where are we going?"

Shining looked at her and grinned. "To see your crush, Soarin." The look Spitfire gave him made him laugh.

Spitfire shook her head. "Why are we going to see the klutz?"

Shining continued to smile. "I think he might be good for our mission."

That made Spitfire stop in her tracks. "What?! Did you hit your head back in the office?"

Shining stopped and looked back at her. "I've got a good feeling about him. Besides, I am not going on a mission with nothing but mares."

Spitfire glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Shining rolled his eyes. "If it was just me and the princess, that would be fine. If it was me, the princess, and you, my sanity would hang by a thread. If it were me and three mares, I'll go crazy."

Spitfire muttered under her breath. "Sexist."

Shining slammed a hoof on the ground. "I am not! I've just been around too many silly mares in the past. I joined the Guard to serve my country and get away from distractions for a while."

Spitfire huffed a sigh and began walking. She paused next to Shining and looked at him. He did his best to ignore her flirtatious gaze. She smiled. "Don't tempt me Shining. I might take it as a challenge to break you." She winked and trotted off towards the barracks. Shining grimaced and turned to follow her.

They arrived at the barracks to find Soarin unpacking a small bag. Shining cleared his throat. Soarin looked up and stared wide-eyed at Shining and Spitfire. He straightened up and saluted. "Sorry. I didn't notice you there."

Shining saluted back while Spitfire gave off the sexiest smile she could. Soarin debated between standing at ease and melting like putty. "Can...can I do something with you...FOR YOU! That's what I meant. For you. Not with you. I wouldn't even no what to do with you-"

Shining held up a hoof and Soarin closed his mouth. Shining approached the stallion and held out a hoof. "Lieutenant Shining Armor. That's Lieutenant Spitfire."

Soarin looked at Spitfire again. "I knew I recognized you from somewhere! You're one of the best fliers for the Wonderbolts."

Spitfire smiled again. "I see my reputation follows me everywhere. You heard that, right Armor? One of the best?"

Shining sighed and turned Soarin's eyes away from the mare. "I'd like to see what you can do. Why don't you follow us to the training field."

Soarin looked surprised. "Okay."

Shining led the way to the training field. He made sure that he was walking between Soarin and Spitfire. When they arrived, Shining ordered Soarin to perform some basic maneuvers. Soarin began to go though the motions. It was apparent that he had gone through some training before. Spitfire asked him to show off his flight skills and Soarin obliged with a grin. Shining watched as the pegasus flew through the air with the grace of a bluebird and the speed of a hawk.

Spitfire glanced at Shining and nodded her approval. "Not bad. Could use some work, but still."

Shining nodded and called Soarin back. Soarin landed in front of them and shook out his wings.

Shining sat down. "This is your third time trying for the Royal Guard. Why?"

Soarin lowered his head in embarrassment. Spitfire put a hoof on his shoulder and he looked up. "I just want to be important, you know? I've done nothing with my life so far. I just thought I might be able to make something of myself in the Guard. But I never made it past day one because..."

Soarin trailed off and Spitfire patted his shoulder. "Because you're clumsy?"

Shining glared at her, but Soarin nodded. "Yeah. My hooves are used to clouds, not earth."

Shining smiled and stood up. "Soarin, I'd like to give you a chance to show you're Guard material. We've been looking for a third member of an escort for Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. How would you like to join us?"

Soarin's jaw dropped. "Me?! Escort a princess? I couldn't!"

Spitfire smiled. "We need the extra hooves and we can train you along the way."

Spitfire glanced at Shining and he nodded his approval. Perhaps all Soarin needed was a different approach to his training.

Soarin stood up straight and nodded. "If you think I'm good enough, I'll do it."

Shining shook his hoof. "Then lets go and introduce the princess to her new escort."

Shining Armor led the way through the east wing of the castle. He did his best to hide his nervousness from Spitfire and Soarin. He hadn't seen Cadence in years. She was a princess and he had been training as a guard. There was no reason for them to see each other. And he regretted not making a reason.

They reached a large door and Shining paused. He stared at the door for a few seconds.

Spitfire nudged him. "Are you going to knock or just hope she knows we're here?"

Shining lifted a hoof and knocked. The sound echoed through the hall. As he hit his hoof against the door the third time, the door began to open. He took a deep breath and led his team inside.

They were in a sitting room. It wasn't extravagant. Just a simple sitting room. Spitfire trotted over to a couch and laid back. Soarin just stood still looking around the room, eyes wide. Shining looked around as well except he was looking for something, or rather somepony, else. Whee was she?

"Hello Shining Armor."

The three ponies looked towards the doors. They began to close and Princess Cadence was revealed. She stepped forward with a smile. "So this is my escort? Impressive."

Spitfire and Soarin bowed to the princess, but shining just stood there. She was as beautiful as he remembered. Scratch that. She was more beautiful than before. "P-Princess." Shining lowered his head.

Cadence smiled. "I think we know each other well enough for you to call me Cadence."

Shining straightened up and returned the smile. Spitfire and Soarin stood up and stepped forward. Shining noticed the, out of the corner of his eye and remembered his place. "Uh...this is Spitfire and Soarin."

Soarin bowed his head while Spitfire smiled a Cadence. "So you know Shining Armor?"

Cadence glanced at Shining for a split second. "I foalsat his younger sister. We saw a lot of each other when we were younger." She saw how uncomfortable Shining looked and she winked at Spitfire. "We'll talk later." The two mares giggled and Shining forced himself to not scream.

Everypony got comfortable and a tray of sandwiches was brought in. Soarin grabbed three and began eating. The others each picked one. Shining swallowed his first bit and looked at Cadence. "So where will we be escorting you?"

Cadence took a few more bites of her sandwich before responding. "There was once a kingdom in the North. It was called the Crystal Empire. That's where I'm from."

Shining looked at her in confusion. "But you've been in Canterlot as long as I can remember."

Cadence nodded. "That's true. I've been here since I was very young. But I was born a thousand years ago in the Crystal Empire." The short all stared at the princess. She sighed. "Let me explain. A thousand years ago my empire was enslaved by a unicorn named Sombra. Celestia and Luna came to liberate us, but in defeating Sombra, he took the Crystal Empire with him. I was just a filly at the time. One minute I was in the palace, the next I was in the middle of nowhere."

Soarin stopped his eating for a moment. "You were left behind?"

Cadence shook her head. "That's what I thought. But when Celestia found me, she said it had been nearly a thousand years."

Shining nodded. "So you disappeared with the Empire, but came back again."

Cadence closed her eyes as a single tear formed. "I don't know why I came back, but I've been hopeful ever since that the Empire would return as well. Every year Celestia and I have gone north to see if it's reappeared."

Spitfire smiled in understanding. "So in Celestia's absence we are to go with you."

Cadence nodded. "We will be leaving in the morning. I thought it best that you know why we were making the trip."

Shining stood up and bowed his head. "Thank you for telling us. We'll go prepare for our departure."

The three ponies stood up and began to exit. Cadence stood up. "Shining."

Shining paused and looked back. Cadence beckoned him with a hoof. "May I have a word with you in private?"

Shining nodded to Spitfire and Soarin, letting them leave. He walked back over to Cadence. "Yes?"

She pulled him into a hug. "I'm glad you're the one coming with me on this. I need somepony to help me through this."

Shining pulled away. "Help you through this?"

Cadence let her tears come. "Every year I go. And every year my heart gets crushed even more. I fear I will never see my home again." She leaned against Shining's shoulder and cried. Shining held her close and silently cradled the princess....his friend....the mare he loved.

Shining Armor yawned as he stood in the main hall waiting for Cadence. He looked at Spitfire and Soarin to find them yawning as well. The sun would be up soon and they would be heading out. Hoofsteps announced Cadence's arrival. Shining looked up the staircase to see the princess standing at the top. She spread her wings and glided down to her escort.

As she landed, Cadence looked at each pony. "You're all tired."

Shining shook his head. "No, we all went to bed after meeting with you. I guess none of us are morning ponies, that's all."

Cadence smiled and walked towards the entrance. "Shall we then?"

The escort put on their saddlebags and followed after the princess. They stepped outside as the sun begn to peak over the mountains. Spitfire and Soarin bean talking to each other about aerial stunts . Shining had no interest in the subject and sped up his pace to match Cadence.

Cadence looked at him from the corner of her eye and smiled. "You've really changed since joining the guard."

Shining shrugged. "I don't think I've changed that much. I'm still the same stallion."

Cadence giggled. "If you were the same stallion, you'd be making fun of me for no reason."

Shining smiled. "Okay, so I've changed a little. And for the record, I only made fun of you for Twilight."

Cadence laughed. "Twilight?"

Shining nodded with a grin. "Don't tell me you've forgotten how happy she looked when she thought we liked each other?"

Cadence shook her head. "I remember. That filly was always trying to set us up."

They shared a laugh as the group walked down the main road.

Shining looked over his shoulder as he heard Spitfire begin to argue with Soarin. "Are you two going to be like this the whole trip?"

Soarin rolled his eyes. "I was just pointing out a flaw in her barrel roll technique."

Spitfire glared at the stallion. "And I was pointing out hat you're flat out wrong!"

Shining cleared his throat and the two pegasi froze, turning to him. Shining sighed. "From now on you can talk about anything except flying. It's obviously not common ground. Agreed?"

Spitfire nodded reluctantly and Soarin followed after. Shining smiled and returned to Cadence.

Cadence smiled as she looked at the stallion next to her. "You really have changed."

It had been decided that they would take the train to Galloping Gorge. Cadence preferred having some secrecy around the journey. Galloping Gorge had one of the only northern settlements and would look like more of a normal destination. From there they would go on hoof toward the Crystal Mountains.

The group arrived at the train station and sat down to wait. Cadence pulled out a cloak and threw it over her back, drawing the hood over her head.

Shining glanced at the princess. "Yeah. That doesn't draw attention."

Cadence winked at him. "You'd be surprised." Shining smiled and shook his head.

Spitfire leaned in towards Shining. "You two sure are friendly."

Shining rolled his eyes. He could guess what Spitfire wanted to know. "Yes. Because we're friends. Nothing more."

Spitfire looked unconvinced. "Keep telling yourself that. I'll just go back to my flying stallion over here." She turned back to Soarin and they began to talk again, both of them laughing every few seconds.

Shining wanted to give his retort, but he was stopped by a distant whistle. The train came into view, chugging towards the station. He stood up and walked towards the edge of the platform.

Cadence joined him and sighed. "It's time." Shining nodded. After last night he could easily understand her reluctance. He just hoped they would be successful and find the Empire.

The train came to a stop and ponies began to exit the cars. Cadence stepped on board with Shining right behind her. The group retired to a private car and settled in their seats. The train's whistle sounded a few minutes later and a sudden jerk announced the departure. Shining looked at Cadence and gave her a reassuring smile. She returned the smile and leaned back in her seat, shutting her eyes.

Shining looked out the window as Canterlot began to fall behind the train. He sighed. They had to find the Empire.

Shining was the first to step off the train. He looked around at the small town in front of him. They had finally arrived at Galloping Gorge and the last settlement before the Crystal Mountians. He stepped aside to allow Cadence and the rest of the group to get off. Spitfire and Soarin stretched their wings and took off. Shining glanced at Cadence. "I guess pegasi can't take being grounded for so long."

Cadence giggled. "If you had wings, would you like not being able to use them?"

Shining smiled. "If I had wings, we could have flown the whole way."

Cadence gave him a small shove and began walking away. "Yeah. You ground ponies take the fun out of everything."

Shining caught up to her and motioned to Spitfire. She and Soarin came in for a landing and followed after them. The group walked away from the train station.

The small town that sat next to Galloping Gorge could barely be qualified as a town. It consisted of a Main Street with three or four shops. Past those there was a small grouping of homes. Perhaps a dozen at most.

Shining noticed a fork and knife emblem hanging over one of the buildings. "Let's get something to eat." They walked to the eatery and entered.

Soarin nodded to Spitfire. "Why don't you and Princ- Cadence sit down. shining and I can get the food."

Spitfire looked at Cadence and smiled. "I'm good with that. We need a little mare talk anyways."

Shining wanted to object, since he knew that Spitfire wanted to talk about him, but he held his tongue. The mares walked off towards a table and he followed Soarin towards the bar.

Soarin took a seat at the bar and picked up a menu. He started licking his chops as he looked over the available meals. Shining motioned for the server, who walked over.

The server glanced from Shinng to Soarin. "Passing through?"

Shining nodded. "We're going on a trip to the Crystal Mountains."

The server seemed confused. "Why would you want to go there?"

Soarin, without looking up from the menu, responded. "Camping trip. We like to rough it every once in a while."

Shining smiled at the server. "We also got our mares along for the trip."

The server nodded. "Gotcha. So what'll you boys have?"

Soarin set the menu down and smiled. "Four suns, one with a sprig, and a keg of the Daily"

The server smiled. "You got it. I'll bring the food out in a few."

As the server walked away, Shining looked at Soarin. "What did you just order us?"

Soarin grinned. "Sunflower sandwiches and cider. Didn't I make that clear?"

Shining shook his head, producing a laugh from Soarin. Soarin calmed down as his eyes fell on the corner table. Shining followed his gaze to see Spitfire and Cadence whispering to each other. Shining groaned and put his head against the bar.

Soarin chuckled. "You've got your hooves full with those two. I wish I could land two mares at once. What's your secret?"

Shining looked up at the stallion. "I didn't plan on either of them. And there's no secret. I got nothing on Spitfire. And Cadence..."

Soarin nodded. "I get it. Hard to explain. So you've really known her since you were younger?"

Shining lifted his head up. "Yep. She would always tease me for wanting to be a guard. Thought it was too serious of a job for somepony like me."

Soarin put on a look of disbelief. "Are you saying that you, Lieutenant, actually used to be...fun?"

Shining rolled his eyes. "I was a teenager. I grew out of it, I joined the guard, Cadence took on her official role, and that's that."

Soarin shook his head. "From what I've seen so far on this trip it certainly hasn't been that."

Shining glared at him for a moment before sighing. "I don't know what I'm doing. Why did I accept this assignment?"

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

"It's obvious that he's protective of you."

Cadence did her best to hide her red face, but Spitfire had hit it on the button. Spitfire continued. "I do admit I'm not surprised since you two were friends when you were younger. He's hiding his feelings"

Cadence looked at Spitfire. "He's a sweetheart. But he's being protective because he's been assigned to protect me."

Spitfire gave her a smug look. "If you believe that, you're just as love struck as he is."

Before Cadence could retort, Shining and Soarin approached with their food. Shining smiled at her and she smiled back. Spitfire poked Cadence under the table and Cadence swatted her hoof away.

Soarin set his platter down. "Enjoy! Not that one with the green though. That's mine."

Spitfire smiled. "Oh really?" She tried to swipe Soarin's sandwich and he blocked her with his wing. Spitfire looked up at him through narrowed eyes. "You're fast."

Soarin winked. "Faster than you at least."

The two pegasi began arguing the point while Shining and Cadence were content with watching from the sidelines. Shining looked at Cadence and rolled his eyes. She nodded in agreement.

Cadence thought it funny that Spitfire didn't seem to notice that Soarin and her had been flirting back and forth since the journey had begun. Had Shining noticed? Probably not. He was a soldier. He didn't focus on love.... Or did he? She thought back over the past few days as she had been reintroduced to her childhood friend, a colt who had since grown into a fine, handsome stallion. He certainly seemed to enjoy being with her. And she enjoyed it too.

Cadence couldn't deny that she had always had a crush on him since they were younger. Foalsitting Twilight had been one of the greatest experiences of her life. Having Shining Armor hanging around was an added bonus. He had acted so indifferent, but Cadence knew he was hiding his feelings. Twilight had been all too happy to tell her about how Shining had a crush on her too. But neither one of them had done anything about it. Cadence regretted that now.

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

Shining glanced at Cadence out of the corner of his eye. What was she thinking about? Whatever it was, she kept glancing at him every few seconds. He wondered if she was thinking about him. Possibly.....in a good way? A smile crept to his face. He had always liked Cadence from the first moment he saw her. Having her foalsat Twilight had been an added bonus to his life. He wondered if she had ever caught on that he liked her. It was silly to think about now though. He was a Royal Guard. She was a princess. And yet... She kept glancing at him.

Their eyes met for a split second. They both smiled.

"Are you to ready to go yet?"

Shining's attention snapped to Spitfire and Soarin. Spitfire was waiting for her answer. Soarin was winking at Shining. Shining cleared his throat. "Yeah. We'd better pick up some supplies and head out." He turned to Cadence. "Are you ready?"

Cadence nodded. "Lead the way."

Shining nodded and stood up. He placed some bits on the table and looked over at the server. "Thanks for the food." The server nodded and the group left.