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MLP: Shammy's First Date
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Literature Text
A lovely afternoon sun shines down upon the Kingdom Island of Tambelon; Princess Celestia must be in a very good mood to give such a beautiful ray of light to all that live on the home where her former student-turned-princess rules...along with her husband.
Everypony is out and about this fine day, but among the crowd of ponies and other fine creatures that walk about the streets of Tambelon City, a hooded figure strolls on down the sidewalk...with his head and body covered in a fine, white cloak; Hiding his face and his wings apparently it seems...though the horn on his head is partially visible.
After walking for almost ten to twenty minutes, the brown coated stallion in white takes a turn to the right and passes by the front gates and lead to a fancy mansion just a short stroll up the hill. Upon standing on the "Welcome" mat before the front double door, the pony in the white cloak and hood rings the doorbell...and awaits for somepony to answer.
After no more than twenty-two seconds later, the doors open and the owners of this great estate stand before the mysterious pony...who removes his hood to show his face to those who are his family:
"Courageous!!" Grace and Tap Step, the foster parents of the young Prince of Tambelon, embrace their precious son.
"Hi Mom! Hi Dad!" The non-magical horned pegasus returns the hug with his own, happy to see the ones who gave him a home when he first arrived in Equestria years ago.
"We are so happy to see you, my son." Tap pats the back of his proud son, and is a little curious to the cloak he dawns, "Tell me, is there a reason why you showed up wearing just a hood?"
"Well...." Courageous Heart, the Prince of Courage, gives a mere shrug to that question before answering, "Let's just say that it seemed a little pointless to ride here in the royal carriage all dressed up, just to pay my family a short visit. The other way seems to attract a lot of attention...and while Twilight be alright with that, I prefer to avoid it and not parade around as Royalty as much as she or the other alicorn princess do."
"We understand, sweetie." Grace agrees with all that ray of attention...that can be tiring. She then moves to the side and holds out her hoof, "Would you like to come inside and chat, Courageous? We can prepare some tea for this little visit~"
"I would love that," Courageous accepts his parent's generous offer, and walks on inside their mansion...closing the double doors behind him.
*********************************************
Everypony is out and about this fine day, but among the crowd of ponies and other fine creatures that walk about the streets of Tambelon City, a hooded figure strolls on down the sidewalk...with his head and body covered in a fine, white cloak; Hiding his face and his wings apparently it seems...though the horn on his head is partially visible.
After walking for almost ten to twenty minutes, the brown coated stallion in white takes a turn to the right and passes by the front gates and lead to a fancy mansion just a short stroll up the hill. Upon standing on the "Welcome" mat before the front double door, the pony in the white cloak and hood rings the doorbell...and awaits for somepony to answer.
After no more than twenty-two seconds later, the doors open and the owners of this great estate stand before the mysterious pony...who removes his hood to show his face to those who are his family:
"Courageous!!" Grace and Tap Step, the foster parents of the young Prince of Tambelon, embrace their precious son.
"Hi Mom! Hi Dad!" The non-magical horned pegasus returns the hug with his own, happy to see the ones who gave him a home when he first arrived in Equestria years ago.
"We are so happy to see you, my son." Tap pats the back of his proud son, and is a little curious to the cloak he dawns, "Tell me, is there a reason why you showed up wearing just a hood?"
"Well...." Courageous Heart, the Prince of Courage, gives a mere shrug to that question before answering, "Let's just say that it seemed a little pointless to ride here in the royal carriage all dressed up, just to pay my family a short visit. The other way seems to attract a lot of attention...and while Twilight be alright with that, I prefer to avoid it and not parade around as Royalty as much as she or the other alicorn princess do."
"We understand, sweetie." Grace agrees with all that ray of attention...that can be tiring. She then moves to the side and holds out her hoof, "Would you like to come inside and chat, Courageous? We can prepare some tea for this little visit~"
"I would love that," Courageous accepts his parent's generous offer, and walks on inside their mansion...closing the double doors behind him.
*********************************************
"So...how is the family been doing, son?" Tap Step asks a friendly question as he sits by his wife's side on the couch, sipping fresh apple tea...while his son sits across from them on the other fancy couch within their living room.
"Starlight is doing just fine: Attending school and her CMC Scout meetings...and of course, spending time with her best friends," Courageous Heart gives a warm smile to how he describes all the wondrous moments his precious daughter continues to enjoy.
"That is wonderful! Hmm...what about Twilight, sweetie? How is our little daughter-in-law doing...and our soon-to-be-born grandson?" Grace anxiously asks her son, hoping all is well with both of them back at the palace.
"Or granddaughter~" Tap informs his wife with a chuckle, since they are all unsure if it will be another filly, or a colt this time.
"Oh, Twilight is doing well...as is our little one~" Courageous blushes at the thoughts of having another baby, and cannot wait for the day when he, or she, arrives. "You could say everything is going well...and that Twilight "allowed" me to leave the palace and pay you both a visit."
Tap nods his head at that splendid opportunity that has led his son to visit, but Grace on the other hoof can see right passed her son hiding something, "Tell me what is really going on, Courageous." Grace asks for the truth, knowing there is little that can escape her.
With a great sigh, the young Prince of Courage reveals something he hoped not to mention, "Well...let's just say Twilight is going through the same stages when she was pregnant with Starlight: Wanting to eat hayburgers or whatever she craves constantly, getting angry at me for no reasons...which leads her to use her magic on me; She turned me into a few animals just to blow off some steam...."
Tap's eyes widen and he gulps, recalling the days his own wife went through something like that when she was pregnant with their daughter Shammy. "Yeah...I know what you mean: Mares can be scary sometimes...."
The little white ears of the middle-aged mare sitting next to the stallion perk up, and Grace turns her eyes to the Tap...raising an eyebrow to what he just said.
"...BUT...they are still beautiful you should always be there for the ones you love~" Tap saves himself by adding that last part just in time, sweating a little at the look his wife is giving him. He smiles back nervously....hoping she accepts his little saver.
With that wonderful and sweet finish, Grace leans up and kisses the cheek of her beloved husband...showing her everlasting love for him. With one last smile to her stallion, the mother of the young prince turns her attention back to her son, "Don't worry so much about it, dear. Twilight will be out of that phase soon enough. But for now, cater to her wishes...so that she will always be happy, even when she is more hungry than usual."
Courageous chuckles and does admit that it was a little funny seeing Twilight eat so much while turning him into different animals...which made Starlight fall over laughing hard. "Yeah...I mean I love my wife so much, and am looking forward to this new foal...but if only it would come sooner so I can avoid anymore changes to my appearance...before she turns me into something else."
Both Tap and Grace laugh at that, and reassure their son that all will be well. Once the laughing comes to an end, the family return to their tea...and enjoy what time they have before the Prince of Courage must return to comfort his wife.
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm home!!~~" A sweet voice announces as she enters the room...who is none other than-
"Welcome home, Shammy dear~" Grace stands and hugs her teenage daughter, whom she still cannot believe is already a full grown mare and a high school graduate as well. To this proud mother, time does fly and little fillies sure grow up fast.
"Glad to have you home, Shammy," Tap giggles at the sight of his beautiful daughter that he is so proud to have raised into what she is today, "Guess who decided to pay us a visit~"
The moment the lovely green coated mare lays her blue eyes on the handsome stallion whom she loves like a brother, who in fact IS her brother, she gallops on over to him and tackles him with a great, big hug, "COURAGEOUS!!!!"
Blushing from the sudden approach and embrace of his little sister, Courageous Heart hugs Shammy in return, "It is so good to see you again, little sister."
"Same here, Big Brother!!" The little mare giggles and snuggles close to him for a moment, showing how much she misses the one stallion who has always looked after her and been there for her, other than her father of course. "I am so happy you are here! I have some big news for you and everypony!"
"Oh...what is that?" Courageous asks as the hug comes to a sweet end...only for something sweeter to reach the nose of the young prince. It smells very nice and seems to be coming from the coat of his little sister, "What is that wonderful scent? Are you...wearing perfume, Shammy?"
"Why...yes I am~" She giggle and turns herself around in a circle, and poses at the end, "So glad you noticed. Tell me, do I look more like a mare in your eye, big brother...and no longer a little filly?"
With a proud smile on his face, Courageous gives a nod of his head, "Of course you do, Shammy. You look beautiful and are a mare in my eyes...as in the eyes of us all."
"Awwww...thank you, big brother~" Shammy smiles sweetly at the stallion she loves and admires, then turns to her parents to give the good news, "Now, back to the news: You'll never believe it but...Slick Style asked me out on a date!!"
With a but gasp that shows both surprise and excitement, Tap and Grace feel excited to here this; These proud parents are so happy to hear of their little mare being asked out by the stallion she has always talked about for so long a time, "Oh my gosh! That is so wonderful, sweetie!" Grace approves and congratulates.
"We are so happy for you, Shammy!" Tap admits for his precious daughter.
But all while the parents are happy...the brown stallion standing before his parents and sister seems to be the only one who is in a state of confusion more than excitement.
"A...date?!" Courageous blurts out, bringing the moment his family is having to an end, "You are going out on a date...with...who again?!"
Noticing the tone of his voice, which shows shock and confusion, Shammy turns to her brother and tries to calm him, "Easy, Courageous. His name is Slick Style...and he asked me out on a date tomorrow evening."
"I...see..." Courageous nods his head, but still feels confused and with less knowledge of this certain stallion who will be dating his little sister.
Shammy sighs from the expression she notices on her brother's face, and decides to go further into details, "He was my high school crush for the last two years, and while he never noticed me, I kept my eyes on Slick Style for some time. Eventually, we bumped into each other this summer and we spent time together; Just chatting and eating at a cafe or two. He seems so interested in me and wanted to ask me out...and I SAID YES!!!~~"
"O...kay," Courageous feels a little better, but not satisfied, "Still...knowing this earlier would have been nice."
"Knowing what? That he was my crush and that were have been hanging out for a while now?" Shammy finds what her brother mentions is a bit prying into her own life, "Well, I didn't think it was a big deal to inform you about; I mean, I don't ask you about EVERYTHING that goes on in your life, Courageous! I thought you would be happy for me to have a special somepony in my life...as you have Twilight in yours!"
Courageous feels that an argument and/or a fight may soon spark up, and knowing that is the last thing he wants, the stallion tries to calm his slightly upset sister down, "You're right, I'm sorry. Its just...I guess I want to know if he seems alright in my eyes, and at least meet him."
"You can meet him if you want...tomorrow or sometime after our date," Shammy mentions, "But for now, I need to go and get ready; I need to send a note to Sweetie Belle since she wants to give me a make-over for the date~"
Courageous Heart admits that he never would imagine his little sister to grow from a filly to a mare in such a short time. But now that she is about to go out on her first date, makes him a little uneasy. But to avoid causing problems with Shammy, the big brother fakes a smile and will support her through this...for now.
*************************************************
"I'm telling you, Twilight...I just don't like it...." Courageous admits to his wife, while they both stand on the balcony of the tallest tower...with the stallion looking through the telescope that can see all of Tambelon from this high up.
"What is there not to like, Courageous...?" Twilight rolls her eyes to what her husband is feeling, "I mean, it is not a big deal: Shammy is at that age to date. So was I when I was her age."
"But...you never went out on any dates except with me, Twilight?"
"I know! I was too hooked into reading and learning spells to worry about dating...at least until I met you..." Twilight explains, with some to reveal shortly after, "...but what I am trying to say is that with us mares, its a little different when it comes to crushes and stuff. I mean if Shammy didn't feel like revealing everything to us, especially you, maybe it is because she was a little nervous."
"Nervous? Why?"
"Well...maybe from the reaction you had when she brought it up? I mean, big brothers are like that; I should know since I have one myself." Twilight reminds her husband of her protective big brother, Shining Armor, "I mean, I never told Shining Armor BEFORE our first date...knowing he might react a little to it."
"Why would he do that?! I thought he trusted me and-"
"Like I said: It is a big brother thing!" Twilight snaps, and rubs her belly, "Sorry...but that is just the way of it: The older sibling looking out for the younger...which sometimes leads to prying and the latter wanting to keep some secrets from the older one. It is just the way it is...and no doubt what is going on with you and Shammy is evidence of just that."
"Yeah...I guess you are right...." Courageous admits from what he hears, finally stepping away from the telescope to comfort his pregnant wife.
"All Shammy wants is your approval of the one she is dating...or will date tomorrow."
"I do approve. Its just...I want to meet this Slick Style and see how he is; Make sure he will treat my sister well. That's all...." Courageous confesses to his wife, showing that he cares for his little sister.
"Now that is the "big brother" part of you speaking...and it is so sweet~" Twilight admits, admiring how her own big brother was like that around Courageous...a little, "But don't worry. We will get to meet her date sometime soon, and we can see how he is and all. I promise."
Courageous gives his beloved Twilight a warm smile and kisses her cheek, "You are always right, my love...even in times like these. I love you so much."
"And I love you, my handsome stallion~" The loving alicorn princess blushes and nuzzles the cheek of her husband, "Now...what say we head on inside and read a little in the library before bedtime?"
"Sounds like a wonderful idea...so long as it doesn't involve turning me into animals again~"
Twilight giggles to that, and recalls the past few days of her blowing off steam by casting spells on her husband. Although it works and helps her laugh, the pregnant Princess of Friendship is unsure of what may happen this time, "No promises, but I will keep it simple if i must~"
With that, Courageous gently escorts his beloved alicorn back inside to where the library awaits them both. However, before doing that, the prince turns his head and takes one last look at the city below him...and worries still about his sister and her unknown date. "I do trust you Shammy...but I want to know now who this stallion is...and if he is all you say he is...."
"Ugh...how much longer do I have to sit like this, Sweetie Belle?" The fussy green mare complains to her best friend, having to sit still in front of the mirror with her eyes closed.
"Oh hush, Shammy. Makeovers take time. Since you are my best friend, you deserve the best there is~" The lovely white unicorn replies in a sweet tone to the other unicorn before her, "I know my sister have a talent for this, but since she did mine and I learned so much from her, you can trust me to help make you beautiful for your date. Well, more beautiful than you already are~"
"Awww...thank you, Sweetie." Shammy blushes and feels so excited for her date...that is bound to show up in the next hour.
"Alright...now sit still and let me work my magic on you~" Sweetie sings sweetly, applying the correct makeup to Shammy's eyelids, lips, eyelashes, face, and even her hooves...wanting to make her look as fabulous as she.
"By Celestia and the Light of Harmony, what is taking them so long?!!!" The one called Scootaloo complains as she waits outside the bedroom of Shammy, leaning against the wall all slouched, "Does this really happen when mares get makeovers...?" Saying those words cause her to gag a little.
"Aww, come on...let Sweetie Belle do her work on our best friend. After all, dis is HER date, not yours." Applebloom informs her friend, while trying to stay positive...despite being bored out of her mind.
"Trust me, if I ever find the stallion of my dreams...leave the makeovers out of it. I don't need to be all girly to impress anypony!" Scootaloo snickers with pride in her voice, "After all, my big sister and I are awesome and pretty just the way we are~"
"But...Rainbow Dash wears makeup now...."
"No she doesn't! Well...maybe some eyeliner at times, but nothing else!" Scootaloo defends her big sister and her coolness...while wondering if she should try the same stuff Rainbow does.
"Yeah yeah...." Applebloom rolls her eyes...just as the bedroom door opens and the Mare of the Hour appears before them.
Applebloom and Scootaloo are in awe to seeing their dearest green friend all prettied up for the date: Her mane is curled and shines like a star; She smells like a garden of freshly grown roses; Shammy even has on some earrings and the same sapphire necklace that her brother gave to her when she was but a filly.
"Gosh Shammy...ya look...." Applebloom can barely find the right words to describe this.
"You look 20% Prettier!!!!" Scootaloo praises her best friend, loving how the color of the necklace matches the color of Shammy's eyes and eyeshadow.
"T-Thank you, guys...and thank you too, Sweetie Belle," Shammy's little green cheeks turn red to her friend's approval and admiration of her new looks...that this young mare might just stick with from now on.
"You are welcome, Shammy~" Sweetie appreciates the expression of gratitude, and pats her friend gently on the back, "Now let us put on the final touches before your date arrives~"
With a warm smile, Shammy Step goes back into her room with Sweetie Belle...ready to receive the final stages of her makeover for her date, leaving Scoots and Bloom to wait once more.
****************************************
The carriage arrives at the front of what is considered to be one of the fanciest, but not-so-expensive, restaurants in all of Tambelon: The Griffin Gazpacho...which is known for its many delicious soups, served hot or cold and with any special ingredients that bring a delightful taste to the customer's mouths.
With the valet griffin opening the carriage door for the couple within, he bows his head and gives them the official greetings: "Welcome to the Griffin Gazpacho!"
"Thank you so much," Slick and Shammy express their gratitude and walk on into the restaurant, side by side.
"Here is your table, Monsieur and Madam~" The griffin waiter guides the two ponies to their round table with two seats on two either end.
Slick Style smiles and helps his beautiful date into her chair, pushing it into the table as gently as possible, "There you go~"
"Such a gentlecolt~" Shammy giggles to the kind gesture while she sits up straight in her chair upon her handsome date pushing her into a bit closer to the table.
"Anything for you~" Slick replies with a flirtatious grin, then sits himself down across from his lovely date...whom he hopes to make his marefriend after this.
"Shall we start you off with an appetizer?" The waiters asks of the lovely couple sitting at their table, "We have a few soups of mixed vegetables, rice, and even hay soup~"
"What sounds good to you, Shammy?" Slick asks of his date, wondering if she might pick something he likes the same.
"I think...hay soup sounds the best~"
"No way! That's my favorite!!"
The two couple giggle at the other's love of hay soup, and the waiter walks off with a smile...knowing that is what they have ordered based upon their reactions. But before the griffin returns to the back to give the order to the chief, he makes a quick stop at the table over yonder...ready to order from the cloaked pony sitting there alone.
****************************************
"Starlight is doing just fine: Attending school and her CMC Scout meetings...and of course, spending time with her best friends," Courageous Heart gives a warm smile to how he describes all the wondrous moments his precious daughter continues to enjoy.
"That is wonderful! Hmm...what about Twilight, sweetie? How is our little daughter-in-law doing...and our soon-to-be-born grandson?" Grace anxiously asks her son, hoping all is well with both of them back at the palace.
"Or granddaughter~" Tap informs his wife with a chuckle, since they are all unsure if it will be another filly, or a colt this time.
"Oh, Twilight is doing well...as is our little one~" Courageous blushes at the thoughts of having another baby, and cannot wait for the day when he, or she, arrives. "You could say everything is going well...and that Twilight "allowed" me to leave the palace and pay you both a visit."
Tap nods his head at that splendid opportunity that has led his son to visit, but Grace on the other hoof can see right passed her son hiding something, "Tell me what is really going on, Courageous." Grace asks for the truth, knowing there is little that can escape her.
With a great sigh, the young Prince of Courage reveals something he hoped not to mention, "Well...let's just say Twilight is going through the same stages when she was pregnant with Starlight: Wanting to eat hayburgers or whatever she craves constantly, getting angry at me for no reasons...which leads her to use her magic on me; She turned me into a few animals just to blow off some steam...."
Tap's eyes widen and he gulps, recalling the days his own wife went through something like that when she was pregnant with their daughter Shammy. "Yeah...I know what you mean: Mares can be scary sometimes...."
The little white ears of the middle-aged mare sitting next to the stallion perk up, and Grace turns her eyes to the Tap...raising an eyebrow to what he just said.
"...BUT...they are still beautiful you should always be there for the ones you love~" Tap saves himself by adding that last part just in time, sweating a little at the look his wife is giving him. He smiles back nervously....hoping she accepts his little saver.
With that wonderful and sweet finish, Grace leans up and kisses the cheek of her beloved husband...showing her everlasting love for him. With one last smile to her stallion, the mother of the young prince turns her attention back to her son, "Don't worry so much about it, dear. Twilight will be out of that phase soon enough. But for now, cater to her wishes...so that she will always be happy, even when she is more hungry than usual."
Courageous chuckles and does admit that it was a little funny seeing Twilight eat so much while turning him into different animals...which made Starlight fall over laughing hard. "Yeah...I mean I love my wife so much, and am looking forward to this new foal...but if only it would come sooner so I can avoid anymore changes to my appearance...before she turns me into something else."
Both Tap and Grace laugh at that, and reassure their son that all will be well. Once the laughing comes to an end, the family return to their tea...and enjoy what time they have before the Prince of Courage must return to comfort his wife.
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm home!!~~" A sweet voice announces as she enters the room...who is none other than-
"Welcome home, Shammy dear~" Grace stands and hugs her teenage daughter, whom she still cannot believe is already a full grown mare and a high school graduate as well. To this proud mother, time does fly and little fillies sure grow up fast.
"Glad to have you home, Shammy," Tap giggles at the sight of his beautiful daughter that he is so proud to have raised into what she is today, "Guess who decided to pay us a visit~"
The moment the lovely green coated mare lays her blue eyes on the handsome stallion whom she loves like a brother, who in fact IS her brother, she gallops on over to him and tackles him with a great, big hug, "COURAGEOUS!!!!"
Blushing from the sudden approach and embrace of his little sister, Courageous Heart hugs Shammy in return, "It is so good to see you again, little sister."
"Same here, Big Brother!!" The little mare giggles and snuggles close to him for a moment, showing how much she misses the one stallion who has always looked after her and been there for her, other than her father of course. "I am so happy you are here! I have some big news for you and everypony!"
"Oh...what is that?" Courageous asks as the hug comes to a sweet end...only for something sweeter to reach the nose of the young prince. It smells very nice and seems to be coming from the coat of his little sister, "What is that wonderful scent? Are you...wearing perfume, Shammy?"
"Why...yes I am~" She giggle and turns herself around in a circle, and poses at the end, "So glad you noticed. Tell me, do I look more like a mare in your eye, big brother...and no longer a little filly?"
With a proud smile on his face, Courageous gives a nod of his head, "Of course you do, Shammy. You look beautiful and are a mare in my eyes...as in the eyes of us all."
"Awwww...thank you, big brother~" Shammy smiles sweetly at the stallion she loves and admires, then turns to her parents to give the good news, "Now, back to the news: You'll never believe it but...Slick Style asked me out on a date!!"
With a but gasp that shows both surprise and excitement, Tap and Grace feel excited to here this; These proud parents are so happy to hear of their little mare being asked out by the stallion she has always talked about for so long a time, "Oh my gosh! That is so wonderful, sweetie!" Grace approves and congratulates.
"We are so happy for you, Shammy!" Tap admits for his precious daughter.
But all while the parents are happy...the brown stallion standing before his parents and sister seems to be the only one who is in a state of confusion more than excitement.
"A...date?!" Courageous blurts out, bringing the moment his family is having to an end, "You are going out on a date...with...who again?!"
Noticing the tone of his voice, which shows shock and confusion, Shammy turns to her brother and tries to calm him, "Easy, Courageous. His name is Slick Style...and he asked me out on a date tomorrow evening."
"I...see..." Courageous nods his head, but still feels confused and with less knowledge of this certain stallion who will be dating his little sister.
Shammy sighs from the expression she notices on her brother's face, and decides to go further into details, "He was my high school crush for the last two years, and while he never noticed me, I kept my eyes on Slick Style for some time. Eventually, we bumped into each other this summer and we spent time together; Just chatting and eating at a cafe or two. He seems so interested in me and wanted to ask me out...and I SAID YES!!!~~"
"O...kay," Courageous feels a little better, but not satisfied, "Still...knowing this earlier would have been nice."
"Knowing what? That he was my crush and that were have been hanging out for a while now?" Shammy finds what her brother mentions is a bit prying into her own life, "Well, I didn't think it was a big deal to inform you about; I mean, I don't ask you about EVERYTHING that goes on in your life, Courageous! I thought you would be happy for me to have a special somepony in my life...as you have Twilight in yours!"
Courageous feels that an argument and/or a fight may soon spark up, and knowing that is the last thing he wants, the stallion tries to calm his slightly upset sister down, "You're right, I'm sorry. Its just...I guess I want to know if he seems alright in my eyes, and at least meet him."
"You can meet him if you want...tomorrow or sometime after our date," Shammy mentions, "But for now, I need to go and get ready; I need to send a note to Sweetie Belle since she wants to give me a make-over for the date~"
Courageous Heart admits that he never would imagine his little sister to grow from a filly to a mare in such a short time. But now that she is about to go out on her first date, makes him a little uneasy. But to avoid causing problems with Shammy, the big brother fakes a smile and will support her through this...for now.
*************************************************
Later That Evening....
"I'm telling you, Twilight...I just don't like it...." Courageous admits to his wife, while they both stand on the balcony of the tallest tower...with the stallion looking through the telescope that can see all of Tambelon from this high up.
"What is there not to like, Courageous...?" Twilight rolls her eyes to what her husband is feeling, "I mean, it is not a big deal: Shammy is at that age to date. So was I when I was her age."
"But...you never went out on any dates except with me, Twilight?"
"I know! I was too hooked into reading and learning spells to worry about dating...at least until I met you..." Twilight explains, with some to reveal shortly after, "...but what I am trying to say is that with us mares, its a little different when it comes to crushes and stuff. I mean if Shammy didn't feel like revealing everything to us, especially you, maybe it is because she was a little nervous."
"Nervous? Why?"
"Well...maybe from the reaction you had when she brought it up? I mean, big brothers are like that; I should know since I have one myself." Twilight reminds her husband of her protective big brother, Shining Armor, "I mean, I never told Shining Armor BEFORE our first date...knowing he might react a little to it."
"Why would he do that?! I thought he trusted me and-"
"Like I said: It is a big brother thing!" Twilight snaps, and rubs her belly, "Sorry...but that is just the way of it: The older sibling looking out for the younger...which sometimes leads to prying and the latter wanting to keep some secrets from the older one. It is just the way it is...and no doubt what is going on with you and Shammy is evidence of just that."
"Yeah...I guess you are right...." Courageous admits from what he hears, finally stepping away from the telescope to comfort his pregnant wife.
"All Shammy wants is your approval of the one she is dating...or will date tomorrow."
"I do approve. Its just...I want to meet this Slick Style and see how he is; Make sure he will treat my sister well. That's all...." Courageous confesses to his wife, showing that he cares for his little sister.
"Now that is the "big brother" part of you speaking...and it is so sweet~" Twilight admits, admiring how her own big brother was like that around Courageous...a little, "But don't worry. We will get to meet her date sometime soon, and we can see how he is and all. I promise."
Courageous gives his beloved Twilight a warm smile and kisses her cheek, "You are always right, my love...even in times like these. I love you so much."
"And I love you, my handsome stallion~" The loving alicorn princess blushes and nuzzles the cheek of her husband, "Now...what say we head on inside and read a little in the library before bedtime?"
"Sounds like a wonderful idea...so long as it doesn't involve turning me into animals again~"
Twilight giggles to that, and recalls the past few days of her blowing off steam by casting spells on her husband. Although it works and helps her laugh, the pregnant Princess of Friendship is unsure of what may happen this time, "No promises, but I will keep it simple if i must~"
With that, Courageous gently escorts his beloved alicorn back inside to where the library awaits them both. However, before doing that, the prince turns his head and takes one last look at the city below him...and worries still about his sister and her unknown date. "I do trust you Shammy...but I want to know now who this stallion is...and if he is all you say he is...."
*********************************************
The Following Evening....
"Ugh...how much longer do I have to sit like this, Sweetie Belle?" The fussy green mare complains to her best friend, having to sit still in front of the mirror with her eyes closed.
"Oh hush, Shammy. Makeovers take time. Since you are my best friend, you deserve the best there is~" The lovely white unicorn replies in a sweet tone to the other unicorn before her, "I know my sister have a talent for this, but since she did mine and I learned so much from her, you can trust me to help make you beautiful for your date. Well, more beautiful than you already are~"
"Awww...thank you, Sweetie." Shammy blushes and feels so excited for her date...that is bound to show up in the next hour.
"Alright...now sit still and let me work my magic on you~" Sweetie sings sweetly, applying the correct makeup to Shammy's eyelids, lips, eyelashes, face, and even her hooves...wanting to make her look as fabulous as she.
"By Celestia and the Light of Harmony, what is taking them so long?!!!" The one called Scootaloo complains as she waits outside the bedroom of Shammy, leaning against the wall all slouched, "Does this really happen when mares get makeovers...?" Saying those words cause her to gag a little.
"Aww, come on...let Sweetie Belle do her work on our best friend. After all, dis is HER date, not yours." Applebloom informs her friend, while trying to stay positive...despite being bored out of her mind.
"Trust me, if I ever find the stallion of my dreams...leave the makeovers out of it. I don't need to be all girly to impress anypony!" Scootaloo snickers with pride in her voice, "After all, my big sister and I are awesome and pretty just the way we are~"
"But...Rainbow Dash wears makeup now...."
"No she doesn't! Well...maybe some eyeliner at times, but nothing else!" Scootaloo defends her big sister and her coolness...while wondering if she should try the same stuff Rainbow does.
"Yeah yeah...." Applebloom rolls her eyes...just as the bedroom door opens and the Mare of the Hour appears before them.
Applebloom and Scootaloo are in awe to seeing their dearest green friend all prettied up for the date: Her mane is curled and shines like a star; She smells like a garden of freshly grown roses; Shammy even has on some earrings and the same sapphire necklace that her brother gave to her when she was but a filly.
"Gosh Shammy...ya look...." Applebloom can barely find the right words to describe this.
"You look 20% Prettier!!!!" Scootaloo praises her best friend, loving how the color of the necklace matches the color of Shammy's eyes and eyeshadow.
"T-Thank you, guys...and thank you too, Sweetie Belle," Shammy's little green cheeks turn red to her friend's approval and admiration of her new looks...that this young mare might just stick with from now on.
"You are welcome, Shammy~" Sweetie appreciates the expression of gratitude, and pats her friend gently on the back, "Now let us put on the final touches before your date arrives~"
With a warm smile, Shammy Step goes back into her room with Sweetie Belle...ready to receive the final stages of her makeover for her date, leaving Scoots and Bloom to wait once more.
****************************************
The doorbell to the Step Manor rings, and standing on the outside is none other than Slick Style, one of the popular ponies from Tambelon High School...before both he and Shammy graduated of course. With his slick onyx mane all combed and brushed, his blue coat all groomed and cleaned, as well as the roses he brings, this lucky pegasus is ready for his date.
Just then, the front doors open...and standing within the doorway is the lovely Shammy Step, all prettied up and ready for her date.
Wow...." Slick's jaw drops in awe to the beautiful unicorn before him. With her lovely mane, sweet smile, and wonderful scent make him blush all about, the pegasus stallion quickly remembers his gift, "For you, my little pony~"
"Awww...you are so sweet~" Shammy magically levitates the flowers to her nose and sniffs them, loving how they smell just like she does, "You are on time, Slick. You really know how to not keep a girl waiting~"
"Anything for you, Shammy~" The flirtatious stallion coos his date.
"Oh Shammy! He is so handsome!~" Grace arrives all of a sudden, carrying a camera with her magic, "Smile!~"
Shammy feels embarrassed by this, but smiles for her parents...standing close to Slick while he smiles too. With but a pop of the flash, the couple have now had their first picture together.
"So cute~" Grace admires her daughter with her first date and hopefully the one who will be her very special somepony, "Now, would you like to come on in for some tea-"
"Maybe another time, Mommy~" Grace grins big and shuts the front doors, cutting off her mother from embarrassing her further, "Sorry about that. My mother can be like that sometimes: Wanting to take pictures and talk for each and every little thing that goes on in my life."
"That's alright, Shammy. I was hoping to meet your family...but if they are not ready, then another time." Slick reassures his beautiful date and offers her his wing for his date, "Shall we?~"
Giggling to the gentlecolt gesture given, Shammy comes under his wing and blushes, "Yes, lets~"
Leading the way, Slick walks with his pretty little pony date down the stairs, along the pathway leading to the front gates, and onto the streets where their ride is waiting to take the couple to one of the finest restaurants in all of Tambelon. To Shammy, this is going to be the best date of her life...one that she cannot wait to share with her parents, big brother, and sister-in-law.
However, little do the two ponies know is that a stallion hiding in a white cloak seems to be trailing them; His blue eyes fixed on the stallion more than the mare. "Forgive me, Shammy...but I only want to look out for you." Courageous Heart mutters to himself, hoping that he will remain undetected while his little sister enjoyed her date.
********************************************
Just then, the front doors open...and standing within the doorway is the lovely Shammy Step, all prettied up and ready for her date.
Wow...." Slick's jaw drops in awe to the beautiful unicorn before him. With her lovely mane, sweet smile, and wonderful scent make him blush all about, the pegasus stallion quickly remembers his gift, "For you, my little pony~"
"Awww...you are so sweet~" Shammy magically levitates the flowers to her nose and sniffs them, loving how they smell just like she does, "You are on time, Slick. You really know how to not keep a girl waiting~"
"Anything for you, Shammy~" The flirtatious stallion coos his date.
"Oh Shammy! He is so handsome!~" Grace arrives all of a sudden, carrying a camera with her magic, "Smile!~"
Shammy feels embarrassed by this, but smiles for her parents...standing close to Slick while he smiles too. With but a pop of the flash, the couple have now had their first picture together.
"So cute~" Grace admires her daughter with her first date and hopefully the one who will be her very special somepony, "Now, would you like to come on in for some tea-"
"Maybe another time, Mommy~" Grace grins big and shuts the front doors, cutting off her mother from embarrassing her further, "Sorry about that. My mother can be like that sometimes: Wanting to take pictures and talk for each and every little thing that goes on in my life."
"That's alright, Shammy. I was hoping to meet your family...but if they are not ready, then another time." Slick reassures his beautiful date and offers her his wing for his date, "Shall we?~"
Giggling to the gentlecolt gesture given, Shammy comes under his wing and blushes, "Yes, lets~"
Leading the way, Slick walks with his pretty little pony date down the stairs, along the pathway leading to the front gates, and onto the streets where their ride is waiting to take the couple to one of the finest restaurants in all of Tambelon. To Shammy, this is going to be the best date of her life...one that she cannot wait to share with her parents, big brother, and sister-in-law.
However, little do the two ponies know is that a stallion hiding in a white cloak seems to be trailing them; His blue eyes fixed on the stallion more than the mare. "Forgive me, Shammy...but I only want to look out for you." Courageous Heart mutters to himself, hoping that he will remain undetected while his little sister enjoyed her date.
********************************************
The carriage arrives at the front of what is considered to be one of the fanciest, but not-so-expensive, restaurants in all of Tambelon: The Griffin Gazpacho...which is known for its many delicious soups, served hot or cold and with any special ingredients that bring a delightful taste to the customer's mouths.
With the valet griffin opening the carriage door for the couple within, he bows his head and gives them the official greetings: "Welcome to the Griffin Gazpacho!"
"Thank you so much," Slick and Shammy express their gratitude and walk on into the restaurant, side by side.
"Here is your table, Monsieur and Madam~" The griffin waiter guides the two ponies to their round table with two seats on two either end.
Slick Style smiles and helps his beautiful date into her chair, pushing it into the table as gently as possible, "There you go~"
"Such a gentlecolt~" Shammy giggles to the kind gesture while she sits up straight in her chair upon her handsome date pushing her into a bit closer to the table.
"Anything for you~" Slick replies with a flirtatious grin, then sits himself down across from his lovely date...whom he hopes to make his marefriend after this.
"Shall we start you off with an appetizer?" The waiters asks of the lovely couple sitting at their table, "We have a few soups of mixed vegetables, rice, and even hay soup~"
"What sounds good to you, Shammy?" Slick asks of his date, wondering if she might pick something he likes the same.
"I think...hay soup sounds the best~"
"No way! That's my favorite!!"
The two couple giggle at the other's love of hay soup, and the waiter walks off with a smile...knowing that is what they have ordered based upon their reactions. But before the griffin returns to the back to give the order to the chief, he makes a quick stop at the table over yonder...ready to order from the cloaked pony sitting there alone.
****************************************
"So...even though we have hung out and shared a meal together before...I still wonder something," Shammy brings up the subject while she and her date await for their soup.
"What might that be, Shammy?~" Slick asks with a smirk and an expression that shows he is admiring the mare before him...and something else that seems to be hard to read.
"Why me...out of all the other mares back at our high school? I mean, I have had my eyes on you for so long, but you always seemed to ignore me. What now of all times?" The curious little unicorn questions her date. Even though she feels as lucky as a horseshoe clover to be asked out on a date by one of the coolest stallions from her school, she has to ask the question anyway.
"Well...." Slick sweats a little, but answers as quick as possible, "Well...I guess I was just being cool and spending time with the other popular ponies. They told me that you and your friends were just a bunch of losers-"
"Who said that?!"
"Diamond Tiara and her friend Silver Spoon."
"Figures...." Shammy rolls her eyes, having a feeling it was those two ponies that she despises so much.
"BUT...." Slick continues, hoping to put Shammy at ease, "...even after everything they said about you, I never saw it. I looked at you and saw a beautiful mare...and wanted to know you more."
"Awww...." Shammy feels so happy to hear that out of all those snobby popular ponies from school, there is one who is so kind enough to become her friend...and hopefully soon her coltfriend, "You are such a sweetheart, Slick. I am so happy you asked me out like this~" She blinks a tear and blushes ever so brightly.
"Me too~" He admits, and blushes back...leaning forward and placing the elbow of his front left leg on the table, bumping his fork and causing it to fall off, "Oops...." He blushes nervously and bends down to retrieve it.
Shammy giggles...only for that to come to an end so fast upon spotting a familiar pony over at the table not too far away: She can see the customer there has a brown coat and a horn...although his face and the rest of his body is covered in a white cloak; A cloak that looks so much like the one she made for her big brother on his last birthday. "Is...is that...Courageous...spying on me?!! No.....................he wouldn't!!!"
The customer on the other side notices Shammy glaring at him...and gulps, "Oh....ponyfeathers....!"
"Got it~" Slick informs his date, leaning back up and blocking her view of the other stallion across the way. However, hoping to see a smile, the nervous stallion notices his date's new expression, "Are...you alright...Shammy?"
Knowing that the pony over yonder has to be her brother without a doubt, Shammy changes her enraged face to that of a happy one for her date, "Oh! Uh...yes~" She smiles, hiding the anger she has behind it.
"Okay...." Slick shrugs and is unsure what that was all about, but hopes it had nothing to do with him.
"Your appetizers are ready~" The waiter returns, carrying a tray of two hot bowls of sweet, delicious Hay Soup.
"Alright! I'm starving!" Slick leans forward to help the waiter serve the soup onto the table.
With the way opened once more, Shammy looks over yonder and notices that very table where the cloaked pony sat...is now empty. Whoever that was, no doubt fled the moment she spotted him; Only one pony would do that in Shammy's mind. "You are in so much trouble, Courageous!!!"
"Thank you so much," Slick appreciates the waiter for the meal, then nods as he leaves. Once the griffin in the fancy suit walks off, Slick turns to his lovely date and smiles, "You hungry?~"
Shammy turns her attention back to the handsome stallion she is falling for, and smiles, "I sure am. Let's eat~"
The two begin to dig into their soup, slowly and carefully due to it being hot. With Shammy using her magic to eat and Slick using his hooves, the couple enjoy their starter meal before they would later order the main course and a dessert to top it all off. So far, despite what Shammy spotted and will have to deal with later, this first date is turning out to be the best ever!
After the next two hours pass, the romantic dinner comes to an end...and Slick Style escorts his dearest date home in the carriage he rented. After such a wonderful evening, these two are ready to bring this wonderful first date to a close.
"That was...." Slick starts to admit, but allows his date to finish his sentence.
"...so wonderful~" Shammy giggles and walks close by her handsome stallion, finding comfort under his wing.
Slick blushes while he escorts the lovely lady up the front stairs of her home, and right up to double doors that stand closed for now, "It sure was...and I hope we can have another date sometime soon."
"I hope so too~" Shammy smiles and gently moves out from the wing of her date, and his side as well...walking up to the door, "Well...goodnight~"
"Goodnight, Shammy Step~" Slick smiles and bows his head to his beautiful date, showing the utmost respect for her as a gentlecolt.
Shammy blushes, and while Slick has his head bowed...she moves up and kisses his cheek, "Goodnight~" She whispers and rushes inside as quick as possible, closing the doors behind her.
The moment he feels his cheek from the kiss of the little green unicorn's lips, Slick blushes and rubs his cheek...admiring how much of a wonderful date this was. With a smile on his face, he turns from the mansion and trots his way down the stairs...happy to have had a wonderful evening.
But all while he walks away from the mansion where his sweetheart Shammy lives, the warm smile on his face turns to that of a wicked grin....
****************************************
"What might that be, Shammy?~" Slick asks with a smirk and an expression that shows he is admiring the mare before him...and something else that seems to be hard to read.
"Why me...out of all the other mares back at our high school? I mean, I have had my eyes on you for so long, but you always seemed to ignore me. What now of all times?" The curious little unicorn questions her date. Even though she feels as lucky as a horseshoe clover to be asked out on a date by one of the coolest stallions from her school, she has to ask the question anyway.
"Well...." Slick sweats a little, but answers as quick as possible, "Well...I guess I was just being cool and spending time with the other popular ponies. They told me that you and your friends were just a bunch of losers-"
"Who said that?!"
"Diamond Tiara and her friend Silver Spoon."
"Figures...." Shammy rolls her eyes, having a feeling it was those two ponies that she despises so much.
"BUT...." Slick continues, hoping to put Shammy at ease, "...even after everything they said about you, I never saw it. I looked at you and saw a beautiful mare...and wanted to know you more."
"Awww...." Shammy feels so happy to hear that out of all those snobby popular ponies from school, there is one who is so kind enough to become her friend...and hopefully soon her coltfriend, "You are such a sweetheart, Slick. I am so happy you asked me out like this~" She blinks a tear and blushes ever so brightly.
"Me too~" He admits, and blushes back...leaning forward and placing the elbow of his front left leg on the table, bumping his fork and causing it to fall off, "Oops...." He blushes nervously and bends down to retrieve it.
Shammy giggles...only for that to come to an end so fast upon spotting a familiar pony over at the table not too far away: She can see the customer there has a brown coat and a horn...although his face and the rest of his body is covered in a white cloak; A cloak that looks so much like the one she made for her big brother on his last birthday. "Is...is that...Courageous...spying on me?!! No.....................he wouldn't!!!"
The customer on the other side notices Shammy glaring at him...and gulps, "Oh....ponyfeathers....!"
"Got it~" Slick informs his date, leaning back up and blocking her view of the other stallion across the way. However, hoping to see a smile, the nervous stallion notices his date's new expression, "Are...you alright...Shammy?"
Knowing that the pony over yonder has to be her brother without a doubt, Shammy changes her enraged face to that of a happy one for her date, "Oh! Uh...yes~" She smiles, hiding the anger she has behind it.
"Okay...." Slick shrugs and is unsure what that was all about, but hopes it had nothing to do with him.
"Your appetizers are ready~" The waiter returns, carrying a tray of two hot bowls of sweet, delicious Hay Soup.
"Alright! I'm starving!" Slick leans forward to help the waiter serve the soup onto the table.
With the way opened once more, Shammy looks over yonder and notices that very table where the cloaked pony sat...is now empty. Whoever that was, no doubt fled the moment she spotted him; Only one pony would do that in Shammy's mind. "You are in so much trouble, Courageous!!!"
"Thank you so much," Slick appreciates the waiter for the meal, then nods as he leaves. Once the griffin in the fancy suit walks off, Slick turns to his lovely date and smiles, "You hungry?~"
Shammy turns her attention back to the handsome stallion she is falling for, and smiles, "I sure am. Let's eat~"
The two begin to dig into their soup, slowly and carefully due to it being hot. With Shammy using her magic to eat and Slick using his hooves, the couple enjoy their starter meal before they would later order the main course and a dessert to top it all off. So far, despite what Shammy spotted and will have to deal with later, this first date is turning out to be the best ever!
*************************************
After the next two hours pass, the romantic dinner comes to an end...and Slick Style escorts his dearest date home in the carriage he rented. After such a wonderful evening, these two are ready to bring this wonderful first date to a close.
"That was...." Slick starts to admit, but allows his date to finish his sentence.
"...so wonderful~" Shammy giggles and walks close by her handsome stallion, finding comfort under his wing.
Slick blushes while he escorts the lovely lady up the front stairs of her home, and right up to double doors that stand closed for now, "It sure was...and I hope we can have another date sometime soon."
"I hope so too~" Shammy smiles and gently moves out from the wing of her date, and his side as well...walking up to the door, "Well...goodnight~"
"Goodnight, Shammy Step~" Slick smiles and bows his head to his beautiful date, showing the utmost respect for her as a gentlecolt.
Shammy blushes, and while Slick has his head bowed...she moves up and kisses his cheek, "Goodnight~" She whispers and rushes inside as quick as possible, closing the doors behind her.
The moment he feels his cheek from the kiss of the little green unicorn's lips, Slick blushes and rubs his cheek...admiring how much of a wonderful date this was. With a smile on his face, he turns from the mansion and trots his way down the stairs...happy to have had a wonderful evening.
But all while he walks away from the mansion where his sweetheart Shammy lives, the warm smile on his face turns to that of a wicked grin....
****************************************
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm-" Shammy announces upon walking into the living room where her parents usually are during the evenings...only to find her brother, Courageous, sitting with them, "-home...."
"Oh, Welcome Home sweetie!!" Grace leaps up from the couch and walks on over to her lovely daughter; To this proud mother, she sees so much of herself in her little Shammy, "How was the date?"
"Yes! Tell us how it went?" Tap eagerly asks.
"Well...it was everything I could have ever dreamed over...until...." Shammy begins, with her happy expression slowly turning to anger and the feeling of betrayal.
"Until what, sweetie?"
"Until...I SAW COURAGEOUS SPYING ON ME!!!" Shammy yells while glaring at the stallion before her.
"WHAT?!!" The shock of this causes Tap to rise from the couch and turn towards his son. Grace does the same to, "Courageous...is this true?!"
With a heavy sigh, the pegasus with the non-magical horn wishes now more than ever to have the power to teleport out of here...but cannot. Courageous nods his head and mutters, "...Yes..."
"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!!!" Shammy marches up to his face, glaring at him with her enraged blue eyes...awaiting for an answer.
"I was...." Courageous sighs and cannot lie to his little sister, "I was just making sure the date went well...and that everything was going-"
"Everything WAS going great until I saw you!!" Shammy snaps right back, refusing to hear the end of her brother's sentence, "This date was all about me...and to show that I am a mare now...and not a filly!! I wish for once you would just see me as that and not treat me like a baby!!"
Courageous feels so offended by that statement, and glares back at his sister, "I do see you as a mare, Shammy! I only wanted to protect you in case anything went wrong! Is that so much to ask for...from your big brother?!"
Shammy's eyes tear up and she feels like crying, "All I wanted was for you to trust me and not have anypony watch over me like I am some helpless little filly!! I can handle myself!!" She then rushes passed him, wanting to get away from Courageous, "Stay out of my life!!!"
"Shammy, wait!!" Grace runs after her daughter, knowing she will have to calm her little mare as any loving mother would.
"Shammy, please...!" Courageous now feels more terrible than before, seeing his sister running away from him like that. However, he is quickly halted by his father.
"No, son...I think it is best to leave Shammy be for now...." Tap suggests, being slightly disappointed in his son, "I don't know if you trailing her on her date was the best idea, which my wife would say it was not, but I think you may need to apologize to her...tomorrow if we can convince her to see you then."
As much as Courageous wishes to make things right for his mistake, he knows now is too soon to make amends, "I...understand...." He sighs and follows his dad to the front doors.
"Good. Now...I think it is best you leave...so we can comfort Shammy," Tap sighs and escorts his son out of the house, closing the door behind him without so much as a goodbye or goodnight.
Saddened by his misjudgment that has brought a great shame to himself, in addition to the beloved family member he has hurt, Courageous walks on hoof at a time down the stairs...slowing and with such sadness in his heart, "What have I done?! I could have gained a new friend...but instead...I just lost a sister...."
With his ears and wings down low, Courageous walks off the property of his family...with a tear in his eye. Little does he know is that a certain crying mare watches him leave from her bedroom window...and turns away to flop down on her bed, crying her eyes out in her pillow; Such betrayal she feels in her heart, that Shammy knocks the picture of her and Courageous together off her nightstand.
The little mare even throws the Star Sapphire necklace her brother gave to her onto the floor, before returning to her pillow to cry for the rest of the night.
***********************************************
"We are so happy you came. Both of you...." The grateful pegasus dancer named Tap Step expresses to his son and daughter-in-law, "Shammy and Grace are in the living room...so please follow me."
"Yes, dad." Courageous follows behind his father, with Twilight following close by him.
The three arrive in lovely decorated room of white with flowers all around, and pictures of family and friends hanging about on the wall. But out of everything that is beautiful in this room, the two mares sitting upon the sofa are the ones that grab the attention of everpony...including the young prince who must make things right with one of them.
"Uh...H-Hi...Shammy." Courageous mutters to his little sister, unsure of what else to say as a form of greeting.
"H-Hi...Courageous...." The young green unicorn mare does not look at him and instead turns her eyes to the ground below her from where she sits.
"We'll...leave you two alone for now." Grace stands up and rubs her daughter's back, hoping that things can be patched up. She leaves with her husband, and Twilight as well.
Once the three are gone from the living room, Courageous sits down next to Shammy...and takes in a deep breath of fresh air, "Shammy...I...I know it is hard to understand why I did what I thought was best...."
"I know...but it hurt me seeing you spying on me and not trusting me to handle myself," The tearful mare sniffs while admitting to what she feels, "I...I just wanted to show you that...I can be so much more than your little sister...."
"You are, Shammy." Courageous admits, touching her shoulder with his hoof in such a gentle way, "You have grown up so much since I became apart of this family. I loved you as your new brother and promised to protect you as well as look after you for as long as I could...which is why I followed you to ensure everything would go alright."
"I know..." Shammy tries her hardest to understand, but still cannot, "...and I am always happy that you are near and willing to protect me...but..."
"But I should have trusted you more, Shammy. I know...and for what I did, all I can ever say is that I am sorry...." Courageous Heart turns to his sister and frowns, "I love you Shammy. You are my sister...and I want to always be your big brother: To care for you, look out for you, and so much more. I know it may have seemed wrong to spy on you...but as your brother, I want to always make sure you are happy and that you would not get hurt."
Shammy nods, smiling a little once more upon hearing how her brother continues to be there for her...even though there was the moment when she wanted to show that she was the adult and could handle herself, "I...I love you too, big brother. I always want you to be here for me, and keep me safe as our parents do. But still...."
"I know. I should have trusted you and looked at you more as a mare than a filly." Courageous admits, "That is an important lesson I should have learned a long time ago: While it is always the role of the older sibling to look out for his or her younger one, they eventually grow up and soon show that they can handle themselves in most situations and not always need somepony to fight their battles for them."
Shammy smiles more and wipes her eyes clear of tears upon listening to this lesson her big brother has just learned.
"You are a mare now, Shammy...and I am sorry if I did not realize that in full for some time now. From now on, I will trust you on whatever it is you do: Whether it be somepony you date, a career you choose, or anything else. You are my sister...and I will love and support you always," Courageous concludes the lesson...and now his apology, "So again...I am sorry for what happened. Will you...forgive me?"
Without even a few seconds to think on that, Shammy Step turns to face her brother...throwing her front legs around him, hugging him close and tight, "I forgive you, big brother. I love you...and am happy you will trust me more now!!"
Blushing a little to the sweet, warm hug of his little sister, the young Prince of Tambelon embraces Shammy and smiles, "Thank you, sister. I promise to support you and be there for you...whenever you wish me to be."
"Thank you...and I will always appreciate it when you protect me when I need it the most."
The two siblings hug each other for a while, so happy to be together again...and no longer in a state of distrust of the other. This beautiful moment is admired by even the parents and princess watching from nearby; They returned after hearing the two making up.
"Thank you so much, Courageous." Shammy brings the hug to an end, noticing her parents and sister-in-law returning to the living room where they reside, "So...would you and Twilight like to meet Slick today? He is coming over and this could be a good time for you all to get acquainted." The young teenage mare smiles with hope.
Courageous and Twilight look at each other, then back to the excited unicorn, "Actually...there is something we need to tell you about what we saw not too long before we got here." Courageous confesses, hoping his little sister will listen to him on this.
"This may shock you, Shammy...but what we are about to tell you is the truth. You need to listen and believe us." Twilight Sparkle sits down next to Shammy and hates to inform the innocent little mare on this, but feels she has a right to the truth.
"O...kay?" Shammy sits and is eager to hear what her brother and sister-in-law have to say.
*******************************************
"Shammy?~" The cool looking pegasus with the well groomed mare named Slick Style calls out to his soon-to-be-marefriend, while ringing the doorbell of the mansion before him, "I...have arrived~"
With nothing but a vest on, along with a small pouch on his back, the stallion with the wicked grin on his face awaits to see the little unicorn...but even more so to see the Prince and the Princess if he is lucky. Just as Slick finishes giving his mane one last quick comb, to ensure his looks are as flawless as possible, the door opens...and his mare stands before him.
"Hey there, Shammy. My, do you look beautiful as ever~" Slick smiles unto the...slightly glaring mare, with the unamused look on her face...which brings Slick to gulp, "Uh...is...something wrong, sweetie?"
"First off...do not call me that, because my best friend is named Sweetie!" Shammy snaps at Slick, without raising her voice to scream; She maintains an adult posture and tone, "Second...I heard from my brother, who saw you talking with your friends down at the local cafe earlier, that you were only using me so you can get to Courageous, the Prince of Tambelon, and take a picture with him so you could show everypony and boost your popularity!"
"I...uh..." The stallion-in-hotter-than-hot-water gulps and watches as the scorned mare magically digs through his pouch, pulling out-
"A camera...just like my brother described!" Shammy snorts and does her best to stay in a state of telling off this stallion without acting like a filly, "So...he was right all along: You only cared about your popularity more than me; No wonder you ignored me for so long. You only like my status more than me!"
Courageous and Twilight walk up behind Shammy, and give the stallion a deep glare...but do not join in to lecture Slick. They leave Shammy to handle this...while showing how upset they are with him and how he has treated the mare before them.
"Uh...." Slick is unable to answer...now that he is standing before the Prince and Princess of the kingdom he lives in, and cannot find the words to say to fix this.
"Nope! Don't you say a word!" Shammy holds up her hoof, while levitating a small bowl of mustard from inside to right above Slick's head, "Let this be my way of saying "We're through" as well as my way of saying goodbye to you...you obsessed-mane-combing JERK!!!" With that, Shammy releases her magic...and the bowl of mustard spills all over Slick's head...messing up his mane and even some of it gets onto his new vest.
"NOOOO!!!" Slick cries, "Mustard in my hair! Mustard on my new clothes!! NOOO!!!" He turns tail and flees, "MOMMY!!!" He cries like a little filly for his mommy, running all the way home.
"What a baby...." Courageous shakes his head at the display that "stallion" made, "You think he would be more of an adult and not so fixated on his mane."
"I know!" Twilight could not believe what she saw, but is happy to have seem Shammy handle it perfectly with a little revenge on top, "So Shammy...how do you feel?"
"Honestly: Better...and so GLAD I DID THAT!!!" She screams with pride and joy, highhoofing her sister-in-law, "That will show him and any other stallion I may date to not mess with me or my family!"
"That's my girl!!" Grace giggles, proud to see her little mare act so much like her when she was at that age.
"Yup! I could not be prouder!" Tap expresses.
"You did wonderful, Shammy: You handled that like an adult and showed that you are more than capable of not needing my help all the time," Courageous nuzzles the cheek of his sister with a warm smile on his face.
Blushing from her brother's words, Shammy turns and presses her lips into the cheek of Courageous...kissing him and expressing her love and gratitude for all he has done for her, "Thank you, big brother. I love you and thank you; If it wasn't for you or Twilight, I would have never known that jerk's true intentions until it was too late. Thank you, Courageous Heart...ever so much!"
Courageous cheeks turn red from the kiss and he hugs his little sister, "I love you too...and you are welcome, Shammy Step."
The two siblings hug once more, while the parents and princess admire how close they are as brother and sister...and hope they will always be that way in the years to come...especially when Shammy finds a new stallion to date.
"Well, why don't we all head on inside and have ourselves a nice lunch of greens and hay?~" Grace offers her family a meal to celebrate this day.
"That sounds wonderful, honey!" Tap concurs without question.
"I would love to!" Twilight agrees with her in-laws...loving the idea of spending time with them and the rest of her family.
"Sure thing, mommy!" Shammy nods her head and trots off with her.
"I could never say no to that!" Courageous chuckles and walks along time his wife, as they all make their way into the kitchen to prepare a meal for all to share and enjoy...as they spend what family time they have before returning to their duties.
For Shammy: While this date may not have gone all that she hoped for, she is happy to know that there is a stallion or two in her life that will always love her and keep her safe until she finds that perfect stallion to love her forever. But for now, the young mare enjoys her family time with her parents, sister-in-law, and her special and caring big brother: Courageous Heart.
CREDITS:
Story written by:
Cover Image by:
Artwork by:
Special Thanks:
To all who I ever commissioned.
Thank you for the amazing artwork you have given me.
Very Special Thanks:
To all who have read, commented and favored my stories.
Your support and kindness has helped me come this far.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
Another Very Special Thanks:
To Lauren Faust, Meghan McCarthy, and Hasbro for the creation of MLP: Friendship is Magic
Disclaimer:
The story here belongs to Courageous-of-Light
All Original Characters and Locations belong to Courageous-of-Light
All MLP:FIM Characters belong to Hasbro.
THANK YOU
"Oh, Welcome Home sweetie!!" Grace leaps up from the couch and walks on over to her lovely daughter; To this proud mother, she sees so much of herself in her little Shammy, "How was the date?"
"Yes! Tell us how it went?" Tap eagerly asks.
"Well...it was everything I could have ever dreamed over...until...." Shammy begins, with her happy expression slowly turning to anger and the feeling of betrayal.
"Until what, sweetie?"
"Until...I SAW COURAGEOUS SPYING ON ME!!!" Shammy yells while glaring at the stallion before her.
"WHAT?!!" The shock of this causes Tap to rise from the couch and turn towards his son. Grace does the same to, "Courageous...is this true?!"
With a heavy sigh, the pegasus with the non-magical horn wishes now more than ever to have the power to teleport out of here...but cannot. Courageous nods his head and mutters, "...Yes..."
"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!!!" Shammy marches up to his face, glaring at him with her enraged blue eyes...awaiting for an answer.
"I was...." Courageous sighs and cannot lie to his little sister, "I was just making sure the date went well...and that everything was going-"
"Everything WAS going great until I saw you!!" Shammy snaps right back, refusing to hear the end of her brother's sentence, "This date was all about me...and to show that I am a mare now...and not a filly!! I wish for once you would just see me as that and not treat me like a baby!!"
Courageous feels so offended by that statement, and glares back at his sister, "I do see you as a mare, Shammy! I only wanted to protect you in case anything went wrong! Is that so much to ask for...from your big brother?!"
Shammy's eyes tear up and she feels like crying, "All I wanted was for you to trust me and not have anypony watch over me like I am some helpless little filly!! I can handle myself!!" She then rushes passed him, wanting to get away from Courageous, "Stay out of my life!!!"
"Shammy, wait!!" Grace runs after her daughter, knowing she will have to calm her little mare as any loving mother would.
"Shammy, please...!" Courageous now feels more terrible than before, seeing his sister running away from him like that. However, he is quickly halted by his father.
"No, son...I think it is best to leave Shammy be for now...." Tap suggests, being slightly disappointed in his son, "I don't know if you trailing her on her date was the best idea, which my wife would say it was not, but I think you may need to apologize to her...tomorrow if we can convince her to see you then."
As much as Courageous wishes to make things right for his mistake, he knows now is too soon to make amends, "I...understand...." He sighs and follows his dad to the front doors.
"Good. Now...I think it is best you leave...so we can comfort Shammy," Tap sighs and escorts his son out of the house, closing the door behind him without so much as a goodbye or goodnight.
Saddened by his misjudgment that has brought a great shame to himself, in addition to the beloved family member he has hurt, Courageous walks on hoof at a time down the stairs...slowing and with such sadness in his heart, "What have I done?! I could have gained a new friend...but instead...I just lost a sister...."
With his ears and wings down low, Courageous walks off the property of his family...with a tear in his eye. Little does he know is that a certain crying mare watches him leave from her bedroom window...and turns away to flop down on her bed, crying her eyes out in her pillow; Such betrayal she feels in her heart, that Shammy knocks the picture of her and Courageous together off her nightstand.
The little mare even throws the Star Sapphire necklace her brother gave to her onto the floor, before returning to her pillow to cry for the rest of the night.
***********************************************
The Following Afternoon....
"I still cannot believe you did not listen to me...and just ran off to spy on your sister, Courageous!!" Twilight snaps at her husband, while dressed in a dark purple cloak to hide her body and wings from the general public, "You made your sister cry and now you could have lost her trust forever...as well as mine too!"
"I'm...I'm sorry, Twilight...." Courageous expresses his feelings of regret to his wife, while he dawns his white cloak to hide himself, while he and Twilight walk on through the crowd of Tambeloneons within the golden city they rule, "You were right...."
"Of course I was!" Twilight snorts, nudging her stallion to move faster as they walk, "I am a princess after all...and you should act more like a prince when it comes to your family...especially your sister!"
Courageous agrees without question, hanging his head low in shame, "I'm sorry...."
"THAT...is something you should be saying to Shammy," Twilight informs, still irritated as she is, "I can only hope she will hear you out once we get to the mansion."
"I hope so too...." Courageous Heart feels more shame in all that he did, despite the reason for doing so, "I...I just wanted to protect her...and ensure that her date went well...just like the time your friends did on our first date."
Twilight suddenly recalls the that event long ago when she and Courageous were both teenagers: They had their first date back in Ponyville...and three of her best friends followed them to ensure their date went as perfectly as possible, without letting themselves be discovered. Twilight remembers how sad she was when she found out, but her date and coltfriend comforted her through it and she thanked Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy for helping to make that night the best she ever had, "Yeah...I do remember...."
"Twilight...?"
"I guess you were only doing what any big brother would do; Shining Armor sometimes trailed me when the younger colts were interested in me when I was a little filly," The blushing lavender alicorn reveals from the other night last mentioned, "He would always see to it that if I were to get a coltfriend, it would be one he would approve and ensure would treat me right."
"Yeah...." Courageous recalls how Shining would check up on him at times when he lived in Ponyville, "It is just something we big brother do to keep our sisters safe, like you said the other day...."
"Yes...but Shammy is still hurt by this; All she wanted was to show you and your parents that she is a mature adult who can handle herself, and you spying on her made her feel that she was being treated like a filly," Twilight explains while they continue to walk, "I would feel the same way if Shining was ever spying on us during our times dating."
"I...guess that makes sense," Courageous admits and now knows what he must do, "I have to make this right, as a big brother, and apologize to my sister. She is a full grown mare and does not always need me to watch over her as if she were helpless."
"That's my stallion~" The blushing pony princess expresses and approves, nuzzling his cheeks, "Now let's get on to the mansion to-"
"Hey...." Courageous comes to a halt, "Isn't that...Slick over there?" He points over at a cafe nearby, spotting the same pony from the date last night chatting with a few friends it seems.
"Oh? Is that the once whom Shammy went out with?"
"I think so. Let's go check it out," Courageous suggests, wondering a little...especially when he notices Slick laughing with his friends.
Twilight is unsure if this is a good idea, but goes along with it...feeling that she wishes to know a little bit about the stallion whom her favorite former filly she once foalsitted is dating. Carefully as possible, the alicorn in the cloak sneaks over and hides behind a plant with her husband...eager to hear what the chuckling stallion finds so funny....
"And she was really that into you, dude?! That easily?!!" A red coated unicorn questions to his friend Slick, trying to hold back a laugh upon drinking his bottled apple cider.
"Yeah...she couldn't keep her eyes off me~" Slick answers with a chuckle, sipping his own apple cider, "That mare has had her eyes on me ever since high school some years back...and I always ignored her since she was apart of that losers club~"
"Oh? What club?"
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders they called it," Slick answers with a snicker, "I mean, how lame is that: Having to make a club for those who want to earn their cutie marks, which it is so easy to earn one yourself," He points to his comb cutie mark, which represents his nature of combing his mane a lot, "Honestly, despite how pretty she may be, that girl Shammy will never know that I dont actually care about her."
"Is that so, Slick?" The other friend, the grey coated griffin smirks and ponders, "So...you still on for that bet?"
"Sure am...which I will have for you guys today!" Slick smirks back with confidence, "Since Shammy told me that she will be having a talk with her brother today, I can show up later and take that picture of me with the Prince with my camera. Once I have that picture, you guys better pony up that 50 bits each you owe me~"
"Heh! Once we see the picture, then you will get paid!" The unicorn states, "Also, once you get that picture, what becomes of you and Shammy?"
"Eh, probably just date her for a while...to and show everyone from my school days that I am dating the Prince's sister. Think of all the attention that will get me~" Slick reveals his true intentions, combing his mane back with his special comb, "Just you wait, guys! I am going to be quite the name after this day."
Speechless beyond any reason known, Twilight and Courageous can only breath and feel mixed emotions of shock, angry, sadness, and disbelief within them.
"I...I don't believe it!" Twilight looks to her husband after hearing all that jerk just uttered, "Slick is...just using your sister...to get to you?!"
Courageous cannot find the right words to say: All this time, he was hoping to get to know Slick more and accept him as the one Shammy would date. But now.... "How...how could he say such things...about my sister?!"
"He is just a jerk!" Twilight snarls in anger to the one who is unworthy of Shammy in every way.
"I'm gonna teach him a thing or two!" Courageous feels ready to go out there and lecture Slick in public, as both a big brother and a prince.
"No!" Twilight stops her husband and keeps them both hidden behind the planet and within the cloaks, "If you do that, Slick could lie to Shammy...and she may never believe you or me ever again."
As much as Courageous hates to do nothing...he realizes that Twilight has a point, "You're...right. But we can't just let him get away with this!"
"We won't!" Twilight states, knowing she will never allow a mean stallion like that to hurt the one she use to foalsit years ago herself, "We need to go and talk to Shammy; Let her know the truth about Slick."
"Yes...but...will she believe us?"
"She will have to...otherwise...." Twilight hates to think of what could happen if they let Shammy date Slick again.
"No...no otherwise! We will go and tell her now!" Courageous sneaks away from the cafe and resumes the route to his parent's mansion, "Let's go, Twilight!"
"Right!"
*****************************************
Arriving at long last to the front doors of Step Manor, Twilight Sparkle and Courageous Heart remove the hoods of their cloaks, exposing their heads and manes as well. With so much to say to Shammy and the parents, the two ponies ring the doorbell and await for an answer....
"We have to tell Shammy what we heard! She has to know the truth!" Courageous states, knowing that he must protect his little sister from being used any further.
"No...." Twilight shakes her head.
"No? What do you mean No?" Courageous turns his head to his wife and questions her words, "You saw what happened! We have-"
"And what will that do, Courageous....?" Twilight interrupts and places her hoof upon the side of her husband, "If you just rush in there and tell her so soon...she may not believe you or even want to hear you. I doubt she would even listen to me if you go ahead with telling her what we saw first."
"Well....what should I do then?"
"You need to calm Shammy and let her trust you again...then we can both inform her of what we heard from eavesdropping on Slick and his friends," Twilight suggests to her stallion, using her knowledge of friendship and intelligence to help Courageous settle this in the best way possible.
"I...*sigh*....Okay." Courageous comes to agree with Twilight...finding once again truth in her words of wisdom; The very same she picked up from Princess Celestia and Luna.
Twilight gives her husband a warm smile, and stands close by his side, "I am with you in this...but only you can help repair the bond that you and Shammy share as brother and sister."
"I understand...and thank you, my love." Courageous nuzzles his beloved wife, and blushes when she does the same in return. Shortly after, the doors to the manor open up and the Prince and Princess of Tambelon are welcomed inside...where the former hopes to mend that which must be.
************************************************
"I'm...I'm sorry, Twilight...." Courageous expresses his feelings of regret to his wife, while he dawns his white cloak to hide himself, while he and Twilight walk on through the crowd of Tambeloneons within the golden city they rule, "You were right...."
"Of course I was!" Twilight snorts, nudging her stallion to move faster as they walk, "I am a princess after all...and you should act more like a prince when it comes to your family...especially your sister!"
Courageous agrees without question, hanging his head low in shame, "I'm sorry...."
"THAT...is something you should be saying to Shammy," Twilight informs, still irritated as she is, "I can only hope she will hear you out once we get to the mansion."
"I hope so too...." Courageous Heart feels more shame in all that he did, despite the reason for doing so, "I...I just wanted to protect her...and ensure that her date went well...just like the time your friends did on our first date."
Twilight suddenly recalls the that event long ago when she and Courageous were both teenagers: They had their first date back in Ponyville...and three of her best friends followed them to ensure their date went as perfectly as possible, without letting themselves be discovered. Twilight remembers how sad she was when she found out, but her date and coltfriend comforted her through it and she thanked Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy for helping to make that night the best she ever had, "Yeah...I do remember...."
"Twilight...?"
"I guess you were only doing what any big brother would do; Shining Armor sometimes trailed me when the younger colts were interested in me when I was a little filly," The blushing lavender alicorn reveals from the other night last mentioned, "He would always see to it that if I were to get a coltfriend, it would be one he would approve and ensure would treat me right."
"Yeah...." Courageous recalls how Shining would check up on him at times when he lived in Ponyville, "It is just something we big brother do to keep our sisters safe, like you said the other day...."
"Yes...but Shammy is still hurt by this; All she wanted was to show you and your parents that she is a mature adult who can handle herself, and you spying on her made her feel that she was being treated like a filly," Twilight explains while they continue to walk, "I would feel the same way if Shining was ever spying on us during our times dating."
"I...guess that makes sense," Courageous admits and now knows what he must do, "I have to make this right, as a big brother, and apologize to my sister. She is a full grown mare and does not always need me to watch over her as if she were helpless."
"That's my stallion~" The blushing pony princess expresses and approves, nuzzling his cheeks, "Now let's get on to the mansion to-"
"Hey...." Courageous comes to a halt, "Isn't that...Slick over there?" He points over at a cafe nearby, spotting the same pony from the date last night chatting with a few friends it seems.
"Oh? Is that the once whom Shammy went out with?"
"I think so. Let's go check it out," Courageous suggests, wondering a little...especially when he notices Slick laughing with his friends.
Twilight is unsure if this is a good idea, but goes along with it...feeling that she wishes to know a little bit about the stallion whom her favorite former filly she once foalsitted is dating. Carefully as possible, the alicorn in the cloak sneaks over and hides behind a plant with her husband...eager to hear what the chuckling stallion finds so funny....
"And she was really that into you, dude?! That easily?!!" A red coated unicorn questions to his friend Slick, trying to hold back a laugh upon drinking his bottled apple cider.
"Yeah...she couldn't keep her eyes off me~" Slick answers with a chuckle, sipping his own apple cider, "That mare has had her eyes on me ever since high school some years back...and I always ignored her since she was apart of that losers club~"
"Oh? What club?"
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders they called it," Slick answers with a snicker, "I mean, how lame is that: Having to make a club for those who want to earn their cutie marks, which it is so easy to earn one yourself," He points to his comb cutie mark, which represents his nature of combing his mane a lot, "Honestly, despite how pretty she may be, that girl Shammy will never know that I dont actually care about her."
"Is that so, Slick?" The other friend, the grey coated griffin smirks and ponders, "So...you still on for that bet?"
"Sure am...which I will have for you guys today!" Slick smirks back with confidence, "Since Shammy told me that she will be having a talk with her brother today, I can show up later and take that picture of me with the Prince with my camera. Once I have that picture, you guys better pony up that 50 bits each you owe me~"
"Heh! Once we see the picture, then you will get paid!" The unicorn states, "Also, once you get that picture, what becomes of you and Shammy?"
"Eh, probably just date her for a while...to and show everyone from my school days that I am dating the Prince's sister. Think of all the attention that will get me~" Slick reveals his true intentions, combing his mane back with his special comb, "Just you wait, guys! I am going to be quite the name after this day."
Speechless beyond any reason known, Twilight and Courageous can only breath and feel mixed emotions of shock, angry, sadness, and disbelief within them.
"I...I don't believe it!" Twilight looks to her husband after hearing all that jerk just uttered, "Slick is...just using your sister...to get to you?!"
Courageous cannot find the right words to say: All this time, he was hoping to get to know Slick more and accept him as the one Shammy would date. But now.... "How...how could he say such things...about my sister?!"
"He is just a jerk!" Twilight snarls in anger to the one who is unworthy of Shammy in every way.
"I'm gonna teach him a thing or two!" Courageous feels ready to go out there and lecture Slick in public, as both a big brother and a prince.
"No!" Twilight stops her husband and keeps them both hidden behind the planet and within the cloaks, "If you do that, Slick could lie to Shammy...and she may never believe you or me ever again."
As much as Courageous hates to do nothing...he realizes that Twilight has a point, "You're...right. But we can't just let him get away with this!"
"We won't!" Twilight states, knowing she will never allow a mean stallion like that to hurt the one she use to foalsit years ago herself, "We need to go and talk to Shammy; Let her know the truth about Slick."
"Yes...but...will she believe us?"
"She will have to...otherwise...." Twilight hates to think of what could happen if they let Shammy date Slick again.
"No...no otherwise! We will go and tell her now!" Courageous sneaks away from the cafe and resumes the route to his parent's mansion, "Let's go, Twilight!"
"Right!"
*****************************************
Arriving at long last to the front doors of Step Manor, Twilight Sparkle and Courageous Heart remove the hoods of their cloaks, exposing their heads and manes as well. With so much to say to Shammy and the parents, the two ponies ring the doorbell and await for an answer....
"We have to tell Shammy what we heard! She has to know the truth!" Courageous states, knowing that he must protect his little sister from being used any further.
"No...." Twilight shakes her head.
"No? What do you mean No?" Courageous turns his head to his wife and questions her words, "You saw what happened! We have-"
"And what will that do, Courageous....?" Twilight interrupts and places her hoof upon the side of her husband, "If you just rush in there and tell her so soon...she may not believe you or even want to hear you. I doubt she would even listen to me if you go ahead with telling her what we saw first."
"Well....what should I do then?"
"You need to calm Shammy and let her trust you again...then we can both inform her of what we heard from eavesdropping on Slick and his friends," Twilight suggests to her stallion, using her knowledge of friendship and intelligence to help Courageous settle this in the best way possible.
"I...*sigh*....Okay." Courageous comes to agree with Twilight...finding once again truth in her words of wisdom; The very same she picked up from Princess Celestia and Luna.
Twilight gives her husband a warm smile, and stands close by his side, "I am with you in this...but only you can help repair the bond that you and Shammy share as brother and sister."
"I understand...and thank you, my love." Courageous nuzzles his beloved wife, and blushes when she does the same in return. Shortly after, the doors to the manor open up and the Prince and Princess of Tambelon are welcomed inside...where the former hopes to mend that which must be.
************************************************
"We are so happy you came. Both of you...." The grateful pegasus dancer named Tap Step expresses to his son and daughter-in-law, "Shammy and Grace are in the living room...so please follow me."
"Yes, dad." Courageous follows behind his father, with Twilight following close by him.
The three arrive in lovely decorated room of white with flowers all around, and pictures of family and friends hanging about on the wall. But out of everything that is beautiful in this room, the two mares sitting upon the sofa are the ones that grab the attention of everpony...including the young prince who must make things right with one of them.
"Uh...H-Hi...Shammy." Courageous mutters to his little sister, unsure of what else to say as a form of greeting.
"H-Hi...Courageous...." The young green unicorn mare does not look at him and instead turns her eyes to the ground below her from where she sits.
"We'll...leave you two alone for now." Grace stands up and rubs her daughter's back, hoping that things can be patched up. She leaves with her husband, and Twilight as well.
Once the three are gone from the living room, Courageous sits down next to Shammy...and takes in a deep breath of fresh air, "Shammy...I...I know it is hard to understand why I did what I thought was best...."
"I know...but it hurt me seeing you spying on me and not trusting me to handle myself," The tearful mare sniffs while admitting to what she feels, "I...I just wanted to show you that...I can be so much more than your little sister...."
"You are, Shammy." Courageous admits, touching her shoulder with his hoof in such a gentle way, "You have grown up so much since I became apart of this family. I loved you as your new brother and promised to protect you as well as look after you for as long as I could...which is why I followed you to ensure everything would go alright."
"I know..." Shammy tries her hardest to understand, but still cannot, "...and I am always happy that you are near and willing to protect me...but..."
"But I should have trusted you more, Shammy. I know...and for what I did, all I can ever say is that I am sorry...." Courageous Heart turns to his sister and frowns, "I love you Shammy. You are my sister...and I want to always be your big brother: To care for you, look out for you, and so much more. I know it may have seemed wrong to spy on you...but as your brother, I want to always make sure you are happy and that you would not get hurt."
Shammy nods, smiling a little once more upon hearing how her brother continues to be there for her...even though there was the moment when she wanted to show that she was the adult and could handle herself, "I...I love you too, big brother. I always want you to be here for me, and keep me safe as our parents do. But still...."
"I know. I should have trusted you and looked at you more as a mare than a filly." Courageous admits, "That is an important lesson I should have learned a long time ago: While it is always the role of the older sibling to look out for his or her younger one, they eventually grow up and soon show that they can handle themselves in most situations and not always need somepony to fight their battles for them."
Shammy smiles more and wipes her eyes clear of tears upon listening to this lesson her big brother has just learned.
"You are a mare now, Shammy...and I am sorry if I did not realize that in full for some time now. From now on, I will trust you on whatever it is you do: Whether it be somepony you date, a career you choose, or anything else. You are my sister...and I will love and support you always," Courageous concludes the lesson...and now his apology, "So again...I am sorry for what happened. Will you...forgive me?"
Without even a few seconds to think on that, Shammy Step turns to face her brother...throwing her front legs around him, hugging him close and tight, "I forgive you, big brother. I love you...and am happy you will trust me more now!!"
Blushing a little to the sweet, warm hug of his little sister, the young Prince of Tambelon embraces Shammy and smiles, "Thank you, sister. I promise to support you and be there for you...whenever you wish me to be."
"Thank you...and I will always appreciate it when you protect me when I need it the most."
The two siblings hug each other for a while, so happy to be together again...and no longer in a state of distrust of the other. This beautiful moment is admired by even the parents and princess watching from nearby; They returned after hearing the two making up.
"Thank you so much, Courageous." Shammy brings the hug to an end, noticing her parents and sister-in-law returning to the living room where they reside, "So...would you and Twilight like to meet Slick today? He is coming over and this could be a good time for you all to get acquainted." The young teenage mare smiles with hope.
Courageous and Twilight look at each other, then back to the excited unicorn, "Actually...there is something we need to tell you about what we saw not too long before we got here." Courageous confesses, hoping his little sister will listen to him on this.
"This may shock you, Shammy...but what we are about to tell you is the truth. You need to listen and believe us." Twilight Sparkle sits down next to Shammy and hates to inform the innocent little mare on this, but feels she has a right to the truth.
"O...kay?" Shammy sits and is eager to hear what her brother and sister-in-law have to say.
*******************************************
"Shammy?~" The cool looking pegasus with the well groomed mare named Slick Style calls out to his soon-to-be-marefriend, while ringing the doorbell of the mansion before him, "I...have arrived~"
With nothing but a vest on, along with a small pouch on his back, the stallion with the wicked grin on his face awaits to see the little unicorn...but even more so to see the Prince and the Princess if he is lucky. Just as Slick finishes giving his mane one last quick comb, to ensure his looks are as flawless as possible, the door opens...and his mare stands before him.
"Hey there, Shammy. My, do you look beautiful as ever~" Slick smiles unto the...slightly glaring mare, with the unamused look on her face...which brings Slick to gulp, "Uh...is...something wrong, sweetie?"
"First off...do not call me that, because my best friend is named Sweetie!" Shammy snaps at Slick, without raising her voice to scream; She maintains an adult posture and tone, "Second...I heard from my brother, who saw you talking with your friends down at the local cafe earlier, that you were only using me so you can get to Courageous, the Prince of Tambelon, and take a picture with him so you could show everypony and boost your popularity!"
"I...uh..." The stallion-in-hotter-than-hot-water gulps and watches as the scorned mare magically digs through his pouch, pulling out-
"A camera...just like my brother described!" Shammy snorts and does her best to stay in a state of telling off this stallion without acting like a filly, "So...he was right all along: You only cared about your popularity more than me; No wonder you ignored me for so long. You only like my status more than me!"
Courageous and Twilight walk up behind Shammy, and give the stallion a deep glare...but do not join in to lecture Slick. They leave Shammy to handle this...while showing how upset they are with him and how he has treated the mare before them.
"Uh...." Slick is unable to answer...now that he is standing before the Prince and Princess of the kingdom he lives in, and cannot find the words to say to fix this.
"Nope! Don't you say a word!" Shammy holds up her hoof, while levitating a small bowl of mustard from inside to right above Slick's head, "Let this be my way of saying "We're through" as well as my way of saying goodbye to you...you obsessed-mane-combing JERK!!!" With that, Shammy releases her magic...and the bowl of mustard spills all over Slick's head...messing up his mane and even some of it gets onto his new vest.
"NOOOO!!!" Slick cries, "Mustard in my hair! Mustard on my new clothes!! NOOO!!!" He turns tail and flees, "MOMMY!!!" He cries like a little filly for his mommy, running all the way home.
"What a baby...." Courageous shakes his head at the display that "stallion" made, "You think he would be more of an adult and not so fixated on his mane."
"I know!" Twilight could not believe what she saw, but is happy to have seem Shammy handle it perfectly with a little revenge on top, "So Shammy...how do you feel?"
"Honestly: Better...and so GLAD I DID THAT!!!" She screams with pride and joy, highhoofing her sister-in-law, "That will show him and any other stallion I may date to not mess with me or my family!"
"That's my girl!!" Grace giggles, proud to see her little mare act so much like her when she was at that age.
"Yup! I could not be prouder!" Tap expresses.
"You did wonderful, Shammy: You handled that like an adult and showed that you are more than capable of not needing my help all the time," Courageous nuzzles the cheek of his sister with a warm smile on his face.
Blushing from her brother's words, Shammy turns and presses her lips into the cheek of Courageous...kissing him and expressing her love and gratitude for all he has done for her, "Thank you, big brother. I love you and thank you; If it wasn't for you or Twilight, I would have never known that jerk's true intentions until it was too late. Thank you, Courageous Heart...ever so much!"
Courageous cheeks turn red from the kiss and he hugs his little sister, "I love you too...and you are welcome, Shammy Step."
The two siblings hug once more, while the parents and princess admire how close they are as brother and sister...and hope they will always be that way in the years to come...especially when Shammy finds a new stallion to date.
"Well, why don't we all head on inside and have ourselves a nice lunch of greens and hay?~" Grace offers her family a meal to celebrate this day.
"That sounds wonderful, honey!" Tap concurs without question.
"I would love to!" Twilight agrees with her in-laws...loving the idea of spending time with them and the rest of her family.
"Sure thing, mommy!" Shammy nods her head and trots off with her.
"I could never say no to that!" Courageous chuckles and walks along time his wife, as they all make their way into the kitchen to prepare a meal for all to share and enjoy...as they spend what family time they have before returning to their duties.
For Shammy: While this date may not have gone all that she hoped for, she is happy to know that there is a stallion or two in her life that will always love her and keep her safe until she finds that perfect stallion to love her forever. But for now, the young mare enjoys her family time with her parents, sister-in-law, and her special and caring big brother: Courageous Heart.
***********************************************
CREDITS:
Story written by:
Cover Image by:
Artwork by:
Special Thanks:
To all who I ever commissioned.
Thank you for the amazing artwork you have given me.
Very Special Thanks:
To all who have read, commented and favored my stories.
Your support and kindness has helped me come this far.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!
Another Very Special Thanks:
To Lauren Faust, Meghan McCarthy, and Hasbro for the creation of MLP: Friendship is Magic
Disclaimer:
The story here belongs to Courageous-of-Light
All Original Characters and Locations belong to Courageous-of-Light
All MLP:FIM Characters belong to Hasbro.
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Shammy Step, the teenage sister of Prince Courageous Heart, is so excited to be going out on her first date. While everypony else in the family supports the young green unicorn in this, the older brother is not completely on board; Courageous feels the need to watch over his sister and ensure everything goes right for her date. However, the slight interference of Courageous might bring distrust and betrayal to the little sister he loves. Will Shammy's First date go just as she dreams, or will her Big Brother Best Friend Forever (BBBFF) ruin in completely? Find out!!
"BBBFF Reprise" Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VicgrY…
MLP: Crisis of the Cutie: courageous-of-light.deviantart… MLP: A Clever and Daring Misadventure: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: The Future is Magic Vol II List: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: The Future is Magic Volume II Cover Image: dafinaspride.deviantart.com/ar…
MLP: The Future is Magic Map of Tambelon Island: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
"BBBFF Reprise" Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VicgrY…
MLP: Crisis of the Cutie: courageous-of-light.deviantart… MLP: A Clever and Daring Misadventure: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: The Future is Magic Vol II List: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: The Future is Magic Volume II Cover Image: dafinaspride.deviantart.com/ar…
MLP: The Future is Magic Map of Tambelon Island: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
© 2014 - 2024 Courageous-of-Light
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You had me fooled with slick. Has to be my fav volume 2 story yet! (Well done 
)
)