Mirror's Image

Chapter 13

"One-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four," Shining Armor recited as he marched in front of his little sister's room. The young colt was ready for anything, with his cardboard armor on and wooden training sword by his side.

"Shining Armor," Night Light said. "It's time for bed, tomorrow's a school day."

"But dad, I have to protect Twiley!" Shining Armor protested. "What if a monster shows up? Or a foalnapper? Or a monster that specializes in foalnapping?"

Night Light sighed and lowered himself to his son's eyelevel. "You need to stop worrying so much," he said. "Twilight is safe inside her crib and she has Miss Smarty Pants with her, she will protect Twilight."

"She's just a doll," Shining Armor argued.

"One that you made," Night Light reminded him. "If anything she'll keep Twilight from having bad dreams. Now off to bed with you."

Shining Armor muttered something under his breath as he went through the door next to the one he had been guarding. This was his room and he was grateful that it was right next to his little sister's.

The colt couldn't understand why Twilight had already been given her own room. He considered her way too young to be without her parents at night. Though he might be a bit biased, having lost her once already. Shining Armor didn't know what he'd do if he ever lost her again...

Using what magic he had he unclasped the straps of his play-armor and pulled it off of himself with his hooves. He then gingerly placed it on a worn-out mannequin so it would retain its shape. The training sword followed suit and was placed on a standard he had made out of two pieces of wood.

The sword was the last thing his grandfather had given him and he treasured it above all else, except his parents, grandma and little sister, of course.

Disarmed, he left his room again to find Night Light waiting outside the door. "Have you brushed your teeth?" he asked.

"Yes," Shining Armor lied.

Night light leaned in and looked his son in the eyes. "Liar, go wash up," he said.

Shining Armor grumbled as he went to the bathroom. Once there, he opened the cabinet, pulled out his toothbrush and went to work.

"Two minutes minimum!" Night Light called out from the hallway.

"Yesh dahd!" Shining Armor said loudly and obnoxiously as he continued to brush his teeth, as awkwardly as it was to do so without the use of magic. Shining Armor could levitate small things but a controlled motion like brushing his teeth was still out of his league.

Despite that, he managed. Two minutes later, his pearly whites were, well, pearly white and Shining Armor was cleaning up the bathroom, lest he receive a lecture about that as well.

With his dental duties done, he returned to Twilight's room. His mother and father were there, watching as Twilight slept in her crib. Her Smarty Pants doll was clenched in her little hooves as she dreamt of something pleasant, judging by the tiny smile on her face.

"Come to say goodnight?" Velvet asked as she noticed Shining Armor creeping into the room, the colt taking care not to make a sound.

"Just like every night," Shining Armor whispered as he looked through the bars at the little filly. "Good night, Twiley," he said.

"Now off to bed with you," Night Light said. "You have school tomorrow, remember?"

"Yes dad," Shining Armor said, moving back towards the door.