I apologize for the lack of updates lately. I've been busy with my work on Fimfiction and writing with my friend. Any way, these next few chapters aren't much, feel like they could've been better.

Riku with Keyblade in his magic aura stood in front of Derpy and her daughter as he watched Shining Armor effortlessly hold back the Heartless with a shield spell keeping the Heartless in the small area. "I want you two to make a run for the house over there; the one with roses covering the front of it," Riku said looking back at the mare and filly with a concerned look. "I'll block any Heartless that try to get to you then when you're safe inside I'll end this with the Heartless," Riku says speaking with them making sure they would be safe.

"We understand. Don't we mommy?" The filly asks Derpy softly still fearful of the Heartless as Derpy nodded her head.

"I get it. I just hope we can get inside without any trouble," Derpy says gulping a breath of air before Riku turned around and gave a brief nod of his head before slowly making his way out into the street. She followed closely before suddenly three clouds of white smoke appeared around Riku and three exact copies of him stood facing Shining Armor with different weapons drawn.

"They are only clones but they'll help," Riku says before his horn started glowing brightly covering the two in a shield of magic as he turned to nod to them again and they quickly made their way to the house Riku pointed out as the three clones ran for Shining and the Heartless still running after the ponies who were still fleeing. Two of the clones swept in and swooped up two ponies that tripped as they ran from two Shadow Heartless as the last of the three slashed through the Heartless with a blade flowing with electricity cutting them in half before they disappeared in dark puffs.

Meanwhile Riku and the two he was personally escorting to a place he knew they'd be safe in slashed at a Heartless that approached him quickly reaching out to him with black claws ready to claim a heart. Riku smiled as he was finally able to cut loose before a Heartless that Riku hadn't seen before swooped down from the sky in an attempt to break the shield he had around the small family. He quickly spread his wings and flew quickly at the Heartless before it struck out with its talons. Before the strike could even land Riku smiled and suddenly a kunai flew at the Heartless and struck it dead center in its back making it tear it's gaze from Riku to slash through its torso with the Keyblade making it shriek loudly in pain before it fell to the ground and vanished in a burst of darkness leaving the kunai sticking point first into the ground.

"Riku are you ok?" Derpy asks since her daughter was shielding her eyes with her hooves.

"Don't worry about me Derpy. These Heartless are nothing but foalsplay," He says with a grin before opening the door with a quick spell and ushered them inside. "You'll be safe in here. I'll come for you when the coast is clear," He says glancing at Shining seeing some of the Heartless breaking through his shield. "I'll be back soon," He says as he closes the door and turns seeing Shining Armor's spell finally break releasing the Heartless as they jumped after him for revenge before a sudden shield formed over him and forced the Heartless back with a wave of heat.

"What's the matter Shining? Too much for you to handle?" Riku asks quickly getting to Shining's side once the Keyblade's spell vanished standing beside Shining looking at the Heartless surrounding them slowly.

"Well they aren't something I'm used to fighting Riku," Shining says looking at the Heartless as both sides wait for the other to make the first move.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking Shining?" Riku asked as he studied the Heartless before him; Shadows, Wyvern, Bolt Towers and White Knights.

"What are you thinking Riku?" Shining asks not breaking his gaze on the Heartless as he asks Riku his plan.

"On my cue use your magic and take the sword on my back and focus on fire or lightning. I'll use the Keyblade and I think together we can defeat these Heartless."

"That's it? Seems to simple… but effective. Let's do it," He says channeling magic into his horn and glances back to the sword on Riku's back and quickly pulls it from the sheath thinking of fire as a Shadow jumped at him. He swung the sword and slashed through the Heartless. Before the body could reach his body it vanishes in a small puff of darkness. "I can't believe it worked," Shining Armor says surprised that it worked before one of the Wyverns flew at him quickly before a ball of fire slammed into the Heartless burning it to a crisp leaving a small heart the float away from it's body and vanish as suddenly as it appeared leaving Shining staring at the scene before Riku pulled him back with a quick spell and turned around quickly and slashed through the White Night before being caught in one of the Bolt Tower's electric beams lifting him off of the ground.

"Watch out Shining!" One of the three clones shout to him before blocking some swipes from a White Knight before the real Riku smiled, flipped and swung the Keyblade and shot back the Bolt Tower's own electricity causing an overload and small explosion destroying some of the Heartless while leaving the others in a small daze.

Shining slowly shook his head breaking free of the daze only to see a White Knight with its claws ready to claim his heart before a blade was thrust through its back causing the Heartless to vanish in a puff of whispery darkness. "Thanks Riku," Shining says quickly getting to his hooves seeing only three Heartless remaining; one Shadow and two Wyvern.

"Don't worry about it, now I think it's time I try this out," Riku says before closing his eyes and breaths in slowly and in his mind sees himself standing before a large glass cage with Nightmare Moon sitting inside it with her eyes closed.

"It took you long enough you foal," She starts with a hissed voice.

"Look, I know you hate me but I need some of your power, these Heartless need to know what they're dealing with now."

"Why should I? Because of you and that foolish Princess I'm trapped inside her heart and yours; like an animal," She replies turning her threatening gaze onto Riku.

"Just help me here and maybe you and I can come to an agreement," Riku said staring at her, Sharingan glowing brightly.

Nightmare Moon stared into his eyes and her own eyes grew wide and she bowed her head as her magic started flowing through his body filling him with the ancient magic. Outside his mind he opened his eyes revealing them glowing brightly before he vanished from sight then the Heartless dissipated in puffs of black smoke as he appeared just behind them; his eyes still glowing for a moment before the glow vanished as well as the Keyblade. "That worked out so much better than I thought."

"What in Celestia's mane did you just do?" Shining asked looking at Riku shocked by the sudden power surge.

"Just a theory, and it worked beautifully. Can't imagine I could harness her magic that easily," Riku said with a smile before feeling a headache start forming forcing him to close his right eye. "Damn, magic backlash."

"The Princesses already taught you magic?" Shining asks shocked how quickly Riku had learned.

"It was easy, I thought it was going to be a lot harder but thankfully things turned out better than things normally go for me," Riku says holding a hoof to his forehead.

"From the look of it, you still have a long way to go, from what I saw nearly caused burnout," Shining replies.

"Burnout?"

"Princess Luna taught you how much about magic?"

"Only spells for now, pretty much skipped over basics," Riku replies jokingly with a smile as ponies slowly start coming back onto the street.

"Come with me, I think I should teach you more that the Princess may or may not have taught you," Shining says sighing as he starts walking down the street.

"Wait one sec," Riku says turning back to the home that he had led Derpy and Dinky Doo into to. "It's alright, those monsters are gone."

The door opens slowly and Kinky peeks out from behind the door. "Are you s-sure Y-Your Maj-Majesty?"

"Please, just call me Riku. Anyway, let's get you two home safely. Guards!" Riku calls out and suddenly three guards stand behind him with spears held high. "I want you three to escort these three to their home, protect them like they were your family."

"Yes Your Majesty!" They all reply saluting him before turning to the mare and filly. "Please come with us."

"Ok but one last thing? Your Majesty, thank you for saving my little muffin, I can't repay you for your kindness," She says bowing deeply to Riku who smiled.

"Don't worry, just try and be safe. If you see any of them again, just get inside and hide and have Spike send me a letter," Riku says already aware of Spike's ability to send letters.

"Yes Riku, hope to see you again," Derpy says before she starts leading the guards to the train station.

"Good job Riku, you've already made a friend," Shining Armor says coming up to Riku's side with a smile on his face. "And also made a fan."

"All I did was keep them safe, nothing more. Besides the Heartless don't care who they attack."

"That's not how they see it; to them you risked your life for theirs. In their eyes you embody what Princess Celestia and Luna show from Canterlot castle. For now you'll be seen in a different light; a protector."

"I know that I am supposed to be a protector but-" Riku starts before Shining raised a hoof.

"Ponies look up to Princess Celestia and Luna and now they look up to you, it's just that simple to them and that's all they need; to know that somepony is willing to protect them from harm," He replies befire he is approached by another of the guard.

"I'm sorry Captain Armor, Prince Riku but Princess Celestia wishes to see you both immediately," He says bowing to his superiors.

"Understood, dismissed," Shining Armor says to the guard. The guard bows to Riku, salutes Shining Armor then turns to return to his post.

"I guess our tour is done huh?" Riku asks looking up at the castle.

"Yes, but if you need anything just ask and I'll help as best as I can," He says as they both start walking to the castle.

"Thank you Captain," Riku says with a smile then continues on in silence just using his Sharingan to memorize every alley and building on their path.

***Inside the throne room***

"Thank you both for being here, I need to speak with you both about an important matter; Princess Cadance," Celestia starts earning a curious look from Riku and an embarrassed one from Shining Armor.

"Who's Princess Cadance?" Riku asks before Shining Armor cleared his throat loudly. "This is the first I've heard of her so I'm only curious."

"She is a Princess that was born a couple centuries ago but she's about Shining Armor's age. All I am aware of is that for now she's touring around Equestria to learn every town, city and every official in the kingdom. I need you both to meet her in Las Pegasus and escort her to Trottingham. I fear that she may be a target while she's on the move," Princess Celestia says sternly.

"So basically we're going to act as body guards to a princess who could easily protect herself with magic?" Riku asks still not sure why they were needed.

"That's simple Riku; it's because she's not good at combat magic or defensive spells at all, despite having high levels of magic she lacks in those two fields," Celestia says looking at Riku and Shining.

"I see; count me in," Riku says with a smile and a confidence in his eyes that makes Celestia smile.

"Alright, Captain I understand that you're part of the Royal Guard but you still have the right to send another in your steed," Celestia says address Shining Armor.

"I don't need to think about it Your Majesty, I'm going."

"Alright, she'll be leaving Trottingham within two days' time, that's when you have to meet her at the northern entrance. Be safe you two, and keep her safe."

"We will Your Majesty, don't worry about it one bit," Riku says with a nod before turning to walk to the door leaving Shining Armor alone with the Princess.

As he leaves the room and closes the door Shining turns his attention back to Celestia. "Do you think he's too green for a mission like this?"

"Why do you say that Captain?"

"Well he didn't even know about magic Burnout or Backlash," Shining says concerned a little about the success of the mission.

"I figured Luna wouldn't teach him about those things yet; that's why tonight I'm going to have Luna instruct him on more advanced magic's as well as their negative effects."

"I hope this works. Though what are you trying to prove by sending Prince Riku with me on this mission?"

"You'll see when the mission is complete. I have a few things I need to see that he hasn't shown yet."

"Like what Princess?"

"You'll see, it's something that both Luna and I have shown before. I hope he can show it on this mission of yours."

"I hope so to Your Majesty; this mission isn't a simple walk in the park. After all, protecting Cadance is a big deal for me," Shining says gently.

"I forget that she foalsat Twilight when she was younger, and I can't forget that you seem to have a crush on her," Celestia says knowing his feelings for Cadance.

Shining remains silent wondering how much she really knows about his feelings for her. "Um… well I know she's important and I want to pro-protect a honorary member of my family," Shining says trying to keep his cool before Celestia gives a gentle chuckle.

"It's alright Captain, I'll let you go and prepare yourself for your long trip. Report to me when you're done and I'll have you catch your second-in-command on what needs to be done while you're away."

"Yes Your Majesty," Shining Armor says bowing to her before giving her a salute.

"You're dismissed Captain," Celestia says with a smile as he turns and starts walking back to his room.

So looks like Riku and Shining Armor are going on a mission together. Wonder how that will go in the long haul; will they become friends or remain like they have?