Hey everycreature! What's up!?

So this is another random short story idea I had in my mind, what if Cadance had a pet just like the other princesses have?

I know Cadance does have a family unlike the other princesses have, but it would be interesting to see what pet she would have. Celestia has a phoenix, Luna (If you follow the comics) has a opossum, and Twilight had an owl.

And yeah, this is of course non-canonical and does take place before the future Equestria shown in The Last Problem.

Chapter 1: Realization

It was a bright sunny day in the high up royal city of Equestria, Canterlot, and in the royal palace walking down the hallways were two alicorns, Princesses Celestia and Cadance, the latter being the ruler of the Crystal Empire. The two just enjoying a walk and chatting with each other.

"Oh it's so nice that you could take some time to come here my niece, we hardly get to see each other these days." Celestia said.

"Of course, I'm enjoying my visit, Shining Armor was so nice to let me leave and take a break, but I hope he can manage everything without me, especially with needing to watch over Flurry at the same time." Cadance replied.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Shining Armor can handle things for a few days, best not to worry about it." Celestia advised Cadance.

The two returned to their quiet walk about the palace, only their peace was soon enough interrupted when up ahead they saw a phoenix clutching onto a opossum while a dark blue alicorn chase after the fast moving bird.

"Get back here you bird!" The alicorn shouted as Celestia put a stop to it.

"Philomena, young lady, you put Tiberius down this instant!" Celestia sternly told the phoenix flying towards her as the phoenix slowed down to a stop in midair, dropping the opossum held in her talons, the dark blue alicorn catching the wingless animal right before he touched the ground.

"Celestia, when will you tell your pet that mine is not her meal?" The dark blue alicorn spoke to Celestia.

"I know Luna, I always tell Philomena, but you know she always loves her tricks." Celestia reminded the dark blue alicorn as she turned to the phoenix, who was now perched on her back. "Don't you young lady?" Celestia asked the phoenix as the bird nodded her head.

"How do you two manage Equestria and look after these two at the same time?" Cadance asked.

"Well, sometimes it's hard Cadance, but having Philomena here helps me with the stress, it can be hard, but it is relaxing and rewarding at the same time." Celestia answered.

"Indeed, it is a bond that is very special, I remember when I met Tiberius here like it was just yesterday." Luna added.

Over the past few days while Cadance was in Canterlot on the few social visits with her aunties, she noticed she seen more of them together with their pets, it was a rather different kind of tie unlike with her husband and baby daughter. It made Cadance start having these thoughts of back home… When her husband was out on guard patrols and her daughter was asleep in her room during the day and she was alone in the throne room, with no one besides her…

Night came and with dinner served in the dinning room, Cadance sat, taking her seat while Celestia and Luna were there with Philomena and Tiberius. Cadance saw how her aunties enjoyed sharing their meals with their pets, sharing some chuckles as everyone enjoyed their meal or well most of them did… Cadance did enjoy her dinner, but didn't feel the joy and company that Celestia and Luna had.

After dinner, with Luna going to do her duty dream watching, with Tiberius by her side to keep her company, Celestia, with Philomena perched on her back went with Cadance to her guest room in the palace.

"Did you enjoy your dinner my niece?" Celestia asked when they arrived at the door of the guest room.

"Yes I did auntie, thank you for it, goodnight and sweet dreams." Cadance told Celestia as Philomena than lowered her head and looked at Cadance with a slight begging look on her face. "Yes, you too Philomena." Cadance chuckled.

"You're welcome Cadance, sleep well." Celestia told Cadance before taking her leave and to her own bedroom.

As Cadance watched Celestia and Philomena leave, she entered her guest room, which, except for the bed, the other pieces of furniture and her luggage she brought with her, was empty, all quiet as Cadance sighed and after taking off her royal attire, settled down for a good night's sleep, alone in the room.

Cadance couldn't stay in Canterlot forever and after another day passed, it was time for her social visit to end and for her to return to the Crystal Empire. Celestia, with Philomena and a few guards, going to see her off at the train station.

"All abroad, next stop Crystal Empire!" The conductor called out as the Friendship Express rolled into the station, getting ready for its next destination.

"Well, looks like that's me." Cadance said as she picked up her luggage with her magic before making sure to hug her auntie goodbye for now. "I'll see you next time auntie."

"Have a safe trip Cadance." Celestia wished back as Philomena wanted a goodbye too."

"Yes, I'll see you again too Philomena." Cadance petted the phoenix's feathery head.

"Best not to keep the train waiting Cadance, go on." Celestia told Cadance as Cadance hurried up, boarding the nearest train car and taking a seat, looking out the window to see Celestia waving her hoof and Philomena waving her wing at her, Cadance waved back as the train started moving, slowly pulling out of the station as the Canterlot train station disappeared from view.

As Cadance relaxed, sighing as she sat down on her seat, she looked out the window, seeing the rolling green hills and flowing rivers, which contained many different kinds of animals. Fish swimming down streams, with various birds flying through the air above while on the ground such animals like deer, bears and even animals that Cadance couldn't see like spiders were abundant. As Cadance thought about her visit to Canterlot, seeing her aunties out of their official lives and now seeing these animals outside while the train traveled up north to the Crystal Empire made her realize something.

After an overnight train trip, the train finally reached the Crystal Empire, Cadance waking up to see the tall crystal palace in sight as the train began slowing down as it arrived at the station. The locomotive letting out some steam which hid the view of the station platform, but when it cleared Cadance saw Shining Armor holding onto Flurry, Shining Armor looking very tired as he should be, but thankful as the train car doors opened.

Cadance smiled as she was grateful her family was here to welcome her back home, but seeing her husband and daughter only reminded her that something was missing as she got up and exited the train. Shining Armor, with Flurry, came up, both of them with smiles.

"Welcome back home honey." Shining Armor tiredly greeted his wife as his mane was a mess and his eyes half open. "Things have been very busy and difficult without you, but I managed." Shining Armor reported as Cadance grabbed onto Flurry and brought her baby over to her, Flurry reaching out her little front legs to her mother.

"Well, I'm glad to be back home…" Cadance said unconvincingly as Shining Armor, even in his tired state, caught onto his wife's mood.

"You okay honey?" Shining Armor asked. "I thought you would have enjoyed your visit to Canterlot."

"Oh I did, really, but it made me realize something, something that I have been missing." Cadance replied.

"And that is?" Shining Armor wondered where his wife was taking this.

"I want to have my own pet." Cadance revealed.

And there we go! Cadance wants a pet just like the other princesses have! How will she go about getting one is the question!

Well, we'll get to that in the next chapter!

See everycreature later!