Kilala97Contest1: The Meaning of Love

Ok, so this is for 's Next Gen Contest of Epic Awesomeness! I was originally going to do something with Valiant Heart and Shining Armor, but when I started reading Valiant's bio I noticed there was no official story behind how he got his wings. All that was said was that he got them "when he grasped the full meaning of love", so I decided to go off of that, and TA-DA!

Also, I feel like Cadance would be a good teacher and try to teach Valiant through in-the-moment lessons. It's kind of a callback to how she taught Twilight to calm herself down. She gave her a method and let her do the rest, ya know? Similar kind of thing here, though with her son she sometimes has to push the point a little more for him to get it.

I hope everyone likes it, and wish me luck!

EDIT [12/26/14]
Holy crud I won! Thank you so much , I had a lot of fun participating in your contest, and I look forward to many more in the future!

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Cadance: *knocks on Valiant's bedroom door* Valiant? You ready to go sweetheart?

Valiant: Yeah, just give me five minutes.

Cadance: That's what you said five minutes ago.

Valiant: Just five more minutes and I promise I'll be ready.

Cadance: *pauses, then leans up against his door and hears him pacing* Is everything alright?

Valiant: Everything's fine.

Cadance: *pauses again before opening his door* Valiant, you aren't even packed yet!

Valiant: *notices her standing in the doorway* Um...

Cadance: Honey what's the matter?

Valiant: Nothing. I'm-

Cadance: Don't even try lying to me. You're as bad a liar as your father.

Valiant: I'm...I just...*glances over at his desk*

Cadance: *follows his gaze and notices an opened letter* Is that what's bothering you?

Valiant: ...

Cadance: *walks over to the desk and reads the letter, and her face moves from a curious to a shocked expression*

Valiant: It's from June. I just got it this morning.

Cadance: *quietly* I've heard your stories about the farm, but I had no idea farming could be that dangerous.

Valiant: It was a freak accident. Big Mac saw the tree falling before she did and managed to get her out of the way, but...

Cadance: *puts the letter down and turns back to Valiant who has his back turned to her* Is he going to be alright?

Valiant: I don't know...

*they stand in silence for a moment before Valiant suddenly shouts and kicks the post of his bed*

Valiant: I'm sorry, I know how important this trip is but I can't stand it!

Cadance: Can't stand what?

Valiant: *whips his head around to look her straight in the eyes* Mom, you read her letter. She feels responsible for what happened. She's...she's in pain. I know she has friends there, but that's not going to be enough and it's driving me crazy!

*he turns to the window on the other side of the room*

Cadance: ...Sweetheart, if you don't want to come with me on my visit to Canterlot you don't have to.

Valiant: *turns* But you've been looking forward to this for so long. We hardly ever get to visit the other princesses at the same time.

Cadance: I know, but you're right. Red June needs you right now.

Valiant: Needs me?

Cadance: *raises an eyebrow and gives him a knowing look*

Valiant: W-Why are you looking at me like that?

Cadance: Because I find it hard to believe that you don't see what I see.

Valiant: Huh?

Cadance: Valiant, think about what you just said to me. You can't stand the thought of Red June being in pain, right?

Valiant: Right.

Cadance: And you'd be willing to skip our long anticipated trip to Canterlot to be with her right now?

Valiant: Well, yeah.

Cadance: Why do you think that is?

Valiant: *starts getting annoyed* Mom, I don't have time for one of your lessons right now! I don't know what to do!

Cadance: Valiant Heart, answer the question.

Valiant: *stomps his hoof angrily and turns away to rant* I don't know, ok! All I know is that one of my best friends is in trouble and I should be there for her! The others won't be able to do it right! Starburst will just try to get her to "mare-up", Prism and Candy will be useless, Anthea is on a trip with her mom, Del is in Canterlot with HIS mom, and T and Claire are with THEIR parents in Manehatten! I have to be there because...because...

Cadance: Because...?

Valiant: *whispers* ...Because I care about her.

Cadance: What?

Valiant: *a litte louder* I want to be there by her side to comfort her because I really, truly care about her. I...

Cadance: You love her, don't you?

Valiant: *smiles* ...Yeah, I do.

Cadance: *walks closer to him, the smallest tears starting to form in her eyes* Then go. I'll tell the other princesses that you couldn't make it because something very important came up.

Valiant: *turns back to her, but not before she wipes away the tears* Are you sure?

Cadance: *nods* Now go pack your things. If you're going to be in Ponyville for a while you're going to need them.

Valiant: *smiles, walks over to her, and embraces her in a tight hug* Thanks for understanding Mom.

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*later that evening in Canterlot*

Celestia: It's good to see you Cadance! But tell me, where is Valiant Heart?

Cadance: I actually need to talk to you about him. I think it's time to officially make him royalty.