The grand hall of Canterlot Castle was filled with squeaky sounds as Shining Armor tried to process his new reality. Seeking to surprise his wife with a spell to enhance his physical appeal and make himself the most huggable stallion in Equestria, he had focused his magic with intense concentration. The results, however, were not what he had expected. Instead of making his coat softer and shinier like he had intended, the spell backfired spectacularly, transforming him into a living inflatable toy filled with pressurized air. He only noticed the changes in his body when he looked down and saw that his hooves had turned into glossy plastic.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen!” Shining Armor screamed, though only a muffled voice emanated from his new, airtight muzzle. “The spell was supposed to make my fur softer! Not turn me into a… whatever this is!”

Cadance stepped closer, her gold shoes clicking sharply on the floor as she looked over the literal ‘shining’ version of Shining Armor. The plastic creaked when she wrapped her foreleg around his puffy neck and embraced her husband. “You’re definitely cuddlier than before, Shining,” she said amusedly. “Squeakier, too.”

“Ha-ha, very funny,” the stallion snorted, or at least attempted to. No air could actually pass through the black spots painted onto his sealed muzzle, leaving his voice sounding like it was trapped inside a beach ball. “Can you please stop giggling and turn me back?”

Her expression shifted from a wide grin to a slight frown as she examined the seam running down his back. “I’m afraid I can’t, dear. Since you crafted the spell all by yourself, I’ve no idea how to reverse it.”

“Fine, I’ll do it myself,” Shining Armor muttered. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to ignite his magic, but nothing happened. No glow, no spark—just sunlight glinting off his polished forehead. “What’s this? Why isn’t my magic working?”

“I wonder why that is,” Cadance giggled, placing her hoof on his floppy plastic horn. It flexed easily under her touch, then sprang back up once she let go of it.

“What am I going to do now?” he whimpered, his hooves squeaking softly as he paced. “This is a disaster!”

“No need to worry, my love. I’m sure Twilight will be able to change you back to normal.”

“But she’s not here, is she? I am expected to give a speech to the Royal Guard in less than an hour! Do you honestly think they’ll take orders from a captain who looks and sounds like a foal’s plaything?”

“Well, if the guards don’t appreciate your new look, I know somepony who will. I think Flurry Heart will be absolutely delighted to play with her father, Shining Air-mor. Or should I say Squeaking Armor?”

The stallion sagged, his vinyl body letting out a defeated squeak. “Please don’t call me that…”