//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: The gift // Story: The Sparkle's Flash // by Water Sky //------------------------------// Four weeks later Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich had just opened their party-planning business, "Pinkie and Cheese Party Planners," They decided to have a grand opening at Sugar Cub Corner and invited all their friends. “Congratulations on your grand opening, Pinkie Pie,” Applejack exclaimed, raising a cup of fruit punch in a toast. “Thanks, Applejack,” Pinkie responded with a smile. “And thank you, everypony, for coming.” “Well, of course, darling.” Rarity said. “We wouldn’t miss your grand opening for anything in Equestria.” “So, have you guys received any offers since you opened?” Rainbow Dash asked. “We got a few, actually,” Pinkie said. “We even got one from Princess Celestia.” "Really?" Everypony said in unison. "Yeah.” Cheese Sandwich said. “The princess wanted us to help set up the Grand Galloping Gala.” Everyone was surprised to hear that Celestia wanted Pinkie and Cheese to set up for the Grand Galloping Gala. “Woah, the princess wants you two to set up the Grand Galloping Gala?” Rainbow asked, surprised to hear Princess Celestia was one of their first clients. “That’s Right,” Pinkie said. “Well, in that case, I propose a toast,” Twilight said, raising her cup up. “To Pinkie and Cheese,” Everypony else followed suit, raised their cups, clicked them together, and began drinking. As everypony continued to enjoy the party, Twilight noticed her cup was nearly empty. She turned to Flash and asked, “Hey, Flash. Could you get me another drink, please?” “Sure thing, Twilight,” Flash replied. He gracefully took Twilight’s nearly empty cup using his wing and headed to the other tables where the bowl of fruit punch was. Twilight turned back towards her friends, only to notice they were staring at her. "What are you girls looking at?" she asked. "Oh, it's nothing," Starlight said. “We just couldn’t help but notice how well you and Flash have been getting along,” Twilight blushed and said, "Well, I wouldn't say we're getting along that much." "Oh, really?" Sunset smirked, "Because he has been calling you by your name more often now." Twilight’s cheeks flushed even deeper, "Well, yeah. Ever since our night out, I have asked him to call me by my name instead of “princess.” "And how has that been going since?" Sunset asked. "It's been… going well," Twilight said. "Besides accompanying me to wherever I go, he’s been very helpful.” “What do you mean by that?” Starlight asked. “He’s been helping me with my royal duties and even helped me with some of my classes and even coming up with lessons for the students." "Did you ask him for his help?" Rarity asked. "No, actually, he simply volunteered," Twilight said. Starlight, Sunset, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie start to look at each other, knowing what is happening. "What?" Twilight asked. Sunset turned back to Twilight and said, "It sounds like Flash is starting to like you." "He... He is?" Twilight said, stuttering as her heart raced. She then turned to Sunset, "What should I do?" "Relax, Twilight," Starlight said. "Take your time and consider your own feelings.” "And remember, we'll be here for you. No matter what," Sunset added. "Thanks, girls," Twilight said. As Twilight continued her conversation with her friends over at the food and drink table, Flash had just finished refilling Twilight's cup of fruit punch. He was about to head towards Twilight to give it to her when he noticed Spike sitting alone. Thinking about something else, Flash decided to talk to Spike. Flash approached Spike and said, “Hey, Spike. Mind if I ask you something?” Spike turned towards Flash, “Sure, Flash. What do you need?” “Well… I need your help.” Flash sat down next to Spike before saying to him. “I’m having trouble finding a gift for Twilight, and I need your advice,” Spike raised an eyebrow, “Wait a minute. Why do you want to give Twilight a gift?” he asked curiously. Scratching his head, Flash explained to Spike, “Well, in a few days, it will be a whole month of being her royal guard, and I want to give her something special.” “So, why are you asking me?” Spike asked. Flash explained to Spike, “Because you happen to know more about her than any creature, even her best friends.” After hearing what Flash said about him, Spike decided to advise him. “Well, Twilight is interested in learning new things and reading books. So, I would suggest buying her a book." "What kind of book?" Flash asked. "Twilight is interested in any book, like history, adventure, and comedy,” Spike suggested. "Thanks, Spike," Flash said, expressing his gratitude. "No problem," Spike replied, After receiving Spike’s advice, Flash returned to Twilight with her cup of fruit punch. Handing it to her, he said, "Here you go, Twilight." "Thanks, Flash," Twilight said to Flash. As Twilight took a sip, Flash considered what Spike had just said and thought, “A book that she might be interested in…” Meanwhile, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are in their clubhouse discussing which ponies they should help get their Cutie Marks. "So, girls, who should we help today?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I’m not sure," Scootaloo said. She then turned to Apple Bloom and asked, “What do you think, Apple Bloom?” Apple Bloom didn’t answer. She was staring out the window, lost in thought, thinking about Spike. “Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo exclaimed, snapping her friend out of her trance. “Huh, What? “Apple Bloom said, confused. “Sorry, Scoots, what were you saying?” "What’s going on with you?" Scootaloo asked. “You have been acting strangely for the past few weeks?” “Yeah, is everything all right?” Sweetie Belle asked, putting on a worried look. “It’s nothing, really.” Apple Bloom said, attempting to dismiss their worries. Suddenly, Sweetie Belle walked in front of Apple Bloom, gazing at her, “Apple Bloom, I don’t think you’re telling us the truth.” “I agree. Is there something you're not telling us?” Scootalo said, starting to get annoyed that her friend was keeping a secret. "Well, there is something I have to tell you, girls." Apple Bloom said. “But you can’t tell any pony, especially my family. “Sure, what is it?” Sweetie Bella asked. A few minutes of explaining later... "You have a crush on Spike?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said in unison. "Yeah, I do." Apple Bloom confesses as her cheeks blush. "When did this happen?" Scootaloo asked. Apple Bloom answered, "It happened a few years ago when he helped me out on the farm when Applejack was away on a friendship quest." "Well, why didn't you tell him sooner?" Scootaloo asked. She then remembered why, “Oh, he had a crush on Rarity.” “He does, but I don’t think it’s going to last.” “What do you mean?” Scootalo asked. Before Apple Bloom could answer, Sweetie Bell responded first. "It's probably because she's dating Fancy Pants." “How do you know?” Scootaloo asked Sweetie Belle. Sweetie answered, “She told me about last month.” “Yeah, that's it.” Apple Bloom confirms. “Okay, so why do you ask him out already?” Scootaloo suggested. “Because I don’t know how to tell him.” Apple Bloom said. “ Sweetie Belle then comforts Apple Bloom, “Don’t Worry, Apple Bloom, we got your back. And when Spike is over with Rarity, we will be there to support you.” “And hey, the gala is in a month. Maybe you can ask him to dance with you then,” Scootalo suggested before comforting Apple Bloom toon. Thanks, Girls, Apple Bloom said before grabbing them in for a hug. “I love you.” “We love you too.” Sweete and Scootalo said in unison. Half an hour after the party, Applejack and Rainbow walked to Applejack farm at Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash turned to Applejack and said, "Man, that was a good party. I've got a feeling that Pinkie's party business is going to be a big hit." "You got that right, sugar cube," Applejack said. "After all, she had Cheese by her side." “Yeah, those two make a good team," Rainbow Dash added, "Just like Fluttershy and Discord and Rarity and Fancy Pants." “I agree,” Applejack said. After a moment of silence, Applejack turned to Rainbow and asked, "So, how are things with the Wonderbolts?” “Oh, um, things are going great,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Yeah, we've been practicing for a new routine. And let me tell you, it’s going to be awesome.” She then turned to Applejack and asked, “What about you?” “Oh, you know, same old, same old. Applejack shrugged. “Help out on the farm, bucking apples and getting ready for cider season.” Just then, Applejack thought of an idea: “Ya know, we have hung out for a while. Maybe you could stick around one day and help us out with the harvest?” “Sure, count me in! As long as you give me some cider afterward,” Rainbow said. Applejack chuckled in response. “You drive a hard bargain, Dash, but deal. Just before she could ask another question, Rainbow interrupted. “Hey, I got to head home, A.J.; I’ve got early training tomorrow.” “Oh, sure thing. Take care, Rainbow.” “Later, A.J.” As Rainbow Dash soared off into the dusk sky, Applejack couldn’t help but blush and wonder why she hadn’t admitted her crush on her. A few days later, Flash was strolling around Ponyville, trying to find the perfect gift for Twilight. Suddenly, he stumbled upon a bookstore. “A bookstore, perfect! Spike said Twilight loves books,” he thought. Feeling this was the perfect opportunity, Flash decided to go inside. As Flash entered the store, he looked around and saw a bunch of books, some on shelves and several on top of the shelves. He was greeted by an elderly mare unicorn with a silver mane and a golden coat, who happened to be the store's owner. "Good afternoon, Sir," the store owner said, greeting Flash with a warm smile. "What brought you in here today?" Flash was taken aback by the store owner's sudden appearance. "Oh, hello," he said. "I'm looking for a book." "Ah, a book, you say," The book owner said. "Might I ask what kind you're looking for?" Drawing from Spike’s advice, Flash responded, "Something with either adventure, thriller, comedy, or history." The owner gazed into Flash’s eyes and said, "Let me guess; it's for a certain pony friend of yours?" Flash's eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know?" "Easy. I know different kinds of ponies that come here, and you look like somepony who wants to buy a book for somepony else,” the store owner explained with a smile. “Wait here; I'll be back in a few minutes.” A few minutes later, the owner returned with several books for Flash, and she left him alone to look through them. After looking through all the books, Flash found the perfect book to give to Twilight. "This is the one." He declared with confidence. The owner looked at the book Flash had chosen and nodded in approval, "Ah, an excellent choice," she remarked. "That will be 25 bits." After paying for the book, Flash left the store with a smile, hoping Twilight would love his gift. Back in the Castle of Friendship, Twilight is in her bedroom, combing her mane, when she hears a knock on her open door. When she turned to see who it was, she was greeted by Flash as he entered the room. “Flash, there you are! Where have you been?” Twilight asked. "I haven't seen you since this afternoon." "Apologies, Twilight,” Flash replied. “I was out for a bit until I decided to go shopping," "You have?" Twilight asked curiously. "What did you buy?" "Actually, I bought something for you,” Flash said with a smile. “Consider it a gift for being your royal guard for a month.” Twilight was surprised to hear Flash had bought her a gift. Flash pulls the book he bought from his satchel and gently places it on Twilight’s bed. Twilight levitates the book close to her and reads the title aloud: “The Trojan Maze Runner.” She then looked at Flash and asked, “What is it about?” “I don’t want to give away too much,” Flash begins to answer Twilight’s question. “But it’s about a group of ponies waking up in the middle of a Trojan maze, trying to find a way out. But it became difficult when the maze kept changing, and mysterious creatures tried to kill and stop the ponies from exiting.” Twilight examined the book closer and said, “Hm, it sounds like something Rainbow would be in instead.” Suddenly, her smile turned upside down. “You don’t like it?” Flash asked, worried that Twilight might not like the gift he gave her. Twilight looked at Flash and said, “No, not at all. I do like it.” She said, “I’ve been meaning to read something new for a while.” Then she looked at Flash and said, “It’s just I didn't get you anything.” “I don’t need a gift,” Flash replied. “Your safety is my greatest gift of all.” Flash smiled in relief, "Well, I'm glad you like it," Flash said. "I'm gonna go to bed; see you in the mornings." "Okay, good night, Flash," Twilight said, bidding him farewell. As Flash leaves Twilight's room and heads to his room. Twilight takes the book to her bed and reads the first few chapters of “The Trojan Maze Runner.” Meanwhile, inside the dark alicorn's cave, he watches Twilight through his crystal ball. “So, this is the alicorn you mention?” he asked his phoenix. The dark phoenix squeaks in response. The dark alicorn examined Twilight closer. " I thought she would be a little taller,” he said, followed by a cold chuckle. “But it doesn’t matter; all that matters is how powerful her magic is to me.” The dark alicorn turned away from the crystal ball, walked out of the cave, and looked over the view of the Castle of Friendship in Ponyville. “I just need to know how powerful her magic is,” he declared with a dark smirk. “And I will find out, one way or another.”