A Much Needed Talk
Twilight was in a rush to get to the Crystal Kingdom to have a chat with her brother, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadence so she decided to exit the castle about three hours before noon. "Spike," the alicorn started as she lowered her crown onto her head, "I need you make sure that he guards are on track while I'm at the Kingdom."
"Will do, Twi." the dragon answered with a nod.
"Alright," Twilight continued as she turned to the guard at the door, "Flash, before we go to the Station, I want to get my friends. They have to here the news straight from my sister-in-law."
"Right!" Flash saluted.
"Let's go." she finished as they headed down the stairs to the entrance. The only sound piercing their silence was the sound of their hooves as they trotted to the door. Flash trotted ahead to open the door but he halted when Twilight opened it with her magic. He stood out of the way as he let her through.
He trotted to beside her as he escorted the alicorn to her first destination: Sugar Cube Corner. They approached the door of the sweets-covered building and heard two ponies talking from inside. One of them was a mare while the other was a stallion. Twilight pushed the door open and the little bell above the frame chimed to signal that a pony had entered. "Ohhh! Hey Twilight!" the mare waved from behind the counter as they entered.
"Hey Pinkie. Who were you talking to?" Twilight asked as she approached the counter where her friend was.
"Just Pokey." she smiled. At that moment, a head poked out from the kitchen behind Pinkie. It was Pokey Pierce. "Thought I heard a familiar voice!" he smiled as he came from the kitchen. Pokey Pierce was a unicorn with an indigo coat and a bouncy silver and white mane. No wonder why they started to date. Pokey came beside Pinkie and nuzzled her neck lightly before asking, "What brings you here?"
"Just here to get Pinkie." Twilight answered, "Some important stuff came up at the Crystal Kingdom."
"Ohh! Is it Sombra!?" she asked excitedly as she pulled out her party cannon, "Cause I have been waiting to unload my cannon on him!"
"No no no, Pinkie." Twilight smiled with a small chuckle, "It's a surprise."
"Oh," she sighed as she tossed her party cannon away, which landed with a crash, "Then it's a reason only you and the author knows?"
"Yes. The what now?" Twilight asked as she tilted her head with a confused look.
"I choose to ignore those comments." Pokey chuckled as he rubbed Pinkie's poofy mane.
"I think I should, too." Twilight chuckled back as she readjusted her head, "So, Pinkie. You coming or what?"
"Yeppers!" Pinkie bounced, "Later Pokey!" She nuzzled her coltfriend before bouncing along with Twilight and Flash.
Their next destination wasn't that far off from the bakery and the building was undoubtedly the most elegant building in all of Ponyville: The Carousel Boutique. Flash pushed the door open which, like the one at Sugar Cube Corner, rang a small bell as it opened. "Coming, darling!" a voice chimed from upstairs. Then, there was the sound of hooves as the pony upstairs trotted to meet whoever was at the door. A white unicorn mare, whose mane was tied in a single bun, came down from her descent from upstairs. "Twilight! Pinkie!" she called out as she rushed to meet her friends, "What brings you here?"
"Just wanted to get you for something, Rarity." Twilight answered as she and Pinkie hugged Rarity. Flash Sentry gave a light cough so he would get noticed. "Hello, Flash." Rarity acknowledged flatly before separating from the hug, "What is this 'something' you are referring to?"
"Important business in the Kingdom." Twilight answered as they went further inside so that the door can shut.
"What business?" Rarity asked as they sat on separate couches that adorned the living room.
"Twilight here says that it's a secret!" Pinkie Pie answered as she smiled.
"Well then," Rarity nodded as they all got up, "Let's go then!"
"Where to next?" Flash asked as they exited the boutique.
"Up." Twilight smiled as she launched from the ground like a cork coming from a bottle of shaken champagne. Flash tried his best to keep up but the princess was moving fast enough that she made a streak of the color of her tail. "Something tells me that they are going to be together soon." Rarity pointed out.
"What makes ya say that?" Pinkie asked with an arched eyebrow and a tilted head.
"Just call it a 'sixth sense', if you will." Rarity smiled as she started walking off.
"Like my Pinkie Sense?" Pinkie asked.
"Somewhat......just not all the crazy." Rarity chuckled lightly, "Now come on. We need to get Applejack and Fluttershy."
"Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkie Pie replied as she bounced along with Rarity.
Twilight continued to increase speed as time started to whittle down with every passing second. Instead of landing normally as she arrived at the Wonderbolt Academy, Twilight instead slammed onto the runway, causing a small crater to form. The slam was hard enough that the shock wave knocked over some of the trainees and other Wonderbolts. Except for one. "Princess Twilight." the golden yellow mare spoke, "What an unexpected arrival."
"S-Sorry, Spitfire." she huffed, "Where's Rainbow Dash?" Then she felt a hoof smack the back of her head.
"Right here, egghead!" the pony behind her spoke up. Twilight turned around to see the cyan pegasus smirking. Even after her coronation, Rainbow Dash still kept calling her friend an 'egghead' because of her love for books that never went away. "Was that really necessary, Rainbow?" Twilight grunted as she rubbed her head.
"You messed up my training regime as you came in!" Rainbow shouted at her as she pointed to a group of pegasi becoming unstuck from a few clouds.
"Sorry. "Twilight chuckled as she sheepishly smiled. Rainbow sighed then turned to her regime. "Alright!" she started, "After you're done slacking off, give me two hundred and then hit the mess!" The ones who were free from the clouds saluted to her in confirmation then went back to helping their fellow trainees. "Let's talk someplace else." Rainbow smiled as they started towards one of the buildings. Dash looked behind them and saw Flash Sentry taking huge breaths after landing. Slowpoke. she smirked.
They entered the large building in the middle of their academy where all of the Active-Duty Wonderbolts and the Reserves resided. The building was decorated with Wonderbolt posters, newspapers, award displays, and banners to show the accomplishments throughout the years. They walked along before they reached a room with Rainbow Dash's cloud and multi-colored lightning bolt with a plaque underneath it reading: "Active". Rainbow's room was one that fit her expectations. Signed posters of Wonderbolt advertisements and her personal awards donned the blue walls and various dressers and nightstands. In the far corner there was a mannequin for Rainbow's uniform, which she approached. "Little privacy bud?" she glared at Flash who just went out of the room and shut the door.
"What I was going to say earlier before you exploded at me," Twilight began with a little irritation in her voice, "Is that some important business appeared in the Kingdom."
"Sombra?" Rainbow asked as she finished putting her uniform on the mannequin.
"No."
"Not interested." Rainbow concluded as she sat behind a desk with papers on it.
"But, Dash!" Twilight interjected, trying to get an explanation, "It's really important!"
"Look, Twilight." Rainbow sighed as she read over some papers, "I really want to go but I have a job to train the next wave of elite fliers. Besides, what could be more important than Sombra coming back?"
"It involves my brother and Cadence. Something's happened." Twilight stated with irritation which caused her friend to look up from the papers.
"Something's happened between Shining Armor and Princess Cadence?" Rainbow Dash asked for confirmation which Twilight simply nodded.
"Then let's go! I'll get Soarin to take over my regime while I'm gone." Rainbow stated as they started to head out the room.
Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Flash Sentry all took off, as a group this time, as soon as Dash was done tasking Soarin with her regime. They flew over to Sweet Apple Acres and asked around for Applejack. All they heard was that she wasn't home. Apple Bloom explained to them that Rarity and Pinkie Pie arrive earlier and said that they were heading to Ponyville Station to wait on them. "Thanks, Apple Bloom!" Twilight thanked after she was done explaining.
"See ya'll around!" Apple Bloom waved back as they flew toward Ponyville Station.
They arrived at the Station at about ten minutes till noon and, like Apple Bloom said, Applejack was with Rarity and Pinkie Pie. But one was missing. "Where's Fluttershy?" she wondered as she noticed that the bright yellow pegasus was not with the group.
"Ah think she's still takin' care of her critters." Applejack sighed.
"She said she would be here when the train-" Rarity was cut off by the blast of a train whistle. "-arrives."
What pulled up to the Station was not an ordinary train. No, this was a pure crystal locomotive that, unlike regular trains, was more aerodynamic with it's smooth look and donned two small Crystal Kingdom National Flags near the front. "I'll get Fluttershy." Rainbow informed as she zipped to Fluttershy's Cottage. The train pulled up with a hiss as it stopped in front of the group. "Haven't seen this in ages." Twilight smiled as she remembered the last time her sister-in-law visited.
"Same." Rarity and Applejack grunted as they remembered that it was also the day that Discord pulled the "blue flu" prank.
"All aboard!" a pony shouted as he exited the train. The pony bowed as Twilight and Flash entered. Rarity and Applejack brightened their spirits as they remembered that they had to go with their friend for this "surprise business" that appeared in the Kingdom.
"Last call for Crystal Kingdom!" the pony called out as the train blew its whistle, signalling that it was ready to depart.
"Where are they?" Twilight asked as she looked out the window for the two pegasi that have yet to board.
"WE'RE COMING!!" a voice called out and lo and behold, it was Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy who, as the doors were shutting, came aboard and crashed into a wall.
"We're........here...." Fluttershy gasped as she was trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.
A normal train ride for this group of ponies would be talkative but now, they sat in one of the most uncomfortable silence they have been in. "So," Twilight spoke up in an attempt to break the silence, "Anything new lately?"
"Same old same old." Applejack answered as she yawned lightly, "But Mac thinks the Zaps are comin' soon."
"Eh," Pinkie answered, "Pokey's still trying to stop burning some of the goods. Kinda rough because the only other pony I've taught how to cook was Apple Bloom YEARS ago."
"He's still burning the goods?" Rarity asked, "Thought he would be able to cook a batch of cupcakes by now."
"Time and practice equal perfection." Pinkie smiled.
"By the way," Rainbow started, "How're you and Spike these past few months?"
"He's still the same old Spikey-wikey, Dash." Rarity smiled, "How's your crush going?"
"S-S-Soarin and I have a strict business relationship, that's all." Rainbow blushed as she looked at all the eyes pointed at her.
"Well, I think you and Soarin would be perfect." Fluttershy smiled as she rubbed her friends back.
"You're not helping!" Rainbow yelled as her blush grew, "I need some air." With that, Rainbow zipped out the nearest open window.
"Princess Twilight," Flash spoke up as he came into the cart, "The conductor says that we'll be in the Station within the next few hours."
"Thank you, Flash." Twilight nodded as Flash exited the cart.
"Speaking of the new Captain," Rarity slyly smiled, "What was the reason you made him Captain of your guard?"
"Well," Twilight started as she rubbed the back of her head, "I didn't really know the other guard members."
"Is that all?" Rarity continued to smile as she leaned into Twilight.
"What are y-" Twilight cut herself off and blushed furiously as she knew what Rarity meant. "NO! NOT THAT!" Twilight answered as her other friends busted into laughter.
"Say that to yer wings." Applejack chuckled, pointing to Twilight's outstretched wings which caused her to blush more.
"But all seriousness, has he done anything like that?" Rarity asked as they all calmed down.
"Well," Twilight shifted a little before continuing, "He did massage me one time." This caused the deafening silence to return to the car. "You're joking." Pinkie stated after she shook her head in confusion.
"By Celestia's flowing mane." Twilight swore.
"Well now." Fluttershy spoke up as she blinked, "That's....um.....interesting."
"So," Rainbow Dash spoke up as she zipped back in, "What happened while I was out?"
"Nothing." the rest answered as they looked around, causing Rainbow Dash to huff.
The train came to another hissing halt as it arrived at its destination: The Crystal Kingdom. The group of ponies coming from Ponyville exited and started to move through the crystal-lined streets of the Kingdom to the largest building there, which of course was the Castle. As they approached the Crystal Heart that was endlessly spinning at the base of large crystal building, a white unicorn stepped out from behind doors. "Twiley!" he called out as he trotted towards his sister and her friends, "It's so good to see you" Shining Armor was about to hug his sister when she held out a hoof to stop him. "What's wrong, Twi?" he asked as he looked at Twilight's enraged expression.
"Why didn't you tell me that Cadence, my sister-in-law and your wife, was PREGNANT????" she asked with all of her rage.
"SHE'S WHAT?????" the friends asked as they knew what the "secret business" was.
"I'm sorry, Twi." Shining apologized as they started to head inside, "But things have been getting hectic since it started. With her pregnancy symptoms hitting hard, it's kind of hard to rule a kingdom."
"So yer tellin' us that Cadence is pregnant?" Applejack asked for confirmation.
"By Starswril's beard." Shining swore as he nodded.
"How long is she?" Fluttershy asked.
"Flash Sentry told me almost four months." Twilight glared at her brother. This caused any and all questions from the group to cease. "You could've sent a letter before Celestia's and Discord's wedding." Twilight was still aggravated at her brother for holding back on the news.
"Like I said," Shining snapped back, "Things took the wrong turn and I was busy for these past few months!"
"What's all the commotion out here?" a voice asked from behind them. They all turned their bodies to see the voice's source: Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Twilight saw her sister-in-law's face for the first time in several years after she visited Ponyville. Cadences ears perked up as she saw Twilight and donned a bright smile. "Twilight!" she called out as she moved to the lavender alicorn, "What brings you here?"
"You and the news you kept from me." Twilight sternly answered as she shot a glare to her brother before going towards Cadence.
"Don't be so hard on him, Twilight." Cadence sighed, "He's had his hooves full ever since the symptoms started. He's been working around the clock. Please loosen up on him." Twilight sighed as Shining went off to the meeting room to take care of some royal business while his wife talked with Twilight and her friends.
Cadence brought her sister-in-law and her friends to a crystal-domed room with a sparkling crystal chandelier hanging and illuminating the room. The inside was that like a spa. A room Cadence has frequently gone to the past few months for stress relief. "Welcome back to the spa, everypony." Cadence introduced as the ponies dispersed.
"I'm sorry, Cadence," Twilight apologized as she donned a robe and wrapped a towel over her mane, "I've just been stressed lately with my new royal duties back in Ponyville."
"Don't be," Cadence smiled as they reclined on separate sofas, "It can be stressful the first few weeks but then you'll get used to it."
"Thanks for the support." Twilight smiled back as a crystal pony began with a massage. This caused Twilight to blush a little as she remembered when Flash massaged her earlier in the day. "Something the matter Twi?" Cadence asked as she saw Twilight's blush forming.
"N-Nothing." Twilight stuttered as she looked away.
"Alright." Cadence smiled, "You wanna feel?"
"Feel what?" Twilight asked as they moved to the sauna.
"You know. The bump." Cadence answered as they entered.
"Um, sure." Twilight smiled as this would be the first time that she'll actually feel a baby bump. Cadence reclined in a relaxing position so that Twilight could easily feel her bump. Twilight approached Cadence and froze a little. "Don't worry Twilight." Cadence reassured her. Twilight nodded and started to stretch out a hoof. As her hoof touched Cadence's slightly bulging abdomen, Twilight felt something inside. A feeling she couldn't put her hoof on. The feeling caused the butterflies to go around her stomach. She moved her hoof around the abdomen gently and caused the butterflies to fly even faster. This is what's going to make me an aunt one day. she thought to herself with a smile, And one that will love to be in this world. "It's a colt, by the way." Cadence informed as she smiled at Twilight.
"R-Really?" Twilight smiled back.
"Yep!" Cadence confirmed as Twilight pulled her hoof away.
"Do you know what type of species he is?" Twilight asked as she wiped a few beads of sweat off her face.
"In the latest ultrasound," Cadence began, "We saw wing growth."
"So, a pegasus huh?" Twilight asked and was answered by a smiling Cadence nodding. "Rainbow is sure going to love the news." Twilight chuckled lightly.
"Of course she is!" Cadence agreed as Twilight sat down across from her, "Because there is one thing she'll be looking forward to: training a prince."
"She will do that." Twilight smiled, "Even if he doesn't want to join the Wonderbolts."
"But what happens if she's too busy?" Cadence asked.
"You're right." Twilight sighed as they exited the sauna and took of the robe and towels. Knowing Rainbow Dash lately, she's been real busy with her new Wonderbolt duties and hardly has time off. Everyone seems so busy ever since Tirek was defeated. she thought as they met up with the rest of the group, Fluttershy with helping rebuild the land, Rarity with her usual fashion antics and Spike, Applejack with the harvest, Pinkie Pie with Pokey and baking, Rainbow Dash with the Wonderbolts, and me with my new royal business...... She listed everything that they've been doing since the end of Tirek.
Twilight, Cadence, and her friends all moved to another room just a few turns away to talk more. The room was another crystal-domed room but this time, the layering was thin so that a pony underneath the dome could view the sky. The place was decorated with plants and bookshelves around the room. "Welcome to my private study." Cadence introduced as the rest of the group entered.
"When did you build this?" Twilight asked as she looked around the room.
"It's been built but I never showed you the room." Cadence answered as they sat around a table.
"So, Cadence," Rainbow Dash spoke up, "Do you know what the gender is?"
"Colt. "Cadence nodded as she levitated a kettle and cups with tea bags in them to the group.
"Do you know what species it is?" Pinkie asked next.
"It's a pegasus." Cadence answered as she poured the water.
"Sweet!" Rainbow Dash donned a wide grin as she leaped into the air but came down slowly, "But the only chance I'll be able to train the little guy is when I'm on leave or during training." Rainbow sighed.
"Don't worry, Rainbow." Fluttershy comforted her troubled friend, "I'm sure you'll be able to squeeze him into your schedule."
"Yeah......you're right." Rainbow agreed as she sipped some tea.
They talked a little before Cadence decided to change the subject from her to them. "So," Cadence started after finishing her tea, "Anypony, except Pinkie and Rarity, pick up dating?"
"No way!" Rainbow answered, "Me? Date? Puh-lease! I don't need some stallion all in my business!"
"Ah'm thinkin' of startin' after the Zaps arrive." Applejack answered.
"Really?" Cadence wondered, "And when will the Zap Apples come?"
"Four to six month's time." Applejack smiled as she set her empty cup down.
"I-I'm not one for dating." Fluttershy stated, "I don't think I'll even marry. I just don't want somepony to get me into the spotlight of things."
"I think I'll wait until I'm used to my new duties." Twilight answered.
"That's all interesting." Cadence nodded, "But what happens when you put it off too late?" this caused the group to think on the question. What would happen? No pony knew that answer completely. Each had their own opinion. "So," Cadence began again, "I need to take my leave and try to help Shining as much as I can. But before I go, I will say this: I think you all would be great mothers one day." Cadence rose and exited the room and caused some more thinking before the group went back to the station and separated to Ponyville and, for Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolt Trainee Camp.