//------------------------------// // Chapter 5-Slow Feelings // Story: Twilight's Love Story: Part One // by Derpyforever //------------------------------// The group headed to the Everfree forest as swiftly as possible. Before they knew it, thick trees and dark vegetation was surrounding all side of them. They stayed close together, navigating through the Everfree with the help of Rainbow. “I swear this place gets creepier every time we visit,” Rarity said, moving closer to the pack. “It’s alright, as long as we stick together we should be fine,” Applejack replied, “Nothing to be scared of.” “I can’t see any farther,” Rainbow landed softly and walked with the others, “The trees are too thick.” “It’s alright, Rainbow,” Twilight nodded, “We know the way there. As long as we don’t run into anything.” “You just had to say something, didn’t you,” Pinkie deadpanned. She then pointed into the darkness and yelled, “Look! A reason to advance plot!” “What are you talking about,” Rainbow raised an eyebrow before both were raised in astonishment, “… Oh…” The group was stopped by tall, flytrap looking plants, coursing with the same evil as the vines. The plants hissed at them, surrounding them at all sides. “Everypony, we’ll need to split up,” Twilight whispered, as the group came closer together, “It’ll confuse them. We’ll meet up at the castle.” “Then what are we waiting for,” Pinkie screamed, “Everypony move their plot!” “Wait! We each need a partn-” Pinkie ran off at blazing speeds into the forest before anything had time to react. It had worked so well, it stunned the group. When they finally got to their senses, the group went off in different directions with the nearest pony towards them. Twilight ran into the forest, hurdling over a small creek, weaving in and out of bushes, she didn’t know how far she’s been running. She only slowed down when a voice spoke up. “I’ve never seen a winged pony run from danger before.” “Sentry?” “Sloth Sentry, at your service,” Sloth bowed, hovering down from the air, “I must admit, though, you sure run fast.” “Only when my life is in peril,” Twilight mused. “Seems fair,” Sloth shrugged, “I prefer flying, either way.” “Well, I’m not exactly the strongest flier. I mean, it’s not like I was born with my wings.” “I can understand that,” Sloth nodded, “Welp, I have no idea where the Castle is, so ladies first?” “How noble of you,” Twilight rolled her eyes, moving a few low branches out of the way, “Alright, Sloth, follow me.” “You got it,” Sloth nodded, following close behind Twilight. They walked silently, trying to keep quiet to avoid any sneak attack from any more plant monsters. Though, despite their hushed tones, Sloth did not waste any time to talk, “So, Ms. Twilight, where are you from?” “Canterlot,” Twilight replied, hopping across a few stones poking out of a deep mud puddle. “Canterlot? Oh, so you grew up around all the nobility. Surprising, considering you are not like any of the snobs.” “Well, I don’t necessarily consider myself part of the high class ponies. I barley rubbed elbows with anypony like Fancy Pants or Blueblood.” “I see. I myself am from Cloudsdale, but was born in Bitaly. My parents came to Equestria when I was a year old while my mom was carrying Whinny. We found a new home in Cloudsdale and stayed there since then.” “Interesting,” Twilight faked a smile. She did not want to be rude, but she was trying to focus on getting them out of the deep forest. Sloth grinned, taking the opportune moment to catch her off guard, “And then, Flash came along a couple of years after that.” Twilight froze, though it was only for a moment, at the sound of Flash’s name, “S-So Flash is from Cloudsdale?” “Yep. Our home,” Sloth nodded, slyly flying up beside her. He had his back towards the ground and his hooves behind his head, “You like my little bro, don’t ya?” “What, me? Nah,” Twilight tried to play it off, but widened her eyes, “I mean, not to say I hate him. Please don’t tell him that I hate him.” “Don’t try to hide it,” Sloth rolled over to his side, placing a hoof on the side of his face as if he was propping it up, “I know a look of attraction when I see it. Mares do it to me all the time.” “With how humble you are, how couldn’t they,” Twilight sarcastically said, moving more branches out of their way. “I know, I’m awesome, aren’t I,” Sloth laughed, “Anyways, I’m surprisingly not what’s important right now. What is important is that you tell him something before he slips away.” “Look, Sloth, my friend Rarity already drives me crazy with this nonsense, I don’t need another pony on my case.” “She drives you crazy because she’s a mare. Sometimes you need a stallion to tell you how to approach a stallion,” Sloth paused for a moment then glared at the snickering Twilight, “Yes! I heard it, but it still works!” “Whatever you say,” Twilight said, trying to hold back her laughter. “Anyways,” Sloth rolled his eyes, “Flash, despite his smooth talking, romance inducing abilities, never has had a marefriend. I’ve tried to help him many times, but he continues to refuse to find a special somepony. He normally shuts mares out, but he seems to be warming up to you. I don’t fully understand why, but if you want to confess your feelings, you better find an opportunity soon before he changes his mind again.” Twilight grew quiet. At this point, there was no denying it, she was harboring an attraction for Flash and it is what is causing her dismay. If she did not confided these new feelings, she might regret it forever. She looked back up at Sloth, “Alright, Sloth. Thank you.” “No problem, Twilight,” Sloth nodded, landing down and pulling a few branches out of the way, “Ladies first?” “How gentlestallion of you,” Twilight chuckled, a genuine laugh this time. “You know me, I’m awesome,” Sloth laughed, letting go of the branches after Twilight safely passed through. The two continued on there way, Sloth telling more of his foalhood and Twilight telling some of her story as well. Still, Twilight worried on what to tell Flash and how she should explain her feelings… If only she could know what Flash felt about her. (To Be Continued…)