The next morning, Flash woke up very refreshed especially after his dream with Twilight last night. He got out of bed and did his morning stretches and walked to the dining room, until he realized, "Wait where is the dining room?" he asked himself.
"I can tell you."
Flash looked behind him and saw Spike gesturing him to follow, Flash smiled, "Thank you, oh 'Spike the Brave and Glorious'." he teased with an overdramatic bow, as he and Spike chuckled as they left for the dining room. Spike opened the door and they two boys walked in seeing Twilight, Sunset and Starlight sitting at the table and talking to each other.
"Good morning, Flash," Twilight greeted her coltfriend as the other two mares waved.
"Good morning, Twilight," Flash greeted back, nuzzling her; Twilight nuzzled him back. Their nuzzling led to the two of them kissing as Starlight and Sunset looked at each other with cheeky grins.
"Can you get a room or something?" Starlight asked teasingly as Sunset snickered.
Twilight and Flash realizing where they were stopped what they were doing blushed embarrassingly. Spike gagged at the sight of them making kissy faces at each other. "I think I'll go get breakfast started," Spike said as he exited before can be sick even more. As the four ponies got to know each other starting with Flash.
Flash turned to Starlight, "Ya know I heard about you, you were one of the four who saved Twilight, her friends, the princesses, and Shining Armor from the Changelings right?" He asked as Starlight blushed with embarrassment.
"Yup that was me," Starlight chuckled, "But before I was the 'Defeater of the Changelings' I was a mare obsessed with making everypony equal by giving all the same cutie marks because I lost touch with my first friend after he got his and went to magic school but after Twilight and girls stopped I used Starswirl's time travel spell to stop them from ever becoming friends in the first place but only for it backfire and trapping Equestria in multiple bad futures and Twilight helped me change my ways by making me her pupil." She finished going through her whole life as a villain with a sheepish smile. Flash stared at her for a moment and blinked.
"Wow my marefriend surrounds herself with the most interesting ponies." He commented as the 3 mares laughed. Once they calmed down Flash spoke, "Well as strange as it is to be in the company of two mares who tried to destroy Twilight and everything she loves," He started as Starlight and Sunset gulped and looked nervously at him, "I liked to say I'm proud she helped you choose a better path and if she's cool with you two then so am I." he finished with a smile as both mares sighed in relief and Twilight nuzzled him.
"So now Flash let's talk about you," Sunset began, "Where did you come from originally?" She asked the stallion.
"I came from Cloudsdale like many pegasi do," Flash answered. "I moved to Canterlot when I was about five years old."
"Why did you move from Cloudsdale to Canterlot?" Twilight questioned.
"My dad got a mail ponies job," Flash answered.
"And your mom?" Twilight asked.
"My mom was a homemaker," Flash said, "she always took care of the house when I was at school and dad was at work. I always got back home early while mom would wait for me." Flash paused and smiled at the happy memory as both of his parents cared very much for him. "We'd both used to wait for him to walk through the front door and greet him, because we knew he loved the sight of his family greeting him."
The three mares were touched just listening to Flash talk about his foalhood. Until Starlight had a thought cross her mind, "But if your dad was mail pony and mom was a home maker, what made you decided that you wanted to be a guard?" She asked.
"Well, I was eight years old at the time," Flash answered. "I always thought it was awesome just watching the guards in action. Helping ponies in need, stopping the bad guys, and to mention the gold armor they all wear," Flash finished.
"I'm sure that you found out that there was more than all that," Sunset stated.
"Yeah, I realize that being guard means I had to be expected to go into danger but that didn't stop me from dreaming about it. I wanted to help protect others who couldn't protect themselves and when I realized that's I wanted, my cutie mark appeared," Flash showed his cutie mark, a two-toned blue shield with a yellow lightning bolt.
"How did your parents take the idea of you to take up that kind of work?" Twilight asked.
"Not very well at first," Flash said. "My parents said it was too dangerous to be a guard; mom especially didn't like that idea, since she worried the worst might happen to me." Flash stated remembering how worried his mom was about him.
"So What made them change their mind?" Starlight asked.
"They changed their minds when I told them the reason why I wanted to be a guard," Flash explained. "Like I said, they didn't like the idea at first, but they decided to enroll me into the guards training camp when I was old enough. As long as promised not to do anything too dangerous."
Twilight was moved by Flash's story; just hearing about his past made her love him even more and question on whether or not he should tell him about the other Flash. A few seconds later, Spike entered the dining room carrying more than he can handle with the pancakes. Before Spike could even slip and fall, Twilight used her magic to carefully lift them up and placed them on the table being careful not to spill any. As they ate, Flash was amazed how Spike is such a cook. Flash chowed down on pancakes only to have some whipped cream all over his face. Twilight, Sunset and Starlight giggled at the whipped cream on his face. "What's so funny?" Flash asked.
"Oh nothing big boy," Sunset said trying to stifle her laughs.
"Just the whipped cream on your face," Starlight said, while she was giggling.
Flash felt so embarrassed having to eat like that in front of a princess, but Twilight leaned over and licked some of the cream of his cheeks, and then throw a light kiss on his lips. "You taste just as sweet as you are." Flash blushed hearing the alicorn's kind words. Starlight and Sunset couldn't help but smile sweetly at them while Spike gave a small gag before Sunset bucked him in the side without even looking at him. As they finished their breakfast, Flash became curious about how Twilight met Spike. It occurred to him that dragons aren't the friendliest creatures in Equestria, but he had to ask.
Say, Twilight," Flash said looking to his marefriend.
"Yes, Flash?" Twilight questioned.
"I am curious to know how and Spike first met each other," Flash said. "Because from what I've heard dragons aren't exactly... well..." He struggled as he didn't want to offend the baby dragon. Until Spike raised he claw stopping.
"It's alright Flash I know what ponies think about dragons but I don't let it hold me down." Spike said puffing he's chest up proudly.
Twilight giggled at her assistant's bravado as Sunset and Starlight looked to her, "Come to think of it, you never did tell us how the two of met Twi." Sunset noted as Starlight nodded.
Twilight just smiled sheepishly, "Well I guess the right time never came, besides you're not the first pony to ask me that," Twilight explained and lifted Spike to her lap. "I was taking my exam to enter Princess Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns, and it turns out that hatching a dragon egg was my test."
"I see," Flash said as he and Sunset and Starlight listen.
"I tried to get the egg to hatch, but even after everything I did, I couldn't even get it to crack, but just when I was about to blow it, Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom happened, and my magic started to up in a way that I never thought it would go." She said Remembering how her magic went out of control.
"A Sonic Rainboom?" Flash asked raising a brow.
"It's not surprising that you would be skeptical, but it's true," Twilight said, "after that, my magic started to go haywire, it not only hatched Spike's egg, but also levitated the judges, turning my parents into plants and getting Spike to grow to the size of tower. I managed to get it under control when Princess Celestia came in and calmed me reversing all the spells I accidentally cast. I thought I was in so much trouble, but when she was impressed by how I channeled my magic. And that's also how I got my cutie mark."
"Actually, I only heard about from Shining Armor and Princess Cadence's wedding, but I never thought it was your friend that pulled it off," Flash stated.
"After Twilight hatched me she took care of me as we grew up in Canterlot, when we moved Ponyville and the rest is just history," Spike continued then smiled at little embarrassedly and leaned closer to Twilight, "I know I'm her assistant and her little brother-figure but sometimes I like to think of her as...my mother in a way." He admitted looking at Twilight who smiled warmly with a few tears brimming her eyes and gave Spike a great big hug showing him the feeling was mutual, one he gladly returned. Sunset and Starlight cooed at the scene while Flash just smiled.
"Spike is pretty lucky to have somepony to look up to," Flash said lovingly. Twilight blushed at her coltfriend's compliment as she let's Spike down. The four ponies and Dragon cleaned up and left the dining room.
Twilight turned to Flash "Say Flash how about I show you around town?" She asked and her boyfriend nodded and turned to the other two mares, "We'll back in a few minutes." he said.
"Have fun." Sunset and Starlight both said before both Twilight and Flash walked away.
The two started off to where Twilight old home used to reside. "Well, here is where I used to live, before Tirek blew it up along with everything in it except for Owlowiscious if hadn't got him out at the last minute." Twilight said while still reliving some of the sadness of losing her home. Flash notice this and wrapped a wing around her midsection as Twilight buried her face in his coat with a few tear falling out of hers.
"I'm so sorry Twilight, Tirek really did do a number on this place, but at least you still have your friends and family to help you through this lost." Flash said, Twilight nodded knowing she was very lucky to have such amazing friends and family. "But still, it's not surprising to me that you'd be a librarian as well. Smart and beautiful."
Twilight blushed, rolled her eyes and gave Flash a kiss on the cheek for the kind and cheesy compliment. "I'm so lucky to have somepony as dorky as you as my coltfriend."
Flash blushed as he scratched the back of his head, then continued the tour. twilight showed Flash some of her favorite spots in Ponyville Sofas and Quills, Ponyville Spa and her personal favorite the Hayburger shack.
"What? I think they're Tasty." Twilight said when Flash looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Then Remind me to bring you here on one of our dates." Flash said as Twilight grinned.
Soon as the left the shack along the way, the royal formed couple spotted Fluttershy and Ajax as Fluttershy giggled.
'You're so funny, Ajax," Fluttershy complimented as they walked.
"Your giggles are just so cute, Flutters." Ajax complimented back. Fluttershy blushed and giggled again as she spotted Twilight and Flash walking up to them.
"Oh, hello, Twilight, Flash." Fluttershy greeted as she and Ajax walked over to them.
"Hey Fluttershy," Twilight greeted back. "And it's good to see you again, Ajax."
"You too, Twilight." Ajax said, shaking her hoof. "Who's these with you?" Ajax asked, pointing at Flash.
"That's Flash Sentry," Fluttershy told her coltfriend. "The guard that I mentioned."
"Oh so your the coltfriend of Twilight Fluttershy told me about." Ajax said approaching the other stallion. "Yup! It's nice to meet you, Ajax," Flash said, sticking out his hoof.
Ajax took Flash's hoof, "Y-You too," Ajax said, shaking Flash's hoof.
"How long have you been seeing each other?" Flash asked.
"No too long," Ajax answered. "We met when we were out bird watching."
"For phoenixes," Fluttershy finished.
"Phoenixes, huh? I hear their pretty rare." Flash replied. "We can call ourselves lucky stallions, since we have two beautiful mares with us." Flash wrapped his wing around Twilight.
"Oh Stop it you," Twilight said, blushing, lightly hitting his chest.
"Fluttershy is pretty much the same way when she's like that," Ajax said.
Fluttershy blushed even redder than twilight's face when she heard him say that. "Oh stop it you," she mumbled batting her hoof on his chest, it seems that the two stallions were hitting it off. Twilight did hear from Fluttershy say that Ajax is bit of a timid pony, but it looks like that he's coming out of his shell, little by little. The two couples parted ways, Flash looks over to his marefriend.
"He's seem like real a nice guy," Flash said.
"Yes," Twilight agreed, As they watch Ajax wrapped his wing around Fluttershy, causing her to blush and gave a loving nuzzle to his cheek. Ajax's face started to redden up as he felt his marefriend nuzzling. The Royal couple chuckled and Flash wrapped his wing around Twilight as they pressed on.
"GANG WAY!" Flash's ears twitched as he heard somepony shouting. Thanks to his training in guard camp he had the instincts to grabbed a surprised Twilight and took the air as a blue scooter driven by an orange and purple maned pegasus filly zoomed past. The scooter was also dragging along a wagon with two other fillies in it, one a yellow, red maned earth pony with a pink bow and the other was white, purple maned unicorn. The pegasus stopped her scooter in time to look up to see a flying Flash still holding Twilight tightly. "Sorry about that mister, but when I wanna get somewhere I gotta get there fast!"
"Well, try to remember riding safe is better then ride fast sometimes." Flash advised.
"Exactly what we said told her." The unicorn filly said as they three took off their helmets and hopped off the wagon and scooter. Flash then noticed that all three fillies had the exact same cutie mark: a three colored shield. Before he could question their marks he heard his marefriend speak.
"Um Flash can you put me down now?"
Flash looked down to see that Twilight was still his forelegs and her own wrapped securely around his neck while smiling nervously and blushing. The three fillies also noticed this and started giggling at the position they were in. Blushing as well, Flash floated down back, once they touched the ground they separated and embarrassedly avoided eye contact, "Uh, sorry about that Twi, guard reflexes." Flash said rubbing the back of his neck, and turned the trio, "So who are you three?"
"Name's Scootaloo!" The orange pegasus announced.
"And I'm Sweetie Belle." The white unicorn added.
"Applebloom." The yellow earth pony finish before the three stood together in a line, "And together we are..."
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders!!!" The three shouted at the top of their lungs causing Twilight and Flash to wince.
"Very nice." Flash said rubbing his right ear.
"Thanks!" The CMCs said in unison before they heard a voice shouting.
"Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! Applebloom!"
The five turned to see Rarity running up to them with her saddles filled with fashion materials, when she reached them she stopped and panted hard, "Flash...Twilight...good afternoon...darlings." She said between her breaths.
"Hey, Rarity what are you doing?" Twilight asked as Rarity caught her breath.
"Why searching for fabrics and threads for stallion line of fashion. With you, Applejack and Fluttershy getting your own dashing young colts I feel it's important for me to expand my fashion sense to mares and stallions." Rarity explained once she had control of her breathing, showing the two the materials she collected different colored threads and fabrics, "And Flash I promise you will have the first suit of the new line along with something to match with your princess."
"Uh thanks," Flash said as he and Twilight blushed, "But what are you doing with these three?" he asked as Rarity sighed.
"Well with Fluttershy on her walk with Ajax at the moment I had to handle babysitting these three rascals, but apparently they don't understand the meaning of 'slow and steady.'" She said with a sneer at the three fillies.
"Sorry." they said in unison
Rarity sighed, "Well no matter, I just have one more stop to go to and maybe if you three behave we can get some ice cream later." She said with sly grin. The CMCs eyes shimmered at the mention of ice cream and jumped up and down with glee. The three grown ponies chuckled at their excitement, "Well I suppose we'll be off now, enjoy the rest of your tour Flash, Toodaloo!" with that Rarity and the CMCs were off with the three fillies moving much slower now.
"See ya!" They both said and as the two continued on, they eventually spotted Rainbow Dash lying in a cloud. Twilight and Flash looked at each other for a second and they looked back at the cyan pegasus. From what they saw it looked like she was looking at something. "Rainbow? What is she doing up there?" Flash asked raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know but I think we should ask, I've never seen her like this before." Twilight suggested. "Your right, She probably could use a friend to see what's up," Flash said. The couple flew up to the cloud.
"Rainbow Dash," Twilight called out to her. Rainbow Dash yelped and the she dashed over to them, and covered both of their mouths.
"SHHHH! Be quiet lovebirds! Do you want him to hear us?" Rainbow Dash asked in panicky tone while whipping her head back and forth.
"Want who to hear us?" Flash asked, moving her hoof out of his mouth.
"What are you talking about, Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked also. Rainbow Dash realized they were oblivious and tried to make an excuse.
"Uh, yeah, that's right. He-he, what am I talking about?" Rainbow Dash denied laughing and shifting her eye around nervously. Twilight was clearly wasn't buying it, raising a brow.
"Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, sounding serious and getting in the mare's face. "What's going on?"
"Nothing! There's nothing going on! Nopony said there was something on, did they? No? They didn't. Then, we'll leave it at that," Rainbow Dash said quickly and turned her back to the alicorn crossing her fronthooves, but Twilight's expression became even more stern before it suddenly turned a bit sly.
"Ya know, Flash and I were just on our way to Sweet Apple Acres. You're welcome to join us if you wanna speak with Applejack about honesty," Twilight said slyly knowing that nopony could sneak a lie past Applejack.
Rainbow Dash gasped whipped back around to her, "You wouldn't dare!" she looked at her friend with fear.
"Try me," Twilight said smirking deviously and turned with Flash. "Come on, Flash. Let's head over to Sweet Apple Acres Right now and speak with Applejack. Just so we can tell Rainbow Dash isn't being HONEST!" Rainbow Dash groaned heavily and caved in.
"Oh, alright, alright! I'll talk," Rainbow exclaimed waving her hooves around, "But you have to swear you can't tell anypony about this! Not even Applejack. Pinkie Promise?" She demanded with a glare.
"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Twilight said, doing the Pinkie Promise. She looked over to Flash. "You too, Flash."
"Um, okay." Flash said and tried to copy his marefriend, "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my-," When he got to the last part he poked his eye. "Ow!" Flash said as he rubs his sore eye. Twilight and Rainbow giggled.
"Don't worry, Flash. You'll get the hang of it soon. Anyway, what is so important that you can't just share with us?" Twilight asked, rubbing her coltfriend's back. She turned back to her friend, "Well?" She asked gesturing for her to speak and then Rainbow then surprisingly blushed.
"Okay if you really wanna, I was looking at," Rainbow Dash paused shifting her eyes to make sure nopony else was listening, "him!" She pointed her hoof at a pale blue pegasus stallion with a navy blue mane and a cutie mark being a yellow lightning bolt through a dark gray heart-shaped symbol reminiscent of a double cresting wave that flew right on by.
"You're stalking Soarin? One of the of the top Wonderbolts?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, but not stalking, really. Just eyeing," Rainbow Dash said still blushing, like she was caught red-handed.
"It's really stalking, Rainbow," Twilight said in a stern tone. "Also, why keep it a secret?" Rainbow sighed and explained.
"The thing is, I've had a thing for Soarin for a while now ever since I joined the Wonderbolts actually and I've been doing my best to keep it under control hoping it'll just blow over, but with everything that has been going on lately, I mean with Fluttershy & Ajax and Applejack & Caramel and now you two, I've been thinking of asking him out sometime, but everytime I even try thinking about it, I keep chickening out completely," she finished as she looks down in shame.
"Who else knows?" Flash asks.
"Only Fluttershy. I'm not sure if Twilight told you this but Flutters and I go way back to our days in flight camp, so she's the only one I feel comfortable talking to about this stuff outside of you two." Rainbow answered.
"Have you told Spitfire about your feeling for him yet? I'm aware she told us she doesn't pay attention to the Wonderbolts relationship with each other but I'm so sure about loving couple relationships. Plus I heard from my meeting with her that she and Soarin were pretty close." Twilight asked as she remembered having a meeting with Spitfire about a Wonderbolt show in Canterlot and her mentioning her friendship with Soarin.
"Oh hay no!" Rainbow Dash answered fast. "I mean, I don't know, but now that you mention I never even considered how my crush Soarin might affect her friendship with him and the rest of the team." Rainbow Dash said now bitting her hooves.
"Well, you should tell him before Spitfire beats you to the punch if she does likes him like that or somepony else. And I promise that I and the rest of our friends will support you in your hour of need when you do, whenever that may be." Twilight said pulling her friend into a hug.
"Me too. I've met Soarin during my foalhood in Canterlot before so if you need to know anything about him just come find me." Flash promised to the Rainbow haired mare as she smiled.
"Thanks Egghead. you too Flash boy. I appreciate it, Anyway I got things to do so see ya." Rainbow Dash said. Rainbow Dash flew off before she could be seen by Soarin or anypony else. Twilight and Flash got off the cloud and saw Pinkie Pie with camoflage helmet come out of a bush startling them. "Hiya Twilight! Hiya Flashy!" Pinkie said cheerfully.
"How much of it did you hear?" Twilight asked before Pinkie spoke like she usually does.
"Oh, pretty much everything when Dashie was all like *SHHHHH!* and I was like *OOOOOHHHHH!* and I could tell something was up and when I saw Soarin flying by and she was watching him and listened to you talking about her having a crush on him, and I was like*GASP* and then *SQUEE* I had to plan a 'Congraulation You Have Your First Crush' party for Rainbow but then, you and Flash made a Pinkie Promise not to tell anypony about it. At first, I thought she was playing hide and seek, and it's a super-duper fun game, because I was always good at both hiding and seeking, but I came here to give Rainbow Dash and her fellow Wonderbolts invitations to 'Congratulations Twilight You Got A Coltfriend' Party! WHOOPSIE DOOPSIE, I wasn't suppsed to mention that," Pinkie Pie said covering her mouth. "AW well. Oh, don't worry about Rainbow Dash crush on Soary, because I Pinkie Promise not to tell anypony about that too." She went off to go on with her business, bouncing back to Sugarcube Corner. Flash looked at her completely confused.
"She's planning a party just because we're dating." Flash asked.
"Try to act surprised when you see it. Pinkie Pie's parties for even the silliest reasons can be full of surprises," Twilight said chuckling and shaking her head her funny friend's way of thinking as the continued their walk around town.
the couple were walking down the streets, until they reached the big red barn of Sweet Apple Acres. They then saw Applejack and Caramel walking by to the orchard.
"Applejack over here!" Twilight called to her farmpony friend. Applejack noticed the two visitors, and told Caramel to go on ahead as she walked over to them, "Hey Twilight, glad you could stop by." The two mares shared a hug.
Applejack then turned to Flash, "And a pleasure to see you too, Flash."
"Likewise Applejack." Flash replied, extending his hoof to her but started shaking like crazy when Applejack shook his hoof very, very hard. "Let me be the first to welcome ya'll to Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack said while still shaking his foreleg.
"Uh Applejack?" Twilight piped up as the farmpony turned to her princess friend, "Do you think you can let go of my coltfriend's arm before you shake him into the ground?" She asked as Applejack realized she was still holding onto Flash's leg.
"Oops. Sorry about that partner. Sometimes I don't know my own strength." AJ apologized letting go of the pegasus's arm. Flash's eyes were still going up and down as his body was still vibrating. Twilight giggled and grabbed her coltfriend, stopping him from vibrating, "She's quite strong isn't she?" she asked him.
"Y-yeah sh-she is. Whoo!" Flash said shaking his hoof, "You definitely give old Iron hooves a run for his money."
"Thanks partner." Applejack said tipping her hat, "Anyhoo as I was sayin'. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, best apple farm this side of Equestria." She gestured to the whole farm.
"Well it's definitely something." Flash admitted as they walked through the orchard. "By the way who was that guy you were with?" Applejack then blushed at the question.
"Uh that was my, uh, um coltfriend Carmel." She admitted, "We met when we had an extra big harvest few months back, and I saw him as hardest, handsomest, best applebucking stallion in all of Equestria." Applejack then had a far off look on her face as Twilight giggled.
"Huh, ya know come to think of it I remember Rainbow mentioning something about Caramel when we ran into her early." Flash realized.
"Rainbow? What was she doing?" Applejack asked.
"Sorry AJ, Pinkie Promise." Flash reasoned, "Oh, I see. Well how about you show how good an applebucker you guardponies can be?" Applejack challenged.
"Your on!" Flash said as the three of them started getting down to work.
Back at the castle, Sunset Shimmer was in the Libary just standing around, She had been thinking about a pony who has recently caught her eye since their trip to the Crystal Empire, Night Blade. She had to admit he was a handsome looking stallion not to mention brave and loyal to stand up to his captain for protecting Flash, something she found very admirable. After her false relationship with the human Flash, Sunset never really thought about dating again but now, after seeing Night Blade she was reconsidering.
"I never really thought about trying find somepony that I really would like other then the other Flash," Sunset said to herself. "Everytime I close my eyes, I see his face. Maybe I should try asking for meal sometime next time I see him." Sunset soon slips into her own little world with dazed smile on her face. Starlight then walked in and saw her with a lovesick look on her face. Sunset became so lost in her train of thought that she didn't even notice her.
"Uh, Sunset," Starlight said. She didn't hear her. "Sunset!" The light orange unicorn still didn't hear her still in her lovestruck trance. Starlight rolled her eyes and then she inhaled some air and yelled out, "SUNSET SHIMMER!!!" Sunset snaps back into reality jumping right out of her skin.
"AHH! Who, what, where, when, why-" Sunset stammered looking back and forth before Starlight placed her hoof on her mouth. She removed it once she saw Sunset had calmed down. "Starlight, how long have you been in here?"
"For less than a minute. Also, are you really that hung up about that Night Blade?" Starlight asked. Sunset got wide-eyed when the light purple unicorn mentioned him.
"How did it you know about?" Sunset asked blushing slightly.
"I overheard you talking to yourself; sorry." Starlight said sheepishly, "Just thought that I remind you about the party Pinkie Pie is planning to throw later,"
"Oh right, Heh even after my time here I'm still not use to that mare's parties." Sunset said as the two unicorns chuckled. She then turned to Starlight and asked her, "So what do think my chances are?"
Starlight smiled, "Well I don't know but I do know that you've gotta at least try and see what happens, and you worry I'll be there cheer you on if you need me." Sunset blushes and nods.
"Thanks Star. And who knows maybe there's hope for you and a certain little brother of mine." Sunset joked as it was Starlight's turn to blush. Shortly after Sunset had moved into the castle she told the Starlight that she and Sunburst were siblings and she had gone to magic school much sooner than he did but they decided to keep it from the others for the time being, concerned about how the feel about it. Since then Sunset became aware that Starlight had a crush on him and decided to lend herself some help to one day confess to him.
Then a blue unicorn mare in a purple wizard hat and cloak walked in. "Hey! are you two going to help or what?" She shouted causing the two to jump, "The Great and Powerful Trixie can only do so much on her own!"
"Sorry about that Trixie. Don't worry we're coming." Starlight assured. "You better, the less time Ms.Shimmer spends with my Best friend, the better!" Trixie declared, shooting a look at Sunset who deadpanned at her as she left to continue working on the party. Ever since she and Starlight became friends Trixie became jealous of Sunset by how fast they're friendship became. Sunset tried to get Trixie to understand that she wasn't trying to 'steal' Starlight but stubborn as always Trixie refused.
"Uh, heh-heh, Don't worry she'll warm up to you. Eventually." Starlight assured with a nervous smile. "With her attitude, I'm sure it'll take a long while before that happens, but nevermind come on we got a party to prepare for."
Sunset along with Starlight left the hall to help set up the party for Twilight and Flash. Along the way they both thought about their earlier conversation about Sunburst and Night Blade and thought about telling their respective crush.
'Maybe things will turn out okay with me and Sunburst.' Starlight thought.
'Could Night Blade and I really make a good couple?' Sunset thought as the two walked down the hall preparing for the return of the royal couple.
Speaking of which, as the two left Sweet Apple Arces after some good applebucking The couple made their way to a hill to catch themselves a break to watch the sunset.
"It's so nice having to take a break after a day's worth of a tour, Thanks for showing me around Twi." Flash said kissing her cheek.
"Your welcome Flash, anything for my coltfriend." Twilight replied blushing fro her coltfriend's lips touching her cheek As she looked at Flash, she remembered seeing the other Flash and how she liked him after meeting her and knowing her in a short time. But now she knew it was this Flash she was in love with. She sighed as she knew it was time she had to tell her coltfriend about the other Flash Sentry, so she took a deep breath and turned to him. "Flash?"
"Yeah?" Flash responded.
"There's something I have tell you." Twilight said as Flash raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" he asked as Twilight used the breathing trick.
"Do you remember the short time after I became a princess that I bumped into you?" Twilight questioned as Flash chuckled.
"How could I forget? I heard about what happened on the two nights after that, Sunset broke into the castle and stole your crown and then you came back. I even heard you mention something about dancing. Why do you ask?" Flash asked.
"Well, the thing is, I went through a magic mirror that leads into another world and I had to get it back or I'd be stuck there for thirty moons," Twilight said. Flash was dumbfounded by what his marefriend told him.
"Seriously?" Flash asked.
"Yes and I met alternate versions of my friends, the princesses, just about every pony else that I know, including you," Twilight said.
"You meet an alternate version of 'me'?" Flash asked getting a sinking feeling where this conversation was going.
"Yes. He and I bumped into each other a few times, we had dance together And after I got back, I bumped into you again and you reminded me of him and well," Twilight paused and then took a deep breath and let it out, "he's the reason that I'm in love with you." Flash eyes widen as he didn't know how to react, but now he realized that it was this other Flash, Twilight was in love with and he was just used as stranger who resembled him and Twilight could transfer her feeling to. He started to feel hurt, believing that her love for him weren't really for 'him' after all.
"So, that's how it is, huh?" Flash asked, turning his head and flatting his ears feeling sad. "I should've known a princess wouldn't have fallen for me so easily, I just reminded you of the guy you really love and you just used me as second be-"
"No!" Twilight shouted, interrupting him and wrapped her arms around her coltfriend making sure he wouldn't go anywhere, "I really do love you Flash! You're the best coltfriend that I could ever have. Your brave, kind, cute funny, handsome and sincere and I won't trade you for any other pony and any other creature in or out of Equestria; not even for the other Flash. I Pinkie Promise that my feelings are for you and you alone. So please don't leave me." she said with a sniffle and did he Pinkie Pie Promise, letting him know she means it. Flash looked and saw a few tears welling up in her eyes seeing she didn't want to lose him, he started to feel better.
"Thank you Twilight. I don't want to lose you over something that happened in the past or some guy else who looks like me. Also, your brother will think I was trying to get out of our relationship," Flash said.
"I assure you, I know you're not trying to get out of anything," Twilight said as a few tears fell down her cheeks. "I love you forevermore Flash Sentry."
"And I love you forevermore Twilight Sparkle." Flash said with a few tears in her eyes.
the two then shared a strong and passionate kiss as Twilight felt relived to finally have that secret off her chest and Flash felt relived knowing that Twilight truly loved him. The two broke the kiss, panting and then resumed their tour of Ponyville once they regained their strength.
Once the tour was over, the couple returned to the castle to have some dinner before Flash returned to the Crystal Empire. And when Twilight opened the door, the Mane 7, Spike, the CMCs and everypony in ponyville popped out from random spots. "SURPRISE!!!"
"Whoa!" Flash said jumping back in surprise, he then noticed Twilight barely flinched and just giggled, "How are you not surprised?" He questioned.
"When you lived in Ponyville as long as I have you kinda get use to Pinkie surprise parties." Twilight said and gestured to the party, "Well, shall we, my handsome knight?"
Flash chuckled and took her hoof, "We shall, my beautiful princess." the two then joined in on the party
It turns out that the residents of Ponyville decided to join in on the princess and her guard's party celebrating their newfound love. They enjoyed the party as they played some games, and danced to the music that was being played, Flash was naturally surprise by Twilight's wild form of dancing but he shrugged joined in as the two laughed. And then they all had themselves a cake that bared the Cutie Marks of the happy couple as Twilight's piece was Flash's Cutie Mark, and Flash's piece was Twilight's Cutie Mark. The party lasted till nightfall as Flash was departing for home. Twilight and her friends were all there to bid farewell to their new friend.
"I'm really going to miss you a lot, Flash," Twilight said feeling a little sad but still smiled. "I'll write to you everyday."
"Me too, Twi. I'll every last moment of my dayoffs to visit you." Flash said, giving his marefriend a kiss goodbye.
"AWWW! Too cute!" Pinkie cooed pressing her hooves on her cheeks.
"Well ain't that precious." Applejack said tipping her hat.
"I know their perfect!" Rarity gushed as tears of jou built up in her eyes.
"Oh yes they are." Fluttershy nodded.
"Not really all into romance but yeah those two are made for each other." Rainbow said crossing her hooves 'Hope the same can be said for me Soarin.' she thought blushing a bit.
"Ugh, but do they always have to kiss." Spike groaned but got a backhoof to the chest by Sunset before she and Starlight approached them as They stopped kissing.
"Hey Flash I know this is gonna sound a bit silly but.." Sunset trailed off.
"We were wondering if you could possibly-" Starlight started before Flash interrupted her, "Don't worry about I'll tell Sunburst and Night you said hi." Starlight and Sunset blushed but gave him grateful smiles.
Flash then saw his train and got on board and soon the train headed off to the empire. Flash looked out the window and waved goodbye to his marefriend and her friends and the waved back as the train puffed away. 'Night is gonna want all the details' he mentally chuckled and lay back on his seat enjoying the ride home.
The next morning, Flash is patrolling the halls of the Crystal Palace as his day is going on like nothing happened, but he did think of Twilight bringing a smile on his face. "Ooh, I like that face," Night blade commented walking next to him Flash didn't even bat an eye on him, "Good day yesterday?" He asked though he probably already knew the answer.
"The best. She's even more amazing then I thought, maybe I'll ask her if she liked to take a date at Canterlot sometime," Flash said before turning to his friend, "By the way Sunset Shimmer says 'Hi'."
Night raised a brow and gave him a grin, "Really? what else did she say about me?" he asked as Flash rolled her eyes.
"You seriously love that much." he asked with a smirk.
"Why not?" Night Blade replied, "She's got the mane, the eyes, the magic, the attitude, the whole shabang! besides I think it's obvious she fall for some as cool as yours truly." He added holding his head up high.
"Don't push your luck pal!" Flash said elbowing him as the two friends laughed.
Meanwhile, in Shining Armor's office, the Stallion had his own plan. He called in two guards, one is a lanky pale light green unicorn with a bow and arrow cutie mark, and the other is a fat brownish red pegasus with a knight helmet cutie mark. "Arrow Hoof and Iron Head, correct?"
"Yes sir," the unicorn answered. "Arrow Hoof reporting for duty."
"Iron Head at your service, Prince Shining Armor, sir," the pegasus said.
"Good, I have called you here because I have a special assignment for the both of you," Shining Armor said.
"What is it that you want us to do?" Iron Head asked.
"I want you to keep an eye on Flash Sentry whenever he's with my sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle," Shining Armor explained.
"The Princess of Friendship?!" The guards gasped.
"Yes," Shining Armor told them. "I trust her and Cadance's word that Sentry is okay but I rather be safe than sorry, if you see him trying anything behind Twilight back report back to me, understood?"
"Yes sir!" The two guards nodded.
"Good, but when you watch them, don't wear your armor out in public; pose as regular ponies going about your day, so it won't draw any attention from them or anyone else." Shining added
"You have nothing to worry about, sir," Arrow Hoof said.
And one more thing," Shining Armor added. "My wife doesn't need to know about this, so don't any of you reveal one word of it to her or to anypony, got it?"
"Yes sir, we got it," the guards said, saluting him.
"Good. I'll be expecting a report from you two on his next day off, be sure you don't leave anything out, you are dismissed," Shining Armor closed. As soon as the two guards are gone from sight and and ear shot, he hangs his head in shame and sighs. "Twily and Cadence are going to kill me if they find out," he said to himself. "What am I worried about? I'm just looking out for my little sister, that's the big brother job, right? But Cadence is the Princess of Love , so she would know from the start if Flash's feeling for Twily were real or not and she's okay with them dating. But you can never be too careful and it won't be good for me if she finds out, and I have always thought that I'd be sending guards to follow Flurry once she gets older and considered dating too." He furrowed his brows not liking the idea of anybody hitting on his daughter but he shook his head.
"Better not think about that now, I'll cross the bridge when it comes. My pride as her BBBFF hangs in the balance, so I got make sure she stays safe." He said before leaving his office to join Cadence and Flurry for dinner, knowing that what he was doing for Twilight was right.