//------------------------------// // Intro: Coming and Going // Story: Friendship is Failure #23: Let's just NOT be friends // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// INTRO Romance, a joy, a thrill, a privilege that any creature is capable of learning and experiencing, but no matter how joyful romance may seem, like everything else, it isn’t without it’s shadows, it’s pain, and things that can cause someone to fall apart… maybe irreparably… …And not only can it affect the victim, it can affect those around them too. It all started when Princess Cadance came to Ponyville to visit Twilight Sparkle; taking a much needed break from her duties in the Crystal Empire and leaving her husband to manage. Twilight had already planned a full schedule of things to do, and among them was take her sister-in-law on a tour of Ponyville. Twilight and Spike were going through a checklist. “Tea party set for sundown?” asked Twilight. “Check.” replied Spike as he marked the parchment. “Guest bedroom all setup?” “Check.” “Red carpet rolled out?” Spike kicked the roll by his foot sending the long carpet all the way to the door and replied, “Double-Check.” That was the last thing checked off, and Spike put down the list on a pile of many other lists Twilight had previously made and gone through. “You’re sure going all out for this one.” he grumbled. Twilight gave him a funny look. “Spike, it’s not every day I get to spend time alone with Princess Cadance…” As she continued spouting, Spike playfully said exactly what she said at the same time. “…I just want everything to be perfect. Nothing’s got to go wrong.” A silence followed as Twilight looked at Spike and grinned sheepishly at his unamused expression. Suddenly, Twilight’s cutiemark began flashing, warning her that the Friendship Map was calling her. “Oh, no…! Not now of all times.” she groaned. “Cadance is due to arrive any minute now.” Just there, there was a huge knock at the castle doors. Spike looked out the window, “…Um, right now, actually.” He could see the Princess standing on the stoop with all her luggage. Twilight decided to answer the door first. “Cadance!” “Oh, Twilight!” The two princesses shared warm hugs, which melted Spike’s heart. “Good to see you, Cadance.” he said to her. “Likewise, Spike.” replied Cadance, but then she noticed Twilight’s cutiemark glowing. “Isn’t that the Friendship Map calling?” Twilight chuckled nervously, but she knew she couldn’t fib her way out of it. She led her sister-in-lap into the map room while Spike struggled to drag Cadance’s heavy suitcases inside. The map was glowing brightly, and actually showing Cadance’s cutiemark, as well as Twilight’s hovering over Ponyville. “What does this mean?” asked Cadance. Twilight could hardly believe her eyes. “It’s calling for you, Cadance. Whatever friendship problem there is, it’s a mission specifically for you and me.” She began to feel upset, believing that all her plans and schedules for this visit had just fallen down the drain. However, Cadance was incredibly excited as she leapt with glee. “I’ve never been on a friendship mission before. This is going to be amazing.” Twilight and Spike hadn’t seen Cadance this excited since her wedding. “Um… you do realize this could actually be serious?” asked Spike. Cadance settled down and regained herself. “Yes… of course…” she fought hard not to crack another excited smile, and then she looked at Twilight. “So… should we… go?” Still unable to ignore Cadance’s enthusiasm, and finally deciding that a Friendship Problem was more important than her own schedule, Twilight relented and she and the others headed for the door. “At least it’s something we can do together.” said Twilight. “You mean all three of us.” grumbled Spike.