Twilight Sparkle had just sent a letter to Princess Celestia when she heard a knock at the door.
“Come in!”
Rarity walked into the library, thinking of the letter she just received from Shining Armor and Cadence. “Twilight? I need to ask you a favor.”
“Sure. Anything,” Twilight responded.
“First, you have to promise,” Rarity stated. “Pinkie Promise.”
Twilight crossed her heart with a hoof, flapped her wings once, and put a hoof over her eye. “Okay. So what can I do for you?”
“I want you to go on a date.” Twilight looked at her quizzically.“Not with me!” Rarity clarified. “No. A blind date. I have this friend--”
“Okay, but only because I promised,” the alicorn stated.
“Excellent! How does tomorrow evening sound?”
**********
Flash Sentry was on the train, riding to Ponyville. The previous day, Shining Armor transferred the pegasus, entrusting him with the task of protecting Twilight. Flash was anticipating his arrival, partly because he had been aching for a change in scenery. However, he mostly just wanted to stretch his wings. The guard was also very nervous, almost to the point of shaking. Flash had never “dated” anypony, especially not a princess. He was more comfortable with guarding than romance.
“Attention, passengers,” the conductor called. “We will be arriving in Canterlot shortly. Please collect your belongings if you are departing.”
Great, Flash thought. Three more hours, then I get to court a princess. Hooray. He tried sleeping, but the train’s beds weren’t very comfortable. At least, not when compared to clouds. He picked up his new copy of Daring Do and the Ring of Destiny instead.
Daring Do swung her hoof, striking a blow…
**********
“We are now pulling into the Ponyville train station,” the conductor announced.
“Huh? What?” asked a groggy, orange pegasus. Flash had fallen asleep while reading and lost his page. He quickly gathered his suitcase and departed the train. A purple-maned, white-coated unicorn mare ran up to him.
“Excuse me, mister. I was just wondering if you were Flash Sentry,” she asked him.
“Yes…” he answered. “And you are?”
“I’m Rarity, a friend of Twilight’s.” Flash nodded, putting the pieces together. They started walking towards the town. “Shining Armor and Princess Cadence filled me in the details. Is it true that Twilight’s in danger?” Rarity looked genuinely scared for her friend.
“Yes, I believe so,” Flash told her. “So…”
“I take it you want help getting a date with Twilight,” she guessed.
“I suppose,” he shrugged. “I’m just weirded out by all this. When I suggested giving the princess a fake coltfriend, I never imagined that the captain would approve. Or that I would be selected. But yes, I honestly don’t know how to ask her out.”
“Don’t worry, that’s all taken care of. It’s set up for tomorrow evening, and you should probably bring daisies,” Rarity suggested.
“Okay, but still, I have no idea where I’m staying, and there’s no way I have enough bits for a hotel,” Flash glumly added.
“Again, that’s already arranged.” Flash was impressed with her planning. “You’ll be staying with Thunderlane,” Rarity concluded. “Oh, look. We’re here.” Rarity pointed to a fancy looking building. “This is my home and shop, the Carousel Boutique.”
Another pegasus was inside. He was dark grey with a white mane. “Hey, Rarity. Is this Sentry?”
“I go by Flash,” the orange one confirmed.
“Cool. I’m Thunderlane. I’d show you around town, but it’s getting late,” he said as Rarity went upstairs.
“So I’m crashing with you?” asked Flash.
“Looks like it. Let’s go!” He walked outside and took flight. Flash followed suit, his bags on his back.
**********
“So, Flash, you ever been to Ponyville?” Thunderlane asked the following morning as the two pegasi trotted through town.
“No,” Flash replied.
“Then you’re in for a treat,” Thunderlane said, leading the way to Sugarcube Corner. “But, just to warn you, there might be a Welcome-to-Ponyville party for you.”
“What do you mean?” asked Flash.
Thunderlane answered, “You’ll find out soon enough,” as they entered the bakery.
Suddenly, a bright pink earth pony gasped out of nowhere and ran off.
“What was that?” Flash inquired as the earth pony came back in.
“That’ll be three bits,” she told her customer, then raced off again.
“That’s just Pinkie Pie. She’s the party planner, no doubt planning you a surprise party.” Thunderlane just realized what he said. “Whoops.”
“No worries. I just hope it doesn’t interfere with my date.” Flash quickly covered his mouth with his right hoof.
“Wait, wait…you’ve been in town since yesterday night, not even fifteen hours, and you have a date? How did this happen?” The grey pegasus looked rather curious.
“Uh…I’ll tell you in a bit,” Flash responded.
“Why not tell me now?” Thunderlane tried his best attempt at a pouty face, but it didn’t work too well. He was a grown stallion, after all.
“If you stop doing...whatever you’re doing to your face, then I’ll tell you. Outside.” Flash Sentry left Sugarcube Corner with Thunderlane on his tail. “Would you believe me if I said I was here on royal business?”
“Royal business…royal-- you’re dating the princess?!”
“What? No. Maybe. Listen, it’s not really dating. I’m from the Royal Guard--”
“I knew it!” Thunderlane shouted.
“Shhhh!” Flash warned, as they were attracting attention. “Wait, you knew? How?”
“Your Cutie Mark gave it away,” Thunderlane clarified. “Please, continue.”
“Where was I…? Oh, yes. So I’m going to be guarding Princess Twilight, but everypony is supposed to think we’re dating. Including her,” Flash finished.
“And me?” Flash nodded. “I take it that I shouldn’t tell anypony, so I won’t.” Thunderlane promised. “So, why are you guarding the princess? Why start now?”
“That’s classified,” Flash explained.
“Really?” Thunderlane asked.
“No, but I’d prefer to not tell you right now. You never know who’s listening.”
“Alright. So, how about we finish your tour of Ponyville?” Thunderlane suggested.
“Sure,” Flash shrugged. Thunderlane stretched his wings and took off, Flash not far behind.
**********
“Hey! Thunderlane!” shouted a cyan pegasus mare approaching the stallions. “Who’s the newbie?”
“Oh, you mean Sentry?”
“I’m Flash,” the orange pegasus confirmed. “And you are?”
“Rainbow Dash. Call me Rainbow or Dash. Captain of the Ponyville weather team,” Rainbow announced.
Thunderlane continued, “This is Flash Sentry. He’s from up north.”
“You’re from Cloudsdale?” Rainbow asked, her voice getting higher. “That’s so awesome!”
Thunderlane replied, “Nah, he--”
Flash quickly used his hoof to cover the grey pegasus’ mouth. “Yes.” He received a confused look from Thunderlane. “Well, originally. I grew up in Cloudsdale, but I moved to the Crystal Empire a few years ago. I’m actually a high officer in--” This time, Flash got cut off.
“An officer from the Crystal weather team!” Thunderlane winked at Flash.
“That’s cool,” Rainbow replied. “Hey, I have an idea. We can have a race tonight. All three of us!”
“Tonight? Um...I have plans. Sorry, Rainbow,” Flash said.
“Aww,” Rainbow sighed. “How ‘bout you Thunderlane? Wanna rematch?”
“You’re on,” Thunderlane accepted.
“Tonight, an hour before sunset,” Rainbow confirmed. Just then, she heard a crash behind her. “Hey!” She zipped around to see a few pegasi sprawled on the ground. “Sorry, boys. Gotta go.” Rainbow zipped away.
“Hey, Thunderlane?” Flash asked.
“Yeah?”
“I should probably start getting ready,” Flash realized.
“Okay. See ya.” Thunderlane started flying away.
“Thunderlane? How do I get home from here?”
**********
After one hectic Welcome-to-Ponyville party, Pinkie Pie style, Flash was finally ready for his date with Twilight. Thunderlane was showing him the way to Twilight’s. “Hey, Thunderlane? I’m not sure I should do this. It doesn’t feel right.”
“Relax, Sentry. And remember, this is for the princess’ well being. Not yours,” Thunderlane reminded.
“I know, but…” Flash contemplated. “I’m not sure I can do this.” The orange pegasus was within knocking-distance of the library.
“Don't worry. But before you knock, I want you to know that what I’m about to do is for your own good,” Thunderlane clarified.
“What?”
Thunderlane went up to the door, knocked loudly three times, and then flew away as fast as he could. The door opened.