//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16 
// Story: A Little Visit 
// by Annabelle RTH 
//------------------------------//

Flash’s POV
“Evening Flash. I’m guessing tonight’s the big night.” Shining Armor said.
“Huh, oh yeah.” I smiled at the Captain. 
All afternoon I seemed to have had a smile on my face. I was just so excited and so happy. My family was coming to visit. My mom, my dad and my sisters. I do admit, I’m most excited to see Ruby because of everything that’s been going on with her. I just need to see that she’s okay and adjusted to the whole big brother moved away and can’t visit very often thing. I love my little sister and I always get worried about her when it comes to a change in the family, even if it was only temporarily. 
He laughed. “Be sure to let them know about dinner in two days.”
“Of course Sir.” I nodded. 
Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor invited my family to have dinner with them during my family’s visit. I was uneasy about it at first, but I couldn’t really say no to them. Now, I knew that they were okay with me having a relationship with Twilight, but I’m really hoping that they’re not going to force me to say anything to my parents. Only one date and they’re acting like it’s been months. 
He nodded back. “I’ll see you then. I think you’re off about now.”
“Bye Sir.”
He left and I went to change out of my armor and meet my family at the train station. Just when I was about to head out the door I heard a knock. It was a night guard.
“Evening Flash, your presence is requested by Princess Cadence and I am to escort you to her.”
“Oh, uh, thanks Clear.” I smiled, well kind of. This was weird. She knew that my family was coming tonight. “Can you tell me why Princess Cadence needs me?”
He shook his head from side to side. “She did not say, only asked me to fetch you.”
I looked at him funny. I didn’t like this. She’s requesting my presence right before I would meet up with my family for the first time in months. Something’s… up. I sighed. All right, I’ll play along. I won’t know what she wants until I get there.
“Lead the way.”
We left and he took me to the Princess’s room. I looked at the door and then looked at him confused. He nodded. Of all the places she chose for us to meet, it was her room. 
I walked up to the door and just before I knocked, I heard giggling coming from the other side and then a “Hush…” 
What is going on here? I knocked on the door ready to find out. 
“Who is it?” I heard Princess Cadence say.
“It’s Flash Sentry your Highness. You called for me.”
“Oh Goodie.” The door opened and I saw Princess Cadence… playing Tea Party with a red coated filly. My sister? What? She was in a giant hat and a boa. My sister was wearing the Princess’s tiara in her red mane and shoes. 
“Sis?”
“Flashy!” She yelled out and ran to me. She hopped and tried to fly. I caught her before she fell to the ground.
I was confused and ready to question everything until I had her in my forelegs. She nuzzled into my chest and I hugged her tightly. My little sister. I had missed her every day since I left. This bookish little filly with one heck of an imagination. Who was always ready for a new adventure in the backyard and to write a new story.
“I’ve missed you so-o much Big Brother.”
“I’ve missed you too Rubes.” I nuzzled her head.
“Surprise!” I looked behind Ruby and looked at the Princess who had a smile on her face and was walking towards us. “I was hoping we could hide before you got here, but…” she looked at Ruby and they smiled at each other. “…I suppose this works too.”
“H-How-” I tried asking, but I was still getting over the hug and finally seeing my sister smiling again. I wanted to know, but I kind of wanted to just savor the moment a little longer. It’s been so long since I got hug her. 
“I contacted your family earlier this week and made arrangements for them to arrive a little early. I sent your parents to a day of pampering and relaxation while Ruby and I had a little play date.” She smiled widely.
“The Princess and I have been having so much fun while we waited for your shift to end.” She started to fly out of my arms. She actually managed to stay airborne for a good five seconds before she plopped herself back on the ground. “She even gave me a new idea for a story. Dolls come to life and are actually in a war because the Princess doesn’t want to marry a Prince and has run off with her royal guard.” 
“Oh…” I started to blush hearing the end of the idea. “Sounds like you’ve got the perfect pony to help you with that.” I looked over at Princess Cadence with a fake smile. If she spills the beans too soon I don’t know what I’ll do. My mom already worries about me getting out there and dating, this last thing I need. One date and I think Princess Cadence might be pushing things a little too far. She even got to my sister already with this story. This may not end well for me.
“She’s got a lot to learn about a kingdom and how it works.”
“I think though we should start with the time period the story takes place and then look at the marital traditions of different pony cultures.” I saw my sister with her hoof near her mouth with her eye half winking. “Hmm… do you think the library is still open?” She looked up at us. 
“Uh, I’m not sure.” I looked over at Cadence. 
“I do have some books here at the palace if you really want to get a head start on that research.” She told Ruby. “But don’t you want to finish the tea party?”
“Hm?” She looked at Cadence with a confused look. “Oh, yes, do you want to join us Big Brother?” She looked at me with her cute face, eyes big, giant smile… how could I say no? 
“…” I gulped a little. “Sure.”
“Yay!” 
She hugged me before she made her way back to the little table and grabbed some sunglasses. 
“I suppose we can finish the game before dinner.” Cadence said. 
Playing tea party with Ruby and Princess Cadence, my sister and the sister in law to the mare I want to date… this is going to be one heck of a tea party. 
“Oh and Flash, I hope you don’t mind, but I was hoping Ruby and I could have sleepover tonight.”
“Oh? What?” Did I miss something here? 
“It’s just been a while since I’ve looked after a filly and I’d like to get some practice in before… the little one arrives.”
“Oh.” She wants to practice with my little sister. 
“Plus, she’s just so adorable and… kind of reminds me of Twilight.” 
“Really?” We both looked at Ruby. “Princess Twilight Sparkle was like me as a filly?” She looked at us with wide eyes and her mouth open with excitement. 
Princess Cadence smiled. “Interestingly enough, yes.”
“Wow…” She laughed a little. Then she said, “I can’t believe it.” I saw a few looks on her face like she was having a conversation with herself. “How so Princess?” 
“Well, your love of books for one thing.”
Very true, Twilight even lives in a library.
I spent the next few hours playing games with my sister and Princess Cadence. Good news is, Cadence didn’t tell my sister anything about me and Twilight… bad news is, now Princess Cadence knows some of the most embarrassing things that happened to me. 



Ruby’s POV
“Bye Big Brother.” I waved to him as he left the room. He waved back but I think his smile was kind of fake. He looked nervous. 
I’m not sure why he would be nervous. All Princess Cadence told him was that he should go get ready to have dinner with Mom and Dad while the Princess and I would have a sleep over here. I think I should be fine here with the Princess. She’s very kind, fun and knowledgeable. 
After he shut the door, some servants came in with dinner for me and Princess Cadence. Pizza, salad, bread sticks and giant ice cream sundaes for us. I was so hungry after hours of playing with Flash and Princess Cadence I didn’t even notice the look on Princess Cadence’s face until after I had finished my fifth piece. 
I let out a burp just as I looked up. “Excuse me. I’m sorry Princess.”
She giggled. “Aww, don’t worry about it Ruby. You sure have an appetite though.”
I giggled. “Yeah, Flash and my other siblings would always joke around that I eat my entire body weight in minutes.”
She laughed. “That right?” 
I smiled and nodded. “Uh-huh, I actually have this theory that I eat so much because I need to fuel my imagination.”
“Hm.” The Princess nodded in understanding.
“So, where can we find those books?” I asked. 
“I have a small library here in the castle. We can go there after we’ve finished eating. You’ll need the energy.” She winked at me. 
“Okay.” I smashed another piece into my mouth.
“Say, what has Flash said in his letters home?”
“Hm? Oh? He mentions all sorts of stuff. Mostly about his normal duty days and stuff that’s he’s learned about the Crystal Empire.” I told her. Then something popped into my head that I heard after school. I think these two fillies were teasing their friend about a colt she likes and they mentioned Princess Cadence. “By the way, I’ve heard that you might be able to make ponies fall in love with each other, is that true?”
She looked at me and giggled. “Nope.”
“Really? Not even Princess Celestia.” 
She shook her head no. “Not even Celestia.” This is new. Here I thought the princesses could do anything with their magic. Then again, I remember in the papers when the Queen of the changelings overpowered Princess Celestia. However, it was also the power of love between Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor that got rid of them all. There must be more to magic than I think, especially when it comes to the princesses.
“So, what can you do? When it comes to love I mean.” I asked. This is interesting. I can’t believe I never thought to look more into magic before. 
“Well, I can cast a spell that reminds ponies of their love.” 
“So… your spell can only work if the ponies were in love to begin with?” I asked beginning to understand.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“But why would that kind of spell be needed?”
“To keep love alive and well in ponies hearts.” 
“Can’t we do that on our own?” I asked. I mean, I think the love between my Mom and Dad is strong. They don’t fight often and when they do, the situation is always resolved pretty quickly. 
“Well, sometimes ponies need a little help.”
“Like who?” I asked. 
“Well…” I saw the Princess get a twinkle in her eye as I finished off the last pizza piece. “I’m helping these two ponies right now.”
“How?” I took the ice cream sundae in my hooves and stuffed a spoonful into my mouth. 
“I purposely made situations for these two ponies to bond and get to know each other. After that, when I knew that they had grown feeling towards each other, I just gave the stallion a little push to ask the mare on a date.”
“What happened? Did it go well?”
She giggled. “Oh yes. I think those two will be just fine.”
“Wait, is that it? I mean no no no second date or something.” I thought when a date goes well, you’re supposed to set up another one and then it sort of continues that way. 
“Well, they live in different parts of Equestria, but I am making arrangements for them to meet up at the end of this week when the stallion’s family would be in town.” She giggled again. “But sh. Don’t tell anypony.”
“Umm.” I stopped eating. This is weird. Why would I need to keep a secret about two ponies I don’t know? Who would I even tell? It’s not like this will come up in a conversation somepony has with a filly. “Okay I promise.” Then something popped into my head. “Hey, wait you didn’t use magic at all to help them at all.”
“No need. They just needed a slight push.” She giggled. 
I finished the sundae and wiped my mouth. 
“Looks like you’re done.” 
I burped again. “Excuse me.”