//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 // Story: A Little Visit // by Annabelle RTH //------------------------------// Twilight’s POV Spike and I had just woken up the day after we went to the Castle of the Two Sisters in hopes of cleaning. We ended up getting sucked into Spike’s enchanted comic book and battling a supervillain in order to escape the comic. It was strange to defeat a villain without the Elements of Harmony, granted, it was also interesting for us to have super powers. I think that I’ll stick to my magic though. I have had more practice with it. Spike went ahead and got breakfast started while I went to check the mail. I was surprised to find a letter from Flash. I had just written him two days ago. It seemed too soon to receive a response this quickly. I walked back into the library as I opened the letter. I heard Spike call out, “Hey Twilight! Would you prefer pancakes or waffles?” “I’d have to go with waffles.” I began to read the letter as I walked into the kitchen only to stop when I realized why Flash sent this letter so soon. “Hey, what’s wrong Twilight?” I looked as Spike in his apron with a worried look on his face holding a wooden spoon. “Flash broke a limb…” I told Spike feeling bad for Flash. I remembered he said the last time he broke a limb he had gone a little crazy by the end of his recovery. “Seriously? How?” Spiked asked as he continued to make breakfast. “It says he landed funny when he was playing a game with school ponies.” “Ouch.” “My thoughts exactly. We should go visit him today. I’m sure he’d appreciate the company.” Spike laughed a little. “I think you mean your company.” I blushed a little knowing what he was getting at. It still bothers me a little that my friends still tease me about this Flash business. As much as I know they don’t mean anything by it, it still feels kind of embarrassing. “Flash and Twilight sitting in a tree-” before he could finish that rhyme, I used my magic to zip his mouth closed. “Cut it out Spike.” I told him sternly. He tried to pull the zipper of his mouth for a moment before giving up and looking at me with a pleading look. I sighed and told him, “All right, I’m going to unzip your mouth now. But would you please try to knock it off?” He nodded quickly. “Okay then.” I used my magic to make the zipper disappear. Spike opened his mouth a few times and even made a few faces and sounds to make sure he could still talk. I sighed and sat down at the table. Spike walked up to me and said, “Hey I’m sorry Twilight. I didn’t think the teasing bothered you so much.” He looked at me with apologetic eyes. I smiled a little. “Apology accepted Spike. I’m sorry too for zippering your mouth closed.” Spike laughed a bit. “It’s all right. It’s actually kind of funny now.” I giggled a little myself. He is right. It was a little funny. After breakfast, I packed a bag for myself and Spike and we left on the next train to the Crystal Empire. I was excited to see Flash again but I also felt bad because he broke a limb. I was hoping to visit him soon but not under these circumstances. Still, it will be nice to see Flash. Plus, I’ll also get to see Cadence and Shining Armor. This will be a wonderful visit… despite Flash being unable to walk. I began to make a list of things Flash and I can do while on my visit since it became apparent that his lack of mobility leaves us with less activity options. When we made it to the castle, I was about to ask a guard where I could find Flash but Cadence spotted me from the balcony and flew down to greet me. “Twilight! What a surprise!” She hugged me. “Hello Spike.” She waved towards him. “Hi, Cadence.” “What are you two doing here?” Before I could reply, she took a moment looking at me and seemed to assess the situation I guess. “I take it you know about Flash?” She asked as if she already knew the answer. “Yes, I was hoping to surprise him.” I smiled. “Oh, I’ll happily take you to him.” Cadence smiles back. “But first, let’s leave your things in your room.” Afterwards, Cadence started to lead the way to Flash’s home. I actually hadn’t actually visited his home. That’s why I wanted to stop by the castle first to see if Cadence or Shining Armor could give me directions. “So how long are you planning on staying?” “I was thinking just a few days. The girls and I are heading to Manehattan for fashion week to support Rarity soon.” I told her. “That sounds wonderful. I hope you’ll have a great time.” She led on and we caught up a little bit before we made it to Flash’s door. Cadence smiled in a way that I thought she was in pain for a moment. It was kind of odd but I suppose she was a little excited to see me just pop up without even sending a message to her or to Shining Armor about by impromptu visit to see Flash. “If I may?” She asked. I nodded. Her smile grew slightly bigger before she cleared her throat again. She knocked on the door. “Flash? It’s me Cadence and I’ve brought you a surprise.” She looked at me with a giddy grin. I couldn’t help but grin and giggle myself. She hushed me before Flash replied. “You can come in!” We heard come through the door. Cadence used her magic to open the door as Flash continued with, “But if it’s more cake, I’m not sure if it will fit in my fridge.” “I don’t think that will be a problem.” Cadence giggled. Spike and I walked around Cadence. “Surprise!” “Twilight! Spike! This really is a surprise,” Flash smiled at me before looking towards Cadence “And one that actually doesn’t have to go in the fridge.” Flash was seated at couch with his hind leg in a cast and on a pillow on a stool. “Well if cake is your problem, do you think I could have some? I got a little hungry on the train ride over here.” Spike popped up. “Sure, just let me-” He began to get up. “Oh, I can get it, don’t worry. Just tell me where I can find some plates and forks.” “Oh, uh, okay. The plates are in the cabinet to the left of the fridge and the forks are in the drawer closest to the stove.” He pointed towards his kitchen area. His home is very open with minimal walls. The furniture distinguished the different areas. “All right, is anypony else going to want some?” Spike asked he made his way to the kitchen. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind a slice.” I told Spike. “You got it.” He responded. “I’m pretty good on cake right now Bud.” Flash seemed to look down and rub his belly a bit. “But thanks for the offer.” “No thanks Spike, I’ve got to get back to the castle. Oh and Flash, we’d like you to have dinner with us at the castle. Twilight,” I looked towards Cadence when she mentioned my name, “do you think you’ll be able to help Flash to the castle?” “Oh, uh, I think so.” “Good, I’ll see you all tonight. Good bye everypony.” Cadence said as she left. We all said our good byes before she closed the door. I walked up to Flash who tapped on the couch signaling me to take a seat. “So how have you been?” I sat down next to him. “Fine I guess. I’ve been able to catch up on my reading.” “Here you go Twilight.” Spike came back with two plates of cake. “Thank you Spike.” I told him and took the plate in my magic. “Exactly how much cake do you have in that fridge?” Spiked asked half expecting an actual answer as he sat on the other side of Flash. “A lot, from regular cakes, to cake pops. Mildred surprisingly didn’t bring me cake. She brought me a casserole.” “I didn’t see it in there.” “I ate it. She and her family have been kind of taking care of me since Mom and Dad are a little held up.” “That’s very kind of them.” I said. “Yeah, I really appreciate the help.” He smiled. Hours passed, we all just talked and talked. Flash despite having difficulty moving was in good spirits as always. Nothing seems to have changed about him. “Hey, I think it’s about time that we go.” Flash said as he pointed towards a window. The sun was setting slowly. “You’re probably right.” I said. “Spike, why don’t you wash the dishes while I help Flash up?” “Sure.” Spike hopped out of his seat and headed towards the kitchen area with the dishes. “Do you think you’ll be able to walk the way?” I asked him as I took his hoof and pulled him off the couch. He is able to hold his balance with only three functional limbs and keeping his bad leg off the ground. “Yeah, I might need to stop for a breather about half way, but I can make it. Besides, it’s almost time to start moving this leg around.” “Are you sure?” I asked him worried. “I can always have you float or try to transport you there.” He looked at me with a gentle smile. “I appreciate your concern but I’ll be fine, I promise.” He placed his hoof over his heart for a second and almost fell over. “Woops!” He slid his hoof back down while I tried to reach for him. He managed to balance himself without my help though. “See?” He smiled nervously towards me. “Totally fine. A little wobbly, but definitely fine. I looked at him not convinced, but I also did not want to go against his wishes. I trust Flash, but I couldn’t help but feel a little concerned and that I wasn’t much help. “Hey, it’s not like I’ve never done this before and I’ll heal up okay.” He looked at me with a soft smile “I know but I thought I could help just a bit more. You didn’t have the help of alicorn magic then.” “And I was just fine.” He took a step towards me and kissed my cheek. I was shocked to say the least, all I did was stare at him trying to process what just happened and I felt my cheeks burn and my heart thumped directly into my ears. I could feel it trying to pop out of my chest. “I’m grateful you care this much.” He placed his head on mine gently being careful with my horn. This, sort of calmed me down. My heart didn’t thump so much or so loudly. I could think and my face didn’t feel so hot. I felt happy. About as happy as I was when I kissed him on his cheek a while back. It felt nice. “It’ll be okay though.” I smiled and said, “Okay.” “Uh, should I go on ahead?” We looked towards Spike who covered his mouth with his claw trying to hold in a laugh. “That might be a good idea.” My ears perked up and I looked at Flash wondering what was going on here. We haven’t even kissed yet and what he was implying made me uncomfortable. I’m not ready for that and I won’t be ready for that for a long time. I wanted to know what was wrong with Flash. I thought we had an understanding. I thought he was a gentlecolt. “Really?” asked confused and concerned. “No of course not.” He looked at Spike with a funny look that seemed slightly angry. I sighed in relief realizing that he was just messing with Spike. I felt better and kind of silly. Of course Flash wouldn’t mean that… that still scared me though. Flash continued, “Just call it a little pay back.” “You really scared me there for a minute Flash.” I told him almost laughing at how ridiculous that all was. I held onto my chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you would take it seriously too. Are you okay?” He asked concerned. I nodded, “I’m fine now. But please don’t do that again, I was really worried.” Flash looked a little guilty and said, “Yeah, okay. You got it. I’m sorry I scared you.” Spike started to laugh. When I turned around to see him I said, “And you.” Spike stopped laughing and looked up at me shocked and curious. “You said you’d lay off.” I said sternly. “Well, I uh,” He looked nervously at me trying to find an excuse before he sighed. “I’m sorry Twilight, Flash. I didn’t mean it.” I smiled, “That’s okay Spike.” “Yeah, it’s all good Spike.” Flash told him. “Now we best be off to the castle.” I said. We left after Flash posted a note for Mildred in case she stopped by.