Not Just Yet
Flash looked around the crystal cave, admiring the scene. It had been quite a day. Gloriosa Daisy had turned into Gaia Everfree and nearly succeeded in containing everyone inside the camp.
But, like all the great villains before her, she was ultimately defeated by Twilight, Sunset, and their friends.
Twilight.
Flash's expression turned solemn as his eyes rested on the Twilight of this world who was happily dancing with Timber Spruce.
He bit his tongue as a flare of jealousy rose up in him. He knew he shouldn't be jealous. This was a different Twilight.
The Twilight he knew and the Twilight from this world were two very different girls. They looked the same, but they weren't the same.
And, yet, he couldn't help but wish that was him dancing with her.
Get over her.
Those words echoed in his mind.
Flash closed his eyes and sighed. He knew that Sunset was right. Princess Twilight lived in another dimension and had responsibilities she couldn't just put on hold to see him.
They had had their moments, but nothing special enough to warrant the beginning of a relationship.
They were just friends, he realized. Though he wished that their friendship could blossom into something more, he knew that they would always just be friends.
He looked back at the other Twilight. Timber had spun her around and now held her close.
He turned away, anticipating something else following.
He sighed to himself once more.
"Flash, you okay, man?"
Flash turned to see Bulk Biceps standing beside him, holding a cup of punch.
Flash hung his head. "Uh, not really. Girl trouble."
Bulk rubbed the back of his head, his face bearing a nervous expression, "Oooh, uh, sorry, Flash. Can't really help you there."
Flash waved a hand, "Don't worry about it, Bulk. This is something I have to deal with on my own."
Bulk let out a sigh of relief, "Okay. Well, good luck with that. I'm gonna get more punch." With that, he walked off.
Flash decided to get some fresh air, hoping it would clear his mind.
He exited the caverns and leaned against a nearby rock, gazing up at the stars.
He was reminded of Princess Twilight's eyes. The way they shone in the moonlight, twinkling like the stars. His thoughts then went back to the Fall Formal. He thought back to the two of them dancing, sharing a closeness that had ended too soon.
He thought back to the Battle of the Bands, when he ran up and hugged her, that closeness returning, only to be interrupted by Trixie.
Flash shook his head, "Come on, Sentry. You have to get over her. It's never gonna happen. No matter how badly you want it to."
His ears perked up to the rustling of some bushes.
He stood straight up, looking around. "Someone there?"
To his relief, Sunset Shimmer came walking through some of the foliage.
Flash raised an eyebrow, "Sunset? What are you doing out here? I thought you were inside."
Sunset blinked, upon seeing Flash. But, then she smiled. "I was. But, I had to go get something."
"Sunset? Where'd you go? You know, it's awfully dark out here."
Sunset's smile turned into a smirk as she saw Flash's surprised expression.
"Or should I say, someone?"
Flash felt his heart rate begin to speed up as he instantly recognized the voice.
Sunset turned her head and called out behind her, "I'm over here."
The bushes rustled again.
And, out of the darkened forest, stepped Princess Twilight, wearing her fall formal dress.
She dusted herself off, "You know, trekking through a dark forest in a nice dress is not ideal."
Sunset shrugged, "Hey, at least you still look presentable."
Princess Twilight looked up and immediately her cheeks turned red upon seeing Flash staring at her. "Oh, uh...hi."
Flash realized he was staring and quickly snapped out of it. He smiled, "Hi."
Sunset smiled, "I'll leave you two alone." She winked at Flash before heading into the cave.
Flash looked at her then back at Twilight. He lowered his eyelids, his smile remaining, "Well, this was unexpected."
Twilight twirled a finger in her hair, "Well, when Sunset messaged me about the new magical abilities I just had to see it for myself."
Flash chuckled, "That's not surprising." He then raised an eyebrow, "But, how'd you get here?"
Twilight began walking over to him, "Sunset had a...uh, what do you call those yellow things that bring people places?"
"A taxi?"
She nodded, "Yeah, that. She had one come and pick me up. "
Flash nodded, "Ah, okay. That makes sense."
Twilight walked over to the rock he was leaning on and leaned against it herself.
Flash looked over at her. "So, did you hear about our trouble?"
Twilight gave a nod, "Yeah, Sunset filled me in briefly on our way here. And, I must say, you've had your fair share of villains recently."
Flash chuckled, putting his hands in his pockets. "I know. Let's see. We had She-Demon Sunset, three Sirens, Midnight Sparkle, and now Gaia Everfree. All of them, except for the Sirens, are inside the cave."
Twilight's eyes widened briefly, "Oh! How is she doing?"
He looked at her for clarity. "She who?"
"The other me? How is she?"
Flash looked towards the cave, "She's doing well now. She got some new magical abilities, too. Though, I heard she was having some issues about turning back into Midnight Sparkle. But, I think she's gotten over it."
Twilight gave a relieved sigh, "Well, I'm glad to hear. Although, I am curious as to how magic hit this cave. Sunset told me that it was Equestrian magic, so it came from Equestria. I'll have to check if there were any magic issues in Equestria around the same time the magic hit...the..."
She looked over at Flash, who was simply staring at her, his expression unreadable. "Am I boring you?"
Flash chuckled, placing his hand on hers. "Twilight, you could never bore me."
Twilight blushed, turning her head slightly.
"So, aside from all the magical drama, how have you been doing?" She turned back to him.
Flash looked at her.
Get over her.
Flash squeezed his eyes shut, attempting to block out the thought.
Twilight looked at him with concern. "Flash, are you okay? What's wrong?" She placed her hand on his shoulder.
Flash opened his eyes and looked into her sparkling eyes.
He took her hand from his shoulder and simply held it. "Twilight, I'm going to be honest. I like you. A lot."
Twilight smiled, a blush forming on her face again.
He let out a shaky breath, "I know we're friends. But, I can't help but want to be more."
Twilight looked down, her eyes gazing on their joined hands.
She then looked up at him, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight, "I do, too."
Flash sighed, hearing the words he had been hoping for and at the same time dreading.
"Is there any chance we could...?"
Twilight shook her head sadly, "I'm afraid not. Believe me, Flash, if there was a way we could make it happen, I'd be all for it. But, unless one of us gives up everything for the other, it would never work out."
Flash nodded in reluctant agreement, "Yeah, I figured as much."
Twilight bit her lip, thinking of how to lift the unwanted tension. "Have you tried pursuing my counterpart?"
Flash huffed, "For a little while. Then I realized that she just wasn't the same. She's like you in many ways, and unlike you in a lot, too. And, no offense to her, but I kinda prefer you."
Twilight giggled, "Well, glad to know. Has she shown any interest in you?"
Flash chuckled flatly, "If she had, it disappeared when she met Timber."
"Who's Timber?"
"He's Gloriosa Daisy's brother. You know, the one that turned into Gaia Everfree? I swear, they fell for each other upon first sighting. I didn't fall for you that quick."
Twilight raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, bearing a teasing smirk.
Flash blushed, "Well, not right away."
She laughed, playfully swatting his arm, "I'm just teasing."
Flash chuckled, looking up at the stars. He stretched his arm out, having it rest against the rock.
Twilight took notice of this. Very subtly, she began to move closer to him.
Flash, however, took notice of her movement. He smiled, placing his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close to him.
Twilight narrowed her eyes playfully, "No fair."
Flash smirked, "Don't worry, I almost didn't notice. But, aren't you glad I did?"
Twilight sighed, resting her head on his shoulder, "Yeah, I am."
They sat together for several minutes, simply enjoying each other's company.
Flash rested his head against hers, "You know, this is going to make saying goodbye so much harder."
Princess Twilight looked up at him and smiled, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
-----
Timber Spruce and Twilight walked out of the cave hand-in-hand.
"I had fun tonight." Twilight looked up at the boy next to her and smiled.
Timber grinned, "Of course, you did. If you're with me, you'll always have fun."
She giggled, "Oh, you."
Timber looked ahead and squinted his eyes.
He blinked. He suddenly grabbed Twilight's wrist.
She raised an eyebrow at that, "Timber, what are you - ?"
Timber breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh, good. You're still next to me. I thought maybe you gained teleportation, too." He looked at her, "But, if you're here, then who's that?"
He pointed up ahead.
Twilight looked ahead and realized what he was pointing at.
A few feet away, past a few rocks, was her Equestrian counterpart talking with Flash Sentry.
Twilight gasped in delight, "Oh! It's Princess Twilight."
Timber squinted an eye at her, "Princess Twilight?"
Twilight nodded, "Uh huh. Long story. Let's just say she's me from another dimension. She comes here sometimes. Sunset must have invited her."
Timber looked ahead, "Huh. A princess? Well, not too surprising. She definitely has the looks for one."
Twilight cleared her throat.
Timber winked at her, "But, then again, so do you. You say she's you from another dimension. Both of you are lookers, that's for sure. But, looks like she's accounted for. So, there goes that. But, you're still available, right?" He bounced his eyebrows.
Twilight giggled, "I guess I am."
Timber bowed and offered his arm, "Well, then, milady, will you accompany me back inside for some cookies?"
Twilight took his arm, "It'd be my pleasure."
With that, the two walked back inside.
-----
"It's getting late. You wanna head inside and say hi to your friends?" Flash asked the girl still nestled in his arm.
Princess Twilight looked at him with sad eyes, "Why now? I like it here."
Flash chuckled, "So do I. But, I'm getting kind of hungry. Didn't really have an appetite earlier."
She sighed, "Okay."
They reluctantly separated from each other and stood up straight.
Twilight stretched her arms up, "Well, let's head inside."
She began to walk, but Flash caught her arm.
She turned back to him, "What?"
Flash simply smiled and without saying a word, pulled her close and touched his lips to hers.
Though shocked at first, Twilight kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
About nine seconds later, the two separated, both of their faces bright red.
Twilight smiled as their foreheads touched, "You know, this is going to make saying goodbye that much harder."
Flash smiled back, stroking back a lock of her hair, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
They stared at each other for what seemed like forever.
Eventually, they separated.
"Ready to head inside?"
Flash waved a hand, "Go on in. I'll catch up."
Twilight nodded and began to walk towards the cave, but not before shooting another glance at Flash.
Flash sighed and smiled contently.
Get over her.
Flash smirked, "Yeah. Not just yet."