Flare of Hope

It was finally almost noon, and the sun was just approaching the center of the sky. After an awkward lunch with Princess Celestia, and her daughter, in which the two other alicorns kept insisting that Star tell them how the "first date" goes, as well as at least one "You know, with all these new decrees you've put into place, Flare, your mother might start to think you two were laying together." This caused a minor amount of heavy blushing from the prince of the... something.

The two ponies finally escaped the clutches of the benevolent Trollestia, and her daughter, and were climbing into the carriage to Ponyville. Flare instinctively allowed Star to climb in first, which could be attributed either to his gentlecoltly fashion, or just a desire to get a good look at "dat flank." Either way, he ended up getting a faceful of her cutie mark, when she lost her footing, and landed square on his face. Yes, the day was already taking quite the awkward turn already, and they hadn't even left the castle grounds.

After a good fraction of the ride, Flare finally broke the awkward silence. "Do you think she knows?"

"I don't think so," Star said, shaking her head. "I think she's just teasing you. You just need to relax, Flare. You've got a long day ahead of you."

"If you say so, Babe."

Neither pony knew just how right Star was. The two ponies enjoyed the rest of the trip in a companionable silence, each occasionally glancing at the other, and smiling, as if they had something to say to each other.

After a few hours, the carriage touched down in Ponyville, one of the two guards, who had pulled the carriage opening the door to allow them out. Flare waited for Star to get out first, then followed suit, following the guards to their destination.

Once they reached the library, the guards knocked on the door, one of two things Flare didn't exactly approve of. The other was the guardsponies presence altogether. The door opened slowly, revealing a lavender unicorn in the doorway, who quickly went about speaking to the guards. Star took a quick whiff of the air, and whispered to Flare. "Is she wearing perfume?" This only elicited a shrug from the prince. The guardsponies turned around, and saluted the prince, walking away. They had apparently been given orders to wait around town until it was time to leave.

Flare started piecing everything together in his brain. I knew they were plotting something. Flare looked at the unicorn in the doorway, and raised an eyebrow, as she motioned for him to enter. He let out a small sigh, and started toward the door, stopping just in front of the entrance. “Good evening, Miss Sparkle. I trust you’ve had a good day.”

“Good day, not really. Crazy day, definitely.” She laughed awkwardly. “Well, I welcome you, once more to my humble abode, your highness.”

Star looked at Flare, and raised an eyebrow, mouthing out “Once more?”

Fuck… That doesn’t look good. “Very well, Miss Sparkle. First, allow me to introduce you to my advisor, Lady Falling Star. She was once a teacher at Princess Celestia’s school.”

Twilight gave Star a quick, obviously judging once-over, an eyebrow perked. Star could immediately sense the hostility in the air. Did she just… inspect me? What’s with that look? “It is truly a pleasure to meet the Princess’s personal student, Miss Sparkle. I have heard quite a great deal about you.”

Twilight completely brushed off the other Unicorn’s comment, and led the two of them in, Magicking the door shut just before Star could make it to the threshold. Flare turned back, and looked at the door. “Um, Twilight… Why did you do tha-“

“Your lessons are very important, and we cannot risk any distractions getting in the way, now can we?” There was something odd to the unicorn’s voice. Flare couldn’t exactly put his hoof on it. Although, he could’ve swore she was hitting on him.

“Um… I would rather she b-“

“Nonsense, Flare. Come, let’s begin our lesson.”

Oh, fuck.

Ten minutes had passed, and Falling Star had been fuming. “I can’t believe that… Argh! I’m so gonna… Oooh. She’s gonna get it.”

“Um… are you talking to yourself?” Star heard a voice come from behind her. She imagined that someone would find it strange, if they saw her glaring holes in Twilight Sparkle’s front door. And luckily for her, someone did.

She turned, and looked, spotting a little purple baby dragon with green spines, with a bag clutched in his little claw. He looked at Star with a look of questioning. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do you live here?” Of course she knew he did. She immediately recognized the little baby dragon when she saw him.

“Uh, yeah. Can I help you?”

Hook, line, and sinker. “Oh, yes. I am Falling Star, a Royal Advisor from Canterlot, and I must get inside to speak to the prince, immediately.” Oh, who am I kidding? She thought. Anypony could use that excuse. And I just KNOW Spike isn’t THAT gullible.

“Oh! The Prince is here? Here, let me help you.” As quickly as he could, he dropped the bag, and quickly set about unlocking the door. “Um here, Miss Star. After you.”

That… seriously just worked. Star pushed open the door, and was infuriated at what she saw. “Twilight Sparkle!” she yelled. “Get your dirty hooves off my stallion!” Yep. Just in the entry room was Twilight Sparkle, gripping madly at Flare, trying to plant a kiss on his lips. Thankfully for Flare, he was resisting. Quite openly, might I add.

“YOUR stallion? I’m sorry, but I don’t see your name on him.”

“I’ll put my name on your ass!” Star’s horn glowed silver, as she glared at Twilight.

Twilight grinned, throwing a playful glare at the other unicorn, her own horn glowing a deep crimson. “So that’s how you want to do this, hmmm? Alright. I can play along.”

Flare had grabbed Spike, and evacuated the library. He knew exactly what happened when Myra Star got angry, and Celestia only knows what she could do now that she had all that magic at her disposal. Either way, Flare didn’t want to be anywhere near that tree.