One Bump Too Many

Chapters

Business As Usual?
A Much Needed Talk
Back To Our Normally Scheduled Program
A Really Awkward First Date
Moving Forward
Epilogue - The Wedding
Why Must We Always Meet Like This?

Business As Usual?

Flash Sentry woke up about two hours before dawn. He used some of his time to think over his feelings for the Princess. How am I supposed to tell her? he wondered as he sat up and stretched. 'Hey Princess! I'm in love with you!' he sighed, That's too straight forward. He knew that he had to be smoother than that to win her heart. I have an idea.....I think...... he thought as he fixed his mane and donned his armor. He exited the room and trotted down the hall until he spotted a batpony trotting to the Wing. "Hello, Firefly." he greeted with a yawn.

"Hey, Flash." Firefly acknowledged with a smile, "What are you doing up so early? Your patrols don't start for another two hours."

"I know." Flash nodded as he looked out the window, "But Princess Twilight has summoned me."

"Ah." Firefly nodded, "See you then." With that, they continued with what they were originally doing. Flash stopped at a door at the top of a staircase behind the Throne Room. He inhaled but as he raised his hoof to knock, the door was opened by Twilight's magic as she sat at a desk at the opposite side of the room. "Glad you came, Flash." she greeted, not looking away from the parchments she was reading and signing.

"Hey to you, too." Flash smirked as he took his helmet off and closed the door. Twilight still had her purple eyes focused on the parchment, her eyes heavy with tiredness. Flash blushed and tried to gain as much confidence before doing his next action and approached the tired princess. Here goes nothing....... Twilight jumped as she felt two hooves pleasantly caress her shoulders. They stat in silence as Flash continued to massage Twilight's overly tense body. "I-Is this better, Twilight?" Flash hesitantly asked, blushing.

"Y-Yeah....." Twilight answered back with a blush. What is this sudden affection now?

"You really need to stop worrying." Flash informed, still donning his blush, "Makes you more tense."

"I-I'll try." Twilight noted as her blush intensified. He's really good though..... Then Flash had an idea. He moved down her back to between her wings and pressed lightly. In split-second, Flash's muzzle met one of Twilight's wing as it slapped him with a force that sent him back. "OHMIGOSH!!!" Twilight turned to face Flash who stood and wiped a little blood coming from his nose.

"Yeah......" he grunted, "That was unexpected....."

"Yeah." Twilight agreed as her wings folded, "What happened anyway?"

"I pressed between your wings because I read that it's a common spot to massage a stressed alicorn or pegasus." he answered, "I forgot to remember to watch for any 'wingboners' that might occur."

"Wing........boners.......?" Twilight flushed a bright shade of crimson at that word.

Then there was the sound of a kettle whistle. "Oh! Would you look at that. Water's done." she sheepishly smiled and chuckled before she rushed to get the kettle. That was a little more than uncomfortable.........

Flash merely just followed her to her personal kitchen. She had finished pouring their tea as he sat at a table. She levitated some crackers as well as the tea to the table and sat down. They sat in an uncomfortable silence before Twilight decided to break the silence. "So," she began, "How's my sister-in-law?"

"You haven't heard?" Flash smiled as he sipped some tea. Mint? She knows my favorite tea?

"What?" she asked with some concern in her voice, "Is she alright? Is my brother okay? Did-" Flash put a hoof on her mouth.

"She and your brother are alright." he smiled, "I can't believe she hasn't told you yet."

"Told me what?" she asked as she sipped some tea.

"She's pregnant." Flash smiled as he sipped some of his tea. Twilight choked on the tea that was working its way down her throat. "She's WHAT!?!?!?!" she yelled as her cup slammed down.

"You heard me." Flash answered.

"How long????" she asked as she smiled.

"Three going on four months." he answered as he took another sip. Personal favorite Princess for the tea.

"Why haven't they told me???" she asked with a hint of anger, "She was pregnant before Princess Celestia's and Discord's wedding!!"

"Which is why they didn't show." he pointed out.

He was right. Even though they were on the list, they didn't show. "They planned on telling you after the wedding but with their own royal business and Cadence being pregnant, they never found the time." he informed as they finished their tea.

"I'll have to go visit my brother sometime and have a little chat." she stated as she put the cups in the sink, "Now. On with business." Flash saluted, grabbed his helmet, and went to his post.

No matter how long he tried, he couldn't get the lavender Princess out of his mind ever since that bump yesterday. What's going on with me? he thought as he looked around for any trouble or intruders at his post. He couldn't shake her. No matter how many times he tried. He then heard the sound of heavy hoofsteps behind him. "Spike." he greeted, not turning and trying to focus on his task.

"Hey, Flash." Spike greeted in return, "Twilight told me the news about Cadence and her brother."

"She did?" he asked.

"And she wishes to depart on the afternoon train." Spike added.

"What day?" he asked.

"Today." Spike informed as Flash sighed. "Let me guess," he started, "She wants me to make an escort."

"Just you." he concluded as he turned to go about his business again. Things are taking unexpected turns after that bump. he noted in his mind as he signaled a guard to take his post. This is what I get for falling in love with the Princess of Friendship, after all. he smiled as he went to escort the Princess to the train that will be leaving at the strike of noon.

Baby steps, Flash........baby steps......

Author's Note

Time: 1534 hours
Listening to: Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas

Yeah. I'm milking this relationship as much as possible. I have so many ideas for them in the future chapters later on. Stay tuned!

-TheNightShade
(Revised on January 30, 2015 and February 8th, 2015 by me)

A Much Needed Talk

Twilight was in a rush to get to the Crystal Kingdom to have a chat with her brother, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadence so she decided to exit the castle about three hours before noon. "Spike," the alicorn started as she lowered her crown onto her head, "I need you make sure that he guards are on track while I'm at the Kingdom."

"Will do, Twi." the dragon answered with a nod.

"Alright," Twilight continued as she turned to the guard at the door, "Flash, before we go to the Station, I want to get my friends. They have to here the news straight from my sister-in-law."

"Right!" Flash saluted.

"Let's go." she finished as they headed down the stairs to the entrance. The only sound piercing their silence was the sound of their hooves as they trotted to the door. Flash trotted ahead to open the door but he halted when Twilight opened it with her magic. He stood out of the way as he let her through.

He trotted to beside her as he escorted the alicorn to her first destination: Sugar Cube Corner. They approached the door of the sweets-covered building and heard two ponies talking from inside. One of them was a mare while the other was a stallion. Twilight pushed the door open and the little bell above the frame chimed to signal that a pony had entered. "Ohhh! Hey Twilight!" the mare waved from behind the counter as they entered.

"Hey Pinkie. Who were you talking to?" Twilight asked as she approached the counter where her friend was.

"Just Pokey." she smiled. At that moment, a head poked out from the kitchen behind Pinkie. It was Pokey Pierce. "Thought I heard a familiar voice!" he smiled as he came from the kitchen. Pokey Pierce was a unicorn with an indigo coat and a bouncy silver and white mane. No wonder why they started to date. Pokey came beside Pinkie and nuzzled her neck lightly before asking, "What brings you here?"

"Just here to get Pinkie." Twilight answered, "Some important stuff came up at the Crystal Kingdom."

"Ohh! Is it Sombra!?" she asked excitedly as she pulled out her party cannon, "Cause I have been waiting to unload my cannon on him!"

"No no no, Pinkie." Twilight smiled with a small chuckle, "It's a surprise."

"Oh," she sighed as she tossed her party cannon away, which landed with a crash, "Then it's a reason only you and the author knows?"

"Yes. The what now?" Twilight asked as she tilted her head with a confused look.

"I choose to ignore those comments." Pokey chuckled as he rubbed Pinkie's poofy mane.

"I think I should, too." Twilight chuckled back as she readjusted her head, "So, Pinkie. You coming or what?"

"Yeppers!" Pinkie bounced, "Later Pokey!" She nuzzled her coltfriend before bouncing along with Twilight and Flash.

Their next destination wasn't that far off from the bakery and the building was undoubtedly the most elegant building in all of Ponyville: The Carousel Boutique. Flash pushed the door open which, like the one at Sugar Cube Corner, rang a small bell as it opened. "Coming, darling!" a voice chimed from upstairs. Then, there was the sound of hooves as the pony upstairs trotted to meet whoever was at the door. A white unicorn mare, whose mane was tied in a single bun, came down from her descent from upstairs. "Twilight! Pinkie!" she called out as she rushed to meet her friends, "What brings you here?"

"Just wanted to get you for something, Rarity." Twilight answered as she and Pinkie hugged Rarity. Flash Sentry gave a light cough so he would get noticed. "Hello, Flash." Rarity acknowledged flatly before separating from the hug, "What is this 'something' you are referring to?"

"Important business in the Kingdom." Twilight answered as they went further inside so that the door can shut.

"What business?" Rarity asked as they sat on separate couches that adorned the living room.

"Twilight here says that it's a secret!" Pinkie Pie answered as she smiled.

"Well then," Rarity nodded as they all got up, "Let's go then!"

"Where to next?" Flash asked as they exited the boutique.

"Up." Twilight smiled as she launched from the ground like a cork coming from a bottle of shaken champagne. Flash tried his best to keep up but the princess was moving fast enough that she made a streak of the color of her tail. "Something tells me that they are going to be together soon." Rarity pointed out.

"What makes ya say that?" Pinkie asked with an arched eyebrow and a tilted head.

"Just call it a 'sixth sense', if you will." Rarity smiled as she started walking off.

"Like my Pinkie Sense?" Pinkie asked.

"Somewhat......just not all the crazy." Rarity chuckled lightly, "Now come on. We need to get Applejack and Fluttershy."

"Okie-dokie-lokie!" Pinkie Pie replied as she bounced along with Rarity.

Twilight continued to increase speed as time started to whittle down with every passing second. Instead of landing normally as she arrived at the Wonderbolt Academy, Twilight instead slammed onto the runway, causing a small crater to form. The slam was hard enough that the shock wave knocked over some of the trainees and other Wonderbolts. Except for one. "Princess Twilight." the golden yellow mare spoke, "What an unexpected arrival."

"S-Sorry, Spitfire." she huffed, "Where's Rainbow Dash?" Then she felt a hoof smack the back of her head.

"Right here, egghead!" the pony behind her spoke up. Twilight turned around to see the cyan pegasus smirking. Even after her coronation, Rainbow Dash still kept calling her friend an 'egghead' because of her love for books that never went away. "Was that really necessary, Rainbow?" Twilight grunted as she rubbed her head.

"You messed up my training regime as you came in!" Rainbow shouted at her as she pointed to a group of pegasi becoming unstuck from a few clouds.

"Sorry. "Twilight chuckled as she sheepishly smiled. Rainbow sighed then turned to her regime. "Alright!" she started, "After you're done slacking off, give me two hundred and then hit the mess!" The ones who were free from the clouds saluted to her in confirmation then went back to helping their fellow trainees. "Let's talk someplace else." Rainbow smiled as they started towards one of the buildings. Dash looked behind them and saw Flash Sentry taking huge breaths after landing. Slowpoke. she smirked.

They entered the large building in the middle of their academy where all of the Active-Duty Wonderbolts and the Reserves resided. The building was decorated with Wonderbolt posters, newspapers, award displays, and banners to show the accomplishments throughout the years. They walked along before they reached a room with Rainbow Dash's cloud and multi-colored lightning bolt with a plaque underneath it reading: "Active". Rainbow's room was one that fit her expectations. Signed posters of Wonderbolt advertisements and her personal awards donned the blue walls and various dressers and nightstands. In the far corner there was a mannequin for Rainbow's uniform, which she approached. "Little privacy bud?" she glared at Flash who just went out of the room and shut the door.

"What I was going to say earlier before you exploded at me," Twilight began with a little irritation in her voice, "Is that some important business appeared in the Kingdom."

"Sombra?" Rainbow asked as she finished putting her uniform on the mannequin.

"No."

"Not interested." Rainbow concluded as she sat behind a desk with papers on it.

"But, Dash!" Twilight interjected, trying to get an explanation, "It's really important!"

"Look, Twilight." Rainbow sighed as she read over some papers, "I really want to go but I have a job to train the next wave of elite fliers. Besides, what could be more important than Sombra coming back?"

"It involves my brother and Cadence. Something's happened." Twilight stated with irritation which caused her friend to look up from the papers.

"Something's happened between Shining Armor and Princess Cadence?" Rainbow Dash asked for confirmation which Twilight simply nodded.

"Then let's go! I'll get Soarin to take over my regime while I'm gone." Rainbow stated as they started to head out the room.

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Flash Sentry all took off, as a group this time, as soon as Dash was done tasking Soarin with her regime. They flew over to Sweet Apple Acres and asked around for Applejack. All they heard was that she wasn't home. Apple Bloom explained to them that Rarity and Pinkie Pie arrive earlier and said that they were heading to Ponyville Station to wait on them. "Thanks, Apple Bloom!" Twilight thanked after she was done explaining.

"See ya'll around!" Apple Bloom waved back as they flew toward Ponyville Station.

They arrived at the Station at about ten minutes till noon and, like Apple Bloom said, Applejack was with Rarity and Pinkie Pie. But one was missing. "Where's Fluttershy?" she wondered as she noticed that the bright yellow pegasus was not with the group.

"Ah think she's still takin' care of her critters." Applejack sighed.

"She said she would be here when the train-" Rarity was cut off by the blast of a train whistle. "-arrives."

What pulled up to the Station was not an ordinary train. No, this was a pure crystal locomotive that, unlike regular trains, was more aerodynamic with it's smooth look and donned two small Crystal Kingdom National Flags near the front. "I'll get Fluttershy." Rainbow informed as she zipped to Fluttershy's Cottage. The train pulled up with a hiss as it stopped in front of the group. "Haven't seen this in ages." Twilight smiled as she remembered the last time her sister-in-law visited.

"Same." Rarity and Applejack grunted as they remembered that it was also the day that Discord pulled the "blue flu" prank.

"All aboard!" a pony shouted as he exited the train. The pony bowed as Twilight and Flash entered. Rarity and Applejack brightened their spirits as they remembered that they had to go with their friend for this "surprise business" that appeared in the Kingdom.

"Last call for Crystal Kingdom!" the pony called out as the train blew its whistle, signalling that it was ready to depart.

"Where are they?" Twilight asked as she looked out the window for the two pegasi that have yet to board.

"WE'RE COMING!!" a voice called out and lo and behold, it was Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy who, as the doors were shutting, came aboard and crashed into a wall.

"We're........here...." Fluttershy gasped as she was trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.

A normal train ride for this group of ponies would be talkative but now, they sat in one of the most uncomfortable silence they have been in. "So," Twilight spoke up in an attempt to break the silence, "Anything new lately?"

"Same old same old." Applejack answered as she yawned lightly, "But Mac thinks the Zaps are comin' soon."

"Eh," Pinkie answered, "Pokey's still trying to stop burning some of the goods. Kinda rough because the only other pony I've taught how to cook was Apple Bloom YEARS ago."

"He's still burning the goods?" Rarity asked, "Thought he would be able to cook a batch of cupcakes by now."

"Time and practice equal perfection." Pinkie smiled.

"By the way," Rainbow started, "How're you and Spike these past few months?"

"He's still the same old Spikey-wikey, Dash." Rarity smiled, "How's your crush going?"

"S-S-Soarin and I have a strict business relationship, that's all." Rainbow blushed as she looked at all the eyes pointed at her.

"Well, I think you and Soarin would be perfect." Fluttershy smiled as she rubbed her friends back.

"You're not helping!" Rainbow yelled as her blush grew, "I need some air." With that, Rainbow zipped out the nearest open window.

"Princess Twilight," Flash spoke up as he came into the cart, "The conductor says that we'll be in the Station within the next few hours."

"Thank you, Flash." Twilight nodded as Flash exited the cart.

"Speaking of the new Captain," Rarity slyly smiled, "What was the reason you made him Captain of your guard?"

"Well," Twilight started as she rubbed the back of her head, "I didn't really know the other guard members."

"Is that all?" Rarity continued to smile as she leaned into Twilight.

"What are y-" Twilight cut herself off and blushed furiously as she knew what Rarity meant. "NO! NOT THAT!" Twilight answered as her other friends busted into laughter.

"Say that to yer wings." Applejack chuckled, pointing to Twilight's outstretched wings which caused her to blush more.

"But all seriousness, has he done anything like that?" Rarity asked as they all calmed down.

"Well," Twilight shifted a little before continuing, "He did massage me one time." This caused the deafening silence to return to the car. "You're joking." Pinkie stated after she shook her head in confusion.

"By Celestia's flowing mane." Twilight swore.

"Well now." Fluttershy spoke up as she blinked, "That's....um.....interesting."

"So," Rainbow Dash spoke up as she zipped back in, "What happened while I was out?"

"Nothing." the rest answered as they looked around, causing Rainbow Dash to huff.

The train came to another hissing halt as it arrived at its destination: The Crystal Kingdom. The group of ponies coming from Ponyville exited and started to move through the crystal-lined streets of the Kingdom to the largest building there, which of course was the Castle. As they approached the Crystal Heart that was endlessly spinning at the base of large crystal building, a white unicorn stepped out from behind doors. "Twiley!" he called out as he trotted towards his sister and her friends, "It's so good to see you" Shining Armor was about to hug his sister when she held out a hoof to stop him. "What's wrong, Twi?" he asked as he looked at Twilight's enraged expression.

"Why didn't you tell me that Cadence, my sister-in-law and your wife, was PREGNANT????" she asked with all of her rage.

"SHE'S WHAT?????" the friends asked as they knew what the "secret business" was.

"I'm sorry, Twi." Shining apologized as they started to head inside, "But things have been getting hectic since it started. With her pregnancy symptoms hitting hard, it's kind of hard to rule a kingdom."

"So yer tellin' us that Cadence is pregnant?" Applejack asked for confirmation.

"By Starswril's beard." Shining swore as he nodded.

"How long is she?" Fluttershy asked.

"Flash Sentry told me almost four months." Twilight glared at her brother. This caused any and all questions from the group to cease. "You could've sent a letter before Celestia's and Discord's wedding." Twilight was still aggravated at her brother for holding back on the news.

"Like I said," Shining snapped back, "Things took the wrong turn and I was busy for these past few months!"

"What's all the commotion out here?" a voice asked from behind them. They all turned their bodies to see the voice's source: Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Twilight saw her sister-in-law's face for the first time in several years after she visited Ponyville. Cadences ears perked up as she saw Twilight and donned a bright smile. "Twilight!" she called out as she moved to the lavender alicorn, "What brings you here?"

"You and the news you kept from me." Twilight sternly answered as she shot a glare to her brother before going towards Cadence.

"Don't be so hard on him, Twilight." Cadence sighed, "He's had his hooves full ever since the symptoms started. He's been working around the clock. Please loosen up on him." Twilight sighed as Shining went off to the meeting room to take care of some royal business while his wife talked with Twilight and her friends.

Cadence brought her sister-in-law and her friends to a crystal-domed room with a sparkling crystal chandelier hanging and illuminating the room. The inside was that like a spa. A room Cadence has frequently gone to the past few months for stress relief. "Welcome back to the spa, everypony." Cadence introduced as the ponies dispersed.

"I'm sorry, Cadence," Twilight apologized as she donned a robe and wrapped a towel over her mane, "I've just been stressed lately with my new royal duties back in Ponyville."

"Don't be," Cadence smiled as they reclined on separate sofas, "It can be stressful the first few weeks but then you'll get used to it."

"Thanks for the support." Twilight smiled back as a crystal pony began with a massage. This caused Twilight to blush a little as she remembered when Flash massaged her earlier in the day. "Something the matter Twi?" Cadence asked as she saw Twilight's blush forming.

"N-Nothing." Twilight stuttered as she looked away.

"Alright." Cadence smiled, "You wanna feel?"

"Feel what?" Twilight asked as they moved to the sauna.

"You know. The bump." Cadence answered as they entered.

"Um, sure." Twilight smiled as this would be the first time that she'll actually feel a baby bump. Cadence reclined in a relaxing position so that Twilight could easily feel her bump. Twilight approached Cadence and froze a little. "Don't worry Twilight." Cadence reassured her. Twilight nodded and started to stretch out a hoof. As her hoof touched Cadence's slightly bulging abdomen, Twilight felt something inside. A feeling she couldn't put her hoof on. The feeling caused the butterflies to go around her stomach. She moved her hoof around the abdomen gently and caused the butterflies to fly even faster. This is what's going to make me an aunt one day. she thought to herself with a smile, And one that will love to be in this world. "It's a colt, by the way." Cadence informed as she smiled at Twilight.

"R-Really?" Twilight smiled back.

"Yep!" Cadence confirmed as Twilight pulled her hoof away.

"Do you know what type of species he is?" Twilight asked as she wiped a few beads of sweat off her face.

"In the latest ultrasound," Cadence began, "We saw wing growth."

"So, a pegasus huh?" Twilight asked and was answered by a smiling Cadence nodding. "Rainbow is sure going to love the news." Twilight chuckled lightly.

"Of course she is!" Cadence agreed as Twilight sat down across from her, "Because there is one thing she'll be looking forward to: training a prince."

"She will do that." Twilight smiled, "Even if he doesn't want to join the Wonderbolts."

"But what happens if she's too busy?" Cadence asked.

"You're right." Twilight sighed as they exited the sauna and took of the robe and towels. Knowing Rainbow Dash lately, she's been real busy with her new Wonderbolt duties and hardly has time off. Everyone seems so busy ever since Tirek was defeated. she thought as they met up with the rest of the group, Fluttershy with helping rebuild the land, Rarity with her usual fashion antics and Spike, Applejack with the harvest, Pinkie Pie with Pokey and baking, Rainbow Dash with the Wonderbolts, and me with my new royal business...... She listed everything that they've been doing since the end of Tirek.

Twilight, Cadence, and her friends all moved to another room just a few turns away to talk more. The room was another crystal-domed room but this time, the layering was thin so that a pony underneath the dome could view the sky. The place was decorated with plants and bookshelves around the room. "Welcome to my private study." Cadence introduced as the rest of the group entered.

"When did you build this?" Twilight asked as she looked around the room.

"It's been built but I never showed you the room." Cadence answered as they sat around a table.

"So, Cadence," Rainbow Dash spoke up, "Do you know what the gender is?"

"Colt. "Cadence nodded as she levitated a kettle and cups with tea bags in them to the group.

"Do you know what species it is?" Pinkie asked next.

"It's a pegasus." Cadence answered as she poured the water.

"Sweet!" Rainbow Dash donned a wide grin as she leaped into the air but came down slowly, "But the only chance I'll be able to train the little guy is when I'm on leave or during training." Rainbow sighed.

"Don't worry, Rainbow." Fluttershy comforted her troubled friend, "I'm sure you'll be able to squeeze him into your schedule."

"Yeah......you're right." Rainbow agreed as she sipped some tea.

They talked a little before Cadence decided to change the subject from her to them. "So," Cadence started after finishing her tea, "Anypony, except Pinkie and Rarity, pick up dating?"

"No way!" Rainbow answered, "Me? Date? Puh-lease! I don't need some stallion all in my business!"

"Ah'm thinkin' of startin' after the Zaps arrive." Applejack answered.

"Really?" Cadence wondered, "And when will the Zap Apples come?"

"Four to six month's time." Applejack smiled as she set her empty cup down.

"I-I'm not one for dating." Fluttershy stated, "I don't think I'll even marry. I just don't want somepony to get me into the spotlight of things."

"I think I'll wait until I'm used to my new duties." Twilight answered.

"That's all interesting." Cadence nodded, "But what happens when you put it off too late?" this caused the group to think on the question. What would happen? No pony knew that answer completely. Each had their own opinion. "So," Cadence began again, "I need to take my leave and try to help Shining as much as I can. But before I go, I will say this: I think you all would be great mothers one day." Cadence rose and exited the room and caused some more thinking before the group went back to the station and separated to Ponyville and, for Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolt Trainee Camp.

Author's Note

Time: 2119 hours
Listening to: Nothing

This chapter took way longer than I expected.

But this will be it for until revisions are made on the previous chapters.

I've always thought that it was Cadence who caused the Mane 6 to pick up dating......plus, the Next Gen did start with Cadence and Shining's child.

See ya then!

-TheNightShade
(Revised Jan 31, 2015 and February 8th by me)

Back To Our Normally Scheduled Program

Author's Note

Time: 1812 hours
Listening to: Hero by Skillet

After a long chapter I have decided to speed things up a bit more but keep the romance in it.
I'll be posting the next chapter, A Really Awkward Date, tomorrow.

Till next time!

-TheNightShade
(Revised February 8th, 2015 by me)

Back To Our Normally Scheduled Program

Three weeks later......

The train stopped at Ponyville with a hiss and all of the ponies on board piled out. They all separated when they exited the station to resume their personal duties. "Jeez......" Twilight shuttered, "When did it get this cold?" She and Flash were recently in Canterlot for a royal meeting with some foreign dignitaries from Gallopfrey to discuss future plans.

"Dunno." Flash answered as the trotted along to get back to the castle, "Must be getting close to winter now." Another step.....

"No kidding." Twilight chuckled. Her ears perked upwards when she felt something fall onto her back. She turned and saw Flash's wing sprawled across her back and saw that he was looking away with a slight blush. She, too, formed a small blush and looked away but there's one thing she noticed. She was smiling. Is this what love feels like? she asked herself before shaking her head, NO! He's just a friend who is helping me with my royal guard! They entered the crystal castle and was greeted by the warmth of a lit fireplace. "Spike?" Twilight called out as she trotted away from Flash who folded his wing and sighed. Better luck next time, sport. he thought to himself.

"Over here!" Spike called out from another room. Twilight and Flash found the room where the assistant was. He was lounging in front of a lit fireplace near a table that had two hot chocolates on it. He sipped his hot chocolate before speaking again as they entered. "How was it?" he asked as he wiped some whipped cream from his mouth.

"Same as the others, Spike," Twilight sighed, "Long and boring. I don't know how Celestia and Luna could do that for over a thousand years."

"Must be something they're used to." Spike added, "What did you guys talk about?"

"Well," Twilight thought as she and Flash sat down and grabbed their hot coco, "First we discussed trade, then we discussed about how they're going to cope without extra land for their crops, and finally we decided to give them some unclaimed land here in Equestria." She sipped some and set the mug down before sighing.

"Still stressed?" he asked.

"Yeah...." she sighed again, "I'm still getting into the routine of being a princess." Her body jumped a little as she felt familiar hooves on her shoulders and blushed as she knew it was Flash.

"This better?" he smiled as he blushed a little.

"Yeah." she smiled back while continuing her blush.

"Well," Spike smirked, "I have to go. Rares needs help with a new line she's making for Sapphire. See ya in the morning!" With that he left them alone. Flash kept his massage going as Twilight tilted her neck and smiled with closed eyes. "Right there......." she sighed from the soothing touch of his massage.

"Um......Twilight?" he started to ask as he moved his hooves to massage her neck.

"Yes, Flash?" she responded as her blush grew slightly.

"I-I have a question for you." he continued as he moved to beside her.

"Hm?"

"W-Would you like to......um......" he hesitantly began as he rubbed the back of his head in nervousness, "Go out sometime.........?" Twilight's eyes widened as she registered the question.

"A-Are you asking me," Twilight started as a bright pink blush formed on her face, "O-On a date?"

"Y-You don't have to if you don't wanna," he sighed, "It's a dumb question anyway."

"Then why did you ask it?" she asked as thought for an answer.

"Because I love you!" he answered loudly. His sudden outburst of an answer echoed around the room and in her mind. What followed was a silence that lasted for a few minutes before Twilight put a hoof on his chin and lifted his head so they were eye-to-eye. "I'll work it into my schedule." she smiled through a small blush.

Flash's face changed to that of one who would be surprised. This isn't how I imagined it would go. he thought as a smile painted his muzzle, But I am literally going on a date with a princess! "Thank you, Twi." he thanked as he hugged her. This sparked a fire that would eventually turn into a wildfire to show that there love will forever grow. They got up and headed their separate ways to rest for the night. Upon entering his quarters, Flash smiled and sighed. Love-struck, he put his armor on the display and flopped onto his bed. I am going on a date with a princess! he thought again as he stared at the ceiling. Then there was a knock on the door. "Enter!" he called out as he sat up. The pony that entered was Firefly.

"Sorry to disturb you, Flash," Fire apologized as he entered, "But you have a message from the princess." A message? What could it be this time? he wondered as he opened the rolled parchment that Firefly handed him. It read:

Flash,
I have freed my schedule on Saturday for the date. I'll be ready at eight-thirty. Meet me at my quarters and we'll begin.
-Twilight Sparkle

P.S. This might be a little awkward for me seeing as though this is my first time dating so if things don't go as planned, don't worry.

It's my first time as well. he thought as he smiled and looked up. "Thanks, Firefly." Firefly nodded and went to resume his patrols. It's going to be a fun night on Saturday. he smiled as he went back to his bed. His smile stayed on his muzzle as he drifted off to the land of dreams.

I know it.......

A Really Awkward First Date

That Saturday........

Flash stood in front of a mirror and examined his reflection. He noted every detail. His mane and tail, brushed and combed back. The suit of his choice, tailored to perfection. He smiled and nodded in approval before heading to the door. Just as he was approaching the door of his quarters, he felt his nervousness catch up to him. He stood there shaking as he thought of the possible outcomes. Then he came to his senses and shook his head. Who am I kidding? he asked himself, Tonight's going to be awesome! Pumped, he opened the door and proceeded to Twilight's chamber.

He seemed to have a little bounce with each step he took. Probably because of how love-struck he was. He trotted through the throne room but stopped when he heard hoofsetps descending the stairs in the back. His heart skyrocketed when he saw who it was. Coming down the stairs in a soft magenta and lavender dress with gold regalia and crown with purple crystals was the astonishingly beautiful Princess Twilight Sparkle. She........is......... "B-B-Beautiful..........." he sputtered as she stood in front of him.

"I-It's a little much, don't you think?" she asked with a blush and a nervous look to the ground.

"No. I don't." he smiled as he lifted her head so that they looked eye-to-eye, "You look stunning." She blushed more as she heard another compliment. Spike and Rarity descended the stairs shortly afterwards. "You're welcome." Rarity smirked, "I put this together in four days, seven hours, thirty minutes, and seven seconds."

"Thanks." Flash smiled.

"Rares and I'll watch the castle while you're gone, Twi." Spike informed as he and Rarity passed them.

"Okay." Twilight nodded.

"Ready to go?" Flash asked as he moved to beside her and hovered a wing over her back.

"Y-Yeah." she nodded and then blushed as she felt the wing gracefully land onto her back. When they passed the private study where Spike and Rarity were enjoying one's company, Rarity called out. "Enjoy yourselves, lovebirds!" she called out with a smile. That caused both Flash and Twilight to blush but they didn't stop. Instead, they put a little more pep in their step.

They stepped out of the castle and shuttered a little at the cold wind. "Packed a little light, huh?" Flash asked.

"Y-Yeah." Twilight nodded. She then felt his body press against hers and blushed. "How about we return these to Rarity's boutique and get something a little warmer?" Flash recommended.

"Good idea." she chuckled as they headed to her boutique.

A few minutes after talking to Sweetie Belle, getting winter clothes, and writing a note to Rarity, they finally headed out and started their night together. After going a long for a little, they decided to head into a quaint little restaurant simply called: The Sleeping Pony. They entered and were seated in a booth shortly after. It was quiet except for a few more ponies there together or by themselves. "What would you like to drink tonight?" the waitress asked as she pulled out a note pad and a quill.

"What would you like, Twi?" Flash consulted his date for her opinion.

"Hm," she thought as she read the list of drinks, "How about some Strawberry Wine?"

"Good choice." the waitress commented as she wrote it down, "I'll be back with your drinks." Then the mare trotted off and left Flash and Twilight alone.

Flash stirred a little before starting a conversation. "So.....I hope you don't mind me asking about how your talk went with Cadence." he started.

"Well," she chuckled, "It was interesting." She smiled as she remembered her feeling when she felt the bump. "I got to feel her bump." she stated.

"How was it?" he asked.

"It was......interesting." she answered as she looked at her hooves with a smile, "It made me feel a combination of hope, love..........and care."

"How so?" he asked.

"I have never felt something like that." she answered.

"Like what?"

"Life." she smiled as she remembered every second of the touch.

"Your drinks." the waitress stated as she brought back a wine bottle and two glasses. She set the glasses down and poured the wine into them and placed the wine in between them so that they could refill themselves. "Do you know what you would like to eat?" she asked as she pulled out the quill and pad again.

"Two medium-rare sirloins please." Flash ordered and she wrote it down, "What would you like, Twi?" They shared a small laugh before the waitress went off again with rolling eyes.

After a few drinks, two sirloins, and lots of laughs from telling stories, the daters went back out to enjoy the rest of the night together. They trotted along before entering the park. They moved slowly side-by-side, taking in the incredibly romantic moonlight against the ground. With each step, their love grew. "So, Twilight," Flash started, "A-Am I doing good?"

"Yes." Twilight nodded with a small blush, "Wanna play a little game?"

"What's that?" he asked.

"Tag!" she answered as she tapped him with a hoof and ran off.

"Oh, it's on!" he smiled as he chased after her. They ran around a while before they reached the top of a hill which is when Twilight tripped and tumbled down from in front of Flash, barreling into him and when they stopped at the base of the hill, things took a really awkward turn: Flash was on top of Twilight with their muzzles touching.

This caused Twilight and Flash to blush enormously. "I-I-I-I........." Flash started but was interrupted by one thing: a kiss. The kiss was not because of the wine they drank, but from a different source. Her heart. OH MY SWEET CELESTIA!!!!!!! he screamed in his mind, IS THIS A FANTASY OR REAL LIFE??? He shook off the question when he closed his eyes to cherish this moment. They broke free of the embrace with small blushes and stared at each other. Flash flopped to Twilight's side and held a hoof. "Well....." he huffed slightly, "That was really unexpected."

"I'm so sorry for that, Flash." Twilight apologized.

"Don't be, Twi." he reverted the apology as they turned their heads to face each other, "That was amazing for a first time."

"You really think so?" Twilight asked as she blushed slightly.

"I know so." Flash nodded. What interrupted this small talk was not a pony nor a creature, but something else. A snowflake.

Flash got up and helped Twilight get to her hooves as they watched the first snowflakes fall. They stood there in silence with amazement. But then Twilight's body jumped slightly when she felt Flash's wing on her back again. "Ready to go back to the castle?" he asked as she looked at him.

"Yes." she nodded and they went back to the castle. As they walked, a question was bothering Flash like there was no tomorrow. "Um, Twilight?" he started, "I have a question."

"What's that Flash?" she replied.

"Would you like to.....um....." he hesitated but then sighed, "Would you like to be my marefriend?" Twilight blush again at the question as she tried to find the right answer.

"U-Um...." she began.

"You don't have to if you don't-" Flash was cut off by the sweet and savory touch of Twilight's lips against his.

"I don't mind." Twilight stated as they broke the kiss. AWWWWWW YEAH!!!! Flash thought. They entered the doors to the castle and saw Spike as they passed the study sleeping in front of a small fire. They walked passed and headed up to Twilight's quarters. "See you tomorrow then, Twi." Flash yawned as he started to walk away.

"See ya." Twilight yawned back as she went into her room. She shut the door and sighed daydreamingly. I never thought his lips were that soft. she thought as she took off her apparel, I hope he's happy with our first date. She climbed onto the bed and closed her eyes to drift into the land of dreams.

Flash closed his door behind him, his heart beating rapidly. "That wasn't a dream." he spoke to himself as he remembered her lips, "That was reality." He undressed and climbed into his bed. That was an amazingly awkward first date. he thought as he stared at the ceiling. He sighed and closed his eyes to dream happily.

Meanwhile.....

Rarity opened the door to her boutique and her home, causing the bell above it to jingle. No one came. She must be asleep by now. she thought as she hung her scarf on a mannequin. Then she heard a yawn from in the living room. "Is that you, Rarity?" the pony yawned.

"Yes it is, Sweetie." she answered back as she found her little sister on the couch.

"I......" she yawned, "Waited for you."

"What for?" Rarity asked as she sat beside her sleepy sister.

"Twilight and Flash came by earlier." she answered.

"Why?"

"They wanted some warmer clothes." Sweetie Belle then pointed a hoof at two mannequins with Flash's suit and Twilight's dress on it. Rarity approached one of them and saw that there was a note. She grabbed it with her magic and it read:

We'll wear these when it's warmer. but thanks anyway!
-FS and TS

"I hope it went well for them." she said aloud but was only answered by her sister quietly snoring. She smiled as she kissed her sister's cheek and covered her with a blanket. "Night, Sweetie." she whispered as she went upstairs to her room for some sleep.

Author's Note

Time: 1212 hours
Listening to: Tomorrow Comes Today by Gorillaz

This was really awkward for them, don't you think so?
But I made sure to put some heavy romantics in there, too. :raritywink:
Looks like they're finally opening up to each other.

If you hate this, tough. Because I'm going to add a few more chapter into this. :trollestia:

Stay tuned!

-TheNightShade
(revised on February 8th, 2015 by me)

Moving Forward

Few Months Later........

Twilight woke up with a jolt as she heard her pet, Owlicious, slam into the window while holding the day's mail. "Jeez Owlicious," she groaned as she helped the owl onto its perch, "You're going to kill yourself if you keep that up."

"Who." was the only response from the owl as Twilight took the paper from its mouth. Twilight looked over them and put them in a bin labeled "To Sort". She was about to turn away but something caught her eye. She notice at the bottom of the recent pile was a soft blue crystal color. A message from Cadence? she wondered as she saw Cadence's Crystal Heart cutiemark on the paper. She kept wondering what the matter was as she used her magic to open it. The paper inside had "READ IMMEDIATELY" on the front. Now she was really worried. She unfolded the paper and it read:

Dear Twilight,

Please come to the Crystal Kingdom IMMEDIATELY!!!
There is something that you would love to see.

-Princess Cadence

"Something is would love to see?" she asked aloud. Then, something hit her. The date on the mail was from last month. "WHAT!?" she screamed, "NONONONONONONONONO!!!" She rushed around to get things into her saddle bag. "How could I have missed this???" she asked aloud again. She rushed down to the throne room below her and stood at the thrones. "Hope this spell still works!" she hoped as her horn started glowing her lavender hue. Just a few short minutes later and all of her friends appeared before her.

"Can you please not do that again?" Rainbow Dash asked, "I still get very nauseous from teleporting."

"Sorry but this is extremely important." she stated.

"What is? I'm trying to get the last of Sapphire's line finished!" Rarity complained as she took her mane out of the bun it was in.

"We missed it." Twilight stated. This caught everypony's attention. "When was it?" Pinkie asked.

"Last month." Twilight answered as she slid the mail to them.

"Then let's get goin'!" Applejack recommended as they all ran out the door.

As they galloped to the from door, Spike walked out from another hall, accompanied by Flash. "What's all the commotion?" Spike asked as Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack climbed onto his back.

"We missed it!" Twilight answered as she, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy took off to the skies.

"Missed wha-?" Flash stopped himself when he realized what she meant, "Time to fly, Spike!" Then he and Spike stepped out and went to catch up with the others.

Shining paced around on a balcony overlooking one of the crystal streets. When is she going to get here? he wondered as he continued to pace. "Don't worry yourself so much, dear." Cadence called out from the room the balcony was connected to, "She'll be here."

"It's been a month, Caddie." Shining informed, not stopping his circular trek, "She just must be held up by her own business."

"That might be." Cadence agreed as she saw figures flying towards them, "Or not." Shining stopped and looked at the incoming ponies and waved Spike downward as he was too large for the balcony. As for Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie, Twilight levitated them to the balcony. She turned to her brother and he gestured them to stay quiet. "Inside." he whispered as Twilight moved quietly to Cadence who was on the bed with one of her wings open.

After Twilight climbed onto the bed cautiously Cadence slowly lifted and retracted her wing to reveal Twilight's nephew. He was a small white pegasus, curled into a ball and peacefully resting. His features were like Shining's from when he was younger aside from the yellow streaks in his mane and tail and the blue feather tips on his wings. "What's his name?" Twilight asked as she lowered her head to his eye level.

"We decided on Valiant Heart." Cadence answered before nudging him slightly with her muzzle, "Say hello to your auntie, Val." In response, Valiant lifted his head with a yawn before blinking his light blue eyes open. He sleepily stared at Twilight before moving over to her. "Hey, Val." Twilight smiled, "I'm your aunt Twilight." That word she put before her name rang in her ears. Valiant sat down in front of her muzzle and touched her nose. This caused Twilight to smile more. Feeling this warmed her heart so much it felt like the sun. Valiant smiled before clinging to her muzzle, giggling throughout. "He'f a clinger......." Twilight noted as she smiled.

"Come to daddy, Val." Shining spoke as he climbed onto the bed with them. Valiant released his grip on Twilight and moved to Shining's chest and hugged it. "Any problems at all?" Rainbow dash asked as she looked at Val, "Because pegasi when there young can learn to fly rather quickly."

"None yet." Cadence answered, "Any tips?"

"Keep a close eye on him." she informed, "Because like how magic outbursts are for small unicorns, small pegasi can randomly fly sometimes." Cadence nodded.

"Anything else?"

"When he's old enough he will have to really get out there and fly," Rainbow added, "For real." Cadence shared a worried look with Shining.

"But you won't have to worry about it until he's about two or three when the wings are strong enough to support his body." Fluttershy added and answered by Cadence and Rainbow nodding at her.

"Well Ah gotta get back to the apples. Lot more Zaps this time and Ah've only done a third of the orchard." Applejack informed, "Ah'll be sure to send some Jam yer way."

"I need to head back, too," Pinkie added, "Pokey and I are planning for our seven month anniversary."

"Congrats to you two." Cadence congratulated, "And what about you Rarity?"

"I need to finish Sapphire's line and Fancy Pants requested some new clothes for Fleur as a part of their anniversary coming up so I need to head to Canterlot." Rarity informed, "Let's go Spikey!" Rarity went to the balcony and climbed onto Spike's back while he was mid-air and flew off.

"Okay." Cadence sighed, "What about you, Twi?"

"I freed myself all through the week." Twilight informed as Valiant crawled back to her and hunkered down with a yawn before falling back into a sleep against her chest.

They sat in a silence as they watched Valiant sleep. "So how's it been with you two?" Cadence asked, wondering about Twilight and Flash's relationship.

"It's been fun." Flash answered as he cautiously climbed onto the bed to Twilight's side, "We're finally able to wear Rarity's dresses now that it's been getting warmer."

"That's nice to hear." Cadence smiled.

"You should've seen the first dress Rarity made for Twilight." Flash added, "She was gorgeous." Twilight blushed a little as she felt Flash nuzzle her neck. They sat in silence a little more before Flash spoke up again. "Speaking of which," he continued, "I kept the picture we had taken that night." He reached into a chink of his armor and brought out a picture of them.

Cadence examined it as she held it with her magic. She saw Twilight's dress and thought that it, too, was beautiful. It was a nice cerulean and lavender blend which really brought out her eyes. "She has a wonderful friend to make these for her." Cadence smiled as she handed the picture back to Flash who put it back in his armor.

"Well I'm going to see if anything new has happened in the kingdom," Shining informed before kissing Cadence and climbing off the bed, "Care to join, Flash? Been a while."

"Coming." Flash answered back before kissing Twilight on the cheek and going to join Shining and they headed to the throne room and left Twilight and Cadence alone with Val.

Twilight and Cadence spent a little more time in silence as they stared at the sleeping Valiant who smiled, probably from a dream he's having. "So, Twi," Cadence started in a hushed tone, "When are you going to start?"

"Start what?" Twilight asked in the same tone.

"You know," Cadence answered with a smile, "Really getting into your relationship."

"H-How so?" Twilight blushed lightly, trying to figure out what her sister-in-law was implying.

"Marriage! Motherhood!" Cadence answered as she picked up Val and put him under one of her wings.

"I-I don't know......"

"Come on." Cadence smiled, "You and Flash have been an item for what, three or four months?" Twilight didn't deny it. She and Flash have been going out for some time now. She can't help but admit that she's waiting for Flash's proposal. Twilight sighed. "You're right, Cadence." she admitted, "But deep down, it scares me."

"How so?" Cadence wondered with concern in her voice.

"I mean.......What if I do end up marrying him and end up having a foal? How could I go back and forth between them and my duties?" Twilight asked in return.

"Twilight Sparkle." Cadence started with a hint of agitation, "You're getting too caught up with your duties it's all getting to your head." Twilight opened her mouth to say something but Cadence cut her off and continued. "Those decisions aren't from here," she stated as she pointed to Twilight's head, "But from here." Then her hoof moved to Twilight's chest, implying her heart. This caused Twilight to think a little before Cadence added, "Listen to it when you need to make a decision in your relationship. Bad, good, in between, doesn't matter. Listen to it."

"I'll keep that in mind." Twilight nodded as somepony knocked on the door lightly.

"Enter." Cadence answered quietly.

Flash entered and looked at Twilight. "Come on." he invited, "I don't think you've seen all of the Kingdom last few times you were here."

"Sounds good." Twilight answered as she got up and went to her coltfriend. The first thing she noticed about Flash was he didn't look like his normal self, instead he was shimmering like a crystal. Probably some of the Crystal Pony genetics working. She gave Flash a peck on the cheek as they headed out the door. "Cadence gave me some advice about our relationship." Twilight started as they headed out the door leading to the endlessly-spinning Crystal Heart.

"What type?" he asked as they walked along one of the streets.

"Just that we need to hurry up and marry." Twilight answered, "That what I get for being related to the Embodiment of Love." Flash stayed silent. His silence didn't go unnoticed. "Something the matter, Flash?" Twilight asked with concern.

"N-No." he smiled before nuzzling her as they walked, "Just thinking, that's all."

"Okay." Twilight smiled.

They moved along the streets as Flash pointed out some interesting buildings and sights. He then noticed the sunset. "Oh," he started, "That late already?"

"Why is that a problem?" Twilight asked.

"Because I want you to see the most amazing thing about the Kingdom from the greatest seat in the house." Flash answered as he grabbed her hoof and took to the skies. They stopped in field a little ways away from the edge of the Kingdom. "Wait here." Flash instructed as he went to grab a nearby cloud.

Twilight boarded the cloud and Flash brought it so that it was level with the top of the Castle. After stopping the cloud, he sat beside Twilight who was looking downward at the city. "Breathtaking, isn't it?" he asked as he soaked up a sight he hadn't seen in a while.

"Yeah." Twilight answered with an awestruck smile, "I thought the view from my Castle was awesome but this is something on a new level!"

"I used to come up here when I was on leave or just bored." he added as Twilight looked up.

"Really?" she asked and was answered with a nod.

"Something even more amazing will start in a few seconds." he added and, as if planned and perfectly on cue, the top of the Castle lit up. Twilight turned and was engulfed by a plethora of vibrant colors rushing out from the top, enveloping the two of them. Her eyes widened at the truly amazing sight. She took it all in. Every second of every color. Flash smiled at her amazement. Here goes nothing. he thought. "Hey Twilight." Flash started.

"Yeah?" Twilight replied as she shook from her daze.

"I've been doing some thinking."

"That's new." she teased as they chuckled a little.

"And I have something for you." he continued.

"What's that?" she asked.

"This." he answered as he pulled a lavender and golden swirl jewelry box from his armor. She grabbed the box and opened it and forced back tears. Inside was a gold necklace that donned one thing: a heart-shaped amethyst resting on the crimson inside. "Flash........" she sighed as the floodgates in her eyes started to open as tears of happiness feel down her cheeks.

"Twilight Sparkle?" he started again as he lowered himself, "Will you marry me?" This caused the floodgates to open completely as she threw herself onto Flash in a big hug.

"Yes!" she answered before they shared what had to be the most passionate kiss thy shared in their entire relationship. Flash noticed as they kissed that a torrent of pink flew past them. This is amazing. he thought as they broke from the kiss and sat up, I've got an amazing job, I've got the perfect girl, and we're going to get married.

Meanwhile down below.......

Cadence stood on the balcony of her room holding Valiant as he stared and giggled at the lights above them. Cadence, on the other hoof, was staring in the other direction. She looked up at a single cloud that had two ponies on it. After she saw Twilight tackle Flash, she knew what had happened and smiled. Her horn then started to glow a bright blue color as she changed the color of the elegant Aurora Borealis to a pink hue. "Have fun you two." she spoke aloud and was only answered by the playful giggling of the colt in her arm. She looked down at him as she walked back in. "What was all that out there about?" Shining asked.

"Oh, you'll find out." Cadence smiled as she placed Val in his crib and kissed him goodnight.

"Caddie......." Shining sighed, "You know I don't like secrets I don't know about."

"But you'll like it if I kept it." Cadence replied in a sing-songy tone as she headed to their bed and climbed in to Shining's side. Shining sighed again. He knew not to argue with a wife who'd always win in the end. "How about you and I go out tonight?" Cadence recommended as she brushed her mane.

"Where to?" Shining asked, "We've used just about everywhere."

"How about the new Ponish (Irish) bar that opened?" Cadence recommended.

"Devil's Dance Floor?" Shining asked.

"Yeah." Cadence nodded as she finished her mane and started on her tail, "Twi and Flash could tag along, too. I mean, when was the last time you took her to a bar?" Cadence was right. He hadn't spent time with Twi in years. On her twenty-first birthday. "Sounds like a plan." Shining agreed before kissing his wife in her lips.

Back on the cloud.......

Even thought the brilliant light show stopped, Twilight and Flash laid on the cloud holding each other's hoof as they stared at an equally brilliant night sky. They watched in silence as their love grew into the wildest of fires. "Hey Twi." Flash started, "I think that bump really did it for me."

"Which one?" She chuckled and Flash chuckled back before it turned into a short burst of laughter.

"You know which one." Flash answered through his last chuckle.

"Oh. Jeez." Twilight sighed, "That was a hooffull of months ago."

"Yeah," Flash agreed, "And look how far we've come since then."

"Flash?" Twilight started as she turned to her betrothed,

"Yes, Twi?" Flash asked back as he turned in kind to his bride-to-be.

"Want to properly celebrate?" Twilight smiled.

"What do you have in mind?" he asked.

"Devil's Dance Floor?" she recommended.

"You read me like a book." he accepted before kissing Twilight again.

Author's Note

Time: 1954 hours
Listening to: It's Over When It's Over by FIR

-insert evil laughter here- Haters but be going nuts now! :trollestia:

I have one more chapter planned for this before I take a Revision Weekend break to clean this and FMCNO up.

I will indefinitely start Nidra's Road to Parenthood this weekend as well.

Until next time!

-TheNightShade
(Revised February 12th, 2015 by me)

Epilogue - The Wedding

About one-and-a-half years later.......

The weather in Canterlot seemed to have an energetic electricity mixed in with the beautiful sun rays of spring-going-summer weather. Why you ask? Well, it's the day of the wedding between Princess Twilight Sparkle and Captain Flash Sentry! It's been a hoof-full of years since the wedding of Princess Celestia and Discord so of course the ponies would love this day. It's not everyday that ponies get to see the marriage of a Princess since it will be unsure if there will be any other princes or princesses after Prince Valiant Heart. But there was still hope because Celestia was showing a little that a new prince was starting to arrive, which is why Princess Luna was practicing her sister's usual part in the ceremony. Off in separate rooms, Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry had final adjustments made to their dress and suit; tailored perfectly by the skilled hooves of Rarity.

On Twilight's end, she stood in a room with her chosen bridesmaids: the other Bearers of Harmony, Cadence with the now one-year-old nephew Valiant Heart, and, of course, her highly aged mother, Twilight Velvet. Rarity, as Twilight stood in her chosen dress and regalia, moved from angle to angle to make adjustments. While her friends, minus Rarity but she would occasionally chime in a conversation, chatted, Twilight stared into the tri-folded mirror as if she was in a daydream. "Thinking about Flash, dear?" her mother asked, which caused all ongoing conversations to cease.

"What else is there to think about today, mom?" Twilight asked back while looking at her mother through one of the mirrors, "After all, you once told me after Shining's wedding that you can't wait for me to find that very special somepony. So I did."

"That you did, my sweet." Velvet answered back.

"Yeah...." Twilight sighed with a smile piercing her lips, "But I think I should owe my greatest thanks to Cadence. After all, she did get me thinking about my love life."

"I only nudged you in the right direction." Cadence chuckled, "It is my job, after all. But it was you who decided to say 'yes' to Flash after all."

"That's right, Twi." Rainbow chimed, "First you two were bumping left and right. Now you two are going to get married in a few short hours!" Then Rainbow Dash flew to Twilight's ear and started to whisper. "Maybe you and Flash will bump sometime later." Rainbow winked and nudged her. This caused Twilight, Rarity, and Cadence, who covered Val's ears from the statement, to blush a very bright crimson.

"R-Rainbow Dash!!!!" Rarity blurted out.

"You know I'm joking!" Rainbow laughed back before earning a few blushing glares.

"Well mind yourself!" Cadence shot at her a Val went over to Twilight, "There is a little colt in here after all!"

Rainbow just chuckled before sitting back on one of the many sofas. Rarity, Twilight, and Cadence shook off their blush and went to more casual and gossip filled conversations. The room fell silent a little time later except for Val who trotted happily as he chased a lavender butterfly conjured by Twilight. Val caught the butterfly but when he opened his hooves to see it, the butterfly conjuration dissipated into the air, causing the colt to pout.

Twilight smiled as she lifted the pouting colt into the air and held him with one of her hooves. "Yay! Auntie Twilight!" Val giggled as he hugged her.

"You know what I've noticed, Twilight?" Cadence asked.

"What's that?" she asked.

"You have been acting very motherly towards Val." Cadence pointed out as Rarity gestured for Twilight to turn towards the other ponies so she could make more adjustments, "More motherly than me, I have to say." Hearing that from the Embodiment of Love and Care, it was quite a shock.

"I-I hadn't noticed." Twilight lightly blushed as she set Val down to let him go back to his mother.

"I noticed that, too." Rarity added, still putting all of her focus in her dress, "But I kept it to myself."

"Not meanin' to steal yer thunder today, Twi," Applejack started, wanting to share something, "But Mac's thinkin' of proposin' to Cheerliee. You should'a seen 'em." Applejack chuckled lightly before continuing. "He was more nervous than you durin' yer little meltdown about not sendin' a lesson scroll to Celestia." This caused Twilight to sheepishly smile and chuckle while rubbing the back of her head as she remembered that "lesson zero" meltdown almost a decade before.

"That was a rather........interesting day." a voice chimed from the door and it belonged to Twilight's former teacher, Princess Celestia.

"C-Celly!?" Cadence spoke up as she moved towards her sister, "I thought you were not fit to be out an about today!"

"I am." Celestia added, "But a little morning sickness can't stop me from watching my star pupil get married."

"Thanks, Celestia." Twilight smiled as Rarity examined her one last time, "I couldn't have gotten to where I am today if it weren't for your teachings."

"Finished!" Rarity exclaimed through the conversation as she stepped down from the display stage that she and Twilight stood on, "Twirl around for us, darling." Twilight simply turned.

"Really?" Pinkie asked, unamused, "That's all?" Twilight blushed and this time, did a proper spin. Causing laughter of joy to erupt. Just then, a guard came in. "Three minutes to ceremonies. Please take your seat and places immediately." he informed before bowing and leaving.

"See you in the Throne Room, Twilight." Velvet smiled before giving her daughter a motherly kiss.

"See you guys." she smiled as everypony left to the Main Hall before the Throne Room.

Twilight looked over herself one last time as she lowered her bridal veil onto her head. She was in the most elegant wedding dress, probably more elegant than Cadence's. She was ready, though little nervous, to be wed to her very special somepony.

In a separate room from Twilight's, Flash and his chosen bachelors: Big Mac, Spike, who took up almost half the room, Caramel, Shining Armor, Pokey, Soarin, and Firefly. "Nice job getting this far, Flash." Fire congratulated as he adjusted his collar, "Though the suit's a little tight and I hate this sunlight."

"Figures." Spike chuckled, "It's not everyday you see a batpony out and about during Celestia's sun."

"True." Fire chuckled back.

"Not used to a wedding?" Flash asked as he sat down so he was facing all of them.

"Never been to one."

"You serious?" Soarin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"How many ponies do you see get married at night?" he asked.

"Fair point but still." Pokey answered.

"How did ya propose to her anyway?" Big Mac asked, earning a sigh from Flash like he was daydreaming.

"I took her on a tour of the Kingdom, put her on a cloud, and put us in the middle of an aurora." he chuckled as he rubbed a hoof on his chest, "Let's just say it worked without flaw."

"And what about the celebration at the Devil's Dance Floor I've been hearing about?" Spike asked.

This caused Shining and Flash to don looks of embarrassment and regret as they remembered. "I had forgotten how wild Twiley gets when she drinks, even Cadence." Shining groaned.

"The four of us agreed to never go there again." Flash added with a groan of his own.

"Well then." Spike smiled.

Then a knock on the door and a guard poked his head in. "Three minutes to the ceremony. Please make your way to the Throne Room and take your places so we can begin." the guard informed before bowing his head and heading out.

"Let's go then." Flash announced as he rose to his hooves and the group went to their waiting spot by the altar they set up.

Flash stood at the steeple as waves of ponies entered and took seats in the empty chairs that filled the Throne Room. He was astounded that there were enough to fill the seats and the ponies who arrived late were left with standing through the ceremony. Flash looked to his left to see his bachelors all ready. He let a small chuckle out as Spike adjusted the bow-tie he was wearing for it was the only thing due to the fact that his scales tore through even the thickest of fabrics. After that, he turned to the right as the now-arriving Luna stood next to him and nodded to her. Luna nodded back before looking towards the pianist behind her and nodded so that he could begin playing.

Once the first three noted rang out, the congregation stood and turned to the doors that we're being opened by the two guards posted there so they may watch the bride stroll to the steeple. Flash's heart seemed to beat out of his chested as he watched her stroll towards him. You've really out did yourself, Rarity. he thought as he examined Twilight's dress. Once Twilight and her bridesmaids reached the empty space next to Flash, the song ended and the congregation sat in almost perfect unison.

"You look absolutely stunning." Flash commented just below a whisper.

"Same goes for you." Twilight commented back as Flash lifted the veil from her face.

Luna looked and Twilight then to Flash before proceeding. "Dearly beloved," she began, "We have gathered here today to witness the marriage of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Captain Flash Sentry. All of those in opposition to this couple being wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

She paused before continuing. "Princess Twilight Sparkle," she continue as she turned to her right to face Twilight, "Do you take Captain Flash Sentry to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do." Twilight answered with a nod.

"And do you, Captain Flash Sentry," Luna spoke again as she turned to her left to face Flash, "Take Princess Twilight Sparkle to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." Flash answered as he and Twilight faced each other.

"Please present the necklaces." Luna commanded. Valiant Heart moved to in between Twilight and Flash holding a cushion that held two gold necklaces.

Flash grabbed the necklace closest to him and latched it around Twilight's neck. Once he was done, Twilight copied his movements, without using her magic. "I know pronounce this couple: husband and wife!" Luna declared loudly but switched her tone to a calmer one as she looked at Flash, "You may kiss the bride." With that, Flash and Twilight embraced each other and shared their first kiss as newly-weds, causing the congregation to erupt in applause and whistles.

After all was said and done, Twilight and Flash led everypony out to the garden where the banquet was to be held, like Cadence's and Shining Armor's wedding, minus the Changelings, of course. The newly-weds, Celestia, Luna, Discord, Twilight Velvet, Cadence, and Shining Armor all sat at the longest table that overlooked all of the other tables. The largest round table was occupied by the other Bearers, Caramel, Spike, and Pokey while the rest of the congregation occupied the other tables. Once everypony settled and continued their idle chatter from before the wedding ceremony, Twilight grabbed a fork with her magic and lightly tapped it against her empty glass to get everypony's attention. After that, she grabbed a nearby microphone. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just really wanted to do that." Twilight joked and caused the congregation to laugh.

"But in all seriousness," she continued, "Thank you all for coming out today. I think I can speak for the both of us when I say it's good to see everyone." She turned to Flash and he nodded in agreement. "Now," she pressed on, "As everypony is eating, the microphone will go around to family, extended family, then to friends." With that, carts of food came into the garden and to the serving tables. The first to be put on the tables was the cake with the up-most caution. Once the cake and the other foods were placed, Twilight and Flash moved to the cake to perform the First Slice.

Once they did that and grabbed the rest of their food, they retreated back to the table. After they sat, Twilight Velvet grabbed the microphone with her magic and started. "My dearest Twilight Sparkle," she began, "I've watched you grow up from a little filly to the mare you are before me. You and your brother have made both me and your father so proud of you both. If he were here, he would say the same thing. My Faust watch over him." Then she passed it to her son, Shining Armor.

"Twiley," he began, "I know that ever since you were little, you have looked up to me as a role model. Please don't change, Twi. Oh, wait, you have." He chuckled as he handed Celestia the microphone.

"My former student Twilight," Celestia began as she looked at her, "I was happy to teach you at my school personally. Some might say that I was quite a motherly figure to you. But nonetheless, you were my star pupil. I wish you the best."

Before Celestia handed the mic, she turned to Flash. "Captain Flash Sentry," she continued, "You took over my Guard after Shining went to take over the Kingdom's. Without you, I don't know where my Guard would be without you. Equestria and I thank you for your service." After she concluded, she tried to hand Luna the microphone but she turned it down and levitated the microphone to Spike who took it gingerly in his claw.

He hesitated as he tried to find what to say to her. "Twilight," he finally spoke out, "You've raised me since I was hatchling and taught me much of what Celestia taught you. Also, like how you looked up to Celestia as a motherly figure through her teachings, you were mine through yours. I think I can speak for all of your friends when I say this, we only hope for the best for you and Flash. Good luck Twilight!"

After a few more shot speeches of thanks and good lucks, Twilight and Flash finally set out to a waiting carriage outside of the Castle. When she tossed her bouquet, it ironically landed into the hooves of Cheerilee.

After they rode of to wherever they wanted, they were finally ready to start their lives together. Through tick and thin. Love and heartbreak.

The End

Author's Note

Time: 2358 hours
Listening to: Bullseye by KDrew

Welp........nice going on finishing my second fanfiction!

I will be posting and editing over the weekend so expect more!

Until next time!

-TheNightShade
(Revised February 15th, 2015 by me)

Why Must We Always Meet Like This?

Author's Note

Time: 1353 hours
Listening to: Another Day (XKore Remix) by Modestep

Yes, yes, I know, it's a FlashLight shipping fanfiction but just bear with me please.
I'm basing this on the Kilalaverse and I'm not sure if there is going to be a sequel story.
But please read before hitting the thumbs down button if you hate FlashLight.

-TheNightShade
(Revised Jan 30, 2015 and again on February 8th, 2015 by me)

Why Must We Always Meet Like This?

One day in the quaint little town of Ponyville, transferred guards from the elegant Crystal Kingdom to the posh streets of Canterlot exited the station and headed to their new destination: The Castle of Friendship. Most of the guards were awestruck with the new palace as they approached the large crystal doors. All of the guards entered practically at the same time and were more awestruck with the interior. Inside, the main hall was decorated with banners that sported Twilight's cutie mark and the halls were decorated with elegant pots of pure crystal flowers that glistened in the sunlight which reflected onto and bounced off of equally elegant chandeliers. The group of transfers walked along until they heard some heavy footsteps. They looked down a hall and saw a large purple and green dragon walking along with another pony. "Welcome, transfers!" the pony greeted as he and the dragon met up with the group, "I am Flash Sentry, your new captain. Follow me, if you please." The dragon separated from the Flash as he led the group down the hall. They walked along until Flash bumped into another pony. "Sorry, Princess Twilight." Flash apologized as he helped the princes up, "Wasn't watching were I was going."

"Are the transfers here?" Twilight asked as she dusted herself off, "and we need to stop bumping into each other."

"In fact," the captain smiled, "They're right here." He turned with a hoof out pointing to them as the group of transfers bowed. Twilight nodded and gestured them to rise from their bow. "Greetings, transfers." Twilight greeted with a smile, "As you all know, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle. The dragon you saw earlier was my assistant, Spike." The guards sighed in relief.

"Now," the princess continued, "Today will just consist of welcomes and patrol assignments. Tomorrow, you will be doing your first patrols." Twilight looked around at the group and they saw that there was more guards that they had expected. She turned to Flash Sentry and he started to whisper. "We'll need more captains." he sighed, "Got a plan?" She nodded.

Twilight smiled and turned back to the new guards. "Again, welcome to the Castle of Friendship." she greeted again before trotting off, "Show them around a little more before sending them to their quarters." With that, Flash Sentry saluted and lead the guards around. By sunset, he had given a much needed tour and then led him to the Royal Guard Wing of the Castle. "And this is where all of the guards will be staying." he concluded as the group sighed, "Now, all morning patrols start at sunrise and end at sunset, which is when the Night Guard will take over." A guard raised his hoof. "Yes....?" Flash started.

"Arrow Head." the guard introduced himself, "Who's in the Night Guard?"

"Check behind you." Flash answered as he pointed a hoof to another group being lead by Spike.

Spike was leading a group of equal size of batponies. "Your patrols begin at sunrise, see you then." Flash concluded as he trotted off.

"Flash." Spike began as the groups met up and started to converse, "Twilight wishes to see you."

"Thank you, Spike." Flash nodded as he headed to the throne room. Spike walked along the halls with Flash like before, minus meeting the transfers. "So, Flash," Spike started, wanting to break the awkward silence, "How are you liking the castle?"

"Bigger on the inside." Flash admitted as they entered the main hall, "But really cool. The crystals remind me of my old post at the Crystal Kingdom."

"I can understand." Spike agreed, "Wanna hang sometime? I can help you get used to Ponyville better."

"Thanks but no thanks." Flash smiled, "I'm pretty used to the town already."

"Okay." Spike smiled back as he pushed a set of massive doors open that lead to the Throne Room. The massive room had large murals on either side. Some with the Bearers of the Element of Harmony by themselves and others telling of their triumphs over the evil that attempted to plague Equestria and its neighbors. In the middle of the square room, there was a ring of six thrones, one for each of the Bearers with their cutie mark on the seat, surrounding a table. Twilight was sitting hers, her mane tied up so it din't fall in front of her face, holing a quill with her magic, writing on several documents, signing and mailing.

Spike gave a small cough to get her attention. "Spike," Twilight began as she looked up from the documents, "Please leave us to talk in private." Spike nodded and left the captain and the Princess alone. "You asked to see me, Twilight?" he asked. In private, he was able to call the Princess by her real name without the formalities.

"Yes," Twilight answered as she set the quill down, "About the Captains and the patrols." She levitated him two pieces of rolled parchment. "One has a list of the morning patrol captains and their patrol groups." she informed, "And the other is to be given to a batpony by the name of Firefly. This has his selected captains and their groups." Flash nodded and put them in a special slot in his armor for papers. "Anything else, ma'am?" he asked.

"One more thing." she smiled, "We really need to watch where we're going."

"Agreed, Twilight." he chuckled.

"See you around, Captain Flash Sentry." Twilight smiled. With that Flash trotted back to the Guard Wing with the parchments.

After he arrived at the designated Wing, he had to find Firefly, who he now remembered because they would hang out whenever Flash was in Canterlot. Believe it or not, Firefly was the first batpony he encountered. "Captain Firefly?" he asked as he tapped the pony's shoulder. The batpony turning caused his dark golden mane to flip. His amber eyes looked at Flash. "Yes, Captain Sentry?" the batpony answered as he grabbed his helmet.

Firefly was unlike any other batpony in his previous position in the Lunar Royal Guard. His dark yellow coat could make him stick out in a crowd of batponies. His mane was like Spitfire's, minus the fact that his was longer and styled so it came down over one eye while Spitfire's was like a windswept mane. Plus the red orange streak in his mane went down the entire length.His cutiemark was that of a firefly but it looked like it could be used as a faction insignia.

"Message from Princess Twilight." Flash handed him the parchment. Fly opened it and looked through it. "Thank you, Captain." he nodded, "Nice to see you again, Flash."

"Same to you, friend." Flash saluted. Firefly saluted back and trotted off to meet his Patrol Captains. Flash turned and walked the opposite way to his quarters. He entered the door and sighed. How long am I going to have these feelings for her? he thought as he remembered her sweet smile. Flash took off his helmet and placed it on the display near his personal desk. When he turned to the desk, he noticed a scroll on his desk. Out of curiosity, he grabbed it and examined it.

After a few minutes, he unrolled the scroll and read it:

Flash Sentry,

I would like to meet you in my quarters tomorrow for a little chat.
Nothing business related. Just want to chat to with my personal Captain.

-Twilight Sparkle

The Captain smiled as he folded it and placed it in a drawer. Tomorrow will be fun. he thought as he read over the list of Patrol Captains.

I'm sure of it.