Art of a Sun's Love Volume 1

AUGUST 3, 2038

"Actually, that reminds me," said Twilight once the next story had been told. She left for a minute before returning with a laptop computer. She turned it on, and once it was booted, she opened a webcam program. Within seconds, Math Equation appeared on the screen.

"Hello, there," he said.

"Hello, Math," said Twilight. "How are you and Rarity doing?"

"We're both doing spectacular," said Math. "She's at work today, and so I'm very much at home with our kids. How are you all doing?"

"We're all doing good too," said Vincent.

"Aunt Twilight," asked Dawn Spark, "if you enjoyed being with Math, then what made you choose Uncle Flash over him?"

"Well..." said Twilight, thinking about what she was going to say. "It wasn't an easy choice, and the fact that they were fighting over me didn't help matters."

OCTOBER 11, 2011

It was once again the end of yet another school day, and many students were racing to catch their buses or trains. The day previous had been Twilight's fifteenth birthday, but due to a school holiday, it was held back.

"Happy late birthday, Twilight," said Flash.

"Thanks, Flash," said Twilight. Among the presents she'd gotten, she got a book on facts and theories from Moon Dancer, and a plush owl from Fluttershy that Twilight named Owlowiscious.

"What about you, Flash?" asked Twilight. Flash handed her a wrapped book.

"What's this?" she asked as she unwrapped it.

"It's a booklet full of songs I thought of when I was little," said Flash. One of the songs was "Destiny's Call", where the speaker was wondering about what his or her purpose could be.

"This is such a sweet gift," said Twilight, giving Flash a hug. "Thank you."

"Yo-you're welcome," said Flash, blushing madly. Fluttershy and Song Cue had seen this and both giggled at the sight. Orange Sherbet rolled his eyes.

Unfortunately, there was one unhappy face in the crowd. It was Math Equation.

"Get away from her!" he snapped. Flash and Twilight both looked in surprise.

"What's the matter, Math?" asked Twilight. For all the time she'd known him, Twilight had never known Math to get angry.

"I, er, just don't think it proper for you to be so close to someone," said Math.

"Lots of people hug each other," Song Cue pointed out, "especially if they're really good friends."

"Yeah, dude," said Orange Sherbet. "No need to act as though something bad's going to happen from a simple hug."

"You just wouldn't understand," said Math Equation, leaving in a huff.

"Was it something I said?" asked Twilight.

"I'm sure you did nothing wrong," said Fluttershy.

The next day, during the brunch period, Twilight was hoping to have a talk with Math Equation.

"Maybe he was having an off-day after that morning," she said to herself. "He'll probably be in a better mood today."

Fortunately for her, he was.

"Morning, Math," said Twilight.

"Hi there," he replied. "Look, sorry about yesterday afternoon."

"What made you snap like that?" asked Twilight. Math Equation was quiet for a minute.

"Well, some irritating classmates upset me during lunch," said Math Equation, "and I got flustered during science class."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Twilight.

"It's alright," said Math, pausing for a moment. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings yesterday."

"That's okay," said Twilight with a little smile. "I was wondering if you were busy this weekend? We can hang out then, maybe see a film."

"That'd be great," said Math. "But I can't."

Twilight was puzzled. "Why not?" she asked.

Again, Math thought for a moment. "Well, my brother - he's been feeling sick, and my parents are out of town, so I have to take care of him."

Math felt very worried. After all, he didn't want to tell a lie, but if he told Twilight his feelings for her, he thought Flash might get upset with him again.

"Oh, I understand," said Twilight suddenly. "Perhaps some other time?"

"Sure," said Math. But this time it didn't sound like him at all.

"I have to go to my next class," said Twilight. "See you later, Math. Hope your brother feels better."

Math waved goodbye as she left. He was still worried about what he should do next.

I can't lose her, he thought. But at the same time, I can't frighten her away.

Meanwhile, Flash was getting his books for class. Just as he was walking from his locker, he bumped into Twilight. Books flew in several directions onto the floor. In the chaos, Twilight's glasses fell off from her face.

"Oh man, I'm so sorry," said Flash, helping Twilight up.

"It's fine," said Twilight, "but now my vision's all blurry."

Flash picked up Twilight's glasses and placed them on her.

"There," he said. "That better?"

"Yep," said Twilight. "But now our stuff's in a mess on the floor."

The two then started to sort out their belongings. Suddenly, both reached for the same book and their hands touched.

"O-oop," said Flash, pulling his hand back and blushing. Twilight also went red with embarrassment.

"Sorry," she said.

"It's fine," said Flash. "Say, did you have any free time this weekend?"

"As far as I know, yes," said Twilight. "Why?"

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go with me to the Soda Shoppe down the street," said Flash.

"I'd love to go," said Twilight.

"Nice," said Flash. "What time sounds good for you?"

"How about 4:30?"

"Great," said Flash. "See you then." With that, the two headed off to their classes. What Flash didn't know was that Math had heard them. This made him very unhappy.

He's taking her from me! he thought to himself. That girl thief!

Youtube Video

Math made his way to class, but he wasn't watching where he was going.

"Oh, my stars!" the other student cried. "Careful!"

"I'm terribly sorry, Rarity," said Math. "I wasn't paying attention."

"Oh no, that's okay, Math," said Rarity. "Though, to be fair, I wasn't paying attention myself either."

"What were you thinking about?" asked Math.

"I was preoccupied on my latest dress designs," explained Rarity, showing a sketchbook.

"Wow," said Math as he looked at a few. "You know, Vincent also enjoys drawing in his spare time, and from what he says, he's at the top of his art class."

"You don't say," said Rarity. "By the way, what were you thinking about?"

"Me?" asked Math Equation sheepishly.

"You alright, Math?"

"I'm perfectly fine," lied Math.

"Are you sure?" asked Rarity. "Maybe you should see the nurse."

"No, thank you," said Math. "I'm fine."

"Well... if you're sure." With that, the two parted ways to class.

By the end of the lunch period, all the students went to get ready for their next class. As Math's next class was with Twilight, this gave him a chance to talk to her a bit.

"Hey Twilight," he said.

"Oh, hi there, Math."

"I just found out that the local cafe's having a new mini library built in," said Math. "Did you want to go with me Saturday at the grand reopening?"

"But I thought your brother was sick," said Twilight.

"Er, he's doing better now," said Math.

Twilight was puzzled as to why he said that, but chose not to say anything.

"So what are you doing this weekend?" asked Math.

"Well, Flash and I were going to the Soda Shoppe this Saturday," said Twilight.

"Oh..." said Math, sounding disappointed.

"Is something the matter?"

"Nothing."

"Would you like to go with Flash and me?" asked Twilight.

"It would be rather nice," said Math.

As the week went on, Math became more and more upset. On Friday afternoon at lunch, he was talking to Vincent and Comet Tail.

"You alright, Math?" asked Vincent. "You look tense."

"I'm just thinking," said Math.

"About what?" asked Comet.

"Stuff."

"Hmm. Sounds kinda boring," said Vincent.

"Indeed," said Math. "Sorry if it's not to your liking."

"It's alright," said Comet.

"By the way," added Math, "how close are you two to Twilight?"

Both blue-haired boys were surprised at the question.

"She's... a bit like a sister to us," Vincent said at last.

"She's Hermione to our Harry and Ron," added Comet, "only I'm going for Song Cue's Luna - not our vice-principal, obviously - and I feel more like Neville."

"So, you don't have any crushes on her?" asked Math.

"No! I've actually just begun dating Song Cue!" exclaimed Comet, sounding indignant.

"Sorry," said Math.

"It's okay, mate," said Comet. "What about you, Vincent?"

"I actually have my eyes set on Sunset Shimmer," said Vincent. "Well, I would if that imbecilic brother of mine actually let me."

"Flash?"

"Ever since that Fall Formal fiasco," continued Vincent, "he hasn't forgiven Sunset for making me a laughingstock."

"But didn't she apologize for doing that?" asked Math.

"She did, but Flash took me away before I could reply."

"How rude," said Math.

"You can say that again," agreed Vincent.

At that moment, Flash came by them with a tray.

"Hey, guys," he said.

"Hey," said Comet.

"Hey," said Vincent.

As Flash was leaving, Math watched him.

I've got my eye on you, Sentry, he thought. Vincent noticed it and felt a little nervous, but chose not to dwell on that.

When school was over for the day, Flash was getting his belongings when Twilight came up to him.

"Oh, hey, Twilight," he said. "What's up?"

"Would it be a bother if I invited somebody to go with us Saturday?" asked Twilight.

"Oh, no bother at all, Twilight," said Flash.

"Great," said Twilight, giving her friend a hug. Once again, Flash blushed upon feeling it.

"It's quite alright," he said.

At last, Saturday came. Flash was waiting by the station for Twilight to arrive.

"Any minute now," he said to himself. Looking into the distance, he thought he saw her.

"Here she comes," he said. As Twilight got closer, Flash could see somebody with her. It was the last person he expected to see on that day.

What's *he** doing here?* thought Flash. Is he supposed to be Twilight's guest?

"Hello, Flash," said Twilight as she finally came up to him.

"Oh, hey there, Twilight," said Flash, forcing a smile. "Hello, Math."

"Hi," said Math.

"You okay, Flash?" asked Twilight.

"Yeah, I'm fine," said Flash. "Ecstatic."

Twilight could tell something wasn't right, but didn't want to say anything... yet.

"Well, shall we go then?" she asked as the train arrived at the platform.

"Yes," said Flash almost immediately.

With that, the three boarded the train and it soon rolled away to Canterlot High, close to the Shoppe.

"Well, here we are," said Flash.

"Looks rather busy today," said Math. "Hopefully there'll be enough for all three of us, eh Twi?"

"Indeed," said Twilight. Thankfully, they were able to find an empty table.

"Well, that's a relief," said Flash.

Soon a waitress came to take their orders.

"What can I get you three today?" she asked.

"I fancy a grape soda," said Twilight.

"Cherry soda for me," said Flash. "With a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top."

"I'll go for a Pepsi Free," said Math.

"Okay then," said the waitress, and left with their orders in her little notebook. At that moment, walking into the Shoppe was Math Equation's mother, Number Crunch. She was a woman in her late thirties with brown hair and eyes, not unlike Math.

Just as she was looking for an empty table, she spotted Math Equation.

"Is that Math?" she asked. "He's supposed to be home."

Math looked on with surprise; this was the last place he expected to encounter his mother.

"You know this woman, Math?" asked Twilight.

"She's my mother," explained Math sheepishly.

"Math Equation!" snapped Number Crunch, making her way over to the table. "What on earth are you doing here? I asked you to look after your brother while he was ill yet where do I find you? Here getting sodas with your friends."

Twilight looked at Math Equation with a raised eyebrow whilst Flash gave him a silent glare.

"I thought you said Masked Puck was doing better," said Twilight firmly.

Poor Math didn't know how to reply at that point; he was too embarrassed. At last, he found his courage to speak.

"I thought I was lying," he said. "I didn't really know Masked Puck was sick and thought I'd made up that he was better just to spend time with you, Twilight."

Both Twilight and, shockingly enough, Flash were surprised.

"You see, I... I have a crush on you, Twilight."

Twilight went red upon hearing that. Flash was tempted to attack Math, but doing do in front of Number Crunch wouldn't be the best idea, so perhaps it was lucky for everyone involved Flash knew to restrain his temper in front of company.

"I was also afraid that Flash would try and take you from me," Math continued.

"That's what I thought about you!" exclaimed Flash, as if from nowhere. Well, Twilight was lost for words.

**Two* boys, both with feelings for me?* she thought in disbelief. How did I not see *that** coming?*

At last, she found her voice.

"I'm honored that you both care about me so much," she said at last, "but I don't think I'm ready to start a relationship yet. We should just stay as friends for now and see what the future will hold. Okay?"

"Okay," sighed Math Equation.

"I guess," sighed Flash.

At last, the waitress returned with their drinks.

"Thanks," said Twilight, accepting her drink.

"Yeah, thanks," said Flash, taking his drink.

Soon, it was time for Math and his mother to go home.

"Goodbye," said Math. "I had a rather fun time with you two."

"Same here," said Twilight, and Flash begrudgingly agreed. "I hope we could do it again sometime," she added.

"Unless I get grounded for a while," said Math.

"But at least we still see each other during school," said Twilight.

"Well, there's that," said Math.

When Math arrived home, he went right to Masked Puck's room. His older brother was in the midst of a coughing fit when Math entered.

"Hey," said Math.

"Hey there, little bro," said Masked Puck once he stopped coughing.

"I'm really sorry I ditched you," said Math. "I just really wanted to hang out with Twilight and I was afraid of losing her."

"That's alright," said Masked Puck. "I could have done with some peace and quiet anyway."

AUGUST 3, 2038

"You didn't exactly answer my question," said Dawn. "I wanted to know why you picked uncle Flash over Math and not a hangout with you three at the Soda Shoppe."

"I think you're missing the point," said Flash. "That was mainly the beginning."

"Oh," said Dawn, feeling a bit sheepish.

"Not to worry," said Flash. "There's still many more interesting stories before the moment."

"I bet they'll be good," said Dusk.

"Oh, but they are," said Twilight.

"Oh boy," said Twilight V. "Do any of them involve extreme action, like diving off a burning building?"

"Not that kind of good," laughed Twilight.

"Well, that's lame."

"Oh, hush you," chuckled Flash. "But first, there's more stories about your aunt and uncle."

"Also known as my parents!" Dawn called out for a joke. This was met with laughter amongst the family.

"As you remember," said Twilight, "Trixie and Starlight were doing whatever they could to ruin this budding romance..."