Over the Wall

It was the next morning and things weren’t any better as Twilight woke up with a loud, ear-piercing groan. The night had not been good to her after she had left the gala, as she had spent the whole night in a daze, her mind floating as she tried to go to sleep. However, morning had arrived and with it, she found herself slipping out of bed and towards the window, collapsing on the railing with a sigh. A knock on the door soon followed, along with said door opening so a certain young drake could enter.

"Miss?" Spike asked as he walked into the room. "Are you alright?"

"I uh...I'm fine." she grumbled, unmoving from her spot. "Just...thinking."

"That might have to wait, you've overslept. Breakfast is in thirty minutes." Spike said with a small bow. What followed could be described as a frenzy of activity, causing Spike to quickly leave the room. He had seen it plenty times before, Twilight was known to panic in time-constrained situations. The alicorn frantically scrambled around the room, quickly dressing herself as she tried to wake herself up for the day. Thirty minutes later, Twilight was dressed and awake, walking downstairs in a slightly panic-like manner. Her father Night Light looked over at her and smiled, glad to see her daughter up and about.

"You certainly took your time this morning." He remarked as he took a sip of tea.

"My apologies." Twilight replied, sitting down in her chair while adjusting a cream colored gown she had put on for the day. "I didn't get enough sleep last night."

"I see." Velvet said as she watched her daughter sit down, still sighing as she started eating her breakfast. She knew something was wrong, but she also knew that Twilight would probably not tell her if she asked. Instead, she merely said, “Your breakfast is ready dear.”

"Thank you." Twilight replied with a small sigh of relief. Twilight quickly ate her breakfast as she tried to get her mind off her recent depression. It wasn’t long till her breakfast was eaten, and Twilight slipped away into the library, her place of peace. It was where she could feel like her true self. That and she just loved to read. With this, she sat down in a thick armchair, sighing again as she put a pile of books by the chair. She then remained there for quite a while, reading book after book as her eyes scanned through the pages. That is, until Spike walked in.

"A letter." he announced, handing it to her. Twilight's eyes raised slightly as she saw the Sentry Family Crest on the letter. Her horn lit up as a magic aura covered the letter, opening it. As she pulled out a piece of paper from the envelope, she smiled as she began to read the letter.

To House Sparkle, from Flash Sentry, of House Sentry.

I humbly submit a request for a meeting at 11:30 sharp, with Lady Twilight Sparkle. Please send state of availability, if open.

Twilight blushed as she read the letter, her cheeks glowing red as she remembered last night. She quickly wrote an acceptance letter, asking Spike to send it. As the drake sent the letter off, she thought to her herself, Strange, I could of swore I asked to come to his place. Hmm...oh well. It will be nice to see him either way.With this thought in mind, an hour passed like a minute. Following this was a voice along with a knock at her door.

"A Mr. Sentry, to see Mrs. Sparkle."

"Coming!" Twilight replied, quickly walking up to the main door. As a maid opened the door, she blushed slightly upon seeing Flash again. He was fitted with a long leather coat and a well-trimmed blue suit that fit right over his large orange wings. Twilight’s eyes scanned him over, noticing that she couldn’t see his muscles as much this time.

"Twilight." Flash said with a small bow. “It is an honor to meet you again.”

"Flash. It's good to see you again as well." she replied with a slight chuckle before beckoning her hoof. "Please, do come in. I’ll have the staff make us some tea."

"My thanks." Flash nodded, stepping inside as a butler took his coat while Twilight gave an order to the maid. As the staff left the two alone so they could work in the kitchen, Flash continued. "Just finished my lessons for today. Ramsey insisted I focus more on the ‘Societal Norms’, rather than swordplay. I swear, he's paranoid."

“Is that the butler you mentioned last night? The one that took an hour to fit your suit?”

“Yes.” Flash admitted, rolling his eyes. “The old coot is...I don’t know another word for paranoid.”

"Hee hee, I see. I can imagine so, a few of my staff are the same way." Twilight chuckled before gesturing him to follow her. She first went to the parlor, only to notice that her parents were now meeting some business-ponies. Seeing this, she instead escorted him to the library. Thankfully, the library was fitted with a couch that they could both sit on, though she had forgot that it existed due to the usual chair she would use in the library. As they sat down on the couch, Twilight smiled slightly, happy to see the stallion from last night once more.

"I must admit, Twilight…" Flash spoke up, now comfortable in the couch. "I wasn't expecting a reply so soon."

“Oh uh...yeah.” Twilight slightly blushed, scratching the side of her neck. “I apologize for the rushed acceptance letter. It was just after last night, I...uh…”

“Couldn’t wait?” Flash finished, cocking an eyebrow as he did.

“Yes.” Twilight nodded, still blushing.

“Eh, I was the same way.” Flash waved his hoof, shrugging. “After last night, I just...I knew I had to see you again.”

Twilight just chuckled at his statement. “I was the same way.” Hearing this, it was Flash’s turn to turn red on the face.

“So uh…” Flash stuttered, quickly trying to change the subject. He then began looking around the room, his eyes darting frantically as he did. “This is uh...quite the library for a noble family.”

“Oh yes!” Twilight beamed. “I’m a huge lover of the written word!” Twilight then pointed to the shelves surrounding them. “I’ve read all of them several times over, and I’ll read them again. I believe that books are the foundation of all things necessary for ponies!”

“Wow. You uh…” Flash tried to say, only to see the smile on Twilight’s face as she continued to talk about books. The grin was...entrancing. Beauty couldn’t hold a candle to what he was seeing right now. The very sight made him speechless. That is, till-

“Flash? You okay?”

“Huh?! Uh, er, I-” Flash stuttered again, just now realizing that he was staring. He quickly tried to save face as he shined a small grin. “I’m fine! I just uh...I’m fine.”

“Oookay.” Twilight tilted her head, slightly confused. “You kinda looked like you spaced out there. If I’m boring you, just tell me.”

“Sorry.” Flash quickly replied, slightly staring down as he said this. “I just...got distracted.”

“Oh. What distracted you?”

“Um….” Flash gulped, realizing he had just trapped himself. “Well I…” Flash looked at the shelf behind Twilight, a lightbulb going off in his head. “Do you want to find something to read? Like uh...what’s something you would suggest as a good book?”

"Oh. Sure." Twilight replied, getting up and walking over to a large bookcase. “Hmm...let’s see. No...no...ah! There's a good one up there!" Twilight pointed to a thick, heavy tome on the top of the shelf. Flash flew up and pulled the book easily placing it in her hooves.

"The Broken Tower, volume one?" Flash asked. "You're into that sort of writing?"

"Well, it does have what I admire. Heroes, maidens, duels, intrigue...it's every mare's heartthrob."

Flash sighed and the two of them took seats on a couch and propped the book open. He had to admit, he wasn’t completely into the book like Twilight, but the swordplay described in the book did intrigue him. As for Twilight, he could tell that the romance was definitely her favorite as she laid her head on his shoulder while they both read the story. After a while of reading, Flash smiled before looking at a nearby window. There, he saw where the sun was in the sky, instantly noticing how much time had passed.

"I think I've been here too long."

"Possibly." Twilight said as she lifted her head, also noticing the time. She bit her lip as she realized what this meant. Letting out a small sigh, she looked back at Flash. "I hate to say this, but perhaps you should go for now. I don't want father getting...ideas."

Flash blushed, but he then nodded at the suggestion. “I agree.”

"I hope we can do this again sometime." Twilight commented as they replaced the book on the shelf and Flash walked to the door. After a brief "Goodbye", Flash departed. As he did, Twilight could only sigh, already feeling disappointed that their day together was done. That is, till-

"Ahem."

Twilight flinched and turned around, only to see Spike looking at her.

"I think somepony's...in love…" Spike said with a chuckle.

"Quiet." Twilight mumbled, trying to not blush. "It's nothing like that."

"Maybe." Spike shrugged. "Or maybe not. Whatever you choose, I will stand with you."

"Thanks, Spike. Come on, there’s still some stuff I need to do today."

Meanwhile, at the Canterlot Castle…

In the luxurious halls of Canterlot Castle, a certain individual was walking down the main hallway. His name is Prince Blueblood, a tall white unicorn with long blonde hair. There a permanent scowl on his face, a wide yet bulking frame under his clothes and a large jet-black suit covering his body as clothes. As he walked down the halls, he kept his chin held up, as if he was looking down on everypony around him. It was here that he entered the main throne room, where Princess Celestia was sitting.

"Aunt?" he asked as he opened the throne room doors.

"Come in."

Blueblood entered inside, only to see a certain, glaring look on Celestia’s face. A second later, she said, "I know what you're going to ask. I told you that the decision is yours to make."

"Surely you can choose one for me?" Blueblood replied back, almost showing puppy dog eyes. "If I am to die without a legacy, it would be disastrous."

"That is true, but you neglect the fact that you have reached the age where you may choose your bride."

"That is the problem." Blueblood exclaimed, hitting his hoof on the floor. "There is nopony alive who can possibly match me! I need a bride who can truly make a true offspring for me. One that will show me as a truly glorious pony when she is by my side!"

Celestia raised an eyebrow before replying to the obvious bragging like claim."If you look hard enough, you will find it. I assume preparations are in order for the Gala next week?"

"Prepped and ready." Blueblood replied, tapping his chest with a confident smirk. “Surely you don’t doubt my abilities over arranging such things?”

Celestia ignored that last question and instead said, "Then take some time to yourself. If there is any suitable mare than can match wits with you Blueblood, they are here."

"I'll take your word for it." Blueblood scoffed, walking out as he did. As he walked through the castle halls, he looked to the sky from a window.

"I'll make my legacy, no matter what stands in my way." he said, before closing the shutters.