TS&F: S1, Ep5: A Sunset to Remember

Twilight saw no reason to keep this to herself any longer. She had resolved to open up to her about this in Manehatten, with the help of a newfound, good friend that reminded her of Sunset Shimmer in many respects. It was decided now would be as appropriate a time to do so as any. So, that was precisely what she has been doing: discussing with her sister-in-spirit, Cadence, about her dilemma. They had been darting across town and chasing with Flurry Heart, whose wings and short hooves now began to move about more tiredly than before. It was when they took the filly to the side, where she would be nursed and checked for a changing that Twilight discussed it with her.

"I've got to say," Cadence said, as she placed her giggling and yawning daughter onto her back, "I suspected something was initiated after bumping into him, but never expected anything this serious, or complex."

"Which is why I chose it best to bring this up, now," Twilight responded, recalling her return from that world in the mirror, after her first experience, as well as the nature in meeting both of them. She began to casually rest her haunches and wings now, as Cadence lied down completely. They allowed time for themselves to recuperate from their playdate with the pink, little Alicorn, who still had a bit of energy left to try and catch a fluttering moth that landed nearby. "I mean, considering my role and responsibilities here in our world, as well as the prospect of his own life and world to take into account, I don't see how it could ever have worked between us."

"I remember having a similar relationship, before I even met you and Shining. It was just after I became an Alicorn Princess. When it happened, we both knew it had to end between us. Not because of my new title and position, but because we now had to part ways, with totally different paths in life. We simply had to move on." The sympathy was deeply appreciated and acknowledged by the young mare, after Twilight shared a somber nod with her sister-in-law.

"Then having to encounter somepony just like Flash in certain areas," the Crystal Princess continued, "but also one who's completely different altogether, uncomfortable would definitely be an understatement."

"Agreed," Twilight nodded, "But that doesn't mean I shouldn't befriend this one, in some way. Everypony deserves that kind of opportunity, at least. But, at the same time, I'm not sure how to convey the right message to him. How do I ask him to be my friend, and not make him think I'm trying to open up a possible relationship with him, while also not trying to rekindle something he and I technically never had, in the first place?"

Both princesses then took a brief pause between themselves, so as to allow for their exchange to sink in. The rosy mare knew how Twilight could become so easily agitated, whenever something unexpected and uncomfortable came up, certain things did not happen according to plan, or even simply an assignment not complete, or not finished to her liking. It was then that Cadence appeared to have something of a response in mind.

"Well, also take this into account. The other Flash Sentry is no longer your only interdimensional acquaintance."

Recognizing that her latest Friendship student has been mentioned again, Twilight lifted her eyes to face the closest and deepest pony she has to a sister, and spoke in the affirmative. "Yes, that's true."

"And you made friends with him alongside the rest of your companions, all at once. Including Spike."

"Yes," she sharply responded with a renewed smile, "And having Captain Sentry seeing us all together to properly make introductions with him, the same way that we did for Spider Bite, it would definitely carry out the appropriate message of making a new friend that has minimal implications, if any at all!"

"Giving each of you the equal opportunity to share correspondence with Captain Sentry, without making any chance for something exclusive to develop as much as possible. Only if the right opportunity arises, of course, when you both want to start something special, at once."

"Exactly!" She was so elated with rejuvenating enthusiasm, that Twilight was completely oblivious to Cadence's teasing, final statement. "It's the most perfect, simplest solution to the most difficult, extremely complex conundrum!"

She was also unaware of the jolted Flurry due to her outburst, who started to rub her flickering eyes, and was becoming alert to some other kind of activity that was about to occur. The Alicorn mare had jumped up onto all fours, violet eyes alight with great vigor, and wings outstretched, as she began to dart throughout the village and start the first phase of her plan. "Come on, Cadence! We better start looking for our friends, and get them all together, first! And I know just the Pegasus fast enough to help with that!"

She knew fully well to allow her sister's, in all but blood, newfound energy to carry out its due course, as had always been the case in foalsitting her. Cadence shook her head in amusement, as she soothed her infant filly to begin her nap again. After that, the pink mare casually rose from the ground, and caught up to Twilight. Her gentle, yet brisk pace allowed for Flurry Heart to rest peacefully, with a few coos and guhs muttered along the way.

He watched the special events and entertainment, alongside the ever-growing excitement continuing to unfold. He was able to grow well acquainted with some of the local townsponies here, enabling him to blend in with them much more nicely. He then was able to excuse himself from all the crowds, choosing to join a few of the activities sparingly. Whenever he did so, it was to give himself enough space, taking as many ample opportunities to stand to the side and assess where everypony was, in relation to the Princess' location. But to avoid becoming inconspicuous, Sentry made himself well engaged with the few ponies he had well met here.

He also took the chance to reflect on the incident involving the Changelings' capture of the Royal Crystal Family. Acknowledging that there was very little else he could have done, Flash still could not resist the impulse to reprimand himself for having such a catastrophe occur during his watch. Despite his best efforts in formulating the proper response to take action, he wondered, more than ever, how the Changelings could have broken through such a secure system. Considering how much the Royal Couple had wanted to prepare for another attempt on them and Equestria, and what the Crystal Ponies had recently, and endlessly endured, he could not fathom what went wrong, or if he was to blame for some derelict of duty.

Knowing he was not to dwell on that much further now, he pressed on with his covert post, and noted the flying, chromatic mare in Princess Twilight's circle, who was coming down on approach to meet him.

"Hey, buddy," she beamed, as her rainbow contrail faded from behind her, "I don't know if we met, or something, but I can't shake this feeling that I've seen you around. I'm Rainbow Dash. The totally awesome, newest member of the Wonder Bolts. I'm not going to ask if you've heard about me. Because everypony should know me, by now."

"Oh, yes," he nodded in reply, "you've definitely got a reputation. Especially among the ponies here, in Our Town."

"Yeah, I know," she huffed with pride, crossing her forelegs into a striking pose. But then she lowered them, and started to hover more closely towards him. "But that's the thing. I flew around here, before. And I don't remember seeing you here, the last time we came. You know, back when Starlight Glimmer came to apologize for being all crazy, and evil-like, and stealing everypony's Cutie Marks."

"Hey!"

"Rainbow Dash!"

"What," she shouted back in shrug at the two mares staring behind her. "I'm just stating a fact, Applejack. And that was kind of evil, what you did, Starlight."

"Anyway," she continued, as the violet Unicorn and orange Earth Pony carried on with an eye roll shared between them, "Like I said, I feel like I know you somehow. Like from somewhere else. Somewhere that's not here."

Hoping not to reveal his cover, until absolutely certain it was safe to do so, the Pegasus Captain relayed his undercover background, just as he had prepared. The best thing about this, was how he managed to incorporate so much of his personal life into it.

"I came here, recently. Got a job that sent me to work in this village, and have been warmly welcomed and acquainted with the ponies here rather quickly." He decided it best to leave out how that occurred just today.

"Never been to Cloudsale, have you?"

"I've got family in Ponyville, who moved from Canterlot. They originally came from Cloudsdale, yes."

"What about you? Cuz I don't remember ever meeting you at the Flight Academy."

"We moved to Canterlot, before I started flying. I went to learn in Canterlot, because I grew up there."

"Okay. I know it can't be Canterlot. Gala, Cadence and Shining Armor's wedding, or anything else there," Miss Dash persisted, "Unless you played in the band, or something."

"I play guitar, every now and then," Flash replied, reminiscing his nights of playing, while unwinding with his fellow cadets, then later soldiers in the barracks. "But no, I've never played for the Grand Galloping, or at the great wedding."

"Ever been to the Crystal Empire, yet?"

"I traveled there by train, once or twice." He recalled both his transfer into the joint forces with the Empire, and the escort when Princess Cadence had gone to visit her sister-in-law in Ponyville. Then the sojourn back, directly after.

"For the Equestria Games, right?"

"I was there for that, yes." His rank made it mandatory to oversee the security, especially in helping ponies out during the incident that occurred near its end.

"Nope," Rainbow shook her head in quizzical thought, "Still not ringing any bells, just yet. What about that family in Ponyville you talked about? Don't I know them?"

"I've got somepony there you're probably familiar with. Always told me all about you, in her letters. She went to Ponyville, while I stayed in Canterlot and did some more flight school, for my new job. She would come visit me as much as possible. The little rascal would always catch me by surprise. But I haven't had the chance to do the same for her, yet. She's been living with my cousin for...similar reasons as he did, when moving to Ponyville."

"Okay," she snapped sharply, "Now I'm starting to see it! You actually remind me of her! Sort of."

"I guess you could see some resemblance between us," he shrugged with a smirk.

"That's actually pretty awesome," the mare beamed in response, "I wondered if she had anypony else around. She just wouldn't say, for some reason."

"It's been awhile, since we last saw each other." The stallion's head sunk down slightly, in remorse. "I really miss her. And I've been doing my best keeping in touch with her. But my job has been having me move around very often, and keeping me away from her. So, I haven't actually seen her in a very long time."

"Man. That bites, pal," she cringed at the news, "Any chance your job can let you go to Ponyville, instead?"

"Not sure," he said thoughtfully, "But it's a very important job. I can't just give it up."

"More important than her?"

"Course not," he shook his head firmly, "Just don't know how to fit the job, which I'm especially talented for, into being with her."

"Yeah," she grimaced, "that really does bite."

"Very good, Spike. Now be a dear, and raise that banner a little bit higher, why don't you."

"You got it, Rarity!" It was nearing the epitome of the Sunset Celebration, when the white mare and young, purple Dragon made improvements on the wagon-turned-stage that belonged to the blue-coated illusionist. The Unicorn in question, whose pink irises began to redden with rage, was having an argument on the side. The arrangements and decorations on the curtains and props continued, despite Trixie and Discord's squabble in how she should make an entrance. The sound of such a sight began to grow with even more intensity, prompting ponies close by to stop whatever they were doing, and observe the raucous commotion.

"The Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie has no need for an introduction by an assistant, of any kind! Trrrixie doesn't require an assistant of any kind!"

"Then do tell, how does the 'Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie' intend to have her act improved upon by the Ever Dazzling and Spontaneous Discord?"

"Trixie does not need improvements! Just. Small. Additions. And Discord won't have a billing next to Trrrixie!"

Twilight and Cadence continued down the sole road of Our Town, eyeing the various ponies in the fun and cheer, as well as watching the heated discussion with concern. It escalated ever more highly between the traveling show mare and draconic malady, and it only seemed to worsen. It appeared as though it would never reduce in tension, had Rarity not stopped in her progress, so as to intervene.

"Now, now. Please. Would the pair of you stop your bickering amongst yourselves, before this spoils the entire celebration for all these other ponies?" Seeing how they stopped to view the foolish spectacle they made of themselves, and watched the villagers disperse back to the festivities, Discord and Trixie heard the white Unicorn continue. "Now, if you both don't mind hearing me out, I believe I have the perfect compromise that will benefit your magic act, Trixie, and allow for Discord to have a little fun of his own."

Upon seeing the issue resolved, at least for the time being, they pressed onward, with little Flurry Heart now sound asleep on her mother's back, her head fitting snuggly on the groove of Cadence's heart girth and withers. No level of any sporadic noise could ever disrupt such a peaceful slumber had by the sweet, joyful filly. And the Princesses she had been playing with today continued onto their intended destination, the very moment Twilight spotted the colorful mane and tail of her Pegasus friend.

"There's Rainbow Dash."

"Looks like she's making friends with Flash, already," said the Princess of Love and the Crystal Empire, noting her undercover Captain standing beside her hovering form.

"Which works out to our intended goal perfectly," the lavender Princess gleamed, "Rainbow can quickly find and gather the rest of us right to the very place he's standing, and start to become better acquainted with each one of us. We can make proper introductions to become friends on equal ground, for sure! And you can get Spike and Rarity right now, while I start to make that happen!"

The Princess of Friendship began to pick up her pace into a brisk trot, now sure more than ever how she intended to proceed. In fact, Twilight was well more than eager to carry it out. The fact that she already had a friend there to help reinforce it raised her confidence in this plan's success higher than she could imagine. That is, she was before she started to hear what Dash and Sentry had been saying to one another, prompting her to stop directly where she stood. As Cadence started to make her way towards the assisting pair with Trixie and Discord, the young, Alicorn mare halted and listened intently to what has been said. And what she heard between the two Pegasi unnerved her greatly, purple irises narrowing in shock and terror.

"Look," Rainbow Dash stated, "You miss hanging out with her very, very much right?"

"Of course, I do," Sentry nodded with insistence.

"You really do love her, right? And you really, really, really want to spend more time being with her, right? Make sure she knows how much she matters to you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then you've got to try," Dash's scratchy voice raised an octave. "You have to find some way to get to Ponyville through your job. Take a vacation, or maybe even find some crazy loophole, for crying out loud! And actually take every chance you get in being. With. Her."