Rejects' Love

Chapters

Arrival in the Empire
Double Rejection
Mares' Discussion
Stallions' Discussions
Dinner Date
A Late Night Visit
A Gruesome Discovery
Epilogue: Speculations
Invite to the Empire

Arrival in the Empire

As the train pulled into the Crystal Empire, Twilight couldn't help but notice how quickly Starlight and Trixie got out of the train. As they were rushing out Trixie asked, "I wonder if they have any cinnamon nuts up here?"

Starlight put her hoof around her and laughed, "Oh Trixie, you and your cinnamon nuts."

Twilight and Spike followed them and once they caught them Twilight said, "Trixie, you can go looking for cinnamon nuts later, for now Cadence needs us in the castle."

Trixie sighed, "Oh alright, Trixie supposes The Great and Powerful Trixie will starve."

There was a cinnamon nuts stand not too far away and Trixie pointed her hoof towards it and said, "Twilight, they're selling cinnamon nuts right over there. Trixie should only be a minute!"

Twilight just sighed in frustration and not only Trixie, but also Starlight, rushed over and each bought a bag of them. As Starlight began eating them she commented, "You know Trixie, now I know why you like these things so much. They are delicious!"

Twilight saw that they both bought some cinnamon nuts and was not thrilled. She snapped, "Trixie, Starlight, you do know you can't take those into the castle, don't you?"

Starlight asked, "Why not?"

Twilight yelled, "Because my brother has a nut allergy and thanks to you two, we can't go see what Cadence wanted until you two finish those things!"

The two simply rolled their eyes and increased the rate that they were eating their treats. Five minutes later they finished their nuts and the four headed to the castle. Twilight sighed, "I just hope you two don't have any trace of those nuts on you. Even being exposed to a tiny bit of nut powder could make my brother seriously ill."

Trixie sighed, "We're not, ok!"

Starlight added, "We're unicorns you know. We just held them in our aura while we ate them."

Twilight just sighed in frustration and they continued their way to the palace. When they arrived at the entrance they were immediately greeted by the guards One guard said, "Princess Twilight, it is so good to see you!"

Twilight replied, "It's good to see you too."

The other guard asked, "I take it you're here to see Cadence and Shining Armor?"

Twilight replied, "Yes, I am."

The guards opened the doors and they all headed in. As they headed into the throne room Cadence immediately rushed to Twilight, "Twilight, it's so good to see you!" She turned to the other three and continued, "Hi Spike, hi Starlight." Her facial expression changed to one of disapproval as she finished, "Oh, hi Trixie."

Twilight hugged Cadence and replied, "Hi Cadence, how have you been?"

Cadence glared over towards Trixie and asked, "Why did you bring Trixie with you? I just wanted it to be you, Spike and Starlight."

Twilight replied, "Well Starlight and Trixie are basically inseparable anymore and both of them begged me to let her come."

Cadence sighed, "Well for what not only I, but somepony else has to talk to Starlight about, Trixie can't be present because she will only cause problems."

Twilight looked over and saw Starlight and Trixie talking and winking at one another and was less than thrilled, She replied, "Well good luck separating them. If I know Trixie, she will follow both of you and try and convince you not to take her away from her 'bestie.'"

Cadence asked, "So they are best friends?"

Twilight replied, "Yes, they are although sometimes I can't help but wonder if they aren't more than that."

Cadence stood there and watched the way they interacted for a couple of minutes. She shook her head and said, "They might be but I still want to see how she reacts to a certain situation today."

Twilight asked, "What situation?"

Cadence leaned down and whispered, "Sunburst wants to talk to her. He hasn't told me directly but I think he has a crush on her and wants her to be his marefriend."

Twilight whispered back, "Well I'm not sure if Starlight would want that. I think Starlight is only attracted to mares and I know Trixie would do everything in her power to make sure that Sunburst wouldn't get Starlight."

Cadence suggested, "Well while I get Starlight and lead her to the dining hall, I want you to distract Trixie anyway you can."

Twilight replied, "Will do."

Double Rejection

After their talk Cadence, Twilight and Spike headed towards Starlight and Trixie. Cadence was the first to say anything, "Starlight, could I talk to you for a few minutes?"

Starlight replied, "Yeah you can."

Trixie put her hoof around Starlight and asked, "Can The Great and Powerful Trixie come too? She doesn't want to be apart from her bestie."

Cadence replied, "I'm sorry Trixie but this is important and Starlight has to be alone."

Trixie's face dropped and Twilight saw this. She said, "Trixie, while Starlight and Cadence are talking, how about we go to the market and get something to eat."

Trixie gave her a weak smile, "Yeah, we could do that."

Twilight figured she would be more enthused about it but then something struck her mind. She knew how to get Trixie to be more enthusiastic about this. She continued, "Tell you what, I'll get you some cinnamon nuts."

Trixie's ears shot up when she heard this. She asked, "Seriously, you'll get me some cinnamon nuts?"

Twilight knew this was a good sign because Trixie did not speak in the third pony when she mentioned this. She spoke like she does when she is speaking to Starlight. She replied, "Yes, I'll get you cinnamon nuts."

Trixie said, "Well that sounds good." She walked over to Starlight, hugged her and continued, "Well Starlight, you have fun talking to Cadence. Since she doesn't want us together for this, Twilight and I are going out."

Starlight gave her a wink and replied, "Well I'll see you later Trixie. Hopefully this won't take too long." She turned to Twilight and suggested, "Be careful about offering her cinnamon nuts. She'd probably break you with those things if she had the chance."

Twilight laughed, "Don't worry Starlight, I won't."

As they parted ways Starlight walked alongside Cadence as they headed towards the dining hall. She asked, "Cadence, what could be so important that Trixie couldn't come with me?"

Cadence replied, "You'll see." She then wanted to know something. She asked, "Starlight, Twilight said something about you being attracted to mares once. Is that true?"

Starlight replied, "Yes it is. Right after I was reformed Fluttershy and I grew really close. I always wanted something special with her but when I expressed my feelings towards her, she told me she only saw me as a friend."

Cadence couldn't help but laugh a bit, "Yeah, I really don't think Fluttershy is the type for romance. Her true love is her animals."

Starlight replied, "Yeah I know and I'm going to let you in on a secret," she leaned up and whispered, "I really like Trixie, as in like like but I'm kind of scared to tell her after what happened with Fluttershy."

Cadence laughed, "Starlight, you don't have to whisper, we're the only ponies here."

Before they knew it they had reached the dining hall. Cadence led Starlight in where she was immediately greeted by Sunburst, "Oh hi Starlight." He then turned to Cadence and said, "Hi your Majesty."

Cadence replied, "Sunburst, you don't have to call me that. You're my crystaller so just call me Cadence." Cadence could tell that Sunburst wanted to talk to Starlight so she continued, "Well I'll leave you two alone. I'm sure you want to talk."

Cadence left the room and the two sat down. Starlight was a bit curious and nervous as to why Sunburst would want to talk to her alone but didn't want to bring it up. She asked, "Soooo, you wanted to talk to me?"

Sunburst could sense some uneasiness coming from Starlight so he decided to give her her space. He replied, "Yeah, I do."

Starlight asked, "What about?" She didn't know what would be so important that she would have to be alone to talk to him so she continued, "And what is so important that I couldn't bring my best friend with me?"

Sunburst replied, "Well, it is over personal matters." He got up and took a step towards her and continued, "Ever since the incident involving Flurry Heart's crystalling and us writing back and forth, I've began to develop feelings."

Starlight was not thrilled that he would begin to approach her. She stood up and took a couple steps back. She asked, "Feelings? What do you mean? Feelings like best friend feelings?"

Sunburst was shocked that Starlight didn't even know, or was pretending not to know what he was talking about. He began, "No, more than that. It isn't just feelings of friendship, it is like like feelings."

Starlight gasped, "You're not telling me what I think you are, are you?"

Sunburst again began to approach her. He continued, "Yes, I really like you Starlight, it is more feelings of love. This is what I wanted to talk to you alone about."

Starlight nervously said, "Uh....well."

Sunburst got closer to her, too close for her comfort. She stepped back and he said, "Starlight, I know we didn't have contact for a long time but I'm wondering, would you be my marefriend?"

Starlight was not exactly thrilled over this but knew she had to stay calm and collected, "Sunburst, I'm flattered, I really am but I simply don't see you like that and I have my eyes on somepony else anyway."

Sunburst's face dropped. He said, "Oh...." He looked up and continued, "What is his......"

Starlight immediately interrupted, "HER name is Trixie, Trixie Lulamoon."

Sunburst was stunned. He gasped, "Her name? You mean you are attracted to mares?"

Starlight replied, "Yes, I am. I thought you would have been able to tell that during the ceremony Twilight threw for those of us who saved Equestria from Chrysalis."

Sunburst replied, "I did notice you were close but I never knew you two were marefriends."

Starlight said, "Well we aren't marefriends yet but I plan on telling her about my feelings later today" she raised her voice a bit and continued, "so things like this won't happen again."

Sunburst knew that was Starlight's way of saying that she wasn't interested in him at all but tried his best to remain calm. He replied, "Well I guess this kind of surprises me. I've never heard of mares being interested in other mares. It just seems kind of weird."

Starlight couldn't help but laugh, "You don't pay much attention to relations between other ponies do you?"

Sunburst replied, "I do, I've just never seen any same sex relationships."

Starlight said, "Well in Ponyville there is this unicorn mare and earth pony mare that are madly in love. Most everypony down there thinks those two should get married and after today, hopefully Trixie and I will be the second pair of lesbians in Ponyville.........."

While Cadence led Starlight off to talk to Sunburst, Trixie, Twilight and Spike headed off towards the market. Trixie was the first to say anything, "Twilight, what did Cadence want to talk to Starlight about?"

Twilight replied, "Trixie, I can't tell you that. It is something that Cadence didn't want me to share with anypony."

Trixie sighed in frustration, "She isn't trying to steal The Great and Powerful Trixie's best friend away from her is she?"

Twilight couldn't stand it when Trixie spoke like that but knew that pretty much the only pony she would speak normally for was Starlight. She replied, "Trixie, she isn't going to take Starlight away from you!"

Trixie became more agitated, "The Great and Powerful Trixie knows that YOU don't approve of Starlight and Trixie being besties." She became more suspicious and continued, "You had Cadence take Starlight to meet that old friend of hers in hopes that he would steal Starlight away from Trixie, didn't you?"

The way she worded this caused Twilight to realize what was going on. She asked, "Trixie, do you like like Starlight?"

Trixie replied, "Yes, The Great and Powerful Trixie like likes Starlight and Trixie can tell by the way she acts that the feelings are mutual!"

Twilight sighed, "Well if you think that, then you shouldn't worry about that old friend of hers stealing her away from you."

Trixie replied, "You're right, Trixie shouldn't have any worries."

As they were heading out the door it was time for the changing of the guard and Twilight wound up bumping into a guard with a tan coat. She fell to the ground and naturally, he helped her up. She took a close look at him and asked, "Do I know you? You look awfully familiar."

The guard replied, "Yes, you do know me."

Twilight took a closer look and said, "Oh, Flash Sentry. How are you doing?"

Flash replied, "I'm doing good." He took a look at Trixie and Spike and asked, "So who is this with you?"

Twilight replied, "Well the baby dragon is my assistant, Spike. The unicorn is a friend of a student of mine, Trixie Lulamoon."

Spike said, "Uh, hi."

Trixie noticed that Flash gave Twilight a bit of a smile and immediately the wheels in her head began to turn. She replied, "My name is Trixie Lulamoon." She paused for a minute, looked at Flash's growing smile and asked, "Twilight, Flash, do you two want to talk? If you do, The Great and Powerful Trixie can let you have your space."

Twilight replied, "Well....."

Flash interrupted, "I'd love it if we could talk." He gave Twilight a smile and asked, "Could I talk to you about a little something?"

Twilight replied, "Well, I really don't with Trixie and Spike here nor do I want to just go talking around your fellow guard either."

Flash began to head towards the backside of the castle and suggested, "Well we can always talk back here."

Twilight glanced at Trixie and asked, "Spike, Trixie, will you two be alright while I go and talk with Flash?"

While Spike was not one bit thrilled to have to spend any alone time with Trixie, he knew that it would be for the best. He replied, "Yeah, we'll be alright."

Trixie added, "Of course we'll be alright."

Twilight sighed as she had hoped that she wouldn't have to spend any time around Flash alone but thought that maybe what he wanted to talk about would be something mundane, such as something Shining Armor wanted him to tell her.

Once they had got out of eyesight and earshot of Trixie and Spike, Spike asked, "Well Trixie, shall we go to the market so you can get some cinnamon nuts?"

Trixie replied, "You go ahead, The Great and Powerful Trixie has to use the restroom."

Spike asked, "Are you sure that is all you want to do?" He gave her a slight glare and continued, "You're not going to go spy on Starlight are you?"

Trixie lied, "Of course not. Trixie does not wish to anger Cadence. All Trixie will be doing is using the restroom and then heading to the market."

Spike sighed, "Well alright. I'll see you at the market soon."

As Spike headed towards the market Trixie headed back into the castle. While Trixie saw what direction Cadence had taken Starlight, she just hoped that she would be able to find Starlight and make sure that nothing bad happened.

Once Twilight and Flash got to the other side of the castle, Twilight was the first to say anything, "So Flash, what were you wanting to talk about?"

Flash replied, "Well I just thought we could talk. We haven't visited very much lately."

Twilight was curious as to what was really going on. She sighed, "Flash, we have only even said anything to one another ONCE, JUST ONCE! The only time we ever interacted was back when I bumped into you after returning from the human world."

Flash knew that perhaps he worded things wrong. He replied, "True but still, we could get to know one another."

Twilight asked, "Why? Is there any particular reason you want to get to know me?"

Flash replied, "Well you are the Princess of Friendship and you can never have too many friends, right?"

Twilight had a feeling that Flash wanted something more than friendship. She glared a bit at him, "Flash, if you wanted to simply talk to me and become friends, you would have just had us do that around my company and the other guard."

Flash began to say something but Twilight would not let him, "You aren't interested in friendship, are you? You are thinking of something more, aren't you?"

Flash blushed, "Well yeah, I am."

Twilight was not thrilled with this. She glared at him and asked, "Why? You don't even know me. Why would you want to be in a relationship with a pony you don't even know?"

Flash began to reply, "Well, I do think you are very....."

Twilight interrupted, "You just want to get in a relationship with me because I'm a princess, don't you?" She began to become agitated, "You think that if we got in a relationship, I fell for you, we got serious and then eventually got married, that you'd become a prince, didn't you?"

Flash stuttered, "W-well no. It's just that I think you're beautiful and I'd like to get to know you."

Twilight glared at him and replied, "Look Flash, I'm flattered you think I'm beautiful but I'm not interested in you, alright."

Flash asked, "Wouldn't you just give me....."

Twilight interrupted, "No, I won't give you a chance." Her voice became louder as she continued, "Look, we don't even know each other and I'm pretty certain you only want to date me because I'm a princess." She got in his face and asked, "Am I right?"

By this point Flash had a few tears running down his face. He began to cry, "No, that isn't it! I genuinely want to get to know...."

Twilight stormed off the other direction and said, "Look, I'm not interested ok"

As Twilight stormed off in the other direction Flash began to sob loudly. He didn't think that he would be flat out rejected the way he was. Given that Twilight was heading back towards the entrance to the castle, he didn't even want to return to his post but knew that he would likely get in trouble if he didn't.

After Spike headed off towards the market, Trixie headed back into the castle but she did not simply head to the restroom like she told Spike. She headed off in the direction where she saw Cadence lead Starlight. She thought to herself, "Where could Cadence have led Starlight? Come on Trixie, we have to find her!"

Eventually she heard voices coming from behind a door, one of them was from Starlight and the other was from a stallion. Trixie said to herself, "She has to be in there. The Great and Powerful Trixie can't let him take Starlight away from us!"

As Trixie approached the door she noticed that one of them was cracked open a bit. She put her ear up to the crack and began to listen in on their conversation, hoping that she wouldn't hear anything that would jeopardize her chances of being with Starlight.

Sunburst again began to approach her. He continued, "Yes, I really like you Starlight, it is more feelings of love. This is what I wanted to talk to you alone about."

Starlight nervously said, "Uh....well."

Sunburst got closer to her, too close for her comfort. She stepped back and he said, "Starlight, I know we didn't have contact for a long time but I'm wondering, would you be my marefriend?"

Starlight was not exactly thrilled over this but knew she had to stay calm and collected, "Sunburst, I'm flattered, I really am but I simply don't see you like that and I have my eyes on somepony else anyway."

Sunburst's face dropped. He said, "Oh...." He looked up and continued, "What is his......"

Starlight immediately interrupted, "HER name is Trixie, Trixie Lulamoon."

Sunburst was stunned. He gasped, "Her name? You mean you are attracted to mares?"

Starlight replied, "Yes, I am. I thought you would have been able to tell that during the ceremony Twilight threw for those of us who saved Equestria from Chrysalis."

Sunburst replied, "I did notice you were close but I never knew you two were marefriends."

Starlight said, "Well we aren't marefriends yet but I plan on telling her about my feelings later today" she raised her voice a bit and continued, "so things like this won't happen again."

Sunburst knew that was Starlight's way of saying that she wasn't interested in him at all but tried his best to remain calm. He replied, "Well I guess this kind of surprises me. I've never heard of mares being interested in other mares. It just seems kind of weird."

Starlight couldn't help but laugh, "You don't pay much attention to relations between other ponies do you?"

Sunburst replied, "I do, I've just never seen any same sex relationships."

Starlight said, "Well in Ponyville there is this unicorn mare and earth pony mare that are madly in love. Most everypony down there thinks those two should get married and after today, hopefully Trixie and I will be the second pair of lesbians in Ponyville.........."

The moment she heard this she charged into the room and embraced Starlight. She squealed, "Really, you want us to be marefriends?"

At first Starlight was shocked by being embraced but once she knew it was Trixie who did so, she was ecstatic. She returned Trixie's embrace and replied, "Yes Trixie, I want us to be marefriends."

The two loosened their grip and gazed lovingly into one another's eyes. Sunburst saw this and was not thrilled. He asked, "So you're Trixie? You're the one Starlight likes so mu..."

Starlight interrupted, "Loves." She pulled Trixie closer and asked, "Well Trixie, since you know now, I'm wondering if you'd be my marefriend?"

Trixie began to squeal loudly, Yes, yes, yes! Yes I'll be your marefriend!"

The two began to kiss passionately right in front of Sunburst. This did not sit well with him but rather than angering him, it devastated him. He began to sob, "Starlight, I know you aren't interested in me.....but you had to do this in front of me?"

Neither Starlight or Trixie heard him as they were so lost in one another. He tried nudging Starlight in hopes that he would get her attention but it was all for naught. He broke down crying and rushed out of the dining hall. Once he left Trixie and Starlight broke their kiss."

Starlight said, "You know Trixie, I have been looking forward to this happening since before we saved Equestria."

Trixie replied, "I have too. I've wanted to ask you to be my marefriend for so long but was always afraid to. I was afraid you'd turn me down."

Starlight gave Trixie another kiss before saying, "I'd never turn you down Trixie." She looked towards the exit and continued, "What do you say we go to the market and get some cinnamon nuts? Those sound so good right now."

As they began to head towards the exit Trixie replied, "Cinnamon nuts do sound so good right now but nothing is better than having you as my marefriend."

The two happily left the dining hall and headed towards the exit. While both of them were very happy, the only regret they had was that they had not expressed their feelings sooner.

Mares' Discussion

In the market Spike was pacing around waiting impatiently for Trixie. Finally somepony found him but it was not Trixie, it was Twilight. Spike could see that Twilight was not happy and she would be even more unhappy when she saw that Trixie was not with Spike. She asked, "Spike, where is Trixie? You were supposed to stay with her."

Spike knew that Twilight would be furious when she discovered that he simply headed to the market while Trixie went back into the castle so he changed the topic, "Twilight, what's wrong? You look furious?"

Twilight snapped, "I am. You remember that guard that I bumped into when I returned from the human world?"

Spike replied, "Flash Sentry?"

Twilight continued, "Yes, Flash Sentry." She began to snort, "Get this Spike, he wants to get to know me and wants me to be his marefriend, his marefriend." Her snort became more of a yell, "And him and I have only interacted once, ONCE!"

Spike asked, "Seriously, he wanted you as a marefriend when he doesn't even know you?"

Twilight screamed, "Yes, I think he only wants me because I'm a princess......" She looked around and asked, "Spike, where is Trixie? You two were supposed to come over and get cinnamon nuts."

Spike knew that Twilight would not be one bit happy with what happened but knew not to lie. He replied, "Well when we got out of the castle she said she had to use the restroom so she did that and I came over to the market." He looked around and continued, "Or that's what she said. It shouldn't take her this long just to use the restroom."

Twilight was already angry enough over Flash but this angered her further. She screamed, "She did what....."

Before she could finish her sentence she saw Starlight and Trixie, as happy as they could be, finally arriving at the market. Twilight approached them with a glare and asked, "Trixie, did you really have to use the restroom?"

Trixie blushed and held her head down and before she could reply Twilight continued, "You didn't, did you? You went to spy on Starlight and Sunburst, didn't you?"

Before Trixie could reply Starlight interrupted, "Yes, she did and you know what, I'm glad she did. Sunburst was basically begging me to be his marefriend and he kept on trying to violate my personal space."

Trixie excitedly added, "And then I heard Starlight tell him that she wants me as her marefriend so I rushed in and we professed our love for each other, right in front of him!"

Twilight's jaw dropped open when she heard this. Not only was she shocked, but she was angry as well. She snapped, "You two did what?" She glared at Starlight and continued, "You know he like likes you and you just decide to crush his heart like that?"

Starlight replied, "Look Twilight, he kept on trying to invade my personal space and once Trixie came rushing in, I decided that was the time to profess my love to her." She raised her voice and asked, "What would you do in my situation? Would you just continue to let somepony invade your personal space and keep on begging you to be his marefriend or would you nip the problem in the bud?"

Twilight replied, "I would have simply told him that I wasn't interested. I would not have been so callous to do what you did." She turned to Trixie and continued, "And I'm sure you were ecstatic to see his heart crushed like that."

Trixie said, "No, The Great and Powerful Trixie was not happy to see that, she was happy that Starlight admitted her love for her and asked Trixie to be her marefriend."

Before anypony could say anything else, Cadence found them in the market and she wasn't overly happy. She approached them and asked, "Starlight, can I talk to you alone?"

Starlight had a feeling as to what this was about and wanted to make sure it didn't happen. She replied, "If it involves me having to see Sunburst again, then no. I'm taken and he knows that."

Cadence grabbed Starlight in her aura and sighed, "No you don't have to see him but I do want to talk to you about what happened."

Once Cadence let go of Starlight the two walked to where they were out of earshot of Trixie and Cadence gave Starlight an intense glare. She asked, "Starlight, what was all that about? How did Trixie know where you two were and why did you kiss Trixie and ask her to be your marefriend right in front of him?"

Starlight was not thrilled with this. She angrily replied, "Regarding Trixie knowing, she must have found her way to the dining hall and hid outside to listen." She gave Cadence an intense glare and continued, "And you know what? Sunburst kept on begging me and begging me to be his marefriend and he just couldn't get it that I like mares."

Cadence sighed, "Look, I know you want him to know you're not interested but what you did is cruel, very cruel." She looked back towards the castle and continued, "And thanks to you, I have a crystaller to comfort."

Starlight rolled her eyes and headed back to Trixie. Trixie could tell that Starlight was not overly thrilled and asked, "Starlight what happened? You seem annoyed."

Starlight replied, "Well she is upset about what we did but what is done is done."

Spike, who had been rather quiet interrupted, "Well you two aren't the only one to hurt somepony's feelings, Twilight made a guard cry."

Twilight was not happy he would reveal this given what Starlight and Trixie had done earlier. When Starlight heard this she asked, "What? You made a guard pony cry?"

Trixie added, "Wow Twilight, what did you do to make him cry?"

Given that her only interaction with Flash occurred long before she knew Starlight, she didn't want to reveal it but because of Spike, she felt she had to. She began, "Well this goes back to when I first returned from the human world and bumped into him....."

Starlight laughed, "Wait a minute, human world? You're joking right?"

Twilight sighed, "Starlight, this is something that we would have to go over when I have a lot more time but just listen, ok?"

Starlight replied, "Alright, so what happened with this guard?"

Twilight continued, "Well his name is Flash Sentry and we bumped into each other. He gave me a smile and I gave him a slight blush and that is it. After that, we saw each other once and didn't even talk, well until today. Today he asked if we could talk and I reluctantly agreed."

Trixie added, "Yeah, you didn't seem overly thrilled to see him."

Twilight wasn't overly thrilled over Trixie taking part in the conversation but let it slide. She continued, "Well, we went to the backside of the castle to talk and he told me he wanted to get to know me as more than a friend even though we have only spoke once, ONCE!" She stomped her hoof into the ground and continued, "Who the hay tells a pony they have barely ever talked to that they want a relationship?"

Starlight asked, "Do you think he wanted to get to know you like that because you're a princess?"

Twilight stomped her hoof into the ground and replied, "That's what I told him but he continued to deny it until I finally had enough of him and headed here."

Starlight and Trixie smiled at one another and Starlight commented, "So you know what it's like to have somepony begging you for a relationship even though they know you're not interested?"

Twilight knew exactly what she was hinting at, she knew that she was trying to point out that they both went through the same type of situation. Twilight replied, "Yes I know but still, I didn't crush somepony's heart by not only admitting my love for another pony in front of him but accept that pony as my marefriend right there either."

Eventually the discussion about those two stallions became more than either mare wanted to continue. Starlight suggested, "How about we just drop this and discuss more cheerful things and do something to clear our minds?"

Trixie added, "Such as get cinnamon nuts!"

Starlight couldn't help but laugh, "Oh Trixie, you and your cinnamon nuts!"

Twilight added, "That sounds good but I do think we probably should get going before too long. I do want to get home in time for supper" she cast her gaze at Trixie and continued, "and please, if you're coming over for supper, don't complain about what is on the menu."

Trixie giggled, "Well, The Great and Powerful Trixie can always use her transfiguration spell to change it!"

Twilight sighed, "Ugh, I know you like doing that but you need to learn more real magic than just that."

Trixie laughed, "Well, Trixie also knows how to tele........"

Starlight put her hoof over Trixie's mouth and interrupted, "Well shall we get some snacks and then get heading home. It's been a long and stressful day for us and I'm ready to get home."

Stallions' Discussions

Several hours had passed since Flash Sentry had been turned down by Twilight and he was still heartbroken. He just couldn't understand why Twilight would flat out reject him. He kept on playing the scene over and over in his head, Twilight telling him she wasn't interested, her yelling at him, her accusing him of only wanting to be with her since she is a princess and her storming off. He had not said anything to the other guard about it all day because it hurt too much but finally the other guard asked, "Flash, are you ok? You've had tears streaming down your face ever since your talk with Princess Twilight."

At first Flash simply sighed in despair but then he realized that perhaps talking to the other guard might help. He replied, "No, I'm not ok. Princess Twilight yelled at me and told me she wasn't interested."

The other guard couldn't help but wonder what he was talking about, especially given it involved a princess. He asked, "She wasn't interested in what?"

Flash was shocked that the other guard didn't know what he was talking about. He replied, "She wasn't interested in me! She wasn't interested in being my marefriend!"

When the other guard heard this, his jaw dropped open as he was shocked that he would simply ask a mare he hardly knew about a relationship, especially a princess. He asked, "You what? You simply asked Princess Twilight to be your marefriend?" He couldn't help but chuckle a little bit, "Do you even know Twilight?"

Flash did not take kindly to the other guard chuckling. He snapped, "Do you find it funny that she broke my heart?"

The guard replied, "No, I'm just shocked that you would do that. Now back to where we were, do you even know Twilight?"

Flash replied, "Well this happened before you were stationed here. Her and I met after she returned from the human world....."

The other guard broke down laughing, "The human world? That's a good one Flash!" His laugh became louder as he continued, "What did she do, come out of a comic book or something!"

While his laughing angered Flash greatly, he knew that since his fellow guard wasn't there when it happened, he needed to stay calm. He replied, "Well you see, this other pony named Sunset Shimmer came through some sort of portal involving a mirror and stole her crown and she had to go to this other world to get it back."

The other guard couldn't help but wonder if Flash hadn't bumped his head but decided to go along with what he was telling him. He asked, "Alright, about her returning. You said you met her then?"

Flash replied, "Well she got her crown back and when she returned and was getting ready to head home, she bumped into me and fell over. I helped her up and she blushed a little bit."

The guard asked, "Alright but what about after, have you two interacted any since then?"

Flash replied, "Uh, no. I just think she's beautiful and since she blushed at me, I thought maybe she would be interested."

The guard shook his head, "Flash, that is your problem right there. You went and asked a pony who you have only interacted with once to be your marefriend. I don't get it, WHY would you want to hook up with a pony that you know next to nothing about?"

Flash replied, "Well....."

The other guard continued, "Flash, I get it, you think she's hot and you want to get to know her but that can't be the only reason." He began to glare at Flash and his voice became more stern as he asked, "You don't want to hook up with her solely because she is a princess, do you?"

Flash held his head low and replied, "Well no....."

The guard said, "Look, you can tell me. Don't worry, I won't tell anypony, guards' promise."

Flash replied, "I'm being honest, I just wanted to get to know her and maybe pursue something special with her."

The guard said, "Well ok. I wouldn't let this get to you too much though, like every other stallion, you're going to get rejected and there's nothing you can do about it."

Flash had a feeling that his fellow guard thought he was lying so he decided to end the conversation, "You're right, I won't let this get to me."

The guard replied, "Good, we don't need you becoming depressed and being unable to perform your duties."

After they finished their discussion the two did not say much of anything for the rest of their shift. Flash felt like the other guard not only didn't care, but even found it a bit amusing that Twilight rejected him while the other guard simply thought Flash did what he did because Twilight is a princess.

Several hours had passed since being rejected by Starlight and Sunburst was in the nursery taking care of Flurry Heart. Ever since he had become the Empire's crystaller, there was one thing always made him happy, and that was taking care of Flurry. This time though was different, while he did enjoy taking care of her and her giggles did bring out a smile or two from him, on that day all that was on his mind was Starlight.

He couldn't help but replay the whole thing through his head, Cadence bringing Starlight to talk to him, her constantly stepping back and needing her space, her admitting that she didn't see him like he saw her, her admitting to only liking mares, Trixie's arrival, their becoming a couple and what hurt him the most, their passionate kiss right in front of him. The more he thought about it, the sadder he became. Eventually he couldn't take it anymore and began sobbing.

Shining Armor heard this and head to the nursery to see what was wrong. He knew that Sunburst loved Flurry and wanted to find out what the crying was over. When he arrived he found Sunburst sitting down with his face buried in his hooves. He asked, "Sunburst, are you ok?"

Sunburst looked up and saw a concerned Shining Armor. While he had no desire to talk about this to anypony, he figured that he should given that he was taking care of Flurry. He replied, "No, I'm not ok."

Shining Armor asked, "Are you hurting somewhere? Do you need a painkiller of some sort?"

Sunburst replied, "Physically I'm ok" he pointed to his heart and continued, "I'm hurting emotionally."

Shining Armor had been fairly busy all day so he knew nothing about his interaction with Starlight. He asked, "What is causing you this much distress?"

Sunburst replied, "Earlier today Twilight and Starlight came up to the Crystal Empire and I told Cadence I wanted to speak to Starlight."

Shining asked, "And what happened there? What happened to cause you this much heartache?"

Sunburst replied, "Cadence brought her back to talk to me and I decided to tell her right away how I felt and she told me that she wasn't interested in a relationship."

To Shining Armor this seemed like a less than stellar reason to be so distraught. He said, "Well if she isn't she isn't. I know you're sad but...."

Sunburst began to cry, "It-it isn't just that! She told me that she only likes mares, she told me that she has her eyes set on this mare named Trixie!" He began to quiet down as he continued, "I just don't get it. How could a mare be attracted to another mare? It just doesn't seem right."

Shining replied, "Well....."

Sunburst continued, "And even worse, that Trixie pony shows up and Starlight tells her she loves her, right in front of me!"

Shining tried to reply, "Well....."

Sunburst became more emotional as he continued, "And they became marefriends and kissed right in front of me! It seemed like Starlight was rubbing it in my face that she loves Trixie and not me!"

Shining knew he had to be a bit firm, "Sunburst, I know you are devastated over this and I do think that was in poor taste but you can't let this affect your job. MY daughter needs you when Cadence and I are busy and Flurry loves you to pieces. I doubt she would want somepony else taking care of her because you couldn't."

Sunburst asked, "I know, I know but I still can't help but wonder, why would she be attracted to her but not me?"

Shining replied, "Well like she said, she likes mares and their personalities seem to mesh. Both of them like things a bit more chaotic and both of them have checkered pasts so they can relate with one another."

Sunburst sighed, "I can see where you're coming from regarding their personalities but mares finding other mares attractive is something I'll never get."

Shining replied, "I don't understand it either but there are some things you can't change and don't let this get you down too much. Like I said, you are our crystaller and you take care of Flurry Heart while Cadence and I are busy with our royal duties. I don't want you not giving her the absolute best care possible."

It hit Sunburst that despite being depressed over Starlight that he did need to remain focused if he is to do his job. He said, "I'll do my best to get past this. I know it will be tough, but I don't want Flurry not getting the care and attention I should be giving her."

Shining gave him a smile and suggested, "Good. Now why don't you go home early and clear your mind. I have nothing else to do today so I'll watch over my daughter."

Sunburst replied, "Thanks your Majesty. You have no idea how much I appreciate this."

As Sunburst left the nursery and headed towards the exit, he couldn't help but still feel depressed. He knew that he had to get out of this funk but felt like he had no one to talk to that truly understood him. He knew that Shining Armor did care but also knew that he simply didn't understand or even know what being rejected the way he was felt like.

Dinner Date

Author's Note

A majority of this chapter will be done in a back and forth dialogue.

Dinner Date

After being given the rest of the day off, while he did love taking care of Flurry Heart, Sunburst couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He felt like nopony truly understood how he felt when it came to being rejected by Starlight. As he headed out the door it was time for the changing of the guard and we wound up bumping into one of the guards as he was leaving.

After falling to the ground Sunburst said, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you there."

The guard helped him up and replied, "It's alright, ponies bump into me all the time." He figured that it would be best if he introduced himself, "Hi, my name is Flash Sentry."

Sunburst replied, "My name is Sunburst."

He saw Sunburst's eyes were red and asked, "Sunburst, are you alright? Your eyes are awfully red."

There was something about the guard that made Sunburst feel comfortable enough that he could tell him about what was going on. He replied, "Yeah, there is but I really don't want to talk about this while you're on the job."

Flash said, "Well I'm just getting off of my shift." His stomach began to growl and he continued, "Well you seem like a nice fellow and I could always use somepony to talk to. How about after I get out of my armor we go out to supper." Sunburst had an unsure look on his face as he didn't have that much money at the moment. Flash continued, "It's on me."

Sunburst replied, "Thanks, I don't have a lot of many right now so I appreciate this."

Flash said, "You wait here while I go get out of my armor, I'll be right back."

Sunburst replied, "Alright, will do."

While Flash was off getting out of his armor, the new guards couldn't help but give Sunburst curious looks but didn't say anything. Sunburst noticed this but didn't feel comfortable saying anything. Ten minutes later Flash returned and asked, "Well shall we?"

Sunburst followed Flash and while their walk to the local cafe was rather quiet, once they got inside they would begin to talk. Flash noticed that when Sunburst left the castle his eyes were red. He asked, "Sunburst, I don't mean to pry or anything but when you left the castle, your eyes were really red. Why was that?"

Sunburst replied, "Well I had my heart broken today, or should I say absolutely crushed."

Flash commented, "That's odd, I had my heart broken today too."

Sunburst became curious and asked, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to but what happened?"

Flash began, "Well Princess Twilight was in town today......"

Flash would be interrupted when the waiter showed up. He brought them menus and asked, "May I start you two off with something to drink?"

Flash replied, "I'd like a hard cider."

Sunburst added, "I'd like a regular cider."

The waiter nodded and headed back to get their drinks. Flash continued, "Where was I? Well, Twilight was in town today and I had met her before so I thought her and I could talk for a bit."

Sunburst asked, "When did you two first meet?"

Flash replied, "Now before you say anything, let me tell you the whole story." Sunburst nodded and Flash continued, "Well this was a while back, right after she was crowned princess. You see, there is this enchanted mirror that leads to some other world and one of Celestia's former proteges had ran through it the last time it was open. Apparently she knew about Twilight because she came and stole her crown."

Sunburst gave him an odd look and said, "Alright."

Flash continued, "Well Twilight had to go through and retrieve it. What happened while she was in that other world I'm not sure but when she returned, she bumped into me like you did. Well she fell down and I helped her up. She blushed at me but after that, I had only seen her a couple times and not even talked to her."

Sunburst simply nodded and Flash continued, "I thought today would be a good day to catch up with her so I asked her if we could go behind the castle and talk. She reluctantly agreed and once we got back there, I shared my feelings with her."

Sunburst asked, "And what are your feelings?"

Flash blushed, "Well I told her that I thought she was beautiful and asked her if she would be my marefriend."

Sunburst's eyes grew wide over this. He thought Flash was crazy for asking Twilight something like that given he barely knew her but didn't say anything. He asked, "And what did she say?"

Flash began to cry, "She said no and she accused me of only wanting to have her as my marefriend because she is a princess and after that, she stormed off in anger."

Sunburst gave him a smile and said, "Well I think it may have been early for you to ask her that but in the end it is her loss, not yours."

Flash replied, "I know it was early to ask her about that given that we hardly know one another but it still hurts."

Sunburst reached his hoof across the table and said, "Well if you need anypony to talk to, I'm here."

Before they could say anything further the waiter arrived with their drinks. He asked, "Have you stallions made a decision on what you want?"

Flash replied, "Yeah I'd like your hay steak with three eggs and hash browns."

Sunburst added, "I'd like a daffodil and daisy sandwich with hay fries."

The waiter nodded and took their order back to the kitchen. Flash gave Sunburst a curious look given that what he ordered is something that normally only mares order but didn't say anything. He asked, "So what happened today that hurt you so much?"

Sunburst replied, "Well an old friend of mine, my best friend from when I was a colt came into town with Twilight today. Her name is Starlight Glimmer."

Flash asked, "Alright, what happened to hurt you?"

Sunburst replied, "Well this pony named Trixie came with her and from what I learned her and this Trixie pony are very close."

Flash interrupted, "Oh, Trixie. Yeah I met her and it was actually her who suggested that Twilight and I go and talk while she headed off to get cinnamon nuts, well after she ran back in and used the restroom."

Sunburst's eyes grew wide, "What? She lied to Twilight and claimed she needed to use the restroom?"

Flash asked, "What happened that would cause her to lie?"

Sunburst replied, "Let me tell you something first before I get to that. Well I started talking to Starlight and every time I would approach her, she would step back."

Flash asked, "I take it that bothered you?"

Sunburst replied, "It kind of did. I know she always liked her personal space but still, it bothered me. I know I shouldn't have but I pretty much told her about my feelings and she came right out and told me that she only likes mares! That doesn't make sense to me, mares liking other mares. It can't be very common."

Flash commented, "It's way more common than you think. I remember when I was stationed in Canterlot I couldn't help but notice that there were quite a few mare/mare relationships and it seemed like all of Celestia's students were lesbians. I remember this blue one, I think her name was Minuette, telling this yellow one, I think her name was Lemon Hearts, that they should 'get all the girls together for sexy times.'" He shook his head and continued, "I thought it was really odd but I didn't judge them over it."

Sunburst sighed, "I guess you're right but it still hurts....."

Before he could say anything the waiter returned with their meals. Flash licked his chops and said, "This looks so tasty, tasty enough to make me forget about today's problems."

Sunburst too licked his chops over the meal that sat in front of him but was more concerned about telling Flash what happened. He continued, "Ok, back to Trixie. She must have been waiting outside the door to the dining hall because the moment Starlight said she loved Trixie and said something about them being the second pair of lesbians in Ponyville, she ran in and quickly embraced Starlight."

Flash had a feeling as to where this was headed but asked, "And what happened next?"

Sunburst did his best to remain calm given they were in a public setting but was unable to do so. He began to cry, "Well she asked Trixie to be her marefriend right in front of me and of she said yes." His cries became louder, "And then they had the audacity to kiss right in front of me. It was like Starlight was rubbing it in my face that she loves....."

Before he could finish he was nudged by the waiter, "Excuse me sir but could you keep it down? I doubt the other customers don't want to hear about your personal life."

Sunburst calmed down and simply shook his head. He turned back to Flash and continued, "Well, I think you get the rest."

Flash replied, "I do and I'm sorry she did that to you. If you need to talk to anypony, just know I'm here."

It wasn't much longer until the bill arrived and they had finished their meal. When Flash took a look at it, he was surprised that it was as high as it was but he didn't want to hurt Sunburst's feelings so he didn't say anything. When he paid their bill and headed out the exit, Sunburst asked, "Flash, could you walk home with me? I really want to talk to you about something."

This kind of made Flash wonder what was going on because never has he heard of a stallion asking another stallion to walk him home. To him that is what teenage fillies ask their coltfriends to do but he agreed to do so. Once they arrived at Sunburst's house he stepped up close to Flash and said, "Thanks for the supper and thanks for letting me talk to you about my problems."

Flash added, "Well thanks for listening to me and my problems as well."

Sunburst began to act strangely and said, "Well Flash, I know y-you're probably going to find this odd but I have a quesiton."

Flash gave him a half-smile and replied, "Yeah, you can."

Sunburst asked, "Flash, I know we just barely met and you're probably going to find this flat out gross but I was wondering if you'd be my coltfriend?"

Flash's mouth dropped open, "Well, I certainly didn't expect this."

Sunburst continued, "The one mare I loved shot me down and I know no other mare is going to want to hook up with me and you seem really sweet so I thought I would ask."

Flash replied, "I'm going to be honest, I didn't expect this and given that the one mare I loved shot me down, yeah, I guess we could give it a chance."

This was Sunburst's dream come true. Finally he had somepony who saw him as more than a friend. While he wasn't sure if he should, he pulled Flash in for a kiss. While Flash wasn't sure if he should do this or not, he allowed this. Just as his lips were mere millimeters away from Sunburst's, Flash pulled back.

Sunburst was disappointed and asked, "Flash, what's wrong? Don't you want to kiss me?"

Flash had his own reasons but lied, "Sunburst, I think we should wait until the next date. It might be bad karma to kiss on the first date."

Sunburst held his head low and replied, "Ok, I understand."

Flash said, "Sunburst don't worry, we'll kiss on the next date." He looked around and said, "Well I probably better get back to the barracks, I don't want Shining Armor thinking I've gone AWOL."

Sunburst asked, "Alright, shall we do this again next week?"

Flash asked in return, "Sure, how does Friday at 1900 sound to you?"

Sunburst replied, "Sounds good....love you Flash."

Flash wasn't expecting Sunburst to use that word, love. He had grown to really like Flash since they started talking earlier in the day but it hadn't grown into love yet. He didn't want to hurt Sunburst's feelings though so he said, "Love you too Sunburst."

Flash headed back to the base and Sunburst headed in his house. Inside his house, Sunburst was jumping up and down cheering as he finally had somepony who loved him. He had not felt that happy since the day he got his cutie mark. Flash on the other hoof, headed back to the barracks carrying some doubt. He did want to get to know Sunburst more and hoped that he would fall in love with him but a sudden fear hit him. He thought to himself, "What would Shining Armor think of this? What would he think if I was in a relationship with another stallion? Would he kick me out of the guard?"

Once Flash Sentry arrived at the barracks he headed in and went to bed. As hard as he tried though, he simply could not get to sleep. His thoughts were consumed with more than just thoughts of what might happen if he got into a relationship with Sunburst. He couldn't help but wonder, "What if somepony saw him almost kiss Sunburst? What if they reported it to Shining Armor and he got kicked out of the guard?" One thing Flash knew that was for sure, is that he would likely have a sleepless night and even worse, he had guard duty at 0800.

A Late Night Visit

For two hours Flash Sentry had been laying in bed worrying about what could happen if he entered into a relationship with Sunburst. He knew that Shining Armor tended to be a bit more traditional and would likely kick him out of the guard for such a relationship. While he did like Sunburst a lot, he knew that he would wind up having to crush his already fragile heart. He had a feeling it was either that or he would be out of a job.

Finally at 0100 Flash Sentry had had enough. He knew it was late but decided that he would pay Sunburst a visit. He decided that the sooner he ended any prospects of a relationship, the better. While his fellow guard ponies were sleeping peacefully, he sneaked out of the barracks and headed towards Sunburst's house.

As he headed to his destination, he kept on going through his head on how he was going to do this. He wondered if he should just flat out tell him or if he should just talk to him first and then break the news. Finally as Sunburst's house came into his field of vision, he decided he would be quick about this so he could get back to the barracks and finally get some sleep.

All the lights were off in Sunburst's house when he knocked on the door. After waiting a couple minutes he pounded on the door which quickly woke him up. When he got up and discovered it was Flash at his door, he was shocked. He said, "Uh Flash, what are you doing here this late?"

Flash asked in return, "Sunburst, can I come in? We need to talk."

Sunburst gave him a smile and replied, "Of course!"

Flash followed Sunburst in and the two sat down at the dining room table. For a few seconds it was eerily quiet until Sunburst asked, "So Flash, what do you want to talk about?"

For a brief moment Flash did not want to tell Sunburst that this was the end of any hopes of a relationship but then he got an idea. He would lie, "Well Sunburst, I have some bad news."

Sunburst got a nervous look on his face and asked, "Oh, and what is that?"

Again Flash lied, "You see, when we almost kissed one of the other guards must have saw us and reported it to Shining Armor."

Sunburst began to tear up, "I take it he wasn't happy over it?"

Flash replied, "No, he wasn't." Flash began to become nervous as lying isn't the easiest thing for him to do. He had a slight smile as he continued, "He said that it was either you or my job."

Sunburst couldn't help but notice the smile. He asked, "Flash, why would you smile when you said that? I thought you would be devastated."

Flash began to stutter, "Well, I, you see......"

Sunburst quickly realized that Flash was lying and wondered if he even loved him. He shouted, "You're lying aren't you? Do you even love me or was yesterday just a sham?" He raised his voice and continued, "You don't even love me, do you?"

Flash realized that it would be best if he just told the truth and got out of there. He replied, "No Sunburst, I don't. I really like you but I don't quite love you."

Sunburst yelled, "So that's why you didn't kiss me? You didn't kiss me because you don't really love me and you're doing this just so you don't lose your job, right?"

Unlike Sunburst, Flash remained calm. He replied, "Yes Sunburst. Look, I really like you but I have to put my job....."

Sunburst shoved him and screamed, "Just you wait, I'll tell Shining Armor you tried to kiss me last night."

Flash asked, "Oh and you think he's going to believe you?"

Sunburst calmed down and replied, "Flash Sentry, I take care of his daughter all day and I think he will believe me over you, an ordinary guard." He then began to laugh, "And guess what, not only will you be out of a job but you might face assault charges."

Not only did this anger Flash, but it also sent him into a panic. He grabbed the smaller Sunburst and slammed him into the floor. He began to stomp on the unicorn and yelled, "I don't think so Sunburst." He quieted down and snarled, "You might want to think twice about telling him if you know what is good for you."

Many ponies would be scared in this type of situation but Sunburst was too angry to be scared. For him this went from visiting with a stallion he loved to a life or death situation. While Flash was standing there gloating over stomping him, Sunburst used his magic to open a drawer with knives in it. He fired a knife at Flash, striking him directly in the abdomen.

"OUCH!"

The knife was immediately grabbed by Sunburst as he got up. He stood tall and yelled, "You want a fight, you got a fight!"

This sent Flash into a rage, the type of rage that makes a pony want to kill. He yelled, "So this is how it's going to be huh?"

Sunburst plowed the knife straight into Flash's side but that would not do much to slow him down. Flash again grabbed him and slammed him into the ground. He yelled, "That's it Sunburst. I'll make sure you don't tell Shining Armor anything." He again began to stomp on him and yelled, "May the maggots feast on your pathetic little corpse!"

This again gave Sunburst the fight he needed so much at that time. He grabbed the knife and plowed the knife straight into Flash's gut, causing him to fall over. As Flash laid there he realized that it was now Sunburst who had the advantage. Sunburst knew that Flash would likely not be down for long so he again stabbed him, multiple times in the upper thighs.

As Flash laid there he watched in shock as Sunburst levitated the knife down to him and began to cut him open. Flash's screams became louder as not only had Sunburst cut him open a bit, he leaned down and began to eat the flesh off of his ribs. As he tasted pony meat for the first time, Sunburst couldn't help but laugh, "Mmmm....tasty!"

Despite being in the situation he was in, Flash was able to lean up and headbutt Sunburst, knocking his knife straight into his side. Sunburst was screaming in agony but was quickly able to get the knife out and again stabbed Flash in the gut. Sunburst could tell Flash was beginning to get weaker and a thought crossed his mind. He remembered reading a book about a sadistic, cannibalistic dentist who would eat the hearts of bad patients and thought to himself, "What does a pony's heart taste like?"

To weaken Flash further he stabbed him a couple more times in the side before ripping straight into his abdomen. By this point Flash couldn't struggle much but was screaming louder and louder, hoping somepony would hear his screams and come to his aid. After ten minutes Sunburst had devoured a great amount of the meat on Flash's ribs and saw the organs underneath. Sunburst remembered another thing about that book that made the dentist so brutal so he did what she did, he leaned down and broke his ribcage open with his teeth.

Finally, right there, within reach was Flash's heart. Flash's screaming became louder and louder until finally Sunburst realized it had to stop. As he leaned down to take what he wanted, he asked, "Any last words?"

In an agonizing scream he yelled, "I should have killed you the second I got here you bastard!"

Sunburst laughed, "Nothing intelligent so let's finish this!"

Sunburst leaned down and ripped Flash's heart out with his teeth, causing him to let out one final scream. Sunburst was kneeling there, holding the knife with his magic and chewing up the heart. Not long after he got back up, he began to choke on the blood flowing out from the heart. He stood up and began slamming himself up against the wall trying to clear his airway. Finally he got it cleared and still holding the knife in his aura he looked down and laughed, "Not so strong now, are you?"

Sunburst decided he had best turn his light off and get to bed. He could get cleaned up tomorrow morning and handle the body later. Once he turned the light off he wound up tripping over Flash's body and fell straight forward and he let out one final scream as the knife he had been holding plowed straight into his heart.

After a lot of yelling, fighting and violence, Sunburst's house was once again quiet and dark, as it normally was that early in the morning. The only sounds that remained in the house were the crickets chirping and a couple of owls hooting.

A Gruesome Discovery

Morning arrived in the Crystal Empire and like it was every other morning, it was not the sun that would wake Shining Armor and Cadence up, it was the cries of Flurry Heart. Also like every other morning, Shining immediately got up, rushed into the nursery and got her changed. Cadence always smiled when she saw this and realized how lucky she was to have such a great father as her husband.

Once he got her changed the three headed downstairs for breakfast. On most mornings, Sunburst would have already arrived to join them before he began his daily routine of watching over Flurry. This morning would be different as he was strangely absent. Shining Armor was a bit concerned and asked, "Cadence honey, I wonder where Sunburst is?"

Cadence replied, "I'm not sure, normally he is already here."

As they were having their conversation a guard came rushing into the dining hall. He asked, "Your Majesties, have either of you seen Flash Sentry?"

Shining asked in return, "No, why do you ask?"

The guard replied, "Well when we woke up this morning he was not in the barracks and he has guard duty at 0800."

Shining and Cadence gave one another curious looks and Cadence commented, "That's odd, both of them are absent."

Shining suggested, "I'm thinking after breakfast we should go looking for them." He turned to Cadence and said, "You can go look for Sunburst and I'll go look for Flash."

Cadence nodded and asked, "I don't know what could have caused them to go missing. You don't think Sunburst is hiding in his house because of what Starlight did, do you?"

Shining couldn't help but laugh, "I don't think so." He became more serious and continued, "I talked to him yesterday and while he was sad, he told me that he wouldn't let that stop him from doing his job."

Cadence sighed, "Well you never know, he was devastated over what happened."

Shining replied, "He might have stayed home then." He looked down at his plate and continued, "Well let's eat breakfast and then we'll go looking for them."

After they finished their breakfast they readied themselves to head out but knew that they would have to find somepony to take care of Flurry Heart. At first they were unsure as to have do it until Shining simply decided that Cadence could take her with her. Once they decided on that they headed out.

Shining headed off towards the barracks and was greeted by numerous guards who were voicing their concerns about the absence of their fellow guard. One guard went into detail, "Your Majesty, I'm not sure what happened but I thought I heard somepony leave during the night and then this morning Flash Sentry was gone."

Shining replied, "That's odd. It isn't like him to just get up in the night and leave."

The guard replied, "He seemed really restless last night and I heard him mumbling about something involving a relationship and getting kicked out of the guard."

This brought out a bit of curiosity from Shining. He asked, "What would cause him to say that?"

The guard replied, "I'm not sure but I do remember him talking to your crystaller yesterday afternoon and talking about them going out for supper." The guard then began to laugh, "You don't think......"

Shining himself laughed as well, "Come on now, Flash isn't like that! I know he likes mares and so does Sunburst so it must be something else."

The guard replied, "You're probably right, maybe he simply thought that being friends with the crystaller would land him in hot water."

Shining then began to think about what the guard said about Flash and Sunburst talking about supper. He headed towards the door and suggested, "How about you come with me. I'm thinking that if we go to Sunburst's we can learn what that was all about."

The guard replied, "Yes your Majesty."

As the two headed off towards Sunburst's house Cadence and Flurry were arriving. She could tell that there were no lights on and things just didn't seem right. She knocked on the door and yelled, "Sunburst, are you alright?"

She got no answer so she knocked again and yelled louder. After not getting an answer a couple more times she finally decided to see if his door was unlocked. Much to her delight it was so she headed in but her delight would not last for long. When she saw the bloody corpses of both Flash and Sunburst she shrieked loudly and fainted. She would not be the only distraught one though, Flurry Heart flew down next to Sunburst's corpse and began to cry, wondering what had happened to him.

Five minutes later Shining and the guard arrived at Sunburst's house to discover not only had his wife had fainted and his daughter sitting next to Sunburst crying, but the horrible scene before him. Shining shrieked, "What the hay? What the hay happened here?"

He began to survey the scene and was terrified by what he saw. What truly shocked him though was that Flash Sentry had been cut open and his heart had been removed. After getting his daughter up on his back, he took a closer look at Sunburst. The first thing he noticed was that his hind legs were tangled up in Flash's and after turning him onto his side, he noticed that not only was his face covered in blood, but also there was a knife plunged into his chest.

This was something that Shining never expected to find nor was he prepared to discover something like this. He stood there in a stunned silence for a few minutes before his wife finally came to. Once she got up and saw the bodies again she broke down crying, "Shining, they're dead, they're both dead." Her cries became louder as she asked, "How could something like this happen here? The Empire is supposed to be full of love and light."

Shining replied, "Well neither one of them are crystal ponies but still." He took a closer look and continued, "And I don't know how this happened but it looks like Sunburst cut Flash open and ate his heart."

Cadence shrieked, "What? You really think he could even do that?"

Shining pointed his hoof down and replied, "Look at this. It is obvious that Flash has been cut open....." he took an even closer look at Flash and noticed that some of his flesh had been chewed off. He continued, "Look at this, his flesh wasn't just cut off, it was bit off." He then pointed to Sunburst's face and continued, "And look at Sunburst's face, it is soaked in blood."

The guard, who had been quiet for the most part suggested, "I know you said that Flash was into mares, but I still can't help but wonder WHY these two would talk about going to supper in the first place."

Cadence also suggested, "Well I know Sunburst had his heart broken and maybe he wanted to talk to Flash. Maybe they came over here and something happened."

The guard gasped, "I know somepony left the barracks in the middle of the night and then Flash was gone. You don't think he came over here, got into some sort of argument and this happened do you?"

Shining Armor replied, "You know, I don't know. None of this looks right because if anypony would have wound up being laying on the floor, gutted and had their heart eaten, it would have been Sunburst."

Cadence looked down at Flash further and noticed how he had been stabbed in the gut multiple times. She suggested, "Look at Flash's gut though. Sunburst could have used his magic to stab him multiple times."

Shining replied, "That is true but still, WHY would Flash even be here and what would have led to this altercation?"

Cadence replied, "I'm not really sure. The only thing I can be sure about is that this looks like a murder/suicide."

The guard added, "Well we better notify the proper personnel to get these bodies taken to the morgue. We can't just leave them in here to rot."

Shining replied, "Yeah we do but still, I just don't get it." He threw his hooves up in the air and continued, "Well let's get this taken care of." Something crossed his mind and he wanted to address it, "Guard, after we get this taken care of could you meet us in the throne room? There were some things you said that may not have been so strange after all."

The guard replied, "Yes your Majesty."

As they headed off to get the bodies taken care of before heading off to the castle, Cadence still couldn't help but wonder why this happened but Shining began to wonder if perhaps both Flash and Sunburst hadn't been hiding a huge secret and what happened was a result of the secret maybe being revealed.

Epilogue: Speculations

Author's Note

Most of this chapter will be done in a back and forth dialogue format.

Epilogue: Speculations

It was afternoon when the guard would finally meet with Shining Armor and Cadence in the throne room. Once he arrived Shining wanted to get down to business. He asked, "Guard, I know you were talking about how you heard them discussing going out to supper. Was there anything else you noticed?"

The guard replied, "Well I do remember hearing Flash asking Sunburst about why his eyes were so red. I also remember Sunburst telling him that he didn't want to talk to him about it around the other guard. That is when he offered to take him out to supper."

Shining said, "Well that still doesn't explain why they would go out to supper or why those two would wind up dead in Sunburst's house."

Cadence had an idea pop into her mind, "You know, I know Sunburst was devastated over what Starlight did and I have always noticed that Flash is a bit down on days when Twilight comes to visit, you don't think they went to supper to talk about their feelings do you?"

The guard replied, "They could have because it seems like Flash always has to talk to one of us about Twilight coming and not even attempting to find him to talk."

Shining added, "Well that would make sense. Perhaps they felt like they would understand one another." Another thought crossed Shining's mind. He asked, "Alright, you said that you thought you heard Flash talking about something involving a relationship or getting kicked out of the guard, right?"

The guard replied, "Yes, that is correct."

While Shining Armor was beginning to wonder, Cadence had a feeling as to what happened. She asked, "You don't think that since Sunburst got shot down and the mare Flash has a crush on won't give him the time of day that maybe they decided to give one another a shot do you?"

Shining broke down laughing, "Come on honey, Flash Sentry was a member of the royal guard and I don't see a guard pony giving a stallion a chance!"

The guard commented, "I wouldn't think he would but he didn't have quite the same macho mindset the rest of us do so if any of us would, it would be him."

Shining asked, "But what about Sunburst? I know he liked Starlight so why would he give a stallion a chance?"

Cadence replied, "I know it sounds crazy but both have been shot down by mares they really liked so maybe they thought that they could find comfort in each other and decided to give each other a chance."

The guard added, "Well that would explain him talking about a relationship and getting kicked out of the guard."

Shining replied, "Yeah I could see that being the case but I wouldn't kick a guard out for being gay but maybe he didn't know that."

All three of them sat there is silence trying to figure out what may have happened until the night departure of Flash came to the guard's mind. He suggested, "What if they did become coltfriends during that supper but then Flash had second thoughts? What if when he left in the middle of the night he went to dump Sunburst and then things went downhill from there?"

Cadence added, "That would make sense. Perhaps having his heart crushed twice in one day was too much for Sunburst to take and he just snapped and lost all rational thought."

Shining replied, "You know, that makes a whole lot of sense and given that he was a unicorn, stabbing Flash and gutting him wouldn't be that hard...." He began to gag, "But what in Equestria would possess him to go as far to cut Flash open and eat his heart?"

The guard laughed, "Well maybe he decided that if Flash wouldn't willingly give him his heart that he'd simply take it whether Flash wanted him to or not."

Both Shining and Cadence glared at the guard over his laughter. He continued, "I'm sorry about the laugh but it was just a suggestion."

Cadence sighed, "Well we have an idea of what happened to cause Flash to wind up getting gutted like that but what about Sunburst and the knife in his chest? I have a feeling that Flash was probably dead when he was stabbed."

Shining Armor replied, "Well I'm assuming that he likely decided to kill himself. I could see him being the type that would find death preferable to imprisonment."

Cadence said, "Well I could see that being the case." She cast her gaze at Shining and continued, "So are we going to do any kind of investigation or are we just going to deem this a murder/suicide?"

Shining replied, "Well given everything we saw, I don't think any kind of investigation would provide anything we don't already know. I'm saying we just go with what we think it is and end it at that."

Cadence said, "Well I guess we better get funerals arranged for those two."

Shining agreed, "Yeah, we should. Well let's go take care of that and once the funerals have come and gone, hopefully we can get past this."

Three days later funerals were held for Flash and Sunburst and a majority of the Empire showed up. While it was a somber event for everypony, Shining Armor knew of one pony who would probably be thrilled. He thought to himself, "Good thing Trixie's not here, she'd probably be celebrating."

The End

Invite to the Empire

A new day had arrived in Ponyville and like they do every morning, Starlight and Twilight sat down to breakfast but recently Trixie had began to join them. That morning they were having eggs, toast, hay sausage and cider. There was one problem though, Trixie was not thrilled with what was on her plate. She whined, "Twilight, can't we have pancakes instead?"

Twilight gave her a glare and replied, "Trixie, if you don't like what's on the menu, nopony ever said you had to join us."

Trixie got a smile on her face as she knew exactly what to do. She lit up her horn, struck the plate and transformed the toast into pancakes. She giggled, "Much better! Now Trixie just needs some syrup!" She turned to her glass of cider and quickly transformed it. Trixie laughed, "Well Trixie guesses she will need a glass of cider now."

While Starlight couldn't help but snicker Twilight wasn't so thrilled. She sighed, "Trixie, I know you enjoy doing that transfiguration spell that Starlight taught you but still, if you don't like what's on the menu, don't come over for breakfast."

Trixie said, "But Twilight, Starlight and Trixie are besties!"

Before Twilight could reply Spike came running into the throne room. He shouted, "Twilight, you got a letter from Princess Cadence."

Like she always does when she gets a letter from her, Twilight excitedly grabbed it and opened it. After reading it she said, "Starlight, Cadence wants you and I to head up to the Crystal Empire!"

Starlight asked, "Just us? What about the rest of our friends?"

Twilight replied, "I'm not sure, she just said that she wants the two of us to come up there."

Trixie asked, "The Great and Powerful Trixie wonders if she would be ok if Trixie came as well?"

Twilight had an unsure look on her face when Starlight replied, "Oh I bet she'd be fine with it! We are besties and I doubt she'd want us to have to be apart."

Twilight said, "I don't know." She saw both Starlight and Trixie sticking out their bottom lips which broke her, "Oh alright, Trixie can come."

Trixie hugged Twilight and cheered, "Thank you Twilight!"

Twilight, who was no fan of physical touch from Trixie pulled back. She sighed, "Don't mention it."

Spike asked, "So Twilight, when does she want us to come?"

Twilight replied, "You know, I'm not sure but how about we just head over to the train station and go now."

The other three nodded in agreement as they followed Twilight. Once they boarded the train, Starlight and Trixie began to talk with one another while Twilight began to talk to Spike. She asked, "You know Spike, this just seems odd. Normally Cadence tells me why she wants us up there."

Spike added, "And it is really odd that she didn't want all our friends to come up. It's strange that she just wanted you and Starlight to come."

Twilight replied, "It is and I really hope that she isn't upset that Starlight is bringing Trixie." She cast her gaze over towards Starlight and Trixie and continued, "I don't know why but I have a feeling that whatever Cadence wanted to see Starlight over, that Trixie is likely going to cause problems."