Flashing Lights

Ten

*Third Pony*

The next day Princess Twilight was up at 6am. She thought about waking up Flash, but decided to let him sleep. After all, she was up an hour early. She trotted to the library and pulled out all the books and papers she'd been doing her research with.

Ever since Princess Cadence and Shining Armor's wedding, she's always been curious about how loved work. She lifted up a book and flipped through a few pages before jotting down some notes. She cast a memory projection spell. This spell basically projected her memory so she could see in front of her. She thought of the memory of her brother's wedding then it appeared in front of her.

She watched over and over. But still couldn't figure it out. When the memory ended she saw Flash by the entrance of the library, wide eyed. "W-what, was t-that?" he tripped over his words.

"Oh, um. That was my brother's wedding."

"Now that you say that. I remember him telling me about that." Twilight nodded and wrote down some things she noticed in the memory.

Flash walked over, his golden uniform clanking as he walked. He sat down and watched as the Princess continued to study. A few times he looked at her notes, but it just didn't seem right looking through the Princess' research.

It was around 2pm and Twilight hasn't ate anything since 6am. Her stomach growled and she blushed in embarrassment. Flash just chuckled and asked, "Do you want to go to Sugar Cube Corner?"

"Yeah. I need a break from all the studying." she smiled and followed Flash out the door.

Sugar Cube Corner seemed quite busy when they got there. Mr. and Mrs. Cake left town for a bake show and Pinkie was left to watch the foals and maintain the shop. Pinkie was frantically running all over the place trying to bake, give orders and watch the foals. Angry customers were crowding the cash register demanding there food or drinks.

Twilight was stunned and just stood there. "Maybe would should come back later?"

"Pinkie might-" but she was cut off by the pink mare shouting, "TWILIGHT AND FLASH! COME AND HELP ME!"

"What do you want us to do?" Twilight asked while walking behind the counter, Flash following her.

"Flash, you bake, Twilight take ponies orders and I'll watch the foals." and with that, Pinkie was gone.

Flash pulled out a few recipes and started to get the ingredients ready. Twilight was calming down the customers and taking a few orders. A few minutes later Flash brought out some cupcakes and Twilight handed them out. Flash continued to bake multiply sweets. Each time he finished, he was covered in more and more cake batter. Twilight would laugh then shoo him to go bake more.

Soon Sugar Cube Corner was back on its feet. Customers were satisfied and there were plenty of sweets to go around. Flash and Twilight helped themselves to a few cupcakes and a milkshake.

Flash was covered in all sorts of different batters. He smelt like strawberries, vanilla and chocolate. Twilight took her hoof and wiped some off Flash's muzzle. She licked it and said, "Surprisingly good."

The two ponies laughed and continued to eat. "You're not that bad of a baker." the purple Alicorn said.

"Thanks. My grandma and I used to bake all the time."

"Your grandma?" she asked.

"My parents died when I was 3. I had no siblings and my grandpa died a few days after I was born. I moved in with my grandma and she refused to tell me how my parents died. Then once I entered the Royal Guards she died. I'm the only one left now."

"Oh, I'm sorry Flash. That shouldn't have to happen to anyone."

"Yeah, well it does." they sat in silence until Twilight levitated a rag and started to wipe away all the frosting and batter off Flash. He seemed a bit surprised, but smiled at the Princess' kind gesture. Soon Sugar Cube corner cleared out and the sun was setting. Closing time, Flash thought to himself.

He flipped the sign to closed and helped Twilight clean up. They washed the dishes, clean the counter tops and tables, cleaned the oven, swept and mopped the floor.

Pinkie Pie returned and saw the two ponies working to clean windows. A huge smile took over her face as she knew Twilight's little secret. She took the bits out of the register and put them in the Cake's safe.

Soon Flash and Twilight finished. As soon as the mare put away the cleaning supplies she collapsed and drifted off to sleep. Flash laughed and put her on his back. He was just about to walk out the door when Pinkie Pie bounced over to him. "Thanks for helping Flash! Tell Twilight I said thank you." she whispered loudly.

"I will." he smiled and pushed open the door but Pinkie stopped him.

"You two make a good team." she grinned the biggest grin Flash has ever seen and let him walk out.

She giggled to herself as she watched Flash walk back to the castle with Twilight on his back. She couldn't wait till Flash found out that Twilight liked him. The pink mare locked the door then went to check on the twins.

Flash tucked Twilight in and watched her snore away. He smiled and thought about what the crazy pink mare said. 'You two make a great team.' The words played with his mind as he continued to try and decipher the sentence.

He eventually gave up and let Twilight sleep. He gently closed the door and bumped into some pony. It was Golden Touch. "Sir, I have to ask you a question."

"What is it Golden?" Flash almost forgot he had a whole other job to worry about.

"Well I was wondering if I could take the day off tomorrow and meet some ponies." Then Flash remembered the things you give up. Freedom and relationships.

"Sorry Golden, but no distractions. That means you give up your freedom and relationships."

"Right sir," he pause then asked. "Could I have a pet?"

"I just said no distractions! Now get back to your post." Flash opened the door to his room and watched as Golden walked down the hall back to his post. Once he was gone, Flash closed the door, stripped off his armor, and crawled into bed.

A/N

Okay so another chapter will be up tomorrow. I have something planned for the next chapter! It has to do with Rainbow Dash. And no, its not Soarindash...(sadly) that's in the next book.

So stay tuned!

CM