Here's chapter five, and as of now, this is my favorite chapter of the story, because it's an idea I've had since watching "Three's a Crowd" when Flash Sentry made a cameo. And interestingly enough, this chapter takes place during said episode, and we're finally introduced to Shining Armor as well.

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Chapter 5: Cadance Learns the Truth

Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, collectively known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, were walking towards the town square, discussing how to get their cutie marks when Apple Bloom saw her big brother shouting angrily at Comet Tail.

"Ah was gonna make profits with those freshly harvested apples," Big Macintosh was saying, "but thanks ta your recklessness, Ah can't sell any apples! Applejack and Ah'll have to start all over again!"

"Well, how was I supposed to know some foolish mare was in my way?!" snapped Comet Tail.

"What's with all the yellin'?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Vincent and Comet Tail were racing, Comet Tail crashed into Derpy, and all Tartarus broke loose," explained Fluttershy, and then she and the others who'd been involved in the messy, and somewhat silly, chain reaction explained their side of the story.

"…and since Comet Tail got into a crash," finished Vincent, "this means, by default, I am the winner! Oh yeah!"

He went and did a crazy victory dance, only stopping when he saw everypony else's disapproving looks.

"Ohhh-kaaay… maybe this race was a stupid idea to begin with…"

"No hay, Marelock!" called Thunderlane.

"So all that happened because of a silly race?" asked Scootaloo.

"It sure did, squirt," groaned Rainbow Dash, "and my ears will be ringing for weeks! Ah, no pun intended."

"Not to mention a lot of hard work's gone to waste," moaned Rarity, "my dress is ruined, apples gone to waste, and Pinkie's cake is destroyed! Of all the worst things that could happen, this is the! Worst! POSSIBLE! THING! …what? I mean it," she added, after receiving a few awkward glances.

"Rarity's right," said Vincent, "I should've kept my mouth shut, and this mess wouldn't have happened."

"Oh, it's my fault too, Vincent," sighed Rainbow Dash, "I should never have suggested this race in the first place."

"I should've paid attention to where I was going," said Fluttershy.

"So do I, Fluttershy," agreed Pinkie Pie.

"Eeyup," agreed Big Macintosh, placing a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder.

"And Thunderlane, Time Turner and I should've paid more attention to our surroundings," finished Rarity, "right boys?" Both stallions nodded in agreement.

"I better have a word with Derpy," said Rainbow Dash, "once this feeling in my head goes away."

"And as for you, bud…" Big Macintosh turned only to notice Comet Tail had gone. "Huh?"

"Where'd Comet Tail go?" asked Vincent. Because everypony who'd been in the crash were feeling remorseful, he'd slipped away when nopony was looking.

"Maybe he's making more attempts to win Twilight's heart?" asked Sweetie Belle. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

"How did you know about this, Sweetie?" asked Rarity.

"Fillis told us second-hoof from Vincent," the white unicorn filly explained.

"Even if I don't like mushy," said Scootaloo, "even I know you can't force somepony to love you." She remembered the time she, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle tried to hook up Big Macintosh with Miss Cheerilee with a love potion, only for it to turn out to be love poison instead.

"Ah know the feelin' too," agreed Apple Bloom. Presently, Applejack and Caramel arrived at the scene of the disaster.

"What the hay happened here?!" exclaimed Applejack.

"Ask Comet Tail," sighed Vincent, "he's the cause of the mess… Well, technically, he cast the first stone and… It's kind of a long story."

"I'm gonna have a serious chat with him about this obsession of his," groaned Caramel, "because now, he's gone too far!"

"First things first," said Rarity, "we've got a mess to clean up!"

Everypony knew Rarity was right, and they got to work.

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A few days later, at the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor was doing an inspection on the guards, and that included Flash Sentry.

Shining Armor was a pure white unicorn stallion with sapphire blue hooves, a sapphire blue mane and tail with lighter and darker streaks, light cerulean eyes, and his cutie mark was a pink six-pointed star over a purple shield with three small light blue stars above.

"Right boys," he said, "I shall be giving you an inspection today."

Come on, Flash, the light orange Pegasus thought to himself, pull yourself together! Keep Twilight out of your thoughts, and he won't notice. You're good at keeping a straight, poker face.

Inside, Flash hoped his boss wasn't a mind reader and knew what was happening. Celestia knows how Shining Armor would react!

"Hey you!"

Flash jumped in surprise, and then gulped. Ah, jeez, this is it!

"I don't mean to sound rude, but… yeech! What a pong!" remarked Shining Armor, plugging his nose in disgust. Flash looked and saw he was talking to the guard next to him.

"It's not my fault," the guard sulked, "those guys hid my armor near a nest of skunks, and I didn't have time to find tomato juice!"

The two guards in question were snickering and pointing at one another. They stopped snickering when Shining Armor gave them a glare.

"I shall talk to you two later," he said sternly, and then when he inspected Flash, he gave a nod and moved on to the next guard. Flash breathed a sigh of relief.

That was a close one, he thought gratefully.

Soon the inspections were complete, and Shining Armor dismissed the guards, but had a stern word for the two guards who played a trick on the guard with the now-smelly armor.

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In the throne room, Cadance was reading a letter that she had just received from Twilight. Just then, Shining Armor came in after having a talk with the two cheeky guards.

"What'd you get, Cadance?" he asked.

"It's from Twilight," his wife explained, "she's asking me to spend the day with her at the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum!"

"Oh, I'm glad my little sister wants to spend time with you," Shining Armor smiled, "it has been a while after all."

"Why don't you come as well?" Cadance suggested, "You and Twilight don't spend much time together these days."

"That's true," said Shining Armor, "but an empire doesn't rule itself, you know. Although it might be a little lonely, I admit, but even a Princess needs to broaden her horizons every now and then."

Cadance nodded in understanding, and then kissed her husband's cheek before setting off to write her reply to Twilight.

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Several days later, it was the day the Star Swirl the Bearded Traveling Museum was to arrive in Ponyville. Cadance kissed Shining Armor goodbye, and boarded the train with Flash and another guard behind. The light orange Pegasus felt nervous about seeing Twilight again, even if it was for a moment or two. The best plan, he thought, would be to confine in Cadance about his problem. Hopefully, he thought, she would understand.

After the train departed from Canterlot and steamed towards Ponyville, Flash made his move.

"Princess Cadance," said Flash, "pardon me, but could I have a private word with you?"

"Of course, Flash," Cadance smiled, "what was it you wanted to me?"

Flash thought over what he was going to say. "It's got something to do with your sister-in-law, Twilight Sparkle," he began.

"You don't have any issues with her, do you?" asked Cadance, slightly concerned, "I mean, with her bumping into you a few times before, and all?"

"No, no problems with her at all, Princess," explained Flash, "it's just… well… I have a crush on Twilight…" He paused to let his confession sink into Cadance's mind.

"Oh… you're in love with Twilight?" she asked curiously. Flash nodded silently.

"Oh, that's wonderful to hear!"

"Not for me," muttered Flash.

"Why ever not?"

Flash took a big breath and explained his worries to Princess Cadence regarding Shining Armor.

"…and if her were to catch wind of this, I'd be sacked quicker than you can say 'Princess Celestia'."

"Oh," said Cadance, "I understand now."

"Please don't mention it to him," begged Flash, "otherwise, if he fires me, I may never get a chance to see Twilight ever again."

Cadance thought the idea of Twilight having a coltfriend sounded wonderful and was willing to tell Shining Armor, but even she knew it sounded risky, and began to get a little worried.

"Don't worry, Flash," she said kindly, "I won't tell him." Their conversation was interrupted by the announcements.

"The morning service from the Crystal Empire to Ponyville shall be arriving shortly."

"That's our stop," said Cadance, "you better get ready."

Flash nodded in understanding and bowed, then walked out of her compartment.

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The Crystal Empire locomotive's whistle sounded as it steamed into the station, coming to a stop at the platform, where Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash stood.

The horns sounded, then Flash and the other guard walked out of the coach, and the red carpet rolled out. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat the moment she saw Flash. Then walking out of the coach was Princess Cadance herself. Twilight's mouth opened wide the moment she saw her sister-in-law.

"Your Highness," said Cadance, bowing before Twilight. The light purple alicorn and her friends thought they should do the same.

"Your Highness," Twilight replied in kind, bowing. Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity and Applejack followed suit by bowing before Cadance. There was a pause before anypony spoke up again.

"I'm teasing, Twilight," Cadance giggled, standing up again, "we're sisters-in-law. We don't have to be so formal."

She turned to the two guards and nodded. Flash gave a small smile before following the other guard into the coach. The red carpet was rolled up, and the train quickly departed.

"Hey Flashy," the other guard teased, "you had one chance to talk to your fillyfriend and you missed it completely!"

"Oh, be quiet," Flash muttered. I should've mentioned that to Princess Cadance as well… Darn it…

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Meanwhile, later in the evening, Twilight and Cadance finally had some time to themselves after Discord, the former spirit of chaos, faked an illness to have somepony attend to him in Fluttershy's absence, the light yellow Pegasus being away to observe rare, magical creatures known as Breezies.

"Erm, Cadance?"

"Yes, Twilight? What is it?"

"There's something I should tell you," the light purple alicorn said nervously. She paused to gather her thoughts. "Do you remember when I came back from the other world a few months ago?"

"Yes, Twilight, I do. Was it when you bumped into the new guard, Flash Sentry?"

"Hit the nail on the head," said Twilight, "a few weeks afterward, he and I talked at the Crystal Empire, and since then… well…"

"Take your time," Cadance soothed.

"I… I think I'm falling in love with him!"

Cadance squealed in delight. "I just knew it!" she cried in excitement, "You two would make a really sweet couple."

"Please don't tell Shining Armor about this, though," Twilight begged, "I don't want my B.B.B.F.F. to get angry at Flash."

"Don't worry, Twilight," smiled Cadance, "I'm won't tell him. Sisters-in-law don't rat out each other." She had nearly told Twilight about what Flash said, and decided not to… just in case.

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The following morning, Cadance departed for the Crystal Empire, and after biddng Twilight and her friends goodbye, she boarded her coach, followed by two Crystal Empire guards. (Flash wasn't one of them.)

Unknown to the two princess alicorns, a certain light yellow unicorn was also aboard the train.

"I'm not letting this Flash Sentry take her away from me," Comet Tail said angrily to himself, "I won't! No matter what it takes or what I do, Twilight Sparkle will be mine!"

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You'd think after his foolish race with Vincent that Comet Tail would've given up, right? Nnope! He's not gonna give up without a fight, but what intentions does he have at the Crystal Empire? Wait and find out!

Oh, and happy early birthday to Tara Strong, the Pegasister Queen who gave our adorkable Twilight her voice! This story on whole's for you, Tara!