Here's chapter seven; now this one invokes many feelings as you read along. It will also determine who Twilight will choose; Flash Sentry or Comet Tail? Read the chapter to find out!

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Chapter 7: Operation – Romance

Back in Ponyville, Spike, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were getting ready for their plan while Fluttershy took care of a sickly Discord.

"Don't tell me you five are still trying to force them to fall in love," Vincent groaned, "this seriously isn't gonna work."

Rainbow Dash was quick to object with him. "Ah, lighten up and stop bein' so negative," she said.

"I agree with Rainbow Dash here," put in Rarity, "at least be more positively on these types of situations, Vincent darling. If it works in the end, think of how happy Twilight and Flash will be!"

"Shining Armor wouldn't be happy," muttered Vincent.

"But if he sees how happy Twilight is, he'll have to be okay with it!" squeaked Pinkie.

"If he ever understands…"

---

At the train station, the train from the Crystal Empire had pulled in.

"Ah, back in good ol' Ponyville," Comet Tail smiled as he stepped out of his coach, "now where's my fillyfriend-to-be?"

Not long after, Flash Sentry walked out of his coach. "Somewhere where you won't get your dirty hooves on her," he muttered.

Comet Tail hadn't seen or heard him, and the light yellow unicorn trotted off, shortly followed by Flash, who made sure he wasn't spotted.

---

Meanwhile, at Sugarcube Corner, Spike and the four mares were getting their plan ready. Vincent stood in the background, still believing – you guessed it – that their plan was pointless.

"It's too bad Fluttershy's taking care of Discord," said Pinkie Pie, "she'll be missing out on a whole lot of fun!"

"Well, it did serve 'im right for fakin' that blu flu of his," said Applejack, "not to mention for sneezin' on me and Rarity and getting' us 'sick'."

"Still, at least Twilight and Cadance had fun together a couple of days ago," Rarity pointed out.

Then Spike looked out the door and noticed a familiar light yellow unicorn trotting past.

"Uh oh…"

"What's the matter, Spike?" asked Applejack.

"It's Comet Tail!"

"Comet Tail?" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, "What in Equestria is he doing here after the trouble he's caused two weeks ago?"

"I'm not sure," said Spike, and then he, Vincent and the four mares noticed a light orange Pegasus with a blue mane not far behind Comet Tail.

"Who was that mysterious pony?" asked Pinkie.

"I don't think we've seen him before," added Rarity.

"I've never seen him before," said Vincent.

Spike had just enough time to get a glance at the Pegasus' cutie mark.

"That's Flash Sentry!" he exclaimed.

"Well, what in tarnation is he doin' withou' his armor?" asked Applejack.

"I don't know," said Rainbow Dash, "but I suspect this may have something to do with Twilight and Comet Tail."

"If Comet Tail's around, then this means trouble," said Vincent.

---

"Before I go and take her hoof, I need to get Twilight some sweets," Comet Tail was saying to himself. So he went to the next sweet shop in Ponyville.

"Good day," he said to the clerk, "I'm here to purchase chocolate daisies for Twilight Sparkle."

"Oh, her favorites," said the clerk, "right away, sir."

Soon, Comet Tail was given a small box of chocolate daisies, paid for his purchase, and he headed off.

"Ah, yes, the quickest way to a mare's heart is a hidden secret," he told himself, "but chocolate will make it a whole lot easier."

---

Comet Tail then trotted on towards Golden Oak Library.

"And now," he grinned to himself, "to claim my future bride."

Future bride? What's he talking about? Flash thought to himself. He hid in the shadows, waiting to see what would happen next.

Comet Tail, after looking to see if nopony was watching, knocked on the door. Within seconds, Twilight answered it, surprised to see Comet Tail.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"A good day to you, fair Princess Twilight Sparkle," Comet Tail said as smoothly as he could, "I have brought you some confections I hope you find to your taste."

"I appreciate your offer for the chocolates, Comet Tail," said Twilight, trying not to sound rude, "now would you please go already? I'm kind of busy."

"Oh, but surely somepony as smart and beautiful as yourself can offer but a few minutes for a chat?" Comet Tail insisted.

Twilight rolled her eyes and thought for a moment, unaware she had a part in the light yellow unicorn's sneaky plan.

"Don't let him in, Twilight," Flash whispered quietly, "he's a lying imposter!"

"Very well, but not too long," she said at last, "come on in…"

"Excellent," Comet Tail grinned, and he followed Twilight inside. Flash looked upset as he observed the scene; he almost wanted to cry, but he knew guards do not cry in public. Then a bad feeling came to him.

Twilight doesn't love me, he thought sadly, she's better off with that jerk than me! And Flash ran off, tears in his eyes.

---

Inside Golden Oak Library, Comet Tail felt proud inside. One step closer, he thought with triumph, play my cars right, and she'll forget Flash Sentry.

"So," said Twilight as Comet Tail made himself comfortable, "what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Why, you, of course," said Comet Tail.

"Why me?" asked Twilight, "Doesn't everypony know what there is to know?"

"Not exactly," said Comet Tail, "and while I'm at it, maybe you can learn some things about me as well?"

---

Meanwhile, Spike, Vincent, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, Rarity and Applejack were making their way to Golden Oak Library.

"I still think this is a crazy idea," Vincent was saying.

"Look, we've heard it about a thousand times, and we tell you to stop being so negative!" snapped Rainbow Dash.

"Actually, it was twenty three times, last time Ah counted," said Applejack.

"Never mind that, but we gotta get Twilight to fall in love with Flash!" Rainbow Dash retorted.

Then suddenly, the sextet saw Flash running in their direction, an upset look on his face.

"Hey, what's the rush?" asked Pinkie.

"She's better off with that Comet Tail!" Flash said brokenheartedly, "She's invited Comet Tail inside to talk and it now looks like she's falling for him over me!" And then he kept on running.

"What?!" Spike and the four mares said in shock.

"I knew it would end in tears," said Vincent.

"Oh, shut it, Vincent," snapped Rainbow Dash, "c'mon everypony; let's get to the library!"

---

"…and that's how I got my cutie mark," said Comet Tail.

Before Twilight could speak up, Spike, Vincent, and the four mares burst through the door, almost ripping it off its hinges.

"What the hay is this all about?!" Comet Tail demanded angrily, "Can't you see we're talking?!"

Vincent scowled and pointed an accusing hoof at him. "I thought we told you to stay away from Twilight!" he shouted angrily.

"What is going on here?" asked Twilight.

"Flash saw you and Comet Tail, and he believes that you don't like him!" squeaked Pinkie.

"What?!" Twilight was aghast. "Oh no…"

"Who cares?" scoffed Comet Tail, "Nopony needs a guard like him. You need me, don't you, my little Princess?"

No sooner had he said that, Twilight punched him hard in the face!

"YOU KNEW, DIDN'T YOU?!" she screamed, tears in her eyes, "You knew I was in love with Flash and tried to force me to pick you over him, didn't you?!"

"But Twilight…"

"BUT NOTHING!" yelled Twilight, "You're the biggest jerk I've ever met, and so take your so-called feelings back and STAY OUT OF MY LIFE!"

The light purple alicorn ran out of the library, angry and crying. The remaining group glared furiously at Comet Tail.

"Ya nasty varmint!" snapped Applejack, "Don't ya see what ya've gone and dun?!"

"You're an even bigger meanie pants than I thought!" said Pinkie Pie.

Then they all headed off after Twilight, but not Comet Tail. He stood up, rubbing his face where Twilight punched him, scowling in fury.

"Have it your way, Twilight," he snarled crossly, "if I can't have you… then nopony will!"

Vincent heard Comet Tail's dark comment, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. Without thinking, he let Spike and the four mares get ahead of him, and then flew away in another direction.

"I know Twilight'll probably get mad at me, but so what?" he said, "I must get help, no matter what!"

---

At the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor was concerned that one of his guards was missing.

"Flash Sentry appears to have vanished," he declared, "he must have a good reason for leaving his post."

Cadance winced silently; we know why Flash left his post, don't we?

Suddenly, the doors flew open, and in stumbled a Crystal Pony unicorn with the same grayish indigo fur as the royal guards.

"Vanguard?" asked Shining Armor, puzzled, "Back so soon from Ponyville, are we?"

"Me, Ponyville?" the real Vanguard asked, confused, "sir, whatever do you mean?"

"Didn't you request that I let you spend a week in Ponyville?" asked Shining Armor, just as confused.

"I made no such request!" Vanguard replied indignantly.

"But if it wasn't you… then who did I talk to?"

"Let me explain – so here I was, minding my own my business, then from out of nowhere, a yellow unicorn zips in front of me, asked me why they call him Comet Tail, and next thing I knew, I was stuck in a closet without my armor!"

"He's come out of the closet, hasn't he?" a few guards snickered, before getting a glare from Shining Armor and Cadance.

"So this Comet Tail ambushed you and pretended to me you just to get to Ponyville?" asked Cadance.

"Yes, he did."

"Then Flash was right to go after the imposter," said Cadance.

"And that's why he left his post?" Shining Armor asked in surprise.

"I gave him permission," explained Cadance as calmly as she could, "he knew something wasn't right about Vanguard – or, the imposter Vanguard, I suppose – and so did I."

"How could I have been such a fool?" Shining Armor groaned.

"It wasn't your fault, dear," his wife comforted, "but we must find Comet Tail and Flash. Goodness knows where they could be!"

"Shall I alert the rest of the guards?" asked Vanguard.

"On the double," commanded Shining Armor, "we must search all of Equestria, and leave no stone unturned!"

Oh, I hope nothing bad happens to Twilight, Cadance thought with worry.

---

The Everfree Forest is a mysterious place outside of Ponyville where many strange creatures live, such as timberwolves, parasprites, Ursas, and a cockatrice. Twilight and her friends once went through the forest to find the then-missing Elements of Harmony.

Flash had ended up in the Everfree Forest, tears still pouring from his eyes, and he had no idea where he was.

"What a fool I've been," he said sadly, "how could I think Twilight would ever fall in love me?"

Flash buried his face and began to cry; he didn't really care if somepony was watching him, for he wanted to be alone.

"But you're not foolish, Flash."

The light orange Pegasus looked up and noticed Twilight approaching him.

"Twilight? What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" asked Twilight.

"I thought you'd be with Comet Tail," Flash sulked.

Twilight was indignant. "I never had interest in him," she replied, "I thought he was nice when we first met at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, but now he has become an arrogant, dishonest jerk. I don't care for Comet Tail. I care for you…"

"Do… do you really mean it?" Flash asked hopefully.

"I do," Twilight smiled, tears forming in her eyes. "I… I love you…!"

She couldn't contain herself any longer; Twilight leaned on Flash, crying softly.

"It's okay," Flash smiled as he gently stroked her mane, "at least now we know the truth."

"Hooray!" shouted Pinkie as she jumped ten feet into the air, "I knew you two would fall in love!"

"Ah guess Vincent was right," said Applejack, "we didn't need to make them fall in love; they can fall in love themselves!"

"But you didn't listen to him," objected Rainbow Dash.

"Hey, neither did you," retorted Applejack.

"Oh, what can possibly ruin this beautiful moment?" asked Rarity.

"Keep your dirty hooves off of her, Flash Sentry!"

"Me and my big mouth…" muttered Rarity.

---

So Twilight and Flash have began to fall in love, but who's the stallion that's unhappy with them? I'm sure you can guess who, right? The chapter also fits two songs from "The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride": "Not One of Us", the Mane Six's, Spike's, and Vincent's thoughts on Comet Tail, and "Love Will Find a Way", Twilight and Flash's newfound love for each other like Kiara and Kovu.